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JANUARY 9-15, 2019

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Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby alleges harassment It’s all in an attempt to undermine her, she claims

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby’s sole focus is to put a positive charge into her city.

As the city’s first African American female mayor, she’s hit the ground running, making changes to the police department, being very visible in the community, and doing her best to make Duquesne a viable

place for its constituents.

But according to Mayor Nesby, there is a group of non-supporters that’s out to make her look incompetent by using intimidation tactics, which ultimately could place the entire city of Duquesne at a disadvantage.

Mayor Nesby said she’s recently found feces across the floor of the Duquesne City Hall bathroom near her office, the American

flag was stolen from outside City Hall, and pictures of her home have been shared on social media.

Mayor Nesby said she’s nervous being at her home alone, and oftentimes, she decides not to stay there, as police have stepped up patrols.

She’s had to install additional cameras in Duquesne’s City Hall municipal building, where she attempts to perform the

daily work needed to make Duquesne a better place.

And as for the American flag—the city replaced the stolen flag, then placed a lock on the flag pole.

But that’s not all. Just days before Mayor Nesby took office in January 2018, she alleges the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Duquesne (RACD) uncharacteristically trans- DUQUESNE MAYOR NICKOLE NESBY speaks at a press conference at the Duquesne municipal building, Jan. 3. (Photo by Dayna DelSEE NESBY A4 gado)

Allegheny County’s new President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark becomes first African American to hold post

ON THE RISE…

Homicide clearance rates in Pittsburgh 60 percent rate is highest in a decade

by Christian Morrow

by Christian Morrow

Courier Staff Writer

From early on in her career, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kim Berkeley Clark often expressed her fondness for hats. Since then she has worn many, as a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office and, after her appointment to the bench in 1999, as trial judge and as the nationally-honored administrator of the family division courts.

Now, she is wearing yet another hat— that of President Judge of the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, where she will oversee not only all the divisions of Common Pleas Court, but also all the magisterial district courts—and she is the first African American to ever hold the post. She was sworn in just two days after Christmas.

“Yeah, it was a great present. For me it is a big deal,” she said. “It’s a lot of responsibility and I’m excited at the prospect of leading the court, but the first year is going to be a big learning curve, just trying to get the lay of the land.”

That means meeting with all the judges in the civil, criminal, and family courts, as well as the prosecutors and public defenders, to get their input and gauge their needs. At some point, it will mean reducing her caseload, but only slightly, she said.

Clark, who last year won the William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence for her innovative work developing a “trauma-informed” courthouse program SEE CLARK A5

Courier Staff Writer

Last year, 55 people— nearly half of Allegheny County’s 111 homicides— were killed in the City of

Knoxville—also accounted for eight homicides.

Of those 55 murder victims, 30 were Black males and four were Black females, 62 percent total. The youngest was 17-month-old

“If you notice—because I have—people are talking now. They are calling the hotlines, and talking directly to officers. I credit having a young, smart chief who’s about community policing, education and training.”

RICHARD A. STEWART JR. NAACP Pittsburgh Unit President

THE HON. KIM BERKELEY CLARK was sworn in as Allegheny County’s new President Judge on Dec. 27, 2018. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Pittsburgh. Due to the 11 victims of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue, Squirrel Hill saw the most homicides with 12. The neighborhood that had the second-most homicides was Homewood with eight. Taken collectively, the Hilltop neighborhoods—Arlington, Carrick, Beltzhoover, Mt. Oliver and

Charlette Napper-Talley, who ingested a lethal dose of fentanyl in her sippy cup while in her mother’s care.

There are, however, some “hopeful” signs amid the numbers. First, the total of 55 deaths is four fewer than the previous year in the city, and the lowest in SEE HOMICIDE A4

‘Spirit of King’ honors Harvey Adams and Walter Little

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

Harvey Adams loved his golf and he loved his community—and he wasn’t shy about it. From his days as one of the city’s first Black police officers, to founding the Guardians of Greater Pittsburgh to protect the interests of Black officers, the protests he led as director of the NAACP, to his battles with the city as chief of the Housing Authority of the city of Pittsburgh police, Adams was relentless.

“I’ll never forget Harvey and (later Chief) Mugsy Moore traveling the country calling attention to the problems in the Pittsburgh

HARVEY ADAMS police,” said longtime friend and New Pittsburgh Courier Columnist Louis “Hop” Kendrick. “He jeopardized

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his job, had death threats, but he never quit. And he made it possible for a lot of Blacks and women to be-

come police.”

Adams was larger than life, and that life will again be honored, along with that of late Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Walter Little, at the 2019 Spirit of King Awards. This year’s annual ceremony will take place at the Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave., Jan. 10, at 10 a.m.

“He was fearless. I have always respected him for being bold enough and courageous enough to fight for others,” said former state Rep. Bill Robinson. “We in the Black community owe a huge debt of gratitude to Harvey.”

As out front and media savvy Adams was, Little

was reserved a n d thoughtful.

As longtime friend the late We n d e l l Freeland WALTER LITTLE n o t e d , Little’s legacy isn’t found in lawbooks, but in the young Black lawyers—and judges—he mentored, his commitment to the community and his decision to stay on the bench until another African American male joined the court. That male was Dwayne Woodruff.

“I had great affection for

Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick says

him. He was a hard worker both in the criminal and orphans court divisions,” Freeland said upon Little’s death. “He helped a lot of lawyers in a lot of different ways. He was a good friend.”

In addition to Woodruff, others Little mentored included former state Supreme Court Justice Cynthia Baldwin and Common Pleas Judge Joseph K. Williams III. “He took the time to reach back and assist me and others, and a lot of my smoother ways on the bench are because of Judge Little,” said Woodruff. “He knew

The home life must be reconstructed Forum B6

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JANUARY 9-15, 2019

INTERNATIONAL

Food bloggers bring Africa’s rich cuisines to the world

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History

Week of January 9-15 January 9 1906—Poet and novelist Paul Lawrence Dunbar dies.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Dunbar rapidly gained national

by Amelia Nierenberg recognition as a poet. Although he only lived to be 33, he Associated Press Writer was prolific—writing short stories, novels, plays and songs.

NGAPAROU, Senegal In Dayton, he was a classmate of the Wright brothers of (AP)—In the quiet hours aviation fame. In fact, the Wright brothers helped Dunbar before lunch, two women finance his newspaper—the Dayton Tattler. worked side by side in an 1935—Black Enterprise magazine founder and publisher airy kitchen. One, a chef, Earl Graves is born on this day in Brooklyn, N.Y. cleaned fresh red snapper 1946—Poet Countee Cullen dies at age 42 in New York filets with a sharp knife.

City. Cullen was one of Black America’s greatest poets and The other, a filmmaker, novelists. One of his most controversial works was “The pointed her camera into Black Christ & Other Poems.” He was born in 1903. But PAUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR a large pot of simmering some mystery surrounds exactly where he was born with vegetables. both Baltimore and New York City being given as his place of birth. Cullen also taught “What would you say this high school. One of his best known students was the great writer James Baldwin. is, low heat or medium?”

1967—The Georgia legislature finally seats Representative Julian Bond. In an Tuleka Prah asked, setting TRADITIONAL DISH—In this Nov. 24, 2018 photo, Chef Touty Sarr amazing anti-democracy display of arrogance, Georgia legislators had refused to allow the camera aside. scrapes the scales off a red snapper to boil in the savory broth of Bond to take the seat he had duly won because of his opposition to the U.S. war in Her pen poised over a thiebou dieune, a traditional Senegalese dish of spiced rice, inside a Vietnam. But a 1966 U.S. Supreme Court ruling declared their action unconstitutional. lime green notebook, the Bond later became chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors. kitchen in Ngaparou, Senegal. (AP Photo/Amelia Nierenberg) 37-year-old Prah waited for January 10 keepers that could stop you from getting the next step in the recipe 1924—Legendary Jazz drummer and composer Max Roach your work out.” for thiebou dieune, a traditional Senegais born in New York City. He was perhaps the greatest drumUnique among prominent bloggers, Prah lese dish of spiced rice, tender vegetables mer-composer of the Jazz era performing with some of Ameritakes an almost pan-African approach. and fish. She came to this West African ca’s best known Jazz musicians and singers. He formed Debut “I always feel like I am from the whole nation to document its four most popular Records in 1952 with bassist Charles Mingus. continent,” she said. “I can find myself in dishes as part of My African Food Map, a 1957—The Southern Christian Leadership Conference different aspects of different countries I blog and film archive. is founded in New Orleans, La., by a group of Black ministers visit.”

“Low heat,” said 38-year-old Touty Sarr, led by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The SCLC goes on to become Her videos often have tens of thousands who runs the kitchen of a popular cafe in one of the premier leadership organizations of the Civil Rights of views, and she dreams of doing her Dakar. She turned to her daughter, who Movement. Among the original founders were Ralph Abernathy, project full-time like Anthony Bourdain was watching her cook. “This one, if you Joseph Lowery, Fred Shuttlesworth and C.K. Steel. Washington, MAX ROACH did. She said she has had no luck finding put it on high, it would all get dry. That’s D.C., Min. Walter Fauntroy was chairman of the board of direcsponsors but intends to keep trying. one of the secrets.” tors and one of the leading women of the Civil Rights Movement, Ella Baker, became ex“The best outcome is when people say, Senegal was Prah’s fifth destination ecutive director. In 2009, King’s daughter Bernice was elected to head the organization. since her project began in 2012. She hopes ‘That is our food, that is our dish,’” she January 11 said, remembering her 1965—The extraordinarily talented author and dramatist Lorraine Hansberry work in Kenya. “I was dies. Deeply committed to the Black struggle, Hansberry’s brilliant career was cut “Africa is often associated with poverty, extremely happy when the short by cancer. She was only 35. Her primary works included “A Raisin In The Sun” and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.” “A Raisin In The Sun” became the first play writwith hunger, with failures of food in a politi- first comments I got on YouTube were, ‘Oh, this ten by a young Black woman to be produced on Broadway. cal and nutritional sense. It’s an area of the reminds me of home.’”

1971—Popular R&B singer Mary J. Blige is born on this day in the Bronx, N.Y. To find authentic recipes Blige starred in the Lifetime movie “Betty and Coretta” alongside Angela Bassett, world that has not been covered by the food and skilled chefs, Prah asks Malik Yoba and Lindsay Owen Pierre. She played Dr. Betty Shabazz, the widow of everyone she meets in a craze.”

Malcolm X. The film premiered in February 2013. country—hosts, cab drivers, 1988—Scientists (paleo-anthropologists) announce the discovery of the “African JAMES C. MCCANN, Boston University shop keepers and strangEve”—the mother of all humankind. Based on research in East African involving ers—about their favorite mitochondrial DNA, the researchers from the Welcome Trust Centre for Human foods. She met Sarr this way, through to show the care and skill that goes into Genetics in Oxford, England, conclude that the original woman evolved in East Africa friends of friends.

African dishes, such as South Africa’s approximately 200,000 years ago and that all of humanity can ultimately trace their “I learned from my grandma. I used to fried dough amagwinya and Kenya’s kaancestry to this woman. However, some more recent studies suggest that humankind follow her everywhere,” said Sarr, who chumbari, an onion and tomato salad. first evolved in Southern Africa.

“The idea, at its most basic, is to present wears her stiff white chef’s uniform every January 12 the food how people who love it would pre- time she cooks, even at home, because it 1890—Educator Mordecai Wyatt Johnson is born in Paris, Texas. Johnson became pare it,” Prah said. “It’s like a database or makes her feel more professional. “And the first Black president of Howard University and presided over the prestigious Black our grandmas, they think that taking a digital vault where people can open the institution for more than 30 years. He died in 1976. drawer, see recipes, see some ingredients.” time with the food gives it more flavor. So 1920—Civil rights leader James Farmer is born on this day in Marshal, Texas.

I take time, too.”

Born in England to a Ghanaian father During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s he was among the top three or four She said she became a chef after money and a South African mother, she lived in most prominent civil rights leaders. He helped organize the “Freedom Rides” to help six African countries during her childhood ran out to pursue her dream of being a desegregate public transportation and founded the Congress of Racial Equality. He doctor. including Namibia, Kenya and what is died in 1999.

“There are a lot of similarities between now South Sudan. After finding no reliJanuary 13 able recipes online for Ghanaian dishes— cooking and medicine,” she said, skinning 1869—On this day in 1869, one of the earliest post-Civil War attempts at organizing and no photos that made the beloved food onions. “The feeling of being full after you Blacks on a national level occurs. The National Convention of Black Leaders is have eaten is the same sensation as getlook appetizing—she started My African held in Washington, D.C. Frederick Douglass is elected president. Also, the first Black ting better after being sick. It’s something labor union convention takes place. It was called the Convention of the Colored NaFood Map. She celebrates the cuisines of a continent that gives me a lot of pride.” tional Labor Union.

She dropped garlic into sizzling oil, then often marred by negative stereotypes.

1913—The sorority Delta Sigma Theta is organized on the campus of Howard Unistepped back as Prah moved close to the “Africa is often associated with poverty, versity by 22 coeds. It develops into one of the most prestigious and influential Black with hunger, with failures of food in a po- pot to film. The two women orbited each Greek letter organizations in the nation. other, artists collaborating over the pot litical and nutritional sense,” said James 1953—Don Barksdale becomes the first African-American to play in an NBA Allburbling on the stove.

C. McCann, chair of the history departStar game.

Sarr said she cooks by smell, by sound ment at Boston University and a special1966—Robert C. Weaver becomes the first Black member of a presidential cabinet. and by taste, but Prah wrote her steps ist in African environmental history and Lyndon B. Johnson appoints him Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. cuisine. “It’s an area of the world that has down in order, recording a recipe for oth1987—In what many considered a racist decision, Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham reers without the guidance of grandmothers scinds the gubernatorial decree, which had established the birthday of civil rights not been covered by the food craze.” and mothers at their side.

Other culinary historians, chefs, and legend Martin Luther King Jr. as a state holiday. The decision sets off protests and a After two hours of chopping and poundfoodies are fighting such stereotypes. national Black boycott of Arizona. ing, scraping and whipping, boiling and Some, like author and professor Jessica 1989—Poet Sterling Brown dies. Brown, a middle-class Black, born into one of Harris, have studied African and diaspora simmering, Sarr spread red-tinted rice Washington, D.C.’s, most prominent Black families, has probably never received full cuisine, exploring the roots of foods taken across a platter almost two feet wide. She credit for the power, thought-provoking and even revolutionary nature of his poetry. flattened it and carefully arranged the veg- He was a professor at Howard University for nearly 40 years. far from home by slavery. Others, like etables and fish in a circle for a communal Fran Osseo-Asare and her Ghanaian-foJanuary 14 meal, with some family members eating cused project Betumi, investigate the 1895—A group of African-Americans organized the National Steamboat Co. in with spoons and others with their hands. foods of a single country.

Washington, D.C. The group sailed the luxury steamer “George Leary” between the Prah snapped a picture, and then anoth- nation’s capital and Norfolk, Va., during the waning years of steamboat popularity in “The internet was the democratization of African food writing,” said Osseo-Asare, er, before putting her camera aside to try America. The George Leary was a triumph for Black entry into business. the dish. who said she has blogged about African 1930—Ernest Just becomes vice president of the American Association of Zoologists.

“It’s really good,” she said, her mouth food since the 1980s. “When the internet Just was perhaps the most noted Black zoologist in American history. He accomplished full, smiling at Sarr. “Really, really good.” came, you didn’t have publishers as gatepioneering research in fertilization and cell division while also publishing more than 70 scientific papers and books. Born in Charleston, S.C., he was a brilliant student who graduated from Dartmouth magna cum laude. He taught at Howard University in Washington, D.C., for years and helped a group of students organize the Black Greek letter fraternity—Omega Psi Phi. Just died in 1941 of pancreatic cancer.

1972—“Sanford and Son” starring Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson premiers on NBC. The sitcom gains almost immediate popularity among Blacks as well as develop a large following of Whites. The name “Sanford” came from John Sanford—Redd Foxx’s real name.

January 15 1908—Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Black Greek letter sorority, is founded on the campus of Howard UniverTHE sity in Washington, D.C., by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. NEW PITTSBURGH Louis, Mo. The sorority gradually branched out to other COURIER campuses and became one of the leading organizational PUBLISHING COMPANY vehicles for college-trained Black women to make their mark on American society.

1929—Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the man who Publication No.: USPS 381940 was to become America’s greatest civil rights hero, was 315 East Carson Street born on this day in 1929. Actually, his original given name Pittsburgh, PA 15219 was “Michael,” but it was later changed to Martin. He first rose to national prominence as the country’s premier Phone: 412-481-8302 civil rights leader when he successfully led the 1955-1956 Fax: 412-481-1360 Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott by Blacks angered by the arrest of Rosa Parks for her refusal to give up her seat The on a city bus to a White man. In 1957, King was elected New Pittsburgh Courier to head the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which became the leading organization of the civil rights is published weekly era. Between 1957 and 1968, he traveled more than six million miles, gave more than 2,500 speeches, was periodicals arrested more than 20 times, and physically assaulted at paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. least four times—all on behalf of civil rights for American PRICE $1.00 Blacks. Perhaps his most famous speech was the “I Have A Dream” speech given before a crowd of 250,000 during the March on Washington Aug. 28, 1963. He was awarded (Payable in advance) the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and the nation now cele6 Months.....$25 brates his birth as a national holiday on the third Monday of each January. But during his life, King also became the 1 Year....$45 target of a massive FBI operation that some feel indirect2 Years...$85 ly paved the way for his assassination in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 1968. During his “I Have A Dream” speech, 9 Month School Rate $35 King summarized the purpose of the march and the Civil Movement: “But 100 years later, the Negro still POSTMASTER: Send Rights is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro address changes to: is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the New Pittsburgh Courier Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years 315 East Carson Street later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of AmerPittsburgh, PA 15219 ican society and finds himself an exile in his own land.

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Alabama civil rights institute rescinds Angela Davis honor BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)—The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama is getting withering criticism on social media after rescinding its decision to honor political activist and scholar Angela Davis.

Davis is a Birmingham native who has spent decades fighting for civil rights. She was an active member of the Black Panther Party, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and Communist Party USA. She’s also an outspoken supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

BCRI President and CEO Andrea Taylor said in October that the Institute was “thrilled to bestow this honor” on Davis who she described as “one of the most globally recognized champions of human rights, giving voice to those who are powerless to speak.”

But the institute announced Saturday that in late December, “supporters and other concerned individuals and organizations, both inside and outside of our local community, began to make requests that we reconsider our decision.”

“Upon closer examination of Davis’ statements and public record, we concluded

CIVIL RIGHTS ICON—In this Feb. 19, 2015 file photo Angela Davis, author, educator and iconic civil rights activist, speaks during her visit to the University of Michigan-Flint, in Flint, Mich. T(Jake May/ The Flint Journal via AP, File)

that she unfortunately does not meet all of the criteria” for the Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award.

The statement didn’t indicate what criteria it found Davis didn’t meet, nor did it identify the origin of the complaints. Many people responded with outrage Monday on Twitter and Facebook.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the protests came from the “local Jewish community and some of its allies” in a statement expressing “dismay.” He called it a reactive and divisive decision and offered to facilitate a community dialogue in response.

Houston wins praise for handling of girl’s drive-by shooting

by Juan A. Lozano Associated Press Writer

HOUSTON (AP)—Activists praised Houston area law enforcement for pursuing a tip that led to the arrest of an African American man in the fatal drive-by shooting of a 7-year-old Black girl, a turn in the case suggesting the attack was not a hate crime as asserted by the girl’s family and some in the community.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced Sunday that prosecutors had arrested and charged 20-year-old Eric Black Jr. with capital murder in the death of Jazmine Barnes on Dec. 30.

Black told investigators he was the driver of the SUV from which a passenger fired into the vehicle and killed Jazmine. Gonzalez said they have identified a second suspect, who also is Black, but declined to say if the person is in custody.

The tip that sent the case in a new direction came from social activist and writer Shaun King. Before that tip, police had issued a sketch of a White man based on a description of the shooter provided

by Jazmine’s family, and had circulated surveillance video of a red pickup truck he was apparently driving.

The sheriff said there was, in fact, a red pickup truck driven by a White man seen at a stoplight just before the shooting, but the driver did not appear to have been involved. Gonzalez said it was dark, the shooting happened quickly, and the red truck was probably the last thing seen by

Jazmine’s family.

King acknowledged on social media his role in providing the tip.

The New Yorkbased civil rights activist and former senior justice writer at the New York Daily News highlights racial issues on social media and in his writing. King’s website says he currently uses his platform as a columnist for The Intercept SUPPLIES TIP—In this undated file photo, Shaun King poses where he was and writer for the lead pastor of Courageous Church in Midtown Atlanta. Acting on a tip rethe Harvard Law ceived by civil rights activist King, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office has made School’s Fair an arrest in the case of a 7-year-old girl who was killed in a drive-by shooting.

Punishment Proj- (Vino Wong/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File) ect “to unearth the truth beyond local media.” said in a statement. “We are no less A $100,000 reward, raised in part by heartbroken that those person(s) currentKing, was offered for information in the ly charged with this homicide are Black; Jazmine Barnes case. not White.”

Deric Muhammad, an organizer of a Gonzalez cautioned that authorities rally on Saturday in Houston to demand were still investigating, but said: “At this “Justice for Jazmine,” commended Gonpoint, it does not appear it was related to zalez for working with the community to race.” collect evidence leading to the arrest.

Chris Sevilla, Jazmine’s father, said in “We are still heartbroken at the thought a brief telephone interview that he was of a 7-year-old innocent child losing her feeling “a bit of relief right now” after the life in such a violent way,” Muhammad arrest.

2018—a year of Black voting victories, but lessons are yet to be learned

by Hazel Trice Edney For New Pittsburgh Courier

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—At this time last year, political observers around the nation were expecting a landslide turnout in the mid-term elections Nov. 6, 2018, demonstrating the power of Black voters —among others—to flip the then Republican-dominated House of Representatives.

Ten months later, it happened. Because of millions of determined voters, 40 Republican House seats were lost to Democrats, giving the party most voted for by Black people a 235-199 majority. Much deserved rejoicing has taken place over this success—by even non-partisan organizations whose only goals were to get as many voters to the polls as possible.

But despite the clear victories on many fronts, there are yet major lessons to be learned. Even as the overturn of the House has yielded major committee leadership sensitive to African-Americans, the loss of four Black candidates in statewide races have yet to be explained.

Democrat Stacey Abrams, after a brutal gubernatorial race in Georgia—lost to Republican Brian Kemp by 54,723 votes.

Democrat Andrew Gillum, in another nail biter gubernatorial election, lost to Republican Ron DeSantis by 32,463 votes.

Democrat Benjamin Todd Jealous—with the Democratic nomination in the predominately Democratic state of Maryland, lost to Republican incumbent Larry Hogan by 273,005 votes.

Democrat Mike Espy, in a race that also gained national attention because of racial issues involved, lost to Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith by 68,585 votes in their Nov. 27th Runoff for the U. S. Senate.

Even as the nation remained spellbound in anticipation of the congressional election results, drama in the four statewide races stayed in the news. But since Nov. 6, there has been little discussion over how the Black vote might have been increased so that the statewide Black candidates might have won or could win in the future.

Undergirding this issue is the fact that, nationally, more than 7 million Black voters (7,135,303) were unregistered in the spring of 2018, according to documents publicly distributed by former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile. The list included 349,675 unregistered in Georgia; 199,656 unregistered in Maryland; 336,235 unregistered in Florida and 189,710 unregistered in Mississippi. In all four elections, just a fraction of more Black voters registered and voting for the Black candidates might have made a difference.

Nevertheless, even the 49-year-old Joint Center for Political and economic studies, which has “re-emerged as the preeminent center on how political and economic forces shape the lives of Black people and communities,” according to its president, Spencer Overton, never even mentioned the four candidates—nor the Black vote —in the Center’s annual report, released Dec. 28. And while the Center aims to continue its major campaigns on Black employment, the future of work, and diversity on Capitol Hill in 2019, there is no mention of the Black vote or how to increase the Black vote as a priority in the New Year.

Black voter turnout, in past years, has been at its highest when there are exciting candidates on the ballot such as during the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. The Black vote in Georgia was also at its peak on Election Day during the intense fight for the gubernatorial election of the charismatic Stacey Abrams. Yet, even the most exciting campaigners in America working for Abrams; including former President Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, could not pull the necessary votes for her to win.

Perhaps the greatest voting success in the Black community was among Black women in general who voted based on issues such as the need for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and Affordable Healthcare, jobs, education and guns as domestic policy priorities, according to the Black Women’s Roundtable, convened

by Melanie Campbell, who is also president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

Campbell recently said in a statement: “This past election is further proof that Black women are clearly the ‘secret sauce’ with regard to maximizing the power and impact of the Black women’s vote and leadership. Black women not only led in voting, they led highly successful national and state-based campaigns, raised money for Black voting campaigns, recruited and trained Black women candidates that were a key part of shifting power in many congressional races and much more. Folks need to remember, if you want to win, follow Black women.”

But, the losses of Abrams, Espy, Gillam and Jealous have made it plain that—in statewide elections—additional strategies will be needed.

Political scientist Dr. Wilmer Leon said Ben Jealous’ loss was largely based on personalities and competing political strategies. Leon said in an interview last fall that “Because the state of Maryland, by most statistics, is doing well,” Black voters have taken an “‘if it’s not broke; don’t fix it,’” approach.

The shooting took place while Jazmine, her mother and three sisters were on their way to the grocery store.

Gonzalez said the shooting appears to have been a case of mistaken identity. The killers thought the vehicle was someone else’s they had seen earlier that night. Prosecutors did not say why the killers opened fire.

Court records did not list an attorney for Black, who was arrested Saturday afternoon during a traffic stop. Prosecutors said the 9 mm handgun they believe was used in the shooting had been recovered from Black’s home.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Black Democrat who represents parts of Houston, said the community came together to help solve the case.

“It’s wonderful to have a sheriff who’s willing to engage in a dialogue about violence, about hate, about guns and we have that along with the (police chief), the mayor of our city,” Lee said.

James Dixon, a prominent pastor in Houston, also thanked Gonzalez for working around the clock in the investigation.

“We are blessed in this city to have the kind of collegial relationships between pastors and law enforcement and elected officials where we all really work together, we cry together, we pray together, we serve together and sacrifice together. In moments like these, we come together in order to mend and heal broken hearts,” Dixon said.

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JANUARY 9-15, 2019

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Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby alleges harassment It’s all in an attempt to undermine her, she claims NESBY FROM A1

ferred $1.3 million to a private nonprofit called the Duquesne Business Advisory Corporation (DBAC).

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that the DBAC is not legally connected to Duquesne’s redevelopment authority, though they’ve worked in tandem in the past. In a release provided to the Courier by Take Action Mon Valley, DBAC is controlled by former Duquesne Mayor Phillip Krivacek, who just retired after more than a decade in office, along with the former city manager, Frank Piccolino III, who resigned from his position in November 2017, seemingly as Nesby was on her way to winning the mayoral election.

Take Action Mon Valley’s release states that Piccolino is now on the DBAC board, serving as treasurer.

Take Action Mon Valley, in advance of the press conference the group scheduled for Jan. 3, said that it’s the first time in history the Duquesne mayor—in this case, Nesby—does not sit on the RACD board or chair the board.

Thus, Mayor Nesby is leading the city of Duquesne is suing the city’s redevelopment authority and the DBAC in order to regain the $1.3 million that is currently being controlled by the DBAC. “This money is being withheld from the citizens of Duquesne,” Take Action Mon Valley Co-Founder Fawn Walker-Montgomery said in the Jan. 2 release.

Mayor Nesby made it clear that the actions by the RACD and DBAC performed on Dec. 31, 2017 were done to undermine her.

“Neither the Authority nor the Private Corporation can articulate any legitimate purpose for this transaction other than uncertainty surrounding the new administration, in-

cluding personal concerns regarding Mayor Nickole Nesby,” the lawsuit, obtained by the Courier, alleges.

The lawsuit further states that the transaction between the RACD and DBAC was completed “with the intent to deprive Mayor Nesby of her opportunity to appoint members to the Authority’s Executive Board and otherwise participate in the distribution of revolving loan funds used for the public purpose of community redevelopment.”

Mayor Nesby told the Courier she’s not sure who specifically is behind the general intimidation tactics she’s alleged. But she did say there is a group which refers to themselves as “We are Duquesne” that collectively could be behind it. Mayor Nesby said it’s all part of the “old family politics” of Duquesne which no longer is in power due to Nesby’s winning of the mayoral election in November.

“I don’t know who it is,” Mayor Nesby told the Courier of specific individuals to blame. “They (We are Duquesne) operate as a family, and they protect their own.”

Mayor Nesby also told the Courier exclusively: “I want the Black community to get involved. I want the Black community to know that this is not normal. I want the Black community to know that they deserve better and to quit accepting this as normal.

It’s not...There’s something wrong when you still have the political force holding on to money that can change the life of everyone inside this city, and they still have their hands on it because they don’t want to let go.”

“Moving that money to us is a criminal act,” Walker-Montgomery told the media during the scheduled press conference, Jan. 3. “They stole money from

FAWN WALKER-MONTGOMERY, left, co-founder of the group Take Action Mon Valley, urged residents during a Jan. 3 press conference to contact Allegheny County DA Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and call for an investigation into alleged harassment of Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby, right. (Photos by Courier photographer Dayna Delgado) the residents of the city of charged with that. The DA Attorney Stephen A. ZapDuquesne; they should be (Allegheny County District pala Jr.) should be looking into this, so it’s our job to apply pressure on the DA.” “Good, bad or indifferent how you feel about The $1.3 million is mostpart of a revolving loan the mayor (Nickole Nesby), what if this was ly used by the city to fund your daughter, what if this was your sister, redevelopment efforts.

Until the funds are transwhat if this was your relative? We have to ferred back to the RACD make sure that we are speaking up so the and Mayor Nesby becomes chair of the board or a next person doesn’t have to go through this. member of the board, she have final say as to What this woman’s had to go through is just won’t how the money is used perunspeakable.” taining to spurring differFAWN WALKER-MONTGOMERY ent projects in Duquesne.

In Mayor Nesby’s eyes, Co-Founder, Take Action Mon Valley the money transfer to the DBAC—which occurred

COMMUNITY RESIDENTS applaud at comments made by Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby.

DUQUESNE MAYOR NICKOLE NESBY, right, speaks with supporter Tina Doose, who is also a member of Braddock Borough Council.

ON THE RISE…

Homicide clearance rates in Pittsburgh HOMICIDE FROM A1

five years, having dropped steadily from a decade high of 70 in 2014. As of Jan. 8, 2019, 33 have been cleared.

That clearance rate of 60 percent is the highest in a decade, and a nearly 20 percent improvement from 2017.

NAACP Pittsburgh Unit President Richard Stewart, himself a retired police officer, credits Chief Scott Schubert with instituting changes that have led to increased community-police cooperation that have resulted in closing more cases.

He said he expects the combination of additional

technology and new policing strategies, specifically community policing, to pay more dividends—like the Jan. 7 arrest of Tremayne Wilmer and Nehlah Stubblefield in connection with the November 2017 murder of 14-year-old Augustus Gray in Lincoln-Lemington.

“If you notice—because I have—people are talking now. They are calling the hotline, and talking directly to officers,” Stewart said. “I credit having a young, smart chief who’s about community policing, education and training.”

Stewart said the addi-

tion of body cameras and increased ShotSpotter deployment have allowed for faster responses to incidents, but the focus on community policing is key to successful investigations.

“The officers are out of the cars, they’re talking to people—they’re handing out cards, and that’s a good thing,” he said. “That new substation they opened in Northview Heights—those folks up there love those cops. The officers I see are interacting, they’re attending community meetings.

We haven’t turned the corner yet in Pittsburgh, but we’re on the way around

roughly 465 days ago—is halting economic growth in Duquesne, to the detriment of all residents.

“Good, bad or indifferent how you feel about the mayor, what if this was your daughter, what if this was your sister, what if this was your relative?” asked Walker-Montgomery concerning Mayor Nesby at the press conference. “We have to make sure that we are speaking up so the next person doesn’t have to go through this. What this woman’s had to go through is just unspeakable.”

it. The trust factor is growing.”

Schubert did not return calls for comment by New Pittsburgh Courier deadline, but Department of Public Safety spokesman Chris Togneri said in an email that the Bureau of Police is working to schedule a press conference on the homicide numbers and demographics in the coming weeks.

Naturally, if there was one more homicide countywide, and five fewer in the city, that means more occurred elsewhere. Those hotspots, and the county’s clearance rate, will be examined in an upcoming Courier story.

Inside this edition…

Courier business writer Diane I. Daniels reports on how the new year brings new hope for Black-owned businesses to be successful in 2019.

Read Diane’s story on Page B1.

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 9-15, 2019

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The Honorable Kim Berkeley Clark Allegheny County’s new President Judge

Kim Berkeley Clark becomes first African American to hold post CLARK FROM A1

that provides supportive services and resources to children and families facing custody issues, said she would like to see how much of that could be replicated in the other court divisions.

Some of that work has already been started in the criminal division, she said.

“The treatment courts are a great example of reducing the adversarial nature of court and they’ve been supported and embraced

by Judge Manning, Judge Cashman and Judge Zottola to name a few,” she said in an exclusive interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier. “I’ll be looking to build on that.”

Clark said she also wants to update the courts’ technology on several fronts— not just to support the judicial staffers who make sure the judges have everything they need in court, and pros-

ecuting and defense attorneys, but also defendants, plaintiffs and litigants—especially those with little to no experience with making a court appearance.

“I want to have someone evaluate our website to see how user-friendly it is because there are a lot of things people not familiar with going to court might not think of,” she said. “Taking medication—did they bring it; dressing for court; judge’s scheduling preferences—does 9 a.m. mean 9 a.m. or will you be sitting for a while, having snacks if you do; making arrangements for kids if you’ll be there all day. These are practical things.”

There’s one other thing Clark thinks people should know when they go to court—what pushes the judge’s buttons.

“What pushes them over the edge—it could be any-

thing,” she said. “One is cell phones. For me it’s a minor irritation, but for some, it really does push them over the edge.”

Clark, 62, was also the first African American female to serve as president of the county Bar Association. First appointed to the bench by Gov. Tom Ridge in March 1999, Clark won a full 10-year term the following November. Prior to her appointment, she served for 16 years as an assistant and deputy district attorney, prosecuting more than 150 jury trials, including cases involving homicide, sexual assault and child abuse.

She serves as chair of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission and is a past president of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges. A Wilkinsburg native, she graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in French.

Clark earned her legal degree from Duquesne University School of Law. Clark is also a past recipient of the Homer S. Brown Award from the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, the William H. Moore Award for Excellence from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Drum Major for Justice Award from the Homer S. Brown Law Association, and in 2008 KIM BERKELEY CLARK was sworn in as Allegheny County’s new President Judge on Dec. 27, 2018. was named one of the New (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello) Pittsburgh Courier’s 50 Women of Influence.

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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JANUARY 9-15, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report Surviving R. Kelly I never paid much attention to R. Kelly. However I do remember when Wendy Williams, who was on the radio at the time, talked about the infamous sex tape reported to be Kelly and a young lady about 14 years of age. People were buying bootleg copies of the tape and for a while it was big news. At some point I bought the “Chocolate Factory” and “Love Letters” albums and I really like both. And then “Surviving R. Kelly” came on Lifetime.

Oh my God. Before the main event came on they aired the 2014 made-for TV movie, “Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B.” It gave me good background on the relationship between Kelly and Aaliyah and Aaliyah and Damon Dash. The film premiered on the Lifetime Channel on Nov. 15, 2014 and was met with criticism in its early stages of production due to Aaliyah’s family’s disapproval of Lifetime’s choice to create the film. The film drew 3.2 million viewers upon its premiere.

Many people are asking why Lifetime decided to do the documentary at this time. Was it due to the #metoo movement? I could not find a concrete answer to this question but did find that research has been going on for a very long time. According to court records there have been a lot of young ladies that have been paid off by Kelly. Even Aaliyah’s mother denied that her daughter married Kelly when she was 15 and he was 27. She claims she was with her at all times and there is no way that the things that are alleged in the movie could have happened. However, a former employee of R. Kelly’s said he assisted with the falsifying of records on the marriage certificate.

There are a lot of people that are not telling the truth and they are still covering for Kelly. So if you are wondering how was Kelly found innocent after jurors watched a sex tape that I am told clearly shows Kelly in sex acts with a minor, it is because the girl says it was not her, her parents said it was not her even though many testified that it was her and Kelly for sure. There was an interview with a juror that was disturbing. John Petrean, one of the jurors who acquitted Kelly said, “I just didn’t believe them, the woman’s [sic]” he said. “I know it sounds ridiculous—the way they dress, the way they act. I didn’t like them…I disregarded all what they said.”

In my humble opinion the man did not look qualified to be on the jury but he was a representative of whom decided to set a predator free.

Another thing that hit me was when they were telling the stories of the women they talked about how Kelly would withhold food from the ladies and they were told to stay in their rooms and call him Daddy. He had to move out of the Atlanta house because he did not pay the $30,000 monthly rent. I say watch it and learn.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell @aol.com.)

Mo Reese House of Fashion Presents...

by Debbie Norrell

Guests enjoyed songstress Gloria Sheffield, dance group Glorious Overcomers, one-of-a-kind fashions that featured decades-old fashions by the late Donald McDaniel. Carla Adams from the Women’s Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh spoke briefly to the audience about the challenges of homelessness and thanked the show for their support.

Show host and sponsors Mo Reese and Amilia Bailey thanked the full house for their support promise to present more shows in the future.

Lifestyles Editor

Oh what a night it was at the Sokol Club on the South Side. There were vendors, music by DJ Mighty Man and the centerpiece of the night was a fashion show by Mo Reese House of Fashion. The purpose of the evening was to benefit homeless women and children, Reese says, “to give them hope.”

On Nov. 17, 2018, yours truly served as emcee and fashion show commentator.

THE LADY IN BLUE (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

SONGSTRESS—Gloria Sheffield

WHO IS THAT MASKED WOMAN TAKE NOTE—Fashions inspired by musical notes

PRESENTED BY—Mo Reese and Amelia Bailey

EMANON Celebrates 2018

by Debbie Norrell

time. Their motto has always been, “ain’t no party Lifestyles Editor like an EMANON party beThe official title of the cause an EMANON party annual EMANON gather- don’t stop.”

From the time guests ing (no name spelled backwards) is “Yuletide Party.” walked in to the Penn Hills The members of EMANON Comfort Inn on Dec. 9, select this time of the year 2018, they were engaged to invite friends to dine, in a fun packed icebreaker dance and have a good that allows them to min-

WHEN I THINK OF HOME—The crowd loves Flo Wilson gle with old and new friends. After the icebreaker it’s the meal, prizFIRST-TIMERS—Carla and Stratton Nash (Photos by Debbie Norrell) es, surprises and dancing to the Flo Wilson Band. As always, Wilson blew the crowd away with her rendition of “Home.”

Since its inception in 1954 by graduate students at the University of Pittsburgh to meet the diverse social needs of a large university campus, EMANON has claimed the title as the second-oldest men’s social club in Pittsburgh. Second EMANON MEMBERS—Val and Alan Cousar, Jean and Larry Harper, Ron and SOON-TO-BE NEWLYWEDS—Josh Mitchel and Liz Guzman only to the FROGS. Caroline Curry, Larry and Ruth Davis

NANCY & SYNDEY HILL—38 years ago they got engaged at an EMANON party

EMANON MEMBERS—Les Daniel and Daisy Jeffries, Theo and Kathy Towns, Adrienne and Joe Thomas, Marsha and Paul Dorsey

RELIGION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 9-15, 2019

Pastor Dorothy Stubbs’ 3rd Anniversary Celebration At New Evangelistic Ministries in Wilkinsburg

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

PASTOR DOROTHY STUBBS, during a Jan. 6 service acknowledging her three years as pastor of New Evangelistic Ministries in Wilkinsburg. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

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 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

SHAILEN ABRAM

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.

REV. NICITA MOSES

REV. DR. BRENDA GREGG of Destiny of Faith, who served as guest preacher.

PRUDENCE L. HARRIS

LAVONNE KNIGHT

Chauncey W Smith, Jr, 81 years of age, transitioned from this life into eternal life on Sunday, December 30, 2018.

Chauncey was born on July 10, 1937 to the late Chauncey W Smith, Sr. and Verma Johnson Smith of Steubenville, Ohio. Chauncey married Agnes Veal (deceased November 2000) and to this union were born three sons: David Chauncey Smith (Michelle) of Robinson Township, PA; Morris Allon Smith (Janice) of Southfield, Michigan and Collin Lee Smith of Pasco, Washington. In addition to his sons, Chauncey is also survived by seven grandchildren: Laura, Derek, Shannon, Kendall, Kamille, Kennedy and Sydney. Chauncey will also be dearly missed by several nieces, nephews, and close friends.

In December of 2002, Chauncey married Bernice Austin (deceased February 2018). Chauncey was also preceded in death by his sister, Emma Smith McGlotten and his brother Phillip Smith. ~~~ After graduation from Steubenville Area High School, Chauncey attended Bowling Green College in Ohio where he attained a degree in Business Administration and became an active member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He later attained extensive training from the National Employment Law Institute and the Equal Opportunity Advisory Council.

Chauncey believed that hard work is the pathway to great reward. He started working at the age of 13 as a wall washer for his uncle’s company and later as a server in his father’s catering business. He then became a Sales Associate at the Myers and Stone Men’s Clothing Store in Steubenville.

Chauncey started his professional career at Weirton Steel from 1964 to 1974 as a Supervisor of Hourly Employment. He was employed by Verizon in Canonsburg, PA as the Supervisor of Employment from 1 74 to 1 75. Chauncey finished his professional career as the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity / Compliance & Diversity at the H. J. Heinz Company from 1975 until 2013. While at Heinz, Chauncey served as a champion for equal opportunity and equal access to all employees regardless of race and all other protected classes. He was a mentor to incoming students from Washington and Lee University and served as a role model for professional dress, business acumen and an exemplary work ethic.

After Chauncey retired from Heinz in 2013 he continued to remain a very active member of the community. He served as a mentor to the youth at the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church and the Three Rivers Youth Leadership Council. Chauncey also served on the Pittsburgh Pirates Minority Business Advisory Board, the Pittsburgh Regional Minority Purchasing Council, the West Virginia University Social Justice Board, Quinn A.M.E. Board of Trustees in Steubenville, and the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund. Chauncey remained loyal to his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, Alumni Chapter where he participated in scholarship and event planning. He was an active member of the African-American Foundation Board of the African-American Chamber of Commerce and a lifetime member of the NAACP. ~~~ Chauncey unashamedly professed his trust and confidence in the Lord and acknowledged his relationship with Jesus as his Savior. Chauncey is a life member of Quinn A.M.E. Church in Steubenville, Ohio and also has attended Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Pittsburgh for the past 15 years where he was involved with the Mentoring Committee and the 501 C3 MAC Board.

Chauncey will be remembered for his impeccable sense of fashion, sharp wit, commitment to enhancing his community, and commitment to encouraging youth to make better choices. n lieu of owers memorial contributions maybe made to the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund, a 501(C)3 organization. KSEF, PO Box 5013 Pittsburgh, PA 15206. EIN# 251672589 n order to honor Chauncey’s final wishes, final arrangements have been made private at his request.

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

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JANUARY 9-15, 2019

PEOPLE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

CAL U’s Young and Gifted Gospel Choir Dinner and Benefit Concert

THE YOUNG AND GIFTED GOSPEL CHOIR’S fourth-annual dinner and benefit concert was held in November 2018, a scholarship fundraiser to raise funds for members of the choir in aid of their continuation of school at CAL U. In a twist, the choir decided to name the scholarship the Almeda Pryor Scholarship, in honor of the choir’s founder, Almeda Pryor. Pictured above are Dr. Randy Tillmutt, choir director, Ashley Boone, scholarship recipient, Almeda Pryor, and JohnKarl Council, scholarship recipient.

JOHNKARL COUNCIL, scholarship recipient, Jamel Strong, special guest artist, and Alaja Butler, choir JOHNKARL COUNCIL, scholarship recipient, Alton Mitchell, master of ceremonies, and Alaja Butler, president. choir president.

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

Read us online! at...

www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

JANUARY 9-15, 2019

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THE KING FAMILY is pictured at home in Atlanta: from left, Martin Luther King III, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Dexter, 4, and Yolanda, 9. June 20, 1965. (Associated Press Photo) THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. is welcomed with a kiss by his wife Coretta after leaving court in Montgomery, Ala., March 22, 1956. Dr. King was found guilty of conspiracy to boycott city buses in a campaign to desegregate the bus system, but a judge suspended his $500 fine pending appeal. (Associated Press Photo)

The New Pittsburgh Courier celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘Spirit of King’ honors Adams, Little SPIRIT FROM A1

there was a need for African American males on the bench. It was important to him, ultimately even more than his health. I was pleased that he thought enough of me to be that person.”

The Spirit of King ceremony is sponsored by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, the Kingsley Association and the New Pittsburgh Courier.

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

JANUARY 9-15, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—His life, his achievements

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., (Jan. 15, 1929–April 4, 1968) was a pastor, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.

He was born Michael King, but his father changed his name in honor of the German reformer Martin Luther. A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and after the success of this campaign he decided to make the fight for civil rights his lifetime goal.

Needing an organization to work from he helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president.

With the SCLC, King led an unsuccessful struggle against segregation in Albany, Ga., in 1962, and organized nonviolent protests in Birmingham, Ala, that attracted national attention following television news coverage of the brutal police response. King also helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

On Oct. 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence. In 1965, he and the SCLC helped to organize the Selma to Montgomery marches and the following year, he took the movement north to Chicago to work on segregated housing. In the final years of his life, King expanded his focus to include poverty and speak against the Vietnam War, alienating many of his allies with a 1967 speech titled “Beyond Vietnam.”

In 1968, King was plan-

ning a national occupation of Washington, D.C., to be called the Poor People’s Campaign, when he was assassinated on April 4 in Memphis, where he was organizing a march in support of equal pay for garbage collectors there.

His death was followed by riots in many U.S. cities.

King was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a holiday in numerous cities and states beginning in 1971, and as a U.S. federal holiday in 1986. Hundreds of streets in the U.S. have been renamed in his honor.

In addition, a county was rededicated in his honor.

A memorial statue on the National Mall was opened to the public in 2011.

Growing up in Atlanta, King attended Booker T. Washington High School.

He became known for his public speaking ability and was part of the school’s debate team.

King became the youngest assistant manager of a newspaper delivery station for the Atlanta Journal in 1942 at age 13.

During his junior year, he won first prize in an oratorical contest sponsored by the Negro Elks Club in Dublin, Ga. Returning home to Atlanta, he and his teacher were ordered by the driver to stand so White passengers could sit down. King refused initially, but complied after his teacher informed him that he would be breaking the law if he did not go along with the order. He later characterized this incident as “the angriest I have ever been in my life.”

A precocious student, he skipped both the ninth and the twelfth grades of high school. At age 15, King passed the exam and entered Morehouse.

The summer before his last year at Morehouse,

in 1947, an eighteen-year old King made the choice to enter the ministry after he concluded the church offered the most assuring way to answer “an inner urge to serve humanity.”

King’s “inner urge” had begun developing and he made peace with the Baptist Church, as he believed he would be a “rational” minister with sermons that were “a respectful force for ideas, even social protest.”

In 1948, he graduated from Morehouse with a B.A. degree in sociology, and enrolled in Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pa., from which he graduated with a B.Div. degree in 1951. King was elected president of the student body.

King began doctoral studies in systematic theology at Boston University and received his PhD. Degree in 1955, with a dissertation on “A Comparison of the Conceptions of God in the

nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity.”

One-aspect scholars haven’t dealt with for the non-violent method of King is common sense and common knowledge of the South. Just about every Southerner had a gun and could use them and had demonstrated this many times in the past when Blacks spoke out. So if Blacks took up guns in the South they would have in most cases been eliminated quickly, and probably would have been supported by many Whites in the north. King and other activists throughout the South understood this.

As the leader of the SCLC, King maintained a policy of not publicly endorsing a U.S. political party or candidate: “I feel someone must remain in DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. the position of non-alignment, so that he can look Thinking of Paul Tillich achieve excellence in the objectively at both parties and Henry Nelson Wieman. Christian ministry. I don’t and be the conscience of King became pastor of plan to run for any politboth—not the servant or the Dexter Avenue Baptist ical office. I don’t plan to master of either.” King statChurch in Montgomery, do anything but remain ed that Black Americans, Ala., when he was 25 a preacher. And what I’m as well as other disadvanyears old, in 1954. As a doing in this struggle, taged Americans, should be Christian minister, his along with many others, compensated for historical main influence was Jesus grows out of my feeling wrongs. In an interview Christ and the Christian that the preacher must be conducted for Playboy in gospels, which he would concerned about the whole 1965, he said that grantalmost always quote in man.” ing Black Americans only his religious meetings, His study of Mahatma equality could not realisspeeches at church, and in Gandhi’s struggle in India tically close the economic public discourses. King’s also had a lot to do with gap between them and faith was strongly based his tactics of nonviolence Whites. King said that he in Jesus’ commandment as well as the general did not seek a full resof loving your neighbor knowledge of most Black titution of wages lost to as yourself, loving God Southerners that an armed slavery, which he believed above all, and loving confrontation would be impossible, but proposed a your enemies, praying for disastrous for Blacks. government compensatory them and blessing them.

In his speech “I’ve Been program of $50 billion over His non-violent thought to the Mountaintop”, he ten years to all disadvanwas also based in the stated that he just wanted taged groups. injunction to turn the to do God’s will.

He posited that “the monother cheek in the SerVeteran African American ey spent would be more mon on the Mount, and civil rights activist Bayard than amply justified by the Jesus’ teaching of putting Rustin served as King’s benefits that would accrue the sword back into its main advisor and mentor to the nation through a place (Matthew 26:52). In in the late 1950s. spectacular decline in his famous Letter from Mahatma Gandhi’s sucschool dropouts, family Birmingham Jail, King cess with non-violent activ- breakups, crime rates, urged action consistent ism, King had “for a long illegitimacy, swollen relief with what he describes time...wanted to take a trip rolls, rioting and other as Jesus’ “extremist” love, to India.” With assistance social evils”. He presented and also quoted numerous from the Quaker group the this idea as an application other Christian pacifist American Friends Service of the common law regardauthors, which was very Committee, he was able to ing settlement of unpaid usual for him. In another make the journey in April labor, but clarified that he sermon, he stated: 1959. The trip to India affelt that the money should “Before I was a civil fected King, deepening his not be spent exclusively rights leader, I was a understanding of non-vion Blacks. He stated, “It preacher of the Gospel. olent resistance and his should benefit the disadThis was my first calling commitment to America’s vantaged of all races.” and it still remains my struggle for civil rights.

Information for this greatest commitment. You In a radio address made article was obtained from know, actually all that I do during his final evening various sources, including in civil rights I do because in India, King reflected, Wikipedia, “From Slavery I consider it a part of my “Since being in India, I am to Freedom,” “Before the ministry. I have no other more convinced than ever Mayflower,” and “Biograambitions in life but to before that the method of phy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Courier is The VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 9-15, 2019

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Let Freedom Sing concerts bring King’s vision to the stage Concert dates: Jan. 19 at Ebenezer Baptist Church; Jan. 21 at Byham Theater

by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier

CAPA students Ethan Beck and Emma Hicks are excited to perform in the 12th annual Let Freedom Sing concerts to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “It is really high energy,” said Hicks, a 16-year-old high school junior from Greenfield. He’s been part of the Let Freedom Sing concerts for three years.

“You rehearse a day in advance, so you haven’t been singing with these people for a very long time, so you’re still meeting new people. You get out there and the curtain rises and there are hundreds of people and they are so excited to hear you sing. Every year I walk away with a sense of absolute joy. I perform a lot and there are very few performances that bring me such joy. I never laugh on stage but when I’m there I laugh and I’d like the audience to be just as happy as I am when I’m up there performing. I want them to

the ideals and values that Dr. King held most dear.

“I think what Dr. King stood for and what he fought for are things that we still need as a society and a city and a region,” explained Rust, an educator and Let Freedom Sing co-founder. “I think people understand that equality, social justice, economic justice, environmental justice; those are all still very much worth lifting up in solidarity. We’re still a segregated region just like we were in Dr. King’s time, so for at least one weekend a year we are able to come together. People from Homewood, the Hill and Clairton come together with people from Squirrel Hill and Murrysville and Churchill and all over the region.

“Another aspect of the Let Freedom Sing concerts is that it is accessible to people of all socio-economic levels because we don’t have a set ticket price—the Saturday concert is donate what you can and for the Monday concert the tickets start at $2 a seat—so we

TRINI MASSIE, director of the Mount Ararat Baptist Church Singers sing along, I want them to clap, feel it within themselves and bring it outside of the theater.”

Presented as part of the 2019 Pittsburgh Gospel Concert Series in partner-

think it’s accessible so people are able to come,” Rust said.

Held at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Saturday, Jan. 19 and the Byham Theater on Monday, Jan. 21,

“We’re still a segregated region just like we were in Dr. King’s time, so for at least one weekend a year we are able to come together. People from Homewood, the Hill and Clairton come together with people from Squirrel Hill and Murrysville and Churchill and all over the region.”

KRIS RUST Let Freedom Sing concerts co-founder

ship with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Let Freedom Sing concert was started 12 years ago by Kris Rust and Dr. Herbert V.R.P. Jones as a way to bring Pittsburgh communities together and institute

both concerts, which begin at 7 p.m., will feature the Mount Ararat Baptist Church Singers, directed

by Trini Massie; DANA Movement Ensemble (Saturday only); and the Staycee Pearl Dance Project

(Monday only). In addition to CAPA students, each night will feature combined choirs from Coro Latinamericano Pittsburgh, Ebenezer Baptist Church, The Lemington Chorale, Point Park Singers, Taylor Allderdice High School, Temple Sinai UU Churches of Greater Pittsburgh and Woodland Hills High School. Each night will be hosted by KDKA’s Lynne Hayes-Freeland. Tickets for the Monday night concert can be purchased at www. trustarts.org or by calling (412) 456-6666.

“It’s been one of the most memorable experiences with the choir just due to the high energy,” explained Beck, a 15-year-old CAPA sophomore from Squirrel Hill. “I’ve heard so much about it and it’s such a big event and I’m really excited to sing at a place I’ve never sung before along with having people really get into it. There’s so much being put into this and it’s such a cool event. I hope people get into it.”

Dr. Jones believes Dr. King would be proud of what the

Let Freedom Sing concerts are working to accomplish.

“It celebrates community—people from all walks of life, all ethnicities, people coming from different cultural backgrounds and different experiences. It’s a community of people coming together to celebrate with other people and that’s the philosophical ideal that Dr. King wanted—that we would all be celebrating each other,” explained Jones, co-founder of the Let Freedom Sing concerts and former fraternity brother of Dr. King, which gave him a front-row seat to many of Dr. King’s meetings and marches that he led.

The camaraderie between the various generations is why CAPA Vocal Department Chairman Gerald Savage felt it was mandatory for his students to participate in this year’s event.

“I felt that it was extremely important for them to experience this particular event for the unity, diversity and the cause behind what Dr. King represented,” he said. “It’s interracial, intergenerational and also

ecumenical, so I thought that was important because our students are very, very socially aware about issues that happen in society. This

was an opportunity to step up and be a part of something using music in a way in which it speaks exactly to what they believe in.”

DR. HERBERT V.R.P. JONES

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Jittery Wall Street has a lot ahead to be nervous about

by Stan Choe AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP)—Welcome to the brave new world of investing, where every day in the stock market can feel like bedlam.

Investors have been careening from fear to relief and back again as they react to morsels of news about the health of the economy and corporate profits, the global trade war and when the Federal Reserve will next raise interest rates.

With each mood shift, stock prices have swung wildly. Unusually big moves—both up and down —have come at a frequency not seen in years.

On Friday, the S&P 500 index soared 3.4 percent following a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report, news of trade talks between the United States and China and comments from the Fed seen as helpful for stocks. glass decidedly half empty.

It was a sharp reversal On Thursday, the S&P 500 from just the day before plunged 2.5 percent after a when investors saw the

disappointing U.S. manufacturing report raised fears about a possible re-

cession and Apple warned about weak iPhone sales in China. That two-day whiplash followed 2018, a year when the S&P 500 had 20 days where it swung by at least 2 percent, twice as many as any of the prior six years.

The market has gotten so topsy-turvy that when Friday’s jobs report first came out, about an hour before the New York Stock Exchange opened, some investors wondered if it would cause relief or panic.

The numbers were strong,

but were they so strong as to push the Fed to raise rates faster, which would be bad for stocks?

“I did find myself wondering how the market is going to react to this: Are people asking, ‘Is this good?’” said Ernie Cecilia, chief investment officer at Bryn Mawr Trust. “It just shows the environment we’re in. It’s uncertain how the market reacts, or overreacts.”

Expect the jitters to conSEE JITTERY B2

Five financial steps to start the new year off right

A SUPPORTER OF BUILDING STRONG BUSINESSES—Executive Director of the Riverside Center for Innovation, Juan Garrett, knows the importance of business ownership. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)

The new year brings new hope to the Pittsburgh region

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

A 2018 Nielsen report emphasizes that African American dollars matter. African Americans make up 14 percent of the population and are responsible for approximately $1.2 trillion in purchases annually, the study said.

“Money is our most powerful tool, it is just as powerful as our vote,” says Nielsen’s Senior Vice President, Global Communications and Multicultural Marketing, Andrew McCaskill. “(From) an economic development standpoint it is just as important for African Americans to own and operate businesses,” says Juan Garrett, executive director of the Riverside Center for Innovation, citing spending power and business ownership as key to the African American community. Currently there are 28 projects worth $1 billion under construction in Downtown Pittsburgh and its fringes with more in the pipeSELF-SUFFICENCY IS KEY—Keith Giles, executive director and line, Garrett said.

With the goal of fostering small business growth, founder of First Step Recovery Homes Inc., knows the value of African Americans utilizing, spending and investing their wealth SEE HOPE B2 wisely.

As we enter 2019, are you happy with your financial situation? To address any financial challenges you’re facing and help improve your financial situation in the coming year, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) recommends asking yourself these questions: Is my budgeting on target?

Tracking your monthly income and expenses is one of the most important things you can do to maintain control of your finances and successfully plan for the future. Seeing how much money comes in and how much goes out each month can help you identify opportunities to save additional funds, spot overspending, and identify ways to address it. Creating a budget (updating it weekly) and sticking to it are two very important things you can do for your finances in 2019.

Am I reducing my debt?

Aim first to whittle down your balances on high-interest loans, including credit card debt. Two steps can help you succeed: resolve to pay more than the minimum balances, which will help you pay off the debt sooner and can significantly reduce the amount of interest you pay over time; and use your budget to find ways to cut spending, which will make it easier to increase your monthly credit card payments.

The AICPA’s 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy website has calculators to help

understand how to most efficiently pay down your credit card debt.

Am I saving enough?

Did you reach—or make progress toward—your savings goals in 2018? Retirement savings should be on everyone’s list. Make it easier by having retirement contributions deducted from your paycheck automatically and deposited into a retirement account.

Having a fund set aside with six months of salary that you can count on in an emergency, such as loss of a job or a health emergency, should also be on your list.

How has my tax situation changed?

Important new tax law changes became effective in 2018. How will the new rates affect your wallet?

Will other changes, such as limits on deductions for state and local income, sales, and property taxes make an impact? If you’re in the process of getting a divorce, are you aware of the new rules on alimony deductions? If you’re a business owner, what will new tax regulations mean for your business? Now is a good time to connect with your CPA to take stock of what the recent tax changes will mean for you and to plan for the future.

Where do I want to be a year from now?

Flashing forward to December 2019 can help you better identify your nearterm and long-term objectives. Would you like to SEE STEPS B2

How to make open offices work for everyone

by Dick Resch For New Pittsburgh Courier

Whoever thought walls and doors could go out of style? Apparently, that’s what has happened at offices nationwide. Seven in 10 American offices now have an open floor plan, rather than cubicles or private rooms.

The open office aims to boost creativity, productivity and collaboration by making it easy for employees to interact. But that hasn’t been the case for everybody.

A study published this summer by researchers at Harvard Business School found that in-person interactions actually dropped more than 70 percent after workers moved from a cubicle to an openplan workspace. Employee productivity also declined.

Open offices and isolating cube farms aren’t our only choices. Borrowing the best from both design approaches can give workers what they’re really after—control and ownership of their workspace. When people decide for themselves where and how they work, they’re happier and more productive. That pays dividends for employees and employers alike.

The mystique surrounding open offices is due in part to their popularity in Silicon Valley. But tech companies are not alone in trading walls for side-by-side work.

Citigroup recently converted its headquarters to an open floor plan. Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg preferred a wall-less “bullpen” setup during

AN OPEN OFFICE FLOOR PLAN, which is becoming the new way of having workspaces. his tenure in City Hall.

Evangelists for open-plan workspaces often cite the serendipitous interactions they encourage. As Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat told the Wall Street Journal, “You’re going to be forced to bump into people. … I want people interacting around our business and ideas.”

But all that mingling doesn’t help everyone. A 2011 analysis of over 100 studies found that open-plan offices can elevate

workers’ stress levels, undermine motivation, and make it harder to concentrate.

To some, open offices can be stressful, noisy and distracting. It’s no wonder people don’t thrive in them when that’s the case.

It’s far better for employers to empower their workers to choose how and where they work. Someone might start their morning in a private work booth to finish a project on a tight deadline—and then

move to a lounge in the afternoon to brainstorm with colleagues or recharge.

Some businesses are already embracing this flexible approach. Last summer, financial services firm Northwestern Mutual opened its new Milwaukee headquarters.

Before designing the 32-story office tower, the company surveyed its employees on how they wanted workspaces to look, feel and function.

People wanted workspaces they could control. That led to workstations where employees can sit or stand. They can raise privacy screens to shut out distractions.

And they can quickly reconfigure their workspaces with mobile tables, stools and whiteboards for impromptu meetings or brainstorming sessions.

Research backs up this flexible approach.

A University of Exeter study found that empowering employees to control the design of their workspace increases productivity by as much as 32 percent.

When people can take ownership over how they work, they care more about that work. Employees who can move to a variety of workspaces are 1.3 times more likely to be engaged than other employees.

Nobody wants to work in complete isolation—or utter chaos. Fortunately, they don’t have to choose between the two. Employers looking to maximize happiness and productivity must give workers control over their space. Research shows that they know full well what to do with it.

(This article originally appeared in the Pasadena Journal.)

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BUSINESS

JANUARY 9-15, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Jittery Wall Street Airports seeing rise in security has a lot ahead to screeners calling off work be nervous about by Alexandra Olson JITTERY FROM B1

According to a March retinue. Reports are coming port by the U.S. trade repthat will give investors resentative, China hacks clues about whether their into American companies’ fears of a possible recescomputer networks to steal sion are warranted, as trade secrets and forces well as updates on interest foreign firms to share rates and trade policy. technology as the price of Among the approaching admission to the Chinese milestones that could be market. the next to roil Wall Street: The standoff will be •Earnings season difficult to resolve before a Starting next week, com- March 1 deadline. That is panies will begin reporting when U.S. tariffs on $200 their profits for the last billion in Chinese imports three months of 2018, and are scheduled to jump to expectations are high.

25 percent from 10 perAnalysts are forecasting cent. Chinese leaders have 11.4 percent growth for signaled their willingness S&P 500 companies, which to address U.S. complaints would be the fifth straight about America’s massive quarter of gains topping trade deficit with China 10 percent, according to by buying more soybeans, FactSet. natural gas and other U.S. Those numbers are key products. because stock prices tend But they are likely to to track corporate profits resist pressure from Washover the long term. But ington to scrap or scale even more attention will back technology policies likely be paid to what they see as vital to ChiCEOs say about future na’s future prosperity and profits. strength.

“We’re going to have a •Federal Reserve meetnice, solid double-digit ing number” for fourth-quarThe next Fed meeting ter earnings growth, said comes in the last week of Phil Orlando, chief equity January, but most economarket strategist at Feder- mists don’t expect much ated Investors. “I think the action from it. The central market’s bigger concern is bank is likely to leave how big the 2019 decelera- rates alone after raising tion is.” them four times last year.

Executives generally talk Investors instead will with analysts and invesbe more interested to tors immediately after hear what Fed Chairman their companies’ quarterly Jerome Powell says in his earnings are released. news conference followStock prices could swing ing the meeting. Markets depending on what they have parsed every word say about how moderating Powell has said in public, economic growth, U.S.-Chi- hoping to divine clues na trade tensions and about the path of interest interest rates could affect rates. Higher interest their upcoming results. rates can forestall inflaApple’s warning last tion, but they can also week about slow iPhone slow economic growth and sales in China, the world’s drive buyers away from second-largest economy, stocks. shocked the market and After Powell’s news sent Apple’s stock down conference in December, nearly 10 percent. On the for example, the S&P same day, Delta Air Lines 500 slumped 1.5 percent fell nearly 9 percent after on worries that the Fed it trimmed its forecast for seemed set on raising fourth-quarter revenue. short-term rates three Orlando said he expects times into 2020 and letting earnings growth will its portfolio of bond purremain positive in 2019, chases shrink on “autojust slower than last year, matic pilot.” “The Street is much like the economy. looking for some definitive He nevertheless expects evidence that this (Fed) stocks to claw back their board of governors gets it, recent losses and return to and that three more rate a record by the end of the hikes and (an inflexible year, though with a lot of approach to) balance-sheet volatility in between. shrinkage is too aggres•U.S-China trade talks sive,” Orlando said.

A U.S. delegation began Investors heard some talks in Beijing on Monof that Thursday when day aimed at resolving Powell said the Fed will a trade dispute that has be patient in raising rates alarmed global investors and flexible about unand threatens to drag winding the balance sheet. down worldwide economic Starting this month, the growth.

Fed chairman will hold a The world’s two biggest news conference following economies are battling each Fed meeting, so invesover U.S. allegations that tors will have plenty more Beijing uses predatory opportunities to parse tactics to acquire advanced Powell’s words. technologies, potentially (AP Economics Writer Paul undermining American Wiseman in Washington, D.C., technological dominance. contributed to this report.)

and Julie Carr Smyth Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP)— The federal agency tasked with guaranteeing U.S. airport security acknowledged an increase in the number of its employees calling off work during the partial government shutdown.

Employees of the Transportation Security Administration are expected to work without pay during the shutdown because their jobs are considered essential.

The TSA said in a statement Friday that call outs that began over the holiday period have increased. The agency did not say how many of its employees have called out, but it said the call outs have had “minimal impact given that there

are 51,739 employees supporting the screening process.’’ The statement said wait times “may be affected’’ but so far “remain well within TSA standards.’’

“TSA is closely monitoring the situation,’’ the agency statement said.

“Security effectiveness will not be compromised.’’

The Department of Homeland Security and President Donald Trump pushed back Saturday on suggestions that the absences represented a “sickout’’ that was having significant consequences on U.S. air travel. White House officials and congressional aides were in talks Saturday to end the shutdown, which entered its 15th day.

Negotiations are at an impasse over Trump’s demands for $5.6 billion

to fund a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

TSA spokesman Michael Bilello tweeted that 5.5 percent of the TSA workforce at Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport called out Friday, compared with 3.5 percent on a normal day.

He said wait times “may be affected’’ but that all passengers would be screened as normal.

Hydrick Thomas, president of the national TSA employee union, told CNN that up to 170 TSA employees at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport have called out each day this week.

Airport officials said there no screening delays at JFK, Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports, or Miami International Airport.

Union officials did not return requests for comment.

The new year brings new hope to the Pittsburgh region HOPE FROM B1

the Riverside Center for Innovation considers themselves a business “work tank” that incubates businesses, providing resources and help to become successful. “We work with clients to provide accounting, public relations, risk management, research, and help with real estate ventures,” explained Garrett.

The center also partners with other business assistance entities, which provide connections to help businesses grow, including Kiva. Kiva Pittsburgh is an initiative that assists area entrepreneurs access capital via its website, Kiva.org, to start or grow a business.

Based in California, Kiva offers 0 percent interest microloans for businesses in the U.S. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, the city’s economic development agency, committed to creating jobs, expanding the city’s tax base and improving the vitality of businesses and neighborhoods, understands the perils facing entrepreneurs.

Through its Micro-Enterprise Loan Program, according to Jennifer Wilhelm, assistant director of the URA’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the program provides financing for startups and small businesses that need capital to launch or grow. As part of the URA’s strategy to promote opportunities for groups who have not had access to business financing in the City of Pittsburgh, including minority- and women-owned

Dr. Erroline Williams, is the newly appointed Vice President of the ICF (International Coach Federation)–Pittsburgh Charter Chapter. She is a professional certified coach and consultant and provides leadership, executive, and life fulfillment coaching, for individuals and corporate teams. She designs the coaching engagement within a mutually designed relationship for the benefit of work performance which also serves as a personal approach. Dr. Williams holds a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and has an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) designation from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). As a certified Conversational Intelligence® (C-IQ) Core Skills Practitioner, she utilizes the skills to help leaders identify their conversation styles. Dr. Williams most recently worked in Learning and Development at Duquesne University, and previously at the University of Pittsburgh.

She has extensive background in the corporate environment, leading teams over 30 years. She serves as Board Member of Gwen’s Girls, Inc., and Dissertation Committee Member for the Point Park University Doctoral Program in Leadership and Administration. She coaches in the Program to Aid Citizen Enterprise (PACE) Coaching Program for Nonprofit African American Executive Leaders. Furthermore, she designed a robust coaching program for the Pittsburgh Promise. In addition, Dr. Williams is an alumnus of the New Pittsburgh Courier “Women of Excellence”.

businesses, Wilhelm said the program provides loans of up to $20,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, and leasehold improvements. “We designed the program to reduce as many barriers to access as possible. There is no credit score requirement, the interest rate is 2 percent fixed, and we even have resources to assist individuals in completing their loan applications.”

Wilhelm also pointed out that several professional business assistance providers have been contracted to assist applicants finalize their business plan and financial projections, which are a required part of the application and that a business plan template to help individuals get started with their draft can be provided. “The Micro-Enterprise Loan Program has only been up and running since May 2018, and already it’s exceeded expectations,” Wilhelm said mentioning that to date, the URA has closed on 15 loans, 14 of which were minority (nine specifically minority) or women-led and committed $268,371.

Sample funded businesses include a food business, retail shops, salons, and an electrician. Any business starting or growing business owner she says should contact Lynnette Morris at 412-255-6547 or lmorris@ ura.org.

Located in the Mon Valley and operating under the principle of self-sufficiency, Keith Giles, CEO and founder of First Step Recovery Homes Inc., agrees with the thinking of McCaskill and Garrett. “We are living in a time that it is imperative African Americans utilize, spend and invest their wealth wisely as well as provide the resources, products and services for the wealth to stay within our neighborhoods.”

Providing supervised, temporary, safe drug and alcohol-free structured housing and support services for persons recovering from the disease of addiction, First Step has helped its residents recognize their personal purpose and instilled confidence, a sense of vision and perseverance;

all elements of entrepreneurship in over 300 men.

Some former residents have gone on to become entrepreneurs. Their businesses include construction, home remodeling, a barber shop, catering and parking lot ownership. In-house businesses have included a moving company, lawn care, catering and a car wash. The organization’s vision for 2019 and beyond is to pattern the 41-yearold California-based Delancy Street Foundation. “Our vision,” says Giles, “is to provide long-term residential housing and vocational training, education and basic life skills to ex-offenders, former drug and alcohol abusers and homeless individuals. The aim is for residents to lead a productive crime-free, drug-free life of purpose and integrity leading to self-sufficiency.”

Well beyond the startup stage, several minorityand women-owned businesses are contributing to the economic base of the region by providing jobs and a variety of services.

Seven African American-owned and two African American women-owned firms are listed as top 25 businesses in the 35th annual Pittsburgh Business Times “Book of Lists,” considered the region’s most comprehensive listing of businesses and organizations. Listed as the top two minority-owned firms are Moriarty Consultants and Rice Enterprises LLC. Also listed are All Purpose Cleaning Service Inc., (No. 8), Allegheny Housing Rehabilitation Corp. (No. 12), Savoy Restaurant (No. 15), Waller Corporation (No. 17), and The Wilson Group (No. 21).

Giles and Garrett agree with McCaskill that voting power is important in the African American community. “Politics plays a major role,” says Giles, excited that the Mon Valley now has minority representation in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

“Austin Davis from McKeesport and Summer Lee from Braddock bring a new perspective and ideas to the Mon Valley, an area that has potential and great economic value to the region.”

Five financial steps STEPS FROM B1

have paid off all or most of your debt? Gotten a little closer to certain goals, such as funding a college education for your kids or a secure retirement for you and your spouse? Or would you like to have a little more money in the bank than you do now so you can take a dream vacation? Looking ahead and thinking about where you

want to see yourself in the future is an important part of defining your next financial steps.

Turn to Your CPA No matter what financial questions you’re grappling with, your local CPA can help. To find a CPA in your area or for more financial tips, visit www.picpa.org/ moneyandlife.

Get ready to have a great new year!

BUSINESS CALENDAR Business Workshop

JAN 10—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA will host a presentation by Jim Futrell, vice president of market research for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Koppers Bldg., H. White Room, lower level, 436 Seventh Avenue, Pittsburgh 15219. The presentation will provide an overview of the demographic challenges on the economy, employment, education and other trends in our region and their impact on small businesses in 2019 and beyond. Cost $10 for members, $20 for non-members. For more information, call 412-3920610.

Women Business Leaders Breakfast

JAN 11—The Chatham Women’s Business Center’s breakfast series presents Effective Advertising For Your Business, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the James Laughlin Music Center on the Shadyside Campus. Hear from a panel of experts in newspaper, magazine, radio, and cable about their demographics and their efforts to reach consumers with effective advertisements to understand how to best leverage their networks for your business.

Cost: $25, $12 for students and veterans. For more information or to register, call 412-365-1448.

Training Event

JAN. 16-- The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center presents a First Step seminar, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15282.

The event is aimed at new businesses and start-ups and covers: Business Structure and Formation; Fictitious Name Registration; Employee Issues, Financing; Taxation; Insurance, and much more.

Cost: $25. TO register, or for more information, call 412-396-1633.

PowerBreakfast Meeting

JAN 18—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA will host its first PowerBreakfast meeting of 2019 with Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Rivers Club, One Oxford Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222.

Fitzgerald will provide an update on the county’s economic and business health and a preview of 2019 initiatives. Cost $20 for members, $30 for non-members. For more information, call 412-3920610.

Financing Webinar

JAN. 23—The Chatham Women’s Business Center will host The State of Small Business Lending-Funding Options to Grow your Business webinar, 12 to 1 p.m. Honeycomb Credit Founder George Cook will discuss trends in traditional bank lending and offer an analysis of the increasingly complicated network of alternative lenders while highlighting the pros and cons of various funding options. This online session is free, but registration is required. Call 412-3651448 for more information.

Exit Planning Training Event

JAN. 25—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will offer a full day training session on Exit Planning For Your Business, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15282. The indepth session will cover methods for preserving a company’s value, finding a business appraiser, lessening taxes, the pros and cons of different ways to sell a business, and a host of other topics. Cost: $599, includes breakfast and lunch. For more information, call 412-396-6233

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 9-15, 2019

B3

In 2018, ‘Living While Black’ stories exploded on social and mainstream media

Guest Commentary

Already broken your resolutions? Be precise, be reasonable, remain resolute

by D. Kevin McNeir We all have our favorite traditions, some that we’ve inherited from our families—others that have more to do with our willingness to comply with societal norms. One tradition common among those living in the Western Hemisphere that gets plenty of mileage during the first days of January remains making New Year’s resolutions.

Simply put, it’s a promise to us that for the new year we’ll change undesired traits or behaviors, focus on accomplishing individual goals or generally working toward improving our lives.

Centuries ago, both the Babylonians and Romans began each year by making promises to their god(s). Later, medieval knights took a vow to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry at the start of each year. Today, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making resolutions while attending watch night services on New Year’s Eve. But successfully achieving these goals, as we all probably know, tends to be an annual effort in futility as recent studies indicate with 88 percent of those who set New Year’s resolutions failing to achieve them—one-third failing to make it past the end of January according to the time management firm Franklin Covey.

The greater failure rates came from those who admitted they’d set unrealistic goals but not far behind were those who simply didn’t keep track of their progress or who just forgot about it. Finally, there are those who make too many resolutions and realize that they’ve put themselves on an impossible quest.

Consider: A lot of these resolutions fail because they’re not the right resolutions. And a resolution may be wrong for one of three main reasons: it’s a resolution created based on what someone else (or society) is telling you to change; it’s too vague; or you don’t have a realistic plan for achieving your resolution.

One solution: make your goals SMART—an acronym coined in the journal Management Review in 1981 for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. It makes sense for managers, but it could be helpful in establishing and keeping your resolutions, too.

Specific. Your resolution should be absolutely clear. Instead of promising to lose weight, decide to lose 10 pounds in the next three months.

Measurable. Keep track of your progress, or lack thereof, in a journal or make notes on your phone or in an app designed to help you track behavior. You’ll better be able to reinforce the progress, no matter what your resolution.

Achievable. Goals requiring a giant leap are good. But too big a step too fast can leave you frustrated and negatively impact other areas of your life.

Relevant. Is this a goal that really matters to you, and are you making it for the right reasons? Doing things because of self-hate, remorse or momentary passion will undoubtedly be difficult to maintain. But if you believe your new goals will improve your life, surround yourself with people who both agree with and will support your resolution.

Time-bound. Make sure your timeline allows you to reach your goal in a realistic span of time. Give yourself enough time to do it by including smaller, short-termed goals along your path.

“Focus on these small wins so you can make gradual progress,” said Charles Duhigg, author of “The Power of Habit” and a former New York Times writer. “If you’re building a habit, you’re planning for the next decade, not the next few months.”

Let’s see how we all fare a few months from today. Break a leg!

(D. Kevin McNeir is senior editor for the Washington Informer.)

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(NNPA)—Whether it was sitting at a Starbucks in Philadelphia, sleeping at college or simply walking to one’s apartment in one’s own building, a major social media trend emerged in 2018. That trend was: Documenting bias and micro-aggressions that would later be featured in mainstream media.

Much of what was documented was recording by the object so many have with them 24/7: Their cell phone. The wave of incidents documented was not new—but the media attention on such stories along with the responses that have followed signals a cultural shift that’s likely to last for years to come.

There were multiple incidents. Below are six that made headlines and garnered widespread media attention: •In April in Oakland, California, Michelle Snider posted a YouTube video of Jennifer Schulte calling the police on her and her husband Kenzie Smith. Schulte dialed 911 because she was upset they were BBQ’ing in a public park. The story quickly went viral and Schulte was tagged as “BBQ Betty.”

•In May in Connecticut, Sarah Braasch called the police on Yale graduate student Lolade Siyonbola.

Lauren Victoria Burke

Commentary

impromptu pre-match haircut after a referee with a racist incident in his past decided Johnson’s hair violated the rules. The referee, Alan Maloney, was later fired.

•In late December, a security guard at a DoubleTree Hotel called the police on Jermaine Massey as he used a phone in a lobby. Two employees were fired because of the incident.

It was likely not coincidental that such incidents have spiked on social media and in mainstream news during the presidency of Donald Trump.

The national political environment has become contentious with President Trump’s relentless focus on vilifying and stereotyping minorities, particularly Mexican immigrants, while at the same time failing to quickly and affirmatively denounce racism and xenophobia.

Hate crimes along with a resurgence of White supremacist groups have been recorded by the Southern Poverty Law Center and other hate watchdog organizations. The incidents have highlighted the power of social media a few years after the birth of Black Lives Matter which also featured the power of social media content.

The problem? After she fell asleep in a common room in her dorm. When police arrived, Siyonbola ran the conversation live on her Facebook Live.

•In May in Philadelphia, two men, Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson, were arrested at a Starbucks after an employee called the cops on them as they waited for a business meeting to begin. The multi-billion-dollar coffee chain would later close all of its stores to conduct training for all their employees regarding racial bias.

•In August in Madison, Wisconsin, Shelia Stubbs, who is the only African American on the 37-member Dane County Board of Supervisors, was campaigning in her district when someone called the police.

•In December in New Jersey, An(Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent drew Johnson, a Black high school wrestler, was compelled to have an journalist and writer for NNPA)

Sisters who made us proud in 2018 (TriceEdneyWire.com)—It’s not unusual to find Black women who, despite the odds, make us proud.

2018 was no different. There were many who did just that.

Black women in politics opened many new doors, ran in many areas across the country, who won and helped others win. We’ve come a long way since Rep. Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress.

Before I go to those who got credit for winning, and I use the word “credit for winning” because under fair conditions, I have no doubt that Stacey Abrams won. I’ve been there under similar circumstances when I ran for Congress and was told I lost the election with less than one percent of the vote. When I ride through towns in Louisiana now, I haven’t found anyone who claimed not to have voted for me! If you drove through Georgia today, I’m sure you’d find very few people who would admit to not voting for Stacey Abrams! The few who didn’t vote for her didn’t do so for lack of qualifications. She ran against someone who was a candidate and the referee! She was the best qualified candidate in the race. No matter what, she ran a great race, made us proud, and became the first Black woman nominee for Governor of any state. In our hearts, she did win. She ran an incredible

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary campaign and she is to be commended for fighting all the way to the end—despite one of the worst cases of voter suppression.

In other national office races, Black women turned electoral power into political power where they did get credit for the victory. One of the new Congresswomen is Lucy McBath who lost her son, Jordan, to gun violence. She decided to take on gun control and she won! She did it from Georgia-- a southern state.

That’s something most Democrats have been afraid to do. Lucy sent a powerful message to those afraid to take on the gun lobby when she said after her victory, “This win is just the beginning…We’ve sent a strong message to the entire country. Absolutely nothing—no politician and no special interest—is more powerful than a mother on a mission.”

She made her declaration with the guts of Shirley Chisholm, and I believe she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with in Washington.

Lauren Underwood, a nurse, with a pre-existing condition has a focus on health, was elected in Illinois and not just in a Black district. She won in a predominantly white and 86 percent Republican district! There again, many have thought that would be impossible--and maybe it was until she won! Her Republican Congressman had voted against the Affordable Care Act. That’s when she said, “The game is on.” She ran and she won what at one time was Republican Dennis Hastert’s seat!

Ayanna Pressley defeated a 10term Democrat in Massachusetts, making her the first Black woman to serve in Congress from her state!

Johana Hayes, a Teacher of the Year, won a Congressional seat against an incumbent, making her the first Black woman to represent Connecticut in Congress.

I pray that Democratic leaders have taken note of this election, and also see the huge number of Black women mayors of many key cities.

Black women have been bringing victories to the Party for a very long time with our very strong vote for Democrats. Add the power of all other women of color and we can continue to win despite the slow rate at which many white women learn who votes and serves in their best interest, too.

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

Because of the CBC, the Farm Bill benefits Blacks

by Cedric L. Richardson

these communities to get fresh fruits and vegetables. The hope is that the (BLACKPRESS USA)—In 1986, research coming out of these Centers on her award-winning “Control” of Excellence will help address this album, singer-songwriter Janet issue and others.

Jackson asked: “What have you done Finally, the 19 historically Black for me lately?” This is a question land-grant universities will get at the Congressional Black Caucus least $2 million in additional federal (CBC) is asked a lot. Well, here’s our funding for scholarships that they latest answer to that question: Since can use to attract new students. its founding in 1971, the CBC has This funding will come from the $80 used the legislative process to right million scholarship program ($40 historic wrongs and to give a voice to million in mandatory funding and the voiceless, and that’s exactly what $40 million in discretionary funding) we did in the $867 billion Farm Bill that the CBC fought to get included that passed Congress, which includes in the Farm Bill. millions for HBCUs, Black farmers, When I first came to Congress, the and rural communities of color.

CBC had just helped thousands of As a result of the CBC’s efforts, 19 Black farmers win a billion-dollar historically Black land-grant univer- settlement against the U.S. Departsities will now get millions of dollars ment of Agriculture (USDA) for disthat states have been denying them criminating against them for federal for years. According to federal law, farm loans. It took work to get that states are required to match federal settlement and it took more work to funding dollar-for-dollar for landmake sure that settlement was paid grant universities, but many HBCUs out. But the CBC’s fight for Black have not been getting what they are farmers continues. owed. In fact, a 2013 report by the As a result of the CBC’s efforts, Association of Public and Land-grant Black farmers will now be able Universities found that from 2010to get the training and resources 12, 61 percent of the historically they need to better run their farms Black land-grant universities did not through USDA’s Farming Opporreceive 100 percent of the one-to-one tunities Training and Outreach matching funds from their respective Program (FOTO), a program that is states. Now states are required to re- a combination of the USDA’s Beginport to Congress how much funding ning Farmer and Rancher Develthey’re providing to both historically opment Program and the Outreach Black land-grants and their predom- and Assistance for Socially Disadinantly White peers. This is somevantaged Farmers and Ranchers thing the CBC has been fighting for and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, for over two decades. the latter of which provides grants In addition to this new reporting to organizations that work with requirement, at least three of these farmers of color and farmers who institutions will get a research cenare veterans. The combined FOTO ter, called a “Center of Excellence”, program will get $50 million in fedthat will allow them to lead the eral funding, a $20 million increase nation in research on food insecurity from previous years. issues that affect African Americans As a result of the CBC efforts, in both rural and urban commuBlack farmers will also be able to nities. It’s no secret that a lot of more easily pass their farms on to low-income, Black communities are their families. Some estimates show food deserts—meaning that there’s that 60 percent of land owned by no place for the people who live in African-Americans in the United

States is heirs’ property, which is property that is passed down without a will or transfer of title. Before now, owners of heirs’ property were unable to get the credentials that are required to access USDA programs that could help them resolve heirs’ property issues. The CBC fought to address this contradiction in the Farm Bill.

Finally, because of issues that Black farmers experience both within and outside of USDA, the CBC fought to include a provision in the Farm Bill that protects the Department’s Civil Rights Division from reorganization and political interference. Specifically, the provision prevents the Division from implementing actions, policies, or decision documents until a civil rights analysis is conducted by the Department on how well the Division processes and resolves civil rights complaints.

This analysis is necessary to protect the civil rights of USDA employees, contractors, and beneficiaries (e.g.

Black farmers).

My last day as CBC chair is Wednesday, Jan. 2. Members of the CBC can’t be chair for more than one Congress so I’ll be passing the torch on to Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA-37) who I’m confident will take the CBC to higher heights.

For me, chairing the CBC has been an opportunity of a lifetime. But the thing I’m most proud of is this: Despite a White House and Congress that was hostile to bettering the lives of African Americans, the CBC was still able to get a lot done, and the policies and programs included in the Farm Bill is just one of many examples. Happy holidays to you and your family.

(Congressman Cedric L. Richmond represents the 2nd District of Louisiana, which includes parts of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. He is also the chair of the 48-member, bicameral, bipartisan Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), which was established in 1971.)

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JANUARY 9-15, 2019

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

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Help Wanted

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DIRECTOR OF HORTICULTURE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM BIDWELL TRAINING CENTER

Plans, develops, and administers the Horticulture Technology Training Program to ensure students receive a quality education which meets the needs of employers, and is compliant with all standards of accreditation and requirements under Bidwell Training Center’s state license.

BS in Horticulture or related area (Master’s degree preferred); 3 yrs progressive experience within the horticulture industry, minimum 2 yrs experience in training or adult education required. Must have demonstrated ability to develop curriculum, manage program budgets, and communicate with a diverse population, possess strong working knowledge of MS Office applications, have a valid U.S. driver’s license and an insurable driving record.

Send Resume with cover letter and salary requirements to hr@ manchesterbidwell.org EOE

SENIOR APPLICATION SERVICES MANAGER

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, seeks a Senior Application Services Manager to work in Pittsburgh, PA or as a work-from-home position (with the ability to telecommute with appropriate telecommuting systems). Participate in all aspects of Governance Risk & Compliance ( RC) activities. Specific duties include: (i) advise the business and application development team on multiple solutions and architecture options to enable complex business processes using Archer; (ii) oversee the design and build of on-demand software applications and solutions based on GRC; (iii) provide Strategy guidance to IT GRC department on the software application development of local, system-specific and application-specific information security, including policy, guidelines, standards, procedures and responsibility designations; (iv) manage the work environment, identifying workforce needs and ensuring alignment with corporate manager expectations, values and vision as it relates to GRC solutions; (v) identify compliance, information security and business continuity risks to the organization and make recommendations for corrective actions/mitigation of risk; (vi) oversee the timely and proper execution of the GRC program within and across the lines of business; and (vii) develop, define and implement the data model to support the goals of the GRC solution.

Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Computer Science or Computer Engineering plus 8 years of experience in the field of RC (Risk Management, Compliance, Enterprise Management, Third Party, Business Continuity and planning) is required. Will accept three- or four-year degrees. Experience must include: (i) Security Risk & Control Matrix for processes identified through risk assessment (ii) facilitated risk assessments and common reference data model identification for support of RC solutions using RSA Archer; (iii) domain expertise to assist the business in identifying and maturing, particularly the GRC platform; (iv) policies and processes for operational risk management and ability to use tools, data and best practices to identify, assess and manage operational risk exposures; (v) providing analysis and recommendations on user requirements for software development architecture in RSA Archer to include complex eGRC Archer; (vi) providing strategic vision for implementing automated solutions needed for achieving target vision, enabled mainly using the RSA GRC Archer platform; (vii) RSA Archer and GRC domain with focus to a wide range of risk technologies & business initiatives; (viii) gathering detailed technical and functional requirements and configuring applications using Archer Architect, including design and implement of GRC solutions; (ix) upgrades and patching across testing and production environments of Archer platform, working towards maturing the GRC practice; (x) managing a collaborative vendor engagement model for defining needs, structuring engagements, maintaining services delivery and product quality, refining a shared vision, and maintaining a productive relationship; and (xi) leading project delivery teams across business groups, IT, infrastructure and vendor solutions teams to ensure business objectives are achieved with sufficient solution delivery transparency and oversight.

40 hours/week, :00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Interested individuals apply online at www.pnc.com using keyword 307249BR. PNC provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.

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SONNY BOY

AUBERLE

Helping Build Strong Individuals, Families & Communities Auberle has been dedicated to transforming the lives of children, youth & families. Auberle is a nationally recognized human service agency serving 4,000+ children & families each year.

Currently hiring for: •Housing Case Aide/Driver - PT •SNAP Case Aide/Driver – PT •412 Youth Zone Coach – FT •412 Mobile Outreach Youth Coach - FT •Youth Care Workers –FT/PT •Night Monitors – FT •Therapist – FT •Logistics Manager – FT •Youth Facility Support Staff – FT If you are highly motivated, passionate about youth & interested in making a difference, visit www. auberle.org to apply. EOE

EPILEPTOLOGIST

University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks an Epileptologist to work in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County), PA. Specialize in the treatment of epilepsy, including all aspects of electroencephalography, CCTVEEG monitoring with an emphasis on non-invasive pre-surgical evaluations, and the comprehensive medical management of patients with intractable epilepsy. Must have a M.D. or foreign equivalent; completion of 48 months of residency training in Neurology; completion of 24 months of fellowship training in Epilepsy; must have a valid PA medical license. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers. upmc.com and enter 180001N5 in the Search eyword/ ob D field and click Go. EOE.

AGILE COACH

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. seeks an Agile Coach in Pittsburgh, PA to participate in all aspects of an Enterprise Agile Transformation. Specific duties include: (i) work with software development teams to incorporate DevOps practices and Agile engineering practices into software delivery; (ii) as a member of Enterprise Agile Transformation Team, provide training, oversight, and implementation of the established standards and practices including Human Centered Design Thinking, Lean Design Modeling, and Agile engineering practices; (iii) provide supporting analysis and recommendations to drive changes in iterative product strategy and software delivery, team design and talent development, and quality engineering practices; (iv) utilize experience and knowledge to build credibility and rapport with executive leadership, and document and present recommendations for improvement to ultimately in uence changes; and (v) facilitate and negotiate discussions across multiple levels of stakeholders to identify, escalate, and aid in resolution of highly complex problems impeding delivery or work progress.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Finance or Computer Science plus 5 years of experience coaching, managing, or working on an application delivery team utilizing Agile frameworks. Experience must include: (i) application of Design Thinking principles, Journey Mapping, Persona Creation, Lean UX, and Minimum iable Product definition (ii) independently implement Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and/or SAFe, as well as associated processes, practices, and techniques for the delivery of new and enhanced applications or processes; (iii) end-to-end application delivery, including with the utilization of Agile frameworks and methodologies for execution; (iv) training and coaching test-driven development, behavior driven development, pair programming, continuous integration, clean code, refactoring, and automated testing practices, with specific tool chain capabilities including Selenium, Cucumber, Git, Jenkins, Slack, Artifactory, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS) automation capabilities and tools; and (v) utilization of best practices for implementation of Agile Development Lifecycle Management tools including set-up for new teams and reporting, with specific tools including Jira, VersionOne and Rally.

Must have one or more of the Scrum Alliance Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Scrum Alliance Certified Product Owner (CSPO), or Scaled Agile SAFe 4 Certified Agilist certifications.

40 hours/week, :00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Interested individuals apply online at www.pnc.com using keyword 307250BR. PNC provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

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Legal Notices

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BOROUGH OF WILKINSBURG

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY Department of Facilities Management Pittsburgh, PA December 17, 2018

The Borough of Wilkinsburg is accepting applications for the position of CDL/Driver in the Department of Public Works. The hourly rate of pay is $21.81. Position description and Borough employment application are available at www.wilkinsburg pa.gov. Send application to Amanda Ford, Wilkinsburg Borough, 605 Ross Ave, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 or info@wilkinsburgpa. gov; applications also accepted at the Borough administrative offices during normal business hours. Application period closes at 4:00pm on January 18, 2019 Wilkinsburg residency is required EEO ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

MEETING

anuary 10, 201 6:00pm Urban’s Annual Meeting Family & Friends FUn Night Zone 28 2525 Freeport Road Pittsburgh, PA 15238 Please email rsvp@urbanacademypgh.org

ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ASSET DISTRICT

2019 RAD Board Meetings will be held at 3PM 1/10 5/16 9/26 11/21 2019 RAD Budget Request Hearings will be held at 2 PM 8/15 8/20 8/22 8/27 8/29 9/3 9/5 RAD Budget Public Hearing will be held at 3 PM 10/24. ALL Board Meetings & Hearings will be held at Koppers Building Conference Center, 436 7th Avenue, Level B. For public participation procedures or updates visit radworkshere.org or call 412-227-1900.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of JOSHUA D. PARRY, Court Term No. 021807610, late of Monroeville, Allegheny County, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned by the Director of Dept. of Court Records, Wills/Orphans Court Division of Allegheny County, notice is hereby given to all persons indebted to said estate to make immediate payment, and to those having claims against the same to present them to the undersigned, duly authenticated for settlement. Maria Parry, Administrator, 1249 Northwestern Dr., Moneroeville, PA 15146, or to Cathy L. Brannigan, Esq., 15 Duff Rd., Suite 6C, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Call for Technical Assistance Providers for Love My Neighbor!

Small Grants Program Neighborhood Allies is issuing a Request for Proposals from organizations or consultants to provide technical assistance and training to people applying for a Love My Neighbor! Love My Neighbor!, is a grant program by Neighborhood Allies that invests in resident-led projects that aim to improve neighborhoods and engage neighbors.

Complete copies of the proposal requirements can be obtained by contacting: Stephanie Chernay, Chief Operating Officer, Neighborhood Allies, (412) 471.3727 (ext.

211), stephanie@neighborhoodallies.org or visiting the following website: http://neighborhoodallies. com/resources/rfp/ Neighborhood Allies reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities. One original and one copy of the proposal must be received by 5 p.m. on January 25th, 2019. They can be hand delivered or mailed to the following address: Stephanie Chernay, 429 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1900, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Neighborhood Allies procurement process for this RFP follows the City of Pittsburgh’s open and fair regulations for procurement.

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The Office of the Director of the Department of Facilities Management of Allegheny County will receive Letters of Interest with current SF 330s for Professional Services until 4:00 p.m. on anuary 1 , 201 for the following assignment: COUNTY PROJECT NO. 2019-OPEN OPEN END ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES The Allegheny County Department of Facilities Management is seeking Architectural Services on an “As Needed” basis to supplement the efforts of its’ Architectural Personnel. The consultant must staff all projects with skilled and experienced personnel who are facile in the building type and are competent for the assigned specific tasks. f your firm is interested in providing the afore-mentioned services, please submit six (6) copies of your Letter of Interest and current SF 330 to: James P. Reardon, Director Allegheny County Department of Facilities Management oo County ffice ui din Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Place six (6) copies of your Letter of Interest with required SF 330 forms in a sealed, opaque envelope with your firm’s name and the words “Letters of Interest for the Open End Architectural Services, Project No. 2019-OPEN” on the front.

If you mail the Letter of Interest, please insert the sealed, opaque envelope containing the Letter of Interest and SF 330 form inside a separate mailing envelope.

The Director will not consider any Letter of Interest received after the set day and hour and will return it to the addressee unopened. The firm is responsible for ensuring that the Director receives the Letter of Interest by the set day and hour.

The County will use only SF 330s of firms responding with etters of nterest to pre-qualify firms for consideration for these services.

The County encourages responses from small firms, Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), Veteran Owned Business ( OB) and firms that have not previously worked for the County.

The County will preselect or shortlist firms for consideration for the Project assignments on the following evaluation criteria: Experience, Record, Size, Workload, and Previous Related Work to the Building Type. The County’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) goals for this Project will be 13% of the total architectural fees for MBE participation and 2% of the total architectural fees for WBE participation. Certification of MBEs and WBEs by the County is mandatory on or before the due date. Firms submitting a Letter of Interest must have their MBE/WBE participants in place and noted in their Letter and/or SF330 form to be considered for this project.

The Director may reject any Letters of Interest and may waive any irregularity in the Submission of Letters of Interest. For further information contact Richard Oziemblowsky, Architect at 412-350-0081.

James P. Reardon, Director County of Allegheny Allegheny County Department of Facilities Management

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

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

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) will receive proposals for the project listed below. The agreement for this work will be with the SEA. The RFP may be obtained after the date identified below from Mr. Thomas P. Ryser r., PE - E-mail: tryser pgh-sea.com, Telephone: (412) 393-0200.

Project: Artwork and Ancillary tem Removal from Pedestrian Tunnel RFP Available: an. 4, 201 Date/ ocation for Proposals: 4:00 PM, Thurs., Feb. 7, 2019, SEA, Attn: Thomas P. Ryser, r., 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION 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 5, 201 , until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Pgh. Allderdice High School Concrete and Asphalt Repairs General Prime Pgh. Allderdice High School Stair Tower Painting and New Stair Treads General Prime Pgh. Langley K-8 Corridor and Classroom Ceilings and Lighting General, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Spring Hill K-5 Restroom Renovations General, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on January 7, 2019 at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between :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.

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 7, 2019.

INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB) BOTTLED AND POTABLE WATER PWSA PROJECT NO. PWSA114 Work under this contract includes the provisions of bottled and potable water.

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 Thoryn Simpson, Senior Contract Specialist, via e-mail: tsimpson@pgh2o.com, no later than January 31, 2019.

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 the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity.

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

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INVITATION TO BIDDERS THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT

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 6, 2019.

INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR THE 2019 VALVE REPLACEMENT CONTRACT PWSA PROJECT NO. 2018-325-105-0 Work under this contract includes the replacement and rehabilitation of PWSA valves within the public water system.

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 January 30, 2019.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on January 17, 2019, 10:00 a.m. prevailing Time in the Authority’s conference room located at 1200 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. The purpose of this meeting is to give an overview of the contract requirements and to allow Bidders to ask questions.

Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Bond in the amount of Ten Percent (10%) of the bid for the project under construction. Said Bond shall be duly and legally executed with a Surety or Trust Company which has complied with City Ordinances/Resolutions relating thereto. A Performance Bond and Labor and Material Bond in the amount of 100% 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 the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity.

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

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 6, 2019.

INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR THE 2019 HYDRANT REPLACEMENT CONTRACT PWSA PROJECT NO. 2018-325-104-0 Work under this contract includes the replacement and rehabilitation of PWSA hydrants within the public water system.

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 January 30, 2019.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on January 17, 2019, 11:00 a.m. prevailing Time in the Authority’s conference room located at 1200 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. The purpose of this meeting is to give an overview of the contract requirements and to allow Bidders to ask questions.

Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Bond in the amount of Ten Percent (10%) of the bid for the project under construction. Said Bond shall be duly and legally executed with a Surety or Trust Company which has complied with City Ordinances/Resolutions relating thereto. A Performance Bond and Labor and Material Bond in the amount of 100% 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 the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity.

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

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

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

Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on January 23, 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) B181172 Overhead Catenary Line Truck B181175A HVAC On Call Services B181276 4G Replacement Modems 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 January 9, 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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JANUARY 9-15, 2019

A more diverse The home life must be reconstructed Congress, a more Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick perfect union?

To Tell The Truth

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—The 116th Congress, sworn in on Jan. 3, is the most diverse our nation has ever seen. There are more women—102—than ever before. More members of the Congressional Black Caucus—55—than ever before. Indeed, a former Congressional Black Caucus intern, Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., is part of the incoming firstyear class. At 32, she is the youngest Black woman to serve.

This Congress includes the first Native American woman, two Muslim women, openly gay representatives, and others.

Much of this diversity was displayed at the ceremonial swearing-in of the Congressional Black Caucus, an inspirational event that preceded the official swearing-in on Capitol Hill. There, as I listened to speeches by the top Congressional Democrats—incoming speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), incoming Majority leader Steny Hoyer (Md.), and incoming Whip James Clyburn (S.C.), I was awash in hope and optimism. These leaders, along with outgoing Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond (LA) and incoming Chair Karen Bass (Calif.) spoke of challenge, struggle, and optimism and focused on possibilities.

As I listened to them I could not help but think of the poet Langston Hughes, and his poem Let America Be America Again. Written in 1935, the poem was first published in Esquire Magazine in 1936. Though Hughes did not consider it one of his favorites, it captures the duality of our nation, the marked difference between our nation’s soaring es-

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary tablishing rhetoric and the stark reality that many experience. In the words of Malcolm X, it is the difference between the American dream and the American nightmare. Here is what Langston Hughes writes in his poem: “Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free. (America never was America to me.) Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.) O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe.”

(There’s never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this “homeland of the free.”)

No freedom in this homeland of the free, but this Congress offers freedom possibilities. It offers the possibility of fixing the Voting Rights Act, even as the Supreme Court has attempted to erode voting rights, even as at least two elections were stolen in 2018, those of Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Andrew Gillum in Florida. This Congress offers freedom possibilities in resisting the insanity of a “wall” that the Great Negotiator (and purported author of The Art of the Deal) swore that Mexico was paying for. Not. This Congress offers freedom possibilities in its efforts to preserve the Affordable Health Care Act and to move us to Medicare for all. This colorful Congress (the pictures tell it all) offers a sharp contrast to the dismal (as in grey and navy suits) set of Republicans, overwhelmingly white and male, and overwhelmingly staid.

It’s not about MAGA (Make America Great Again), it’s about MAF, or Make America Fair. This is what Congressman James Clyburn shared when he spoke at the ceremonial swearing-in. He opened with the words of French historian Alexis Tocqueville, who observed when visiting this country: “the greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” Clyburn went on to list the many ways our nation has attempted to self-correct, from the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation to the Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education decision declaring “separate but equal” to be “inherently unequal.” Clyburn talked about the Great Society legislation, another of our nation’s attempts at self-repair, and he concluded by saying that, “America does not need to be made great again, she is already great. Our challenge is to make that greatness apply fairly and equitably to all of our citizens.”

Can this diverse new Congress make our nation fair for many who have never experienced our nation in the way it is supposed to be? In the words of Langston Hughes, “It never was America to me.” We’ve come a long way since he wrote his 1935 poem, but we still have so much to do. After these last two dystopian years under the leadership of President Genital Grabber (let’s just call him GG), this new Congress offers us many possibilities. May they manifest!

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)

Across this nation of ours there exists a multitude of devastating problems.

There are too many single-parent families, an unbelievable lack of affordable housing, lack of quality education, obstacles that prohibit Black men from adequately providing for their families, politicians, both Black and White, who fail to develop legislation that will provide these men with legal enforced opportunities to provide for their families.

The overwhelming majority of Black politicians’ first commitment is to their political party and the persons who elected them. Secondly, too many Black persons, who pose as preachers, are eloquent speakers, well-educated, lots of style, good showpersons, but fail to be true servants of the God they profess to serve.

Those persons who have elected or appointed authority and responsibility to address the above problems lack the will to resolve them. The drug problems in the Black communities are usually addressed by discussing increasing the sentencing.

The ever-increasing drug problem in the White communities is addressed by increasing the drug, Narcan.

It is an absolute conviction of mine that the problems that threaten to overwhelm the Black communities can best be solved by the RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HOME. Black men must be afforded an equal opportunity to provide for his family to help him become daddy, provider, husband, businessman, homeowner.

There are still a number of us living who witnessed the rebuilding of Garfield, North Side, East Liberty, and Lawrenceville. The major question that I have constantly asked over the last 10 years or longer is how many Blacks, if any, ever received a major contract and how many worked. I also have written for the last 20 years that STATISTICS DON’T LIE, BUT THOSE WHO COMPILE THEM DO. (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the New Pittsburgh Courier.)

Will the paralyzed presidency be prepared for primary challenger?

In 2017, after the to the mantle of the violence in Charlot- J. Pharaoh Doss office.” tesville, President Romney pointed Trump fired his chief out some of the presstrategist Steve Banident’s policies that non.

(Remember he agreed with, but him?) But Bannon Romney emphasized, didn’t leave the White “These are policies House quietly, Banmainstream Repubnon told anyone that licans have promoted still listened, “The for years.” Romney Trump presidency mentioned a 2016 that we fought for and won, is over. We still Pew Research Center Poll that revealed have a huge movement. (The so-called na- 84 percent of people in Germany, Britain, tionalist-populist movement) But that pres- France, Canada and Sweden believe the idency is over. It’ll be something else.”

American president would “do the right History will determine what that “some- thing in world affairs” and one year later thing else” was, but right now we’re all that number has dropped to 16 percent. still wondering what it actually is.

Romney continued: “To reassume our Bannon continued: “I just think his abil- leadership in world politics, we must reity to get anything done—particularly pair failings in our politics at home. Our the bigger things, like the wall, is gonna leaders must defend our vital institube that much harder.” tions, despite their inevitable failings. I I immediately wrote a piece called: Pre- will support policies that I believe are in pare for the Paralyzed Presidency. I read the best interest of the country and opmore into Bannon’s comments and thought pose those that are not. I do not intend he was predicting the Republican midterm to comment on every tweet or fault. But loss of the House of Representatives that I will speak out against significant statetook place in November. Then I said the ments or actions that are divisive, racist, newly elected Democrats would make ev- sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest, or deery effort to impeach President Trump to structive to democratic institutions.” paralyze his presidency. (On Jan 4, 2019 This sounds like a primary challenge the New York Times wrote: Just hours was issued to the president by a represenafter the 116th Congress was sworn in… tative of the Republican establishment.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan [promised This doesn’t mean Romney would be the profanely] to impeach Mr. Trump as she actual challenger. I think he’s playing the drew cheers from liberal activists.) role of older statesman, but Bannon disNow, 2019 begins with a government agrees and told Newsweek, “Romney has shutdown over the border wall. Bannon launched a direct challenge to Trump for was right. After Bannon was fired, he also leadership.” said, “The Republican establishment has The editor-at-large for CNN Politics was no interest in Trump’s success…They’re dismissive and wrote, “The belief that opnot populist, they’re not nationalist, they eds like Romney’s might change things had no interest in his program.” within the Republican establishment During November’s midterm elections are, therefore, based on a false premise: former Republican presidential candidate That there is any sort of measurable ReMitt Romney was elected senator of Utah. publican party outside of those who align Before Romney was sworn into the 116th with Trump.” But the editor’s pessimism Congress the Washington Post published is rooted in a false measurement. He’s an op-ed by Romney. Romney stated: “Don- weighing the absence of a GOP alliance ald Trump was not my choice for the Re- that does not align with Trump over the publican presidential nomination. When influence of the individual who never did. he won the election, I hoped he would rise There’s strength in numbers, but influto the occasion. But, his conduct over the ence is power.

(J. Pharaoh Doss is a contributor to the New past two years and his actions last month is evidence that the president has not risen Pittsburgh Courier.)

Check It Out

Trump, furloughs and federal sector labor unions

by Bill Fletcher Jr.

the same for all public sector workers: they have not linked their issues sufficiently with the issues and the concerns of the people that they serve. Let me give you an example. The political Right loves to attack what they allege to be bloated government, but if you were to ask any regular person whether they want funds cut that go into inspecting foods, they would look at your cross-eyed.

If you were to suggest to someone boarding an airplane that funds should be cut from air traffic control, they would probably want to throw you out of the plane. In other words, when it comes to the specific things that are offered by government, there are normally not significant objections. Yet, the political Right is allowed, time and again, to trash government and government workers as if they are all sitting on their rears smoking cigars.

This is precisely the time to remind the public of the role of government workers and to also remind the public of the damage that Trump is doing in order to secure his ‘toy.’ But to remind the public means to be in the streets, visiting organizations and visiting elected political representatives. It means demonstrating and staying in the public eye. It means taking advantage of radio talk shows as well as social media. It means creating a situation which is anything but normal.

That is what federal labor unions need to be doing at this moment. And doing so with all deliberate speed.

(BLACKPRESSUSA)—One of the most interesting aspects of the December federal shutdown is that Trump was unapologetic in identifying that it was his intent to bring it about. Normally the President or Congress will trade blame in anticipation of the shutdown but not in this case.

That Trump NOW blames the Democrats is irrelevant and transparent. He made it clear on national television that he was going to shut down the government unless he got his toy; excuse me, his wall.

We have been through shutdowns before.

They are not fun, particularly for federal workers and federal contract employees.

While federal workers eventually get paid, when it comes to contract employees, there is no guarantee that they will see a dime.

So, the government shuts down, even partially, and many of the rest of us who are not employed by the federal government shake our heads and express frustration, but then go on with the rest of our lives. Federal workers and contract employees don’t have it so easy.

Which is why the unions that represent federal workers need to do more to make shutdowns and furloughs other than an afterthought. Yes, they must keep their members informed about developments on Capitol Hill; yes, they must encourage their members to call their Congressional Representatives and the White House; but at the end of the day, is that it?

(Bill Fletcher Jr. is the former president of TranOne of the central challenges for unions representing federal sector workers is sAfrica Forum and a long-time trade unionist.)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Raynard Jackson

Commentary

Black media needs to do their jobs As I reflected on the year in politics from 2018, it dawned on me that the most under reported story of last year was the Black vote; and not for the reasons you might think.

According to Pew Research, “Blacks voted [in the 2018 elections] overwhelmingly (90 percent) for the Democratic candidate, including comparable shares of Black men (88 percent) and Black women (92 percent).

It is a well-known axiom in politics that a Democrat candidate MUST get north of 90 percent of the Black vote to win an election, especially in a state-wide race. Anything less, that Democrat candidate risks losing his race.

Similarly, if a Republican gets north of 15 percent of the Black vote, he has a great chance of winning his election.

This is why I find it so bizarre that the Republican Party REFUSES to spend the time, money and effort to engage with the Black community in any meaningful, sustained way. More about this in a future column.

The Black vote was particularly decisive in three gubernatorial races: Florida, Georgia, and Maryland. Each of these races had three extremely credible, impressive Black Democrat candidates facing White Republicans.

In Florida’s governors’ race, former congressman, Ron DeSantis got 14 percent of the Black vote; in Georgia, former secretary of state, Brian Kemp got 16 percent of the Black vote; and in Maryland, incumbent governor, Larry Hogan got 30 percent of the Black vote.

This is proof positive that the above axiom is indeed a very accurate predictor of election outcomes more than any polling data.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I served as a senior advisor to Ron DeSantis during his race for governor, so I have first hand knowledge of the impact of the Black vote in this race.

After he became our party’s nominee for governor, DeSantis called me and asked me to come to Florida and help him secure the Black vote. He empowered me to accomplish the mission, gave me the resources that I needed, and then got the hell out of my way and let me do my thing!

Of the 14 percent of the Black vote we received, we received 18 percent of the Black female vote and 9 percent of the Black male vote. The issues that drove this 14 percent was entrepreneurship and school choice/ vouchers.

The Democrat nominee, Andrew Gillum, vowed to raise taxes on businesses and eliminate a voucher program that overwhelmingly benefited poor Blacks.

The question that I have for the media, especially the Black media is how do you explain the fact that these three Black candidates all got well under 90 percent of the Black vote?

I have not seen one media story that examined this phenomenon. Why? Because the media cannot and will not accept the fact that a significant percentage of the Black vote supported a Republican candidate because in a liberal’s mind, they can’t believe a Black person would actually say, by their vote, that they agree with this Republican candidate’s ideological views.

In a liberal’s mind, it is inconceivable that a Black person can be pro-life, support smaller government, actually wants lower taxes, supports the removal of those in the country illegally, and believes in school choice and vouchers, etc.

I expect White media to ignore this story, but I am kind of surprised that Black media has not thoroughly examined why the three candidates got well under 90 percent of the Black vote.

Many in the Black media are radical liberals, like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, Tamron Hall, Jason Johnson, Lauren Burke, Joe Madison, etc. They don’t want to examine this story because they know the outcome; the examination will prove that Blacks are not the liberals that they and the White media want the public to believe.

Gillum, Abrams, Jealous, all were radical liberal candidates; putting illegals before American citizens, promoting a radical homosexual agenda, and wanting to raise taxes on those who are successful. That is why each of them lost.

You had three sharp candidates, all 45 or younger, great rhetorical skills, and all very likable; and yet all three got their buts kicked because enough Blacks said we don’t agree with your policy positions. I have heard liberals attempt to dismiss these loses because of “racism” and “voter suppression.”

Nothing could be further from the truth.

They lost because the Republican candidates received more votes than them. Period!!!

I hope in this new year that Black media will finally live up to its journalistic mission and actually give an honest examination of why these three Black candidates received well under 90 percent of the Black vote in three states that had significant numbers of Black voters.

And I hope this examination will include the fact that enough Blacks supported the Republican candidate because they agreed with their policy positions as opposed to what the Democrat alternative was offering.

This indeed was the most under reported political story of 2018.

(Raynard Jackson is founder and chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future (BAFBF).)

SPORTS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 9-15, 2019 B7

Voices from the wilderness

THEY KNOW THEIR SPORTS—From left: Smokin’ Jim Frazier, Kevin Cameron, Aubrey Bruce, Chris Moore of KDKA Radio, Bill Neal, and Brian Cook, at the KDKA Radio studios, Jan. 6.

Sports talk with an urban twist, on The Chris Moore Show on KDKA Radio

by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier

Shortly after we rang in the year 2019, I received a phone call from Ashley Johnson, advertising coordinator for the New Pittsburgh Courier. “Hey Aubrey, Chris Moore called and left a message for you to call him.”

After I thanked her and hung up, I began to worry.

I wondered if I had written or said something out of kilter that may have offended him because I have been

blessed to know Chris for over four decades and from the early beginnings that I have practiced my craft, he has always been the measuring stick that many African American journalists, especially me, have strived to reach and maintain.

He has guest-hosted many times for host Ellis Cannon on PCNC’s Night Talk. He has now added KDKA radio to his ever-evolving body of work. Many of you probably also recognize him from his work on the Black Horizons show on WQED-TV. He has

co-hosted and produced the Emmy-winning series which holds the distinction of being the longest running minority-affairs program on public television, airing since 1968. He also produced and narrated Wylie Avenue Days, an Emmy Award-winning documentary on the Hill District.

The phone rang and Chris answered with that slight southern drawl still trying to seep through. “Aubrey, Happy New Year. I am doing a show centered around Mike Tomlin and

the Steelers, I am going to such as the possible firing of us, while simultaneously feature sportswriters that and replacement of Steelers addressing issues bridging may have a different take head coach Mike Tomlin. the gap from yesterday to on the issues currently surKevin Cameron was, as today, using those experirounding the team. Are you always, balanced and in- ences as a foundation to interested in being part of formed, never afraid to anticipate and plan for tothe panel? Interested?” challenge any theory or morrow. As for me, I never Interested was a very, very opinion that may have been even remotely visualized huge understatement be- hatched from emotions as that I would live to see the cause at that very moment, opposed to facts. My fellow day that over 150 years of I was almost transported Courier sports columnist Black sports journalistic exthrough the telephone to Bill Neal was his usual self, perience would be gathered KDKA’s radio studios to be- half-Californian laid back in one room, alive and well, gin the show prematurely, and half-Penn Hills fire- not being forced to honor far in advance of the sched- brand. Brian Cook is the one or more in memoriam uled broadcast. current president of the while broadcasting to the The participants on the Pittsburgh Black Media nation. illustrious panel were Bill Federation as well as a forMr. Spock once said this: Neal, Brian Cook, Kevin mer reporter for Sheridan “The needs of the many Cameron, Smokin’ Jim Fra- Broadcasting Corporation outweigh the needs of the zier and myself. This was a and American Urban Radio few.” On this day we were truly historical and momen- Networks, and has been a truly, “One nation under tous occasion. The broad- bright star on the horizon a groove,” being of sound cast was scheduled for one of Black sports journalists mind and spirit ready to hour but Chris extended it for more than a decade. In render unto the world and an additional hour because addition to providing his the universe our thoughts, we had not even scratched behind-the-scenes insight, theories and opinions that the surface of many issues he profiled his IT skills, were mostly unfiltered and that remained after 60 min- live streaming portions of almost exclusive only to utes of discussion. the program while it was in the Black experience. Proof Smokin’ Jim was at his progress. once and for all that when best, being his thought-proChris Moore was vintage given the opportunity we ended. OK, that’s fine, I voking and controversial Chris Moore, acting as both could be more than regurthink the linebackers could self, offering up a unique ra- provocateur and facilitator, gitators of the Eurocentric have done more, I’ll buy that tionale as to subject matters bringing out the best in all process. but if they don’t fire Butler, they are making Porter the scapegoat. Butler should have been fired last offseason. The fact that we are still :04—Some of you may not talking about him having to by Bill Neal even call Mr. Rooney back. realize it, but, as great as be let go is mind-boggling. For New Pittsburgh Courier C’mon man!

His defenses are bad. He :07—For those of you A.B. is, and he is the best :10—Well, boys and girls, reading that played the in the game, the Steelers can’t scheme. He can’t motivate, he get’s outcoached here we go again. And, it’s game. Do you think for one have not won a Super Bowl consistently and he’s in over not like we haven’t had minute you can skip prac- due to his greatness. Meanthis conversation before. tice all week and just show ing, “I can lose with you or his head.

“There is no ‘I’ in Team” up on gameday and expect without you!” (that’s deep, Butler. Must. Go. There are some play- …“Teams win champion- to play? Mmmaaannnnn too.) :03—And, tell me again ers that need to go as well, ships”…“No man is an is- please!!! namely Bud Dupree, espe- land.” Take your pick but :06—And, if you’re a back- how you can’t find a way to cially on a $9.2 million sal- old sayings get to be old for up wide receiver on the get along with the guy that ary. If they can renegotiate a reason! team “bustin your butt” ev- passed all those yards to :09—Will you people… ery day in practice, every you. “It takes Two to Tana deal and cut that in half, then I’ll listen. If not, he has and some of you racists… day...you may act like you go.” (that’s deep too, but it’s to follow former teammate please stop trying to blame don’t care…but trust me, not mine...)

Coach Tomlin for A.B.’s ills. you care. :02—And, of course the Jarvis Jones out of town.

Artie Burns should just flat Antonio Brown is a grown :05—The great and leg- thing you want to do to out be cut. He’s a bust. Can’t ___ man. You wanna blame endary Sidney Poitier once endear yourself to Steeler play. It’s best for all parties if he’s let go, he can blow coverages for another team.

They should extend Roethlisberger another three years, build around Conner and young and budding superstar JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Conner and Smith-Schuster are team-first guys and guys you can win with, they are the new core of this team.

And you can bet they will have a strong opinion on the most polarizing decision the team has to make this offseason, that of what to do with Antonio Brown. Brown quit on his team, there’s no arguing that. I don’t care to get into the he said she said reasons as to why he didn’t play, he just didn’t and that’s ANTONIO BROWN—Will he be a Pittsburgh Steeler next season? (AP PHOTO) a problem.

If it were up to me, I’d shop him and I’d trade him, if— the coach for some bad play said that his father de- Nation and ownership is to and this is a big if—I got a calling or time manage- manded one thing of him do an Instagram message lot in return, and that would ment, so be it; but not for —“Do Not Disgrace Our with James Harrison. Hey require a top-tier cornerback A.B.’s self-centered game Name!” It causes me to ask man, love ya both and Lord or inside linebacker and a plan. this of Antonio Brown as knows you are two of the :08—To which I ask any well as Le’Veon Bell and best ever, but, that’s just first-round pick. If they can’t get that, then Tomlin and of you reading this that others. What about your dead wrong. :01—I’ll leave you with the team must find a way to still has a job somewhere. name, your legacy, your work things out with Brown If your boss calls you on reputation, your image. this just in case you forgot. and move forward. If he the phone and you don’t How do you not care about If they can trade Franco plays like he’s capable of, call him back, how long do the future you leave? (BTW, Harris, they can trade anyhe’s a weapon who can’t be you think you’ll have a job? that right there is deep. body!!! (Mic Drop!)

You know! Look, A.B. didn’t Think about it.) :00—GAME OVER. covered.

This past Steelers season was a roller coaster

But the question remains…what to do with Antonio Brown?

by Mike Pelaia For New Pittsburgh Courier

There’s a new roller coaster going into Kennywood Park in 2019 called the Steel Curtain. Perhaps they should name the coaster “Steelers 2018 Season” instead because that’s exactly what this past year was, a roller coaster.

From the season-opening tie to the Browns, to the six-game winning streak, to the finish to the season that saw them fall from a 7-2-1 record…a near lock to win the division, to out of the playoffs, the Steelers season couldn’t have been a crazier ride.

It’s a season that started with incredible expectations of winning the Super Bowl.

The thing is, those expectations were not unrealistic. As this team sits at home this offseason, they have to look at what could have been.

They are easily as talented as any other team that made the playoffs.

Yet, the Black and Gold sit at home, on their couches, pondering what went wrong and hopefully, what they need to do to get better in 2019 while this Super Bowl window may still be slightly ajar.

This season they had their issues in many facets of the game. Offensively, they turned the ball over quite a bit, especially in the oppositions end of the field. Ben Roethlisberger was responsible for 20 turnovers this season, 16 of those interceptions, a few of which were in the opposition’s red zone, most notably in Denver, when going in for a TD at the final seconds.

A quarterback of Ben’s caliber should not be turning the ball over 20 times in a season. I understand he’s one of the best in the league and he passed for over 5,000 yards to win the passing title—I don’t think there is any other quarterback worthy of taking his place but I

do think his turnovers cost them a game or two and had they won that game, or two, they’d have made the playoffs.

Yet, it can’t be all on Ben. It starts with Randy Fichtner. The new offensive coordinator did a good job but down the stretch, he seemed to abandon the run in favor of the pass. Quite frankly, it’s unacceptable that this was allowed to continue over the last month of the year when it was very evident that the rushing attack was more than capable of handling its own. James Conner and Jaylen Samuels more than filled in for the missing Le’Veon Bell this season, proving the Steelers didn’t need Bell. Fichtner did not appropriately use his running backs and because of that, the Steelers sit at home.

Special teams didn’t do their job, either. Chris Boswell was the worst kicker in football. He shouldn’t have been allowed to kick for as many games as he did but his salary and the fact that he was a Pro Bowl player last year got in the way of just releasing him. Because of that, the Steelers missed the playoffs, and Boswell is a huge reason why.

Special teams came in ranked 29th out of 32 teams this year as well. Danny Smith has to be fired for that, doesn’t he? I say bring in somebody new, they can’t possibly do much worse!

But missing the playoffs isn’t just on the offense or special teams; it is also heavily on the defense led

by Keith Butler. Butler’s defense ranked sixth overall in total yards allowed but that in no way truly depicts the story of their season. They flat out stunk. They had no ability to create turnovers, at all. They did nothing on third downs but give up big plays.

So the Steelers and Mike Tomlin decided to let Joey Porter go after the season

A.B. didn’t even call Mr. Rooney back!

B8

JANUARY 9-15, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER