Challenger Community News June 14, 2017

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Keeping the Spirit of Juneteenth Alive!

CULTURE

10th Annual Juneteenth MAAFA: PG. 9 Day of Remembrance

LOCAL

Buffalo Entrepreneur One Step Closer to Realizing Her Dream PG. 3

PG. 8

VOICES

When Black Men are Heroic, America Forgets

PG. 14

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

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

Mood Makers Books Theatre 1 Project Presents

From My Mind to Your Soul Five nights of plays, short stories, and Poetry by Playwright C. Kirkland Rivers

M

ood Makers Books Theatre 1 Project will present “From My Mind to Your Soul,” five nights of plays, short stories, and poetry by Playwright C. Kirkland Rivers June 26 July 1 at the Multi-Use Community Cultural Center 142 Atlantic Ave., in Rochester's Neighborhood of the Arts.

For more information go to http://moodmakersbooks. com/content/mmb-eventscalendar or call Mood Makers Books at (585) 271-7010.

Tickets are available for purchase at the door or online at muccc.org.

Since 1960, C. Kirkland Rivers has kept a daily journal of his life's experiences.

A number of years ago he started writing his memoirs from those journal entries.

He soon realized he was not a novelist, but a playwright, and began writing his memoirs as plays about his family, his hometown, Nashville, Tennessee, his time in the U.S. Air Force and other creative stories. This production features entries from his journals.

The week's schedule •Monday, June 26, 7:30 p.m. - "Reflections." Admission is FREE.

•Wednesday, June 28, 7:30 p.m. - "Mattie and JC," a play memoir. Ticket price is $10.

C. Kirkland Rivers

A pre-reading of a new play in development; it will be staged in 2018. An audience talkback with C. Kirkland Rivers will follow the reading.

•Tuesday, June 27, 7:30 p.m.

- "From My Mind to Your Soul." Ticket price is $10.

A journey from 1960 to the present day that spans 57 years in the life of the writer -- a time of dreams, happiness, sadness, love, disappointment and success. Told in poetry, photos and stories, the journey of C. Kirkland Rivers coincides with key events during African American history.

This is the fourth play in the 10-play memoir series, "Back Yard Stories from 1018 15th Avenue South." This play centers around C. Kirkland's mother and father and C, Kirkland leaving home (Nashville). Mattie and JC had four children, two boys and two girls. C. Kirkland Rivers was the only one that left home after college, only to return on visits.

•Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1, 7:30 p.m. "TALK." Ticket price is $15.

A play in two acts, written by C. Kirkland Rivers and directed by Gary DeWitt Marshall.

"TALK" examines the impact the main character - Charlie - has on the lives of people close to him, and the agendas his friends and relations try to project on him. What secret has been weighing on Charlie for the better part of his life?

Why at this moment must he try and rectify a deed done over 40 years ago before it's too late?

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Caribbean Heritage Month

During the month of June The Baobab Cultural Center, 728 University Avenue in Rochester, will be celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month beginning on June 9th. Films will be sponsored by the Rochester Jamaican Organization and cosponsored by The Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies at the University of Rochester.

•Between Worlds (Trinidad & Tobago) Friday, June 23rd 7:00 PM •Auntie (Barbados) Friday, June 30th 7:00 PM.

• Six-hour daily program for city children who turn 4 by Dec. 1st • Healthy breakfast and lunch • Language, social and self-help skills to be ready for school • Educational field trips • Indoor/outdoor play and naptime • Instructional program taught by certified teachers • Available at schools and community agencies in the city • Free monthly RTS bus passes for parents

•Nana (Dominican Republic) Friday, June 30th 7:00 PM

If your child turns 3 or 4 by December 1, enroll them in Rochester Pre-K today!

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!

262-8140 | www.rcsdk12.org/prek

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

AREA BRIEFS

From CookieLand to the Upper Room: East Buffalo Entrepreneur is One Step Closer to Realizing Her Dream

F Antwan K. Barlow

Antwan Barlow Pens New College Prep Book Antwan K. Barlow, Director of the Upward Bound Program at D’Youville College, is the author of a new book titled: 20 BU (Barlow University) TIPS for the College Preparation Student: A Relatable College Preparation Guide and Workbook. The text is designed to serve as a personalized guide through the major elements of the college preparation process.

Mr. Barlow joined D’Youville in 2008 as Assistant Director of the Upward Bound Program and was named Director in 2011. The Program is a federally funded college preparatory program for secondary students who are economically disadvantaged and/or first generation college students.

“I have been mentoring students in college preparation for 15 years. These students have come from urban, suburban, and international backgrounds. I wrote this book as a way to put my unique and relatable college preparation tips in print and share it with a global audience in hopes that these tips will help students, parents, school counselors and after school programming in their college preparation efforts,” Barlow said.

He was nominated for the National Science Foundation Presidential Award for Excellence in Mentoring A graduate of the State University at Buffalo. He earned his master’s degree in Urban Education from Cleveland State University.

Sarah Norat-Phillips

Sarah Norat-Phillips To Keynote Hispanic Heritage Council Event Former Buffalonian Sarah Norat-Phillips, a nationally acclaimed broadcast media executive, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY event held at KeyBank Center, One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza Saturday, June 24 at 9:00a.m.

Ms. Sarah Norat-Phillips is an accomplished business woman who has been an inspiration and role model for the local Hispanic community. With 25-plus years of contribution to the broadcasting industry, her professional experience has ranged from host, public affairs director, director of programming and operations, and president and general manager of WMYD –TV in Detroit, Michigan, where she was the first Puerto Rican woman to run a network affiliated television station in the country.

Sarah Norat-Phillips began her television career in Buffalo, at WKBW-TV, as the host and producer of a weekly community affairs program called “Pueblo Buffalo.”

Many in the community are also familiar with Sarah as a dedicated and talented member of Ujima Theatre Company over the years.

Tickets are still available.

For information call Esmeralda Sierra (716) 228–5929 or Maritza Vega (716) 935-9773, or visit www.hispanicheritagewny.org .

or the past decade Vivian Jackson has been dreaming of taking her career of providing care for children, to another level; one which would embrace the entire community.

And for eight years, she said, a symbol of God’s promise has manifested itself to her in the presence of rainbows… literally everywhere and all the time.

On June 5, after years of dreaming, praying, planning and rainbows, Vivian (also known as Cookie), held what she called an “Inside the Rainbow Ribbon Cutting” to announce her new corporation, The Upper Room, and the creation of a one stop family entertainment complex and eatery rooted in the Spirit and located in the heart of the community.

The architects rendering is as striking, exciting and visionary as Ms. Jackson’s goal of providing children with a safe alternative to the streets and offering spiritual guidance to adults and young people who may find themselves overwhelmed in times of need.

“It’s been my dream for ten years and I never lost the faith,” said Ms. Jackson, the owner of CookieLand, a successful child care facility she’s operated in East Buffalo for 20-plus years.

The new venture, which will be located at 202 Walden Avenue at the corner of Wasmuth (located on the street right behind CookieLand) will consist of four components.

The Prayer Room (The Upper Room) will serve mainly as a place where people in the community can receive prayer and guidance.

“We need prayer,” said the long time member of Elim Christian Fellowship. A number of ministers she said, have already committed to volunteer and she’s hoping more will step forward to help.

She’s especially excited about the skating rink, which will be called Rainbow Skating, and will feature two rinks - one large and a smaller ver-

Brief History of Juneteenth

"All Slaves Are Free..." uneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.

Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved Africans were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

General Order Number 3 One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 on June 19, 1865, which began most significantly with: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer."

The reactions to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubila-

J

'TO GOD BE THE GLORY!" In top photo, Vivian Jackson (center in white top) cuts the ribbon for her new development which will feature a Prayer Room, skating rink, small diner and ice cream parlor. In photos above she poses with family and supporters. A large crowd turned out for the community event on June 5 and included a host of dignitaries: Fillmore Councilman David Franczyk, mayoral candidates Legislator Betty Jean Grant and Mark Schroeder, Rev. Cushing, and members of her Elim Christian Fellowship family.THIRD EYE PHOTOS

sion for little children. The last two components will be Mama Cookie’s Diner & Eatery and The Cross Ice Cream Parlor -where she hopes to bring back penny candy!

“Everything just opened up,” she said of the rapid succession of developments. “It was all God. It’s just favor…. but I seek Him everyday…I don’t let anything come before God.” She said developers hope to begin building this summer, and the facility is anticipated to open by the end of the year.

“God is so good!” she exclaimed. “I want to thank Christina a true partner for real…I love her with my whole heart…and of course

my brother Darnell Jackson, Miss Denise, Okos the architect, Mike the developer, and Bishop Bronner and my Elim Christian Fellowship family."

Once the building is complete and the doors are open, Vivian said she wants everyone who enters to feel the love from the font of the building to the back.

Despite the politics of neglected neighborhoods, she continued, “God has not forgotten about the East Side.”

Her experience, she points out, is living proof.

The role that the community must play at this point she concluded, is basic.

“It’s time to start loving again,” she urged.

First Time Homebuyers Orientation FLARE Inc., Buffalo Urban League and BURA presents First Time Home Buyers Orientation sessions. Free and open to the public, orientation dates and locations are: June 20 at United Way 743 Delaware Avenue; July 11 Buffalo Urban League 15 Genesse Street; July 18 Flare Inc. 307 Leroy Ave. Call 716 8386740 or 716 250-2418 to register.

Continued Page 13

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

We are Proud to Join the Juneteenth Committee and the Citizens of this Great Community in Celebrating the 42nd Consecutive Year of the Juneteenth Festival in Buffalo, New York!

A STYLISH CREATION

BY ERIKA 241 Niagara St. (716) 578-8299 ALIVE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE 2275 Fillmore Ave. (716) 837-1118 ANN RHOD’S TAILORING 3185 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-5633 ANSAR CELLULAR Communications & Fragrance Store 1371 Fillmore @ E. Utica (716) 884-2373 AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY & TIRE 3218 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-0263 BEN’S TIRE 540 E. Delavan (716) 891- 0281 BEN’S DOWNTOWN TIRE 50 Sycamore (cor. Elm) (716) 856-1066 or 894-1483 CHIRO FIRST WELLNESS CENTER Dr. MOHAMED MUNASSAR DC 4214 Clinton St. (LaBella Plaza West Seneca) (716)675-2255 CLARK ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS 699 Hertel Ave. (716)573-6288 COLORED MUSICIANS CLUB 145 Broadway (716) 855-9383 CONTINENTAL SCHOOL OF BEAUTY CULTURE Desiree L. Parker Administrator 326 Kenmore Ave. (716) 833-5016 DELACY FORD INC. Joe Morey 3061 Transit , Elma NY (716) 668-1200 DORIS RECORDS 286 E. Ferry near Jefferson (716) 883-2410 JAMES P. DAVIS Attorney & Counselor at Law 181 Franklin St. Suite 101 (716) 847-2606 Office ENTERPRISE CHARTER SCHOOL 275 Oak Street (716) 855-2113

HON. ARTHUR O. EVE EM TEA COFFEE CUP 80 Oakgrove Avenue (716) 884-1444 emteacoffeecup@gmail.com FADE FACTORY 1295 Hertel Ave. (Near Crestwood) (716)877-0851 (Shop) FARMERS INSURANCE TONI DUBOIS LUTCF 2460 Main St. (near Jewett) (716) 931-5200 JEWEL FLEMING MJ Peterson Real Estate (716) 668-7000 BETTY JEAN GRANT Erie County Legislator 2nd district 790 E. Delavan Ave. Email: BettyJean.Grant@erie.gov GOLDEN CUP COFFEE 883 Jefferson Ave. (716) 883-7770 lstitts@goldencupcoffee.com JOSEPH GOLOMBEK JR. North Buffalo Council Member (716) 851-5116 HAIR CONCEPTS

BY DUCHESS 543 E. AMHERST 836-6228 (Shop) • 445-8122 (Cell) HEAVEN SENT Community Barber Shop 1016 Kensington Ave. (716) 578-3462 HERBAL SOLUTIONS Caprice Butts ID, MH, NC 300 International Drive Williamsville, NY 14211 (716) 626-3523 TIMOTHY R. HOGUES Commissioner, County of Erie Department of Senior Services 95 Franklin St. Rm 1335 (716) 858-7881 DR. THERESA A. HARRIS-TIGG VP Student Achievement /East District Representative Buffalo Public Schools (716) 319-7300 IDEAL LIQUOR “Best prices in town.

We always slam it down.”

1341 E. Delavan Ave. (716) 893-0967

INTERNATIONAL WINE & SPIRITS 2580 Main St. (716) 837-5607 HONORABLE BARBARA JOHNSON-LEE Buffalo City Court Judge

JAHARR PRIDGEN Buffalo City Court Judge PRATCHER & ASSOCIATES Franklin Muhammad (Pratcher) Attorney at Law 1135 Kensington Ave. (716) 838-4612

KIDS CAPITAL CHILDCARE CENTER INC. 1657 Kensington Ave Suite 400 (716) 833-5215

LAW OFFICE OF DARIA PRATCHER, PC “Everything Real Estate” 523 Main Street (716) 541-8574

KASH PRO 3129 Bailey Ave. (716) 837-3819 www.kashProGold.com

RAPHA FAMILY MEDICINE Frances Ilozue MD 2200 Main St. (716) 200-4122

KERNS AVENUE BOWLING CENTER 163 Kerns Ave. (716) 892-3331

REALTY USA Della M. Dickey 2427 Sheridan Drive 846-4890 (Cell) • 837-7500 (Office)

KLASSIC KUTS BARBER SHOP INC. 1471 Kensington Ave. (716) 836-3260 L. SESSUM INCOME TAX SERVICES 1650 Fillmore Ave. (716)894-4904 MATTIES RESTAURANT 1412 Fillmore Ave. (716) 597-0755 MAIN HAIR & BEAUTY SUPPLY 3067 Main St. (716) 862-4247 MASTER TOUCH 1283 E. Delavan (716)570-7234 MANDELLA MARKET 257 E. Ferry @ Jefferson (716) 882-0288 MAUREEN’S FLOWER MARKET 441 Ellicott St. (716) 852-4600 TERRENCE D. MCKELVEY Attorney and Counselor at Law 181 Franklin St. Suite 101 terryatty@yahoo.com (716) 847-2606 Office

STUDIO J 43 Kenmore Ave. @ Main St. (716) 83-DANCE www.studiojbuffalo.com MARK SCHROEDER FOR MAYOR 311 South Park, 14204 (716)259-8642 (Campaign HQ) ATTORNEY FRITZ GERALD TONDREAU 1133 Kensington Ave. (near Bailey) 1-800-400-6811 (716) 222-9119 TondreauLaw.com UMOJA INC. 11 Grider St. (716) 892-3462 VANITY ALLURE 87 Cleveland Dr.• Cheektowaga (716) 322-5868 ELDER PAULETTE WOODS Central District Board of Education Representative (716) 290-0914 ZAWADI BOOKS 1382 Jefferson Ave. (716) 903-6740

BARBARA MILLER WILLIAMS Erie County Legislator District 1 (716) 842-0490 HON. JUDGE E. JEANNETTE OGDEN Supreme Court Justice (716) 845-2647

JUNE 17 & JUNE 18. SEE YOU IN MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARK!

Studio J: Dancin' to Disney!

Studio J students danced to Disney in their 4th annual recital held on Saturday June 3rd at Sheas 710 theater. Two tuition-free scholarships for the 2017-2018 season were awarded to Londyn Banks and Janai Beeks. Registration for the summer dance program is going on now at www.studiojbuffalo.com. For more information, call (716) 83-DANCE.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

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• Morning, afternoon, and evening classes available • Distance Learning Including Online Programs (for qualified students)

All Western New Yorkers Welcome Call and let us help: 716.888.7088 ext. 100 For a listing of CLASS LOCATIONS visit www.UpSkill.org GED® replaced by the TASC™ *The TASC™ (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) has replaced the GED® as the official exam for obtaining a high school equivalency diploma in NYS.

389 Virginia Street • Buffalo, NY 14201

NATIONAL + WORLD

Sharp Rise in African American Opioid Overdoses has Cleveland Officials Worried

CLEVELAND — The nation’s opioid addiction crisis has largely been considered a problem for White people, many of whom have fallen prey to abuse of prescription painkillers and have migrated to fentanyl and heroin, often in rural areas such as Appalachia.

But in the communities around this Ohio metropolis on the southern shore of Lake Erie, there is evidence of a disturbing turn: Last year, 58 of Cuyahoga County’s 399 fatal fentanyl overdoses were African Americans, killed by a synthetic opioid now responsible for almost two-thirds of the county’s overall deadly overdoses. Officials believe the introduction of fentanyl and carfentanil — an extremely powerful animal tranquilizer — into the cocaine sold in the region is responsible for the rise in Blacks’ overdose deaths.

That overdoses of African Americans in the Cleveland area are surging is a shocking outlier in the epidemic, alarming Thomas Gilson, the county’s medical examiner, so much that he highlighted the deaths when testifying at a Senate hearing in May. “The covert introduction of fentanyl into the cocaine supply has caused a rapid rise in fatalities, and in 2017, the rate of African American fentanyl-related deaths has doubled from 2016,” Gilson said.

The drug crisis is now pushing up death rates for almost all groups of Americans.

Overdose deaths have been on the rise overall in Cuyahoga, and the county is now seeing a major surge again, with a total of 43 fatal overdoses since Memorial Day, the medical examiner’s office said Wednesday. But the rise in fentanyl-related deaths among Black drug users has been particularly stunning: There was a nearly 900 percent increase from 2014 to 2016.

Cuyahoga County’s 52 municipalities include Cleveland and a host of suburbs. U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D), who represents parts of Cleveland and its east-side suburbs, recently reintroduced a bill in Washington that aims to break the addiction she has seen ravaging her district, with a focus on funding for treatment.

“If a person is buying $10 worth of heroin, and there are the equivalent of 10 grains of salt worth of carfentanil, there’s a good chance that the user is going to have an overdose," said one official.

Mississippi police identify severed head, burned body victim JACKSON, Miss. — A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) who killed a Mississippi man whose body was discovered a mile away from his severed head.

The Clarion-Ledger reported the victim was identified on Monday as 30-year-old Jeremy Jerome Jackson, an African American. Both body parts were discovered separately on Saturday in Jackson. The headless torso was badly burned.

Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart said authorities were able to get a positive fingerprint match from one that hadn’t been burned. She added that the head had no distortion so facial recognition wasn’t a problem.

DNA also may be tested.

Jackson Police Chief Lee Vance said the head was discovered on a home’s porch hours before the body was found in a field about a mile away.

Vance said the FBI and other federal agencies are helping investigate.

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Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green To Start Process To Impeach Trump Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, said he plans to draft articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump despite what he says have been multiple death threats.

Green has maintained that Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey on May 9 constituted obstruction of justice.

Green, whose district includes most of southwestern Houston, has been among the leading voices calling for Trump's impeachment since he proposed it in a fiery floor speech on May 15.

"I am a voice in the wilderness, but I assure that history will vindicate me," he said.

Two days later, Green told MSNBC: "This is not about the president firing someone else. This is about the president firing the director of the FBI."

McCain says American leadership was better under Obama Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said American leadership was stronger under President Trump's predecessor, according to a Guardian report published Sunday.

Asked if the country stood on sturdier ground under former President Obama's leadership, McCain said "yes," according to the report.

"As far as American leadership is concerned, yes," said McCain, though he vocally criticized many of the Obama administration's foreign policy decisions.

McCain also lost to Obama when he ran as the GOP nominee in the 2008 presidential election.

A n s w e r i n g y o u r q u e s t i o n s a b o u t c r e m a t i o n a n d b u r i a l . . .

“How many people can be buried in a cemetery lot?”

If you have any questions about cremation or burial, give us a call at (716) 885-1600.

Most cemeteries allow 1 or 2 burials in a single grave. At Forest Lawn, we recently changed our rules & regulations to allow up to 4 burials in a single grave, w hich can include 1 casket plus 3 urns or a total of 4 urns.

For example, if a couple chooses side-by-side casketed burial in 2 graves, there’s room for them and up 6 other members of their family. This can represent a significant cost savings for the family. But more importantly, it can make it possible for you and your dearest loved ones to remain together forever.

1411 Delaware Ave ● Buffalo, NY 14209 forest-lawn.com

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FAITH & FAMILY

Father's Day breakfast Kingdom Dimension Ministries Kingdom Dimension Ministries will host its annual Father's Day Breakfast on June 18 at 10 am. Experience great food, great fellowship, great singing great worship and a powerful Father's Day message from Pastor and Bishop James Foye Jr. Fathers and sons we look forward to seeing you on Fathers Day, 582 Kensington Ave (corner of Castle Pl) Host Pastors Bishop James Foye Jr. Overseer Phyllis B Foye. Call 716 -768-3786

“Repositioning the Body of Christ”

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

St. John’s AME Male Ushers Fashion Show & Youth Day

The St. John’s AME Church Dunamis Men of Valor Ushers annual fashion show and vendor showcase will take place on Saturday, June 10 at the Family Resource Center, 3001 9th Street in Niagara Falls at 6 p.m. Donation is $10 for adults and $5 for youth 12 and under. For more information contact Bro.R. Bradberry at 285-6432.Rev. Dion S. Greer Sr., M.Div. is Pastor.St. John’s AME will also present Youth Day “I Can Do It” Sunday June 11 the church 917 Garden Ave Niagara Falls 11 a.m. Service. For additional info call the church 285-6432.

Zion Missionary Baptist Church Announces Men’s Prayer Breakfast June Prayer/Fasting Gathering Dates United Coalition of Churches & Brotherhood (UCCB) Zion Missionary Baptist Church is once again hosting the “Repositioning the Body of Christ Through Prayer and Fasting” Monday morning altar prayer during the month of June.

Please add these remaining dates to your calendar of events and join us every Monday at 6 a.m.

•Monday June 19 • Monday June 26

For more information contact the church office at 886-1362.

Rev C.M. Jenkins II is Host Pastor

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

invites all men, young and old, to join us at our monthly Men's Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m. - 12 noon at Kingdom Dimension Ministries, 582 Kensington Ave. (corner of Castle Pl.) Where Bishop J.Foye is the host Pastor. We pray that our young men of Buffalo will attend because there will be information on employment opportunities and linkages to other areas of interest. Nothing stops a bullet but a job!

UCCB is a diverse, grassroots collaborative of churches and concerned citizens that advocates for the disadvantaged, ensuring that their voices are heard with regard to initiatives that will impact their personal, social, and economic standing in their respective communities. Pastor Charles H.Walker II is President. Elder Joe Ross is Vice President.

DIABETES AWARENESS WALK On June 24 at 10 a.m. (registration @ 9:00 a.m.) a DIABETES AWARENESS WALK will take place from Delaware Park to 15 Northland Ave corner of Main St (WNY Medical offices). The Health and Wellness Experience begins at 11a.m. in this locale. This overall endeavor is themed "Let's Move and Be Healthy in recognition of former First Lady Michelle Obama's ‘Let's Move’ program.

Registration for the walk is $20 per person ($25 includes a t-shirt).

This event will be fun for the entire family. There will be healthy snacks, prizes, entertainment and giveaways. Join other sponsors such as Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church, Bako Pathology, Dr. Timothy Adams of Delaware Surgical, WUFO 1080 AM Radio, and many others. Additionally, there will be physicians and nurses on-site to address medical concerns. Dr. Holley will be conducting free foot examinations.

For further information please feel to contact (716) 833-4958 or medical assistants of AAFC at (716) 862-9957. Partial proceeds will go towards diabetes research and awareness. Checks can be made payable to: Soul to Sole Inc. P.O. Box 184, Buffalo, NY 14215.

Soul to Sole INC and Absolutely Affordable Footcare PC are collaborating with principle sponsor WNY Medical PC to sponsor this important health initiative.

Dr. William Holley, Executive Director of Soul to Sole Inc.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

FAITH & FAMILY

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

2017 Juneteenth Schedule of Activities "Reconnecting To the Past, Understanding the Present, Building A Brighter Future, Focusing On the Keeping the Spirit of Juneteenth Alive!"

42nd Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo:

Saturday, June 17th & Sunday June 18th • Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Best Street & Fillmore

T

he Juneteenth Parade begins at 11:00am sharp from the corners of Genesee & Moselle, proceeds down Genesee into MLK Park followed by festivities in until 8:00p.m.

Festivities include: Entertainment stage, Arts and Culture stage, Vendor’s Market, Food Court, Health Pavilion, Chalk Walk, Book Sharing, Historical exhibits, Re-enacting historical events in history, Science Fair, Children’s Activities, Youth Activities, Girls & Boys Basketball Showcase, Underground Railroad Tours and more!

Come and enjoy a fun-filled weekend for the entire family! The Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo, NY is the third largest in the country. Its mission is to “actively preserve and promote the broad spectrum of African American heritage through educational and cultural activities that will benefit the community as a whole.”

SATURDAY JUNE 17

•PRAISE & WORSHIP 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (Sponsored by WUFO Radio Station) •THE JUNETEENTH PARADE – begins at Genesee Street and Moselle – 11:00AM • BUFFALO Public Schools present Art activities (creating masks, jewelry making, stamping and button making – from 10:00 to 5:00PM, near MLK Jr. Bust •MARCUS GARVEY ANNUAL SCIENCE FAIR AND EXPO. Location: The Marcus Garvey Shelter (behind Arts and Culture Stage). The all age science interactive activity will be from 2pm to 7pm. There will be hands on Science experiments and presentations from local, national, and international guests who are practicing in careers related to science.

• ENTERTAINMENT STAGE 2:15: Juini Booth & Company 3:30: Patricia Edwards & Company 5:00: Bilal Nugravee, 6:30: Will Holton Sponsored by M & T Bank •AFRICAN HERITAGE CHALK WALK AND CRAFTS Sponsored by the Buffalo Board of Education Art Department.

Location: Paved area near the MLK Bust •GIRLS and Boys BASKETBALL SHOWCASE 1– 6 PM at the Basketball Courts •UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TOURS: 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM Location of pick up site: Best & Fillmore.

•HEALTH PAVILION 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Location: Vendors alley on Fillmore near Martin Luther King Drive. Sponsor: Great Lakes Health (Kaleida Health/E.C.M.C), and New York State of Health

•BOOK SHARING 1 to 7 P.M. Location: Near the Martin Luther King Jr. Bust. on Fillmore Avenue.

Sponsor: Project Flight •HERITAGE TENT Displays of African artifacts, veterans display, brochures of heritage information @ the corner of Best and Fillmore in Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

SUNDAY JUNE 18 •MARCUS GARVEY ANNUAL SCIENCE FAIR AND EXPO. Location: The Marcus Garvey Shelter (behind Arts and Culture Stage). The all age science interactive activity will be from 2pm to 7pm. There will be hands on Science experiments and presentations from local, national, and international guests who are practicing in careers related to science.

•ENTERTAINMENT STAGE 1:00: Denzell Ward & Cool Platinum 2:15: Nikki Hicks & Momma’s Biscuits 3:45: JTF 5:15: Ella Robinson & New Beginnings 6:30:The Fabulous Old School B-Boys Sponsored by M & T Bank •AFRICAN HERITAGE CHALK WALK AND CRAFTS Sponsored by the Buffalo Board of Education Art Department.

Location: Paved area near the MLK Bust •GIRLS AND BOYS BASKETBALL SHOWCASE 1– 6 PM at the Basketball Courts •UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TOURS: 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM Location of pick up site: Best & Fillmore.

•HEALTH PAVILION 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Location: Vendors alley on Fillmore near Martin Luther King Drive. Sponsor: Great Lakes Health (Kaleida Health/E.C.M.C), and New York State of Health • CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY TENT: 11:00 PM to 6::00 PM. •CHESS TOURNAMENT 12:00 Noon to 4:30: Location: Near MLK bust.

•YOUTH ACTIVITIES 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Location: Behind the small wading pool •BOOK SHARING 1 to 7 P.M. Location: Near the Martin Luther King Jr. Bust. on Fillmore Avenue.

Sponsor: Project Flight

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY TENT: 11:00 PM to 6::00 PM. Activity tent area.Face painting Saturday from 11:30AM to 3:00PM by Sara, SPCA presents Wildlife display from11:00 to 3:00PM. Erie County Public Library presents The Book Mobile 10:00 to 6:00PM Location: Behind the small wading pool.

•HERITAGE TENT Displays of African artifacts, veterans display, brochures of heritage information @ the corner of Best and Fillmore in Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

•YOUTH ACTIVITIES 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Location: Behind the small wading pool

• “FREE” AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE class all -age at 2pm – 4:00PM (across from the tennis courts @ MLK Jr. Park)

•CHURCH SERVICEs provided by Friendship Baptist Church from 9:30 to 12noon

Langston Hughes’ Jesse B. Simple comes alive at Juneteenth Festival 2017 on Saturday at 2:45 p.m. See Page 11 for more.

ARTS & CULTURE STAGE

Location: Parade & Fillmore Streets Reenactment of historical events will also occur on the Arts & Culture Stage

SATURDAY, JUNE 17TH (2:00PM - 8:00PM)

2:00pm Access to Afreeka with Ras Jomo 2:30pm History of Juneteenth Play; 2:45pm Jessie B. Simple 2:55pm Brother Taharka; 3:00pm African American Cultural Center 3:45pm Mohammed School of Music; 4:20pm GOODNE$$ Poetry 4:25pm UNIA, Black Panthers, Moorish Science Temple, Food Co-op 4:40pm Rhonda Mingo Jazz Singer; 4.50pm Jillian Hanesworth - Poetry 5:00pm Harlem Renaissance; 5:20pm Jessie B. Simple 5:45pm Just Resisting - Song & Dance Group 6:00pm Kenyada Davis - Singer; 6:20pm Mahogany Jazz 6:50pm 4 B Lo-Singers; 7:10pm Griot Nation/WBLK 7:20pm Louie Flame 7:45pm WBLK, Griots, Jessie B. Simple Rap Up Ramp Up

SUNDAY, JUNE 18TH (1:00PM - 8:00PM)

1:00pm Kenyada Davis-Gospel; 1:20pm Divas of Buffalo Dance 1:35pm Trey Davis - Rap/Poet; 1:45pm MJ-Rap 1:50pm Montyy Capeesh - Rap; 2:00pm History of Juneteenth Play 2:20pm Jillian Hanesworth - Poet; 2:25pm Xantana - Rap 2:35pm JoyMeka Musiq - Singer; 2:50pm De’Laney Daniels Singer 3:05pm Legendary - Poet; 3:15pm Lou Turnner - Christian Rap 3:30pm Omgmere - Rapper; 3:40pm Dave Stewey - Singer 3:50pm Martin Sonchild - Reggae Singer 4:00pm “Sum’er” - aka - Jessica Miller - Singer and Band 4:15pm FragranceandJuan Cosmic Energy 4:40pm Spadeo Nation - Rap; 4:50pm Khalid Ross - Rapper/ Singer 5:00pm Daniel Coronado - Singer; 5:10pm Lorrance Prince Singer 5:20pm Curtis Vance Jr. - Rapper/Singer 5:35pm Divine and Deboniar - Rap; 6:00pm Cash is Green Rap 6:20pm Zaydok - Rap Gospel 6:40pm The Scribe - Giants on this Earth!

6:45pm IGNITE! - Reggae Band

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

East High Alumni Association to Host

All High Old School Reunion

T

his year the East High School Class of 1967 will mark its 50th anniversary. And the East High Alumni Association is celebrating their school pride with an All High Old School Reunion at the Metropolitan Entertainment Complex on August 5.

Spearheading the Alumni Association and the upcoming event is president David Garnett, class of 1967 and Econuel Ingram, Class of 1972. Garnett is a retired IBM executive who currently lives in Washington, D.C. Ingram, who spent 20 plus years with the UniverSoul Circus, is currently Director of Events for the City of Stockbridge, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. They both made visits back home to Buffalo to organize the August party, and weekly conference calls between Ingram, Garnett and the other local members of the organizaDaughters of Creative Sound perform at the 2015 Maafa Celebration at Broderick Park. tion keeps everyone in touch.

“Back in the sixties and seventies Black folks lived on the East Side and attended schools like Bennett, Lafayette, Burgard, Hutch Tech, Fosdick Masten and others,” recalled Ingram.

“We all come from the same ‘hood’ – we all like the same music – so The Juneteenth Festival, Inc. of Buffalo will sponsor the Tenth Annual MAAFA Memorial Service on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. The program will begin at 6:00pm at Broderick Park (at the we’re going to have an old school party from our era with live entertainment foot of Ferry). There will be community drumming led by Ras Jomo and Libations with Amon and more and we’re welcoming all the alumni from high schools in Buffalo Econuel Ingram Ra Ptah Hotep Imhotep and Bilala Ka Ra. Other program participants will include GOODNE$$, from the sixties and seventies to come hang out and party with us! You’re Daughters of Creative Sound, Dayatra and Paulo. The speaker will be Robert Djed Snead, story- even welcome to wear your sixties and seventies outfits!”

Beyond the big All High Old School Reunion however, is the East High Alumni Association’s teller, author, poet and historical reenactor from Rochester. mission to strengthen and guarantee the existence of their beloved alma mater, now known as East We ask that the community participate in #What Is Freedom to You #wifty. Also everyone is en- Community High School, and, as Econuel explained, “to show the kids at East that they have couraged to wear white or African clothing for the program. Flowers will be donated from Buffalo a strong legacy….we have doctors, lawyers and all types of professionals who graduated from East High.”

Wholesale Flower Market for the closing ceremony which honors our ancestors.

The formation of a mentoring/scholarship program for East High students is also in the works MAAFA (pronounced (Mah ah fah)) is a Kiswahili word that means great disaster or terrible oc- he added. “It’s the responsibility of all East High school alumni to step to the plate, and ensure that currence. Some people use the term Holocaust, however, in the African tradition MAAFA is used East High remains viable. We were the (city’s) original Black high school.” And that in itself, he in reference to what happened to African people during the enslavement period and beyond. The noted, is a source of tremendous pride.

“So If you went to school in Buffalo in the sixties and seventies come hang out with us MAAFA Memorial Service will be a Day of Remembrance, recognizing 500 years of the suffering of African people on the continent of Africa, the Diaspora and in America.In case of rain we at the Metropolitan August 5 from 8 p.m. until!”

The East High Alumni Association plans to make a formal announcement concerning the upmay meet at Juneteenth Headquarters, Genesee St. at Moselle. For further information about this EVANS-EVANS-13945 w xevent 5.5”atha|press 4C conference Juneteenth weekend. coming special event, please contact 2017 Attorney General Print Ad | The Challenger | 10.375”

Juneteenth to Host Tenth Annual MAAFA Memorial Service

Taking pride in home ownership.

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It’s why we take pride in making it possible for everyone.

Whether you’re looking to purchase a new home or make improvements to the one you own, Evans Bank can help.

We offer several great lending options that make it easy and affordable for you to finance your dream. It’s home ownership, a better way—for you and the community.

To learn more, contact Eric Gadley, CRA Mortgage Loan Officer, at (716) 926-2044 or egadley@evansbank.com.

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Entertainment

10

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

ON STAGE AT JUNETEENTH!

Nikki Hicks

Will Holton

Bilal Nugravee

JUNE 15 THURSDAY Conscious Café Poetry Spoken Word Open Mic hosted by PaulaDia at the Em Tea Cup 80 Oakgrove Avenue. Tribute to Smooth Lonnie B. aka Love Doctor, 6 to 8 PM JUNE 16 FRIDAY Praise and Worship in MLK Park (near MLK Jr. Bust) w/Sister Anita Williams from 6 to 8PM. Sponsored by Key Bank.

Juini Booth

The Fabulous Old School B-Boys

SANKOFA WEEK!

JUNE 14 WEDNESDAY Mortgage Seminar presented by Key Bank 6-8PM,Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church 641 Masten Avenue.

Denzell Ward & Cool Platinum

GRACING THE JUNETEENTH ENTERTAINMENT STAGE ON SATURDAY IN MLK PARK: 2:15 Juini Booth & Company; 3:30 Patricia Edwards & Company; and 5:00 Bilal Nugravee; 6:30: Will Holton. ON SUNDAY: 1:00 Denzell Ward & Cool Platinum; 2:15 Nikki Hicks & Momma’s Biscuits; 3:45 JTF; 5:15 Ella Robinson & New Beginnings; 6:30 The Fabulous Old School B-Boys.. Sponsored by M & T Bank SEE PAGE 8 FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS AND COMPLETE JUNETEENTH SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

Langston Hughes’ Jesse B. Simple Comes Alive at Buffalo, Juneteenth Festival Juneteenth Festival’s Art & Culture Stage theme for the 2017 celebration is The Harlem Renaissance and will feature acclaim solo performer “Ade” Anthony Thompson performing selections of his adaptations of Langston Hughes’ “SIMPLE TALES ” and poems Saturday June 17th, 2017 starting at 2:00 PM. An African-American poet, novelist and playwright, Langston Hughes chronicled

the experiences of ordinary African-American people, contrasting the beauty of their souls with the oppressive circumstances of their lives. He made his mark as a major writer of the Harlem Renaissance who came to be seen as the most representative of African-American writers and certainly the most original of African-American poets.

Ade is celebrating his 33rd year anniversary adapting Hughes’ literary works for the stage and the artistic development of his legendary character the voice of Harlem Jesse B. Simple. April 8, 2010 Anthony Thompson was honored as “Humanist, Artist and Steward of the Langston Hughes Legacy “and presented The Langston Hughes Society Award on April 8, 2010 at the Seventieth Annual College Language Association Convention in Brooklyn New, York. In April 2009, Thompson,

*Photo Journalist Frank Stewart for the Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s World Premiere “Jesse B. Semple Suite.”

collaborating with trombonist Vincent Gardner, made his New York City debut as Jesse B. Simple at the Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s World Premiere “Jesse B. Semple Suite.”

ON STAGE...

*Terminal Jazz, Wednesday, June 14, 6 p.m. Featuring musi-

cians from The Colored Musicians Club, Central terminal, 495 Paderewski drive, $5 refreshments and open bar; a Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor event. MichiganStreetbuffalo.org

AT CANALSIDE: Gary Clark Jr. will perform at Canalside Thursday, June 15 followed by Sheila E on Thursday, June 22.

Entertainment

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12

GENERATIONS

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

ACHIEVE Summer Program Since its inception in 1996, Camp ACHIEVE has been instrumental in providing quality educational and athletic instruction for student-athletes in the Buffalo area. After a brief hiatus, Camp ACHIEVE has partnered with SOLID Foundation Prep, Inc. to bring a summer program to middle-

school students in the area.

Starting June 27th, each Tuesday and Thursday evening along with Saturday mornings, the program will provide academic, athletic, and life skill instruction for 25 students. Taking place at Buffalo State College’s newly remodeled athletic facilities, each

HEALTH MATERS:

The Soda, Obesity, Diabetes Connection student is sure to walk away with a great experience that they can carry into the school year. For further information and program application, call Bashir Ansari at 716-5364586 or email solidfdnprep@ gmail.com . The cost is only a $100 registration fee. Limited availability, so please register as soon as possible.

Date: June 27th to August 5th When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-8pm; Saturdays 9am-12pm Where: Buffalo State College There’s an age old saying in basketball: “great players are made in the summer”. We’d like to take it one step further: great student-athletes are made in the summer. It is proven that the summer months are a prime opportunity for kids to grow and learn good habits--on and off the court.

BPS Students and Parents,

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Registration is now open for Kindergarten (age 5) through 6th grade students who currently attend Buffalo Public Schools to enroll in FREE neighborhood based summer camps. Registration closes on FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017.

SUMMER CAMP DATES:

July 10 –August 18, 2017 Monday – Friday 8:00 AM –12:00 PM SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: • Academic focus on Math,

English Language Arts and Reading • Participation in the Mayor’s Reading Rules! Summer Reading Challenge • Field Trips • Arts & recreation

HOW TO REGISTER: Visit SayYesBuffalo.org/Summer2017 for camp locations, and contact your choice site directly using the information provided.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2017 PLEASE NOTE that space may be limited at some locations and slots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is NO cost for students to participate.

Breakfast and lunch will be served daily at all locations.

To register for summer camp and see available sites, visit:

SayYesBuffalo.org/Summer2017

Soda and other sweetened beverages have been identified as a major contributor to the obesity and diabetes epidemics around the world, and in light of the scientific evidence, many public health organizations have started recommending daily sugar limits.

At least 10 countries have implemented or are working toward implementing taxes on soda in an effort to reduce consumption and improve public health.

One 12-ounce can of regular soda contains on average between 8 and 10 teaspoons of sugar, far exceeding 100 percent of your recommended daily sugar allotment of 6 teaspoons (25 grams).

Considering sugar is as addictive as cocaine and has downright toxic effects on your body when consumed in excess, it's no wonder obesity has become such a health crisis.

Previous research conservatively suggests sugary beverages alone are to blame for about 183,000 deaths worldwide each year, including 133,000 diabetes deaths and 44,000 heart disease deaths.7 What's worse, the death rates associated with sweetened beverages were highest in those under the age of 45.

Reducing the number of sugary drinks you consume each day can go a long way toward reducing your risk for metabolic dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and obesity.

Diet Soda Is Not the Answer Research has shown artificial sweeteners can stimulate your appetite, increase carb cravings, stimulate fat storage and promote weight gain. Diet sodas may actually double your risk of obesity. Pure water is a zero-calorie drink. You cannot

find a beverage that contains fewer calories. Why would you choose artificially sweetened water over regular mineral water? If you want some flavor, just squeeze a little bit of fresh lemon into mineral water as citrus fruits have some of the lowest fructose levels of all fruits.

and Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center presents

:

2017 Public Health Summer Camp Students learn about Public Health and how it impacts their community!

Students going into 10th grade through 12th grade can apply to participate in a free, week-long public health exposure camp from August 14- August 18, 2017 Students will have the opportunity to: • Tour the University at Buffalo campuses.

• Students will meet with UB admission staff, UB financial aid officers, and Say Yes Buffalo representatives.

• Learn about important public health topics such as the Zika virus, lead prevention, air quality, and Opioid addiction.

• Meet professionals working in public health and health profession careers.

• To work in groups on developing health promotion materials.

For more information about the summer camp and for the 2017 camp application call: Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center Program Manager - Greer Hamilton (716) 322-5711

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

Simmons Enters The Race for Book Review By Professor Hakim Bruce Cosby Herbert Berg, Elijah Muhammad- Makers of the Muslim World City of Buffalo Mayor This week was the unofficial kickoff of the 2017 mayoral campaign in Buffalo and local activist Taniqua Simmons has announced that she is running for Mayor as an independent candidate.

Simmons, 42, has worked with groups like with Power in Numbers and Black Lives Matter, and was endorsed by the Erie County Libertarian Party Wednesday.

She says she's running for mayor because she feels the concerns of regular citizens are being ignored.

"The more time I spent down in the Common Council and speaking with the mayor, I decided that if we are to save the commuTaniqua Simmons nity, we need someone who speaks for the people,” she said.

Incumbent Mayor Byron Brown, Buffalo Comptroller Mark Schroeder and Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant will face off in a Democratic primary in September.

No Republican has declared for the office.

E

lijah Muhammad, by Herbert Berg is an effort to understand the significance of Elijah Muhammad to African Americans and the Muslim world at large. How is it that a man who labored successfully for forty years to build the Nation of Islam, an Islamic organization, is so grossly neglected by scholars?

Heretofore, only two scholarly books have been written about Elijah Muhammad: Claude A. Clegg’s An Original Man: The Life and Times of Elijah Muhammad (1997) and Karl Evanzz’s The Messenger- The Rise and Fall of Elijah Muhammad (1999). Berg, a professor of religion specializing in Islam in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at the

Celebrating African Liberation Day

African Liberation Day Celebration

May 25th was African Liberation Day, although many celebrated this wonderful occasion on the 27th. It was founded in 1958 at the 1st Conference of Independent States in Ghana, led by Kwame Nkrumah. Originally called Africa Freedom Day, the purpose was for Africans worldwide to come together on that day and mark their yearly progress in freeing themselves from colonial rule. By 1963 seventeen countries had gained their independence, and on May 25th leaders renamed the day African Liberation Day. Locally, Sankofa Ministries along with Buffalo UNIA-ACL Historical Society, held an observance of this and many other achievements of African people, at The Dorothy Collier Center on May 27; honoring Black History legends such as Malcolm X(OAU), Kwame Nkrumah, and Marcus Garvey. A focus of this observance fell on local Black Historians such as Doug Ruffin, Eva Doyle and Karima Amin, and the next wave of Buffalo OURstorians like Dominique Griffin and the evening's guest of honor from the Buffalo and Western New York African American History Group, Michelle Ragland. Ms. Ragland is the first recipient of the Buffalo UNIA-ACL Historical Society OURStory Award.

The French called them Griots the West African term is Djeli, these are the keepers of our story. We must continue to honor our historians, for "Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter." ~Chinua Achebe

BLACK HISTORY JUNETEENTH continued from page 3 tion. While many lingered to learn of this new employer to employee relationship, many left before these offers were completely off the lips of their former 'masters' - attesting to the varying conditions on the plantations and the realization of freedom. Even with nowhere to go, many felt that leaving the plantation would be their first grasp of freedom. North was a logical destination and for many it represented true freedom, while the desire to reach family members in neighboring states drove the some into Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Settling into these new areas as free men and women brought on new realities and the challenges of establishing a heretofore non-existent status for black people in America. Recounting the memories of that great day in June of 1865 and its festivities would serve as motivation as well as a release from the growing pressures encountered in their new territory. The celebration of June 19th was coined "Juneteenth" and grew with more participation from descendants. The Juneteenth celebration was a time for reassuring each other, for praying and for gathering remaining family members.

Juneteenth continued to be highly revered in Texas decades later, with many former slaves and descendants making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston on this date.

University of North Carolina Wilmington, seeks to add to this meager scholarship by situating the Nation of Islam in American history and comparing Elijah’s theology to other Islamic movements.

He grounds this analysis in the sporadic history in which Islam was introduced to the United States. Documents confirm that Islam came to North America as early as 1527 with the presence of Estevan or Stephen the Moor, a Moroccan Muslim.

He was followed by Job Ben Solomon (d.1773), Abd ar-Rahman Ibrahima (d 1829), Lamine Kebe (d 1837), and Umar ibn Said (d.1864). It is estimated by some scholars that one third of enslaved Africans shipped to North America were Muslims.

Berg is clear on what happened to this history: “Slavery as practiced in the United States erased many African ethnicities and identities, replacing them with a single racial identity: the Negro.” This was a stark contrast to “the Caribbean and Brazilian expressions of other African religions such as Candomble, Macumba, Umbanda, Santeria, and Voodoo.” Islam therefore had to be reintroduced to African Americans.

There was little missionary zeal among the Arab Muslims, who immigrated primarily from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine to the United States between 1875 and 1921. The first Muslim missionary was actually a white American, Muhammad Alexander Russell Webb (d.1916), who had converted to Islam in the Philippines. However, his message of universal brotherhood made few converts. Shaykh Daoud Ahmed Faisal founded the Islamic Mission, the first Sunni African American organization in New York City, in 1924. His political philosophy paralleled Franz Fanon’s anti-colonialism, while simultaneously advocating American patriotism.

The first Muslim-born missionary to come to the United States was an Ahmadi- Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, who arrived in the America in 1920.

His proselytizing Ahmadiyya school of thought among African Americans was not well received. The Ahmadis were founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1875-1951), who was proclaimed to be the divinely appointed Mujadid (Renewer) of Islam, the promised Messiah of the Christians and Mahdi awaited by Muslims. (However, Berg does not mention, which is significant, the impact of Ahmadiyya on some of the most creative jazz musiciansArt Blakey, Ahmad Jamal, McCoy Tyner, and Yusef Lateef, to mention a few.) Indirectly the

Hon. Elijah Muhammad

Ahmadis influenced the Nation, as evidenced by the adoption of books written by Maulana Muhammad Ali, a leading Ahmadiyya; his English translation of the Quran and Anti-Christ, Gog and Magog were required reading in the Nation of Islam.

The first indigenous African American formulation of Islam was established around 1915

by Noble Drew Ali in Newark, New Jersey. Drew Ali wrote his own “Koran,” which was an eclectic mix of Christianity, Freemasonry, Egyptology and theosophy. He taught that African Americans were not Negroes, Black or even Colored -- they were “Asiatics” or specifically Moors. Thirty thousand Moorish Scientists survive today. In addition, Muhammad Ezaldeen, a former follower of Noble Drew Ali, founded the Addeynu Allahe Universal Arabic Association in the 1930s, an impactful movement in New Jersey and Upstate New York.

Elijah Muhammad would establish the second indigenous African American formulation of Islam in the United States.

According to Berg, the more direct antecedents of “prominent features of Elijah Muhammad’s Islam” can be found in the teachings of two African American Christian clergy: the Pan-Africanism of Edward Wilmot Blyden (18341912) and the African-centric theology of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner (1834-1915).

Blyden’s classic Islam, Christianity and the Negro Race, theorized a unique African Personality and the notion that being an African is affirmed more in Islam than Christianity. Bishop Henry McNeal Turner of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is best known for the proclamation that God (or at least the image of god) was a Negro.

Elijah Muhammad “almost single-handedly developed an indigenous form of Islam in the United States.” He “converted a large number of Americans

to a religion which at that "time was almost completely

foreign to American soil.” And he did so “in face of strong and sustained opposition [from the United States government].”

By the end of his life there were mosques in almost every major

city, and Islam was no longer a religion merely of immigrants and their descendants. He converted hundreds of thousands perhaps millions to Islam.

His significance is often eclipsed in the dominant media by his high profile followers, Malcolm X, Warith Deen Muhammad, Muhammd Ali and Louis Farrakhan. However, in Berg’s assessment, scholars have missed the foundation of these well known Muslims by not paying sufficient attention to the legacy of Elijah Muhammad.

Berg’s analysis seeks to move beyond the racial mythology of Elijah Muhammad teachings.

He achieves this by focusing on two questions: was Elijah unique in his seemingly unorthodox teachings, and in the final analysis, can he be considered a Muslim? On these questions Berg introduces a set of novel conceptual tools.

Berg argues that it is a major mistake to approach Islam as a monolith. Few scholars “recognize that Muslims have been divided from the beginning on doctrines, practices, and polity…” Schools of thought will vary from Sunni, Sufi to Shia. A Sunni Muslim in Indonesia may not recognize the practices of a Mouride of Senegal. Because the history of Islam is characterized by different schools of thought (or denominations), it is more proper to speak of multiple formulations or Islams.

Another way of understanding the theology of Elijah Muhammad in the larger Islamic context is to compare his teachings with those of the ghulat, a term “used by heresiographers to accuse Muslims of exaggeration or hyperbole (ghuluw) in religious matters.” It was employed (often in internal debates among Shiites, Druzes and Ismailis) to disapprove of the exaltation of imams above ordinary humans. One example is the idea that “Ali did not die or that he was an incarnation of Allah.”

Though different, Elijah’s theology suffers from three similar characteristics:

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Wednesdays, 6pm June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13 Bands from the Colored Musicians Club Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive

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Saturday & Sunday, June 17-18, 11am-8pm Martin Luther King, Jr. Park

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

When Black Men Are Heroic, America Forgets A Black man once said that a Black man in America may not get all he pays for in America, but he will certainly pay for all he gets .-Anonymous

Since I have lived through this period and have played an active role in it, I hoped that someone else would have had the courage and the freedom to put pen to paper to correct history concerning decisions by honorable Judge John T. Curtin. To my knowledge, no one has stepped forward regarding the articles that appeared in the Buffalo News following his death. Any interested person should have questioned who initiated and signed the complaints that came before Judge Curtin.

Therefore, I feel it my duty to accept the responsibility to correct history as it occurred for those who benefitted and many who were yet to be born.

There were several cases handled by Federal Judge John T. Curtin in which the Buffalo News ignored the brave Black men who fearlessly signed the complaints that placed the cases before the honorable Judge Curtin.

It is debatable whether the News was ignorant of what

actually occurred or to deliberately mislead people by ignoring the complainants. As one of the signers, I feel it is important to set the record straight and leave a legacy for our children to be proud of.

It is only fitting to name the brave Black men whose souls were in the right place, at that right time in history, when they initiated and signed the complaints that brought forth a change in history. **** As reported in the Buffalo News of April 15, 2017 Federal District Judge John T. Curtin passed away in a nursing home on April 14, 2017, he was 95. His death brought about Buffalo News reports referring to the Judge’s courage and tenacity, particularly in his handling of the Buffalo Public Schools desegregation case and the sexual and racial discrimination cases against the Buffalo police and fire departments.

Although the Judge was a credit to his judicial profession, his role in each of the above cases was limited. The most important participants, the plaintiffs (signers) were omitted in the news report.

The assumption, which cer-

tainly could be made, is that Judge Curtin initiated this case for Blacks, women and Hispanics out of the goodness of his heart, while they went about their lives, lackadaisically waiting for justice to come rolling in like a storm. Not so!

But a first year journalist should know that Judges do not initiate civil actions; their role is to act as referee (judge) between two opposing forces, the plaintiff and the defendant. The action of the judge comes late in the process after charges have been filed by means of a complaint. The process begins with the filing of the complaint, the most important element. After the evidence is presented to the Judge, usually by lawyers, the judge’s role becomes rather easy. I believe I read somewhere that Judge Curtin said something to the effect that he only had to follow the law. He was correct, and this he did.

In most of the cases reported in the article about Judge Curtin, Black men were the original sufferers and plaintiffs, although they

were never mentioned as such by name, race or gender; therefore, they never received the recognition they TED deserved in com- KIRKLAND parison to the tributes the judge received from the media, which of course was not the fault of the judge.

But without these Black men, there would not have been plaintiffs or signers, and the absent of plaintiffs or signers would have meant no cases. By no means is this to demean, disparage or take anything away from the Honorable Judge Curtin, who deserved the tributes and honors.

This is to correct history and bring justice to those unjustly ignored and or purposely left out by people who are informed, but could not bring themselves to recognize and honor common Black men.

This is not only regarding the white media but also the Black media, NAACP, elected officials, educators, and those professing to be leaders of Black people, who know better. The Buffalo News found two Black men to sanction the good heartedness of the judge, while they never spoke in support of those Black men who were the signers.

As stated in one of the News articles, Judge Curtin allegedly caught some flak from white police officers for his decision regarding the integration of the police department with women, Hispanics, and additional Blacks. But unlike the sufferers and signers of the complaint, Judge Curtin did not have to work with those white police officers that gave him flak; but the sufferers and signers of the complaint did; nor did the judge have to rely upon resentful white police officers and firefighters, and be subjected to their daily childish and some criminal racist antics, but the sufferers and signers did. Most of flak givers knew that to threaten or harass a federal judge was a federal crime, but the same did not apply to the sufferers and signers.

But, to have a clearer understanding of the difference between the complaint signers and that of Judge Curtin, Continued Page 15

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

words of wisdom

T

he ego is a monkey catapulting through the jungle: Totally fascinated by the realm of the senses, it swings from one desire to the next, one conflict to the next, one self-centered idea to the next. If you threaten it, it actually fears for its life. Let this monkey go. Let the senses go.

Let desires go. Let conflicts go. Let ideas go. Let the fiction of life and death go. Just remain in the center, watching. And then forget that you are there. From The Hua Hu Ching, by Lao Tzu

TED KIRKLAND continued from page 14 lets imagine that Judge Curtin signed a complaint accusing the United States government of racial discrimination for not having an appointed Black Federal District judge in his assigned district. Would this put his life and position in jeopardy, similar to the conditions the sufferers and signers endured by filing a complaint against their government employer, the police and the fire department? If Curtin had done this, there would be a reason for me sing his praises of having been the bravest white man alive. But until then, Judge Curtin did his job. He followed the law.

As a Black man in America, a veteran of the Korean War, property owner, tax payer, former police officer, college professor, host of a television and radio show, author and a man of 83 years, what has gone unnoticed is that the federal district that Judge Curtin presided over has never had a Black appointed judge to the Federal District Court of Western New York.

All federal judges are appointed for life terms by the President of the United States on recommendation from the senior senator of the state, which in New York is Chuck Schumer.

While in office President Obama made two appointments to the Federal District Court of Western New York on recommendations from Schumer. Elizabeth A. Wolford became the first female to be appointed to this district, followed by Lawrence J. Vilardo. Did Schumer fail us? **** Much time has passed, but I often think about how Judge Curtin felt rendering decisions that racism and discrimination exists in schools, police departments, and fire departments while the judicial department he worked in daily represented the epitome of racism in an ivory tower. The federal district appears to be hiding behind doing a good deed, now and then, which serves as a smoke-screen for the most vulnerable and victimized American citizens of society.

I write this article of clarification for Black children and to denounce those who attempted to take credit from Black men of my generation who struggled and strategized for everything that was ever gained. In other words there was no white Santa Claus, nor white Jesus to lift this weight of racism and discrimination from our backs. Therefore, I feel obligated to correct the errors in the following article written by the Buffalo News which failed to mention the involvement of any Black men, when in fact they were the main participants in this narrative. It is a piece of history, not just Black history, but a history whose beneficiaries were much like those when a soldier fights in a war but never knows how many people he has helped. So like heroic soldiers, these Black sufferers and signers realized that our history is rich with battles from all fronts, so I dedicate this essay to Black children, who must grow up in a world of contradictions, and to make them aware and proud of heroic Black men who fought for justice.

To be continued

Republicans Remove the Mask Part II: See Them As They Are...

When we last met, we were discussing the horrific Trumpcare proposal that the Republican Party had just pushed through the House of Representatives, and what it means for so many of us, should it ultimately become law. Despite the continuing clamor and upheaval in the Capitol, this threat has not diminished. We were re-examining what appears to be a desperate need to deny the reality of irrefutable, visceral animus fueling the destruction of Obamacare. We were re-thinking the naivete that’s been responsible for so much shock and pain, as our expectation of basic good will on the part of legislators is in its final throes, gasping at the threshold of a rude awakening. We need to see that we’re not dealing with a simple ideological disagreement about how to arrive at the same place of humane and compassionate provision that we’re all striving for. A courageous, accurate assessment of the threat that we are facing will finally make us available… to the energy of an effective solution.

It’s widely understood that a budget, in this case the proposed spending plan for health care after the destruction of Obamacare… is a moral document. The spending plans that we propose or enact clarify what we value SABIRAH – and what we don’t. The proposal for Trumpcare decreases costs for the rich, by returning the taxes that were funding Obamacare. It increases costs MUHAMMAD for everyone else, with higher premiums because of the loss of those funds, and the ending of the individual mandate. It ends the Medicaid expansion, putting a stop to the momentum of increased coverage, reversing it as tens of millions lose coverage. This plan has grave, negative consequences for most of us, but we can’t “resist” what we refuse to see.

What does the Trumpcare proposal tell us about its authors? It tells us that the lives and well-being of the rich are valued by them. For all others, it can’t be said more plainly than this: Though we now have proof positive that a model of cooperative economics could enhance and prolong the lives of everyone, they’d prefer that you die. Literally. Nothing demonstrates the profound loathing for most of our lives more so than this. These are they – so sick with power – so depraved that they find glee in wielding the ultimate power over so many who are at their mercy.

These are they who structured an economy wherein the wealth of hardworking, self-respecting people is siphoned off and funneled to themselves, and who then clutch the pearls and scream robbery when taxed to return some of what they took.

It’s the congress that heavily subsidizes the base commodity foods like wheat, corn, and soy that end up as high calorie juices, high fat meats, and sugary sodas. (And by the way, these industrialized farms are never characterized as lazy welfare recipients, sitting around waiting for entitlements). Processed foods and sugary drinks are the cause of rampant obesity and chronic diseases, including cancer. It’s the congress that sold out the health of the nation to companies like Monsanto, giving them carte blanche to poison us with genetically modified “food,” enriched with super powered insecticides. Monsanto, which has been lurking on the scene since 1901, helping to create the atomic bomb, and producing the Agent Orange that was used to poison the Vietnamese - and also American soldiers during that war. It was the congress that allowed them to weasel out of clear labeling on GMO “foods,” against the will of the vast majority of citizens who are fighting to know what they’re consuming. And after they force the citizens they’re supposed to be protecting to fight them for their lives, after they use the levers of government to sabotage the health of the entire nation, Alabama’s Mo Brooks betrays the general contempt held by this group of hateful souls. He says that reduced costs should go to “those people who lead good lives, they’re healthy, they’ve done all the things to keep their bodies healthy.”

Former Illinois Republican Representative Joe Walsh just came on out with it recently, in an interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi. He was explaining to Velshi that countries like Sweden and Norway, along with nine others that have a universal health care system can do so because they have “homogeneous populations,” “and do not have the inner-city populations that we have.”

Not surprisingly, many journalists caught that remark and responded, but they appear to have distilled his meaning down to simply blaming the poor for our health care woes. See them as they are. What he meant – was that a universal health care system would give health care to all these Black people, and that we cannot have.

What does the Trumpcare proposal say about its authors? It says they are greedy, cruel, and utterly contemptuous, because the amount that the rich would recoup in taxes would be negligible, compared to what everyone else would lose in terms of quality of life. But what amounts to a few dollars retrieved for them – is far more desirable, far more preferable than raising the quality of life for us all. Most of all, it says that they are cowards. They won’t stand flat footed and own what they truly think and feel about those they view as “takers.” They disguise the return of robber baron health care plans that take your money and cover nothing as “patient centered.” Dropping the mandate that was intended to spread costs as thinly as possible is called “putting choice back in your hands.” Snatching care away from millions altogether is “getting government out of health care.” They hide behind carefully crafted labeling of their treachery, deploying a deluge of empowering adjectives to filibuster through interviews. They resort to blatant lying about what the proposed bill actually does, to hide the devastation they’re planning. They are cowards. They are liars, and they are murderers. See them as they are.

Challenger Community News P.O. BOX 474 Buffalo, NY 14209 “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

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P: 716 881.1051 F: 716 881.1053

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

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• 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.

15

Time to Pass the Political Baton!

Dear Editor: My name is Pastor Charles H. Walker ll and I serve as Senior Servant of Mt. Hope Community Church in the City of Buffalo. I am writing this letter because I had the honor of meeting the young and energetic Duncan Kirkwood, who is a candidate for the 2nd District of the Erie County Legislature.

Initially unbeknown to me, Duncan is the son of my childhood friend from the Fruitbelt, Marvell Kirkwood. Upon seeing both of them at Duncan’s Campaign Kickoff in the Central Park area, I was ecstatic to discover their connection.

Furthermore, it was inspiring to see this young man interact with the community that helped raise him and commit to passionately advocate and serve on its behalf.

Duncan encompasses many leadership qualities that we have been looking for. He is young, educated, a military veteran, able to relate to all people and is the married father of three children. Also, he is no stranger to getting things done for the community through local and state legislative channels. He is a solutions-oriented individual, and for nearly 10 years has been working non-stop for the betterment of the community through advocacy, education, and simply “standing up” when it was much easier to sit down. Duncan is unbought and unbossed.

He isn’t “owned” by anyone neither does he “owe” anyone.

I just pray that this young man is embraced and not rejected, in particular, by some of us older folks who would deem him a threat to our status quo. Aside from Charley Fisher, none of the resumes of the other candidates compare to Duncan’s. Fisher has a stellar track record of accomplishments in the community and as my fellow elder, my prayer is that he would “pass on the baton” to Duncan by serving as a mentor and resource for him rather than run against him.

I have every confidence in this young man’s ability to effectuate the type of change that many are only talking about. I encourage all reading this to visit his website at www.DuncanKirkwood.com to learn more about him so you can experience the same blessing of hope that I did.

God bless.

-Pastor Charles H. Walker II Advertising /News/ Information/Inquiries adver tising@thechallengernews.com or alnisa33@yahoo.com

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

16

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

She Worked Hard For This: Anndea Zeigler Receives Full Athletic Scholarship to Canisius

A

nndea Zeigler, of Cardinal O’Hara High School won’t let you think for one moment that she didn’t work as hard as she possibly could to get an opportunity to play for the Canisius Golden Griffins Women’s basketball team this fall.

Zeigler, attends Cardinal O’Hara High School where she has enjoyed playing basketball for the highly respected Head Coach Nickelle O’Neil. Zeigler has also GREGORY L. participated GAMBLE II in playing soccer and running track.

Receiving a Full-Athletic Scholarship is not an easy accomplishment. As a student-athlete, you’re required to go far above and beyond what’s asked of you not only as an athlete, but also as a student. The norms of attending class, being a social butterfly and having hobbies are no comparison to the demands placed on you to excel in the classroom, be competitive in your sport, while balancing a social life and your own personal interest and hobbies. On top of that demand, its one thing to play and be competitive in a sport, it’s another thing to play that sport and win.

Zeigler, has been able to do all of the above. She’s met the winning demands of coach O’Neil and Cardinal O’Hara’s winning tradition – as the last time the Lady Hawks lost a game to a team in Western New York was in 2013. Zeigler has also dominated in the classroom as she currently resides on the Honor Roll at Cardinal O’Hara.

When asked how she feels about her accomplishments, Zeigler responded “I feel ac-

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complished. I’m fortunate and I feel like I’m paying my parents back for all of their sacrifices for me.”

Zeigler admits that her success has come with some challenges.

“Transferring from a public school (Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts) to a private school was tough.

I had to learn how to balance fun, my grades and my social life. I think that the biggest lesson that I’ve learned is time management and being humble.”

Being humble and working hard is what Anndea Zeigler has become accustom to. As a freshman, Zeigler came off of the bench for the Lady Hawks and was behind a litany of great players. That team wound up winning a New York State Federation Championship. Zeigler has remained patient and faithful and as she puts it, has “waited her turn.” Now, it's her time to shine.

For the next young lady

Anndea: Hard work paid off.

looking to follow in Anndea Zeigler’s footsteps, she leaves you with this message, “Work hard! What you put in is what you get out. Don’t take any opportunity for granted because there is always someone coming behind you who wants your spot. Have faith and wait your turn.”

Zeigler plans to take full ad-

vantage of the athletic scholarship she is being awarded.

She is undecided academically but says that her options are Physical Therapy or Accounting. Whichever one she chooses, we can count on Anndea being extremely successful in that field. Zeigler says that you can expect her to work hard, and that whatever God has planned for her will be. She thanks her parents Rihshawndra (Sherice) and Milton Zeigler for their immense support in her dreams and is eager to give them a return on their investment.

Anndea Zeigler, we are happy that you have decided to go to college close to home and represent Western New York on a National scale by playing at Canisius College. We look forward to witnessing your development. Remember at all times, You’ve Got Odds2Beat! Follow Gregory L. Gamble II on all social media outlets at Odds2Beat or visit www.odds2beat.com for the latest updates.

Caring for students today, tomorrow, together.

EMPLOYMENT

JOB ALERT: Hiring:

Valet Drivers For more information visit Uniland.com/Employment/ AvailablePositions.aspx

LEGAL NOTICE

RFP COUNTY OF ERIE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES 95 FRANKLIN STREET BUFFALO, NEW YORK County of Erie, New York RFP RELEASE The Erie County Department of Social Services is seeking proposals from qualified not for profit agencies to provide Safe Harbor Services for Sexually Exploited Children.

The RFP #1713VF can be found at http://www.erie.gov and a complete copy of the package can also be obtained by contacting Carrie Godfrey, ECDSS, at 716-858-6086, or via Carrie.Godfrey@erie.gov.

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

Final sealed proposals are due to the Erie County Department of Social Services, 95 Franklin Street, Room 804, Buffalo, New York 14202, by 4:00 p.m. (EST) on July 7, 2017.

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

Al Dirschberger, PhD., Commissioner of Social Services

LEGAL NOTICE BID

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS $3,000 BONUS*

for CDL Holders with P & S Endorsement and Basic Course Certificate First Student is so proud to be serving the communities of Western NY and is excited to be adding to our family of drivers at many of our locations. As a leader in student transportation, we take pride in our School Bus Drivers who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to our children and their safe journey to and from school.

Addict to Addict Niagara Peer Support Specialist Rapid Peer Support Services to individuals in Emergency Rooms due to a substance use medical emergency.Degree and experience with disabled adults needed.Submit resume and cover letter by 6/21/17 WNYIL, 3108 Main St., Bflo, NY 14214.

Employment@wnyil.org EOE. Addict-to-Addict Niagara Lead Be a mentor to other Peer Support Specialists working in Program. Degree and experience with disabled adults needed.Submit resume and cover letter by 6/21/17 WNYIL, 3108 Main St., Bflo, NY 14214.

Employment@wnyil.org EOE.

JOBS

Buffalo Employment and Training Center / BETC 716-856-5627 www.workforcebuffalo.org

The BETC is here to help

with your job searching needs. We have free servic4699 - MOBILITY DEVICE es to all jobseekers looking ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES to find better paying work, 4700 - AVIATION JET FUEL an exciting new career, or FILTER ELEMENTS wanting to upgrade skills to Download Bids from become more marketable. www.nfta.com in today’s marketplace.

ROOMS FOR RENT ROOMS FOR RENT: Delavan-Humboldt area, BaileyDelavan. $325-$480. Everything included. (716)818-3410.

What you need: • Valid NY license • 3 years driving experience • Good driving record • Like to work with children • Must be 21yrs or older What we offer: • Up to $19+/Hour for Experienced School Bus Driver; New Drivers start at $14/Hour* • Paid training • Just work on school days • May be eligible for unemployment bnfts: summers and holidays Apply on-line at: apply.firstgroupcareers.com or Call 716-685-9864

NFTA Procurement Invitation to Bid

CDPAS Program Payroll Telephone Liaison Handle questions regarding hours worked, corrections in pay including documentation required to make corrections, employee changes, etc. HS/GED and 6mo experience clerical/bookkeeping. Submit resume and cover letter by 6/21/17 WNYIL, 3108 Main St., Bflo, NY 14214.

Employment@wnyil.org EOE.

*Conditions Apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bayard Advertising Agency, Inc.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

Planning our future together Please join us for an update on AK360, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery’s campus development and growth project. Light refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at 6 pm Buffalo Niagara Convention Center 153 Franklin Street Buffalo, New York 14202 1285 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo, New York 14222-1096 716.882.8700 TEL

Free parking will be offered at the Fernbach Parking Ramp (200 Pearl Street).

albrightknox.org

Homeownership is important.

We’re here to help first-time homebuyers navigate the mortgage process and make buying a home affordable, even if you have: • Little money for a downpayment • Little or “less-than-perfect” credit history • A recent job change To get started, call 1-888-253-0993 or visit mtb.com/mortgage.

Equal Housing Lender.

This is not a commitment to make a mortgage loan. Certain restrictions apply. Subject to credit and property approval. ©2017 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. NMLS# 381076 Challenger: 5.105” x 5.5” - 4/2017

17

18

LOTTERY

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS SUN 6/4

MID-6-4-9

3-WAY

EVE-5-7-5

WIN 4 TAKE 5

MON 6/5

MID-8-6-1

EVE-7-8-3

TUES 6/6

WED 6/7

MID- 9-6-1

MID-0-1-9

EVE- 9-7-7

EVE-7-7-8

MID-7-3-9-8 EVE-8-9-9-3

MID-4-2-9-9 EVE-5-7-8-0

MID-1-3-7-4 EVE-7-5-7-7

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

03-09-16-24-27

01-06-08-11-38

12-20-25-36-39

LOTTO

06-17-19-21-27

THURS 6/8 MID-9-3-7

FRI 6/9

MID-9-9-1

4018

022

064

648

MID-5-3-6

EVE-3-0-2

EVE-9-7-6

EVE-1-6-2

MID- 5-3-7-3 EVE- 7-0-6-9

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

MID- 1-0-4-1 EVE-3-5-9-0

01-02-24-30-35

02-08-12-32-34

05-08-13-19-28-53 #10

HOT TIPS

SAT 6/10

12-14-23-34-36

515

ATTORNEYS LAW OFFICE OF DARIA L. PRATCHER, PC “Everything Real Estate” 523 Main Street (716)541-8574

AUTO

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140

BEN’S Downtown Tire

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

Colston Mobil Auto Repair

716 E. Ferry (Near Fillmore)

(716) 896-3910

Zakiyyah’s Rundown (ZR) 566-547-769-880-910-987-954-232-465-785-309-187-095-416576-890-109-654-432-323-545-267-890-800-468-090-967-680072-547-691-063-323-353-563-934-094-305-401-978-545-788570-982-478-544-360-184-343-679-100-229-436-579-047-093346-790-874-167-768-912-354-436-734-820-039-154-524 MA RUTH SPEAKS THE TRUTH! SURE HITS!

242-000-111-777989-123-125-436515-600-349-675-652

JUNE

Vibes 490-235-678-321487-043 quick money 189-809-444 886-980-422 322-522-355 800-592-390 394-833-924 127-909-418 927-313-466 124-550511-005/201

“It’s In The Stars”

Aquarius -496-235-165-579 Pisces - 056-362-237-694 Cancer - 482-372-895-718 Aries - 289-946-034-594 Taurus -258-231-026-695 Gemini-495-257-694-508 Leo-345-213-157-201 Virgo 385-291-431-170 Libra -247-723-179-501 Scorpio - 453-253-571-597 Sagittarius - 389-701-234-924 Capricorn:893-275-342-506

THE NUMBER BOOK

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410-568-490-540-367-218 JUNE Best Triple- 999 JUNE Special Doubles -776-001-557-338

101 NUMBER OF THE MONTH THOUGHTS ARE THINGS. "LET GO AND LET GOD."

Challenger Hits

BAIL BONDS

MIDDAY 6-4-9 Number Book, Aquarius, Pisces (box) 9-6-1 ZR, Lucky Duckie (box) 0-1-9 Lucky Ducky (box) 5-3-6 Number Book (straight)

BOOKS

ZAWADI BOOKS 1382 Jefferson Ave. 716-903-6740

LUCKIE DUCKIE

133-202- 335 -2015-4444-1871-0978

134-431-143

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

06/22/2016 Evening 06/22/2016 Midday 06/21/2016 Evening 06/21/2016 Midday 06/20/2016 Evening 06/20/2016 Midday 06/19/2016 Evening 06/19/2016 Midday 06/18/2016 Evening 06/18/2016 Midday 06/17/2016 Evening 06/17/2016 Midday 06/16/2016 Evening 06/16/2016 Midday 06/15/2016 Evening 06/15/2016 Midday 06/14/2016 Evening 06/14/2016 Midday

A-1 Bail Bonds 855-2514 or 854-2128

ALIVE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE 2275 Fillmore Ave. (716) 837-1118

EVEVENING 5-7-5 June Doubles (box) 7-8-3 Lucky Ducky (box) 3-0-2 Number Book (box) 1-6-2 Lucky Duckie (box)

3-Way Winning Numbers Last Year

GIST BAIL BONDS

DOCTORS RAPHA FAMILY MEDICINE Frances IIozue MD 2200 Main St. (716) 200-4122

DOGMAN’S K -9 Obedience Training

1963 Fillmore Avenue (716) 807-8163

ELECTRICAL EMPIRE ELECTRIC (716) 634-0330

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

HAIR SUPPLY MAIN HAIR & BEAUTY SUPPLY 3067 Main St. (716) 862-4247

RESTAURANTS FUSION 4 Restaurant & Bar

Upscale Caribbean, African & Soul Food Dining

719 Plymouth Ave. Rochester, (585) 328-1302 www.fusion4.com

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

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES MEREA WORLD Transportation Service Specializing in Round Trip & Over Night Trips Text or call 716 939-8892

2016

6-5-5 2-8-8 8-0-6 1-0-5 8-8-9 7-8-0 7-4-2 9-0-1 6-1-7 1-5-2 8-5-0 3-5-5 9-3-1 6-2-9 7-5-7 8-7-6 4-0-7 1-9-4

DOG TRAINING

Bulk Trash Pick-Up Schedule Limited to 12 feet long, 3 feet high, 3 feet wide.

No electronic waste allowed.

Here are the Districts and their remaing pick up dates: Ellicott – August 6 Fillmore: Aug.13 Niagara: Aug 20 Masten: Aug. 27

Lovejoy: Sept.10 South: Sept. 17 Delaware: June 4 & Sept. 24 North: June 11 & Oct. 1 University: June 18 & Oct.15 2017 TIRE DROP SCHEDULE AT 197 BROADWAY, 7 AM – 3 PM May 27, July 29 & Sept. 9

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017

Fruitbelt Coalition Awards Banquet The FruitBelt Coalition will be sponsoring their annual Awards Recognition Banquet on Saturday June 17 at 6 p.m. at the Beginnings Banquet Hall 38 Crocker Street. For additional information please contact Dr. Benjamin Cashew 716 893-6428.

SEE YOU AT THE

EVENTS!

WEDNEDAY JUNE 14

WEDNEDAY JUNE 14

SATURDAY JUNE 17

Hustle for Health Seniors line dance fitness class Gloria J Parks Center 3242 Main St. 11am - 12pm 716 832-1010.

FREE

Free Rapid HIV Testing: 9:30 -11:30 a.m. and 1:30- 4p.m. at Pride Center of WNY 200 S. Elmwood

JUNETEENTH: MLK PARK, ALL DAY!; Parade begins at Genesee & Moselle @ 11 a.m. down Genesee into MLK Park where festivities are held.See Pg. 8.

NEW! Parents Hustle for Health! Detroit-style, aerobic line dance class 6 - 7pm at East Community H.S. .Gym 820 Northampton St 8164519. Free The Durham Central City Baby Café . Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

200 Eagle St. 885-6348

THURSDAY JUNE 15 ECC TO HOST premiere of the documentary, Daddy Don't Go on Thursday, 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the City Campus.

Please RSVP at 270-5325 and walk-ins are welcome to attend this free event.

NARCAN TRAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY: GROUP Ministries, 1333 Jefferson; 883-4367 for more info.

FOXIE BROWN LINE DANCE CLASSES: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Schiller Senior Center, 2057 Genesee St. 444-2046.

The Durham Central City Baby Café . Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 pm 200 Eagle St. 885-6348.. .

FRIDAY JUNE 16 Free Rapid HIV Testing: 9:30 -11:30am and 1:30- 4p.m. at Pride Center of WNY 200 S. Elmwood

CAR WASH! Sponsored by the Education Ministry of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 9 a.m. – 1p.m.; Cars $5, Trucks $7.

Celebrating Wives and Honoring Womanhood 1st Annual Empowerment Tea: 10 a.m. at 1515 Kensington Ave. hosted

by The Relationship Decoder, LLC. Tickets ($25) and info may be found at https://hats-chats-and-teaempowerment-tea.eventbrite. com FruitBelt Coalition 7th Annual Recognition Banquet: 6 p.m., Beginnings Banquet hall 38 Crocker Street; donation $25; Dr. Cashaw 893-6428 for more info FREE MEALS: Cold Spring Bible Chapel, 100 Northland Ave. 12 Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Cold Spring Bible Chapel, 100 Northland Ave. 883SUNDAY JUNE 18 JUNETEENTH: MLK PARK, ALL DAY!See pg. 8.

A VISION FOR A HEALTHY AND THRIVING COMMUNITY You are Invited to a Community Meeting Dr. Greg Daniel, Nidus Development, is pleased to invite you to a community meeting to learn about the proposed Jefferson Health and Wellness Center.

When: Monday, June 19, 2017 Time: 5:30 pm Where: Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Branch Library 1324 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208

MONDAY JUNE 19 GYC Ministries: Gang Summit Basketball & Open Gym, ages 14 & up; 7-9:30 p.m.

CRUCIAL 230 Moselle St. NEW! Parents Hustle for Health! Detroit-style, aerobic line dance class 6pm - 7pm at East Community H.S. Free Rapid HIV Testing: 9:30 -11:30a.m. and 1:30- 4p.m. at Pride Center of WNY 200 S. Elmwood TUESDAY JUNE 20 Contemporary Women and LGBTQ friendly Women’s AA Group: 6:30-7:00 , Evergreen Commons 262 Georgia Street WEDNESDAY JUNE 21 Public Meeting Notice Board of the Westminster Community Charter School: 3 p.m.

M&T Bank, One M&T Plaza - 19th Floor.

Please let us know if ENTERPRISES you can attend.

BELLAMY Call (716) XXX-XXXX or email info@email.com

Hustle for Health Seniors line dance fitness class Gloria J Parks Center 3242 Main St. 11am - 12pm 716 832-1010.

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Fun Happens Here!

June 2017 WE’RE READY FOR SUMMER! Join Us for New Activities and Experiences.

The 2017 “Canalside Live” Concert Series Beginning Thursday, June 15 and ending Thursday, August 17, the “Canalside Live” concert series will be held at Canalside’s Central Wharf. In addition to the nine Thursday concerts, a special Friday night show is scheduled for June 30.

•Thursday, June 15 - Gary Clark Jr. •Thursday, June 22 – Sheila E. •Friday, June 30 – The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and The Strictly Hip performing music by The Tragically Hip, presented by Consulate General of Canada and Labatt USA •Thursday, July 6 – The Tea Party •Thursday, July 13 – Ghostface Killah with Slick Rick •Thursday, July 20 – Eric Paslay •Thursday, July 27 – Theory of a Dead Man •Thursday, August 3 – Dark Star Orchestra •Thursday, August 10 – Robert Randolph and the Family Band •Thursday, August 17 – USS New for the 2017 “Canalside Live” Series – Canalside Management Group (CMG) has introduced a $5 ticket admission to all “Canalside Live” Concerts. Tickets are available on ticketfly.com, all 17 Western New York Consumer’s Beverage locations, and at the Information Kiosk located on the Boardwalk at Canalside. Kids 5 and under are free. In addition, a significant number of tickets will be provided to The United Way of Erie County to distribute to local community programs.

The Concert Series VIP Experience: CMG also announced a new affordable VIP ticket experience. VIP tickets will provide a private entrance into the VIP Tent Lounge and two complimentary drink coupons, (good for beer, wine, soda, or water), light appetizers provided by The Dish at Canalside, private bathrooms, access to the front of the stage viewing area, and a souvenir 2017 “Canalside Live” Cup. The VIP tent is limited to concert goers 21-years-of-age or older. VIP Tickets can be purchased on ticketfly.com or at the Boardwalk at a cost of $35.

•Introducing

The Canalside Boardwalk Bazaar presented by Five Star Bank

The Canalside Boardwalk Bazaar is a Canalside signature event on select Friday evenings featuring food from local restaurants, live music, eclectic art, a ParKour class, rotating physical activities presented by BlueCross BlueShield of WNY starting with a rock climbing wall and exciting street performers.

Remaining dates for The Bazaar include June 9, June 23, July 7, July 21, August 11 and August 25. Attendance to this event is free and the performances are open to everyone.

•Have a Talent you would like to Share at the Boardwalk Bazaar? Contact info@canalsidebuffalo.com.

Have an Event or Programming Idea? We encourage creative use of the space. We can host events of all sizes. Visit https:// www.canalsidebuffalo.com/contact-us/ You can also reach us by phone at 716.436.7100 during regular business hours.

There is so much more. Keep updated about events and employment openings by visiting www.canalsidebuffalo.com.

Follow Canalside on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •June 14, 2017