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JANUARY 24-30, 2018

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SETTLEMENT REACHED City pays out $5.5 million to Leon Ford, attorneys

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

As leader of the Alliance for Police Accountability, Brandi Fisher has always been at the front of the line in speaking about the injustice she believes occurred with Leon Ford Jr. A young adult, driving a vehicle in Highland Park on a November night, and moments later, was shot five times by a Pittsburgh police officer. Ford had no weapons, though Officer David Derbish contends he fired shots at Ford because he feared for his life when Ford’s vehicle began to move.

Thus, when word broke of the City of Pittsburgh reaching a financial settlement of $5.5 million with Ford and his attorneys, Jan. 17, she was “just happy that it was finally over.”

But, the large settlement amount “was just a smidget of justice when it comes to the egregious act that occurred, and Leon still possibly has to face every day for the rest of his life being paralyzed.”

Fisher, speaking exclusively with the New Pittsburgh Courier, said that this process, which spanned over five years, “was very traumatic, not just for Leon but for the entire community.”

On Oct. 10, 2017, a jury deadlocked on whether now-detective Derbish used LEON FORD JR. excessive force during

the 2012 traffic stop. Reached by phone in the weeks after the mistrial, Ford told the Courier exclusively that “here in Pittsburgh, being that I survived, being that I’ve committed my life to having a positive impact on the community, Pittsburgh could really be leading this charge and really be an innovation city (representing everyone) instead of creating this divide.

The way the city has handled this case and has caused a larger divide, this is something that we cannot afford.”

Ford continued: “A lot of people are upset, there’s a lot of people who are not pleased with leadership, and I just believe that there’s ways for us to move forward without causing more pain to the citizens of Pittsburgh.”

A new civil trial was to begin Jan. 22, but the settlement was announced five days prior. “After five years of arduous litigation, all parties are pleased to announce that we have reached an amicable resolution in the federal lawsuit Leon Ford brought following the November 11, 2012 shooting incident,” Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said in a SEE FORD A5

Hill District residents’ voices heard loud and clear

by Christian Morrow and J.L. Martello Courier Staff Writers

Though only about 35 people attended a meeting at the Jeron X. Grayson Center recently to give their input to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ development team about what the former Civic Arena site should feel like, look like and offer in terms of housing, amenities, entertainment and restaurant venues, the people’s TROY McGHEE shows the evolution of Pittsburgh’s lower Hill District. voices were heard loud (Photo by J.L. Martello) and clear.

“I think they are listening,” said Hill District resident Mary Evans.

“I’m not going to say how it will influence their final decision, but they are listening.”

The meeting brought Hill District stakeholders together with architects, designers and developers in several focus groups, so they could bounce ideas off each other, and then pool the common ideas together into a comprehensive list.

Among those present SEE HILL A4

WILKINSBURG RESIDENT JOHN CLARK gets a water filter from Homewood Children’s Village. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Homewood Children’s Village distributes water filters to the community

by Christian Morrow

going on in the system that is dramatically changing Courier Staff Writer water quality.”

Even if so, Homewood The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority re- Children’s Village is takcently acknowledged that ing no chances. On Jan. 18, sampling indicates lead the organization partnered levels in city water tests with Women for a Healthy had again risen back above Environment to distribute the “safe” level of 15 parts 100 water filters to commuper billion, but said it will nity residents.

“People had been advised continue to follow the dictates of the consent order to boil water (to address it signed with the Pennsyl- a bacterial presence), but vania Department of En- boiling water doesn’t do vironmental Protection in anything about lead—in fact, it makes it worse,” said November.

Authority spokesman Will Mahallya Ramirez, who coPickering said the readings ordinated the event.

“There is no safe level of may just be the result of lead, and children are at how samples are taken.

“Nothing has really a much greater risk. This changed in the system. It’s is what we can give out to the product of the statis- our community, because, as tical analysis more than a non-profit we can’t touch anything else,” he said, everyone, so we have to foadding there is “no reason SEE WATER A5 to believe there’s anything

State Education panel shows interest in Pittsburgh-Wilkinsburg partnership success

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

Whenever the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee holds a public hearing on “Quality Education,” it’s safe to assume that the need for more money will be brought up by the school administrators, board members and education advocates who testify.

And while that was true of the hearing the committee held at the Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg, Jan. 18, the committee also learned of something it might get in return; a model for merging, partially or fully, neighboring school districts that cannot offer students a full educational experience.

Committee member state Rep. Eddie D. Pashinski, D-Wilkes Barre, said he was impressed not only by the partnership, but also by several of the initiatives outlined by Pittsburgh Superintendent of Schools Anthony Hamlet in his presentation—particularly ideas around how the Community Schools and teacher development programs he is implementing can improve outcomes by not just involving parents, but educating them, too.

“This ‘Parent University’ idea you spoke of—I love that idea,” he told Dr. Hamlet. “That could be a whole new concept for many districts who have residents who don’t have resources and may come from situations where they didn’t get the

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PITTSBURGH SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ANTHONY HAMLET speaks at the public hearing on education, Jan. 18 at the Hosanna House. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick says

Racism will never cease—too many false voices and faces Forum B6

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NATIONAL

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History

TRAINING SESSION—In this Sept. 16, 2014 photo provided by NASA, astronaut Jeanette Epps participates in a spacewalk training session at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. (Robert Markowitz/ NASA via AP)

NASA bumps astronaut off space station flight in rare move

by Marcia Dunn Associated Press Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)—NASA has bumped an astronaut off an upcoming spaceflight, a rare move for the space agency so close to launch.

Astronaut Jeanette Epps was supposed to rocket away in early June and would have been the first African-American to live on the International Space Station.

Late Thursday, NASA announced it was pulling Epps off the mission but didn’t disclose why. Astronauts have been removed from missions in the past, mostly for health reasons.

Epps, an engineer, will be considered for future space missions, according to NASA. She’s been replaced by her backup, Serena Aunon-Chancellor, a doctor. Both were chosen as astronauts in 2009.

Epps is returning to Houston from Russia, where she’d been training to fly to the space station with a German and Russian.

NASA spokeswoman Brandi Dean said Friday it was a decision by NASA, not the Russian Space Agency.

African-American astronauts have visited the space station, but Epps would have been the first to live there. Space station crews typically stay for five to six months.

NASA assigned her to the flight a year ago.

PULLED FROM MISSION—In this Sept. 16, 2014 photo provided by NASA, astronaut Jeanette Epps participates in a spacewalk training session at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. (Robert Markowitz/NASA via AP)

Maine town manager leads segregation group, promotes Whites JACKMAN, Maine (AP)— The town manager of a rural Maine community says he’s the leader of a racial segregationist group, and he believes the United States would be better off if people of different races were to “voluntarily separate.”

Jackman town manager Tom Kawczynski (kuh-ZINskee) tells the Bangor Daily

News that he wants to preserve the White majority of northern New England and Atlantic Canada. He moved to Maine a year ago and launched a group called “New Albion” to promote what he calls “the positive aspects of our European heritage.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine says

Kawczynski’s attitudes and materials are “shockingly racist.” Kawczynski says his group is “pro-White” without being opposed to other racial groups.

He says he has no intention to quit his job even though he expects to be fired. He tells the Portland Press Herald he feels his days are numbered after backlash against his proWhite advocacy.

The Jackman-Moose River Chamber of Commerce president says businesses in the area “do not condone” Kawczynski’s views. The Press Herald said one Jackman government official declined comment. The other three haven’t returned messages. Kawczynski and Jackman town officials did not return phone calls from The Associated Press.

Many social media users are calling for Kawczynski to quit or be fired.

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Week of January 24-30 January 24 1874—Arthur Schomburg is born Arturo Alfonso Schomburg in Puerto Rico. After moving to New York City in April 1891, he became known over time as the “Sherlock Holmes” of Black history because of his relentless digging for Black historical truths and accomplishments. Reportedly, his drive to discover Black history was sparked by a fifth grade teacher who told him “Black people have no history, no heroes, no great moments.”

1885—Martin R. Delaney (1812-1885) dies on this day in Xenia, Ohio. Delaney was perhaps the leading Black nationalist of MARTIN DELANEY the 1800s. After fighting in the Civil War to end slavery and becoming the first Black field officer in the U.S. Army, Delaney became disillusioned with America. He began to advocate Black separatism and/or a return to Africa. He was a journalist and a physician who wrote several books including one detailing how ancient Egypt and Ethiopia were the first great civilizations long before ancient Greece. Although relatively unknown today, Delaney was also brilliant. Abraham Lincoln once told his Edwin Stanton, secretary of war, about Delaney, saying, “Do not fail to meet this most extraordinary and intelligent Black man.”

1993—The first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall died on this day. Unlike current THURGOOD MARSHALL justice Clarence Thomas, Marshall was a true progressive and fighter for Black rights, having spent years with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund waging ongoing battles with the legal establishment to protect and expand rights and opportunities for African-Americans.

January 26 1893—“Queen Bess,” Bessie Coleman, the nation’s first Black female aviator, was born in the small town of Atlanta, Texas. Coleman was also the first African-American (male or female) to earn an international pilot’s license. Because of the racism and sexism in BESSIE COLEMAN America, she had to travel to France to earn the license. She traveled the U.S. encouraging other Blacks to become pilots. Queen Bess died in plane accident in 1926.

1944—Political activist Angela Davis is born in Birmingham, Ala. She was a brilliant scholar and philosopher who made the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list because of her suspected involvement in the violent Aug. 7, 1970 courthouse attempt to free jailed Black revolutionary inmate George Jackson. She was also associated with the Black Panther Party. However, shortly after the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she joined the Communist Party. She later became a tenured professor at the University ANGELA DAVIS of California Santa Cruz although then governor and later U.S. President Ronald Reagan had vowed to block her from teaching.

January 27 1953—One of Black America’s most gifted novelists, Ralph Ellison, wins the prestigious National Book Award with his powerful novel “The Invisible Man.” The novel helped him achieve international fame. The main character constantly escapes one disaster after another. The disasters are brought on by a combination virulent racism and the character’s own naiveté. Ellison was born in Oklahoma City, Okla.

1961—Opera diva Leontyne Price makes her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

LEONTYNE PRICE 1972—Mahalia Jackson, generally considered the greatest gospel singer that ever lived, dies of heart failure on this day near Chicago, Ill. She was born in New Orleans, La. She settled in Chicago where she briefly studied beauty culture under the nation’s first Black millionaire, Madame C.J. Walker. Among her greatest and most frequently requested songs were “Did It Rain,” “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho, “ “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” and MAHALIA JACKSON “When the Saints Go Marching In.” January 28 1938—Crystal Byrd Fauset becomes the first Black woman elected to a state legislature when she wins a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

1944—Matthew Henson receives a medal from the U.S. Congress for being co-discoverer of the North Pole along with Robert Peary.

The medal, however, came 35 years after the historic feat because Peary, a White man and Henson’s boss, received all the credit for decades. However, records show that Henson, leading a party of four Inuits (Eskimos) actually reached the North Pole 45 minutes MATTHEW HENSON before Peary.

1989—After 62 years and numerous protests, the Colgate-Palmolive Company ends the sale of “Darkie Toothpaste.” The toothpaste, which was only sold in Asia, was renamed “Darlie” and the Sambo-style character on the tube was dropped.

January 29 1837—The great Russian literary genius Alexander Pushkin dies on this day as a result of a duel. He is generally considered Russia’s greatest poet. Unlike many famous Europeans of color, Pushkin was proud of his Black heritage, which is traced to his great grandfather on his mother’s side—Ibrahim Petrovich Gannibal who was most probably an Ethiopian who became part of Russian royalty. Pushkin’s poetic style combined drama, ro‘DARKIE TOOTHPASTE’ mance and satire.

1908—Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity is incorporated. The Black Greek-letter organization was actually founded, however, on Dec. 4, 1906. The “brothers of the black and gold” have included as members a host of distinguished men ranging from W.E.B. DuBois to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1913—Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is incorporated.

It is the nation’s oldest Black Greek-letter sorority having been founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1908. The AKAs are currently headquartered in Chicago, Ill. 1954—Talk-show diva Oprah Winfrey was born on this day in Kosciusko, Miss. However, she OPRAH WINFREY was raised in Nashville, Tenn.

Winfrey ended her popular “Oprah” show in 2011. She has already launched her own network, OWN. January 30 1797—Sojourner Truth is born Isabella Baumfree in Ulster County, N.Y. She becomes the most influential and powerfully spoken Black female abolitionists of the 1800s. She worked with other fiery abolitionists including William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass. She says, in 1843, a spiritual revelation compelled her to change her name and preach for the end SOJOURNER TRUTH of slavery. She was also deeply religious and a strong spokesperson for a woman’s right to vote.

1797—The first multi-state organization of Blacks in America is formed when Black Masons in Boston, Mass., led by Prince Hall, create African-American Masonic lodges in Philadelphia, Pa., and Providence, R.I. Overtime, the Prince Hall Masons would become a major force in Black communities around the nation.

1800—The Census Bureau reveals that the United States has a population of 5,300,000 of which 1,002,000 or 19 percent were Blacks. Today, African-Americans constitute roughly 13 percent of the U.S. population.

However, the latest Census projections say the percentage of Blacks in America is not expected to grow over the next 40 years, while the Hispanic population is projected to skyrocket.

1926—The Harlem Globetrotters, a comedic but highly skilled basketball team, is organized by Abe 1927 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Saperstein in Chicago, Ill. The group’s original name was the “Savoy Big Five” after Chicago’s Savoy Ballroom. However, in their early games they wore jerseys suggesting they were from New York.

After World War II, they also achieved international fame playing in over 100 countries. Some of the greatest names to play with the Globetrotters were Geese Ausbie, Goose Tatum, Marques Haynes, Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon.

1956—The Montgomery, Ala., home of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is bombed by racists apparently angered by his leadership of the Montgomery bus boycott, which set the modern Civil Rights Movement into motion. This would be the first of several attempts on the REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. civil rights legend’s life.

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PITTSBURGH’S WOMEN STAND UNITED

Sunday, an off-day? No way, said the thousands of women who congregated Downtown Pittsburgh for the annual Women’s March. Held in cities across America, Pittsburgh’s version brought out the powerful, the accomplished, the determined, the proud women of our city who will always let their thoughts be known, their voices be heard. Courier photographer J.L. Martello captured the Jan. 21, 2018 event in pictures.

Hill residents want voice in arena site development plans HILL FROM A1

to listen and organize the input were developer Keith B. Key, architect Howard Graves and Troy McGhee of the Washington D.C.based architects Torti Gallas & Partners.

Among the ideas they heard were a desire for balancing the reverence and history of the Hill history with moving toward a

new bright future, making sure residents can afford to live there, in energy efficient homes with storm water management, and an open feel.

As for how the first two buildings should look, groups suggested drawing design inspiration from old school building designs with tall, arching windows.

Denise John-

son, who is also a New Pittsburgh Courier freelance writer, said her group recommended buildings that looked like they could accommodate both singles and families, also like the arch windows, brick facades, solid partition walls, community space, exercise facilities, and enclosed play

space for kids.

“We’d also like to see an outdoor space similar to PPG Place, that can be used for family-friendly events, and some kind of water feature,” she said.

Going forward, the designers will take what they heard and, in a month, return and ask if they have it right, then refine it from there.

MARY EVANS and Sharon M. Moore look at plans for the Lower Hill development. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

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Water filters distributed to community residents Education panel WATER FROM A1

cus on homes with women and small children.”

Several community members who received filters said they had been using bottled water for some time, and welcomed change.

“This is very important that they are giving the community an opportunity to get water filters and they care enough to do it.

We’ve been getting bottled water,” said Teona Wakefield.

Another Homewood resident, Audrey Moses, said her household has been going through about three cases of water a day.

“Nobody wants lead poisoning,” she said. “The water doesn’t taste good— we’ve been buying bottled water for years. So, this will probably save me a lot of money, but I still have a water bill.

In a press release a week earlier, Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner called for more urgent action on the city’s lead issue.

“While encouraging commitments have been made

by PWSA to begin to replace a small number of lead lines annually, this falls far short of the urgent action required to ensure no child in our city is being subjected to an invisible toxin that risks lifelong harm,” she said. “The fact is that no level of lead in our water is safe, and this problem will only be solved when the lead lines are gone.”

Mayor Bill Peduto did not comment on the higher lead samples, but on Jan. 18 he issued an executive order adopting recommendations of his Blue Ribbon Panel on restructuring Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority governance. “(Because) the mayor understands that it is im-

portant to make long-overdue changes in the way The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) is governed and invest in our water and sewer infrastructure, he appointed the Blue Ribbon Panel in March of 2017 to advise the city on the selection of a consultant to provide an independent review of the current state of PWSA and recommendations for improvement,” the order reads inpart. “(While) the Blue Ribbon Panel report stated that PWSA has made significant progress in recent months, PWSA, working with its new Board of Directors, must continue to pursue aggressively its transformation into a high-functioning, customer-oriented organization and its plan to repair and replace the existing water supply infrastructure.”

lauds PPSWilkinsburg combo

EDUCATION FROM A1

take my hat off to PPS and Dr. Hamlet and the district, they are doing everything to help our students succeed.”

Committee Chair state Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, said he is amazed by the 43 school districts in Allegheny County, that are holdovers from the heights of the steel industry days, that used to have 40,000 students but now have much less.

“I think this can be a model for other districts because I was raised in a small rural district,” he said. “We need to look at if school districts are so small they can’t offer AP or art, or other courses—because it’s a death knell for those kids.

No matter how much pride in community, it’s punishing kids.”

State Rep. Ed Gainey, D-East Liberty, who hosted the hearing, said he, too, was pleased by the success of the partnership, and also Pittsburgh’s efforts with eliminating out-of-school suspensions for a large portion of students.

“I want business communities, local universities and public schools to work together to prepare students the for workforce, to dismantle Social media was the school-to-prison pipeline, abuzz with last improve education in low-inweek’s news of the come communities,” he said. settlement.

Fisher said the real testament is to “Leon’s tenacity and to his lawyers.”

At the end of the day, however, “There’s no (monetary) value on someone’s life,” Fisher said. “He lost ED DONOVAN, former Wilkinshis quality of life as burg school board president (Photo by J.L. Martello) he knew it.”

best education.”

But the partnership that brought Wilkinsburg high school students to Pittsburgh Westinghouse after Wilkinsburg asked for their help was of the most interest to the panel of lawmakers, especially after they heard how successful it has been from past Wilkinsburg School Board Chair Ed Donovan.

“Other districts need to know there’s no shame in admitting we can’t do this to our kids anymore—that we can’t run a secondary program anymore because we’re failing abysmally at it,” he said. “Of 250 kids that went to Westinghouse last year, 16 are now at other magnet schools with access to all the richness of the PPS and they’re learning how to take advantage of it. We have over 20 in CTE. Before we had maximum 11 or 12—and it will grow because they can do it MAHALLYA RAMIREZ helps pass out filters to residents, courtesy of Home- right there, they don’t have to leave the building. Attenwood Children’s Village. (Photo by J.L. Martello) dance is in the high 90s. I

City reaches $5.5 mil settlement with Ford FORD FROM A1

statement, Jan. 17. “The City has agreed to pay Mr. Ford and his attorneys $5.5 million. This settlement is in the best interest of Mr. Ford, Officer Derbish and the City of Pittsburgh, and will provide all involved the closure needed to move forward in a positive direction.”

Courier attempts to reach Ford following the settlement announcement were unsuccessful.

LEON FORD JR.

Fisher told the Courier she gives the City of Pittsburgh some kudos for such a large financial settlement. “They had a chance of getting another mistrial in this very racist Western Pennsylvania,” Fisher said. “But they chose to settle for a very large amount, so I think that can’t be ignored.”

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report

Who does that?

We have all heard of fads and each decade brings a list of crazy things that people do that they think are cool. Way back in the day people were swallowing goldfish. The prize went to the person who could swallow the most.

How about this silly fad, cram yourself and about 100 friends into a phone booth or a Volkswagen and have someone take your picture. Some fads become the norm, like piercing and tattoos and sagging pants.

Please let that sagging pants fad disappear soon.

The latest fad involves people eating Tide detergent pods. Yes, the ones that you use to do your laundry. When I heard this I couldn’t believe it. What is the point? According to the New York Daily News the “Tide Pods Challenge” is the latest dangerous trend gaining traction with teenagers on social media, sending some to the hospital. Kids have mistaken the laundry pods for candy. The “challenge” requires kids to ingest small laundry detergent packages and post videos of themselves doing so online—many showing the unsurprising side effects of swallowing household cleaners, like choking, gagging and vomiting. In the videos, some kids attempt “cooking” the packs by pan frying them before consumption, sparking the creation of countless memes across the Internet poking fun at the dangerous new game. And there’s even a “Hypothetical edible Tide pods recipe” that requires a baking sheet, Sprite and parchment paper. Swallowing the detergent can also lead to diarrhea and vomiting. The Poison Control Center says to drink a full glass of water or milk if a pod is ingested, not to force yourself to vomit and to contact a doctor immediately.

When I read this I thought this was one of the craziest things I had heard of. Who does this? To add insult to injury I was watching television and I see this commercial where a young White man is in a public bathroom, he eats some Fruit Gushers and then immediately goes to the wall of the bathroom and pours some of the hand soap into his mouth.

He says, “ohh that doesn’t taste like a gusher,” after he does that an older Black man pops out of the bathroom stall, he is dressed in a white hat, light grey jacket and white pants and says, “just because it goos doesn’t means its gush, wasting my time.” He then holds a package of the candy Fruit Gushers next to his face and the commercial ends.

Who is writing this stuff?

One of the worst commercials that I have ever seen in my life. I surely would not want to buy a package of Fruit Gushers to see what they taste like. I think I will have to ask someone what the attraction is and how they feel about the commercial. Long story short, why would anyone want to enter into a challenge of eating detergent? I didn’t want to be bothered with that challenge where people were pouring water on their heads vs. giving money to a good cause.

When it comes to a challenge, leave me out.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com)

ALPHA WIVES—Nancy Bolden, Cecile Springer, Alberta Thompson, Dara Ware Allen, Rev Dr. Staci Flint, Mary Lee Snuffer, Lucy Ware, Kathy Towns and Tammy Bey (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

AND THE DOOR PRIZE GOES TO—Mary H. Page

Alpha Wives host Holiday Tea

by Debbie Norrell According to the Alpha Wives President Gwen Victum, this group of ladies has verve—spirit, enthusiasm, vivacity, energy, vitality and vigor. On Dec. 3, at The University Club, The Pittsburgh Alpha Wives hosted a tea party and introduced themselves to prospective members. The Alpha Wives is the Women’s Auxiliary for the Alpha Omicron Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The Pittsburgh Alpha Wives, organized in 1948, exists for the purpose of rendering service, providing aid and assistance to the Alpha Omicron Lambda Chapter as well as offering the same to the community when and GWEN VICTUM—President

where possible. Gregg Lovelace serves as the liaison between the Alpha Wives and Alpha Omicron Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, offering the wives information on how they can assist their husbands with various events and programs.

During the tea members enjoyed each other’s company, got to know their guests exchanged gifts and shared information about the Alpha Wives with prospective members. The Alpha Wives membership includes: Gwen Victum, president; Sunni Tesha Lovelace, Vice President; Agnes Curry, treasurer; Beatrice Vasser, financial secretary; Valerie Cousar, recording secretary; Arnetta K. McCormick, corresponding secretary; Dara Ware Allen, Tammy Bey, Nancy T. Bolden, Dorothy Fisher, Staci Flint, Rachel Poole, Barbara Poole, Mary Lee ALPHA WIVES LIASION—Gregg Snuffer, Cecile Springer, Alberta V. Thomp- Lovelace son, Kathy Towns and Lucy Ware.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU—Mary Lee Snuffer and Rev. Dr. Staci Flint

GUESTS OF THE ALPHA WIVES—Lalicia Roman, Rhonda Walters, Ariel Smith, Devona Hopkins and Lynn Davenport

Lifestyles Editor

ALPHA WIVES OFFICERS—Sunni Tesha Lovelace , Agnes Curry, Beatrice Vasser, Gwen Victum, Kelly McCormick

SUNNI TESHA LOVELACE—Vice president

GUESTS OF THE ALPHA WIVES—Sylvia Robinson, Lois Franklin, Mary H. Page, Ann Haley, Cynthia Gilmer, Terril McKenzie, Armntry Parks, Nicole Shaviss, Robin Waters and Angela Arrington

LIFESTYLES LIFESTYLES

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EMANON Annual Yuletide Party

EMANON WIVES AND FRIENDS—Kathy Towns, Ruth Davis, Carolyn Curry, Daisy Jeffries, Shirley Smith, Val Cousar, Adrienne Thomas and Marsha Dorsey (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE—Robert and Shirlee Smith

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

On the outside the temperature was cold; however, once inside the Penn Hills Comfort Inn the temperature was warm and welcoming.

The occasion? The Annual EMANON Yuletide Party on Dec. 10, 2017.

By the way, EMANON is NONAME spelled back-

wards.

The men of EMANON have their party down to a formula and the main ingredient is plenty of fun and laughter. With The Flo Wilson Band providing the soundtrack, guests enjoyed a great evening of dining, dancing and according to Lawrence Davis, “prizes worth thousands of dollars.”

EMANON is a men’s

social club that has been around since 1954.

Their current membership roster includes; Alan Cousar, Clarence Curry, Ronald Curry, Les Daniel, Larry Davis, Paul Dorsey (president), Chris Hardy, Larry Harper, Steven Leonard, Robert Nicklos, Samuel Pinckney, Robert Smith, Joe Thomas and Theo Towns.

THE MEN OF EMANON—Larry Davis, Robert Smith, Ronald Curry, Joe Thomas, Paul Dorsey, Les Daniel, Theo Towns and Alan Cousar

BREAKING THE ICE—Denise Hayes, Jackie Pendelton and Nancy Hill

FIRST-TIMERS—Deloras and James Chandler

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ENTERTAINER

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Our words. Our music. Our legacy. OUR VOICE.

THE PERFORMERS—Anqwenique, Ifetayo Ali, Phylicia Rashad, Kathryn Bostic, and Lucas Richman (Photos by J.L. Martello)

Actress Phylicia Rashad headlines concert at Heinz Hall

IFETAYO ALI, a 14-year-old playing the cello with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH, and teen participants of Girls Circle.

For the story and more photos of the ‘Lift Every Voice: Resonating Music, Words & Legacy’ event, see page A9.

THE HILL DISTRICT UNITY CHOIR

DR. ALTON L. MERRELL

ENTERTAINER

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LIFT EVERY VOICE: RESONATING MUSIC, WORDS & LEGACY was the talk of the town, Jan. 20 at Heinz Hall. Courier photographer J.L. Martello captured pics of the Hill District Unity Choir, along with Jefferey Grubbs on bass in the right photo.

ACTRESS PHYLICIA RASHAD, at Heinz Hall, Jan. 20.

A full symphony to honor the Bard of Bedford Avenue

by C. Denise Johnson For New Pittsburgh Courier

The lobby of Heinz Hall was packed and the air thick with anticipation; someone wrote a symphony for August Wilson. Youth groups, churches, families with young children had all come to witness this auspicious occasion.

“Lift Every Voice: Resonating Music, Words & Legacy” is the result of two years in the making that includes input from the Learning, Community and Inclusion Board Committee (LCI) and the Community Advisory Council. The concert was an homage to Pittsburgh legacies presented by young talent and local artists and ensemble.

The program, held Jan. 20, began with a drum call delivered by the Pittsburgh Cultural Arts Collective, immediately followed by Anqwenique Wingfield singing a favorite of Martin Luther King Jr., “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” Classically trained, her operatic chops served her well as she performed acapella. A slideshow of Hill District scenes photographed by Teenie Harris was shown on a screen accompanied to song by Jay Ashby aptly titled, “Teenie Time.”

Composer Kathryn Bostic, who has worked with August Wilson scoring several of his plays, offered “State of Grace,” a song she composed and dedicated to Wilson’s memory as she accompanied herself on piano. Bostic was followed by famed actress Phylicia Rashad, who introduced the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Lyric for Strings composed

by Coretta King’s favorite composer, George Walker.

Next was a performance by a young, extraordinary, talented teenager who has already made a name for herself as the 1st Place Laureate of the junior division of the prestigious 2017 Sphinx Competition.

Ifetayo Ali, just 14 years old, mesmerized the astonished audience with her command of “Concerto in D minor for Cello and Orchestra” by Edouard Lalo.

The second half began with the world premiere of “The August Wilson Symphony” by Bostic with

narration by Rashad (who portrayed Aunt Ester in “Gem of the Ocean” on Broadway). Comprised of five movements that incorporates the story of the sum of the Century Cycle. Each movement, introduced by Rashad, had names such as the Great Migration, The Hill Illumined, Wylie Avenue, Oracle of Aunt Ester and Exalted Roads of Truth and Triumph.

The symphony was followed by men from the Hill District Unity Choir, who performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” acapella in fourpart harmony (think of Take 6), during which the audience stood up in recognition of the song and gave a rousing standing ovation. The rest of the choir joined them on stage to close the concert with Anthem of Praise by Richard Smallwood.

“I felt honored to witness the world premiere of a symphony composed by a Black woman highlighting the brilliant work of August Wilson,” said lifelong Hill resident Marimba Milliones. “Bravo to Kathryn Bostic on bringing her phenomenal vision to life. The compliment of the Hill District gospel performances, African drummers, local vocalist Anqwenique, and the young gifted cellist, Ifetayo Ali, made it a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am grateful to August Wilson’s family for allowing it to be launch here in Pittsburgh.”

August Wilson scholar Chris Rawson was also impressed.

“The variety of performers, musical styles and texts added up to an affirmation of the spiritual and artistic legacy of August Wilson,” said Rawson. “I think he would be very pleased; certainly, everyone who was there knew they were at something very special.”

“August would have been thrilled with the concert,” raved Larry Glasco, another Wilson scholar. “The themes of the Symphony were nicely aligned. August would also have enjoyed the vocal parts of the evening, the choral renditions and the moving solos.

August was a ‘wordsmith’ with a special fondness for the power of the spoken word.”

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PEOPLE

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

‘Penny’ creates an epiphany Author Nicola Yoon chased her true passion following the birth of her daughter

by Atiya Irvin-Mitchell For New Pittsburgh Courier

When Shannon Barron, the Children’s Section Manager of Carnegie Library’s main branch, introduced award-winning author Nicola Yoon, she said the greatest gift a librarian could be given was a room full a people excited about books. On Jan. 21, in the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, there was a multi-generational room of readers excited about Yoon and the characters she has created.

They were eager to hear about her writing process and ask questions about her celebrated novels, “Everything, Everything” and “The Sun is Also a Star.”

Starting from the beginning, math, led her astray, Yoon told the audience. Not because of its difficulty, but because in high school the author excelled at the subject. After her family im-

migrated from Jamaica to New York at the age of 11, her family was fairly poor.

The experience left her yearning for security as a young adult and led her to obtain a degree in Electrical Engineering.

“One of the things about poverty is that it’s fairly destabilizing, so I graduated, all I wanted was a job where I could just pay my bills and have health care,” she said.

But Yoon had a saving grace at Cornell University, in the form of a graduation requirement.

“One of the great things about Cornell is your senior year you’re required to take an elective outside of your major,” she told the audience. “I decided to take creative writing because I thought it’d be easier than all the math classes.”

The class would be significant to Yoon for reasons beyond obtaining her degree.

“It turns out this class was really important to me.

When I went into this class I was in love with this boy who didn’t love me back,” Yoon said. “Not even a little bit. It was completely unrequited love.”

Her then-unrequited love would lead her to write plays, poems, and short stories, most of which the writer laughingly said were not good. Yoon recalled the boy in question would never return her feelings, but by the end of her class, she was deeply in love with something else—writing.

“When I wrote I could not be shy. I could be anything I wanted. I could be anyone I wanted to be. I could remake the world to whatever I wanted it be and that’s a powerful thing,” she said.

However, she still felt that the life of a writer was too unpredictable, so Yoon went to work as a programmer. It paid well, but it made her

NICOLA YOON, right, with Zaitu Kirabo, 11, mother Haifa Nakiryowa, and Zuhaira Tendon, 7.

NICOLA YOON, speaking at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall in Oakland, Jan. 21. (Photos by Gail Manker) miserable.

She continued writing and her love of words pulled at her. Enough to make her pursue a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing, but not enough for her to see writing as anything more than a hobby—until, Penny came along.

The image of Yoon’s now 5-year-old little girl’s dawning big smile filled the screen to a chorus of awes.

Yoon had no problem saying in true mom fashion that she believed she had the “cutest child on the face of the earth.” Motherhood came with a great worry for Yoon, but it also came with an epiphany.

“She was 3 or 4 months old and I was holding her in my arms and I was thinking of all the things I was gonna tell her one day,” she recalled. “I was gonna tell her she could do anything she wanted. I’d tell her to be passionate and have dreams and follow them and I was not doing that.”

With that in mind, Yoon got to work, and after three years her debut novel “Ev-

erything, Everything” was born. The protagonist of the book Madeleine, Yoon said, is Black and Asian American because her own child shares the same descent.

Yoon was a teenager before she saw herself in a book; she didn’t want that to be the case for Penny, who, the author happily reported, was thrilled when she met Amalda Stenberg, who portrayed Maddy in the recently-made film of the book.

Penny said Maddy looked just like her.

Yoon shared her writing process, childhood anecdotes, and freely offered

where there’s someone who looks like you doing heroic things and having adventures, you start to think you can’t be that person. If you read books where everyone is always stereotyped you might think, ‘I’m supposed to be that stereotype,’” she said.

The author wants children to have mirrors to see themselves and windows to see those different from them in the books they read, because in her experience, books breed empathy.

“If you spend three or four-hundred pages in

NICOLA YOON’s book “Everything, Everything” was recently turned into a film. writing advice to any aspiring writers in the audience, encouraging them to fill up their blank pages imperfectly to let their “freak flags fly,” by embracing whatever made them different. After giving that advice, Yoon, a supporter of the organization We Need Diverse Books, discussed the importance of giving children diverse characters.

“If you never see a book

someone else’s life it’s hard for you to hate them,” Yoon observed. “You get to know someone else and you see their life and where they’re coming from. If we could get more of these books into the hands of people, we would be able to see the ways we are so much the same and it would bring us so much closer together.”

After the lecture Yoon answered questions from the audience about the characters she’s already written.

The lecture seemed to be well-received by the Carnegie Lecture Hall audience, including mother-and-daughter Liz Arkush and Zora Burroughs.

“I thought it was really positive and I’d never thought of the books that way,” Burroughs, 11, said.

“It was really nice. I feel like I understand her better and I know why she wrote the books and I feel more connected to them now.”

Friends Bonita Lee Penn and Cynthia Battle of the North Side attended the lecture as a birthday gift from Penn to Battle.

“I personally felt that what she talked about in terms of inclusion and seeing yourself in a book, came across in the book. She just wrote as if she had a story to tell,” Battle said. “After hearing her speak it just comes through that she’s one of these people who brings her experiences and imagination (into the story) and it’s not a stereotype.”

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

RELIGION

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

It’s about the food, but more about the kids, family fellowship Youth learn ‘life skills’ as members of St. James’ Food Service Ministry

The St. James AME Church’s Food Service Ministry should be called “Life Skills.

It helps kids learn how to communicate.

Communicate with adults, with each other…a lot of schools don’t have this kind of program.”

HAZEL JACKSON

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 12:00 P.M. Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) 12:00 P.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 22 Sampsonia Street, Northside Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-231-2554 FAX 412-231-6395 Rev. Lacy F. Richardson, Ph.D., Pastor Church School.................................9:30 A.M. Worship Service.................8:00 & 10:45 A.M. Bible Study/ Prayer Wednesday...................6:30/7:30 P.M. www.metropolitanbaptistchurch.com metropolitanbaptist2224@gmail.com

MEMBERS OF ST. JAMES AME CHURCH’S FOOD SERVICE MINISTRY they take food service, it’s something that gives them instant gratification.

They can see what they do right then. It involves math, reading…and even helps them on (other) jobs.

They’re not allowed to use cell phones during the food service,” Jackson said.

“I’ve seen people (in other places) serving with a cell

phone in one hand and a spoon in another.”

Jackson, who formerly owned King James BBQ locations in Pittsburgh, urges families across the Lincoln-Larimer area, as well as other areas, to attend St. James’ Food Service Ministry dinner, every fourth Sunday of the month, including this

ST. JAMES’ FOOD SERVICE MINISTRY serves every fourth Sunday of the month, at 1 p.m., in the church’s Sumpter Hall, 444 Lincoln Ave., open to all. $15 donation requested. to a dinner at the school every year around Christmas. “I learned that so many parents hadn’t sat down with their kids ever and had dinner, and it just brought out so many things.”

Things that, maybe, a mother always wanted to say to her child. Or vice versa. Or, the feeling of togetherness, family unity.

Jackson said after retiring from Peabody High School, she was asked to

Praise & Worship Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141

by Rob Taylor Jr.

administer the dinner at Westinghouse High the Courier Staff Writer following year. The success of it actually kept Jackson There’s nothing like there for three years. beef barley soup, fried Much like sports can be and baked chicken, poan avenue to youth learntato onion casserole, hot and cold tea, and a salad ing other life lessons, food service has the same purand fruit bar right after pose. Jackson began this church.

But to former Pittsburgh version of St. James’ Food Service Ministry six years Public Schools teacher ago, and she’s amazed at Hazel Jackson, the food some of the notes she’s is—pardon the pun—just received from the youth the “icing on the cake.” who formerly worked in St. James AME Church’s the ministry.

Food Service Ministry “A student of mine, Ricky should be called “Life Stinson, just sent me a Skills,” Jackson said. “It card that said, ‘Every kid helps kids learn how to is one adult away from a communicate. Commusuccess story,’” Jackson nicate with adults, with each other…a lot of schools said. It’s those words and success stories from former don’t even have this kind students that makes the of program.”

Jackson taught at various Food Service Ministry worthwhile. schools over her 35 years “I found that food service at PPS—including Oliver, can be a direction (for our Peabody and Westingyouth) to so many other house. She told the New things,” Jackson said.

Pittsburgh Courier in an “Because so many of our exclusive interview, Jan. 23, that she began inviting kids are not exposed to other things, and when parents of her students

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Sunday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. at the church’s Sumpter Hall, 444 Lincoln Ave. The $15 donation includes the all-encompassing food, desserts and beverages. But most important, it gives families a chance to bond, in a church environment, and it supports the African American youth who work the event.

Jackson said many firsttime visitors are pleasantly surprised by the professionalism and efficiency the youth at the dinner exude.

Not only are parents from the area encouraged to attend, but parents are encouraged to have their kids participate as a Food Service member.

From time to time, Jackson caters outside events, such as at the Kingsley Association. Youth working those events are paid a fee for their services. Jackson said she could be contacted by interested parents or youth by calling the church office, 412-441-9706.

Much of the $15 donation charge goes to the purchasing of food, along with paying church conference claims.

Jackson said oftentimes, there are placemats on each table, all with the Food Service Ministry’s motto firmly entrenched: “Training up children in the world they should go (Proverbs 22:6).”

East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

www.cathedralofhope.com

Journey Worship........8:45 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship...11:00 a.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

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

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue 412-683-2669

New Destiny CME Church 114 North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-231-7882 Rev. Kornelus Neal, pastor The Rt. Rev. Marvin Thomas Sr., presiding bishop Sunday School....................................9 A.M. Morning Worship Service............11:00 A.M.

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT CHURCH EVENT! We want to place your event in our Church Circuit weekly calendar!

Send info to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Or Email us! religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com

A12

PEOPLE

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Patriots will beat Philly, and dads…there’s a reason all you played was checkers!

by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier

:10—Look, I know you had a Patriots comeback win… again! And I know you had the Philly Dog kickin’ butt against Minnesota, but stop what you’re doing. Hold up.

Wait-a-minute. Go see “12 Strong” for the movie ride of your life. That’s all I’m going to tell ya, but you’ll call me and thank me.

4 1/2 basketballs!!! (No, not quite five, but it’s not the Godfather, Casino, The Magnificent Seven or the Outlaw Josey Wales now is it?) :09—You can hate Tom Brady and the boys all you want, but the truth of the matter is they’re good.

Damn good. And they know it. What they’ve done and what they did to the Jags in the 24-20 win this past Sunday in the AFC championship game was not luck. It’s talent, skill, coaching and a “Never say die” mentality that they roll with. Kinda reminds you of another team doesn’t it?

That’s right. Your Pittsburgh Steelers’ dynasty of the ‘70s. Bam!!! :08—While we’re here, I’ve got the Pats winning the Super Bowl in a light up night, 38-27. :07—I know you don’t want

Overtime

BILL NEAL to hear it from me yet again, but the truth will set you free. James Harrison was done wrong and he continues to make a difference. Can– You–Say–Karma–Baby?!?!? :06—Nobody, and I mean No-Bod-Y saw that whuppin’ the Eagles put on the Vikings, 38-7. That’s an ole school back alley I told ya I was gonna get you thumpin! :05—I know you’re probably still upset about the Pirates trading McCutchen and Cole for almost nothin’, but you’re not going to do anything about it. Oh yeah, you’ll cry about it for a while and then you’ll go to your usual 10 games a summer, eat your wings and drink your beer cause…they own you like that. :04—Say there Philadelphia Eagles, if you think the NFL brass is going to let superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski miss the Super Bowl over an assumed concussion…Well – Little – Johnny – Somebody – Then – Told – You – Wrong. :03—Get ready to get ready.

The brand new Champions Live Sports Talk Show, starring yours truly, and Aliquippa native and Pittsburgh entrepreneur Kevin Cameron, is coming your way next week. I’ll give you more details later. :02—Very shortly our high school basketball playoffs will start. Let’s remember to do all the right things.

Respect the game and everyone involved. And most

JAMES HARRISON

importantly dad, remember there’s a reason you never played anything but checkers! I’m just sayin’. :01—See, you all! Let the scores fool you. Trust me when I tell you the Pitt men’s basketball team

plays harder than the final outcome suggests. They don’t quit and they fight to the end. But it is the ACC and remember… no horse ever won the Kentucky Derby that couldn’t run!!! :00—Has anybody seen or

heard from O.J.? I’m really starting to get worried. :00:00—Happy Birthday to the Godfather of Donora, aka “Popeye.” He turned 76 in style and still standing tall. Cowboy hat and all.

GAME OVER.

TOM BRADY

BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

Pittsburgh, always a Steelers town People B7

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Classifieds

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Fitzgerald kicks off 2018 PowerBreakfast meeting series

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

African American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Doris Carson Williams is fond of saying that not only can you call Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, when you do, he gets the message and follows through.

And so, as he has for seven years in a row, when Williams called, Fitzgerald followed through with his tradition of kicking the Chamber’s PowerBreakfast series as the first speaker of the new year.

And, for the seventh year in a row, there was a full house at the Jan. 19 Rivers Club event to hear him talk about the state of the county and of its African Americans’ private- and public-sector economies—

which he said are improving.

“Since I took office, and this is through last September, the county has hired 2,843 people. Of those, 693—24 percent—are African American,” he said. “And through this month, of the 69 hired at the director or deputy director level, 15 are African Americans.”

He also noted that, though the report from 2017 hasn’t been assembled yet, in 2016, the County Department of Minority, Women and Disadvantaged business Enterprises certified 172 new businesses which reported combined gross receipts of more than $693 million.

As for contracting with Black-owned businesses in 2016, Fitzgerald said the county committed $1.28 million, or 24 perSEE FITZGERALD B2

ANNUAL TRADITION—County Executive RIch Fitgerald poses with African American Chamber President and CEO Doris Carson WIlliams and Board Chair Samuel Stephenson after his Jan. 19 PowerBreakfast address.

African Americans at risk to lose jobs to automation

by Brittany King For New Pittsburgh Courier

Larry Williams, Indianapolis native and president of Indy Black Chamber of Commerce, wanted to take control of his destiny.

Five years ago he started Rowley Security Firm, a business that offers security solutions in the greater Indianapolis area. In the last year, Williams has noticed a change in his industry. His clients are shifting toward technology for their security needs.

“Tech is taking over,” he said. “I’ve noticed that people would rather use badges, key fobs and cameras to let people into a building or protect their business rather than hiring staff to do more patrolling.”

Instead of shying away from the technological space of security, Williams embraced it. Now, Rowley Security Firm offers bouncers and security guards for an array of businesses as well as cameras, alarm systems and key fobs for keyless entry. Leaning in to the technology changes in his industry has landed him more business and increased his reach across central Indiana.

Unfortunately, not every field like his will be so lucky. In December 2017, Dr. Kristen Broady, Vice Provost of Graduate Studies and Academic Specialization at Kentucky State University, partnered with the Joint Center for Political and Economic studies to author a report on the effects automation and technological advancements will have on some of the most vulnerable communities. The results show what Broady says many already know: People of color will be affected most by these advancements. This leaves these communities without work or the means to pursue education to land a higher paying job.

According to the report, 27.3 percent of African Americans and 31.2 percent of Latinos are in jobs that are set to be re-

placed by automation in the next two decades. These job titles include, but are not limited to, cashiers, secretaries and security guards.

In some cases, automation is already happening. Just this month, CEO of Jack in the Box restaurants, Leonard Comma, said his company is considering replacing cashiers with self-ordering kiosks due to the minimum wage amount rising. Locally, stores like Target and Walmart have included more self-checkout kiosks and no longer limit the amount of items customers must have to use them. This allows for more customers to scan and pack their own groceries, eliminating the need for multiple cashiers.

In Marion county, risk for job automation is at 56.78 percent, according to a study conducted at Ball State University. The study does not break down that percentage by race like the Joint Center’s report.

However, Broady points out that issues of generational wealth and education disparities often land African Americans in

lower wage jobs regardless of location.

“I think it starts with childhood. Did you go to pre-K? What was your reading score?

When you hear of large cities closing public schools, you have a less educated population not by choice, but due to structural and institutional racism as these schools are often closed in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods,” she said.

Broady believes that combating automation begins with thinking about access and education. Mark Fisher, chief policy officer for the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, agrees. He and his colleagues are keeping access at the center of the work that they do in the Chamber of Commerce when addressing job loss due to automation.

“We’re looking at how cities and regions can systematically break down barriers so people can fully access the economy,” he said. “A lot of times when we talk about workforce development, we think about the skills alignment, but there are all these other barriers people face that can

limit them.”

Those barriers include reliable transportation, childcare, mental health issues and location of a potential job, something the Joint Center’s report mentions as well.

Last year, 8,600 brickand-mortar stores closed in the United States according to brokerage firm Credit Sussie. That’s 2,000 more than the number of stores that closed in the 2008 economic crisis. In Indianapolis, stores like Marsh and an HH Greg headquarter office laid off more than 300 employees and closed stores across central Indiana to combat the loss of money due to the success of online retail giants such as Amazon and Walmart. Although large online retail companies are creating jobs in the face of brick-and- mortars cutting them, according to Broady and Fisher, these jobs do not always match the skills the current workforce has. Furthermore, warehouses tend to be further from the city making them inaccessible to someone who does not have reliable transportation.

“The store is right up the street from your house, you can take public transportation to get there,” Broady said. “Amazon’s distribution center, is not right up the street from your house, plus it’s probably more technical than working at the store. You’re dealing with a cash register or customers, not an assembly line. So, you’ve got to get a license to operate forklifts just to apply for the job. The hiring process is more stringent.”

To help Hoosiers who are looking to improve their employability and land a job with higher wages, EmployIndy—a nonprofit with the goal of giving Marion County residents “access to services and training necessary to secure a livable wage and grow in a career” —has come up SEE AUTOMATION B2

Consumer protection payday rule at risk, just like student loan protections

An important consumer protection rule that was to take effect Jan. 16 is now being “reconsidered” by the same agency that was to enforce it—the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

After years of fierce advocacy that drew bright lines between a predatory lending industry and a coalition of concern that looks like America, a rule was announced in 2017, designed to ensure that loans only went to consumers who could afford to repay them. The rule also curbed triple-digit interest rates on small dollar loans like payday.

The new announcement came on the watch of Mick Mulvaney who was handpicked by the White House to serve as CFPB’s Acting Director. The validity of that appointment is currently the subject of two lawsuits. Mulvaney also continues to serve as President Trump’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

But Mulvaney’s years of serving as a member of South Carolina’s congressional delegation could help to explain how an agency created to be the consumers’ financial cop on the beat still supports lenders who helped to finance his campaigns.

“Payday lenders spent $63,000 helping Mick Mulvaney get elected to Congress and now their investment is paying off many times over,” said Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a statement. “By scrapping this rule, Mulvaney will allow his campaign donors to continue to generate massive fees peddling some of the most abusive financial products in existence.”

being advanced by President Trump’s cabinet?

Beyond CFPB and the Department of Education, HUD Secretary Carson recently pledged to ‘review’ the agency’s rule to “Affirmatively Advance Affirmation Action.” And what will happen to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division that worked hand-in-hand with CFPB to punish financial bad actors found to violate fair lending laws?

In the meantime, financial relief from payday and car-title lending is lost particularly for communities of color where these predatory products are most often sold.

But just as the old Negro spiritual, I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired, brought renewed vigor to preceding generations in the struggle to overcome the vestiges of slavery and Jim Crow, in 2018 those same words of defiant struggle written and composed by Harry Thacker Burleigh still ring true: “I don’t feel no ways tired, I’ve come too far from where I started from.

Nobody told me that the road would be easy, I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me.”

As Black History Month approaches, may we remember who we are and all that our forefathers encountered and overcame. The fight for freedom includes our rights to fair lending.

Following the work,” said Stephen Bureau’s statement K. Reeves, associthat it would reopen Charlene Crowell ate coordinator of the rule, Rebecca partnerships and Borné, a Senior advocacy for the Policy Counsel Cooperative Bapwith the Center for tist Fellowship. “At Responsible Lendthe very least, this ing said, “Today’s decision should be announcement is a left to a permanent big deal and could director who has become a terrible been confirmed by deal for consumers.

Senate.”

The human devastation caused by payday “Given acting director Mick Mulvaney’s loans, which average nearly 400 percent prior statements about the work of the annual percentage rates (APR), has Bureau and his long history of vigorous been extensively documented. For more defense of payday lenders,”, continued than five years, the Consumer Financial Reeves, “this action should not come as a Protection Bureau studied the issue, wel- surprise.” comed public input, and crafted a rule to Now, with plans to “reconsider” the help stop the payday loan debt trap.” rulemaking, the long-awaited payday rule Advocates opposed to payday lending may be undone entirely. are as broad as the loans are harmful: This column in earlier editions spoke clergy of all colors stand with civil rights to similar delays in student loan rules. leaders and consumer advocates, all Efforts to address mounting and unsusworking at both the state and federal tainable student debt, servicer errors and levels with a central message: Stop the career training institutions that failed to debt trap that preys upon people with deliver what was promised were put in the fewest financial resources. Loans that place during the Obama administration charge interest rates that double or even through its Borrower Defense to Repaytriple the amount of money borrowed ment Rule and a second, Gainful Employ(Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible worsen—not help—those suffering from ment. But under Education Secretary financial stress.

Betsy DeVos, rulemaking has begun anew. Lending’s communications deputy director. She can be reached at: Charlene.Crowell@responsi“I cannot imagine a single legitimate Could it be that an administration blelending.org.) reason to go back and undo this good pledge to deregulate federal agencies is

Commentary

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BUSINESS

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Walter Lewis ushers in new era at Homewood Children’s Village

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

To improve the lives of Homewood’s children and simultaneously re-weave the fabric of the community in which they live is the mission of Homewood Children’s Village. It is a mission that Walter Lewis, the recently appointed Interim President and CEO, takes very seriously.

“It’s imperative that the work gets done. It is important to me that people’s lives are changed and transformed,” Lewis said.

“Considering the changes that are happening around us and the fact that Homewood is so prime for development, we cannot afford for this organization to not be strong and give our best foot forward. We want to be focused on what we do great. This is not just a job for me. It is the acceptance of the responsibility, the weight of it and the understanding of it.”

As the interim president and CEO, his responsibilities encompass overseeing the work the organization conducts across the cradle-to-career pipeline.

He oversees staff, Public Allies CORO workers, AmeriCorps workers, Social Worker interns, and a Pulse Fellow, totaling over 40 people.

Lewis started with the organization as a volunteer. Marrying his desire to teach and passions for social justice and community activism, he says over the past six years, he has contributed to the organization’s history and to the depth of its programming.

Reflecting, he notes that his vision has led to many of HCV’s flagship initiatives

including the Personal Opportunity Plan and the new Scholar Advocate framework, projected to launch this year. He has been instrumental in raising funds for numerous HCV initiatives to move them from ideas to action and has pioneered and championed many of HCV’s innovative strategies for expanding opportunities for youth, including the Summer S.T.E.A.M. project-based experience, and the youth researchers project.

Prior to his current position, he served as the Director of the Office of Education for HCV. At the age of 30 he is the youngest of the organization’s previous leaders. Fred Brown previously led the organization, before being named president of The Forbes Funds.

Located in the heart of Homewood at 801 N. Homewood Ave., HCV is considered a comprehensive community initiative that partners with residents, government, schools, philanthropic foundations, and faith- and community-based organizations to revitalize the neighborhood with expectations of making it a place where children can thrive.

Its aim is to not only serve the children of Homewood, but their families as well.

HCV is involved in three Homewood schools; Faison, Lincoln and Westinghouse.

The group’s vision is to develop a community of learners in which every child succeeds, and its goal is to identify ways to increase their impact in the community, to accomplish by evaluating HCV progress and performance as an organization.

The idea of longtime res-

ident, John M. Wallace Jr., PhD, senior pastor of Bible Center Church and professor and the Phillip Hallen Chair in Community Health and Social Justice at the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, HCV is patterned after the New York-based Harlem Children’s Zone founded by Geoffrey Can-

ada. Wallace also serves as HCV board president.

Aliya D. Durham, MSW, MPIA Vice President of Foundation and Government Relations YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is vice president. Dr. RaShall Brackney-Wheelock, Chief of Police of GWU Bureau of Police is secretary.

In a correspondence an-

LIKE FAMILY—Walter Lewis is the Interim President and CEO of Homewood Children’s Village. (Photo by Diane I. Daniels) nouncing his departure, Brown noted that in 2017, one hundred percent of high school seniors who participated in HCV programming graduated on time. Also, elementary students improved their reading ability with the help of HCV AmeriCorps members

in their classrooms. Next, hundreds of youth brought home healthy snacks and dry goods to help bridge weekends gaps of food insecurity. And adults participated in classes at the HCV Leadership Institute that helped them gain job skills, as well as knowledge about children’s health, nutrition, and development.

“I am very interested in building the best team humanly possible. Looking at what we are trying to accomplish, trying to figure out how to transform the lives of people that have often been disenfranchised and left behind by society through the educational system and other systems supposed to serve us that have not kept pace in the Black community. We are trying to tackle issues at a national and international level that people don’t have all the answers to; if they did, we would just be doing what they are saying and the problems would not exist,” Lewis said. “So if you are trying to tackle problems and challenges some of the world’s best minds haven’t figured out how to solve yet, you need the world’s best team to figure out how to do it. Then I say why not here, why not us, why not Homewood to figure out some of this stuff?

To that end I am always open to the idea of bringing the best and brightest talent you can possibly find to the organization.”

Lewis, hailing from the Baltimore area, received his Master of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Computational Biology after earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Cheyney University in Computer Science.

He was a researcher at Brookhaven National Lab, Wistar Institute and Carnegie Mellon University for six years where his research ranged from cancer progression and genomic sequence identification to gene regulation and development.

Automation cutting jobs?

AUTOMATION FROM B1

with a system called “digital badging” which allows Marion County residents to take courses on a variety of topics to set them apart from the competition and build their resume. Courses include conflict resolution and money management.

As for African American Marion County residents in jobs that are at risk of being eliminated due to automation, Williams and the Black Chamber of Commerce are dedicating this year to ensure the Black community is employable and can find jobs. So far, they’ve partnered with Indiana Construction Roundtable, YouthBuild and the MLK

Center to host three job fairs to help people find jobs in the construction industry, which is currently booming in Indianapolis. These fairs led to jobs for 150 people.

Williams says he’s committed to doing even more “Our focus is to give access to people looking for jobs and get them employed. We especially want to help those trying to reenter the workforce after being incarcerated. We’re trying to give them a platform to get hired and to help Black business in the area grow.”

Anyone interested in joining the Indy Black Chamber of Commerce can visit their website, indybcc.org, for more info.

Fitzgerald kicks off series FITZGERALD FROM B1

cent of the annual total, for Purchasing and Supplies; $4.4 million, or 16 percent, on Public Works contracts; $3.25 million, 11 percent, on economic development; and issued 100 Human Services contracts to African American community agencies and Faith organizations, which had an average value of $945,000.

He also said, as the county continues to become a center for IT and tech firms like Google, Uber, and Apple—and of course with its universities, their spin-offs, and the medical sector— opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses are continuing to grow.

“I’m also very proud that Pittsburgh is a finalist for the Amazon HQ2 project,” he said. “We have a lot of opportunity here, but we have to make sure we provide access to those opportunities to those who haven’t had them in the past.”

Fitzgerald also introduced the new Port Authority CEO Katharine Eagan Kelleman, who was among the county employees attending, and talked about the buzz around changes in the cultural district, and the return of the August Wilson Center.

Williams said she is seeing similar positive indicators—not the least of which is reflected in her new membership.

“We’ve had 24 new members join since October,” she said. “We’re also seeing a rise in small business development with people going to the secondary market for funding. We’re seeing that reflected in our new partnership with Bridgeway Capital, that gives a year’s membership in the chamber to those who close loans with Bridgeway.”

In addition to welcoming new members, Williams also previewed coming events including the Feb. 16 PowerBreakfast.

BUSINESS CALENDAR Training Event

JAN. 24—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host First Steps: Business Star-up Essentials, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Rockwell Hall, Room 108, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15282. Topics covered at the session will included: Business structure and formation; Fictitious name registration; employee issues; insurance; tax requirements, and more. Cost: @25. For more information or to register, call 412396-1633.

Training Event

JAN. 30—The Duquesne Small Business Development Center will present Export Basics, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Rockwell Hall, Room 108, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15282. Topics include: Recognizing and Identifying Export Opportunities; Shipping and Payment; Legal and Regulatory Aspects; Sources of Information and Assistance, and Cultural Issues. Cost: $49. For more information or to register, call 412-396-1633.

Business Workshop

FEB. 1—The Chatham Women’s Business Center presents Employee vs. Independent Contractor, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chatham Eastside Campus, 6585 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15206.

The session will give business owners a better understanding of the difference between w9 employees and 1099 independent contractor—which could save thousands of dollars and avoid IRS penalties. Topics covered include: Differences between employees and contractors; How u es affe t wo e ass fication; Using three key business operation categories to classify worker, and The consequences of misclassifying workers. There is no cost for the session, but registration is required. For more information, call 412-365-1448.

Training Event

FEB. 9—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host Simple Strategic Planning, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Rockwell Hall, Room 108, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15282. This workshop is designed to teach business owners how to put together a strategic plan that is simple, effective, and e b e enou h to han e as your business changes.

Topics covered include format and structure; six key areas to plan; strategies for marketing, sales and time management, and the mindset of a successful business owner. Cost: $49. For more information, call 412-3961633.

Free Government Contracting Webinar

FEB. 13—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host an online webinar on Government Contracting Basics, 10 to 11:30 a.m. this free webinar will provide an introduction to government contracting and cover the basics of doing business with the government including registrations, regu at ons e t fi at ons and othe factors to consider when getting ready to enter this market.

Melissa Becker, Government Contracting Specialist at the Northwest Commission PTAC, will discuss aspects of federal, state and local government contracting. To register, visit https:// nwpaptac.ecenterdirect.com/ events/4261 or contact Melissa Becker at 814.677.4800 x124 or melissab@northwestpa.org.

PowerBreakfast

FEB. 16—The African American Chamber of Commerce welcomes new Allegheny Conference on Community Development CEO Stefani Pashman as its speaker, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Rivers Club, Oxford Center, Downtown. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Call 412392-0610 for more information.

Tax Workshop & Panel

FEB. 22—The African American Chamber of Commerce presents The Implications of Tax Reform on Individuals and Small Business, 11:30 a.m. to m at ts offi es n the Koppers Building, 635 Grant Street, Downtown. Panelist Joan Ellenbogen, Managing Partner of CrawfordEllenbogen Victor Dozzi, Partner and COO of CrawfordEllenbogen John Stillwaggon, President of Stillwaggon & McGill will discuss what the changes in the tax laws w mean fo ou and ou fi m Cost $10 for members, $20 for non-members and includes a box lunch. For more information, call 412-392-0610.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

B3

Blacks and Politics: Either get engaged or get left behind

Guest Commentary

H&M ad flap reflects industry What were they thinking?

Someone thought it was a good idea to use an advertising image by retailer H&M to show a Black child in a sweatshirt with the words “Coolest monkey in the jungle.”

The ad sparked an outpouring of outrage from such celebrities as NBA star LeBron James, rapper Diddy and others.

Singer The Weeknd, who has a clothing line at the retailer, says he was “shocked and embarrassed” by the photo and that he would end his ties with the company.

The retailer has apologized and removed the image, but not before the ad was widely criticized on social media as being racist and inappropriate.

James posted a refreshed image showing the model wearing a crown. Diddy posted an image with a sweatshirt revised to read “Coolest king in the world.”

The Swedish-based company says it is sorry the image was taken.

It should also be noted that the mother of the young model in the H&M ad said she did not see the ad as racist.

Although the company has apologized and the mother doesn’t agree that the ad was racist the question is why retailers continue to make such bad decisions when it comes to Black images.

H&M is the latest example of companies bungling ads for Black consumers.

Last year Dove had to withdraw its advertisement after a Facebook advertisement for the company’s Deep Moisture bodywash struck some viewers as insensitive, even racist.

In the video, a Black woman removes her brown shirt and transforms into a White woman in a peach shirt, who then becomes a South Asian woman wearing tan. Critics accused the ad of treating dark skin as dirty and undesirable, an old cosmetics-advertising practice used to sell skin-lightening product. In response to the criticism, Dove withdrew the ad and apologized. The company said it “missed the mark.

Pepsi used the same excuse to respond to critics of a commercial in which a White model, mends police-civilian tensions during a protest by handing a police officer a soda, which some view as trivializing African-American protests over police shootings.

These advertisements are offensive to a growing market in the American economy. A Nielsen report released last year documented African Americans’ growing spending power, which is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2021.

The problem is that even the most inclusive ads come from a White-dominated industry: where only 4.1 percent of advertising workers in the U.S. in 2016 were Black, though African Americans make up 13.3 percent of the population overall.

African-American-owned ad agencies and more inclusive ad agencies with African Americans in decision making positions would make a significant difference in helping to create more cultural sensitive advertising.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

(NNPA)—Okay, everyone, if you are reading this, welcome to 2018. You made it, and with that being said, I feel that this is the perfect opportunity for us to be honest about an important truth.

First of all, as I see it, it is extremely clear to me, and should be quite evident to anyone who would just simply open up their eyes to see it for themselves, that the Black vote can either make or break an election.

If you don’t believe me, I would encourage you to take a look at previous elections where the Black community was actively engaged and driven to get out and vote in a local, county, state or federal election, versus the times where they were not as excited or motivated to do so.

Take Alabama’s recent special U.S. Senate election race involving Republican Roy Moore and Democrat Doug Jones, where people were overwhelmingly surprised to see the exit polls that showed that Black voters made up 29 percent of the overall voter turnout in the entire election—18 percent of Black women and 11 percent of Black men. Exit polls also showed that 98 percent of Black women cast their vote for Jones, while 93 percent of Black men cast their vote for Jones.

These were phenomenal numbers, and definitely the type of numbers that Jones needed to pull off an unexpected victory in a historically and traditionally red state like Alabama.

It was exciting to see this type of political difference making by the Black community, but that excitement was immediately quenched and short-lived, after reading reports that a letter was sent to Jones on Dec. 19 from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and 16 other organizations practically begging him “to commit to hiring a staff that reflects his constituents’ racial diversity.”

Why wasn’t this letter sent before Jones won? Why not get this type of commitment from Jones before engaging the Black community to come out and vote for him, and doing what the Black community always does when it is expected to deliver the turnout and votes necessary to secure a victory for select candidates or select issues on the ballot? I believe it is, because the Black community has grown accustomed to not being respected, especially within the Democratic Party where they are the most loyal. And before “loyal” Democrats come for my head, because they consider this an attack on the Democratic Party or as an opportunity to try and have us compare the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, I believe the Black community needs to ask itself some really tough questions.

When it comes to the Black community’s involvement in the Democratic Party, how are Blacks truly viewed within the party? Despite the Black community having such a strong and dedicated voting bloc across the nation, how many Blacks actually hold key positions within the Democratic Party on a local, statewide and/or national basis? How many Black people are senior staff members in county, state or federal offices across the

Jeffrey Boney

Commentary

home equity loss at record-numbers in the Black community, and the wealth gap tripled between us and Whites.

Sadly, as I see it, the role of Blacks within the Democratic Party has been one that has relegated us to only being good for faithfully voting Democratic that is known for hitting the pavement to rally the voters in the hood and in the church, while not having a true voice within the Party. That has to change starting in this New Year of 2018. It’s extremely clear to me that we as Black people need to wake up and get more actively involved with politics, because if we don’t do it, we will continue getting screwed over by people who don’t have our best interest at heart and who would rather see us “begging” them for scraps from the table, rather than demanding a seat at the table. We can complain all day about how “White” and “not culturally diverse” the Republican Party is, but the one thing I can respect about them is when they choose to come together about the things that are collectively important to them—they come together.

Don’t get historical amnesia on me.

Lest we forget that there was a time, not long ago, where the Republican Party once advocated for Black people and Black issues, while the Democratic Party served as the home of the Ku Klux Klan and advocated for segregationist policies that violated and went against the Civil Rights of Black people.

As I see it, the Democratic Party is getting more and more fragmented, while the Republican Party remains consistent with their message and their actions, even if it costs them votes or support. They have conviction and stick to their guns for the whole of the Party. At the end of the day, the Republican Party appears to be on one accord publicly, even when there may be discord internally. This has not been the case with the Democratic Party over the last several decades.

As I see it, Blacks cannot be political squatters, sitting with our hands out, begging for scraps from the table and waiting to be given our next assignment and told our next move.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said it best at the last Democratic National Convention, when he told attendees that they needed to get some “backbone.”

All I know is this, Black folks had better get some “backbone” and wake up before we find ourselves becoming comfortable with sitting at the back of the bus again, while the Hispanic community and Asian community figure out a way to work collectively together to advance their political and social position in this country. If we find ourselves in the back of the bus, sadly, it won’t be the Republicans’ fault or the Democrats’ fault. This time, it will be no one’s fault, but our own.

Dear Black people: We either get engaged or get left behind.

What’s it going to be for 2018 and beyond?

country?

According to a detailed report released by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies last year, the majority of White Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. Senate, who have millions of Black constituents, have no Black senior staff members at all. The report also found that while Blacks make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, they only make up 0.9 percent of the top Senate staffers. Is this by design or just an unfortunate oversight?

See, it is one thing to look out at these local, county, state and federal Democratic meetings and conventions and see this sea of diversity, with Black faces mixed in with faces from all other races and backgrounds, but it is an entirely different thing to know that Blacks are not given opportunities to have a real impact in the Democratic Party from within, other than just voting.

Secondly, as I see it, it is abundantly clear to me that the Black community is oftentimes ignored, disrespected and disregarded by both major political parties until they are needed in the midnight hour to deliver for those who only want their vote but nothing else.

This is important to highlight because, over the last several decades, Black people have voted for Democratic candidates 94 percent of the time in critical federal and state elections.

Black voters turned out in record numbers in 2008 to elect Barack Obama as the first Black president of the United States, with the primary belief that by letting their voices be heard, they would experience the “Hope and Change” he campaigned on. As a result of this record turnout, Black voters helped elect President Obama to the highest office in the land and they helped elect Democrats to other key positions that helped Democrats gain control of both the House and the Senate. And what did the Democratic Party do as soon as they got control of the House, Senate and the White House? You guessed it!

Respective groups within the Democratic Party began advocating for their own competing interests and could care less about Black issues.

And how were Black people rewarded for their 96 percent voting loyalty in 2008? Subsequently, the many issues impacting the Black community were ignored and got pushed further and further to the back of the bus, and Black people were pushed to the bottom of the totem pole.

During a time where Black people should have been experiencing (Jeffrey L. Boney serves as Associate Editor tremendous gains, we saw Black unemployment at its highest point, and is an award-winning journalist for the increased poverty, property loss and Houston Forward Times newspaper.)

Letters To The Editor

PBMF condemns PG’s editorial on racism To the Editor: A favorite quote used by civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.: “The moral arc of the universe is long and bends toward justice.”

On Monday, Jan. 15, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published an editorial, “Reason as Racism: An Immigration Debate Gets Derailed,” that shamelessly bent the universe toward injustice.

The editorial supported and attempted to rationalize President Trump’s reported vulgarity in describing Haiti, El Salvador and African nations.

The editorial was ill-formed, unintelligent and lacking in racial sensitivity.

The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation stands with the community of Post-Gazette union members, the paper’s former staffers, two of the city’s leading foundations, and many others to condemn the thought that

racism can be so narrowly defined and excused.

Racism’s damage is not manifested by only physical violence. It is beyond dog attacks and people being murdered. Spreading the ideas of racism can be as damaging to the soul of a people—and a nation—as a bigot’s bullet piercing the heart.

The editorial helped to spread and condone the idea of racism. That is unfortunate because an independent, responsible press is charged with lifting every voice.

Journalists with the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation have traveled to Haiti, African nations, and other parts of the African diaspora to find and report stories that take readers and viewers beyond the stereotype of who the people are in these countries.

It saddens us to know that the

American president’s coarse language and thoughts contribute to the bias—and that the Post-Gazette editorial attempts to give cover to this racism.

It is harmful and disappointing that such a biased view would be published on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. And, it was particularly hurtful to members of our organization, which seeks to engender fairness, address bias, and advocate for fuller and more informed news regarding communities of color.

We are asking other professional media organizations in Western Pennsylvania to join us in protest— in the spirit of togetherness.

By uniting against the language of hate, we make room for a responsible fourth estate that builds a stronger democracy.

Pittsburgh Black Media Federation

Guild appalled by PG’s repugnant editorial on racism Founded 1910

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

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

To the Editor: The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, the union representing 150 reporters, photographers, copy editors, artists and other editorial employees at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is collectively appalled and crestfallen by the repugnant editorial “Reason as Racism.” As a matter of course, the Guild does not weigh in on editorial positions, but this piece is so extraordinary in its mindless, sycophantic embrace of racist values and outright bigotry espoused by this country’s President that we would be morally, journalistically, and humanly remiss not to speak out against it.

This editorial is a blight on the 231 years of service the Post-Gazette has provided its readers. Over its long life, it has railed against racism and supported civil rights and justice for all. Given this history, the shameful and unconscionable editorial that ran on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, of all days, is an abomination that cannot go without condemnation from journalists committed to fairness, accuracy and decency. To be clear, no member of the Newspaper Guild had anything to do with that editorial and we stand together in solidarity against the bigotry, hatred and divisiveness it engenders.

Our hope is that, like us, readers

of the Post-Gazette will decry this lapse in promoting common decency, equal opportunity and justice across our great land and the world. This editorial and its sentiments solely represent the opinions of the Block family, owners of the Post-Gazette, and not their loyal employees who use our talents to fight against what this editorial stands for.

Sincerely, The Executive Committee of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh Michael A. Fuoco, Jonathan D. Silver, Ed Blazina, Joe Smydo, Melissa Tkach, Patti Sabatini Dan Gigler, Zack Tanner, Alyssa Brown, Courtney Linder, Erin Hebert

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B4

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Help Wanted

Meetings

n nee n om unet n seeks External Applications Support Engineer to work in Monroeville, PA. Anlyz & resolv custmr prblms.

Trblsht & modify generl comptr applicatns softwr or specialzd utilty prgrms. Anlyz user needs & dvlp softw onfi tn so utns e ee & commensurate exp. req’d. For details & to apply email resume to Bbrennan@compunetix.com.

ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ASSET DISTRICT

SENECA VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Anticipated full-time special education teaching position. Submit e u ed nfo mat on to https:// senecavalley.cloud.talentedk12. com/hire/index.aspx. Applications a e ted unt os t on s fi ed eneca Valley is committed to diversity in the workplace. E.O.E.

Seneca Valley School District PRINCIPAL

12-mo. position, grades 5-6 at Evans City Middle School available mmed ate students sa a e ona om et t e A n a e t fi at on e u ed m dd e s hoo adm n e e en e efe ed experience with curriculum alignment, data driven decision making, evaluating quality teaching, technology, and strong leadership, communication/interpersonal skills. Submit e u ed nfo mat on to https:// senecavalley.cloud.talentedk12. com/hire/index.aspx. Applications accepted until January 31, 2018.

Seneca Valley is committed to diversity in the workplace. E.O.E.

TREASURER/DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

The Western Pennsylvania Conference of the The United Methodist Church seeks a Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree n a ount n o e ated fie d years accounting experience, including supervisory and not-for-profit experience, and a demonstrated ab t to nte et finan a on e ts fo non finan a eo e A and United Methodist Church membership is strongly desired. The UMC is an equal opportunity employer. Details at www.wpaumc.org/classi fie . Email resume to jobs@gcfa. org.

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Anova Healthcare Services, Inc. seeks Director of Administrative Services and Human Resources in Pittsburgh, PA. Resp for planning, coordinating, managing & directing medical & health services, including recruitment, selection, retention, orientation & development of employees. Develop & maintain computerized record mgmt systems.

Direct, supervise, and evaluate work activities of admin and billing personnel. Conduct and administe fis a o e at ons e a helor’s in Business Admin, Health Admin, or related plus 2 yrs of exp in healthcare mgmt/operations.

Knowledge of federal & state laws & regs pertaining to employment & to the healthcare industry. Exp must include billing for Medicare, Medica d A Offi e of on e m n & Veterans Administration (VA).

Travel is req’d within PA 1-3 times/ year for 2-4 days/trip to attend conferences. Mail resume to Nainesh Desai, Anova Home Healthcare Services, Inc., 1229 Silver Ln, Ste 201, McKees Rocks, PA 15136.

Multi IT Related Positions (National Placement out of Allegheny County, PA). Must be able to relocate to multiple unanticipated sites when req’d. Min of either, BS degree & 5yrs exp or in the alternate MS W/1Yr exp. Salary for all positions $101,400Yr. All degrees/exp may be in either Comps, Info Sys, us ness n o e ated fie d A suitable combo of educ, training or exp accepted. For all positions candidates will analyze, design, devlp, test, administer, customize & implement IT related apps using s s sted be ow Software Developer (ETL): Must have exp w/Oracle, PL/SQL, Mainframe, Unix, Informatica & ETL. Ref# ETL–0117.

Software Developer (Informatica): Must have exp w/Informatica, DB2, Oracle, SSIS, SSRS & Cognos. Ref# INF–0117 Software Developer (JAVA): Must have exp w/Java, J2EE, XML. Ref# JAV–0117.

Software Developer (Cobol Mainframe): Must have exp w/Cobol, JCL, VSAM, DB2 & Quality Center. Ref# CMF–0117.

Software Developer (.NET): Must have exp w/ASP.NET, or, VB.NET, or .NET technologies. Ref# NET– 0117.

Software Developer (SAP): Must have exp w/SAP MM, ARIBA, SAP ABAP. Ref# SAP–0117.

Software Developer (SYNON): Must have exp w/RPGILE, SYNON2E, IBM iSeries, SQL, CLP. Ref# SYN–0117.

Positions are FT/Perm 9-5, 40 hrs/ wk. Use Ref# to send resume to Galax-Esystems Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, Suite 4300, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or hr@galaxesystems. com. EOE M/F/V/D.

SONNY BOY

2018 RAD Board Meetings will be held at 3PM 3/8, 6/7, 9/27, 11/28.

2018 RAD Public Hearings will be held at 2:30 PM 8/20, 8/23, 8/27, 8/30, 9/4, 9/6, 10/18. ALL Board Meeting & Public Hearings will be held at Koppers Building Conference Center, 436 7th Avenue, Level B. For public participation procedures or updates visit radworkshere.org or call 412-227-1900.

MEETING

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2018. The boa d meet n w be he d at A.M. @ 200 Ross Street, 13th Floor, Wherrett Room, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the College will be held on February 1, 2018 4:00 PM CCAC Allegheny CampusByers Hall 808 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE CLOSING OF LOW INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING AND PROJECT BASED VOUCHER PROGRAM WAITING LISTS

Effective Wednesday, January 31, at m the ous n Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) will close the waiting lists for the following Low Income Public ous n ommun t es •Glen Hazel Family •Bernice Crawley High Rise (Glen Hazel) •Murray Towers High Rise No applications will be accepted for these waiting lists after the closing date and time.

The HACP will also close the waiting list for the following Project ased ou he o am •Milliones Manor – (two (2) bedroom only) Two (2) bedroom low income units will still be available at Milliones Manor. For information on how to obtain an application for a two (2) bedroom unit, interested applicants will need to contact the Milliones ano mana ement offi e d e t at 412-681-6350.

The one (1) Bedroom waiting list for Milliones Manor remains open. For information on how to apply for a one bedroom unit at Milliones Manor, contact the HACP Occupancy Department at 412-456-5030 or vist htt s ttsbu h a hous n com/.

The Housing Authority of the City Of Pittsburgh Occupancy Department 100 Ross Street – 4th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Letters of Administration on the Estate of ANGELA M. CALABRESE, Court Term No. 021706812,late of Penn Hills, Allegheny County, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned by the Director of Dept. of Court Records, Wills/Orphans Court Division of Allegheny County, notice is hereby given to all person indebted to said estate to make immediate payment, and to those having claims against the same to present them to the undersigned, duly authenticated for settlement.

Nicholas A. Calabrese, Administrator, 321 Thornwood Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15239 or to Cathy L. Brannigan, Esq., 15 Duff Rd., Suite 6C, Pittsburgh, PA 15235

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed bids will be received by the Upper St. Clair Township School st t n the Adm n st at e Offi es, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania unt am e a n time, Friday, February 9, 2018, and w be o ened at the same hou fo •48-passenger conventional school bus •72-passenger conventional school bus •78-passenger conventional school bus Bidding documents may be obtained by contacting Jonn Mansfie d e to of ans o tat on at (412) 833-1600 Ext. 3451 or jmans fie d us sd a us The Upper St. Clair Township School District reserves the right to reject any or all bids and proposals.

Scott P. Burchill, Secretary BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

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LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

LEGAL NOTICE

CITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPARTMENT OF MOBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA REQUEST FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES STATEMENTS OF INTEREST (SOI)

OPENING OF WAITING LISTS Effective at the start of the business day Thursday, February 1, 2018, the Allegheny County Housing Authority will be opening the Waiting List for the following Low Income ub ous n tes •Carnegie Apartments (1 Bedrooms) 514 Lydia Drive, Carnegie, PA 15106 a he a son a ffi en es 135 Second Avenue, Tarentum, PA 15084 •Dumplin Hall (1 Bedrooms) 502 Hay Street, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 ene a addo owe s fficiencies) 620 Sixth Street, North Braddock, PA 15104 •Caldwell Station (2 Bedrooms) 314 Commerce Street, Wilmerding, PA 15148 •Groveton Village (1, 2, 3 & 4 Bedrooms) 511 Groveton Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108 •Hawkins Village (1 Bedrooms) 500 Kenmawr Avenue, Rankin, PA 15104 •Hays Manor (1 & 2 Bedrooms) 205 Locust Street, Mckees Rocks, PA 15136 •Pleasant Ridge Apartments (4 Bedrooms) 251 Jefferson Drive, Mckees Rocks, PA 15136 •Prospect Terrace ( 1& 2 Bedrooms) 29 Prospect Drive, East Pittsburgh, PA 15112 •Scattered Sites ( 2 & 3 Bedrooms) 511 Groveton Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108 ALL APPLICANTS INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR ALL LOW INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING SITES CAN APPLY AT: achsng.com (WebApp) or AT THE Allegheny County HOUSING AUTHORITY CENTRAL OFFICE (ADDRESS LISTED BELOW) CLOSING OF WAITING LISTS Effective Thursday, February 1, 2018, the Allegheny County Housing Authority will be closing the Waiting List for the following Low n ome ub ous n tes •Corbett Apartments (1 Bedroom)175 Corbett Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 •WEST VIEW TOWERS (1 Bedroom) 808 West View Park Drive West View, PA 15229 •SHARPSBURG HOUSING (1, 2 and 3 Bedrooms) 300 Sisca Street, Sharpsburg, PA 15215 •NEGLEY GARDENS (1, 2, 3 and 4 Bedrooms) 804 Creek St., Apt. D , Tarentum, PA 15084 •Scattered Sites (1 Bedrooms ) 511 Groveton Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108 •WILMERDING APARTMENTS (Effi en es omme e t eet Wilmerding, PA 15148 No applications for these waiting lists will be accepted after the closing date.

Notice will be given in this publication when the Authority determines to re-open the Waiting Lists for these sites.

Frank Aggazio, Executive Director Allegheny County Housing Authority 625 Stanwix St., 12th Fl., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

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Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 (412.237.3020) on the following tems Bid 1015 HVAC Vibration Reduction at Science Building Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Friday, February 2, 2018.

The CCAC Purchasing Department publishes all bids and RFPs via the CCAC website at https:// www.ccac.edu/Bid-RFP_Oppor tunities.aspx. It will be each vendor’s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda.

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

The Community College of Ale hen ount s an Affi mat e Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.

he Offi e of the e to of the DEPARTMENT OF MOBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH will receive tatements of nte est and ua fiat ons f om e e en ed fi ms fo contract administration and construction inspection services until m on eb ua fo the fo ow n CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES FOR THE MCFARREN STREET BRIDGE PROJECT CITY OF PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY COUNTY BTE PROJECT NO. 10301 MPMS NO. 27462 The project involves construction of a new single-span structure over Nine Mile Run, in the Duck Hollow Neighborhood.

A full description of services and general requirements for submissions can be found on PennDOT’s web s te http://www.dot14.state.pa.us/ ECMS/ GO TO SOLICITATIONS – CONSULTANTS – ADVERTISEMENTS – MCFARREN STREET BRIDGE – CI/CA SERVICES OR L00159 All candidates must be a current registered Business Partner with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and must read and acknowledge “General Consultant Candidate Requirements and Information for City of Pittsburgh Sponsored Federally Funded Transportation Projects” before submitting a Statement of Interest. See Advertisement on ECMS. Consultant teams must comply with Section 177A.02 Equal Employment Opportunity Practice and Goals of the City of Pittsburgh, Code of Ordinances. he t w be us n the mod fied consultant selection process for securing the professional services.

The anticipated Notice to Proceed is November 7, 2018.

All questions and answers are required to go through ECMS’s “Questions and Responses” Forum.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

Sealed bids will be received in the Offi e Of he h ef O e at ons Offi e oom Adm n st at on u dn outh e efie d A enue unt A e a n time February 13, 2018 and will be opened at the same hour for the purchase of the following equipment and su es Custodial Small Equipment Custodial Paper Products Custodial Chemicals/Soaps Packaging Materials Printed Forms General Information regarding b ds ma be obta ned at the Offi e of the Purchasing Agent, Service Center, 1305 Muriel Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. The bid documents are available on the School st t s u has n web s te at http://www.pghboe.net/pps/site/ default.asp Click on Bid Opportunities 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.

M. Jordan Purchasing Agent We are an equal rights and opportunity school district

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Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 (412.237.3020) on the following tems RFP 3102 – Truck Driving Simulator RFQ 180130- Sale of Surplus Ford 2000 15 Passenger Van Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.

The CCAC Purchasing Department publishes all bids and RFPs via the CCAC website at https:// www.ccac.edu/Bid-RFP_Oppor tunities.aspx It will be each vendor’s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda. Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the fina subm tta ma esu t n the rejection of your bid.

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

The Community College of Ale hen ount s an Affi mat e Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR COMPACTOR/CHUTE REPAIR SERVICES AT VARIOUS HACP LOCATIONS IFB# 300-04-18

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request o osa s f om ua fied ms o Individuals capable of providing the fo ow n se e s COMPACTOR/CHUTE REPAIR AT VARIOUS HACP LOCATIONS IFB# 300-04-18 The documents will be available no later than January 16, 2018 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on February 2, 2018 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

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

Questions or inquiries should be die ted to Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A e b d meet n w be he d Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Thursday, January 25, 2018 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages cert fied m no t bus ness ente ses and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website.

As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

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

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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR FLEET VEHICLE MAINTENANCE - FORD IFB# 300-01-18

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request o osa s f om ua fied ms o nd dua s a ab e of o d n the fo ow n se e s FLEET VEHICLE MAINTENANCE - FORD IFB# 300-01-18 he do uments w be a a ab e no later than January 16, 2018 and s ned sea ed b ds w be a e ted until 11:00 a.m. on February 2, 2018 at wh h t me the w be me and ate tam ed at oss t eet nd oo u te ttsbu h A at wh h t me the w be o ened and ead a oud a t es o nd dua s nte ested n es ond n ma down oad a o of the o tat on f om the us ness Opportunities page of www.HACP. org. uest ons o n u es shou d be d e ted to Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A e b d meet n w be he d Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Thursday, January 25, 2018 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of ttsbu h st on en ou a es e t fied m no t bus ness ente ses and women bus ness ente ses to es ond to th s so tat on HACP’s has revised their website.

As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh A ondu ts bus ness n a o dan e w th a fede a state and o a hts aws n ud n but not m ted to t e the a ous n A t e t on of the ehab tat on A t of the Ame ans w th sab t es A t he A uman e at ons A t et and does not d s m nate a a nst an nd dua s ote ted b these statutes

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR PROJECT BASED VOUCHER PROGRAM 2018 RFP #125-07-18

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request o osa s f om ua fied ms o nd dua s a ab e of o d n the fo ow n se e s Project Based Voucher Program 2018 RFP #125-07-18 he do uments w be a a ab e no later than January 15, 2018 and s ned sea ed o osa s w be a e ted unt 2:00 P.M., February 2, 2018 at wh h t me the w be me and ate tam ed at oss t eet nd oo u te ttsbu h A a t es o nd dua s nte ested ma obta n nfo mat on f om Mr. Kim Detrick – Procurement Director/ Chief Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116, Option 1 o b s t n the us ness O o tun t es se t on of www.hacp.org A e b d meet n w be he d Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 200 Ross Street, 9th Fl. Board Room Pittsburgh, PA 15219 January 25, 2018 2:00 P.M. The Housing Authority of the City of ttsbu h st on en ou a es e t fied m no t bus ness ente ses and women bus ness ente ses to es ond to th s so tat on HACP’s has revised their website.

As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh A ondu ts bus ness n a o dan e w th a fede a state and o a hts aws n ud n but not m ted to t e the a ous n A t e t on of the ehab tat on A t of the Ame ans w th sab t es A t he A uman e at ons A t et and does not d s m nate a a nst an nd dua s ote ted b these statutes

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B5

SONNY BOY

INVITATION FOR BIDS:

he A e hen ount ous n Autho t A A s e uest n b ds f om ua fied ont a to s fo DOMESTIC HOT WATER BOILER REPLACEMENT he A e hen ount ous n Autho t en ou a es es onses f om sma m no t and women owned fi ms as we as fi ms that ha e not e ous e fo med wo fo the A A O A O A A omme e t eet me dn A O A A A O ont a t o uments w be on fi e afte uesda anua on the ttsbu h u de s han e o the aw webs tes d ont a t o uments ma be obta ned at the A e hen ount ous n Autho t tanw t eet th oo ttsbu h A o b onta t n the A A at o ema a am om a hsn om A non efundab e fee s e u ed fo ea h set of d ont a t o uments e t fied he o mone o de on o no ha e fo ema ed do uments O ednesda anua at A n the A e hen ount ous n Autho t oa d oom tanw t eet th oo ttsbu h A o a t me on uesda eb ua at the A e hen ount ous n Autho t oa d oom tanw t eet th oo ttsbu h A at wh h t me and a e a b ds w be ub o ened and ead a oud AND he A e hen ount ous n Autho t A A s e uest n b ds f om ua fied ont a to s fo a ROOF REPLACEMENT he A e hen ount ous n Autho t en ou a es es onses f om sma m no t and women owned fi ms as we as fi ms that ha e not e ous e fo med wo fo the A A O A O A A omme e t eet me dn A O A A A O ont a t o uments w be on fi e afte uesda anua on the ttsbu h u de s han e o the aw webs tes d ont a t o uments ma be obta ned at the A e hen ount ous n Autho t tanw t eet th oo ttsbu h A o b onta t n the A A at o ema a am om a hsn om A non efundab e fee s e u ed fo ea h set of d ont a t o uments e t fied he o mone o de on o no ha e fo ema ed do uments O ednesda anua at A n the A e hen ount ous n Autho t oa d oom tanw t eet th oo ttsbu h A o a t me on uesda eb ua at the A e hen ount ous n Autho t oa d oom tanw t eet th oo ttsbu h A at wh h t me and a e a b ds w be ub o ened and ead a oud om an e s e u ed w th the a s a on A t and othe ede a abo tanda d o s ons t e and othe a ab e o s ons of the hts A t of the e a tment of abo ua O o tun t ause e t on of the ous n and ommun t e e o ment A t of e ut e O de t at on of no t us ness nte se e ut e O de t at on of ema e us ness nte se n om an e w th e t on of the ehab tat on A t of and the Ame ans w th sab t es A t of the A e hen ount o am ena ted u wh h sets fo th oa s of e ent no t and e ent ema e us ness nte se and the A e hen ount O d nan e sett n fo th oa s of e ent ete an Owned ma us nesses u the not e s he eb en that th s s a e t on o e t unde the ous n and ban e e o ment A t of as amended and must to the eatest e tent feas b e ut e owe n ome es dents fo em o ment and t a n n o o tun t es and e t on us ness on e ns and a ont a ts and sub ont a ts fo th s o e t sha onta n the “ e t on ause” as set fo th n at o eo e om an e s e u ed b the me ont a to and a sub ont a to s w th the do ument ent t ed ede a ene a ond t ons that s n uded w th the b d mate a s fu n shed these ede a ene a ond t ons to be n o o ated b efe en e nto a onst u t on ont a ts between o e at n a en and ont a to ont a to and sub ont a to s and sub ont a to s and owe t e ed sub ont a to s Frank Aggazio Executive Director Allegheny County Housing Authority

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR CONSTRCUTION TRADES TRAINING PROGRAM RFP #550-08-18

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR FINANCIAL AUDITING SERVICES AUTHORITY WIDE RFP #150-03-18

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request o osa s f om ua fied ms o nd dua s a ab e of o d n the fo ow n se e s Construction Trades Training Program RFP #550-08-18 he do uments w be a a ab e no later than January 16, 2018 and s ned sea ed o osa s w be a e ted unt 10:00 A.M., February 9, 2018 at wh h t me the w be me and ate tam ed at oss t eet nd oo u te ttsbu h A a t es o nd dua s nte ested ma obta n nfo mat on f om Mr. Kim Detrick – Contract Manager Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116, Option 4 o b s t n the us ness O o tun t es se t on of www.hacp.org A e b d meet n w be he d Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 200 Ross Street, 9th Floor Boardroom Pittsburgh, PA 15219 February 1, 2018 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of ttsbu h st on en ou a es e t fied m no t bus ness ente ses and women bus ness ente ses to es ond to th s so tat on HACP’s has revised their website.

As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

A. Fulton Meachem Jr., Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh A ondu ts bus ness n a o dan e w th a fede a state and o a hts aws n ud n but not m ted to t e the a ous n A t e t on of the ehab tat on A t of the Ame ans w th sab t es A t he A uman e at ons A t et and does not d s m nate a a nst an nd dua s ote ted b these statutes

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request o osa s f om ua fied ms o nd dua s a ab e of o d n the fo ow n se e s Financial Auditing Services Authority Wide RFP #150-03-18 he do uments w be a a ab e no later than January 16, 2018 and s ned sea ed o osa s w be a e ted unt 11:00 A.M., February 7, 2018 at wh h t me the w be me and ate tam ed at oss t eet nd oo u te ttsbu h A a t es o nd dua s nte ested ma obta n nfo mat on f om Mr. Kim Detrick – Contract Manager Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116, Option 4 o b s t n the us ness O o tun t es se t on of www.hacp.org A e b d meet n w be he d Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 200 Ross Street, 9th Floor Boardroom Pittsburgh, PA 15219 January 30, 2018 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of ttsbu h st on en ou a es e t fied m no t bus ness ente ses and women bus ness ente ses to es ond to th s so tat on HACP’s has revised their website.

As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

A. Fulton Meachem Jr., Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh A ondu ts bus ness n a o dan e w th a fede a state and o a hts aws n ud n but not m ted to t e the a ous n A t e t on of the ehab tat on A t of the Ame ans w th sab t es A t he A uman e at ons A t et and does not d s m nate a a nst an nd dua s ote ted b these statutes

PROPOSALS

he att e of omestead oundat on a o an at on s so t n o osa s f om ua fied onsu tants to do a eas b t tud fo eat n a abo e ta e ente n omestead o unha a ate due s oon eb ua u des t on a a ab e at http://bhfdn.in/2mVcoUo

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

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/ Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

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GIANT EAGLE (16 Pittsburgh Locations) 6320 Shakespeare St., East Liberty (EAST, near BUSWAY) 4004 Monroeville Blvd., Monroeville (MONROEVILLE MALL) 230 Rodi Rd., Penn Hills (EAST inside Penn Hills Shopping Center) 9001 Frankstown Road. (EAST, corner of Frankstown and Verona Rd.) 550 Centre Ave., Shadyside (EAST, Market District) 3812 O’Neill Blvd., McKeesport (SOUTHEAST) 1356 Hoffman Blvd., West Mifflin (NEAR KENNYWOOD) 1901 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill (EAST) 1005 Freeport Road, Waterworks Mall (NEAR FOX CHAPEL) 4250 Murray Ave., Greenfield (EAST) 254 Yost Blvd., Forest Hills/Braddock Hills (SOUTH EAST) 1705 S. Braddock Ave., Edgewood Towne Center (EAST) 420 East Waterfront Dr., Homestead (SOUTHEAST) 2021 Wharton Ave. (SOUTH SIDE FLATS) 318 Cedar Ave., North Side (NORTH near E. OHIO ST.) Crafton/Ingram Shopping Center, 51 Walsh Road (WEST END) NORTH SIDE LOCATIONS NORTH SIDE BEER AND BEVERAGE 1304 Federal St. 7-11 1001 Western Ave. RICHEY’S BARBER SHOP 1207 N. Franklin St. NORTH SIDE VALERO 820 Pennsylvania Ave. RITE AID 802 Pennsylvania Ave. MARSHALL SHELL 1500 Spring Garden Ave. SWINKO’S MARKET 2535 Perrysville Ave. MERCY STREET EXPRESS 6 Mercy St. HARV’S EXXON 2501 Brighton Rd. QUICK SCHWARTZ 3235 Brighton Rd. HANINI MARKET 3245 Brighton Rd. SOUTH SIDE LOCATIONS KEN’S MARKET

216 Beltzhoover Ave. Daily Mart 1125 Arlington Ave. SHOP N’ SAVE Brownsville Rd., Carrick WEST END LOCATIONS CRAFTON BEVERAGE 15 Foster Ave., Crafton/Ingram Shopping Center SHEETZ 5400 Campbells Run Rd. SHOP N SAVE 2103 Noblestown Rd. HILL DISTRICT LOCATIONS SHOP N’ SAVE 1850 Centre Ave. WONG’S MARKET 2170 Centre Ave. ANN’S MARKET 2316 Webster Ave. A-PLUS MINI MARKET 2350 Centre Ave. UJAMMA BOUTIQUE 1901 Centre Ave. K LEROY IRVIS TOWERS 715 Mercer St. ABE’S MARKET 1860 Centre Ave. WYLIE TOBACCO 2152 Wylie Ave. POPULAR EAST END LOCATIONS GETGO 4924 Baum Blvd.

BP GAS STATION 11835 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 10991 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills SHOP N’ SAVE 3335 William Penn Hwy, near Monroeville Mall GETGO 10525 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills CVS PHARMACY 10600 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills SHELL GAS STATION 7619 Baum Blvd., Shadyside STANTON NEGLEY DRUG 804 N. Negley Ave., Highland Park UNIMART 5724 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside SHELL GAS STATION 6701 Frankstown Rd., East Hills SQUIRREL HILL NEWS 5804 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill MURRAY AVE. NEWS 2024 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO

234 Yost Blvd., Braddock Hills DORSEY’S RECORDS 7614 Frankstown Ave., Homewood HOMEWOOD MARKET 7201 Frankstown Ave., Homewood SHEETZ 3457 William Penn Hwy., Monroeville WILLIAM PENN SMOKE SHOP 132 North Highland Ave., East Liberty DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS PENN AVENUE 7-11 (Sixth and Penn) Koppers Building (Ninth and Penn) NEWS-NUMBERS 136 Penn Avenue SMITHFIELD NEWS 115 Smithfield St. 7-11 SMITHFIELD 420 Smithfield St. FABER COE & GREGG 500 Grant St. FABER COE & GREGG 600 Grant St. NIELSEN’S STORES One Oxford Centre, Grant St. WOOD STREET 7-11 429 Wood St. NEWSTAND Sixth and Wood ONE STOP 300 Sixth & Wood OTHER DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS INCLUDE...

KWIK-E-MART 212 Tenth St. 7-11 643 Liberty Ave. ESTER’S SNAX Federal Building, Second Floor FABER COE & GREGG Fifth Ave. Place, First Floor EXTRA EXTRA NEWS 413 Seventh Ave. UTSAV NEWS 400 Cherry Way C&C NEWS 2 PPG Place EDDIE’S SNACKS 262 Fifth Ave. BIG DADDY 465 Forbes Ave.

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JANUARY 24-30, 2018

To truly remember Dr. King, action and hope must outweigh Democratic forces (NNPA)—Often lost in our celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. is his unwavering testimony of hope and his political action in the face of despair and nihilism, forces that have the potential to thwart otherwise transformative movements. We often remember Dr. King’s hope as a more passive “dream” instead of the definitive declaration of “Normalcy, Never Again” which was the intended title of his revered 1963 speech. Nonetheless, no time is riper than 2018 to commemorate Dr. King’s true legacy by exercising political action and demonstrating unwavering hope in the face of circumstances that naturally call for the blues.

No doubt, anti-democratic forces have penetrated American politics and those forces have the potential to breed widespread hopelessness and political apathy. For example, gerrymandering—the partisan act of creating voting districts in favor of one’s own political party—has led to situations like that in Virginia, where 55 percent of voters pulled the levers for Democrats to only lose the House of Delegates by the drawing of straws. These Virginians, and other marginalized voters, could lose hope and sit out future elections conceding that their votes and voices matter little.

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks

Commentary Anti-democratic proposals—including a bid by Jeff Sessions to require Census respondents to answer self-incriminating questions about their immigration status—have the potential to discourage participation in a process that determines the size of each state’s congressional delegation and each state’s receipt of federal funds for essential programs like quality public education. Such forces do more to depress civic participation, and they create a disconnected class of Americans, rather than encourage lawfulness.

Many pre-civil rights era measures that suppressed minority voters, like poll taxes and literacy tests, have despicable descendants that plague the modern-day electoral system. Discriminatory voter identification laws, voter roll purges, limitations on early voting procedures, and other impediments to voter registration and ballot casting continue to suppress Americans to this day.

Despite the times, if the legacy of Dr. King means anything, today’s challenges are a call for increased involvement in our democratic process. A number of democratic victories reaffirm Dr. King’s call to “accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” A recent federal court decision that found North Carolina’s partisan gerrymandered districts, which unjustifiably favored Republicans 10 to 3, unconstitutional provides persuasive arguments as to why the Supreme Court should conclude the same in two pending cases.

If the Supreme Court adopts North Carolina’s reasoning, the result may be a more leveled political playing field during 2018 midterm congressional elections, and a more accountable Washington, as a result.

Democratic Sen. Doug Jones’ statewide victory in Alabama is also an example of why our infinite hope should always trump finite disappointment, especially in the electoral process. If only a few voters lost hope and decided to sit out the Alabama senatorial race, the result could have been status quo in the Senate during a time where resistance to anti-democratic forces in Washington is needed more than ever.

We must heed the words of the great man we honor today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who warned us that “history will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

As Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Political Action Committee, I am inspired by Dr. King’s infinite hope now more than ever before. This year, concerned citizens can make Dr. King’s philosophy real in the voting booth. Lawyers can do the same in the courts, as well as advocates throughout the halls of Congress and state legislatures. If we all maintain hope and action, the outcome will be a more democratic America where our institutions reflect our true values, not the perverted aspirations of the powerful few.

(Congressman Gregory W. Meeks represents the 5th Congressional District of New York and is the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Political Action Committee.)

FORUM

Racism will never cease — too many false voices and faces In all the years at every major city of my writing and that has a substantial Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick speaking, I can’t reBlack population with call my ever using the all of the negative facword, “never.” tors, the city has been Why? Our parents governed by the same and church had inpolitical party for 50 stilled in the family to 80 years. a sense of conviction There was a period that there were no of time that Black perobstacles that we sons were supposed to could not overcome. On Dr. Martin Luther receive their fair share of contracts, but then King Jr. Day, I was extended five minutes our supposed political friends changed the on KDKA to address how I dealt with rac- term from Blacks to minorities, veterans, ism on a personal level, not governmental handicapped veterans, etc. These actions level. widen the gap between minorities born in My response was that I was raised by my third-world countries and Blacks born in parents to prepare myself mentally and America. There are great differences bepsychologically so that when the opportu- tween Blacks and minorities from across nity was available that if Mr. or Miss Rac- the oceans; we were descendants of slaves, ism would challenge us with those words faced bigotry, hatred, lynching, served in NOT QUALIFIED, we then would be able the military (every way), and upon returnto refer them to governmental agencies. ing home, still faced bigotry and hatred. We My rationale for stating that racism were denied employment, insurance, burial will never cease is that it has an unimag- in cemeteries, buy a house, public employinable number of faces and voices. A voice ment, and contrary to what people believe, calls you Mr., Mrs., but see you as boy, girl, these atrocities existed in the North and Ni___er, monkey, hoodlum, or an undesir- South. able person. The voices of politicians who There was a period of time that the state we give our votes to each and every election of Pennsylvania had more KKK chapters say all of what we perceive are the correct than Alabama and Mississippi combined. statements, but never the appropriate acTo those of you who often state your partions that go along with their words. Look ents were born in Italy, Germany, Poland, around your home, neighborhood; there Ireland, etc., they had as many difficulties are unbelievable unemployment numbers, as any Black. The biggest lie ever told is lack of affordable houses, drugs, and vio- they were presented with the opportunity lence still terrifying our families. Potential to become everyday White persons by just employers accept your job application, and changing their names to Mr. Smith, Mr. don’t ask if you have a police record, but Jones, Mr. McGregor, etc. etc. etc. They did they check anyhow. Then there are those not have Black faces.

(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the New who believe that one political party loves us and the other does not care, but if you look Pittsburgh Courier.)

To Tell The Truth

Cory Booker’s presidential highlight There’s an old saying: Booker portrayed If you let a person talk J. Pharoah Doss Black America as a enough, they’ll reveal cowardly collective for themselves. a presidential highRecently, in a prilight, and he has a hisvate meeting about tory of misrepresentaimmigration President tion.

Trump used a disparWhen Booker ran aging term to describe for Mayor of NewAfrican countries ark, he told a story and Haiti. For many, about a drug dealer Trump’s words revealed the White su- named T-Bone at every campaign stop. premacist world view they were convinced T-Bone threatened his life when they first Trump held during the Republican prima- met, then they became friends, eventually ry. The anti-Trump forces acted like vul- T-Bone came to him for advice, then T-Bone garity in a private meeting was grounds for confided in him when he had warrants for impeachment. (Or at least a presidential his arrest, T-Bone cried on his shoulder, and censure.) And the press revealed their con- T-Bone’s background was similar to a lot of tempt for the President. But it didn’t stop the Black men that Booker knew. Booker’s there, Democratic presidential hopefuls intimate story generated sympathy and joined the frenzy. support for a campaign aimed at deterring For example, Homeland Security secre- others from going down T-Bone’s path, but tary Kirstjen Nielsen appeared before a it also generated a media search for T-Bone, senate committee to discuss “border wall the drug dealer who befriended Booker, the security” but it turned into an inquest Stanford and Yale graduate. about the immigration meeting she atT-Bone couldn’t be found. tended and the vulgar remark of PresiA Newark City Councilman and Bookdent Trump. Nielsen testified she couldn’t er supporter said the T-Bone story was a recall anything specific, but the “talk” was “fixture” of Booker’s unsuccessful 2002 rough. mayoral bid. A Rutgers University profesInsulted by Nielsen’s amnesia, Senator sor and mentor to Booker said T-Bone was Cory Booker, D-N.J., stated the matter was a “composite” of several people he’d met personal to him because he’s a senator—to- while living in Newark. The professor said day—because, “when good White people in he disapproved of Booker inventing T-Bone this country heard bigotry and hatred they because it was offensive and pandered to a stood up.” Then Booker spoke about Amer- stereotype of inner-city Black men. A poican values. Booker rattled off hate crime litical analyst stated Booker’s T-Bone story statistics and how many Americans were was created to counter the criticism that killed by White supremacists since 9/11. he was an outsider who had a privileged Booker then glared at Nielsen and said, upbringing in a wealthy suburb. So Booker “I don’t know if 73 percent of your time is felt he had to create a stereotypical story spent concerned about White supremacist to be accepted because his “Black privilege” hate groups. I don’t know if 73 percent of made him unacceptable in the world view your time is spent concerned about people of Black politics. in fear.”

In an interview Booker said T-Bone was a Then Booker singled out Sikh Americans real person and an “archetype,” a metaphor and Muslim Americans, who, according to for the failure of democracy, parenting and him, live in fear. But Booker didn’t stop life in the inner-city. there. He also singled out Black Americans, If you let a person talk enough, they’ll remeaning in 2018 Black Americans still live veal themselves, especially when they’re in fear of White supremacy. Booker told grandstanding for presidential highlights.

(J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New PittsNielsen, “I receive enough death threats to burgh Courier. He blogs at jpharohdoss@blogspot. know the reality.”

But the reality is, in that flash statement com)

Check It Out

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Harry C. Alford

Beyond the Rhetoric

One of the million reasons to support re-entry The task of bringing our ex-offenders back into full, fledge citizenship is immense and very long-term. Millions of Blacks who have violated the law and have been incarcerated find that returning to normal life can sometimes feel like an impossible task. A felony can haunt you for a lifetime. It can affect you and your love ones. It can prevent you from a normal life or a pleasant future. The odds are against you and things can sometimes seem hopeless and unforgiving.

A very organized conspiracy started in the 1990’s, it was known as the “Crack” invasion. The illegal activity found millions of victims—not just the users but the distributors who were usually caught and prosecuted. Regardless of the sentencing or rehabilitation, an ex-offender may have to pay for the crime for life. This affects most Black families including mine. I have devoted more than a little time trying to help a relative get back into mainstream society. Finding a job can seem to be an endless task even though one may be qualified. The mark of a felony is a curse that seems to be impossible to get rid of.

The following is an example of the mail I get all the time about this subject that particularly affects our Black population: “Governor Rick Snyder Hello, my name is Jonathan Earnest and I reside in Flint, Michigan. I need your help. I was fired from my job on 1-16-2018 from Kroger because I did not pass my back-ground check for a non-violent crime that happen in 1999 almost 20 years ago.

The hurtful part about it, I was one of the founding employees to open the new fuel center in flushing and I was the only African American working at the fuel center.

Now for their grand opening 1-18-2018 to 1-21-2018 I will not be able to participate in because of bad decision I made almost 20 years ago.

Governor Snyder, I am not the only one who has been discriminated against because of a bad choice made in our lives, yet 20 years later, we are still being denied human rights, like working so we can pay our bills, take care of our families. So basically, if you have a felony on your record, we are not classified as being humans, therefore treated like dirt.

Michigan companies are discriminating against ex-felons and finding a way around discrimination laws. There should be a standard that Michigan companies must follow to receive tax breaks and other rewards they are given for having their business in Michigan. Mr. Snyder, you are our Governor and it is your duty to fight for us, and stand up for us when we are being taken advantage of and disrespected as humans because we have a felony on our record.

I am not going to take this sitting down, I am fighting for everyone who has been discharged from their job because of a point system these Michigan companies have that will determine if you will be discriminated against or not. Kroger’s is one of the leading grocery retailers in the nation, yet they are given cart blanche to openly discriminate and have no form of sanctions placed on them.

We the tax paying citizens demand that you do something about the racial profiling, stereotypical discussions these Michigan companies can make, and the government just ignore, that is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

So please do not place this on the back burner, I am asking that you act on this NOW. Sincerely Jonathan Earnest Mr. Earnest is just one of the millions of Blacks who have been caught up is a penal system that is cruel and inhumane. How do we fight it? One avenue we are cultivating is Entrepreneurship. Learning how to start a business and make a living is something that can overcome the official road blocks they put in your way.

My son-in-law is a work in progress. It has been 10 years since his incarceration.

Unable to find work and support his family he eventually took on the task of creating his own job. He has gone through at least a dozen ventures that brought money to his household. Finally, I think he has found his niche. He saved enough money to buy a commercial truck, received a commercial driver’s license and is now hauling deliveries throughout the nation. His receipts are steadily coming in and he is saving a portion towards owning multiple trucks, hiring drivers, and starting his own multitruck hauling service line. He found out that the nation has a demand for 50,000 more truck drivers and he is seizing that opportunity.

One of my sons has started a high-tech incubator to train ex-offenders and veterans in the IT industry with the hope of starting their own business. It is showing much promise and catching the attention of many. Its time has come. Re-Entry is the key to our future as a people.

(Harry Alford is the co-founder, president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®.

Website: www.nationalbcc.org Email: halford@ nationalbcc.org Follow @Nationalbcc)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

PEOPLE

JANUARY 24-30, 2018

Our community will always love the Steelers, even in defeat

Yes, we know the Steelers fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jan. 14, knocking the Black and Gold out of Super Bowl contention.

But, for our community, the Steelers are in our blood. Courier photographer Ashley Woodson went “Out and About” to find some of the best African American Steelers fans in Pittsburgh.

To see even more pics, go to newpittsburghcourier.com.

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Courier photographer Ashley Woodson

SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier

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JANUARY 24-30, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Penn Hills Indians are goin’ ‘All The Way Up’

DAIVON STEPHENS (Photos by Will McBride)

DARRELL MASON Don’t look now, but the Penn Hills boys basketball squad was making headline news as they began the 20172018 season with a 14-0 record.

Led by the likes of 6-5 senior Davion Stephens, the Indians can beat you from the inside, and the perimeter. Their defense

is seemingly flawless, too.

Darrell Mason, Cam Wiley and Cory Fulton have been major contributors, as well.

Big victories this year for the Indians include City League powerhouse Allderdice (54-40, Dec. 20), and Woodland Hills (6860, Jan. 12) Their only loss this

season, as of Jan. 22, came at the hands of Latrobe, 80-66, Jan. 16.

The Indians have five games remaining: Fox Chapel (Jan. 26), at Penn-Trafford (Jan. 30), Hempfield (Feb. 2), at Woodland Hills (Feb. 6), and the rematch against Latrobe, at Penn Hills High, Feb. 9.

CAM WILEY

CORY FULTON

DAIVON STEPHENS

Coming next week in our Jan. 31 edition…

The Courier’s Smokin’ Jim Frazier previews the highly-anticipated Feb. 8 boys hoops matchup between City League rivals Allderdice and Westinghouse.