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Gov. Wolf moves on diversity
VOL. 106, NO. 41
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by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
Back when Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf was still just a candidate, the New Pittsburgh Courier asked if he would appoint someone to lead his administration’s diversity efforts. He said he COLEMAN would not. “No I’m not going to do that. That’s my job,” he said. Now, 10 months into his first term—and despite being three months into a budget battle over taxes and spending—Wolf is trying to do that job. Last month he issued an executive order
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directing efforts to ensure “diversity and inclusion in all contracting opportunities for small and diverse businesses throughout the agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction.” “This executive order is built on the reality that leveling the playing field will make
Pennsylvania better for all of us,” he said. “This idea of fairness is important because our economy SMYLER BLOCKER doesn’t work optimally if some people are shut out of the market’s opportunities.” The order creates an Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion, and renames the Bureau of Small Business Opportunities
LOUIS ‘HOP’ KENDRICK
SEE WOLF A4
‘Hop’ Kendrick honored for 60 years of service by Michael B. Rose For New Pittsburgh Courier
BLACKS UNITE IN D.C.—The masses on the Lincoln lawn watching the big screens and listening to speakers.(Photo by J.L. Martello)
On Oct. 9 some of Allegheny County’s who’s who of the last 30 years assembled to pay homage to a man who never considered himself disadvantaged but fought for the disadvantaged every day of his adult life. The Nabhi Christian Ministries Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Public Service was held in an ornately decorated room in the River’s Club Ballroom at One Oxford Centre. Jazz from Jared Wilson and Vibe poured out of their saxophones as well wishers poured into the room and wine poured into crystal glasses to toast to Louis “Hop” Kendrick. Hosted by “Black Horizons” host Chris Moore, the event served a dual purpose as a celebration of the life work of Kendrick SEE HOP A4
Million Man March provides 1000 Downtown hope, many questions unanswered security guards by Samson X Horne For New Pittsburgh Courier
WASHINGTON—The social action event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March took place in the nation’s capital on Oct. 10. The event titled, “Justice or Else,” was spearheaded by Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, as was the Million Man March of 1995, focused on the imperative nature of today’s lack of social equality for minorities.
The 1995 Million Man March is credited with an attendance of more than 800,000. For this year’s estimate, Sgt. Anna Rose, public information officer for the United States Park Police, said, “We no longer provide estimates for large gatherings.” Five busloads from Pittsburgh’s Black community attended the march to mix into the crowd of people from across the nation, two from Muhammad Mosque 22 in Wilkinsburg, one from the North Side, one from McKeesport and one from the East Side.
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Black Political Empowerment Project (BPEP) organizer and president of Pennsylvania Coalition of Young Democrats William Anderson said, “I’m always happy to support events and causes that move us forward. I’m very honored to help organize such a significant event.” Minister Victor Muhammad, from Muhammad Mosque 22 in Wilkinsburg, said he was encouraged to see Native Americans, Latinos and even Whites in at-
Calling it the largest union contract signed in the city in decades, organizers joined Mayor Bill Peduto in celebrating a deal with nine security firms covering 1,000 guards, the majority of whom are African Americans.
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by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
Swissvale youth removed from league due to ‘rowdy’ parents by Ashley Johnson
team was no longer welcome, citing various reasons which included accusations of cheating and parents who were “too rowdy” and “loud.” While there may have been some incidents, according to Wilson, there was no cheating and nothing that warrants “the game” being taken away from the kids. He claims the league has targeted his youth for weeks, being “knit-picky,” all because they’re a predominantly Black, urban team who just happened to be winning this year. “They don’t deserve to be
Courier Staff Writer
It’s that time of year—football season. Family members traveling to see their loved ones play, fans dressing up in their team’s colors while withstanding all kinds of weather conditions as they cheer their team to the end zone; but for one area youth football team that is no more—at least not as part of the PAC 6 league. On Sept. 29, at a league meeting, John Wilson, assistant head coach of the Swissvale Flashes, one of six teams to play in the PAC 6 league, was told that his
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This Week In Black History
OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
INTERNATIONAL
HIGH RANKING LEADER—Joseph W. Sitati, of Kenya, one of the highest-ranking Black Mormon leaders, looks on after speaking at a conference at University of Utah Friday, Oct. 9, in Salt Lake City. (Rick Bowmer/Associated Press)
Mormons gather to discuss race issues within faith
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)— African-American Mormons discussed the ongoing challenges of belonging to a predominantly White religion Friday during a university conference designed to address the status of Blacks in the faith. Darius Gray, a pioneering Black Mormon, commended church leaders for publishing an essay in 2013 that disavowed a previous ban on Blacks in the lay priesthood. The essay offered the most comprehensive explanation ever from church headquarters about the ban that was in place until 1978. Still, Gray noted, only two in 10 Mormons have read the essay, limiting its impact. The common theme at the conference at the University of Utah: Discussions about race in the Mormon religion don’t happen enough at congregational levels. “There is a level of fear in exposing the truth behind the racist history of the church,” said Paulette Payne, a Mormon TV personality in Atlanta who moderated a panel on race and Mormon women. “When you fear something, you don’t necessarily want to expose it for what it is because it then becomes a reflection of you.” Panels filled with academics and Mormons bookended a lunch speech from Joseph W. Sitati of Kenya, a member of a second-tier Mormon governing body called the Quorum of the
Seventy. Sitati, 63, said he came to peace with the past ban when he joined the faith in 1986 by studying past scripture and teachings. He said African Mormons aren’t preoccupied with the
“There is a level of fear in exposing the truth behind the racist history of the church.” PAULETTE PAYNE Mormon TV personality ban, either. He said the increase in Mormon membership in Africa, to 449,000 in 2014 from 7,600 in 1978, is evidence of that. Issues of race and diversity within the Mormon faith bubbled up after the church selected three White men last weekend to fill vacancies on a high-level governing body, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The top 15 leaders of the religion—including the president, his two counselors and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—are all White men. Only one, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, is from outside the U.S. He was born in Czechoslovakia and raised in Germany. There aren’t any Blacks on the next-level leadership group, the seven-member presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy. But there
How are Pittsburgh and Allegheny County...
responding to President Obama’s challenge to urban centers to fill the persistent opportunity gaps faced by Elaine Effort boys and young men of Color? Listen to Pittsburgh Profiles this week with KQV reporter Elaine Effort for all the details.
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are two minorities: Ulisess Soares of Brazil and Gerrit W. Gong, an Asian-American. In the body of the first Quorum of the Seventy, two men are Black: Sitati and Edward Dube of Zimbabwe. There are no Black leaders from the U.S. Though most Mormons respect the fact that top leaders are chosen through divine intervention by the church president, considered the prophet, there’s still concern over the lack of Black leaders. “It’s important for us Black people to see ourselves in this church in leadership capacities,” said Payne, who was drawn to the church in part by hearing the conversion story of singer Gladys Knight. The Utah-based religion doesn’t provide ethnic or racial breakdowns of its members, but scholars say Blacks make up a small portion of the 15-million member global faith. The church also works to convert faithful around the globe, adding diversity to its rank-and-file. About 3 percent of Mormons in the United States are African-American, the Pew Research Center estimated in 2009. About 5 percent of all worldwide members are of African descent, estimates Matt Martinich, a member of the LDS church who analyzes membership numbers with the nonprofit Cumorah Foundation. Maybelline McCoy, an Afro-Latina originally from Panama, expressed dismay at how few students at Mormon-owned BYU are black: 288 out of 30,000 in 2014. McCoy said she doesn’t want her three small children to feel like outsiders when they grow up, as she often did during her time at BYU when she came to Utah from Texas. “I refuse for them to walk through what my husband and I had to at BYU,” said McCoy, a photojournalist who lives in Washington D.C.
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Week of Oct. 14-20 October 14 1902—William Allison Davis is born. He earns a PhD and becomes a leading educator and anthropologist. Among his lasting legacies were his well-documented challenges to the cultural bias of IQ tests which generally portrayed Blacks as less intelligent than Whites. 1916—Washington and Lee University of Virginia refuses to play Rutgers University of New Jersey because it has a Black player on its team. That player was Paul Robeson who withdrew from the game, but later became world famous as an actor, singer, and advocate of Black and socialist causes. 1964—Martin Luther King Jr. becomes the youngest man ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He was 35 and had already become world famous for his PAUL ROBESON leadership of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. 1999—Former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere dies at 77 of cancer. He had led his country to independence and called on American Blacks to come to Africa to help rebuild the “motherland.” October 15 1859—White minister and mystic John Brown leads a violent uprising in Harper’s Ferry, Va., in a bid to spark a Black uprising against slavery. Dozens of Whites are killed, but the revolt is eventually put down. President Abraham Lincoln once referred to him as a “misguided fanatic,” but Brown actually had a fanatical hatred of slavery and wanted it ended at all costs. 1887—The U.S. Supreme Court declares the Civil Rights Act of 1885 unconstitutional. The decision was spurred by the end of Reconstruction and helped to usher in the Jim Crow period in the South whereby Black rights won during Reconstruction were taken away. 1991—Conservative Black judge Clarence Thomas is JOHN BROWN confirmed as the 106th associate justice of the U.S. Supreme. He remains on the court with a voting record, which continues to anger many Black leaders. October 16 1849—The man considered the first Black historian in America is born. His name was George Washington Williams. He was also the first African-American to serve in the Ohio legislature. He died in Blackpool, England, in August 1891. 1855—John Mercer Langston, probably the first Black elected to public office in America—wins the race for Clerk of the Brownhelm Township, Lorain County, Ohio. 1876—Race riot in Cainhoy, S.C., leaves five Whites and one Black dead. 1895—The nation’s leading African-American medical group—National Medical Association—is founded in Atlanta, Ga. CLARENCE THOMAS 1901—Booker T. Washington becomes the first Black leader to dine at the White House with the president when Theodore Roosevelt invites him. Some Black leaders charge Washington’s invitation was a result of his policies which they charge tended to accommodate racism. Nevertheless, the invitation and dinner served to crown Washington as the Black leader of the period. 1917—One of the most unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, Fannie Lou Hamer, is born in Montgomery County, Miss. Her famous and most oft-repeated quote: “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” 1940—Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr. is named the first Black general in the regular U.S. Army. Davis died in 1970 at the age of 90. 1968—Sprinters John Carlos and Tommie Smith give the clenched-fist Black power salute when accepting their medals at the Mexico City Olympics as a protest against racism in America. Sadly, the two sprinters would become involved in a personal dispute years later. A White Australian sprinter also wore a human rights badge in support of their protest. 1973—Maynard Jackson, elected the first Black mayor of Atlanta, Ga., dies of a heart attack while on a visit to Washington, D.C., in 2003. JOHN CARLOS AND TOMMIE SMITH 1984—Bishop Desmond Tutu is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end White minority rule in South Africa. 1995—Nation of Islam leader Min. Louis Farrakhan leads the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. More than a million Black men gather to “atone” and organize. No permanent organizational efforts resulted from the historic gathering. October 17 1720—Jupiter Hammon, the first Black American poet, is born in slavery. He was a Calvinist and self-educated writer. 1787—Led by Black Mason Prince Hall, free Boston Blacks petition the Massachusetts legislature for equal school facilities for African-American children. In addition to spreading Freemasonry among Blacks, Hall became the most prominent Black leader of the period. For reasons which are not entirely clear, records show there were at least 21 men named “Prince Hall” living in Massachusetts at the time. 1871—President Ulysses Grant suspends the writ of habeas corpus in nine South Carolina counties in order to combat a Ku Klux Klan terror campaign against Blacks and some progressive Whites. Grant pretty much crushed the Klan during this period. It would not rise again until the 1920s. 1888—The nation’s first Black bank—Capital Savings—is chartered in Washington, D.C., by a group known as the Order of the True Reformers. The now little known, but once influential group set up chapters throughout the South and advocated Black selfhelp and the starting of Black-owned businesses. The founder was William Washington Browne—a Methodist Minister from Richmond, Va. 1928—Historian and Ebony magazine editor Lerone Bennett Jr. is born. His best known book is “Before the Mayflower.” 1956—Physician and astronaut Mae Jamison is born in Decatur, Ala. 1969—Dr. Clifton R. Wharton becomes the first Black in the 20th century to head a major, predominantly White university when he is named president of Michigan State University. October 18 1917—“Dizzy” Gillespie, bandleader DIZZIE GILLESPIE and pioneer of “B-bop Jazz,” is born John Birks Gillespie in Cheraw, S.C. 1945—Actor, singer, activist and socialist Paul Robeson receives the NAACP’s prestigious Spingarn Medal for his artistic achievements. Robeson would be hounded by the U.S. government because of his leftist leanings. He was labeled a communist, blocked from working in America and later denied a passport so he could not travel to Europe to work. 1951—Novelist Terry McMillan is born in Port Huron, Mich. October 19 1859—Co-founder of West Virginia State College, Byrd Prillerman, is born. He became one of the state’s most prominent educators 1870—The first African-Americans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives came from South Carolina: Joseph H. Rainey, Robert C. Delarge, and Robert B. Elliott. Rainey was actually seated first and thus became the first African-American sworn in as a member of Congress. A portrait in his honor was finally placed in the U.S. Capitol Building in 2006. 1894—Henry Ossawa Tanner wins the Medal of Honor at the Paris Expositions for his paintings. He was the first African-American painter to gain international acclaim for his works. Tanner was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. In fact, he eventually moved to Paris because of opposition to a Black artist in the United States. His most famous painting is “The Banjo Player.” October 20 1898—The North Carolina Mutual And Provident Insurance Co. is founded by a group led by John Merrick. The company grows into the largest Black-owned insurance firm HENRY OSSAWA TANNER in America. 1904—Enolia P. McMillan is born. She becomes first female president of the NAACP.
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Thousands descend upon D.C. for justice
JUSTICE OR ELSE RALLY—Thousands gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Monica Morgan/The Final Call)
by William J. Ford Special to the NNPA from the Washington Informer
(WASHINGTON)—On Oct. 10, thousands descended on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March, organized by the Nation of Islam and the Hon. Min. Louis Farrahkhan, demanding justice for Black victims of police brutality. Speakers at the “Justice or Else” rally addressed the high-profile killings of Black men and women at the hands of police, economic empowerment and the need for unity and strong families in the Black community. On Oct. 16, 1995, 20 years ago, the Million Man March was a call for one million Black men to seek atonement, reconciliation and responsibility for their families. This time around, Black women and children marched and chanted next to their husbands, fathers and brothers. Herdosia Bentum of St. Louis, Mo., who was on the Na-
“We see that our men are being killed rapidly, especially going through this jail pipeline. As women, we stand with the men on the front line in this struggle for equality. Until we really see true freedom, African women might have to lead this movement to have the power to govern ourselves.” HERDOSIA BENTUM, 35, St. Louis, Mo. tional Mall at 5 a.m. to help set up a table before a morning prayer, said that Black women must step up to help Black men. “We see that our men are being killed rapidly, especially going through this jail pipeline. As women, we stand with the men on the front line in this struggle for equality,” Bentum, 35, said. “Until we really see true freedom, African women might have to lead this movement to have the power to govern ourselves.” After the morning prayer, the sun began to hover above the Capitol and more people filled the Mall sitting on folding chairs, blankets and holding signs with slogans like: “End Police Terror! Racism is the Disease, Revolution is the Cure!” and “Black Power Matters.” Just like the 1995 rally, there was plenty of commerce too, as dozens of vendors sold T-shirts, buttons, paintings, drawstring bags, food and other paraphernalia. Near the Capitol Reflecting Pool, Eric Graham held a red, black and green Pan-African flag that he brought from his home of Yonkers, N.Y. “I came to support my people who I love so much,” said Graham, 45, who also attended the march 20 years ago. “We got police brutality and killings of young Black men. We got to get things changed.” Michael Anderson of nearby Fort Washington, Md., stood next to a pole also near the Reflecting Pool soaking up the early morning atmosphere. “I was here 20 years ago. The one thing I see different is more women are here,” he said. “That’s a good thing to support a cause that should be peaceful on a good day.” Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, who attended a previous engagement on Oct. 10, released a statement about the march. “The 1995 Million Man March was a significant event in American history and a transformative moment for an entire generation of African-American men,” he said. “This year’s march on the 20th anniversary is important for the next generation of Black leaders, as well as for the entire nation to take notice of their engagement to their families and community.” Rally participants watched a myriad of speakers passionately talk about the deaths of young Black men killed by police in recent years on at least four Jumbotron screens that lined the grassy area of the National Mall. Some of the family members of shooting victims spoke on stage Saturday. “This is about human rights. We will not continue to stand by and not say anything anymore. We will speak up and speak out,” said Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed Black teenager who was profiled, followed and shot to death by then neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla. “I say to the families that are standing here before me: don’t hold your head down as if your child’s life has been lost in vain. Hold your head up high. Your child was not the person that shot and killed someone else. Your child was murdered.” A message several speakers made clear before Farrakhan made the final speech was for the thousands in attendance to return home and make their communities better. Azia Evans, 22, who attends York College in York, Pa., plans on spreading the word about the march on her predominantly White campus to incorporate more diversity in the school’s programs and activities. Linzy Burton has a similar plan when he leaves D.C. and heads back home to Seattle, Wash. “I’m going to look into joining a local [organization] to
help do something because the killing of our youth this summer in Seattle was ridiculous,” said Burton, who works for an organization called Youth Care that assists homeless youth. While District Councilman Vincent Orange (At-large) and Mayor Muriel Bowser emphatically encouraged support for D.C. statehood, Joshua Storks-Sayles talked about making a difference within the judicial system. After Storks-Sayles graduates from Bowling Green State
University in Bowling Green, Ohio, he plans to enroll in the police academy. “I get a lot of criticism for that because no change will happen overnight, but it’s about making change,” said Storks-Sayles, 23, who’s from Detroit, Mich. “If you look at it from a bigger perspective, inserting yourself in the system can make things better. You can be chief of police and make things better. It may take five or 10 years, but I’m 23. I have time.”
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Swissvale youth removed from league due to ‘rowdy’ parents CONTINUED FROM A1
taken off a field because maybe a few adults had a few words or whatever; I don’t see why the kids should suffer. This is important to them. They’re safe at football practices. It teaches them so much. Usually when a kid gets punished for doing something, he gets punished for doing something wrong,” said Wilson. “We do a good job with the kids. One of the things said in the meeting is that our ‘kids are very mannerable and respectful.’ (But) what they’re saying to us (now) is ‘you guys do a good job, your coaches are fine, but you’re a bunch of animals. We don’t want to play you because your parents, your guardians and your sup-
ports are animals.’ And that’s not the case. ” Bob Soderberg, president of the Swissvale Athletic Association and head coach of the varsity team, said “I think we got a raw deal. Our fans were a little over zealous. It was nothing to do with the kids.” While he admits the parents were loud, like most football fans, he said the parents were never a problem and doesn’t believe there were threats. He went on to say that often times, when PAC’s accusations were questioned, his organization was viewed as being a problem. He said he knows the kids are hurt, but his teams will continue their goal, which is “to keep the kids off the street, to keep the kids playing and learning about
1000 Downtown guards join union
UNITED DOWNTOWN—Newly unionized employees from several security firms join Mayor Bill Peduto, far left, Labor Council President Jack Shea, far right, and PIIN President Rev. Rodney Lyde, right. (Photo courtesy Renee Rosensteel) CONTINUED FROM A1
“It’s not often we get to celebrate a win for both the city and the country,” said Peduto. “We will see the wealth in the economy helping all people. We are literally rebuilding the middle class.” The deal boosts the pay for hourly employees by $1.95, to a minimum of $11.75 over the course of the three-year contract. Beginning in January, the employees will also receive free individual health insurance coverage. David Cornish, a veteran and former Nabisco employee, was one of the first employees at Allied Barton Security Services to push for a union. Now he is seeing his efforts rewarded. “I was making $17 an hour at Nabisco and it took years to get back to that,” he said, adding that the enhanced training he and the others will get will “protect the people of Pittsburgh.” The contract, negotiated by the Service Employees International Union local 32BJ, covers security personnel working within the City of Pittsburgh in buildings larger than 100,000 square feet. “This is the first time an entire industry has been unionized in Pittsburgh in decades,” said Sam Williamson, 32BJ western Pennsylvania director. “And it means that those increased wages will be shared, spent in groceries and barbershops and bodegas across the city.” It also means the guards will receive additional training, required by the Safe and Secure Buildings Act, pushed through city council by Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess in May. “This contract is the first fruit of an effort
to make sure Pittsburgh is livable for everyone,” Burgess said. “This is the template for unionizing many industries across the city.” Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network President Rev. Rodney Lyde echoed Burgess in praising the agreement. “This should go down in the annals of history because it secures these workers a guaranteed path out of poverty,” he said. “It sets the standard for all other industries in Pittsburgh. It’s a great day.” The nine security firms that agreed to the contract are: Allied Barton Security Services, Chesley Brown, G4S, International Investigative Services, I.S.S., Securitas, S.O.S., St. Moritz Security Services, and Universal Protective Services. A 10th firm, U.S. Security Associates, would not agree to the same package as the other nine, but is continuing negotiations. That firm employs 250 security guards at the University of Pittsburgh. “To date, they have not been willing to agree to the same terms and conditions as the other nine contractors,” Williamson said. “We would expect that the fight will escalate if we don’t reach an agreement in the near future. A lawsuit has already been filed by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Pittsburgh challenging the safe buildings act’s authority to impose training standards on employees of private firms. The SEIU is also negotiating a new contract for janitors in Downtown buildings. Their current one expires Oct. 31.
Gov. Wolf moves on diversity CONTINUED FROM A1
as the Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities. The council is comprised of representatives from the state departments of General Services, Community & Economic Development, Transportation, and Labor & Industry. It will also include representatives from small-, minority-, women-, LGBT-, veteran-owned businesses from across the state, and commonwealth agency staff. “This is an important step in the broader effort to make sure all Pennsylvanians feel they have a life filled with fair chances,” said Wolf. “I’m trying to make our economy stronger in part by making it fairer.” Wolf spokesman Jeffrey Sheridan said the administration had not planned to release the names of the commission members until all the slots are filled. African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pa. President and CEO Doris Carson Williams said she received the press release about the commission, but neither she nor any of her members have been asked to serve. “I think there is reason for us to pay attention to this. It suggested that as a businessman himself, he knows how uneven the playing field for African American businesses,” she said. “It also suggests he’ll have a story to tell when he is our speaker at our annual Business Luncheon in December. At least it’s on his radar.” Department of General
(Send comments row@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
Services Secretary Curt Topper said since the bulk of the state contracting for minority, women and disadvantaged businesses is with his department, it will be staffing the commission. “This is a big priority for Governor Wolf,” said Topper. “One of the first things he asked me was if I was committed to increasing diversity. I said absolutely.” Topper said his department and the Governor’s office have reached out to diversity and business advocates across the state and 10 individuals have already accepted an invitation to serve on the commission. “We want to insure it’s sufficiently diverse but we don’t want it so large it gets unwieldy, so we’ll probably only add two more,” he said. “That doesn’t mean there won’t be other opportunities to contribute, on subcommittees for example. We’d be foolish to think a dozen people could know everything going on across the commonwealth.” Topper said he expects to be able to announce all the names very shortly, adding the commission will meet in Harrisburg but also in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Though the commission members’ names may not yet be known, Wolf has named several African Americans to leadership positions within his administration. And one of them, Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel, was honored three weeks ago in New Orleans for his own efforts at inclusion by the Association
to
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of Women Executives in Corrections. From his executive deputy secretary to his special assistants, Wetzel’s senior staff team is comprised mostly of women. Several of the department’s bureaus and offices also are led by women, and one third of his 27 state prison facilities is headed by a female superintendent. Overall, 25 percent of the Department of Corrections workforce is comprised of women. “In a traditionally male dominated field, we find diversity to be an essential part of the fabric of our organization,” said Wetzel. “I am not only proud of our staff. I am also proud of the fact that all our staff, male and female, has a real opportunity to progress professionally. Many of our female staff is not only leaders in this state, but leaders nationally.” Wolf ’s latest Black appointment came in August with the naming retired Major Tyree C. Blocker to serve as commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. The appointment made Blocker the seventh highranking African American working in Wolf’s administration, joining General Counsel Denise Smyler, Inspector General Grayling Williams, Wolf’s Deputy Chief of Staff Obie Kernodle, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Community and Economic Development Joe Meade, Department of Health Deputy Secretary Corey Coleman, and Wetzel.
football.” The PAC 6 is a youth football league that consists of youth football organizations from Greensburg, South Greensburg, Hempfield, Pitcarin, Jeannette, and once Swissvale. Each organization, which contains children ranging from 6-12, has three teams—the developmental (for 6-8), junior varsity (for 910) and varsity (11-12). Last year was the Flashes first year with the league. According to Wilson, the league made numerous accusations of the Flashes cheating, citing incidents such as: the use of a non-PIAA certified referee during a home game, which the rules online state that all game officials must be PIAA certified; the wrong size ball during a home game; the use of a coach as a referee and the switching players’ jerseys, just to name a few. Wilson denies ever switching player’s jerseys or players, and said when he asked to see the proof they had on film, it was not shown to him. With regards to the use of a non-PIAA certified referee and the wrong ball, were all mistakes made on behalf of the organization’s president, nothing intentional. He said the referee that was used was only used because the league did not provide a referee for their scheduled game and approved them finding their own. As for the accusations of using a coach as a referee, Wilson said he had proof that both his coach and the referee were filmed in the same area at the same time, but that the league did not want to view it. He claims the ‘misidentification’ occurred because they were both, “Black men with dreads.” Along with accusations of cheating, Wilson also said the league claimed that there were too many problems with the parents, saying there were “rowdy,” “too loud” and that some had even made threats to the opposing team. In regards to those allegations, Wilson said there was only one incident with a parent, which was not physical, and that his side immediately removed the parent from the field and the organization, soon after. He said there couldn’t have been too much of a problem, because a game was played the next week. As for parents being too rowdy, he said the Swissvale parents were no worse than parents from other teams, especially Jeannette, who had an incident prior to the removal of the Flashes. Wilson said if that’s the case, then all the teams should be removed the league. As an alternative to their removal, Wilson said he suggested banning his teams’ parents from the games and only playing away games, but it was rejected. Treasurer of the Swissvale Athletic Association Sharon Noel said, “We should have left before the season started because something just didn’t feel right. (Now),
they’re trying to make up stuff.” She went on to say that last season when they weren’t competitive, everything was okay, because the league needed their team, but now, she also believes the Flashes are being targeted because they are doing well and the league no longer needs them and using any little reason to get rid of them. When asked for comment, PAC 6 League President Frank Lehman, also Greensburg’s superintendent of Parks and Recreation, refused to speak on the matter, replying via email with, “I spoke to all the PAC 6 league representatives and there is no need to make a statement.” Christina Castello, vice president of the South Greensburg Bulldogs would only speak on behalf of her organization, said to her knowledge, the Flashes were only removed for the season, not from the league. She said at the meeting she attended two weeks ago, the question was asked, based on incidents this season, whether or not to end the Flashes’ season. She said the remaining teams who were scheduled to play them, voted not to play them. Wilson said they were in fact removed and even given well wishes for their future. According to Castello, the Flashes’ removal was based “on a number of things,” including Swissvale’s “parents getting out of line.” She cited league rule violations and recalled an incident where parents were warned for shouting curse words during the game against her team and where a threat was made against her. Noel refutes that there were any incidents where threats were made against anyone. She said that would not be tolerated. She said their fan base of 30 game attendees in so small compared to the more than 100 that come out for the other organizations. Although she believes some action needed to be taken, Castello said she does feel bad for the children. “Those children on that team are amazing children, just polite and courteous. I honestly feel bad for them,” she said. “But at some point there has to be some accountability for the parents and the parent’s actions, and there was none. Their parents were out of control.” And play is what Wilson said his boys will do. He has already arranged games with local teams in the Braddock and Woodland Hills, and is working on arranging the kids’ participation in a tournament, which they are currently raising funds for. A GoFundMe page has been created under “Let Them Play. Swissvale Football.” Wilson vows never to give up on his kids. “I know how hard these kids work. Some people would just take it and back away, but I’m going to fight for my kids (to keep playing).” (To read the full www.newpittsburghcourier.com.)
story,
visit
Trial date set in T-Station beating by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
The five White men charged with beating a Black man and pushing him onto the train tracks at the Wood Street T-Station in May will go to trial in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Feb. 16. During an August preliminary hearing before Judge Oscar Petite the victim, Kevin Lockett said he remembered very little of the actual attack in which he suffered multiple facialbone fractures while being beaten unconscious. Based on video from Port Authority cameras on the platform, prosecutors have charged 21-year-old Ryan Kyle with attempted homicide, aggravated assault,
and ethnic intimidation in the May 30 incident. Lockett said he had gotten on the T at the North Side station May 30 and meant to get off at Gateway, but the crowd—mostly from a Kenny Chesney concert at PNC Park—blocked him, so he continued on to Wood Street. During the ride, he said he heard racial slurs coming from someone in the group, but he could not say whom. When he got off, the others left through a different door. Video from the station camera shows Kyle grabbing Lockett and throwing him onto the tracks. Lockett gets back up and tries to retrieve his cooler full of food and beer; Kyle hits him, knocking him to the platform where he continues hitting him. He and his friends then tried to
leave with Lockett’s cooler. But thanks to 911 calls from witnesses with cell phones, Port Authority Police arrived before Lyle and his accomplices could even leave the station. David Depretis, 21, Kenneth Gault, 21, Christopher LaPlace, 23, and his brother Matthew, 21, all face charges of aggravated assault, robbery and disorderly conduct. Kyle’s attorney Al Burke, who is Black and a former prosecutor, said without any audio, the ethnic intimidation charges may be hard to prove. “But the video evidence is hard to refute,” he said. The video actually helped Kyle by showing he did not touch Lockett’s cooler. That led to the robbery change against him being dropped.
‘Hop’ honored for 60 years of service CONTINUED FROM A1
and also as a fundraiser for the Kingsley Center in East Liberty. Kendrick, affectionately referred to as ‘Hop’ said he got the nickname as a kid. “I was playing a game at about 10 or 11 and I got pushed off a wall and I fell and couldn’t walk so they started calling me Hop along Cassidy, and Hoppy, and finally shortened it to Hop.” Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess; syndicated talk show host Bev Smith; former Allegheny County Coroner and friend for more than 70 years, Cyril Wecht; and former Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato were among a few of the more well-known participants and speakers. The main theme of the night surrounding Kendrick is that he didn’t care who he was talking to when he spoke his mind. As the director of the Minority Women Business Employment program he fought to make sure that contracts from the county were given to Black businesses for work. He didn’t mind being a thorn in anyone’s side to do it. Onorato, who said he had many conversations with Kendrick, in reference to his bold honesty, said, “This guy is either the bravest guy I know or the craziest guy I know.” He went on to say, “I used to get those calls from Hop but I didn’t mind because I always knew when Hop was calling he was calling for a greater cause and not about him. It was about the community.” When it was his turn, Wecht talked about their friendship and the sacrifices that he made to fight for the voiceless. “I think it has cost him a lot. There just aren’t many
people like that who tell it like it is without any hesitation without reservation or rationalization.” Kendrick said such independence and defiance came out of the fact that he had a father, and a father who would stand behind him in times of struggle. “My father used to tell me, as long as you didn’t do anything wrong, you can call me.” This allowed him to be arrested five times for civil disobedience during the civil rights movement. The night ended on an emotional turn as his three daughters came up to give their words on how their father influenced them adding, “Our dad didn’t tell us how to live. He lived and let us watch,” and “My dad held our hands when we were children and now he holds our hearts.” Finally, Kendrick himself took to the microphone to a standing thundering applause as he received two big kisses from Bev Smith. He gave several humorous anecdotes about experiences with police growing up, and dealing with racism and battles with county officials. The main message, he said, he wanted to convey though was, “That Black people need to become more accountable for their actions…we have to rebuild the family structure. Until we rebuild the family structure nothing is going to change for us.” Since he left county government in 2000, Kendrick said, “They haven’t given a contract to a Black company since. Nobody has the guts to say anything. I haven’t seen such cowardice in my life.” That is “Hop” 83 and still keeping it real. (See photos from the event in next week’s issue.)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
METRO
A5
Million Man March provides hope, many questions CONTINUED FROM A1
tendance. “It shows the spectrum of people in support of the cause for justice,” he said. Some of the various speakers gave their interpretation of “Justice or Else.” Civil Rights activist and representative of National Arab American Racial Justice, Linda Sarsour, asked, “What’s the ‘or else’ mean? You wouldn’t have to ask that question if we had Justice.” Spoken word artist and rapper, Mysonne Linen, described the meaning simply as, “Justice or else, we’ll withdraw our wealth,” referring to the spending of minorities to businesses that are not owned by them and thus keeping those businesses afloat. Other speakers focused on the ‘power’ of unity and loving one another and selfempowerment. Min. Abel Muhammad, NOI’s representative of the Latino division said that the Latino community needs to no longer be looked at as immigrants because it was their country first. “We are one people, we are united,” he said. “Once we get past the lies we’ve been told about who we are, and the deprivation of our history, we can see we are family to one another once we know the truth.” Howard University Doctoral candidate, Anton House spent five years in prison and is pushing for a national campaign for felony expungement. He highlighted the difficulty for rehabilitated felons to gain employment after they’ve made a transformation into a new state of selfawareness. “If we do not have self-knowledge, we are no value to our people,” said House. The event welcomed guest speakers that suffered the loss of their loved ones under questionable and unjust circumstances such as Michael Brown Sr., father of Michael Brown, Sharon Cooper, sister of Sandra Bland, and Sabrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin. They thanked the crowd for its support and urged the
PITTSBURGH SUPPORT—In wheelchair in red is Leon Ford by the Lincoln Memorial with supporters from Pittsburgh. (Photos by J.L. Martello) continual need for loving one another. Other items touched on in the program included the mass incarceration of women, investments in prisons while defunding education, police violence and the need for politicians that are not scared to say that they value Black lives. The event was headlined by leader of the NOI, Min. Farrakhan, who spoke for just over two hours. He visited the topics of the previous speakers while intertwining them with teachings of Jesus and of Islam. Min. Farrakhan left the “or else” in the eyes of the beholder stating, “Justice for Pharaoh isn’t the same as justice for the children of Israel; justice for the oppressed is not the same as justice for the oppressor.” The minister touched on the value of women, the irrelevance of sexual preference, the focus of dismantling a fear that has restricted minorities, acquiring wealth for the Black community and calling out Black leaders that lose sight of their goals and do not fight for justice. Min. Farrakhan called for engineers, navigators, pilots, college presidents, and professors to meet him the next morning to further dis-
Community Calendar Town Hall Meeting OCT. 15—Black Women for Positive Change, My Brother’s Keeper, CCAC and other community organizations will host the “Youth Speak-We Listen” Town Hall Meeting from 10-11:30 a.m. at CCAC North Side Campus, Student Services Center Building Auditorium, 808 Ridge Ave., North Side. Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay will meet with youth to focus on community violence and possible solutions from the perspectives of high school and college students. Causes of violence, how to repair strained relationships with law enforcement and violence prevention interventions will be discussed. This event is part of the BW4PC’s 3rd annual National Week of Non-Violence. For more information, call Karen Carrington at 202-210-4005.
FOSNA Conference OCT. 16—Friends of Sabeel North America will host “We Refuse to be Enemies: Struggle for a Just Peace in Palestine-Israel” at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty. This two-day conference will give attendees first hand accounts of life in Gaza and the West Bank, and a look at why activists work for justice in the U.S. and Palestine. There will also be information on what can be done to take part in this justice work. Speakers include Jasiri X, Rev. Taurean Webb, Rev. Don Wagner and more. For more information, visit www.fosna.org/pghconference.
Operation Home OCT. 17—The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh will host its Operation Home Program from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Urban League, 2nd floor, 610 Wood St., Downtown. This intense monthly seminar on homeownership is designed to educate prospective homebuyers and arm them with the basic knowledge to navigate the path to mortgage qualification and maintaining homeownership. The program includes one eight-hour workshop and a follow-up one
on one counseling session. Registration is requested. For more information, call Paulette Tarrant at 412-227-4815.
Hill of Hope Gala OCT. 17—The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh will host the 8th Annual Hill of Hope Gala from 6-10 p.m. at the Marriott City Center, 112 Washington Place, Uptown. The theme is “Connecting Communities, Helping Families.” The evening will include food, dancing and live entertainment. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Centre Avenue and Thelma Lovette YMCAs. Reservations are required. For more information, call Shannel Givner at 412-5671036 or email sgivner@ymcapgh.org.
Halloween Party OCT. 24—The First Tee of Pittsburgh will host a Halloween Party from 4-6 p.m. at the Bob in Schenley Park, 5370 Schenley Dr., Oakland. Youth in costume will enjoy the putting graveyard, haunted basement, treats, a showing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and more. Reservations required. For more information, call 412-622-6959 or email LRussell@thefirstteepittsburgh.org.
Scholarship Application ONGOING—The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation will accept applications for its College Scholarship Program. Students selected as Cooke Scholars will be awarded as much as $40,000 each year for four years toward tuition, living expenses, books and other required fees. Scholarships are available to high-achieving, lowincome high school seniors to attend the nation’s best fouryear colleges and universities. The application period will close on Nov. 3. For more information, visit www.jkcf.org/scholarships/colle ge-scholarship-program/ (To have items listed on Community Calendar, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or email: newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
cuss “what’s next” in furthering the progression of minorities in America. The minister also called for “10,000 fearless men to go into our community to clean it up.” He said there are rogue policemen that profit from drugs and violence within the community. Minister Farrakhan said the education system is that of White supremacy. “We have to take over the educational system, because the education you are receiving has not made you a good people or better people. It made you a more willing tool or slave for your oppressor,” he said. The minister indirectly confronted Black-on-Black violence by urging the Black community to turn its view of non-violence and redirect it to the Black community. “Turn your attention to yourself. Come home. And teach love to one another,” he said. In the effort to be inclusive of more minorities than just the Black community, tackling so many issues at once affected the clarity of the message. New York native and grad student, Russell Cox said that Min. Farrakhan delivered a positive message and was impressed with the amount of participants mobilized, but felt the message was unclear. “When you’re a shepherd
over a flock of sheep you send them in a set direction with specific direction... I don’t feel like he did that,” said Cox. Wilkinsburg’s Min. Muhammad said that Min. Farrakhan gave a realistic approach needed for progression and that the main focus is geared toward the preparation of the next generation for leadership. He said the event asks of those in attendance, “What are you willing to sacrifice to ensure that equality happens in our lifetime? Are you willing to come out of your comfort zone?” Wanda McDonald, a Washington native said
she’s optimistic about the future stemming from the event. “We need to become more self-reliant as a people so that we are not so controlled and oppressed anymore.” Pittsburgh’s Leon Ford, who was paralyzed waist down as a result of being shot several times by a police officer in 2012 during a traffic stop, said the event is what people need. “People want change and people are willing to fight for change. In our society there are too many people experiencing injustice.” The 22-year-old says he loves Min. Farrakhan and the organizers of the March because they’re not only seeking justice for Blacks, they are seeking justice for all. “It takes a lot of heart to stand up for what’s right,” he said. University of Pittsburgh grad, Mike Wray is also optimistic about the message, but felt that the Minister wasn’t “concise enough.” Wray, now a resident of Raleigh, N.C., said, “He (Min. Farrakhan) was running on-and-on and I wanted him to get back to the instructional part so we could’ve come away with a clear message.” William Anderson, of BPEP, said the group of Pittsburghers he rode to the March with were excited to be a part of a positive event. To him, the message was clear, though he said he could see how the focus of the message can be lost in such a long address. “Now is the time to act, we
YOUNG MALE SUPPORTERS—Jared Spellman 24-year old and Kwabena Ohene’bonsu 24-year-old, both from New Jersey came to the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March to give their support to the event.
have to stand up and hold those accountable that are supposed to represent us,” said the organizer. Pittsburgh’s Black community continues to seek equality in fair housing, policing and education, Anderson is hopeful for the future, “Only time will tell,” he said, “True leadership will prevail.” One woman came all the way up from Brazil. Erida Menha Nsi, of Rio de Janeiro, said that the minorities in Brazil need to have events like Saturday’s rally. “I feel more stronger (sic) seeing a lot of Black people united. We need (to be) united to take care of our children.” Shanon Williams, an activist from Pittsburgh, said she felt the event was more of a celebration than a push for the movement. “I didn’t hear anything that was spoken that was action oriented. It seemed more like speeches about what folks are pushing for and what we should focus on, which is great. That makes it a recognition not an initiative.” She said she was encouraged by the unity of so many Blacks in one place. “It gave me a little bit of a boost and a little more hope to see how many of us there really are, in Pittsburgh we’re not well represented,” she said. The 20th anniversary of the Million Man March was an event that participants were very receptive to. Though there is optimism for the future, the expectation of more instruction was missed by the “rally” feel of the event; many seem to be confused in regards to the specifics of the ideas to move forward and felt the event had a lack of focus. Moving forward in Pittsburgh, the Baptist Temple Church in Homewood is hosting a meeting on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. It will address a local agenda with guidance on the concentrated effort that boycott’s Christmas spending to eliminate debt as well as redirect and invest money within Black business. (J. L. Martello contributed to this article.) (Samson X Horne is a freelance journalist. He can be reached at samson.x.horne@gmail.com)
A6
OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
OPINION
Hop deserved to be honored
Guest Editorial
We can’t become ‘numb’ to shootings Hopefully, the president is wrong. Hopefully, mass shootings in America have not become so common in this country that we now see them as routine. “We’ve become numb to this,” said President Barack Obama on mass shootings in America, after at least 10 people were killed last week by a gunman filled with anger, hate and rage. Obama’s remarks came after Christopher Harper-Mercer, 26, killed nine people at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, where he was a student. He was armed with six guns, including a Glock pistol, a Smith & Wesson pistol, a Taurus pistol and a Del-Ton assault rifle, according to The Associated Press. The president said mass shootings, which are defined as (four or more people), have become so common that his response has become routine, the media’s reporting of it has become routine as has the general response of America. The New York Times reports that “criminal histories and documented mental health problems did not prevent at least eight of the gunmen in 14 recent mass shootings from obtaining their weapons, after federal background checks led to approval of the purchases of the guns used.” How can our lawmakers fail to act when young men with criminal histories and documented mental health problems are allowed to obtain weapons after federal background checks? How can Harper-Mercer obtain an arsenal of weapons after he graduated from the Switzer Learning Center in Torrance, California, which teaches students with learning disabilities and emotional issues? In all, Harper-Mercer owned 14 firearms, all of which were bought legally through a federally licensed firearms dealer, a federal official said Friday. Some were bought by Harper-Mercer, and some by members of his family. In July, John R. Houser killed two people and wounded nine others at a movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana, using a .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol bought from a pawnshop. Houser was denied a state-issued concealed weapons permit because he was accused of domestic violence and soliciting arson. Houser later bought the weapon in Alabama. Officials said it had been purchased legally, though he had been denied a concealed weapons permit earlier, and despite concerns among family members that he was violent and mentally ill. Unfortunately there are many other incidents where shooters have been allowed to obtain their guns legally despite documented histories of mental health issues and violence. Gun control legislation will not solve the problem of mass shootings but it could help. There are gaping loopholes in gun legislation that need to be closed. But right now lawmakers are content to do nothing. Only when voters have had enough will lawmakers stop hiding behind the Second Amendment and began to pass common-sense gun control legislation.
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
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Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher
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Ulish Carter
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John H. Sengstacke Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)
It was interesting seeing many of the movers and shakers from the past as well as the present, both Republicans and Democrats, activists for change as well as the status quo, all in the same room to honor one man. That man was Louis “Hop” Kendrick. Hop, for those of you who don’t know him, and don’t read his weekly columns in the Courier, has been a policeman, a committeeman, ran for city council, ran for mayor but is most noted for when he headed the county’s MWBE program under Bob Cranmer, who also was at the event. Hop has fought all his adult life for the betterment of conditions of Black people through jobs in all walks of life. As construction workers, mechanics, business professional, whatever. He has been among the few men and women who have put their lives and careers on the line to make sure that Blacks got through the door to at least have a seat at the table. Every speaker, including Dr. Cyril Wect, who has known Hop since their high school days at Fifth Avenue, expressed their gratitude, respect and thanks to Hop for just being Hop. They stated that whether you agreed or disagreed with him or him you, he was going to always speak the truth as he saw it. In short he was honest in his criticism of both political parties and individuals, Black and White. Most of the people attending said they first saw Hop at a political function, or working at different polling places when they went out to vote or visited polling places. I first met Hop in a smoke filled room in which the Black Ward Chairs were meeting under the leadership of Harvey Adams. Dock Fielder, Bubbie Hairston, Zack Winston and others whom I have forgotten their names, during the 1970s. Back when the Black Ward Chairs were one of, if not the most powerful, Black force
Ulish Carter
Just Sayin’
cide on whether to vote for Hillary Clinton or a ticket with a Nigra on it. Voting for Trump they wouldn’t have any problem. And I’m going to say this now, his popularity is not going to die down. He’s saying what a lot of people are saying or believe but are afraid to say, plus people are sick and tired of the “Do Nothings” in Washington, D.C., of both parties, but especially the GOP. All the fuss over Hillary emails, servers, or whatever. The average person doesn’t care. What we care about is… Who will make sure my child will get a quality education and it doesn’t cost two arms and a leg? Who is going to make sure there are quality jobs there for my children when they graduate from high school, trade school, or college? Will my job be there 5 or 10 years from now and if not will there be something for the middle class? And will affordable health care be there for my parents, me and or my children? These are the real issues. If Trump or Hillary can convince people that they can take care of domestic problems and handle foreign problems without sending our kids over to be killed and maimed, or tying up our money in the Middle East either by war or trying to rebuild this area of the world, thus taking money for education, health care, Medicare, or building the economy, then they will win the election. Yes, Americans are looking for change in DC, but that means getting things done. Term limits. Issues being voted on, Up or Down. The majority of people are satisfied with where the country is, they just want it to continue to move forward economically. I predict that Hillary will win the Democratic nomination, even if Vice President Joe Biden enters. And Trump will win the GOP nomination and he will pick Carly Fiorina as his running mate. Not sure about the Dems VP choice yet.
in Pittsburgh. I still don’t know what capacity Hop was in at this meeting. I’m not much into awards programs or awards as a whole, because I think the success of a person’s work should be reward enough. And many awards programs are simply money makers, but this appeared to be different. This was a sincere effort to give credit where credit was due, to honor a man while he’s still living instead of at his funeral. So congratulation Hop, you deserve it. And congratulation to Mrs. Kendrick, who has been married to him for 63 years. Wow. Congratulations go out to Doris Carson Williams, who once again did a great job in putting the African American Heritage Parade together. It was well attended, as well as a high number of groups participated in it. It appeared to be an increase over last year. *** The Republicans are looking for a new House Speaker to replace John Boehner who recently stepped down. Most want Paul Ryan, but he’s not interested because he wants to be president some day and being the Speaker of the House is not a popular route. There’s only been one in the history of the United States, James Polk. Speaking of the Republicans, Ben Carson is still second to Donald Trump in the polls for Republican nominee. Can you just see it, Trump for president, with Carson as his VP. I can see Billy Bob and Sue Ellen now (Ulish Carter is the managing editor of the in the Southern red states having to de- New Pittsburgh Courier.)
‘Feral’ Facebook comment is racist (NNPA)—You can run, but you can’t hide from racism. I was preparing to write a column on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the trade agreement that President Barack Obama wants to fast track through Congress. I considered tackling the Planned Parenthood kerfuffle, as Republicans are targeting a most important women’s health provider for political purposes. But a friend sent me a link to a photo uploaded by Atlanta native “Geris Hilton” with a string of comments that simply turned my stomach, and I realized that the TPP would have to wait (it isn’t going anywhere until January anyway). Hilton, whose legal name is Gerod Roth, worked at the Polaris Marketing Group in Atlanta, Ga. There he took a selfie of himself and a coworker’s child and posted it on Facebook. When one of his “friends” asked why the child was running around the office, Roth replied, “He was feral.” The dictionary defines feral as “relating to, or suggestive of, a wild beast,” and “not domesticated or cultivated—wild,” or “having escaped from domestication and become wild.” Excuse me? Roth’s own daughter hangs out at the office at the end of the day. She plays with the adorable boy whose innocent little face attracted the most “feral” comments from Roth’s intellectually challenged Facebook friends. From one “friend:” “I didn’t know you were a slave owner.” Others commented about selling enslaved people another suggested that Hilton “send him back,” because they are “too expensive.” Sydney Jade is 3-year old Cayden’s loving, caring and hard working
Julianne Malveaux
Commentary
actually asked him to take the picture. He had neither the grace nor the good sense to say, “I’m sorry and I’m out of order,” and then shut up. Instead, he tried to cover his insensitivity up. Next thing you know, there will be a group of folks rallying around Roth who some would describe as nothing more than a child molester for his callous exploitation of his coworker’s son. Those who railed against this incident will be told this occurrence is isolated. The late, great writer Bebe Moore Campbell once wrote an essay about “race fatigue,” about the many ways she was tired of seeing, living, talking and writing about race. She wrote about ignoring slights she might once have challenged, tamping down an anger that might once have been volcanic. In that particular essay, she wrote about seeking a peaceful respite from race matters. We all seek that respite, those days when we don’t have to think about the indignities of both institutional racism and the micro-aggressions that are difficult to quantify. We seek, but we don’t find the respite when cyberspace reveals life as both gritty and grand. While Roth is little more than gas in the wind, not even a footnote in our nation’s history, he merits attention, because there are so many more of him, lurking out there, fracturing peace because they are so hateful. Who calls a child “feral” and then describes himself or herself as the victim? And who, in the light of this kind of nonsense, says we live in a “post racial” space?
mother. Gerod Roth knew this, but he never corrected his “friends” who described the child as abandoned and worse. Jade, started using the hash tag #HisNameisCayden on Twitter to affirm her child’s humanity and to reject the caricature that Hilton portrayed. She has received an outpouring of love and support from cyberspace. Thumbs up to company executives at the Polaris Marketing Group, who fired Roth about two weeks after his offending selfie and wrote about the incident and subsequent firing on Facebook. I am among those who think it should have taken less than two weeks, but they deserve credit for taking action instead of hiding behind the “free speech” argument that many make to defend their racist employees. The Root reported that others who made offending comments about Cayden were also fired from their jobs. Yes! Gerod Roth is one of those pouty little racists who has now described himself as the “victim” in this matter. He “has been targeted”, he says. He whines that his remarks were taken out of context. He posted an “apology” that was several paragraphs long attempting to “explain” how he happened to post the selfie in the first (Julianne Malveaux is author place, suggesting that young Cayden economist based in Washington, D.C.)
and
Letter To The Editor
Family sustaining wages remain stagnate Dea Editor: Family sustaining wages for African Americans in the City of Pittsburgh have remained stagnate for the last few years. Reports from Pittsburgh Post-gazette indicates that one third (1/3) of African Americans residents live in poverty, while The New Pittsburgh Courier shows that 10.4 percent of Blacks are unemployed which is 2.9 times higher than Whites. African Americans living in those communities know that these statistics are just the tip of the iceberg, and “real unemployment” is closer to 50 percent for those who are looking for work, those who have stopped looking for work, and others involved in the underground economy. When considering the importance of why increases in wages are important we must understand the poverty threshold. The Workforce Investment Act describes the minimum income for someone to be “self-sufficient “in a household of four (4) as $59,625 in order to be above the poverty threshold. Information gathered from the Pittsburgh Post-gazette shows that the average African American male with fulltime employment earns the second lowest wage in the top 40 regions in the
United States, bringing in an average of $39,132 a year; which is 40 percent lower than the $65,850 the average White male earns. When it comes to women, Black women earn $31,512 a year, compared to White women that gross around $38,480 a year. These numbers represent huge barriers that must be overcome given that 61 percent of African American Households are headed by single unmarried mothers. One solution that can reduce these earning disparities is training provided by Pittsburgh’s A. Phillip Randolph Institute “Breaking the Chains of Poverty Program;” named after labor leader and social activist Asa Philip Randolph the founder of the first African American union the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, who fought for the rights of AfricanAmerican workers, including better wages and working conditions; this program identifies, recruits and trains men and women from under served, underrepresented, and previously incarcerated communities to build requisite skills to have family sustaining wages Their primary goal is to first place them in union careers, and next in family sustaining careers. The Pittsburgh A.P.R.I wants to place Afri-
can American’s in careers that are unionized, why? Because on average Black male workers earn 25 percent more than non-union workers, and Black unionized females make about 33 percent more doing the same work, the exact same work. So it only makes sense to expand the Black middle class by building the Black union movement. Pittsburgh A.P.R.I is aware of America’s infrastructure needs. Renovating America’s infrastructure provides jobs that support families in transportation, manufacturing, and other industries and construction. I‘ve had an incredible opportunity to work as an intern for the last few months for the United Steel Workers / The Pittsburgh A.P.R.I, and as a result I have become much more aware of the challenges that African Americans face in becoming self-sufficient. These experiences have helped shape my view and understanding of the world and my community and I now know that unions provide a better sustaining lifestyle for African Americans. In reference to Mr. Randolph “Freedom is never given; it is extracted.” Kevin Gales Pittsburgh
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Why Black people answer Regina B. Holley for superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools? when Farrakhan calls (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)— It’s time to give Minister Louis Farrakhan credit. When he issues a call for people to join him in the nation’s capital, Blacks show up. At least a million showed up for the Million Man March 20 years ago and at least two-thirds as many showed up for Saturday’s Justice or Else assembly on the National Mall. Without a doubt, Farrakhan-led events in Washington, D.C. attract more people than marches called jointly by all of the other civil rights leaders. And whenever Minister Louis Farrakhan is involved in a major event, there is always a controversy about numbers. In his speech at the Million Man March, people were fascinated by his fascination with numerology. In the aftermath of that event, the U.S Park Service made the ridiculous estimate that 400,000 people attended. But Boston University’s Center for Remote Sensing placed the figure between 655,000 to 1.1 million—more than twice as large as the 1963 March on Washington. Farrakhan manages to be a magnet while withstanding withering attacks. Consider a few recent headlines: •“Nation of Islam’s leader Louis Farrakhan: White People ‘deserve to die.’” •“Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan: ‘We need to put the American flag down.’” •“Cancelled: Charleston Wants No Part of Farrakhan’s ‘Justice or Else’ Movement.” How is it that the most reviled Black man in America consistently attracts waves of people? African Americans trust Minister Farrakhan. Even if strongly disagreeing with some of his views and the well-known antipathy between the Nation of Islam (NOI) leader and Jews, Blacks know that he won’t ever sell them out for personal gain or any other reason. They are smart enough to discern that which should be applied to their lives and that which should be ignored.
George E. Curry
Commentary When Farrakhan suggested Saturday, for example, that Blacks should change their last name to throw off the yoke of White supremacy, many African Americans in the audience chuckled. But they cheered when he said, “We have a purchasing power of over 1 trillion dollars but in our reckless and wasteful spending habits we have not been able to pool our resources in a collective manner to build institutions and create jobs for our people. By strategically engaging in economic withdrawal we can begin putting power behind our demands and build a new and better reality.” For decades, many Blacks have admired their discipline but viewed the Nation of Islam as a small, Black supremacy group telling wild-eyed stories about UFOs and trips to and from outer space in spaceships. More than any other NOI leader, Farrakhan has bridged the gulf between skeptical Christians and Nation of Islam followers, carefully repackaging his message to make it more palatable to non-Muslims. He refers to God and Allah interchangeably and knows and quotes the Bible better than most Christians. Instead of ridiculing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an integrationist, as he and others in the Nation of Islam have done in the past, Farrakhan now praises the slain civil rights leader, especially his call for economic empowerment. Although women and men don’t sit together in NOI mosques, he is trying to show a greater sensitivity to and appreciation for the contributions of women. “May I pause for a moment and say to women: Your language must change as to how you address yourselves,” he said Saturday. “You should never call another woman a ‘bitch. Get that word out of our language. No female is after a dog. Every female is after God.” Farrakhan continued, “Black men who like to use such words, pull it out of your tongue, before your tongue is pulled out of your head.” Although his views have not changed towards Black politicians, he now befriends a few, including Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., who made arrangements for Farrakhan to hold Saturday’s rally at the foot of the capitol. But Farrakhan is better known for his scathing descriptions of Black lawmakers. Referring to then-Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode in 1985 following a deadly confrontation between Goode and the revolutionary group MOVE, Farrakhan said: “I say, Black people, whenever you put a Black man in office and that Black man betrays the best interest of those of us who put him there, I say take him out. “And if he doesn’t repent, brother and sister, men and women like this, we tar and feather them, we will hang them from the highest limb, we will chop off their heads and roll them down the streets, for the Black people of America are tired of Black leaders selling us out after we put them in office, working for our enemies, rather than working for ourselves.” That’s the old Farrakhan. The new and improved one comes up with titles such as “Justice or Else,” and then let others worry about what the “else” means. And like the McDonald’s commercial, Black people are declaring, “I’m lovin’ it.” (George E. Curry is President and CEO of George Curry Media, LLC. He is the former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA. He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at twitter.com/currygeorge, George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook, and Periscope. See previous columns at http://www.georgecurry.com/columns.)
OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
FORUM
I write this were they hired week’s column Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick locally or the rewith a deep sult of a nationconcern about wide search? the future of What have our children, been the results particularly —positive those who atgrowth, decline tend the Pittsor just stagburgh Public nant? Schools. It is It is my absocommon knowledge that the current lute conviction that the ideal candiPittsburgh Public School Superinten- date for the position of Superintendent, Linda Lane, has announced that dent of Pittsburgh Public Schools is she is resigning. a current member of the Pittsburgh Last week I received a phone invita- School Board who represents Distion to attend a meeting to discuss a trict 2, Regina B. Holley, PhD. If you process to fill the vacancy. There was are not familiar with Dr. Holley ask no real desire on my part to attend be- someone who knows her. I have cause it was my belief that the dis- known her all of her life and can precussion would focus on doing a nation sent you a brief resume. She is well wide search. Please explain to me educated, dedicated, concerned, and why? Over the years there have been compassionate and has demonuntold numbers of people born, raised strated a lifetime of commitment as and educated in Pittsburgh who were a teacher, principal, innovator and compelled to respond to the call of a school board member. It is my absonationwide search and they were lute conviction that Regina B. Holley hired. It totally confounds me of this must be the next Superintendent of overwhelming need to hire a person Pittsburgh Public Schools. The fact from out of town. Let us consider that she is a native Pittsburgher is a those who have filled the position of plus. (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a weekly contribuSuperintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools over the last 20 years and tor to the Forum page.)
To Tell The Truth
Crimes against civilization Jonah and a divine order.” the whale is a J. Pharoah Doss And they tore popular bible down censtory. It’s a faturies-old mauvorite story of soleums of mine to deMuslim holy bunk biblical men in Timliteralism. b u k t u . (For you literThe Internaalist I’ll correct tional Criminal the intro: Court’s new Jonah and the great fish…) So imag- chief prosecutor suggested the deine my astonishment when I discov- struction should be considered war ered in Iraq there was a Sunni crimes. mosque called The Mosque of The Recently the African country of Prophet Yunus—Arabic for Jonah— Niger handed over an Islamic miliand inside the mosque was Jonah’s tant to the International Criminal tomb. Court. His name is Ahmad al-Faqi alNow imagine my shock when I Mahdi. He is the first person ever to learned Jonah’s burial site was lo- be detained for wrecking cultural hercated in Mosul, the territory con- itage. trolled by the Islamic group ISIS who And this is the first time the Interare known for their campaign against national Criminal Court will examine idolatry which consists of cultural the destruction of religious sites as a cleansing. war crime. The head of UNESCO As you probably imagined ISIS de- said the case breaks new ground “for stroyed the tomb, along with the the protection of humanity’s shared Mosul Museum (ISIS militants used cultural heritage and values.” And it sledged hammers to smash stone could set a precedent that might lead sculptures and other centuries-old ar- to the prosecution of ISIS militants tifacts.), and the Mosul Library (They for war crimes. burned thousands of books and rare But what exactly are war crimes? manuscripts from the Ottoman Em- Definition: Serious violation of laws of pire.) The UNESCO called the book war that gives rise to individual crimburning, “One of the most devastating inal responsibility such as intentionacts of destruction of a library collec- ally killing civilians or prisoners, tortion in human history.” ture, rape, wantonly destroying propThe international community erty… watched in horror. (Reminiscent of But if the degree of a crime deAfghanistan—2001—when the Tal- pends on motive, and these individuiban blew up giant Buddha statues als are motivated by a puritanical dating back to the sixth century.) And ideology that wants to liquidate the the international community won- earth of infidels and their idols to dered why? create a world in the image of meA writer for The Observer answered, dieval Islam then detaining the first “ISIS is not destroying a practiced re- man driven by this motive for wreckligion; it is destroying history…It has ing cultural heritage sounds like a decided that no world outside of their misdemeanor. interpretation of Islam can or should One Human Rights organization exist…ISIS is not simply eradicating stated, “Destruction of historic and reall that contradicts with its faith: It is ligious sites is a serious affront to hueliminating all that is inconsistent manity…However, a focus solely on with its worldview.” cultural damage should not overIs this assault on antiquity only shadow horrific violence against peobeing carried out by ISIS militants in ple, especially when both types were their carved out corner of the Middle perpetrated simultaneously by the East or has these atrocities happened same people.” in other regions? Earlier this year Ahmad al-Faqi alThe African Republic of Mali is Mahdi and fourteen others had criminamed after the Mali Empire (1230- nal complaints filed against them for 1600). It’s famous for King Mansa rape, sexual slavery, and forced marMusa who passed out gold on a pil- riage. grimage to Mecca and Timbuktu the Maybe there should be a new charge great center of Islamic scholarship. In of crimes against civilization. (J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New 2012 a spokesman for an Islamic faction linked to Al Qaeda in Mali pro- Pittsburgh Courier. He blogs at jpharoahclaimed, “The destruction [of idols] is doss@blogspot.com)
Commentary
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Lee A. Daniels
Commentary
Jeb Bush believes Black voters are stupid, shiftless and corrupt (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—Remember when the conventional wisdom was that Jeb Bush was “the smart one” of the Bush brothers and would effortlessly steamroller his competitors on the way to 2016? Well, the political outsiders Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina have all crashed the GOP establishment’s big dance, turning those predictions into fodder for jokesters and pushing Bush down to the single digits in the polls. That astonishing collapse no doubt partly explains Bush’s desperate attempts of recent weeks to improve his hard-right credentials — for example, his callous “stuff happens” response to the nation’s latest mass killing, the slaughter at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College as a signal of his opposition to any meaningful gun-control legislation. And then, there are his two comments that revealed his—and his party’s—decades-long callousness toward Black Americans. At an Oct. 8 Republican forum in Iowa, Bush declared he was against re-instituting the key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act struck down two years ago by the Supreme Court’s Republican bloc because there’s no need for imposing “regulations on top of states as though we’re living in 1960.” In fact, Republican-driven actions in state after state where Republicans dominate the state legislatures have shown unmistakably that the danger to Blacks’ right to vote is greater than at any time since the 1965 Act was passed. But then, it may be that Bush doesn’t believe Blacks should be allowed to vote at all — unless they vote Republican. After all, Bush did say at a late September campaign event in South Carolina in response to a question about his appealing to Black voters: “Our message is one of hope and aspiration. It isn’t one of division and get in line and we’ll take care of you with free stuff. Our message is one that is uplifting - that says you can achieve earned success.” In other words, Jeb Bush believes Blacks vote Democratic not because, first, they’re adhering to their duty as American citizens and, following the time-honored American political tradition, supporting the party that they feel both serves their own interests and promotes their view of what American society should be. No, to Jeb Bush, Black voters, benefiting from “unearned success,” are stupid, shiftless and corrupt. In repeating the charge the defeated Mitt Romney had made after he lost the 2012 election to President Obama, Bush demonstrated how important the notion that Blacks want something for nothing is to people who make up the Republican Party. But the importance of Bush’s remark—revealing an attitude that’s been a hallmark of White-racist belief since the Reconstruction era—goes even deeper because it’s the latest example of a powerful dynamic of American life: the continual dead-ending of Black respectability politics. Put simply, Black respectability politics is just another name for the old cardinal command all Black Americans striving for achievement have always had drummed into them: behave as if you represent the entire mass of African Americans—because you do. But, as Barack Obama’s tenure as the nation’s first Black president has underscored, there’s a multi-layered trick to that Whiteracism-imposed burden that quickly limits the value of being “a credit to your race.” For one thing, racism in many individuals has always been impervious to logic. Secondly, some Whites have always practiced a “pragmatic racism” or situational race baiting for the financial, political, or social advantage they think they’ll gain from it. And, thirdly, the dramatic breakthroughs Blacks make that expand racial tolerance have always made some Whites cling ever more tightly to their Whitesupremacist biases. Of course, one purpose of the oft-repeated conservative Big Lie Jeb Bush repeated is to obscure that getting “free stuff” from the government has always been the foundation of the superior status Whites have enjoyed in American society: One need only look at the tax proposals now proposed by Bush and the other Republican candidates to see how they continue the conservative orthodoxy of using government to funnel “free stuff” in the form of outrageous tax cuts and tax deductions to the wealthiest—which means, of course, the whitest—bloc of Americans. And a second purpose of that Bush/conservative view is to bury the record of “smart politics” Black voters have always played and began to play with greater intensity following passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. One can draw a straight line from that landmark act to the massive Black voter turnout that buoyed President Obama’s two election victories. In other words, Jeb Bush’s Big Lie shows why Black respectability politics periodically reaches a dead end. It’s because White respectability politics—that is, Whites’ commitment to equal opportunity across the color line—periodically loses steam. That’s really what the 2016 campaign is all about: Will the tradition of exclusion, alive and tawdry as ever in the Republican Party, succeed in stifling the claims of Americans of color, gays and lesbians and White women as well as Blacks for the full measure of their citizenship rights? (Lee A. Daniels is a longtime journalist based in New York City.)
Reports: Officer’s shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice justified
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OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
by Mitch Stacy
Associated Press Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)—A White Cleveland police officer was justified in fatally shooting a Black 12-year-old boy holding a pellet gun moments after pulling up beside him, according to two outside reviews conducted at the request of the prosecutor investigating the death. A retired FBI agent and a Denver prosecutor both found the rookie patrolman who shot Tamir Rice exercised a reasonable use of force because he had reason to perceive the boy—described in a 911 call as man waving and pointing a gun—as a serious threat. The reports were released Oct. 10 by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, which asked for the outside reviews as it presents evidence to a grand jury that will determine whether Timothy Loehmann will be charged in Tamir’s death last November. “We are not reaching any conclusions from these reports,” Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty said in a statement. “The gathering of evidence continues, and the grand jury will evaluate it all.” He said the reports, which included a technical reconstruction by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, were released in the interest of being “as public and transparent as possible.” Subodh Chandra, a lawyer for the Rice family, said the release of the reports shows the prosecutor is avoiding accountability, which is what the family seeks. “It is now obvious that the prosecutor’s office has been on a 12-month quest to avoid providing that accountability,” he said. He added that the prosecutor’s office didn’t provide his office or the Rice family with the details from the reports. He also questioned the timing of the release, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10,
on the Columbus Day holiday weekend. “To get so-called experts to assist in the Whitewash—when the world has the video of what happened—is all the more alarming,” Chandra said. “Who will speak for Tamir before the grand jury? Not the prosecutor, apparently.” Both experts were provided with surveillance video of the shooting that showed Loehmann firing at Rice within two seconds after the police cruiser driven by his partner pulled up next to the boy. Police say the officers were responding to a call about a man with a gun, but were not told the caller said the gun could be a fake and the man an adolescent. The report prepared by retired FBI agent Kimberly A. Crawford concluded that Loehmann’s use of force did not violate Tamir’s constitutional rights, saying the only facts relevant to such a determination are those the patrolman had at the time he fired his weapon. Loehmann, she wrote, “had no information to suggest the weapon was anything but a real handgun, and the speed with which the confrontation progressed would not give the officer time to focus on the weapon.” “It is my conclusion that Officer Loehmann’s use of deadly force falls within the realm of reasonableness under the dictates of the Fourth Amendment,” Crawford wrote, though she noted she was not issuing an opinion as to whether Loehmann violated Ohio law or department policy. Lamar Sims, the chief deputy district attorney in Denver, also concluded that Loehmann’s actions were reasonable based on statements from witnesses and a reconstruction of what happened that day. Sims said the officers had no idea if the pellet gun was a real gun when they
Police officer in Sandra Bland case tasered councilman by Kai EL’Zabar Chicago Defender
The question has to be asked, does it mean anything that a councilman was Tasered Thursday in an incident involving the same deputy who arrested Sandra Bland? Sandra Bland died in jail days after being pulled over for failing to signal a lane change. The councilman, Jonathan Miller, was stunned the night of Oct. 8 in front of his Prairie View, Texas, house, and arrested. The incident was caught on video. Prairie View police said four men were being questioned about drug activity in the area when Miller, 26, interfered with the investigation. Many of the men being questioned were guests at the councilman’s home. “Officer, please do not put your hands on me!” Miller, 26, begs at one point in the video. “I live here.” A male and a female officer tell him repeatedly to put his hands behind his back. When he refuses, they Taser him, causing the councilman to cry out in pain and curse as he falls to the ground. “Oh yeah, he’s going to jail for resisting,” an officer says. Miller was charged with interference and resisting arrest and booked at the Waller County jail. He got out on bond the morning of Oct. 9. The public has to ask when is it interference when the police are asked by concerned citizens about what appears to be mishandling of the subjects they are questioning. In particular when the individual intervening is a respectable elected official familiar with the law as was the councilman. The female officer was involved in the July arrest of Bland, the Black woman
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
NATIONAL
JONATHAN MILLER who died in her jail cell three days after she got pulled over, police said. Miller is also Black. “We have six police officers. The probability of having the same officer involved in multiple types of incidences is probable,” Prairie View Chief of Police Larry Johnson said. “I haven’t seen anything that gave me any cause for concern as far as this officers conduct at this point.” Unfortunately, the response of the arresting officers at the incident demonstrate the abuse of power, the misplaced authority while the Prairie View Police Chief seemed to have rigid attitude. Rather than saying that it’s something that they would look into Chief Police office Larry Johnson felt inclined to say that the he had not seen any thing that gave cause for concern. Good police should look at all things associated with the possibility of wrong doing even if it doesn’t look suspicious. According to this same police department of Waller County, Texas, Bland’s death was a suicide and yet there are numerous unanswered questions around her death. Consequently the family has filed a federal lawsuit. They want the Department of Justice to investigate Bland’s death as they said the case requires a fresh set of eyes.
TAMIR RICE (File Photo) arrived, and that Loehmann was in a position of great peril because he was within feet of Rice as the boy approached the cruiser and reached toward his waistband. “The officers did not cre-
ate the violent situation,” Sims wrote in his review. “They were responding to a situation fraught with the potential for violence to citizens.” Another officer who recovered the pellet gun after
Tamir was shot told investigators he first thought the gun was a semiautomatic pistol and was surprised when he realized it wasn’t real, Sims noted. Chandra, the Rice family lawyer, says the experts “dodge the simple fact that the officers rushed Rice and shot him immediately without assessing the situation in the least. Reasonable jurors could find that conduct unreasonable. But they will never get the chance because the prosecutor is working diligently to ensure that there is no indictment and no accountability.”
The pellet gun Rice was holding shoots non-lethal plastic projectiles but its orange markings had been removed. The killing of Tamir has become part of a national outcry about minorities, especially Black boys and men, dying during encounters with police. His death was not the first to roil Cleveland, either: Earlier this year, a White officer prosecuted by McGinty was acquitted in the 2012 deaths of two unarmed Black motorists killed in a 137-shot barrage of police gunfire after a high-speed pursuit. Cleveland and the U.S. Department of Justice are moving forward on a reform-minded consent decree after a DOJ investigation found Cleveland police had engaged in a practice of using excessive force and violating people’s rights. That agreement was in the works before Tamir was killed. (Associated Press writer John Seewer in Toledo contributed to this report.)
New Pittsburgh Courier
The Circle of Courage Awards B3
LIFESTYLES OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Church of the Holy Cross
140th anniversary B2
B
Debbie Norrell
Lifestyles Report
New to S’Liberty For many years I have been watching the spot at the corner on Highland Avenue across from the News Stand. The sign read, “Hotel Indigo coming soon.” Finally, the ground was broken and the building started to take shape. I had not driven by the area for a few months and then I received a press release that the hotel was open. So now I’m curious; I must see the inside of the new crown jewel of East Liberty or what I knew as S’Liberty back in the day. My visit to the hotel was on a Tuesday evening; I did not realize valet parking was available so I parked on the street, which actually was a good idea. By doing that I was able to walk and see the hotel appear in front of me. For anyone who knows this area you will be impressed and surprised to the new addition on the corner that is across from the old Pyramid and across from the former Noir Lifestyles. Remember those businesses? I walked into the lobby and my eyes were immediately drawn to a very welcoming fireplace, such a nice touch. I went up two steps to the mirrored registration desks, dramatic and beautiful. So far I like what I’m seeing. My host was there to greet me and we entered the elevator to view the rooms. Most elevators are rather bland, but these have film, yes a picture of film etched in the wall. I was impressed. When we arrived to our floor the elevator’s doors opened to reveal a mural that was actually like an old roll of camera film. Can you feel that I was picking up what they were putting down? It was so unexpected. The hotel house phones were actually replicas of old black telephones with a handset. We checked out three rooms. They were sleek and inviting. The artwork on the walls caught my attention. There was a large framed “E” and a wall wallpapered with film reels. I asked what is that about and I was told it represents East Liberty and the movie theatres that used to be there. On another floor there was a huge mural with old-fashioned pay phones. I had to check out the ladies room again another well-done space. Kudos to the decorator. There are some great, yet unexpected, touches on the walls and on the ceilings. We ended our tour in the CW Wallace Tap Room. So who is CW Wallace? He was the architect that designed the Governors Hotel and the Highland Building. The old Governors Hotel is actually one of the buildings that was used to create Hotel Indigo and you will see the Governors Hotel sign leading to the conference rooms and a photo display of former governors. On the night that I was there I tried the meatball sliders, loaded french fries, spinach salad and deviled eggs. Everything was good but the fries and the pickled deviled eggs stood out. The rooms start at about $171 a night, I give it 4 stars. (Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
ALL GLAMMED UP—Dana Robinson, Tamara Whiting and Shauna Brown
AKA’s glam it UP by Debbie Norrell Courier Staff Writer
On Sept. 19 at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in Munhall the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter celebrated the fifth anniversary of their Fall Fantasy Cabaret. This year the theme was “Glitz and Glamour.” Yes, St. John The Baptist banquet hall is quite the party place and on this evening, the tables featured table lamps of a by gone era as center pieces. Of course the lamps were in shades of pink and green, and were expertly PUTTING THE ‘G’ IN GLAMOUR—Peggy Harris and designed by Jan Bates. Crystal McCormick The lamps gave you that
THE FREELANDS—Michael, Lynne and Kristen Freeland cabaret feel. The ladies took the opportunity to glam it up in sexy dresses and the gents were the arm candy. Over 300 attended the signature event with TJ the DJ providing the sound track. Event chairs Crystal McCormick and Peggy Harris say this major fundraiser raises funds for their many
PINK AND GREEN ACCENTS—Lisa Pickett and Jacqueline Hale
SEXY IN BLUE—Tiffany Lumpkin and Marcus Williams
programs including the Historically Black College and University Tours and scholarships. On Nov. 1, the ladies of AKA will participate in the Kidney Walk at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium while on Dec. 5, they will present the Precious to Cultured Pearls Cotillion at the Rodof Shalom banquet hall.
TOUCHES OF PINK AND GREEN—Colleen McMullen and Crystal McCormick
THE PLANNING COMMITTEE—From left: Carol Brackett, Jan Bates, Evelyn Stephens, Jackie Blakey Tate, Samantha Sauders and Andrea Brown (Photos by Debbie Norrell)
ELEGANT COUPLE—Marisa Jamison and John Ayers
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OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
RELIGION
Praise & Worship
Church Circuit Pa. Baptist State Convention
HILLCREST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
OCT. 14—Shiloh Community Missionary Baptist Church, 6940 Frankstown Ave., Homewood, will host the 124th Annual Session of the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention. The theme is “A Godly Plan for Christ Centered People.” The convention will run through Oct. 16. For more information, call Karla Talbert at 267-3077018 or visit www.thepbsc.org.
2340 Wylie Ave., Pgh., PA 15219 412-391-4334 412-566-8757
“Be Encouraged”
Elder Christopher C. Thompson Power Hour Sabbath..............8:15 A.M. Sabbath School.......................9:00 A.M. Divine Worship.....................11:00 A.M. AYS One Hour Before Sunset Prayer Meeting Wednesday....7:30 P.M.
ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH
Empowerment Conference
Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & Noon Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) Noon www.stbtmchurch.org
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 22 Sampsonia Street, Northside Pittsburgh., PA 15212 412-231-2554 FAX 412-231-6395 Rev. Lacy F. Richardson, Ph.D., Pastor Church School.....................................9:30 A.M. Worship Service.....................8:00 & 10:45 A.M. Bible Study/ Prayer Wednesday.......................6:30/7:30 P.M. www.metropolitanbaptistchurchpgh.com metropolitanbaptist2224@gmail0.com
SIXTH MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH 6556 Shetland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (412) 441-7839 Church School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:15 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study 6:00 p.m.
East Liberty PresbyterianChurch Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 www.cathedralofhope.org
Journey Worship.........8:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship........11 a.m.
Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext 40. We are looking to
Church of the Holy Cross’ 140th anniversary ELAINE EFFORT, mistress of ceremonies, KQV news commentator
by Jackie McDonald For New Pittsburgh Courier
A spirit of pride and passion filled the atmosphere as the crowd of African American Episcopalians recently gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monroeville to celebrate the 140th Anniversary of The Church Of The Holy Cross. The church, originally named St Cyprian’s Mission, got its fragmented start in 1875 with a group of Blacks, led by the efforts of Wilberforce University graduate Sadie B. Hamilton. Fueled by the social isolation of their children and what they considered to be a segregated religious setting of that era, worship began in Trinity Church parish house followed by a move to a building on Wylie Avenue in the Hill District. That Mission closed following the exit of their Priest in 1922 but was restarted around 1954 and services reconvened in a storeroom at the corner of Wylie Avenue and Roberts Street. In the subsequent years of the parish’s formation, worship services were conducted in various locations throughout the city which has resulted in a significant Black presence in the Episcopalian Diocese of Pittsburgh and the church is now located at 7505 Kelly Street in Homewood. In the words of the current rector, Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre, “The City of Pittsburgh and The Episcopal Church are richer because we are here.” Those in attendance were delighted to hear the voices of KQV radio commentator Elaine Effort, who served as the mistress of ceremonies, and the melodious gospel solos provided by singer
Karen Arrington. Following the keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Harold T Lewis, Diocese Bishop Dorsey McConnell gave closing remarks em-
REV. DR. MONI McINTYRE, rector
phasizing his conviction and resolve to continue his efforts to encourage racially inclusive worship in their church community. The cele-
bration ended with dancing to the musical entertainment provided by DJ Louie Bates.
OCT. 16—Woman 2 Woman & God’s Virtuous Girls will host its “A God Encounter” Women’s Empowerment Conference at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 245 Third Ave., Rankin. This two-day event will include guest speakers author Tracy Vinson, Pastor Earlene Coleman and Tracy Conti, MD. Registration is required and will include a light breakfast and session materials. For more information, call Rev. Melanie Timbers or Min. Lorie Gunter at 412-271-2428.
Lock-in OCT. 16—The Men’s Ministry of Bethlehem Baptist Church, 716 Walnut St., McKeesport, will host a Lock-in from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. This will be an overnight event that includes prayer, praise, worship, preaching, fellowship, testimony and discussion, and a hot breakfast. For more information, call 412-664-7272.
Revival OCT. 16—Jerusalem Baptist Church, 12 S. 5th St., Duquesne, will host a Revival. Reverend Archie Perrin Jr., senior pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, in Duquesne, along with the Macedonia Choir, will be the special guests. For more information, call 412-4690801.
Gospel Vocal Quest
BISHOP DORSEY McCONNELL
DJ LOUIE BATES
OCT. 17—Baptist Temple Church, 7241 Race St., Homewood, will host Gospel Vocal Quest from 3-6 p.m. at Homewood Carnegie Library, 7101 Hamilton Ave., Homewood. Selected finalists will compete before a panel of judges who will select the top artist. The winner will receive a cash prize. Minister Curtis Lewis will be the master of ceremonies. For more information, call 412-241-1624.
Candle Light Service OCT. 17—Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1511 Swissvale Ave., Wilkinsburg, will host the “Celebration of Life” Candle Light Service at 4 p.m. This is an opportunity to honor victims of violent crimes, especially in Wilkinsburg. Individuals can share a photograph of their lost loved one. Motivational speaker for Joy For Life Consulting will be the guest speaker. For more information, call Rev. Parker at 412-403-6337.
Gospel Explosion Concert OCT 17—Trinity COGIC, 2216 Jenny Lind St., McKeesport, will host its Gospel Explosion Concert at 5 p.m. This is an opportunity to lift up the name of Jesus together. Proceeds will benefit the Church Anniversary. For more information, call 42-672-3060.
Pastoral Anniversary GIVING THEIR SUPPORT—From left: Edmund Effort, Elaine Effort, Alma Speed Fox and Claudette Lewis.
OCT. 17—Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2001 Wylie Ave., Hill District, will host the 2nd Pastoral Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Vincent K. Campbell. The twoday celebration will include a banquet on Oct. 17 from 5-8 p.m. in the church’s banquet hall, and worship services on Oct. 18 at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. with guest speaker Bishop Loran Mann of Pentecostal Temple COGIC. For more information, call 412-241-3084.
Women’s Day OCT. 18—Jerusalem Baptist Church, 123 Steuben St., Pittsburgh will host its annual Women’s Day at 11 a.m. Reverend Theresa Hunt of First Baptist Church Penn Hills will be the guest preacher. All are welcome. For more information, call 412-921-0822.
feature our positive youth in the church communities. You can e-mail, fax or mail their bios and photo to:
Annual Choir Day OCT. 18—The S.W. Williams Ensemble of the New Zion Baptist Church, 1434 Juniata St., North Side, will host its Annual Choir Day at 4 p.m. The concert will feature Zanetta Wingfield and the St. John Bible Center Church. For more information, call Sister Janice L. Whittle at 412-853-6418.
New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax: 412-481-1360 e-mail:
egaines@newpittsburghcourier.com THE CONGREGATION CELEBRATING 140 YEARS (Photos by Jackie McDonald)
(To have items listed on the Church Circuit, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
PEOPLE
The Circle of Courage Awards
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CIRCLE OF COURAGE AWARDEES—BCC Ministries of Brown Chapel AME Church, located at 1400 Boyle St.,in the North Side, hosted the Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Awards 2015 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monroeville. The evening was to recognize individuals of faith and courage. Prior to the awards ceremony, there was a meet ‘n’ greet. (Photos by Gail Manker)
DOROTHY STUBBS Evangelism
BISHOP MELVIN CLARK Ministry
CAROL WILLIAMS Missions
MELVIN STEALS Music
ROSEMARY MORIARTY Education
FRED HENDERSON Photographer
JAMES WILLIAMS Business
PATRICIA ROGERS Government
WILBUR AUSTIN Religion
ROGER HUMPHRIES Music
ROSEMARY CRAWFORD Government
ANDREW COOPER Religion
New Pittsburgh Courier
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ENTERTAINER OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Cover To Cover
‘Me, My Hair’ by Terri Schlichenmeyer For New Pittsburgh Courier
There once was a girl who had a little curl… Did you envy that nursery rhyme character? Or, like many women, have you had a love-hate relationship with your hair since you were old enough to hear nursery rhymes like that? Either way, you’re not alone, as you’ll see in “Me, My Hair, and I,” a collection of hair-raising essays edited by Elizabeth Benedict. Is today a good hair day, a bad hair day—or a no-hair day? The bigger question: who’s happy with her hair? In this book, twenty-seven women answer that, as they weigh in on their tresses (or lack thereof). “For women,” says Benedict, “hair is an entire library of information...” “It’s always there, unless it’s gone or it’s hidden—and those absences tell stories too.” Your story may start with your mother, the first decision-maker when it came to
MODEL DELANA FLOWERS
DESIGNER STEPHANIE MOYE
Moye’ shines at Pittsburgh Fashion Week by Paige Mitchell For New Pittsburgh Courier
your hair. She might have snipped a few strands as a keepsake once; she may’ve forced you into a “pixie” you didn’t want, a curtain of hair you hated, a shaved head that culture demanded by your first birthday, or braids done expertly. Her choices then may still influence your ‘do today. Hair can be “good” or it can be “bad” and getting the former, for African American girls, often meant time spent in the family kitchen that “would double as a torture chamber…” Heated devices burned necks and scalps and rain undid everything in an instant. Getting one’s hair straightened was “controversial,” but “Whatever Black women do to their hair is controversial.” Other cultures, other controversies. Which brings up some good points: when it comes to our hair, everybody has an opinion on it—and most of them can’t help sharing. Also: we may envy someone else’s hair, while she envies our straight-wavy-bouncycurly-sleek tresses of another color-texture- thickness. We’re never happy with that which is on our heads—or anywhere on our bodies, for that matter. So perhaps the thing to do is to embrace two facts: for women, there is no such thing as a “neutral” hairstyle. There’s just not. And, hey, whatever we do with it, we get second chances: it’ll always grow back. Pick up “Me, My Hair, and I” and there’s one thing you’ll notice: as you comb through it, just about every one of these twenty-seven essays resonates. It’s easy, for instance, to identify with the women who long for a new hairstyle to go with a new life. Readers will know exactly what one essayist means when she says hair is love. We sympathize with descriptions of hair as it circles the drain, post-chemo; with memories of childhood pulls and tugs; with the waffling decisions to dye or not; and with the shake-our-heads comments that our hair draws. (“Me, My Hair, and I: Twenty-Seven Women Untangle an Obsession,” edited by Elizabeth Benedict, c.2015, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, $16.95/$22.95 Canada, 316 pages.)
MODEL LONDON MARIYA
MODEL TIYA COSTON
MODEL CARMEN MALLOY
Lights, Camera, Action! Pittsburgh Fashion Week 2015 was a week full of fun, festivities, and of course FASHION! Pittsburgh Fashion Week took place Sept. 21-27. Every day throughout the week, Pittsburgh’s unique and stylish sense of fashion was presented and displayed. Curtains were pulled back on Sept. 26, for the Back-ToBasics Runway Show at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The fashionable Runway Show was presented by three of the Art Institute’s very own students, Nicole O’Brien, Gerald Love, and Stephanie Moye’. Moye’ was the only African American female fashion designer selected to be a part of the Back-ToBasics Runway Show, and left the audience wanting to see more of her breathe taking designs. “My experience during Pittsburgh Fashion Week 2015 was exuberating, I felt at home, doing what I was born to do,” Moye’ said. Moye’ was born and raised in Pittsburgh, and has had a passion for fashion since childhood. “I create various types of fashion for a market of women who want unique styles, which makes them stand out from crowd,” she said. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh had competition amongst the students studying fashion in order to select the top designers to be highlighted during Pitts-
burgh Fashion Week. Students were evaluated by Miyoshi Anderson and the founder of Pittsburgh Fashion Week and Fashion Director of the Art Institute, Stephanie Taylor. “They had a process similar to Project Runway. There were two rounds of evaluations among designers. During round two, I had to work with garments which would be in the show,” Moye’ said. After Moye’ and her impressive designs were selected to be a part of Pittsburgh Fashion Week, she had two months to prepare for her big debut. “My inspiration was creating business wear that can be dressed up for events women attend after work. Often times women have had to hurry home to change clothes before they attend a play, their children’s events, or dinner with friends and family. I designed evening wear giving a variety of apparel for Red Carpet Events,” she said. S. Moye’ Fashions stole the show during the BackTo-Baics Runway Show. “I absolutely loved being a part of Pittsburgh Fashion Week! The energy, and such amazing fashion sense is incredible. Stephanie Moye’ is such a talented designer, and I enjoyed modeling her work,” Pittsburgh Fashion Week model, London Mariya said. “Not only being a part of Pittsburgh Fashion Week has been a big moment in my modeling career, but also attending the events
MODEL BRIELLE WALKER has been an experience of a lifetime, said model Justin Jones. “Everyone that was a part of Pittsburgh Fashion Week is so talented at what they do.” S. Moye’ Fashions can be purchased on Moye’s website www.smoyefashions.com, and also at her hair salon Moye Hair Etc.! The hair salon is located in Penn Hills. “I appreciate my fans and supporters to the utmost,” said Moye’.
THE MOYE MODELS—The Moye models from left: Cindy Severi, Haley Yanko, London Mariya, Tiya Coston, Carmen Malloy, Delana Flowers, and Brielle Walker all wearing Moye fashions. (Photos by J. L. Martello)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
OCTOBER 14-20, 2015 B5
ARTS & CULTURE
October Thursday 15 Free Thursdays The Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History presents Free Thursdays in October from 3-8 p.m. at the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. This is a fun way to have a night out at the museums, with worldclass scientific and art collections, as well as special exhibitions. For more information, call 412-622-3131 or visit www.carnegiemuseums.org.
Chachacha The New Hazlett Theater Center for Performing Arts presents “Chachacha” with Mathew Tembo at 8 p.m. at The New Hazlett, 6 Allegheny Square East, North Side. This event is part of the Community Supported Art Performance Series. Chachacha are songs of freedom and redemption, originally sung by freedom fighters to express the oppression of the colonial system in 1960s Zambia. Mathew Tembo, along with his band, the Afro Roots, infuses the traditional songs with pop sensibilities, creating a unique African style featuring traditional instruments—the kimba and silimba. For more information, visit www.kentearts.org.
Friday 16 Jazz at Andys
Andys Wine Bar at the Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel presents Jazz at Andys from 5-7:30 p.m. at 510 Market St., Downtown. Special guest DJ Malls will be spinning the vinyl as part of the VINYL Happy Hour. Following the happy hour, there will be a musical performance by Claire Ascani. It is open to the public. For more information, visit www.andyswinebar.com.
with the disease. The Chorale will be accompanied by orchestral members from the Washington Symphony Orchestra. Proceeds will benefit the Washington County of the American Cancer Society breast cancer programs. For more information, call Carol Coleman at 412-855-2558 or visit www.makingstrideswalk.or/washingtoncopa.
Saturday 17
Monday 19
Humanae/I AM AUGUST Part 2 The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents “Humanae/ I AM AUGUST Part 2” from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the 937 Gallery, 937 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. This exhibition is a portrait-based installation featuring the faces of Pittsburghers. It is part of a global project that is taking place in various cities around the world. The exhibition will run through Oct. 31, 2015. For more information, call 412-456-6666.
Sunday 18 Sing for the Cure The Washington Festival Chorale presents “Sing for the Cure” at 4 p.m. at Trinity High School, 231 Park Ave., Washington, Pa. This program will highlight the journey traveled by breast cancer survivors—celebrating hope and remembering those who have lost their battle
Tembo Afro Routes Chachacha are songs of freedom and redemption, originally sung by freedom fighters to express the oppression of the colonial system in 1960s Zambia. Mathew Tembo infuses the traditional songs with pop sensibilities, creating a unique African style featuring the kalimba and silimba, traditional Zambian instruments. Mathew’s band, the Afro Routes, includes: Gordon Nunn, Hugh Watkins, Ben Barson, Nathan Frink and Colter Harper. They premiere “Chachacha” on Oct. 15, at 8 p.m. as part of the New Hazlett Theater CSA Performance Series.
MATHEW TEMBO
Savoy Jazz Savoy Restaurant presents Savoy Jazz Mondays from 5-9 p.m. at 2623 Penn Ave., Strip District. Every Monday guests can enjoy live jazz in a sophisticated atmosphere by some of the city’s most talented jazz performers. The guest musician will be George Jones & The New View Trio with saxman Lou Stellute. The attire is business casual. For more information, call 412-281-0660 or visit www.savoypgh.com.
Stevie Wonder
Héctor Tobar
The Consol Energy Center presents “Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life Performance” tour at 8 p.m. at the Consol Energy Center, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. The award-winning music legend’s tour will feature songs from his iconic 1976 album, “Songs in the Key of Life.” For more information, visit www.consolenergycenter.com.
The Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures presents “A Literary Evening with Héctor Tobar” at 7:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Award-winning journalist, Latin American scholar and author
Tuesday 20 JazzLive The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents JazzLive at 5 p.m. at the Backstage Bar at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., Cultural District. Every Tuesday, guests can enjoy a free live jazz series that showcases some of the region’s finest jazz musicians. The evening’s featured performer will be Roger Humphries. For more information, call 412-4566666 or visit www.trustarts.org.
Wednesday 21
Héctor Tobar will discuss his new book, “Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine and the Miracle That Set Them Free.” For more information, visit www.pittsburghlectures.org.
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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
ARTS & CULTURE
Blues star Copeland tackles social injustice by Genea L.Webb
2010 Blues Artist of the Year Award. Her seventh album was the highly-successful 2013’s “33 1/3.” “The different things that I got from people who listened to that record were amazing,” Copeland said. Throughout her 25-plus years in the music business, Copeland has performed with many other musicians including Eric Clapton, the late B.B. King, Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and others. In 2012, Copeland performed at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama. Looking back on her meteoric rise to success, Copeland takes it all in stride. “It took me a long time
For New Pittsburgh Courier
With the September release of her eighth album, “Outskirts of Love,” Blues singer Shemekia Copeland wants to be a voice for people who can’t or won’t stand up for themselves. “Everybody on this record is on the outskirts of something whether it be love, whether it be homelessness, injustice, whether you were gang raped whatever—everybody’s going through something or about to go through something on this record and at the very end it’s like Lord help us because we all need it.” Although some people may say that the songstress has taken a more spiritual turn with her newest musical wonder, Copeland views her voice as a vessel used to make the music that is happening in her life and what’s happening in her head at the time. “I just make the record, I don’t know how anybody is going to feel once they hear it. People interpret records any way they
SHEMEKIA COPELAND want to. On the last record, I did a song about domestic violence and on this record, I did a song about date rape and a
New music from ‘Empire’
SMOLLETT, PITBULL—Fresh off the air from the first episode of FOX’s smash hit show “Empire,” Columbia Records presents the video premiere for the upbeat party song, “No Doubt About It” featuring Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) and award winning rapper Pitbull. Pitbull wrote the song alongside Grammy Award winner NeYo. The video was filmed in Florida and was directed by Gil Green, who has guided videos for artists such as John Legend, Diddy Rick Ross, etc. “No Doubt About It” premiered across iHeartMedia RCHR radio stations nationwide and across iHeartRadio.com last month. The song will be featured on “Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 2 Volume 1,” which will be released later this year.
song about the homeless. I feel like what you put out into the universe is important.” Copeland draws on the life lessons she learned from her father, bluesman Johnny Clyde Copeland, who always told her ‘we’re all connected.’ At the age of 16, she joined her father on his concert tours for the last two years of his life after he was diagnosed with a degenerative heart condition. “My dad taught me the business end of music. He taught me how to treat my band members, He taught me to never read what the press writes about you,” Copeland said. Not long after she was serving as her father’s opening, often mesmerizing audiences with her powerful, soul-filled voice. Copeland soon realized that she wasn’t the one doing that helping in the relationship. The 36 year-old songstress said her late father would go out and do gigs so she could gain exposure and notoriety. She pays homage to him by performing one of Johnny’s songs on each of her albums. “I always do one of his songs. It’s getting more and more difficult to decide which ones to do because there are so many,” the Alligator Records recording artist said. She tore the roof off of South Side’s Club Café during a recent performance of her father’s song “Devil’s Hand.” The audience sat in awe as she belted out the smoke-filled
blues tune. The standing-room-only crowd was treated to a good old time on a Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. Copeland took people to church during “I Feel a Sin Coming On.” In 1998, Copeland released her debut album, “Turn the Heat Up.” The album received rave reviews and solidified Copeland’s status as a voice to pay attention to. Her sophomore effort, 2000’s “Wicked” was nominated for a Grammy Award. She followed up those successes with 2002’s Dr. John produced “Talking to Strangers,” and 2005’s “The Soul Truth.” Copeland earned numerous accolades and awards also including eight Blues Music Awards, a myriad of Living Blues Awards including the prestigious
to appreciate myself I heard great singers and I realized that I must be making God angry because I am unique and I have my own style,” said Copeland who enjoys drinking a glass of red wine, taking photos and signing autographs for adoring fans after her shows. “If I’m going to make records, I may as well make records that will help someone. There are so many people out there writing records about me, me, me, me, me,” Copeland said. “The music is so self-absorbed. I don’t want to do that. I don’t make records that way. It’s got to mean something to me. When this is all said and done it’s going to be about how you treated people.”
New Pittsburgh Courier
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Inside Conditions
BUSINESS OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
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RYAK is described as providing his time, talent, and treasure to the supplier diversity movement, and has been involved in For New Pittsburgh Courier bringing corporations and suppliers together via the EMSDC “Opportunity PorFor 13 years Alexander “Nick” Nichols tal.” Ramanathan also serves as the served as president and CEO of the EastEMSDC’s Minority Business Enterprise ern Minority Supplier Development CounInput Committee Co-Chair. cil, which at the time was known as the Divided into three categories; class one, Western Pennsylvania Minority Supplier three and four, based on annual gross revDiversity Council. Recently the organizaenues, the Supplier of the Year Award was tion underwent a reorganization and he presented to NexLevel Consulting, Combecame the Chief Operating Officer. Durputer Enterprise Inc. and the IBB Consulting the group’s annual Awards Gala the ing Group. new president and CEO, Valarie J. Cofield Class one winner, NexLexvel since 2006 presented Nichols with the President’s has been creating solutions to empower Award for his longstanding service and their clients to embrace change, to incommitment to the Council and anvest in learning, to increase productivnounced that an award has been ity and to succeed. They also offer innamed in his honor—The Alexander formal mentorship sessions for Nichols Lifetime Achievement those looking to own a business. Award. NexLevel has increased their emA surprised Nichols said, “Valarie’s ployees by 400 percent and draannouncement during the awards matically increased their annual gala seemed surreal. I am elated.” sales. Pleased about the recent changes Computer Enterprise, Inc. the within the organization, he said, “I feel class three winner is a leading the future of EMSDC is very bright. It is national firm providing cutting exciting bringing the entire state of Pennedge IT solutions to more than sylvania, Delaware, and south Jersey to60 percent of the Fortune 50 and gether for the future of minority business.” other businesses in the United Throughout the years Nichols has States. Since starting in 1993 worked toward accomplishing the group’s mission of advancing busi- WHAT A SURPRISE—Long time EMSDC leader Alexander “Nick” Nichols was surprised by President and CEO, Valarie J. Computer Enterprise has successfully grown to 400 employness opportunities by certifying and Cofield with the group’s Presidents Award. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels) ees with offices throughout the connecting minority owned busicountry. The company’s’ revenue has connesses to corporations and buying entisistently grown by more than $5 million ties. A former entrepreneur of 17 years for the last three years. he understands the trials and obstacles The 2015 class 4 winner, IBB Consultthat entrepreneurs often experience. He ing Group serves as convergence specialalso relates from a corporation point of ists to leading cable, media, and wireless view from his knowledge as a buyer at a and technology companies. IBB Consultmajor corporation. ing Group assists its client’s pioneer new The EMSDC awards gala carrying the products and services, develops innovatheme of “Lighting the Path to Success,” tive business models, and successfully recognized successful minority owned executes business plans. They have businesses and area corporations comdemonstrated consistent revenue and mitted to supplier development. “Our honorees demonstrate a commit- tive years, Lance Hyde, supplier diver- states throughout the country to ad- employee growth the last three years and ment to excellence, a willingness to think sity manager, EQT Corporation pro- vance this advocacy. He has delivered won the Consulting Magazine’s 2015 Exand act creatively, and a no excuses motes efforts across the region and na- presentations designed to educate and cellence in Social and Community Investmantra for getting “it” done; the “it” mean- tionally, providing opportunities to ad- connect MBE’s in the natural gas indus- ment Award. The criteria for the Corporation of the ing being engaged with diverse suppliers vance the efforts of minority business en- try and outlined specific core opportuniterprises. In an ongoing effort to support ties that exist directly with natural gas Year Award is to be a national corporation and delivering on value,” said Cofield. Award categories included the Harold T. business development and advance busi- producers and indirectly with prime sup- remaining steadfast in their commitment to diverse suppliers in their supply chain, Bushey Award, the Corporate Advocate of the ness opportunities for MBEs he works pliers of natural gas producers. This years’ MBE Advocate of the Year creating substantial business opportunities Year, the MBE Advocate of the Year, Supplier closely with various councils, chambers and coalitions in the region and seven Awardee Suresh Ramanathan, of KO- for NMSDC certified MBEs. “This year’s of the Year and the Corporation of the Year. winner, the EQT CorporaPaula B. Castleberry, Cotion would not have been ordinator, Minority/Women able to have such a successBusiness Department, ful program without support Pittsburgh Public Schools from David L. Porges, their and Toni Silva, director, chairman, president and supplier relations were the CEO, who sends communiHarold T. Bushey awardees. cations to each employee enCastleberry was described couraging them to utilize as a tireless champion and products and services owned emerging leader for governby diverse business owners,” mental supplier diversity. pointed out the Master of She sits on various commitCeremony of the Gala, Ritees and boards across the cardo Williams from the region, including EMSDC’s City of Pittsburgh Office of Certification Committee the Mayor. EQT Corporaand was the Chair of the tion when selecting Tier 1 MWDBE Governmental suppliers is credited for inCommittee’s Hall of Fame. cluding MBE companies as Silva, oversees a worlda critical criterion in their class supplier diversity proevaluation process. They engram while participating as courage Tier 2 diverse an active member in the spend. As an example, they NMSDC Health Care Indusrecently arranged for 30 of try Group and the National their top suppliers to meet African American Leaderwith NMSDC MBEs one on ship Organization. She was one. Extensive internal edurecently reappointed to the cational opportunities for Allegheny County Minority MBEs are offered, and three Business Enterprise AdviEMSDC MBEs have earned sory Committee. new contracts on additional Winning the Corporate AND THE WINNER IS—Lance Hyde and Steve Anthos of the EQT Corporation accept the Corporation of the Year Award for their comAdvocate of the Year pany from EMSDC President and CEO, Valarie J. Cofield. SEE GALA C2 award for three consecu-
by Diane I. Daniels
Awards Gala celebrates businesses’ successes
New forms of predatory lending threaten consumers (NNPA)—Over the past decade, no state has authorized either predatory payday or car title loans. That consumer financial progress came about through a combination of state and local advocates working with state lawmakers to bring a sense of financial fairness to their local communities. But just like a bad penny that won’t go away, new predatory products have emerged across the nation: high-priced open-end lines of credit and installment loans that are remarkably similar to traditional payday and car title loans. If these new products are allowed to expand in today’s marketplace, even more financial harm will strip consumers of their hard-earned dollars and mire them in yet another cycle of debt. A policy paper by the Center for Responsible Lending explores this predatory financial migration from payday and car title to unsafe installment loans. “Despite their installment terms,” states the brief, “these loans share the same troublesome characteristics as other payday and car title loans: a
lack of underwriting; access to a borrower’s bank account or car as security; structures that prevent borrowers from making progress repaying; and excessive rates and fees that increase costs further when loans are flipped.” Today, all three of these new predatory lending products are available in a handful of states like Virginia. In 10 other states, two of the disturbing loan models are available in California, Delaware, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Some might wonder why businesses would offer lending products with high delinquency and/or default rates. The answer is there is more money to be made with debt. These lenders can collect more in fees than the principal owed long before the loan is due. Consider these examples from across the country: In the first half of 2015, Texasbased Cash America, a large storefront payday lender, had more delinquent installment loan balances ($2.5 million),
Charlene Crowell
Commentary than those that were current ($2.3 million). Similarly in California, another national payday lender, Rise Credit did business as Elevate and reported to its state regulator charge offs that were larger than all of its average monthly loan balances. Last year in Virginia, nearly one-third of installment loan borrowers were at least two months delinquent in payments and 19,368 cars were repossessed — about 15 percent of their customers. In Missouri, TitleMax, a national car title lender, reported in 2014 that better than one in five or 23 percent of its car title installment loans were over 60 days in arrears, better than one in 10 loans were charged off and
8,900 cars were repossessed. Two nearly identical state legislative proposals that would have authorized high-priced open-end lines of credit in Arizona and in Texas were fortunately defeated. Had either of these passed, another predatory product would exist. In Arizona, for example, consumers who borrowed $3,000 would have paid over $4,900 in interest and fees in addition to the principal owed. Consumers who want to steer clear of deceptively high-priced loans should consider the same factors that should discourage payday borrowing: high fees; direct access to a borrower’s bank account or car; high rates of default; credit insurance or other add-on products that provide little benefit to the borrower and no consideration of a borrower’s ability to repay. Although the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau lacks authority to impose an interest rate cap, CRL believes its other powers can strengthen consumer protections by: Issuing rules that require high-cost lenders to assess a
borrower’s ability to repay a loan, including the applicant’s income and expenses; Taking enforcement actions against lenders that engage in unfair, deceptive and abusive installment lending practices; and Using its rulemaking and enforcement powers to prevent lenders from trapping borrowers into loans that are repeatedly refinanced, have unreasonably high default rates, or hinder a borrower’s ability to fully repay a loan. “Whether we are talking about a payday loan, a car title loan or a high-cost installment loan, the fundamental harm is making a loan that a borrower cannot afford to repay,” said Diane Standaert, CRL State Policy Director. “While many states have acted to protect their people from predatory payday and car title loans, our report shows that abusive lenders see installment loans as a new front. Regulators and policymakers should beware.” (Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.)
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OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
Did you forget to save for retirement? Will you have enough to live on during your golden years? Roughly one-quarter of Americans are not sure they will have sufficient funds for a comfortable retirement, according to an Employee Benefit Research Institute survey, and only 18 percent are very confident they will. Many people work hard for years and do a good job of paying their bills and covering life’s many unexpected costs, but they may not think about retirement savings until their last day at work is only a few years down the road. If you’re uncertain about whether you’ll have sufficient cash to fund the retirement you’re planning, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants offers these insights and tips. Know what you’ll need How much is enough? The amount of money you’ll require for a secure retirement will vary based on individual circumstances and many personal factors, including where and how you plan to live and any medical issues that might affect your longevity. If you’re close to retirement and able to anticipate many of your needs, then it may make sense to develop a budget that comes as close as possible to tracking your future monthly cash requirements. If you plan to downsize or move to an area with a lower cost of living, those changes should be taken into account. So, too, should the possibility of rising health care costs as well as the costs of other benefits your company might have previously picked up for you such as laptop computers, phones, etc. Consider catch-up contributions If it’s time to ramp up your retirement savings, the good news is that the tax laws can make it easier for you. If you’re 50 or older, you can set aside a little more in taxadvantaged retirement plans using annual catch-up contributions. With a 401(k), 403(b), and most 457(b) plans, you can normally contribute up to $18,000 annually, but once you pass age 49 you can add another $6,000. For a Roth or traditional IRA, the base maximum is $5,500; that rises by another $1,000 if you’re 50 or older. Don’t overlook the significant opportunity open to small-business owners who qualify to set up a Simplified Employee Pension IRA (SEP). With a SEP, you can contribute up to 25 percent of your compensation, to a maximum of $53,000. With SEP plans, the amount you contribute is deductible, which lowers your taxable income, but catch-up contributions are not permitted. If you’re running behind on your retirement savings, talk to your CPA about tax-advantaged options for catching up. Reset your deadline While 65 was once considered the accepted retirement date, more people are working well beyond that age. If you choose to do so, even part time, not only will you have more time to add to your nest egg, but you could also qualify for higher Social Security payments. You can begin collecting Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but taking payments before you reach full retirement age can lower your payments by as much as 30 percent. If you were born after 1942 and continue working after full retirement age, however, you can increase your checks by 8 percent for each year that you stay on the job until age 70. Turn to your CPA If you haven’t been diligent about saving for retirement, your local CPA can help. He or she can offer practical advice and realistic solutions for a wide range of financial planning concerns. For more resources on saving for retirement, as well as a PICPA’s CPA locator tool, visit www.picpa.org/moneyandlife.
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
BUSINESS
Wealth-building secrets from America’s Rabbi by Willie Jolley
and relationships. And those connections make our interpersonal networks rich and fulfilling. George Curry Media Columnist In his book, Thou Shalt Prosper, he writes, “This (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—Rabbi Daniel book makes the Jewish approach to money and Lapin is an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, who shares wealth accessible and useful to anyone. It will dewealth-building principles directly from the Bible. scribe some of the secrets to Jewish business success He is an acclaimed author, speaker, radio talk show and will show how they can be adapted to all people host and with his wife, Susan, hosts a daily televi- regardless of faith and background. You will find tips, sion show. He is known worldwide as America’s tools and techniques that you will be able to apply to your life. And the best part is by doing that you will Rabbi, a noted rabbinic scholar. He’s nationally in demand for his ability to extract be helping those around you, as much as yourself.” In my SiriusXM interview with Rabbi Daniel life principles from the Bible and then communicate them in an entertaining manner. A favorite theme of Lapin, he shared some incredible insights and conhis: “The more things change, the more you must de- cepts that can help you to grow your wealth and your success, includpend upon those ing: things that never Money did not change!” Lapin has sneak up on God. He helped bring countknew about it, the less people, both need for it and creJews and Christians, ated it for us to use. closer to their respecAnd He gave us tive faiths and learn ways to generate it. how to use that faith God built a “finanto grow their cial current.” If you wealth. flow with it, rather Rabbi Lapin cothan against it, you founded the Pacific will prosper. Jewish Center in Los The principles of Angeles with media gravity work for evpersonality Michael eryone—whether Medved. He was you believe in it or named “One of the Top WILLIE JOLLEY not. The same is true 50 Rabbis in America” for the principles by Newsweek and has written four powerful books, including Thou Shall Pros- God built into the world of financial success. You must learn the biblical principles God put in per (Ten Commandments for Making Money). Rabbi Lapin studied the Torah, physics, eco- the Bible to grow your wealth. Serve people and help them improve their lives nomics and mathematics in Johannesburg, London and Jerusalem. This seemingly unlikely combina- and you will make more money. Using our ingenuity to create opportunities that tion formed his conviction that there is no conflict serve others generates money. between faith and wealth. As you serve others and help them achieve their He works at answering age-old questions: What do the Jewish people know about wealth-building that goals, money will come. Therefore, the key is to has allowed them to prosper financially at a dispro- serve and then you will succeed. Learn to be excellent in your specialty. Don’t be portionate rate? What principles do they live by? What are the biblical insights that Jewish people ashamed to accept money for helping people solve have learned from the Bible that we could all use to their problems with that specialty. Pray for health and strength and constantly learn grow our wealth regardless of our backgrounds? What is their mindset towards money and wealth? the ways God has created for us to become “money Jewish people do not constitute even one-tenth of makers.” Believe, receive and expect wealth. Then, be will1 percent of the human race. And they make up only about 2 percent of the U.S. population. Yet, ing to work hard to achieve that expected outcome. (Willie Jolley is America’s #1 Inspirational/Motivational they are disproportionally influential in many Speaker/Singer/Author! He is the author of several bestareas of American business. According to Rabbi Daniel Lapin, money isn’t just selling books and can be reached through his website, physical, it’s a spiritual reality. It’s about people www.williejolley.com.)
How women can build for a secure retirement Women carry a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders, and sometimes considerations like saving for their own retirement may fall through the gaps. In a survey by BlackRock, only 53 percent of women had begun putting away money for retirement, compared to 65 percent of men. Even the women who were saving had accumulated less than half of what the men had. The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants offers advice for women who want to be sure they are on track for a secure future. Consider the long(er) term Women should be prepared to save more than men because, on average, women live longer. According to the Social Security Administration, a man turning 65 now can expect to live to about 84, while a woman reaching 65 might live to nearly 87. Given improving health and longevity among older people,
MUNICIPALITY OF PENN HILLS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
NOTICE TO PUBLIC OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Penn Hills Planning Department Municipality of Penn Hills 12245 Frankstown Road Penn Hills, PA 412-798-2129
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be under taken by the Municipality of Penn Hills. Request for Release of Funds
On or about October 31, 2015, the Municipality of Penn Hills will submit a request to the US. Dept. of HUD, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the release of Community Development Funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as: CD YEAR 41, consisting of:
1. Demolition Program—$85,000—Town-wide 2. Housing Rehabilitation Program—$40,000—Town-wide 3. Senior Aid Housing Rehabilitation—$10,000—Town-wide 4. Senior Citizen Handrail Program—$10,000—Town-wide Finding of No Significant Impact
The Municipality of Penn Hills has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Penn Hills Planning Department, 12245 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills, PA 15235 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Public Comments Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the projects may submit written comments to the Penn Hills Planning Department, 12245 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. All comments received by October 15, 2015, will be considered by the Municipality prior to authorizing the submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. Release of Funds
The Municipality of Penn Hills certifies to HUD that Mayor Anthony L. DeLuca in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relating to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUDʼs approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related law and authorities, and allows the Municipality of Penn Hills to use program funds. Objections to Release of Funds
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Municipalityʼs certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the certifying officer of the Municipality of Penn Hills; (b) the Municipality has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal Agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to John E. Tolbert, III, Director, Community Development Division, HUD, Pittsburgh Office-Mid Atlantic, 339 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. ANTHONY L. DELUCA, MAYOR PENN HILLS MUNICIPAL BUILDING 12245 FRANKSTOWN ROAD PENN HILLS, PA 15235 Information on the above is available in the offices of the Penn Hills Department of Planning and Economic Development. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations are requested to call 412-798-2129 to discuss how we may meet your needs. Hearing impaired may contact the Municipality through the State Relay Office at 1-800-6545984.
your retirement strategy should be based on a realistic assessment of how long your money will need to last. It’s always advisable to begin saving early and to set aside as much as possible, but this may be especially true for women because of their longer life expectancy. Factor in earnings gaps One hurdle for women is the possibility that they will take time off when their children are born or work parttime during their careers to juggle family responsibilities. In fact, only about one-half of women between the ages of 25 and 44 are working full time, the BlackRock survey found, which can leave them with much less in savings than their male counterparts. Women also continue to earn less, getting about 78 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. No matter how your employment changes, CPAs advise that you take advantage of any employer retirement plans when you are working. If the employer offers matching contributions, try to contribute enough to qualify for the highest possible match. If you’re not working, find out if you’re eligible to contribute to an IRA. For those who are self-employed, investigate the benefits of SEPs and SIMPLE retirement plans. There are oppor-
tunities to pump up your retirement savings, so be sure to take them. Strategize about Social Security Your earnings history will also have an impact on your Social Security retirement benefits. At the Social Security Administration website (www.ssa.gov), you can create an account to find out what your benefit payments will be or use benefit calculators to find out, for example, how your age at retirement will affect your payment and how spouses can plan to make the most of their benefits. Be aware of your risk tolerance When you invest, do you typically look for high-performing stocks and bonds or more reliable ones, such as Treasury bills or money market funds? Your answer to that question can help you get a sense of your tolerance for risk when it comes to investing. That’s important, because a lower risk tolerance may mean that your money may grow more slowly over time, leaving you with a smaller nest egg. Dodging risk is not necessarily a bad thing, since it can help you avoid losses on your money. Knowing your own approach to risk can help you estimate how quickly your money will earn dividends or interest and, as a result, how much you need to put away to meet your retirement goals.
Gala celebrates success CONTINUED FROM C1
projects as a result. EQT Corporation also won the Corporation of the Year Award in 2014. More than 150 minorityowned businesses and EMSDC corporate members attended the awards gala held at the Rivers Casino. Honorary Chairperson Doris Carson Williams, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, welcomed the group and spoke of their similar missions. Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Old School Band. The EMSDC mission is to
advance business opportunities by certifying and connecting minority business enterprises to corporations and buying entities. An affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council established in 1972, the organization is comprised of a network of regional councils across the country. Boosting over 3,500 corporate members and more than 15,000 certified minority owned businesses in its network, the goal of the NMSDC since its inception has been to provide the direct link between corporate America and minority-owned businesses.
BUSINESS CALENDAR
PowerBreakfast Meeting OCT. 16—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will host its PowerBreakfast Meeting at 7:30 a.m. at One Oxford Centre. 301 Grant St., Downtown. The guest speaker will be Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and a Chamber supporting member, will update the audience on the Partnership’s initiatives and how they develop opportunities for our region. Reservations are required by Oct. 14. For more information, call 412-392-0610 or email information@aaccwp.com.
The Second Step OCT. 16—The University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center will host “The Second Step: Developing A Business Plan” from 7:30-10 a.m. at the University of Pittsburgh, Mervis Hall, Roberto Clemente Drive, Oakland. Attendees will learn all they need to about operational and production planning, conducting market research and creating financial spreadsheets to attract funding for one’s business. Registration is required. For more information, call 412-648-1544 or visit www.entrepreneur.pitt.edu.
Entrepreneur/ Tech Happy Hour OCT. 20—The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence and Pittsburgh Technology Council will host an Entrepreneur/Tech Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. at the Jerome Bettis Grille 36, 393 N. Shore Dr., North Shore. This is an opportunity to enjoy food, drinks and the company of local entrepreneurs. For more information, call 412-648-1544 or visit www.entrepreneur.pitt.edu.
Lunch and Learn Series OCT. 22— The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host its Lunch & Learn Series at 12:15 p.m. at the Downtown & Business Branch, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown. The topic will be “Crowdfunding Your Business.” Artists, entrepreneurs and others utilize crowdfunding to collectively raise capital for business ventures, causes and community projects. In this session, Jennifer Hamilton, of Kiva Zip, will teach attendees about crowdfunding and Kiva Zip’s 0 percent interest micro-loans for startups and small businesses in the Pittsburgh area. For more information, call 412-281-7141 or visit www.carnegielibrary.org.
Soldier to Entrepreneur OCT. 28—The University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence will host “Soldier to Entrepreneur: Managing the Operations” from 7:3010:30 a.m. at Riverside Center for Innovation, 700 Ridge Ave., North Side. During this session, experts will go over basic human resource management, training, managing and motivating employees as well as leadership basics. Registration is required. For more information, call 412-648-1542 or email info@innovation.pitt.edu.
Members’ Mixer OCT. 28—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will host its Members’ Mixer from 5-7 p.m. at the Laurel Highlands Council Boy Scouts of America, Flag Scout Center, 1275 Bedford Ave., Hill District. Chamber associate members, the Laurel Highlands Council Boy Scouts of America, will host this event that gives members an opportunity to network and gain contacts. Attendees are asked to bring their business cards to pass out. Members are asked to bring their pins. For more information, call 412-392-0610 or email information@aaccwp.com.
Growth Workshop OCT. 29—Chatham University’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship will host MyBusiness Growth Workshop from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Chatham University, 1 Woodland Rd., Shadyside. The topic will be “Website & Social Media for Growth with Google Pittsburgh.” Google’s Partner Technology Manager Timothy James will facilitate a handson workshop covering website design, optimization and social media development topics for established businesses. Attendees will learn how to access their website for effectiveness and how to get the most out of their presence and online options. They will also gain a greater understanding of their social media options and how to promote their business to a local audience as well as maintaining a global presence online. Registration is requested and a light breakfast will be provided. For more information, visit www.chatham.edu/cwe.
New Pittsburgh Courier
SPORTS
C3
OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier
Now that the acrid smoke of the Pirates 4-0 “Wildcard” defeat at the hands of the Chicago Cubs has begun to “dissipate,” (it still is not completely gone) I really want to have a talk with “yinz” readers. Due to health and personal reasons in 2015 I missed a slew of Pirate home games. I actually covered about 50 percent of the Bucs at home in 2015. First of all, Pittsburgh and the entire western Pennsylvania region should applaud the Pirates for advancing to the 2015 MLB postseason, especially in light of the all of the injuries that the Pittsburgh squad was forced to overcome just to qualify for a home “Wildcard” game. That being said; the window for a championship is not opening wider, in my opinion the window of op-
Inside Conditions—House cleaning portunity is closing at a steady rate and there may be unseen and developing economic forces that cause it to close even faster. The fans of the region are happy for the past few seasons that the Pirates have finished above the .500 mark but soon and very soon as some of my Christian friends might say, “folkses” are going to become weary at getting close but no cigar. The time for finding a comfortable baseball position for infielder Pedro Alvarez is past. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle has done everything possible to make the “Alvarez experiment” amicable for the Pirates management, players, fans and Pedro Alvarez himself but for the good of the Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 season and for the Pirates to even
have a remote chance of reaching a world series, let alone winning one, the team must sever ties with the beleaguered Alvarez, even if it means losing a few dollars as a result of cutting the umbilical cord with the troubled star. There is only one position in MLB that would more than likely provide a comfort zone for the team and possibly suit Mr. Alvarez and that position is the “designated hitter.” However, with the inconsistent cold and hot offensive streaks of Mr. Alvarez almost always being a part of the scenario, even that position may be questionable. By the way, for those of you who may be interested, the Pittsburgh Pirates ply their trade in the MLB National League and there is
no “designated hitter.” It appears as though the “father of baseball” Abner Doubleday, intended for every man in the lineup to have to “bat” for himself. As far as I am concerned, that is the way it should have remained. Just look at the numbers for right fielder Gregory Polanco. According to baseball-reference.com Polanco; “Signed thru 2015, 1 yr/$525k. Service time (01/2015) Arbitration Eligible in 2018. Becomes a Free Agent in 2021.” The Pirates utilized the services of one of the best, if not the best right fielder in professional baseball for peanuts. Pedro Alvarez is a fan favorite in Pittsburgh but the Pirates management should be far more concerned about an athlete’s performance on
the field than a player’s marketability. As my southern brother “Foghorn Leghorn” might say: “I say there, I say there might be a few cannonballs coming from the lower deck of the Pirate ship as the result of a full scale player rebellion if Alvarez plays another flawed and inconsistent season as a Pittsburgh Pirate.” Aramis Ramirez left the Milwaukee Brewers after the season’s halfway mark in 2015 to rejoin the Pittsburgh Pirates with the hope of winning a championship with the club with which he made his MLB debut but it didn’t happen. In 2014 Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett underperformed as a member of the underachieving Philadelphia Phillies. Burnett was
signed to a 1 year deal in 2015 at $8.5M.However like Aramis Ramirez, he too chose to take “less money” returning to the Pirates in 2015, over performing while helping the Pirates into the NL MLB post season for the third consecutive year. Both Ramirez and Burnett have ridden off into the sunset of their careers. Will the Pirates of 2016 ride off into a blaze of glory or will they again fight 162 battles just to lose the final conflict. Has Wildcard competition become the Pirates “Waterloo?” No one can no longer tell the fans to “eat cake.” Every so often ya have to throw a steak on the grill. (The source for this article was baseballreference.com) (Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412-583-6741. He is also a contributing columnist for urbanmediatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter@ultrascribe.)
Josh Gibson Foundation presents Gibson Awards The Josh Gibson Foundation welcomed back to Pittsburgh, former Pirates outfielder, Barry Bonds and Skipper Jim Leyland. The two headlined a special awards dinner at the Wyndham Grand Hotel. Also in the evening various local city leaders were hon-
ored for their community leadership. Honored were: Robert V. Racunas, National Legal Services Association, Saleem Ghubril, executive director Pittsburgh Promise; Barry Bonds, former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder; Ed Gainey, Pa. House of Representative;
Austin Davis, assistant to County Executive Rich Fitzgerald; Lara E. Washington, president Allegheny Rehabilitation Corporation; and the 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates Line-Up. Present also at the dinner was Negro League Legend Ted Toles and family.
HONOREE—Lara E. Washington, president
THE TOLES—Former Negro Leaguer Ted Toles with family Juanita Toles and Theodore Toles III.
SPECIAL HONOREE—All time great Barry Bonds, left, receives special award from Sean Gibson, right.
THE TEAM—Barry Bonds and Jim Leyland represents the 1990 championship team. From left: Barry Bonds, Sean Gibson, Jim Leyland and Hal D. Coffey, chairman Josh Gibson Foundation. (Photos by Rossano P. Stewart)
Overtime by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier
:10—Don’t wanna get that leg broken playing second base? Get outta the way. I’m just saying! :09—Speaking of things to do…or not! Here’s the last word from Pirate Sean Rodriguez, and I quote, “I want to apologize for allowing my emotions to control my actions in a n e g a t i v e manner. I also spoke to the Cooler, apologized personally and he’s forgiven me as Christ forgives all!” :08—Here’s a question from the president of the “Park-Crew”…my man Tim. (Don’t ask what Park, just read on.) Who would you rather have, Jerry Rice or Randy Moss…now wait a minute, hold on before you answer…uh-huh, see what I mean. Not as easy a call as it sounds. Text me at 412-628-4856. :07—This just in. The Pirates get a “Do Over.” With the Cubs…don’t get mad at me, it’s in the baseball rule book. :06—To which I offer this, as does every other sports writer with any sense at all,
BILL NEAL why in the world would you not have a three game playoff instead of a wild card game? And the fact that the owners don’t want to make more money just amazes me to no end!!! :05—You heard it here first and before the game so own it. The Steelers win big, big, big against the Chargers on the Left Coast. And Michael Vick will be it! And that you can take to any bank you want. :04—They showed the whole O.J. thing again on CNN for the 20 year date that the deed was done (as if everybody on the planet hasn’t seen it ten times over). Man, I tried to give the Juice the benefit of whatever…but when they
re-show it in the order of events…HOW - IN - THE WORLD - DID - HE - GET AWAY WITH - MURDER??? I’m just sayin! :03—Here’s how to play your money: Dodgers will take out the Mets, Cubs will polish off the Cards, I still say Blue Jays come back to finish off the Rangers, and you can be sure the Royals take care of Houston. Now let it do what it do baby. :02—I would give you the entire Pittsburgh City League Hall of Fame Inductions speech again, but don’t need to…it’s sold out! See ya at the after party at Savoy. OK, just in case you wanna try Saturday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. the entire city is on fire for honoring the city’s Best Of The Best at the Wyndham Hotel. Want more information, go to the dynasty Donna Baxter built…it’s called “The Soul Pitt.” :01—I’ll take Rice. Love ya Randy…but I’m taking Rice! :00—Double Overtime— Pitts win over Virginia was made even more enjoyable by the great weather and a good defense. However, they still got a ways to go. ~ GAME OVER ~
New Pittsburgh Courier
CLASSIFIED
C4
OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
SONNY BOY
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Help Wanted
Help Wanted
RECEPTIONIST/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT I
Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation (SPC) seeks full-time Receptionist / Administrative Assistant I to perform wide range of reception/administrative functions. Competitive salary, Excellent benefit package. Please visit www.spcregion.org for more information. EEO/AA/M/F/Vet/Disability Employer.
CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER, C.P.A.
The City of Pittsburgh is accepting applications for the following position: The City of Pittsburgh, Office of the Controller is currently accepting applications for a Chief Accounting Officer, C.P.A. career opportunity. Learn more & apply today: www.pghjobs.net Application Deadline: October 26, 2015 at 4:00 P.M. EST Benefits: The City offers a comprehensive benefits plan. Application Deadline: Varies per position. City Residency: All positions require City residency prior to appointment. To view a comprehensive list, job details & apply online: https://www.PGHJobs.net Jobline: 412-255-2389 CITY OF PITTSBURGH Department of Personnel & Civil Service Commission William Peduto, Mayor Todd Siegel, Director
ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY
Robert Morris University seeks applicants for several employment opportunities. Visit RMU.EDU/JOBS for details. Email resume to jobs@rmu.edu or mail to: Robert Morris University, Human Resources 6001 University Blvd., Moon Twp., PA 15108 or fax to 412-397-2555. RMU believes institutional equity reflects our continued commitment to a community where everyone is both valued and respected. We are dedicated to developing a diverse population and strive to be an inclusive community that celebrates and embraces differences. EOE
SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER
Port Authority is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to be responsible for all mechanical related aspects of Authority systems, facilities, buildings, tunnels, subways, and light rail transit system. Ensures projects adhere to the scope, budget, and schedule as well as interfaces with consultants, contractors, and external stakeholder representatives. Provides engineering and technical support in the maintenance and operation of various mechanical systems including: drainage, plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC), escalators, elevators, fire protection, safety and related equipment. Job requirements include: •BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field from an accredited school. •Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in managing projects, including design and construction of job-related work. •Professional and effective communication skills. •Valid driverʼs license in any state or commonwealth with ability to obtain PA driverʼs license within sixty (60) days of employment. •Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows Preferred attributes: •Experience in design and/or construction of mechanical equipment in facilities and/or public infrastructure and systems. •Registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the ability to obtain such registration through reciprocity within one year of appointment. •Demonstrated ability in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: Robyn Taylor Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 RTaylor@portauthority.org EOE
To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129
RECOVERY COORDINATOR (Part-time)
Allegheny HealthChoices, Inc. (AHCI), located in downtown Pittsburgh, seeks a Recovery Coordinator to join our team on a part-time basis (approximately 20 hours/week). This individual will provide a personal perspective on treatment and recovery for the Allegheny County behavioral health system (mental health and substance use disorder services). Primary Responsibilities include: •Act as a change agent to impact the recovery culture in the behavioral health service system •Participate in meetings, trainings, and educational activities with the purpose of providing a service user and recovery-oriented perspective at these activities •Organize and facilitate meetings and trainings •Problem solve with people who use behavioral health services on Medicaid benefit issues Position requires an understanding of behavioral health service models from the usersʼ perspective. Postsecondary education, with an Associateʼs or Bachelorʼs Degree in a related discipline is preferred. Excellent interpersonal, and communication skills are essential. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook is required. This individual will be required to independently travel to frequent meetings throughout the area. Candidate must possess a valid drivers license, or the ability to independently travel to these meetings. We offer a competitive wage and benefits package. Qualified candidates should send a resume via email to jobs@acuity-hr.com with “Recovery Coordinator” in the subject line. EOE
MANAGING EDITOR
WPXI, the NBC affiliate in Pittsburgh, is seeking a Managing Editor who has a passion for news, thinks strategically and can lead a team to deliver great stories on multiple platforms. Pittsburgh is the most competitive LPM market in the country, so we need a high-energy, hard-working collaborator who brings it every day. The ideal candidate will be a teambuilder who is able to lead a talented team of journalists in day-to-day news coverage as well as in major breaking news and weather events. Working closely with the News Director and other News Managers, the Managing Editor is responsible for successfully executing a daily strategy thatʼs in alignment with WPXIʼs commitment to serving its community through strong journalism. In addition to having great editorial judgment and strong people skills, the Managing Editor will be proactive and organized. The job will include juggling short-term and long-term projects, working with our strategic partners, using research to create results-oriented plans and regularly providing constructive feedback. More specifically, the responsibilities include, but arenʼt limited to: •Ensuring consistent, outstanding daily coverage of the news on all platforms •Overseeing daily and long-term investigative assignments and content creation •Coaching and providing regular feedback to reporters, managing a development plan for each of them •Executing on strategic plans developed through research •Handling several administrative duties as assigned by the News Director •Serving as the primary editorial and legal decision maker when the News Director is not available There are so many formal and informal growth opportunities for the Managing Editor. The position offers huge potential for growth in a fantastic company. Bachelorʼs degree in Journalism or related field required 5 yearsʼ experience in Newsroom management preferred Cox Media Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer;Women/Minorities/Disabled/Veterans Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of CoxReps. Additionally, CMG owns Cox Target Media, which operates Valpak, one of North Americaʼs leading direct marketing companies, and Savings.com, a leading online source for savings. The companyʼs operations currently include 14 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 57 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen nondaily publications, and more than 100 digital services. CMG currently operates in more than 30 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including more than 32 million TV viewers, more than 4 million print and online newspaper readers, and 14 million radio listeners. Cox Media Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer; Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out at http://www.coxmediagroup.com
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SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CORPORATION SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION DISADVANTAGE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GOAL FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATIONASSISTED CONTRACTS FISCAL YEARS 2015, 2016, 2017 PUBLIC NOTICE This notice is to inform the general public that the Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation/Commission has reviewed its anticipated Federal Transit Administration funded contracting program activities for the fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017 and has established the following Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal of 1.29%. The public has 45 days from the date of this notice to review and comment on the above goal. A copy of the DBE Program document can be reviewed on our website at: http://www.spc region.org/rfp_do.shtml and public comment can be made via email at comments@spcregion.org or by contacting SPC. Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Two Chatham Center, Suite 500 112 Washington Place Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3451 (412) 391-5590 RENTAL SERVICE Unfurnished Apartments
KELLY HAMILTON APARTMENTS
AHRCO Homewood 7021 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206 NOW ACCEPTING HOUSING APPLICATIONS 4 and 5 bedroom apartments. Appliances are included, near public transportation, public library, schools and athletic facilities. Applications are accepted Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM Section 8 assistance available to those who qualify PLEASE CONTACT 412-441-6100 FOR FURTHER APPLICATIONINFORMATION LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
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Letters have been granted on the estate of each of the following decedents to the personal representative named who request all persons having claims against the estate of the decedent to make known the same in writing to him or his attorney, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment to him without delay:
Estate of BRACCO, DOROTHY, deceased of Homestead, No. 5745 of 2015, Timothy Bracco, Extr. or to c/o Matthew J. Beam, Esq., Scolieri Law Group, 1207 Fifth Avenue, Ste 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Estate of DUMOND, HAZEL C., of Mt. Lebanon, No. 02-15-05754, Lynn D. Portnoff, Executrix, 160 Robinson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, R.M. Entwisle, III, Atty., 125 1st Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Estate and Trust Estate of RACKOFF, BARBARA, a/k/a RACKOFF, BARBARA WEINBERG, deceased of Pittsburgh, PA. No. 02-15-05335, William H. Rackoff, Executor and William H. Rackoff and John M. Rackoff, CoTrustees under Irrevocable Trust Agreement of Barbara Rackoff c/o Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, PC, One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or to Nancy L. Rackoff, Esquire, Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, PC, One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Estate of FLEISCHER, MILDRED, of Pittsburgh, PA. No. 02-15-05613, Myrna Kline, Executrix c/o Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, PC, One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or to Nancy L. Rackoff, Esquire, Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, PC, One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
Estate of ROSSER, FRANK S., deceased of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, No. 02-15-05159, John F. Rosser, 49 Fawnvue Drive, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 or to Rosemary L. Corsetti, Esquire, Buchananan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, One Oxford Centre, 20th Floor, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
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COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY PITTSBURGH, PA October 6, 2015
The Office of the Director of the Department of Public works for Allegheny County in Conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is soliciting Statements of Interest through PennDOTs ECMS system for the following: ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Right of Way Acquisition Services For Various State Funded Bridge Replacement Projects County Project No. ACQU-RWPA ECMS No. VARIOUS Local Agreement Number: L00108 This is a state-aid project overseen by Allegheny County in accordance with Publication 740. Statements of Interest are due no later than October 21, 2015 and are to be submitted through PennDOTs ECMS System, http://www.dot14.state.pa.us/ECMS The advertisement can be found under agreement number L00108. A copy of the published advertisement can also be found on the County Website: http://www.county. allegheny.pa.us/bids Any inquiries into this Advertisement are to be directed to Mr. Michael Dillon, P.E., Deputy Director of Engineering, at 412-350-5469 or mdillon@ alleghenycounty.us The County will use the normal selection process and preselect or short-list three firms for consideration for this Project assignment on the following evaluation criteria: Understanding of the scope of work to obtain Right of Way Clearance from PennDOT in accordance with applicable regulations; Work experience and supervisory experience on PennDOT and Allegheny County projects indicating an understanding of PennDOTʼs and Allegheny Countyʼs requirements, policies, and specifications; Firmʼs commitment to a quality control and quality assurance process as demonstrated in the firmʼs Statement of Interest and the firmʼs QA/QC Plan on file in ECMS with PennDOT; How will the team pursue project deliver in relation to developing and/or meeting design and construction project schedules?; How did the team perform on past projects? The Countyʼs Minority and Women disadvantaged goals for these Projects will be 13% of the total price for MBE participation and 2% of the total price for WBE participation. Stephen G. Shanley, PE, Director Department of Public Works of Allegheny County LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR LOT 1 PARKING FACILITY
The Stadium Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (“Authority”) will receive proposals for Architectural Design Services for Lot 1 Parking Facility. The agreement for this work will be with the Authority. The Request for Proposals may be obtained after the date identified below from Mr. Rifat Qureshi, Development Manager at: e-mail: rqureshi@pgh-sea.com, telephone: 412-393-7108. This Advertisement applies to the following Request for Proposals: Project Architectural Design Services for Lot 1 Parking Facility RFP Available Friday, October 9, 2015 Non-mandatory Pre-proposal Meeting Tuesday, October 20th, 2015; 2:00PM at Authority Offices, Large Conference Room Time / Date / Location for Proposals 2:00 PM; Friday, November 6, 2015 Stadium Authority of the City of Pittsburgh 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222
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LEGAL NOTIFICATION Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Official Advertisement for Bids
Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by Riverview Apartments Inc. Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania for the following: Civil Engineering Services relating to the Site Development of a narrow Parcel of land situated between the existing residence towers and Brownshill Road. It is proposed to remove the large mound of earth presently on the site and replace it with a newly paved access road, parking lot, landscaping and site amenities. The subject property is currently owned by multiple entities but is collectively under the control of Riverview Apartments Inc. The scope of services for this project shall include, but not necessarily be limited to Surveys and Site Development Contract Drawings. Information for bidders may be examined or obtained for bidding purposes through the offices of Riverview Apartments Inc.52 Garetta St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 by calling Hanna Steiner at (412) 521-7876 Owner: Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Jeff Finkelstein, President & CEO Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: All bidders intending to submit a bid must attend a Pre-Bid Meeting on October 20th at 10:00AM at Riverview Apts. Inc. 52 Garetta St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Receiving of bids: Sealed bids are due to Hanna Steiner – Executive Director on November 3rd by 12:00 noon At 52 Garetta St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Contract Form: “Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner & Contractor, AIA document A101” or as negotiated with owner binding parties to the construction requirements as set forth in the construction documents and “General Conditions for the construction AIA 201, latest edition.” Commencement of Services by: As negotiated with Riverview Apartments Inc. No bidder may modify, withdraw, or cancel his bid for period of Sixty (60) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. The owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities. Compliance is required with the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act of 1961 P.L.987, No.442: Title VI and other applicable provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Department of Labor Equal Opportunity Clause (41CFR 60-1.4); Executive order 11625 (Utilization of Minority Business Enterprise); Executive Order 12138 (Utilization of Female Business Enterprise);in compliance with Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and with the Allegheny County MBE/WBE Program enacted July, 1981,which sets forth goals of thirteen percent (13%) Minority and two (2%) Female Business Enterprise and the Allegheny County Ordinance #6867-12, setting forth goals of 5% Veteran Owned Small Businesses. NEW
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PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny Countyʼs Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org). The submission date for all proposals is 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 29, 2015 and read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at the Port Authority, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527, for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.port authority.org) B150113R Police Utility Vehicles B150419 AIR COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT EAST LIBERTY B150955A Coach Replacement Parts—Meritor Drive Train & Front Axle Parts B150956 Ethernet Components B150958A Spray Injection Patching Services Paper Proposal – Documents are available for the following item at Port Authorityʼs Main Offices 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15222-2527 B150959A Unleaded Gasoline 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 9:00am on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at the Port Authority, Third Floor at 345 Sixth Avenue, 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 48 hours 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 bidderʼs 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.
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR COMPACTOR/CHUTE REPAIR AT VARIOUS HACP LOCATIONS REBID IFB#300-26-15 Rebid
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): COMPACTOR / CHUTE REPAIR AT VARIOUS HACP LOCATIONS REBID IFB#300-26-15 Rebid The documents will be available no later than October 12, 2015 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 11:00 A.M., November 2, 2015 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Invitation for Bid from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquires should be directed to: Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept. 100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Friday, October 23, 2015 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACPʼs has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.
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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE IFB#300-31-15
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE IFB#300-31-15 The documents will be available no later than October 12, 2015 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 11:00 A.M., November 4, 2015 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Invitation for Bid from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquires should be directed to: Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept. 100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Tuesday, October 27, 2015 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACPʼs has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.
INVITATION FOR BIDS
The URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY of Pittsburgh will receive bids from qualified contractors for the removal of concrete and asphalt pavement, filling of abandoned sidewalk vaults, removal of trash and debris, and all work incidental thereto required to complete Brighton Heights Demolition and Site Clearance Contract No. 1, until 11:00 a.m. prevailing time on Friday, the 30th day of October, 2015, at its office, 11th floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Conference Room on the 11th floor. Contract documents will be available on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, in the Engineering and Construction Department, 11th Floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, upon a non-refundable payment of THIRTY DOLLARS ($30.00) made payable to the URA of Pittsburgh. CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. Contract documents will not be mailed. A pre-bid meeting will be held on site at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. This will be the only opportunity for potential bidders to visit and inspect the site. Interested parties should meet at the intersection of Antrim Street and Fleming Avenue. A certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value), or a satisfactory bid bond, executed by the Bidder and an acceptable surety in a dollar amount equal to 5% of the total bid, shall be submitted. Each bid submittal must include the Bid, Noncollusion Affidavit of Prime Bidder, Bid Bond, Statement of Bidders Qualifications, and Certification of Minority and Womenʼs Participation with Exhibits. Wages paid on this project shall not be less than the minimum wages determined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry as set forth in the contract documents. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. The Contractor must assure that applicants and employees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religious creed, handicap, ancestry, national origin, age or sex. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh requires that all bidders complete and submit Certification of Minority and Womenʼs Participation with Exhibits. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informality in the bidding. Bids may be held by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of opening of bids for the purpose of reviewing the bids prior to awarding the Contract. URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF PITTSBURGH Robert Rubinstein Acting Executive Director
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Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, Purchasing Department, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233(412.237.3020) on the following items: Bid Proposal No. 951 – Roof Repairs – Lightning Damage at Byers Hall A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting and site visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. The assembly point will be the front of Byers Hall, CCAC Allegheny Campus, Galveston at Ridge Avenue,Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at which time they will be publicly opened. Any proposals received after this deadline will be considered as a “late bid” and will be returned unopened to the offerer. The CCAC Purchasing Department is now publishing all bids via the CCAC website at h t t p s : / / w w w. c c a c . e d u / B i d RFP_Opportunities.aspx. It will be each vendorʼs responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda. Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the final submittal may result in the rejection of your bid. Proposals may require Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds, and Surety as dictated by the specifications. No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR TREE AND SHRUB REMOVAL AUTHORITY WIDE REBID IFB#300-28-15 Rebid
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): TREE AND SHRUB REMOVAL AUTHORITY WIDE REBID IFB#300-28-15 Rebid The documents will be available no later than October 12, 2015 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 A.M., November 2, 2015 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Invitation for Bid from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquires should be directed to: Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept. 100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Friday, October 23, 2015 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACPʼs has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.
ADVERTISEMENT PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Sealed proposals must be received at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department, Port Authority of Allegheny County (“Port Authority”), 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527 by 2:00 p.m., E.S.T., November 9, 2015, for the following: RFP No. 5000: 40 foot low floor and/or 60 foot low floor articulated transit buses, including project management/administration, testing, spare parts, special tools and equipment, alternatives/options, and the delivery of data, manuals and drawings. Each proposer may submit a proposal for the 40 foot low floor buses, the 60 foot low floor articulated buses or both. No proposer may withdraw a submitted proposal for a period of 180 days after the scheduled time for receipt of offers. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on the procurement at 9:00 a.m., October 16, 2015 in Port Authorityʼs Fifth floor Board Room at 345 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527. Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. The Request for Proposal (“RFP”) may be obtained at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department, Port Authority of Allegheny County, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527 upon payment of ($15.00) fifteen dollars for a copy of this RFP. Payment is to be made by check or money order (NO CASH), payable to Port Authority of Allegheny County. No refunds of payment will be made. The telephone number for Purchasing and Materials Management is (412) 566-5151. This acquisition may be subject to a financial assistance from the United States Department of Transportation and as such, subject to applicable Federal, as well as state and local, laws and regulations. The Contractor shall also be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Port Authority hereby notifies all proposers that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises and diverse business will be afforded full opportunity to submit proposals in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, national origin or otherwise in consideration for an award. All proposers will be required to certify that they are not on the U. S. General Services Administrationʼs List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs. Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for any reason whatsoever.
OCTOBER 14-20, 2015 C5
Look for our red box WHOLE FOODS MARKET 5880 CENTRE AVE AMTRACK STATION LIBERTY AVE & GRANT ST CITY COUNTY BUILDING 420 GRANT ST CCAC—HOMEWOOD BRANCH HOMEWOOD & BRUSHTON AVE YMCA 11817 FRANKSTOWN RD EAST LIBERTY EBA EAST BUSWAY KINGSLEY ASSOCIATION 6435 FRANKSTOWN AVE. WILKINSBURG EBA EAST BUSWAY
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OCTOBER 14-20, 2015
by Karen Harris Brooks For New Pittsburgh Courier
On the evening of Sept. 15, Karla Threadgill Byrd, executive director of the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry, along with assistant director Dr. John W. Stanko, hosted the third biannual class of “Urban Heroes.” Byrd describes the celebration as an opportunity to “give some headlines to people who ordinarily do not make the news, but are worthy of honor and recognition.” Honors were awarded at a reception held at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. CUBM’s mission is to “glorify God by educating urban students in southwestern Pennsylvania for effective service in their local communities.” The non-traditional students return to school with a backpack on their shoulders full of real lifetime experiences. They arrive armed with a solid determination and uncompromising confidence. These attributes afford the adult students the opportunity to earn degrees in Christian Ministry and Leadership from Geneva College. The ecumenical institute of higher learning provides the necessary tools, encouragement and love that develops a solid pathway to success. Among the 2015 Urban Heroes is Todd Allen, director of The Common Ground Project and Communications Instructor at Grove City College. On fire for the Lord, his teachings and caring nature provides a positive connection with young people, encouraging them to touch their star, and in so doing, make their dreams a reality. “I have a friend who is often fond of saying, ‘People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,’” Allen said. It is apparent that Allen’s enthusiasm for the education and personal growth of young people reaches far beyond the campus setting. From Homewood to Harvard, Oliver Byrd certainly walked the less traveled road. The Urban Hero considers
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‘Urban Heroes’ celebrated by CUBM himself fortunate to have had the opportunity to walk that path and he credits mentor Helen Faison, who was instrumental in his choosing that path. It was his mother, he states, who encouraged him throughout his life to step out and venture new areas, which always included volunteerism from an early age. “I could not feel comfortable with the opportunities afforded me without reaching back,” stated the retired Bank of New York/Mellon executive. His impact on the city of Pittsburgh has flowed throughout the communi-
ties he serves with a soft spoken confidence and fervor that does not permit him to sit idly by. In his retirement, he continues the path of his belief: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13) It’s a “family affair” at the North Side Institutional COGIC on the North Side. That family affair extended to the mother-daughter Urban Heroes awarded to Rev. Lola Thorpe and her daughter, Lisa ThorpeVaughn. Thorpe has emerged, not only as a powerful Woman of God, but an accomplished leader. One of
her greatest accomplishments, she stated proudly, is the fact that “six of her children are in ministry.” ThorpeVaughn, who works alongside her mother in the ministry, said, “My mother is my greatest inspiration. I don’t have the ability to walk in her shoes, but I walk quickly behind her. She is energized by her love for others.” That love extends to family, congregation and community as Thorpe continues to grasp the fortitude to keep moving forward in her service to God. Rounding out that list of impressive Heroes are Rev.
Brenda Gregg, pastor of Destiny of Faith Church; Herbert V.R.P. Jones, director of The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh and music director at Bethany Baptist Church in Homewood; Deloris Livsey, community activist and board member of the Hazelwood Initiative; Joy Sato, event coordinator at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts; and Melissa Wharton, founder of The Church Online Company. This extraordinary group of Christian leaders also includes three husband and wife teams: Rev. Andrew and
Rev. Helen Jackson, pastors of Webster Avenue Christian and Missionary Alliance Church; Sean and Loleda Moman, members of the ministry team at Allegheny Center Alliance Church; and Rev.George W. Russell, and his wife, Sandra, who serve as pastors of Temple of God Church in Washington, Pa. The 2015 Urban Heroes are comprised of amazing people who love the Lord, take risks and make a difference in the Pittsburgh community. They come from all walks of life but strive for common goals. The stories of all the 2015 Urban Heroes can be viewed online or in the book entitled “Urban Heroes...Vol. 3.” Amazing people...amazing stories.
URBAN HEROES—Seated, from left: Rev. Brenda Gregg, Sandra Russell, Sean Moman, Loleda Moman and Rev. Lola Thorpe. Second row, from left: Herbert V.R.P. Jones, George Russell, Deloris Livsey, Oliver Byrd. Back row, from left: Melissa Wharton, Todd Allen, Andrew and Helen Jackson, and Lisa Thorpe-Vaughn. (Photo by J.L. Martello)