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MARITA GARRETT RECEIVES AWARD Only elected official in Allegheny County to earn 2020 Governor’s Award Page A3

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www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 111 No. 45

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NOVEMBER 4-10, 2020

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Governor’s pardon opens new doors Corry Sanders explores new options after receiving a full pardon from Gov. Tom Wolf

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

CORRY SANDERS

CORRY SANDERS, 50, was denied a seat on McKeesport City Council after being elected in 2015, due to a felony drug conviction more than 20 years earlier.

Gov. Tom Wolf granted him a full pardon on Aug. 27, 2020.

Forget about a City Council seat; Corry Sanders wants to run for mayor of McKeesport, and this time, nothing can get in his way.

For those who are familiar with Sanders, wanting to become mayor in the city in which he was raised isn’t breaking news.

From the barber shops, to the barber schools, to the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office Downtown, to the Center for Victims offices on the South Side, it seems like Sanders’ destiny is for him to land him in McKeesport’s mayoral chair.

It’s Sanders who knows what it’s like to grow up in McKeesport, which has had its share of good times and bad times. It’s Sanders who was an astute businessman as owner of Kool Kutz Barber Shop in McK-

eesport for 20 years. It’s Sanders who has dedicated his life to bettering the lives of others, particularly young African Americans in this region.

Today, you can find Sanders at the Center for Victims as a Diversity and Inclusion Community Specialist. Center for Victims is a community-based nonprofit that bills itself as “the largest, most comprehensive, inclusive provider of services, advocacy, and education for victims of all crime” in the state.

Sanders has spent the past two years helping the clients that Center for Victims serves, but he also plays a vital role in making sure the professional staff at Center for Victims can better relate to the men and women who come to the center. He meets with the center’s social workers and other therapists, with a client present, and Sanders gets to “strip the picture that they (Center for Victims professionals) have painted (about the client or client’s situation).

I reframe it and then I

change the lenses they see it through.” Sanders said a person’s perception is only what they go through personally.

“So, instead of looking at a young kid at the age of 13, 18 or 16 and you’re so quick to just ‘cut his head off ’ and just say ‘it’s criminal, throw them away,’ you can look at the person just like you would look at one of yours, with more care. That person might be dealing with addiction, or abuse inside the household, any number of things.

But a person really doesn’t understand why that person is acting that way until they understand their mindset. And your mind controls everything.”

Sanders, now 50, was referred to working at the Center for Victims through County DA Stephen Zappala. Ironically, according to Sanders, Zappala was the one some McKeesport officials allegedly were “running to” after Sanders, fair and square, won a seat on McKeesport City Council in the November 2015 election.

Sanders had won the fourth and final open seat on McKeesport City Council; then pandemonium ensued. An “anonymous tip” to the County DA’s office revealed that Sanders had a prior felony drug conviction in 1993. He had pleaded no contest to felony possession of a controlled substance, with the intent to deliver, and served four years in prison.

Pennsylvania law bars anyone from holding public office who’s been convicted of a felony.

It was a WWE-style piledriver of a decision to Sanders when he learned of Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Senior Judge Joseph M. James’ ruling on Feb. 24, 2016.

Judge James effectively confirmed the blocking of Sanders’ serving on McKeesport City Council until he received a full pardon from the governor.

“It is unfortunate that this situation has arisen given the fact that Mr. Sanders has put his past SEE SANDERS A2

‘Walk For Peace’ unites mothers who’ve lost children to violence

by Ashley G. Woodson For New Pittsburgh Courier

Mothers came together from all over the Pittsburgh area to honor their loved ones who, unfortunately, are no longer here.

The “Walk For Peace” 2020 event was created

by Dominique A. Brown, the mother of two sons, Jo’Markius T. Fuller, 18, and Jonathan R. Cooper Jr., 10. Fuller was a victim

of gun violence on June 30, 2018, and Cooper took his own life on July 15, 2019.

“I wanted to do this Peace Walk to bring awareness to the violence in our Black and brown communities,” Brown told the New Pittsburgh Courier of the Sept. 13 event in the Hill District. “I feel it’s not discussed enough in our communities or homes and it’s glazed over in the news media. We, Black and brown victims, may

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get a 30-second mention and it’s forgotten about.

Having lost my firstborn to gun violence and my baby boy to suicide, we must be mindful of the trauma that these tragedies leave behind. We’ve become desensitized and it’s not right.”

Donnie Kyte, owner of Molly’s World Boutique (Ike Wear), also was in attendance to support mothers who’ve lost their children to violence and other means.

“I think the Walk for Peace 2020 is a great thing because it brings awareness to the community that these violent crimes don’t only affect the intended victims. It also breaks SEE MOTHERS A4

TENIKA JOHNSON shows a photo of her son, Mager Rainey, who was killed in Wilkinsburg in Oct. 2019. (Photo by Ashley G. Woodson)

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Governor’s pardon opens new doors Corry Sanders explores many new options now open to him SANDERS FROM A1

indiscretions behind him and, by all accounts, lived an exemplary life since then,” Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney Kevin McCarthy wrote at the time. “Nonetheless, we are all called upon to uphold the Constitution and laws of Pennsylvania and must follow the law and procedures laid out for us.

I am certain and satisfied that Mr. Sanders will one day be eligible to serve the people of McKeesport and I am sure that you, like me, look forward to that day.”

Sanders, undeterred, made it a point to be granted a full pardon from Governor Tom Wolf, who has held the state’s top office since 2015. John Fetterman, who at the time was the mayor of neighboring Braddock, lobbied Gov. Wolf to grant Sanders a pardon, knowing firsthand the pillar in the community Sanders had become. Others in high places soon backed Sanders, too, including Common Pleas Judge Dwayne Woodruff, State Reps. Ed Gain-

take those words of wisdom with them for their future endeavors.

In 2016, Sanders found himself front-and-center with instructors at the Barber School of Pittsburgh; the school’s owner heard of Sanders’ trials and tribulations with his Council seat through the media, and eventually offered Sanders the title of head instructor.

Instructors from the Barber School of Pittsburgh’s Monroeville and Ambridge sites would come to the West End location, where Sanders would stress to them that teaching “is more than just teaching.”

Not only do you have to be a people person, Sanders said, “you have to be a facilitator, counselor, and master educator,” he told the Courier during an exclusive interview, Oct. 29.

“Every class is going to be different depending on the set of students that you get, and you’re dealing with 15 to 30 students every 10 months.”

Many of the students at

“I’m a different product of the streets of McKeesport. I’ve been on both aisles; I have one hat, but have many feathers in it. I can connect across the board with young, old, Black or White. I have a lot of common sense. I’m a businessman, an educator, and I have the connections and the resources outside of McKeesport that can bring those grants every mayor needs to help rehab and rebuild the city.”

CORRY SANDERS ey and Jake Wheatley, and Austin Davis, who became a State House member representing the McKeesport district, among other municipalities, in 2018. As Sanders filled out the necessary paperwork and paid on court costs, he still kept his Kool Kutz Barber Shop running. Not only was it a place in McKeesport where young people could get a fresh cut, but they heard Sanders’ positive advice and positive outlook on life.

The young people would

the Barber School of Pittsburgh, who were between the ages of 20 to 38, were interested in opening up their own shop one day.

Sanders was there to provide guidance on that front, as he employed anywhere from 8 to 12 barbers consistently during his ownership of Kool Kutz.

Pardons don’t happen overnight Two-and-a-half years.

That’s the estimated time it takes for a clemency ap-

plication to make it to the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, the Courier has learned, and even then, it’s not guaranteed that a hearing for the applicant will be granted. Pardons, which are a form of clemency, are usually granted by the governor or the president in the U.S. States vary in their pardon process; In states like Oregon, New York and New Jersey, a governor makes pardon decisions without the advice or recommendation of an independent board. In locales like Montana and Michigan, the governor consults with an independent board, but can grant a pardon against the advice of the board. In states like Pennsylvania and Texas, the governor cannot grant a pardon without an independent board first recommending in the affirmative a pardon for the applicant.

From 2016 to 2018, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons reviewed 971 clemency applications, and recommended 878 for a public hearing. From those 878 hearings, the board recommended 723 pardons. As the recommended pardons appeared before Gov. Wolf’s desk, he officially granted pardons to 718 of the 723 (99 percent).

When Sept. 11, 2019 came, Sanders was both excited and nervous. He had learned beforehand that his application would be heard by the board, and on Sept. 11, he appeared in Harrisburg before the board, which was chaired

by Fetterman, who had become Lt. Governor. The other members—Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Corrections Expert Harris Gubernick, Psychiatrist John P. Williams, MD, and Victim Representative Marsha H. Grayson, Esq.—listened attentively as Sanders made his case to be pardoned.

The board decided, unanimously, to recommend a pardon for Sanders. It was one of 292 pardons the board recommended to the governor in 2019. Given Gov. Wolf’s propensity to grant the vast majority of the pardons recommended by the state board, Sanders figured it was only a matter of time before Gov. Wolf signed on the dotted line.

An entire year went by.

But a few months ago, on Monday, Sept. 14, Sanders left the Center for Victims to get something at his

CORRY SANDERS home that he needed for work. Just before he left the house, a mail carrier arrived at the front door and asked Sanders to sign for a certified letter.

“Is that from Harrisburg?” Sanders asked the mail carrier.

“How did you know?” The mail carrier replied.

The female mail carrier and Sanders never discussed what could have been inside the big envelope. Sanders signed for it, then took it in the house, opened the letter, and inside was his full pardon certificate from Gov. Wolf, signed on Aug. 27, 2020.

“Therefore, know ye, that in consideration of the premises and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, I have pardoned the said Corry J. Sanders, born on May 28, 1970...of the crime(s) whereof he was convicted as aforesaid, and he is hereby thereof fully pardoned accordingly,” the certified letter read, as the gold Pennsylvania seal was prominently displayed.

Among the first to learn that Sanders was officially pardoned was Judge Woodruff.

“Corry Sanders is the best ‘comeback’ example that I can give to youth who are adjudicated in my courtroom,” Woodruff, the Court

of Common Pleas’ Supervising Family Court judge, said in a statement to the Courier. “Sanders’ story shows kids that they don’t have to let the mistakes of their youth determine their future. Like Sanders, they can get on the right path, work hard, and be a leader in their family, church and community.”

Wanting more than a Council seat Corry Sanders is “living his best life,” as the kids say these days. Married with four children, he continues to provide expertise at the Center for Victims, where he was lured to the job by Zappala. The DA approached Sanders in late 2018 with the opportunity to take his teaching skills he perfected with the Barber School instructors to the Center for Victims’ untreated trauma unit. Sanders told the Courier he’s been welcomed with open arms at the center, located at 3343 E. Carson St. But he wants it known that he also has his eyes and his heart on the mayor’s chair in McKeesport, the town he knows so well.

He graduated from McKeesport Area High School in 1989, and feels he has the political clout necessary to attain the public funding

desperately needed to make improvements in the city.

“I’m a different product of the streets of McKeesport,” Sanders told the Courier.

“I’ve been on both aisles; I have one hat, but have many feathers in it. I can connect across the board with young, old, Black or White. I have a lot of common sense. I’m a businessman, an educator, and I have the connections and the resources outside of McKeesport that can bring those grants every mayor needs to help rehab and rebuild the city.”

Current McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko was re-elected to another four-year term in November 2019. Sanders told the Courier that when 2023 rolls around, he’ll definitely be on the ballot.

“McKeesport needs real, true change in leadership, and they need to be able to connect to the people, hear them, understand what it is they need; and then actually put for the effort in making it work,” Sanders told the Courier exclusively. “I will be running for that mayor’s seat because, being granted my full pardon, there’s nothing I can’t do, and no one can call foul.

My whole past is completely shredded and gone.”

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JUDGE DWAYNE WOODRUFF, the Court of Common Pleas’ Supervising Family Court judge, of Corry Sanders: “Corry Sanders is the best ‘comeback’ example that I can give to youth who are adjudicated in my courtroom. Sanders’ story shows kids that they don’t have to let the mistakes of their youth determine their future. Like Sanders, they can get on the right path, work hard, and be a leader in their family, church and community. (Photo by Harry Funk/The South Hills Almanac)

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Wilkinsburg Mayor Marita Garrett receives 2020 Governor’s Award

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

WILKINSBURG MAYOR MARITA GARRETT was named a New Pittsburgh Courier “Woman of Excellence” in 2018.

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Wilkinsburg Mayor Marita Garrett was a recipient of Governor Tom Wolf ’s annual “Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence.”

Mayor Garrett was recognized for her efforts the past five years working with her colleagues, community members and officials from all government levels to spur economic development and community revitalization to create positive change, according to a news release from the state dated Oct. 26.

Examples of Mayor Garrett’s vision for Wilkinsburg, the release said, include the Hunter Building Redevelopment Project, the largest commercial property in the business district, the creation of a Blight & Capital Planning Committee, and founding Civically Inc., a nonprofit that focuses on civic and social literacy to install self-reliance.

Mayor Garrett told the Courier in an article published in January 2018 that she decided to get into politics after not “seeing any progress or anything happening in the borough” of Wilkinsburg. She had lived in Wilkinsburg for three years at the time, and decided to run for a seat on the Wilkinsburg Borough Council. She was elected, officially taking office in 2014.

In 2017, she defeated three Democratic contenders to capture the Democratic nomination for mayor. And in Democratic-heavy Allegheny County, she easily cruised to victory in the November 2017 election.

Mayor Garrett is part of the new wave of Black women winning political races in the region.

Summer Lee, a Woodland Hills High School graduate, became state House member of the 34th

District in 2018, while Chardae Jones took the Braddock mayoral seat in 2019.

“Her zeal for finding allies outside Wilkinsburg to partner with, her dexterity, her command of a room, and to keep everybody on target when we’re communicating so we don’t digress into other things, that’s what I think we’re going to gain from her,” said Wilkinsburg Council member Michael Rose about Mayor

Garrett at her Jan. 2018 swearing-in.

Of the 10 individuals honored by the Governor’s office for the awards, Mayor Garrett was the only political figure recognized from Allegheny County. No one was recognized from any other county in Western Pennsylvania except Lawrence County, where commissioner Dan Vogler was recognized for his dedication to public service.

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MICHELLE KENNEY, right, the mother of Antwon Rose II, among those at the event.

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DOMINIQUE A. BROWN, NINA MOULTRIE (Photos by Ashley G. Woodson)

‘Walk For Peace’ unites Pittsburgh-area mothers MOTHERS FROM A1

the hearts of a lot of family members, mothers and children,” Kyte said. “In addition, it gives the mothers’ children a platform to express their hurt and pain.

Hopefully, when we how much pain we cause each other, we’ll realize that we wouldn’t want to repeat these acts.”

Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis is a scholar, artist and activist from the Hill District and the founder of Black Politics Matter, a civic education and engagement organization that focuses on turning pain into political power. She came out to the Walk For Peace to support, among others, Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose II. Rose, 17, was shot and killed by an East Pittsburgh police officer in June 2018.

“I knew it was important to stand in the gap for family members plagued by violence,” Dr. Ellis told the Courier. “The kind of violence that gets prayer vigils, thoughts and prayers but very little action and accountability. My heart broke many different ways being in the presence of so

many mothers whose sons died because their prom outfit was too fly, from drivebys where bullets went astray, from petty arguments to revenge murders to more ridiculous excuses for having the audacity to take someone’s life.”

Additionally, Dr. Ellis said, “most of the stories the mothers told were still cold cases. Meaning, people in the community knew who did the killings but, you know, ‘no snitching.’

Their pain was palpable and beyond an indictment of the entire criminal justice system. As Vice Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris has explained many times, the Black American community is ‘over-policed and under-protected.’ And, sadly, what unites the bad cops and the criminals in our communities is the blue wall of silence and the no snitching rule. It leaves a ravine so wide these mothers’ tears could not fill them up.”

And then there was Rev. Glenn Grayson and his wife, Marsha Grayson, Esq., who were in attendance for the Walk For Peace. The Graysons lost their son,

Jeron, to gun violence. The Jeron X. Grayson Center in the Hill District was named in his honor. It’s a safe space for youth in the community to doubly play and learn.

“I was honored to partner in the march of solidarity as parents, family members, and friends prayed, and shared reflections of love ones lost due to violence,” Marsha Grayson said. “As a parent who lost a child, it’s a pain and experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

The United March allowed us to share memories, find comfort and strength from each other. We marched as one to bring awareness and hopefully an end to violence.”

Brown added: “I want people in the community to speak up and stop being scared. I honestly feel once people start speaking up and murderers start getting caught and locked up, they’ll see that they can’t continue to get away with killing each other and destroying and killing families.”

DONNIE KYTE, right, among those at the “Walk For Peace” event in the Hill District.

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Happy 105th Birthday, Josephine Foulk!

Josephine Foulk said it best.

“This is the Lord’s doing; can’t do nothing unless the Lord says so. The Lord left me here for a reason—it is still working. I just enjoyed the entire day, thank you all so much for taking the time to share the day with Aunt Jo.” On Oct. 25, “Aunt Jo,” along with nearly 20 of her family members, celebrated her 105th birthday at Cracker Barrel and at her home, where she resides with her daughter, Joanne Thomas, and son-in-law, Vest Thomas.

The last of eight siblings, Josephine Foulk also has two granddaughters, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

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Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Sunday Mass 10:30 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 Worship Online on Facebook/YouTube www.ELPC.church Journey Worship...........8:45 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship...........11 a.m.

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Curious about Quakerism?

You Are Welcome at our Meetings for Worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue www.quaker.org/pghpamm/

JOSEPHINE FOULK, celebrating her 105th birthday on Oct. 25.

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A CELEBRATION FOR JOSEPHINE FOULK, with family and friends.

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

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Report: More than 130 Black women ran for a congressional seat in 2020 Overall, Congress is becoming more diverse

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Even before this year’s General Election, Nov. 3, The U.S. Congress was the most diverse it’s ever been.

And as you read this article, it might have gotten more diverse.

Data from the Pew Research Center revealed that when the 116th Congress convened in 2019, it had a record 116 members of color, out of 535 total congressional members (22 percent).

Mix that with an August report from Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics which revealed that at least 130 Black women had run for a congressional seat in 2020, and come January 2021, the 117th Congress could be another record-breaker for diversity.

The high-stakes presidential race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden unquestionably overshadowed the new movement of Black women wanting to take matters into their own hands in national politics.

Take Desiree Sims, for

example. The Dayton, Ohio, native graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati and Georgetown University’s Law School, in Washington D.C. She dipped her hand into politics while at Xavier, volunteering on President Barack Obama’s campaign in southwest Ohio. She since worked for two senators in D.C., before returning to reside in Dayton. Tims won the Democratic nomination in Ohio’s Primary Election, and she was pitted against Republican Mike Turner for the 10th U.S. congressional Seat from Ohio.

“I’m running for Congress because it’s time to have some much needed change… My grandfather was a sharecropper in the deep South. He migrated to Southwest Ohio in the late 1940s, and on a firstgrade education was able to climb his way to the middle class,” Tims, 32, told Ohio public radio station WYSO. “Today, when I look around and talk to my neighbors, I know people with graduate degrees who can’t climb their way to the middle class. So, I’m running for Congress

DESIREE TIMS was a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio’s 10th congressional district.

MARILYN STRICKLAND, left, was seeking a U.S. Congressional seat in the House of Representatives, from Washington State. She’s part of an upward trend of Black women seeking congressional seats. Pictured next to Strickland is Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who is part of U.S. Congress as a California senator. to bring fresh eyes, fresh visions, and the voices of the people of the Miami Valley with me to the halls of Congress as we usher in policies that will really change lives.”

Marilyn Strickland, a Black woman who formerly was the mayor of Tacoma, Washington, was running for a seat in the state’s 10th congressional district against fellow Democrat Beth Doglio.

They were looking to succeed Danny Heck.

Strickland, 58, said her decade in local politics gave her the advantage over her opponent heading into the Nov. 3 election. If Strickland were elected, she’d become the first Black woman to hold a congressional district seat not only in the state of Washington, but the entire Pacific Northwest region.

Strickland and Sims are examples of Black candidates who, if they were elected to a congressional seat in the Nov. 3 election, would replace and thus, remove a Caucasian man from Congress.

Tamika Hamilton was trying to do that in the

The more than 130 Black women cited by Rutgers University included the women who ran in a state’s Primary Election and didn’t win the nomination for the General Election. Still, it’s evident that Black women are here to stay when it comes to America’s politics.

3rd congressional district in California, but Hamilton, a Black woman, was running as a Republican in an effort to beat John Garamendi, the Democratic incumbent. An Air Force veteran, Hamilton served two tours of duty in the Middle East.

“We have to fix what’s broken in Washington (D.C.) and get away from the endless partisanship.

It’s time to restore the focus back on the people,” Hamilton said during a promotional video in February. “...I’m passionate about restoring the hope of the California dream, protecting our neighborhoods, securing the future of our next generation.”

The more than 130 Black women cited by Rutgers University included the women who ran in a state’s Primary Election and didn’t win the nomination for the General Election. Still, it’s evident that Black women are here to stay when it comes to America’s politics.

The data from Pew Research Center shows the upward trajectory of Blacks and other people of color being represented in the U.S. Congress. In

TAMIKA HAMILTON was a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from California’s 3rd congressional district.

2001, there were 61 nonWhite congressional members, including 38 African Americans. By 2011, the number had jumped to 81 non-White congressional members; 42 of them were Black. Of the current 116

non-White congressional members, 56 are Black.

The only Black Republican congressman is Tim Scott, the senator from South Carolina. The other 55 members are part of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Congress is made up of the Senate (100 members, two from each state) and the House of Representatives (435 members, varying number of members from each state). The Congress is part of the Legislative Branch of government.

Pennsylvania has 21 congressional districts.

The only Black congressman from Pennsylvania is Dwight Evans, from District 3, which encompasses several parts of Philadelphia. Black elected officials often seen in Pittsburgh, such as Ed Gainey, Jake Wheatley, Summer Lee and Austin Davis, are representatives at the state House level, which is different from the representatives that comprise Congress.

(Results from the Nov. 3 General Election were incomplete as of Courier press deadline.)

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Ford Law Career Academy aims to increase diversity in the legal profession DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 14, 2020—With the singular mission of bringing diversity to the practice of law, Ford Motor Company —with the support of its philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund, and Henry Ford Learning Institute—has developed the Ford Law Career Academy. The four-year program

ALISON NELSON is launching in two metro Detroit high schools with an innovative curriculum designed to excite, inspire and empower students

family to graduate college and the first to become a lawyer, I want this generation of children of color to be the last of the firsts.”

Ford Law Career Academy, created in cooperation with educators and Ford’s legal office, introduces students to a range of practice areas. It gives them the tools to take the first steps in developing the skills, mindset, knowledge and networking all lawyers need for success, while aiming to augment diverse representation within the field. Ford’s outside counsel will provide support through coaching, mentoring and internships.

Ford is collaborating with two charter schools serving Detroit-area youth —Henry Ford Academy and University Preparatory Academy High School —to pilot the program.

Students begin elective coursework as freshmen and progress through four years of learning that includes law theory, mock trials and field training with law firm partners.

• All-new educational concept aims to increase diversity in the law profession by making the pursuit of a legal education more appealing and welcoming to students of color • Innovative elective high school curriculum was created by Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford Learning Institute and Ford Motor Company Fund • Ford Law Career Academy pilot programs rolling out at two Detroit-area public charter schools —one later this year and another in fall 2021, with plans to scale to schools across the nation of color to explore a law career. It fills a void for a legal-themed career academy that introduces high school students to law as a profession.

“I’ve felt a responsibility to work toward diversity, inclusion and racial equality from the time I was just 8 years old, and that is the whole reason I went on to study law,” said Alison Nelson, Ford counsel and program champion.

“I know what it means to have strong mentors in my life, and I want that same experience for today’s students of color. As the proud product of Detroit public schools, the first kid in my

It culminates with a senior thesis-type project, with graduates prepared to go on to a university to pursue a formal prelaw curriculum and then law school. Henry Ford Academy is launching a slightly modified program this academic year, while University Preparatory Academy High School will launch fall 2021.

Right now, African Americans make up 13.4 percent of the U.S. population, but only 5 percent of lawyers are African American— the same as 10 years ago.

With educational achieve-

How COVID-19 has changed the way we do business forever (StatePoint)—The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed how business gets done. And when it comes to midsized and small businesses, the importance of investing in new technology, facilitating remote work and maintaining a tech-savvy workforce has never been so clear, according to a new survey.

Conducted by The Harris Poll for CIT Group Inc., a leading national bank focused on empowering businesses and personal savers, the survey of leaders of U.S. middle-market and small businesses is designed to illuminate the intersection of technology and talent.

Compared to last year’s survey, significantly more leaders today believe continuous technological investment is a business requirement.

“The resiliency and flexibility that technology can deliver businesses has been convincingly proven by COVID-19,” says David Harnisch, president of CIT’s Commercial Finance division. “Business

leaders have taken that lesson to heart and are focused on making technology a fundamental part of their ‘tomorrow thinking’.”

Most executives surveyed wish that they’d invested even more in technology over the past 12 months. In fact, more than three in four middle market executives believe investments in technology would have helped their company fare better during the pandemic. For small businesses, roughly half felt similarly.

However, there’s little question how important technology will be going forward, with the majority of respondents saying it’s crucial to future success.

Seemingly determined not to repeat the mistake of under-investing, the majority plan to invest as much or more in their business over the next 12 months as compared to the past year. Only 15 percent of small businesses say they may invest less this coming year, likely due to financial constraints resulting from the pandemic.

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“Small businesses don’t always have the financial resources that larger enterprises often enjoy,” says Ken Martin, managing director of CIT’s Small Business Solutions group. “When investments are imperative, borrowing or leasing may be the right solution to acquiring the technology needed to remain competitive.”

When it comes to these upgrades, investments that make it easier for employees to work remotely are a clear priority. Over the next 12 months, 71 percent of middle market executives and 31 percent of small business leaders who plan to invest will spend on technology that facilitates remote work.

“It’s not just a matter of convenience.

Businesses that empower employees to work remotely have a clear competitive advantage,” says Denise Menelly, CIT’s executive vice president and head of Technology and Operations.

This is a trend that’s likely here to stay.

Approximately a quarter of small businesses operating remotely expect —and want—these changes to remain permanent after COVID-19 subsides, and about 40 percent of middle market executives expect the same, with some seeing it as a means to grow the company.

However, this digital transformation puts a premium on a tech-savvy workforce able to support customers and collaborate with colleagues remotely. While many believe their current workforce has the skills to keep up, businesses are also substantially more likely than last year to say companies need to focus on hiring tech-savvy talent.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created a great deal of uncertainty for small and midsized businesses, it has in many ways clarified what’s needed to remain successful in an evolving world.

How ‘NOT’ to go BROKE gambling!

I’m on a mission to help people make good decisions with their money. This includes budgeting, saving, spending, investing and selecting the best insurance, investment, mortgage, and other financial products. In my opinion, gambling of any form is considered to be a bad financial decision—that is….unless you win. Winning is highly unpredictable and highly unlikely. The odds are stacked against you. I grew up in a family who gambles all the time. I’d be telling a lie if I said that I’ve never gambled. I’ve been watching my family gamble my entire life. I’ve done my fair share of gambling. It’s fun—when you win! I’ve won a few jackpots. I’ve also lost my shirt a time or two. I’m a student of money. I think I’ve figured this gambling thing out.

Listen up! I have insider information that will stack the deck in your favor. I’m going to teach you “a sure-fire way to leave the casino with a small fortune” and “the safest way to double your money when gambling.”

You don’t need a lucky rabbit foot. If a black cat passes you by, don’t fret, what I’m about to reveal is a sure-fire bet. You can take this advise to the bank!

What is gambling?

Gambling is a process of risking money or valuables in hopes of winning more than you’re risking. What’s the difference between investing and gambling? Investing is a process of saving money utilizing sound principles and acceptable levels of risk with the expectation to gain a reasonable return over a long period of time. Gambling is a game of chance, subjecting money to high levels of risk based more on gut than skill with the expectation of huge returns in a brief period of time. Forms of gambling

include bingo, lottery, slot machines, casinos, poker, tunk, craps, betting, horse and dog-racing, rip-offs—I mean scratch-offs etc.

Why do people gamble?

Ask any gambler and they’ll tell you that you’re more likely to lose than you are to win. People know that the odds are stacked against them. Nonetheless, gambling remains one of the most popular pastimes.

The most common defense given to justify going against the odds—“Somebody has to win, why not me?” Below are some common reasons why people gamble along with my comments: Fun/entertainment/ recreation: Some people feel that free drinks, good music, nice crowds and a gambling game of their choice are a perfect environment to mingle, meet new people, cure boredom, and an opportunity to win big money. Let’s be honest. There’s absolutely nothing recreational, entertaining or fun about losing money. I have to give credit where credit is due—casino owners are smart. Bob Stupack, former owner of Vegas World Casinos, stated, “It’s our duty to extract as much money from their pockets and send them home with a smile on their face.” Casino owners have devised an atmosphere that while you’re giggling, drinking, mingling and carrying on they’re the ones stacking chips. Have you ever looked at the architectural structure and the lavish decorating of various casinos? Who’s paying for this while continuing to turn profits for

casino owners? Losers! Casinos have an advantage known as “The house edge.” They have profit margins built in to every game you play.

Money problems: Some people gamble hoping that winning will be the quick fix they need to solve their mounting money problems. Of those who gambled in an attempt to solve their money problems, not one reported improvement. In fact, many of those surveyed revealed that they ended up losing more money gambling than what they originally owed. In other words, they further devastated their money woes.

Win and become rich: Some people believe that winning the lottery or hitting the jackpot is the only viable way for them to become rich, quit their job, and start living the good life. We hear stories about big jackpots and big lottery winners. It makes interesting news and it’s great publicity for the gaming institutions. What’s lost in the headlines is that for every big winner, there are 40 million or more losers. If I could convince 40 million people to give me one dollar I’d be more than happy to give one happy deserving winner one million dollars knowing it’d garner major media attention giving millions of other individuals false hope that the next winner could be them. Sadly, of those who win tens of hundreds or thousands of dollars, it’s not uncommon for them to gamble the entire winnings away chasing more money. Of those who win millions of

dollars, the bankruptcy rate and divorce rate among them is staggering—upward of 60 percent.

I wooed you to read this column telling you that I was going to share ideas on “How not to go broke gambling.” The obvious answer is NOT to gamble at all. I know that you’re going to do what you want to do. Me too. Below is some advice I hope will help you: • Cut your losses—You cannot control how much you win but you can control how much you lose. Set a maximum dollar amount that you’re going to gamble with and stick to it. If you don’t, you’ll more than likely experience this painful emotion called regret.

• Don’t gamble with the rent money—You may be tempted to try your luck with money earmarked for bills in an attempt to win the bill money back and win some extra money for personal use. Don’t! There’s a 100 percent chance that the bill collector is coming for his money. There’s a slim chance that you’ll win. Don’t risk utilities being terminated, car being repossessed or your being evicted from your home.

• There’s only one sure-fire way to leave the casino with a small fortune—You have to go there with a large one •The safest way to double your money gambling is to fold it and put it in your pocket.

• Understand opportunity cost—If you were to invest $200 per month instead of gambling over 30 years—you’ll have $452,097 each and every time.

Remember, the money you take to Vegas, stays in Vegas!

(Money Coach Damon Carr can be reached @ 412216-1013 or visit his website @ www.damonmoneycoach.com)

BUSINESS

B2 NOVEMEBER 4-10, 2020

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Nielsen ratings Black exec sues corporation charging discrimination by the Chicago Crusader For New Pittsburgh Courier

For the past decade, Nielsen Holdings has produced a series of annual reports, Nielsen’s Diverse Intelligence Series, highlighting a comprehensive collection of insights and the buying power of U.S. multicultural consumers compiled from the company’s multiple measurement verticals spanning from retail to entertainment.

Cheryl Grace, Nielsen’s Senior Vice President of U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement, the founder of the series, has been the company’s spokesperson for the company’s campaign, particularly the report focused on African American consumers.

Grace has raised U.S. awareness about Nielsen and its reliance on real people to share what they buy, watch and listen to.

Before there was a Black Lives Matter movement, Grace and her diverse team and diverse agencies were presenting Nielsen’s data to multicultural audiences with a simple “You Matter” message.

Nielsen’s reliance upon everyday consumers, including multicultural shoppers and viewers, is significant because it is how the company can confidently and successfully sell representative insights to its roster of multi-billion-dollar clients which includes manufacturers, retailers, broadcasters and advertisers.

On Wednesday, October 28, Grace filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois against Nielsen, charging the 97-year-old global company with discrimination.

According to Grace’s claim, despite numerous efforts over the years to advance beyond a senior vice president role, which she’s held for 13 out of her CHERYL GRACE 16 years with the company, Nielsen has failed to promote her in spite of her high performance.

Instead, the suit alleges, her courageous internal conversations and written correspondences about race and career advancement with a number of the company’s C-suite executives, including its CEO, have led to Grace being marginalized, and subjected to a hostile work environment.

Grace is one of the few executives of color who has remained at the company for more than a decade. When it comes to senior executives of color, Nielsen has been a revolving door; often opting to import senior-level talent rather than develop a strong front line from within.

Grace’s lawsuit comes on the eve of Nielsen announcing the name of its spin-off consumer market research unit and just weeks after the unit announced its new company’s world headquarters would be located in Chicago, where Grace resides, and has long-term business connections.

The lawsuit also comes less than a week after Nielsen released its 10th version of the popular Black consumer report, “The Power of Black Community—From Moment to Movement.” In the press release distributed last week with the release of the report, Grace is quoted as saying: “African Americans are calling out systemic racism…”

Nielsen’s corporate clients have leaned into the report and used the information to drive their bottom line. The Black community has also embraced the reports.

Black-owned media companies, HBCU college presidents, civic and social justice organizations and professional associations use the reports’ insights to increase their advertising dollars, secure funding for innovative programs, address poverty and injustices, and to fund training and enrichment programs aimed at nurturing and developing the next generation of Black leaders.

Leaders of several prominent nonprofits say they are disappointed about the turn of events at Nielsen and express dismay that the company—especially given the current climate of social unrest—does not practice what it preaches. Nielsen, they say, should be a leader in the diversity, equity and inclusion space and they are encouraging the company to get its internal house in order.

“Cheryl Grace is a very visible and highly respected Black woman, most widely known in nonprofit and business circles across the nation as the face of Nielsen,” said Attorney Janice Mathis, executive director of the Washington-based National Council of Negro Women, Inc. “But beyond being a corporate spokesperson she has become a trusted voice in the African American community. We need Nielsen to understand that the climate of trust this Black woman has created for their brand is in jeopardy. It raises a troubling and significant issue that the person most responsible for publicizing Nielsen’s commitment to inclusion is now herself charging unfair treatment at the hands of the company where she has been employed for 16 years. If Nielsen’s biggest cheerleader is not cheering for them anymore, what can the Black community and women’s groups expect from Nielsen? To be credible about diversity and inclusion, Nielsen must be prepared to walk the walk that it espouses externally.”

Dr. Charles Steele Jr., president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the organization co-founded and first led by Dr. Martin Luther Jr., said the Atlanta-based social justice organization will pursue a meeting with the CEO and Nielsen board to obtain a better understanding of what is happening inside Nielsen, following a practice of the principles used by Dr. King.

“We cannot tolerate this, and we won’t tolerate this,” Dr. Steele said. “We will ask for a seat at the table to talk to the parties involved about this narrow mindedness and blatant form of racism towards Ms. Grace, who has been exemplary in the public domain representing Nielsen to the point where there are people standing in line trying to emulate Ms. Grace, because they see her as one of the role models, and for her to be treated like this is evidence of the systemic racism that continues in many of our corporations.”

Dr. Steele said the Grace versus Nielsen case is a vivid example that people of color cannot rest on their laurels thinking that Dr. King’s dream for an America where people are not judged by the color of their skin has been achieved.

“We interpreted and perceived that Nielsen would be legitimate in terms of fairness,” Dr. Steele said. “But ultimately, at the end, after working with them for so many years and trusting them, because of the work and credibility of Ms. Grace, they seem to be an organization devoid of fairness. This is a slap in the face, and we must weed out this form of racism so we can achieve Dr. King’s dream.”

THE VETERANS that Wells Fargo hires embody the L.D.R.S.H.I.P philosophy: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage to persevere with a company through tough times. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

Military veterans find plenty of opportunities at Wells Fargo

by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—In a recent interview with BlackPressUSA, Le Nette Rutledge, the head of Military Talent Programs at Wells Fargo, shared her perspective about being a military veteran now serving in the ranks of corporate America.

When asked what gets her up each morning, Rutledge responded, “I coined a new phrase, ‘optimistic tenacity,’” Rutledge revealed during an interview with BlackPressUSA. Optimistic tenacity is the quality/ trait of maintaining hope for the future while being unrelenting about what it takes to achieve that future.”

To continue the theme of unrelenting, Wells Fargo continues to advance its commitment to the armed forces. The company maintains its goal of gainfully employing members of the military community.

This commitment models the value the bank places on the leadership, discipline, and skills that veterans gain through their dedicated service to America.

As Veterans Day approaches, Black Press USA chatted with Rutledge and other service members who are thriving in their careers at Wells Fargo.

Since Rutledge, a Navy veteran, joined the bank in 2009, Wells Fargo has increased its infrastructure to include recruitment, engagement, development and retention of military talent within Wells Fargo by incorporating two teams who are solely dedicated to this work: the Military Talent Programs team and Military Strategic Sourcing team for a total of more than 20 roles within the organization that focus on cultivating an environment where military employees can succeed and grow with the company.

The bank updated their job descriptions to make them more military-friendly and initiated a new program called “Boots to Banking” career boot camp for veteran jobs seekers and hiring event for several lines of business at Wells Fargo.

Rutledge enlisted in the Navy just before the country was called to serve in the Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) in the early 1990s.

Business Initiatives Analyst Tara Siddiq enlisted at 17 after having both parents sign permission slips, while colleague and Regional Bank Branch Manager Robert Taylor was 18 when he joined the Army.

Wesley “Wes” Griffin, Business Support Consultant, was also 18 when he enlisted into the Navy under the delayed entry program. “[The desire to serve] was something that stayed with me,” Rutledge proclaimed, noting that she had earned a four-year college scholarship after graduating high school.

However, after one year, she

sought to join the Army, only to enlist in the Navy because the recruiter “was friendly and professional.”

Siddiq said she joined for the travel experience and the need for money to attend college.

Taylor followed his father’s footsteps by enlisting into the Army, and Griffin admitted his enlistment was mainly to pay for college.

Each recalled their first days of military service.

“My mom wanted to make sure that I had everything I needed, and the Navy gave us a list of things to pack,” Rutledge recalled.

“It was two minutes before midnight, and this rather petite company commander stood up with this southern drawl and told us to put our bags on the table. She said, ‘we are taking your bags and belongings and shipping them back home.’”

Siddiq recalled the calmness of her bus ride to basic training. “Everyone was polite, and the drill sergeants were on the bus with us, but they were so quiet, you could barely notice them,” she remarked.

“As soon as we pulled up to the company headquarters, the drill sergeants went bananas. They started yelling at us to get off the bus. They were throwing our bags in all our faces. I remember thinking, ‘That escalated quickly.’”

Remembered Taylor: “They tried breaking undisciplined civilians in an attempt to turn them into soldiers. But I had no problem adapting due to my upbringing. My father was a retired Army member and was strict but fair. He was firm but also fun. He taught me to respect others and how to earn respect. I loved that all of my soldiers were able to come to me for anything and that my door was always open.”

Griffin noted that his trip to boot camp marked the first time he flew across the country—from Richmond, VA to San Diego.

“Upon arriving at basic training, it was early morning, and we disembarked the bus, we lined up, and we made our way into a warehouse building that was lined with open top tables,” Griffin said.

“We began to take all of our possessions and pack them into a box to ship back home. It quickly turned from an early morning coolness to hot, dry heat. The in-processing began, as we continued to uniform issues, medical evaluation, immunization, and ultimately, to the barbershop.”

The history of the military reveals that African Americans were not fully welcomed to serve along white brothers and sisters in arms.

“Thankfully that changed quite a bit over time. The branch though that I chose was the last to desegregate, the Navy. I couldn’t help but wonder what implications might be associated with that history. But, I jumped in anyway,” says Rutledge.

“It was as unsettling as I expected,” Rutledge remembered. “It

wasn’t a matter of race while living in the barracks. It was about helping one another to survive.”

Siddiq said the military “exposed me to so many different cultures,” but Taylor and Griffin had far different experiences.

“There were countless times that I had to overcome the stereotype that is automatically placed on me as an African American,” Taylor said.

“When I started my career in the military, I had to prove to everyone that I was someone they can trust.”

Griffin recounted feeling isolated, home-sick and, at times, alone.

“The journey from the South to California opened my eyes that the world was not simply Black and white,” he stated.

“My company commanders were both from the Philippines, and many of my fellow recruits were from the Midwest, so their experiences were much different than mine.”

While Rutledge began her career at Wells Fargo in 2009, Siddiq started hers in 2018, and Griffin joined Wells Fargo in 2018 following his military retirement. Taylor began in 2019.

“It was really interesting when I came to Wells Fargo because I had just been displaced from another position and I was focused on things that were lacking during my period of unemployment,” Rutledge stated.

“In comparison to other employers with whom I’ve worked, what stands out for me the most is how Wells Fargo’s veteran resources have ramped up tremendously. They were off to a decent start when I joined the company. But, they were nowhere near what they are today. The resources, benefits and opportunities to grow and develop are among the best in the financial industry as evidenced

by Wells Fargo being awarded a gold-designation for the 2020 Military-Friendly® Employers. I’ve had an opportunity to take assignments that are parallel and promotions.

These assignments allowed me to gain a vast perspective of this organization and the financial industry.”

Siddiq, who first worked as an intern in the company’s VET Internship Program, also has enjoyed the Wells Fargo experience.

“Eventually, I found a job at Wells Fargo that I love, supporting military programs like the one I participated in. I like to call it a full circle moment,” Siddiq said.

Taylor graduated from the company’s Branch Manager Military Apprentice Program this year.

“It was a long road to get to this point,” he proclaimed. “The program was challenging but allowed me to do something I have always wanted to do, which was work in finance.

Wells Fargo has been a great place for me to work so far, and where I sit, the future is looking promising for the company if they stay on the course they have set.”

(Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent)

Ford Law Career Academy to increase diversity FORD LAW FROM B1

ment directly correlated to economic empowerment, rounding the curve to improve economic status amongst African American communities has only gotten harder.

“Our team wants to change that,” said Nelson. “As this country works through a long overdue reckoning on race, we believe now is the time to act, as the law is where so much of real change happens. Ford is aiming to make the law accessible, representative and welcoming to kids of color who may never have thought entering this field and

working to be a changemaker was really an option.”

By creating greater access to law-related educational opportunities, Ford Law Career Academy is engaging in the ongoing fight for racial and social justice. Putting students of color on a path to economic empowerment will lower barriers to entry across the professional spectrum and lead to a more just society for all. Encouraging these students to become interested in and passionate about the law will fundamentally change the practice at all levels. More diverse racial, ethnic and cultural perspectives will en-

sure all voices are heard and that the Black experience in America will matter in the eyes of the law.

This pilot program is not the end goal. Ford is already working to identify additional high schools across the country to scale and replicate the program, with the goal of having a national presence as quickly as possible.

“I want students of color to pursue the law profession,” said Nelson. “I want to see more of us influencing the law and improving communities through representation and inclusion. I want to help make that change. We should all want to.”

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Guest Commentary

Black rappers ain’t Black leaders

by Michael Coard Kanye West said, “I like Trump.” He also said, “I love this guy [Trump].” In addition, he said, “When I put on this ...

[MAGA] hat, it made me feel like Superman.”

And about a week ago, Trump’s senior adviser tweeted that Ice Cube, using his so-called “Contract With Black America,” is collaborating with Trump on his so-called “Platinum Plan” that miraculously is supposed to inject a half a trillion (that’s trillion with a “t”) dollars into the Black community.

But neither Kanye nor Cube is a Black leader. And neither one’s opinion should be taken seriously by the Black masses. And that’s primarily (albeit not exclusively) because they’re mere rappers. Allow me to explain.

Black rappers are not Black leaders. And generally speaking, neither are Black athletes, Black singers, Black actors, or any other Black celebrities. In other words, White rappers, White athletes, White singers, White actors, and other White celebrities aren’t considered White leaders by White people, are they? White folks have White elected officials and White political organizers and White civic authorities and White respected scholars and the like as their leaders, so why should Black folks have anything less?

Allow me to quote Brother Malcolm X who in 1963 profoundly stated, “Show me in the White community where a singer is a White leader or a dancer ... is a White leader. These [Blacks who were mentioned earlier in the speech] aren’t leaders. These are puppets and clowns that have been set up over the Black community by the White community and ... usually say exactly what they know that the White man wants to hear.”

And as pointed out this year by Milca Pierre in an article published at revolt.tv, “In 1973, journalist Tony Brown hosted a ‘Black Journal’ television special featuring the time’s most prominent Black leaders. Audiences were tuned into a roundtable that included thought leaders such as Kwame Ture, formerly known as Stokely Carmichael, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Angela Davis. Other voices included politicians such as Congressman Louis Stokes, then of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton, while organizations such as the National Business League, National Urban League and NAACP were represented by Berkeley G. Burrell and James D. Williams, respectively.”

Pierre’s phrase “thought leader” is a perfect one because it includes the essential prerequisite for Black leadership, which is thought—i.e.,“thinking.” And thinking, for Black leaders, means reading, researching, studying, analyzing, synthesizing and articulating for the purpose of formally or informally organizing to fight for Black liberation, justice and equity. Although that doesn’t necessarily mean that a Black leader has to be a nerdy bookworm and powerful orator combined, it does mean knowing what you’re talking about.

How does a Black person become a Black leader (meaning a Black “thought leader”)? Well, first of all, any of us can become a Black leader. And by anyone, I mean everyone—including rappers, athletes, singers, actors, and other celebrities. But they gotta “put in work” by reading, researching, studying, analyzing, synthesizing and articulating for the purpose of formally or informally organizing to fight for Black liberation, justice and equity.

That means they gotta know the names of all, most, or at least some key people and also know what those people said and did (even if they don’t necessarily agree with everything those people said and did). And if they don’t know about those people, they must be willing to learn.

The list (which is a partial one due to the space constraints of this article) of those people includes the following ancestors and the following elders.

Ancestors: Yaa Asantewaa, Ella Baker, James Baldwin, Julian Bond, Shirley Chisholm, Septima Poinsette Clark, John Conyers, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Fannie Lou Hamer, Fred Hampton, Hannibal, Dorothy Height, Imhotep, Sundiata Keita, Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Mansa Musa, Nefertiti, Huey Newton, Queen Nanny, Gabriel Prosser, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, C. Delores Tucker, Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey, Ida B. Wells, Malcolm X, Shaka Zulu, and others.

Elders: Mumia Abu-Jamal, Angela Davis, Louis Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson, Assata Shakur, Bryan Stevenson, Maxine Waters, Cornel West, and others.

I’m not saying all Black rappers, Black athletes, Black singers, Black actors, and other Black celebrities shouldn’t speak as leaders about Black issues. After all, there are some who have “put in work” by reading, researching, studying, analyzing, synthesizing, and articulating for the purpose of formally or informally organizing to fight for Black liberation, justice and equity.

Those persons include, for example, the likes of Chuck D, J. Cole, Talib Kweli, Janelle Monae, Colin Kaepernick, Harry Belafonte, etc. in the present and the likes of Gil Scott-Heron, Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, etc. in the past.

Therefore, in conclusion, I must make it quite clear that I am not saying all Black rappers, Black athletes, Black singers, Black actors and other Black celebrities shouldn’t speak as leaders about Black issues. I’m simply saying to them what my grandmother used to say to us know-it-all kids: “Sit yo ass down and learn sumthin’ before you stand up and say sumthin.”

Especially Kanye.

(Michael Coard, can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well as at AvengingTheAncestors.com.)

Founded 1910

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher Allison Palm

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

NOVEMBER 4-10, 2020

B3

The squeaky wheel TriceEdneyWire.com—An old axiom states that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” In other words, no one knows, cares, or does anything about your pain or discomfort unless you are courageous enough to identify it. Weekly, I’m privileged to share my discomfort and the added benefit of sharing how I propose to deal with certain challenges. I find that being straightforward is an opportunity that many neither have nor really want.

Occasionally, I’m blessed with great appreciation for the character and generosity of others. Their behavior affords me the luxury of viewing my world through the lens of positivity for the betterment of humankind. They go beyond the call of duty to demonstrate selfless concerns and a spirit of hope with the endeavors they perform for the benefit of others.

For two WNBA seasons, Maya Moore, of the Minnesota Lynx, left basketball to concentrate her efforts on releasing Jonathan Irons, a convicted Missouri man serving a 50-year sentence for burglary and assault. Introduced to Irons through a prison ministry, Moore believes that Irons, as a 16-year old, was wrongly convicted. Like many others, Irons was convicted without physical or DNA evidence. At 39, he’s only 23 years through a 50-year sentence. Moore states, “There are seasons of life when you run harder after certain things than others. And so, I felt like the season was coming for me where I needed to run harder after criminal justice reform.”

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary Members of major league sports have begun to use their voices and platforms to advocate for social justice. Although it took the deaths of several African Americans (George Floyd in Minnesota, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, Jacob Blake in Wisconsin — shot in the back in front of his three children, Rayshard Brooks in Georgia, Walter Wallace Jr. in Philadelphia all just in 2020), to demonstrate violent, systemic racism, professional athletes have embraced the cause of justice in law enforcement.

I must mention Coach Doc Rivers for his moving remarks supporting athletes saying, “It’s amazing why we keep loving this country, and this country does not love us back.” That statement encouraged many athletes to take action. I take great pride in the commitment of our athletes and their participation in reshaping a variety of our cultural norms and imperatives. I commend Lebron James who, without question, was the greatest catalyst for challenging so many athletes to leave their comfortable circumstances to realize they could

have been any of the above-mentioned tragedies.

LeBron’s actions didn’t begin with these 2020 tragedies. He has always stepped out to help his community.

He’s helped build transitional housing for homeless families and those struggling for a safe environment in which to live. He’s given resources for establishing a school for at risk students in his hometown. His foundation pays for services and programs students would not otherwise have.

LeBron is not new to social justice, and he is a blessing to our community. He’s an in-person presence for causes he supports, and his social media outreach is so massive that those wishing to silence him are overwhelmed.

After seeing the worst of the “Rapper” community in the weeks preceding the November election, along came Common who joined the athletes and spoke up with intelligence not always common among rappers.

We hear many well-deserved comments about Black women and our work related to voting, but many Black men also emerged to drownout the voices of traitors. Lebron James, Doc Rivers, Common, Barack Obama, Stephen A. Smith, and Chris Webber have made us proud with their stepping-up in both social justice and voting arenas. I pray that this coalition will stay together to resolve the challenges which will remain after our election.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of the National Congress of Black Women.)

GOP gets court backing in suppressing the vote in battleground states (NNPA)—Voter suppression and intimidation tactics have left little doubt about the urgency Democrats have to not only win the White House but to maintain control of Congress and retake the Senate.

In what has routinely been coy attempts to suppress voter turnout and to discourage African Americans and other minorities from voting, Republicans are now overt in their schemes to unfairly gain advantages and alter the outcome of America’s elections.

And, after the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court following a record number of federal judiciary appointments by President Donald Trump, most say the vote has never been more crucial.

“Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a furious struggle over voting rights. In almost every instance, Democrats are trying to make it easier for Americans to cast ballots, and Republicans are trying to make it harder,” The New York Times reported on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.

Much of the fight involves voting by mail, which many people would prefer to do this year, to minimize their risk of contracting the coronavirus at a polling place, The Times editorial team wrote in a newsletter.

Lawyers have already filed more than 300 lawsuits across 44 states over pandemic-related voting issues. The most critical cases are in the battleground states on which the presidential election or Senate control could hinge.

In Pennsylvania, Republicans have appealed to the Supreme Court to reverse an order allowing the counting of mail ballots that

Stacy M. Brown

Commentary arrive three days after Election Day. In North Carolina, the Trump campaign, with the assistance of the Republican Party, is still seeking the state’s highest court’s intervention in a rule that extends the deadline for receiving mail in ballots to November 12.

In Wisconsin, five Republican-appointed justices on the Supreme Court ruled in favor of GOP officials to mandate that ballots arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day; otherwise, they won’t be counted.

Lawsuits also persist in Nevada, Texas, and in Michigan, where a conservative judge on Tuesday, October 27, overturned an order by the Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and ruled that people could carry unconcealed guns at polling places on Election Day. According to the New York Times, Democrats continue to argue that protecting people’s right to vote should be the top priority during a national crisis.

“Americans need the reassurance that the integrity of the democratic process will be protected and free of voter suppression and intimidation,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson wrote in an email to Black Press USA. “That is why the NAACP will con-

tinue to be relentless in our efforts to empower Black communities across the country in the final days of this election year to ensure that our voices are heard, and our vote moves America forward.”

Since August, the NAACP has led its Black Voices Change Lives campaign to mobilize Black American voters across the country, especially in key battleground states, Johnson added.

“The NAACP has also invested seven-figures in ad campaigns to reach the Black community and encourage people to register, get educated, and plan to vote this November,” Johnson continued.

Kris Parker, an attorney and political consultant who worked as a Field Organizer for Barack Obama in 2008 and a Regional Director in 2012, remarked that the GOP has actively orchestrated a well-calculated comprehensive voter-suppression agenda that involves Republican leaders at the federal, state, and local level.

“The absolute and unequivocal intent of their actions is to suppress voter turnout. When you consider the President’s repeated undermining of mail-in-voting with his administration’s dismantling of the Post Office, along with the actions by state leaders to limit ballot drop-off locations; it becomes painfully clear that the Republican party is shamelessly and openly attempting to make it more difficult for people to vote during a worldwide pandemic,” Parker exclaimed.

“These coordinated efforts will almost certainly affect the turnout and could very well affect the outcomes in elections with razor-thin margins.”

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NOVEMBER 4-10, 2020

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7 0 8 SENIOR ACOUSTIC MODELING ENGINEER Medallia, Inc. has following opportunities in Pittsburgh, PA: Senior Acoustic Modeling Engineer: Develop novel algorithms and modeling techniques to advance state of the art acoustic models for highly accurate hardware-accelerated speech recognition products. To apply, mail resumes and ref. job title to L. Schwind, Medallia, Inc. 575 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94501.

Background checks required.

WALGREENS Add more care to your career at Walgreens!

Now Hiring Customer Service Associates, Pharmacy technicians, Shift Leaders www.walgreens.jobs HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER PITTSBURGH VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST Habitat Pittsburgh is a nonprofit that provides decent, affordable homeownership and home repairs to families in need. Our mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

We are seeking a Volunteer Engagement Specialist to coordinate our robust volunteer workforce and develop new partnerships with local organization. Find out more at habitatpittsburgh.org. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to employment@habitatpittsburgh.org

by November 30, 2020

PROPERTY MANAGER HUD / SECTION 8 PITTSBURGH, PA (N. SIDE) Arbors Management Inc. is hiring for an experienced HUD / Section 8 Property Manager for a 100 unit building on the N. Side of Pittsburgh.

Responsibilities include: •Tenant screening & rent collection •Apartment Inspections •Budgeting •HUD compliance and paperwork •Staff management •Logging maintenance requests Qualifications: • HS Diploma or equivalent • 2+ years experience in HUD or Section 8 housing • Great people skills • Drivers License and personal vehicle •PA Real Estate Salesperson license (or ability to obtain it within 6 months of hire) TO APPLY -please email your resume to brettw@arbors.com OR apply online at www.arbors.com under our “Career” section.

INVESTIGATOR for criminal defense of indigent in federal court. Assist attorneys by investigating cases, locating and interviewing victims, witnesses and law enforcement, gather documents, use software and equipment, and serve subpoenas; recreate crime scenes, prepare oral and written reports and testify. Experience with social work or developing mitigation evidence is helpful. HS grad or equivalent. Must have 5 yrs work exp, with 2 years in criminal investigations or information gathering. Computer knowledge required. Spanish uen cy preferred. Valid driver’s license and auto insurance required. Submit a letter of interest and resume in one Adobe document by 11/17 to paw_employment@fd.org; using the subject line: “INV-2021-02.” No phone calls.

EOE. See full ad at http://paw.fd.org/pdf/2021-02-TINV.pdf.

FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES SHIFT SUPERVISOR Minimum Salary: $70,000. Salary commensurate with experience. Responsibilities include supervision of maintenance/ custodial staff, purchasing, training, & payroll. Primarily a 2nd shift position.

For more details, refer to posting in the Applitrack system. Persons interested in this position should submit their application by 11:59 p.m., 11/9/20, through the online application system at the following link: https://www.applitrack. com/fcasd/onlineapp/.

EOE

DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL AUDIT Port Authority is seeking a Director of Internal Audit to be responsible for managing the administration of all functions of Port Authority’s Internal Audit Department, including preparation, implementation, oversight and completion of Board-adopted Internal Audit Risk-Based Work Plans and supervising Internal Audit personnel.

Essential Functions: •Develops, maintains and oversees timely completion of Board-adopted Internal Audit Risk-Based Work Plans, which typically are adopted at 18-month intervals and include audits in process, required audits/ projects, audits based upon risk assessment/management request and other-directed audit activities and special projects/assignments.

•Recommends improvement of management controls to safeguard Authority assets/resources, advise in the effective and efficient use of same, promote Authority success, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Authorizes the presentation, publication and distribution of completed audit reports in consultation with the Chief Legal fficer.

Job requirements include: •BA/Bs degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or directly related field.

•Minimum of eight (8) years Internal Auditing experience with a large to mid-sized private or government internal audit department, with experience to include performing performance auditing.

Minimum of five (5) years supervisory experience.

•Must have ability to travel to various Port Authority locations and out of town overnight for some audits and/or to serve on UCP Appeals Committee.

•Effective and professional communication skills, •Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel.

Preferred attributes: Masters degree in a financial relat ed field.

•CIA/CPA/CFE Certification.

•Experience with a private or public transportation external or internal audit functions.

•Experience utilizing auditing software.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. nter ested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:

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Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

INFECTIOUS DISEASE PHYSICIAN University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks an Infectious Disease Physician to work in Pittsburgh, PA (Allegheny county). Treat patients with infectious and communicable diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites; diagnose and treat infections affecting all organs; provide care for a variety of patients in the hospital setting; round on the Transplant Infectious Diseases or Telemedicine Infectious Diseases services daily. Must have a M.D. or equivalent; completion of residency in Internal Medicine; completion of fellowship in Infectious Disease and fellowship in Transplant Infectious Diseases must be Board certified or eligible for certification in nfec tious Disease; must have valid PA medical license or eligibility for licensure. Telecommuting permissible. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 200002DK in the “Search Keyword/Job ID” field and click Go. EOE/Disability/Veteran.

OUTREACH/SUCCESS ADVISOR, OUTREACH/SUCCESS COORDINATOR – MILITARY FOCUS, POLICE OFFICERS F.T. & P.T. AND HOUSEKEEPING F.T. (DAY TIME) Pittsburgh Technical College is seeking qualified applicants for the fol lowing positions: •Outreach/Success Advisor Master’s degree required •Outreach/ Success Coordinator – Military Focus Master’s degree required •Police Officers (F/T & P/T) Act training Act Certification required •Housekeeping, F.T. Day, (7:30 a.m.

– 3:00 p.m.)

2 yrs. work e perience in related field.

Must pass criminal background check.

Immediate opening at our North Fayette campus near Robinson Towne Center. Apply to www.ptcollege.edu (Employment with PTC) or www.workforptcollege.com .

EOE M/F LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Estate of MICHAEL J. KANTOR, Deceased of South Fayette Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Estate No. 02-20-04875, Glenn F. Davis, Executor, 594 Hickory Grade Road Bridgeville, PA 15017, or to TODD A FULLER, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 Estate of PATRICIA A MOORE A/K/A PATRICIA A FOLEY, Deceased of Pittsburgh Estate No. 00027 Of 2014, Thomas J Moore Adm., 210 5th Street, Pittsburgh, PA to Andrew Gross, Esq, Gross and Patterson, LLC, 707 Grant St. Suite 2340 Bldg., Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Estate of MR. JOHN DiNUNNO A/K/A GIOVANNI DiNUNNO, Deceased of 1050 Wilson Place, Coraopolis, PA 15108. Estate No. 02-20-05586, Ms, Diane DiFelice, 200 Broadway Street, Level B, Coraopolis, PA 15108, Executrix, c/o Max C. Feldman, Esquire and the Law ffices of Ma C. eldman, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108 Estate of ANNA B, WESTEHOFF Deceased of Haysville, Estate No. 05197 Of 2020, Rose Ann Schoedel Griffin oad, Sandy Lake, PA 16145, Exec or to Micheal J. Saldamarco, Esq., Attys. Sste 100, 908 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15229

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Robyn Taylor Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 RTaylor@portauthority.org EOE PSYCHIATRIST UPMC Community Medicine, Inc. seeks a Psychiatrist to work in Seneca, PA (Venango county). Evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders, chronic pain, and trauma-related injuries in an inpatient setting, including both acute and extended acute options, alongside a team of mental health professionals, including advanced practice providers, behavioral health nurses, social workers, and others; order diagnostic testing, conduct psychiatric evaluations, interpret the results, and recommend optimal treatments and remedies. Must have a M.D. or equivalent; must have completed a residency in Psychiatry; must hold a valid unrestricted PA medical license. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 200002DL in the “Search Keyword/Job ID” field and click Go. EOE/ Disability/Veteran.

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ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION BUSINESS CORPORATION Marc S. Reisman, Esq., 429 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1701, Law & Finance Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Phone: (412) 288-9200 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with respect to a corporation which has been incorporated under the provisions of the Business Corporation law of 1988. The name of the corporation is BAYENS,INC.

To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 20-11 Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority) is requesting proposals for the performance of the following service (“Contract Services”): FINANCIAL AUDIT AND PENSION PLAN AUDIT SERVICES The work under the proposed Agreement consists of performance of annual single audit and financial audits in accordance with MB s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) for fiscal years 2021, 2022 and 2023; and performance of annual audits, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, of each of Authority’s three pension plans for calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The Agreement will be for a 3-year period with the option to extend the term of the Agreement up to 2 additional years at the sole discretion of Authority.

A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) will be available on or after November 2, 2020 and can be obtained by registering at the Port Authority ebusiness website: http://ebusiness.portauthority.org and following the directions listed on the website. Please note that Proposers must register under the ebusiness category of PROFESSIONAL and/or PSAA – Pro Accounting/Auditing for this RFP. Proposers may also register in other categories for any future RFPs issued

by Port Authority. f you have specific questions regarding this RFP, please contact Fred Buckner at (412) 566-5467 or via email fbuckner@portauthority. org.

An Information Meeting for interested parties will be held at 9:30 a.m. prevailing time, November 17, 2020 via Microsoft Teams video conference and/or conference call to answer any questions regarding this RFP. To join by Microsoft Teams video conference: • http://bit.ly/RFP20-11 To join by Microsoft Teams call-in number: • 412-927-0245 United States, Pittsburgh (Toll) • Conference ID: 568 819 048# Electronic proposals must be both received, and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department through Authority’s Ebusiness website at or before 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, December 2, 2020, at http://ebusiness.portauthority.org. Proposals received or time stamped by a Purchasing and Materials Management Department representative through Authority’s Ebusiness website after the advertised time for the submission of proposals shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for award. Each Proposer shall be solely responsible for assuring that its proposal is timely received and time stamped in accordance with the requirements herein.

This Contract Services may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The proposal process and the performance of the requested services will be in accordance with guidelines and regulations of the FTA “Third Party Contracting Guidelines”, FTA Circular 4220.1F, as amended, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Port Authority of Allegheny County, in compliance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, as amended, implements positive affirmative action procedures to ensure that all Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBEs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts financed, in whole or in part, with federal funds, if any, provided under or for the proposed Agreement. In this regard, all recipients or contractors shall take all necessary and reasonable steps in accordance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, to ensure that DBEs have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services.

Port Authority of Allegheny County, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, also requires that certified Diverse Businesses, “DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontract for, the Contract Services. In this regard, all Proposers, and the Contractor, shall make good faith efforts, in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services.

Further, proposers and the Contractor shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sex, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts or subcontracts for these Contract Services Port Authority of Allegheny County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

NOTICE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE 2019 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR CDBG-CV AND ESG-CV FUNDS Notice is hereby given that Allegheny County Economic Development proposes a substantial amendment to its 2019 Annual Action Plan to incorporate additional Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CAERS Act) funding. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CV Program will receive an additional $6,145,517 and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) CV Program, will receive an additional $3,107,999 for activities that prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus.

In accordance with the Final Rule for revised program regulations, 24 CFR, Parts 91, et. al., the County intends to conduct a public hearing to obtain feedback and to discuss the proposed Substantial Amendments to the County’s Annual Action Plans. The County proposes the following activities with CDBG-CV funding: The County will hold a virtual public hearing on November 6, 2020 at 10 am via Microsoft Teams, call in number 267-368-7515, Access Code: 426332680#. Instruction for how to join the public hearing may also be obtained by visiting the County’s Website at: https://www.alleghenycounty. us/economic- development/index.aspx or calling the County at: 412-3501000. Anyone requiring special accommodations or who requires a presentation in a language other than English should contact Mr. Howard Schubel at Howard.Schubel@AlleghenyCounty.US. The public is invited to attend this meetingandprovideinputonthesubstantial amendments.

Copies of the draft Substantial Amendment to the 2019 Annual Action Plan will be on public display at https://www.alleghenycounty.us/economic-development/index.aspx from November 4 – 9, 2020. Interested persons are encouraged to express their views, in writing, on the amended FY19 AAP to the Allegheny County Economic Development; Howard Schubel, Assistant Director of Operations; One Chatham Center, 112 Washington Place Suite 900, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. All comments received by November 10, 2020 will be considered and appended to the document.

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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR ARMED AND UNARMED SECURITY FOR HIGH-RISES AND NORTHVIEW HEIGHTS WELCOME BOOTHS RFP #350-14-20 The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified irms or ndividuals capable of providing the following service s) Armed and Unarmed Security for High-rises and Northview Heights Welcome Booths RFP #350-14-20 The documents will be available no later than November 2, 2020 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 10:00 A.M. on December 1, 2020. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 10:00 AM on December 1, 2020 in the lobby of oss St. Pittsburgh, PA . Proposals may uploaded to the Authority s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HCP website and within the RFP. Sealed proposals may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at oss Street nd loor, Suite , Pittsburgh, PA .

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business pportunities page of www.HACP.org.

Questions or inquires should be directed to Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street nd loor, Suite Pittsburgh, PA 412-643-2832 A pre-submission meeting will be held via call in on November 17, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. Please see call in information below Join the audio conference by phone: United States - Washington, DC +1.202.602.1295 Access Code 598-776-271# The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - PROJECT BASED VOUCHER PROGRAM (RFP) CONTRACT NO. ACHA - 1635 The Allegheny County Housing Authority is seeking proposals from responsible property owners interested in providing e panded rental housing opportunities for low income families. Properties must be e isting housing, currently receiving Low ncome Housing Ta Credits (LIHTC) and be located in North ayette Township or indlay Township in Allegheny County. The projects must be in a census tract area with a poverty rate of less than 10% per the U.S. census bureau. The ACHA is looking for one bedroom and two bedroom units and intends to project base no more than 25 voucher units. The minimum contract term will be 15 years with a ma imum contract term of 20 years at the ACHA’s option.

The ACHA will begin to accept proposals on a one-time basis beginning Wednesday, October 28, 2020 with a closing date of riday, November 13, 2020. Any proposal received after the e piration of this application period will not be considered. nce received, each proposal will be rated for the program compliance with the goals of deconcentrating poverty, e panding housing and economic opportunities. nce reviewed the successful proposer will be notified in writing of award as well as required public notification.

Detailed Applications and selective information will be provided by request to the Ms. Kim Longwell Director, Housing Choice Voucher Program Allegheny County Housing Authority P.O. Box 397 McKees Rocks, PA 15136 412-402-2410 412-642-2392 Fax klongwell@achsng.com

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The Allegheny County Department of Human Services recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Additional apid e Housing Units for the outh Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP).

Proposals are due by 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. or more details and submission information, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/Human-Services/Resources/Doing-Business/Solicitations-(RFP/ RFQ/RFI).aspx.

Marc Cherna Director COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA on the following REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 3124 – Shredding Services Due date 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Thursday, November 12, 2020 Any proposals received after this deadline will be considered as a “late bid” and will be returned unopened to the offerer.

Proposals may require Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds, and Surety as dictated by the specifications.

No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action qual mployment pportunity mployer and encourages bids from Minority Disadvantaged owned businesses.

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SONNY BOY

African Americans in Pittsburgh show support during Joe Biden visit to Pittsburgh

Frank Aggazio Executive Director Allegheny County Housing Authority OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield ntrance Lobby, South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., , on December 08, 2020, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for Pgh. Chartiers Early Childhood Center inish loor eplacements and Miscellaneous Work General and Asbestos Abatement Prime Pgh. Perry High School CT Cosmetology elocation General, Plumbing, Mechanical, lectrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on November 02, 2020 at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700), McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 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

ALEXIS WALKER, JOENAL CASTMA, at the Joe Biden rally in Homewood, Nov. 2. (Photos by Rob Taylor Jr.)

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

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E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/ Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

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MCKENZIE TERRY, who is 8 years old, supporting Joe Biden in Homewood, Nov. 2.

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COVID-19 halts women’s workplace progress

Black familial pleas for peace: A mural in words

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Economic recovery will be a long time coming.

The Federal Reserve Bank says our corona recession will last into 2021, and perhaps even into 2022. If a vaccine is developed, a distribution plan still needs to be worked out, and there is still so much we don’t know about COVID. We do know that our economy has slowed and is only inching toward normalcy.

We know that we are experiencing a second spike, with about a thousand people dying every day. We know that our leaders have been unwilling to provide relief for those who desperately need it. And we know that families at the bottom half of the income distribution are scrambling for food, to pay rent or mortgages, and to attempt to pay for other essentials. We know that the impact of COVID is uneven and that Black folk are twice as likely to die from COVID as Whites are. We know that the Latinx population is heavily hit.

We know that cities and states are starving for resources.

Men are more likely to get COVID and die from it than women, but women are more likely to be impacted in the workplace because of COVID. From the last labor market data, 865,000 women left the labor

On August 9, 6, Philando Castile, J. Pharoah Doss 2014, Michael a 32-year-old Black Brown, a Black man, was fatally teenager, was fatalshot by a Latino ly shot by a White police officer in police officer in Saint Paul, MinneFerguson, Missouri, sota. These police and riots erupted shootings launched for a week. On Black Lives Matter August 15, Michael demonstrations Brown’s family exacross the country. pressed they didn’t want any violence, Unfortunately, the next day, July 7, five but the following day, due to looting the police officers were killed during one of night before, a state of emergency was these demonstrations in Dallas, Texas. declared.

In Saint Paul, a riot broke out, but That November the grand jury didn’t Saint Paul’s police representative statindict the officer that killed Michael ed the violence was neither endorsed Brown. NBC reported, “Violence, nor led by the local arm of the larger looting, fires and gunshots erupted.” social protest movement Black Lives Again, the Brown family asked for Matter. Castile’s mother told reportprotesters to remain peaceful. ers, “When demonstrations become In March 2015, Ferguson’s police violent, it disrespects my son’s memchief resigned due to public pressure, ory. Philando was a man of dignity but hours later two Ferguson police and peace. Please, I ask you to at all officers were shot. The Brown family times remain peaceful in your expresissued an “anti-violence statement” sions of concerns regarding his death.” condemning the shooting and rejectIn Baton Rouge a weeklong protest ing all violence aimed at law enforceturned violent and over 200 protesters ment. The Brown family, specifically, were arrested. Then on July 17, three denounced the actions of “stand-alone Baton Rouge police officers were shot agitators” who unsuccessfully attempt- and killed. Sterling’s aunt said, “We ed to derail the otherwise peaceful and don’t call for no bloodshed, that’s how non-violent Black Lives Matter moveall this started, we don’t want no more ment against police brutality. bloodshed.”

One month later, April 12, 2015, On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Black man, 46-year-old Black man, was killed by was arrested by the Baltimore police a White police officer in Minneapolis. and died on April 19 due to injuries he This time, protests and riots broke sustained while being transported in out nationwide and around the world. a police van. The momentum of the However, George Floyd’s brother told Black Lives Matter movement carried the rioters, “If his own family and blood over to Baltimore, but on April 27, after are trying to deal with it and be posiFreddie Gray’s funeral, rioting and tive about it, and go another route to looting broke out. seek justice, then why are you out here Freddie Gray’s mother went on TV tearing up your community?” and pleaded for the rioters to stop. She (But if anyone listened closely, a lot said, “I want you all to get justice for of activists indirectly said they weren’t my son, but don’t do it like this. Don’t marching for George Floyd, they were tear up the whole city just for him. marching because it was an opportuniThat’s wrong.” ty to make demands on “the system.”)

Freddie Gray’s stepfather added the Finally, on October 26, 2020, Walter entire family was “really appalled” to Wallace Jr., a 27-year-old Black man, watch Freddie Gray’s funeral “transwas shot and killed by the police in form into violence and destruction.”

Philadelphia. Rioting and looting broke (A video went viral of a Black mother out immediately and 30 police officers preventing her son from looting by were injured. Days later the governor giving him a public “whooping,” but called in the National Guard. Wallace certain Black writers were angered Jr.’s father condemned the looting. He by the praise this Baltimore mother said, “They’re not helping my family, received, because she was tragically they’re showing disrespect. Stop this teaching her son not to resist White violence and chaos.” supremacy.)

Maybe, this mural in words should be On July 5, 2016, Alton Sterling, a renamed: Black familial pleas for peace 37-year-old Black man, was fatally haven’t mattered yet. shot by a White police officer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The next day, July

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary force in September 2020, reducing the women’s labor force participation rate from 56.1 percent to 55.6 percent. This decline in labor force participation sets women back by more than 20 years when the level of women’s labor participation was also around 55 percent. The women who have dropped out of the labor force won’t quickly return because of the structural factors that have pushed women out of the labor force.

Some women have stopped working or looking for work because covid had had a deleterious effect on our educational infrastructure. Many of our schools have shifted to virtual learning because of COVID. Schools aren’t only academic centers, but also, in some ways, child care centers.

When schools are closed, someone in the family must stay home. Usually, it is the woman in a two-parent family.

In an egalitarian world, both men and women would be responsible for childcare and supervising education. We live in an unequal world, though, and women are more likely to be in charge of these things. When these are coupled with other household responsibilities that men do not equally share, women are being pushed out of the labor force.

The push isn’t equal. White women are leaving the labor force more rapidly than Black women. Only 58,000 Black women left the labor force in September, dropping our participation rate to 59.8 percent. Black women’s labor force participation has always been higher than that of White women, and though the difference has narrowed, it still exists.

And while White families will take an economic hit when White women leave the labor force, Black women may not have the luxury of leaving the workplace. First, proportionately more Black women are single moms, the sole source of family income.

Further, more Black women are front line essential workers, medical support staffers, who can’t work from home, and don’t have the savings to stop working.

The unequal impact on women creates an unequal effect on children, who have been utterly ignored or treated as pawns in the middle of this pandemic. Open the schools, urge some. Keep them closed for safety’s sake, urge others. Parents with money hire tutors and create “pods” with a few other children so that they don’t fall behind. Those who lack those means will find their children left behind with no mitigation from a federal government who has no interest in providing the resources needed for schools to reopen safely.

Women have been set back. Children have been set back. And Black women and children are set back most of all. We have been so caught up in election drama that we’ve forgotten that COVID19 has now swallowed the workplace gains that women scrapped for. And some children find themselves more disadvantaged than they were before COVID. We often sing the song, “I believe that children are the future.” We don’t. If we did, there would be fewer women and children slipping through the cracks that COVID created.

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is a DC-based economist and author.)

Check It Out

Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner sounds ‘dog whistle’ on Fox News

By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA)—When President Donald Trump proclaimed himself the “least racist person in this room” during the second 2020 Presidential Debate, the remark raised eyebrows.

It drew chuckles among many in the African American community.

Trump, perhaps tone-deaf, wondered why.

On Monday, October 26, 2020, his son-in-law and chief advisor, Jared Kushner, uttered words that cause many to roll those eyebrows and turn the chuckles into angry faces.

Calling out African Americans in a Fox News interview, Kushner left little doubt about the Trump clan’s mindset.

“President Trump’s policies are the policies that can help people break out of the problems that they’re complaining about, but he can’t want them to be successful more than that they want to be successful.”

The allegations of Black laziness received immediate condemnation.

“So, we don’t want to be successful,” came a rebuke from Dr. Ebony Hilton, a member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Coronavirus Task Force and an associate professor of Anesthesiology in the Critical Care Anesthesia at the University of Virginia.

“I promise daily these people make me come close to needing Jesus and all the disciples to come and hold me back,” Hilton demurred.

“What’s the phrase that rhymes with ‘racist dog whistle’”? asked pop culture writer Craig Beilinson.

Democratic National Committee National Press Secretary Brandon Gassaway released a statement slamming Kushner and the Trump administration.

“According to the Trump administration, when African Americans find fault in policies that have led to historic unemployment for Black families, an explosion of racial inequities and wealth gaps, and an uncontained global pandemic that has taken the lives of over 45,000 Black Americans, it means that we just don’t want to be successful badly enough,” Gassaway retorted.

“In the eyes of this White House, demanding accountability for the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake, and countless other Black men and women who have lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement is just ‘complaining.’”

He concluded: “This dismissive approach to the issues that Black voters care about is indicative of Trump’s callousness and disregard for the lives of Black people. We cannot afford another four years of a White House that does not take our voices seriously and tells us to be grateful for whatever scraps are left over from the bargaining table.

“We need leaders who not only value our input but prioritize and act upon it. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are those leaders, and Black voters will continue to show up to the polls in record numbers to ensure that Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, and this failed administration get the message.”

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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Glenn Ellis

Commentary COVID-19: Structural racism and Black health I am glad Covid has “laid bare” structural racism and inequalities in healthcare and health for some folks. Welcome. We are happy to have you join us in the fight of our lives.

Dr. Robin Stevens (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Throughout modern U.S. medical history, official reports and statistics have documented, and confirmed, the disproportionate burden of health carried by the Black community.

Now, COVID-19 has not only brought incredible attention to myriad of chronic diseases and social determinants that lead to those health outcomes but has made clear and indisputable how systemic racism works.

For all of us in the United States, the phrase “health disparities” or “health inequities” has never been made clearer than what are seeing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black communities. For what is arguably the first time in this nation’s history, the entire country is witnessing exactly what has been historically denied the Blacks in healthcare. For generations, health disparities were thrust on us as though it was something “biologically wrong” with us.

Many of us, and the rest of America, actually believed that we were supposed to have higher rates of high blood pressure; diabetes; obesity; asthma; and many other chronic diseases that had led to societal acceptance of the rate with which we die so prematurely; without any true medical or public health intervention.

High blood pressure is one of those “Black” diseases that is not only a chronic condition itself, but also is linked to heart attacks and strokes. For Blacks, the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes is 77 percent higher than for Whites. A similar gap, with poor outcomes in equity, follows with all other chronic conditions.

It was an acceptable fact that mistrust in Blacks is something we are boing with that gets triggered by a memory or experience of an event or incident that we should “get over it, that was a long time ago!” Blacks, and mistrust were thought to be as inseparable as hand in glove. It was accepted as “fact” by many of us, and the entire healthcare system. Finally, because of COVID-19, all of America is feeling (and seeing) our pain!

For Blacks, the good news is that there is an underlying factor in these inequities that is seldom, if ever, mentioned in the scientific and medical reports that we get consistently in the media that “normalize” the notion of Blacks having higher rates of chronic diseases.

Turns out, we are the victims of an absence of a piece of vital information when it comes to understanding why we are “cursed” with so many chronic diseases that seem to affect generation after generation! Studies have shown that a term, first coined in 1993, called allostatic load is a huge factor in the unequal prevalence of chronic diseases between Whites and Blacks in this country. Allostatic load is “the wear and tear on the body” which accumulates as an individual is exposed to repeated or chronic stress.

Your brain interprets and responds to environmental challenges that we all face in our lives. It manifests as anxiety disorders, depressive illness, hostile and aggressive states, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is growing evidence that depression and hostility are both associated with chronic diseases. This plays out as a product of the risk factors associated with early childhood experiences of abuse and neglect, which in turn increases their allostatic load later in life and lead many people into social isolation, hostility, depression, and subsequently to higher rates of chronic conditions than others.

Those individuals with a history of childhood abuse suffer greater early death and sickness from a range of chronic diseases. We find the same principle in those elderly who have had a lifetime of economic hardship ending up experiencing a more rapid decline of physical and mental functioning All of this previously unknown information is a clarion call for Blacks to be vigilant in chronic disease management and pay close attention to diet, lifestyle, and primary healthcare. We all know that, “when America catches a cold, Black people get pneumonia.” Whether it’s COIVD-19; chronic diseases, HIV/AIDS, or any of the other health issues that wreak havoc on us, we’ve got to realize that only we can save ourselves, and live healthy, productive lives.

Chronic diseases represent 75 percent of all health care costs in the United States and are 60 percent of all Americans have at least one chronic disease, representing 70 percent of all deaths.

By 2030 that the total number of Americans will exceed 170 million.

Chronic diseases are linked strongly to the effects of structural racism on Blacks, but we don’t have the luxury of waiting for the system to change. We are not capable, on our own, of eliminating structural racism in our society; particularly in healthcare and medicine. What we can do is take care of ourselves as best of our abilities. Diet; lifestyle; stress management; and physical activity are things that help us all people protect their health, particularly from chronic diseases. It is even more important to be behaviors that Blacks have to pay even closer attention. There is much more to be done, as great disparities in this country in wealth, income, and education continue to plague our community.

Remember, I’m not a doctor. I just sound like one!

Take good care of yourself and live the best life possible!

The information included in this column is for educational purposes only. I do not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a replacement form of treatment for physical, mental or medical problems by your doctor either directly or indirectly.

(Glenn Ellis, MPH is a Visiting Scholar at The National Bioethics Center at Tuskegee University and a Harvard Medical School Research Bioethics Fellow.)