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Vol. 110 No. 5

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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

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Cosmos Technologies awarded ALCOSAN contract

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

While most people know the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) will be spending more than $3.6 billion in the next two decades in multiple communities in and around Pittsburgh to comply with federal clean water mandates, they tend to forget that, in addition, ALCOSAN will be spending

Frederick Douglas’ company will design a new water filtration system millions more to triple its treatment plant’s capacity to handle the greater flow that work will generate.

Cosmos Technologies President Frederick Douglas didn’t forget. His company recently won the

contract to design a new filtration system that will operate throughout the plant’s expansion—and he’s the prime contractor.

“I am very happy and thankful to be the prime contractor on this project,”

he told the New Pittsburgh Courier in a Jan. 28 interview. “Several others, including some large companies, bid on this, but we won. I think our experience with these kinds of mechanical systems, and our

Local Black architects on the rise

NOMA Pittsburgh celebrates at gala

SEE COSMOS A5

FREDERICK DOUGLAS

Civil rights lawsuit filed against Greyhound Driver ‘relieved of his duties’ during investigation

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

The Pittsburgh chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects has only been around since 2014, but in that short time it has earned a reputation for its outreach to students of all ages and minority professionals in the field.

That reputation earned the chapter the National President’s Award for 2018 which was presented by both the most recent past national president, Bryan Hudson, and the new national president, Kimberly Dowdell, at the local chapter’s Jan. 25 party celebrating the New Year at 11 Stanwix Street, Downtown.

Pittsburgh Chapter Vice President Victoria Acevedo said it was a huge honor to have them here. But it was earned.

“We saw a 200 percent in-

process-engineering work, allowed us to anticipate and account for challenges in the system.”

The system Douglas and his team are designing is a temporary hypochlorite filter and is the final filter in the series of pipes, holding and settling tanks, and chemical treatments and filters the plant subjects waste water to before it is

by Christian Morrow

ALICIA VOLCY, left, Pittsburgh chapter president of the National Organization of Minority Architects, with Kimberly Dowdell, the national president, at a gala event, Jan. 25, in Downtown Pittsburgh. (Photo by J.L. Martello) crease in membership in 2018, and we raised $12,000 for our Project Pipeline initiative. That allowed us to have 40 students at our two-day summer camp

this year—for our first one, I think that’s phenomenal,” she said. “It’s our memSEE ARCHITECTS A4

Greyhound is investigating the matter. That’s not Courier Staff Writer enough for Anderson—he On Jan. 5, while en route is taking action on a numto Washington, D.C. to visit ber of fronts to bring the family, William Anderson, company to account—the first being a business a federowner, a al lawsuit former canrecently didate for filed by his Pittsburgh a t t o r n e y, council and Glenn Elthe state lis, of PhilHouse, and adelphia. executive “Five days director of into 2019, the state and I’m Democratic experiencCommitwhat tee’s Black WILLIAM ANDERSON has filed a ing happened C a u c u s , lawsuit against Greyhound. in 1961,” says he was subjected to a series Anderson told the New of indignities by the driver Pittsburgh Courier. “This of the Greyhound bus on SEE GREYHOUND B6 which he was traveling.

Trayvon Martin’s mother comes to Pittsburgh

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

Not long after her son Trayvon Martin was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in 2012, Sybrina Fulton, still grieving, had a dream one night.

“I saw myself in my son’s room, and there were all these moms in there around his bed. They were crying and praying and hugging.

And I woke up in the midSYBRINA FULTON speaks at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, dle of the night and started Jan. 16. (Photo by J.L. Martello) writing it down,” she said.

“In the morning, I had pages and pages of stuff. And NEW that was how the Circle of Mothers got started. It wasn’t there for me when To subscribe, call my son was shot and killed, 412-481-8302 but I want to make sure ext. 134 there’s something in place

Pittsburgh Courier

Sybrina Fulton talks faith, focus, resilience and Antwon Rose II for other mothers who lose a child through senseless gun violence.”

Fulton spoke about the circle and the other programs the Trayvon Martin Foundation operates since she formed it almost seven years ago during a Jan. 16 event hosted by 1Hood Media at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She also spoke of her journey from “average” to a sought-after public speaker and champion for families who have lost someone to gun violence.

She also spoke about Antwon Rose’s death, how the

media will try to make him out to be a criminal as they did with her son, and how the “I felt threatened” defense may be used, and how police might lie. She urged the family and friends to stay strong and stay vigilant.

“People will realize that Antwon Rose (was) shot in the back and (then) you tell me you felt threatened.

If someone is heading the opposite way how is that a threat?” she asked.

“The man who chased my son was 28, (Trayvon) was 17 and unarmed. When the video showed police had

Eric Garner (in New York City) in a choke hold— that’s not what it says on his death certificate—police said he wasn’t in one, because it’s against the law. The media won’t tell you everything. But we’re smarter than that; we have to talk it into existence. We have to fight for everything, an arrest, fight for a conviction, but I just want to say to you, don’t give up.”

In an odd coincidence noted by event moderator Jasiri X, the trial of Michael Rosfeld, the former East Pittsburgh police officer who shot Rose in the back, was scheduled to begin Feb. 26—seven years to the day after Trayvon was killed.

SEE TRAYVON A4

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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

INTERNATIONAL

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This Week In Black History

WORLD MUSIC STAR—In this June 30, 2011 file photo, Zimbabwe music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi plays in his music academy in Norton about 40 kilometers from Harare. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, file)

Zimbabwe and world music star Oliver Mtukudzi dies at 66

by Farai Mutsaka and Andrew Meldrum

desia to majority-ruled Zimbabwe, producing a string of hits that spread his fame across Africa and eventually to an international audience.

Tuku, as he was widely known, avoided political controversy. The closest he came was with his 2001 song “Bvuma,” which in the Shona language means “accept that you are old” and was taken as a message to longtime leader Robert Mugabe to retire.

Paul Mangwana, a senior official with Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party, praised Mtukudzi for remaining “apolitical,” saying he supported calls for the singer to be buried at the national heroes’ acre, a shrine that is a preserve of ruling party elites.

“He was a nation-builder. Where it was necessary to criticize he would, and where it was necessary to praise he would,” Mangwana said at the hospital.

In a country where political tensions are high and party loyalties matter, Mtukudzi cut across the diAssociated Press Writers vide, singing at ruling party events but also performing HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) at late opposition leader —One of Zimbabwe and Morgan Tsvangirai’s wedAfrica’s most iconic muding and funeral. sicians, Oliver Mtukudzi, “Today we said goodbye died on Wednesday at age to a true patriot. Oliver 66 after decades of rollickMtukudzi, your voice has ing, captivating perforgiven us comfort during mances won him devoted difficult times, and will refans worldwide. main with us for posteri“It is difficult to accept, I ty,” President Emmerson have no words,” said muMnangagwa said. sician and poet Albert One of Mtukudzi’s biggest Nyathi, who joined several hits was “Neria,” a mournother mourners at the hosful song about the tribulapital in the capital, Harare, tions of a woman who was where the star passed away. thrown into poverty when “What is left is to celebrate her husband died because his life.” customary law did not alZimbabwe’s state-run low her to inherit his propHerald newspaper reported erty. It was the title song of that Mtukudzi had “suca movie of the same name. cumbed to a long battle In 1980, Mtukudzi celewith diabetes.” brated Zimbabwe’s indeWith his distinctive huspendence by singing the ky voice, Mtukudzi had a country’s new national career that stretched from anthem, “Ishe Komborera White minority-ruled RhoAfrica” (God Bless Africa) with a reggae inflection.

He sang, played guitar and danced while directing a tight band of guitarists, keyboards, percussionists and dancers. He released more than 60 albums and made several successful international tours, performing in neighboring South Africa late last year.

He also was known for mentoring young Zimbabwean musicians. “He was like a father figure,” said MacDonald ChidaFESTIVAL PERFORMANCE—In this Nov. 6, 2011 photo, Zim- vaenzi, a songwriter and babwean music superstar and U.N. goodwill ambassador Oliver producer.

Mtukudzi’s company in Mtukudzi, center, performs at a music festival held in Karen on the a statement called him a outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, file) “national icon” as well as “a father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and above all a husband to his loving wife Daisy Mtukudzi.”

Mtukudzi wrote songs in a style that were a mix of Zimbabwean and South African rhythms that became known at “Tuku music.”

The ruling African National Congress in South Africa tweeted simply “Rest in peace.”

(Meldrum reported from Johannesburg.)

(Follow Africa news at https:// twitter.com/AP_Africa)

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Week of January 30-February 5 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 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, SOJOURNER TRUTH 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 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 more than 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 appar1926 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS ently 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 civil rights legend’s life.

January 31 1865—Congress passes the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which upon ratification, abolished slavery in America. The vote was 121 to 24. Ratification was not completed until December 1865. The amendment read simply: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party has been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States nor any place subject to its jurisdiction.”

The exception for crime led to the passage of a host of laws, especially in the South, specifically designed to criminalize certain behaviors and place Blacks back into involuntary servitude.

1919—Baseball great Jackie Robinson in born in Cairo, Ga. He became the first Black to play in the White major league of baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He played from 1947 to 1956. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.

Prior to the Dodgers, Robinson played with the Kansas JACKIE ROBINSON City Monarchs of the old Negro Baseball League. He retired as perhaps the most admired man in baseball and died in 1972.

1963—James Baldwin’s influential collection of essays, “The Fire Next Time” is published. The essays warn White America that they can expect racial turmoil if they do not address issues of injustice in America. Baldwin expected Blacks to show Whites how to avoid conflict by adopting a redemptive spirit. Born in Harlem, N.Y., in 1924, Baldwin became a homosexual apparently as a result of being raised by a non-emotionally supportive and often cruel father.

2006—Coretta Scott King, widow of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., died at the age of 78.

February 1 1902—Langston Hughes, one of Black America’s greatest poets, is born in Joplin, Miss. He came to fame during the 1920s period of African-American cultural expression known as the Harlem Renaissance. Before his death in 1967, he wrote 15 collections of poetry, two autobiographies and several children’s books.

Hughes can best be described as “dignified, but militant.” He captured the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance writing in 1926, “We LANGSTON HUGHES younger Negro artists now intend to express our dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If White people are pleased, we are glad. If they aren’t, it doesn’t matter.”

1926—The first “Negro History Week” is celebrated. Founded by Black historian Carter G. Woodson, the “week” became Black History Month in 1976. Woodson said he would welcome the day when a separate Black history celebration was no longer necessary because his ultimate goal was a true history “devoid of national bias, race hate and religious prejudice.”

1960—The “sit-in” movement as a protest method for civil rights is born on this day in Greensboro, N.C., when four North Carolina A&T students sit down at a “Whites only” lunch counter and refuse to move until served or arrested. Within two weeks the tactic had spread to 15 cities in five Southern states. The original four students were Joseph McNeil, Ezell Blair, Franklin McCain and David Richmond.

1965—One of the largest mass arrests of the Civil Rights Movement occurs when more than 700 people are jailed as a result of a protest in Selma, Ala. Among those thrown in prison was Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 2004—As a result of a so-called “wardrobe malfunction” singer Janet Jackson’s breast was briefly exposed while performJANET JACKSON ing during the Super Bowl’s half-time show.

The incident created a national controversy, including fines by the FCC. February 2 1839—Black inventor Edmond Berger develops one of the first spark plugs made in America.

February 3 1908—Jack Johnson becomes the first Black heavyweight boxing champion by defeating Tommy Burns in Australia.

Although he was not officially given the title until 1910 after he defeated the American Jim Jeffries in Las Vegas. Many Whites reacted violently to his defeat of Jeffries sparking riots in several cities. In Johnson’s home state of Texas, films of Johnson defeatJACK JOHNSON ing White opponents were banned. Johnson reigned as heavyweight champion for 7 years. But he had two “faults”—he believed in speaking his mind and he liked White women. Those two tendencies landed him in jail in 1920 on trumped up charges of violating the Mann Act—a law that made it illegal to transport White women across state lines for “immoral purposes.” Johnson, who is arguably the greatest boxer who ever lived, died in an automobile accident near Raleigh, N.C., on June 10, 1946.

February 4 1913—Civil rights heroine Rosa Parks is born on this day in Tuskegee, Ala. It was her refusal in December 1955 to give up her seat to a White man on a Montgomery, Ala., bus that sparked the modern Civil Rights Movement. For refusing to obey the laws of segregation, she was arrested and convicted.

Montgomery Blacks responded with a boycott of city buses. A young minister named Martin Luther King Jr. was called upon to lead the boycott, which would last for nearly 13 months. The drama and accompanying legal challenge all the way to the U.S. ROSA PARKS Supreme Court captivated the nation and propelled Dr. King into the national international spotlight as the nation’s premier civil rights leader.

Mrs. Parks died in 2005 at 92.

February 5 1866—Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, one of the great White heroes of Black history, offers his famous amendment to the Freedman’s Bureau bill to use land confiscated from former slave owners as well as some public lands to guarantee each adult former slave “40 acres and a mule.” However, even after the Civil War there was enough anti-Black and pro-South sentiment in Congress to defeat the measure 126 to 37. If the Stevens measure had passed, it may have changed the entire course of Black history in America because the former slaves would have had a solid economic foundation upon which to build their new lives and the poverty which plagued African-Americans for the next 100 years could have been prevented.

1934—Henry “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron was born on this day in Mobile, Ala. The baseball great and eventual home run king (until Barry Bonds) began his career with the old Negro Baseball League playing for the Indianapolis Clowns before joining the Atlanta Braves in 1954.

1945—Jamaican Reggae legend Bob Marley, is born on this day as Robert Nesta Marley in Nine Miles, Saint Ann, Jamaica. He used his music not only to entertain but to tirelessly spread Reggae and the Rastafarian religion from Africa to Europe and the U.S. Much of his music deals with the struggles of the impoverished and the oppressed.

Marley died from complications due to cancer in Miami in May 1981.

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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

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Black workers had long history with fed jobs before shutdown

by Corey Williams

began her federal employment in 1987 with the IRS and is a chapter president DETROIT (AP)—For with the National TreaCheryl Monroe and genera- sury Employees union. tions of other African Amer- “White people have the icans, federal government more lucrative jobs in the jobs have long been a path government. They are able to the middle class and a to save, able to put money way to provide a comfortaway for six months or a able life for their families. year’s worth of salary. It’s Then the record-long harder for Black people. government shutdown hit, We’re always starting at making it hard for the U.S. the bottom.”

Food and Drug AdminisThe challenges for Black tration chemist from Deworkers at the federal level troit to pay her mortgage. mirror the wage gap in “People say ‘save for the broader economy. The a rainy day’ and you’re median Black income in always saving, but when 2017 was $40,258 for Black there is no check, that’s a households, compared with hurricane not a rainy day,” $65,273 for their White Monroe said. counterparts, according to The shutdown that ended the Census Bureau.

Friday left an especially Experts say the wage gap painful toll for African put Black federal workers Americans who make up at a particular disadvannearly 20 percent of the tage during the shutdown. federal workforce and his“African Americans, torically have been on the despite the opportunities, low end of the government have generally not had all pay scale. of the opportunities that The federal government Whites have had and tend played an important role to be more concentrated in in the building of the Black the bottom half of the fedmiddle class in the Uniteral workforce and are the ed States, giving Afrimost vulnerable to be hurt can-Americans job opportu- in a shutdown situation,” nities that weren’t always said Joseph McCartin, a available in the private labor history professor at sector. It started during Georgetown University.

World War II and the postThe Rev. Tia Coulter war years when the need of Greenbelt, Maryland, for manpower was great as earned $15,000 a year large numbers of Whites when she first started were in military-related or working for the federal war-production jobs. government in the 1990s.

These jobs offered African She worked her way up to Americans a chance to a program support assisreach for a “slice of the tant job with the Security American dream,” said and Exchange Commission Frederick Gooding Jr., but admitted this week African American studies that she was “struggling,” professor at Texas Chrishaving already gone withtian University and author out one paycheck and with of the recently published another now coming late.

“American Dream De“I’m happy to be going ferred: Black Federal back to work with the Workers in Washington, possibility of getting paid,” D.C., 1941-1981.” she said Friday. “That “One of the pull factors being said, I am also leery was a good government job of the upcoming months had stable pay, higher pay and what will happen and benefits in contrast to on or after Feb. 15. I am domestic jobs and tough hoping that some kind of industrial jobs,” Gooding plan will be put in place said. “After the war ended, so that when these three the federal government weeks are up we continue really started to take a working.” look at what it should do Of the approximate 2.1 because many of those million federal executive Black workers were still branch employees in 2017, there.” about 37 percent were ethGooding said the federal nic minorities, according to Office of Price Administhe U.S. Office of Persontration — which helped nel Management. African regulate the economy — Americans made up 18.2 made sure opportunities percent of the workforce, were provided for Blacks in compared with 9 percent federal government. Many for Hispanics. Data listed also found jobs in the Post- 63 percent as White. al Service, Defense DepartThose numbers do not ment and general printing include postal workers and office, but the work still members of the U.S. intelliprimarily involved manual gence services. labor and “many failed to In 2017, Whites made reach high pay,” Gooding up about 78 percent of the said. overall U.S. workforce , ac“In my experience, there cording to the U.S. Bureau are far fewer African of Labor Statistics. Blacks Americans in the higher comprised 13 percent. grades,” said Monroe, who Gary Morton, 58, of PhilaAssociated Press Writer

Student tackled for stealing own car settles suit for $1.25M EVANSTON, Ill. (AP)—A Chicago suburb has tentatively agreed to pay a former doctoral student $1.25 million to settle a lawsuit alleging police officers tackled him to the ground and arrested him for stealing a car that turned out to be his own, his attorney said.

Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz confirmed a settlement was reached with Lawrence Crosby, who was 25 and an engineering doctoral student at Northwestern University in 2015 when the incident occurred.

Bobkiewicz declined to provide the amount of the settlement pending final approval by the City Council next week. Crosby’s attorney, Timothy Touhy, told the Chicago Tribune that the amount was $1.25 million.

Touhy said Crosby was trying to repair loose molding on his car when a woman called police to report a Black man trying to steal a car.

When he drove off, the woman followed Crosby in her car as he drove from his apartment to Northwestern’s science building, giving police his location.

Crosby got out the car with his hands raised after being stopped by police but was tackled when he failed to immediately obey orders to get on the ground. Police later determined the car belonged to Crosby but charged him anyhow with disobeying officers and resisting arrest.

At the time of Crosby’s arrest, an Evanston Police Department spokesman said the use of force by police was justified as officers were responding to what they thought was an auto theft. The spokesman said officers delivered knee strikes and open-handed strikes.

A judge later threw out the charges, Touhy said.

The lawsuit asked the city of Evanston and the arresting police officers to pay at least $50,000 for compensatory and punitive damages and other relief.

“It’s his hope that as a result of this case, that all of us begin a discussion on implicit bias and begin to recognize it and begin to discuss it between yourselves and your friends,’’ said Steven Yonover, who represented Crosby in the case.

tithes,” said Morton, who is African American and president of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238.

“I’m cooking more. I won’t go to McDonalds and buy a $3 milkshake when I can get (a carton of) ice cream for $2.50. I carry a case of water in the car now instead of pulling over for a $2 beverage.”

Coulter, who is Black, said the shutdown has opened the eyes of many people relying on a government paycheck that’s becoming less of a sure thing during constant gridlock in Congress. Coulter said she’s looking at a less expensive place to live and thinking about a second source of income.

“I need to think about WORKERS RALLY—In this Jan. 10, 2019 file photo, Cheryl Monroe, right, a Food and Drug Administhe savings aspect in the tration employee, and Bertrice Sanders, a Social Security Administration employee, rally to call for an long run and prepare for end to the partial government shutdown in Detroit. It was ended on Friday, Jan. 25. (AP Photo) another storm,” she said, referring to the shutdown. division and has missed purchases when the shut“Not all Black families delphia, started working were taught about budgetfor the federal government out on more than $4,000 in down started. pay since the start of the “I’m really trying to buy ing and money. This for me in 1981 with the IRS and shutdown. only the basic necessiis like a lightbulb going on. has been with the EPA Morton cut back on ties, food, pay my utility I have to get my financial since 1992. He now works house in order.” in the Land and Chemicals expenses and unnecessary bill, still pay my church

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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

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Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, speaks in Pittsburgh TRAYVON FROM A1

Since then, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a jury will be selected from Dauphin County, not Allegheny County, where the shooting occurred.

Thus, the trial isn’t expected to begin until March at the earliest.

Fulton cautioned people against unrealistic expectations. In many cases, murders of African Americans go unsolved; in others, there is an arrest but no conviction. But even if there is a conviction, it doesn’t stop the pain.

“You’re going to hear things that aren’t necessarily the truth,” she said. “But you need to know he did not deserve to die. That’s what you stand up for…time does not heal all wounds.

I still have bad days. Look at the outcomes; even if the person goes to jail, there’s still a family that needs help. Pay attention to the outcomes because at the end of the day, I still lost my son.”

One of the things her foundation has done in Miami in February every year

since Trayvon’s death, is a Remembrance Weekend celebration, which honors Trayvon’s memory, serves as a fundraiser and as a vehicle to help others. It includes a black-tie dinner, and musical and performing artists, and it also includes a Peace Walk.

“We call it a Peace Walk because we want everyone to know that they have a right to walk in peace without being followed, chased, profiled, pursued or murdered,” she said. “And we include law enforcement in that because we want to bridge the gap between law enforcement and our young people.”

During the question-and-answer period, most of those who spoke, including Pittsburgh City Council candidate Leon Ford, didn’t really ask questions but praised Fulton for her inspirational work and dedication to helping others.

Of these, the most poignant was a tearful young lady who said Fulton had helped her find her voice.

“Your work helps people

“The media won’t tell you everything. But we’re smarter than that; we have to talk it into existence. We have to fight for everything, an arrest, fight for a conviction, but I just want to say to you, don’t give up.”

SYBRINA FULTON (Photo by J.L. Martello) like me,” the unidentified woman said. “A year after my brother was killed I was lost—you gave me

a voice. I looking at I watched learned to

spent nights your picture, you. And I have a voice

and to speak out about Black women who are sexually assaulted. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experi-

ence for me. Your work is affecting people you don’t know on a scale you can’t imagine.”

Black architects in Pittsburgh celebrate organization, accomplishments ARCHITECTS FROM A1

bers who make it work.”

She also noted the NOMA student chapter at CMU for its very active participation at meetings and presented two of its members with a check to help pay for going to this year’s annual conference.

Project Pipeline is a national NOMA initiative to promote the field and increase the number of minorities in the field though targeted instruction and mentoring in grades K-12, in college, and even through the licensure phase.

“For the last 50 years, the number of African Ameri-

cans in architecture has remained at about 2 percent,” said Dowdell. “Considering African Americans make up about 14 percent of the population, we clearly have to work more on equity.”

NOMA’s mission is to champion diversity within the design professions by promoting the excellence, community engagement and professional development of its members. The organization’s roots trace back to 12 African American architects from different parts of the country who came together at The American Institute of Architects National Conven-

tion in 1971. The Black architects formed an organization dedicated to the development and advancement of minority architects, now known as NOMA. Currently, NOMA consists of 26 chapters and 500 members internationally.

NOMA Pittsburgh currently has about 20 members.

NOMA Pittsburgh Chapter President Alicia Volcy said going forward for her two-year term, the organization will focus on “Design”—calling out companies and pushing the work of minority designers; “Build”—create not just a

LOCAL BLACK ARCHITECTS—Marvin Miller, Najeeb Hameen, David Cleaves (Photo by J.L. Martello) pipeline for students, but and “Develop”—provide the also a pipeline to leadership professional development for working professionals; resources to help the mem-

bers and their communities thrive.

“I looked at Black communities, communities my family was living in and I saw a lot of disinvestment, but I could draw.

Luckily I had people who encouraged me and I was able to see how I can use architecture to make a difference,” Volcy told the Courier. “One of the things NOMA is doing is making sure we are more visible.

So, to the young girls who might be able to draw or are creative we want them to know they can do this— if they are relentless, they can do this.”

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JAMES INGRAM

Legendary R&B singer James Ingram dies at 66 The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that James Ingram, the Akron, Ohio-born R&B singer whose soulful baritone voice dominated the charts throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, died early Tuesday, Jan. 29, from brain cancer.

“I have lost my dearest friend and creative partner James Ingram to the Celestial Choir,” wrote longtime friend and actress Debbie Allen on Twitter. “He will always be cherished, loved and remembered for his genius, his love of family and his humanity. I am blessed to have been so close. We will forever speak his name.”

Yahoo! News reported that over the course of his career, Ingram achieved eight

Top 40 hits, two of which—his 1982 duet with Patti Austin, “Baby, Come to Me” and 1990’s “I Don’t Have the Heart”—went No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another one of notable hits, a collaboration with Linda Ronstadt called “Somewhere Out There,” peaked at No. 2, while his songs “One Hundred Wats” and “Yah Mo B There” featuring Michael McDonald earned him Grammys for Best R&B Vocal Performance.

Ingram also co-wrote “The Day I Fall in Love,” from the film “Beethoven’s 2nd,” and Patty Smyth’s “Look What Love Has Done,” from the movie “Junior,” earning him back-to-back Oscars for Best Original Song in 1994 and 1995.

Cosmos Technologies awarded ALCOSAN contract COSMOS FROM A1

discharged.

“It’s called temporary because it will only operate for the four years it takes to complete the plant expansion,” he said. “By the end the plant will go from treating about 100 million gallons a day to 250 million gallons—and our system will handle that.”

Douglas started Cosmos at his kitchen table in 1998, with no employees and no contracts. He now has 19 full-time employees—with offices in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Akron, and Cleveland—and his proprietary system for treating fracking waste water is patented in the U.S., Canada,

Austria, and Chile.

But Cosmos is still a small Black-owned business, and if not for an early contract he received from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Douglas said, there would be no Cosmos at all. That’s why he praises ALCOSAN and its leadership.

“ALCOSAN has shown an ongoing commitment to small and diverse businesses and its management should be credited with giving small businesses a shot,” he said. “To have that commitment to working with and pushing small businesses to have opportunities to grow is critical to the growth of the region.”

Some of the technical con-

siderations in the system Cosmos is designing—the team is about two months into a seven-month design process—are the size and number of components such as pumps, pipes, but also the materials they are made of because the hypochlorite disinfectant is quite caustic and doesn’t play well with metals, Douglas said.

“And it has to run while other systems are taken off line, and replaced or relocated during the expansion,” he said. “And at the end of four years, it will be replaced by a larger system—of course I will bid for the design work on that as well.”

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

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LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report Never too late for Thank You Unfortunately some people seem to think that thankyou notes are out of style right along with transistor radios and skate keys, but I don’t think so. I still keep a supply of hard copy thank you notes and stationary on hand.

Perhaps it’s because of my age or what I was raised to do. I like letting someone know how their gift made me feel and if it was something that was mailed to me I surely want to let them know that I received it. I also continue to send Christmas cards and birthday cards and sometimes I might drop a Halloween card or Valentine in the mail. I keep a selection of New Year’s cards to send when I forget to send a Christmas card.

I have always thought that it is never too late to say “thank you” but the person who is waiting for the thank you or wondering if you got that gift probably doesn’t agree. During my recent illness I received flowers, fruit baskets, balloons, cards, food and cookies. I was so grateful that people were thinking of me and I hope I gave all of them a proper thank you.

The biggest surprise of them all was an email that I almost ignored.

It came from someone that I did not know but the subject line led me to believe that this is an email that I did not want to ignore.

I opened it and it was from a kind lady that reads this column. She read in many of my past columns that I collect Black Santas and she wanted to give her collection to me. I thought I was dreaming—how could she part with her collection? She gave me a phone number and of course her email. I called and we connected.

Once we met I asked her several times did she want to reconsider and keep the Black Santa Claus collection that also included some very unique angels. She said no. After a nice visit over coffee and pastry and a proper introduction to each Santa we packed them in boxes and put them in my car.

I brought them to my house to meet their new Santa family.

I still can’t get over that someone would give me what I consider to be a prized collection.

I have not written that official thank you note and every day I beat myself up about it. The thank you note is now in the mail and I hope she still reads me in the New Pittsburgh Courier and knows how grateful I was to be thought of in such an enormous way.

Her name has not been mentioned to protect her privacy but I wanted to share publicly how touched I was by the gesture. I still can’t get over it and promise to pay it forward. At some point I’m sure I will no longer have the space for my Santas. I hope I will find a good home for the expanded collection.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com.)

WHO WORE IT BEST—Waverly Nesmith, Cynthia McEnhemer

PITTSBURGH ALUMNAE PRESIDENT—Anita Walker and Clinetta Hill Jackson—event co-chair (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

LADIES IN RED—Debbie Watts and Gail Jackson

Delta Sigma Theta presents ‘Royal Flushʻ

BEAUTIFUL TRIO—Marlene Hogan, Patricia Pugh Mitchell, Cynthia Franklin

WHO WANTS TO WIN—Wende Torbert, Renee White Carter and Demia Horsley

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

There is nothing like getting out with friends for one of the first events of the New Year. On Jan. 12 at the Rivers Club, the Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta held their Annual Card Party with the theme “Royal Flush.” A sold out crowd played Poker, Bid Whist, Spades and Bingo.

Guests enjoyed returning to the Rivers Club, the location for many Delta card parties in the past. Event co-chair Wende Torbert said the central location of the Rivers Club and the beautiful renovations made it easy to return. Christine White Taylor served as emcee for the afternoon and kept the program on

EMCEE—Christine White Taylor MY TABLE MATES—Curtistine Walker, Satara Sparrow, Norma Adams, Wilma McNeese, Rhonda Harrison, Kymberly Cruz, Monika Pugh, Crystal McCormick, Carol Adams and Colleen McMullen point.

The door prizes were plentiful, the baskets to bid on were fabulous and the 50/50 raffle yielded more than $700.

Mark your calendars for “Swing Into Spring” on March 16, the Arts Luncheon and Fashion Show to benefit the Dr. Vernell A. Lillie Arts Scholarship Fund.

GREEKS IN THE HOUSE—John Norman, Rhonda Harrison, Rhonda Taliaferro, Reggie Nelson, Anita Walker and Eric Anderson

WELCOME—Curtistine Walker and Amanda Jubert

TABLE 3—Ruthie Rea, Rhonda Taliaferro, Holly Williams, Taylor Brown, Tammy Miles-Brown, Michele Holly, Jennifer Burke Anita Walker and Alyssa Ford-Heywood

Twentieth Anniversary All Service Academies Ball

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

On Dec. 27, 2018 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh-Cranberry the 20th year of the Western Pennsylvania All Academies Ball was held. The evening also marked 216 years since the graduation of the first cadet from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1802.

With Warner Macklin III serving as the first African American to chair the ball, he thanked the Western Pennsylvania All Service Academies Ball Committee, the academies’ parent clubs and the cadets and midshipmen who were honored

that evening. Also the organization was proud to honor and support two deserving organizations that support veterans: The Defenders of Freedom and the Veterans Breakfast Club.

With Mark Harvey, WTAETV as toastmaster, guests enjoyed keynote speaker Ken Carlson. Carlson is a graduate of the West Point class of 1966. During his service in the U.S. Army, Carlson received numerous military awards. Following military service he served as a FBI special agent for 26 years and worked for the CIA for 15 years. Carlson is now retired.

The Macklins are the proud parents of Joel P. Macklin, USMA West Point 2019.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER WITH MACKLIN—Ken and Carol Carlson, Joel P. Macklin, Janine Frazier Macklin and Warner N. Macklin III (Photo by Debbie Norrell)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

METRO

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

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‘A Peace of Mind’ Childcare Center to host open house, Feb. 2

by Nikki Coffee

and a childcare center that accommodates parents’ For New Pittsburgh Courier unique needs was warranted,” Upshaw-Givner After more than three said. years in the planning and With minimal outside clearing hurdles, “A Peace of Mind” Inc., Childcare Center financial support, the cenwill host an open house, Feb. ter comes to fruition after three years of planning, 2, from 3 to 5 p.m., at 620 research and complete Wood St. in Wilkinsburg. renovation, which includThe open house walked knocking out walls, through will showcase something Upshaw-Upthe space before its grand shaw-Givner personally opening on Feb. 15.

A Peace of Mind (APOM) did. Then there was the plumbing, electrical work, has provided space in and carving out kitchen Wilkinsburg for holistic space and purchasing new wellness via dance, art, appliances. Upshaw-Givner and spiritual mindfulness said to incorporate the for the community. The childcare component, the opening of the childcare center is a way of complet- entire use of the Wood Street building that houses ing the circle that APOM APOM had to be completewas originally designed to be. It’s the brainchild of li- ly changed in order to meet censed clinical social work- state regulations. They worked closely and tireer Erica Upshaw-Givner, lessly with the state and APOM founder and prescounty to make sure the ident, and her daughter Felicia Robinson, executive site was up to code.

The center will operate director. from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., in“Our aim is to meet the cluding a drop-in service. It needs of the community,

can accommodate up to 36 children per 10-hour shift and serves children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The fees are income-based.

Those hours work perfectly for one Homewood mom. Christina Harper works an odd-hour shift and has relied on family to care for her 11-monthold son. The center will be a nice alternative. “I like these hours and this center will be perfect for me,” Harper said. Harper came to know about the center after attending a parenting seminar at APOM. “We were given tips on parenting, finances, and employment. It was so informative.”

She says the APOM environment is warm and welcoming. “I’d feel very comfortable with my child there at the daycare. They make you feel like you are part of the family. And I’m all for supporting Blackowned businesses.”

Robinson said the center

FELICIA ROBINSON, ERICA-UPSHAW GIVNER, the mother-daughter team that spent three years creating the “A Peace of Mind” Childcare Center. (Photo by Courier photographer Gail Manker)

aims to offer more than just typical daycare service.

“It’s more of a continuity of care,” she called it. “It’s about being able to follow through with the whole person, the whole family. Our goal is to be a one-stop shop where people can have all of their needs met in one place.”

The center offers a well-rounded curriculum including American English Sign Language as a second language, violin lessons taught by a Julliard graduate, and an onsite herbal garden allowing children to participate in the garden-to-table experience. The goal is to be able to provide these extracurricular offerings at no charge.

The violin was chosen because of the disciAN INSIDE LOOK at one of the rooms of the new “A Peace of Mind” Childcare Center to open soon in Wilkinsburg. pline involved.

“Our children

are labeled so often with emotional support issues due to poor self control.

Playing the violin takes self-discipline and breathing control. If we can teach them that they can control more than what they believe and invest into them from a place of caring, that can allow them to have tools to foster self-control,” Upshaw-Givner said.

“We want to provide a good foundation for primary education through arts and other initiatives,” Robinson said.

“Deposits,” as Upshaw-Givner put it, “of quality and investment to show children what they are worth. It’s not just childcare, it’s the community loving them, wrapping an arm around them.”

Stemming from her mental health background, Upshaw-Givner plans to train staff and parents in the use of Restorative Practices so that all will be on the same page. “We hope to keep a stability so that what’s taught in the center will be carried on in the home. It’s a way to help

parents parent and be part of the village that has been taken out of so many areas today.”

As the center continues to seek caring and nurturing curriculum teachers to be part of the village, applications for employment will be available at the Feb. 2 open house.

Part of Upshaw-Givner’s success in the mental health field comes from her genuine love for her clients, for people in general. Her tangible empathy forces her to see things from the other person’s perspective. She told the New Pittsburgh Courier a story of a time she asked a doctor who was treating her for a physical ailment, whom he loved most. The doctor replied that he loved his mother.

Upshaw-Givner told the doctor to treat her as if she were his mother. She said she got the best care ever on that day.

“If we practice from that ideology,” Upshaw-Givner said, “we’ll have a stronger group of kids, stronger families, and stronger communities.”

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RELIGION

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

St. Paul Cathedral’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Mass Sunday 10:00 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

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

www.cathedralofhope.com Worship on Sunday: Journey Worship........8:45 a.m.

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

Taize Prayer Service (Wed.) 7 p.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

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

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

Seminary at the Tabernacle 43 Belvedere St., Crafton, PA 15205 Sept. 10, 2018-May 16, 2019 Sr. Pastor Tony Armstead, MDiv

NAHBLIA DINGA, fourth grade

ALEXA GLINSKI, seventh grade

JANICE SIMMONS sings “Lift Every Voice”

Christian Leadership School (CLS) a Four-year Program currently offering Four non-credited courses in four years.

Teaching includes Doctorate and Master of Divinity Teachers.

When: Fluctuates Mon. or Thurs., 6:308:30pm Cost: $75 per class, plus any required books Contact: Rev. Marjorie Davis, Ph.D. 412335-2832

New Destiny CME Church 114 North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 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

THE HONOREES—From left: Johanna Pickell, Rocco Bristow, Alexa Glinski, Marcus Jones, Nahblia Dinga.

Stanley Kendall Rideout passed away in his Sewickley home on January 22, 2019, at the age of 93. Stan, or “Toe,” as he was affectionately called by his family, was born to the late George Arthur Rideout and Sarah Olive West Rideouton May 25, 1925 in Marianna, PA. He was one of thirteen children.

Raised in the neighborhood of Beltzhoover in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh, Stan, his loving wife Vike and children, moved to the idyllic town of Sewickley, Pennsylvania in 1973, where he lived until his passing.

In 1943, after finishing South Hills High School, Stan was drafted into the U.S. Navy where he served as a radio man in Seattle and Pearl Harbor until his discharge in 1946. He was unwavering in his determination to attend college and entered Duquesne University in 1950, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 1954.

While at Duquesne, Stan started his life of community service at the Soho Community Center and Pittsburgh’s Recreational Center. After graduating in 1954, he held various jobs, including a stint at the Morganza Reformatory. In 1957, Stan married the love of his life, Vina Lee Crable.

Stan was introduced to his beloved town of Sewickley in 1958 when he was hired as the boys’ worker at the Sewickley Community Center. In 1961 he began working as a probation officer at the Juvenile Court of Allegheny County. He would also became the Center’s executive director. During his tenure at the Center, he conceived of and established the annual “Come On Home Weekend” which was undoubtedly the most anticipated weekend of the year for Sewickley’sAfrican American community. For forty-three years Sewickleyans would travel from all over the country and sometimes the world to reconnect with their family and loved ones.

In 1971, Stan was offered the job that would certainly define and distinguish his life in Pittsburgh. He was named Chief of Security for Pittsburgh Public Schools. Throughout the next 25 years, he put his unparalleled stamp on the city and was able to keep the schools safe while creating employment opportunities for a diverse and loyal group of guards and staff.

Stan often travelled as a consultantthroughout the country and was recognized and honored as one the nation’sleading authorities on school security.

Stan loved and excelled in sports. He played baseball in college and sandlot football most of his life, but his favorite activity was playing tennis on weekends with his family. In his later years, he would enjoy spending countless hours on the front porch of his home listening to music and having conversations with all who would pass by.

Stan sadly and suddenly lost his loving wife, Vike, on March 5, 2014, due to a tragic illness, but continued to enjoy the love of his children friends and family until his death.

He leaves behind his four children Suzanne, Rex (Joi), James (Debra) and Lee as well as three granchildren: Kendall, Matthew and Zachary, brother in law James Crable (Elaine), “adopted” children Norma West Green, Darlene Harris Barnes (Rodney) and Craig Bethel as well as countless nieces, nephews and friends, all of whom he loved dearly.

A Celebration of Stanley’s life will be held at a later date. The Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Inc. 328 Beaver St, Sewickley, Pa 15143, is in charge of arrangements.

RONALD SAUNDERS was the master of ceremonies at the St. Paul Cathedral Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, held after the morning service on Jan. 20, in Oakland. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

VALERIE MCDONALD-ROBERTS was the guest speaker for the event.

PEOPLE

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Shawn Robinson receives President’s Volunteer Service Award

FORMER PITT FOOTBALL PLAYER SHAWN ROBINSON holds his award, surrounded by his students involved in The Orange Arrow Players Association, during an event at Pitt, Dec. 4, 2018. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello) The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that The Orange Arrow Players Association Founder Shawn Robinson received the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The award was established in 2003 by President George W. Bush as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Robin-

son. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto first presented Robinson with a proclamation of Dec. 4 as “Shawn Robinson Day” in the City of Pittsburgh. Robinson was then presented the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from Erika Mitchell, managing partner of the certified organization for the President’s Service Award.

An evening event was hosted at the University

The goal of Orange Arrow is to encourage athletes to pursue their dream of professional sports, and to also broaden the reality of those with athletic aspirations. son, a Warren, Ohio, native and University of Pittsburgh alum, was recognized for dedicating more than 4,000 hours of service and, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest and most prestigious level of the Volunteer Service Award.

Two ceremonies were held on Dec. 4, 2018 to present the award to Robin-

of Pittsburgh, attended by Mark Nordenberg, Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh; Carmen Anderson, Director of Equity and Social Justice at The Heinz Endowments; Rafael Araujo-Lopes, University of Pittsburgh student-athlete and Orange Arrow Coach; and distinguished friends of the Orange Arrow Players Association.

“I am humbled to receive recognition from the highest office in America,” said Robinson. “But I accept this award on behalf of the entire Orange Arrow team, who is diligently working to make the world a better place.”

Robinson founded Orange Arrow in 2013 to coach male and female student-athletes to aim for success off the field. Based in Pittsburgh, the nonprofit organization provides programming for student-athletes that teaches the foundational skill set needed for any young person to be able to succeed. Orange Arrow reaches these students through current college student-athletes who serve as their life skills “coaches” or mentors.

“The goal of Orange Arrow is to encourage athletes to pursue their dream of professional sports, and to also broaden the reality of those with athletic aspirations,” said Robinson. “We aim to provide a practical vision

of success in life, no matter which path they choose.”

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes, celebrates, and inspires community service leaders and volunteers to lead the charge. Two notable past recipients include Tom Glavine, a Hall of Fame baseball player who is noted for giving back to the community, and Truett Cathy, the founder of Chickfil-A for his philanthropy.

Robinson understands firsthand the importance of Orange Arrow’s mission and the need for athletes to have a backup plan. While at Pitt, he finished seventh in the nation in interceptions as a sophomore and he had expectations to play in the NFL; however, a car accident injury leading into his junior year affected his ability to perform at the highest level. Ultimately, he was not drafted to the NFL as he hoped, and his dream of becoming a professional athlete was never SHAWN ROBINSON, founder of The Orange Arrow Players Association, with his President’s Volunteer Service Award. fulfilled.

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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

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BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

Sincere Carry a standout for Duquesne hoops Sports B8

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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com

‘There is no love in business’

B

There’s always a next recession, so be prepared

by Liz Weston NerdWallet

FREDERICK DOUGLAS, the founder of Cosmos Technologies. His firm was awarded a prime contract to design a filter system for ALCOSAN. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Frederick Douglas minces no words on the local small business environment

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

During a recent discussion with Cosmos Technologies founder and President Frederick Douglas about his firm winning a prime contract to design a filter system for ALCOSAN, Douglas also spoke at length about the need for a greater commitment to supporting small and diverse businesses, and for those businesses in return to reach out to economically depressed communities.

“The local business environment is like a watering hole on the African plain,” he said. “When the elephants come in, the other animals get out of the way until they drink their fill and leave, then the others can drink from what’s left.

If it weren’t for requirements to use small and diverse companies on some

jobs, the elephants would take all the work. There is no love in business.”

But Douglas thinks there should be—and in his company, there is.

“I am committed to

company’s core competencies, which are civil engineering, water, waste water and environmental engineering and consulting— but it provided an opportunity to make a difference.

“I am committed to reaching out and increasing employment in segments of the community that are finding it difficult to find work. And we have been successful.”

FREDERICK DOUGLAS reaching out and increasing employment in segments of the community that are finding it difficult to find work,” he said. “And we have been successful.”

For example, Cosmos bid on a small contract issued by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to post shutoff notices on delinquent residents’ doors. It had nothing to do with the

“We hired people at $10 an hour to do the work.

But 10 of them who showed an interest we trained, on our own dime, to be construction inspectors. Those jobs pay $19$20 an hour. That’s what it’s about. If small businesses are not given the opportunity, that doesn’t happen,” he said. “We have to be more creative

about looking to get work into the neighborhoods.

Otherwise, billions will sweep through the area and nothing will change.”

Douglas was quick to praise ALCOSAN for its commitment to small and minority-owned firms like his, and he also lauded the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for their small- and disadvantaged-business programs. But he also noted a recent phenomenon in the region that will affect contracting for small and diverse businesses.

“Small businesses now have to compete with other small businesses nationwide—even if they don’t have a presence here,” he said. “I can’t do that, not in Maryland, or Washington, D.C. or New York, or Omaha, Nebraska. When I wanted to do work in AkSEE DOUGLAS B2

Recessions are like natural disasters: They’re inevitable, but smart preparation may reduce the impact on you.

The U.S. economy has grown steadily since emerging from the “Great Recession” in June 2009, but expansions can’t continue forever, and this one is already the second-longest on record. Only the expansion from March 1991 to March 2001 lasted longer.

Recessions occur when growth stops and the economy starts to shrink. They vary in severity and length, but often jobs disappear, incomes decline and lenders make it harder to qualify for credit.

Knowing what may be coming can help you fortify your finances to withstand a possible slowdown. Here are some steps to consider.

REDUCE YOUR ‘MUST HAVES’ The 50/30/20 budget suggests limiting your musthave expenses to 50 percent of your after-tax income, with 30 percent allocated to wants and 20 percent to debt payment and savings. Must-haves include shelter, transportation, food, utilities, insurance, and minimum loan payments.

Limiting essential expenses ensures you have room to pay off the past, save for the future and have a little fun. Capping them also helps during bad economic times, when you may need to sharply reduce your spending because of job loss or reduced hours.

PROTECT YOUR CREDIT SCORES Lenders often get pickier during recessions. They may freeze lines of credit, close credit card accounts and make new loans harder to get.

People with good credit scores tend to fare better when lenders get choosy. Lenders need to stay in business, after all, so when delinquencies and defaults rise they want to cultivate customers who are most likely to pay them back.

Because high scores suggest you’ll pay as agreed, protecting your scores is essential. That means paying all your bills on time, using only a small amount of your credit limits, keeping old credit card accounts open and being selective about opening new accounts.

INCREASE YOUR FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY Ideally, everyone would have an emergency fund equal to at least three months’ worth of expenses. But most people don’t have nearly that much saved, and building up such a stash can take years.

In the meantime, it’s smart to set up access to additional credit that you can tap if you lose your job or face other financial setbacks. If you own your home, you may be able to set up a home equity line of credit or replace your current line with one that has a higher limit.

Having a few credit cards can help as well.

The key to the strategy is to keep these lines open and unused. (You’ll need to make a few small charges to keep the credit cards active, but you should pay the balances in full each month.) If you have credit card debt, focus on paying that down since you’ll free up available credit and save money on interest.

But don’t rush to pay off student loans or mortgages, especially if you have higher-rate debt or a paltry emergency fund. Your extra principal payments typically won’t reduce your required monthly payment, and you can’t get that money back if you need cash in an emergency. Although being debt-free is a good goal, in a recession it can be more important to have financial flexibility.

UPDATE YOUR INVESTMENTS SEE RECESSION B2

Don’t let predatory tax loans take your refunds

by Charlene Crowell For New Pittsburgh Courier

For many consumers, the New Year brings an annual effort to file taxes early enough to help pay off big bills, replace major appliances or tuck away a few bucks for the proverbial ‘rainy day’.

With a continuing federal shutdown, this year there are also an estimated 800,000 federal workers who have not had a payday since December. For these consumers, an early tax refund could cover basic living needs like housing, food, child care and utilities.

And across the country, advertising—particularly on urban radio—tempts listeners with easy ways to get a loan against anticipated tax refunds. But just like other predatory lending products, what is advertised is not quite what consumers receive. Convenient tax-related loans almost always come with a price that takes a big bite out of consumers’ money.

The bigger the refund, the more attentive and helpful “tax preparers” will be in helping with e-filing, the electronic processing that typically results in refunds in two to three business days. Once the size of the refund is known, these preparers encourage unsuspecting consumers to

take out a short-term loan like a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL). Depository institutions like banks sell a ‘service’ known as a Refund Anticipating Check (RAC) that is most appealing to consumers who lack a bank account.

Neither product is as helpful as they appear.

RALs are usually marketed as an ‘advance’ instead of a loan. Instead of interest, many of these loans come with “fees” or a “finance charge”. Conversely, a Refund Anticipation Check or RAC is sold as a temporary bank account that exists exclusively to receive the IRS refund. Once the refund reaches the consumer’s bank account, either a prepaid card or a check is issued by the depository institution.

And once again, fees taken out of the refund reduce the amount of monies that consumers actually receive.

The biggest target for both of these products are consumers with the largest refunds, especially those who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs), one of the few tax break programs available to low-to-moderate income consumers, and/or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

To be eligible for EITC, earned income and adjusted gross income can be as low as $15,270 for a single

filer or head of household to as high as $54,884 for a married couple with three dependent children. This year, eligible EITC consumers could receive as much as $6,431 for families with three or more qualifying children to $519 for single filers.

Similarly, the Child Tax Credit is available to eligible filers with children under the age of 17. For each dependent child meeting the age requirement, filers receive a $2,000 credit

that like EITC reduces the amount of taxes owed.

In 2017, 1.7 million RALs were sold, and another 20.5 million RACs valued at a half billion dollars were also sold, according to the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC).

“Tax-time is hard enough for most Americans, but they also face consumer protection challenges,” noted Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “They need to avoid incompetent

and abusive preparers and decide whether to choose financial products of varying costs.”

So how much financial sense does it make to purchase an ‘advance’ or open a temporary bank account when the Internal Revenue Service can deposit the full refund into a checking account within two to three business days?

Just because a refund-advance product isn’t called a loan, or doesn’t have an interest rate, doesn’t mean

it’s free, said Scott Astrada, the Center for Responsible Lending’s Director of Federal Advocacy. “Carefully read the terms and conditions and ask plenty of questions.”

Everyone who works for a living should be entitled not only to a paycheck but 100 percent of their tax refunds.

(Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s Communications Deputy Director. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending. org.)

B2

BUSINESS

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

YMCA of Greater Seattle announces historic CEO appointment SEAT TLE / PR Newswire/—The Y is proud to announce the appointment of Loria Yeadon as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle.

Loria is an accomplished corporate and nonprofit leader with 30 years of experience and demonstrated commitment to serving the community. She was selected after a five-month nationwide search and will succeed current President and CEO Bob Gilbertson who previously announced plans to retire later this year.

With this appointment, Loria Yeadon will be the first woman as well as the first person of color to serve as CEO in the 143-year history of the YMCA of Greater Seattle. And Loria will be the third woman and the only woman of color to lead one of the largest 20 YMCAs in the United States.

“The search committee worked hard to find someone who could build on the incredible foundation laid over the last 12 years and take the organization to the next level in operations and community impact,” said Tom Hull, past Board Chair and CEO Search Committee Co-Chair. “We are confident Loria will bring exactly what the community and the organization need. We are inspired by her vision and excited about what our Y will become with the benefit of her leadership.”

Loria Yeadon brings to the Y the unique experience of a successful business executive who has invested deeply in non-profit leadership on issues core to the Y’s mission, serving youth and families.

Yeadon previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of Stolen Youth, an organization dedicated

Is your tax bill also going to include penalties?

The federal government shutdown has highlighted many potential hardships for government employees and American taxpayers. Tax refunds are one area of focus, and the government has assured us that processing refunds will not be delayed. There is another side of that coin, however, and that’s for taxpayers who may owe money or may owe more than they anticipate. Taxpayers could be fined if they underpay on their taxes, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, along with other tax groups, urged the IRS to waive penalties since this is the first time people are operating under new tax laws (the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017).

The IRS has responded by waiving the penalty for any taxpayer who paid at least 85 percent of their total tax liability (90 percent was previously required). Taxpayers traditionally pay via payroll withholding or estimated payments.

Because there have been many changes that will affect an individual’s tax bill as a result of the new tax law, members of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) are concerned that many people may not have had enough money withheld from their taxes during the year.

The standard deduction is higher, but there has also been the elimination or reduction of certain itemized deductions that may not be covered by an increase in the standard deduction. CPAs do not want taxpayers surprised by a big tax bill come April 15; even worse, discover that they didn’t pay 90 percent of their taxes due and have to pay a penalty in addition to the larger-than-expected tax bill. To avoid unpleasant surprises, PICPA members encourage taxpayers to look at their final year-end pay stub, Dec. 31 bank statements, and other income statements and estimate their tax bill, even if they have not yet received their final year-end tax documents.

You can find a link to a 1040 Tax Calculator at www.picpa. org/taxhelp.

This calculator will provide an estimate of your tax responsibility. CPAs encourage taxpayers to do this sooner rather than later. If taxpayers find that they will have a big tax bill, they can begin planning now as to how they will pay that bill once April 15 arrives.

They also encourage people who discover that they haven’t had enough withheld to visit the IRS website and use the tax withholding calculator to figure out how to make adjustments to their withholding. You will need to complete a W-4 and work with your company to increase payroll withholding so that you don’t face the same problem next year.

Being prepared is the best advice in this time of uncertainty.

(Money and Life Tips columns are a joint effort of the AICPA and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), as part of the profession’s nationwide 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program.)

LORIA YEADON to ending sex trafficking in the State of Washington. She currently serves on the National Board for Girl Scouts of America and on the Board of Legal Mo-

mentum, The Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund. In her business career, Yeadon served as executive vice president and general manager of the

Transportation Business at Intellectual Ventures and before that served as CEO of Honeywell Intellectual Properties, Inc. Trained as both an engineer and an attorney, Yeadon received a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering, with distinction, from the University of Virginia, a Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Seton Hall School of Law. Loria Yeadon said, “I am humbled and thankful for this privilege. I’m anxious to lock arms with the team to drive sustainable systems change with a renewed focus on serving all people in our region on their journey to reaching their full potential. Together, we will visualize the future we’d like to see in the Seattle area, build on the Y’s foundational sys-

Would you know what to do if you lost your job?

by Russell T. Jackson For New Pittsburgh Courer

(BlackpressUSA)We all know how important it is to be prepared for a fire, flood, or other type of emergency. What about something that seems less dramatic, but can be equally devastating, like unemployment? You can’t dial 911 or stop, drop, and roll, but you can take steps to help minimize some of the fallout from losing your job.

1. Stay positive. It’s important to remember that the decision was probably based on the economy or other external factors.

2. Be professional. If you handle yourself with decorum, your employer may be willing to serve as a reference, recommend you to vendors, and even provide assistance with interviewing and résumé building. Plus, if their economic situation continues to improve, who’s to say they won’t hire you back?

3. Account for every penny. Review your terms of employment and claim any money owed to you from bonuses, commissions—even unused vacation.

Also, find out if you are entitled to a severance package. If not, file for unemployment benefits right away since it may take weeks to process.

4. Replace lost benefits. If your spouse works, see if you can add yourself to his or her health care plan. If not, you can apply for COBRA coverage within 60 days of termination and extend your health care benefits for 18 months. Similarly, you may want to purchase an affordable term life insurance policy to help replace any workplace coverage you may have had.

5. Evaluate your retirement plans. While some

employers allow you to leave your 401(k) in place, it may not always be the right move. Have a financial professional look the plan over and see if you are better off rolling over the funds into a traditional IRA or Roth IRA.* 6. Network-Network-Network. You never know where your next job will come from, so take advantage of every networking opportunity. Also, be sure to use social media platforms like LinkedIn to help connect with people online and let them know you’re looking.

This educational third-party article is being provided for information purposes only as a courtesy by Russell T. Jackson, Agent New York Life Insurance Company. To learn more about the life insurance and financial strategies, please contact Russell Jackson at 904-699-3480 or rtjackson@ ft.newyorklife.com *When considering rolling over the proceeds of your employer-sponsored retirement plan to an IRA, you have the option, among others, of leaving the funds in your existing plan, if permitted, or rolling them into your new employer’s plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted.

Each choice offers advantages and disadvantages, depending on the desired investment options and services, fees and expenses, withdrawal options, required minimum distributions, tax treatment, and your unique financial needs and retirement plans. (Neither New York Life Insurance Company nor its agents provide tax or legal advice. Consult your own tax and or legal advisors regarding your particular situation.)

(This article originally appeared in The Florida Star.)

There’s always a next recession RECESSION FROM B1

If your stock market investments include money you’ll need in the next five years, now is the time to move it to a lower-risk investment such as a short-term bond fund or cash.

You should be able to leave any stock market investments alone for at least five years and preferably 10, so your portfolio has time to recover from downturns.

Now is also a good time to rebalance your portfolio to your target mix of stocks, bonds and cash. The long bull market means that you may have too much money in stocks, which leaves you more vulnerable to drops. If you’re not in the habit of rebalancing at least once a year, consider using a target-date retirement fund, a lifestyle fund or a robo-advisor, which all take care of that chore automatically.

There won’t be tax consequences for these moves if you’re investing inside a tax-deferred account, such as an IRA or 401(k). Before making moves in a taxable account, consult a tax pro.

All of these steps make sense regardless of what happens with the economy. Taking them

now can help you better personal finance website Nerdhandle whatever comes Wallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified finannext.

(This column was provided to The Associated Press by the

cial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.”)

Frederick Douglas DOUGLAS FROM B1

ron and Cleveland, I had to open offices there, and they grilled me to make sure any work I did would make a difference to their economy and employ their people.”

And benefiting people is why Douglas is in business.

That’s why he visits schools, so young African Americans can see a man who is successful in a highly complex field. More small businesses need to reach into the

neighborhoods, he said.

“The was a young man at the barber shop I go to.

He had serious challenges with the law and incarceration, and I would talk to him about what I did. In the spring, he will be finishing up his engineering degree out west,” said Douglas. “At the end of the day, at the end of my life, I will ask myself, ‘what have you done to lift someone up during your brief dance on this earth?’”

CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW FRIENDS

tems and incredible people, and do the work to realize that vision. As one Y, I believe we can create the future we want.”

Loria Yeadon will become the Y’s CEO on March 4, 2019.

(About the YMCA of Greater Seattle: The YMCA of Greater Seattle is the Northwest’s leading nonprofit organization strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1876, the Y reaches more than 253,000 people of all backgrounds, abilities and financial circumstances annually through 13 branches, two overnight camps and more than 200 program sites throughout King and south Snohomish counties. It nurtures more than 142,000 kids and teens to develop their gifts and give back to our community and engages nearly 23,000 volunteers who contribute more than 372,000 hours of service each year. Visit seattleymca.org

BUSINESS CALENDAR Training Event

FEB. 7—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will present Get Behind The Numbers and Increase Your Profit, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15282. This hands-on workshop takes a step-by-step approach to explain two important financial statements: profit and loss statement and balance sheet. A representative from Wilke Associates will offer clear examples for using these statements to make informed decisions, identify potential problems within your business and set realistic financial goals. Cost: $25. For more information, call 412-396-6233.

Celebrating Black Women Entrepreneurs

FEB. 8 The Chatham Women’s Business Center will welcome and celebrate a panel of African American women business owners who will relay their stories, successes and what they’ve learned as part of its Women Business Leaders Breakfast Series, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the James Laughlin Music Center at Chatham’s Shadyside campus. Cost: $25. To register online, visit www. chatham.edu/cwe/events.

PowerBreakfast

FEB. 15 The African American Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly PowerBreakfast, 7:30-9 a.m. at the Rivers Club in One Oxford Center, Downtown. uest speaker Partenrs4Work CEO Earl Buford will discuss how the agency delivers innovative solutions for businesses and job seekers in Allegheny County. Cost: $20, $30 for non-members. For more information, call 412-392-0610.

Training Event

FEB. 19 The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will present First Step: Business Start-up Essentials, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15282. The workshop covers Business structure and formation fictitious name registration, Employee issues, Insurance, Financing options, taxation and more. Cost: $25.

For more information, call 412-396-6233.

Website Workshop

DORIS CARSON WILLIAMS and Rich Fitzgerald welcome the following people to town at the African American Chamber’s PowerBreakfast in January, left to right: Scott Snavely of Midland States Bank; Rhea Carter of KBK Enterprises; Kankakee, Illinois Alderman Fred Tetter; Kankakee Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

FEB. 28 The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will present Best Techniques To Build A Website For our Business, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15282. This workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs build and create a cost-effective website for their business. Building a website has now become an essential step for businesses to increase their sales. Chris Vendilli from ProFromGo will cover keeping costs down agency, freelance and online website designers, and cost effective way to make your website stand out. Cost $49.

For more information, call 412-396-6233.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Commentary

Spike Lee’s Best Director nomination is long overdue

by Marc H. Morial (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“People of color have a constant frustration of not being represented, or being misrepresented, and these images go around the world…I do not think there is going to be any substantial movement until people of color get into those gatekeeper positions of people who have a green-light vote. That is what it comes down to. We do not have a vote, and we are not at that table when it is decided what gets made and what does not get made.”—Spike Lee In 2015 and 2016, we in the Urban League Movement joined a movement against the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences embodied in the hashtag, “#OscarsSoWhite. At the time, the voting membership of the Academy was reported to be 94 percent White and 77 percent male.

As a result of the movement, the Academy pledged to double minority and women membership by 2020 and limited terms to 10 years for members who have not been active in the film industry.

Whether a direct result of these changes or not, Spike Lee’s long-awaited first-time nomination for Best Director is a welcome development, as is the nomination of his film, BlacKkKlansman, for Best Picture.

For his part, Lee believes his nomination would not have come about without #OscarsSoWhite. “What that campaign did, it made the Academy understand that they had to diversify their membership,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “The diversity of the voting members makes a difference.”

Lee previously was nominated for Best Screenplay for Do The Right Thing, and 4 Little Girls received a Best Documentary Feature nomination, but this is the first time in his 30-year career he’s been acknowledged for his main contribution to American culture as a director of provocative and artistic feature films.

I had the honor to participate in two of Lee’s documentary films: When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, a 2006 HBO production about Hurricane Katrina and the destruction it wrought on my hometown of New Orleans, and its 2010 sequel, If God Is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise. The series serves as a powerful and thought-provoking analysis of the issues of class and race in national disaster response.

When the Levees Broke won three Emmy Awards, an NAACP Image Award and the Peabody Award from the University of Georgia for being an “epic document of destruction and broken promises and a profound work of art” and “an uncompromising analysis of the events that precede and follow Hurricane Katrina’s assault on New Orleans” that “tells the story with an unparalleled diversity of voices and sources.”

In appreciation of his achievement, the National Urban League presented Lee with a Special Recognition Award at our 50th Equal Opportunity Dinner in 2006.

It can be argued that many of the 30 films Lee has directed are as deserving of an Oscar as BlacKkKlansman, and many of them are destined to occupy their places in the canon of American cinema.

But even though BlacKkKlansman is set in the early 1970s it is very much a film of our time—perhaps the film of our time. David Duke, the main villain of the story, is still very much a force in American politics today. He is shown to use the resurrected phrase “America First!” popularized during the 2016 presidential campaign, and speaks of making America “great again.”

The film’s central question of whether social change must be effected within the system or outside it resonates today. The recognition of Lee’s talent by the Academy is long overdue, and we congratulate him on his achievement.

(Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.)

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)

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019 B3

How long must we endure?

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—How long will we have to endure Donald Trump’s harmful shenanigans? For the entire time he’s been in the people’s house with free rent, we’ve had to listen to his disgusting rallies, thousands of lies, immature behavior, offensive language, and another long list of perverse behavior totally unbecoming of anyone whose bills are being paid by an occupant of our White House. He gets everything free at our expense; yet, he chooses to wreck the lives of so many people who work hard in various government agencies—many of whom were required to work while getting no pay.

Trump, his family and wealthy friends never had to live from paycheck to paycheck. They haven’t even tried to understand what it’s like actually needing money for the basics of life such as food, water, clothing, car notes, mortgage payments, health care, etc. They don’t even care. After forcing a shutdown of government for over 30 days thus far, refusing to accept many proposals put before him, he now has his Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney taking a look at how the shutdown will hurt if it lasts into March.

He asks which programs will be impacted without even trying to understand that people are already suffering. People who’re furloughed rarely make enough money to save enough to last them for the possibil-

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

Budget have tried to serve as a clearinghouse for agency leaders as they work to deal with the repercussions of the shutdown. One would think this would’ve been known before Trump shut the government down. It looks like we’re going to have zero growth under Trump’s leadership because he is stuck on stupid! He doesn’t know that he’s responsible for making the government work for the people.

Democrats favor re-opening our government. Trump has turned down every opportunity to do so.

Fewer than 1/3 of the people want Trump’s wall. It’s for his personal desires. He cares nothing about the American people. We’re still hearing about his illegal association with Russia that shows he doesn’t care about America! Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding firm on not giving him a wall and not inviting him to ramble before the American people with a load of garbage in a State of the Union message where he will simply embarrass our nation further before diplomats from around the world! Before this shutdown, Trump claimed he’d be proud to do it. Well Donald, it’s just a matter of time for you to operate on your pride clinging to the belief that only you can fix it! Our only question is how long must we wait for this nightmare to be over?

ity of a year of furlough as mentioned

by Trump. Contractors who won’t be paid and small businesses that depend upon government workers to purchase lunch, snacks and other necessities from them, people who need food stamps and other services ordinarily provided by the government are also suffering.

Trump has backed himself into a corner by bragging and lying about building a wall that Mexico would pay for to keep people out of the country instead of building bridges welcoming people into our country, and working for a legal way to help those already here remain and become productive citizens. Even at the end of this brutal government shutdown, how long do we have to put up with this insanity from a man who has no clue what it means to be President of the United States? Are we going to allow him to totally wreck our nation before our leaders move to end his reign?

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of the NaMeanwhile, we are told that Senior officials of Office of Management and tional Congress of Black Women.)

Jack and Jill: Elitist, effective, either, neither, or both?

Exactly 81 years ago on Jan. 24, 1938, the idea of Jack and Jill of America was birthed in Philadelphia (before the group was incorporated as a national organization in 1946) when twenty-one Black mothers who had grown up in South Philly established an association “to provide social, cultural, and educational opportunities for [Black] youth between the ages of two and 19.”

It currently consists of over 10,000 mother members representing more than 40,000 parents and children in 230 chapters throughout the country.

And its mission consists of “nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving, and civic duty.”

If that’s what Jack and Jill is and if that’s what Jack and Jill does, why do so many Black folks state that it’s nothing more than a bunch of elitist, bourgeois, light-skinned Blacks who want to be White? Why do many Black folks state that Lawrence Otis Graham was condemning groups like Jack and Jill when he wrote his seminal book entitled Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class? The answer to both questions is quite simple. The Black folks who make those statements, as we say in the hood, “don’t know what they talkin’ bout.” Here’s the real story.

At the outset, I must admit that, in its early years, this “by invitation only” organization appeared rather snobbish by being preoccupied with proper etiquette, debutante cotillions, ballets, symphonies, horseback-riding, skiing, and the like. Also, members were almost exclusively well educated professional women such as lawyers, physicians, professors, CEOs, ministers, etc. or wives of lawyers, physicians, professors, CEOs, ministers, etc.

And don’t forget that color-conscious thing. Jack and Jill has always had that image, whether founded or unfounded. As Marianne Rohrlich wrote in a 1998 New York Times article, that image “can be traced to the group’s early decades when some Blacks saw it as open only to those who had ‘good hair’ and were able to pass ‘the paper-bag test…’”

In fact, when one of Jack and Jill’s founding members, namely Louise Truitt Dench, was interviewed for that column and was asked about dark-skinned members during her time, she replied, “I didn’t know a lot of dark-skinned people. I just didn’t know them.”

Moreover, in 1993, the Chicago Tribune reported, “In its heyday, Jack and Jill was a prestigious club for those then considered, almost literally, the cream of Black society.... [It]... helped Black children, many from lighter-skinned families, to fit into White America.”

As a result of such misguidance, miscommunication, or misunderstanding, membership declined.

However, in the mid1970s/late-1980s, added the Chicago Tribune, there was a resurgence in membership due to more Blacks being able to afford to move into the suburbs, which led to the organization’s “new mission that reflects the isolation felt by many Blacks

Michael Coard

Commentary living in predominantly White suburbs. Instead of helping Blacks assimilate into White culture, the organization is seeking to instill a sense of ethnic pride in suburban Black children.”

In the aforementioned New York Times article, Yale-educated commercial real estate broker Elizabeth Martin, a Jack and Jill member raising a child in upper-middle class nearly all-White Summit, NJ, was asked in connection with the organization’s 60th anniversary why she had joined. She replied, “When my [five-year-old] son came home from kindergarten and asked why his hair was different from the other boys’ in his class, I knew we needed Jack and Jill.” She went on to say, “Parents don’t want their kids to lose a sense of themselves, and culturally, it’s very important to be with people like yourself....”

That same year, her North Jersey Chapter held “Afrocentric events like Kwanzaa... and [a] ceremony for nine college-bound teenagers, modeled on an African rite of passage.” That rite of passage was led by a history professor from Sierra Leone who gave each boy a carved wooden spear to acknowledge his “fathers from Africa” while telling them “You are now warriors from a great tradition of warriors” and gave each girl a palm plant exemplifying “[powerful African] fertility.”

Despite appearances (and a few missteps) throughout its existence since 1938, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated- especially during the past four decades or so- has been about promoting the cause of Black people and their history, which explains why its official 2018-2020 Chapters’ Programmatic Thrust is centered first on “culture” followed by “education, health, civic” issues, and “social/recreational” activities.

Additionally, among many other annual events, it sponsors “National

Black Family Day,” which began in May 1987 to “focus on... the cultural heritage of African American families…(and hold) workshops on the need for Black adoptions…” Along with that is a “focus on the needs... of children in Africa…”

And since 1968, Jack and Jill’s foundation has continued to provide millions of dollars in funding to proBlack groups including, but not limited to, Africare (the largest and oldest African American founded entity providing development aid to African countries), the United Negro College Fund, King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, and NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Also, it sponsors “Carole Robertson Day” to acknowledge her (who was the daughter of the organization’s Southeastern Regional Director) along with the three other little girls brutally murdered in the racist bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham on Sept. 15, 1963. The purpose of the event is to “highlight the goals of human rights and civil rights.”

We all can’t and shouldn’t be members of woke groups like the Black Panther Party. We all can’t and shouldn’t be like yours truly, the “Angriest Black Man in America” who’s also a loudmouthed revolutionary activist. When it comes to the struggle for racial justice, we Black folks gotta “get in where we fit in” and stay in our lane. We gotta fight for our people whichever way and wherever we feel most effective. Jack and Jill is quite effective in pursuing racial justice in the way it chooses to do so.

As a Black woman, man, girl, or boy, it’s not about your color complexion.

It’s about your cultural commitment.

Jack and Jill has been and still is committed.

By the way, Jack and Jill members come in all shades of Blackness. They include deep brown chocolate members. They also include sweet butter almond ice cream members— but don’t hate on those light-skinned ones by hating on the organization’s early history. After all, Malcolm X, Adam Clayton Powell, and Louis Farrakhan were/are “light, bright, and damn near white.” But nobody’s “Blacker” than them.

(Michael Coard, Esquire can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.)

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B4

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

ORTHOPITIST

University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks an Orthopitist in Allegheny County, PA to see patients for sensorimotor evaluations, management of amblyopia, convergence insufficiency, accommodative esotropia and other nonsurgical disorders of ocular motility and binocular vision, evaluating vision by observation and use of specialist equipment; diagnose & formulate a treatment plan under the supervision of a physician, which may include cycloplegic retinoscopy; undertake visual field assessments and participate in extended role activities, such as glaucoma monitoring and low vision therapy clinics. Must have a Bachelor’s degree/foreign equivalent in Orthoptics. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc. com and enter 1900001I in the earch Keyword ob fie d and click Go. EOE.

VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Pittsburgh, PA

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC), a not-for-profit conservation organi ation, with an operating budget of almost $23M, is seeking an accomplished, senior-level professional for the position of Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. This position is a key member of WPC’s leadership team and reports directly to WPC’s President and Chief Executive Officer. This position will be based at WPC’s headquarters located at 800 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA but will occasionally travel to Fallingwater, located in Mill Run, PA, as needed.

The Vice President, Chief Financial Officer is responsible for overseeing the institutional functions of General Accounting and Management Accounting, Budgeting, Planning, Investment Management, Grants/ Contracts & Procurement, Insurance & Risk Management, Information Technology/Computer Services and Human Resources.

For additional information, visit our website at www.waterlandlife.org To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and professional references to: wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list VP/CFO in the subject line of the email.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER - ALTOONA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Applications for Police Officer for the City of Altoona may be obtained from the Human Resources Department at City Hall, 1301 12th Street, Suite 301, Altoona, PA, weekdays between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Applicants or their designees must file completed, NOTARIZED applications with accompanying documentation NO LATER THAN NOON ON THURSDAY, February 28, 2019. Return IN PERSON OR

BY MAIL to: Human Resources Department Altoona City Hall 1301 - 12th Street, Suite 301 Altoona, PA 16601-3491 A $25.00 processing fee (check or money order) must be paid at the time the application is filed. Applications that are incomplete for any reason will not be accepted, and will be returned to the applicant.

Falsification, concealment or misrepresentation of material fact on the application form may result in disqualification. All previous applicants will be required to reapply and repeat the entire application process in order to be considered for employment.

REQUIREMENTS: •Must pass a physical agility test scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 2019, at 8:30 A.M., in Altoona.

•Must pass a written Civil Service Test to be administered on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at 8:30 A.M., in Altoona.

•Must be 21 years of age on or before the date of employment.

Must be a nited States citi en.

•Must have graduated from an accredited high school or have a Graduate Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) acceptable to the Commission.

•Must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

•Must be of high moral character and free of felony or misdemeanor convictions.

Must be physically and mentally fit for the full duties of a Police Officer.

Must submit to a Computeri ed Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA).

•Must agree to psychological and physical examinations if offered employment.

Starting salary: up to $43,762.60 The City of Altoona is an Equal Opportunity Employer

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

SONNY BOY

CERTIFIED TEACHERS

Elementary Ed., Special Ed. or Physical Ed. All clearances required Minimum BA Degree. Salary comensurate M, W, Th - 3:30 - 6:30pm during the school year. Summer work available Contact: amaloya@meltingpot ministries.org or blockley@melt ingpotministries.org

8 6 9

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks an Ophthalmologist in Allegheny County, PA to treat illnesses, diseases and conditions that affect the eye; perform eye surgeries; and conduct didactic and clinical/ surgical training of residents and fellows. Must have M.D./D.O./foreign degree equivalent, 12 months of post-graduate training in Ophthalmology; and PA license/eligibility. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 1900001R in the “Search Keyword ob fie d and c ic Go. EOE.

MARKETING ASSISTANT

Pittsburgh Public Theater is seeking a Marketing Assistant. Digital experience and event planning required. HTML knowledge preferred.

Application deadline is February 11.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to Patty yle, Payroll Benefits Coordinator via email: pkyle@ppt.org. Please include “Marketing Assistant” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

Please visit https://www.ppt.org/ ppt_home/about/work-with-us/ employment for more information on the job description.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

UPDATE TIME CHANGE ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES ADVISORY BOARD 2019 MEETING SCHEDULE

The Children, Youth and Families (CYF) Advisory Board Meetings for calendar year 2019 will be held the first Wednesday of every other month, from 3:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m., at the Human Services Building, One Smithfield Street, Pirates Conference Room, First Floor, unless otherwise noted. Check the DHS website for changes and updates The CYF Advisory Board 2019 meeting schedule is: March 6 May 1 July 10 September 4 November 6 Marc Cherna Director Allegheny County Department of Human Services ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT AND PUBLIC HEARING HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH 2019 ADMISSIONS AND CONTINUED OCCUPANCY POLICY

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) is revising the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy.

The proposed revisions will be available for review from February 1, 2019 to March 4, 2019, at the HACP Operations Department, 200 Ross St., 6th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219; the HACP website: www. hacp.org; and at HACP Management Offices.

Written comments on the proposed revisions must be addressed to “Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy” at the address above and must be received by close of business (5:00 p.m.) on March 4, 2019.

A public hearing to receive comments on the plan will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. and at 5:00 p.m. at 200 Ross St., 9th oor Board Room.

Persons with disabilities requiring assistance or alternative formats, or wishing to submit comments in alternative formats, can contact the Disability Compliance Office at 412-4565282, ext. 1 TT 412-201-5384.

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

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NOTICE OF CONDEMNATION

COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY PITTSBURGH, PA January 23, 2019

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Pittsburgh, PA January 22, 2019

The Office of the Director of the DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY will receive Letters of Interest with current SF 330 for professional services until 3:00 p.m. on February 25, 2019 for the following assignment: COUNTY PROJECT NO. 7A05OPEN ROADWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES AS NEEDED The work and services which may be required under this Agreement encompass a wide range of design engineering efforts and operational studies with the possibility of several different types of projects with short completion schedules being assigned concurrently. The primary purpose of this contract will be providing design services for the Capital Roads Reconstruction Program which includes the design of milling, paving, base repair, guiderail improvements, drainage improvements and occasionally small lateral support improvements. Additional tasks include but are not limited to: roadway planning and design, roadway safety studies, traffic operational analysis, traffic impact studies, transportation design and operational reviews, pedestrian and bicycle planning and design, obtaining all required permits and the preparation of bid documents associated with construction.

To view the complete advertisement: search the Allegheny County Website [www.alleghenycounty. us] click Government; Public Works and Facilities Management; Public Works; Bid and Proposals.

The Director may reject any Letters of Interest/Proposals and may waive any irregularity in the Submission of Letters of Interest/ Proposals. For further information contact Ms. Meghan Sexton, P.E., Project Manager, at 412-350-1284.

Stephen G. Shanley, P.E., Director Allegheny County Department of Public Works

COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY PITTSBURGH, PA January 23, 2019

The Office of the Director of the Department of Public works for Allegheny County in Conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is soliciting Statements of Interest through PennDOTs ECMS system for the following: ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Construction Management and Inspection for the North Park Multimodal Improvements County Project No. 1245-0001 Local Agreement Number: L00381 This is a federal-aid project with PennDOT oversight. Statements of Interest are due no later than February 15, 2019 and are to be submitted through PennDOTs ECMS System, http://www.dot14.state. pa.us/ECMS The advertisement can be found under agreement number L00381. A copy of the published advertisement can also be found on the County Website: http://www.county. allegheny.pa.us/bids Any inquiries into this Advertisement are to be directed to Mr. Michael Dillon, P.E., Deputy Director of Engineering, at 412-350-5469 or mdillon@allegheny county.us The County will use the normal selection process and preselect or short-list at least three firms for consideration for this Project assignment on the following evaluation criteria: ua ifications of nspector s esu es perience and Supervisory Experience of PennDOT Projects, Use and Experience of Subconsultants, Performance on Past Projects, and Commitment to Quality Control and Quality Assurance. The County’s Minority and Women disadvantaged goals for these Projects will be 13 of the total price for MBE participation and 2 of the total price for WBE participation.

Stephen G. Shanley, PE, Director Department of Public Works of Allegheny County

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In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania In Re: The Condemnation by the County of Allegheny of a Certain Parcel of Land, now or formerly of Bernard Masa and Josephine F. Masa, husband and wife, in the Borough of Swissvale, Allegheny County, to reconstruct Kenmawr Bridge carrying South Braddock Avenue, in Swissvale Borough, and Kenmawr Avenue, in Rankin Borough, over Norfolk Southern Railway, to: D 19-000301 Bernard Masa and Josephine F. Masa, husband and wife (“Condemnee”), tax parcel identification number 235-P-200, 30 square feet for required right of-way, 425 square feet of temporary construction easement and 203 square feet of slope easement, Plans - Miscellaneous Volume 177, Page 34, estimated just compensation: $500.00.

TO: Bernard Masa and Josephine F. Masa, husband and wife, their heirs, successors or assigns: Take notice that Declaration of Taking was filed January 9, 2019 at the above referenced general docket number.

Name and Address of Condemner: Allegheny County, (“County”) 101 Courthouse, 436 rant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Authori ing Statute(s): Article IV, Sec. 2 and Sec. 6 of the Allegheny County Home Rule Charter, Article VII, Section 701.02 and 703.07 of the Allegheny County Administrative Code and the Act of 1953 July 28, P.L. 723, Art. VI, Section 5601, et seq.

Authori ing Ordinance: Ordinance No. 35-18-OR, enacted October 23, 2018. The Ordinance may be examined at the Offices of Condemner, noted above.

Condemnation Description: The purpose of this condemnation is to acquire property for the purpose to reconstruct Kenmawr Bridge carrying South Braddock Avenue, in Swissvale Borough, and Kenmawr Avenue, in Rankin Borough, over Norfolk Southern Railway.

Statement of the Condemnation: Condemnee’s property identified on the Viewers’ Plan marked as Exhibit “B” to the Declaration of Taking, filed at the above referenced general docket number, has been condemned as of January 9, 2019. The title acquired by the County is an easement interest, including all interests of every record owner thereof or any party claiming an interest therein, in the areas labeled “Rightof-Way”, “Temporary Construction Easement” and “Slope Easement” on Exhibit “B”. Plans showing the property condemned may be inspected in Condemner’s offices noted above and are also lodged of record in the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate, at the above referenced Plans - Miscellaneous volume and page number.

Just compensation for the condemnation is secured by the County’s power of taxation, which is deemed pledged as security of the payment of damages as, shall be determined by law.

Challenging the Condemnation: If Condemnee wishes to challenge the power or the right of County to appropriate the condemned property, the sufficiency of the security, the procedures followed by County or the Declaration of Taking, the Condemnee must file preliminary objections within 30 days after the date of publication of this Notice.

Howard M. Louik Attorney for Condemner LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION OR TESTAMENTARY

Letters of Administration on the Estate of Kenneth Robinson, a/k/a Kenneth Joseph Robinson, Deceased of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA, No. 02-18-06313 have been granted to Lori Wright, 4584 Queen Ann Court, South Euclid, OH 44121, and Keneisha Robinson, 13 Eli abeth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210, who request that all persons having claims aganist the Estate of this Decedent make known the same in writing to them or their attorney, Thomas E. Pandaleon, Esq., 6824 Thomas Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15208, and all persons indebted to this Decedent make payment to the same.

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The Office of the Director of the Department of Public works for Allegheny County in Conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is soliciting Statements of Interest through PennDOTs ECMS system for the following: ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Construction Management and Inspection for the Armstrong Tunnels County Project No. AR01-0307 Local Agreement Number: L00375 This is a federal-aid project with PennDOT oversight. Statements of Interest are due no later than February 14, 2019 and are to be submitted through PennDOTs ECMS System, http://www.dot14.state. pa.us/ECMS The advertisement can be found under agreement number L00375. A copy of the published advertisement can also be found on the County Website: http://www.county. allegheny.pa.us/bids Any inquiries into this Advertisement are to be directed to Mr. Michael Dillon, P.E., Deputy Director of Engineering, at 412-350-5469 or mdillon@alleghenycounty.us The County will use the normal selection process and preselect or short-list at least three firms for consideration for this Project assignment on the following evaluation criteria: ua ifications of nspector s esumes, Experience and Supervisory Experience of PennDOT Projects, Use and Experience of Subconsultants, Performance on Past Projects, and Commitment to Quality Control and Quality Assurance. The County’s Minority and Women disadvantaged goals for these Projects will be 13 of the total price for MBE participation and 2 of the total price for WBE participation.

Stephen G. Shanley, PE, Director Department of Public Works of Allegheny County

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Pittsburgh, PA January 23, 2019

The Office of the Director of the DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY will receive Letters of Interest with current SF 330 for professional services until 3:00 p.m. on February 25, 2019 for the following assignment: COUNTY PROJECT NO. AA001201 and AA00-1701 Construction Management and Inspection for Design Groups J and K The firm selected will be required to provide construction management support and construction inspection on the replacement of 9 bridges.

The scope of the bridge replacement projects are simple span bridges or box culverts approximate 40-60’ on length. The anticipated notice to proceed is February 2020 with the construction of 3 bridges, the construction of 3 bridges in 2021 and the construction of the final group of bridges in 2022. A TCIS classification or greater is required for each project.

To view the complete advertisement: search the Allegheny County Website [www.alleghenycounty. us] click Government; Public Works and Facilities; Public Works; Bid and Proposals.

The Director may reject any Letters of Interest/Proposals and may waive any irregularity in the Submission of Letters of Interest/Proposals. For further information contact Mr. Matthew Vietmeier, P.E., Construction Manager, at 412-350-5906.

Stephen G. Shanley, P.E., Director Allegheny County Department of Public Works LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of William Cosentino, deceased, Case No. 021807414 of 2018: Notice is hereby given that on December 12, 2018, a Petition was filed by Daniel Cosentino, to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of William Cosentino, deceased, in the real estate located at 65 Herr Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15209, and determine that fee simple title is in Daniel Cosentino. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 30 days, Daniel Cosentino will seek an Order adjudging that title be put in his name.

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Estate of TRACEY L. WRIGHT, deceased, late of Brackenridge Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Estate No. 021900472. Notice is hereby given that Letters of Administration on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, to whom all persons indebted to said Estate are requested to make immediate payment, and those having claims or demands againt the same will make them known without delay to the undersigned or their attorney. Patricia Lovelace, Administratrix, P.O. Box 295, Leechburg, PA 15656. Robert A. Cinpinski, Attorney, 200 N. Jefferson Street, Kittanning, PA 16201.

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INVITATION TO BIDDERS THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT

SEPARATE and SEALED BIDS for the following solicitation, will be received by the Office of Procurement, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, 1200 Penn Ave., Second Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, until 2:00 PM Prevailing Time February 20, 2019.

INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB) Corrosion Control Chemical Storage and Feed Systems Phosphoric Acid Chemical PWSA PROJECT NO. 2017-322-107-1 Work under this contract includes the provisions of Phosphoric Acid.

All bids must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation that can be obtained by sending an e-mail to procurement@pgh2o.com. There will be no charge for the solicitation, as it will be sent via e-mail. All questions relating to the solicitation itself shall be to Nicole Dickun, Procurement Manager, via e-mail: ndickun @pgh2o.com, no later than February 13, 2019.

A Performance Bond in the amount of 10% of the contract value for each awarded project will be required after award.

The Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sexual preference, sex, or national origin.

The bidders will be required to submit all items listed in the Attachment Section of the IFB, including the contract documents relating to Equal Opportunity Policy.

The Authority reserves the right to withhold the award of the Contract for a period of 60 days after the opening of the bids.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, and to waive any informality or minor irregularity in any bid or bids. The Authority also retains the right to investigate the qualifications of bidders prior to any award and to award contracts only to contractors who, in the sole judgment of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, are qualified and equipped to properly execute the specified work.

ROBERT A. WEIMAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT of the SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Room 251, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on February 12, 2019, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Pgh. Banksville K-5 Wireless Access Upgrades Structured Cabling Prime Pgh. Mifflin PreK-8 Canopy General and Electrical Primes Pgh. Miller PreK-5 Masonry Restoration General and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Schiller 6-8 Restroom Renovations General, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. South Hills 6-8 Restroom Renovations General, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Spring Garden ECC Restroom Renovations General, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. West Liberty K-5 Addition & Renovations General, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Westwood K-5 Art and Therapeutic Room Renovations General, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on January 14, 2019 at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

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.

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauth ority.org).

Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on February 27, 2019 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527), for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness. portauthority.org) B109102 Pre-Fabricated Fare Booths B190104A Transit Advertising Installation Service B190105A Wide Area Network Fiber Connectivity B190107A Diesel Exhaust Fluid No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on each of the above items at 10:00am February 13, 2019 at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA). Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening.

These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County and the United States Department of Transportation.

The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.

Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing.

Port Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

The Board of Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

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SONNY BOY

THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH (CITY), THE URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF PITTSBURGH (URA), AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH (HACP) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FOR 412 BOULEVARD OF THE ALLIES RFP#125-08-19

The City of Pittsburgh (City), the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) (collectively, the City, URA, and HACP are referred to as the “Co-Owners”), hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Property Management for 412 Boulevard of the Allies RFP #125-08-19 The documents will be available no later than January 28, 2019 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on February 20, 2019 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

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 directed to: Mr. 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 pre bid meeting will be held: 412 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Thursday February 7, 2019 at 10:00 AM The City of Pittsburgh (City), the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Providers of Drug & Alcohol, Tobacco and Gambling Prevention Services are due by 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 22, 2019.

For more details and submission information, visit: www.alleghenycounty.us/ Human-Services/Resources Doing-Business/Solicitations(RFP/RFQ/RFI).aspx.

Marc Cherna Director Allegheny County Department of Human Services

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR ARLINGTON HEIGHTS EXTERIOR DOORS AND HARDWARE REPLACEMENTS, AMP-04 HACP CONTRACT NO. 600-12-19

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH will receive sealed bids for the Arlington Heights Exterior Doors and Hardware Replacements, AMP-04.

The construction work is estimated to begin in April of 2019.

Bid Documents will be available on or about Monday, January 28, 2019 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp. org. Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. Electronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms, project manual, and drawings can be picked up in person, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.: Arlington Heights Exterior Doors and Hardware Replacements 3123 Cordell Place Pittsburgh, PA 15210 A site visit will be conducted thereafter. Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement until 2:00 p.m. February 15, 2019 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH reserves the right to waive any informality in, or reject any and all bids.

No bid shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted Construction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sexual preference, handicap or national origin.

HACP has revised its website.

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

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement at (412) 456-5116 Opt 1.

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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ARTICLE 1 – ADVERTISEMENT PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT

Separate sealed Bids for the Work as listed hereinafter will be received at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department of Port Authority of Allegheny County, (Authority) Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527 until 1:30 p.m. on March 1, 2019 and will be publicly opened and read immediately thereafter at the same address.

GENERAL ANCILLARY SERVICES CONTRACT NOS. SYS-19-02 GH, GB, P & E GENERAL HEAVY HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION – CONTRACT NO. SYS-19-02 GH GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION – CONTRACT NO. SYS-19-02 GB PLUMBING CONSTRUCTION – CONTRACT NO. SYS-19-02 P ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION – CONTRACT NO. SYS-19-02 E The Work for these Contracts includes, but is not limited to, all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to perform assignments as identified by Authority pursuant to written Work Orders issued by Authority. The nature of the Work to be assigned may include, but is not limited to: General Heavy Highway Construction - providing asphalt and concrete paving, drainage system installation and repair, minor bridge repairs, landslide removals and other heavy repairs; General Building Construction - providing building foundations and oor slabs, steel fabrication and erection, doors, windows, roofing and other improvements to facilities Plumbing Construction domestic water and sanitary plumbing, oil water separator replacement, fire protection and suppression systems and other facility plumbing; Electrical Construction - transformer replacement, circuit breakers and panel boards, conduit / raceway installation, wiring, lighting installation, substation bus duct replacement fire alarm systems, PS systems and other electrical improvements; or performing other construction activities at other Authority facilities and/or Work as requested.

As part of General Heavy Highway Construction Contract No. SYS-19-02 GH, the Work and the Bid shall include Work Order #1 for West Library Park and Ride Asphalt Re-surfacing.

Bid Documents will be available for public inspection and may be obtained on or after January 28, 2019 at Authority’s offices at the following address: Port Authority of Allegheny County Purchasing and Materials Management Department Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527 Bid documents are available for purchase as follows: Bid Documents are available in an electronic form on compact disk upon payment of $15.00 per set. Payment shall be by Check or Money Order (NO CASH), payable to “Port Authority of Allegheny County”. No refunds of payment will be made.

Upon request, Bid Documents can be mailed upon receipt of payment in full.

Should the purchaser wish to have the Bid Documents delivered via special delivery, such as UPS or FedEx, the purchaser shall provide its appropriate account numbers to Port Authority for such special delivery methods.

This Project may be funded, in part by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Authority, in compliance with 74 Pa C.S.§ 303, as may be amended, require that certified Diverse Businesses (“DBs )have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts for this Project. In this regard, all Bidders shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74Pa C.S.§ 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Bidders shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts for this Project. If aid is required to involve DBs in the Work, Bidders are to contact DB Representative Eric Wells at (412) 566-5262.

The Bidder’s attention is directed to the following contacts for Bidder’s questions: Procedural Questions Regarding Bidding: David Hart - Port Authority (412) 566-5415 All other questions relating to the Bid Documents must be submitted by mail or facsimile to: Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 Attn: David Hart Email: dhart@portauthority.org In addition, the Bidder’s attention is directed to the following schedule of activities for preparation of its Bid: 9:00 AM Pre-Bid Conference February 11, 2019 Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center 5th Floor Board Room 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended) 1:30 p.m.

Bids Due March 1, 2019 Purchasing and Materials Management Department Authority reserves the right to reject any or all Bids ARTICLE 2 PRE-BID CONFERENCE A Pre-Bid Conference may be held with prospective Bidders to review the Bid Documents and generally discuss the Project. The time and place will be specified in the Advertisement. All Bidders are encouraged to submit their questions in writing to the respective individuals listed in the Advertisement prior to the time specified in the Advertisement for the Pre-Bid Conference. A response may be provided during the Pre-Bid Conference or by Addendum thereafter.

ARTICLE 3 PRE-BID TO R For Contract SYS-19-02 GH only, Work Order No. 1, which is to be part of the bid, Bidders are encouraged to visit the West Library Park and Ride site in advance of placing their bid.

ARTICLE 4 P BLIC OPENIN OF BIDS Bids will be publicly opened and announced at the advertised time and place set for such Bid opening.

America’s Best Weekly 315 East CarsonStreet, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

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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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JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR GRIEVANCE HEARING OFFICER RFP #700-07-19

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT

Separate sealed bids for the work listed hereinafter will be received at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department of Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority) Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527 until 1:30 p.m. on February 27th, 2019 and will be publicly opened and read immediately thereafter at the same address. Each bidder shall be solely responsible for assuring that its Bid is both received and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before the advertised time for submission of Bids. Bids received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of bids shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for Award.

WOOD ST. AND STEEL PLAZA STATIONS SIDEWALK AND STAIRWAY REHABILITATION CONTRACT NO. SYS-19-03 The work of this project includes but is not limited to, the furnishing of all labor and material to rehabilitate the existing sidewalk, curb, pavers and stairs at Wood St. and Steel Plaza Stations and Maintenance and Protection of Traffic and Pedestrians.

Bid Documents will be available for public inspection and may be obtained on or after January 28th, 2019 at Authority’s offices at the following address: Port Authority of Allegheny County Purchasing and Materials Management Department Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527 Bid Documents are available for purchase as follows: Bid Documents are available in an electronic form on compact disk upon payment of $15 per CD. Payment shall be by check or money order (NO CASH), payable to “Port Authority of Allegheny County.” No refunds of payment will be made.

Upon request, Bid Documents can be mailed upon receipt of payment in full. Should the purchaser wish to have the Bid Documents delivered via special delivery, such as UPS or Federal Express, the purchaser shall provide its appropriate account numbers for such special delivery methods.

This project may be funded in part by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Authority, in compliance with 74 Pa. C.S. § 303, as may be amended, require that certified Diverse Businesses (“DB’s) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts for this Project. In this regard, all Bidders shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74 Pa. C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Bidders shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual gender, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts for this project. If aid is required to involve DBs in the work, Bidders are to contact Authority’s Director of Employee Relations and OEO at (412) 566-5262.

The Bidder’s attention is directed to the following contacts for Bidder’s questions: Procedural Questions Regarding Bidding: Cindy Denner – Authority (412) 566-5117 cdenner@portauthority.org All other questions relating to the Bid Documents must be submitted by mail or email to: Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh PA, 15222-2527 Attn: Cindy Denner Email: cdenner@portauthority.org In addition, the Bidder’s attention is directed to the following schedule of activities for preparation of its Bid: 9:00 AM Pre-Bid Conference February 7th, 2019 Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center Neil H. Holmes Board Room 345 Sixth Avenue, Fifth Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended) Pre-Bid Site Tour of Vault Area under sidewalks immediately following the Pre-Bid Conference. Participants shall wear a safety vest and appropriate shoes.

1:30 p.m.

Bids Due February 27th. 2019 Purchasing and Materials Management Department Authority reserves the right to reject any or all Bids.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR RECORD STORAGE MANAGEMENT FOR BUSINESS RECORDS AND COMPUTER MEDIA RFP #250-09-19

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): RECORD STORAGE MANAGEMENT FOR BUSINESS RECORDS AND COMPUTER MEDIA RFP #250-09-19 The documents will be available no later than January 28, 2019 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 11:00 a.m. on February 15, 2019 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

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 directed to: Mr. 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 pre-submission meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 February 06, 2019 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR CLEARING OF VEGETATION ALONG FENCE LINES AUTHORITY WIDE IFB#300-05-19

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Clearing of Vegetation along Fence Lines Authority Wide IFB#300-05-19 The documents will be available no later than January 21, 2019 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 1:00 P.M. on February 8, 2019 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 inquires should be directed 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 pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 January 31, 2019 1:00 PM The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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.

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): GRIEVANCE HEARING OFFICER RFP #700-07-19 The documents will be available no later than January 22, 2019 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on February 8, 2019 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

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 directed to: Mr. 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 pre-submission meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 January 31, 2019 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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.

INVITATION TO BID

The Housing Authority of the County of Butler, hereafter called the Owner, will receive sealed Bids for 504 Renovations – Terrace Apartments CF-2017-01, 111 South Cliff Street, Butler, PA 16001 for the following contracts: General ConstructionContract No. CF2017 -01-GC / Electrical Construction- Contract No. CF2017 -01-E and Plumbing/ HVAC Construction- Contract No. CF2017 -01-P/M Beginning January 28, 2019 copies of the Bid Document Package, including the Contract Conditions, Drawings and Specifications will be available for inspection purposes at the office of the architect, Stantec Architecture Inc., 101 East Diamond Street, 400 Morgan Center, Butler, Pennsylvania 16001; Pennsylvania Builders’ Exchange, 1813 North Franklin Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15233, and the Housing Authority of the County of Butler offices at 114 Woody Drive, Butler, PA Bid Documents are available for review/download on Stantec’s File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Site by registering with Leasa Pracht at Stantec (Leasa.Pracht@stantec.com or 724431-1303). Registration is required for access to this FTP Site and to receive issued Addenda via email notification. Registered bidders may download and print bid documents at no cost. Hard copies of documents are not available from Stantec.

Attention is called to the provisions for equal opportunity and payment of not less than the minimum salaries and wages set forth in the specifications. The Housing Authority of the County of Butler strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2019 at 1:30 at the project site. Other site visits can be arranged by contacting Karen Grabbe Listisen at 724 287-6797.All questions and requests for substitutions must be no later than ten (10) days prior to the bid due date. Questions to be forwarded to the project architect, Mike Preston, via email at mrpreston@stantec.com. Bids must be on the prescribed forms, and submitted in duplicate in a sealed envelope, labeled with the project name and delivered to the Housing Authority Office, 114 Woody Drive, Butler, PA, 16001 by, February 22, 2019, 1:30 PM at which time they will be publicly open and read.

The right is reserved by the Housing Authority of the County of Butler to reject any and/or all bids and/or waive any informality in bidding.

Edward P. Mauk, CEO Housing Authority of the County of Butler

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

Sealed bids will be received in the Office Of The Chief Financial Officer, Room 251, Administration Building, 341 South Bellefield Avenue until 11:00 A.M. prevailing time February 12, 2019 and will be opened at the same hour for the purchase of the following equipment and supplies: Printed Forms Packaging Materials General Information regarding bids may be obtained at the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Service Center, 1305 Muriel Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. The bid documents are available on the School District’s Purchasing web site at: www.pgh schools.org 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 We are an equal rights and opportunity school district

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT of the SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Room 251, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on February 19, 2019, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Pgh Fulton PreK-5 Waterproofing and Loading Dock Rehabilitation General Prime Pgh. Linden K-5 Finish Floor Replacements General and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Morrow PreK-4 Elevator Addition General, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Oliver Citywide Academy Masonry Restoration General and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Student Achievement Center Restroom Renovations General, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on January 21, 2019 at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

The Washington County Housing Authority will receive separate, sealed bids for the following prime contract with the Authority as follows: INTERIOR RENOVATIONS MAPLE TERRACE VIEW WASHINGTON, PA COMM. 118 A certified check or bank draft payable to the Washington County Housing Authority, a US Government Bond or satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the Bidder and acceptable sureties in the amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the bid shall be submitted with each bid.

Bids will be received no later than 1:30PM/EST, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019 at Washington County Housing Authority, 100 Crumrine Tower, Franklin Street, Washington, PA 15301 at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids will be held by the Housing Authority for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days prior to contract award.

A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at 9:00AM/EST, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2019. Interested parties are to meet at the Project Site, 1100 Maple Terrace, Washington, PA. Plans, specifications and contract documents may be examined at the following location: Pennsylvania Builders Exchange Pittsburgh, PA www.pbe.org A CD containing PDF’s of all contract documents may be obtained through the office of the Architect, Shaeffer & Madama, Inc., 57 Fourteenth Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 upon receipt of a $25.00 nonrefundable check and valid email address.

(For more information, contact susieb@shaeffer-madama.com.)

The work to be performed under this contract is a Section 3 Project under provisions of the Housing & Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, and must, to the greatest extent feasible, provide opportunities for training and employment for lower-income residents of the project and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to business concerns which are located in, or owned by, Washington County residents. Particular attention is directed to requirements of Executive Order 11246, 11625 and 12138, as well as Section 3 requirements, as set forth in the Specifications.

The Washington County Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids or waive any informality in the bidding.

STEPHEN K. HALL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS

Civil rights lawsuit filed against Greyhound GREYHOUND FROM A1

is a top-down problem. It’s systemwide. They’ve been discriminating against Black and brown people for decades and we make up 90 percent of their passengers. This is an environment they’ve fostered for over 100 years.”

The suit, which was filed electronically on Jan. 29, charges the company and driver Wayne Filt with violating Anderson’s civil rights pursuant to his actions on Jan. 5, which included violently stopping the bus to force Anderson to leave the restroom—which caused Anderson to be tossed around the restroom and injured; accusing him of vaping; forcing him to move to the front of the bus where Filt could watch him, and attempting to have the Maryland State Police arrest him and remove him from the bus.

“I’ve been in handcuffs, even in jail and I’ve never been treated like this,” Anderson said. “Americans across the country are suffering from this company’s employees violating people’s rights. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. We need to see that this never happens to another person again.”

Anderson filed a complaint with the company immediately following the incident, and on Jan. 12 described his treatment at a press conference in front of Greyhound’s Downtown Pittsburgh location, joined by members of the Black Political Empowerment Project and the NAACP. He also posted about the incident on Facebook. Not long afterwards, Greyhound’s lawyers contacted him in Ellis’ Philadelphia office.

“They didn’t even know about my complaint,” said Anderson about Greyhound’s representatives. “They weren’t responding to me. They were responding to the community pressure.”

That pressure included a letter from B-PEP Chairman Tim

Stevens to Greyhound President and CEO David Leach, and, thanks to Facebook and Anderson’s national social justice and political work, a deluge of emails and calls to the company from across the country.

Greyhound’s corporate offices are in Dallas, Texas.

Reached by the Courier for comment, Jan. 29, Ellis said that Greyhound’s lawyers told him that as Greyhound is currently investigating the matter, “the driver has been relieved of his duties pending that investigation.”

Ellis also said his client, Anderson, was a “longtime patron of this company (Greyhound) and he doesn’t want to be discriminated against just because of his race.” There was a retired Greyhound bus driver on the bus during the alleged incidents who, according to Ellis, said that “it’s not (Filt’s) first incidence of acting this way towards African Americans.”

Ellis added: “Just because they’re (Greyhound) providing a service doesn’t give them a right to treat their patrons any way they want to. We want that stopped.”

Anderson said he has reached out to members of the Congressional Black Caucus, asking that congressional hearings are held concerning Greyhound. He is also planning to take more action locally with a future rally and protest at Greyhound’s Downtown location.

“The city is profiting by renting to a company that is proven to discriminate. Stronger than hate? They are unwilling to stand up for Blacks of any status. Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. We need action.

We need to shut them down,” he said. “So, I am leveraging all my networks, every organization I belong to will take part and focus on this billion-dollar company. They need to be held accountable.”

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

FORUM

Open a book, Police officers—powerful and relevant explore a world Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick (TriceEdneyWire.com)—We hear the words “national emergency” so often from the bloviator that masquerades as a President that we forget what an emergency really looks like. One of our most pressing crises is the educational emergency that our nation faces, with the quality of inner-city education, in particular, so lacking that many young people are graduating from high school unequipped to manage either post-secondary education or employment.

This hits African American communities hardest, with an achievement gap well documented by the National Assessment of Educational Progress and the National Center for Educational statistics.

Why? Researchers like Georgia Perimeter College’s Dr. Tiffany Flowers consider everything from what happens at home to what happens at school, noting that parental involvement in literacy makes a difference in a young person’s reading ability.

Some homes have bookshelves that are groaning with books, though, and others have just a few. The difference in access to children’s books may partly explain the achievement gap between Black and white students as well as between children in lower-income and higher-income families.

What are families to do? Vanesse J. Lloyd-Sgambati has one of the answers. As the founder of the African American Children’s Book Project she has, for twenty-seven years, hosted the African American Children’s Book Fair. This year it will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 2, at Community College of Philadelphia (CCP).

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary With the theme, A Book Opens Up A World of Opportunities, it feeds literacy hunger, bringing together book authors, booksellers, parents, and children who are eager to experience culturally relevant literary experiences. Last year the event drew more than four thousand people, along with dozens of authors and illustrators.

Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati is passionate about her mission, noting that many economic and cultural factors contribute to the wealth gap. “You can’t tell a child to read at home if there are no books in the household.

With fewer retailers offering diverse books, the need is even greater.” Her event not only salutes those who produce diverse books but also provides young people with the opportunity to have access to books. Says Lloyd-Sgambati, “Adults who attended the program as children now bring their children. They understand the importance of having books in the home and the life-long impact of reading on the journey to success for their children.”

I am writing about this local Philadelphia event because it is the kind of activity that needs to take place all over the country. Black children’s literacy is improving, but the achievement gap is a national emergency.

We combat the gap by encouraging literacy among young people, by embracing children’s literacy as a cause, and by developing traditions like the African American Children’s Book Fair to salute those who write and illustrate diverse books and to provide opportunities for parents and children to buy books.

Books, says Vanesse, “empower, enrich, and enlighten the lives of all children.” She doesn’t have to convince me. I’ve so frequently had my nose in a book, that I once wrote an essay about the ways I escaped my childhood life through reading. I was one of those kids who put books in front of my dolls and gave them lessons. Once forbidden to read a thick book because the contents were not child-appropriate, I climbed up a shelf to get the book, injuring myself but then allowed to devour the contents. I went to New York City without leaving San Francisco by reading, inhaled parts of the African continent without boarding an airplane through reading, and became livid about issues of economic justice because I had my nose in a book.

I wish the literacy experience for every young person, not only because it will influence their life experiences, but also because it can bring them joy. I commend Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati who is, in full disclosure, a dear friend, for the work that she does to ensure that teachers and librarians have new books in their schools.

Philadelphia is blessed to have her fantastic book fair. If she had the resources, she could replicate this event all over the country. When a child opens a book, she explores the world.

Her book fair is a stellar commitment to children’s literacy. There ought to be a similar book fair everywhere an achievement gap is documented!

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)

A police officer is the most powerful person that we can meet in life.

They have the power to help, hurt, imprison and to kill and most times with impunity. On a number of occasions I have heard an overwhelming number of persons who vilify the police and view them as anti-Black and vicious. It is my absolute belief that our neighborhoods that have difficulties now could not survive without the police being available and professional. It is a very difficult and dangerous profession and most people would not accept the position.

Over the course of my life I have had numerous encounters with the police and was arrested five times, the outcomes were…three were dismissed and two NOT GUILTY. I personally, during a period of time, knew almost every Black police officer in the Pittsburgh Police Department and some of them were more vicious than any White policeman that I have ever witnessed abusing a Black person.

In the ‘60s I was a co-founder of the first Allegheny County Narcotic Squad, and witnessed from the inside that racism was alive and well throughout Allegheny County before Donald Trump was born. There was a time I was employed in

To Tell The Truth

Pittsburgh’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Our primary responsibility was to investigate complaints against the Pittsburgh Police Department. We had no real authority to punish any police we had deemed violated any infractions, we could only recommend, and our recommendations were generally ignored. We would also interview persons who applied for police positions and one question we would ask is, “Why do you want to be a police officer?” The answer that was given the most was, it was a full-time job and no layoffs, the number two answer was to prevent crime and the number three answer was the power that goes with the pistol and badge, and all of the answers were considered legitimate.

I have spoken with sons of police and they would tell me about some of the conversations around the dinner table as it related to daddy performing his job in the predominately-Black zones and how the monkeys act and live.

To be a police officer can be a thankless and dangerous job. Would you be one?

(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the New Pittsburgh Courier.)

White privilege and the benefit of the doubt In 2016, Areva MarColor not an issue? tin, a Black woman and J. Pharaoh Doss This is a conservaCNN legal Analyst, aptive position. I thought peared on The Rubin Martin was going to be Report to discuss race consistent and reply, in America and the “That’s just stupid.” presidential election.

But she didn’t, she said, The host asked Martin “That’s a whole other to address the Black long conversation about conservative position White privilege, the (expressed by Larry things that you have Elder on a previous epithe privilege of doing, sode) that systemic racism was no longer an that people of color don’t have the privilege obstacle for Black Americans and the big- of.” gest problem in the Black community was The host asked Martin to explain how he the breakdown of the family. had White privilege.

Martin replied, “That’s just stupid. I could Martin said, “By virtue of being a White be more articulate but it’s just stupid.” male you have White privilege. This whole Here, Martin didn’t simply dismiss the long conversation, I don’t have time to get proposition; she made a distinction between into.”

Black conservatives and liberals. Black conThe host, David Webb, replied, “You’re servatives are stupid and their arguments talking to a Black man…Who started out in shouldn’t be entertained, and liberals, like rock radio in Boston, who crossed the path her, are properly educated and can correctly into hip-hop, rebuilding one of the greatest diagnose social ills.

Black stations in America and went on to Then Martin said, “To say there’s no sys- work for Fox News where I’m told apparenttemic racism ignores so much data … It ig- ly Blacks aren’t supposed to work, but yet, nores reality and conservatives like to de- you come with this assumption, and you go flect from those issues because if they can to White privilege, that’s actually insulting.” blame the family, or the victim, they don’t After a pause, Martin explained her peohave to accept any responsibility.” Then she ple gave her the wrong information and she mentioned mass incarceration and nega- apologized. tive encounters with the police to prove her But here’s the insult within the insult. point.

Two years ago, the Washington Post ran Here, Martin demonstrated another dis- an opinion piece under the headline: This tinction between liberals and conservatives. is what White privilege is. White privilege Liberals look for systemic and structural was defined as, the social advantage that reasons to explain social and economic dis- comes from being seen as the norm … By parities while conservatives examine be- virtue of being a White person, of whatever havioral or cultural differences. socioeconomic status, you get the benefit of Recently, Areva Martin was on a Sir- the doubt. iusXM radio program discussing CBS’ You see, when Areva Martin thought a 2020 presidential campaign reporting White man presented her with the conservateam. The team had no Black journalists tive concept of a meritocracy, she gave him and the lack of minority representation the benefit of the doubt of being intelligent, became an issue. The radio host asked and made the “properly educated liberal” Martin, “[Shouldn’t the] primary require- rebuttal. But if Martin would have known ment, regardless of ethnicity, regardless of David Webb’s race beforehand, I guarantee network, be that they are capable of cov- you, she would not have wasted her time ering politics?” Then the host added, “I’ve articulating a rebuttal, she would have dischosen to cross different parts of the media missed him as being stupid, because in the world, done the work so that I’m qualified liberal worldview, Black conservatives are to be in each one; I never considered my abnormal.

(J. Pharaoh Doss is a contributor to the New Pittscolor the issue; I considered my qualificaburgh Courier.) tions the issue.”

Check It Out

Letters to the editor for publication The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication. All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor, New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360, or via e-mail to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

B7

Jesse Jackson Sr.

Commentary

Common sense is now perilously absent in our nation

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—With the government still partially shut down, partisan politics is generating more heat than light. President Donald Trump, in his unique blustery style, believes he can slander the Democratic leaders that he must negotiate with, burlesque their position and demand capitulation in return for simply allowing the government to run.

When the Democratic led House recently passed legislation that was approved by the Republican Senate in December to fund the government, Republican senators refuse even to put it on the floor. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delights in tweaking Donald Trump, suggesting that he should postpone his State of the Union address until the government is up and running.

Trump retaliates by postponing Pelosi’s trip to see the troops in Afghanistan and leaking the schedule, violating basic security. Lost in all this is common sense. And looking at where we are as a country suggests that common sense is now perilously absent. The United States has the largest military budget by far, larger than Russia and China combined.

Yet we are adding money to a Pentagon budget already bigger than it was in comparable dollars at the height of the Cold War. That doesn’t make sense. The U.S. has the most powerful nuclear arsenal in the world. We have weapons that could literally destroy the world, unleashing a deadly nuclear winter.

Yet President Barack Obama and now Trump committed to spending over a trillion dollars on another generation of nuclear weapons.

That doesn’t make sense. The U.S. has “locations”—bases—in over 160 countries. We are literally trying to police the world. That doesn’t make sense. The U.S. suffers obscene and debilitating inequality. The three richest billionaires have as much wealth as half of all Americans combined.

Yet the Republican Congress just passed a tax bill that will end up giving more than three-quarters of its benefits to the richest 1 percent. That doesn’t make sense Virtually everyone agrees that education is essential if we are to rebuild a broad and vibrant middle class. Yet teachers are on strike across the country because cuts in education funding have left them with crowded classrooms, supply shortages and inadequate salaries.

College debts that students are forced to assume now are higher than any other form of personal debt — including auto loans and credit card debt. That doesn’t make sense. We spend nearly twice per capita on health care than any other advanced industrial country and yet have worse health care results.

For the first time, life expectancy is declining, something that simply does not happen to advanced countries.

Despite health care reform, 20 million people still go without insurance and tens of millions more are underinsured.

Taxpayers pay for a good portion of all research on prescription drugs, yet we pay the highest prices in the world for our prescription drugs. That doesn’t make sense. Trump demands $5.6 billion as a down payment for the wall he wants to build along the Mexican border, a wall that he promised Mexicans would pay for. He says it will stem the flow of drugs, but most of the drug trade comes already through legal ports of entry. He says we have a crisis on the border, but in fact undocumented immigration has been declining for years.

So, even Republican legislators from the Texas border argue that Trump isn’t making sense.

This list can go on. Dr. Martin Luther King said he couldn’t follow the old “eye-for-an-eye philosophy” because “it ends up leaving everyone blind. He told the story of driving from Atlanta with his brother at night. For some reason the other drivers didn’t dim their high beams. Exasperated, his brother said, “I’m tired of this. The next car that comes refusing to dim its lights, I’m going to refuse to dim mine.”

“Don’t do that,” said Dr. King, “somebody has to have some sense on this highway.” As a country, we are moving along a winding road toward freedom.

There are curves and hills, potholes and perils. We are constantly tempted to retaliate against those who get in the way. We get distracted by those who would divide us, those who foster fear and hate. We are constantly in danger of losing our bearings.

But we’ve got to remember Dr. King’s admonition to his supporters in Birmingham, Ala., after the 1963 Ku Klux Klan terrorist bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church that killed four innocent little girls. “Wait a minute, Birmingham,” he taught. “Somebody’s got to have some sense in Birmingham.”

B8

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 5, 2019

SPORTS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

LORRI JOHNSON First woman to have a jersey retired in Pitt athletics

PITTWIRE—It’s been 27 years since Lorri Johnson stepped onto the court wearing No. 24 for the Panthers, but she still holds the record for career points scored—in Pitt men’s or women’s basketball—at 2,312.

In honor of that achievement, on Jan. 13, at the Petersen Events Center, Johnson became the fifth Pitt basketball player and the first-ever woman to have a jersey retired.

“It is an honor to have my jersey retired,” said Johnson, who played forward from 1987 to 1992. “I’m excited to get back on campus and celebrate with my former coaches, teammates and this current group of Panthers. Pitt basketball

will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Johnson, who led her team in scoring all four years, ranks eighth in women’s basketball career rebounds at Pitt with 908.

She holds the single-season record for field goals (266) and the single-game mark for points with 45 against Kent State on Dec. 18, 1990.

Johnson also ranks third in program history with 677 points scored during the 1988-89 season.

“She set a standard,” said Athletic Director Heather Lyke in a video played at the Jan. 13 halftime ceremony, who added that recognition is “long overdue.”

“Lorri is well deserving of this honor, not just because

LORRI JOHNSON points to the sky as her picture is unveiled in the rafters of the Petersen Events Center next to four other all-star basketball players, Don Hennon, Billy Knight, Charles Smith and Brandin Knight. (Photo courtesy Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics) of her accolades but because during her four years at Pitt, she demonstrated a relentless pursuit of excellence.

That is her true legacy as a Pitt Panther,” said Lyke.

“There have been some really great players who deserve this honor of getting their jersey retired,” added current Head Coach Lance White. “And now, all of those players have someone

to look up to.”

Kirk Bruce (A&S ’76), head coach from 1985-98 who coached Johnson, said, “There are four or five other names I could think of right now” who would be well deserving of having their jersey retired next. This gesture opens the door.

“We talk a lot about ‘what is your legacy going to be?’” said White of the

current team, which was 9-8 heading into the Jan. 13 contest against Boston College. “And now, to be able to point to the rafters and see that there is a Pitt women’s basketball player. … I think it’s a huge step to have someone up there. I’m extremely excited for Lorri and for our administration for honoring her.”

Despite a strong effort in

the first half, the Panthers lost to Boston College, 59-55. But in addition to Johnson making history, more than 20 Pitt women’s basketball alumni were also recognized in front of friends and family on the court at halftime.

Pitt next plays Thursday, Jan. 31, against Virginia Tech, at Petersen Events Center.

without him again.”

As of Jan. 27, the Dukes were 14-6, 5-2 in-conference, trailing only George Mason (7-1) and Davidson (6-1) for the conference lead. Including tonight’s contest against Rhode Island, the Dukes have 11 conference games remaining, followed by the A-10 Tournament in Brooklyn, March 13-17.

A team can get into the NCAA Tournament field of 68 by winning their conference tournament (which Duquesne has never done since it was labeled the A-10 conference), or by having an impressive enough record in the regular season and conference tournament to secure an at-large bid. Duquesne’s last visit to the NCAA Tournament came in 1977, when they defeated Villanova, 57-54, at The Spectrum in Philadelphia to win the Eastern College Basketball League conference tournament.

In that year’s NCAA Tournament, Duquesne lost in the opening round to VMI.

view with Mark Madden on 105.9 The X, Jan. 23. “He’s a good defensive rebounder as well…he’s a guy that is developing other parts of his game...He’s a capable defender when he wants to be, he’s a guy that needs to continue to work on making other players better, and I think that’s what most guys nowadays have to work on is making others better.”

Also during the interview, Dambrot praised the university for their commitment to the soon-to-be UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, which will break ground in March. In a release announcing the renovations, there will be “significant” square footage additions to the building site and create a consolidated, total performance center.

“A newly revitalized facility will be not only at the heart of our campus but at the heart of this entire community,” Duquesne University President Ken Gormley said in the October 2018 release.

Coach Dambrot, Sincere Carry behind Duquesne’s upward trajectory Dukes looking to make NCAA Tournament for first time since 1977

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Duquesne wants to play with the big boys.

They announced in October 2018 plans for a comprehensive renovation of the A.J. Palumbo Center, where many of Duquesne’s athletics teams call home.

Their men’s basketball head coach, Keith Dambrot, revealed on a local sports radio show, Jan. 23, that

ROB TAYLOR JR. he had the opportunity to take the Duquesne head coaching job “years ago,” but didn’t feel like the commitment was there from the university to have a winning program. He revealed

during the same interview that he eventually took the job two years ago after seeing a restored commitment to winning “from the top.”

And heading into the Saturday, Jan. 26 matchup at home against Atlantic 10 conference power VCU, the Dukes had won five straight and near the top of the A-10 conference.

The result was an 8074 loss, but not all is lost on Duquesne’s hopes and plans.

The team was without their Mr. Everything, Sincere Carry, a 19-year-old freshman from Solon, Ohio, has been dealing with a troublesome knee injury, and may not be available for tonight’s (Jan. 30) home game against Rhode Island.

“Playing without Sincere is kind of like the Penguins playing without Sidney Crosby,” Dambrot said after Duquesne’s loss to VCU. “I’m not saying he’s of that caliber, but it’s all relative.”

In 19 games this season, Carry has averaged 12.1 points per game and an amazingly-high 111 assists for a freshman player (5.8 APG). His 53 steals are nearly 30 more than the next-highest player’s total

“I think the school really had enough of not winning…I think there’s tremendous commitment from the top.”

KEITH DAMBROT

SINCERE CARRY, a freshman guard, is a player that Duquesne head coach Keith Dambrot calls “one of the best players” in the Atlantic 10 conference. (Photos courtesy Duquesne University)

Duquesne Men’s Basketball Head Coach

More than 40 years later, Duquesne is still looking (Frankie Hughes, 24) and for that next trip to the Big leads the team in minutes Dance. Players like Carry, sophomore forward Eric played per game (32.5).

“We’re taking our best de- Williams Jr. (who leads the fender, our leading scorer in team with 13 PPG), Michael the A-10, our leading assist Hughes (11.7 PPG) and guy that creates about 50 Frankie Hughes (8.5 PPG) percent of our offense out of are trying to learn on the our lineup, so guys have to fly, maintain a consistent play outside of their realm high level of play, and, quite a little bit, and you take frankly, have enough bouncsome bad shots,” Dambrot es go their way to break into said. “This guy is not just the NCAA Tournament.

“He’s a terrific athlete, one of the best freshmen in the league, he’s one of the he’s probably one of the best players in the league, best offensive rebounders and that was a little bit too I’ve ever had, and that’s much for us to overcome from the small forward tonight, but we better get position,” Dambrot said of used to it, if we have to play Williams during an inter-

The building is named after Chuck Cooper, who captained Duquesne’s men’s basketball team before going on to become the first African American drafted into the NBA in 1950.

“I think the school really had enough of not winning,” Dambrot said on 105.9 The X about his decision to become Duquesne men’s basketball’s 17th head coach on March 28, 2017. “I think there’s tremendous commitment from the top and that would be the board of trustees, the president, and I really like the AD (athletic director), he really has a great knowledge of what it takes to win in the A-10.”

ERIC WILLIAMS JR., a sophomore, leads the Dukes with 13 points per game.