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Baha'is Annual Race Unity Day Picnic
The Baha'is Annual Race Unity Day Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, June 11from 12 noon to 4 p.m. It will be held at Ellicott Creek Park at Pavillion #6. The theme is “Where We Are Today, Whee We Need to Be There will be a program that will start after 1 pm. It will include music, poetry, and our Keynote Speaker Michael Martin, Executive Director of The Native American Cultural Center. Our theme for this year's picnic is " Where We Are Today, Where We Need To Go."
Congratulations
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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAMS ON 21 YEARS OF MARRIAGE!
Mr.& Mrs. Dillard & Anita Williams celebrated 21 years of marriage on June 6. Evangelist Anita Williams is founder of the annual Taking It To The Streets event now in I t’s 35th year in MLK Park. The 2023 gathering takes place August 19 and 20. For more information See their listing in the Community Planner Page 7.


JUNE
•Jefferson Avenue Friday Night Live, EVERY FRIDAY EVENING now thru August 25 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Jefferson & E.Utica Street Shopping Plaza. FREE! DJ's, food trucks, family entertainment, dancing and vendors & more To become a sponsor or for more info on how to participate go to the Buffalo Funk Fest Foundation facebook page.
•UNIVERSITY UNITED FESTIVAL SATURDAY, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 (716) 245-8332 or via email at mread@buffalony.gov
ALLENTOWN ART FESTIVAL, Sat. Sun. June 10, 11 Delaware Avenue, Historic Allentown Preservation District 11 a.m.-6p.m. allenownartfestival.com
•JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL BUFFALO all day Saturday June 17 & Sunday June 18, MLK Park www.juneteenthofbuffalo.com, (716)891-891.FREE
• NIAGARA FALLS JUNETEENTH COMMUNITY FAIR & ARTS FESTIVAL Saturday June 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To sign up to be a vendor, artist or musician go to Info@theNACC.org or call (716)282-7530
TASTE OF DIVERSITY FESTIVAL Sat. June 24, Grant Street @ Lafayette, 11 a.m.7p.m. tasteofdiversity.com
•WUFO BLACK MUSIC CONFERENCE & AWARDS June 23,24,25, Millennium Hotel and Resort, 2030 (716) 834-1080 email info@wuforadio.com

•FAMILY FISHING DAY June 24 & 25, 10 a.m.-3p.m. Broderick Park, Foot of Ferry Underground Railroad)
•NAACP 2023 MEDGER EVERS AWARDS DINNER, Saturday , June 24, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. For tickets and more information email naacp@buffalonaacp. org or call (716)884-7242.
JULY
2ND ANNUAL NEW YORK STATE ALUMNI REUNION Celebration Honoring and Celebrating Law Enforcement Personnel, “Black Tie Affair,” Saturday, July 8 from 5 -10 p.m. Classics V Banquet hall, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd. Tickets $75 RSVVP to (716)2535566 by June 25.All are welcome!
•HEALING BY THE WATER Broderick Park Summer Freedom Celebration Music, Food, Vendors July 7-September 7, Foot of Ferry near Niagara St. FREE
• 28TH ANNUAL PAPPY MARTIN LEGACY- MASTEN JAZZ FESTIVAL, July 23 and July 30 from 2pm - 8pm, MLK Park (Buffalo Museum of Science – Side Lawn) 1001 Humboldt Parkway Sunday, July 23: 6pm: Headliner: Buster Williams Quartet / Opener: Various Acts Monday, July 24: 1pm: Musicians' Masterclass Workshop led by Nasar Abadey
AUGUST

PINE GRILL JAZZ REUNION, August 6 & 13, MLK Park. Vendor applications now available at the African American CulturalCenter, 350 Maten Avenue. All applications must be mailed or submitted in person with fees to the African American Cultural Center located at 350 Masten Ave. Buffalo New York 14209.T he applications should be mailed and submitted to the; Attn. of James W. Pitts by the close of business (5pm) June 23, 2023. No refunds will be issued for applications after July 14, 2023
•WESTY’S SYCAMORE FAMILY & FRIENDS ANNUAL REUNION August 4 Meet & Greet, 419 Monroe 6-9pm; August 5 Reunion Cookout MLK Park Noon-8PM For Info: (716)783-0099; (716)602-8119; (716)892-8311; (716)247-0258 FREE
•PAN AFRIKAN FESTIVAL Saturday, August 5, hosted by A.B.O.V.E. @ Highland Bowl, 1137 South Ave. Rochester, 11am - 8 p.m. Visit PANAFFESTIVAL.ORG
•35TH ANNUAL TAKING IT TO THE STREETS FREE August 19th & 20th, 11ampark closing MLK Park. For shelters/participate/vend/sponsor call 716-507-1931/716400-6749.
SEPTEMBER
• “Honoring Our African American Military Heroes and Sheroes” Parade ” & Mini Stand Down, Saturday, September 2 hosted by Debbera M. Ransom and The African American Veterans Arts and Culture Corporation, kickoff 2 p.m. Jefferson between Riley and Dodge For more info email: aavaccbuffalo21@gmail.com or call 716-563-2536. To List Your Upcoming event email editorial@thechallengernews.com
•51ST ANNUAL BLACK ACHIEVERS AWARDS DINNER, Saturday, September 30 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin Street. For more info visit www. buffaloblackachievers.org

HEALTH MATTERS Just Say "No" To Artificial Sweetners!
The World Health Organization(W.H.O.) has warned against using artificial sweeteners, saying that long-term use is not effective in trying to lose weight and could pose serious health risks.
These alternatives to sugar, when consumed long term, do not serve to reduce body fat in either adults or children the W.H.O. said in a recommendation, adding that continued consumption could increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mortality (death)in adults.
So we should avoid:
•Stevia, a plant-based sweetener available under various brand names, including Splenda Naturals Stevia Sweetener and Truvia.
•Aspartame, a synthetic sweetener sold under the brand name Equal.
•Sucralose, a synthetic sweetener sold under the brand name Splenda.
•Saccharin, a synthetic sweetener sold under the brand names Sweet'N Low, Sugar Twin and Necta Sweet.

•Acesulfame K, a synthetic sweetener sold under the brand name Sunett.

Both artificial and ‘natural’ sweeteners
The recommendation included low or no calorie synthetic sweeteners and natural extracts, which may or may not be chemically modified, such as acesulfame K, aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia and stevia derivatives and monkfruit, the report said.
Many people consider stevia products to be more “natural,” since they are derived from the stevia plant.
A recent study by researchers at the US-based Cleveland Clinic found erythritol — used to add bulk or sweeten stevia, monkfruit and keto reduced-sugar products — was linked to blood clotting, stroke, heart attack and early death.
Allulose is another example of a natural sugar substitute. It's found naturally in low amounts in certain fruit, but is typically commercially produced from corn. Allulose can be found online and as an ingredient in products like chewing gum or regular and frozen yogurts.
“ALWAYS A NEXT LEVEL” : Gene Coplin, Talented Health Fitness Specialist, Opens 2nd Next Level Bootcamp Location

Always a Next Level” is the motto at Next Level Bootcamp, owned and operated by 34-year-old Genetino “Gene” Coplin. He’s been in business since 2019, opening his first location at 3563 Sheridan Road, Amherst. Over the Memorial Day weekend he held the grand opening of a second location on Union Road.

Starting his journey in 2013 as a Beach Body Coach, he sold DVD’s and supplements. While also working at Aspire assisting individuals with disabilities, a friend referred him to a job at LA Fitness as a Bootcamp instructor. Hired on the spot Gene had found his passion. He stayed encouraged even though the money was lacking. His consistency ultimately paid off.
In April 2019 he opened his first location but covid hit in March 2020, which put the fitness gym business in a rough place. Despite being faced with enormous adversity and no stability, Gene kept going, and during the pandemic still managed to gather seventy people on zoom for bootcamp class. He also battled with space size and being the only person to instruct his classes, but he knew he needed to “start small to grow.”

Four years later, he had grown from a one man show in a 1,000 square foot space to 7,000 square foot space along with 3-4 coaches to assist with teaching classes. In addition to fitness, Gene also has a mentoring program for young men ages 9-15, where he converses with them about life, school, responsibilities, struggles and more. In addition he holds a group workout with them, serves lunch, and has even had a barber on site to clean the boys up.
“We all have dreams and visions and its ok to not have it all figured out. I’m still trying to figure it out, but there’s always a next level, one step at a time,” said the talented health fitness specialist. “Don’t despise small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10).”
Gene has embodied this principle to the max, while always offering encouragement and motivation to anyone who encounters him.
If you’re looking for a great workout with an even greater atmosphere, check out Next Level Bootcamp. Throughout the summer there will be a free class held at Canalside every Wednesday at 6p.m., but you must register. Visit www.gcopefitness.com for more information.
We congratulate Gene on his many accomplishments and wish him all the best in future endeavors!
-Shola Clark