force behind Pittsburgh’s Juneteenth, said an additional $700,000 was made from the small business vendors that lined the nearby streets during Juneteenth. The vast ma-
jority of the vendors were African Americans.
estimated 48,800 people attended the four-day event, 21 percent of whom were out-of-towners.
Where did the visitors come from? Youngstown topped the list, followed by Wheeling/Steubenville, Philadelphia, Washing-
The phrase, “State of Black Pittsburgh,” can elicit a number of responses. Is it related to how Black Pittsburgh is dealing with crime and gun violence?
Is it related to Blacks and jobs? The housing market?
Education? When the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh asks, “What is the State of Black Pittsburgh?” it encompasses all of the above. For, as this year’s panelists discussed, not having access to high-paying jobs
is a direct contributor to violence in Pittsburgh’s Black communities. Not having the right education can lead to a never-ending cycle of lower-paying jobs that leads to an inability to afford the rising cost of housing inside Pittsburgh limits.
The Urban League’s annual “State of Black Pittsburgh” forum was held, June 29, at the University of Pittsburgh. It was held in collaboration with the Youth ChangeMakers Conference, a product of NA (North Allegheny)
NNPA Newswire Contributor
Laphonza Butler will fill the U.S. Senate seat of the late Dianne Feinstein. The groundbreaking Senator died on September 29.
Newsom’s decision was not on the political radar screen of most prognosticators.
With the selection of Butler, the decision of California’s Governor will not include any of the currently announced candidates for U.S. Senate in 2024 in California. Those current candidates include veteran members of Congress Barbara Lee and Adam Schiff.
“As we mourn the enormous loss of Senator Feinstein, the very freedoms she fought for—reproductive freedom, equal protection, and safety from gun violence—have never been under greater assault.
Laphonza will carry the baton left by Senator Feinstein, continue to break glass ceilings, and fight for all Californians in Washington, D.C.,” wrote Gov. Newsom in a statement released on the evening of October 1 announcing Butler’s appointment.
Butler will be sworn in to the U.S. Senate this week.
Butler has been serving as the president of EMILY’s List. The fundraising platform supports and funds women candidates
and amplifies issues that disproportionately impact women. EMILY’s List was founded in 1985 by Ellen Malcolm and founding members Barbara Boxer, Ann Richards, Anne Wexler, and Donna Shalala. From 1985 through 2008, EMILY’s List raised over $240 million for political candidates.
The move by Newsom could assist him if he should run for higher office in 2024 or 2028. Newsom has been rumored to be on a short list of Democratic candidates who could run for President if, for some reason, Biden or Harris are not options. But Newsom was recently asked about running for President and switched topics to the policies he believed the party should focus on.
Laphonza Butler will be yet another addition to the Congressional Black Caucus, which is now on the brink of having 60 members for the first time in history.
• OCTOBER 4
Though the current membership of the Congressional Black Caucus is 58, one more Black member is all but certain to enter Congress in Rhode Island after the resignation in May of Congressman David Cicilline. Former Biden White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Deputy Director Gabe Amo won the Democratic nomination for Cicilline’s seat. The election is on November 7.
Butler will be the only Black woman in the Senate. But Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester is expected to win the Senate seat vacated by Senator Tom Carper. Carper announced he would not run for re-election in 2024 and Rochester announced shortly afterwards that she would run for Carper’s seat.
“Throughout her career, Laphonza Butler has been a strong voice for working families, LGBTQ rights, and a champion for increasing women’s representation in politics. I’m honored to welcome her to the United States Senate. Governor Newsom’s swift action ensures that Californians maintain full representation in the Senate as we navigate a narrow Democratic majority. I look forward to working together to deliver for the people of California,” wrote California U.S. Senator Alex Padilla in a statement.
Atlanta Daily World
Beyoncé is coming to a theater near you. The queen will allow fans to relive her epic Renaissance Tour with a documentary film will be featured at AMC Theaters.
The film will highlight the performances and show behind-the-scene actions from the tour which kicked-off in Stockholm, Sweden on May 10 and wrapped with a finale on Oct. 1 in Kansas City.
During the two-and-half hour show, the Beyoncé implements elements of Afrofuturism and cowgirl swag to a theatrical show that has the feel of the world’s largest house party, paying homage to House music.
The tour also inspired cowgirl/cowboy fashion as concertgoers wore creative hats, silver costumes, and
boots.
ADW was present at the Atlanta stop where she announced the city won the “mute” challenge. Throughout the “Renaissance Tour,” when Beyoncé performed “Energy,” there’s a moment when the entire crowd should remain silent for about six seconds. Most cities have failed the test miserably, screaming and
yelling during the moments when everyone should be silent. But on the night of Aug. 11, the Atlanta audience was more than prepared.
When Beyoncé sung the magic words, “Look around everybody on mute,” the entire stadium remained silent.
Once the moment passed, Beyoncé revealed the city of Atlanta to be the overall winners of the challenge by screaming, “Y’all won, y’all won, y’all won!” There were also other viral moments during the tour such as Diana Ross surprising Beyoncé by singing “Happy Birthday” during her stop in Los Angeles.
The Renaissance Tour film is scheduled to hit theaters on Dec. 1.
1864—What was to become the nation’s first Black daily newspaper began publishing on this day in New Orleans, La. Amazingly, the New Orleans Tribune began distribution while slavery still existed. It was founded by Dr. Louis C. Reudanez. It began as a tri-weekly but soon became a daily published in both French and English.
1969—Howard Lee and Charles Evers became the first Black mayors of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Fayette, Miss., respectively. Evers was the brother of civil rights legend Medgar Evers who was murdered by Ku Klux Klan member Byron De La Beckwith on June 12, 1963.
1988—The Martin Luther King Jr. federal building is dedicated in Atlanta, Ga. It thus became the first federal building to bear the name of the slain civil rights leader.
• OCTOBER 5
1867—The first Black mayor of any American city takes office. His name was Monroe Baker. The prominent businessman was appointed mayor of St. Martin, La., two years after the end of slavery.
• OCTOBER 6
1847—The first National Black Convention takes place in Troy, N.Y. There were more than 100 delegates in attendance from at least nine states. Top items on the agenda included determining ways to help end slavery and encouraging free Blacks to refuse to purchase products produced by slave labor. Frederick Douglass frequently makes note of the convention because one of its aims was to organize independent Black power and “not depend on Whites and hope” to free Blacks.
1871—The now world famous Fisk Jubilee Singers begin their first national tour. The tours helped raise funds for Nashville, Tenn.’s, predominately Black Fisk University as well as give the school an international reputation.
1917—Activist Fannie Lou Hamer is born in Montgomery County, Miss. She goes on to become one of the major female figures in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Nevertheless, she remains one of the movement’s most effective unsung heroes. As to why she became involved in the movement for Black freedom, dignity and political rights, she would often say in reference to injustice, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
1971—The first legal interracial marriage takes place in North Carolina A Black man, John Wilkinson, marries a White woman, Lorraine Mary Turner. The marriage came a few years after the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Loving v. Virginia, that ruled legal barriers to interracial marriage, which existed in most Southern states, were unconstitutional.
1821—One of the most prominent Blacks in the Underground Railroad, William Still, is born near Bedford, Mass. The “Underground Railroad” was the name given to a series of secret trails and safe houses
used to help Blacks escape from slavery in the South to freedom in the North.
1897—The founder of the Nation of Islam Elijah Muhammad is born Elijah Poole in Sandersville, Ga., as one of 13 children. Muhammad would build his religious sect into the largest independent Black separatist organization in America. The group is currently headed by Min. Louis Farrakhan. Muhammad died in February 1975.
1934—Activist, writer and poet Imamu Baraka is born Everett LeRoi Jones in Newark, N.J. Baraka was one of the leading intellectual figures in the Black Power and Black Nationalist movements of the 1960s and early 1970s. A special tribute honoring Baraka’s 75th birthday took place around this time last year.
1967—Carl Stokes is elected the first Black mayor of a major American city—Cleveland, Ohio. Interestingly, he won by defeating Seth Taft—the grandson of a former United States president—Howard Taft.
1993—Writer Toni Morrison is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• OCTOBER 8
1775—Slaves and free Blacks are officially barred by the Council of Officers from joining the Continental army to help fight for American independence from England. Nevertheless, a significant number of Blacks had already become involved in the fight and would distinguish themselves in battle. Additional Blacks were barred out of fear, especially in the South, that they would demand freedom for themselves if White America became free from Britain.
1941—National Black political leader and two-time candidate for president of the United States Rev. Jesse Jackson was born on this day in Greenville, S.C. After the 1968 assassination of Civil Rights Movement icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson, who was one of his top aides, would become the nation’s most prominent and influential civil rights leader.
• OCTOBER
1806—Benjamin Banneker dies in Ellicott Mills, Md., at age 74. Banneker was a brilliant mathematician with a great memory and is credited with completing the layout and design of Washington, D.C.
1823—Mary Ann Shad is born. She becomes publisher of Canada’s first anti-slavery newspaper—The Provincial Freeman. In fact, she is the first woman in the U.S. or Canada to edit and publish a newspaper.
1962—The east African nation of Uganda becomes independent from British rule.
1984—W. Wilson Goode makes history by becoming the first Black mayor of Philadelphia, Pa.
2009—In a move which surprised just about everyone, President Barack Obama is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Obama had been in office for less than 9 months at this time last year but the Nobel Committee in Oslo, Norway, said it was impressed by his “promise” of disarmament and diplomacy.
• OCTOBER 10
1778—What is believed to be the first formal school for Blacks—the Africa Free School opens in New York City.
1899—Black inventor Isaac Johnson patents the bicycle frame.
1901—Frederick Douglass Patterson is born. He grows up to become President of Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. From there he would later launch an effort that leads to the 1944 founding of the United Negro College Fund.
1917—Famed Jazz pianist Theolonius Monk is born in Rocky Mount, N.C.
1935—George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” a Black spiritual opera, premiers on Broadway in New York City. It starred Todd Duncan from Howard University. The play becomes one of the most popular Black-themed shows ever to hit Broadway. The 1959 movie version stars Sidney Portier and Dorothy Dandridge.
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, a 2005 graduate of Woodland Hills High School and former Pa. state representative of the 34th District, released a statement, obtained by the New Pittsburgh Courier, following the ouster of Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy on Tues-
day afternoon, Oct. 3.:
“McCarthy voted to sell out our democracy to a mob of armed White supremacists to become Speaker. He then sold his Speakership to help MAGA extremists criminalize abortion, cut Social Security and Medicare, ban Black history, gut workers’ rights and voting rights,
and sell out our children’s safety to the gun lobby and corporate polluters. If we didn’t stop his shutdown last week, he would have sold out 70,000 Pennsylvanians’ jobs to keep his own job as Speaker. “He has proven unfit and incapable of leading this body.”
The Courier has learned that eight GOP lawmakers voted to eject McCarthy from the speakership: Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz.Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.Rep. Bob Good, R-Va.Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.Rep. Matt
Rosendale, R-Mont., along with the full delgation of Democrats. The vote was 216-210 to remove McCarthy. Republicans are now searching for a new Speaker of the House.
ton, D.C., Dayton, Ohio, Detroit, Houston, the Orlando area, Milwaukee and Boston.
The visitors spent an average of 2.3 days in Allegheny County during the festival, and spent an average of 1.5 hours at the event. Data from VisitPITTSBURGH also estimated that from the tourism, $1.66 million was spent on hotel stays, $669,000 in food sales, $406,000 in shopping, $290,000 in travel costs and $174,000 in exploration.
B. Marshall, with Stop
The Violence Pittsburgh, said that many visitors told him “they didn’t know Pittsburgh had anything like this,” as Pittsburgh isn’t exactly known as the mecca for African Americans.
Pittsburgh’s Juneteenth, in B. Marshall’s opinion, is the “biggest Juneteenth across the country. In other states, some people may do Juneteenth one or two days, but they don’t have the level of entertainment that we have, the parade, and all this is actually free, where some people charge for some of the Juneteenth celebrations.”
B. Marshall said what’s unique to Juneteenth in Pittsburgh is that “everyone migrates to our Juneteenth Downtown Pittsburgh,” whereas in cities such as Philadelphia, B. Marshall said there are multiple Juneteenth celebrations across the city that aren’t connected to each
other.
The small business vendors are a very important part of the Juneteenth festivities. Before one can get to the Point State Park stage, one will encounter up to 50 different businesses selling everything from food and beverages to books, clothes and accessories.
“We fight for our vendors,” B. Marshall told the Courier. “We’re starting to get a lot of vendors from out of town, but we make it a priority to make sure we have our local vendors, give them an opportunity to make a profit. It’s very important for that money to circulate back in our communities.”
B. Marshall said the small businesses being at Juneteenth give them an opportunity “to vend Downtown. They get a different audience, a broader audience.”
This year’s Juneteenth occurred on the same weekend that the biggest music star in the nation, Taylor Swift, held her “Eras” tour, at nearby Acrisure Stadium. There were no less than 140,000 “Swifties” throughout the North Shore and Downtown on June 16 and 17, and for B. Marshall and Juneteenth, “that was one of the best things that ever happened. It inflated some of our numbers, and the Taylor Swift concert didn’t start until 7, 8 (p.m.), and throughout the day they were Downtown shopping with our local vendors.”
Pittsburgh’s Juneteenth couldn’t be possible, or at least on such a large scale, without corporate sponsors. Highmark Wholecare was the official health care provider of Juneteenth. Dollar Bank was the sponsor of the Minority Small Business Vendor Plaza. UPMC served as the sponsor for the Grand Jubilee Parade, and Citizens Bank was the political unit sponsor of the Grand Jubilee Parade. CNX also was a sizable sponsor. And while not corporate, the City of Pittsburgh, through a fund to ensure the arts are alive and well in Pittsburgh, contributed $125,000 to Juneteenth. Morton Stanfield, Senior Vice President, Community Development at Dollar Bank, told the Courier that as
the oldest bank in Pittsburgh, “we as a bank like to celebrate our history and the history of our customers. Juneteenth is a perfect day to celebrate freedom and a way to bring the entire community together.”
He said Dollar Bank is proud to sponsor the Minority Small Business Vendor Plaza. “Part of our community development strategy is, we’re focused on supporting small businesses with a focus on historically disadvantaged businesses,” Stanfield said.
In 2022, B. Marshall said the economic impact that his three events—Juneteenth, Black Music Festival and Soul Food Festival, all Downtown—generated $4.4. million in impact. He said earlier this year he wanted the three events to total a $10 million impact for 2023. The roughly $4.2 million in impact so far, B. Marshall said, is a great start, but he’s waiting for the numbers to come in on the Black Music Festival and Soul Food Festival. The $10 million goal might be reached.
“Pittsburgh, as a tourism destination, is very much driven by events,” said Jerad Bachar, President and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH, in an interview with the
Courier, Oct. 3. “...Juneteenth, beyond just the economic impact, is important for our society. Having Juneteenth here and having a growing and robust Juneteenth celebration is important for all of our communities, to really celebrate all that Pittsburgh has from a culture standpoint, from a heritage standpoint. It’s very important for our events calendar to have and it’s great to see that it’s economically successful.”
Bachar said because Juneteenth is in Downtown, out-of-towners have no problem learning about the nearby hotels or restaurants. Most of the questions VisitPITTSBURGH fields concern the musical acts who are performing on a particular day. But what the organization has noticed is the uptick in page hits their website gets on its “Blackowned Businesses” page. Bachar said even without Juneteenth, the page is one of the VisitPITTSBURGH website’s most popular web pages.
Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, Highmark-Allegheny Health Network, is ecstatic about Pittsburgh’s Juneteenth celebration.
In an interview with the Courier, Oct. 2, she
said B. Marshall’s “vision and his motivation to make sure that we (Pittsburgh) are a model for the rest of the country as it relates to celebrating and lifting up all of our ancestors through Juneteenth is phenomenal.” Highmark Wholecare was the official health care provider of Juneteenth, which included not just funding, but its representatives conducted various testing and immunizations for individuals on-site at Juneteenth. As for Dr. Pettigrew, her favorite part of Juneteenth seemed to be the Grand Jubilee Parade, held on Saturday morning, June 17.
“I walked in the parade in the morning, and...if you haven’t done it, you will see people of every race, ethnicity, gender, children...sitting out there waiting for the Juneteenth parade to pass by,” she told the Courier. “As an African American female...I have nothing but a beaming smile across my face that says, ‘we’re in the right place, we’re in the right space,’ and we must continue to advocate for this to continue to happen, year after year after year.”
for Change. June 29 was the first day of the twoday conference, with the Urban League event held that evening. High school juniors and seniors were able to attend workshops, hear speakers and network with like-minded individuals throughout the conference. The “State of Black Pittsburgh” theme was “Building Peace and Prosperity in Our Neighborhoods.” The event’s moderator was Dr. Clyde W. Pickett, Pitt’s Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Panelists were: Jasiri X, Founder and CEO, 1 Hood Media; Tammy Thompson, Executive Director, Catapult Greater Pittsburgh; Carlos T. Carter, President and CEO, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh; and Manny Townsend, a 21-year-old who brought the perspective of today’s
young people to the panel. Each individual had no problem with being candid. Thompson said she saw the theme of the discussion and put it bluntly: “We have to understand we will not have peace without prosperity. We’re not going to eliminate or reduce crime in our neighborhoods until we get really serious about investing in the prosperity of the Black folks in this city and in this county.”
It’s no secret that African Americans in Pittsburgh are in a much worse financial position, overall, than their White counterparts. Data from The Pittsburgh Foundation found that 36 percent of Blacks in Pittsburgh have a 0 percent net worth, compared to 11.5 percent of Whites. Also, the Brookings Institution found that of the more than 42,000 businesses in the Pittsburgh region, 1 percent of them
are Black-owned.
A degree in rocket science is not needed to know that Pittsburgh is losing more of its Black population. In East Liberty, for example, African Americans have exited en masse, spawning the term “gentrification” used by not only some African Americans, but even Caucasians.
“I’m very transparent about who I am and where I’ve been,” Thompson said.
“As a mother of five, there is nothing that I wouldn’t have done to feed them. Things are getting worse and worse for the Black families in the City of Pittsburgh; that’s just the reality.”
Overall, Thompson and Townsend said that when a person is in poverty, they could be desperate to the point of doing things that mainstream America may view as bad.
“Desperation leads people to some incredible places, to decisions that those who haven’t experienced hunger and homelessness over and over again would never do,” Thompson said.
Carter said the Urban League preaches partnerships to get people closer to economic self-reliance.
“We had one young man who was working two jobs, taking care of his daughters, he faced many barriers but had many opportunities,” he said. Carter expressed that the Urban League connected the man to the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, where he was able to learn about new careers that earned higher incomes. “Equity is so important. Equali-
ty is giving everybody a pair of shoes, equity is making sure they have a pair in their size. Some of our folks are in a 100yard dash, but others are (starting) on the 50-yard line.”
For Jasiri X, he wants to see more creativity from all constituents to
have the same population, Newark’s population is half-Black, about 37 percent Hispanic, and 10 percent White. Pittsburgh’s population is barely 22 percent Black, with the rest primarily White, with small percentages of Hispanics and Asians. In 2022, Pittsburgh had 21
Hip-Hop stars and stuff like that for the moment, but you want longevity over temporary pleasure.” Thompson also brought up the fact that many young African Americans have no concept of financial literacy. “When we’re not preparing our children...how credit works,
increase prosperity and peace for African Americans. One place where creativity is high is Newark, N.J., he said. “Newark has had historic lows in murders, 20 less murders last year than Pittsburgh,” Jasiri X said.
It’s true. While Newark and Pittsburgh essentially
more homicides (71) than Newark (50).
“Newark is hood...the mayor there (Ras Baraka) is a brilliant leader,” Jasiri X said.
Baraka didn’t talk about defunding the police, he actually did it, Jasiri X said. “He took five percent of the police budget and put towards the Office of Violence Prevention (and Trauma Recovery). He created a group that sat between community and police, and staffed the Office of Violence Prevention with trusted community people.”
Jasiri X added: “That thinking of, ‘we’re just gonna throw more money at police’” is not enough. “We have to be more creative, more innovative, and invest in those people that have strategies that have successfully worked in our community.”
Townsend said the lack of money is squarely the cause of the violence. He said oftentimes, a young person who sees a way to make fast money will go that route if they are entrenched in the cycle of poverty.
“If you’re a student in here, find you a great mentor,” he said. “It’s cool to look at people who’s on the Internet right now,
or the importance of not spending more than you earn, we are setting them up for failure,” she said on the panel. “The richest schools in this state have financial education curriculums as a requirement; they also have driver’s education as a requirement.”
Carter, who formerly was in banking for 18 years, said that when Blacks are told to budget, “we have to teach people skills to create” more income streams, too. “It’s not just budgeting and finance; you need to be able to make money.”
The hour-long discussion touched on a variety of topics that all intersect— finance, education, crime, jobs.
For Jasiri X, though, he’s had enough of all the talk about if “more police” would equal “more peace” and “more prosperity.”
“Think of the wealthiest places you’ve been...do you see police?” he asked.
“You don’t even see police stations in these places. It’s not police that makes our community safe, it’s resources, it’s prosperity that makes our community safe. That’s what we need, not more police.”
District, honoring her 14 years of service.
The mother of Michelle Sandidge (Chief Community Affairs Officer, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh), Pittsburgh
Mayor proclaimed September 1, 2023 as “Ronna Jackson Appreciation Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. The celebration included a jazz band, magic by Joshua Messado, come-
dy by Lillian Cannon and a dance from Mackenzie Terry.
Time: As allotted, available, or used: “We need more time” · “It would be a waste of time.”
There has been a lot of whooping and hollering, hemming, and hawing about the inept, incompetent, and ineffective Pittsburgh Steelers offense. There doesn’t even seem to be a candle at the end of the tunnel of Pittsburgh’s blasphemous offense.
Many critics consider themselves clever when describing the 2023 performance of Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. Many of them say that the skittish performance of Pickett reminds them of a deer being paralyzed by the glaring headlights of an oncoming vehicle that will soon be transporting it to deer heaven. However, in this case, Pickett is not staring into the headlights of some random and unrecognized vehicle. The headlights that are mesmerizing the Steelers’ second-year QB in the middle of the NFL freeway at the crack of dusk are mounted on the Mack truck disguised as the Steelers’ offense and is being driven directly at him by none other than the Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada. Instead of providing a sleek, new millennium-type GPS tool to assist Kenny Pickett
in guiding the Steelers to the endzone, Canada seems to have dug up an old, rusty compass that may be transporting the team on an unintended journey to “The Twilight Zone.”
“Time as allotted, available, or used: “We need more time” · “It would be a waste of time.”
Currently, the Steelers are ranked 29th in time of possession possessing the ball at 29:06 per game. In 2022, the Steelers ranked sixth in Time of Possession with an average time of 31:18 per game, an increase of more than 2 minutes from their 2021 T.O.P. and also 2 minutes more than their current 2023 numbers.
Aren’t you tired of the slow, tortoise-like starts of Kenny Pickett and the molasses-based play calling of Matt Canada? They always seem to implement the two-minute drill and the hurry-up offense when time has already passed them by, and they have voided their chance at victory. Remember Sam Wyche? Wyche introduced the
no-huddle, hurry-up offense when he was the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, from 1984-91. The no-huddle offense propelled the Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII in the late ‘80s.
The Steelers seem to have lost a normal analysis of time and talent.
Recently, former Steelers castoff QB Josh Dobbs accomplished a major feat by defeating the powerful Dallas Cowboys as a new
member of the Arizona Cardinals while filling in for Cardinals starting QB Kyler Murray. At this point, how many people think that Steelers backup QBs Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky are better athletes than Josh Dobbs? Does anyone in their right mind think that Josh Dobbs could not step in as a starter until Pickett returns? Heck, in my opinion, it’s a possibility that Pickett might
not regain his starting position. Oh, I forgot. A player can’t lose his starting position due to injury.
What about being replaced because of poor play? The Steelers should implement the no-huddle offense as their regular offense so that it may keep the opposing defense off balance and to keep the Steelers’ offense sharp and on their toes.
The music of the Steve
Miller band says, “Time keeps on slippin’ into the future.”
Ladies and gents, we must all be reminded that whoever we are and wherever we are, “The future for all of us is now.”
Homeownership has long been regarded as a cornerstone of the American Dream, representing not only a place to call one’s own but also a path to financial stability and wealth accumulation.
However, for African Americans, realizing this dream has often been an
Homeownership serves as a fundamental means of wealth accumulation. As homeowners pay down their mortgages and their properties appreciate in value, they build equity, which can be tapped into for future investments, education, or wealth transfer. The
In Detroit, a city marked by its storied resilience and complex socio-economic landscape, the concept of affordable housing has generated a robust conversation—one that straddles the fine line between progress and equity. The skyline of this industrious city is experiencing a facelift, burgeoning with new developments and luxury apartments. These visual markers of change seem to herald a renaissance, but they also pose a vital question: Is affordable housing truly affordable for all Detroiters, or is it tailored to suit the needs of a privileged few?
holds allocate no more than 30 percent of their income to housing costs. These costs include rent and utilities for tenants and mortgage, insurance, taxes, and utilities for homeowners.
However, defining affordability purely by numbers can be misleading, particularly when it fails to consider the variegated fabric of the city’s demographics.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Detroit, as of the latest data, stands at approximately $30,000, markedly below the national average. The scenario becomes even more nuanced when the lens is
city that’s marked by high levels of poverty and economic disenfranchisement.
Furthermore, approximately one-third of these affordable units are earmarked for those making up to 30 percent of the area’s median income. The commendable efforts by the HRD prompt us to question who is actually reaping the benefits of this seemingly progressive housing policy.
The geographical location of these affordable housing units also calls for scrutiny.
Many of them are situated in downtown Detroit, an area undergoing significant revitalization and, subsequently, gentrification.
hold when they are spending no more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs,” said the HRD. “For tenants, this includes rent and basic utilities. For homeowners this includes mortgage, insurance, taxes, and basic utilities.”
uphill battle, primarily due to historical disadvantages and systemic discrimination. Access to credit plays a pivotal role in improving African American home ownership rates and, in turn, bridging the persistent wealth gap that exists in the United States. Historical Disadvantages
African Americans have faced a troubling history of systemic discrimination, including redlining, a practice that denied them access to housing and credit opportunities in certain neighborhoods. These historical injustices have had a lasting impact, contributing significantly to the racial wealth gap. Access to credit is a crucial tool for addressing these disparities and leveling the playing field. Wealth Accumulation
lack of access to credit means that African American families often miss out on this vital wealth building opportunity, further exacerbating the wealth gap. Investment and Stability
Beyond the financial aspect, homeownership provides a sense of stability and community. It allows families to establish roots in a neighborhood, contributing to the social fabric the community. Access to credit is essential for African American families to enter the housing market, secure stable housing, and benefit from the sense of permanence and belonging that comes with it. Access to credit makes it possible for African American families to buy homes and secure these benefits.
“Detroiters of all incomes seek housing that meets their needs in terms of affordability, quality, amenities, location, and more. Our focus is on preserving and creating housing that meets the needs of Detroiters of all incomes,” said a City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department spokesperson. “HRD’s housing investment activities primarily focus on creating affordable housing options for lower-income households to ensure long-time Detroiters and lower-income Detroiters have the ability to live and thrive in Detroit.”
According to HRD, since 2015, approximately 9,400 units have been preserved, meaning that affordable rents have been guaranteed for residents for decades to come. On top of that, about 2,500 affordable apartments are either completed or currently under construction. By the HRD’s standards, housing is deemed “affordable” when house-
“Broadly speaking, housing is ‘affordable’ to a household when they are spending no more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs. For tenants, this includes rent and basic utilities. For homeowners, this includes mortgage, insurance, taxes and basic utilities.”
focused on Black Detroiters, who make up around 78 percent of the city’s population. The median income for Black households in Detroit is even lower than the city’s overall median income, and economic disparities within this community are glaringly evident.
So, when we discuss the preserved or newly constructed units that cater to households making up to 60 percent of the area’s median income, we’re still talking about a somewhat narrow demographic band within a
While that’s convenient and attractive for those who work downtown, it can be exclusionary to Detroiters employed elsewhere or those who cannot afford the costs associated with living in a rapidly gentrifying area.
What about seniors living on fixed incomes who’ve been lifelong residents of this city? What about the young families looking to set down roots but are economically disadvantaged?
“Broadly speaking, housing is ‘affordable’ to a house-
The term “affordable” can also be subject to interpretation based on other life circumstances, such as credit history, criminal records, or other socio-economic factors that may influence eligibility. Often, rental applications inquire into these aspects, potentially barring those who don’t fit into the mold of an “ideal tenant,” a term that is itself laden with societal biases. When the HRD states that they focus on creating affordable housing options for lower-income households, it begs the question: What does “lower income” mean in the context of a city where the average income is already considerably lower than the national norm?
Therefore, while the term “affordable housing” is splashed generously across brochures of new residential developments, its application is less generous in scope. A single parent making less than the median income would find it a daunting, if not impossible, task to secure one of these so-called affordable units in a new downtown development. The term then becomes nothing more than a veneer that lends an air of inclusivity and social justice to an endeavor that may, in fact, serve a more exclusive demographic.
The resurgence of downtown Detroit, while a sign of
There are three methods that are taught in regard to best practice to eradicate debt. They are; Debt Avalanche, Debt Snowball, Debt Domino.
The Debt Avalanche prioritizes debt based on highest to lowest interest rates. You write down each debt and its corresponding interest rate. The debt with the highest interest rate will be priority #1. Pay minimum payment on all other debt. The debt with the highest interest rate gets the minimum payment plus any extra amount that you can apply towards it. Once this debt is paid off, you focus on the next debt that has the highest interest rate. Continue to consistently apply this method until all debts are paid. The primary benefit here is by attacking the highest interest rate, you in effect reduce the overall interest you pay to your creditors. The Debt Snowball prioritizes based on lowest to highest balance. You write down each debt and its corresponding balance. The debt with the lowest balance will be priority #1. Pay minimum payment on all other debt. The debt with the lowest balance gets the minimum payment plus any extra amount that you can apply towards it. Once this debt is paid off, you focus on the next debt that has the lowest balance. Continue to consistently apply this method until all debts are paid. The primary benefit here being by attacking the lowest balance, you experience quick wins and are more likely to stay the course as you see various debts disappear. The Debt Domino prioritizes
debt based on the debt with the least amount of time to pay off. This is my preferred method. This method is harder to explain because it requires an additional step. You write down each debt and both its corresponding balance and minimum payment. The math to prioritize using the Debt Domino works this way. Take the balance and divide it by the minimum monthly payment. For example, you have a debt with a $5,000 balance and a minimum payment of $200 per month. You take $5,000 / $200 = 25. Using rough and dirty, back of a napkin math, by making the minimum payment on this debt, it will take you approximately 25 months or 2 years and 1 month to pay off in full. You apply this same calculation to all outstanding debt. The debt with the least amount of time remaining to pay in full will be priority #1. Pay minimum payment on all other debt. The debt with the lowest term to repay gets the minimum payment plus any extra amount that you can apply towards it. Once this debt is paid off, you focus on the next debt that has the lowest term. Continue to consistently apply this method until all debts are paid. The reason this method is effective is because the shorter the term, or the less time you have remaining to repay a debt, the larger the portion of your minimum payment is applied towards the principal. By applying an extra
payment on top of the minimum payment, you’re able to drastically reduce the remaining term left on the debt.
Here’s the telling part. The key to successfully and quickly paying off your debt isn’t which method you use —be it Debt Avalanche, Debt Snowball or Debt Domino. The key is choosing a method, sticking to it and continuing to consistently work the method until all debt is paid.
Here’s why. I ran multiple scenarios on all three methods on multiple clients. Regardless of which method a person chooses, the length of time to pay off all debt varies by 2 to 6 months. In other words, no method is that much better than the other one. I repeat, the key is to get on board with one of them and consistently do it.
In many cases you’ll find that regardless of the method you choose, you’ll more than likely be attacking most of the debt in the same order.
Debt Avalanche is based on the highest to lowest interest rate. Highest to lowest interest tends to go in this order: Credit cards, personal loans, car loans, student loans, mortgages.
Debt Snowball is based on the lowest to highest balance. The lowest to highest balance tends to go in this order: Credit cards, personal loans, car loans, student loans, mortgages. Same difference!?
By employing the extra math step in
the Debt Domino, it’s taking interest rate into account but it’s also recognizing debts that you’ve been paying on for a long period of time. Hence the reason why it has a shorter term and more of the payment is applied to principal reduction.
Here’s a couple things to avoid as you work to pay off debt:
Do not do a balance transfer to ZERO interest credit cards. The ZERO interest rate is good for 6-16 months. After which, the interest rate goes back to its double-digit interest rate level.
“But Damon, I’ll pay it off in the 6-16 months.” I’ve heard that before. I’ve said that before. The truth of the matter is most people don’t pay it off during the time period where the interest rate was 0 percent. In the end, they have a balance on this new card where the balance was transferred to. With the increased available balance on the old card that the balance was transferred from, people go willy-nilly spending on the credit card again. Now they have double the credit card mess to clean up.
If you’re going to consolidate, get a personal loan with a fixed interest rate with a term no greater than 3 years. Under a personal loan, you can’t borrow the money after you paid it back.
The number 1 rule to getting out of debt is this: STOP BORROWING MONEY!! To continue to borrow while you’re paying off debt is akin to trying to fill up a bucket with water but the bucket has holes. It’s not going to work.
urban renewal, has also had unintended consequences that disproportionately affect some of the city’s most vulnerable populations, notably the elderly seniors who have spent decades, if not their entire lives, in the city. As new developments spring up and property values soar, landlords are increasingly inflating rents, often to make way for a younger, more affluent demographic.
For seniors on fixed incomes who already struggle to make ends meet, this inflation translates to an untenable living situation. They are faced with the agonizing choice of leaving their homes, communities, and, often, the only city they’ve ever known. This displace-
ment not only erodes the social fabric of Detroit but also places undue stress and emotional burden on seniors, forcing them into unfamiliar environments where they must navigate new challenges in the twilight of their lives. The gentrification of Detroit, therefore, brings into question the true cost of progress, especially when it comes at the expense of pushing out lifelong residents who are least equipped to cope with such seismic shifts. Affordable housing shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for those who are better positioned within systemic imbalances; it should be a right for all citizens. Detroit’s strides in the domain of affordable housing are commendable but need to be continually assessed
and critiqued to ensure that the city’s most economically vulnerable aren’t left behind in the dust of its revival.
As Detroit navigates its complex revival narrative, a comprehensive, nuanced approach to affordable housing is crucial. The city must create an inclusive environment that welcomes not just new money and fresh faces but also uplifts and secures the future of the Detroiters who have held the fabric of this community together for generations. Because, in the end, for true Detroiters—whether they are Black, White, rich, poor, old, or young—the question remains: Is affordable really affordable?
(Ebony JJ Curry, Senior Reporter)
WEALTH GAP FROM B1
Neighborhood Improvement
Higher rates of home ownership often translate into improved neighborhoods. When people own their homes, they tend to be more invested in their communities, leading to better schools, lower crime rates, and overall neighborhood improvements. These positive changes benefit not only African American homeowners but also the broader community.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
For many African American families, homeownership can be a pathway out of the cycle of poverty. Owning a home provides stability and opportunities for future generations, ultimately helping lift fam-
ilies out of poverty and improving their quality of life.
Access to Affordable Housing
Access to credit enables African Americans to purchase homes with mortgage terms that are frequently more affordable than renting. This can free up resources for other crucial expenses, such as education, healthcare, and retirement savings, providing financial security and stability.
Economic Empowerment Homeownership can foster economic empowerment within African American communities. It instills pride, self-sufficiency, and a more robust economic foundation that can support local businesses and
community initiative
Final Thoughts
Access to credit is essential for African Americans it’s not merely a financial tool but a vehicle for empowerment and a means of addressing the racial wealth gap that has persisted in the United States for far too long. To truly promote African American home ownership and narrow this gap, policies and initiatives aimed at increasing access to credit and rectifying disparities in mortgage lending processes are not just important they are imperative. By recognizing the significance of access to credit in this context, we can take significant strides toward achieving a more equitable and prosperous future for all Americans
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) strongly supports the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) proposed rule strengthening and codifying the equitable housing finance plans submitted by mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the agency’s other measures addressing racial disparities in homeownership. These plans are one of the federal government’s most effective methods of increasing homeownership for families of color and expanding their opportunities for affordable rental housing.
Under the proposed rule, Fannie’s and Freddie’s fair lending and fair housing functions and equitable housing finance plans become statutory requirements. Further, their operations will receive clearer and more appropriate oversight, compliance, and enforcement.
These measures are necessary to address decades of racially biased public policies and private practices aimed at preventing Blacks from becoming homeowners. From rampant redlining to exclusion from Federal Housing Administration loans and benefits of the GI Bill, the federal government is responsible for the racial wealth gap in America.
In studies, Federal Reserve Banks acknowledge that racial wealth inequality is massive.
In 2019, the median wealth for White households was $188,200, compared to $24,100 for Black and $36,100 for Hispanic households. Black homeownership is the most important driver of Black wealth. But Black homeownership dropped nearly 20 percent since 2008, and despite the
contributions of the 1968 Fair Housing Act, over 50 years later, the racial homeownership gap has widened. In 1960, 38 percent of Blacks owned homes, while White homeownership was 65 percent, a 27-point gap. Recent data shows the gap approaching 30 percent.
FHFA has determined it’s time for the government to get serious about redressing the pain and suffering that the racist policies caused. This year’s plans include more powerful provisions than the previous plans created by the Government Sponsored Enterprises:
• Enhanced focus on ensuring existing borrowers receive fair loss mitigation support and outcomes through monitoring and developing strategies to close gaps
• Financial capabilities coaching to build credit and savings
• Support for locally owned modular construction facilities in communities of color
• Increased utilization of Special Purpose Credit Programs to support homeownership attainment and housing sustainability in underserved communities
All these measures and more are needed. FHFA must be applauded for leading a process committed to change, to fairness, and to equality. The agency has earned the support of NAREB and other organizations that truly care about equitable communities. We stand with FHFA and a transformation allowing all Americans to enjoy the American Dream of homeownership.
(The post NAREB Applauds and Supports FHFA Efforts to Expand Homeownership appeared first on Forward Times.)
We are living in interesting times. Due to a number of issues, it appears that people are increasingly anticipating an “end times” outcome. There are a number of reasons for this; the proliferation of attacks on citizens by other citizens via school shootings, road rage and more; the escalation of disasters related to climate change; the spiraling economic crisis with seemingly no respite in sight; the heightened racism and negativity proffered by growing incidents of White supremacy; the obscene numbers of mass shootings and the callousness and lack of respect for one another in almost every arena.
One very interesting aspect of this seeming headlong rush into the apocalypse is the persistent accusations of “satanic activity” leveled at almost anyone who has demonstrated a significant amount of success in their chosen fields, especially in entertainment. Accusations are being made against some very surprising individuals, most of whom do not seem to warrant them. If the pundits and Internet “content creators” are to be believed, the entire population of Hollywood is under the influence of “the Devil or Satan,” and the only proof needed is success in the chosen field of the accused. The situation is so bad that ANYBODY who has a religion outside of Christianity is said to be “demonic.”
It doesn’t even matter that the accused vocally and loudly proclaims allegiance to Christ; people don’t care… the formula seems to be that success in this day and age automatically identifies you as being a Satanic minion!
One of the biggest targets of this kind of criticism is Beyoncé Knowles Carter. Her Renaissance Tour is proving to be wildly successful, and she has won an astounding number of Grammys (32). Beyoncé has repeatedly cited her love of Jesus during her performances, yet people insist that she is a spawn of Satan. One of her former band members, a drummer, has even accused her of casting spells against her. Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, has also garnered his share of accusations.
Basically, Beyoncé, Jay-Z and other successful artists are accused of practicing witchcraft and are said to being used as puppets to promote demonic music, leading to a loss of purity and sacrificing souls. One of the accusers is the rapper 50 Cent, who is accusing them of sacrificing people in order to garner and maintain personal success. It has not been explained as to how this is possible, however. There are even rumors that Jay-Z was involved in sacrificing Aaliyah for his success.
Kanye West, now known as “Ye,” is also involved in this smear campaign. He actually named a number of his colleagues, including Beyoncé and Jay-Z, of being controlled by elite forces in Hollywood to sacrifice souls for fame. And politicians are also involved in this smear scenario. Kristina Karamo, an “election denier” and the first Black Chair of the Michigan GOP, has claimed that Beyoncé was secretly recruiting Black Americans to Paganism through her new album. She also allegedly said that leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement are “Marxist witches.” The vitriol targeting Beyoncé coming from Christians has reached ridiculous levels, with Christians who have attended Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour performances suffering verbal attacks and accused of being in league with the Devil because they attended her concerts.
Actually, the unwarranted attacks on Beyoncé and other successful performers are what is coming from a “demonic” place, as there has been no proof of the allegations. Essentially, what is happening is that the Devil IS manifesting in this scenario, but its origin is coming from the “holier than thou” Christians who are spreading false information. The situation is so bad at this time that ANYONE who demonstrates success is going to be unfairly labeled as a Satanic. This presents a Catch-22 scenario: if a person does well and demonstrates success, he or she will be accused of being in league with the Devil. That attitude just about guarantees that some people will be afraid to succeed due to the poison coming from uninformed, misguided people.
Of course, evil IS present among us, but we must learn to be discerning in order to tell when it is present. To scream “witchcraft” at someone because they burn incense or sage while turning a blind eye toward those who are actually trying to overthrow the government is counterproductive and Satanic!” The Devil is, in fact, in the details, and these must be identified before falsely accusing people of wrongdoing because they worked hard to achieve success. A Luta Continua.
(Reprinted from the Chicago Crusader)
Founded 1910
Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher(TriceEdneyWire.com)—During the week of the Annual Congressional Black Caucus, NPA was meeting and included many of the same people.
The annual meeting of the National Policy Alliance (NPA) held its meeting, too. One of the key leaders presenting the NPA conference was World Conference of Mayors leader the Honorable Johnny Ford, former long-time Mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama. Denise Tyler, NPA’s Executive Director, coordinated the meeting.
The conference dealt with numerous policy issues. Some of the issues were Supporting Black Organizations, Black Psychiatry and Psychology (And the history of anti-Blackness in the work of others), Black Lawyers for Justice, Education for Black Children, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Reclaiming Who We Are as African Descendants, Positive Aspects of Mentoring and How It Improves the Potential for Success of the Recipients, The Green Book—and how it assisted Black travelers, Health Disparities and Making the Shift to Preventive Health Care, Goals of the National Bar Association—to increase the number of African American judges at the state and national level since they have always been under-represented, Addressing the Climate Crisis, Historical Preservation of Black communities and Black Businesses.
The most riveting story to which we must pay attention was presented by Atty. Malik Shabazz from Black Lawyers for Justice. In detail, he
Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.Commentary
explained to us that six White police officers have now been convicted and incarcerated for a horrible crime, (including shooting one Black man in the mouth), against two innocent Black men in Rankin County Mississippi. We must know these things are still happening and not just in Mississippi, but this is the first time White men have been convicted of such a crime. The lesson is to recognize that such atrocities are still experienced throughout the nation.
If Mitt Romney needs to hire private security because it’s not safe for him to speak out against evil, then it’s required that we practice as many security measures as possible.
We must work together, learn what resources are available to help us build and preserve our communities, and share that information. We must support Black businesses and if we don’t have any, organize some and support them. We must increase our time securing information on which agencies have funds to help in improving our communities—especially Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Agriculture and Energy.
The NPA is a coalition of African American local elected officials and
policy-related organizations. We must remember that we are stronger together. NPA is the leadership hub of several major organizations representing African American public officials from federal, state, and local levels of government, the judiciary, school boards, and member organizations in the U.S. and internationally. NPA’s focus is to advocate policies that impact the African American community.
One key award was presented to the Honorable Rev. Jesse Jackson who received the NPA’s Medgar Evers Award. Rev. Jackson has through the years caused thousands of our people to register and vote. He also ran a most inspiring candidacy for President after Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and Dick Gregory ran years ago. I received the NPA’s Charles Evers Award. I ran a campaign for Congress and did a lot of work getting Black people registered and voting, as well as inspiring numerous Black women to run for mayor in their communities, and more than 20 won shortly thereafter—including in the three largest cities. I ran in Louisiana when no Black people were running for the U.S. Congress from Louisiana. Since the time I ran and came in so close to winning (less than 1/2 percent), New Orleans has had Black people not only running, but the city has had a Black Congressional Member every time there was an election in New Orleans. (Dr. E. Faye Williams, President of The Dick Gregory Society. (The Dick Gregory Society. org)
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Unless warring factions of Republicans in the House of Representatives can come to their senses, the United States government will shut down next Sunday. Some may not notice—we tend to rely on government only when we are in need. But the impact—and the hurt —will be immediate—and will grow over time. Nearly a million federal employees will be furloughed and sent home without pay until there is a resolution. Everything we rely on from the government will slow down or be halted. Home mortgage and loan applications will be delayed.
The inability to get government permits will impede everything from commercial fishing to health research to visas and passports. National parks will struggle to stay open, but they will overflow with human waste. Health and scientific research will be disrupted. As we continue to get hit with extreme weather, the emergency help provided by the government will start to run out. Some vital services will continue. The military will stay on the job—although civilian defense workers will either be sent home or work without pay. Social Security and Medicare checks will go out—but the newly retired are likely to find their applications delayed. As always, the vulnerable will be hurt the most. The janitors that clean offices, the food workers that serve food in cafeterias, the security guards who provide safety and others who work for government contractors will not be paid —and may never be paid for what they lose. Many of these earn poverty wages. Their families will suffer if they lose income for a few days, much less a few weeks.
The White House reports that 10,000 children from low-income families would lose access to the Head Start preschool program. Pell grants will continue, but new applications
Jesse Jackson Sr.
Commentary
will be delayed. An extended delay will constrict federal aid to schools, parks, police, and arts programs. Families living in public housing will get hit. With HUD employees sent home, funding to fix furnaces, roofs, and windows will be disrupted. As contracts for low-income housing expire, HUD will be unable to renew them. Those seeking to start a new business will be unable to secure loans from the Small Business Administration. Subcontractors across the country—the smaller businesses that supply vital services to bigger government contractors—will go without pay; many will be forced to the edge. This shutdown—if it occurs —will be worse than the one that took place when Donald Trump was president. At that time, Congress had passed appropriations for several major agencies—from the Defense Department to the Department of Education. They continued to operate as normal. This time, the House has failed to pass any appropriations bill. Republicans could not even agree on a Defense Appropriations Bill to send to the Senate. The threat comes directly from the chaos in the Republican Party. This isn’t a battle between the parties. The Republican majority in the House hasn’t even begun to negotiate with the Democratic majority in the Senate. Republicans can’t agree among themselves on what to pass, with their leaders held hostage by an extreme right that even Republican House members call the
“clown show.” The objectors claim to be concerned about deficits but that’s not true. Any serious effort on deficits would have to include reversing the deep tax cuts given to the rich and getting control of soaring medical and defense spending. The objectors want more tax breaks for the wealthy, more money for the Pentagon, and oppose even modest steps to rein in prescription drug costs. Their main target is any provision that goes to the vulnerable. Republicans already blocked extension of the child tax credit that reduced childhood poverty by 40 percent during the pandemic. Now they want to cut aid to schools, food stamps, support for low-cost housing, Pell grants for students and more—and, of course, reverse Biden’s programs to rebuild our infrastructure or begin to deal with the climate crisis. In order to avoid a government default on our debt earlier this year, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated an agreement with Joe Biden on funding levels for the coming year. Now the zealots in McCarthy’s party refuse to abide by that deal. McCarthy could sidestep them and put together a majority, drawing from the bulk of his party and moderate Democrats, but he refuses to reach out to Democrats. The result: a handful of right-wing zealots are barreling toward forcing a shutdown of the entire government. Efforts will be made this week simply to pass a short-term “continuing resolution (CR).” That would fund the government at current levels for a few weeks or months providing more time to figure a way out. Hopefully, there are enough sensible Republicans in the House to join with Democrats to pass the CR and keep the government running. Millions will suffer if that doesn’t happen—and they will suffer for no good reason at all.
It appears that those people flooding our borders by the thousands on a daily basis have taken literally the inscription on the Statue Of Liberty in New York Harbor: “Give me your tired, your poor; Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” While they may have never heard of the statute or its inscription, it is clearly time to seriously close “the golden door.”
As the greatest nation on earth, our first duty is to the people of this nation. This floodgate of immigrants legal and illegal, can not be sustained and it is the greatest dereliction of duty for the Federal Government to allow this illegal dumping of humanity on our cities and communities because of our innate compassion for all human life.
Allison Palm Office Manager Ashley Johnson Sales Director Rob Taylor Jr. Managing Editor John. H. Sengstacke Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)
Congress, State and Local governments, the Courts and the White House, engaged in either permitting this illegal entry or permitting it to go unchanged, stopped or controlled, are guilty of Malfeasance in Office, meaning to fail to carry out
John E. WarrenCommentary
the Oath Of Office that each official took. That was an oath swearing to protect and define the Constitution of the United States. That Constitution is being trampled under the feet of both migrants and irresponsible officials more concerned about their political futures than this nation. It must be remembered that residency in this great nation, for those not born here, is a “Privilege” not a right. Providing shelter for such persons in need, including allowing them into this country, is only a duty because we have made it so by the laws we have adopted. This is clearly the case with our present immigration overflow. The present situation is beyond just change. It endangers the continuation of the very democracy we hold so dear.
Just as elected and appointed officials have a responsibility to act NOW to correct this problem, regardless of political differences, We as citizens, no matter what our color, have a responsibility to correct or remove those officials including the President, Congress and Justices on our courts, who can be removed by Impeachment. If we the people fail to take action, because someone we know has a relative seeking to illegally enter the country, no matter what the reason, then we are just as guilty as those who take no action. While we fight among ourselves, squandering our resources in a cult-like support of one man who continues to present himself as more important than our Constitution, system of laws and government, we pave the way for our enemies to grow stronger against us. Let us not sit idly and watch history repeat itself. We have the legal power to reshape our duties, privileges, and responsibilities as a nation before we cease to exist. What will you do?
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Some people first saw civil rights activist Tamika Mallory when she was one of four leaders of the 2017 Women’s March. Her activism hardly began there. From her teen years, the now 43-year-old activist was part of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. In 2013, she became NAN’s youngest executive director. In 2016, she was one of the four co-chairs of the highly successful 2017 Women’s March. In 2019, Tamika, Mysonne Linen, Angelo Pinto, and fellow women’s march co-chair Linda Sarsour founded Until Freedom, a nonprofit organization for “community activism, education, and rapid response around tragedies resulting from injustice.”
Mallory has earned awards and accolades from Time Magazine, Fortune Magazine, BET, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and others. She has also attracted the ire of racists and recently has received death threats that both the police and the FBI consider “credible.” While the threats don’t frighten her, they concern those who support her work. Roland Martin, the pioneering founder of the Black Star Network, featured a segment on the threats she is receiving.
Tamika is being threatened because she does not back down, warrior that she is. She spent time in Kentucky in the wake of the murder of Breona Taylor, working with Breonna’s mother, Tamika Palmer, and with the community. She was outraged, as many were, that the African American Attorney General of Kentucky, Daniel Cameron, described Breonna Taylor’s murder as “justifiable”. Now, Daniel Cameron is the Republican nominee to unseat Democratic governor Andy Beshear in a November 7 election. Tamika Mallory and her colleagues in Until Freedom have determined that Cameron will not be the governor. Until Freedom (untilfreedom.com) launched a voter engagement campaign to register voters and educate them about the harmful impact Daniel Cameron might have on Kentucky. They opened an office in Louisville in September. And Tamika
Julianne Malveaux
and her team have endured death threats from their opponents. These aren’t the idle death threats of phone calls and hang-ups. These death threats suggest that the Until Freedom team has been stalked and followed. Upon their arrival in Louisville, several hotels reported getting calls looking for Tamika Mallory and the others. They now have private security and some police protection, and, as A. Scott Bolden, a DC-based Democratic lawyer, noted on Roland Martin Unfiltered, “Tamika is a fearsome fighter. Threats aren’t going to stop her.” Still, the threats must be anxiety-producing, and the FBI must leave no stone unturned in identifying the cowards who oppose both Tamika and justice.
Because of how Cameron presented the case against the Louisville officers who murdered Breonna Taylor, no one was indicted for her death. The officers shot into her home, using a no-knock warrant as their justification. At least two grand jury members say Cameron did not present all of the facts. The Department of Justice has brought charges to a federal grand jury, and four have been indicted. Kelly Ann Goodlett has pled guilty to conspiracy because she knew there was no basis for the invasion into Breonna’s home but conspired with another officer to justify the warrant. She will be sentenced in November and faces up to 5 years in jail and up to $250,000 in fines.
The other three—Joshua Jaynes, Brett Hankison, and Kyle Meany—were arrested and released on bond. They face trials in mid-October. Other officers were not indicted either because they did not know the warrant was faulty or “there wasn’t enough evidence” against them. In bringing indictments against the four officers, however, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke ensured that there would be at least some measure of justice for Breonna Taylor.
Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump represented Breonna’s mother, Tamika Palmer, in a wrongful death settlement against Louisville. He won both a $12 million settlement and police reforms, including the abolishment of the no-knock warrant. That’s partial justice. Real justice will come when the man who described Breonna’s murder as “justifiable.” And if Tamika Mallory has anything to do with it, his callous response to the death of a young Black woman will end his political career (or he can work for his ally, the (twice impeached former president).
Tamika Mallory has become part of the Louisville Black community. She has developed a close relationship with Tamika Palmer and has also become a known presence in the city. She has visited churches, been a presence on the streets, and, through Until Freedom, channeled nearly a million dollars into the community. Her organization has also fed thousands of people and has become a resource for Black people in Louisville. While this Warrior Queen hails from New York, she plans to stay in Louisville until the election, until justice for Breonna, until freedom.
(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author. She can be reached at juliannemalveaux.com)
After an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, was killed by a White police officer in 2020, some observers referred to the ensuing nationwide rioting as America’s “racial reckoning.” To appease the protesters, local governments announced plans to defund the police, while corporations gave millions of dollars to Black organizations and social justice projects.
Then Boston University announced the hiring of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, one of America’s foremost academics on racism and social justice, to establish a new Center for Anti-Racist Research. The university declared that the new center will demonstrate the school’s dedication to diversity and inclusion. Twitter’s CEO immediately donated $10 million, and millions more followed suit.
The mission of the Center for Anti-Racist Research was to gather researchers from various disciplines to figure out “novel and practical” ways to understand, explain, and solve problems of racial inequity and injustice. If this was the intention, Dr. Kendi should not have been appointed as its director.
Dr. Kendi has only proposed impractical solutions to these problems in the past.
To “fix the original sin of racism,” Dr. Kendi stated, Americans need to pass an anti-racist amendment to the United States Constitution that enshrines two guiding anti-racist principles: 1) Racial inequality is evidence of racist policy. 2) All racial groups are equal. The amendment would outlaw racial inequity above a certain threshold and prohibit racist ideas by public officials.
Dr. Kendi also advocated for the federal government to establish an Anti-Racism Department. This department, comprised of certified racism experts, would preclear all local, state, and federal policies to ensure that no racial inequities are created.
It’s worth noting that, according to Dr. Kendi’s best-selling book How to Be an Anti-Racist, people are either racist or anti-racist—there is no in-between. As a result, there is no such thing as a “race neutral” or “not racist” policy.
Because policies must be implemented before racial disparities may be revealed, how can Dr. Kendi’s Department of Anti-Racism preclear policies if race neutrality does not exist? Race specialists would have to hypothesize on whether a policy might result in racial inequities before labeling it racist or anti-racist. It’s easy to predict how this will turn out. All Democratic policies will be deemed anti-racist, while all Republican measures will be deemed racist.
Obviously, Boston University didn’t deem Dr. Kendi’s past solutions to racial disparity impractical. The university had high hopes for the Center for Anti-Racist Research to provide more solutions like the ones Dr.
Kendi previously proposed.
Unfortunately, after only four years in existence, the Center for Anti-Racist Research has announced huge layoffs. Boston University started an investigation to determine how nearly $40 million in funds vanished, but no meaningful study was ever produced.
The scholars who were let go stated that the center was mismanaged, that they were underpaid, and that they had “exploitive” work hours. One scholar went so far as to label the layoffs “employment violence and trauma.”
“There will always be people who criticize the job someone else is doing,” Dr. Kendi responded, but I stand by my decision, especially when social justice organizations are under attack. But I want to live in a world where all leaders of new organizations are given the time to make mistakes and learn and grow. I want to live in a world where all new organizations are given the time to have growing pains and develop.”
As bad as it all seems, Dr. Kendi is not the major problem.
Boston University’s investigation into the mismanagement of funds wants us to forget that the Center for Anti-Racist Research was established to demonstrate the university’s commitment to diversity.
When the university has completed its investigation into Dr. Kendi, they should look into why they thought embracing Dr. Kendi’s defective anti-racist philosophy reflected a commitment to diversity in the first place.
As this is being written, I have proudly represented Communications Workers of America’s members during the 52nd Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Conference. Since its inception, the CBC has passionately supported the interests of the Black community and worked to ensure that we have an equal voice in public policy. And its members, currently all Democrats, have been equally powerful allies of labor unions as vehicles of racial justice.
At the same time, I was deeply disappointed to learn of the actions of two other high-profile black elected officials: U.S.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, a Republican, and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, a former Democrat. I have characterized their bad behavior, respectively, as Disrespect and Deception.
Let’s start with the “Disrespect” that Tim Scott exhibited toward members of the United Auto Workers. Scott, one of two Black Senators and the only Republican is now a low-polling challenger to frontrunner Donald Trump for his party’s presidential nomination.
When asked to comment on the UAW strike, he responded: “You strike, you’re fired!” He cited Ronald Reagan’s controversial firing of striking air traffic controllers back in 1981. In his decision, Reagan invoked a law prohibiting strikes by federal employees.
Well, Mr. Scott, the UAW strikers, led by President Shawn Fain, are not government employees and are not subject to that law. Their right to strike is protected by the National Labor Relations Act. They are hard-working people who made great con-
cessions almost 15 years ago to help save the American auto industry and keep family-supporting jobs in their communities.
Their sacrifices brought the industry back with record-breaking profits that largely supported very generous salaries and bonuses for their bosses and huge returns for Wall Street investors. But the workers’ well-deserved demands to restore their benefits and wages and ensure equal pay for equal work went unmet for years.
That’s why I’ll be on the UAW picket line in Detroit on Tuesday when Joe Biden becomes the first American president to join striking workers on the line. Yes, Joe not only talks the talk. He walks the walk of a real “union guy.” And we must return that loyalty in the 2024 election.
Now to the blatant “Deception” of Dallas mayor Eric Johnson, who recently switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. As shocking as this may have been to constituents he deceived into supporting him for a second term in a solidly blue city, it was not surprising to me.
As a politically observant Texan, I saw how he had used the Democratic label for years to get elected and then pushed a GOP agenda—espousing their hard line on
issues from law-and-order to tax cuts. The party switch confirmed how he had been leading for years while strongly criticizing his former party’s governance of cities.
But Houston’s Major Sylvester Turner, who was also unaware of Johnson’s deception, cites his own record in Houston in reducing crime and homelessness and addressing other urban challenges firmly but more compassionately.
“Democratic mayors are the boots on the ground,” Mayor Turner says. “We are responding to people’s needs.”
Eric Johnson’s betrayal of loyal supporters in Dallas raises a red flag in Houston, too. Much like Johnson, a mayoral candidate in Houston appears to be counting on the loyalty of some Labor supporters and other mainstream progressives while adding poisonous side elements of anti-worker, anti-justice, and forced birthers funded by pay-to-play partisan Republicans.
So, how do we respond to these perpetrators of disrespect and deception? First, we let Senator Scott know that union members across this country will not forget his uninformed and dismissive response to the UAW’s legitimate strike for fairness.
As for Mayor Johnson, whatever he plans to do after his tenure is over, we will make sure no one forgets his treachery in Dallas and that he is a politician who can never ever be trusted. And all the while, we must be on guard to make sure Johnson’s betrayal in Dallas doesn’t serve as a political template in the upcoming Houston Mayoral election or anywhere else.
(Claude Cummings Jr. is International President, Communications Workers Of America)
years of Republican control.
Earlier this month, I stood alongside my colleagues as we announced the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, legislation aptly named after the stalwart civil rights champion and my dear departed friend. I often recount the story of how and when I first met John Lewis. It was in October 1960. We were 19-year-old college students attending an organizing meeting of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Years later, we would serve together in the U.S. House of Representatives, once again united under the cause for “a more perfect Union.”
In 2013, we sat down together and discussed the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby v. Holder. We reflected on the efforts that we had undertaken as college students and wondered what the decision meant in the larger fight for equal access to the ballot box. We were reminded of the years when our Black brothers and sisters, especially those in the South, were subjected to indignities such as being required to answer questions like how many jellybeans were in a jar and being subjected to literacy tests to cast a ballot. Importantly, we feared what was to come. Although we lost John just a few short years later, he too began to see some of those fears realized.
In the years since Shelby v. Holder, several state legislatures across the country have introduced or enacted laws to curb Black Americans’ access to the ballot box. Arizona and Mississippi enacted legislation to require burdensome proof of citizenship to determine eligibility to register to vote. Dozens of
state legislatures introduced bills to restrict the practice of voting by mail. Other states have begun aggressively removing voters from the rolls and re-drawing Congressional maps blatantly designed to silence the Black vote. Look no further than Ron DeSantis’ Florida and the dismantling of an opportunity district held by former Congressman Al Lawson. Then, in July 2021, the Court further weakened the 1965 Voting Rights Act in its decision in Brnovich v. DNC, making it more difficult to challenge discriminatory voting laws.
Yet, this is far from the first time that access to the ballot box has come under such attacks.
Ahead of the 1876 Presidential Election, South Carolina Democratic Congressman Martin Witherspoon Gary devised a devious campaign, known as the “Edgefield Plan,” to impede the Black vote. The Edgefield Plan called for physical violence, and even murder, to keep Blacks from voting. He worked closely with rifle clubs and the South Carolina White supremacist group known as the “Red Shirts” to execute it. Devastatingly, he was successful. The violence and disorder tilted the scale and placed the Democrats back in power after
We’ve already begun to see these terrifying echoes of the past reverberating today. There are the restrictive voter suppression laws I described above. Then came January 6, 2021 —a day that will live forever in our history as a moment of discredit and disgrace. We are clearly treading in dangerous waters and if we want to preserve the foundation of our democracy, we must pass this bill.
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore and modernize the protections outlined in the 1965 Voting Rights Act and call on states and localities, with a recent history of discrimination, to preclear new election changes. It would also restore Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which was struck down in Brnovich v. DNC, making it easier to challenge discriminatory voting laws. It is the remedy our nation needs to fight back against these dangerous challenges to our democracy and ensure that all Americans can make their voices heard at the ballot box.
Importantly, it would also honor John’s life work. He was one of the most courageous people I’ve ever known, and I think constantly of how much we owe him. Almost none of us made the kinds of sacrifices that John made, even as a young college student, at a level that some of us could only strive for.
Enacting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would make a statement to the people of this country that this august body believes in the sacred promise of “a more perfect Union” as expressed in the preamble to our Constitution.
(U.S. Rep Jim Clyburn is Assistant Democratic Leader)
Help Wanted
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking a Senior Planner to handle this important role within PRT’s Transit-Oriented Communities Team that will lead station area plans, transit-oriented development projects, and establish policies and processes to create a more equitable and sustainable region. Our projects improve the transit experience and provide open space, affordable housing, public art, and multi-modal infrastructure to strengthen and nourish our communities. This a unique opportunity to use your passion and skills in design, public engagement, and sustainability on projects ranging from stations and corridors to neighborhood, municipal, and county-wide planning efforts.
Pittsburgh is a historic city with distinct neighborhoods, excellent parks, rich cultural institutions, and great walkability, all with a lower cost of living than many other US cities.
Essential Functions:
• Leads planning, conceptual design, and supports full design and construction of capital investments that improve the rider experience and maximize the value of PRT property to the communities we serve. This includes coordinating with relevant municipal agencies and managing public engagement through at least the planning phase of projects.
• Manages priority activities to advance transit-oriented development projects in the agency’s service area, including necessary coordination and collaboration with relevant Divisions and Departments. Oversees activities and makes recommendations related to new development opportunities in accordance with PRT policy.
• Manages information flow between PRT and key stakeholder organizations with regard to transit issues. Ensures a prompt and appropriate exchange between PRT and those organizations. Provides regular reports to management about external issues and inquiries, and develops appropriate responses, for external organizations in a timely manner.
Job requirements include:
• BS/BA in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Real Estate, or directly related field from an accredited school.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ of progressively responsible experience in urban planning, urban or landscape design, transit-oriented development, or transit planning.
• Experience using Adobe Creative Cloud, Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Understanding of how to use social media and online engagement tools.
• Must be willing to take on duties outside of regular business hours for purposes such as, but not limited to, updating social media channels/ website, attending community and/ or PRT meetings and assisting with Communications functions.
Preferred attributes:
• Graduate degree in Urban Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Real Estate, or directly related field.
• Knowledge of federal infrastructure grant programs, affordable housing finance, and equitable development best practices.
• Experience working collaboratively with the public, diverse communities, newcomers, or other marginalized populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience applying sustainable infrastructure and development practices. This could include maintaining professional certifications such as Envision, LEED, SITES, etc.
• Ability to use GIS software.
ACCOUNTANT II
MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION
Applies GAAP to data analysis, entry preparation and account reconciliation for accurate processing of activities such as general ledger. Maintains ledgers and spreadsheets in Excel. Documents and creates accounting-related procedures and reports as required. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required. Minimum of 3-5 years accounting experience; experience in non-profit accounting strongly preferred. Experience with fund accounting software preferred.
Send Resume with cover letter and salary requirements to resumes@manchesterbidwell.org
EOE
PART-TIME ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is seeking a part-time accounting specialist to assist with the Accounts Payable and Receivable functions for the organization. The successful candidate will act as the first line of internal control for disbursements by ensuring invoices have proper coding and authorizations, set up 1099 vendors, maintain W-9 forms and handle vendor relations. Find out more and how to apply at downtownpittsburgh.com/ about-pdp/staff/employment.
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Business Corporation
Notice is hereby given that Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for a business corporation which has been be incorporated under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law of 1988. The name of the corporation is PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT ORGANIZATION OF INGOMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL. Kim Woo Phone (412) 352-8299
ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Allegheny County Housing Authority (ACHA) is currently in the process of amending its 20232024 Agency Plan (annual and 5-year plans) to comply with the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (HOTMA).
Changes to the Agency Plan, once approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will guide the ACHA in serving the needs of low-income and very low-income families during the 5-year period beginning October 1, 2021. The proposed changes to the Agency Plan and all supporting documents will be available for review and inspection by the public at the principal office of the ACHA located at 301 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136.
A public hearing has been scheduled to present the changed Agency Plan and to allow public participation; information regarding the hearing is also contained on the Authority’s website at www.achsng.com:
DATE: Friday, November 17, 2023
TIME: 10:15 a.m.
PLACE: Allegheny County Housing Authority – Central Office 301 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136
Prior to the public hearing, comments can be directed in writing to: Frank Aggazio, Executive Director Allegheny County Housing Authority 301 Chartiers Avenue McKees Rocks, PA 15136
NOTICE - TOWNSHIP OF KILBUCK
The Kilbuck Township Board of Supervisors will hold a public meeting to consider the adoption of an Ordinance prohibiting the parking of boats, boat trailers, watercraft, recreational vehicles, recreational trailers, and utility trailers on Township streets, said meeting to be held on October 24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kilbuck Township Municipal Building, 343 Eicher Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
SUMMARY
The proposed ordinance would prohibit the parking of boats, boat trailers, watercraft, recreational vehicles, recreational trailers, and utility trailers on Township streets, authorize the Township or its agent to tow illegally parked boats, boat trailers, watercraft, recreational vehicles, recreational trailers, and utility trailers, and impose a penalty for violations. A copy of the proposed ordinance may be examined in the office of the Township Secretary, without charge, during regular business hours.
TOWNSHIP OF KILBUCK
By: Andrew Wright, SecretaryHOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH
PUBLIC NOTICE OF PROPOSED FY 2024 HOUSING CHOICE
VOUCHER PROGRAM UTILITY ALLOWANCES
October 4, 2023
City of Pittsburgh – Office of Management and Budget 414 Grant Street Room 501 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2667
This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Pittsburgh.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS (1)
CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROJECT
On or about Monday, October 23, 2023, the City of Pittsburgh will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release Federal funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended for the real estate project described below.
The Bedford Avenue Townhomes are a component of the Choice Neighborhoods Critical Community Improvements for the Bedford Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant. The project will consist of the acquisition, stabilization, and rehabilitation of three (3) publicly owned and five (5) nonprofit-owned townhome units, and the rehabilitation of an additional seven (7) privately owned units for the improvement of a total of fifteen (15) units. The publicly owned units will be sold to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. The publicly and nonprofit owned units are located at 2702, 2708, 2710, 2712, 2720, 2724, 2726, and 2728 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh PA, 15219. The privately owned units are located at 2700, 2704, 2706, 2714, 2716, 2718, and 2722 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The entire project will take place on the 2700 block of Bedford Avenue. Expected improvements include roof and gutter replacement, brick repointing, foundation and window frame stabilization, and securing of interior framing and interior stairs.
The Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) will be the developer of this project. Funding sources include the following approximate amounts: $2,900,000 in Choice Implementation Grant funds for Critical Community Improvements (CCIs). Additional funding has been committed to Choice Neighborhoods CCIs in the form of: $500,000 in City of Pittsburgh CDBG funding and funding from non-Federal sources directed by the City of Pittsburgh and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)
The total estimated cost of the development is $2,900,000.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (2)
CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROJECT
The City of Pittsburgh has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR). The ERR will be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to City of Pittsburgh, Office of Management and Budget, 414 Grant St, City County Building Room 501, Pittsburgh, Pa 15219 or by email to OMBEnvironmental@pittsburghpa.gov.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:
Glenn Huetter Employment Department
345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527
GHuetter@RidePRT.org
EOE
The Department of Statistics at the University of Pittsburgh is seeking applications for one Teaching Assistant Professor position, pending budgetary approval. Details on the positions can be found at https://www.stat.pitt.edu/news under “Open positions.”
The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity.
EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disable.
Sherrard, German & Kelly, P.C.
Attn: Ashley Bozewski 535 Smithfield Street, Suite 300 Pittsburgh, PA 15222
America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 134
ads@newpittsburghcourier.com
Pursuant to the regulations 24 CFR 982.517, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) has completed its annual review and update of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Utility Allowance Schedules. The proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 HCV Utility Allowance Schedules are available for review and comment from Sunday, September 24, 2023 to Tuesday, October 24, 2023 on the HACP website: www.hacp.org. Written comments on the FY 2024 HCV Utility Allowance Schedules must be addressed to “Attention: FY 2024 HCV Utility Allowance Schedules” at the HACP Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Department, 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 5th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, and must be received by the close of business (5:00 pm) on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Public hearings to receive public comments on the proposed FY 2024 HCV Utility Allowance Schedules will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 9:30 am and 5:30 pm via Zoom. The Zoom meeting information can be accessed at www.hacp.org. For questions regarding the proposed FY 2024 HCV Utility Allowance Schedules, please contact Marsha Grayson at 412-456-5000 extension 3105.
Persons with disabilities requiring assistance or alternative formats or wishing to submit comments in alternative formats can contact the Disability Compliance Office at 412-456-5282, extension 4; TTY 412-456-5282.
CLASSIFIEDS
Kelly Russell City of Pittsburgh, 414 Grant Street, Room 501 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 255-2667 OR
OMBEnvironmental@pittsburghpa.gov
All comments received by Thursday, October 19, 2023 will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice (Request for Release of Funds 1 or Finding of No Significant Impact 2) they are addressing.
The City of Pittsburgh certifies to HUD that Ed Gainey in his capacity as Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh to use development funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Pittsburgh certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Pittsburgh; (b) the City of Pittsburgh has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Field Office of Public Housing in Pittsburgh at PittsburghPIH.ER@hud.gov regarding Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant funds. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Field Office of Public Housing in Pittsburgh via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Ed Gainey Mayor City of PittsburghDOCUMENT 00030-AA
ADVERTISEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
PROJECT NUMBER 23TG02 (GENERAL)
PROJECT NUMBER 23TE02 (ELECTRICAL)
PROJECT NUMBER 23TM02 (MECHANICAL)
PROJECT NUMBER 23TPFP02 (PLUMBING/FIRE PROTECTION)
ACPD/DEA PACKAGE at PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
ELECTRONIC BIDS & BID OPENING PROCEDURE:
Electronic Bids will be received by the Allegheny County Airport Authority until 1:00 P.M. prevailing local time, November 15, 2023.
The ACAA is modifying its typical bid opening process; the formal bid opening procedure will be conducted virtually – any/all firms submitting a Bid to the ACAA will be given special access to view the opening event.
Once bidding is closed, any/all firms submitting a bid will be issued an Invitation (via email) to access the formal bid opening event via a live webcast. Bidders will also be notified of the results via an email within (24) hours of the Bid Opening event.
ACCESS TO BID PACKAGE DOCUMENTS:
ALL BIDDERS shall be required to provide a completed formal Bid Document Request application in order to acquire bidding documents for any/all of the above listed Project Numbers.
No bidding documents will be issued prior to the Authority’s Construction Manager having a copy of a fully completed Request Application. Bid Document Request Applications can be obtained by sending a Request to the following email address:
TMPBids@flypittsburgh.com
On the Subject Line, include the following: “Bid Documents Request
–ACPD/DEA Package”.
Once a bidder’s request has been received, provided it is complete, the CM will provide access for the bidder to access and download the bid documents through Building Connected, a web-based bid management platform.
A PREBID CONFERENCE –October 18, 2023 – 11:00 AM
The meeting will be a Microsoft Teams Meeting. To join the meeting the following number can be called (877) 286-5733 - United States (Toll-Free) – Conference ID 550 756 196#. Please email TMPBids@flypittsburgh.com to receive the link to join by computer.
A site visit will be conducted. Details regarding the site visit will be provided at the Pre-Bid meeting. Note that no questions can be asked during this Prebid Meeting. Any/all questions must be issued to the CM as an “RFI”.
REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION (RFIs)
Any/all questions related to this project must be made in writing to the CM. RFIs are to be sent to the CM via email to TMPBids@flypittsburgh.com
BID SUBMISSION
Proposals must be made on the Authority’s forms and in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and the “Instructions to Bidders”’
Due to Covid precautions, ACAA will not be accepting any hard copy bids for this Project. Accordingly, Electronic Bids are the only form that the ACAA will accept. While the Instructions to Bidders will provide more details, for an Electronic Bid to be accepted in must be sent through Building Connected and it must be received by no later than the established Bid Date and time deadline.
OTHER ISSUES
Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages as determined by the General Wage Determinations issued under the Davis-Bacon and related Acts must be paid on these projects. This project has DBE participation goals; DBE firms must be certified with the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program) (PAUCP). Firms must be certified prior to award of contract. A searchable database of DBE firms can be found on the PAUCP web site: https://paucp.dbesystem.com/
The Airport Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids or waive any informalities in the bidding.
No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of one hundred twenty [120] days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids.
To view a complete advertisement, which is also included in the bidding documents visit www.flypittsburgh.com under “Business Opportunities”.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY D.B.A. PRT
Electronic Proposals will be received online at PRT’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org).
Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on October 20, 2023 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conferencing, for the following:
Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org)
BID NUMBER BID NAME 1 B23-08-65A Fastener Supply Service
To join the bid opening through Microsoft Teams meeting on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 228 404 268 307
Passcode: 3NLwvN
Or call in (audio only)
(412)-927-0245
Phone Conference ID: 212 462 100#
No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held via tele-conference on each of the above items at 10:00 AM, October 5, 2023 through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conference.
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 267 853 967 097
Passcode: Kmbban
Or call in (audio only)
(412) 927-0245
Phone Conference ID: 537 774 341#
Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the PRT within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening. These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County d.b.a. PRT and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing.
Port Authority of Allegheny County d.b.a. PRT hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.
The Board of PRT reserves the right to reject any or all bids
NOTICE TO PROPOSERS
The Sports & Exhibition Authority will receive proposals for Feasibility Study for Securing NBA and/or WNBA Expansion Teams as identified below for the Authority. The contract for this work will be with the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Request for proposals may be obtained from Alicia Matos; Email: amatos@pgh-sea.com; Phone number: 412-393-7106
This Advertisement applies to the following Request for Proposal:
Project: Feasibility Study for Securing NBA and/or WNBA Expansion Teams
RFP Available:
Non Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting:
Time/Date/Location for Submitting Proposal:
BID ADVERTISEMENT INVITATION TO BID HISTORIC THORNBURG SCHOOL BUILDING
Emailed bids for window replacement for the Thornburg Community Center Building (Historic School Building) will be received by email by the Architect, The Design Alliance Architects, 620 Olympia Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15211, until 10/24/2023 at 4:00 pm. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at that time during a virtual meeting. Bidders will be invited to a virtual meeting by subsequent email. Mailed paper copies must be received within 3 business days.
Electronic copies of Bid Documents may be obtained from the Architects. Contact Richard Freeman rfreeman@tda-architects.com
412-251-2657 or Martin Powell mpowell@tda-archtects.com
412-261-0660. Paper copies are the bidder’s responsibility. Bids must be submitted on the forms provided and completed in strict accordance with the instructions provided. The Borough of Thornburg hereby authorizes The Design Alliance Architects to act on their behalf by opening bids. Bids will be accepted, and contracts awarded at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Borough.
A bid bond by acceptable surety or a certified check made payable to the Borough for the project in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the bid must be deposited by each bidder with his bid. Performance and Payment Bonds in the total contract amount will be required of the successful Bidder. The Thornburg Community Center is exempt from state and local sales and use tax in Pennsylvania. This project is subject to the Provisions of the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act 442.
Bidders on this work will be required to comply with the Provisions of the Public Works Employment Verification Act (PWEVA)
No bid or any part thereof shall be withdrawn by Bidder for a period of Sixty (60) Days subsequent to the Bid Opening
A pre-bid conference will be held on 10/10/2023 at 10:00 AM at the Thornburg Community Center Library. Bidder attendance is mandatory.
Bid questions must be submitted to the Architect by 4:00 pm 10/19/2023. Questions submitted after that date will be rejected.
The successful bidder shall be required to obtain Federal and State background checks and clearances for all employees and subcontractors who will, at any time, be on school property in connection with the execution of the Work.
The required background checks and clearances shall include the following: Federal Criminal History Record, Pennsylvania State Criminal Record Check, and Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance. Adherence to Instructions to Bidders is required.
Thursday October 5, 2023
Monday October 16, 2023 via Teams at 1:00PM EST
Meeting ID: 264 080 186 705
Passcode: jy6sG4
Tuesday October 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM EST
Sports & Exhibition Authority Offices 171 10th Street 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
SANITARY AUTHORITY
LEGAL NOTICE
CONTRACT NO. 1791
DEWATERING CENTRIFUGE
EQUIPMENT PRE-PURCHASE
Sealed Bids for CONTRACT NO. 1791 – DEWATERING CENTRIFUGE
EQUIPMENT PRE-PURCHASE shall be received at the Engineering Department office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233, until 11:00 A.M., Prevailing Time, Thursday, October 26, 2023, and then shall be publicly opened and read.
A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at ALCOSAN in the auditorium of the O&M Building, located at 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233 on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., Prevailing Time. The Pre-Bid Meeting will include a site visit. The purpose of the Pre-Bid Meeting is to provide all potential Bidders an opportunity to discuss with ALCOSAN all aspects of the Procurement Contract Documents. Any changes, additions, and/or deletions resulting from the Pre-Bid Meeting will be addressed in addenda to the Procurement Contract Documents. Proper identification will be required at the plant security entrance gate to access the site. If interested in attending the Pre-Bid Meeting, contact Kathleen P. Uniatowski via email at Kathleen.Uniatowski@alcosan.org to ensure clearance at security gate entrance upon arrival.
Procurement Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the Engineering office of the Authority. Bid Security shall be furnished by providing with the Bid a Certified Check or Bid Bond in the amount of 10% of the Bid Price. Procurement Contract Documents must be obtained directly from ALCOSAN to qualify as an eligible bidder. Any questions regarding the Technical Aspects of the Project should be directed to Edward J. St. John, PE, BCEE, CDM Smith, via email to stjohnej@cdmsmith.com.
Any questions regarding the Procurement Contract Documents should be directed to Kathleen P. Uniatowski, ALCOSAN, via email to contract.clerks@alcosan.org
The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality in any bid and to accept any bid should it be deemed in the interest of the Authority to do so.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
SANITARY AUTHORITY
Kimberly
Kennedy, P.E. Director of Engineering and ConstructionREQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
P.O.O.R.L.A.W (People Of Origin
Rightfully Loved And Wanted) and Praise Temple Deliverance Church, two nonprofit organizations are seeking a qualified firm or individual to serve as General Contractor for a construction project. The project consists of the renovation of a 3,240 sf church sanctuary and adjacent property which consists of a 4,442 sf two level community hall and a 353 sf commercial kitchen totaling 8,035 sf. Preliminary drawings of the building and a full description of the project can be found at poorlaw.org and praisedeliverancechurch.org under “development projects”.
This is the second round of requests. The first round was done by email sent out to various contractors because of this there will be a short turnaround time for individuals who are interested in responding to this RFP. All respondents must respond by Friday, October 6th.
Respondents must also be eligible to secure the $500,000 performance bond and meet all Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) guidelines. These requirements can be found on both organizations’ websites by clicking on “RACP regulations”.
To set up a site visit or for more information please call Pastor Lutual M Love Sr at 412-2770113 or James Cole, Project Coordinator at 412-478-8299.
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH
Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on October 24, 2023, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Various Schools, Facilities, and Properties Environmental Abatement Contract: Asbestos, Lead-based paint, Mold & Animal Excrement Remediation, Mitigation & Abatement Environmental Abatement Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on October 02, 2023, at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) ADVERTISEMENT
The Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh (Authority) is soliciting proposals from qualified respondents to provide a Permit Parking Management System, more fully described in the formal RFP document. The RFP document will be available Monday October 2, 2023, after 10:00 a.m. EST on the Authority website at www.pittsburghparking.com. (Doing Business with the PPA)
A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. EST. Meeting information will be provided along with the RFP documents and on the Authority website. Submitted proposals are required to be in the Authority’s possession, in the form of one (1) electronic copy sent via email to contact person(s), by 2:00 p.m. EST on Friday November 17, 2023