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BE SAFE! MASK UP! Protect Yourself and Others! COVID-19 IS STILL HERE! Residents are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing in public. Make Safe Choices! Stay Well! Stay Positive! Stay Prayerful! And Please use Common Sense!

October 7, 2020 | FREE | COMMUNITY NEWS

“STREET” VOTES MATTER! The “Street Vote” And Everyday People Will Make the Difference In Outcome Of November’s Presidential Election Writes Columnist Jesse Doyle Page 3

CARIOL SUES THE CITY Seeks Justice in Reinstatement, Lost Wages and Pension Page 10

ROCHESTER Piano Signed by Alicia Keys is Gifted to Black Box Theatre! Page 2

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

LOCAL NO MORE OF THIS! Bishop Gelsey Calls for March to End Black Homicides Page 7

NO JUSTICE Baskin Speaks Out on Ruling in death of India Cummings: “I won’t stop speaking her name!” Page 10

Virtual Learning Centers Are Critical to Our Children’s Education! Complete List of Sites Near You! Page 16

2 INSIDE ROCHESTER Steinway Piano, Signed by Alicia Keys, Gifted to Avenue Black Box Theatre: Mini Music Marathon Celebrates Its Arrival!

l/r Reenah Golden and Alicia Keys signing the Steinway piano recently gifted to Avenue Black Box Theatre.

Avenue Black Box Theatre in Rochester has been gifted a Steinway & Sons Piano signed by Alicia Keys via The Grammy’s MusiCares program. "We're grateful and honored this piano will now have a home in a space that believes deeply in the power of music and performing arts to change lives. We know its legacy will live in the hearts of generations to come," said Avenue Blackbox Founder and Artistic Director Reenah Golden. A Mini Music Marathon featuring Danielle Ponder, Chaz Bruce, Avis Reese, Ari Highsmith, Taryn Highsmith, She Rise and Drea D’Nur officially celebrated the arrival of the Steinway piano. Prominent local artists played the piano during the Mini Music Marathon event last Friday at the theatre located at 780 Joseph Avenue.

-Background-

Steinway & Sons recently held a special auction to support the MusiCares® COVID-19 Relief. On August 15, a generous bidder won the online auction of a beautiful Steinway-designed Boston 126E upright piano—finished in brilliant turquoise and signed by 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. The final sale generated $35,000 for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief, which seeks to alleviate the enormous financial burden placed on people in the music industry who are adversely impacted by the global pandemic. "Having performed professional style concerts as a singer at nursing homes for over 25 years, I am aware of the power of music to change lives", said auction winner Andy Nahas. "I bid on this piano on behalf of MusicPower, a charity I established to support exceptional music related initiatives such as MusiCares. I'm further excited because we've chosen to donate the piano to another impressive initiative called the Avenue Blackbox Theatre in Rochester, New York, which will launch an expanded music learning program for inner city youth and adults upon receipt of Alicia's beautiful Steinway piano. We expect this autographed piano will inspire and motivate many people to make music creation an important part of their lives. I give a big thank you to Steinway, Alicia Keys, and MusiCares for offering this multiple win opportunity!" The piano, which was donated by Steinway and used by Alicia Keys in her home for three months, was featured in Keys’ social media and was used for a special Amazon livestream event and in a promotion for the 2020 New York Census. Keys’ signature elevates the piano to a one-of-a-kind collector’s item, and its success as an auction item is a testament to both the artist’s reputation and to the goodwill of MusiCares supporters seeking to help music professionals during this very difficult time.

“I feel so blessed that this piano—which has so many personal memories for me—is going to be auctioned for MusiCares, which has helped so many artists and creators and the music community during the pandemic,” said Alicia Keys. “I can’t wait for whoever gets this piano to feel the magic inside of it, and for us to continue to support and love each other.”

“This auction was even more successful than we initially anticipated,” said Ron Losby, President and CEO of Steinway & Sons. “We have Alicia Keys and her stunning musical spirit to thank. Not only did the winner gift $35,000 to MusiCares, he also has committed to place the piano at the inner-city venue in Rochester, New York. Alicia’s piano will inspire and motivate many people for years to come.”

Join the March to Albany Seeking Justice for Daniel Prude!

Local organizers are asking residents to join in the March to Albany, NY on October 16 to engage in peaceful protests at The Capital. "We believe that 'justice delayed is justice denied,' a statement from the organizers read. " It is vital that we as a community seek swift justice for the Rochester Police Officers who killed Daniel Prude on March 23rd, 2020." The following officers are currently enjoying a paid vacation (suspended with pay) after working our city streets for six-months despite murdering an unarmed Black man on a cold winter night: Sgt. Michael Magri, Ofc. Josiah Harris, Ofc. Paul Ricotta, Ofc. Francisco Santiago, Ofc. Andrew Specksgoor, Ofc. Troy Taladay, Ofc. Mark Vaughn. We demand they are fired, prosecuted, and convicted immediately! On October 16th, 2020 we will meet at the Rochester NY Public Safety Building before heading to Albany, NY at The Capital. Reserve your hotel now as we will be staying over night and protesting on Saturday as well (until 5 pm or later). More information will be shared on The Reentry & Community Development Center's FB page. Please RSVP. Hosted by Miquel Powell (585) 967-0640 & Clianda FlorenceYarde (585) 261-4823.

No-Cost COVID-19 Testing and Flu Shots Offered at Select Rochester Churches in October

Mayor Lovely A. Warren and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, in partnership with a coalition of community groups, businesses and hospital systems have teamed up to bring free COVID tests and flu vaccinations to four Rochester churches from Oct. 5 to Oct. 17.

Testing and flu shots are provided at no cost to participants who do not have health insurance. Individuals with health insurance are asked to bring their cards for submitting the claims, which are covered at no additional cost or co-pay, even for those with deductibles.

Community members will also receive resources on legal assistance, housing and other services and will be encouraged to sign up for the ROC COVID symptom tracker (roccovid. org).

The COVID-19 and flu initiative is sponsored by the City of Rochester, County of Monroe, Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, Rochester Black Nurses Association, Common Ground Health, Finger Lakes Performing Provider System, Jordan Health, Ibero American Action League, Rochester Regional Health, NYS Department of Health, Regional Health Reach, University of Rochester and Wegmans.

Testing and flu shots are offered from noon to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6, 7 Aenon Baptist Church 175 Genesee St., Rochester, NY 14611

Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 8, 9, 10 Greater Harvest Church 121 Driving Park Ave., Rochester, NY 14613

Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 12, 13, 14 Memorial AME Zion Church 549 Clarissa St., Rochester, NY 14608

Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 15, 16, 17 House of Prayer and Restoration 545 Hudson Ave, Rochester, NY 14605

Update: Mayor Warren Maintains Her Innocence in Wake of Indictment

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren is accused of using a political action committee to get around donations limits in her 2017 reelection campaign. On Monday she pleaded not guilty to felony charges of alleged campaign finance fraud. The mayor was released under her own recognizance. The court appearance Mayor Warren comes three days after the second-term mayor and two political associates were indicted. Albert Jones Jr., Warren's campaign treasurer, and Rosalind Brooks-Harris, who was the treasurer of a political action committee for Warren and now serves as Rochester's finance director, also entered not guilty pleas. As with Warren, prosecutors made no bail request for them. All three are scheduled to have their next court appearance Jan. 12. Sandra Doorley, the Monroe County District Attorney, said that she did not believe he indictment “affects her ability to serve as the mayor…" "Lovely Warren is still the mayor of the city of Rochester. Mayoral business needs to continue. The mayor/s attorney, Joseph Damelio told WXXI that she is innocent of the charges. "Her position has not changed one bit and that is she's innocent and that she maintains that she did not intend to violate the law," said Damelio. "She did not knowingly violate the law and she's anxious to get this process started and she's ready to go to trial." -Statement from Council President Loretta C. Scott: "Today, a grand jury indicted Mayor Warren and City Finance Director Brooks-Harris, and while I have not had the opportunity to review the indictment in detail, I am obviously saddened by this news. I believe in due process and that everyone is innocent until proven otherwise. I want to assure the community that the business of the City will continue uninterrupted."

Miriam Rivera Farmers Insurance 1038 Lyell Ave • Rochester, NY 14606 (585)360-0094 (Office) (585)360-8658 (Cell) (888)546-5157 (Fax) mrivera1@farmersagent.com

AREA BRIEFS

Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Training

There will be a live virtual Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Training on Friday October 9, at 12pm. The session is in partnership with the Division of Citizen Services, Masten Block Club Coalition, Fruit Belt Community Land Trust, Muhammad Mosque #23, The Buffalo Local Action Committee of the Millions More Movement, Fillmore Business District Association, and Community Action Organization at the Cisco WebEx link below. Meeting Link: https://atteetrial1.webex.com/meet/citizenservices If needed: Dial citizenservices@atteetrial1.webex.com and enter your host PIN 3271. You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number. Also contact us for more information at:Dahveed Muhammad dmuhammad@caowny.org 716) 579-3039

Group Voice Opposition to Police Proposed Use of the BolaWrap: “Non-lethal is Not Non-Harmful”

The Allies for Black Justice, along with mental health professionals, other community organizations, and activists, held a press conference to speak out against the proposed BolaWrap to be used as a nonlethal way for police officers to restrain people suffering a mental health crisis. The group maintains that “non-lethal is not non-harmful” and “the criminalization of people with mental illness is part of a larger policing problem we have here in Buffalo.” Investing more money in additional weapons, they continued, is a step in the wrong direction. “The mental health community would like to make it clear that investing in new weapons is not the solution. The BolaWrap is not trauma informed and not at all a mental health intervention. As we have previously called for, we need mental health professionals responding to mental health crises, not armed police officers, regardless of what they are armed with,” stated Amy Cross-Viola, LCSW-R founder of WNY Agents of Change.

October is Fire Prevention and Safety Month

October is Fire Prevention and Safety Month in Buffalo. Due to Covid-19, there will be drive-up and virtual fire safety events throughout the month. Free smoke detectors, coloring books and fire prevention safety tips will be distributed during the following firehouse drive-up days. Residents should stay in their vehicles: • Oct. 10 Engine 37/Ladder 4, 500 Rhode Island St. 10 a.m. to noon • Oct. 14 at Engine 23, 3226 Bailey Ave. 6 to 8 p.m. • Oct. 17 at Engine 36/Ladder 13, 860 Hertel Ave. 10 a.m. to noon

VOICES

"Street "Votes Matter!

When you on the battlefield you need to know who you are. More importantly, you need to know who you are not. Let us start with who I am not. I am not the Bishop, not a pastor, not a politician, not a celebrity. Just a sinner trying to be saved by grace. A lot of time we look to the pastors, politicians, celebrities to carry the load. I think that is a mistake because that makes us complacent. It also made us voiceless. I said a few weeks ago that I did not like what is going on in our country. Deceit, haJesse Doyle tred, and division. I also said give me some time. I was gone load up and clap back. That phrase simply means “what the retaliation would be to a White House trying to gangsta this election.” I thought to myself. The people that vote always vote. They will vote regardless of their circumstances. To me that is like preaching to the choir. So, then I said, how do we wake up what sometimes seems like a sleeping society? The underground, the players, the hustlers, the uneducated, and the young single parents that feel like they are drowning in everyone else’s decisions.

"Hood Billboard” located on Kensington and Castle near Burgard High School includes Raymond Kincannon, Mike Jemison, Jesse Doyle, Ben Cook, Mike Ray Jackson (Groove Lounge), and Zack Williford.

God walked me through the violent streets of the 90’s untouched. So many people close to me along the way ended up in jail, hail, drugs, or thugs. I learned so much in the hood. I can hold a conversation with anyone from the bottom of the ghetto to the top of the White House and would not miss a beat. The biggest lesson is if you love and respect the streets, the streets will love and respect you back. Not long ago I woke up in the middle of the night. All I could think about were folks we refuse to include. The same folks we look down upon. In some cases, some of us have become so high class we refuse to even say hello to folk. But the truth is, there is untapped power in the streets. It was clear to me. The difference in this election will be the street vote. Who better to get the message to the streets than folks that rose from the ashes of the late 80s and 90s? So many times, we see our Black men portrayed on the evening news in handcuffs or in the midst of yellow tape. Just to be clear. EDP is not a gang. EDP is a lifetime fraternity built with men and women over the years. Folks that came before me, during me, and after me. I felt like the MEN of EDP needed to take the lead role in this push for the street vote. This election is so important. We put our money where our heart is. We spent our own money and rented the first “hood billboard” in the city for 30 days. The billboard is located on Kensington and Castle near Burgard High School. A small sample of EDP MEN on the billContinued Page 11

The Voter Registration Deadline to Vote in the November Presidential Election is This Friday Oct. 9

Registrations may be delivered in person to the Erie County Board of Elections at 134 W. Eagle Street through the close of business at 5 pm on Friday. Mailed registrations must be postmarked by Friday and received by next Wednesday, Oct. 14. Those honorably discharged from the military or naturalized as a US citizen after Oct. 9 may still register until Saturday, Oct. 24, the first day of early voting. The Board of Elections will also be open from 8 a.m to 4 pm this Saturday, Oct. 10 to allow for in-person registrations. This deadline extension occurs in presidential election years as required by state election law. Registration forms and information concerning registration, mail-in ballots, early voting, and voting at the polls may be found at the BOE website at elections.erie.gov. The public may also call 858-8891 with any questions.

Medger Evers

Medger Evers, Civil Rights Activist

Medgar Evers was an African-American civil rights activist whose murder drew national attention. Born in Mississippi, in 1925, he served in World War II before going to work for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). After attempting to desegregate the University of Mississippi Law School in 1954, he became the NAACP field secretary in Mississippi. Evers was subjected to threats as the most visible civil rights leader in the state, and he was shot to death in June 1963. As state field secretary, Evers recruited members throughout Mississippi and organized voter-registration efforts, demonstrations, and economic boycotts of Whiteowned companies that practiced discrimination. He also worked to investigate crimes perpetrated against Blacks, most notably the lynching of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African-American boy who had been killed for allegedly talking to a White woman. As early as 1955, Evers activism made him the most visible civil rights leader in the state of Mississippi. As a result, he and his family were subjected to numerous threats and violent actions over the years, including a firebombing of their house Continued Page 5

4 BUILDING COMMUNITY AMID

Positive Examples of Working Together Within Our Communities To Support Ourselves And Our Neighbors During The Covid-19 Crisis

"Youth and Young Adults" is Topic of this Week's Mental & Emotional Wellbeing During COVID-19 Series

The Buffalo Center for Heath Equity is hosting a “Mental and Emotional Wellbeing During Covid-19 Series” every Thursday during the month of October at 6:30 p.m. This week, Oct. 8, the topic of discussion will be “Youth & Young Adults” with Erin M. Moss, LMHC. Register today at buffalohealthequity.org. This series is free and open to the public. Future sessions will deal with: •EDUCATION - Oct. 15 •VETERANS & OLDER ADULTS - Oct. 22 •GRIEF & LOSS -Oct. 29 Burchfield Penney Free Memberships to Healthcare Workers To express appreciation for the frontline heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo State College will offer free, six-month memberships to all healthcare workers. The offer is now available and valid through the end of the year. To activate the free membership, healthcare workers can enroll at the Burchfield Penney Visitors Services desk during regular hours of operation. For more information, email Shawn Schlifke at schlifst@buffalostate.edu. Due to COVID-19, gallery hours are Friday – Sunday, 11 AM - 4 PM for the general public; 10 AM - 11 AM for members, seniors, and those at increased risk.

Come One! Come All! The First Fruits Food Pantry Is Open!

Offering Healthy Food Options Free To The Community Every Tuesday From 5-7 P.M. And Saturdays From 10 A.M. To 12 NOON

Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church, 641 Masten @ Northland

No Forms To Fill Out, No Proof Of Income Or Residency Etc. Just The Blessing Of Good Food! While You’re There Check Out The Lincoln Memorial. Clothes Closet!

“Fighting Food Insecurity & Meeting the Needs of The People.”

Rev. George Nicholas, Pastor, Lincoln Memorial UMC

Naima Penniman, Soul Fire Farm, Featured Speaker at First Annual Freedom Garden Harvest Celebration

The first annual Freedom Gardens Harvest Celebration featuring Naima Penniman, spoken word/hip hop artist and Program Director of Soul Fire Farm will be included in the 2020 Buffalo Food Sovereignty Week. Celebrate with us as we tell the story of our resilience, our self sufficiency, our self determination and our desire to thrive and not just survive the COVID virus. As gardeners we were successful in growing organic food in our own backyards! This is unprecedented! You are invited to sign into Zoom on Tuesday, October 13th at 7pm to meet our volunteers, sponsors, the gardeners and their families, hear the plans for next year, learn how to become a freedom gardener and share in our triumphs! Use the information below to join me, the freedom gardeners and our volunteers and sponsors to celebrate our resilience as a community of growers: Where: Join Zoom meeting online https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85164056444 Meeting ID: 851 6405 6444 One tap mobile: +19294362866,.,85164056444# US (New York) or Dial your location: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Please register for your free event ticket/s at: Eventbrite.com and search for Freedom Garden Harvest. The first 20 to register on line will get a “gift”! Naima Penniman “We ‘grow’ to support ourselves, control our destinies, and provide for our families while building a healing community that is healthy and well.” Email: yourfreedomgarden@gmail.com for more information or if you have problems accessing Zoom. You must download the Zoom app if you are new to Zoom. Buffalo Freedom Gardens Partners include: Soul Fire Farms, Food for the Spirit, Buffalo Food Equity Network (BFEN), Grassroots Gardens, CopperTown Block Club, Access to A-Free-Ka, Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo, NY, Seeding Resilience, Buffalo Love Your Block, CCE Erie County Master Gardener Program, WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund Buffalo, Fruition Seeds, Urban Fruits & Veggies, Feed Buffalo, Black Ink Press, and the African Heritage Food CO-OP

Healing Herbal Supplements for Cold & Flu Season Here are some important •Curcumin is a component healing herbs to have on of turmeric that reduces inhand not only during flu flammation from an invader season but year round: such as a flu bug or another •Vitamin C, as Micro-C, pathogen. not only helps fight off cold •Peppermint Tea is calmand flu bugs, also strengthens the entire immune system, especially the killer ing and helps relieve headaches and congestion and is an immune system booster. eat to live cells that go after viruses, bacteria, •Zinc, as liquid zinc sulfate, is a virus and bug killer. •Lemon Balm is an antiviral and antibacterial. •Elderberry Syrup is one of the most effective remedies for viral and bacterial infections such as colds and flus They are also known to have the ability to enhance immune function. •B12 with Adenosylcobalamin and Methylcobalamin is the best form of B-12 for colds and flus. •Cat’s Claw destroys cold and flu bugs and other viruses, bacteria, and other unfriendly microorganisms. It strengthens the immune system to battle against Karl Shallowhorn Karla Thomas colds and flus and brings Host of Host of stability to the body. . “Color Me Healthy” “The Community Buzz” •Rose Hips Tea. Rose hips Tuesdays, 11:00 am Wednesdays, 10:30 am contain a bioavailable vita- CHCB FB Live WUFO 96. min C that helps the body fight off viruses and bacteria. C. LIVE STRONG! Join Karl Shallowhorn, Mental Health Educator, Author, and Motivation Speaker, and Karla Thomas, Marketing Director, Motivation Speaker, Political Analyst and Community Advocate, as they bring you the latest news, views and survival tools from local and national experts. Ankh wedja seneb : “Be alive, strong & healthy!”