America’s best weekly Kathy W. Humphrey, Ph.D., inaugurated as 11th president of Carlow University Page A6
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‘A promise of a better tomorrow’
GAINEY SHOWS OFF HOMEWOOD’S BRIGHT SIDE Mayor leads community walk through the neighborhood by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Ed Gainey doesn’t have a convention center named after him, like former Pittsburgh mayor David L. Lawrence. Gainey doesn’t have his own statue standing proudly in front of City Hall, like former Pittsburgh mayor Richard Caliguiri. But no mayor in the history of Pittsburgh has enjoyed the support and backing of the city’s important African American contingent more than Gainey, and he’s just three months into the job. When Mayor Gainey announced he’d be walking the streets of Homewood on Tuesday, March 22, who knew it would turn into a near-Beatles-esque occasion, residents opening their doors to greet Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor, others yelling in admiration from their cars for the mayor, with Gainey returning the love. Aside from the rock-star status, there was a purpose to this party. Mayor
Gainey, who represented Homewood in Harrisburg during his previous years as a state representative, wanted to show the residents how invested he is in helping Homewood in all ways possible now that he leads Pittsburgh. “I understand that there are a lot of good people in Homewood, and I understand that people really care about Homewood,” Mayor Gainey told the New Pittsburgh Courier exclusively as he walked on Kelly Street, March 22. “But sometimes you need leaders to come out and say, ‘I’m with you, how do we work together to save lives.’ And this is what I’ve done my whole career. That’s never going to stop. That’s not politics for me, that’s life for me.” Previous Pittsburgh mayors have made stops in Homewood before. But this event was different. Mayor Gainey’s closest members in his cabinet joined him for the Homewood walk, inSEE GAINEY A5
A NEW DAY—Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey speaks with Homewood residents as he walked the streets of the neighborhood on March 22. A community meeting was held later that evening at Community Empowerment Association. (Photo by Rob Taylor Jr.)
A PIECE OF BLACK HISTORY SELDOM DISCUSSED
First Black quarterback in NFL history was from New Kensington Willie Thrower’s legendary achievement came in 1953 by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier
History, especially Black history, has shown us a lot of things that we weren’t taught, that were overlooked, that were hidden, that may have been forgotten or that we flat out just didn’t know. For example, how many of us didn’t know that even though Jesse Owens dominated the 1936 Berlin Olympics to the tune of four Gold medals against the so-called Aryan “master race” among
others, Adolf Hitler refused to meet or shake the hand of Owens? Sorry, Adolf, you guessed wrong on that one. Or did you know the great Nat “King” Cole was not only Natalie Cole’s father and the magnificent voice of so many classic songs like “The Christmas Song,” “Mona Lisa” and “Frosty the Snowman,” but he also hosted “The Nat ‘King’ Cole Show” on NBC in 1956? C’mon man, 1956?!?! Can SEE QUARTERBACK A7
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WILLIE THROWER, FROM NEW KENSINGTON, was the NFL’s first Black quarterback.
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MARCH 30-APRIL 5, 2022
Gospel great LaShun Pace passes away St. Louis American staff and NNPA Award-winning gospel singer LaShun Pace has passed away, her management team confirmed. She was 60 years old when she died of kidney failure on March 21, 2022, according to her family. Pace got her start performing with Grammy-nominated gospel group The Anointed Pace Sisters along with her sisters Duranice, Phyllis, June, Melonda, Dejuaii, Leslie, Latrice, and Lydia. Larry Reid of the online broadcast Larry Reid Live revealed the news via Twitter. We have lost one of the baddest sopranos to ever walk this earth,” he tweeted Monday. “LaShun Pace one of the lead singers of The Pace Sisters has passed. The Pace Sisters recently lost their sister songbird Duranice Pace and Mom Pastor Betty Pace. Pray for them and all of us who will mourn this loss.” Pace had been on dialysis for several years and was awaiting a kidney. She died of organ failure, her family said in a release. The evangelist and singer-songwriter was best known for her song “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” Born Tarrian LaShun Pace, the Atlanta native emerged on the music scene in the early ’70s as a solo act but later joined her sisters. The Anointed Pace Sisters’ albums included “It’s the Morning Time,” “In the
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LASHUN PACE Hands of God,” “U-Know, My Purpose,” “It’s Already Done,” “Return,” and “Access Granted.” Her debut album, “He Lives”—which featured her best-known song “I Know I’ve Been Changed” —reached No. 2 on Billboard’s gospel charts in 1990. In 1996, her single “Act Like You Know” became her second big hit and, in fact, became a TikTok trend in February 2022. The 2007 inductee of the Christian Hall of Fame was also known for “Right to Fight: Pride War” (2004), an album compilation “Look Up Sing Out” (2005), and video song “Bakermat ft. LaShun Pace: Ain’t Nobody.” (2021). In 2003, Pace published her autobiography, For My Good But For His Glory, in which she discussed the death of her first daughter, Xenia, who died of a heart
attack. Pace also had a brief appearance as the Angel of Mercy in the 1992 Steve Martin movie “Leap of Faith.” The nine sisters made appearances in blockbuster movies such as The Fighting Temptations with Beyoncé Knowles and Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion. Her mother, pastor Betty Ann Pace, died on July 7, 2020, after being diagnosed with stage five kidney failure in 2018. Tyler Perry, who was good friends with LaShun Pace, granted her mother’s dying wish to become a homeowner in 2018. Her sister Duranice Pace died on Jan. 14, 2021, at 62-years-old of health complications that weren’t disclosed. Pace leaves behind her daughter, Aarion Pace Rhodes.
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1870—The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified giving Blacks the right to vote. Actually, it gave Black males the right to vote. It would take the Suffrage Movement and another 50 years before women (Black and White) had full voting rights. But even in the case of Black males, the “right” to vote only lasted briefly. With the end of Reconstruction, “Jim Crow” laws were passed throughout the South, which in effect took away the right of Blacks to vote despite the Constitutional guarantee. African Americans did not achieve full voting rights in this country until the mid-1960s.
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1741—Black rebellion hysteria grips New York. A series of mysterious fires and reports of slaves plotting rebellion sweep New York. The hysteria lasts through April. Thirty-one alleged slave plotters and five White sympathizers were hanged. 1931—Cab Calloway recorded “Minnie the Moocher”—the first jazz album to sell more than one million copies. 1948—Labor leader A. Phillip Randolph issues a threat before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He declares that unless more is done to end segregation and discrimination in the military, he would launch a campaign encouraging Black youth to employ civil disobedience to resist the draft. His threat helps to bring an end to a host of discriminatory practices in the U.S. armed forces. 1980—Olympic legend Jesse Owens dies at 66 in Tucson, Ariz. Owens won four track and field gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany, embarrassing German leader Adolph Hitler and undermining his ideology of White Aryan superiority.
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by Stacy M. Brown
THE NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER PUBLISHING COMPANY
This Week In Black History A Courier Staple
Stevie Wonder’s run of genius recalled
When considering any run of music success—particularly from an alumnus of Motown Records—it’s impossible not to reminisce about Michael Jackson’s streak of brilliance with “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad.” Indeed, other artists have had their run of greatness, but none have topped the genius of Stevie Wonder, who redefined how cultural critics viewed popular music. Some 50 years ago, the Motown legend began to unleash perhaps the most incredible and spectacular compilation of music ever recorded. Over five years—from 1972 to 1976, Wonder released five albums that every other recording in history will forever be measured. Released on March 3, 1972, and with hits like “Superwoman” and “Keep on Running,” Music of My Mind proved an appetizer to an exquisite meal of records. Just months later, on October 28, Wonder put forward
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STEVIE WONDER “Talking Book,” an album that ranks No. 59 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album quickly rose to the top spot on Billboard’s R&B charts, pushed by the smash hit “Superstition.” Less than a year later, on August 3, 1973, the peerless musician revealed “Innervisions,” another timeless classic that included the chart-topping hits “Living for the City,” “Don’t You Worry about a Thing,” and “Higher Ground.” On July 22, 1974, Wonder released the fourth in the series of masterpieces, “Fulfillingness’ First Finale,” which included Minnie Riperton’s backing vocals and the Jackson Five. The singles “You Have Done Nothing” and “Boogie on Reggae Woman” grabbed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard music charts. Wonder took about two years to complete the fifth gem in his brilliant run. That arrived on September 28, 1976, with “Songs in the Key of Life,” which many have called the artist’s signature recording. No one could deny the album’s greatness with songs like “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Sir Duke,” “I Wish,” and “Love’s in Need of Love Today.” It sold over 11 million copies and landed Wonder the “Best Album” Grammy—one of 25 over his illustrious career. “1972 to 1976 weren’t just Stevie Wonder’s greatest creative years, they were the greatest creative years in music history,” asserted James Watts, the CEO of Own The Grill. “They were Rock’ n’ Roll, blues, and soul music’s last great hurrah before the advent of punk rock, and then the new wave changed everything. And Stevie Wonder was right at the forefront of that last great creative
tsunami that washed everything before, and arguably after it, away.” Watts opined that only Sly and the Family Stone’s 1971 to 1974 peak could arguably compare. “But that’s about it,” Watts insisted. According to neo-funk producer and multi-instrumentalist Farees, Wonder felt limited and constricted in 1972 by the music formats of the era. “He proceeded to fight against the limitations of the industry and then to achieve creative freedom. Free to produce his own records and to explore new formulas beyond the usual radio formats of Motown, he released a series of immense albums,” noted Farees, whose new album, “Blindsight,” counts as a political call to action set to his patented “wall of groove” production style, featuring Leo Nocentelli of legendary funk pioneers, The Meters. The album debuts in June. Farees noted that Wonder gained creative freedom after negotiating a new deal when his contract expired with Motown Records. “I think creative freedom was crucial for him at that time to obtain this level of musical greatness. Those records will last forever. No doubt about it,” Farees insisted. He added that the level of “awesomeness and visionary creativity” likely won’t occur again. “Innovation takes too much time and doesn’t produce quick bucks,” he stated. “There was a time when music was important, and people fought for it. That’s really the lesson Stevie gave us with those records. Times have changed now, but not for the better. We’re always moving in the wrong direction.”
1868—Hampton University is founded during Reconstruction in Hampton, Va. The school is now one of the leading Black educational institutions in America. 1950—Surgeon Charles Drew dies at 45 in an automobile accident near Burlington, N.C. Drew developed the concept of a blood bank for storing large amounts of plasma. Anyone who has ever received a blood transfusion is indebted to Dr. Drew. He had dedicated his life to insuring that increased scientific knowledge actually led to the betterment of human life. One of his most frequently repeated quotes: “There must always be the continuing struggle to make the increasing knowledge of the world bear fruit in [the form of] increased understanding and the production of human happiness.” 1984—Sensational, Washington, D.C., born R&B singer Marvin Gaye is shot and killed by his father during an argument. Gaye was 38—just one day short of his 39th birthday. The senior Gaye later died of pneumonia. Gaye helped to shape the sound of Motown Records in the 1960s with a string of hits, including “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, and duet recordings with Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell, later earning the titles “Prince of Motown” and “Prince of Soul.”
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1855—John Mercer Langston becomes the first African-American elected to public office when he wins the position of clerk of Brownhelm Township, in Ohio. Though not well known today, Langston was one of the foremost Black leaders of the 1800s. With the aid of his two brothers, he organized anti-slavery societies throughout Ohio. The Oberlin College graduate also became a lawyer and statesman for Black rights. After the Civil War, he organized the law department at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The town of Langston, Okla., is named in his honor. He died in 1897. 1932—World famous Black cowboy William “Bill” Picket dies on this day in Ponca, Okla., after being kicked in the head by a horse. He was 70. But during his heyday Picket was perhaps the best known and most celebrated cowboy in the world traveling with various “wild west” shows including the Millers Brothers’ Fabulous 101 Ranch. He invented the rodeo sport of bulldogging. Picket was of Black and Indian descent. 1939—Marvin Gaye is born on this day in Washington, D.C. He signs with Detroit’s Motown Records in 1962 and goes on to become one of the leading R&B male vocalists of the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, with hits ranging from the socially conscious “What’s Going On” to the sexy “Let’s Get It On.” Gaye was shot to death by his father during an argument in 1984.
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1930—Ras Tafari is proclaimed Emperor of Ethiopia—one of the only African nations to successfully resist European colonization. He is renamed Haile Selassie. Blacks in many parts of the world view him as a god-like figure. Indeed, Jamaicans form a religion in his honor. They call themselves Rastafarians. Selassie could trace his ancestry as far back as the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of the Christian Bible. 1950—Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month, dies at age 74 in Washington, D.C. 1961—Comedian-actor Eddie Murphy is born in Brooklyn, N.Y. 1968—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his powerful and prophetic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech in Memphis, Tenn. Many felt he used the speech to predict his own death. He was assassinated the very next day—at 6:01 p.m., April 4, 1968.
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1915—Muddy Waters is born McKinley Morganfield in Rolling Fork, Miss. Walters would go on to become one of the primary shapers of that genre of music known as the blues. Indeed, he was easily one of the most influential musicians of the first half of the 20th century. 1928—Poet Maya Angelou is born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Mo. Angelou now ranks as one of the greatest poets in America. But her talents have also been expressed as a playwright, author, producer, historian and civil rights activist. 1967—Civil rights legend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. formally announces his opposition to America’s war in Vietnam during a speech before the Overseas Press Club in New York City. The speech brought King even greater opposition from the federal government, especially then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. It also alienated some Black leaders who felt it was a mistake to mix domestic civil rights issues with foreign policy issues. But King charged that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” 1968—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated while standing on a hotel balcony in Memphis, Tenn., as he had embarked on a campaign to focus the Civil Rights Movement on economic and financial betterment issues for Blacks. Riots or urban rebellions broke out in over 100 U.S. cities. At least 50 people are killed as over 20,000 federal troops and 34,000 National Guardsmen are mobilized to put down the disturbances. The official finding was that a lone White gunman, James Earl Ray, was responsible for the assassination. However, suspicions remain until this day that the FBI, led by arch-conservative J. Edgar Hoover, was somehow involved in the killing.
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1856—Booker T. Washington is born a slave in Hale’s Ford, Va. He would become one of the three or four most influential leaders in all of African American history. He was one of the nation’s greatest educators, having founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. However, more progressive Black leaders became critical of him after he delivered the so-called “Atlanta Compromise” speech of 1895 in which he appeared to offer an acceptance and accommodation to American racism in exchange of greater vocational training of African Americans. 1976—The infamous COINTELPRO documents are released. In response to an accidental discovery at a warehouse and a freedom of information lawsuit, the FBI is forced to release documents detailing an intensive and extensive campaign to disrupt and destroy civil rights and anti-war organizations and their leaders. Among the documents released was a letter dated Aug. 25, 1967 which made clear that one of the campaign’s chief aims was “to expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit or otherwise neutralize the activities of Black nationalists …” But the FBI’s definition of “Black nationalist” was so broad that even moderate civil rights organizations and their leaders were targeted to be neutralized. For example, the letter characterized the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) as one of the organizations having “radical and violence prone leaders…” The leader of the SCLC was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1990—Jazz great Sarah Vaughn dies. Vaughn was born in Newark, N.J., in 1924 and went on to become what many considered “the world’s greatest singing talent.” She was known as the “incomparable Sarah Vaughn.”
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First Black quarterback in NFL history was from New Kensington QUARTERBACK FROM A1
you imagine the bigotry and racism he had to cut through to do that? Well, those and many other facts have been missed by many of us. Here’s another one that I bet you never knew. Willie Thrower was the first African American quarterback in modern NFL history. He was nicknamed “Mitts” due to his large hands and extraordinary arm strength which stood in stark contrast to his 5’11” frame. He could throw a football over 70 yards with accuracy. And guess what? Thrower was from right in our own backyard. Willie Lee Thrower was born March 22, 1930, in New Kensington, and went on to glory on Feb. 20, 2002 at age 71. The fact that he hailed from New Kensington should not be a shocker to you. Lord knows “New Ken” is one of the greatest athlete-producing machines in Western Pa. with the likes of the great B.B. Flenory, Benji Pryor, Mark McCloud, Bill Varner, Nolan “NoJo” Jones Jr., Tommy Pipkins and the late, great Chipper Harris just to name a few. Thrower starred at what was then New Kensington High School, and went on to play for Michigan State University, helping the Spartans win a national title in 1952. Duffy Daugherty, who was the assistant coach at MSU, recruited Thrower, who chose to go there since a number of his high school teammates had already chosen to go there, too. The aptly-titled Willie Thrower could “throw” the football as accurately as anyone in college football. As a player on that 1952 Michigan State national title team, he helped the Spartans to an undefeated season, completing 59 percent of his passes, and, in one game, throwing for 400 yards and five touchdowns in a blowout win over Notre Dame. Although he went undrafted, in 1953 Thrower signed with the Chicago Bears on a one-year, $8,500 deal. On Oct. 18, 1953, he broke the NFL’s racial barrier by being inserted into the game as a quarterback against the San Francisco 49ers. He replaced George Blanda, who had been ineffective in the game. Thrower completed 3 of 8 passes for 27 yards before Blanda was reinserted. Thrower played in one more game for the Bears that year before he was released. Thrower then played in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He retired early at age 27 due to a shoulder injury. Still, his legacy was cemented. It took 15 years before the next Black quarter-
back played in the NFL, Marlin Briscoe, who became the first Black quarterback to start an NFL game. Thrower’s college and professional statistics are not the story. History now tells you his unforeseen greatest achievement was in breaking the racial barrier of what was then a predominantly-White sport, let alone the quarterback position. Thrower is a name that is seldom mentioned today, but he helped set the stage for the generations of Black quarterbacks who followed, like James Harris, the Steelers’ Joe Gilliam Jr., Doug Williams (first Black starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl), Warren Moon and Randall Cunningham. It’s now been 20 years since Thrower’s death. But only recently, his name is starting to get around. There is a Willie Thrower Memorial Foundation. There is a can’tmiss statue of Thrower at the stadium where Valley High School plays football. And on April 9, there will be a local high school quarterback who will be given the “Willie Thrower Award” at the New Kensington Quality Inn. Hundreds will attend. The April 9 event will actually mark the second time a WPIAL or City League quarterback has been bestowed the “Willie Thrower Award,” given to the region’s best quarterback. The first award was given last year to Pine-Richland quarterback Cole Spencer, during a luncheon, April 10, 2021, at the Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center. This year’s finalists are: Brad Birch (Gateway); Jaren Brickner (Beaver Falls); Joey Daniels (Mt. Lebanon); Cadin Olsen (Armstrong); and Devin Whitlock (Belle Vernon). The physical award given to the honoree is a 29-pound replica of the Willie Thrower statue. The April 9 event will also have Allegheny County Judge (and former Steelers defensive back) Dwayne Woodruff and former Steelers cornerback J.T. Thomas in attendance. Thomas will be the main speaker, while WPIAL executive director Amy Schueneman will be a featured speaker. University of Pittsburgh great Sam Clancy, who also played professional football for 12 years, is also scheduled to attend. If you didn’t know the name before, now you do. Willie Lee Thrower, the man who had the perfect name. That’s like being named at birth Muhammad “Knockout,” or Simone “High Beam.” Thrower helped lead New Kensington High School to WPIAL titles in 1946 and 1947, did the same with Michigan State in
1952, broke the Black quarterback racial barrier in the NFL in 1953, and he’s rarely discussed. But hopefully, that will all start to change.
WILLIE THROWER WITH MICHIGAN STATE TEAMMATES.
Bill Neal is a sports columnist for the New Pittsburgh Courier.
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Celebration for ‘Brotha Ash’ turns into a celebration for others
“BROTHA ASH” WOODSON, CENTER, WITH REV. GLENN GRAYSON SR. AND FORMER PITT BASKETBALL STAR SAM CLANCY (PHOTOS BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
‘Brotha Ash’ Woodson honored for 20 years of service to community by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
There’s an old saying that reverberates around town... If you’ve gone out to a party, nightclub or event in Pittsburgh in the last 20 years, there’s a good chance that “Brotha Ash” has taken your picture. Ashley Woodson is his legal name, and documenting Pittsburgh’s African American entertainment scene has been his game since 2001 through his company, “Brotha Ash Productions.” Woodson, who also is a part of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s freelance writing team and spent years covering entertainment for the Courier’s “Out and About” page, was recently recognized for 20 years of service in Pittsburgh during an event at Blaqk House Collections, Downtown. A crowd of about 100 of his closest supporters cheered Woodson on as a proclamation from Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald was read by
Rev. Glenn Grayson Sr., pastor of Wesley Center AME Zion Church. “I want people to know that his heart is golden,” Rev. Grayson told the Courier exclusively about Woodson. “He’s very passionate about everything he touches and so I’ve grown to just respect his consistency of his heart, spirit; he’s all in and he’s a survivor, he’s inspiring and just good people.” Woodson’s been there to capture Pittsburghers having fun with Pittsburgh’s own Wiz Khalifa, former Steeler Willie Parker, the opening of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, R&B legends Howard Hewett and Lenny Williams, and R&B singers Monica and Al B. Sure. He’s captured numerous moments from Hill District establishments like Tim’s Bar and Black Beauty Lounge. He’s captured many African American parades in Pittsburgh, funerals of prominent Black figures, and, in recent years, had exclusive
CHARLES DAYMAR PITTS-BONNER, ASHLEY WOODSON
interviews with newsmakers like Dannielle Brown, the mother of Marquis Jaylen Brown, the Duquesne University football player who fell to his death from a dorm room in 2018. But, in a twist, when it was time for Woodson to take center stage at the event after the proclamation was read, Woodson began giving out awards to others. One award went to B. Marshall and Margo Doss for their contributions to Pittsburgh’s Black entertainment scene, as they are responsible for, among other things, the annual Juneteenth celebration at Point State Park. Another award went to Lee Davis, who continuously strives to uplift Black males in Pittsburgh. Charles Pitts-Bonner also received an award, as he is a local youth community leader. And he couldn’t forget about his sister, Grace Kizzie, who was given an award, as well. “There’s some people who receive, there are other people who giveth,” Rev. Grayson said. “His
GRACE KIZZIE, WITH HER BROTHER, ASHLEY WOODSON (Woodson’s) love language is to give.” “My brother will literally give you the shirt off his back if you need it,” added Kizzie. “He says I’ve been there for him but he’s also been there for me.” Woodson, wearing a red sportcoat and red hat with a cross on his necklace, shed tears before he spoke to the crowd. What
could have been going through his mind? His humble beginnings being born in East Liberty, then moving to the Hill District, making a few dollars here and there in his youth as part of the mini-globe steppers at Herron Hill? Or his solo act in high school, dancing as Michael Jackson, as many have witnessed? Was it everything he had
B. MARSHALL, ASHLEY WOODSON, MARGO DOSS
to endure following the death of his mother when he was only 12 years old? Was it his service in the U.S. Army, and then returning to Pittsburgh, “starting all over,” as he called it, but finding a new calling when staff at the Bidwell Training Center asked him, “what do you want to do with your life?” Being from the Hill District, Woodson said he always wanted to showcase African Americans who may not get coverage from more mainstream media outlets. “I grew up in the ‘hood, and I’ve seen talented brothers and sisters who have a gift, whether it’s poetry, singing, dancing, acting, sports...that’s not being represented,” Woodson told the Courier. “I wanted to represent them.” After the tears, Woodson collected himself. He grabbed the microphone and thanked everyone for “20 years of support,” adding that he’ll still be going strong, covering Pittsburgh’s Black community, no matter the neighborhood. “God is awesome,” Woodson said. “I’ve been through hell and back again, but by the grace of God I’m still standing here.”
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‘A promise of a better tomorrow’
GAINEY SHOWS OFF HOMEWOOD’S BRIGHT SIDE
GEORGE JOHNSON shakes hands with Mayor Ed GaIney along Frankstown Avenue. (Photos By Rob Taylor Jr.)
GAINEY FROM A1
I’ve done my whole career. That’s never going to stop. That’s not politics for me, that’s life for me.” Previous Pittsburgh mayors have made stops in Homewood before. But this event was different. Mayor Gainey’s closest members in his cabinet joined him for the Homewood walk, including chief of staff Jake Wheatley (a former state representative), which began just after 11:30 a.m. About 60 other community members, including activists, pastors and Homewood advocates also came on the walk, which started at Shiloh Community Baptist Church on Frankstown Ave. It was a diverse audience, too. Mayor Gainey first stopped at the home of a woman whose nephew was killed in a shooting on Inwood Street in early March. Mayor Gainey wanted absolute privacy with the woman. No photo ops, no interviews. Just him and her. Moments later, he spoke with another woman across the street, and before he left Inwood Street, a man asked the mayor about the vacant homes and lots, to which he told the crowd that the City of Pittsburgh doesn’t own a lot of the vacant property that residents complain about. But he said his team is working on a solution. As Mayor Gainey led the charge back on Frankstown Ave., he literally ran into a group of excited kids at the YWCA child care center. The mayor greeted each child, and hinted to the crowd that investment in Homewood is critical for
those like the kids that had surrounded him. As the walk continued on Frankstown toward North Lang Ave., it soon became clear to the crowd what most of them already knew—Homewood isn’t anywhere as bad as it’s perceived on the news. The mayor introduced the crowd to people responsible for positive activities happening in Homewood, like Gigi Johnson, owner of Lounge 7101, along with the owners of DJ’s Bar (7141 Frankstown) and the Galaxy Lounge (7246 Kelly St.). Mayor Gainey took the crowd inside the Galaxy, greeting a number of older citizens inside who were enjoying lunch and ESPN on the big screen. “We got good people in this neighborhood that do a lot of great things,” Mayor Gainey told the Courier. Mayor Gainey introduced the crowd to Tacumba Turner, who for three years has helped cultivate the Oasis Farm & Fishery. It’s an outreach initiative of the nearby Bible Center Church which, Turner said, “uses food as our mechanism to teach wellness and horticulture.” The Oasis Farm and Fishery is located near the corner of Bennett and Sterrett streets, and on this March 22 afternoon, featured students from Environmental Charter School who were tending to the garden. The mayor introduced the crowd to Rico Rucker, who was raised in Homewood and graduated from Westinghouse High School in 2004. Rucker is one of four finalists in the running to acquire the old Greater
Pittsburgh Coliseum building from the Urban Redevelopment Authority. He wants to restore it back to a skating rink and/or bowling alley, to “give the kids something to do to stay off the streets,” Rucker told the Courier. “When I was a kid, the Coliseum was thriving; we used to take field trips from Crescent School...My goal is to give it (the Coliseum) back to the community in a way that’s for us, by us.” Mayor Gainey also gave a speaking platform to Alter Howard, a Pittsburgh “MADDAD” and ministry leader of One Love Unity, which spreads messages of love on the corner of Frankstown and N. Homewood avenues each Saturday. Howard said his team prays with and assists those who have been impacted by drug use. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” Howard told the Courier exclusively. He said the first few months being on the corner of Frankstown and Homewood was “rough,” but when people saw how consistent, how serious he was in his quest to help people overcome addiction, his ministry was accepted. “We need to come together down here and be consistent,” was Howard’s message to the city, the police, community agencies and churches. “If we unify, there’s no stopping us.” For those who think Homewood is a war zone, think again, said Ayodeji Young, a longtime community activist and violence prevention specialist. “There is no random violence in Homewood. There’s not people
ALTER HOWARD WITH ONE LOVE MINISTRY
randomly shooting people walking down the street,” he said while on Frankstown Avenue across from Willie Tee’s Barber Shop, a neighborhood staple. “The residents feel safe and they feel good about the community. It’s different moments where they don’t (feel safe) just like any community around the city, around the world. (Violence) happens in spurts where there are predominantly underprivileged communities and where people are lacking resources.” Young said he gets taken aback when he hears from outsiders who ask if anything is being done to curb the shootings, the crime that happens in Homewood. “We literally do something about it every day,” he said. “Every homicide that happens, there is a major police presence, investigations,
outreach teams, candlelight vigils, community marches, youth organizations donating to people—it’s a total wraparound whenever you see a homicide in our community.” Young said the violence in Homewood primarily stems from people who have had issues with one another (or groups of people) which could rise to violence, “like they do in other cities in predominantly poor areas.” Also, Young said, “people who are not from the (Homewood) community come to where they know the drugs are, and try to buy drugs, and then crime follows that purchase, because it’s all criminality.” Mayor Gainey’s neighborhood walk helped shine a spotlight on a community meeting that would be held later that evening at Community Empowerment As-
sociation, on Kelly St. The meeting would give community residents another opportunity to express their concerns and desires for Homewood. Mayor Gainey, during his Homewood walk, continuously stressed that he would provide significant resources to Homewood and its residents, but that it would take everyone, not just him alone, to turn around Homewood’s fortunes and reputation. “Every neighborhood in this city is positive,” Mayor Gainey told the Courier exclusively, “The problem is we (Homewood) got issues like everybody else. But then again, if we didn’t have a problem, we wouldn’t have a promise. The reason I know we can get to where we can get to is because we have a promise of a better tomorrow.”
RELIGION/METRO
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Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH 91 Crawford Street Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141
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Kathy W. Humphrey, Ph.D., inaugurated as 11th president of Carlow University
Sunday Mass 11 AM Rev. Thomas J. Burke- Pastor Rev. C. Matthew HawkinsParochial Vicar Rev. David H. TaylorSenior Parochial Vicar. www.sbtmparishpgh.com
East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800
Worship in person or Online on Facebook/YouTube www.ELPC.church Journey Worship..........8:45am Sanctuary Worship.......11:00 a.m. Taize -Wednesdays.........7:00 p.m.
Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community! For rate information, call 412-4818302, ext. 128. We want to feature positive youth from our Pittsburgh church community. Please mail their bio and photo to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or email us: religion@newpittsburghcourier. com
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Served in higher education for more than 35 years; was Courier “Woman of Excellence” On March 25, students, faculty, family and other members of the Carlow University community packed Carnegie Music Hall to welcome Kathy W. Humphrey, Ph.D., as the university’s 11th president. University leadership formally inaugurated Dr. Humphrey before a who’s who of prominent leaders in Western Pennsylvania. Rich Fitzgerald, County Executive of Allegheny County, the Honorable Ed Gainey, Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pastor Brian Edmonds, Senior Pastor of the Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh and Patrick Gallagher, Ph.D., Chancellor of University of Pittsburgh were in attendance to welcome Dr. Humphrey to the role. Sister Patricia McDermott, RSM, President of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Rabbi Schmuel Weinstein, Director of Chabad House on Campus in Pittsburgh and Most Reverend David A Zubik, DD, Bishop, Diocese of Pittsburgh also attended to provide praise for Dr. Humphrey. President Humphrey,
standing on the shoulders of the Sisters of Mercy, continues to be a champion for students to complete post-secondary and higher education pathways. President Humphrey, who called the inauguration “the crowning point of my 37-year career in higher education,” aims to upend lasting misconceptions about the University. “Upon my arrival, I would hear folks refer to Carlow as a small university, but there is nothing small about what were are able to accomplish when we answer the call,” said President Humphrey. “For Carlow is a mighty institution with a mighty task to give hope and opportunity to those who otherwise may not have a chance to receive a four-year college education.” The ceremony welcomed past presidents Dr. Mary Louise Fennell, Dr. Mary Hines and Dr. Susan Mellon, and capped off a week of inauguration festivities, which included lectures, a Catholic Relief Services Helping Hands food-packing event, and a presidential gift ceremony. At the inauguration, KATHY W. HUMPHREY, PH.D.
President Humphrey, who was a Pell-eligible college student herself, took time to speak about her goals for the University, which include improving education for women of color in Pittsburgh by reestablishing the Hill College. “Strengthening all women, especially Black women in Pittsburgh, is a goal that we must share if we are to make progress and change the state of Black Pittsburgh,” she said. “The Hill College provided women who lived in the Hill District of Pittsburgh and other economically challenged areas an opportunity to have easy access to a college degree in a place and space where people like them were transforming their lives together.” President Humphrey’s tenure in the President’s Office began in the summer of 2021. As previously reported
in the New Pittsburgh Courier, Dr. Humphrey is a past recipient of the Courier’s “Women of Excellence” award; the YWCA Tribute to Women Leadership Award; the Martin Luther King Jr. Creating A Just Community award; 2020 NABHI’s Lifetime Achievement Award; Chuck Cooper Foundation Leadership Award; 2018 Gwen’s Girls Equity Summit Honoree; 2016 Nellie Leadership Award; and the 2019 Onyx Woman Leadership Award for her contribution to the community and support of other women. She also earned the Pitt African American Alumni Council’s Sankofa Award, which honors community members who have offered outstanding education support to students. Dr. Humphrey has an award named after her. The International Student Federation of Saint Lou-
is University named the organization’s diversity award the “Kathy W. Humphrey Award for Diversity.” Dr. Humphrey served in many senior positions at Saint Louis University, including Vice President of Student Development and Associate Vice Provost and Director of Housing and Student Life. Dr. Humphrey earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of Central Missouri, a Master of Arts at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a doctorate in educational leadership at Saint Louis University. Dr. Humphrey has also held positions at the University of Central Missouri and the University of Missouri. Dr. Humphrey is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh, in the Hill District.
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“In the beginning GOD created the Heaven and the Earth.” -Genesis 1:1 REV. WALKER SAYS: The Word of God: In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. ALL things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. (St. John 1:1-3)
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Remembering John Clayton — A star is gone Two of the definitions of the word star are: 1. A fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun. 2. An outstandingly good or successful person or thing in a group. When I look back on the life and career of Braddock-born and ESPN star sportscaster and sportswriter John Clayton, the two aforementioned definitions of the word “star” instantly come to mind. John Clayton, the veteran NFL reporter and
sportscaster, was known by many in the sports world as “The Professor.” He mostly gained notoriety providing NFL game reviews and analysis for ESPN. He passed away on March 19 in Bellevue, Wash. He was 67. His cerebral and even-handed coverage of the NFL evolved from the pages of the Pittsburgh Press, where he covered the Steelers in the 1970s to the bright lights of ESPN where he attained an almost-mythical status as a sports analyst and guru. He was always an honest reporter even if it did not square with his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. At
the tender age of 17 he became employed by the Press covering the Steelers before they became the household name that they are now. In 1978, he wrote a piece revealing the fact that the Steelers were practicing with pads during minicamp, violating NFL rules. He labeled the incident “Shouldergate.” The team was penalized a third-round draft pick because of the violation. Mr. Clayton left the Press in 1986 for The News Tribune in Tacoma, Wash.,
where he met his future wife, Pat, a sports reporter who covered bowling. I now choose to switch gears because this piece is not meant to be an obituary and crying towel for John Clayton. What you will read in this column will mostly depict a celebration of the life of a man that proved you don’t have to be a player to love and decipher professional football or any other sport. During media week prior to the 2006 Steelers/ Seahawks Super Bowl XL matchup at Ford Field, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter was quoted calling Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy
Stevens, “soft.” During that “presser” I ran into John Clayton. I didn’t know him but I had seen him numerous times covering the NFL on multiple levels and platforms. I said hello and I was struck in an amazing way when he looked at my credential then looked me straight in the eye and said: “Aubrey Bruce, the New Pittsburgh Courier. How are things at the paper?” I responded: “Things are pretty good, thank you.” He responded: “I would say so, we’re here.” I was flabbergasted. During my career, I have interviewed many sports luminaries; however, I have never in my entire life before or since met a man or woman with such fame possess as much humility and grace as John Clayton. After the press conference concluded, we both headed for the same destination; the media buffet. After we settled in to eat, he began talking about Frank Bolden, Wendell Smith and Hazel Garland. Then he asked me a question that embarrassed and stumped me. He asked me with a twinkle in his eye; “Do you know what Steelers broadcaster wrote for the Courier? You probably know the answer, right?” “John, I have to admit that I don’t,” I replied. He smiled and said, “Myron Cope.” I never had the pleasure of meeting Wendell Smith. However, I told him that I had met Ms. Garland and I also had the pleasure of working with Frank Bolden on the HBO documentary; “The Journey of the African American Athlete.” Mr. Bolden and I, along with Ulish Carter
JOHN CLAYTON (former Courier sports writer and managing editor), worked to bring the premiere of the film to Pittsburgh. The film premiered in Pittsburgh at the old Regent Theatre (now the Kelly Strayhorn Theater) in February 1996. That event also honored Mr. Bolden as well and recognized and honored the late Steelers NFL Hall-of-Fame contributor Bill Nunn Jr. Unbeknownst to me until the day that I formally met him, John Clayton had also attended the event. John Clayton never had the physicality or the mentality to pursue a career as a football player. He realized it early on. In 2013 he said the following to USA Today: “Of course you can see my body—you can see I didn’t have the ability to
compete on the football field. It just wasn’t there. But I loved the game so much.” In 2015, I interviewed him for a piece that I wrote titled: “Sleepless in Seattle.” As part of the interview he talked about how he met a boxing great that only wanted a handshake. Clayton said: “It was great: It was actually down in Atlanta at the airport Marriott. I was walking into the restaurant and one of the representatives said, ‘Hey, Evander wants to say hello to you.’ I was like, ‘Wow! How about that, talk about the real deal. You’re walking through an airport and the next thing you know, here’s Evander Holyfield wanting to come over and shake your hand. It was a very humbling moment.” The “Sleepless in Se-
attle” piece profiled his sometimes 10-and-12hour work days, but a major part of the article also focused on the many hours during the night he spent helping to care for the love of his life, Pat, who was stricken with multiple sclerosis. If the character portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in the movie, “Rain Man,” was based on a person that possessed a talent for retaining MLB stats, then “Professor” John Clayton should be named, “Monsoon Man” for his gift of remembering NFL stats. With his passing, the star of John Clayton may have slightly dimmed, but as long as we cover professional football, it will never be totally extinguished.
Will ‘Coach K’ go out on top?
JEFF CAPEL, MIKE KRZYZEWSKI (PHOTO BY VINCE BUTTS)
The NCAA men’s Final Four is set. Villanova and Kansas in the first game, and North Carolina against Duke in the nightcap. It all happens Saturday evening, April 2, from New Orleans, on cable channel TBS. Duke, of course, is coached by Mike Krzyzewski, or “Coach K” for short. The legendary coach announced this would be his final season coaching Duke after 42
years at the helm and five national championships. On March 1, Duke visited Pitt at the Petersen Events Center and won, 86-56. Before the game, Pitt’s coach, Jeff Capel, gave his former coach a steel sculpture of a fist; the four fingers and the thumb signaling the five pillars of Krzyzewski’s pillars of success. Capel played at Duke under Krzyzewski from 1993-
97, and was an assistant coach for Krzyzewski from 2011-18. The winners of the two Final Four games will meet for all the marbles, the national title, Monday, April 4, at 9 p.m. - Rob Taylor Jr.
NFL mandates all teams to have minority offensive assistant; Tomlin still skeptical by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin says he’s a “show me” kind of guy. Even after the NFL announced Monday, March 28, that all 32 teams must employ a “female or a member of an ethnic or racial minority” as an offensive assistant beginning with the upcoming season, Tomlin said he wants to see tangible proof of more diversity in the league’s coaching ranks rather than just through press releases. “In recent years, head coaches have predominantly had offensive backgrounds,” the NFL said in, well, a press
release. “We believe this resolution will assist greatly in continuing to source and identify diverse candidates earlier in their career, providing pipeline depth and furthering developing the diverse offensive pipeline.” National Public Radio reported that for the roles, the NFL will reimburse teams up to $200,000 in 2022 and $205,000 in 2023 from a league fund for coaches. There are seven Black general managers in the league and 12 women had coaching positions during the 2021 football season, NPR reported. As it stands now, Tomlin, Lovie Smith (Houston Texans) and Mike McDaniel
(Miami Dolphins) are the lone Black head coaches in the NFL. The league was reeling after Brian Flores, an African American, was fired from the Dolphins in the offseason despite a winning record, and David Culley, who is Black, was fired in the offseason by the Texans after just one season—a season without its star quarterback, DeShaun Watson. Tomlin hired Flores to be a Steelers assistant on the defensive side, and didn’t care about the fact that Flores has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. “I haven’t been in any discussions, and no, I don’t have a level of confidence
that would leave me to believe that things are going to be better,” Tomlin said on March 28 during the annual league meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. “I’m more of a show-me guy as opposed to a guy that sits around and talks about things.” When media members pressed Tomlin on precisely what must be addressed, Tomlin responded: “The hiring itself. I think that we’ve pecked around the entire discussion and subject and we’ve done a lot of beneficial things. But we’ve got to land the plane. We’ve got to hire capable candidates.” MIKE TOMLIN
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Report says Black News Channel has shut down by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier
(NNPA Newswire)—According to the Los Angeles Times, the Black News Channel, which launched just before the pandemic, has ceased operations. The newspaper said that the Tallahassee, Fla.-based outlet, whose majority stakeholder is Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan, failed to meet payroll on Friday after telling employees that paychecks would be delayed. The Black News Channel reportedly has a staff
THE CONCEPT OF THE BLACK NEWS CHANNEL began with former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, an Oklahoma Republican who brought in a group of initial investors.
of 230, and some current and former employees had previously filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the network that remains pending. Citing people briefed on the matter, the Times said Khan would no longer invest in the operations of BNC after shopping the channel to several media companies, including Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios. Reportedly, Khan found no interest. Before the Times report, Roland Martin broke the information
that BNC failed to pay its employees this week. Martin, the host of Roland Martin Unfiltered and owner of the Black Star Network, tweeted a memo written by BNC Human Resources Vice President Nicole Collins. The memo dated Friday, March 25, informed the staff that payroll “would be delayed.” “We are actively working to resolve this matter quickly and will advise you with an update as soon as possible,” Collins wrote. Staffers “are angry and demanding answers,” Martin tweeted. “I have
been inundated with phone calls, texts, and emails from staffers on this issue.” The media mogul said he spoke to BNC’s CEO Princell Hair, who advised that he’s working on getting employees paid. However, Martin claimed staffers had been “left in the dark.” The concept of the Black News Channel began with former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, an Oklahoma Republican who brought in a group of initial investors. After at least two delays, the channel final-
ly launched after Khan kicked in $50 million and took the reigns as majority shareholder. In much of its first year, BNC filled its website from content provided by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of the Black Press of America. NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. frequently appeared on the channel providing commentary on various news topics.
Wells Fargo rejected over half of Black applicants for refinance mortgages by Erick Johnson For New Pittsburgh Courier
(The Chicago Crusader)—At a time when low interest rates and housing demands fueled a housing industry boom during the pandemic, Wells Fargo rejected more than half of Black applicants seeking to refinance their mortgages, according to a report in Bloomberg News. The report also said Wells Fargo Mortgage had nearly 30 percent of Black applicants who did not complete the application process, fueling concerns that they experienced soft denials that steered them through options other than the home refinance process. Through the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the report examined 8 million completed applications to refinance conventional loans in 2020. The report also raised questions about the recent lending practices of Wells Fargo, which is based in San Francisco. The report details the struggles of Black applicants, including one man who grew up in Chicago. He was denied a home refinancing loan with Wells Fargo, despite having a near perfect FICO credit
THE REPORT ALSO SAID WELLS FARGO MORTGAGE had nearly 30 percent of Black applicants who did not complete the application process, fueling concerns that they experienced soft denials that steered them through options other than the home refinance process. score of 800. According to the report, Wells Fargo, the nation’s third largest bank in 2020 had refinancing approval rates among Blacks that were far lower than White applicants and other major banks. In 2020, Wells Fargo approved just 47 percent of its Black applicants compared to 72 percent of its White applicants, according to the Bloomberg report. That means 53 per-
Some analysts argue that the approval rate among Black and minority applicants at Wells Fargo are lower because there are far less applicants seeking to refinance their homes. But activists say despite the difference in overall applicants, Blacks are disproportionally rejected for refinancing and home loans, more than Whites and other groups.
cent of Black applicants seeking to refinance their homes were denied. In comparison, J.P. Morgan Chase in the same year approved 81 percent of Black applicants and 90 percent of its White applicants. Bank of America approved 66 percent of Black applicants and 78 percent of its White applicants. At Rocket Mortgage, formerly Quicken Loans, 79 percent of Black applicants seeking to refinance were
approved, compared to 89 percent of White applicants. Overall, Black applicants had the lowest approval rates among banks than Whites, Hispanics and Asians. The Bloomberg report also said that Wells Fargo’s approval rates for the lowest income White families were nearly the same as their rates of approval for high-income Black families that earn at least $168,000 a year. However, when comparing lower-income Black and White applicants, who both earn $63,000 a year, the approval rates were nearly double for Whites. Bloomberg reported that Wells Fargo declined to comment on its findings, but said it says it treats all potential borrowers the same and is more selective than other lenders. Wells Fargo told Bloomberg that its internal review of the bank’s 2020 refinancing decisions confirmed that “additional, legitimate, credit-related factors” were responsible for the differences. In 2021, as part of its effort to boost Black homeSEE WELLS FARGO B2
Compounding Interest is your staircase to WEALTH! Damon, I came across this meme and I wanted to get your thoughts. It reads as follows: If you invest $40 per week into an Exchange Traded Fund that mirrors the S&P 500 which has an average yearly return of 10%: • 1-year later you’ll have $2,193.00 • 5-years later you’ll have $13,287.00 • 10-years later you’ll have $34,626.00 • 30-years later you’ll have $357,097.00 •50-years later you’ll have $2,526,696.00 Albert Einstein once said Compounding Interest is the 8th Wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn’t, pays it. ~ CJ McCoy Damon says: What is compound interest? A quick Google search defines compound interest as such: Compound interest is the addition of interest to the principal sum of a loan or deposit, or in other words, interest on interest. It is the result of reinvesting interest, rather than paying it out, so that interest in the next period is then earned on the principal sum plus previously accumulated. In layman’s terms, it’s the accumulation of interest, earning interest, earning interest, earning interest, etc. It keeps going and going, thus growing and growing like the Energizer Bunny. Albert Einstein who coined the phrase “compounding interest is the 8th wonder of the world” is a renowned genius. Even he was confounded by the exponential growth potential of money once it started compounding. Here’s a mathematical illustration of compound interest. Let’s say you invest $1,000 and earn a 10 percent return over the course of a year. In one year, it’s now
worth $1,100. Now the $1,100 will begin to earn interest. In effect, the $100 interest is now earning interest. This compounding effect will continue up until you withdraw the money. If you were given the option to take $1-million dollars right now or take one penny and allow it to double (compound) daily for 30-days. Which option will you take? I share this question with my Facebook audience yearly. Each year most people take $1-million dollars right now. When I first heard this scenario, I too opted for the $1-million dollars right now. Boy was I wrong! If you had one penny that doubled in value and compounded daily, that one brown dusty, crusty penny would compound and amass to be worth over $5-million dollars in 30 days. That’s $5,368,709.12 to be exact. That’s the power of compounding interest. That’s the reason why compounding interest confounds experts, scholars and geniuses like Albert Einstein. Crazy right!? I know you don’t believe me. I didn’t believe it when I read it. I created a spreadsheet to double check the math. Don’t take my word for it! I invite you to Google it. My goal as a Money Coach and Financial Writer is simple: Teach everyday, hard working people with dreams, goals and ambition how to win with money. When I say everyday people, I’m excluding actors, sport figures, musicians, entertainers and executives who earn upwards of $500,000 per year. Although they too can benefit
from the content I share if they want to turn their high earnings into wealth and keep it growing for generations to come like the Rockefellers. In truth, making compounding interest a friend instead of a foe is the end game of sound financial planning—or at least, it should be. But before one can really benefit from the power of compounding interest, you must first lay a solid financial foundation so that you DON’T access, use up, or exhaust the money you have compounding prematurely. To lay a solid financial foundation one must first, earn a decent income, get their spending under control, live below their means, establish an emergency fund, and keep debt levels low to non-existent. Easier said than done, I know! So, I write about topics and coach clients on things like How to create a budget and How to create wiggle room within your budget so that you can grow and leverage the wiggle room in your budget to establish an emergency fund, payoff debt, save and/or invest for housing, cars, vacation, college, retirement, and wealth. Saving and investing money is the cornerstone to financial stability and wealth building! Compounding Interest is the staircase to wealth. Problem is, we as a people do a terrible job at saving, investing and taking advantage of compounding interest. We instead continue to PAY compounding interest on credit cards, furniture loans, personal loans, student loans, car loans, and mortgages to name a few.
I’m reminded of a story I share often. It’s a true story about a man named Earl. Earl resides in the MD area. Earl is still living and sharing his story at the time of this writing. He’s an elder Black man who worked as a parking attendant. During Earl’s working career, he never earned more than $12 per hour. He never earned more than $20,000 per year. Earl is married with three children. He worked, sacrificed, and put all of his children through private school. Earl, being dyslexic, wanted his children to get a quality education. Putting three children through private school is an amazing feat in and of itself. But that’s not the most amazing part of his story. Today, Earl and his wife are empty nesters. They are completely debt free - including their home. What’s most impressive is that Earl has an investment portfolio valued at over $500,000. How was he able to amass $500,000 never earning more than $20,000 per year? I’ll suffice it to say Earl started investing early and benefited from the power of compounding interest. If Earl can do it, we all can do it! Rapper and Billionaire Jay-Z said he made more millionaires than the lotto. I don’t know the truth of Jay Z’s claim. However, I can tell you with confidence that the stock market by way of compounding interest has definitely made more millionaires than the lotto. If only more of our people would save and invest their hard earned dollars instead of playing the lottery. (Damon Carr, Money Coach can be reached at 412-216-1013 or visit his website at www.damonmoneycoach.com)
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Save money, help the environment by choosing energy-efficient appliances If you’re ready to upgrade your kitchen or laundry room or have a broken appliance that needs replacing, choosing energy-efficient options may be the way to go. It could save you money in the long run while being better for the environment. Here’s what it all means, what to look for, and how Duquesne Light Co. can save you even more! What Does EnergyEfficient Mean? The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) requires minimum efficiency levels for all appliances, a policy the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) implements. Some companies and products go beyond the minimum standards to reduce waste and emissions for improved efficiency, conservation, and savings. One indicator of this is the ENERGY STAR sticker. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DOE administer the ENERGY STAR program, certifying products as energy-efficient. Companies voluntarily submit their products to be certified. These products go beyond the minimum federal standards to meet the ones set by the program. Their website states that “in 2019 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped Americans save nearly 500 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and avoid $39 billion in energy costs. These savings resulted in associated emission reductions of nearly 390 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, roughly equivalent to 5 percent of U.S. total greenhouse gas emissions…. The avoided air pollution
REPAIRMAN REPAIRING DISHWASHER (GETTY IMAGES) due to ENERGY STAR was responsible for an estimated $7 – 17 billion in public health benefits in 2019 alone.” According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, “more than 40 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States is used for operating buildings, and most of that energy goes toward appliances and building-related equipment.” And, for most residential homes, nearly 90 percent of its energy consumption is from appliances and building use—15 percent specifically from appliances. Using energy-efficient appliances can save money, reduce waste and emissions, and decrease common personal and public
health issues. Which Appliances Should I Replace? There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to replace your everyday appliances. The main factor is the age of your current appliances. Most have a lifespan of 1015 years. If your appliances are more than 10 years old, you may want to start looking at alternative options. This is especially true if your older models are not rated for energy efficiency. The current condition is critical, too. If your machines are not functioning well, they could be costing additional money in waste or even be a potential danger. Keep an eye on your electric and water bill for
extreme increases that may indicate issues with your appliances or their systems. Listen for unusual noises and look out for sparks, broken parts, or problems with electrical features, as these can be indicators of larger problems with your machines. For appliances that need repairs, a general rule of thumb is that if the cost to repair is more than 50 percent of the replacement cost, it is probably better to replace it. Other typical times to replace appliances are during a move or renovation. Here is also a time to consider the age and condition when deciding. Upgrading to energy-efficient models is likely an excellent way to go if you decide you want new appliances.
What to Look for in My New Appliances When shopping for new appliances, consider the features, customer ratings, and warranty options. Your budget will help determine whether a basic (but well-functioning) machine works best or if you want one with all the bells and whistles. Shopping guide sites such as consumerreports. org provide overviews of available features and ratings. Look for products with positive customer reviews. And consider whether the negative reviews are from an unlucky customer or two who received a rare broken product or from several people reporting the same problem. Most appliances will
come with a one- to threeyear manufacturer’s warranty. More extended warranties provide a safety net in case something goes wrong and are often an indicator of the longevity of that product. The ENERGY STAR website has a list of energy-efficient products with efficiency details sorted by brand name, price, and specific features. These include: Air Purifiers (Cleaners) Clothes Dryers Clothes Washers Dehumidifiers Dishwashers Freezers Refrigerators You can also visit the Duquesne Light Co.’s buyer’s guide for recommended and discounted appliances. Ready to Replace Your Appliances? Duquesne Light Co. has an appliance recycling program for customers. Benefits of this program include: Free hauling away of appliances. Duquesne Light Co. will pay you $50 per room AC unit, refrigerator, or freezer, and $35 per dehumidifier. Duquesne Light Co. will ensure the old appliance is disposed of responsibly. More than 90 percent of each unit will be recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. The decision to replace older, inefficient appliances with new ENERGY STAR models may result in significant cost savings for your family. It also reduces the need for more power plants and reduces the environmental impacts of energy generation.
LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals
DOCUMENT 00030-AA ADVERTISEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PROJECT NUMBER 55M3-21 (MECHANICAL) PROJECT NUMBER 55E3-21 (ELECTRICAL) PCA SYSTEM UPGRADE PROJECT – PHASE 3 BID PACKAGE at PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ELECTRONIC BIDS & BID OPENING PROCEDURE: Electronic Bids will be received by the Allegheny County Airport Authority until 1:00 P.M. prevailing local time, APRIL 27, 2022. Due to the COVID precautions, the ACAA is modifying its typical bid opening process; the formal bid opening procedure will be conducted virtually – any/all firms submitting a Bid to the ACAA will be given special access to view the opening event. Once bidding is closed, any/all firms submitting a bid will be issued an Invitation (via email) to access the formal bid opening event via a live webcast. Bidders will also be notified of the results via an email within (24) hours of the Bid Opening event. ACCESS TO BID PACKAGE DOCUMENTS: ALL BIDDERS shall be required to provide a completed formal Bid Document Request application in order to acquire bidding documents for any/all of the above listed Project Numbers. No bidding documents will be issued prior to the Authority’s Construction Manager having a copy of a fully completed Request Application. Bid Document Request Applications can be obtained by sending a Request to the following email address: TMPBids@flypittsburgh.com On the Subject Line, include the following: “Bid Documents Request – PCA System Upgrades Phase 3”. Once a bidder’s request has been received, provided it is complete, the CM will provide access for the bidder to access and download the bid documents through Building Connected, a web-based bid management platform. A PREBID CONFERENCE –April 7, 2022 – 1:00 PM The meeting will be a Microsoft Teams Meeting. To join the meeting the following number can be called (877) 286-5733 - United States (Toll-Free) – Conference ID 747 197 525#. Please email TMPBids@flypittsburgh.com to receive the link to join by computer. A site visit will be conducted. Details regarding the site visit will be provided at the Pre-Bid meeting. Note that no questions can be asked during this Prebid Meeting. Any/all questions must be issued to the CM as an “RFI”. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION (RFIs) Any/all questions related to this project must be made in writing to the CM. RFIs are to be sent to the CM via email to TMPBids@flypittsburgh.com BID SUBMISSION Proposals must be made on the Authority’s forms and in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and the “Instructions to Bidders”’. Due to Covid precautions, ACAA will not be accepting any hard copy bids for this Project. Accordingly, Electronic Bids are the only form that the ACAA will accept. While the Instructions to Bidders will provide more details, for an Electronic Bid to be accepted in must be sent through Building Connected and it must be received by no later than the established Bid Date and time deadline. OTHER ISSUES Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages as determined by the General Wage Determinations issued under the Davis-Bacon and related Acts must be paid on these projects. This project has DBE participation goals; DBE firms must be certified with the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program) (PAUCP). Firms must be certified prior to award of contract. A searchable database of DBE firms can be found on the PAUCP web site: https://paucp.dbesystem.com/ The Airport Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids or waive any informalities in the bidding. No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of one hundred twenty [120] days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. To view a complete advertisement, which is also included in the bidding documents visit www.flypittsburgh.com under “Business Opportunities”. ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
Wells Fargo rejected over half of Black applicants for refinance mortgages WELLS FARGO FROM B1
ownership, Wells Fargo invested $50 million in 13 Black-owned community banks (none are in Chicago). Some analysts argue that the approval rate among Black and minority applicants at Wells Fargo are lower because there are far less applicants seeking to refinance their homes. But activists say despite the difference in overall applicants, Blacks are disproportionally rejected for refinancing and home loans, more than Whites and other groups. But among the banks, Wells Fargo in 2020 had the largest approval gap between its Black and White applicants than other big banks. According to Bloomberg figures, there was a 25 percent difference in approval rates between its Black and White applicants. At J.P. Morgan Chase, the difference was 9 percent. Rocket Mortgage had the lowest difference at 7 percent. The report also said that 27 percent of Black borrowers who began an application with Wells Fargo in 2020
eventually withdrew it. That meant only one-third of the 17,702 Black homeowners who sought refinancing were successful. With low interest rates, U.S. homeowners reportedly refinanced almost $5 trillion in mortgages over the past two years, the most since the early 2000s. The lower rates allowed White homeowners to save an estimated $3.8 billion annually by refinancing their mortgages in 2020, according to researchers at the central bank. Black Americans reportedly make up 9 percent of all homeowners. The mortgage business has long been viewed as a path for Americans desirous of accumulating wealth and capturing the American Dream. Historically, the industry has been riddled with redlining and racist lending practices that have made it more difficult for Blacks than Whites to acquire property. Across the country, Black homeowners in the past year, with the help of White friends and neighbors had second appraisals conducted on their property that was
undervalued on the first one. Andre Perry, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, in a 2018 study found that the average Black home was valued at $48,000 less than its White equivalent. The organization estimates the difference amounts to $156 billion in missing Black wealth. The report told the story of Mauise Ricard III, a former Chicago resident who submitted an application to Wells Fargo to refinance his home in Sandy Springs, a suburb outside Atlanta. A Microsoft engineer whose wife is a doctor, Ricard had a credit score higher than 800. Ricard was told in an email that “perhaps the area is not eligible” for a rapid valuation. Ricard was later told he would have to pay a higher 4.5 percent rate, even though interest rates were at historic lows. After repeated questions, Ricard’s application to refinance his home was denied. Ricard went to another lender where he had an easier experience and secured a refinanced loan with a 3.35 percent rate.
OPINION
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER MARCH 30-APRIL 5, 2022
B3
The righteous work of the Black Press
Guest Editorial
Ketanji Brown Jackson deserves confirmation Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson effectively responded to Republican critics in an often contentious confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. Facing Republican senators’ sometimes irrelevant or inappropriate questions, Jackson forcefully defended her record as a federal judge and declared she will rule “from a position of neutrality” if confirmed as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. Jackson responded to Republicans who have questioned whether she is too liberal in her judicial philosophy, saying she tries to “understand what the people who created this law intended.” She said she relies on the words of statutes but also looks to history and practice when the meaning may not be clear. She pushed back strongly against the ridiculous suggestions that she has given light sentences to child pornographers. Could her rulings have endangered children? “As a mother and a judge,” she said, “nothing could be further from the truth.” She described looking into the eyes of defendants and emphasizing the lifelong effects on victims. She said it is “important to me to represent that the children’s voices are represented.” Democrats who control the Senate by a slim margin hope to wrap up Jackson’s confirmation before Easter. Republican senators used their questioning in an attempt to brand Jackson—and Democrats in general—as soft on crime, an emerging theme in GOP midterm election campaigns. Jackson effectively rebutted Republican criticism of her record on criminal matters as a judge, a federal public defender and a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, an independent agency created by Congress to reduce disparity in federal prison sentences. However, Republican criticism of her being “anti-law enforcement” and “soft on crime,” does not make sense in light of her strong support from national police organizations. Jackson told the committee that her brother and two uncles served as police officers, and “crime and the effect on the community, and the need for law enforcement— those are not abstract concepts or political slogans to me.” She also defended work as a public defender and later in private practice representing four Guantanamo Bay detainees. While some Republicans have complained that Jackson was defending terrorists, she noted that defenders don’t pick their clients and are “standing up for the constitutional value of representation.” Jackson said she continued to represent one client in private practice because her firm happened to be assigned his case. Texas Sen. John Cornyn falsely asked why she would have called former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and former President George W. Bush “war criminals” in a legal filing. “It seems so out of character for you,” Cornyn said. She never referred to anyone as a war criminal, but she did argue that torture amounted to a war crime under the law and that the federal government, including Bush and Rumsfeld, was ultimately responsible. Some of the Republican senators attempted to use the confirmation hearing to settle political scores. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham voted for her confirmation as an appeals court judge last year but has openly expressed his frustration after President Joe Biden picked her over a South Carolina judge. Graham asked her about her religion, and how often she goes to church, in angry comments about what he said was unfair criticism of Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s Catholicism ahead of her 2020 confirmation. Jackson—who thanked God in her opening statement and said that her faith “sustains me at this moment”—responded that she is a Protestant. But she said she is reluctant to talk about her faith in detail because “I want to be mindful of the need for the public to have confidence in my ability to separate out my personal views.” Republicans such as Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas appeared to use the confirmation hearing to position themselves as potential 2024 presidential candidates. Biden chose Jackson in February, fulfilling a campaign pledge to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court for the first time in American history. She would take the seat of Justice Stephen Breyer, who announced in January that he would retire after 28 years on the court. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., spoke emotionally about the “joy” he felt about her historic nomination. Jackson would be the third Black justice, after Marshall and Clarence Thomas, and the sixth woman. Booker, who is Black, said the White men who have sat on the Supreme Court for two centuries were “extraordinary patriots who helped shape this country” but that many people could have never dreamed of sitting on the court. Jackson, who grew up in Miami, noted that she did not have to attend racially segregated public schools like her own parents did, “and the fact that we had come that far was to me a testament to the hope and the promise of this country, the greatness of America that in one generation we could go from racially segregated schools in Florida to have me sitting here as the first Floridian ever to be nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States.” Jackson would not only be the first Black woman but also the first public defender on the court, and first with experience representing indigent criminal defendants since Justice Thurgood Marshall. Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin said that to be first, “often, you have to be the best, in some ways the bravest.” Jackson has the temperament, intellect and legal experience to be on the U.S. Supreme Court. She deserves confirmation. (Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)
Founded 1910
Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher Allison Palm
Rob Taylor Jr.
Ashley Johnson
Office Manager
Managing Editor
Sales Director
John. H. Sengstacke
Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)
“We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.” Those were the words written on the front page of the first edition of the Freedom’s Journal, the first Blackowned newspaper in the U.S. Founders Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russworm grew tired of Black people being excluded in the debate over abolition, so they decided to make their voices heard by creating their own space to do so. First published March 16, 1827, Freedom’s Journal gave birth to the Black Press. This week we celebrate 195 years of the Black Press. Almost two centuries later those words ring true. We still wish to plead our own cause as others continue to speak for us. We still occupy an important space in journalism. Some ask if the Black Press is still needed today since Black people work in White-owned media outlets now. My answer is a resounding, “Yes! We are still needed.” It’s true that Black people are covered much better than they were before by mainstream media. Historically, Black people were excluded from those papers. When we were covered, the stories often centered around slave auctions, stereotypes, crime and lynchings. We were dehumanized. Regularly and thoughtlessly. We didn’t matter. Today’s coverage of Black people does a much better job of showing our humanity, but it’s still not enough. There are still too many articles printed with racial bias — or articles not printed because of racial bias. There are still too few Black people in newsrooms as reporters, editors and executives (managers) making decisions about what to cover and how to cover Black people.
Oseye Boyd
Commentary Let’s keep it real, as long as Black people are treated as second-class citizens there will always be a need for the Black Press. We show Black people as people. People who celebrate weddings and graduations, go to church, school and work, save lives, commit crimes, vote, cry, laugh, dance, care about their children, their parents, save their money, want a better life, etc. My point is: We do everything any other American does. The Black Press shares these stories day after day, week after week and year after year. The Recorder, the nation’s fourth-oldest weekly, has been in the business of telling the stories of Black life in Indianapolis for 127 years. We tell the truth. For far too long when it came to Black people, Whiteowned publications didn’t tell the truth. Journalists are tasked with writing without bias. That’s a tall order coming from people who often wrote with nothing but bias—explicit and implicit—against Black people. This is why I stand strong on the belief that in my role as a journalist at a Black-owned and Black-serving newspaper I must advocate for Black people. No one accuses White reporters and editors of bias toward White people. Yet, the implication is Black people can’t cover Black people fairly. Yes, we can and we do. We exist to cover Black people fairly because
it wasn’t being done. We’re living up to the ideals of journalism taught in journalism school. I am honored to be a part of the Black Press. I’m proud to continue the legacy of being a voice for the voiceless, advocating for Black people and telling our stories. We don’t always get the respect we deserve from those outside the Black community —and even those in the Black community. There are those who believe because we are Black owned and serve the Black community of Indianapolis, we are inferior journalists, and we’re often treated as such. Our journalists are just as—if not more —talented than any other journalist, and our product isn’t an inferior, second-class product, but it’s apparent many believe this when our reporters call sources, and those calls aren’t returned—but we see other media outlets interviewed those same people about the same issue. I call it the plight of the Black Press. It’s always an uphill batter, but it does little to deter us. In fact, it pushes us to work harder because we believe our readers deserve better. We believe our readers deserve the same respect as any other media outlet’s audience. Our readers reside in this city too, and they have a stake in the outcomes just as any other citizen. We won’t let our audience be treated as inferior or second class just because others do. I doubt Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russworm knew they started a movement that would endure for generations, but they knew it was time for us to tell our stories in our own voices. The tradition continues. (Reprinted from The Indianapolis Recorder)
Lack of home structure is a major factor in our demoralizing Across this nation, in a number of major cities with a significant Black population crime, shootings and killings are running rampant. I like so many of you cry out asking God to help us and question why those who are in control of these cities have absolutely failed to put a stop to this genocide. As a youngster growing up I witnessed the beginning of the monster “Dope” and the devastating affect it had on our communities, entire families and the neighborhoods. The dope man became king. People were hypnotized as these persons drove high priced cars, wore fancy clothes, flashed huge bankrolls, bankrolled local sports teams, etc. A number of attorneys got wealthy. Certain police, certain judges and law enforcement overwhelmingly would simply state, “So what, drugs is the monkey’s problem.” Drugs have not been eradicated. It now is a problem that all races are confronted with, but it is still too prevalent in Black neighborhoods. The problems we are confronted with
Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick
To Tell The Truth today are the same problems that have been roadblocks for you and me for at least the last 80 years in the city of Pittsburgh. Let us analyze: There has always been a lack of quality education in public schools, underemployment and unemployment, which limited our ability to buy or rent in certain neighborhoods. College was not even a dream and only those who were truly blessed with faith in God dared to become businesspersons. There was an unbelievable shortage of decent housing available for Blacks and a miracle occurred called Public Housing, namely the Projects. I recall a neighbor of ours moved into
the projects and invited me to stay overnight. It was the first time I had ever taken a bath in a bathtub. In fact where we lived only two houses in the neighborhood had bathtubs. Then came a period of time when the projects were in an unbelievable stage of deterioration. I remember some of the projects were now four stories high and a lot negative changes had taken place. It was the beginning of the 1960s and the tenants now challenged the Housing Authority. Tenants had dogs, stores, after hour joints, and were selling drugs. These individuals were in the minority but this was the beginning of the demise of the projects and the tearing down of the projects. One of the worst tragedies was the projects became overwhelmingly one parent head of the household. They were the super strong Black mothers and I called them Wonder Women. Daddy was absent then and an unbelievable number of daddies are still absent. Yes, it’s an overwhelming factor in the demise of the Black family structure.
‘I’m sorry, (Judge) Jackson’ I am for real. The political theater surrounding the historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court has often been equally amusing and frustrating, especially because the outcome is pre-determined given Democratic control of the Senate. The only suspense is whether any Republicans will vote for her. Presidents have made 165 nominations to the Supreme Court since it was established in 1789; 127 have been confirmed, with seven declining to serve. If confirmed, Judge Jackson would be the 115th person—and first Black woman— to serve. Importantly, the Senate has rarely been a rubber stamp for the president; even two of George Washington’s 14 nominees were rejected. Still, the vast majority of nominees—even the controversial ones—are eventually confirmed. Robert Bork is an exception; Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh are the rule. Some, such as Harriet Miers, have withdrawn their nomination when it appeared to be in trouble. Historically, the confirmation process has largely been bipartisan. (Three of Ronald Reagan’s five nominees were unanimously confirmed.) However, razor thin vote margins—along party lines—have become the norm in our closely divided Senate. Sadly, nominees have become mere political pawns in the high-stakes chess match between Republicans and Democrats. Indeed, most senators aren’t really speaking to the nominees during the process; they’re speaking to their constituencies—and to each other. (Looking at you, Lindsey Graham.) Long gone are the days when most senators simply asked questions like the once obligatory metaphor of umpires calling “balls and strikes.”
Larry Smith
Commentary To be clear, this problem is bipartisan. In 2016, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell engaged in despicable gamesmanship regarding President Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland. (McConnell refused to give the Senate the opportunity to vote on Garland, who is now U.S. Attorney General.) This still enrages Democrats, very few of whom voted for any of Donald Trump’s nominees. As the nation becomes ever more politically polarized, it is nearly impossible to see an end to this reality. While the partisan animosity over judicial nominees is real, senators usually don’t see the nominees as genuine foes; rather, their goal is to make them foils. Still, Republican attacks-designed-as-stupid-questions seem particularly personal when it comes to Judge Jackson. Leading up to the hearings, they even challenged her bona fides—despite the fact that she has more experience than four justices who currently sit on the court. Further, she sits on the D.C. Court of Appeals and has been confirmed by the Senate thrice—including last year. Then there are the familiar dog whistles and tone-deaf racial stereotypes. For example, Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana expressed his great surprise at how “articulate” Judge Jackson is. Of course, racism directed at Judge
Jackson is not confined to the Senate. Tucker Carlson, the Eddie Haskell of White nationalism, called for the release of Jackson’s LSAT scores. (He never has done so for White nominees.) To be clear, anything that Judge Jackson, or any nominee, has done and said is fair game. Further, any decision that she has made is in bounds. Yet, in considering her experience and record, if Judge Jackson is not qualified to be elevated to the Supreme Court, literally nobody is. Of course, all of this is Kabuki theater. As I stated above, Judge Jackson is going to be confirmed—as she should be. Yet, in our highly partisan environment, Republicans will rarely vote for nominees from Democratic presidents and vice versa. The simple truth is that if Jackson were asked exactly the same questions and offered precisely the same answers as now-Justice Barrett did during her (i.e., Barrett’s) hearing, roughly the same number of Republicans would vote for her. Sadly, the party of the nominator is more important than the qualifications of the nominee. This is exceedingly dangerous for our democracy. Through it all, Judge Jackson has exhibited superlative composure, self-control and even good humor. (I strongly suspect that President Biden would be forced to withdraw her nomination if she reacted to tough questioning in the way that Brett Kavanaugh did during his SCOTUS confirmation hearing.) Judge Jackson’s temperament will be crucial when she becomes the first Black woman ever to serve on the highest court in the land. Our ancestors will weep with joy. (Larry Smith is a community leader. Contact him at larry@leaf-llc.com.) (Reprinted from the Indianapolis Recorder)
B4
FORUM
MARCH 30-APRIL 5, 2022
The Jackson assault proves again the GOP plays for keeps (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Wyoming is undoubtedly “Trump Country,” and the voters Ketanji Brown Jackson byRepublican every legal and there arestandard making itis known that Rep. Liz Cheney judicial almost a judicial central is no longer welcome. As Her Republicans abandon casting SCOTUS pick. credentials are Cheney, theyShe arehas alsogarnered abandoning eleimpeccable. loadscritical of awards ments typically advocated the conservative for legal acumen. She wasbyconfirmed by the movement as a included whole. American Senate, which severalconservatism GOP senahas always with competing ideoltors, three been times.marked She has a near storybook, ogies between fiscal conservatives, social consercompelling personal life experience resume. vatives, and Regardless of the Most of all,neoconservatives. the GOP already has a conservariousto political ideologies, the divergent vative ultra-conservative near lockstrands on the making upJackson the conservative movement have SCOTUS. on the SCOTUS will do always agreed on upholding thethat. U.S. Constituabsolutely nothing to change She will tion, be which a federal republic to under still partestablished of a very distinct moderate the the rule minority of law andon maintaining theConfirming ideas of our liberal the bench. Foundingthen Fathers. Jackson should at worst have been just is seeking a fourth by term as the a Cheney, day or who two of token theatrics a couple lone representative from for Wyoming, holdsmove the of GOP senators strictly show. Then seat oncetoheld by herher father, former Vicetwo Presiquickly confirm with ideally or dent Dick In voting her previous leadership three GOPCheney. senators for confirmation position as House Republican Conference Chair, to at least give the vote a smidgen of bipartishe voted That in linedidn’t with Donald Trump’s position 93 sanship. happen for a very horripercent of the her conservative ble reason, intime. fact, Despite two horrible reasons, record, congresswoman was formally removed Onethe is the brutal in-your-face political jockfrom her position as conference is no longer eying that confirming a freshchair, SCOTUS judge recognized by Since the Wyoming Republican Party, has sunk to. the 1960s the Supreme censured by been the Republican National Court has the political jewelCommitin the tee, andfor hasstaunch been targeted by Trump The himself for crown conservatives. court defeat inthe thisright’s year’s main primary election. became prize duringThe thebacktenlash of didChief not occur because a lack ofThe loyalty to ure Justice Earl of Warren. rightconservative beliefs butat from lack of loyalty to wing routinely railed theaWarren court for one liberal individual. Cheyney voted toand impeach Trump its rulings upholding expanding for his rolevoting in the rights, Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. civil and labor, environmental, Capitol, nineprotections, Republican representatives and civiljoining liberties abortion, and and all House Democrats to abuses. impeach Conservathe former reining in the corporate
Earl Ofari Hutchinson
Commentary president. Shethe called it court a “voteasofan herunapologetconscience” tives viewed high against Trump’s betrayal of his office and his ic advocate of activist liberalism and loathed oath it for to it. uphold the Constitution. When House Republicans voted to removescreamed her as conference The far-right repeatedly for Warchair, she addressed herthat colleagues, in ren’s head with signs popped saying up along part, “Today wethroughout face a threatthe America never the highways Southhas and the seen before. A former president, who provoked a Heartland, “Impeach Earl Warren.” violent attack on thiswanted Capitolmore in anjudges effort to The right plainly onsteal the the election, resumed histoe aggressive effort to bench who has would rigidly the ultra-conconvince thebecame electioneven was stolen servativeAmericans line. The that court more from him. He inciting tool further Milimportant asrisks a political forviolence. the conserlions Americans have been misled the forvativeofremake of the country when by it became mer have heard only his words, clearpresident. that justThey having more conservatives in but the truth, as heHouse continues undermine the not Senate and the wastonot enough our democratic sowing of doubt to roll back theprocess, gains in civil, seeds women’s, and about whetherofdemocracy really works at all. I labor rights the past half-century. Demoam a conservative the mostcould concrats even as the Republican minority inand Congress servative of conservative is reverence obstruct or outright killprinciples legislation through for rule of law.” thethe filibuster. And with the nation’s populaReverence for the rule of law israpidly also supported tion and voter demographics changby Republican coning Rep. withAdam more Kinzinger, minorities,the women, same-sex, gressman He also voted for and the and youth,from whoIllinois. were mostly Democrats, impeachment of the former president, positions, and along implacably hostile to conservative with theymore are the onlyin Republican memthis Cheney, could put spine Democrats to bers on the House Select Committee instandserving firm against the machinations of convestigating theCongress. Jan. 6 attack. For those reasons, servatives in Kinzinger is correctly also a target political wrath. But The right sawforthe Supreme Court reverence forathe rule ofarbiter law is not connot just as neutral to solely settle alegal servative it is an American principle disputes. principle; It was a lethal weapon to skirt consupported Republicans and Democrats of all gressionalby gridlock and serve a dual role as races. Whenand Cheney, Kinzinger, and the meant Demoa judicial legislative body. This crats voted the for impeachment, was out ofon patriscrapping long-standingittradition the otic duty to thejustices nation, not politics, as some court where based their legalwould decidescribe. If we Republicans andlaw, Democrats sions solely onasthe merit of the constiadhere the Founders’ ideas, wegood, must and emtutionaltoprinciples, and the then public brace the concerns held byhis George Washington not ideology. Trump and hard-right conregarding presidentare versus As that a Foundservative abackers fullya king. aware the er and the verytofirst Washingtoncould had court’s power be president, de facto legislators the of shaping and last tremendous for decades. responsibility After all presidents and conforming the rolecome of president others after him gresspersons and go,forbut justices can to Experiencing British rule sit follow. there until death if life theyunder choose. Clarence and tyranny from Kingexample George III, Washington Thomas is a textbook of that. He has desired not bench to havefor thethree president become another sat on the decades. version of an autocratic king. His fearsescalated are now The SCOTUS confirmation wars being made manifest in how political loyalty to with the death of Antonin Scalia in FebruTrump is demanded and how was that then-Presiloyalty is a ary 2016. His replacement prerequisite for call. acceptance from GOPwas leadership dent Obama’s The consensus that a and the Republican base of supporters. moderate conservative would have the best Cheneyofinsists that her sole focus the chance getting confirmed withisaserving minimum people of Wyoming and protecting democracy of rancor. from Trumpism. Kinzinger shares the same goal Obama nominated Merrick Garland to about democracy andMarch Trumpism, is why the High Court in 2016.which He was the he has endorsed Cheney and other anti-Trumpconsummate moderate seemed least obism candidates his Country First orgajectionable to through then-Senate Majority Leader nization. Kinzinger’sand organization in Mitch McConnell the GOPistounique replace that it joins Democrats, Republicans, IndeScalia. Wrong! McConnell said no.and His no pendents to support candidates are meant notogether confirmation hearings, nowho confirwilling publicly resist the toxic attacks on demationtovotes, and ultimately no Garland mocracy. The Republican primary more critical confirmation. His play for time is worked magthan the general against the Democrat nificently. He gotelection the GOP President in Nocandidate in many congressional races. vember 2016 that deep-red he wanted. With the Scalia With this vacant, schism within thenominee Republican seat still Trump’s was Party a juexposed, Democrats in critical rist who should would registered adhere closely in rulings and primary watch from the sidelinesanor opinionsraces to thejust pro-corporate, anti-labor, step in? Many voters in and Republican-controlled ti-environment control, regulatory rules areas such the as Wyoming identify that were hallmark of thewith GOPDemocrats and that and seriously considering hurtare millions of workers andswitching the poor. parties toJackson keep pro-Trumpism candidates out of office. took the carefully calibrated heat This could to be an effective tactic in close during theprove confirmation hearings from Texraces. The idea “theand enemy of my enemy is as Senator Tedthat Cruz other GOP senamy has been applied in American torsfriend” for another insidious reason. Theforeign GOP policy, buthardball it is relevant in this year’s primary will play at every turn to assert its elections. Do Democrats stepthe in and help pro-depolitical dominance over government. If mocracy Republicans fightherring to defeat pro-Trumpit took tossing out red irrelevancies ism by party-switching? Consider suchRepublicans as critical race theory, soft on crime and the Revolutionary War between the American pornography, transgender advocacy to muck colonies and Greatconfirmation Britain. Britain’s main and adup a SCOTUS hearing versary was not but the French. taint Jackson it the wasAmericans fully prepared to do that. ItWith was France coming to thearound militarythe aidcorner, of the the 2022 midterms Americans that Great defeat. Jackson was thesealed pawn for the Britain’s GOP to further France’s decision to helppolitical its enemy’s sharpen calculated its take-no-prisoners hit enemy paidon off. Democrats in Jackson critical districts game plan the Democrats. will be may need toBut follow when conconfirmed. sheFrance’s will beexample confirmed almost sidering real consequences. certainlythe without a single GOP senator back(David Marshall is theassault founder of faith-based oring her.W. The Jackson is the just the latest ganization, TRB: The Body, author of the example that the Reconciled GOP plays forand keeps. book God BlessHutchinson Our DividedisAmerica. He can reached (Earl Ofari an author andbepolitical atwww.davidwmarshallauthor.com.) analyst.)
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Three considerations in women’s sports: safety, fairness, and inclusion Recently, varsity swimmer Lia Thomas became the first known transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship. This reignited the debate over whether it’s unfair for a male that transitioned into a female to compete against cisgender females. I said reignited because there was a controversy concerning unfairness when transgender runner CeCe Telfer placed first in the 400-meter hurdles during the 2019 NCAA Women’s Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championship. Here there are two different matters of unfairness that can’t be reconciled. 1). If a male that transitioned into a female is banned from women’s sports, the ban would constitute unfair treatment visà-vis discrimination against the transgender athlete. 2). If a male that transitioned into a female is allowed to compete in women’s sports, their allowance is unfair to cisgender female athletes, who will be at a competitive disadvantage. From a legal standpoint, if the NCAA banned transgender athletes from women’s sports, the probability is high they lose a discrimination lawsuit. On the other hand, if cisgender females brought a lawsuit against the NCAA for placing them at a competitive disadvantage, the cisgender plaintiffs will have high levels of difficulty meeting their burden of proof. So, the NCAA didn’t discriminate. As of 2019, the NCAA rules stated, transgender student-athletes can participate in the women’s sports category after completing one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment. After Telfer’s victory, Telfer told an interviewer that testosterone didn’t give her an unfair advantage over cisgender female
J. Pharoah Doss
Check It Out runners because she was on hormone therapy for “quite some time”, and her testosterone levels were lower than the average woman’s as a result. However, the next year, Telfer was not allowed to compete in the women’s 400-hurdles 2020 Olympic trials because of her testosterone levels. What happened? Did the NCAA and the Olympic trials have different rules and regulations, or was it something else not necessarily understood at the time? Champion Women, a non-profit legal advocacy group for girls and women in sports, became the first major women’s organization to address transgender athletes competing in women’s sports following the Lia Thomas controversy. The CEO of Champion Women stated: If a biological woman tested positive just two times for testosterone, she would be banned for life because the World Anti-Doping Association knows that prolonged steroid use provides legacy effects that aren’t diminished just because someone stopped taking the drug. Lia Thomas still benefits from 10 years of male puberty. If there were hormone suppression regimes that effectively eliminated the male-puberty advantage, I would think trans women’s inclusion was fair. But what Lia Thomas has shown us is that the research is correct, and it is not
possible for trans women to roll back male puberty. She may lose V02-Max as her hemoglobin drops, but she retains most of her strength, all her height, bigger lungs, hands, and body proportions that favor male physiology in most sports. There is no ‘one size fits all’ resolution. There are three considerations: safety, fairness, and inclusion. I would prioritize them in that order. But a transgender woman doesn’t make swimming more dangerous. It matters tremendously in combat sports, where men have a 160-percent advantage over women in the punching motion. Incidentally, this whole transgender controversy first gained national attention in combat sports. In 2013, it was discovered that 37-year-old mixed martial artist Fallon Fox was competing against women but neglected to inform the MMA officials that she was born a male. Fox won all of her fights in the first round, 3 in the amateurs and 2 as a professional. Fox also won her next fight in the first round, but this time her opponent left the ring with a damaged orbital bone and a concussion. It’s important to note that in 2019 CNN reported, on average, 13 male professional boxers die in the ring each year. MMA is more violent than boxing for males and females. Last year, Alana Mclaughlin, a 38-yearold mixed martial artist who transitioned from male to female in 2010, became the second openly transgender individual to compete in MMA. After winning her match, Mclaughlin said, “I’m following Fallon’s footsteps.” In combat sports, these footsteps can lead transgender women to glory, but these footsteps can also lead their opponents to an early grave.
Ketanji Brown Jackson… just be yourself (TriceEdneyWire.com)—The Lady Justice statue, which is seen often in many courthouses, has become the most recognized symbol of American justice. It is portrayed as a blindfolded woman carrying a sword and a set of scales as she represents the ethics and fairness of how the legal system is supposed to work. The blindfold tells us that justice is blind in its impartiality and objectivity of the law. Therefore, external factors such as partisan politics, wealth, status, race or fame should be removed so they do not prevent the execution of an honest and objective process and decision by the courts. Justice does not see who is before her regardless if they are rich or poor, Black or White, friend or foe; everyone is to have equal treatment. Balance is key, and the scales represents the balance of justice. The scales imply a rational process of fairness where both sides of the case will be considered even-handedly. It counters the realty of a shameless segment of society with its “thumb on the scale” approach to justice. An approach where too much weight (or biased influence) on one side will cause the scales to tilt unfairly in one direction. It takes men and women of character and integrity to serve as court judges on all levels in order to have this type of justice executed. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with those who were given the past honor of being nominated and appointed as a court judges. Years ago Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson served a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer. Ironically, the current United States Circuit Judge has been nominated to replace the retiring Justice Breyer making her the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. “Justice Breyer not only gave me the greatest job that any young lawyer could ever hope to have,
David W. Marshall
Commentary but he also exemplifies what it means to be a Supreme Court Justice of the highest level of skill and integrity, civility, and grace,” Jackson said. “It is extremely humbling to be considered for Justice Breyer’s seat, and I know that I could never fill his shoes. But if confirmed, I would hope to carry on his spirit.” Given the current political climate, it was not surprising that the four day Supreme Court confirmation hearings had its moments of partisan grandstanding. Regardless, the hearing process overall was a proud and historic moment. During the hearings, the nation had the opportunity to see how much Ketanji Brown Jackson either as a daughter, sister, wife, friend, student, public servant and most of all a working mother reminds us of ourselves. During the hearings we learned that her parents, Johnny and Ellery Brown, left their hometown of Miami, FL and moved to Washington, DC where they both would became public school teachers. Like so many parents from all walks of life, they sacrificed in providing their children every opportunity to reach their God-given potential. They instilled in their daughter and future judge the importance of public service and through hard work she can become anything she wanted to be. As an expression of her parent’s pride in their heritage and hope for the future, they gave their daughter the African
name meaning “lovely one”. As a woman of deep faith in God and unyielding love for family, Judge Jackson epitomizes the challenges of a working woman in juggling a career with the demands of motherhood. We also saw during the hearings how Jackson epitomizes a true court judge when constantly pressed on the topic of judicial philosophy. As a judge, she refuses to be labeled by remaining committed to following an honest and objective judicial process. When questioned by Sen. Ben Sasse, Jackson stated, “As a result, because my methodology involves these various pieces and because of the way in which I do things, I’m reluctant to establish or adopt a particular label because the idea of how you interpret is just one part of the entirety of a judge’s responsibility.” She was a judge explaining to senators who were not judges, how to be a judge. She would later explain how her methodology has steps which includes proceeding from a position of neutrality, evaluating all of the facts from various perspectives and finally interpretation and application of the law to the specific facts in the case. When she made it known to the senators, “I’m not importing my personal view or policy preferences”, isn’t this how every judge should apply blind justice? While Sen. Sasse will not support Judge Jackson’s confirmation, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said that he intends to vote yes effectively guaranteeing she will be confirmed. Judge Jackson will make history with her confirmation, but she has already taught us a valuable lesson. Stay composed and don’t allow people to place labels on you. Just be yourself….independent and fair. (David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America. He can be reached at www.davidwmarshallauthor.com.)
We’re not letting anybody steal our joy (TriceEdneyWire.com)—A congressional meeting room might be the last place people would expect to find joy. But joy was in the air on the opening day of the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Joy was in my heart and in the hearts of so many friends and colleagues who were in the room that day. Why were we feeling joyful? We were joyful because this brilliant judge is about to become the first Black woman ever to serve on this country’s highest court. We were joyful because we could feel the love and pride from Judge Jackson’s parents, brother, husband, and daughters. As a father, I was joyful because my Black daughter can look to a new role model. She has a new reason to believe that her dreams, talents, and hard work can take her wherever she wants to go. We all knew that the week ahead would be a difficult one for Judge Jackson. There would be grueling 12-hour days. There would be disgraceful lies. There would be examples of barely concealed racism. All of that happened. And none of it broke Judge Jackson’s spirit or calm professionalism.
Ben Jealous
Commentary In the face of smears and false accusations, she gracefully explained the truth about her record and her commitment to applying the law fairly. She showed Americans a strength grounded in faith. She demonstrated a self-confidence built over years of perseverance and accomplishment. She spoke about her love for our country and for the Constitution. We live at a time when the Court is dominated by judges who do not share a commitment to justice for all. We live at a time when White nationalism and bigotry are openly promoted by powerful politicians and pundits. Judge Jackson’s nomination gave us a reason for renewed hope that our country can and will continue to make progress toward the ideal of equal justice under law and equal opportunity for all Americans.
It was also a reminder that millions of Americans played a part in making this moment possible. Millions of us voted to replace former President Donald Trump with President Joe Biden, who made a commitment to putting a Black woman on the Supreme Court. Millions of us contributed to the effort to elect Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in runoff elections in Georgia. Those elections kept Republicans from controlling the U.S. Senate. They kept Sen. Mitch McConnell from being able to abuse his power to prevent President Biden’s nominees from even getting a vote, as he did so often with President Obama’s judicial nominees. All of us who donated time and money, knocked on doors, made phone calls or sent texts to potential voters, and who cast our ballots—we all helped bring about that joyful morning on Capitol Hill. And we can all look forward to celebrating when she is sworn in as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
(Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and Professor of the Practice in the Africana Studies Department at the University of Pennsylvania where he teaches leadership.)
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COMPUTER/IT Argo AI seeks Software Engineer II’s to work in Pittsburgh, PA & to architect & develop new features for next gen software deployment infrastructure for autonomous vehicles. Degree & commensurate exp. req’d. Apply online at https://www.argo.ai/careers/#j4038228
JOB OPENING: ASSISTANT FARMERS MARKET MANAGER Seeking someone passionate about food access to assist with operations of the Lawrenceville Farmers Market. 10 hrs/wk, $15/hr, seasonal. More info at bit.ly/LFMassistant
SOFTWARE ENGINEER, AUTOMATIC TRAIN OPERATION Bombardier Transportation (Holdings) USA, Inc. c/d/b/a Alstom seeks a Software Engineer, Automatic Train Operation to work in Pittsburgh, PA, to be responsible for the design and development of software solutions for Automatic Train Operations. Send resume to Kelly Krivijanski, Human Resources, Bombardier Transportation, 1501 Lebanon Church Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. NEAR EARTH AUTONOMY seeks Senior Robotics Engineer (multiple openings) in Pittsburgh, PA to design, engineer, implement, test & deploy robotics sensing, perception, planning, navigation, guidance & control methodologies for autonomous aerial vehicles applications. Support design of modular, functional system architectures; design software and/or hardware architectures to guide system implementation; select robotics algorithms for each system capability & participate in implementation; develop system test plans & conduct system testing at company HQ & in field; lead & participate in system debugging incl. triage & root cause analysis; document system design, implementation & testing & deployment results; prepare & present results to company staff, sponsors, partners & cu s t om er s ; s uperv i s e j u n i o r engineers. Travel about 3-5 times/ year, about 2-3 days/trip for flight tests & demonstrations. Apply online: h t t p s : / / n e a r e a r t h a u t o n o m y. applytojob.com/ SENIOR TECHNICAL PROGRAM MANAGER Duolingo, Inc. has multiple openings for Senior Technical Program Manager in Pittsburgh, PA. Oversee & streamline tech. process of bringing online & mobile application products from concept to reality. Duties include: Partner w/engineers, product mgrs., designers, & other stakeholders to defi n e & ex ec ut e e n g i n e e ri n g project release deadlines & plans; Architect environment that encourages & fosters collaboration & support amongst functions & propels development lifecycle for eng. projects; Create & iterate tools for identifying project goals, metrics, & milestones for eng. projects & ensure all internal/external stakeholders are informed; Play pivotal role in forecasting & assessing potential risks & delays for in-process & upcoming eng. projects; Measure engineering projects before/during development against budget guidelines, & d eadlines ; Handl e re l e v a n t inbound inquiries regarding eng. projects & facilitate meetings to help teams nav igat e t ec h . i s s u e s ; Identify metrics that support Company OKRs. Reqs.: Bachelor’s degree or foreign equiv. in Computer Science, Information Systems Management or related field. Must have 2 yrs of exp. with following: (1) Exp. leveraging agile software development lifecycle tooling to facilitate software development planning & execution activities; (2) Exp. driving software development processes by leading teams through backlog refinement & sprint planning activities. Must have knowledge of following: (1) Java; (2) Python; (3) Atlassian Jira; (4) Atlassian Confluence; and (5) Microsoft Project. Email resume to: jobs@duolingo.com with Job No. S r Te c h M g r 2 0 2 2 a n d t i t l e “Senior Technical Program Manager” in subject line. CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART. SENIOR DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. With development team, develops programs & strategies, manages resources focused on fundraising for Carnegie Museum of Art. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience/ education required. View full posting and apply through website. https://bit.ly/3CNxHN7 DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATION Love the outdoors and have a talent for raising money? Join the team at Venture Outdoors as our new Director of Development & Communications! Duties include: management of fundraising activities including sponsorship, individual giving, membership, fee for service and external marketing/communications. Check out the full job description at https://www.ventureoutdoors. org/about/employment-opportunities/
ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS AVAILABLE. The Steel Valley School District is looking for passionate professionals who are dedicated to improvement and teamwork. District enrollment is 1,350 students. Available positions include Middle School Principal and Director/Supervisor of Pupil Services and Special Education. Middle School Principal Requirements: Principal K-12 certification, curriculum deployment expertise, and expertise in instructional methodologies. Preferred: 5+ years of previous building management experience and demonstrable success in improving student achievement and attendance. Director/Supervisor of Pupil Services and Special Education Requirements: Supervisor of Special Education certification and either Supervisor of Pupil Services certification or Superintendent certification. Preferred: 5+ years of supervisory or administrative experience, and demonstrable success with important job components such as LRE, disproportionality and PBIS. Send letter of interest, resume, standard application, transcripts, current clearances and credentials to hrsupport@steelvalleysd.org. Deadline April 13, 2022. EOE SOUTH FAYETTE TWP. SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Complete job description and directions on how to apply are available at: www.southfayette.org Deadline 4:00 PM April 8, 2022 EOE SOUTH FAYETTE TWP. SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN TEACHER for the start of the 2022-2023 school year: Complete job description and directions on how to apply are available at: www.southfayette.org Deadline 4:00 PM April 1, 2022 EOE THE SENECA VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT anticipates full-time elementary, special education and secondary teaching positions for the 2022-23 school year. If interested, please submit required information to www.svsd.net/Employment. Seneca Valley School District is committed to advancing equity and embracing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. E.O.E APPRENTICESHIP The Joint Apprenticeship Committee of the Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local #2, Pittsburgh, PA is accepting applications for consideration towards apprenticeship in the Mechanical System Insulator and Asbestos Worker Trade. Applications are accepted without regard to Race, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Age, or Disability. Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of application; have a high school diploma or G.E.D at the time of application; have a dependable form of transportation; and must be physically fit to perform the work of the trade. Applications must be obtained in person Monday through Saturday: April 4, through April 9, 2022 and Monday through Thursday: April 11, through April 14, 2022 between the hours of 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM at the Insulators Training Center, 109 Pleasant Drive Suite B, Aliquippa, PA 15001. Photo identification is required and there is a $25.00 (non-refundable) application-processing fee, to be paid by cashier’s check or money order. POLICE OFFICER BOROUGH OF SWISSVALE The Borough of Swissvale Civil Service Commission is currently accepting applications for the position of Full-Time Police Officer. Applications and more detailed information on the position may be obtained online at https://www.swissvaleborough. com/jobs.aspx or by calling 412271-7101. Deadline for applications is 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022. The application must be accompanied with a non-refundable application fee in the amount of $35.00. Greg Bachy Interim Borough Manager CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!
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CITY EDITOR The New Pittsburgh Courier is seeking a highly motivated individual with a sense of urgency in developing engaging general news and feature content to be our City Editor. The successful candidate must be an engaging storyteller with strong reporting, writing, and editing skills and the ability to work within a fast-paced production and marketing environment while maintaining high ethical standards and meeting deadlines. Our ideal candidate should also be able to produce quality photographs to supplement their stories and have graphic layout skills. Duties will include: working with editorial leadership to determine priorities for daily news coverage and reporting geared towards the Black community for both digital and print publication; and daily collaboration across a close-knit team, assisting leadership in the planning and managing of day-to-day operations, proofreading and editing copy for compliance with policies, style, and tone; and attending events, panels and speaking engagements on behalf of the publication. This is a full-time position offering compensation commensurate to experience. Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, and more. Please send a letter of interest and resume to jobs@newpittsburghcourier.com
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH Sealed bids will be received in the Bellefield Avenue Lobby, Administration Building, 341 South Bellefield Avenue until 11:00 A.M. prevailing time April 12, 2022 and will be opened at the same hour for the purchase of the following equipment and supplies:
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH Request for Proposal for a SUPPLIER DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT & COMPLIANCE SOFTWARE SOLUTION This Request for Proposal may be obtained from the District’s web page at: https://www.pghschools.org/ domain/239. One (1) original and five (5) copies of the proposal, including any attachments and cover letter, must be prepared and submitted as described in the RFP by 5:00PM EST on Monday, April 18, 2022. The District reserves the right to reject any or all RFPs.
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Estate of RONALD E. HAMMILL A/K/A RONALD EDWARD HAMMILL, Deceased of Baldwin Borough, Pennsylvania Estate No. 02-2201629, Ryan W. Brode, Esq., Administrator, or to Robert S. Bootay III, Atty, 6 Clairton Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15236
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Notice is hereby given that DeeJ Gandy, of the 4th Ward, City of Pittsburgh has been elected constable on November 2, 2021, by the people of the commonwealth to fill the seat previously held by Chis Kumanchik. The court may order this absolute if no exceptions are filed at the Dept. of Records in Room 114 of the Allegheny County Courthouse, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, within 30 days of the aforesaid appointment.
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PROFESSIONAL Economic development organization is requesting qualifications from: Engineering and Environmental Firms- Qualifications relative to the following should be discussed: Civil site design, erosion and sedimentation control, site grading plans, wetland delineation, geotechnical engineering, construction and demolition management, permitting, environmental site characterization and remediation, and closure of industrial sites through the PA. Land Recycling Program. Qualifications should include personnel available for this assignment, working in a team environment, meeting goals for minority and women owned businesses, and method and hourly rates of compensation. Economic Development/Grant Management Firms- Qualifications relative to the following should be discussed: redevelopment planning, managing Federal grants for economic development, packaging other economic incentive programs, working in a team environment, personnel available for this assignment, assistance in securing women and minority participation, and the method and hourly rates of compensation. Both RFQ’s are due April 15, 2022 and should be mailed to: North Side Industrial Development Company, 700 River Avenue, Pgh, PA. 15212.
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC SUPPLIES General Information regarding bids may be obtained at the Purchasing Office, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, RM 349 Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The bid documents are available on the School District’s Purchasing web site at: www.pghschools.org Click on Our Community; Bid Opportunities; Purchasing - under Quick Links. The Board of Public Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or select a single item from any bid. We are an equal rights and opportunity school district ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE In accordance with Title 25, Chapter 71 of the Pennsylvania Code, Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) is accepting written comments on the ALCOSAN Act 537 Special Study. This Special Study provides an update to the 1996 Act 537 Plan that was adopted by the City of Pittsburgh and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The purpose of the Special Study is to amend the 1996 Act 537 Plan to reflect ALCOSAN’s current strategy for the regional conveyance facilities and wet weather pump station. The entire Act 537 Special Study can be reviewed at the following locations: Aspinwall Borough Building, City of Pittsburgh- Department of City Planning, Etna Borough Building, McKees Rocks Borough Building, Millvale Borough Building, O’Hara Township Building, Shaler Township Building, Shaler North Hills Library, Sharpsburg Borough Building, West Homestead Borough Building, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Allegheny Branch, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Hazelwood Branch, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Lawrenceville Branch, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – South Side Branch or on the ALCOSAN website at https://www.alcosan.org/news-andevents/act-537-plan-special-study. All comments must be in writing and submitted within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice to: ALCOSAN 3300 Preble Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15233 public.relations@alcosan.org Written comments received during the review process will be included in the final submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on April 12, 2022, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Pgh. Carrick and Westinghouse CTE Air Conditioning Mechanical (HVAC) and Electrical Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on March 23, 2022, at Modern Reproductions (412488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.
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Paula B. Castleberry Minority/Women Business Department Email: pcastleberry1@pghschools.org REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Allegheny County Department of Human Services recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Language Assistance Services. Due Date: 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 27. For more details and submission information, visit: w w w . a l l e g h e n y c o u n t y. u s / Human-Services/Resources/ Doing-Business/Solicitations-(RFP/ RFQ/RFI).aspx. Erin Dalton Director ADVERTISEMENT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY Proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 on the following: RFP 3131 – INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER Due date: 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Thursday, April 14, 2022 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 proposals. The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses. For more information, contact Michael Cvetic at mcvetic@ccac.edu NOTICE The City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Management and Budget-Community Development (OMB-CD) announces the launch of FY2022’s Public Service Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant program. Applications are online and are available from the following website: https://engage.pittsburghpa. gov/2022-public-service-grant. The application period will be open for six weeks and will run from March 28, 2022 – May 06, 2022. OMB-CD will host two virtual Q&A sessions for the Public Service grant opportunity: Friday, April 22, 2022 12:00PM – 1:00PM Thursday, April 28, 2022 5:00PM – 6:00PM The Q&A sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams and registration is required. To register for the sessions and access a prerecorded information video about this grant opportunity, go to: https://engage.pittsburghpa. gov/2022-public-service-grant Please note that the deadline for applications is Friday, May 06, 2022. For more information, please contact community.development@ pittsburghpa.gov.
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ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY LETTERS-OF-INTEREST FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES MARCH 30, 2022 Letters-of-Interest (LOI) with current Form SF330, for construction management services, will be received through the platform Submittable at https://acaacapitalprograms.submittable.com/. The Letter of Interest (LOI) must be uploaded to Submittable by 12:00 PM (Noon) on May 20, 2022 (late submissions will not be accepted), for the following: A. General Construction Management Services: The ACAA will typically utilize a Construction Manager (CM) on each of the projects listed below at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC) which involves construction. Specific responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Field inspection to ensure compliance with bid documents, perform constructability and technical reviews of design documents, maintaining a CPM Schedule to coordinate multiple prime contractors, recommend contractor progress payments, monitoring and reporting of contractor DBE participation, develop/prepare construction safety phasing plans to minimize operational outages, negotiate and recommend minimal change orders for contractor scope changes or value engineering, complete market availability and labor analysis, construction cost estimating and reconciliation, provide final as-built drawings, and maintain all records as required by the FAA, PennDOT, PADEP, Findlay and Moon Townships, the ACAA or other entities as required. 1. Asphalt and Concrete Repair and Replacement Work will include miscellaneous repairs and replacement of cracked and deteriorated pavement on roads, shoulders, sidewalks, curbs, parking lots, runways, taxiways, aprons, and ramps. 2. Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation, Signage, and Electrical Work may consist of partial or full keel section replacement, isolated concrete slab work, joint and crack repair, trench drain repair, asphalt shoulder work, lighting upgrades, signage improvements, and pavement marking. Typical projects may include: a. Airfield signage and sign bases b. Airside apron and trench drains c. Runways, aprons, and taxiways d. Joint sealant and spall repair e. Airfield lighting upgrades/replacements 3. Infrastructure Development, Repair and Replacement Work may consist of permitting, surveying, geotechnical investigations, site grading, drainage, roadways, aprons, taxiways, sanitary and storm sewers, potable and fire protection water, electrical, HVAC, telephone, and gas lines. 4. Building Rehabilitation, Replacement and Upgrades Work may consist of miscellaneous mechanical, electrical or structural repairs, roof replacement, brick work, caulking, sealing, painting, baggage system upgrades and security upgrades on the Landside and Airside Buildings, and other miscellaneous buildings as required. B. Construction Management On-Call Services: The ACAA has a need for separate contracts to provide Construction Management services on an on-call, as-needed basis for assessments, capital cost estimates, emergency evaluations and repairs, and other special needs that may arise. Consultant must be qualified and be prepared to respond on very short notice to various issues which may arise at any time of day, seven days a week. Experienced and qualified staff members must be on-call and available on a 24/7 basis. Areas of expertise must also include familiarity with FAA Advisory Circulars; and PennDOT and PADEP permitting requirements. Submittal Procedure and Requirements If interested in providing any of the aforementioned services, consultants are required to submit a Letter-of-Interest (LOI) and current Form SF330, identifying the specific service area(s) of interest with emphasis on main area of competence. The ACAA encourages responses from small firms, minority and women’s business firms, and firms that have not previously worked for the ACAA. The ACAA will use Form SF330 to evaluate and prequalify firms to be part of a highly qualified short-list, which will then be requested to submit comprehensive proposals. Comprehensive proposals will include the following at a minimum: Project understanding, project experience, project team identification, organization chart and resumes; approach to major tasks such as scope and schedule management, techniques for cost control, approach to construction cost estimating, scope creep and change order management, and identification of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Firms with description and quantity of work they will perform to meet FAA and ACAA DBE requirements, which is currently 14%. Note: Do not include company brochures and limit the LOI to no more than four typewritten pages (8.5” x 11”, 11 pt. font) in addition to Standard Form 330. A link to obtain SF330 can be found by going to the following website: Standard Form (SF330) https://www.gsa.gov/Forms/TrackForm/32994 Submissions for general, on-call, or both general and on-call construction management services will be received in PDF format as one complete file only through the platform Submittable at https://acaacapitalprograms. submittable.com/. Do NOT mail, email, or deliver hard copies as they will be considered rejected and will be returned to the respondent unopened. Please note that Submittable does not support Internet Explorer 11. Submittable recommends the following browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari. Submissions should be made to: Mr. Jeff Bezek, P.E. Director, Engineering Allegheny County Airport Authority Pittsburgh International Airport Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezz. PO Box 12370 Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370 Questions should be directed to Mr. Jeff Bezek, P.E. at 412-472-3852 or email to jbezek@flypittsburgh.com Final consultant selections (following short-listing, proposal evaluation, and interviews) will be based on, but not limited to, the following criteria: Staff qualifications, experience and local office bench strength; demonstrated interest in the projects; organization, clarity, cohesiveness, quality and completeness of both the written proposal and oral presentation; sensitivity to ACAA requirements and project constraints; indicated ability to manage projects, produce required results, meeting project schedule and controlling costs; demonstrated knowledge of FAA, PennDOT, local, and ACAA applicable standards and requirements; capital cost estimating expertise, constructability reviews, value engineering, construction procedures and scheduling methods; monitoring DBE goals, impacts to airport operations and other areas of construction management.
LEGAL ADVERTISING
LEGAL ADVERTISING
LEGAL ADVERTISING
Bids/Proposals
Bids/Proposals
Bids/Proposals
PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org). Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on April 8, 2022 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527) as well as through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conferencing, for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org) 1
Bid Number
Bid Name
B220325A
HVAC On-Call Services
To join by Microsoft Team video conference: https://bit.ly/3Cq9nAY To join by Microsoft Teams call-in number: 412-927-0245 United State, Pittsburgh (Toll) Conference ID: 621 202 466# No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held via tele-conference on each of the above items at 10:00 am March 22, 2022, as well as through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conference. To join by Microsoft Team video conference: · https://bit.ly/3IHP83U To join by Microsoft Teams call-in number: · 412-927-0245 United State, Pittsburgh (Toll) · Conference ID: 298 931 576# Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening. These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing. Port Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. The Board of Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids. PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org). Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on April 7, 2022 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527) as well as through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conferencing, for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org) Bid Number
Bid Name
1
B220102AR
Coach Radiator Assemblies
2
B220323A
CRP - Air Conditioning
3
B220324A
CRP - Suspension
To join by Microsoft Teams call-in number: 412-927-0245 United State, Pittsburgh (Toll) Conference ID: 482 503 092# No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held via tele-conference on each of the above items at 10:00 am March 22, 2022, as well as through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conference. To join by Microsoft Team video conference: · https://bit.ly/3IHP83U To join by Microsoft Teams call-in number: · 412-927-0245 United State, Pittsburgh (Toll) · Conference ID: 298 931 576#
Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140
The Board of Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
315 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication
Subscribe to the Courier today by calling 412-481-8302, ext. 136.
To join by Microsoft Team video conference: https://bit.ly/36ZUAkR
Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening. These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing. Port Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.
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