Challenger Community News January 13, 2016

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Challenger Community News • January 13, 2016

AREA BRIEFS Father’s Empowerment – Handling Baby’s Mama Drama In Family Court

THANK YOU BILL! The artwork that graces this week’s cover was produced by renowned artist William “Bill” Cooper of Buffalo. The limited edition rendering of Dr. King was done in commemoration of the inaugural celebration marking January 20, 1986 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – a national holiday! A heartfelt thank you Bill!

Legislature Approves Resolution to Support the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act Last month the Erie County Legislature joined the growing number of municipalities which support a bill currently before the NYS Legislature aimed at setting nurse-topatient staffing ratios across New York State. The resolution to support the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act was approved with bi-partisan support and ensures that health care workers have the support of the Erie County Legislature in their fight to ensure safe working conditions. The resolution was introduced by Legislator Barbara Miller-Williams (D-Buffalo) who saw this as an important issue that Erie County should support. “My goal is to ensure that all patients in acute care facilities and nursing homes receive the best care and treatment available. I commend my colleagues for joining me in support of this important resolution to ensure that quality, patient centered care remains a priority throughout Erie County.”

The community is invited to join Fellowship World and Attorney Nicholas W. Hicks for a forum on “Father’s Empowerment: Handling Baby’s Mama Drama in the Family Court” on Saturday, January 16 at 10:00 am for a candid discussion that will dispel the myths and empower you with the facts, so you can become the responsible father you desire to be. Fellowship Word located at 878 Humboldt Parkway at E. Utica. Men are increasingly becoming angry at the perception of losing their kids in divorce or family court. Many men believe that their dream of raising their child will be reduced to a child support payment and every other weekend. But is this actually true? “There’s a real perception— even women share it—that courts are unfair to fathers. Did you know that the percentage of cases in which the mother got sole custody dropped from 60.4 to 45.7 percent while the percentage of equal shared custody cases, in just that decade, doubled from 15.8 to 30.5. And a recent survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers shows a rapid increase in mothers paying child support. Attorney Hicks has been serving New York for nearly two decades and has served thousands of people just like you. Attorney Hicks is a member of a number of exceptional boards, organizations and associations, including the New York State Bar Association and Bar Association of Erie County. Fellowship World is a center and community for spiritual growth where positive attitudes are developed and where good people become better. John H. Young, Sr. is Host Pastor.(An upcoming presentation. is scheduled for on January 30th.) -Submitted by Elder Paulette Woods

Massive Protest Rally Planned for Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Jan. 15th Charley H. Fisher, lll, President of B.U.I.L.D. Inc., has called for a major demonstration and Protest Rally for the actual birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King on January 1 5 t h . T h e Rally is scheduled for Betty Jean F r i d a y, GRANT Jan. 15th at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Main & Carlton Street, in Buffalo “It is no coincidence that we chose Dr. King’s birthday as it is no coincidence that the organizers chose the corner of Main & Carlton Street,” said Mr. Fisher. Charley Fisher went on to say, “As we all know, the late, Dr. King was moving toward an economic

development agenda that transcended race and ethnicity. He was looking to help the poor citizens of the south and southwest as well as the northern cities that were overrun with poverty and high unemployment among the Blacks as well as the White citizens. Many believe his movement away from social issues and his interests in the well being of people from all background increased his threat among those who sought to keep the races divided.” Main and Carlton Street is not far from the sites where many state funded projects are being constructed, such as the new UB Medical School, Children’s Hospital, High Point Nursing Home, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and many commercial and residential parking ramps. However, when one looks at the actual construction workers who are constructing these and other buildings, they are

DR. KING COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS

Downtown Library to MLK Scholarship Breakfast Set Host MLK Tribute The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System presents its 38th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Honoring Dr. King,” on Thursday, January 14 from 12 noon - 1 p.m. in the Downtown Central Library Auditorium, 1 Lafayette Square. Featured will be poetry, music dance, storytelling and speakers with community leader Clifford Bell, Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash, and more! A Free event. 858-8900.

Afro-American Historical Association MLK Program

The 10th Annual Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier’s Martin Luther King Jr. Program will be held Sunday, January 17 at 3 p.m. in the auditorium of the Buffalo History Museum (formerly Buffalo Erie County Historical Society, 1 Museum Court.

The 26th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast hosted by New Hope Baptist Church Christian Education Scholarship Committee, will be held Monday, January 18 at Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Tickets are $35 per person. For tickets or more information, call New Hope Baptist Church at 716-883-0821.

BLACK COWBOYS

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Charley H.Fisher

not Black and brown people! It has been noted that some of the construction sites have zero workers when it comes to having a diverse workforce. Also, other sites have been accused of unfair and discriminatory hiring practices. Dr. Martin Luther King’s national holiday will be celebrated Monday, January 18th. There will be many accolades, parties, and celebrations all across the nation, including Buffalo. I can’t speak or know what Dr. king would do if he was still with us but I truly believe that he would attend all those parties in his honor that’s being planned by the best of us. However, I truly believe that he would also make a ‘pit stop’ by our rally to encourage us as we try to help all of those individuals he cared so much about. The rally will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 15th. Please come and show support before you dress up to party at the celebrations on January 18th!

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Exhibit Citizens and Discussion

“Concerned Following The Dream” Annual King Tribute, The “Concerned Citizens Following The Dream” Committee will present the Annual Martin Luther King Celebration Program at 6 p.m. on Sunday January 17 at Kleinhans Music Hall. The theme is “Let America Be America.” Rev Jimmie Hardaway pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Niagara Falls N.Y. will give a 10 minutes enlightenment on the theme.

Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant and We Are Women Warriors present New Yorkers against Gun Violence- a photography exhibit and panel discussion on the impact of gun violence and what we can do. It will be held Wednesday, January 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave. Leah Gunn Barrett is NYAGV, Executive Director. The organizations mission is to reduce gun violence through legislative advocacy and education.

ne in four cowboys was Black, despite the stories told in popular books and movies. In fact, it’s believed that the real “Lone Ranger” was inspired by an African American man named Bass Reeves. Reeves had been born a slave but escaped West during the Civil War where he lived in what was then known as Indian Territory. He eventually became a Deputy U.S. Marshal, was a master of disguise, an expert marksman, had a Native American companion, and rode a silver horse. His story was not unique however. In the 19th century, the Wild West drew enslaved Blacks with the hope of freedom and wages. When the Civil War ended, freedmen came West with the hope of a better life where the demand for skilled labor was high. These African Americans made up at least a quarter of the legendary cowboys who lived dangerous lives facing weather, rattlesnakes, and outlaws while they slept under the stars driving cattle herds to market. While there was little formal segregation in frontier towns and a great deal of personal freedom, Black cowboys were often expected to do more of the work and the roughest jobs compared to their white counterparts. Loyalty did develop between the cowboys on a drive, but the Black cowboys were typically responsible for breaking the horses and being the first ones to cross flooded streams during cattle drives. In fact, it is believed that the term “cowboy” originated as a derogatory term used to describe Black “cowhands.”(Pictured:

the famous Nate Love, aka “Deadwood Dick”)


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Challenger Community News January 13, 2016 by Challenger Community News - Issuu