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Pittsburgh Courier NEW

www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 111 No. 7

Two Sections

thenewpittsburghcourier Published Weekly $1.00

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

FROM PITTSBURGH TO BROADWAY

3 of 3 homicides Black lives

Amanda Felicia Foote makes Broadway debut in ‘The Book of Mormon’ by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

It’s one thing to visit New York City, and enjoy a Broadway show. It’s another thing to actually perform in a Broadway show. For Amanda Felicia Foote, a 2009 North Catholic High School graduate, her dream recently came true. On Feb. 4, “The Book of Mormon” began another run on Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, and Foote was part of the cast as part of the Ugandan ensemble. “The Book of Mormon,” a nine-time Tony Award winner, is a musical comedy in which two young missionaries are sent to Uganda to try to convert citizens to the Mormon religion. However, the two missionaries encounter a society that is mostly poverty- and violence-stricken. Foote is part of each of the eight shows per week. Foote, the singer, actor and performing artist, is

no stranger to “The Book of Mormon.” She was part of the cast that toured in Sydney, Australia, and across the U.S, including last year in Pittsburgh at Heinz Hall. Other credits for Foote include Disney’s “The Lion King’s” U.S. tour as the Shenzi understudy, and Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s productions of “Sister Act,” “Saturday Night Fever,” “Grease” and “Hairspray.” But to make it to Broadway, Foote said, is a crowning accomplishment. “In high school and college, several teachers told me I wouldn’t get to Broadway,” Foote, 28, told the New Pittsburgh Courier on Feb. 2. “They discouraged my dreams, wouldn’t give me the same opportunities as my peers, and tried to break my spirit. But I had a great support system at home, family who believed in me and my gifts.” Foote’s mother, Kimberly Davis Foote, told the Courier her daughter was

All January homicide victims were African Americans by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

The New Pittsburgh Courier continues to affirm its stance of decrying the senseless gun violence in our African American communities. The Courier reported last month that while the overall total of homicides in Allegheny County decreased by 15 from 2018 to 2019, the total number of homicide victims that were African Americans actually

AMANDA FELICIA FOOTE, 28, a Pittsburgh-area native, proved some doubters wrong and made her Broadway debut in “The Book of Mormon,” Feb. 4. once told that not only would she never appear on Broadway, but in general, “she would never, ever be cast in any roles except for a maid or a prostitute.” Kimberly Davis Foote also said Amanda was told by a musical theater instructor that she’d never make it to

Broadway. Amanda’s response to the instructor? “I will be on Broadway and I’ll make sure to leave a ticket at the box office for you on my opening night.” Amanda Felicia Foote always had an interest in the arts. In her early days, she

‘Green Grocer’ providing fresh food to many Black neighborhoods Includes outside former Shop ‘n Save in Hill District by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Cucumbers, asparagus, jalapenos… Sweet potatoes, milk, red bell peppers… Kale, noodles, cabbage… Walk inside—yes, inside—the Green Grocer mobile farmer’s market truck, and when it comes to fresh fruit, you won’t be disappointed. And the fresh food is right at the doorstep of many

“food deserts.” With the closing of Shop ‘n Save on Centre Avenue in the Hill District last March, most of the Hill District is considered a food desert, where fresh fruits and other foods are not readily available in the neighborhood. Thanks to a partnership with the Urban Redevelopment REVEREND GLENN GRAYSON, pastor of Wesley Center AME Zion Church in the Authority of the Hill District, purchases fresh food from the Green Grocer mobile farmer’s market City of Pittsburgh, the Green truck, Feb. 4. (Photo by Rob Taylor Jr.) Grocer’s can’tAfrican Americans in the miss red truck will now be NEW Pittsburgh area. parked in front of the forPart of the Greater Pitts- mer Shop ‘n Save location burgh Community Food in the Hill, Tuesdays from To subscribe, call Bank, “Green Grocer” aims 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 412-481-8302 to bring fresh food to areas SEE FRESH FOOD A4 ext. 134 that are typically known as

Pittsburgh Courier

took dance and art classes at the Carnegie Museum, and community theater classes at the local Jewish Community Center. She knew she wanted to pursue a career in performing arts when she attended the School of Cinema and Performing Arts in New York City at age 14. While there, she was

increased by five, from 73 to 78. This is unacceptable. And so is the violence behind the homicide victims in January. There were three homicides in the county in January—and that’s three too many. JAN. 1—Ladea Terrell, a 33-year-old Black female, was shot multiple times in Wilkinsburg on Dec. 17, 2019. She died of her injuries on Jan. 1. Terrell was shot around 9 p.m. in the

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Hall named exec. dir. of Kelly Strayhorn Theater The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Joseph Hall was selected as the new executive director of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. The announcement was made by KST’s Board of Directors on Jan. 20. According to a press release from KST, from 20092014, Hall worked as an intern and rose to producing director at the theater, where he co-curated and managed year-round original programming, including mainstage performances, residencies, rentals, workshops and classes. SEE HALL A4

JOSEPH HALL

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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

INTERNATIONAL

New hurdle for Nigerians seeking visas to settle in the U.S.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History

Week of February 12-18 February 12 1793—Congress passes the first Fugitive Slave Law. The law made it easier for a slave owner to re-take con(TriceEdneyWire.com/GIN)—She’s your trol of a slave who had escaped to freedom. Blacks and pediatrician. He’s your surgeon. She’s a their supporters were outraged because the 1793 law only civil engineer. He has a doctorate. She’s required the “word” of a White man before a magistrate to an Emmy Award winner. He was a Chicadeclare any Black person a runaway slave and have him go Bear. or her arrested and placed in bondage. Under the law even They’re Nigerian-Americans who have Blacks who had earned their freedom or had never been set down roots in Dallas, Chicago, Baltislaves were placed in danger. more, Atlanta, Phoenix and Houston—the 1900—Legendary poet James Weldon Johnson (1871latter of which has the largest Nigerian 1938) writes the lyrics to the song “Lift Every Voice and population outside Brazil and Africa. Sing” as part of a birthday tribute to Abraham Lincoln. In They’re the largest group among African JAMES WELDON JOHNSON time, the song would become the Black National Anthem. immigrants in the U.S.—about 327,000. 1909—The NAACP is formally founded by a group of 60 progressive Blacks and They’re a tiny portion of the U.S. populaWhites in New York City. The organization, originally called the National Negro tion, but they rank as the most successful man is an island of his own.” Committee, was the outgrowth of the Niagara ethnic group in the U.S. Omar Jadwat of the ACLU’s Immigrant Movement, which met in Niagara, N.Y., in 1905. The Yet, on the eve of Black History month, Rights Project suggested the ban was NAACP would go on to become, and remains, the the President callously expanded a travel imposed because the excluded countries nation’s largest civil rights organization. ban that effectively bars Nigerians from don’t share enough information so that 1930—The infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Experobtaining visas to immigrate here perma- (we) can vet their citizens when they iment is funded. More than 400 Black men from nently. The new restrictions will not apply arrive. rural parts of Georgia and Alabama are lured into to tourist, business, or other nonimmiThe so-called “Muslim ban,” already the program with the promise that they would be grant travel. But for the large Nigerian affects citizens from Iran, Libya, Syria, treated for syphilis. But the program was actually diaspora in the US, the policy will be dev- Yemen, Somalia, Venezuela and North designed to study the effects of untreated syphilis astating to a community with deep family Korea. and cultural ties to their home country. Minister of Information and Culture, TUSKEGEE SYPHILLIS EXPERIMENT on the body. Thus, the men were given fake anti-syphilis medicines as their diseases advanced. Nigerians expressed disbelief and Lai Mohammed, sharply disputed the U.S. The unethical “experiment” went on for 40 years as most of the anger after the Trump administration move. men gradually died. A reporter exposed the study in 1972. Severannounced the policy, which takes effect “In our view, (the ban) was not well Feb. 21. thought out but based largely on negative al government agencies, including the U.S. Public Health Service and Center for Disease Control, were involved. On behalf of the Many Nigerians wondered why they narratives spread by naysayers. I know nation, President Clinton apologized to Charlie Pollard and othspecifically were targeted, when many we are working very well with our neigher surviving members of the racist experiment in 1997. other countries might pose similar securi- bors, the EU and the U.S. to ensure that February 13 ty threats. Amaha Kassa, head of African terrorism is addressed.” 1635—The nation’s first public school is established in Boston, Communities Together, which advocates “Our advice to the U.S. is that it should Mass. It was called the Boston Latin School. Blacks could not for African immigrants and their famhave a rethink on the issue because any attend. ilies, told reporters that at the group’s travel ban is bound to affect investment 1907—Wendell P. Dabney establishes the groundbreaking latest meeting in New York City, dozens of and growth in the country and those who Black newspaper known as The Union, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nigerians were asking one question: “Why will be affected are the most vulnerable The paper’s motto was “For no people can become great without single us out?” people in Nigeria.” WENDELL P. DABNEY Immigrant advocates say it’s based on The decision affects Nigeria Eritrea, Su- being united, for in union there is strength.” February 14 discriminatory motivations. dan, and Tanzania as well as Kyrgyzstan 1760—The great religious leader Richard Allen is born in For Okorafor Chimedu, a 29-year-old and Myanmar. Additionally, immigrants slavery in Philadelphia, Pa. After being required to sit in the back teacher in Warri, Nigeria, with a univerfrom Sudan and Tanzania will be excludof a White church, Allen would go on to help found and become sity degree and relatives already in the ed from the diversity visa lottery which the first active bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. United States, his chances now to join grants green cards to as many as 50,000 Today, the church, one of the largest predominantly Black denomthem appear slim. people every year. inations in America, has more than 1 million members in the U.S., “I hope the two nations will rectify their In a separate development, China has Canada, the Caribbean and Africa. Allen died in 1831. differences soon so that the ban can be halted the issuance of visas to Nigerians 1817—This is the most likely birth date of abolitionist and lifted,” he said to a reporter. “We need citing their effort to control the spread of orator Frederick Douglass. Douglass purchased his freedom each other to progress in this world. No the coronavirus in the Asian country. in 1845 and went on to become the most influential Black leader of his day. He did most of his work while living in Rochester, N.Y. RICHARD ALLEN But after the Civil War, he moved to Washington, D.C. 1867—One of the nation’s most distinguished institutions of higher learning, Morehouse College, was founded on this day in Augusta, Ga., as the Augusta Institute. It moved to Atlanta in 1879 and became the Atlanta Baptist Seminary. It became “Morehouse” in 1913. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. graduated from Morehouse. 1936—The National Negro Congress is organized on this day at a meeting in Chicago, Ill., attended by more than 800 delegates representing nearly 500 Black organizations. A. Phillip Randolph, head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, is elected president. One of the congress’ chief aims was to generate national support for the “New Deal” legislation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Chicago Defender described the congress as “the most ambitious effort for bringing together members of the Race on any single issue.” Up until this time, most Black voters were Republicans. are largely replacing coal He urged mining compa(TriceEdneyWire.com/ But the National Negro Congress and Roosevelt’s social betterplants due to lower costs, nies to connect the future GIN)—After years of ment programs led to a massive African-American switch to the regulatory challenges and of mining with changing defending dirty extractive Democratic Party. other obstacles stacked industries such as the min- societal values. February 15 against coal generation. “Our challenge is clear; ing of coal, large mining 1804—The New Jersey legislature passes a law leading Norway’s sovereign companies seemed to have we need to find new, safer, to the gradual elimination of slavery in the state. Howwealth fund divested from more sustainable and switched sides and joined all fossil fuel last year, and ever, the process was so gradual that there were still slaves in the Greens, or so it seemed cost-effective ways to supNew Jersey right up to the start of the Civil War in 1860. ply essential raw materials the world’s biggest asset at the African Mining 1851—In an extraordinary bold move for the times, a group of to meet the needs of a rap- manager Blackrock said on Indaba held this week in Jan. 14 it would sell active Black and White abolitionists invade a Boston courtroom and idly growing and urbanizSouth Africa. forcibly free a fugitive slave before he could be sent back to the holdings in companies ing global population for At the Indaba, the conSouth. Shadrach Minkins was hidden from slave catchers and SHADRACH MINKINS generating more than 25 decades to come.” tinent’s biggest gathering he later fled to Canada. percent of revenues from Anglo American is workof one of its most vital 1961—A group of U.S. Blacks and African nationalists disrupt a session of the United thermal coal. ing to transform the comindustries, the companies In Africa, where access to Nations to protest the slaying of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo. Lumumba was one pany’s physical and social appeared less combative of Africa’s bright and shining stars. But his nationalism and socialism frightened some footprint, he said, to have a electricity is still a probthan in years past. Among lem, coal-to-power projects Western nations. It is widely believed that Belgium intelligence and America’s CIA positive effect on the comthe highlights of the conarranged the killing of Lumumba. munities and environment could previously rely on ference was a statement 1965—Great singer and Jazz pianist Nat King Cole dies of lung cancer in Santa support from development where it operates. by Mark Cutifani, head of Monica, Calif. He was only 45. Cole was the first Black entertainer finance institutions. But “This means we are Anglo American, a multiwith his own radio program and later he became the first with a even they are withdrawing listening, recognizing national company based nationally televised TV variety show. under pressure. that we don’t have all the in Johannesburg, South February 16 In November, the African answers,” Cutifani said. Africa and London. 1923—The “Empress of the Blues” Bessie Smith makes her first Development Bank decided “Climate change is one of The mining industry facrecording—“Downhearted Blues”—which immediately sells more against funding a Kenya the defining challenges of es a “crisis of reputation,” than 800,000 copies for Columbia Records and more than 2,000,000 our time. We cannot ignore coal project that was halted Cutifani declared. “The copies by the end of the year. Those were astounding numbers for or underestimate its global by a local environmental industry must do things those days. The Chattanooga, Tenn., born Smith used her sweeping tribunal in June. impact.” differently to find new, and powerful voice to sing songs of Black culture and real life such The continent’s biggest Reports of the inevitable safer, more sustainable and BESSIE SMITH as “Nobody Knows You When You Are Down And Out,” “St. Louis demise of coal were echoed coal producer, South Africa, cost-effective ways to supBlues,” “Give Me A Pig Foot And A Bottle Of Beer” and the controversial “Give Me A is also seeing funding dry repeatedly among some ply the world’s essential Reefer And A Gang Of Gin.” She died in an automobile accident in 1937 in Clarksdale, up. South Africa’s Nedof its strongest advoraw materials, he said. Miss. Early reports that her death was caused by Mississippi medical personnel who bank has stopped funding cates. John Startin, of the “We are still seen as an banking advisors company, coal-related projects, while refused to treat her because she was Black may not be true. industry that takes more February 17 FirstRand cut greenfield Evercore Inc., called the than it gives,” he said. 1902—Opera legend Marian Anderson is born in Philadelthermal coal projects to resource “un-investible.” phia, Pa. Her tremendous operatic talent was revealed at 17 less than 0.5 percent of its Natural gas and renewTHE when she was entered into a New York Philharmonic compeable energy infrastructure lending. NEW PITTSBURGH tition and placed first among 299 entrants. Despite her fame COURIER she suffered from racist rejection. On Easter Sunday 1939, she PUBLISHING COMPANY performed an open air recital at the Lincoln Memorial because the all-White Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow her to sing at Washington, D.C.’s Constitution Hall. Publication No.: USPS 381940 (NOTE: Throughout her life Anderson gave her birth as Feb. 315 East Carson Street 17, 1902. However, newly discovered evidence suggests she was actually born Feb. 27, 1897.) She died April 8, 1993. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 MARIAN ANDERSON 1942—Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton is Phone: 412-481-8302 born. The Panthers were perhaps the most militant Black organization of the 1960s. At Fax: 412-481-1360 its height, it had thousands of members in several major cities. But it was also the target of massive operations by the FBI and local police departments. Dozens of Panthers The would be killed, often under suspicious circumstances. A little known fact, however, New Pittsburgh Courier is that throughout it all Newton, an illiterate high school dropout, taught himself to read and in 1980 earned a PhD in social philosophy from the University of California, is published weekly Santa Cruz. His dissertation was entitled “War Against the Panthers—A Study of Repression in America.” Newton was found shot Periodicals to death on an Oakland, Calif., street in 1989. paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. 1963—Perhaps the greatest player to ever dribble a basketball, Michael Jordan, was born on this day in Brooklyn, N.Y. However, PRICE $1.00 his family moved and he played high school basketball in Wilmington, N.C. (Payable in advance) 1982—The nation’s greatest Jazz pianist and composer Theloni6 Months—$25 ous Monk dies. Born in Rocky Mount, N.C., Monk moved with his family to New York City when he was four. His classic work was 1 Year—$45 “Round Midnight.” TONI MORRISON 2 Years—$85 2006—African-American skater Shani Davis wins the men’s 1,000-meter speed-skating race in Turin, Italy. He thus became the first Black person 9-Month School Rate $35 to win an individual gold medal in the history of the Winter Olympics. February 18 POSTMASTER: Send 1688—The first formal protest against slavery is conducted by a group of Quakers address changes to: in Germantown, Pa. They denounced slavery and the slave trade. The Quakers were perhaps the only religious group in America that never compromised and consistently New Pittsburgh Courier opposed slavery. 1913—The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was incorporated at Howard University. 315 East Carson Street 1931—Author Toni Morrison is born Chloe Anthony Wofford in Lorain, Ohio. She Pittsburgh, PA 15219 won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1993 for her novel “Beloved.”

A ‘Green’ message shakes up the industry at mining confab in South Africa

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‘Green Grocer’ providing fresh food to many Black neighborhoods FRESH FOOD FROM A1

“It’s good for the neighborhood, because you have all the senior citizens around here that can’t get far out,” said James Nicholson, who the New Pittsburgh Courier spotted purchasing eggs and garlic from the mobile food truck, Feb. 4. “I like fresh fruit, and anything that happens in the Hill that’s positive, I like to be part of it. And this is positive,” added Rev. Glenn Grayson, pastor of Wesley Center AME Zion Church in the Hill. What did Rev. Grayson purchase from the Green Grocer? “Fresh collard greens, cantaloupe, ginger for my wife, and some peas and raisin bread, so I’m good,” he replied. Diamonte Walker, the deputy executive director for the URA and a Hill District resident, led the efforts in getting the Green Grocer truck into its new location in the Centre Heldman Plaza, where Shop ‘n Save was housed. The URA late last year purchased the Shop ‘n Save building and some of the parking lot for $1.6

HILL DISTRICT RESIDENTS can now access the Green Grocer mobile farmer’s market truck on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in front of the former Shop ‘n Save on Centre Avenue. (Photo by Courier photographer Rob Taylor Jr.) million. When the Green Grocer inquired with the URA about moving to a more “flat space” area in the Hill District from its original location near the Thelma Lovette YMCA,

Walker offered the space in front of the Shop ‘n Save. “It’s very important to me that the URA participate…and help to ensure the neighborhood has ac-

cess to high-quality fresh food, while we’re finding a long-term solution for the grocery store,” Walker told the New Pittsburgh Courier. The Green Grocer doesn’t

just stop on Centre Avenue on Tuesdays. The food truck begins its journey on Tuesdays in Oak Hill at the UPMC Matilda H. Theiss Health Center, with fresh food available from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. After the 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. stop at the former Shop ‘n Save location, the truck heads to the North Side, at the Woods Run Library, 1201 Woods Run Ave., from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. It then heads west, to McKees Rocks, at 5 Generation Bakers, 1100 Chartiers Ave., from 3 to 4 p.m. It ends the day at the Sheraden Library, 720 Sherwood Ave., from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. You can find the Green Grocer mobile farmer’s market truck in Northview Heights on Mondays (10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) and Thursdays (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.), in Spring Hill on Rhine Place on Mondays (noon to 1 p.m.), in Mt. Oliver/Knoxville at the Clock Tower (11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays) and Clairton’s Family Dollar parking lot (1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays), and on Fridays in Rankin (A

Child’s World Daycare Center, 300 Rankin Blvd., 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.), Homewood (Alma Illery Medical Center, 7227 Hamilton Ave., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), East Hills Community Center (2291 Wilner Dr., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.) and Wilmerding (314 Commerce St., 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.) Products on the mobile farmer’s market truck can be paid for with cash, credit/debit cards, EBT, Food Bucks, and Just Harvest vouchers. For every two dollars spent at the Green Grocer with an EBT card, there’s a two-dollar coupon, thanks to a partnership with The Food Trust and Citizens Bank. “We believe that everybody has the right to access fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh food, and have a choice about it,” said Josh Anderegg, mobile markets coordinator for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. “The Green Grocer is an attempt to try to make that situation better in neighborhoods that have been denied that opportunity of access.”

Joseph Hall named executive director of Kelly Strayhorn Theater HALL FROM A1

Prior to his appointment as executive director at KST, Hall served as the deputy director at BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance in New York City. KST’s press release said that Hall has extensive experience in development, programming and operations. “The experience and global network that I’ve gained by working in New York

City, combined with my ongoing relationships with Pittsburgh’s arts and foundation communities, has uniquely prepared me for this role,” Hall said in the release. “I see Kelly Strayhorn Theater as a beacon of contemporary practices and a community convener that leads boldly toward equity and holistic innovation, from operations to public programs. For the city of Pittsburgh and be-

yond, I want to ensure that Kelly Strayhorn Theater remains an East Liberty treasure.” KST Board Chair Yvonne Campos said in a statement that Hall “was unanimously selected by the search committee and board as the right leader for the next stage of Kelly Strayhorn’s growth. We are thrilled to have Joseph lead the Theater, and we look forward to him ap-

plying his expertise, experience, and knowledge to continue to expand the impact of the organization.” More specifically in Pittsburgh, Hall, while in his first stint at KST, created original programming including “My People,” a film and performance series celebrating the lives of queer people of color, and the residency and showing series “Fresh Works.” In 2013,

Hall managed the promotion and outreach for Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures’ special event with Wu Tang Clan’s RZA and curated outdoor stages for The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. Hall succeeds Janera Solomon, who took over KST in 2008 and announced her departure in mid-2019. Named after the 20th-cen-

tury entertainment legends, Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both native to Pittsburgh, KST is reflective of the passion that its founders had for the arts, according to a KST release. KST carries on the legacy of its namesakes by fostering bold and innovative artistry with a global perspective. The theater celebrates diversity and upholds a firm commitment to inclusion.

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Amanda Felicia Foote makes Broadway debut in ‘The Book of Mormon’ FOOTE FROM A1

enrolled in the dance program. “Not only did I have the opportunity to work with some of New York City’s professionally trained dancers and performers,” Foote said, “but we had the opportunity to explore our other talents. This is where I discovered that I had a voice. Me and my friends would hang out in the hallways…pretending we were Destiny’s Child’s backup dancers at a concert, but this time, I wasn’t pretending to be a backup dancer. I was determined to be frontand-center as the singer.” She returned from The Big Apple and got serious about making musical theater and performing arts a career. She performed in North Catholic’s musicals, then received a scholarship to the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Academy, and also enrolled at Point Park University. While at Point Park, Foote auditioned for the Ameri-

can Musical and Dramatic Academy’s College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts, again in New York City. She was accepted into the Academy, “packed my things, got on the Megabus to NYC with $32 to my name and never looked back.” Foote graduated from the AMDA campus in Los Angeles in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater. Graduating from the AMDA is no easy task. The entity is institutionally and programmatically accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater, and is known for its rigorous, performance-based training, one that prepares artists with an appreciation for the “universal power of transformation through art,” according to the Academy’s website. The Broadway Theater District is made up of 41 theaters, of which roughly 13 million people attend Broadway plays and musi-

cals annually. In addition to “The Book of Mormon,” you’ll find the decades-running “Phantom of the Opera,” “Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of the Temptations,” “Hamilton,” “The Lion King,” and “Tina— The Tina Turner Musical” among the current Broadway shows. But for Foote, she had her eyes set on making it to Broadway on “The Book of Mormon.” She said after graduating from AMDA, she began her audition journey with “The Book of Mormon” Broadway, and she received a callback. She didn’t get the position at that time, but she knew she was in the ring. She just had to continue fighting. “Ever since that audition day, I made it my ultimate goal to book Broadway, but not just any show,” Foote told the Courier. “I was determined to make my Broadway debut in ‘The Book of Mormon’ and nothing was going to stop me.”

3 of 3 homicides Black lives HOMICIDES FROM A1

200 block of Eastgate Drive, which closely borders East Hills. There have been no arrests in the shooting death. JAN. 10—Issa Noor, an 18-year-old Black male from Grove City, was shot

multiple times near Roberts Street and Bedford Avenue in the Hill District around 6:45 p.m. There have been no arrests in the shooting death. JAN. 12—Joshua Brandon Long, a 22-year-old Black male from West Mif-

flin, was shot by a homeowner inside a home in Baldwin Borough. The incident occurred shortly after 7 p.m. Anyone with information on the incident can call the Allegheny County police tip line at 1-833-2558477.

“Ever since that audition day, I made it my ultimate goal to book Broadway, but not just any show. I was determined to make my Broadway debut in ‘The Book of Mormon’ and nothing was going to stop me.” AMANDA FELICIA FOOTE

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ON LOCATION

A BRUNCH/FUNDRAISER FOR ARNOLD’S TEA

CHEF CLAUDY PIERRE, owner of Arnold’s Tea on the North Side, with Leonard Hammonds II.

SUPPORTERS OF BOTH CHEF CLAUDY PIERRE, owner of Arnold’s Tea, and state Rep. Jake Wheatley were on hand for a brunch/fundraiser event, Feb. 2. Wheatley, who has served as the state representative of the 19th Legislative District for some 17 years, has indicated he will seek re-election. (Photos by Courier photographer Dayna Delgado)

STATE REP. JAKE WHEATLEY, right, with former City Council candidate Quincy “Kofi” Swatson, far left.

STATE REP. JAKE WHEATLEY, DJ BIG PHILL

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A serious conversation about mental health, autism, chronic diseases

African Americans disproportionally affected in many instances by Renee P. Aldrich For New Pittsburgh Courier

Not the blustery wind nor the residual dampness from the daylong rain of the previous day could keep away a crowd of more than 50 from engaging in a “Conversation about Health and Your Sense of Self.” The Jan. 25 event was held at the Spartan Community Center in Hazelwood. African Americans suffer disproportionately from most chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. But mental illness is at the forefront of the disorders, of which African Americans are impacted in greater numbers than Caucasians. During the event, a number of people came together to tackle the topic of mental illness. They included the Primary Health Care Service locations in Homewood, the Hill District and Hazelwood, East Liberty Health Center, Hillman Cancer Center and Matilda Theiss Center, to name a few. A panel discussion, moderated by Mario Brown, director of Health

JAMIE UPSHAW started Autism Urban Connections Inc., after her (Photo by Courier photographer Dayna Delgado) Sciences diversity programs at the University of Pittsburgh, featured a conversation with survivors like Rita Gregory (breast cancer), and Greg Tot (prostate cancer). Candace Bey, another panelist, shared her journey through childhood trauma, which led to a mental health diagnosis. Along with Beth Simon of the Hillman Cancer Cen-

ter, each panelist gave an impassioned story of what they went through, what their fears were in dealing with their disease or diagnosis, and how they progressed through. They encouraged the audience to face their personal fears, seek screenings, and be proactive in their own health care. Simon gave the audience an overview of indicators of colorectal cancer. She discussed screening guidelines, told audience

diagnosis was the impetus behind her push to start her own organization. “When I was seeking answers, resources and help for my child and our family, and there was none, I knew I couldn’t be the only one, and I didn’t want any other family to go through what we went through, so I started my organization to be that link to resources for other families,” Upshaw said. Terri Shields, of Jada House International, shared her battle with Lupus and how her denial almost kept her from getting the help she needed, thereby almost causing her death. Shields now is an advocate and strong proponent of understanding autoimmune diseases and managing systems to have a higher quality of life. Johnnie Geathers, a mental health therapist at Familylinks, gave a stirson was diagnosed with autism. ring presentation about men and mental health. Sharing that the stigma members what the test con- around mental health was sisted of and how import- bad enough, it even had ant it was to find polyps a deeper connotation for (abnormal tissue growths) men. He said in his speech, early before they can turn “We need more Black male into cancer. therapists, counselors, case Additionally, there were managers and social workspecial presentations on ill- ers in general. Men need nesses that don’t often get to see other men in these attention. Jamie Upshaw, of fields, which can help creAutism Urban Connections ate a comfort zone and alInc., shared how there are a low them the freedom to lack of resources for African seek the help they need.” American families who had An essential highlight autistic children. She then of the day was the keyrevealed that her own son’s note talk by Steven Evans,

M.D., surgical oncologist at the Hillman Cancer Center. Dr. Evans’ talk was not a clinical overview of breast cancer, which is his specialty, nor was it a stream of statistics and pre-packaged information about the disease. Instead, it was a poignant discussion of how to move past the pain of a cancer diagnosis. With transparency and emotion, he talked of the loss of his wife to colorectal cancer. And with biblical references, he showed the audience that above all, it is faith that would carry them through either a diagnosis of their own, or that of a loved one. “I stopped by today to encourage you and let you know that while a diagnosis of cancer can be and is a defining moment,” you are not to give up, he said. You’re to find your way through the dark moments. Dr. Evans also talked about families having multiple cancer incidences, sharing that this is not uncommon. Dr. Evans is known for singing to his patients prior to their surgery. On this day, he decided to conclude his talk by breaking out in song, bringing the audience to their feet. Representatives from Softer Side Seminars, Jada House International, the Hazelwood Family Center, Center of Life, Autism Urban Connections and Fountain of Life Church collaborated to host the event.

STEVEN EVANS, M.D., surgical oncologist at the Hillman Cancer Center. TERRI SHIELDS of Jada House International.

“We need more Black male therapists, counselors, case managers and social workers in general. Men need to see other men in these fields, which can help create a comfort zone and allow them the freedom to seek the help they need.” JOHNNIE GEATHERS Mental Health Therapist, Familylinks

RITA GREGORY, a breast cancer survivor.

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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

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Ebenezer Baptist Church January 18, 2020

Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello HELEN JACKSON performs at “Let Freedom Sing!” The 13th Anniversary Celebration of unity and diversity through music, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event was held, Jan. 18, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Hill District. Another event was held, Jan. 20, at Woodland Hills High School.

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60 years ago, Black students launched the Sit-in Movement in N.C., Virginia by Kelton Edmonds, Ph.D. Special to the New Journal and Guide

February 1, 2020, marks the 60th anniversary of the launch of the historic Sit-in Movement, when four African American freshmen from North Carolina A&T State College (now University) in Greensboro, N.C., sparked the non-violent and student-led wave of protests that ultimately resulted in the desegregation of F.W. Woolworth and other racially discriminatory stores. The brave freshmen from NCA&T, who would later be adorned with the iconic label of the “Greensboro Four,” consisted of David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan). On Feb. 1, 1960, the Greensboro Four bought items at Woolworth’s, then

KELTON EDMONDS, PH.D.

sat at the ‘Whites-only’ lunch counter and refused to leave until they were served. Although waitresses refused to serve them, in accordance with the store’s racist policies, the four would continue their protest and in the following days and weeks would be joined by more students from NCA&T, the nearby all-women’s HBCU Bennett College and students from other nearby colleges and high schools. In a 2003 interview, Khazan (formerly Blair Jr.) reflected on the daily threats of violence and verbal assaults from White antagonists, as one caller reached him on the dorm hall phone and bellowed, “…executioners are going to kill you ni__ers if you come back down here tomorrow, you and your crazy friends.” White student allies who protested alongside Black students were not immune from death threats either, as Khazan recalled a White student protester explaining that their college president was threatened by an anonymous caller saying, “…if those ni__er loving bit___es come Downtown again and sit with those ni__ers, we going to kill them and burn your school down.” The Greensboro students persisted nevertheless, and soon, the protests that flooded the lunch counters of the segregated store would spread to other cities throughout the South beginning in North Carolina cities such as Elizabeth City, Charlotte and Winston-Salem, in addition to cities in Virginia. In Virginia Virginia played a primary role in the Sitin Movement, as Hampton, Virginia, became the first community outside of North Carolina to experience sit-ins on Feb. 10. Initially, three students from Hampton Institute sat-in at the Downtown Woolworth’s lunch counter in Hampton and were refused service. As a testament to the veracity of the movement, within two weeks, over 600 students in Hampton SEE SIT-IN A11

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60 Years Ago: The Sit-in Movement SIT-IN FROM A9

were sitting-in. On Feb. 12, sit-in protests spread to Norfolk, as 38 Black protesters staged a sit-in at the Woolworth lunch counters on Granby and Freemason streets. Similar demonstrations were held in Portsmouth, in the mid-city shopping

center at lunch counters in Rose’s Department store on Feb. 12 and at Bradshaw-Diehl department store later that week. Led by students from I.C. Norcom High school, the Portsmouth sit-ins would be one of the few cities that experienced violence, albeit initiated by White anti-pro-

testers armed with chains, hammers and pipes and resulting in retaliation from the Black students after being attacked. Violent episodes were the exceptions and not the rule of the massively spreading Sit-in Movement. In nearly all sit-in cities, Black protesters made immea-

STUDENTS FROM NORFOLK’S Booker T. Washington High School stage a sit-in at Granby Street’s Woolworth’s lunch counter. (Photo: New Journal and Guide Archives)

surable efforts to avoid violence at all costs since the movement and training centered on non-violent demonstrations in confronting inequality. Edward Rodman, high school activist in Portsmouth, admitted they were initially unorganized and untrained in passive resistance, which played a role in their reactions to the violent anti-protesters. The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) connected with the Portsmouth student protesters and over the next few days conducted intense and successful non-violent workshops with the young people. Soon after, the Portsmouth students reignited their movement without incidents of retaliation

toward violent antagonists. North of Hampton Roads, Richmond experienced sitins as well as Baltimore, Maryland, and dozens of other cities by the end of February. By mid-April, sit-in protests reached all Southern states involving thousands of Black student activists and sympathizers. The coordinated demonstrations of thousands of Black student protesters and sympathizers put insurmountable pressure on Woolworth’s, as it became nearly impossible for regular customers to purchase items, eat at the lunch counters and even enter the store in many instances. On May 25, the sit-in movement received a ma-

jor victory as lunch counters at Woolworth’s in Winston Salem desegregated. Soon after, Woolworth’s in Nashville and San Antonio also integrated. Finally, on July 25, ground zero, Woolworth’s in Greensboro, integrated its lunch counter. With the possibility of facing bankruptcy, F.W. Woolworth totally acquiesced and desegregated all of its lunch counters throughout the nation by the end of the summer of 1960. (Dr. Kelton Edmonds is a Professor of History at California University of Pennsylvania. His primary research is on Black Student Activism in the United States. This story has been shortened from its original version due to length. To read the entire story, visit newpittsburghcourier.com)

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‘SHOULD MY BUSINESS BE CERTIFIED?’

In many cases, yes, says URA Deputy Executive Director Diamonte Walker by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

Businesses of all types and sizes have been learning the ins and outs and the significance of Minority Women Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification in various ways.

DIANE I. DANIELS ON BUSINESS NEWS

During a recent Google Digital Coaches presentation hosted by Kyshira Moffett, MBA, Google Digital Coach and owner of the Power Collective, more than 25 aspiring and developing entrepreneurs participated

how to identify marketable skills for contracts and how to leverage certifications to get in front of ideal partners. In addition, tips were provided on how to get their businesses online with Google by creating a free profile. Small business and entrepreneurship have been a focus in the region for decades. Organizations like the Urban Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council and the UPMC Supplier Diversity Program have been working with minority- and women-owned businesses to prepare them to receive a greater share of publicly-awarded contracts and equal access to procurement opportunities. Deputy Executive Director of the URA, Diamonte Walker, during the Google Digital Coaches event explained diversity certification. She helped answer the question many entrepreneurs operating businesses like jewelry design, visual arts, furniture making,

LOVER OF ALL THINGS DIGITAL—Google Digital Coach and the Power Collective owner, Kyshira Moffett, teaching one in a series of many Google workshops. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels) in her Jan. 29 Positioning Yourself for B2B Contracts workshop. Its goal was to address how to gain contracts to grow a business. It covered

body painting, event planning, life coaching, caterers, janitorial and information technology wonder: “Should I be certified?” Diversity certification,

she explained, is a designation assigned to socially and economically disadvantaged firms through an application verification process designed to ensure the groups receive equal opportunity when competing for publicly-funded contracts. Socially and economically disadvantaged populations in most situations include Black, minority- and women-owned businesses. Veteran- and LGBTQ-owned businesses are also often included. “Certified MWDBE firms are normally sought out first to ensure the agency or company achieves the established MBE or WBE participation goal,” said Walker, who is focused on removing barriers to entry to increase revenue generation opportunities. She also wants to ensure certification is not a barrier for the businesses looking to work with the URA; she explained that the reason for entrepreneurs to become certified is because a certain portion of publicly-funded contracts must include the utilization of certified MBE, WBE and or DBE businesses. “Public agencies are audited by the city, state and federal government on the number of minority- and women-owned businesses directly awarded or included on contracts,” Walker said, explaining that the MBE, WBE or DBE firms must be certified for the monies paid to those firms to count toward the goals. Non-certified firms cannot count toward MWDBE utilization goals. During the presentation she also indicated that the URA’s goals are 18 percent MBE and 7 percent WBE utilization on construction and professional services contracts. Area certification entities include the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program, the Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council, the Women Business Enterprise Council, the Section 3 Business Concern through the Housing and Urban Development and the PA De-

partment of General Services. Programs through the Small Business Administration include 8A Business Development, HubZones and Economically Disadvantaged Businesses. Walker pointed out that the URA’s MWDBE Program Office serves as a central point of contact for diverse companies looking to do business with the URA and helps firms navigate the MWDBE certification process. Sensitive to the needs and situations of some businesses aiming to do business with them, she indicated that they take into consideration businesses that aren’t certified but going through the process. “We offer a notary certification process that enables companies to do business with us while going through the process,” Walker said, who strongly encourages businesses to contact her office. “Minority-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of the economy. They have been responsible for over 73 percent of new jobs added

URA DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIAMONTE WALKER spreads knowledge about MWDBE Certification. analysis provides an assessment of the impact of EMSDC’s certified MBEs on the U.S. economy. The MBEs create jobs and help create wealth in their communities.” In other matters, Cofield also announced that Trici-

IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR—Valarie J. Cofield, president and CEO of EMSDC, updates her members on the success of 2019. to the economy since the great recession,” Valarie J. Cofield, president and CEO of EMSDC, reported during their first quarter 2020 kickoff meeting. “This

na Cash had been hired as Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Relations for EMSDC, and that their partnership with UPMC, a long-stand-

ing supporter of the Council, is continuing. “UPMC is a leader in supplier diversity, and always pushing the bar in terms of making sure that there are opportunities to engage with diverse suppliers. They are the largest employer in the state of Pennsylvania and leading the way in terms of opportunities and reflecting the communities that they serve, but more importantly of making sure that your voice is heard and your businesses are presented with the opportunity to engage with their decision-makers,” Cofield said. “We are excited to be working with Dr. George Robinson.” Dr. Robinson was recently appointed Director of Supplier Diversity and Inclusion Supply Chain Management at UPMC. UPMC’s Supplier Diversity Program is designed to provide minority, woman-owned, and disadvantaged businesses, LGTBQ and Veteran-owned vendors equal access to procurement opportunities. The program ensures that certified diverse business partners are provided the maximum opportunity to participate as partners and suppliers of goods and services to UPMC.

A 28-year-old who’s climbing the ladder at General Motors Charles Muse is on GM’s Program Engineering Management Team

by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier

At 28 years old, Charles Muse is already a significant player at General Motors. Muse, who serves on GM’s Program Engineering Management Team for Autonomous Vehicles, certainly counts as a prodigy. A graduate of The Ohio State University Aerospace Engineering, Muse already has more than eight years of automotive industry experience. His professional background includes roles as a Lead Aerodynamicist, Chassis Senior Design Release Engineer, and Engineering Operations Supervisor. A native of Chicago’s South Side, Muse is licensed as a private pilot. In 2019, he mentored young aspiring journalists in Chevrolet’s Discover the Unexpected Program, in partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association. So, how does a 28-yearold quickly climb the ladder at America’s premier automotive company? Muse explains to NNPA Newswire in his own words: “I’d always kind of

been infatuated with cars and engineering, and I’ve been taking cars apart since I was younger. That led me to high school, where I started to take engineering and aviation courses as well as flight training at a local airport. When I got to college, I studied Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. And from there, I ended up landing an internship with General Motors. “I had many engineering assignments as an intern including Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics in my last rotation and lo and behold, I got a full-time offer as an aerodynamicist. As an Aerospace Engineering graduate, you typically end up in the aerospace industry like Lockheed Martin or Boeing, but I was able to land a dream job in both of my passions at General Motors starting out as the lead aerodynamicist for crossovers. “I was the lead aerodynamicist for the Chevy Blazer and what that basically means is designing the vehicle to be aerodynamic. “Aerodynamics, at a high level, can be experienced driving down the highway and putting your hand out

the window and you can kind of feel the air push your hand back depending on how you turn it. “You turn your hand perpendicular to the ground and the air blows your hand back so that effectively your hand is experiencing aerodynamic drag. Muse continued: “And if you turn it parallel to ground, it’s a lot smoother. My job was executing that ‘smooth’ air flow, essentially low aerodynamic drag values/performance for the vehicle, and that’s a big part of what makes the Chevy Blazer efficient. “My role as the lead aerodynamicist was developing the vehicle through wind tunnel test and CFD analysis. Designing different panels and modifying the design to make the car perform at a high aerodynamic level to meet strict fuel economy requirements while delivering an iconic design to the customer. “I executed the engineering and design of many vehicles, the Chevy Blazer, Chevy Traverse, and GMC Acadia to name a few. And it was inherent to my passion. Within these roles, you interact with a lot of engineering leaders at GM; one of which is the

chief engineer, someone owns the entire vehicle. They need to understand all requirements including safety, performance, manufacturing, financial, as well as customer requirements. “At the end of the day, all decisions, whether it be from a design aspect or an aerodynamics aspect, it all goes to the chief engineer and they are responsible for the success of that vehicle, and that really intrigued me. “As the aerodynamicist, when I wanted to make changes to the surface against the theme given from the design studio, I end up in meetings with the chief engineer to hash out what direction we want to take. “The chief was assuming the risk and helping us make that decision. But I was really just intrigued with how articulate and intelligent chief engineers were when it comes to speaking about the entire vehicle. “Every performance aspect, zero to 60 times, energy, design, manufacturing costs, they know everything about the car, and I just really wanted to know how they got to that level? “And they took me under

their wing and showed me that they needed to hold different positions within the company to understand how it all works. “So, from aerodynamicist, I got selected to do a special assignment which sourcing a temporary wind tunnel facilCHARLES MUSE ity during the upgrade to hire team of technicians, of the GM facility, so they engineers, and sculptors, asked me to lead the proj- and we got all the arrow ect of identifying, sourcing, testing down there. and creating the frameMuse concluded: “I rework of a temporary offsite turned from this assignfacility. ment as a senior design en“So, we ended up at gineer in chassis working Lockheed Martin’s low on air induction systems speed wind tunnel in At- for full-size trucks. Taking lanta, Georgia, and struck my background in chassis a deal where we upgraded and engineering and extheir wind tunnel facility, posing me to the system enabling them to charge management team side of more per hour and in ex- the business. Now I am in change, we were awarded the total vehicle business dedicated use of their facil- working on the program ity for about a year and a engineering management half at a lower rate, a good team for autonomous vebusiness decision and I got hicles.”

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VERY REV. KRIS D. STUBNA, at St. Paul Cathedral’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, Jan. 19. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

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National Gun Violence Survivors Week highlights those whose lives have been changed forever

Guest Editorial

Don’t compare pro-choice to pro-slavery Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was wrong to compare the choice to have an abortion with the choice to own slaves at an event hosted Jan. 23 by a Christian college. She made her remarks at a dinner sponsored by Colorado Christian University at the Museum of the Bible in the District of Columbia. The event was closed to the press but attended by a reporter from the Colorado Times Recorder, who first reported DeVos’s comments. The education secretary said the abortion debate reminded her of President Abraham Lincoln, who led the fight to preserve the United States and stamp out slavery in the South. “He too contended with the ‘pro-choice’ arguments of his day,” she said. “They suggested that a state’s ‘choice’ to be slave or to be free had no moral question in it.” She said Lincoln “reminded those pro-choicers” that most Americans viewed slavery as a “vast moral evil.” “Lincoln was right about slavery ‘choice’ then, and he would be right about the life ‘choice’ today,” she said. “Freedom is not about doing what we want. Freedom is about having the right to do what we ought.” Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) was right to challenge DeVos’s false assertions. “As a Black woman & the Chair of the abortion access task force, I invite you to come by the Hill and say this to my face,” she wrote on Twitter. “Would welcome the opportunity to educate you.” DeVos’s comments appear to be aimed at helping to fuel support from Christian conservatives who are an important part of President Donald Trump’s base. On Jan. 24, Trump became the first president to speak at the annual anti-abortion March for Life. In her remarks, DeVos touted the Trump administration’s work to advance anti-abortion policies, including putting two conservative-leaning Supreme Court justices on the bench, and said she hopes to make abortion not just unconstitutional but “unthinkable.” DeVos is not the first and probably not the last political figure to incorrectly use the slavery metaphor to help support their argument on abortion. Unfortunately, this type of rhetoric has been used for decades. Still, it’s wrong for both anti-abortion and pro-choice advocates to use slave metaphors in their arguments for or against legal abortion. DeVos showed remarkable ignorance and incredible insensitivity in comparing abortion, a difficult choice that many women make that is protected by the U.S. Constitution, to the evil of slavery. It is offensive to place those who support legalized abortion rights on the same moral level with those who backed slavery. (Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—On Jan. 8, 2011, I was performing my favorite duty as a Congresswoman—meeting with my constituents—when it happened. In a matter of seconds, a gunman shot and killed six people, injured 12 others, and shot me in the head outside a Safeway in Tucson, Arizona. I keep the memories of those we lost that day—9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, Gabe Zimmerman, and Judge John Roll—close to my heart. And I will be forever bonded to my fellow survivors who will spend the rest of their lives dealing with injuries and trauma.— Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Sometimes, Cleopatra Pendleton walks to her closet and runs her hands through a sequined yellow dress. It was the dress her daughter Hadiya wore to her eighth-grade graduation luncheon. “Sometimes, for just a moment, I imagine that I’m saving it for the children that she will never get a chance to have,” Cleopatra says. Hadiya was shot and killed seven years ago, while standing in a Chicago park with friends after taking her final exams. Just a week earlier, she had marched with pride in President Obama’s inauguration ceremony. Thirteen-year-old Malachi Hemphill accidentally shot himself while playing with a gun his friend stole from a neighbor. The owner, who’d kept it in a console in his unlocked car, didn’t report it stolen and didn’t even notice it was missing. “When his heart stopped, so did

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To Be Equal ours,” his mother, Shaniqua Stephens, says. Jerri Mauldin Green has been affected by gun violence three times. She grew up hearing the tragic story of her grandparents’ murder-suicide when her mother was only 6 years old. Her childhood best friend was murdered by the father of her children when the boys were only 2 years old and 4 years old. And just this year, a new friend she’d met at a leadership course was shot and killed in his home. In honor of National Gun Violence Survivors week, Everytown For Gun Safety is sharing the stories of those whose lives have been forever changed by gun violence National Urban League is proud to be a partner of Everytown, a coalition that includes parents, students, responsible gun owners, teachers, police officers, elected officials and social justice organizations, working together to end gun violence and build safer communities. National Gun Violence Survivors Week which began last year, is focused on sharing and amplifying the stories of gun violence survivors who live with the impact of gun violence

every day of the year. The week is observed in early February because this marks the approximate time that gun deaths in the United States surpass the number of gun deaths experienced by our peer countries in an entire calendar year. Hundreds of survivors like Cleopatra, Shaniqua and Jerri, who have lost loved ones, along with those who have witnessed an act of gun violence, or been threatened or wounded with a gun, are sharing their stories on the Moments that Survive story wall. Survivors and allies are amplifying their voices on social media using the hashtag #MomentsthatSurvive, to represent the moments and memories that endure for survivors after experiencing gun violence. There are more survivors than we might imagine. A shocking 58 percent of American adults have experienced gun violence or are close to someone who has. They are mothers like Tonjula Mason-Shelby, who felt that her reason for living was taken from her when her only child, Kimondra Mason, was gunned down. They are women who found the courage to leave their abusers, like Laura Morris who bears the scar of a gunshot wound on her shoulder. They are daughters like Khary Penebaker, whose mother Joyce took her own life with a gun when Khary was a child. Their lives have been changed lives forever. Sharing their stories highlights the devastating human consequences of gun violence in America.

This was a spineless perpetuation of a dangerous cover-up This was not an exoneration, it was a spineless perpetuation of a dangerous cover-up. Republicans in the U.S. Senate turned a blind eye to the facts, refused to allow witnesses and documents that would have uncovered the whole truth, and surrendered congressional oversight to an amoral president who tramples on the U.S. Constitution, puts national security at risk for his own benefit, and repeatedly places himself above the rule of law. As U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., noted, “The president withheld United States aid, at least in part, to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens; the House managers have proved this with what they call a ‘mountain of overwhelming evidence.” Senator Alexander is absolutely right. The core of the case against the President is glaringly simple, and the evidence is overwhelming. Donald J. Trump is guilty of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. These are inescapable facts proven by the House managers. President Trump abused his power by withholding $391 million in congressionally appropriated military

U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay

Commentary aid to Ukraine to coerce our ally who is under Russian attack into digging up negative information to be used against Trump’s potential 2020 opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden. The non-partisan General Accounting Office has determined that this was a violation of federal law. And in doing so, Donald Trump solicited something of value from a foreign entity to help his reelection campaign. That is a felony violation of federal election law. He then executed a complete obstruction of congressional oversight by refusing to respond to lawful subpoenas issued by the U.S. House. Future congresses will wonder why, given the opportunity to call witnesses and review documents, Senate

Republicans chose to put their heads in the sand instead of preserving and protecting the separation of powers, effectively making this president unaccountable to the power of Congress. Donald Trump’s lawless actions put our national security at risk for his own political benefit. His total obstruction of Congress, without consequences, will permanently alter the balance of power the founders fought so hard to create to safeguard our republic. As Chief House Manager Adam Schiff said so well, “The facts will come out. The witnesses that the president refuses to produce and the documents that he continues to conceal will be revealed. And if you rob this country of a fair trial, there can be no meaning to the outcome.” Senate Republicans fear Donald Trump more than the judgment of history and the will of the American people. They will come to regret that choice in November and in perpetuity. U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, represents Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. (Reprinted from the St. Louis American)

Limbaugh deserves your thoughts and prayers. Medal of Freedom? Not so much by John N. Mitchell

Founded 1910

Marc H. Morial

of an award for those “who have made exceptional contributions to There is a reason why Henry the security of the national interests Ford’s grandson, Henry Ford II, was of America, to world peace, or to culhonored with the Presidential Medal tural or other significant or private of Freedom and not the grandfather, endeavors.” a genius who not only founded the As with Henry Ford, there can be Ford Motor Co. but is also regarded no possible re-writing of Limbaugh’s as the creator of assembly line manu- history that makes permissible the facturing. reconfiguring of his decades-long Despite his unimpeachable place in legacy of boombox bigotry. history as one of the most important Going back to the late 1980s, for industrialists to ever live, the fact three hours a day, five days a week, remains that Ford was an unrepenLimbaugh, whose audience exceeded tant anti-Semite and a bigot. We 20 million at its peak, stoked racial know this because he once purchased hatred and division widely viewed as a newspaper in Michigan to espouse unhealthy. And more than any other his hatred for and falsehoods about marginalized group, Limbaugh paintJews. ed a bull’s-eye on African Americans. Henry Ford II made a sincere effort In a 1990 interview with Newsday, to clean up granddaddy’s mess when Limbaugh acknowledged using the he assumed control of the business in racist all-Blacks-look-alike trope on 1945. He began a lifelong campaign his show when he said of civil rights to support the worldwide Jewish icon Jesse Jackson Sr., “Have you community and developed the philever noticed how all composite picanthropic Ford Foundation that led tures of wanted criminals resemble to President Richard Nixon awarding Jesse Jackson?” him the medal in 1969—an occasion He also acknowledged telling a that his grandfather’s history of rac- caller in his career as a Top 40 music ism precluded him from receiving. host to “take the bone out of your It was Ford whom I thought of nose and call me back.” when President Donald Trump In 2007, El Rushbo famously said, honored conservative radio host “Look, let me put it to you this way: Rush Limbaugh with the medal on the NFL all too often looks like a Tuesday during the State of the game between the Bloods and the Union address before Congress and a Crips without any weapons. There, I nationwide audience. said it.” Limbaugh, 69, has announced that In 2010, when former President he is suffering from late-stage lung Barack Obama signed a measure cancer. He is now a sympathetic ordering the Department of Agrifigure who should be the recipient of culture to pay thousands of Black your “thoughts and prayers.” farmers who had been denied federal But he should not be the recipient loans between 1983 and 1997 solely

because of their race, Limbaugh said on his radio show, “Folks, this is just reparations under a different name. That’s all this is.” At the core of Limbaugh’s programming has been the continuous messaging to the nebulously defined “working-class whites” that white liberals were orchestrating a secret plot using Blacks as a Trojan Horse to steal away your American Dream. The Presidential Medal of Freedom historically has been awarded to people like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa and Rosa Parks, people who lived their lives—and even lost them, as King did—trying to make the world better. It was never meant to be awarded to someone like Limbaugh, who for millions upon millions of dollars, fomented racism, sexism and division. As the state of the union has grown seemingly more disunited, Limbaugh has simply ratcheted up the hate-mongering that has placed him financially among the nation’s 1%. I want Limbaugh to beat this insidious disease that touches us all and that appears to have the upper hand on him. I felt sorry for him Tuesday night in the Capitol. There was no bluster. There was no golden microphone, and there was no—as he would describe himself—“talent on loan from God.” He needs other things from God now. What he doesn’t need—or deserve— is to be given a prestigious award that he’s not fit to receive. (Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

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Help Wanted

Public Notice

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ PRODUCTION ARTIST

ATTENTION:

The New Pittsburgh Courier is looking for a graphic designer/production artist. Experience in fast-paced environment preferred, but will train the right individual. This full-time staff position offers salary with full benefits after 90 days and paid vacation after 6 months. Must have experience with InDesign, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word. Must be a self-starter with strong computer, written and verbal communication skills. All resumes will be considered. Must be able to work under deadlines. Send resumes by Feb. 19 to sbroadus@ newpittsburghcourier.com.

If you worked through LOCAL 3 IRON WORKERS UNION between 1946-1989, please contact Asbestos Investigator Sherry Day at (734) 878-5236 or sherry@ SLDinvestigations.com. We are looking for people that worked with our deceased client.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Askesis Development Group, Inc. seeks a Software Engineer to work in Pittsburgh, PA. Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Information Science, or related field and two years of software development experience; must have two years of experience with: Java; JavaScript; RESTful API; HTML; Mirth Connect; HL7; X12, SQL; MS SQL Server. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 1900016R in the “Search Keyword/Job ID” field and click Go. EOE/Disability/Veteran.

POLICE OFFICERS

Pittsburgh Technical College is seeking qualified applicants for the following positions: •Full time Police Officers •Part time Police Officers Act 120 and Act 235 certification required •Public Safety Officers Act 235 Certification required Associate degree preferred but not required in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, or appropriate related field. First Aid, CPR and AED certifications must be up to date. Minimum of two years’ full-time work experience in law enforcement or security. Coverage required 24 hours/day, 7 days/ week. Must be available to work all shifts, including weekends and holidays. Must pass criminal background check. Immediate opening at our North Fayette campus near Robinson Towne Center. Apply to www. ptcollege.edu (Employment with PTC) or www.workforptcollege. com. EOE M/F

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION

Responsible for oversight of all finance, accounting, reporting activities, and collecting and analyzing financial data to assist in forecasting and strategy development. Leads day-to-day finance operations and supervises staff members whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to accounting and reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and cash management. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a minimum of 7 years previous related experience and knowledge of accounting software and Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Excel, required. C.P.A., public accounting experience, and experience in a non-profit environment preferred. Send Resume with cover letter and salary requirements to hr@man chesterbidwell.org EOE

FANNY EDEL FALK LABORATORY SCHOOL University of Pittsburgh 4060 Allequippa Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261 www.falkschool.pitt.edu

Falk School, a coeducational K-8 laboratory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is seeking a full-time educator to work with children with a range of disabilities, beginning August 2020. Salary range is competitive and commensurate with experience. Falk School, which is a department in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, offers excellent benefits. To apply and to view the complete position announcement go to https://www.join.pitt.edu under faculty positions. Review of applications will begin February 1, 2020, and continue through April 1, 2020, or until the position is filled. The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled.

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LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

BUILDING CUSTODIAN

The Avonworth School District has an opening for a Building Custodian. This is a full-time 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM position with benefits and a starting hourly rate of $14.78. Interested candidates should send letter of interest along with resume to Mr. Bradley Waters, Director of Fiscal Management, 258 Josephs Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 or via email to: bwaters@ avonworth.k12.pa.us. EOE

SONNY BOY

Estate of JOHN J. MCCABE A/K/A JOHN JOSEPH MCCABE, deceased of Bethel Park, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania No 02-20-00399 John E. McCabe, Executor, 5553 Fera Drive, Bethel Park, PA 15102 or to Aubrey H. Glover, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER LLC, 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017. Estate of LORETTA RAMSEY (deceased) December 13, 2019 of 8601 Bricelyn Street, Apt. 503, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Rosemary Washington, Extr., 167 Conestoga Road, Penn Hills, PA 15235. Estate of NANCY J. SINCLAIR a/k/a NANCY JANE SINCLAIR, Deceased of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania No. 02-20-00445. Jeffrey A Sinclair, Executor, 1234 Union Street, #2, Bridgeville, PA 15017 or to TODD A. FULLER, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC, 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

INVITATION FOR BIDS Sealed bids for the Alameda Park Lions Shelter ADA Project located in Butler Township will be received in the office of Benjamin Holland, BUTLER COUNTY CONTROLLER, FLOOR 5, COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, 124 WEST DIAMOND STREET, whose mailing address is P.O. BOX 1208, BUTLER, PA 16003, on or before 10:00am, February 25, 2020. All Bids must be plainly marked Bid–Alameda Park Lions Shelter ADA Project on the outside of the envelope. Bids will be opened immediately thereafter, on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 in the Office of the Controller, 5th floor in the Butler County Government Center, 124 West Diamond Street, Butler, PA. Plans, specifications and bid documents are available via a free download from the Widmer Engineering Inc. web site at: widmerengineering.com under bids. Any questions regarding the project must be sent via email to alamedapark@widmerengineering.com where all questions and answers will be posted to the bid advertisement page Paper Documents can be picked up at Widmer Engineering Inc. 806 Lincoln Place Beaver Falls PA 15010 for a nonrefundable fee of $32.97 add $10 for postage payable by check or exact cash. The project scope includes construction of concrete sidewalks. Each proposal shall be accompanied by a bidder’s bond, or certified check or cashier’s check, in favor of the County of Butler, in the amount of not less than ten percent. The County of Butler reserves the right to waive any informality in and to accept or reject any and all bids or any part of any bid. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days. Prevailing wages established under the Davis-Bacon Act will apply to this contract. The contract documents contain requirements addressing prevailing labor wage rates, labor standards, nondiscrimination in hiring practices, goal for minority and female participation, MBE and WBE participation, participation by Section 3 residents and businesses and related matters. BOARD OF BUTLER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Leslie Osche, Chairman Kim Geyer Kevin Boozel Attest: Lori Altman Director of Human Resources/Chief Clerk

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LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

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 REBID

DOCUMENT 00030-AA ADVERTISEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sealed bids will be received in the Bellefield Avenue Lobby, Administration Building, 341 South Bellefield Avenue until 11:00 A.M. prevailing time February 25, 2020 and will be opened at the same hour for the purchase of the following equipment and supplies: Xerographic Paper General Information regarding bids may be obtained at the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Service Center, 1305 Muriel Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. The bid documents are available on the School District’s Purchasing web site at: www.pgh schools.org Click on Our Community; Bid Opportunities; Purchasing - under Quick Links. The Board of Public Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or select a single item from any bid. We are an equal rights and opportunity school district

BID

The Washington County Housing Authority will receive separate, and sealed bids for the following prime contract bid with the Authority: VALLEY VIEW TERRACE FENCING VALLEY VIEW TERRACE 518 DAWSON STREET CANONSBURG, PA 15317 PROJECT # 1309 A certified check or bank draft payable to the Washington County Housing Authority, a US Government Bond or satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the Bidder and acceptable sureties in the amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the bid shall be submitted with each bid. Bids will be received no later than 1:30 PM EST, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020 at the Washington County Housing Authority, 100 Crumrine Tower, Franklin Street, Washington, PA 15301 at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids will be held by the Housing Authority for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days prior to the contract award. A Non-Mandatory Pre-bid Meeting will be held at 12:00 NOON EST, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2020 onsite at Valley View Terrace, 518 Dawson Street, Canonsburg, Pa 15317. Plans, specifications, and contract documents may be examined at these locations: Bid Documents are being distributed, with twenty-four hour prior notice of pick-up, by F. L. Haus Company, 921 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, by phone (412) 231-7700 or fax (412) 2317709. All prime bidders are REQUIRED to buy the full set of plans and specifications. Contact F. L. Haus Company for cost of plans and specifications. Free examination of said documents is available at the office of Canzian/Johnston & Associates LLC and Pennsylvania Builders Exchange. Submit all required documents in a sealed envelope clearly marked: WCHA Valley View Terrace: Valley View Terrace Fencing The work to be performed under this contract is a Section 3 Project under Provisions of the Housing & Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, and must, to the greatest extent feasible, provide opportunities for training and employment for lower-income residents of the project and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to business concerns which are located in, or owned by, Washington County residents. Particular attention is directed to requirements of Executive Order 11246, 11625 and 12138, as well as Section 3 requirements, as set forth in the Specifications. The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids for any reason(s) what so ever and to waive informalities in the bidding. STEPHEN K. HALL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Hearing Impaired Call TDD (724) 228-6083

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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 April of 2020. Bid Documents will be available on or about Sunday, February 9, 2020 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, February 18, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.: Northview High Rise Pottery Room, 525 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. March 9, 2020 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) 643-2382 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.

Separate and sealed Proposals will be received at the Allegheny County Airport Authority, Pittsburgh International Airport, Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezz, P.O. Box 12370, Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370 until 1:00 P.M. prevailing local time, March 11, 2020, and bids will be publicly opened and read by the Airport Authority in Conference Room C, Pittsburgh International Airport, Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezz, P.O. Box 12370, Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370, one half hour later, for the following: ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY PROJECT NUMBER 47G2-19 – REBID- (GENERAL) REHABILITATION OF LININGS AND COATINGS OF SIERRA EAST AND SIERRA WEST ABOVE GROUND STORAGE TANKS AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT A pre-bid conference will be held in Conference Room E, Fourth Floor, in the Landside Building, Pittsburgh International Airport, at 1:00 p.m., on February 20, 2020. Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, must be paid on these projects. Proposals must be made on the Authority’s form and in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and the “Instructions to Bidders”’. The non-refundable charge of $150.00 for the Bid Documents and the Plans, and Specifications through the bidding platform Submittable at www.acaacapitalprograms. submittable.com. Please note that Submittable does not support Internet Explorer 11. Submittable recommends the following browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari. This project has DBE participation goals; DBE firms must be certified with the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program) (PA UCP). Firms must be certified prior to award of contract. A searchable database of DBE firms can be found on the PA UCP web site: https:// www.dotsbe.pa.gov/PAUCPWeb/ paucp/viewHome.do The Airport Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids or waive any informalities in the bidding. No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of sixty [60] days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. To view a complete advertisement, which is also included in the bidding documents visit www.flypittsburgh. com under doing business with us – business opportunities or call 412472-3543 or 412-472-3667. Christina A. Cassotis Chief Executive Officer ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

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Bids/Proposals

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT Port Authority of Allegheny County REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 20-01

Port Authority of Allegheny County is requesting proposals for the performance of the following service (“Contract Services”): DATA CENTER HOSTING AND MANAGED SECURITY SERVICES The work under the proposed Agreement consists of (1) data center hosting services which includes co-location, server hosting, system monitoring, and internet connectivity; and (2) managed security services for all Authority’s contract services under the category for data center hosting services. A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) will be available on or after February 7, 2020, and can be obtained by registering at the Port Authority ebusiness website: https://www.portauthority.org/business-center/ procurement/bidder-registration/ and following the directions listed on the website. Please note that Proposers must register under the ebusiness categories of PSITS – Pro Information Technology and PSSC – Pro Software Consulting for this RFP. Proposers may also register in other categories for any future RFPs issued by Port Authority. If you have specific questions regarding this RFP, please contact Catherine Terrill at (412) 566-5188. An Information Meeting for interested parties will be held at 09:30 a.m., prevailing time, February 18, 2020 in the Fifth Floor Board Room of Port Authority of Allegheny County’s downtown offices, 345 Sixth Avenue to answer any questions regarding this RFP. A call-in number has been set up for the Information Meeting. The dial-in information is as follows: •Toll Free Number: 1-866-602-6731 •Conference ID #: 3648880# Hard copy proposals must be both delivered to, and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, March 10, 2020, at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department, Port Authority of Allegheny County, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527. Proposals received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of proposals shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for award. Each Proposer shall be solely responsible for assuring that its proposal is timely received and time stamped in accordance with the requirements herein. This Contract Services may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The proposal process and the performance of the requested services will be in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Port Authority of Allegheny County, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, require that certified Diverse Businesses (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services. In this regard, all Proposers, and the Contractor, shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services. Further, proposers and the Contractor shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sex, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts or subcontracts for these Contract Services. Port Authority of Allegheny County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org). Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on February 24, 2020 and will be read at 11:15 A.M., 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) Bid Number Bid Name B1912106 115 LB. Steel Rail B1912107 Bombardier Propulsion System Circuit Card Repair or Replacement B200101A Connectbands B200102A Equipment Cleaner 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 10:00 am February 12, 2020 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.

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

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020

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SONNY BOY

You can’t do it all by yourself

Oscar winners saluted their ‘team’—it works the same in the sports world As I watched the Oscars this past weekend in all its glamour, glitz and glory, one glaring fact leaped out at me. Whatever cinema-works that took home statues and even those that were merely nominated seemed to have a common denominator— teamwork. Aside from the lead and supporting actors’ roles, cinematographers, sound editors, video editors as well as set designers all shared the limelight with their on-camera colleagues. When it was in its infancy, professional football was almost totally built on teamwork, like its “rugby” predecessor. However, sometimes the professional football game seems in many ways to have evolved like a prodigal grandson, returning home only after his inheritance has been foolishly squandered on frivolous and wasteful things. Today’s game, in many cases, grossly overvalues some socalled marquee positions and grossly undervalues other positions. That is why there is no true sense of “equipoise” when it comes to salaries or marketing. But now, “the chickens have come home to roost.” Athletes no longer passively permit owners, agents, anything or anyone to place a value on their talent or services. Let’s begin with the case of the future Pittsburgh Steelers Hallof-Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In 2018 the team finished the season with a record

to the success of the team. However, when it comes to others cashing in on their performances, have the same principals been applied? New England Patriots’ half-cheater and half-competer, Tom Brady, is another example of the fat cats getting fatter. Brady is unstoppable as long as he has the desired cast surrounding him as well as a few illegitimate and illegal processes available to him. It has been proven that when Terrific Tom loses key personnel, combined with his access to cheating, then Brady may very well be just an above-normal QB. When Brady’s tight end and security blanket, Rob Gronkowski, unexpectedly retired in March 2019, Brady could no longer throw a 15-yard pass and expect a 15- or 20-yard run after the catch. Brady also lost a humongous blocking presence in both the passing and running game. Gronkowski made Tom Brady’s football life immeasurably easy. So when teams, agents and players start tossing around the term “franchise quarterback” they had better make sure they are in the process of putting the franchise around him. Don’t believe me? Then go chase down ex-Steelers wide receiver Antonio “madman” Brown. He’ll tell you through tears that no man, no matter how valuable, is the franchise and if they tell you otherwise, regard that as “fake news.”

Inside Conditions

Aubrey Bruce of 9-6-1 and missed the playoffs, with Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger played a little more than a game and a quarter out of a 16game schedule in 2019 and the Steelers’ win-loss record was 8-8 without Roethlisberger as well as his primary offensive weapon, the recently exiled Antonio Brown. The last Super Bowl that the Steelers won was Super Bowl XLIII, beating the Arizona Cardinals by the score of 27-23. If not for a 100-plus-yard interception by Steelers linebacker James Harrison at the conclusion of the first half and a miraculous catch by Santonio Holmes near the end of the game, there might not have been a Steelers’ sixth Super Bowl victory. Why, well, in Super Bowl XLV played on Feb. 6, 2011 the Steelers lost to the Green Bay Packers by a mere six points, 31-25. In that game, Roethlisberger threw two picks, one was a costly pick six. It has been nine years since Ben Roethlisberger has competed in a Super Bowl or even won a meaningful playoff game, yet he has successfully negotiated questionable raises that seem to have been based on his individual performance as opposed

It’s 2020! And the Courier is celebrating the new year with another great deal for you, our dedicated Courier readers and supporters!

Get a six-month subscription of the Courier right now for just $20! During these winter months, don’t worry about heading out to pick up your latest Courier edition, when we’ll just mail it to you each week! Call our own Brenda Hill at 412-481-8302, ext. 134, and enjoy six months of the Courier for just $20! If you’re a current subscriber, we’ll extend your subscription by six months for $20, as well. Once again, we thank you for supporting the New Pittsburgh Courier, The Voice of Black Pittsburgh. Promotion ends Feb. 28, 2020

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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2020 ` NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Hair discrimination is alive and well (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Andrew Johnson, a high school wrestler, was forced to submit to the humiliating act of having his dreadlocks shorn or have his New Jersey team forfeit their match to the opposing team. A gleeful white woman seemed too pleased to invade the young man’s person, and his team won, but at what price? When this happened in December of 2018, there was a national outcry, and the referee was suspended. A year later, DeAndre Arnold, a senior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, was told that he would not be able to graduate unless he cut his hair. He’s been growing his dreads for more than five years, often wearing them in a bun so that they did not violate the school rule that hair could not touch the collar. This is part of a pattern of policing Black hair in our nation’s high schools and workplaces. And these dress codes are an attack on Black people, designed by white people and for white people. Hostility toward natural hair, locs and twists is really unvarnished hostility toward Blackness and its manifestation. It is an insistence that Black people conform to Eurocentric norms. Andrew Johnson and DeAndre Arnold made headlines, but many cases do not. Often, the “code” is subtle, and the backlash painful and undeniable, but never spoken. So many women are told that their hair is “too wild” or “ungroomed”, as if bone straight hair is the only way to wear it. And perhaps it is not said so much as hinted. And Black women (and men) have the choice of playing the game or stalling their careers. This doesn’t happen so much on the coasts, in California, New York and the District of Columbia. But it happens enough that activists have

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary worked to outlaw hair discrimination. On July 3, 2019, California became the first in the nation to outlaw discriminating against natural hair. The CROWN Act, or Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. A few days later, New York State passed a similar law, as did New Jersey. A few cities and counties, like Cincinnati, Ohio and Montgomery County, Maryland, have also followed suit. A dozen or so other states and municipalities have explored, and even introduced legislation that prohibits discrimination against those who wear natural hair, braids, locs, or twists. Despite legislation, hair discrimination is alive and well. The text of the California legislation explores the history of hair discrimination. It reads in part, “The history of our nation is riddled with laws and societal norms that equated ‘blackness,’ and the associated physical traits, for example, dark skin, kinky and curly hair to a badge of inferiority, sometimes subject to separate and unequal treatment.” The bill goes on to say, “Professionalism was, and still is, closely linked to European features and mannerisms, which entails that those who do not naturally fall into Eurocentric norms must alter their appearances, sometimes drastically and permanently, in order to be deemed professional.” The fact that a diversity of hairstyles needs to be addressed through legislation speaks to the intransigence of white supremacy, the need white supremacists have to require Black people to conform to their standards. Even as the population of people of color grows in our nation, white supremacists are holding on, strong, to their racist norms. Some of them don’t even think they are racists. They are, indeed, “nice” people. They speak of neatness, wildness and their own discomfort with “different” hair. They think that folks should go through having their hair fried to make other people comfortable.I really don’t care how people wear their hair. It, truly, is a matter of choice. And hair does not have to be political. But hair choices must be respected and discrimination against natural hair, braids, twists, and locs cannot be tolerated. Intolerance about natural hair is an intolerance against Black people. It is, at best, unacceptable. Kudos to California state Sen.Holly Mitchell for starting the ball rolling. Congratulations to those who worked with her to pass this important legislation. And shout out to the others who have embraced her legislation by introducing it in other states. Hair discrimination is not the most egregious injustice that Black people experience, but it is an injustice nonetheless. Just ask DeAndre Arnold, who won’t be able to march with his peer graduates because he wears dreads, or the wrestler, Andrew Johnson, whose locs were shorn because a racist referee had neither intelligence nor tolerance. (Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, media contributor and educator. )

Trump’s stupid, but it’s the economy, dammit James Carville off food stamps and was Bill Clinton’s J. Pharoah Doss 10 million have been campaign manlifted off welfare.” ager during the President Trump 1992 presidential continued down a election. Carville list of economic sucand his staff had cess that he labeled an uphill battle a “blue collar boom.” against sitting Then he said, “Since president George my election, United H. W. Bush for two States stock marreasons. 1). Incumbents rarely lose re- kets have soared 70 percent, adding election. 2). President Bush’s approval more than $12 trillion to our nation’s rating was over 80 percent after the wealth…Millions of people with 401(k)s United States triumphantly ejected and pensions are doing far better…Jobs Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. But the Clin- and investments are pouring into 9,000 ton campaign had one thing in their fa- previously-neglected neighborhoods vor, the U.S. economy was in recession. thanks to opportunity zones…In other At Clinton’s campaign headquarters words, wealthy people and companies Carville posted three points on a board are pouring money into poor neighboras a reminder to his staff on how to sell hoods or areas that have not seen intheir candidate to the public. 1). Change vestment in many decades.” vs. more of the same. 2). The economy, This wasn’t just a State of the Union stupid. 3). Don’t forget health care. address, it was the launch of President The second reminder became a rebuttal Trump’s re-election campaign. During to critics that insinuated Clinton was un- the address the Republicans stood and fit for the presidency because of “dodging cheered after each of the president’s the draft” and extramarital affairs. When economic boasts, but the Democrats Clinton’s character was questioned the re- remained seated with stoned-faces to sponse was, “It’s the economy, stupid!” fol- mask their fear as they realized the lowed by, “Do you want more of the same?” normal uphill battle to defeat an incumOf course, people didn’t want more of an bent was now a mountain climb. economic recession, and voters became Following the State of the Union, convinced Clinton’s personal failings had James Carville, now 75, told MSNBC nothing to do with his ability to set an that he was scared to death because agenda and restore American prosperity. the Democrats are about to blow an opOn Election Day, Clinton flipped 22 portunity to oust an unpopular incumstates and won the presidency. bent through poorly run campaigns, an Let’s fast forward to the current president. ill-chosen presidential nominee with a Donald Trump’s personal failings are progressive agenda that will turn the abundant and his character is scruti- Democratic party into the British Lanized by a lot of Republican voters. But bour Party, or by talking about non-esPresident Trump has in his favor what sential issues like decriminalizing illePresident Bush Sr. did not—a good eco- gal immigration and letting prisoners nomic record. vote. Carville stated the Democratic During the State of the Union address, Party needs to wake up and talk about President Trump said, “From the instant things that are relevant to the people I took office, I moved rapidly to revive and become a majority party again. the U.S. economy, slashing a number of Carville also said, “There’s only one morjob-killing regulations, enacting historic al imperative in this country right now and record-setting tax cuts, and fight- and that is to beat Donald Trump.” But ing for fair and reciprocal trade agree- if morality didn’t matter in 1992 when ments…Since my election we have creat- the economy was bad, wouldn’t it matter ed 7 million new jobs, 5 million more than less when the economy is good, especially government experts projected during the when voters want more of the same? previous administration. The unemployAfter Carville’s rant on MSNBC, ment rate is the lowest in over half a he penned an op-ed for the Financial century…Under the last administration, Times called: “Hey Democrats, it’s the more than 10 million people were added winning, stupid!” But right now, the to the food stamp rolls. Under my admin- rebuttal is: Trump’s stupid, but it’s the istration, 7 million Americans have come economy, dammit.

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Writing our own history Noted Nigerian in Africa, but this author Chinua Oscar H. Blayton fact often has been Achebe once said, omitted from later “Until the lions histories. have their own Even though Black historians, the folk have fought history of the hunt for America in evwill always glorify ery war since the the hunter.” nation’s beginning, History, like law there was very little and race, is a human construct. It has no awareness of the significance of African physical existence, yet it is still a very real Americans in U.S. military until movies phenomenon. When we study? history,?we like “Glory” and “Red Tails” arrived on study the recordings and explanations of the big screen. The histories of America’s past events in narrative form as they have battles have been written time and time been told. again, and with each re-write, Black warBut it is not enough to study the nar- riors were written out of the narrative. ratives of past events. If we are not to According to a report by 1st Lt. (later be victimized by history, we must know General) John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, who created these narratives and why. Black soldiers of the 10th Cavalry led the We must know the truth of the telling. attack on San Juan Hill in Cuba during And to know this truth, we must study the Spanish-American War. Theodore historiography. Roosevelt and his Rough Riders did not History is only the study of the past get to the top of that hill until the fightas told to us. The study of the telling is ing was over. A few years later, however, historiography. It is the study of what Roosevelt was campaigning to become came out of the minds of the individuals vice president of the United States, and who created these narratives. hoping to secure Southern votes, he deIt is important to understand that nied the heroism of the Black troops that histories are not always factual. Narra- he had witnessed and claimed they had tives known to consist of falsehoods of- performed poorly during the fighting. ten are accepted as myths, while those Casting himself as the hero of the battle, built upon undiscovered falsehoods are Roosevelt claimed that he and his 500 generally deemed to be truths. Rough Riders defeated 10,000 Spaniards Like any other social construct, history defending San Juan Hill. can be used for good or evil. Slavery and Continuing this trend of warping history, the murderous laws of Germany’s Third Black environmental activists? most reReich are two examples of this. Also, his- cently have been written out of the narratories constantly are written in ways that tive of the struggle over climate change.? create advantages for one group of people This omission was highlighted when a while causing suffering for another. young Nigerian woman who was part of The United Daughters of the Confed- a delegation of five activists was cropped eracy has worked vigorously with histo- out of their group photo by the Associatrians for more than the last 150 years ed Press. Journalism is the first draft of to create myths about the South’s Lost history, and this news photo showed four Cause that they knew were underpinned smiling young European activists with no with falsehoods. Then they peddled those hint that an African was involved. When myths as truths to maintain white su- people of color are written out of the first premacy and promote the Ku Klux Klan. drafts of history, it is no surprise that we They saturated Southern towns and are written out of later versions. counties with statues honoring ConfedEach February in the United States, erate dead to perpetuate those myths. Black history is grudgingly celebrated They also controlled what myths would as a gift to undeserving people of color be included in textbooks used by to pub- and treated as separate and apart from lic school children. Their campaign of lies American history. This is a continuation and miseducation was intended to main- of people of color being written out of histain a social order guaranteeing the dom- tory. Celebrating Black History Month as inance of the white race by venerating separate from other histories segregates it vicious slaveholders and denigrating the as a category of ethnohistory, rather than enslaved and their descendants. as an integral thread not only of American But myth creation positioning Black history but world history. World history and white folk in history is nothing new. and American history must be taught in Centuries ago, Western historians erased ways that include the various histories of Black emperors and Black popes from Black people. The Black popes must be acthe stories of the Roman Empire and the knowledged in the histories of the popes, Roman Catholic Church. Emperors like the Black Roman emperors must be visiSeptimius Severus and Macrinus were ble in the histories of the Roman Empire. not erased from history, but their African Black folk need to create our own true ancestry was rarely, if ever, mentioned in narratives so that it is understood that histories. Popes Victor I, Miltiades and our history is woven throughout the Gelasius I all were acknowledged by con- fabric of world history, and not a loose temporary writers as having been born thread, clinging sadly at its edge.

Commentary

Raynard Jackson

Commentary Informed Blacks are the biggest threat to the Democratic Party President Trump has just come off the best week of his presidency and not for the reasons most think. He gave one of the best State of the Union addresses I have ever witnessed. He was acquitted of all charges during his impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate. He then ended the week with a great economic speech in North Carolina. As one who actually makes a living in the area of strategic communications, I could find absolutely no fault in any aspect of the president’s speech. The delivery was great, especially since this president is better off the cuff than reading from the teleprompter. The optics were phenomenally heart-warming. The last living member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Charles McGee, was promoted to Brigadier General. Trump also announced Janiyah Davis would be receiving a scholarship to attend any school she wanted in the Philadelphia area. The president ended the week speaking at his Opportunity Now Summit in North Carolina. He highlighted several Blacks who have personally benefitted from some of his policies. These policies include Opportunity Zones and criminal justice reform, to name a few. As economic, educational and moral indices continue to improve in the Black community as a direct result of conservative policies, radical liberals continue to try to deny the obvious. The improved conditions in the Black community over the last three years are so obvious that even Stevie Wonder can see it. And it has nothing to do with the Obama administration. The unfortunate thing is that you have many of the media appointed Black leaders and organizations who continue to try to get Blacks to deny what is their own personal reality; that their lives have improved because of Donald Trump. As I have said before, these radical liberal Black individuals and organizations do more harm to the Black community than anyone wearing a white hood over their faces. You have radical liberal faux journalists like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, Jason Johnson, Don Lemon, and Richard Princess who are totally incapable of upholding the most minimum of journalistic standards per the Society of Professional Journalists. They are totally incapable of simply telling the truth! Everything Trump does relative to the Black community; they somehow reflexively want to credit to former President Obama. But when you ask them to name one thing that Obama did “specifically” for the Black community, they come down with a severe case of laryngitis. Isn’t it ironic that not one of these fake journalists interviewed Gen. McGee or Janiyah Davis after President Trump honored them during his State of the Union address? If Obama had done the same thing, they would have interviewed them that very night! These bought and paid for media types are so blinded by their hatred of Trump and Republicans that they can’t even celebrate life changing events for Blacks that are initiated by Republicans. How pathetic. How many Black kids has Obama provided scholarships for? As a matter of fact, Obama’s policies devasted Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It took a white man, Donald Trump, to correct the issue. You have radical liberal organizations like the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus, the National Urban League, and the National Association of Black Journalists, who are addicted to the crack of praise from their white overlords that they continue to try to convince the Black community that liberalism is in the best interest of the Black community. I have asked these groups on many occasions to name me one example where liberalism has helped the Black community. And of course they can’t because no example exists. Memo to Republicans, these groups are totally out of step with the rank and file within the Black community. These groups’ leadership are totally out of step with the Black community. So, Republicans please stop meeting with these groups. Nothing good will ever come out of it. Can you say Van Jones? I rest my case. The white liberal overlords of these Black individuals and organizations have given these Blacks their marching orders and let them know in no uncertain terms that they are not to deviate one bit from the script they have been given—to feed the Black community constant lies. Liberals know that an informed Black populace is the greatest threat to their strangle hold on the Black community. This is why radical liberals have so much hatred of President Trump. In three years, Trump has invoked the name of the Black community more than the sum total of all other presidents in the history of the country. And has backed up his rhetoric with action. If Republicans ever learn to effectively speak directly to the Black community, in a language that they understand, with messengers with credibility; the Black vote is ready to shift their vote to the right Republican candidates. Then and only then will that which the Democrats have greatly feared come upon them. (Raynard Jackson is a Pulitzer Award nominated columnist and founder and chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future (BAFBF), a federally registered 527 Super PAC established to get more Blacks involved in the Republican Party. BAFBF focuses on the Black entrepreneur. For more information about BAFBF, visit www.bafbf.org. You can follow Raynard on Twitter @ Raynard1223.)