Challenger Community News January 20, 2022

G O

B I L L S !

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C H A M P I O N S !

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January 20, 2022 | FREE | thechallengernews.com | Community News

“Freedom is a constant struggle.

But we don’t give up!”

Vice President Kamala Harris Speaks to The Black Press About the Voting Rights Bill Page 7

African Heritage Food Co-op’s Vision! Page 5

Who Will Replace Police Commissioner Lockwood?

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Street Legacy Photos

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Can You Hear Me Now? Page 8

Voices: No Matter the Vote - We Can’t Wait!

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INSIDE ROCHESTER

COMMENTARY:

BILLS SPORTS UPDATE

Conversations: The Black Radical Tradition

Bills Beat the Patriots 47-17 Now It’s On to the Chiefs:Prediction - The Bills Will Win!

By Jalil Muntaqim

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e need to enter this dialogue - “Conversations: The Black Radical Tradition” - as conditions in this community worsens while activist across the country are experiencing similar if not the same socio-economic and political fate as here in Rochester (and Buffalo and surrounding areas).

There is a new narrative developing across the country, forging a determination that is evolving from a civil rights legacy and history that had confined the overall struggle within the domestic jurisdiction of the U.S. settler-colonial corporate government. Many activists across the country, after having witnessed the January 6th insurrection supporting the malignant philosophy and belief of "white supremacy," have decided to internationalize the struggle, adhering to instructions by the indomitable Malcolm X ( Al-Hajj Malik Shabazz).

During Black History Month, on February 10th at 7 p.m., I will be hosting the screening of "Conversations: The Black Radical Tradition" at the VSW, 31 Prince Street, Rochester, NY. I will also open discussion on the documents “We Still Charge Genocide{“ and “Peoples Senate Overview: Vision and Mission Statement” - a focus on how the national narrative is being changed from a struggle for civil rights to one for Human Rights. (For a pdf of these documents email this writer at jmuntaqim@citizenactionny.org

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

Book Launch

Poet/author Luther Brown has launched his first collection of poems, entitled, “Truth and Freedom," described as a 'noholds barred' collection of poems written by Brown over a span of 25 years, while in-and-out of New York State prisons. The official book launch and release took place last month at Cerebral Kingdom. For more info email lrhighsmith@gmail.com, 585-953-0741.

The Bills came out on fire and the offensive line continued to blow the Patriots off the line of scrimmage running New England out of Orchard Park with a 47-17 win last week. The defensive play of the year so far was made by Micah Hyde’s over the shoulder interception in the end zone early in the 1st quarter. It reminded me of baseball’s Willie Mays Classic catch in the MLB playoffs.

The Bills abused the Patriots defense the entire first half - making plays and getting key turnovers as the Patriots QB Mac Jones did not get any support from his mediocre receivers. New England had way too many dropped passes and no one stood up for them. The Bills had several players standing up on both sides of the ball. Devin Singletary showed everyone what he could do once you commit to running the football. Bills Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll and Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier called their best games of the season. The execution on both sides of the ball was consistent for the entire game. It’s very difficult for any team to keep the pedal to the metal for an entire game, but The Buffalo Bills on a cold wintery night in Orchard Park did just that.

New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick:,“I said, we couldn’t keep up with them tonight, and we couldn’t.” That’s correct. The Bills total domination of a Bill Belichick coached team was PRICELESS . It came at perfect timing for our assistant coaches, who both are interviewing for Head Coaching positions in the NFL. We wish Brain Daboll and Leslie Frazier all the best in landing a Head Coaching position.

Hopefully OC Brian Daboll will have more sets and movements designed for a very tough Kansas City Chiefs game coming up this Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. I still feel Matt Breida, along with Isaiah McKenzie and Devin Singletary, will present more problems to opposing defenses.

The veteran players on the Bills roster are stepping up with Stefon Diggs not only making plays but giving encouragement on the sidelines. Josh Allen is starting to calm down during games and using Isaiah McKenzie, Devin Singletary, and Matt Breida will open up plays down field. Bills tight End Dawson Knox is turning into a top player before our eyes. His first touchdown catching the back tip of the football was amazing and shows the dedication and hard work he has put into Continued Page 14

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

AREA BRIEFS

School Board to Vote on BeltonCottman's Resolution to Resolve Bussing Crisis!

Parents Urged to Attend to Show Their Support!

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t's been an all too familiar scene: Parents and children waiting at bus stops for busses that never come.

Board President Emeritus Sharon Cottman has put before the Board of Education a management solution to reduce the size of this problem!

HER RESOLUTION WILL BE VOTED ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26TH AT 5:30 p.m. AT THE WATERFRONT SCHOOL. PARENTS ARE URGED TO Belton-Cottman PLEASE COME AND EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT FOR WORKING WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND BUFFALO SCHOOLS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM IN A SYSTEMATIC MANNER RESPECTFULLY OF PUTTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FIRST. Rather than parents receiving a call daily on an emergency basis saying there is bus to transport your child to school, it will take 40 minutes to attempt to route another bus to pick up your child. This resolution implements a management system to: •Recognize the problem of a 40 - 54 bus shortage for picking -up BPS students. (Only continuing to get worse.)

•Recognize that in the winter this endangers student safety due to a possibility of frost bite.

•Recognize that the District’s current immediate solution has been to ask the parent on a last-minute basis to transport their child to and/or from school, which is disruptive to both the child and the parent’s lives and work schedule.

•Recognize that to accommodate the 800 – 1000 students daily who do not have buses to timely transport them to & from school on an ongoing basis, that the parents who are willing and able to transport their child to school can agree to assume the responsibility to transport their children for the remainder of the school year. With planning and vision this system will eliminate last minute disruptions and uncertainty replacing it with planned transportation support from the family for a significant number of students. This will protect students and be a good collaboration with parents.

•Recognize that NYS also allows parents to be reimbursed for the cost of transportation.

-Submitted by Central School Board Member Dr. Paulette Woods

Who Will Replace Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood ?

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uffalo Police Commissioner Byron C. Lockwood announced recently that he is retiring from the department after 38 years of service.

To date there has been no word from the Mayor’s office who will replace Lockwood, who was named by Brown to head the force in 2018 .

At that time there was a no widespread job search to fill that position. Selecting a police commissioner without conducting a job search is not standard practice for large municipalities.

According to a 2018 report published in The Public: “The Brown administration conducted an extensive search for police commissioner in 2006 when Brown was first elected mayor, before recommending H. McCarthy Gibson for the post. After Gibson left a more limited job search that fell short of the national search that Brown had promised was conducted in 2010 when the mayor nominated Daniel Derenda poCommissioner Lockwood lice Commissioner."

Lockwood had served as a deputy police commissioner since shortly after Brown took office and was named interim commissioner, after Derenda retired.

“Under the City Charter, the mayor nominates department heads, including the police commissioner, and the Common Council is responsible for vetting and confirming them. The Common Council did not make an issue of Brown’s decision to not seek other candidates and unanimously confirmed Lockwood as Commissioner.”

In 2022 will the city see a formal recruitment process to find a replacement for Mr. Lockwood?

-From Patrol Officer to CommissionerLockwood, who grew up on Buffalo’s East Side in the Ellicott Mall Housing Projects is a quiet success story. He attended School 6, Clinton Jr. High and graduated from East High School. He furthered his education with a degree in Liberal Arts from Erie community College and studied Criminal Justice at Buffalo state College.

Lockwood started out as a patrol officer in the Buffalo Police Department department in 1984 and was promoted to detective in 1992. Over the years he worked in units that dealt with narcotics, prostitution, homicide and street crime. He was promoted to detective sergeant in 1996.

Lockwood served as president of Buffalo’s Afro-American Police Association and is a member of the National Black Police Association. He has received numerous awards for public service, including an “excellence in service” award from Medaille College and the Black achievers Award.

He and John Walker of the recently exonerated Buffalo Five were best of friends as youngsters. Walker told The Challenger he wished Lockwood well on his retirement and praised his decision to come forward on his behalf personally, during the most critical round of The Buffalo Five’s decades long battle for justice last year. Despite being on the opposite ends of the criminal justice system, recalled John, “Lockwood showed true friendship…he could have kept quiet, but he was helpful…he honored our friendship and always believed in my/our innocence. He helped tilt the scales towards justice.”

Walker added that he hopes whoever replaces Lockwood as commissioner, will have “the same level of integrity “ as his friend.

(Some excerpts from from The Public / Investigative Post, 2018)

Beautification Grants Available for Projects for Block Clubs and Community Groups Throughout Buffalo

Grants of up to $1,000 are now available to help block clubs and community groups get started and make their home and street a more beautiful place.Funding programs from Gardens Buffalo Niagara and the City of Buffalo have been merged into the Marvin Lunenfeld grants, previously the Lunenfeld and Vibrant Buffalo grants. Projects need to be public - seen from the street - and should be designed to bring your neighborhood together. Awards will be based on overall project cost and matching funds from government, private contributions, or volunteer sweat equity. Applications are due on or before March 15. For more information email questions to grants@buffaloniagara.com or call (716) 247-5004.

Black men recently emancipated from slavery participating in an election in New Orleans in 1867.

Voter Suppression Is Nothing New… To be readmitted to the Union after the Civil War, former Confederate states had to provide Black men the right to vote. Within two years, 80% of eligible African Americans in 10 of 11 former Confederate states had registered to vote, upending. The White majority in many states. As a result, states found ways to bar Black people from voting despite the Fifteenth Amendment’s ban on race-based voting restrictions.

For most of the 20th century, Southern states, where most Black people lived, used poll tests to keep the electorate as White as possible Most White voters were exempted from poll tests through grandfather clauses that allowed White voters to register without taking a test if they could prove they had one grandfather who had voted before the Civil war - when Black people were almost universally part of the institution of enslavement in the south. By “grandfathering in” most White voters, poll tests helped achieve lawmaker’s goals of racial disenfranchisement.

Poll tests became increasingly difficult, challenging and absurd. Most states used unanswerable or intentionally confusing questions.

This discrimination helped keep Black registration rates in Southern states far below White rates for generations.

In March 1965, just before the Voting rights Act outlawed discriminatory voting requirements, the Black registration rate in Mississippi was only 6.7%. Less than two years after the Voting Rights Act made poll tests illegal, nearly 60% of Black adults in the state were registered voters. (Source: Equal Justice

Initiative)

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HEALTH MATTERS

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

A Healthy Community is a Wealthy Community!

Vitamins, Light Therapy and Other Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

During the winter months it can be slightly more challenging to keep the mood balanced and energy lifted.

With the cold snowy weather over long periods of time that make it hard to get around and even lessens our desire to venture out ( not to mention the challenges of the pandemic ), many experience what is known as seasonal affective disorder ( SAD), a mood that brings on depressive symptoms widely known “winter blues.”

Don’t worry spring is coming soon! Until then put up your dukes and fight those dreary onsets of sadness. Here are four methods that may help you get back to the brighter side of the season.

1.What’s on your plate? Believe it or not adding deep green or orange veggies to your meals, like broccoli, kale, and carrots, make a difference as well as bananas, sweet apples and berries. Not only do they add a vibrant splash of color to your dish, they contain mood and energy lifting properties. So toss some in as a twist to your favorite dish.

2. Vitamins can be your friend. Vitamin B-3 and Vitamin B-9 also help Leah the brain manage moods. Using them individually or even using a low Hamilton dose B complex can set you on your way to chasing those blues away.

Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D is a great supplement to add, (although its really not a true “vitamin” because it can be created in the body naturally under the sun unlike supplements that we take that the body can’t create), During winter Vitamin D is great to help lift your mood, sharpen your focus and is also known to fight against flu virus.

3. Let the sunshine in. You will be surprised how quickly energy in the home changes when you open your blinds or curtains. You can also use sheer bright drapes that the sun will naturally illuminate. If its a low lit area transform the lamps in your home to happy lamps changing out the bulbs with led daylight bulbs or invest in a happy lamp ( yes there is such a thing) to brighten and balance the mood. You can also add decorative accents like bright colored pillows, throws and the next time you pass through the flower section while shopping treat yourself to some bright flowers and add a few to each room.

4. Energize the air . To keep the vibe moving in a positive direction turn off the television, turn on some of your favorite music and dance around. Exercise and a dose of extra circulation is know to relieve depression. Burn some sage to clear the negative energy then try some aromatherapy with essential oils like peppermint or citrus scents like lemon, lime, orange orKH-35134_2022_KHFP_AwarenessCampaign_BuffaloChallenger_M grapefruit in a diffuser to lightly fill the air. The aromas from these oils are proven to lift and motivate you to help shake off those winter blues.

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Put yourself (and health) first.

FIRST FRUITS FOOD PANTRY OF LINCOLN MEMORIAL UMC

Pediatric Seizure Study

When paramedics treat active seizures, one-third of children arrive at the hospital still seizing. As part of the Pediatric Dose Optimization for Seizures in Emergency Medical Services (PediDOSE) study, Dr. Brooke Lerner and Dr. Brian Clemency are trying to improve these outcomes by equipping paramedics to quickly give the right anti-seizure medication dose. Because it is a timesensitive condition when AMR of WNY transports a child to Oishei Children’s Hospital, children will get enrolled before parent/ guardian permission can be sought. To learn more about PediDOSE, visit www.texaschildrens.org/ PediDOSE.

Located on the East Side, First Fruits Food Pantry serves several hundred families each month in the Masten District, where 30% of the households are below the poverty level. Additionally, volunteer dietitians and nutritionists help families with menu planning.

The Bread of Life Food Pantry The GROUP Ministries Bread of Life Food Pantry 1335 Jefferson Avenue, is open from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Monday & Wednesday. For more information call (716)259-8030

eat to live

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

•Dominique Johnson, founder, Coaching For the Culture. Community health worker and Mental health advocate, Wellness Coordinator. Her business is designed to bridge the gap between well being and culture and includes corporate trainings on transforming company culture, wellness workshops and support groups. She was recently featured in Buffalo Business First. Contact Dominique at coaching4theculture@gmail.com .

•Natascha Thomas has been named director of the Rural Sourcing’s Buffalo Development Center. The tech firm will initially be located in the Hansa building on Ellicott Street.

Ms. Thomas is in charge of building out a software development hub. The company is expected to grow to 150 jobs within three years.

HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD •Named To The Medaille College Board Of Directors Over The Past Few Months: Thomas Beauford Jr., CEO Buffalo urban league; Bridgit Smith Burton, Chair of the global board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; Brandye Merriweather, President Buffalo Urban Development corporation; Judge James A.W. McLeod, retired City Court Judge, attorney and community worker.

New or expanding business or job promotion or appointment? Or any related business news? Email your info to: advertising@thechallengernews.com

Rendition of the future African Heritage Food Co-Op on Carlton Street which is scheduled to open in 2023.

African Heritage Food Co-Op's Vision!

In 2016 Alexander J. Wright founded the African Heritage Food Coop. His vision, and the vision of those who supported him, was to “create a world where inner city “neighborhoods” can become Communities. Where NO ONE goes without HEALTHY AFFORDABLE food options. Most importantly a world in which we can create Ownership and employment opportunities IN and FOR the COMMUNITY.” The mission: “Nourishment, ownership and investing in “us” Wright organized a meeting of like-minded members of the community who wanted to provide fresh produce to the areas of the city considered “food deserts.”

One year later they celebrated their first Anniversary of the Cooperative’s first box pick up.

“It hasn't always been easy but we stuck it out and made it together,” said Wright.

Today the co-op has a grocery store on Highland Avenue in Niagara Falls and community gardens in both Niagara Falls and Buffalo. The co-op also sources its produce from sev-

eral local farms and has purchased a 22-acre farm in

5 Franklinville.

Plans for the Carlton Street location gelled in 2019 when an anonymous donor purchased the fire-damaged structure and donated it to the co-op. With assistance from Preservation Buffalo Niagara, the building’s roof was repaired and the structure was stabilized in 2019 Most recently it was announced that the Heritage Cooperative will begin construction work this year on the 238 Carlton Street location. The new facility will reuse the 3,833 sq. ft. historic building and add a greenhouse to it.

It is expected to open in August 2023!

The new facility will look like. The co-op will reuse the 3,838 sq.ft. historic building and add a greenhouse to it.

For membership and more information to go https://myahfc.com

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FAITH & FAMILY

Preserving The Structural Integrity of the Historic Michigan Avenue Baptist Church Has Begun It was announced last month that construction had begun to stabilize the roof and foundation of the historic Michigan Street Baptist Church. Community leaders, local officials, and the state invested $ 1.3 million to preserve the structural integrity pre-Civil War building to enable more visitors to experience the last stop on the Underground Railroad for the formerly enslaved Africans who wanted to flee to Canada.

The work is being undertaken by the Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition, a nonprofit group founded in 2001 that runs the Church at 511 Michigan Ave. and seeks to protect and promote its heritage.

“By preserving the knowledge of our past, we gain the real possibilities of our future,” said Rachel Henderson, vice chairman of the Freedom Station Coalition and daughter of Bishop William Henderson, who led the struggle to save the Church from destruction before his death at the age of 85.

"We learn more and more about the history of our ancestors, we are building a much brighter and exponentially more advanced world.”

Located on Michigan Street’s African American Heritage Corridor, the church was built

by African Americans in 1845, and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

Anointed Voices

Deacon Clarence Rodolph will present The Anointed Voices Pre-Anniversary event Saturday, February 26 at 4 p.m. at Greater Royal Church, 1335 Clinton Street. Apostle Albert Wilson is host Pastor.

The event will feature, from Ohio, Boots & the Boys, Golden Wonders and The Nu Anointed Disciples.

Also, The Anointed Voices of Harmony from Rochester; Bruce Myles from Niagara Falls; and from Buffalo, the Royal Praise Dancers and Daughters of Destiny. Al Wilson will MC the show. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door children $5 . . For more information (716) 893-9891.

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter Awards Vice President Kamala Harris Speaks to the Black Press About The Voting Rights Bill & More Georgie Stokes Walker Scholarships Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is pleased to announce that $500 scholarships will be awarded in 2022 to high school graduating seniors attending public or charter schools in the Buffalo and Amherst School Districts. These awards are made possible by a generous donation from the estate of Mrs. Georgie Stokes Walker who truly appreciated the value of education.

Scholarship applications and the criteria for an award have been distributed to guidance counselors in the respective school districts and available to students. Applicants should submit completed applications to P.O. Box 1851, Amherst, NY14226 or email: xeo@xiepsilonomega.comno later than February 11, 2022. Mrs. Linda F. Seay is the president of Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter. Mrs. Constance M.Moss. Ph.D. is the Chairman of the Georgie Stokes Walker Scholarship Committee.

Spring Open House SATURDAY APRIL 2, 2022

10AM - 12PM

Going to college isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about figuring it out. It’s about inventing who you’re going to become.

Visit Villa at our Spring Open House and learn about our 9:1 student to faculty ratio, the 99% of students who receive financial aid, and our new programs in community health and motion design.

See for yourself.

Go to VISIT.VILLA.EDU to register online or call 716-961-1805 for more information.

240 Pine Ridge Road Buffalo, NY 14225

T

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

he Vice President, who cut her teeth as a California prosecutor, State Attorney General, and later as an influential U.S. Senator, said that despite many setbacks to voting rights, she and the entire Biden-Harris administration haven’t and won’t stop fighting.

“I will tell you that I gave a speech with President Biden at Morehouse College, and afterward, I had a quiet visit with Ambassador Andrew Young because I was looking to him for inspiration,” Vice President Harris told the gathering of publishers and journalists from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

“Based on what history has taught us, Ambassador Young said in a nutshell is that freedom is a constant struggle. But we don’t give up. That’s where I am. I’m not giving up,” the Vice President asserted.

She continued: “We are going to keep on. This is a movement for voting rights. Coretta Scott King said the fight must be fought and won with each generation. This is certainly a moment that we should not have to be in, which is fighting against blatant laws that are designed to target specific communities that obstruct access to the ballot box.”

Vice President Harris offered that she’s leaned on “folks from every walk of life.”

She declared that all must remain purposely intentional and optimistic. With Democrat Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Krysten Sinema of Arizona dealing death blows to any hopes of passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote measure, Vice President Harris declined to place blame alone on those renegade party members. “We have a fight in front of us. I will emphasize that there also are 50 Republicans who took an oath to support and defend the Constitution,” Vice President Harris remarked.

“I’m not prepared to absolve them of their responsibility to stand in the shoes and in the legacy of the Republicans who, in 2006 in that chamber in the U.S. Senate, voted 98-0 in favor of the extension to the Voting Rights Act. “Let us be clear about the challenge here and who the protagonists and the antagonists are. The bottom line is that we must march on and fight on. It’s not new to us. We can’t be tired even though we are frustrated, and yes, disappointed, if not angered that we’re continuing to have this fight.”

Vice President Harris noted that her first year in office had kept her busy.

She has met with heads of state, prime ministers, and other dignitaries.

Alarmingly, Vice President Harris noted that many had expressed concern about voting rights in America and the many voter suppression laws that have passed in Republican-led states since the 2020 election.

VILLA.EDU The Vice President noted that not only are those tar-

geted by such laws affected but America’s standing as a global leader also has suffered.

“I hosted at the Vice President’s residence, [former German Chancellor] Angela Merkle, and while talking about China and Russia, she asked, ‘What is going on with voting in America?’” Vice President Harris said.

“We as Americans are about to take ourselves off the map as a role model for what democracy should be. [The world] is watching.

“You watch what a role model does. I met with the Presidents of Zambia and Ghana in my office, and they were talking about these issues. It has a direct connection to our standing around the world. We lose our legitimacy. [Voting rights] is a domestic issue, but it will impact our standing in the world.”

In the news she provided exclusively to the Black Press, Vice President Harris announced the first National Roadway Safety Strategy.

“It’s about putting $6 billion into state and local government to improve safety on the roads,” Vice President Harris pronounced.

“It’s about funding for local communities for better streetlights, ensuring crosswalks are safe. We’re talking about the elderly, the mother with the stroller, the father with the stroller – people given enough time to cross the street. It’s a very big thing when you talk about the quality of life and when you live in communities where they rely on public streets to walk to church, to get the kids to school, to get them to the bus stop.”

When discussing the administration’s success, Vice President Harris noted the massive bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed last year.

She pointed out that the bill contains significant funding for public transportation, a vital issue for people of color and the poor.

“African American workers are four times more likely to take public transit than white workers,” Vice President Harris noted.

“If we’re not putting funding in public transportation – $90 billion specifically – it means that if you miss your bus, you might lose an hour waiting for the next, and you could lose your job. So, it’s a big deal.”

She noted that the bill funds broadband in areas where none exist, and many find it hard to afford. Additionally, the infrastructure bill removes lead pipes and lead from paint, a serious problem facing many African American and low-income households.

When the administration began, the pandemic had taken its toll on much of the country and the globe. Since taking office, Vice President Harris said more than 200 million Americans had received Covid vaccines, and 75 million have gotten booster shots.

She noted the economic bounce back in the 6 million jobs the administration has created and the near-record-

Continued Page 15

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Entertainment

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Emerging from Pandemic Isolation, Youth Artists Lift Their Voices in Showcase of Talent

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n the Spring of 2020, as the world retreated into lockdowns, a local open mic café teen program, called Can You Hear Me Now?, had to shut down its exciting teen talent showcase scheduled for late March of 2020. Many of these teen artists continued to work on their original material in the isolation of the pandemic.

Starting in September of 2021 about 25 young people returned to the Gloria J. Parks Community Center on Main Street to share with each other their original rap, rhythms, songs, and dance, and to prepare for a return to the stage.

The work led to a fourth annual Can You Hear Me Now? showcase performance on Monday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Burchfield Penney Arts Center Auditorium, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, next door to Buffalo State College. The performance featured nine amazingly talented teen performers presenting original work for over 90 exciting minutes.

Over 80 people attended and responded enthusiastically to these young artists' passion and talent.

Can You Hear Me Now? is an open mic program that meets Monday evenings and Saturday afternoons for 10 weeks to empower young performers to transition from performing covers of commercial songs to developing original poetry, rap, and movement. These young people come from public and charter schools around Buffalo. Although there are a few small venues that have opened in recent years that occasionally accommodate youth under 21 for open mics, there are very few spaces where teens can connect with their peers, while being challenged to deepen and refine their work.

The program was directed by Da’Von McCune, rap artist and owner of D Real McCoy Entertainment and Ashley Watson, a Marriage and Family Counselor, and owner of # Real Talk, a social emotional learning curriculum for youth. Michael Tritto, the Associate Director at Gloria J. Parks Community Center provided administrative support. This adult team created a safe space for youth to enjoy each other’s company over dinner, while challenging themselves to express what really matters to them through their art forms.

This was not just a youth social outlet. This was an artistic laboratory, a personal development curriculum, and youth café wrapped into one. The teens began each Monday evening with an interdisciplinary workshop reflecting on how they reveal themselves in the way they present themselves. This is called #REAL TALK. After sharing a delicious catered dinner, the evening shifted to an open mic format with young artists presenting their original performances and then getting performance notes from their peers and adult teaching artists. On Saturday afternoons, the most serious of these teens met to learn how to organize, refine, and promote a performance event. The event was planned, managed, and hosted by youth leaders.

The program seeks to build transferable skills that empower young artists to create opportunities to work professionally, first locally and perhaps beyond. Presenting their feelings and original ideas through performing arts is highly motivational. The youth were keyed up with enthusiasm having completed auditions to make it into the showcase.

The performers were paid from the proceeds for the performance, to get a taste of being treated as professionals.

The artistic team challenged these young people to hone their skills in public relations to learn how to produce their own public performance.

This event was produced by the University District Community Development Association (UDCDA), a non-profit agency offering youth, senior citizen, and adult programs at the Gloria J. Parks Community Center, 3242 Main Street and housing and business development services at 995 Kensington Avenue.

This program is funded by generous grants from the Erie County Youth Bureau and the First Niagara Foundation. Burchfield Penney Arts Center co-sponsored the showcase event last month. ( Images by Street Legacy Photos )

Bienaventurado Es El Uno: Henri Star Music Video World Premier and Concert February5 In an exclusive video screening and concert, Henri Star will premiere the cinematic music video ‘Bienaventurado Es El Uno’ (Blessed Is The One), on Saturday, February 5. The venue and time has changed. The event will now be held at The Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court at 3 p.m. at the Burchfield Penny Arts Center at 6 p.m.

Bienaventurado Es El Uno is the 9th track from Henri Star’s 2021 Album “Awaken!”. The music video depicts the story of El Mariachi (played Henri Star), and the search for His Eternal Beloved (played by model and vocalist Maya By Name); a search which has crossed decades, centuries, millennia, and asks the question: will they finally be reunited?

Filmed and Directed by Korey Green of Black Rose Production House, the video features music, dance, passion, and suspense.

“This work of Art has been Divinely inspired from the moment the lyrics were revealed to me, to composing and recording the music, to filming the video,” said Henri Star. I am excited to share the latest stage of this project with the world.!”

View the Official Trailer https://youtube/3q9GDrqj2y4 In addition to the video premier and in honor of Black History Month, Henri Star and the Muhammad School of Music (MSOM) Chamber Players will present the music of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Beethoven is one of classical music’s most prolific composers, and was of African descent.

Tickets: $100 VIP - includes priority seating and an autographed copy of the book “The Artist”; $50 - includes priority seating); and $25 General Admission at the door, $20 Advanced Sales. For more info, to make a donation, purchase your copy of the book “The Artist”, and to listen to “Bienaventurado Es El Uno” Visit henristar.com for more info or email: Henristar@aol.com

SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS IT MATTERS!

9

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

Valentines Day Live Love Laugh Comedy Show in Niagara Falls Make it out to the Live, Love Laugh Comedy Show in Niagara Falls N.Y for Valentines Day! The show will feature comedians Artie Rob, Kool Bubba Ice Richie Santana and Dennis Stradford, hitting the stage at Coles World Designz, 1615 Pine Avenue in the Falls.

Doors open at 7p.m. and the show starts at 8p.m.

General admission is $50 and includes show entry, dinner and four free drink tickets (all while supplies last). The first 24 ladies at the door receive a complimentary rose.

Mask mandate is in effect so be sure to mask up. Temperature checks at the door and valid ID required for this 21+ event.

Go to Eventbrite.com and search live love laugh comedy show for tickets.

2022

K L E I N HAN S  M U S IC H A L L

51 and FABULOUS!

Recently Tamieka Johnson had an OUTSTANDING 51st Birthday Brunch!!!. Dorothy Hudson decorated the venue. Uncle Willie and the Band

were outstanding. Henri Muhammad surprised us all by not only playing his violin, but he also played his guitar. The D.J. Easy E. was great. A tear escaped from my eyes when her Sorors surrounded her and sang to her. It was a beautiful sight to behold. There was so much Love in the room and it was all for Tamieka. She cried the when her son Q said so many beautiful things about his Mom. You will not find a more humble and grateful human being. She LOVES to party and have a good time, and THAT she did.!

Photos and text by Princess Photography

NFTA-Metro Looking For Artists to Help Celebrate Black Excellence

Local Artists Will Have An Opportunity to Design Images That Will Grace Metro Buses NFTA-Metro and the WNY Urban Arts Collective are seeking local artists to submit proposals for artwork that will grace the exterior of NFTA-Metro buses in honor of Black History Month and beyond. The theme is “Black Excellence”, and artists are encouraged to be creative and inspiring. Images should be eye catching, engaging, colorful and reflective.

The winning piece will be seen by thousands while gracing the streets of WNY. Within this space, there is opportunity to contribute positively to the daily experience of the many people who use NFTA-Metro services. By creating vibrant and inspiring artwork for our buses, our hope is to generate feelings of pride. Subsequently, the addition of these pieces of work will continue to expand the growth of NFTA-Metro’s public art experiences.

Project Specifications The contest is open to any Western New York artist to submit their proposal for consideration. Upon selection, artists will be paid a flat fee for their art contribution. Completed artwork should be sent to local artist, John Baker at Jonbak112@yahoo.com.

Artists are required to submit the following for consideration: Name ,Address, Phone, Email, Bio, Title of image, Description of proposed artwork, Artwork jpeg. Save file as: firstname_lastname_JAI_Proposal.jpg(jpeg) The deadline for submissions is January 23rd, 2022, by midnight. Beginning January 24th, submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee from the NFTA and the WNY Urban Arts Collective. Artists will be notified of their submission status by January 27th, 2022.

images to keep us warm...

The Campbell Brothers | Sunday, February 6 | 3 pm

We welcome Western New York’s The Campells and their internationally famous sacred steel gospel sound. John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, will be featured. tickets: $34 adult $20 student handling and facility fees apply .

(716)885-5000 KleinhansBuffalo.org

2022 PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS:

AOJ Campells Challenger CNWs 2022v2.indd 1

1/10/22 2:38 PM

Valentines Musicians Ball Dedication To Area’s Late, Great Entertainers!

Musicians from Buffalo and Western New York that have passed away will not be forgotten on Saturday, February 12 when Peaches presents her annual Valentine’s Musicians Ball at Al's Grill, 603 Dingens St. Entertainment will be provided by the Top Knotch Band, Uncle Willie, Chris Dean, Lee Davis(Puncho), Matthew Clark Dance School, Delaine Rock, Melissa Kay and more, ..It going to be at 603 Dingens at Al's Grill Cheektowaga IN HER ELEMENT: The amazingly talented Drea d'Nur is NY 14206. Stay tuned! in fine form as she performs this past summer at the Pappy For more information Martin Legacy Jazz Fest in MLK Park. Third Eye Photo call Peaches at 603-6506.

10 National/International

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

Not Paying Attention Will Cost You Your Future!

T

he real history, here in America, was that the United States Government sent the original symbol of Liberty, back to France, because it was a statue of a Black Woman with Broken chains.

That statue of a Black Woman, with chains broken, was first sent to America from France, in congratulations for the BaBa ENG so-called Emancipation Proclamation.

America refused to accept that statue and sent it back to France with the request that they, the Frenchman, produce a statue of a white woman with blinders on her eyes holding a torch and a scale.

Cuba Defeats Covid-19 with Learning, Science, and Unity Despite U.S. sanctions, Cuba has succeeded in treating covid and has developed five different vaccines that are widely accepted by its population.

Education is central to Cuba’s brand of socialism. The revolutionary government’s dedication to scientific knowledge and healthcare for all shows up now as Cubans cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. The United States is not so lucky.

Cubans have wholeheartedly carried out masking, socialdistancing, testing and quarantining. Cuba’s bio-medical research and production facilities created five anti-Covid vaccines. As of December 3, 90.1 percent of Cubans had received their first dose; 82.3 percent of them were fully vaccinated. Only seven other countries have higher rates. (1) Trials showed that Cuba’s workhorse Abdala and Soberana 02 vaccines were protective for over 90 percent of vaccine recipients.

Cuba’s Covid vaccines don’t need extremely low-temperature refrigeration as is the case for major U.S. vaccines. In that regard they are particularly useful in poorly resourced countries. Cuba has sent, or is preparing to send, vaccines to Vietnam, Venezuela, Iran, and Nicaragua. Cuban scientists are elaborating a version of their Soberana Plus vaccine that will protect against the Omicron variant.

Cuba’s achievement in producing anti-Covid-19 vaccines is remarkable in the face of shortages of equipment, reagents, and supplies due to the U.S. economic blockade.

Britain Refuses to Return Ethiopia’s Scared Tablets.

The British seized the plaques after defeating Emperor Tewodros II at the Battle of Maqdala in 1868, and they are now locked away in a vault in a British museum. Ethiopia has asked for the tabots to be returned, but the most the museum is willing to do is let Ethiopia borrow them for an extended time. The 11 tabots, or altar tablets, are of huge spiritual significance. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church believes the tabots are the dwelling place of God on Earth or the Ark of Covenant. Priests use the tabots to sanctify and consecrate church buildings. By tradition, they are supposed to be kept in a private place, away from public view.

Only priests are allowed to see them. Some of the other items were returned to this past November but they are still negotiating the return of the tabots.

We don't know that part of American history cause they don't teach it, and we don't want to know it for fear of being stigmatized as "Woke". Cause "wokeness" means that you have been awakened to the truths of an America that was built on the enslavement of and continued degradation of Black people, that included rape and murder of Black and Brown people throughout ur stay in America and the theft of our ancestors labor and the land here in America and in Africa.

Now, these so-called "Mother's of Liberty", have chapters in at least 33 states in the United States, where they have vowed to stop teachers from teaching the real history of America to all children. These "Mothers of Liberty" don't want Our future generations to have the full information about our collective history that they need to make the righteous decisions to make up for a past that we all should be ashamed of.

Yes, my fellow human beings, these are the truths of "wokeness" and "critical race theory" that some white people don't want taught in our schools. The "critical race theory" that tells the truth about the African Origin of Civilization. About the true fact that the Greeks came to Africa, the place that they called Egypt and Ethiopia, "land of burnt faces" to study under the Black priest who were the most renown scholars of those times. That is part of the "Wokeness" they don't want you "woke" to, which also includes everything you can imagine about early white people in America and their history as laid

Study: Over Half of Police Killings Go Uncounted Police killings in America have been undercounted by more than half over the past four decades, according to a new study that raises pointed questions about racial bias among medical examiners and highlights the lack of reliable national record keeping on what had become a major public health and civil rights issue. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington and published in The Lancet, amounts to one of the most comprehensive books at the scope of police violence in America, and the disproportionate impact on black people. -NYT

Part 2 Conclusion

out clearly in a history book by a White man, Howard Zinn, appropriately named "The People's History". A book that details all the lies about George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who were actually rapist, slave owners and thieves, and Christopher Columbus who was a known rapist and murderer who caused the onslaught of european expansionism, which stole the land and wealth from the so-called "indians" who lived on and cared for this country we call America, hundreds of years before Columbus only got to sail around the coast.

True fact, Columbus never set foot in America.

So, when Washington, Jefferson and other white men talked about liberty and independence, freedom and justice, know for a fact that they were not including Black or Brown people.

They were not even talking about their own women, because white woman were also considered the property of white men at that time. Yet, we should not forget that those same white women sleep with these rapist, murdering, thieving white men every night. I believe their mentality is the same as the mentality of the white women who now with the shame of centuries on their consciences, call themselves "Mothers of liberty" and vow that no one will teach the truth of American history.

It is up to us, My People, who want to know the real history of America, to decide that we all have the inalienable rights that will allow us to have the equity in all of our lives, that we all deserve because we all bring the raw material of human potential to the table, and not be denied because of the color of our skin.

I believe that these Mothers of Liberty and Daughters of America need to be rejected, the same way the Ku Klux Klan must be rejected, if we are to build a just and moral society. A society where we all as human beings can make up for our wrongs and restore ourselves to the human family by doing whatever is necessary to make amends for past behaviors, so that everyone of us feels whole again. I believe we can all feel whole again when we have dismantled the stranglehold of racism and the ignorance it engenders, when we eliminate discrimination and eradicate wealth inequality and political corruption. When we fly all of our flags in the United Nations of the human family. That wholeness is how each of us would feel when there is no racism and discrimination, no wealth inequality, no educational misinformation or political corruption to keep us all in the mental chains of enslavement.

If you want to be a part of the reclamation of Our Collective Power, then Paying Attention is the one price that you must be willing to pay. The assault on Black people in it's many forms have not ceased since the United States government was forced to enact the Emancipation Proclamation. But, remember, they followed that with the 13th Amendment to The United States Constitution. My People please pay attention and know they have been creating ways to keep us enslaved in one way or another since that time. Now, they are stepping up their assaults on our bodies, on our minds and on all of the laws that are supposed to protect all of us. Voting rights are under attack and legislation on what can and cannot be taught in our schools is under attack right now in states across the country. They are organizing and promoting their vision of a white controlled America all over the Country.

My People, unless there is a concerted effort by all of us, to stay woke, and be critical of all that is wrong with this country, the racist, fear mongering hoards will accomplish what they attempted to do with the January 6th attempted insurrection.

If we, The People, do not wake up and begin to act on what we know, by electing the right people to Public Office and fighting to create the legislation that pushes back against any form of discriminatory practices these racist hate mongers will create the fascist regime that eradicates the need for Universal Justice, Truth and Reconciliation and the Moral Imperatives that protect us all from any form of discrimination, injustice or harm to any of us based on the color of our skin, our zip code or how much money we make.

Power to The People! Your Brother , BaBa Omowale Eng

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

The Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community Initiative might best be described as a community Sankofa project.

Dr. King is one of the most common household, institutional and international names on this planet. Although he is popular, admired and recognizable nationwide, many people have not been introduced to the accurate report and instructions he gave in this final book. His many admirers don’t realize that Dr. King said, "something is wrong with capitalism…….and maybe America must move toward a democratic socialism."

Because others speak so highly of him ( but rarely from a Black Empowerment foundation), many of our youth and young adults “DON’T FEEL” Martin Luther King's story at all, but they do feel the injustice, the poverty, the political frustration, and deep down the continued miseducation of our people- which he did in fact address. With that being said, I think we have a problem. If the previous generations loved and believed in Dr. King and his message, what happened to our progress ? Are we in a more dangerous position now as opposed to the 1960's? Are we scheduled to lose our voting rights in the 21st century? Do we have an accurate picture of what is going on in Black America or are we constantly Dreaming a Dream without any preparation for waking up and facing reality? Sankofa means go back, fetch, and return. In all honesty, our progress depends on understanding where we are, how we got here and what instructions we have to move forward.

A few years ago WUFO radio held a “live to Air” town meeting focusing on local elections. Many of the Saturday talk show hosts participated and they remained informative up to the elections.

As I watched the National elections approach, it really hit me that we all feel the consequences of elections, many vote in elections, some remain vigilant after elections, but most of us don’t identify with a BLACK AGENDA to shape who we support in elections.

Another evident reality is that our community does not understand Civics and the Power of organized people.

Our weekly radio show Access To AFreeKa began talking about using Dr. King’s last book as an invite to understanding where we are in American history and what we must do to withstand the political White Backlash that fueled the election of Trump and his supporters. We began to have reading sessions in some local churches and with community organizations and institutions. In 2021 some groups collaborated to promote the book and create virtual forums dealing with specific focus areas. Some participants were Canisius College, Citi Bank, and Juneteenth Festival. Access to AFreeka and WUFO hosted book giveaways and summary sessions on air throughout the 2021 year.

(To Be Continued)

11

Fair Question for the Pfizer COVID-19Vaccine...

A Community Sankofa Project Guided by a Prophetic Report From the Front Line

The name and inspiration for the initiative is taken from the title of Dr. Martin Luther King's book "Where Do We Go From Here." It was his last written work and it is like a prophetic report from the frontline.

VOICES

No Matter the Vote: We Can’t Wait

By Dr. John E. Warren By the time most of us read this, the United States Senate would have taken a vote on the Voting Rights Legislation that has been delayed for so long. While passage of the Voting Rights Act and the John Lewis Act would go a long way in nullifying the many Voter Suppression laws enacted during the past year in more than 28 states, we must all realize that this battle for the right to vote now rests with each and every one of us.

We must now understand that the issue is not one of whether we will have a democracy. The real issue is will we become a nation of racists fighting to kill the continuation of a representative government that some of us think of as a democracy, or will we allow our future to rest with two individual members of the Senate? Will we allow citizenship suppression to become the symbol of democracy for those who truly believe that only a select few are to be counted in the limited and non-inclusive government that tramples on the rights of people of color and marginalized citizens.

Because the attack on voting rights is so aggressive and uniform, those of us in favor and support of voting rights legislation must act now and take this cause beyond the necessary votes needed to make the pending bills the law of the land. We must now register and re-register every person capable, of voting age, for the midterm elections which will take place this November 2022. We must check existing voter rolls for the names of all those who have been or are being “purged” for whatever reason. We must find and re-register those individuals so that they can be in good standing to vote in November. We must conduct election drills just as Dr. King and those in the Civil Rights demonstrations prepared for each march before they went out to be attacked by dogs and high-powered water hoses.

We must establish committees to look at and examine those persons seeking to run for office at all levels and test whether they have campaign proposals that would weaken both elections and tamper with the people who handle such elections. This would include laws against election workers, voting opportunities at the local and state level as well as a national commitment to ensure that those elected to the House and Senate will maintain the control of those bodies to meet our goals.

We can’t wait to study the new electoral districts; we can't wait to find the right people to run for office or to start the fund raising that will be necessary to change the projected Republican outcome for November 2022. Now is the time to start both here and with our families, friends and neighbors across this country. We must prove that no laws can stop an idea whose time has come with the people the laws were intended to serve.

Warren is Publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Dear Editor: Fair Question For the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: What substantiated the drastic reductions from the sub-zero storage requirement — minus 70 degrees Celsius which equals minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit? Initially temperature maintenance was emphasized as so important, shipping containers had temperature sensors.

Since COVID vaccination sites have significantly increased — including at Rite Aid stores, Walgreens and essentially some “pop-up” spots (such as community centers) — I was curious how they were equipped to satisfy the Antarctica-range temperature.

In researching online, I found “. . . FDA allows more flexible storage, transportation conditions for Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.” (fda.gov February 25, 2021) “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is allowing undiluted frozen vials of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 to be transported and stored at conventional temperatures commonly found in pharmaceutical freezers for a period of up to two weeks.”

“This reflects an alternative to the preferred storage of the undiluted vials in an ultra-low temperature freezer [-70°C] . . . .”

Another temperature storage reduction for the vaccine was reported in “Pfizer Vaccine Can Stay Longer at Warmer Temperatures Before Being Discarded.” (npr.com May 19, 2021) The story included: “Food and Drug Administration [FDA] says it’s now OK to store the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at NORMAL REFRIGERATOR TEMPERATURES for up to a month. This is much longer than was previously allowed under the FDA’s emergency authorization and will make storage and distribution of the vaccine easier.”

I found nothing reporting the vaccine had been altered in any way. Inquiring minds might question — How can thawed vaccine remain unspoiled, for up to 30 days — with only very minimal refrigeration — but frozen storage was at a mega-minus temperature? ( Also, previously, the maximum refrigerator storage was up to 5 days.)

Pfizer submitted data to the FDA to demonstrate justification for the preceding change. I couldn’t find any details.

Seems they accepted the information as the Gospel.

-Kat Massey

dear editor

Stop The Persecution of Betty Jean Grant!

The next Hearing is at 9:30am, on Wednesday, February 2nd, in front of Judge Andrew C. LoTempio, at Buffalo City Court, 25 Delaware Avenue, on the 2nd Floor.

The case against Mrs. Grant is a travesty and we should all be outraged!

Letters Of Support for Betty Jean are still needed!

Please forward your letter to her Attorney, at: JudgeJim148@Gmail.Com

12 BMH Sports Accepting Nominations for 2022 Black History Month Sports 30 Under 30 Awards!

Deadline January 30!

L

ast year, Dewitt Lee III, Athletic Director of the Sports Commission and co-founder of the BHM Sports 30 Under 30, created a special Black History Month awards ceremony known as the BHM Sports 30 Under 30 Awards. The focus was to recognize the past greats who shattered cultural barriers in sports and to shed light on today's current African American and African Canadian sports stars under 30 years.

To celebrate the greats of yesterday and connect them to the achievements of the sports leaders of today is both educational to the recipients and to the audience of the awards ceremony.

This year, the BMH Sports 30 Under 30 Awards committee is looking for nomination submissions of athletes of African descent from high school, college, professionals, and Olympics with special consideration on athletes in the sports fields that do not traditionally have a lot of participation from people of color.

“The list of last year's recipients all embodied the spirit of our ancestors, a resilience that allowed them to overcome obstacles on the field of play and on the field of life. By using Dewitt Lee III this platform as a way to celebrate Black History Month, we are bridging the generations of gladiators of sports and teaching about the greats who have paved a way for us today,” said Lee .

The nomination form can be found on linktr.ee/sports30under30 Also on their web page, you will find links to the 2021 awards program featuring all of the recipients, the link to the radio broadcast of the 2021 awards ceremony among other info on the first years' event .

The 2021 list included athletes of African descent from across WNY and Southern Ontario and this year we will follow a similar approach. The awards ceremony will take place online and the recipients will be a combination of Black athletes from the US and Canada.

The deadline to make submissions for the 2022 awards is Sunday, January 30th at 11:59 pm EST.

TENANTS AND LANDLORDS!

SIGN UP TODAY for the City of Buffalo’s FREE Apartment Building Recycling Program. Help keep the City Clean and GREEN!

www.buffalorecycles.org/apartments Questions? Call 716-851-5014

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

13

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action County Court Of The State Of New York County Of Erie Action to Foreclose a Mortgage Index #: 2019600585 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Plaintiff, vs Jennifer G. Flannery, Erie County Public Administrator, As Administator Of The Estate Of Eugene Massey, Who Was Surviving Spouse Of Matlean Massey, Rita Massey As Heir To The Estate Of Eugene Massey, Who Was Surviving Spouse Of Matlean Massey, Jeffrey Massey As Heir To The Estate Of Eugene Massey, Who Was Surviving Spouse Of Matlean Massey, Terry Massey As Heir To The Estate Of Eugene Massey, Who Was Surviving Spouse Of Matlean Massey, David Massey As Heir To The Estate Of Eugene Massey, Who Was Surviving Spouse Of Matlean Massey, Bobbye Mitchell As Heir To The Estate Of Eugene Massey, Who Was Surviving Spouse Of Matlean Massey If Living, And If He/She Be Dead, Any And All Persons Unknown To Plaintiff, Claiming, Or Who May Claim To Have An Interest In, Or General Or Specific Lien Upon The Real Property Described In This Action; Such Unknown Persons Being Herein Generally Described And Intended To Be Included In Wife, Widow, Husband, Widower, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assignees Of Such Deceased, Any And All Persons Deriving Interest In Or Lien Upon, Or Title To Said Real Property By, Through Or Under Them, Or Either Of Them, And Their Respective Wives, Widows, Husbands, Widowers, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assigns, All Of Whom And Whose Names, Except As Stated, Are Unknown To Plaintiff, New York State Department Of Taxation And Finance, People Of The State Of New York, The People Of The State Of New York Obo Chief Clerk Of The City Court Of Buffalo, United States Of America Acting Through The IRS JOHN DOE (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.)

Defendant(s). Mortgaged Premises: 69 Hastings Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Erie. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Bobbye Mitchell Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Susan Eagan of the County Court Of The State Of New York, dated the TwentySeventh day of September, 2021 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Erie, in the City of Buffalo. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated May 22, 2000, executed by Eugene Massey (who died on August 2, 2018, a resident of the county of Erie, State of New York) to secure the sum of $46,750.00. The Mortgage was recorded at Book 12882, Page 7415 in the Office of the Erie County Clerk on May 26, 2000. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an

assignment executed July 14, 2002 and recorded on August 2, 2002, in the Office of the Erie County Clerk at Book 13008, Page 5288. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by a corrective assignment executed March 19, 2019 and recorded on September 25, 2019, in the Office of the Erie County Clerk at Book M 13912, Page 1523. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed September 16, 2019 and recorded on September 25, 2019, in the Office of the Erie County Clerk at Book M 13912, Page 1526; The property in question is described as follows: 69 HASTINGS AVENUE, BUFFALO, NY 14215 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to 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. DATED: December 10, 2021 Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy, LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 70454 Jan. 13,20,27, Feb.3

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF ERIE Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Mr. Cooper, Plaintiff AGAINST Celestine Hicks Wylie as heir at law and next of kin of Standford T. Wylie; Maurice Wylie as heir at law and next of kin of Standford T. Wylie; Albert Mogavero as heir at law and next of kin of Standford T. Wylie; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated June 12, 2017 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Closing Room of the Erie County Clerk's Office located on the first floor of 92 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202 on February 24, 2022 at 10:00AM, premises known as 181 Floss Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14211. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Buffalo, County of Erie, State of New York, Section: 90.82 Block: 4 Lot(s): 40. Approximate amount of judgment $108,496.89 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 813796/2015. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Eighth Judicial District.

Michael Kuzma, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: January 3, 2022 Jan.20,27, Feb.3, 10

LLC'S Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company Nuthing Over Thirty Online Boutique, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY). On June 8, 2021. Office in Erie County. SSNY is the designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 135 Hedley Place, Buffalo Ny. 14208. Purpose: any lawful purpose. No specific duration attached to LLC. January 13, 20,27 February 3,10,17 Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company Sweet Assassin LLC filed Articles of Organization with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/4/21. Office location: Erie County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 277 Hastings Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

January 13, 20,27 February 3,10,17 Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company Community Catalyst Group, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on November 10, 2021. Office in Erie County. SSNY is the designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to 40 Wildy Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14211. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

January 13, 20,27 February 3,10,17 Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company Tanda Transportation, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on November 12, 2021. Office in Erie County. SSNY is the designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 776 Highland Avenue Tonawanda, NY 14223. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

January 13, 20,27 February 3,10,17

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF ERIE STATE OF NEW YORK MORTGAGE AGENCY, Plaintiff AGAINST KAREN D. AUSTIN, ET AL. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 18, 2021, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Closing Room of the Erie County Clerk's Office, 1st Floor, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo NY on February 10, 2022 at 10:00AM, premises known as 63 Roslyn Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14211.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Buffalo, County of Erie and State of New York, SBL: 101.33-4-37. Approximate amount of judgment $18,221.93 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #813272/2018. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System's COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules and safety protocols, as well as in accordance with the 8th Judicial District Amended Foreclosure Auction Plan.

Please take notice that all persons attending the auction must comply with and observe social distancing, wearing masks/face coverings and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. Joshua E. Dubs, Esq., Referee Schiller, Knapp, Lefkowitz & Hertzel, LLP 15 Cornell Road Latham, NY 12110 1806222 70466 Jan.13,20,27, Feb.3

Van Driver

EMPLOYMENT

Transport persons w/disabilities to & from Various points in a wheelchair lift equipped Van or regular vehicle. Must have clean Driving record within past 2 years. Cover letter & resume required to WNYIL, Inc. 3108 Main St Buffalo NY 14214 employment@wnyil.org EEOC

NFTA-METRO IS HIRING!

NFTA-METRO is currently hiring for all positions: Operators, Mechanics (Diesel, Body Shop, Machine Shoop), Building Maintenance and Electricians. Join them for an Open House on Saturday, January 22 from 11 am - 2p.m. At the Cold Spring Station (near Main St), 1581 Michigan Avenue. There will be testing Health Homes Support for Maintenance positions at 2p.m.(See their ad page 5) Specialist

Provide daily support to the department While handling needs of consumers. Bachelor’s and 2 yrs office experience req. Resume and cover letter to WNYIL, Inc. 3108 Main St. Buffalo, NY, 14214 employment@wnyil.org EEOC

Personal Assistant Specialist

Perform onboarding & recruiting duties Of individuals for employment. HS diploma And 3 yrs exp req. Asso req 1 yr exp.

Cover Letter and Resume to WNYIL, Inc. 3108 Main St Buffalo NY 14214 employment@wnyil.org EEOC

Peer Support Specialist

Provide support to individuals with lived mental Health experiences and assist in obtaining their goals. HS diploma & 4 yrs related work exp.req. Cover letter and resume to WNYIL, Inc. 3108 Main St Buffalo NY 14214 employment@wnyil.org EEOC

Vocational Peer Support Specialist

Educate individuals in the community About the benefits of using WNYIL programs. HS diploma & 2 yrs exp in vocational services req. Send resume and cover letter to WNYIL, Inc 3108 Main St Buffalo NY 14214 employment@wnyil.org EEOC LEGAL NOTICE Bids will be received by RP Oak Hill Building Co., Inc. for the University at Buffalo – Foster Hall Renovation Project on 1/26/22 at 1:00pm. Please fax bids (716-822-4367) or email (bids@ rpoakhill.com) prior to 2:00 pm. The scope of work includes demo, asbestos abatement, site, concrete, masonry, steel, millwork, roofing, glass, doors/frames/hardware, carpentry, flooring, painting, specialties, window treatments, elevator, M/E/P/FP etc.

The contract documents may be examined at Construction Exchange.

This project is prevailing wage and there are PLA requirements. ***W/M/ DBE & SDVOB participation is encouraged.

TO ADVERTISE:

advertising@thechallengernews.com 716.881.1051

Part-time Youth Ministry Director

Job Description: We are currently seeking a part-time Youth Ministry Director to manage and expand our ministry youth ministry of our church and community.

Ideal Candidate: Our ideal candidate has had experience – either on a volunteer basis or paid, performing duties that have been centered on youth and children’s outreach, mission work, or other Christian ministry experience. The ideal candidate would have a passion for building Christ-centered relationships with our children and youth, showing them the love of Jesus Christ.

Any Person: •Professing faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, and •Can pass a background check and character screening is eligible for this position.

Compensation: •This is a part-time position •We anticipate this position to be approximately 15-20 hours/ week, flexing up or down as the activity calendar allows •Candidate should be available afternoons/evenings, Sundays and some Saturdays.

Please e-mail Robert Lowery at robertlowery@rlexperience. com to further inquire, submit your resume, and begin the screening process.

Advance Your Career and make a difference at JFS of Western New York We're expanding, come grow with us!

Visit jfswny.org for more information and to easily apply.

CHANGE | GROW | THRIVE Outcomes Data Specialist Job Developer Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Licensed Mental Health Therapist Adult Care Coordinator (Spanish/English) Psychosocial Support Specialist Care Specialist Cultural Broker (Burmese, Arabic, Dari, or Pashtu) Refugee Case Worker (Niagara Falls) Medical Case Manager (Niagara Falls)

jfswny.org

14

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

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SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES

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

-Tao Te Ching

BILLS REPORT continued from page 2 becoming a quality receiver.

The Chief’s defense is playing much better and the Bills intermediate passing game will be a key to victory. Josh Allen continues to take what the defense gives him, and hopefully OC Brian Daboll will throw the entire offensive playbook at a Chiefs defense and secondary that can be beaten.

PREDICTION: I think this game against Chiefs will be first time the Bills secondary will truly miss Tre Davious White not being on the field. This will be the most entertaining game of upcoming weekend and I see the Bills playing with determination for a full 60 minutes and defeating two-time AFC Champions 35 – 31. So, get ready to enjoy a primetime offensive showdown!

Follow me on FACEBOOK, Instagram, TWITTER: georgeradney@georgeradman, LIVE STREAMING: Pro Talk Plus, The Winners Edge, NOON EST, 9 AM PST; (View the show throughout the weekend On Stage Plus TV) RADIO: WLGZ The Beat 105.5 FM Pro Talk Plus every Saturday morning from 7 AM – 8 AM; WHTK Fox Sports 1280 AM in Rochester, NY What’s Going on The Experience every Sunday morning from 8 AM – 9 AM.

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15

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

Mayor Launches Clothing Donation

Ross Woods

U.S. Army 1882- 1985 Fort Hood Tx Fort Jackson, SC Dusseldorf, Germany M.O.S.- 085 Signal Corp Member of Disable American Veteran (D.A.V.) Chapter #120

Mayor Byron Brown, joined by the Division of Citizens Services and The Buffalo Police Department, has announced that donation boxes for new coats, gloves, hats, scarves and socks have been placed in the lobby of Buffalo City Hall from now until February 1st in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Donation sites are also at 5 Buffalo Police Districts: •Ferry-Fillmore Station, 693 East Ferry St. •Northeast District, 2767 Bailey Ave. •Central District, 1847 South Park Ave. •South District, 1847 South Park Ave. •Northwest, District, 669 Hertel Ave.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS

continued from page 7

images to keep us warm...

low 3.9 percent unemployment.

“One of the things I’m so proud of is to put the issue of Black maternal mortality on stage at the White House,” Vice President Harris told the NNPA. “Black women are three times more likely to die from childbirth, and that’s a function of several things including racial bias in the medical health system,” she stated.

She said she intentionally put training at the top of the list.

“The training community would be doulas and midwives who understand and know communities and who will give dignity to the families they serve,” Vice President Harris commented.

“Another issue that disproportionately affects African American women is fibroids. Again, I’m talking fibroids inside the White House and what we need to do to address particular health needs of Black women in connection to what they do as wives, mothers, grandmothers, and leaders in the community.”

Dr. Chavis applauded Vice President Harris for her “detailed responses to questions posed by our NNPA member publishers from across the nation.”

“They were very informative and substantive,” Dr. Chavis concluded.

“The truth is some in the mainstream media have not given the progress of the Biden-Harris administration the recognition that it deserves. We in the Black Press will continue to give voice on the critical issue of voting rights, health care, criminal justice reform, and the protection of American democracy as articulated by Vice President Harris.”

“Speaking directly with Vice President Kamala Harris today was a tremendous boost for the NNPA as we begin our yearlong promotion and celebration of the 195th anniversary of the Black Press of America,” Dr. Chavis proclaimed.

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2nd annual Buffalo UNIA-ACL Locs & Fros Convention, Mandella MarketPlace, Jefferson & Ferry , August 28.

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 20, 2022

Six in 10 people

living with dementia will wander at least once.

Keep your loved one safe.

If you’re caring for someone living with dementia, their safety is always on your mind. Taking steps to create a safer environment doesn’t just prevent injuries. It can help your loved one feel more relaxed and less overwhelmed, so they can maintain their independence longer.

The Alzheimer’s Association is here for you with no-cost safety resources like: • • • • •

Night lights Door alarms Wandering prevention Driver evaluations MedicAlert program

Call one of our dementia specialists to discuss your situation. Start feeling safer today.

800.272.3900 | alz.org/help-support

Programs are funded in part through a grant from the New York State Department of Health.