New Pittsburgh Courier 12-4-19

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Asia Bey

Alexis Lenae

Designer holds first fashion show

Awarded grant to advance Black arts

AKAs hold ‘Kaptivating’ Affair Lifestyles A6

Metro A5

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Pittsburgh Courier www.newpittsburghcourier.com

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Vol. 110 No. 49

Two Sections

Published Weekly

DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

The Gallery on Penn celebrates one year of opportunities for Black entrepreneurs

‘THE BEST CANDIDATE, PERIOD.’

by Renee P. Aldrich For New Pittsburgh Courier

$1.00

73 of 89 homicides Black lives All 7 November victims were African Americans

Penn Avenue on Friday, Nov. 8, was home to a party, a moment of recognition and a time of tribute.

The Gallery on Penn, at 5935 Penn Ave., in East Liberty, is the location of the “Catapult: Start up to Storefront” initiative

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

“This celebration is a reflection of the perseverance and resilience of hard-working women who are dedicated to growing their businesses and their legacies.”

TAMMY THOMPSON Circles Greater Pittsburgh Executive Director

and recently reached the end of its first year. During this time it has been the home of anywhere between six to 15 small businesses since it opened on Nov. 8, 2018.

More than a year ago, Tammy Thompson, executive director of Circles Greater Pittsburgh, sat down with Diamonte Z. Walker, deputy executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and discussed the concept of a program to support small business owners. That was the embryonic conversation which resulted in the Catapult/Gallery on Penn retail incubator.

“This celebration is a reflection of the perseverance and resilience of hard-working women who are dedicated to growing their businesses and their legacies,” Thompson said at the Nov. 8, 2019, event to commemorate the one-year milestone.

“We are so excited and we thank everyone who came out to celebrate with us.”

Thompson gave a very special shoutout to Maelene Myers, executive director of East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI), SEE GALLERY A8

For the second consecutive month, all of the homicide victims in Allegheny County were Black. And in November, there were two instances in which there were multiple victims at one incident. The New Pittsburgh Courier continues to forcefully condemn the gun violence that is plaguing our African American community.

TRACIE McKINNEY, who has been in local television news for 25 years, was named assistant news director/ managing editor at WPXI-TV in October. (Photo by Rob Taylor Jr.)

Tracie McKinney named assistant news director at WPXI-TV

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

The glitz and glamour of being a local African American television personality—from WPXI-TV’s Lisa Sylvester, to Michele Newell, to Erin Clarke.

They’re recognized wherever they go, signing autographs, taking selfies with fans, emceeing the most Dapper Dan, the most exclusive events in the city.

Then there’s Tracie McKinney, a newcomer to Pittsburgh who is seldom seen or heard— except by Sylvester, Newell, Clarke and the rest of the WPXI news team.

They all answer to her.

McKinney is the new managing editor/ assistant news director at WPXI, a position that no other African American woman holds among Pittsburgh’s three local news stations.

The assistant news director position, the number two position in a newsroom, is a position, along with news director, that’s rarely held by an African American in local TV news, though data from a 2018 study from Hofstra University shows the number of African American news directors across the country has risen to 6.7 percent.

In the Pittsburgh market, KDKA-TV and SEE McKINNEY A2

NOV. 4—Julian Carpenter, a 24-year-old Black male, was shot three times on July 2 in the 2100 block of Rhine Street in Spring Hill. He died at 10:27 p.m. on Nov. 4. A 17-year-old female has been charged as an adult with robbery and conspiracy. A 20-year-old male suspect was killed on July 14 by a Penn Hills police officer in a separate incident.

NOV. 13, 14—Lavon Sizemore, a 29-year-old Black male from Swissvale, was shot and killed near Kelly and Collier streets in Homewood. KierSEE HOMICIDES A9

Many Hill District residents want to purchase land, revitalize Centre Avenue

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

From Thomas Boyd of Big Tom’s Barber Shop, to LaKeisha Wolf of Ujamaa Collective, African Americans in the Hill District are leading the way in the rebirth of the Hill District’s historic Centre Avenue corridor.

Once laced with business after business, City Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle is

determined to bring back the Centre Avenue that only those of a particular age group remember—one that was vibrant and buzzing.

In early 2018, he went to the Urban Redevelopment Authority seeking a collaborative effort in giving minorities a real chance to acquire city-owned land along Centre Avenue.

More than a year later (and with a number of

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LaKEISHA WOLF of Ujamaa Collective placed a bid to acquire parcels of land in the Hill District.

discussions between the URA and the community), the URA came up with a way for community members to file “Request for Qualifications” for the 170 parcels of land (162 vacant lots, eight physical structures) along Centre.

A “Request for Qualifications” is different from a “Request For Proposal,” because oftentimes, a RFP requires the applicant to have a more-detailed development plan in place, which could cost that applicant thousands of dollars. A “Request for Qualifications,” in effect, only asks for the “who, what, where, when and why” from the applicant—a more streamlined version.

From July 22 to Oct. 22, the URA told the Courier it received 11 RFQ submissions—all of them from Minority- and Women-Busi-

ness Enterprises, non-profits or Hill District cultural institutions.

“I was extremely excited,” Councilman Lavelle told the Courier, Nov. 25. All of the applicants presented their preliminary proposals to community members at the Grayson Center on Nov. 23.

“You saw people from our community who wanted to live in our community, wanting to help rebuild our community,” Councilman Lavelle added. “What you saw are people who normally would be locked out of development opportunities having an actual opportunity to present their ideas, to be heard and participate in the economic revitalization of this corridor.”

Boyd, for example, wants to purSEE REVITALIZE A9

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‘THE BEST CANDIDATE, PERIOD.’

Tracie McKinney named assistant news director at WPXI-TV alized the true power in local TV news was behind the scenes, as, say, an executive producer, assistant news director or news director.

People in those positions call the real shots—what stories should be covered, what angles should be the focus, where the story falls into the broadcast, what reporters are best equipped to cover the story, etc.

The higher-ups at KTVI began to see McKinney’s potential. She went from an overnight writer to consumer producer, supervising p r o d u c e r, executive producer of special projects, and u l t i m a t e l y, executive producer of the latenight newsTRACIE McKINNEY cast, where she grew the “Tracie was the best newscast’s ratings and imcandidate, period,” WPXI pact.

McKinney’s efforts did not news director Scott Trabandt, who is Caucasian, land her the assistant news told the New Pittsburgh director position at KTVI Courier. “Her experience, when it became open, so her passion, and her abil- she did a “LeBron James” ity to help craft stories and “took her talents” to team—“across with creative thinking will another make WPXI better across the street” to competitor all of our platforms. The KMOV-TV. There, she held stints as fact she has tapped into and covered minority com- executive producer for the evemunities in places like De- late-afternoon/early troit, Tampa and St. Louis ning and late-night newswill only help her dig into casts. She grew ratings for the unique, vibrant com- both programs.

That’s when corporate munities here in Pittsburgh that we need to do a came calling and offered McKinney the assistant better job covering.”

McKinney began her new news director position at position at WPXI on Oct. 9. sister station WVEC-TV in She’s not exactly “new” to Norfolk, Va., in 2013.

It was the call McKinney Pittsburgh, however. Back in her days as a young re- had been waiting her proporter in Clarksburg, W.Va., fessional career for. A posiin 1994, she found herself tion in upper management, traveling to Pittsburgh to— where she could help set you know, the usual—“get the tone for an entire news my hair done, buy makeup,” operation with the skills she had acquired over the she recalled.

Clarksburg wasn’t exactly past 19 years as a person a mecca for African Amer- who’d “done it all” at a TV ican culture. McKinney station—reporting, writing, said she made history as anchoring, editing, producthe first Black woman in a ing, etc.

She could also use her full full-time on-air capacity in local news in Clarksburg array of leadership skills— in 1994, one year removed helping young reporters befrom her graduating from come better at their craft, or carefully teaching a Howard University.

McKinney then spent two young producer the ins and and a half years as a re- outs of what makes a great porter/anchor in Roanoke, newscast.

McKinney also had stops Va., before returning to her hometown, St. Louis, as an in Tampa and Detroit as overnight writer at KT- assistant news director, before landing her first VI-TV in 1997.

Over the next 16 years, news director job—at KTMcKinney was almost never NV-TV in Las Vegas in seen on television—but re- 2018.

McKINNEY FROM A1

WTAE-TV both have a news director, assistant news director and managing editor.

All are Caucasian, except WTAE managing editor Regis Bobonis Jr., who is African American.

WPXI has a news director, but designates the managing editor to be the de facto assistant news director.

After leaving KTNV in February 2019, she went back to St. Louis for a time of reflection. Twenty-five years in the local TV business, 15 years as a manager. Was there something else professionally that McKinney wanted to pursue? Was this “a turning point,” as she called it?

When Trabandt gave her a call a few months ago, she realized that “I do want to get back in, this is what I love.”

As McKinney spoke with the New Pittsburgh Courier from her office at WPXI on Oct. 30, she said the time off in St. Louis between February and October gave her a chance to understand just how much she loves the TV news industry.

“I got into this business all those years ago because I wanted to incite change and the communities that we serve, and that passion is still within me,” she said.

“We have an awesome privilege to serve our communities.”

McKinney said oftentimes, the local TV news industry gets wrapped up in chasing the “bad news,” or just “filling time,” or “doing stories that we think viewers want.” But she now understands how important it is to truly “listen to our viewers.” And that can be achieved through social media, “and to really connect to them. They’re our customer,” she said. “Find out what’s important to them and do stories that matter and are impactful to our communities.”

McKinney said that she and Trabandt are “very compatible” when it comes to their leadership style and news philosophy.

“We both want to do stories that matter, we both want those stories to be compelling and interesting and engaging,” she told the Courier. “We have a commitment to getting back to storytelling—that’s something that TV does well and probably better than most because we have all the tools; video, sound and content.”

It’s no secret that Pittsburgh is one of the most competitive markets in the country when it comes to TV news ratings. All three stations have a proud history and heritage, and have enjoyed success with topranked newscasts over the years. There’s not one station that dominates every time slot with every demographic.

“Chasing all of the bad news of the day is easy, but it’s not necessarily impactful,” McKinney said.

“We have a commitment to really serve this community.”

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This Week In Black History

Week of November December 4-10 December 4 1783—General George Washington gives his famous farewell address to troops at Fraunces Tavern in New York City. The tavern was owned by a prominent Black businessman of French and West Indian descent named Samuel “Black Sam” Fraunces, who had aided the Americans in their bid to gain independence from England. After he became president, Washington hired Fraunces as his chief steward.

1807—Prince Hall dies. His was one of the most prominent Black names in colonial America. Hall was born (circa 1748) in Barbados in the West Indies and migrated to Boston. He became PRINCE HALL one of the leaders of the city’s Black community. He also became an abolitionist and a Mason. In fact, he is considered the “father of Black Masons.” He also fought in the American war for independence from England.

1906—Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. is founded on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. It thus becomes the first Black Greek letter organization in America. It was established by seven Black students seeking to build stronger brotherhood ties and it began to spread to campuses around the nation.

1915—The Great Migration is said to have begun on this day as an estimated two million Southern Blacks begin moving to the North in search of jobs. The impetus was World War I (1914) which blocked Europeans from migrating to the United States. Thus, Northern industries were forced to recruit Southern Blacks to fill jobs to produce products for the war. The migration was the first major movement of Blacks out of the South since the Civil War and it changed the racial character of the nation.

1969—Black Panther Party leaders Fred Hampton and Mark Clark are MARK CLARK and FRED HAMPTON killed during a police raid in Chicago. The raid was part of a national campaign against the Black Panthers. Initial reports said the two were killed during a shootout but as the years passed evidence mounted that they were, in effect, assassinated. It may have even been a Black police officer who fired the shot that killed Hampton.

December 5 1775—A memorial is dedicated to Salem Poor in Cambridge, Mass. Poor was a slave who had bought his freedom and became a hero fighting in the American Revolutionary War for independence from England. He so distinguished himself in battle, including at Bunker Hill, that he won the praise of 14 officers.

1784—The amazing poet Phyllis Wheatley dies in Boston, Mass. Wheatley was kidnapped in Africa at age 7 and sold PHYLLIS WHEATLEY to a prosperous Boston family, which placed a high value on education. By age 12, she was reading Greek and Latin classics. In the 1770s she became a sensation in the city because of her amazing ability to write poetry. A London company published her first book of poetry. Sadly, she died in poverty before she could find a publisher for her second book. That second volume has never been found. Although some letters she wrote during this period were recently discovered and sold at auction.

1870—Legendary Black cowboy William “Bill” Pickett is born in Travis County, Texas. Standing only 5’7” and weighing 145 pounds, he is considered one of the toughest men every to be called a cowboy. He became faWILLIAM ‘BILL’ PICKETT mous in the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Shows where he performed dare devil feats and invented the rodeo sport of “bulldogging.” He is thought to have been of Black and Indian descent. He died at age 70 in Ponca City, Okla.

1870—Alexandre Dumas (pere) dies in France. Dumas, one of the most famous French writers of the 1800s, was a Black man born to a French marquis and a slave woman on the island of St. Domingue (now Haiti). Dumas wrote such noted works as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count De Monte Cristo.”

1932—The “King of Gospel” Rev. James Cleveland is born in Chicago, Ill. 1932—Flamboyant singer-performer “Little Richard” is born and raised in Macon, Ga. He becomes one of the founding ALEXANDRE DUMAS fathers of rock-and-roll. His dynamic stage performance and homosexuality often landed him in trouble. But he remained a major force in the music field.

1955—The historic bus boycott begins in Montgomery, Ala. The Black boycott of city buses was set in motion when civil rights heroine Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat on the bus to a LITTLE RICHARD White man. The law at that time required her to give up the seat.

A young minister named Martin Luther King Jr. was called upon to lead the boycott launching his career as the national civil rights leader.

1957—New York becomes the first city to pass a law banning racial or religious discrimination in housing with the Fair Housing Practices law.

December 6 1849—Harriet (Ross) Tubman escapes slavery in Maryland.

But she becomes perhaps the greatest “conductor” on the Underground Rail Road returning to the South 19 times and helping an estimated 300 slaves escape. Despite a serious head injury received from an angry slave master when she refused to beat another slave, Tubman was one of Black America’s greatest examples of courage and determination. During the Civil War she also spied on the South and relayed the information to Northern generals.

1870—Joseph H. Rainey (1832HARRIET TUBMAN 1887) is sworn in as the first Black to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented South Carolina—the state in which he was born a slave. But his father—a barber—managed to raise the money to purchase his family’s freedom. Earlier this year, the portrait of Rainey was finally hung in the House of Representatives.

1949—Blues legend Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter dies.

Ledbetter was born in 1885 near Mooringsport, La. But he had a quick temper and a violent streak. Thus, he stayed in trouble with the law. Indeed, his musical genius was discovered in jail by a visiting White folklorist. Upon release from HUDDIE ‘LEADBELLY’ prison, he moved north and became a sensation performing LEDBETTER in the U.S. and Europe.

1961—Revolutionary psychiatrist and writer Frantz Fanon dies in Washington, D.C., where he had gone for medical treatment. In his writings, the Martinique-born Fanon explored the psychological aspects of racial oppression and Black liberation. His most famous works were “Black Skins, White Masks” and “Wretched of the Earth,” which was considered by many “the handbook for Black revolution.”

December 7 1931—Comer Cottrell is born. Cottrell founds the Pro-Line hair care products company. He also becomes the first Black to own part of a professional baseball team when he buys into the Texas Rangers in 1989.

1941—Dorie Miller shoots down three or four Japanese war planes during the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Miller was a kitchen worker on the USS Arizona who had learned to operate the ship’s weapons. After his death he was awarded the Navy Cross.

DORIE MILLER December 8 1850—Lucy Ann Stanton graduates from Oberlin College in Ohio. She is believed to be the first Black female college graduate in America.

1936—The Gibbs v. Board of Education in Montgomery County, Md., decision is rendered. It was the first of a series of court rulings, which eliminated the practice of paying White teachers more than Black teachers.

December 9 1872—P.B.S. Pinchback begins serving as the first Black governor of Louisiana. He served for a little more than a month. Pinchback, son of a White plantation owner and a former Macon, Ga., slave, was a major force in Louisiana politics after the civil war and during Reconstruction. He was also instrumental in the 1879 establishment of Southern University.

December 10 1846—Norbert Rillieux invents the “multiple effect pan evaporator” which revolutionizes the sugar industry and makes the work much less hazardous for the workers. Rillieux was born “quadroon libre” in New Orleans, La. His father was a wealthy French plantation owner and his mother a former slave. He was sent to Paris, France, to be educated in engineering. He also researched Egyptian hieroglyphics. There is no record that he ever returned to the U.S. after the 1850s. He died in Paris in 1894.

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$388,000 in grants awarded to advance Black arts in Pittsburgh The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh, a joint program of The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments, has awarded $388,000 to individual artists and art programs for the initiative’s fall 2019 grantmaking cycle.

Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh is dedicated to supporting excellence in presenting and producing artwork rooted in the Black experience. Since this partnership began in 2010, Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh has awarded 356 grants totaling $5.6 million.

The funding has helped build the careers of individual artists, increase the sustainability of cultural organizations that focus on Black arts, expand community awareness of the Black arts sector, and support efforts toward greater collab-

oration and the elimination of racial disparities within the larger arts sector.

Below are some of the individuals that were awarded grants. To see a full list, go to www.newpittsburghcourier.com.

•Wali Jamal: To produce an audio book and video series based on “The Condition, Elevation, Emigration and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States, Politically Considered,” a book originally published in 1852 by Martin Delaney, Pittsburgh’s first known African American doctor.

•Asia Bey: To complete, publish and distribute her original graphic novel, “EXA,” which explores the artist’s lived experience of growing into a Black woman and internal struggles involving maternity, domesticity, change and spirituality.

•James White: To sup-

JAMES WHITE

port the creation of short documentaries on five Pittsburgh-based Black artists while highlighting their careers and supporting connections among American African artists. * Yvonne McBride: To support her research and writing for a novel celebrating the history and musical legacy of the Hill District.

The book will explore the impact that the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, and the 1968 riot following the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had on the Hill District.

•Jasiri X: To support the development of “EyeKhanX: An Original Hip-Hop Soundtrack” for the 1925 silent film classic “Body and Soul.” The soundtrack will connect past to present, while paying homage to director Oscar Micheaux and actor Paul Robeson, who were both artists and activists.

•Gregory Scott Williams Jr.: To support the development of a feature documentary called “Midlife Fantasy,” an intimate examination of the life of a Black man and artist living in Pittsburgh, trying to propel his filmmaking career forward, while looking for love online.

•Duane Binion: To celebrate queer people of color from underground ballroom communities past, present and future through an interactive installation at True T Studios in Bloomfield. The installation will recreate a ballroom through projection, light, music and dance, and include speakers, performance and video interviews with ballroom icons from Pittsburgh, New York City and beyond.

•Hannah Eko: To support the writing of three literary collections: “Madhappy,” a coming-of-age literary fiction novel that follows a young woman journeying from her New Mexico military prep school to New

ASIA BEY York City; “Thank You, Wyclef,” a self-help book about personal transformation and healing from an alternative, afro-futuristic viewpoint; and “Untitled: A Black Daughterhood,” which employs a mix of cultural examination, archival research and personal storytelling.

•Graciela Sarabia: To support “GoodTalkGoodFun: with Asia!” an absurdist talk and variety show for television broadcast that is hosted by a Black woman and prioritizes people of color as guests and collaborators. The show will feature interviews with real and fictional Pittsburgh figures and professionals, as well as sketches, non-sequitur antics and the disruptive imagination of the host.

•Dejah Monea: To support the creation and promotion of her new 12-track album, “Butterflies.” Monea is a Black woman creator, performer, photographer and graphic designer who views music as a form of self-care for herself and listeners.

•Monique Conley: To support planning activi-

ties relating to a nonfiction book about the struggles and barriers her family faces raising her 15-year-

old son, Jordan, an African American boy with a rare chromosomal disorder and multiple disabilities.

HANNAH EKO

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MODELS WALK THE RUNWAY at Pittsburgh fashion designer Alexis Lenae’s first fashion show, titled “Poiema,” at the Gallery on Penn, Oct. 13. (Photos by Aquene Watkins-Wise)

Fear no more—Alexis Lenae holds her first fashion show

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Alexis Lenae wasn’t going to let fear stop her this time.

The 2004 Pittsburgh CAPA graduate always had a love for fashion.

Even when she bought a sewing machine and her friend, Jordan Welch, asked Lenae to make a jacket for her, and the design was so hot that it was shared over 2,000 times on social media, Lenae was still hesitant.

Hesitant because sometimes, fear overtakes one’s mind, and it causes a person to not take that extra step, or back away from something they really want to do.

Lenae, 33, told the New Pittsburgh Courier that she used to operate in fear.

“I used to have a lot of good ideas, but I often allowed fear to keep me from doing it,” she said.

So, little by little, she faced fear head-on.

She received almost 100 orders for her to make custom jackets—from people as far away as Germany—after Welch posted the jacket Lenae made for her online. Lenae got to work, making the jackets that people requested.

In 2018, Lenae faced another fear—having a retail space to sell her fashions.

Lenae got to work and set up shop inside the Gallery on Penn in East Liberty, where she’s been for more than a year.

In 2019, Lenae faced another fear—hosting her own fashion show. Lenae got to work again.

“This year I was very intentional about doing things and doing them afraid,” she said.

And on Oct. 13, she finally hosted her own fashion show, called “Poiema” (Greek for God’s Workmanship), at the Gallery on

CRYSTAL NOEL JALIL

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Penn.

“It was amazing, honestly, when everybody left at the end of the show, me and my team just sat around talking about what was next, it definitely lit a fire as far as what I want to do in 2020,” Lenae said. “Now we’re in the process of developing events for next year and just developing the brand so that it can be the best that it can.”

Lenae’s fashion brand is called “IMIHI,” which stands for “I’m Made In His Image.” Now almost five years into fashion design, Lenae says fear is no longer in her vocabulary, as she continues to design wedding gowns, prom attire, and everyday wear pieces.

“My acronym for fear is ALEXIS LENAE, second from right, has been in the field of fashion design since 2015. ‘false evidence appearing real,’ Lenae told the Courier. “It’s not a real thing.

We’re fearing the unknown.

Most times when I’m afraid of something, it’s because I don’t know what the outcome is going to be, but you literally have to do it anyway. That’s the only way to conquer fear.”

AMARI ROBINSON featured some of her fashion designs during the Poiema Fashion Show, Oct. 13. Her line is called, “It’s AMORE by Amari.”

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report Thankful Thanksgiving 2019 is now history; this is something we say every year—“Look how fast the year has gone by.” Everyone posted what they are thankful for on social media and for a few days people were civil for the most part. Many of my older friends are experiencing holidays without parents and older loved ones. As my mother got older I took over making Thanksgiving dinner; she was quite amazed at my culinary skills.

My mother was a good cook but I learned a lot about cooking by reading cookbooks and recipes in the newspaper.

I have been thinking about what I am thankful for and I think about these things daily. You may remember me sharing my cancer reoccurrence with you. Last week I paid a visit to my doctors and all is good, they said to come back in a year. I was ecstatic.

Please make your annual visits to your physician and listen to what they say. I am trying hard to eat better and putting more movement in my life. I actually feel better.

I’m thankful for friends who invited me over for Thanksgiving dinner and made me feel welcome. If you have friends who don’t have family or are from a small family, think about including them for dinner. It feels good to get to a certain age in life and realize that your plan for the future worked out pretty well.

Of course there are always a few bumps in the road but that’s life.

I’m so thankful for a roof over my head, a car to drive and family and friends. We often complain about life and our surroundings, instead we should look around us and be thankful for what we have. If you are unhappy with your life you and only you can change it. Do you need to save more money, maybe you need to stop smoking or cut back on alcohol. So many times we are in denial about our lives.

I read a lot of selfhelp books and also watch shows like “My 600 Pound Life” and “Extreme Hoarders.” I think I’m good as far as not being a candidate for “My 600 Pound Life” but it is an eye-opener. You don’t get to that size overnight, if you are watching that show you should be soaking up the message, which is “move more and eat less.” People don’t always overeat because it tastes good—often food is used as a way to self-medicate.

That is the same thing with hoarding. It is so easy now to become a hoarder. Clothes are much cheaper, there are tons of thrift stores and many people buy things just because they are inexpensive. Many times we don’t need what we are buying but because of the good price we feel we can’t pass it up. Often we have the same thing somewhere at home. Think about what you are buying and what you are eating, do you need it? With food eat half and save leftovers for the next day.

Be thankful for what you already have.

MEMBERS OF THE AURORA READING CLUB

Aurora Reading Club celebrates 125 years

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

The Aurora Reading Club has been in existence for 125 years. It was founded in November 1894 by Rachel Jones to engage in mutual improvement for African American women. The charter members were Rachel Jones, Frances Golden, Hannah Grinage Lovett, Virginia Woodson Proctor, Anna Posey and Cora V. Hill Washington. The purpose of the club was to im-

prove its members in a variety of fields and its motto was “lifting as we climb.”

The club met in houses and discussed authors, books, music, current events, poetry and nature.

On Oct. 19, at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the Aurora Reading Club celebrated 125 years with a delightful luncheon featuring Elayne Arrington, Ph.D., as keynote speaker. Dr. Arrington has been dubbed as Pittsburgh’s own “Hidden Fig-

ure” as the city “discovered” her journey to becoming an aerospace engineer and professor with a Ph.D. in Mathematics.

In 2002, the Heinz History Center became the official home of the Aurora Reading Club archives. Meeting minutes, program booklets, photographs, newspaper clippings and projects that have been created in celebration of milestone anniversaries are kept in the centers archives, which are available to the public.

ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS—Shirley Golden, Agnes Curry, Pam Golden, Martha Conley, PITTSBURGH’S HIDDEN FIGURE—Elayne Arrington (Photos by Debbie Norrell) Margaret Burley, Sarah McDaniel and Inez Miles

AKAs hold A ‘Kaptivating’ Affair

A “KAPTIVATING” AFFAIR COMMITTEE: Velvet Newman, Peggy Harris, Marsha Johnson Wade, Amirah Hunt and Rosita Edison (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

by Debbie Norrell

AWARDEES WITH CHAPTER PRESIDENT—Kontara Morphis, Roger Humphries Sr., Rhonda Taliaferro–Chapter President and Anita Harshaw

stellar members of the community: Roger Humphries Sr. and Kontara Morphis.

Humphries, one of the most prolific perYes we know that captivating is spelled cussionists in the jazz industry, is also a with a “C” but what was held on Oct. 26 teacher, recording artist and leader of his at the Edgewood Country Club was an namesake band, RH Factor. Morphis is the acronym for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Artistic Director of K-Theatre Dance Complex.

Currently she serves as the Assistant Artistic Director of REED Dance in Pittsburgh.

Also she was awarded the Transformative Teaching Artist Award through The Heinz Endowments and New Sun Rising.

DJ Mac provided the soundtrack CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP—Denise Cullens, Francine Greer, Mosetta Whitaker, Valerie Johnson, Pat Martin-Carr, Virginia Craig and for the eveMadalyn Turner-Dickerson ning.

Lifestyles Editor

Incorporated’s themed day party, “A Kaptivating Affair.” The party included a full meal, educational wine tasting, a cigar bar and silent auction items.

AKAs took a break in the action to present their inaugural Alpha Alpha Omega Community Champion Award to two

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

METRO

DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

A7

Ellis’ ‘Culture Jam’ tackles diversity issues head-on The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that The Ellis School, in Shadyside, held its annual Culture Jam, Nov. 15.

The 16th of its kind, the Culture Jam is the largest and longest-running student-led diversity conference in the Pittsburgh region.

Diana Hurd, with The Ellis School, told the Courier that this year’s theme was “Beyond the Buzzword,” which explored common terms found in social justice spaces.

“With the goal of inspiring young people to take action and implement meaningful change in their communities, the conference offered a space for students from diverse-lived experiences to have courageous conversations about issues relating to equity, inclusion, diversity, identity, and representation,” Hurd told the Courier.

The Culture Jam is led

by Ellis’ Student Diversity League.

“Culture Jam is an opportunity for high school

students to learn from and teach each other about social justice issues and core cultural identifiers: race, gender, religion, sexuality, socio-economic status, family structure, and more,” shared Aniya Akhtar, Class of 2020 and co-president of SDL, in a statement. “As institutions and individuals strive to finally achieve the ideals of diversity and inclusion, we wanted to ask ourselves and our peers what is the deeper meaning of the goals we are working towards and how do we get there?”

Throughout the day, students celebrated diversity, promoted empathy, and discussed social justice in a variety of student-led workshops. This year’s workshops included, among others: Disrupting rape culture; African dance; Mixed feelings, the multi-racial identity and what it means; and how the American health care system is failing its Black women.

Following breakout workELLIS STUDENTS at this year’s “Culture Jam,” held at the school, Nov. 15. shop sessions, Summer Lee, state Rep. for the 34th District of the Pennsylvania House, delivered the keynote address where

she spoke to students about their ability to impact change. Hurd told the Courier that Rep. Lee

STATE REP. SUMMER LEE, with Ellis students.

shared how critical it is for today’s youth to voice their opinions and stand up for what they believe

in if they want to make the world a more equitable and safe place now and in the future.

RELIGION/METRO

A8 DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Sunday Mass 10:30 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

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

www.cathedralofhope.com

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

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

Taize -Wednesdays.........7 p.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

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

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

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

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

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

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

LADY GLADYS AND BISHOP BERNARD WALLACE of Beaver County. (Photos by Courier photographer Jacquelyn McDonald)

DR. BERNADETTE JEFFREY, BISHOP JAMES FOSTER

COGIC’s 112th Holy Convocation in St. Louis The delegates of the Church Of God In Christ convened in St Louis, from Nov. 4-12 for the 112th Holy Convocation. This year’s event drew a crowd of approximately 25,000 and featured Ecumenical Guest Pastor John F. Hannah of New Life Covenant Church of Chicago and Contemporary

Gospel Artist Kirk Franklin. Highlights included a gathering of 4,000 women at the “Morning Gems with Lady Mae Blake” held at the America Center Ballroom, and the “We Care” Charities Banquet with featured speaker Mrs. Valerie Daniels-Carter, CEO of V & J Holdings Company.

Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle, Charles Edward Blake, shared his official sermon on Nov. 10. The theme: “God’s Unlimited Power Makes Unlimited Accomplishments Possible.”

- Jacquelyn McDonald

The Gallery on Penn celebrates one year of opportunities for Black entrepreneurs GALLERY FROM A1

and her team. “They have been an amazing partner to Circles in all things we do around anti-poverty— there is nothing we could have done here without them.”

Jozette Fitzgibbons, Neighborhood Business District Manager at the URA, also a part of the initial discussions, explained a bit of the process: “The program evolved from first, the decision that a training program should be created; not just a few weeks, but something ongoing for minority, women-owned businesses, new entrepreneurs who may not know what they need to know; something that would literally be kind of a hand-holding until they could get it right—just to get them started. “We really started things on the fly with Trish and Marcos Digliodo from Paramount Co-Op, who came in as technical assistance providers.”

The program started with 15 people in 2018. Thompson pressed her partners further, indicating that the next steps were a place for folks to start selling their products. ELDI stepped up and offered an unused building on Penn Avenue at a substantial reduction in rent—“almost 90 percent reduction,” shared Fitzgib-

PITTSBURGH MAYOR BILL PEDUTO, center, among those in attendance for The Gallery on Penn’s one-year celebration. bons.

It took some elbow work from all the partners, getting the unused space cleaned out and the installation of building dividers, all to make it presentable and prepared to accommodate the new entrepreneurs.

CLARA BELLE (CIY) TROWER

Age 87, a long time and proud resident of the Hill District, on November 21, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Wm. H. Trower, loving mother of Jay (Leslie), W. Kevin (Carla), Cecil (Claudia) and Daughter in law Els, Daughter of the late Samuel Willoughby and Flora Coleman. Dear sister of Gloria Hannon, Aileen and Michael Willoughby and the late Adrian Willoughby, Frankie Jones and Samuel Willoughby Jr.; Cherished Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Cousin, friend and community member. A private family memorial will be held. Professional Services by D’Alessandro Funeral Home & Crematory Ltd., Lawrenceville

State Rep. Ed Gainey was on hand to celebrate and shared why he believed this celebration was so important. “I believe this enhances the City of Pittsburgh, as it shows what can happen when barriers are broken down—and speaks volumes about what can happen in more neighborhoods when there continues to be investments into small businesses.”

Mayor Bill Peduto shared in the night, as well. He presented a mayoral proclamation and designated Nov. 8 as “Gallery on Penn Catapult to Start Up Day” in the City Pittsburgh. He shared words about the importance of the Gallery on Penn and why it is a launching pad for the businesses in the location to go from “start-up to

storefront” within a number of years. He also said that via the URA, “grants would be provided” to help the small business owners have actual storefront locations. He was clear to affirm these would be “not loans, but grants” to help them do that. Additionally, he spoke of a replication of this model throughout the various neighborhoods within the city, “providing the critical space and watching entrepreneurs take it over.”

Walker said that upon her arrival at the URA in 2017, “my focus was on how to provide equitable access to resources spaces, tools and support for minority- and women-owned businesses. We found the greatest gaps were in access to capital and

affordable space. We wanted to provide a business opportunity that not only provided technical support and business classes, but also would provide retail experience for entrepreneurs to build the skill sets necessary to maintain their own storefront, and this space came to be.”

Alexis Lenae, a custom clothing designer, spoke of her experience being part of the Gallery’s first cohort.

“I have felt a whirlwind of emotions, including some sleepless nights, and some tears,” she said. “I would not change a thing.

This experience has really groomed me and stretched me, and do many things for my business that I do not think would have happened had I not had this opportunity.”

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

A9

73 of 89 homicides Black lives…All 7 November victims were African Americans HOMICIDES FROM A1

ra Eddisha Harris, a 26-year-old Black female, was also shot, was transported to a hospital, and died in the early morning hours of Nov. 14. Police are still looking for the suspect or suspects.

NOV. 14—Raymond Bruce Jackson, a 42-yearold Black male, was shot and killed during a home invasion in the 1300 block of Woodlawn Avenue in Wilkinsburg. A 22-year-old man from Hazelwood was charged with homicide, aggravated assault and robbery.

NOV. 16—Gregory Lamont Blair Sr., a 46-year-old Black male from Wilkinsburg, was shot and killed on Center Street in Wilkinsburg. Police identified a 32-year-old man as the suspect in the killing.

NOV. 24—Jerrell Jeffries, a 22-year-old Black male, was shot and killed inside a vehicle in the 700 block of Midland Street in Wilkinsburg. An 18-yearold Black female passenger, Elarrah Nichole Findley, exited the car but was shot and killed while attempting to flee from the suspect.

Police are still searching for the suspect.

October Homicides (6) OCT. 2—Keith A. Lewis Jr., a 35-year-old Black male from Penn Hills, was found shot to death inside a vehicle in the 7700 block of Frankstown Ave. in Homewood. Police are still looking to apprehend a suspect.

OCT. 2—Aaron Shane Touchstone, a 26-year-old Black male from Manchester, was shot to death on the porch of a vacant apartment in the Uansa Village public housing complex in McKees Rocks. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are still searching for the shooter.

OCT. 9—Aaron Evans, a 35-yearold Black male, was killed during a home invasion in the 7200 block of Lawton Street in Penn Hills. Two men from Swissvale were charged with Evans’ murder.

OCT. 17—Dwayne Fuller, a 24-year-old Black male, was shot and killed inside a Family Dollar store in McKeesport. Police are still searching for the suspects, who were caught on surveillance video inside the store.

OCT. 21—Mager Rainey, a 22-year-old Black male from Homewood, was shot and killed inside a vehicle in the area of Jeannette Street and Rebecca Avenue in Wilkinsburg.

Two women were also shot but had non-life-threatening injuries.

OCT. 27—Richard Nathaniel Littlejohn Jr., a 32-year-old Black male, was shot in a vehicle while driving along Route 30 in North Versailles.

Littlejohn was coach of the Hill District Rebels football team. Two men have been charged in Littlejohn’s death.

Septeber Homicides (9) SEPT. 3—Margaret Sumney, a 67-year-old White female, was found beaten to death in her South Fayette Township home. Her son David, 30, was arrested and charged with her death, Sept. 28. He is awaiting trial in the Allegheny County Jail.

SEPT. 7—Delores Burdick, an 80-year-old White female, was killed by her 42-year-old son Kenneth, who beat her, kicked her and threw her down the basement steps and left her to die in her Shady Lane home in West Mifflin.

He called police and confessed a day later. He is being held without bail in the county jail.

SEPT. 7—Emery Brice Heard-Ellis, a 21-year-old Black male, was killed during a shootout at a home on Gas Street in Rankin. Police said Heard-Ellis and his companion, Marcus Carter, 29, drove to the house and opened fire on people who were sitting on the porch. One of them, who had a valid carry permit, returned fire, striking Heard-Ellis. Police arrived in time to see Heard-Ellis fall. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Carter faces several charges including aggravated assault and conspiracy.

SEPT. 9—Alexander Alman, a 16-year-old White male, was fatally shot while he and another teen were playing with a gun in his home on Fingal Street in Duquesne Heights.

He died the next day at UPMC Mercy Hospital. The other teen, Michael Hardwick has been charged in Alman’s death.

SEPT. 10—Ted Evans, a 39-yearold Black male, was found by police shot to death between two homes on Danbury Street on the North Side. After a SWAT team was called to help search for the shooter, police charged 47-year-old Todd Griffin with receiving stolen property and illegal gun possession.

SEPT. 12—Tameka Dallas, a 43-year-old Black female, was found in McKeesport’s Renzie Park. She had been strangled to death. Surveillance video captured her silver Chevrolet Impala arriving at the park entrance nearest to where her body was dumped. Clyde Cox, 27, of Pittsburgh, and Daron Parks, 26, of Bridgeville, were detained when they were found in possession of the car was in Westmoreland County. A third man wanted for questioning after fleeing the scene, Ramonta Yancy, 26, was arrested the following day.

SEPT 13—Sam Gantt, a 72-yearold Black male, was found shot to death in his Hill District home in the 3100 block of Centre Avenue by police who had been called to do a welfare check on him. Police initially thought he had died of natural causes, but the medical examiner determined he had been shot multiple times in the chest.

Police have not identified a suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7800.

SEPT. 19—Shawn Stevens, a 49-year-old Black male, was fatally shot by officers who were trying to arrest him for a string of bank robberies.

A task force of FBI agents and police from Pittsburgh and Wilkinsburg were tipped that he was hiding in an apartment building on Center Street. While speaking to a woman in one apartment, Stevens came from behind her and tried to slam the door, but an officer’s leg was in the way. When the officers went in, they said, Stevens threatened two women with a kitchen knife. When he lunged at one a second time, an FBI agent and a Pittsburgh detective both fired. The shooting is being investigated by Allegheny County police and the FBI. SEPT. 24—Dai’Shawn Akeem Grace, a 27-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times at the intersection of Maple Street and Ridge Way in Munhall as he walked home from work. He died a short time later at the hospital. Allegheny County detectives said the motive was unclear and they have not yet identified a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-833-255-8477.

August Homicides (6) AUG. 1—Gregory Eason, a 33-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times in the head after getting into a fight outside a bar in the 400 block of St. Clair Avenue in Clairton. A second man was shot in the foot. Police, as yet, have not identified a suspect. Anyone with information is urged to call the Allegheny County police Tip Line at 1-833-255-8477.

AUG. 6—Donald Babbit, a 49-yearold White male, was fatally shot by police outside his home on Spencer Grove Lane in Glenshaw. Officers from multiple jurisdictions surrounded the house after receiving a domestic disturbance call from Babbit’s wife saying he was acting erratically. A neighbor said he emerged from the house wearing only underwear and a towel on his head. Police said he refused to put down a gun and get on the ground. When he pointed a gun at the officers, three officers opened fire. County police are investigating and will turn their findings over to the district attorney.

AUG. 8—Janice Purdue-Dance, a 61-year-old Black female from Erie, was fatally stabbed at the bus stop at Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh in front of a police officer. The officer saw the victim lying at the bus stop; he went to render aid, and as he did, James Wyatt, 23 of McKeesport, reached over him to stab her. He turned and stabbed another nearby woman before the officer subdued him. The second woman was treated and released. Wyatt is in the county jail awaiting trial on homicide and assault charges.

AUG. 12—Curtiss Eugene Meeks Jr., a 48-year-old Black male, was found by police responding to a ShotSpotter alert in the 1200 of Blackadore Street in Penn Hills. He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. Allegheny County detectives said Meeks was a member of a motorcycle club and may have been targeted by a rival club.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Allegheny County police Tip Line at 1-833-255-8477.

AUG. 15—Terrance Jerome Jones Jr., a 21-year-old Black male, was found lying in a ground floor hallway at the Bedford Dwellings housing complex in the 2500 block of Chauncey Dr. in the Hill District with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. He was transported to Mercy Hospital where he died a short time later. Police have yet to identify a suspect. Anyone with information is urged to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

AUG. 30—Susan E. Jeffries, a 54-year-old White male, was fatally stabbed in her Tarentum apartment.

Police said Juan H. Hayden, 55, admitted to stabbing Jeffries. He was charged with homicide and tampering with evidence.

July Homicides (11) JULY 1—Ricky Deon Moultrie, a 20-year-old Black male, was discovered in a car in East Hills. He had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

JULY 11—Christopher Lamont Lowman Jr., an 18-year-old Black male, was found in the 100 block of Millbridge Street in Allentown with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

JULY 11—Dauminique Ross, a 20-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times when he answered a knock at the door of his parents’ house on 16th Avenue in Homestead. He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive. Police arrested 24-year-old Rahim Thomas after finding him hiding in a home on 8th Avenue the next day.

JULY 13—Delquay Lamont James, a 21-year-old Black male, was found shot multiple times near a vacant home on Beacon Street near Hazel Way in McKeesport. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Allegheny County detectives have not yet identified a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tip Line at 1-833-255-8477.

JULY 14—Joshua A. Makhanda-Lopez, a 30-year-old Black male, was found by police in his car with a gunshot wound to the head in an apartment parking lot in Penn Hills.

Witnesses told police two men fled the scene to a nearby house. Three people came out of the house, but police said Onaje Dickinson, a 20-year-old Black male, hid in the basement and fired at an officer when discovered.

The officer returned fire, killing Dickinson. Allegheny County detectives have charged 15-year-old Myzle Ford as an adult in connection with the Makhanda-Lopez killing.

JULY 17—Calvin Hall, a 36-yearold Black male, died in the hospital three days after being shot in the back multiple times on Monticello Street in Homewood. The off-duty Pittsburgh police officer was walking away after trying to defuse an argument between neighbors and his cousin’s wife when he was shot. Christian Bey, 30, has been charged with Hall’s murder.

JULY 22—Matthew Khoury, a 37-year-old White male, was fatally shot at a Garfield building he owned when an argument with one of his tenants over back rent escalated. The tenant, 49-year-old Michael Wolf, has been charged in the case.

JULY 23—Omari Ali Thompson, a 31-year-old Black male, was killed in a shootout with undercover officers from the state attorney general’s office during a drug buy/bust in the Big

Lots parking lot on McKnight Road in Ross Township. One of the officers was wounded in the exchange but is expected to recover. The district attorney’s office is investigating.

JULY 27—Tareef DelTae McClellan, a 22-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot in the head inside the garage of a home in the 1500 block of Versailles Avenue in McKeesport.

County police have not yet identified a suspect and are asking anyone with information to call the Tip Line at 1-833255-8477.

JULY 27—Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire, a 57-year-old Black male, was fatally shot at the Northside Common Ministries shelter on Brighton Road on the North Side after he refused entrance to 19-year-old Gerald Adams because it was after admittance hours. Pittsburgh police said there is surveillance video showing Adams firing through a window at the side of the door. He was arrested after a brief foot chase and is now in the Allegheny County Jail.

JULY 29—Darius Savaughn Freeman a 26-year-old Black male, was found by police responding to a ShotSpotter alert in the 1200 Block of Faulkner Street in Sheraden. He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

June Homicides (13) JUNE 1—Jordan Emanuel Lewis, a 22-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times on the porch of a home in the 7500 block of Ellesmere Avenue in Swissvale. According to Allegheny County Police, Charlton Mitchell, 21, admitted to shooting the victim who, during a party earlier in the evening, had taken Mitchell’s gun from him and threatened to shoot him if he didn’t leave. Mitchell said he retrieved a semi-automatic rifle he’d placed in the bushes behind a nearby business, returned and shot Lewis. A 19-year-old female and a 24-year-old male were also injured by bullet fragments during the shooting. Mitchell is in the Allegheny County Jail.

JUNE 2—Ciquann Dudley Jr., a 17-year-old Black male was found in the 1300 block of Tube Works Alley in McKeesport with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. Allegheny County Police said in a press release they do not know yet why the victim was in such a remote location, nor do they have a motive. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 1-833-255-8477.

JUNE 3—David Herbin, a 49-yearold Black male was inside a home on Laketon Road in Wilkinsburg with a gunshot wound to the head. He died later at the hospital. Police have issued an arrest warrant for Tariq Price, 39, who was recently released from jail. Price faces robbery and homicide charges.

JUNE 11—Marion White, a 49-yearold Black male, was fatally shot after an argument escalated and Alonzo Terrel Glen, 27, shot him four times.

Glen turned himself in to police a week later. He is now in the county jail.

JUNE 12—Tyrese Smith, a 20-year-old Black male, and Alexus N. Chester, a 17-year-old Black female who was celebrating her birthday, were both killed when an as yet unidentified person opened fire at a house rented for the party on McNeil Place in Pittsburgh’s Upper Hill neighborhood. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh Homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

JUNE 17—Whiney Maleeca Lyn Boyer, a 25-yer-old Black female, was discovered in the basement of a Maple Street house in East Pittsburgh, after 28-year-old Delrico McClinton confessed the crime to a counsellor at the Cambria County Prison.

JUNE 20—James Rust, a 49-yearold White male, was fatally shot following an argument with his neighbor at a duplex on Horning Road in Bethel Park. The neighbor has not been identified because no charges have yet been filed.

JUNE 21—Gerald Dwain Walker, a 41-year-old Black male, was discovered bleeding from multiple stab wounds at a home in the 2100 block of Perrysville Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Perry, he dies later at the hospital. Maneca Pressley, 29, was arrested less than a day later and charged in his death. According to the criminal complaint, the couple had been arguing all day. Pressley told police Walker had assaulted her multiple times. The last time he lunged at her, she stabbed him then called 911. She is currently in the county jail.

JUNE 22—Kaine Williams, a 34-year-old Black male, was killed in the 1800 block of Sumac Street in McKeesport when Marcus Acie-Griffin, 26, got out of his white Acura with a shotgun and fired at Williams.

Acie-Griffin was taken into custody after leading police on a chase through several communities before crashing over a hill in West Mifflin. He is now in the county jail.

JUNE 25—Corey Laguardia, a 22-year-old White male, was shot multiple times by a homeowner after he forced his way into a house in the 1000 block of Starr Road in Crescent Township. No charges have been filed.

JUNE 26—Christian St. John Jenkins, a 27-year-old Black male was found with multiple gunshot wounds lying in Truax Way in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Within minutes, police also responded to a second shooting a block away on Lowrie Street. That victim was last reported in critical but stable condition at a local hospital. Police have not said if the shootings are related, nor have they identified a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh Homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

JUNE 29—Octavia Stone, a 22-year-old Black Female, was found with multiple stab wound on Bessemer Way in East Pittsburgh. She was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital. Though a suspect has not been named state police said Stone knew her killer. Anyone with information is urged to call the state police at 412299-1607 May Homicides (16) MAY 1—Jakeem Booker, a 19-year-old Black male, was fatally shot while trying to force his way into a Franklin Avenue home in Wilkinsburg over a dispute with one of the occupants. Police found him on the porch with a gunshot wound to the head.

Allegheny County detectives said a

17-year-old in the house feared for his family and fired one shot though the partially open door. No charges have yet been filed.

MAY 8—Bryan Jackson, a 31-yearold Black male, was found fatally shot in a home at 127 McKinne Ave. in Stowe Township after giving 25-yearold Terrence Murphy a tattoo. County police found and arrested Murphy at a house in Ambridge later that day. He is currently in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial.

MAY 8—Irvin Green, a 48-year-old Black male was fatally stabbed during an altercation in the 1200 block of Evans Avenue in McKeesport. Police have not identified a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 833-255-8477.

MAY 9—James Dent Jr., an 85-year-old Black male, who was shot in the back in October inside a store next to a daycare on Jones Avenue in North Braddock, died of his injuries.

Courde Daye, 20, was arrested for the shooting in December and will now face homicide charges.

MAY 9—Tre Valorie, a 26-year-old White male, was fatally shot in the head when his girlfriend’s obsessed ex, Matthew Lambert, allegedly carried out his threat to “kill anyone she was with” as the couple left Rumerz bar on Pittsburgh Northside. He is awaiting trial in the county jail.

MAY 11—Mary Kornick, a 62-yearold White female, died at Allegheny General Hospital after being shot on Route 365 in Buffalo Township in what police said was a murder-suicide.

Her alleged killer Nicholas Domek, 72, killed himself at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Greenfield shortly thereafter.

MAY 12—Luke Connolly, a 51-year-old White male, was found fatally stabbed multiple times in an apartment on Third Avenue in Carnegie.

A woman who was in the apartment was also stabbed before fleeing to get help. She remains hospitalized. Police arrested 58-year-old Richard Mickens at a home on Spikenard Street in Scott, where he allegedly assault someone else with a knife, May 15. He is charged with homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, rape, and several other charges. He is in the county jail awaiting trial.

MAY 15—Ivan Walls, a 45-year-old Black male from Philadelphia, was discovered by police shot multiple times behind a house on Karl Avenue in Duquesne. He died later at the hospital. County detectives say the victim and another man had just arrived at the house when shots were fired. Police are searching for the second man and have not yet identified a suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 833-255-8477.

MAY 19—Aris Payto Barclay Vann, a 22-year-old Black male, was found with multiple gunshot wounds on a porch of a home in the 2200 block of Woodstock Avenue in Swissvale. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Allegheny County Homicide Inspector Andrew Schurman said the victim was there to visit friends and may have been the target of a robbery attempt.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 833-255-8417.

MAY 24—Morgan Dunston, a 17-year-old Black female, was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community Church on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Police do not believe she was the intended target.

Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412323-7161.

MAY 24—Michael McDonald, a 51-year-old White male, was killed when he barged into the Robinson Township home of a man he allegedly owed money to. The homeowner fired his shotgun, hitting McDonald in the chest. As yet no charges have been filed.

MAY 26—Ernest Dixson, a 31-year-old Black Male, was fatally shot inside Shooters bar on Island Avenue in Stowe Township after getting into an argument with another patron.

Police (have issued a warrant/arrested Omar Harris, 36.)

MAY 27—Isaac Harrison, a 34-year-old Black male, was fatally shot on Chauncy Drive in Pittsburgh’s Hill District after an argument escalated into gunfire. A 15-year-old girl was also wounded in the foot in the incident. Pittsburgh police have not yet identified a suspect. Anyone with

information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

MAY 28—William Mosby, a 62-year-old Black male, was found with fatal gunshot wounds in a parking lot in the 1800 block of Homeville Road in West Mifflin. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 833-2558417.

MAY 28—James Donovan Goodwine, a 29-year-old Black male, was found by police fatally shot in the head near the intersection of Forest Way and Collier Street in Homewood.

Police have not identified a suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

MAY 28—Richard Lee Greene, a 35-year-old Black male, was found by city police lying in Chartiers Avenue in Sheraden. He had been shot multiple times and died at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

April Homicides (6) APRIL 3—Vernon Lee Owens III, a 33-year-old Black male, was fatally shot by a 72-year-old jitney driver during a failed armed robbery in Duquesne. According to police, shortly after the driver picked up Owens and another passenger, he struck the driver with his gun and demanded money. When they both got out of the car, the driver shot Owens with his own gun. The other passenger fled. Police have determined that the driver legally owned the gun used in the shooting and had a valid concealed-carry permit. No charges will be filed.

APRIL 7—Alison Fritzius, a 55-year-old White female, was found fatally stabbed on the porch of a home in the 800 block of Broadway Boulevard in Pitcairn. Police charged her boyfriend Derrick Avant in her death.

He is awaiting trial in the Allegheny County Jail.

APRIL 8—Mark Jackson, a 39-year-old Black male, was found shot in the face in a house in the 600 block of Winfield Street in Larimer. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have charged Robert Harper in the shooting. Harper was already in the county jail on unrelated criminal charges.

APRIL 10—Brad Lee Lucier, a 23-year-old White male, was found by first responders shot multiple times at a house in the 1000 block of Dohrman Street in Stowe Township. He died at the hospital. On April 15, 18- year-old Tomichael Sherrell turned himself in after police issued a warrant charging Sherrell had shot Lucier during a robbery. Sherrell is now in the county Jail.

APRIL 13—Ameer Coleman, a 19-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot inside a house in the 200 block of Fern Street in Garfield. Police have not yet identified a suspect. The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

APRIL 26—Armani Ford, a 23-year-old Black male was found by police fatally shot in a house in the 800 block of Vankirk Street in Clairton.

County detectives have not yet identified a suspect and are asking anyone with information to call the Tipline at 1-833-255-8477.

March Homicides (5) MARCH 15—Leslie Robertson, a 72-year-old Black male, was killed when he was struck by a car driven by Kakiia Williams, 33, outside the Harrison Village housing complex in McKeesport. Williams allegedly told police she was trying to run down someone else and hit the wrong person. She is now in the Allegheny County Jail.

MARCH 18—Daniel Carpenter, a 42-year-old Black male died in the hospital one day after being shot while sitting in his car on Shetland Street in Larimer in the middle of the afternoon.

Despite eye-witnesses and possible surveillance footage, Pittsburgh police have not yet identified a suspect.

Anyone with information is urged to call 412-323-7161.

MARCH 28—Calvin Walker, a 39-year-old Black male, was fatally shot when he and another man got into an argument over a parking space with Neil Chandler, 42, on West Oak Street in Homestead. Police said Chandler shot both men during the altercation.

Walker died late at the hospital the

other man was treated and released.

Chandler is in the Allegheny County Jail.

MARCH 30—Kenneth Baptiste Jr., a 27-year-old Black male, was found

by Pittsburgh police and emergency responders with a gunshot wound to the chest in the 800 block of Murtland Avenue in Homewood. He was transported to UPMC Presbyterian but died from his wounds. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh Homicide at 412-323-7161.

MARCH 30—Andre Jordan, a 41-year-old Black male, was found

by Pittsburgh police and emergency responders with multiple gunshot wounds in a hallway of an apartment in the 3000 block of Cordell Place in Arlington. He was taken to UPMC Mercy where he died from his injuries.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 412-323-7161.

February Homicides (4) FEB. 2—Tre-Quan Embry, a 22-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times in the head on East 17th Street in Homestead. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Allegheny County detectives have not yet identified a suspect and ask anyone with information to call the Tipline at 1-833-255-8477.

FEB. 4—Aaron Wade, an 18-yearold Black male from Munhall, was found lying in the front yard of a home on Plymouth Street in Duquesne Heights with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Pittsburgh homicide detectives have not yet identified a suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call 412-323-7800.

FEB. 18—Norman Clarence Manuel, a 37-year-old Black male, was discovered by medics lying in the street in the 400 block of Enright Court in East Liberty with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7800.

FEB. 25—Wilbert Barber, a 58-year-old Black male, was fatally shot when answering the doorbell of a home in the 300 block of Fifth Avenue in Rankin. County police said the killers fired through the door, hitting him twice. They have not yet identified any suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 1-833-2558477.

January Homicides (5) JAN. 9—Jonathan Freeman, a 16-year-old Black male, was fatally shot when bullets tore through the wall of a friend’s house in the 7300 block of Susquehanna Street in Homewood where he’d gone to play video games. Pittsburgh police have not yet identified a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 412323-7800.

JAN. 11––Josiah Battle-Davis, a 26-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot in an SUV parked in the 200 block of Glenwood Avenue in Hazelwood. Pittsburgh police have not identified a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 412-3237800.

JAN. 14—Tremaine Solomon, a 30-year-old Black male, was found

by Wilkinsburg police shot multiple times lying in the street in the 1500 block of Marlboro Avenue. He died at the hospital three hours later. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County police tipline at 1-833255-8477.

JAN. 23––Heather Short, a 46-yearold White female, was allegedly strangled to death with an extension cord and dumped in a wooded area near Sutersville in Westmoreland County in November. Allegheny county police arrested Dale Cooper, 36, of West Mifflin after her remains were found. Police said he admitted killing her because he feared she would tell a drug dealer he had robbed of $700 and an ounce of crack that it was him. Cooper is in the county jail awaiting trial.

JAN. 26—Paul McMillan, a 48-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times in the parking lot of The Lounge on Verona in Penn Hills after getting into a fight with another man inside the bar, according to Allegheny County police. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to the tipline at 1-833-255-8477.

Many Hill District residents want to purchase land, revitalize Centre Avenue REVITALIZE FROM A1

chase 2178 Centre Ave.— the former Hamm’s Barber Shop—and the adjacent lots. He would then rehabilitate the first floor and relocate his existing business to that building, along with a waiting room lounge space and a flex space with a separate entrance. The upper two floors would be renovated as two, 2-bedroom apartments that would be marked as affordable to those who earn 50 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income.

Wolf wants to rehabilitate the former Centre Builders Supply & Lumber Company building and adjoining parcels for commercial use, cultural space and business incubation.

Steffan Johnson, the contact for R. Kyndall Development Group, wants to develop five market-rate, single-family infill townhomes along the 2100 block of Rose Street. Each unit would include an optional rooftop deck with views of Downtown Pittsburgh.

Monica Tillman-Smith with Salon XO wants to

rehabilitate an existing building into a mixed-use property; a new upscale salon, spa and wellness center on the first floor, along with up to six apartments, and indoor and outdoor workshop space for community events.

Keith B. Key of KBK Enterprises is proposing to develop mixed-use buildings and townhomes, while Rev. Lee Walls of Amana Christian Community Development Corporation wants three parcels of land to construct a four-story mixeduse building. The first floor would house commercial space, while the other three floors would have 12 units of affordable housing.

Councilman Lavelle said that by February 2020, the URA will have a better idea of which applicants’ proposals have solid support from the community, in which the applicants will be asked to provide a more formal development proposal. That process usually will take another four to six months, before that proposal is resubmitted to the URA and presented

again to the community, complete with architectural drawings of the proposal, actual number of housing units, etc.

One shouldn’t begin to see physical development on the vacant lots or structures by the applicants until the fall of 2020 at the earliest, Councilman Lavelle said.

URA representatives were on hand at the Carnegie Library’s Hill District branch on Nov. 25 to answer questions from residents, such as Robert Bey, who calls the Hill District “the promised land.”

“The Hill District never lost its respectability to some people because if you were ever a Hill District resident, you knew that it was more people that were doing good things than bad things,” Bey told the Courier. “There’s a lot of history up on the Hill.”

“It is our intent to rebuild and revitalize this corridor as a commercial corridor for our community,” Councilman Lavelle said. “It’s a tremendous step in the right direction.”

New Pittsburgh Courier

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Your 2019 guide to climate-friendly holiday gifting (BPT)—Each year, many people count down the days to the holiday season and save their money for festive decorations and gift giving. In fact, the average American will spend over $1,000 on holiday gifts, according to the National Retail Federation.

But before you start checking gifts off your list, consider how you can do even more this year. A gift that is ENERGY STAR certified not only has the latest features and styles, but also saves energy and prevents climate change.

It’s a gift that does a world of good for your loved ones and the planet.

Cutting-edge electronics Many of the latest models of your favorite gadgets have earned the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR label, meaning they are independently certified to save energy and money and protect the environment.

You can find TVs, laptops, tablets, speakers, soundbars and more with this certification—something for everyone on your list.

Advanced appliances Appliances might not be the most flashy or exciting gifts around, but if they are ENERGY STAR certified, they’re gifts that keep on giving. Certified appliances use less energy and water, saving money on utility bills with every use. Treat your loved ones with the convenience of a new refrigerator, washer, dryer or dishwasher.

Smart thermostat As temperatures drop, your heating bill is on the rise. For the average American household, almost half of the annual energy bill

goes to heating and cooling —more than $900 a year.

If you’re concerned about your energy usage this winter, a smart thermostat can help you stay warm without breaking the bank. And those energy savings add up to a healthier climate. If everyone used an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat, savings would grow to 56 trillion BTUs of energy and $740 million per year, offsetting 13

billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Modern lighting Candy and socks are common stocking stuffers, but how about something unique this year? Give your friends and family something they really need. ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs last more than 13 years with typical use and save nearly $55 in electricity costs in that time. LED light bulbs are available in

warm to cool white light, so your gift can help set the mood in any room. You can also find the latest styles of light fixtures that come with LED light sources integrated right into their design that use up to 90 percent less energy.

Beyond the gifts you give, here are other ideas for doing a world of good this holiday season.

Creative wrapping paper Materials used to make

gift wrapping paper are often not accepted for recycling, especially if it’s dyed, laminated or contains non-paper additives like glitter or plastics. Get creative when wrapping presents this year with old fabric, maps, sheet music, magazines or newspapers.

You can even use baking pans or festive reusable tins.

Do-good donation What do you get that friend or family member

who has everything? That’s easy.

Donate to a charity or service organization that they support in their name.

For example, donate to a local organization that promotes environmental research or conservation.

Your gift could also include a promise to volunteer with an organization.

Follow this guide to green-up your holiday gifting. For more climate-friendly holiday gift ideas, visit energystar.gov/holiday.

Five guidelines for holiday tipping

by Liz Weston For New Pittsburgh Courier

Holiday tips are a way to thank the people who make your life easier. So why is it so hard to figure out whom to tip and how much?

Guides published by etiquette experts don’t always agree on what’s appropriate. What people actually do is another matter altogether.

Only about half of Americans give any holiday tips, according to a recent Consumer Reports survey, and those who do tip often give less than the amounts recommended by etiquette experts. For example, 56 percent of those who had housekeepers gave them a tip, and the median amount was $50.

The manners mavens at the Emily Post Institute suggests the tip equal the cost of one visit, which according to HomeAdvisor averages at $167.

Plenty of people don’t even realize that holiday tipping is a thing. Others want to tip but struggle with budgets already strained by other holiday spending.

“From an etiquette standpoint, we try not to say, ‘You have to do it exactly like this otherwise it’s wrong,’” says etiquette expert Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute in Burlington, Vermont.

“There are so many varied relationships that we have, or our budgets might not be able to accommodate it the way our hearts would like.”

Ideally, your holiday tipping list would include everyone who makes your life easier by providing you with regular service throughout the year—but if you get a lot of help, that can get expensive.

Here are some guidelines that may help you decide

whom to tip, and how: 1. CASH IS OFTEN BEST, BUT NOT ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED If you can afford to give only a few dollars, a small gift or homemade item may be a better way of expressing appreciation.

Post remembers her parents baking cookies and making candy for their mail carriers, garbage collectors and newspaper delivery folks.

2. MATCH THE TIP TO THE RELATIONSHIP The amount you give can reflect the quality and frequency of your interactions. A small gift in addition to a tip is a nice touch when the relationship is more personal.

A tip roughly equal to the cost of a single visit might be appropriate for: •Housekeepers •Babysitters •Dog walkers and groomers •Personal trainers •Snow shovelers •Hairstylists or barbers •Massage therapists, facialists and manicurist For others, Post says, amounts can vary: •Yard and garden workers ($20 to $50 each) •Trash and recycling collectors ($10 to $30) •Handyman ($15 to $40) •Package deliverer ($20, if allowed; check with the company) •U.S. Postal Service mail carriers (small gift only; no cash, per USPS rules) •Day care workers ($25 to $75 each for those who work with your child; check with facility) •Newspaper deliverer ($10 to $30) •Building superintendents ($20 to $80) •Doormen ($15 to $80) •Parking attendants ($10 to $30) 3.

NOT EVERY HELPER SHOULD BE

TIPPED If you tip someone regularly throughout the year, a holiday tip may not be necessary. Cash tips also aren’t appropriate for certain people, such as professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants) and anyone who works for an entity that prohibits them. For government workers, for example, a tip can look like a bribe. Check with nursing homes, home health care providers, package delivery companies and day care centers, especially, before tipping individual workers. Post suggests that instead of tipping your children’s teachers, offer to buy classroom supplies or go in with other parents on a gift or gift card.

4. MAKE IT PRETTY Fresh, crisp bills tucked into a card with a handwritten note? Classy.

Wadded bills thrust at the service provider on your way out the door? Not so much. Ditto leaving an extra-large tip on a credit card receipt. Something’s certainly better than nothing, but putting some care into your presentation can demonstrate that you really do appreciate what they do for you.

5. TIP EARLY In the past, I’ve scrambled to deal with holiday tips. This year, I started writing thank-you notes before Thanksgiving and plan to deliver the tips by early December. Tipping as early as possible in the holiday season means the people you’re trying to reward have extra cash for their holiday spending— which may include giving out their own holiday tips.

(This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance web site NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.”)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

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7 tips for smart holiday gift giving

(BPT)—The holiday season is full of celebration, social activities and spreading good cheer by exchanging gifts.

The problem is gift giving can get expensive if you’re not making a plan and monitoring your spending. A happy holiday doesn’t have to mean stressing about finances or going into debt. You can enjoy the holidays and save money with some smart strategies for gift giving on a budget.

Create a gift list: Are you feeling pressure to get gifts for everyone? Thoughtfully consider who’s on your list this year. While a gift may be appropriate for some people, others might simply prefer to spend some time together rather than exchanging gifts. Perhaps invite someone over for lunch or plan a cookie exchange with friends.

Make a budget early: Deciding on budget limits for your holiday gifts will help guide your spending. You might have an overall holiday budget and then a specific budget to target for each person on your list. Then, with your gift list in hand and budget in mind, you can shop for appropriate and affordable gifts. What’s more, by starting early, you can take advantage of sales and other promotions that can help you save even more.

Stop worrying about perfect presents: Worried about finding the ideal gift? Coinstar’s recent holiday survey found about one-third of people don’t recall what gift they received last year, so stop feeling pressure to get the perfect present. Ultimately, it’s the thought that

counts. Whether it’s a card or small, reasonably priced gift, the recipient will be glad you took the time to show you care.

Use change to stretch your budget: You probably don’t think much about coins, but the holiday survey found that people believe they have about $71 in spare change in and around their home! Collect and cash in that spare change at a supermarket Coinstar kiosk to boost your holiday budget. This can also be a fun activity for kids who can gather coins or dip into the family coin jar for spending money and then buy gifts for family members. Visit www.coinstar.com/findakiosk to find a location near you.

Create a group gift exchange: If you have a large, extended family or a group of friends that you typically buy for, consider a gift exchange. It’s fun and budget-friendly because you’re not buying a separate gift for each person. Smart tip: Set a price limit per gift to keep everyone in the same ballpark for presents and prevent any competition of one person outdoing another.

Opt for services as gifts: Rather than giving a physical present, is there something you could do that the recipient would appreciate? Consider an act of kindness like cleaning a family member’s home or watching their children. If you have a particular talent, consider how that can be incorporated into your gift. Know how to play the piano? Offer to give children lessons. Do you have a snowblower? Offer to help clear a neighbor’s

driveway after a snowstorm.

Consider charitable donations: Giving to charity on behalf of someone else can be a nice holiday gesture.

Whether it’s animal welfare, disaster relief, a children’s charity or something else, think about what the person is passionate about and select an appropriate charity.

The Coinstar holiday survey revealed that if there were no obligations or expectations around gift giving, about 10 percent of people would give to charity. Keep in mind, Coinstar kiosks in supermarkets allow you to donate your change to certain charities, making it easy to put your change to good use and give a meaningful gift.

No matter what you choose, gift giving can be meaningful and affordable. Let these ideas inspire you to stay on budget and shop wisely this holiday season.

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DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

White man, listen

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DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

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Interesting facts and statistics about Black-owned businesses Where are most Black businesses located?

Black-owned businesses accounted for about 28 percent of all businesses in Washington, DC, the highest ratio in the nation. Second, was the state of Georgia, where 20 percent of businesses were Black-owned, and the state of Maryland, with about 19 percent in Illinois.

The state of New York, however, has the most Black-owned firms at 204,093 but this only accounts for 10.6 percent of the businesses in the state. Second is the state of Georgia, third is the state of Florida, and fourth is the state of Texas with the most Black-owned businesses but not necessarily the highest ratios.

What types of businesses do African Americans own?

Well, it varies, but most offer some type of service, opposed to selling products. For instance, nearly 38 percent of Black businesses are in health care and social assistance, repair and maintenance, and personal and laundry services. Other categories include advertising firms, auto dealerships, consulting services, restaurants, beauty care (barbershops/beauty salons), and more.

How many people are employed by Black businesses?

Not very many. Of the 2 million Black businesses, only about 107,000 of them have actual employees. Such firms employ more than 920,000

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY to start investing in your retirement. Take advantage of your employer’s plan, if they offer one.

Set aside as much money as your employer is willing to match. (Photo: iStockphoto/NNPA)

How to start investing for the long-term

people with a total annual payroll of $23.9 billion. The other 1.9 million businesses do not have paid employees.

Who are some of the top Black-owned businesses?

There are few Black-owned firm that generate billions of dollars in annual revenue, but many that generate millions. For instance, GlobalHue, an advertising agency in Detroit, Michigan, generated more than $480 million in revenue in 2007. RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Group, a chain of car dealerships throughout the country, generated more than $540 million in 2007. And, World Wide Technology, a global technology consulting firm and the largest Black-owned business in the country, posted revenues of more than $2 billion.

Why are there so few Black businesses?

It’s true that the numbers should be higher. African Americans make up more than 13 percent of the U.S. population, but only own 7 percent of the businesses there. The answer to this question will vary depending on whom you ask, but most agree that racism, discrimination and predatory lending are all factors because many aspiring Black business owners have been unfairly turned down by banks when applySEE STATISTICS B2

Learn about the investment options available to you that make the most sense for your long-term financial success.

Investing can help your money grow. But before you move your money to anything riskier than a savings account or IRA, you should review the ways you can do so.

Making well-advised investments comes down to cultivating the right mindset and getting educated about the options available to you. Investing can be a means to secure your longterm financial health, but you should also consider the risks attached to each investment option, and how these relate to your own willingness to take on risk. Framing investment risk against your own long-term priorities can help you decide what investment vehicles will be best.

Follow these key steps to hone your investing strategy.

Choose investment priorities Ask yourself why you want to invest: Is it to prepare for retirement, buy a home, or start a new business? How much money will you need for your goals?

Then, organize your investment priorities by the amount of time

needed to achieve them. Writing them down can help you think clearly about which goals you have, and which you need to start with.

Your investment priorities should also be informed by your particular financial situation.

You should invest no more than you can afford to lose. That way, you won’t jeopardize your shortterm financial health as you work toward achieving more long-term aims.

Invest in your company’s employer-sponsored retirement plan It’s never too early to start investing in your retirement.

Take advantage of your employer’s plan, if they offer one. Set aside as much money as your employer is willing to match.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans can take many forms, such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b). Some people choose to manage their own investment portfolio by investing in a mixture of stocks and bonds. A portfolio with more stocks than bonds is considered higher risk, along with a potential for high returns on investment, while a portfolio with more bonds than stocks will be the opposite. If

you choose to manage your own retirement portfolio, think about which balance makes the most sense for you.

That balance could also shift over time depending on your risk tolerance as you get older.

For example, as you near retirement, investing in less risky bonds rather than stocks could be a better approach. Generally, you can afford to take on more risk earlier in your career because you have time to adjust if the market takes a downturn before you withdraw the money. Once you’re closer to retirement, you’ll want to take on less risk to help ensure your retirement funds are more secure when you need them.

Work with a financial planner Everyone prefers a different level of autonomy when it comes to investing. While those who want to retain complete control can pursue a self-directed investment strategy, many find it helpful to seek outside advice.

You can get started by visiting the Hands on Banking® website to get an understanding of the basics of investing and reSEE INVESTING B2

Don’t let predatory lenders rob your holiday joy

by Charlene Crowell For New Pittsburgh Courier

After the nation gives thanks for its many blessings, the annual season of holiday joy begins with its barrage of celebrations both secular and spiritual that mark the season. Colorful decorations and Christmas trees pop up at parades, concerts, parties and more as family and friends gather in good cheer.

For many businesses, the holidays are also the difference between ending the year in profits or in red ink. So there are also an abundance of advertisements, circulars and commercials beckoning each of us to offer loved ones a special token of the season. From Black Friday discounts, to Cyber Monday sales, to the perennial Christmas Eve bargain sales, merchants hope their cash registers will ring nonstop this season.

But the holiday season is also a time when predatory lenders offer enticements to put more debt than money into your pockets. For unsuspecting consumers, it’s a temptation trapped in all kinds of packages that seem too good to pass by. In reality though, these deals are often a debt trap leading to a holiday financial hangover that can last well into the New Year.

If you believe pre-paid debit cards are insurance against financial rip-offs, think again.

Some prepaid cards may be a helpful way to avoid overspending. But before paying cash for this convenient form of plastic, read all of the fine print that explains the terms and fees that come with its usage. Terms and options can and do vary significantly. Many include a range of fees from activation, to learning your current balances, reloading monies and in some cases fees for inactivity. Some

prepaid cards even use tricky tactics that allow consumers to inadvertently overspend the value on the card and incur an overdraft fee. By the time all applicable fees are assessed, the amount of money actually available on that prepaid card can shrink and shortchange how far it can help on purchases.

Another debt trap, overdraft fees, are marketed and sold as a ‘customer convenience’. Yet in truth, these fees can run up holiday bills that many consumers will not know about until after New Year.

Their trick is for the bank to extend credit when transactions exceed monies actually available in accounts—including debit card point-of-sale transactions, and ATM withdrawals which banks could easily decline at no charge when consumers lack

sufficient funds. Instead, some banks often accept the transaction, putting the customer in the red and charging a steep $35 per overdraft fee. Additionally, some banks alter the posting of transactions in an effort to maximize revenues. In 2017, customers of several large banks paid over $11 billion in overdraft fees in just one year.

Consumers most vulnerable to these high-cost fees are those who have little or no cushion in their checking accounts.

Consumers who may have accepted overdraft “coverage” still have a right to cancel the so-called costly service by directing their institutions to remove it.

“With abusive overdraft fees, financial institutions take advantage of customers fighting desperately to stay afloat,” said

Rebecca Borné, a senior policy counsel with the Center for Responsible Lending.

“Ultimately, these fees drive many from the banking system altogether and make reentry very difficult.”

Data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), back up Borné’s claim. Over half a million households who once had bank accounts became unbanked—primarily due to high or unpredictable fees like overdraft.

Other consumers, beckoned by the brightly-colored signs advertising “fast cash” or “bad credit? No problem”, should just keep walking or driving past storefronts of payday and car-title loans.

These predatory loans often lead to consumers paying more in interest and fees than for the money borrowed. They ultimately wind up costing consumers $8 billion in fees in states where they are legal.

Research by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) has found that predatory payday loans alone drain $4.1 billion in fees from consumers annually—borrowers who typically are unable to fully repay the original loan, usually due in two weeks’ time. With average annual interest rates of 391 percent, three out of every four payday loans go to borrowers with more than 10 loans a year.

Although the typical payday loan averages $357, a car title loan provides more cash, averaging about $1,000 but must be secured with an owned car as collateral. Failure to make on-time payments often leads to the loss of the vehicle—even though the loan may only be a fraction of the vehicle’s marketable value. While the lender holds on to a car title, the borrower is faced with triple-digit interest and, SEE JOY B2

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DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

BUSINESS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Ice Cube and LL Cool J unsuccessful in purchasing 22 regional sports TV networks Rap legends turned actors, Ice Cube and LL Cool J, joined forces, this time not as musicians, but as part of a dynamic group of investors hoping to place a bid on 22 regional sports television networks that the U.S. Justice Dept is forcing Disney to sell after their previous $71 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Sadly though, their bid was not accepted.

Officials have determined that Disney, already the majority owner of ESPN, should not be allowed to control 22 more sports stations as that would mean they have monopolized the whole market.

That’s why they are forced by the Justice Department to sell off the channels as soon as possible.

The channels in the package reportedly included Fox Sports San Diego, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Detroit and Fox Sports Southwest, as well as YES Network which

is thought to be worth $5 to $6 billion alone. The whole deal for the 22 stations was worth about $15 to $25 billion.

Ice Cube and LL Cool J had other partners onboard including billionaire Carolyn Rafaelian, founder of Alex and Ani Jewelry, as well as other silent investors, which gave them a huge advantage against other bidders such as private equity groups Sinclair Broadcast, Apollo Global Management, and Blackstone Group.

It was the third time Ice Cube collaborated with Rafaelian after Alex and Ani designed the championship rings for two seasons of Cube’s BIG3 Basketball League. Rafaelian is excited with this new project with Cube and said in a statement, “Collaborating with Cube on BIG3 was exhilarating, and we both share a beautiful vision of where the world is headed, and we want to be part of that evolution.”

JOY FROM B1

Dallas Lenear, Director of Project GREEN in Grand Rapids. “And, payday loans keep them unstable. Scripture says, ‘Do not exploit the poor because they are poor...’

(Prov. 22:22) But, that is precisely what payday loans do.”

All forms of predatory lending bring the probability of robbing low-to-moderate income consumers of their holiday joy. This holiday season try adding a full measure of practical sense to help your dollars preserve the spirit and joy of the seasonit only comes once a year!

OPRAH WINFREY

ISABEL DOS SANTOS

FOLORUNSHO ALAKIJA

There are 13 Black billionaires around the world—and only Don’t let lenders rob your joy three of them are women one of every five cases—a whopping 20 percentend up losing their personal transportation.

In recent years, activist ministers and clergy have emerged as some of the most vocal consumer advocates on payday and car-title loans.

“American consumers are now in the death grip of a government that is not only deaf to the cries of the poor for fundamental economic justice, but this government is also blind to their merciless exploitation by payday lending traffickers,” said Rev. James T. Golden of Florida.

“Consumers don’t need payday loans; they need financial stability,” added Rev.

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

How to start investing for long term INVESTING FROM B1

tirement, like how social security works, or what the difference is between stocks and bonds.

Another option to consider for guidance is robo-advisors. These online platforms provide an automated investment service, some of which with access to human financial advice. You can also seek the advice of a Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®) to build a unique plan that works best for you. A CFP can help you man-

age your goals and simplify the complex world of investing. To find a CFP in your area, visit the Financial Planning Association’s national database. See if there are free resources available to you locally as well.

As you plan to invest, keep your personal financial goals in mind and be ready to adjust your plan as your situation changes. When you prepare, investments can be a great way to help you reach financial goals.

There are many billionaires around the globe. Sadly though, out of the 2,153 billionaires in the world, according to Forbes, only 13 of them are Black, which is 1 percent. Even worse, only three of them are Black women. Despite the low numbers, we celebrate them anyways and proudly embrace their success!

Here’s a list of the 13 Black billionaires in the world (Ladies first, of course): 1. Oprah Winfrey: an American media executive, actress, talk show host, television producer and philanthropist. She is known as the founder of Harpo Productions which produces the Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) and O Magazine. She has a net worth of $2.7 billion USD. 2. Isabel Dos Santos: an Angolan billionaire businesswoman, Africa’s richest woman and the eldest child of Angola’s former President José Eduardo dos Santos, who ruled the country from 1979 to 2017. She has major stakes in several Angola-based and Portugual-based companies, and her net worth is $2.2 billion USD. 3. Folorunsho Alakija: a Nigerian billionaire businesswoman who is the founder of The Rose of Sharon Prints & Promotions and the executive vice-chairman of Famfa Oil Limited. She is involved in the fashion, oil, real estate and printing industries. She has a net worth of $1 billion USD. 4. Aliko Dangote: a Nigerian tycoon who built his fortune in sugar, flour and cement. He also owns a private oil refinery in Nigeria that has the refining capacity of 6500,000 barrels a day and can reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil imports. He is the world’s richest Black person with a net worth of $10.9 billion USD. 5. Patrice Motsepe: a South African mining businessman and billionaire. He is the founder and executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, which has interests in gold, ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum. His net worth is $2.2 billion USD.

6. Mike Adenuga: a Nigerian billionaire businessman, and the second-richest person in Africa. His company Globacom is Nigeria’s second-largest telecom operator, which has a presence in Ghana and Benin.

His net worth is $8.7 billion USD. 7. Robert Smith: an American billionaire businessman, and philanthropist. A former chemical engineer and investment banker, he is the founder, chairman, and CEO of private equity firm Vista Equity Partners. His net worth is $5 billion USD. 8. David Steward: an American billionaire businessman. He is chairman and founder of World Wide Technology, Inc., the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States. His net worth is $3.9 billion USD. 9. Strive Masiyiwa: a London-based Zimbabwean billionaire businessman, and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of the telecommunications, media and technology company Econet Wireless. His net worth is $2.7 billion USD. 10. Michael Jordan: the NBA’s greatest player of all time, who is now the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats team and the owner of the Air Jordan sneaker brand. a member of Forbes’ list of billionaires with an estimated net worth of $1.65 billion USD. 11. Michael Lee-Chin: a Canadian of Jamaican origin who made his fortune investing in financial companies. He also owns a 65% stake in National Commercial Bank Jamaica, and his net worth is $1.9 billion USD. 12. Abdulsamad Rabiu: the Nigerian founder of BUA Group, a conglomerate with interests in sugar refining, cement production, real estate, steel, port concessions, manufacturing, oil gas and shipping. His net worth is $1.6 billion USD. 13. Mo Ibrahim: a Sudanese-born entrepreneur who founded Celtel International, one of the first mobile phone companies serving Africa and the Middle East. He later sold the company for $3.4 billion, but his net worth is $1.1 billion USD.

Interesting facts and statistics STATISTICS FROM B1

ing for small business loans.

Another factor is that there is a lack of economic and business resources in African American communities. This leads to a lack of education on how to properly start and manage a successful business.

Are there resources available to help?

Yes, there are many programs available to assist African Americans and other minorities. Banks like Wells Fargo and Bank of America have special lending programs that make sure that African American business owners are getting the loans they need.

Many non-profit organizations give grants and free training via workshops to minorities. In addition, many Black business events (conferences, workshops, etc.) offer unique opportunities for African American professionals to network with key decision makers and others who can be of assistance.

Finally, there are many publications that offer weekly or monthly news and advice for Black and minority business owners.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

B3

If Democrats don’t go bold with social reform right now, then when?

Guest Editorial

Cheyney deserved accreditation Congratulations to Cheyney University, which learned last week that it will maintain its accreditation.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the regional accrediting body, told school officials on Monday that it will maintain its accreditation, which is vital to the university’s future. Without accreditation, the school would have been ineligible for federal and state financial aid, which many of its students depend upon.

The commission reached a decision known as an “action” Nov. 21, but did not announce it until Nov. 25.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s pledge to make sure Cheyney’s $40 million debt to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and its chancellor’s office is eliminated was key to the decision. It wasn’t immediately clear how the governor would ensure the elimination of the debt. The nation’s oldest historically Black college deserved accreditation approval for making significant progress in recent years.

Cheyney University President Aaron A. Walton has helped turn the university around by leading a fundraising campaign developing partnerships to ensure the school’s financial future.

Cheyney’s survival is not only important to the school’s students, their parents, faculty and alumni, but to the region.

“Cheyney University is the nation’s first historically Black university and remains an important educational resource for many Pennsylvania students,” Wolf said in a statement.

Founded in 1837, Cheyney has historically given African Americans a chance at education. Alumni include civil rights activist Octavius V. Catto; Bayard Rustin, a chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington; and “60 Minutes” broadcast journalist Ed Bradley. (In full disclosure, Robert W. Bogle, chair of Cheyney’s council of trustees, is president and CEO of The Philadelphia Tribune.)

However, in recent years Cheyney has struggled with plummeting enrollment, financial woes and the threat of losing accreditation.

The commission’s decision gives the university the opportunity to improve.

For Cheyney to make progress it must continue to balance its budget, luring new top-tier students and raising funds. Government funding would also help.

Cheyney must also continue to develop and grow its partnerships, including: Epcot Crenshaw Corp., a West Chester, Pennsylvania-based company that develops technology to solve environmental problems, will establish research labs, greenhouses and an aquaponics facility where Cheyney students can get real-world experience in emerging environmental technology.

Thomas Jefferson University is committing to construction of a medical facility on the campus. A joint research project has already begun between Thomas Jefferson University and Cheyney that focuses on health disparities in the Philadelphia region. The collaboration is also designed to help Cheyney graduates enter postgraduate studies at Jefferson. Jefferson will also place a medical facility on campus to give practical experience to Cheyney students interested in health sciences.

Cheyney has had its doubters and critics.

Daniel Greenstein, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, has previously told state senators that Cheyney was likely to lose accreditation and looked as if it would be short on cash by as much as $10 million. He said the university may have to operate as an unaccredited institution, possibly offering career training.

But all indications show that Cheyney is moving in the right direction and has made substantial progress with its new leadership and vision.

Since June 2017, Cheyney’s new administration has made significant progress including attracting more academically prepared students, establishing a model to retain students and forming partnerships to provide students with more opportunities for internships and hands-on research experience. This fall the number of applications received increased 33% over last fall.

Cheyney has demonstrated that it has earned the right to receive accreditation and continued support. The Middle States Commission should be commended for recognizing the progress that has been made.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

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(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“Too radical, impractical, too costly, impossible, can’t pass the Senate.”

Those are the terms centrist Democrats use to describe the bold reform ideas put forth by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic presidential primaries. “Venezuela, socialist, communist tripe, crazy” are the jibes preferred by President Donald Trump and Republicans. All this begs the same question: What do they plan to do to meet the challenges we face?

For most Americans, this isn’t a rhetorical question. The economy, Trump boasts, is as good as it has ever been in terms of the top line unemployment figures, but it still doesn’t work for most Americans. Wages have been inching up, but they aren’t rising as fast as the cost of basics—housing, college, health care. Working families—whether middle or low income—are struggling simply to stay afloat. Depths of despair are soaring, particularly among the young. Illness is still the leading cause of bankruptcy. Half of all Americans have no retirement plan other than Social Security.

The climate emergency is a clear and present danger, costing more lives, more displacement and billions in damage each year. If we are going to address these challenges, we need reforms that correspond with the size of the problem. An adhesive bandage won’t stop a leg hemorrhage. A wall can’t shut out the cataclysmic storms, droughts, floods and tides of the climate emergency. The Green New Deal—mocked by Trump and Republicans who continue to deny the existence of manmade climate change —is ambitious and costly—but only because it tries to meet the goals that scientists say are necessary if we are not to become an endangered spe-

Jesse Jackson Sr.

Commentary cies. Getting to a clean energy, zero carbon emissions economy requires massive investment, new innovation and dramatic changes in transportation, housing, energy and more. The transition will generate millions of new jobs, while displacing some from old jobs.

The Green New Deal proposes a job guarantee to make certain that no one is left out in the transition. Critics say it costs too much—but it costs far less than the price we will pay if we don’t act boldly and now. Or consider higher education. Student loan debt continues to rise, now over $1 trillion, exceeding even credit card debt. More students have to put off college or drop out for years in order to earn enough to get the education that all agree is vital to our country and to their future.

More students graduate with debt that will burden their lives, making it harder to afford to have children, to save for a house, to put money away for retirement. Debt is crushing a generation that tries to do the right thing. It is particularly brutal on people of color who have less of a chance to have parents with the wealth to help pay for tuition. Tuition-free college—mocked as a costly giveaway—simply argues that publicly provided education or advanced training should be extended beyond kindergarten through 12th grade. At a time when college

education or advanced training is deemed essential not simply for the individual but for the country, why wouldn’t we make that available for all who qualify?

How can our society thrive if we condemn the best of the next generation to a life burdened by debt? This is one of the richest countries in the world.

We can afford these things. With inequality reaching new extremes, and corporations and the wealthy rigging the tax code to their benefit, we can pay for them without raising taxes on middle- and low-income Americans.

The argument that these necessary reforms are not “practical” makes no sense. Centrists suggest that only modest, piecemeal, admittedly inadequate reforms have a chance to gain the support needed to pass. But pre-emptive compromise doesn’t inspire fear or fervor. What’s needed is a clarion call that lays out what is essential—and builds the public support necessary to tackle those standing in the way.

Republicans opposed Social Security and Medicare as socialism, or communist notions. They passed because Roosevelt and Johnson built the majorities and claimed the mandate to get them passed. The argument that these reforms are too radical, too “left” also fails on its face. These basic reforms—the right to adequate health care, the right to an education, the addressing of the existential threat posed by the climate emergency—are not left or right. They represent the moral center.

The values they express are not un-American; they are central to the American dream. It isn’t radical to suggest that all have health care, or all have access to a good education.

It is just common sense. And we are badly in need of a strong dose of that.

World War II Rosies (TriceEdneyWire.com)—All of my life I had seen a White woman, fist up, a red bandana around her head, determination on her face and words above her saying “We Can Do It!” I never thought much about it until I attended a program this past summer where there were no Black women or any women other than White women celebrating the Rosies. As National President of the National Congress of Black Women, I responded to the invitation to attend the observance on the U.S. Capitol Grounds where we were asked to “Ring A Bell for Rosies. Tell America, ‘Wake Up! Listen to Rosies. ‘Pull together, not apart.” Great advice!

When I saw no Black women being honored, it dawned on me that there must be some Black women Rosies who worked during the war, so I raised the question. A wonderful 99-year old White women told me indeed there were Black women Rosie the Riveters. She sent me a lot of confirmation of what she said—and the contact with her introduced me to the son of a Rosie the Riveter. His name is Gregory S. Cooke—a career educator and historian. He is an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

The woman I met at the event sent me lots of information on Black women Rosie the Riveters. A call from Gregory S. Cooke followed. I learned that he had spent three decades fighting to illuminate African American agency in the most consequential event in human history. In his organi-

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

racial narrative. In Great Britain he encountered African American women in World War II—the 6888 Postal Battalion–850 WAC’S who sorted mail for 4 million G.I.’s in Europe.

He dug deeper and stumble upon 600,000 African American “Rosie the Riveters in the U.S. who helped build the “arsenal of democracy.” These women had courageously and defiantly fled economically and culturally stifling lives as domestics and sharecroppers to work, for the first time, in factories and in government and corporate offices. They also battle racism and sexism. One Rosie, he said, “It took Adolph Hitler to get colored women out of White women’s kitchens.”

This information gave Mr. Cooke a better understanding of his mother’s stories she had repeated to him during his childhood. He then understood his mother’s courage as a pioneer and being a history maker. How many more stories are there about the important work Black women have done? As a result of what he learned in his research, he created Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II. Our historic stories are so often left out of history. It is incumbent upon all of us to research and find other stories of our foremothers who’ve done great work that benefits us all.

zation, he stated that his mission is to move our legacies from the margins to the main pages of American and global history.

I learned from him that his research took him to Bastogne, Belgium and on to Great Britain where he discovered 137,000 African American men and women waiting for D-Day—June 6, 1944. I learned from him that African American men and women risked their lives for Franklin Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms,” but he also knew that most of them could not vote when they returned home; for them, only the “back of the bus” was waiting.

But most significantly for him, he began collecting oral histories of African American veterans.

He found compelling stories about friendship, love, “brown babies,” and racial violence among Americans— byproducts of fraternization between “Choc’late soldiers” and White Brits. These stories, especially the (Dr. E. Faye Williams is national president ones about interracial dating, were quashed during the war because they of the National Congress of Black Women, were problematic for the American Inc.)

Reflect upon the redemptive power of love

by Marc H. Morial

of Martin Luther King Jr., on “loving your enemies,” in which he invoked (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“I do Lincoln’s own approach to loving his therefore invite my fellow citizens in enemies. every part of the United States, and Lincoln famously appointed Edwin also those who are at sea and those Stanton, a bitter rival, as his Secwho are sojourning in foreign lands, retary of War. And after Lincoln’s to set apart and observe the last assassination, Stanton offered Thursday of November next, as a day up what King called “a beautiful of Thanksgiving and Praise to our statement concerning the character beneficent Father who dwelleth in the and the stature of this man,” the Heavens…and fervently implore the often-quoted, “Now he belongs to the interposition of the Almighty Hand to ages.” heal the wounds of the nation and to King saw in the story of Lincoln restore it as soon as may be consisand Stanton a powerful message tent with the Divine purposes to the about the redemptive power of love. full enjoyment of peace, harmony, “If Abraham Lincoln had hated tranquility and Union.”—President Stanton, if Abraham Lincoln had Abraham Lincoln, 1863 answered everything Stanton said, The origin of Thanksgiving as a Abraham Lincoln would have not national holiday is rooted in the transformed and redeemed Stanton. need to heal the nation following the Stanton would have gone to his grave Civil War. In recent years, it seems hating Lincoln, and Lincoln would as though our nation has needed have gone to his grave hating Stanhealing more than any other time ton. But through the power of love since then.

Abraham Lincoln was able to redeem Everywhere we look, we see advice Stanton.” for negotiating political differences King always counseled against anover the Thanksgiving table. How swering hate with hate. In that same will we get through the day being sermon, he told a story of driving at nice to people who disagree with us? night with his brother. His brothAs a civil rights organization deder was agitated by passing drivers icated to righting historical wrongs, who failed to dim their lights, and we have felt this nation’s divisions threatened to respond in kind to the all too keenly. As we struggle as a na- next discourteous driver. But as King tion to find a way to come together on reminded him that would simply this holiday that Abraham Lincoln make the highway more dangerous dedicated to unity, I recall a sermon for everyone.

“Somebody got to have some sense on this highway,” King said.

The same principles of love are taught by the true meaning of Christmas and can be transferred into the current toxic political atmosphere. We have to have some sense on this highway we are negotiating right now. We have got to resist the temptation to answer hatred with blinding hatred.

If you dread breaking bread with someone who disagrees with you politically, remember that King forgave a woman who stabbed him, nearly killing him.

Loving our enemies doesn’t mean accepting oppression. Loving our enemies is the way we transform them from oppressor. To paraphrase King, there are three ways to respond to oppression: with violence and hatred, with acquiescence and resignation, or non-violent resistance based on love.

We often see King’s messages of peace invoked as a caution against the ambitious pursuit of justice, and his radicalism downplayed. To imagine exactly what Dr. King would have said or done in response to the events of recent history is a game played by those who would use his legacy to justify their own responses.

But what we can know is that he would never give up hope, and he would never stop believing in the redemptive power of love.

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B4

DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

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SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER

QUANTITATIVE ANALYTICS & MODEL DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

Port Authority is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to be responsible for managing engineering and construction activities related to Authority structures, facilities, buildings, bridges, tunnels, subways, roadways, bus-ways, light rail transit system, and related infrastructure. Ensures projects adhere to the scope, budget, and schedule as well as interfaces with consultants, contractors, community and internal and external stakeholder representatives. Ensure all phases of the project are performed in accordance with Quality Control and Quality Assurance procedures and achieve the needs of Port Authority’s operation and maintenance functions.

Essential Functions: •Responsible to direct project activities necessary to implement the design, construction, and turnover of assigned capital projects within budget, scope and schedule in a quality manner. Directs project activities to ensure work is performed well in areas, such as: •Ensuring Contract Documents meet intended needs of Port Authority and outside agency requirements and standards.

•Constructability and cost-effectiveness.

•Coordination of activities, including railroad, utility, real estate, environmental, community, municipal, governmental agencies, Port Authority operation and maintenance, training, and turnover.

•Minimizing impacts to Port Authority operation and maintenance function and maintaining safety of Port Authority employees and the public.

•Timely completion of the work within budget and complying with contract requirements.

•Compliance with applicable codes.

•Site staging, mobilization, accessibility, and sequence of construction and safety Job requirements include: •BS Degree, Major in Civil 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 PA driver’s license.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows Preferred attributes: •Registered Engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the ability to obtain such registration through reciprocity within one year of appointment or Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) from nationally recognized registration entity.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 MRamsey@portauthority.org EOE

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. seeks a Quantitative Analytics & Model Development Professional in Pittsburgh, PA. Within the Market Risk Management department, perform advanced quantitative analyses and/or model/tool development to support business decision-making or risk management, as well as document analyses and results appropriately and support internal/ external communications. Specific duties include: (i) support the line of business by analyzing and developing new model/tool frameworks; (ii) refine, monitor, review and/or validate existing models/tools; (iii) work with large and/or complex datasets to create or test models/ tools; (iv) perform quantitative analysis and develop reports; (v) perform qualitative and quantitative assessments of all aspects of models or quantitative tools including theoretical aspects, model design and implementation as well as data quality and integrity; (vi) analyze complex data and associated quantitative analysis and summarize results; (vii) make recommendations based on findings from data analytics; (viii) use quantitative tools and techniques to measure and analyze model risks; (ix) evaluate identified model risks and reach conclusions on strengths and limitations of the model; (x) conduct on-going communication with model stakeholders such as developers, owners and reviewers; and (xi) prepare detailed documents on quantitative models/ tools for internal/external communications and/or regulatory compliance, using applicable templates.

Master’s degree in Computational Finance, Mathematical Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or Statistics plus 1 year of experience in a position requiring quantitative modeling and documentation is required.

Additional requirements include: (i) one year of academic or industry experience in probability theory, linear algebra, derivation of partial differential equations, application of numerical analysis, finite difference methods on differential equations, optimization theory, and stochastic differential equations; (ii) experience defending Master’s or Ph.D. thesis and authoring peer-reviewed scientific research papers suitable for independent review; (iii) knowledge of the valuation of financial derivatives, Black-Scholes models, Greeks, Ito’s Lemma, interest rate term structure modeling; and (iv) experience with programming skills in Matlab and Excel VBA. 40 hours/week, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Interested individuals apply online at www.pnc.com using keyword R016461. PNC provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.

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WESTERN PA OPERATING ENGINEERS HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS/ MECHANICS

Earn while you learn in a 4-year apprenticeship program. High School or GED and drug test required. Applications available Dec 9-Dec 20, at wpaoperators.org and Mon-Fri, 9 am-3 pm at Operating Engineers, 111 Zeta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA or W PA Operating Engineers, 457 Christopher Road, New Alexandria, PA. Also Saturday, Dec 14, 9 am-3pm New Alexandria. Learn more, download and play the app-FutureRoad Builders.

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MR. CHARLES URAM, Deceased, of 319 Thomas Street, Carnegie, PA 15106. Estate No. 02-18-5082 Ms. Kathleen Kelly, 110 Crestview Drive, Moon Township, PA 15108, Administratrix, c/o Max Feldman, Esquire and the Law Offices of Max C. Feldman, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, PA, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Barbara Gecan, deceased, Case No. 6274 of 2019: Notice is hereby given that on October 9, 2019, a Petition was filed by Kimberly Holmes, to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Barbara Gecan, deceased, in the real estate located at, 737 Shadyside Drive, West Mifflin, PA 15122, and determine that fee simple title is in Kimberly Holmes. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 30 days, Kimberly Holmes will seek an Order adjudging that Decedent’s title is in herself.

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NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Rose M. Gibbons, deceased, Case No. 021906562 of 2019: Notice is hereby given that on October 23, 2019 a Petition was filed

by Richard Gibbons to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Rose M. Gibbons, deceased, in the real estate located at 2307 Eccles Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210, and determine that fee simple title is in Richard Gibbons. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 30 days, Richard Gibbons will seek an Order adjudging that Rose M. Gibbons’ title is in Richard Gibbons.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Client Management Information System Implementation and Support Services. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

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

Marc Cherna Director Allegheny County Department of Human Services

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SENIOR ANALYST OPERATING

Port Authority is seeking a Senior Analyst – Operating to be responsible for preparing, coordinating, monitoring and presenting various financial budgets, analyses and reports with focus on operating budget and programs. Shares the lead in the development of annual Operating Budget. Assist program Manager in compiling and submitting the monthly & annual federal National Transit Database report and state reports. Act as PeopleSoft Transaction Administrator.

Essential Functions: •Participates with the development of the operating budgets between Finance and all division/department heads. Provides preparation, analysis, reporting and monitoring support; makes recommendations and assists in policy and procedure implementation.

•Monitor, prepare and report on monthly & quarterly Operations division overtime.

•Co-lead with other senior analyst for the compilation and submission of the annual operating and capital budget document.

•Responsible for assigning and monitoring the Limits of Authority for the organization. This includes working with the Legal department for the annual Statement of Financial Interests submission.

Job requirements include: •BA/BS Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or directly related field with a related professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Accredited Financial Analyst (AFA), Master Financial Planner (MFP); or a Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or directly related field.

•Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in Finance, Budgeting, or directly related field.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows and Microsoft Excel.

•Effective and professional communication skills.

•Ability to prioritize multiple work objectives and schedules.

Preferred attributes: •Proficient in the use of PeopleSoft FMIS Reporting and General Ledger.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Microsoft Access.

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 LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION of the SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on December 17, 2019, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Pgh. Beechwood PreK-8 Floor Replacement General and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Langley K-8 Pneumatic Tubing Replacement Mechanical Prime Pgh. Sterrett 6-8 Exterior Door Replacement General and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Milliones 6-12 Unit Ventilator Replacement Mechanical Prime Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on November 18, 2019 at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable.

Project details and dates are described in each project manual.

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NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

December 1, 2019 City of Pittsburgh 200 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Pittsburgh.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about December 17, 2019 the City of Pittsburgh will authorize the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of 2018-2023 Moving to Work Demonstration Program funds under Title 1 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, to undertake the following project: 2018 – 2023 Moving to Work Demonstration Program Purpose: The 2018 - 2023 Moving to Work Demonstration Program (MTW) provides funding to HACP for a variety of activities including administrative, operating, capital, and development. Under MTW single fund flexibility, some will be funded by MTW Fund, Capital Fund, Operating Fund, and some by other sources. Activities may be multi-year funded and a continuation from prior years as well as new activities. With the use of funding from the Moving to Work Demonstration Program, the HACP can continue to be a quality provider of affordable housing within the City of Pittsburgh.

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Project/Program Description: Authority-Wide. Funds to be used for administrative & management, protective services, hazardous materials work, environmental services, utility infrastructure systems engineering services, architectural & engineering services, resident services, modernization contingencies, construction management services, exterior site improvements, environmental review consultant services, operating activities, exterior site improvements, green physical needs assessment and integrated energy audit, legal services, Section 504/uniform federal accessibility standards, and relocation. Designated properties. Funds to be used for Bedford Hope Center improvements, Bedford Dwellings lateral sewer line piping maintenance and repair, Homewood North wet pipe automatic fire sprinklers repair, Carrick Regency masonry repair/interior common area renovations, Arlington Heights water infiltration/drainage remedies, Arlington Heights exterior doors & hardware replacement, Gualtieri Manor partial comprehensive modernization, Pressley Street High Rise interior common area upgrades, Hamilton-Larimer demolition, Murray Towers rehab, and Office Building – new Central Office facility related services.

Estimated Project Cost: $87,669,376.90 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Pittsburgh 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 address listed above and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Pittsburgh. All comments received by December 16, 2019, will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Pittsburgh certifies to HUD that William Peduto, Certifying Officer, in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh to use HUD program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Pittsburgh’s certification for a period of fifteen 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 City of Pittsburgh; (b) the City of Pittsburgh 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 or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities 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, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Pittsburgh Office, Region III at the William Moorhead Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA 152224004. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

William Peduto, Mayor Certifying Officer City of Pittsburgh

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

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

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Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

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

Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on December 17, 2019 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527), for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness. portauthority.org) B191076A Brake Drums - Coach B191077A Upholstery Fabric B191079A Reman/Exchange Fuel Injectors - Cummins Engines B191081A Printer Supplies Parts Maintenance & Repairs B191083A Refresh Kits for Engergy Storage B191084A Cleaning Solvent Service B191085A Coach Replacement Parts - Cooling B190322AR Asbestos Free Brake Blocks Assembled on Shoes B191183A 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 10:00am December 4, 2019 at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA). Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening.

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

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

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

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

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

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR TUB CUTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION AUTHORITY WIDE IFB#300-43-19

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request bids from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Tub Cuts for Reasonable Accommodation Authority Wide The documents will be available no later than November 25, 2019 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 A.M. on December 20, 2019 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

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

HACP.org.

Questions or inquires should be directed to: Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 December 12, 2019 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

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SONNY BOY

CONTRACT DOCUMENTS GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE – WATERFRONT PAVING HOMESTEAD AND MUNHALL BOROUGHS ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

KU Resources, Inc. will receive Sealed Bids for the Waterfront Paving Project located in the Boroughs of Homestead and Munhall, Allegheny County, PA, until 2:00 PM (prevailing time as determined by KU Resources Inc.’s date and time stamp clock) on December 19, 2019 at their representative’s office of KU Resources, Inc., 22 South Linden Street, Duquesne, PA 15110 and will immediately be opened, read aloud, and recorded.

Work generally consists of sitework in preparation for a future research facility building, and includes, but is not limited to, the following: •Mobilization & Demobilization •Insurance, Bonds, and Permits •Erosion and Sedimentation Control •Earthwork •Bituminous Paving •Small site drain inlets, as required by site conditions •Minor Site Improvements •All other Work as indicated on the project drawings and specifications For a non-refundable fee of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00), Bidders can obtain one (1) electronic (CD) complete set of the Contract Documents for the Waterfront Trail Paving Project. Electronic copies of the documents will be made available to interested Bidders starting December 5, 2019 at the office of: KU Resources, Inc. 22 South Linden Street Duquesne, PA 15110 Contract Documents will not be mailed to interested Bidders. There will be no exceptions. NOTE: No cash can be accepted for the bid document deposit. Checks or money orders are to be made payable to KU Resources, Inc. Questions shall be submitted in writing via email to KU Resources, Inc. to the attention of Rachel Upadhyay, EIT (rupadhyay@kuresources. com). QUESTIONS WILL NOT BE RESPONDED TO AFTER 4:00 PM ON December 17, 2019.

A mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM on December 12, 2019 at the Site location, The Waterfront Trail, beneath the Homestead-Grays Bridge, Homestead, PA 15120. Persons planning to attend the pre-bid meeting are requested to contact Rachel Upadhyay of KU Resources, Inc. (rupadhyay@kuresources.com) to confirm attendance.

A certified check or bank draft, payable to the order of the Steel Valley Trail Council, negotiable U.S. Government bonds, or a satisfactory bid bond executed by the Bidder and an acceptable surety authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total amount bid shall be submitted with each bid. See Specification Section 000430.

The successful Bidder will be required to furnish an assurance of completion in the form of satisfactory performance and payment bonds, each in the amount of 100% of the Contract Price and certificate of insurance prior to award of the Contract. See Specification Sections 000144 and 000145.

Notice is hereby given that the successful Bidders shall comply with the following: 1. Contractor agrees to minimize pollution and will strictly comply with all applicable related laws and regulations.

2. The Contractor aggress to comply with nondiscrimination/sexual harassment provisions and will included such provisions in all contracts and subcontracts.

3. Contractor must ensure that no contractor or subcontractor is currently under suspension or debarment by the Commonwealth, any state or the federal government.

4. Contractor and its subcontractors shall furnish progress reports, status reports, project account statements, certificates, approvals, etc.

The Steel Valley Trail Council reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informalities to the bidding, or to advertise for new proposals, if in the judgment of the Steel Valley Trail Council, it is in their best interest.

No bidder may withdraw a bid within ninety (90) days after the actual date of opening thereof. Should there be reasons why the Contract cannot be awarded within the specified period, the time may be extended by mutual agreement between KU Resources and the Bidder.

DECEMBER 4-10, 2019

LEGAL ADVERTISING

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Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFBs) FOR NORTHVIEW HEIGHTS BUILDING #74 UPGRADES, AMP-09 HACP CONTRACT NO. 600-42-19

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFBs) FOR Partial Modernization at Northview Heights, AMP-09, Group 1: G-E-P at Penfort St. 125, 127, 161, 181, 322.

HACP IFB NO. 600-40-19 G-E-P

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH will receive sealed bids for the Northview Heights Building #74 Upgrades, AMP-09 The construction work is estimated to begin in March of 2020.

Bid Documents will be available on or about Monday, November 25, 2019 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp.org.

Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. Electronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms, project manual, and drawings can be picked up in person, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.: Northview High Rise Community Room, 533 Mt. Pleasant Road, Pittsburgh PA 15214 A site visit will be conducted thereafter. Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement until 2:00 p.m. December 30, 2019 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

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

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

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

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

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

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH will receive sealed bids for the Partial Modernization at Northview Heights, AMP-09, Group 1: G-E-P at Penfort St. 125, 127, 161, 181, and 322.

The construction work is estimated to begin on February 18th of 2020.

Bid Documents will be available on or about Monday, November 25, 2019 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp.org.

Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. Electronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms and project manual can be picked up in person, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.: At Northview Heights Site Management’s office at 525 Mt Pleasant Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15214 A site visit will be conducted thereafter. Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement until 2:00 p.m. on December 30, 2019 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

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

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

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

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

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH

Support the publication that is ALWAYS focused on Pittsburgh’s African American community.

Subscribe to the Courier today by calling 412-481-8302, ext. 134

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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DECEMBER 4-10, 2019 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Healthcare for all: An oxymoron?

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”—The Declaration of Independence Ask anyone what the one topic that seems to be on the lips of all the Democratic Presidential Candidates, and they will answer: Healthcare for All. But few of us have really stopped to think about who All is referring to. And how are we defining Healthcare?

Sadly, the focus of the advocates of Medicare for All, is centered on health insurance. But we clearly must take a look at some if the deeper issues. Even having some type of insurance is no guarantee of health status. There are differences in the healthcare provided, and the health status between those with Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and those uninsured. I think we all know better to think that any of the proposals by the candidates is suggesting that Healthcare for All will mean that everyone will receive the same care. It ain’t gonna happen!

Somehow, the most disadvantaged within the healthcare and medical system in this country have allowed this conversation to take place at “30,000”, forgetting about the barriers, obstacles, and bias that impact those on the “ground”.

Who are these folks on the “ground”? Children; seniors; the homeless; and of course, people of color—particularly African Americans.

There are mounds and mounds of research and studies that have conclusively documented that the disenfranchised parts of our society are left behind, if not forgotten.

Here are a few facts that you may need to be reminded of: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Significant child health disparities exist by

Glenn Ellis

Black Health race, ethnicity, and immigrant status. Across a range of health conditions including infant mortality, obesity, and asthma; children of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds fare worse than their majority peers.”

Children living in poverty are more likely to have risk factors such as obesity and elevated blood lead levels, affecting their future health prospects.

Older adults face their own set of disadvantages, including decreased cognitive and physical capabilities, entering into a period of fixed income or having to work at an older age, and experiencing the onset of many diseases that generally come later in life. The unmet needs of prescription drugs for the elderly, coupled with the lack of good access to homecare and nutritious food is a shameful disgrace. Health disparities are affecting black and brown elders and will worsen as this population grows in the coming years.

Somehow, we must not forget to mention the 800-pound gorilla in the room. The thing that is central in all of these subpopulations, even more than race: Poverty.

Health disparities are directly associated with higher levels of poverty. The state of insecurity that poverty creates has been demonstrated to cause more mental distress than war, leading to higher blood pressure, increased levels of stress, and drastically higher levels of depression. Mental distress brought on by financial strain can then be passed on to children, leading to poorer health and education outcomes that occur even if an individual’s financial state later improves. The experience of poverty at any stage of life may impact individuals’ health as they age. It is estimated 14.6 percent of older adults are currently living in poverty.

Being raised in poverty puts children at risk for a wide range of problems, including impaired cognitive, social, and emotional functioning, as well as poorer health. Child poverty is also associated with negative outcomes in adulthood.

Blacks and Hispanics often get less effective health care than Whites. They often get more unnecessary and economically inefficient care. It holds true from the cradle to the grave. Even at the end-of-life, while 5 percent of white Medicare patients with dementia received a feeding tube, 17 percent of blacks and 13 percent of Latinos did.

For the first time in our history, the United States is raising a generation of children who may live sicker and shorter lives than their parents. It doesn’t stop there.

As reported in Time, “Researchers from the New York University School of Medicine recently used data from NYU Langone Health’s City Health Dashboard to find that 56 of the U.S.’ 500 largest cities are home to people who can expect to live at least 20 fewer years than those in other neighborhoods, even if they’re just blocks or miles away”.

That’s right. Where you live can determine how long you live. In fact, right here in Philadelphia, you will die 20 years sooner if you live in parts of North Philadelphia, than you would if you lived in Rittenhouse Square (location of the infamous Starbucks incident).

If we are to make it possible for everyone to enjoy “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as promised in our nation’s founding documents, then we must take an honest and objective look where we are falling short, and demand that the words in the Declaration of Independence ring true: That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

(The information included in this column is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Glenn Ellis, is Research Bioethics Fellow at Harvard Medical School and author of Which Doctor?, and Information is the Best Medicine.)

Always give love and thanks (NNPA)—I’ve always heard Cheryl Smith that one man’s Heaven is another’s hell.

While one group is celebrating Juneteenth, the other side was bemoaning the ending of slavery. That’s pretty much the way it is with Thanksgiving.

Now, November is significant for a number of reasons, including it is American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month, which brings me to my truth: We’re not living in a vacuum and we have to be concerned about others.

Now, when I was growing up, everyone, I mean every Black person I knew claimed some type of “Indian” heritage. They were “part” Cherokee, Apache, Seminole, or Comanche, et al. “Don’t you see my high cheekbones,” many would ask.

More ironic than celebrating “Thanksgiving” during American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month, has to be Black people who would rather identify with Native Americans while totally disregarding, dismissing and oftentimes making disparaging remarks about Africa!

Well, I just absolutely love Patty Talahongva. A member and former president of the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA).

Patty has been very helpful in sharing information about the culture of America’s real first family.

We were in a program that brought together journalists from NAJA, the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and National Association of Black Journalists.

We had some intense discussions.

I learned quite a bit from my sisters and brothers. We shared information about one another’s struggles and tackled stereotypes. The conversations weren’t always calm or civil; but they were definitely eye-opening.

Since those days, over a decade ago; I still feel a bond with men and women from each organization. I listened and felt their pain and didn’t try to one up them on whose experience was more painful.

When the members of NAJA said that sports mascots were offensive to their people, guess what? I made a commitment to honor them by not referring to those mascots, especially when you got the back story on some of those names.

I also learned about the significance of Totem Poles and other

My Truth

sacred items.

Of course, I thought back to my last year that I went Trick or Treating and how because of my “Native American roots,” I dressed as an urban Pocahon-

tas.

And there was also the high school I grew up wanting to attend, Weequahic High in Newark, NJ. The colors were orange and brown. I ended up at East Orange High and we were the Panthers.

And yes, I am going to say, today, I was a Black Panther, although that wasn’t really the case. I could also tell about the lessons I learned from the other journalism group members, but this is American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month, right?

Some people don’t care that they are hurting folks when they make negative comments about another’s culture, heritage, or upbringing.

Thanksgiving is celebrated around the world, and many don’t know why.

Through my interactions with others, I learned more about my people and the Motherland. Sure, I already loved being Black and my feeling about African people has always been positive.

But there’s something to be said about sitting around with a group and the Native Americans can tell you what Nation their parents are from, the languages spoken, traditions and more.

On the other hand, here us Black folks were talking about our European experience and nothing more: dressing up for Easter Sunday, getting a turkey for Thanksgiving, struggling to get gifts so Santa Claus could bless everyone. You get the picture!

Well, I don’t have to wait until the fourth Thursday in November to eat “good” food, or to bring the family together. Actually, that was a way of life for African people.

Heck, Black people tease other Black People for participating in the ONLY celebration regarding the freedom of enslaved Africans in America, Juneteenth! But if we don’t celebrate, who will?

We can’t blame our young for not knowing anything, especially if we don’t know and we aren’t trying to find out so we can spread knowledge.

We have a responsibility to teach, not to demonize those who don’t know.

Know history. Share history.

(Cheryl Smith is publisher of, I Messenger Media L.L.C. /Texas Metro News)

White man, listen A 2011 teleMayor Pete vision clip J. Pharoah Doss isn’t just wrong, surfaced of it proves men Democratic like him are presidential more willing to candidate Pete perpetuate the Buttigieg disfantastic narcussing minorirative of Negro ties and educaneighborhoods tion. Buttigieg needing more stated, minorirole models ty children arand briefcase en’t motivated because they don’t carriers than making the people in know anyone personally that testi- power stare into the sun and see the fies to the value of education. Butt- blinding light of racism. igieg repeated what many Black The writer denounced what he beeducators and Black ministers in lieved was a “presidential attack” on the 1980s and 1990s pinpointed as a Black culture. factor that stifled academic progress Buttigieg reached out to the writfor low-income children. er at The Root to discuss the matter.

Between 1980 and 2003 Buttigieg’s Buttigieg’s team probably informed assessment would have been consid- him that famous author Ta-Nehisi ered commonplace, even by those Coates reached out to Bernie Sandthat disagreed. ers to discuss reparations during But in 2004, at the NAACP’s 50th the 2016 Democratic presidential anniversary of the Supreme Court’s primary and Sanders ignored him.

Brown v. Board school desegregation Reaching out to The Root writer was decision, Bill Cosby delivered his in- Buttigieg’s way of distinguishing famous “Pound Cake” speech where their respective campaigns. he singled out dysfunctions in Black The two talked and the writer culture as the root cause of the “ra- penned a follow up op-ed titled: Pete cial achievement gap” and not struc- Buttigieg called me. Here’s what tural racism. happened.

The backlash against Cosby was The Root writer said, “For 18 intense. minutes we talked about educaDr. Michael Eric Dyson wrote tional inequality, poverty, and inan entire book in response to the stitutional racism in America and “Pound Cake” speech called: “Is Bill how to fix it. O…I’m lying. I don’t Cosby right or has the Black middle know how to fix sh*t …I conceded class lost its mind?” Dyson’s argu- that the problems of institutional ment was that systemic racism was racism are so complex and go so the root cause of the “racial achieve- far back that I’m not sure that anyment gap” and the cultural dysfunc- one—a mayor, a governor, or even tions derided by Cosby. a president could fix them.” Then, The battle lines were drawn, sides The Root writer told Buttigieg it were taken, and Dr. Dyson won. was infuriating to watch White Afterwards, cultural critiques of men talk about what was broken the Black community were consid- in the Black community without ered taboo, and all discussions con- acknowledging who broke it and cerning the achievement gap were who refuses to fix it. The Root addressed through the lens of sys- writer concluded the only thing I temic racism. So, if one was forced to know about Pete Buttigieg is that find fault with Buttigieg’s 8-year-old he is a White man. But Pete Buttcomment one might say it was out- igieg listened, which is all you can dated for 2011. ask a White man to do.

But a writer for the Black online But listen to what? magazine The Root responded to the Richard Wright published a collecclip with an op-ed titled: Pete Butti- tion of lectures in 1964 called: White gieg is a lying MF, and it went viral. man, listen. Buttigieg should read The Root writer said everyone on these instead of making phone calls.

(J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the the planet knows everything Buttigieg just said is a bold-faced lie. New Pittsburgh Courier.)

Check It Out

Fred Logan

Commentary Is it Steeler football or Black education?

On Nov. 14, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns got into a hair-pulling, hamlet-swinging, and bench-clearing brawl during a football game in Cleveland.

The very next day, the Pittsburgh school district released its first report cards for the 2019-20 school year.

I am writing this on Nov. 29, the Cleveland brawl is still headline sports news.

The district’s report cards came and went without any fanfare.

Leaving aside how this plays out in White Pittsburgh, what is most important to the Black community? Is it Steeler football or Black education?

Across town, Black Steeler fans have been busy for two weeks making plans for the December 1 rematch game here in Pittsburgh. They have stocked up on beverages, slabs of spare ribs, plenty of potato chips, pretzels, and official Steeler paraphilia. They have added a whole lot of money to the local economy without a second thought.

At the 1988 Harambee II Black Arts Festival, the creator of Kwanzaa Dr. Maulana Karenga argued our values dictate what things we hold dear in life, and what things we put first in life. Black people in Pittsburgh can hold dear both the Steeler football and Black education. Look at our response to Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 and ask which one do we put first?

If we put Black education first how do we do that? For one, we must make each PPS Report Card Day a major public event that is eagerly awaited in the Black community. The next three Report card days are Friday, Feb. 2, 2020, Friday April 11, and Tuesday June 23.

Former Pittsburgh school board director Dr. Louis Venson told the old Homewood Roundtable the Black community should set its own standards for education. He said we “should expect and demand” of Black students, their parents, guardians, the school district, and of the Black community itself that all Black students in the school district will achieve and maintain a straight-A/4-point grade average.

The Roundtable refused; this was far too lofty, not realistic, and settled instead on a B+/3.5 grade average. This was the genesis of the Homewood 3.5 Campaign the Roundtable initiated but never effectively pursued. The Roundtable realistically did not seek foundation funding for what was obviously a campaign of power-politics.

Note, all year long, the Black community pays for out of its own pockets, and without any foundation grants, a boatload of Steeler related activities.

Some of the 20-odd Roundtable institutions, continue to argue the 3.5 Campaign was too lofty, not realistic.

Maybe a dozen years ago, Westinghouse High School held a Community Read-in Day. I came from the Roundtable, but could not decide on what to read to several classes of 10th grade students. So, I read the very brief 3.5 mission statement. In the first class the students looked completely bored as I read. I asked for them to respond. One Black male name Tom raised his hand, and said, “Mister, that’s nothing new. That’s what rich people demand of their kids. I agree with it.” So did the entire class.

Years later, Tom walked up to me in a local store, introduced himself and said, “You spoke to our class at Westinghouse.

And I still support the honor roll campaign you talked about that day.”

Throughout its history, the national African American community has set standards that surpass by light years the educational standards of mainstream America. The rank and file Black community set the standards for Duke Ellington, Mahalia Jackson, and for all of the African American arts the world now acclaims. Dr. W.E. B. Du Bois, among countless others, set his legendary academic standards to correspond to the social, political, and economic imperatives of the Black community.

If the Steelers won the 2020 Super Bowl all over town Black people would jump for joy. But if, in part because of our support, the entire third grade at Weil PreK-5 made the honor roll in the 2nd 2019-20 report period, how much more infinitely wonderful that would be and we should feel.

When the late Dr. Patricia Washington was principal at the old Belmar Elementary School in Homewood, the school held a tribute for all of the students who had made the honor roll the three previous report periods. A lot of Belmar students, parents, and community residents turned out.

The proud students stepped forward to receive their certificates with their parents or guardians, or with school mates. The audience stood and cheered as the name of each student was called.

I still vividly remember one small, erect, and rightfully proud seven-year-old girl, a straight-A honor student. When her name was called, she walked up all alone. She had sat alone and apparently came alone.

I was astounded as I stood, clapped and cheered for her.

You had to ask yourself, if this wonderful child was an honor student with, apparently, very little support, then what would she, what could she, achieve with the full, unwavering support of you, Black Pittsburgh, the unwavering support of yours and mine?