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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

Shelton found not guilty in Wilkinsburg mass shooting Jury deliberated nearly four days before reaching verdict

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Cheron Shelton, the 33-year-old father of two who ended up as the only person on trial for the shooting deaths of five adults and an unborn baby in Wilkins-

burg in 2016, was found not guilty on all counts by an Allegheny County jury, Feb. 14.

Understandably, there were contrasting reactions as the not guilty verdict was read by the jury foreman around 11:35 a.m. For Cheron Shelton’s family,

tears of relief. For the family members of the shooting victims, tears of disbelief.

The jury deliberated three and a half days before arriving with a verdict. As more time passed without a verdict, Shelton’s defense attorneys motioned to Common Pleas

Judge Edward J. Borkowski to throw out the death penalty sought by the prosecution.

They argued that a death penalty sentence shouldn’t be considered if a jury is taking what they considered to be an elongated period of time to reach a verdict.

Allegheny County prosecutors were seeking the death penalty in the event of a first-degree murder conviction.

But in the end, there was no conviction, nearly four years after the March 9, 2016, shooting deaths of Britta-

ny Powell, Jerry Michael Shelton, Chanetta Powell (and her unborn child), Tina Shelton and Shada Mahone.

Three others were wounded in the attack, but survived.

“It seemed to me that Mr. SEE SHELTON A5

WILKINSBURG MAYOR STANDS BY HER COMMENTS Garrett believes ‘egregious missteps’ were made by DA’s office in Wilkinsburg mass shooting trial

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Wilkinsburg mayor Marita Garrett took the first swing, posting on Monday, Feb. 17, to her Facebook page a public rebuke of the Allegheny County Police Department and Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, for, in her words, their “reckless handling” of the case involving the shooting deaths of five adults and an unborn baby at a backyard cookout, March 9, 2016, in her borough. A not guilty verdict was rendered in the homicide case against 33-year-old Cheron Shelton, Feb. 14.

Both County Police Su-

perintendent Coleman McDonough and DA Stephen A. Zappala’s office swung back with their own public statements.

Superintendent McDonough accused “the elected official,” who is Mayor Garrett, of spreading “inaccurate” information

seemingly undeterred by the county officials’ statements, swung again on Tuesday, Feb. 18, in an exclusive, nine-minute interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier.

While she takes “accountability” if part of her Feb. 17 Facebook commentary about the prosecution “forcing a witness to lie on the suspects for money” was inaccurate, she told the Courier she’s standing by her assertion that county officials mishandled t h e case, thus resulting in a not guilty verdict.

She spoke of how the judge presiding over the case threw out the case against one of the original co-defendants, Robert Thomas, just an hour before trial proceedings began.

The case against Thomas was lessened after local media outlets reported that one of the witnesses the prosecution could be using in the case against Thomas admitted to killing a child in East Hills in 2013,

Courier Exclusive about a possible witness for the prosecution. And the DA’s office put out a statement directed to “officials in Wilkinsburg,” saying in part that “we understand the sense of their failure to adequately protect their citizens and empower them to stand up against criminal conduct.”

But Mayor Garrett,

MARITA GARRETT

SEE GARRETT A3

OBAMA DETHRONES ALLDERDICE Alleged ‘Aunt Jemima’ comment by

judge has Black community fuming The Pittsburgh Black Lawyers among those calling for thorough investigation

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

OBAMA ACADEMY’S SEAN SNEAD AND DASHON CRUSE hold the City League boys basketball championship trophy after defeating Allderdice, 50-39, on Feb. 15. See story on Page A7. (Photo

by William McBride)

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One by one, the list of those publicly denouncing the alleged comments made by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli is growing.

And, if proven true that Judge Tranquilli referred to a young Black female juror as “Aunt Jemima” and presumed that her “baby daddy probably sells heroin,” the newly-formed group titled The Pittsburgh Black Lawyers wants the judge removed from office following a thorough investigation by the state’s Judicial Conduct Board.

For now, Judge Tranquilli is assigned to perform administrative tasks only, and not to preside over any court cases, an order made and signed by President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark on Feb. 6. The order came two days after Judge Clark originally assigned Judge Tranquilli to summary appeals following the results of a written complaint made to the Judicial Conduct Board by

BRYAN C. BRANTLEY AND NICOLA HENRY-TAYLOR are two members of The Pittsburgh Black Lawyers, an organization calling for a thorough investigation of Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli. defense attorney Joe Otte.

In Otte’s complaint, Otte detailed how Judge Tranquilli, in his chambers after a suspect was found not guilty in a drug case, verbally expressed his displeasure with the verdict and told the prosecutor, Ted Dutkowski, that he made a terrible choice in allowing “Aunt Jemima” (Juror #4) on the jury.

Also according to the

J. Pharoah Doss on

complaint, obtained first by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the judge then said the juror’s “presumed bias in favor of heroin dealers had caused or contributed to the not guilty verdict.”

“The allegation that Judge Tranquilli suggested that Assistant District Attorney Ted Dutkowski SEE INVESTIGATION A4

Gun rights advocates should empathize with stop/frisk fury Forum B6 Forum B6

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

NATIONAL

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History

GLOBAL MUSIC AND FASHION ICON, BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR, AND PHILANTHROPIST, RIHANNA, will receive the prestigious President’s Award and U.S. Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis (D-GA), will receive the prestigious NAACP Chairman’s Award during the 51st NAACP Image Awards, Feb. 22.

Rihanna and Congressman John Lewis to be honored at NAACP Image Awards

by Austyn Ross

Special.

“Rihanna has not only enjoyed a groundbreaking career as an artist Earlier this month, the and musician but has NAACP announced that also distinguished herself global music and fashion as a stellar public sericon, business entreprevant,” said Derrick Johnneur, and philanthropist, son, President and CEO Rihanna, will receive the of the NAACP. “From her prestigious President’s business achievements Award during the 51st through Fenty to her NAACP Image Awards. tremendous record as an The President’s Award is activist and philanthropresented in recognition pist, Rihanna epitomizes of special achievement the type of character, and distinguished public grace, and devotion to service, with previous justice that we seek to recipients including last highlight in our Presiyear’s recipient Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Jesse Jack- dent’s Award.”

The NAACP also anson, Lauryn Hill, Soledad nounced that U.S. ConO’Brien, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and Mu- gressman and civil rights hammad Ali among others. leader John Lewis, D-Ga., NAACP President Derrick will receive the prestigious NAACP Chairman’s Johnson will present the award to Rihanna on BET Award during the 51st on Saturday, February 22, NAACP Image Awards.

2020, from Pasadena, Cal- The Chairman’s Award is bestowed in recogniifornia. Five-Time Image Award Recipient Anthony tion of individuals who demonstrate exemplary Anderson will return as public service and use the host for the Live TV For New Pittsburgh Courier

their distinct platforms to create agents of change.

Past honorees of the Chairman’s Award include Tyler Perry, then-Senator Barack Obama, Former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, Ruby Dee, The Neville Brothers, Bono, Danny Glover, and last year’s recipient Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

The nominees for the 51st NAACP Image Awards were announced last month at a joint press conference with Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO of the NAACP and Connie Orlando, BET Executive Vice-President, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy.

Netflix leads the television category nominations with 30, with an additional 12 nominations in the motion picture categories for a total of 42. RCA Records leads in the music recording categories with 14, followed by Columbia Records and BMG respec-

tively with 7. Universal Pictures leads the motion picture categories with 15 nominations, and Penguin Random House has 8 nominations followed by HarperCollins with 4 in the literary categories.

“Representation across entertainment and the arts has profound meaning and unparalleled power to shape perceptions, influence culture, and galvanize communities,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “This year’s nominees have conveyed a wide range of authentic stories and experiences that have resonated with many, and we’re proud to continue celebrating their outstanding achievements and performances.”

(For all information and the latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at https://www. naacpimageawards.net/ or on Facebook at naacpimageawards and Twitter @naacpimageaward #NAACPImageAwards).

Howard University receives record $10 million donation for STEM scholarships

by Lauren Victoria Burke For New Pittsburgh Courier

Howard University has received the largest donation in the university’s history. Howard has received a $10 million gift from the Karsh Family Foundation.

The donation will be used for Howard’s Karsh STEM Scholars Program. The program will provide for scholarships that will pay for the tuition and fees for 30 students at Howard University each year.

Howard President Wayne Frederick told NBC News that, “We were able to at-

tract highly qualified students who can actually get into any major university in the country…but thought the idea of pursuing a degree in STEM with compatriots who look like them and had similar lived experiences would be attractive.”

Howard is the top producer of African American undergraduates who earn a Ph.D. in science or engineering according to a 2013 study.

The number of Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) students increased 47 percent, from 223,000 to 327,000 students,

between 1976 and 2010 and 298,000 students, between then decreased 9 percent, to 2010 and 2017 according to a

HOWARD UNIVERSITY also recently announced that it will transform roughly 32,000 square feet of land into a 230,000 square-foot hub of mixed-use activity near campus.

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recent report by the National Center for Educational Statistics.

HBCUs represent less than 3 percent of colleges and universities in the United States but enroll 12 percent of all African American students attending college. HBCUs produce 23 percent of all African American college graduates.

Howard University also recently announced that it will transform roughly 32,000 square feet of land into a 230,000 square foot hub of mixed-use activity near campus.

“I am proud of Howard’s continued efforts to drive economic development in the District. Adding critical residential and retail amenities transforms vacant and underperforming assets into thriving communities that both improve the fabric of the neighborhood and add vitality to Howard’s mission,” said Howard President Wayne Frederick. “I am also particularly happy that we were able to include Gideon, which is headed up by a strong Howard University Alumni with a history of giving back.”

Week of February 19-25 February 19 1919—The “first” Pan African Congress is held bringing together prominent blacks from throughout the world to chart a program for Black unity and betterment. African-American scholar and activist W.E.B. DuBois was the chief organizer. The gathering was held in Paris, France and drew 57 distinguished delegates including 16 from the United States, 14 from Africa and others from the Caribbean, South America and Europe. (The 1919 Congress is considered by many the “first” but another such Congress had been organized in 1900.)

1940—Smokey Robinson is born William Robinson in Detroit, Mich. He formed “The Miracles” in 1955 while still in high school. With his voice and poetry of song, Robinson led The Miracles as the group became one of the all-time best record sellers for Barry Gordy’s Motown music empire.

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN 1942—The Tuskegee Airmen are activated for service in World War II. The all-Black pursuit squadron, later designated 99th Fighter Squadron, was organized and trained at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

The squadron served with honors in Europe. During the war, the nearly 1,000 pilots who had been trained flew 15,000 sorties, destroyed 1,000 German aircraft and earned more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses.

February 20 1895—The great Black leader Frederick Douglass dies at 78 in Washington, D.C. Douglass was the foremost Black abolitionist struggling to end slavery in the mid1800s. He used his great oratory skills and his abilities as a newspaper publisher on behalf of freedom and justice for Blacks. Most of his early work emanated from the Rochester, N.Y., area. But after the Civil War he moved to Washington, D.C. Douglass was the nation’s foremost Black leader for nearly 40 years.

1927—Actor Sidney Poitier is born in Miami, Fla., and grows up on Cat Island in the Bahamas. However, by the early 1950s, he was establishing a career in movies. Indeed, it can be said that Poitier was the first Black actor to make it in mainstream movie roles without having to play stereotypical and often demeaning “Black roles.”

1963—Basketball great Charles Barkley is born on this day in Leeds, Ala. February 21 1933—Song stylist and activist Nina Simone is born Eunice Waymon in Tryon, N.C. She was a child prodigy who was playing the piano by age 4. She had numerNINA SIMONE ous songs to her credit but one of the most memorable was “Mississippi Goddam” which was composed as a protest against the terrorist bombing of a Black church in Birmingham, Ala., which resulted in the deaths of four little Black girls. Simone, often referred to as the High Priestess of Soul, died in France on April 21, 2003.

1965—The most prominent Black nationalist of the 20th century, Malcolm X, is assassinated on this day in Harlem, N.Y.’s Audubon Ballroom while giving a speech which was to issue a call for Black unity.

Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Neb., on May 19, 1925, he graduated at the top of MALCOLM X his high school class but had his dream of becoming a lawyer crushed when a teacher told him that was “not realistic for a Nigger.” He gradually drifted into the underworlds of first Boston and then New York where he became a drug dealer and gangster known as “Detroit Red.” He was friends with comedian and upcoming star Redd Foxx who at the time was known as “Chicago Red.” Malcolm was arrested and jailed for robbery at age 20.

While in prison he converted to the Nation of Islam and after his release in 1952, he became the leading force building the group into a major national organization. He was a brilliant orator and organizer as well as a fierce opponent of racism, imperialism and the non-violent approach to combating the nation’s evils. But disagreements with Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad led to a split. He then formed the Organization for Afro-American Unity. However, 11 months after his split with the Nation of Islam he was assassinated. Many in the Black community felt the New York City police and the FBI played a role in his death. But three man associated with the Nation of Islam were tried and convicted of his murder.

February 22 1950—Basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving is born in Roosevelt, N.Y. He was the most dominant NBA player of his era. The former Philadelphia 76’er was 6’7”, 210 pounds.

February 23 1868—Dr. W.E.B. DuBois is born William Edward Burghardt DuBois in Great Barrington, Mass. DuBois can easily qualify as Black America’s leading scholar and intellectual of the late 1800s and early 1900s. He was also an educator and social activist fighting tirelessly against racial injustice and U.S. imperialism. He started the NAACP’s influential “Crisis” magazine. He organized what many consider the First Pan African Congress. (Actually, it was the second. The first took place in 1900.) However, in his later years DuBois became increasingly frustrated with American racism, injustice and hypocritical brand of democracy. He turned to socialism around 1927 and despaired of the NAACP’s legalistic approach to obtaining rights for Blacks. He nevertheless authored several influential books including “The Souls of Black Folks.” DuBois finally went into self-imposed exile in the West African nation of Ghana saying, “In my own country for nearly a century I have been nothing but a Nigger.” He died in Ghana’s capital, Accra, on Aug. 27, 1963. He was 95.

February 24 1864—Rebecca Lee Crumbler becomes the first African-American woman to receive a medical degree. Born in 1833, she graduated from the New England Female Medical College. Prior to becoming a doctor, she had worked as a nurse in Massachusetts for more than six years.

1966—Kwame Nkrumah is ousted in a military coup as president of the West African nation of Ghana. This was another event which changed the course of Black history for the worse. Nkrumah, educated at the predominantly Black Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, had been a major intellectual and pragmatic force for Pan-Africanism and worldwide Black unity. From the time he became the first president of Ghana in March 1957, he had worked tirelessly for international Black advance and world peace.

His ouster left a void which after 40 years has not been filled by any other African leader. Nkrumah died in 1972.

February 25 1851—The first Black Women’s Rights Convention is held in Akron, Ohio. The keynote speaker was anti-slavery activist Sojourner Truth.

1966—Constance Baker Motley becomes the first African-American woman appointed to a federal judgeship. She takes the bench in the Southern District of New York. Motley was a major civil rights hero helping win several important cases during the 1950s and ‘60s. Among the cases was the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which desegregated the nation’s schools. She worked for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and helped Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in several of his legal battles. Born in 1921 in New Haven, Conn., Motley died in 2006.

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

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WILKINSBURG MAYOR STANDS BY HER COMMENTS

Garrett believes ‘egregious missteps’ were made by DA’s office in Wilkinsburg mass shooting trial GARRETT FROM A1

along with being responsible for other crimes. Mayor Garrett also referred to a comment made by Zappala after the not guilty verdict on Feb. 14, in which Zappala said in part in a statement: “It is very difficult for the police and my office to investigate and prosecute crimes when the number of witnesses is limited.”

“He (Zappala) put blame on our community, saying it was our failure to protect our residents and also, ‘to empower residents’ or witnesses to step up and say something…what’s interesting here is that there consistently have been growing concerns about our DA’s office and whether or not those feel safe participating with them,” Mayor Garrett told the Courier exclusively.

“There’s been different cases in the past where there have been witnesses who’ve stepped up to speak about different cases, and their lives ended up being threatened, or some of them actually lost their lives while being in protective custody. So for him (Zappala) to say we’re not doing our part to empower, it’s almost a further isolation of their office, and isolating communities from justice and equitable treatment.”

Mayor Garrett said that Zappala and his office represents

“all” of the municipalities of Allegheny County, which includes Wilkinsburg. “Whether he likes it or not, we (Wilkinsburg) are part of his region,” Mayor Garrett told the Courier. “If our county residents, if Black residents are not comfortable speaking out about injustices or ‘seeing something saying something’ because they don’t feel that your office is going to fulfill justice or give it the proper respect it does, that’s not (just) a Wilkinsburg problem.”

Mayor Garrett was particularly disturbed by the statement from the DA’s office from Feb. 17 that said: “We understand the sense of their failure to adequately protect their citizens and empower them to stand up against criminal conduct.”

The mayor’s response? “Well, first, I had to read it to check, was he really trying to blame us, Wilkinsburg, the municipality?

And I know he said ‘Wilkinsburg officials,’ but obviously he’s responding to me, so just say Mayor Garrett. If he was really putting this on us…”

Mayor Garrett also responded to the DA office’s statement directed to the “officials in Wilkinsburg” that they should “be beyond political rhetoric at this point and instead be focused on formulating solutions.”

“It almost felt like this is a

hashtag movement,” Mayor Garrett said of the “political rhetoric” claim by the DA’s office. “This isn’t a Democrat thing. This isn’t how left or how right you are. These are people’s lives. Lives were lost, lives are continuing to be lost. We had another homicide two weeks ago with the young man walking with a 5-year-old child…to say that it’s our failure in this, you’re putting the issue on us as opposed to taking accountability and doing the work in order to prevent this from happening again.”

Mayor Garrett continued: “I take accountability in my role as Wilkinsburg mayor right now, when I got sworn-in in 2018, and being on Council, to engage the community, to make sure that they (the Wilkinsburg residents) understand their rights, being proactive,” and being aware of the borough’s public safety forums and community conversations.

“We have been doing that,” Mayor Garrett said. Then, in a comment directed to Zappala, she said: “He’s been in office for 20 years, what exactly are some of the initiatives that he’s been doing in order to do this?”

The attack that occurred on that fateful March 9, 2016, night will be forever entrenched in the minds of many in the region. The subsequent trial and

those accused in the murders received heightened attention. It hit home for Mayor Garrett, who at the time of the murders was a member of the borough Council, and then won the Wilkinsburg mayoral election in 2017, taking office in January 2018.

After nearly four years, the families of the victims, along with many others not connected to the families, finally were able to see a trial take place. For Mayor Garrett, it was disappointing to see the not guilty verdict levied.

After a few days, she voiced her displeasure on Facebook, saying: “Since the beginning, this case has been shrouded with uncertainty, inconsistencies, and now unsolved murders that further traumatizes the families and our communities. From compensation to a witness who killed 15-monthold Marcus White Jr. in 2013 and then went on to injure 2 more youths to forcing a witness to lie on the suspects for money—the reckless handling of the case has a severely negative and hurtful impact. The Allegheny County Police Department and Allegheny County District Attorney’s office should be held accountable for their lack of oversight and protocol. This only deepens the fracture of trust in law enforcement at a time when we are dealing

with the gun violence epidemic.

Moving forward, I implore the District Attorney’s office and Allegheny County Police Department to recognize their egregious missteps and take actions to ensure this does not happen again.

Lives depend on your actions— we demand better.”

County Police Supt. McDonough responded in part on Feb. 17 by saying: “The men and women of the Allegheny County Police put their lives and their reputations on the line every day in service to every citizen in this county. They do not deserve to be subjected to unfair and uncorroborated attacks in any public forum. Despite these attacks, they will continue to serve with honor and integrity, and respond to calls for assistance from every community beleaguered by violent crime.”

Mayor Garrett told the Courier that she invites all to the borough’s next public safety forum, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at Civically Inc., a nonprofit located at 1001 Wood St. Representatives from the Allegheny County Police Department are scheduled to attend, and “the next person in line,” Mayor Garrett said, “it would be great to have someone (attend) from the DA’s office or District Attorney Zappala himself.”

‘One Love’—The Flow Band’s Uzell Finney Jr. dies at 65

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

On Sunday, March 1 at 6 p.m. at Wilson’s Nite Out, 7635 Denniston Ave. in Swissvale, it is sure to be a standing-room-only, shoulder-to-shoulder crowd for what’s being called an “open stage tribute” to one of Pittsburgh’s most legendary musicians.

Uzell Finney Jr., the founder and guitarist for The Flow Band, passed away on Feb. 11 from prostate cancer. He was 65. Finney’s funeral was held this past Saturday, Feb. 15, with the burial at Homewood Cemetery.

Finney was the husband to Traceanne and the father to two daughters, Lyric and Jurnee.

Finney was a 33-year veteran of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire as a firefighter and a retired firefighter from Engine Company 20 in West Homestead.

But of course, Finney’s claim to fame for the masses was as the “engine” behind The Flow Band, Pittsburgh’s longest-running reggae band. While Finney began his musical prowess at Allderdice High School in the early-1970s, The

Flow Band, which was originally called Rastafari, came to form in the late ‘70s. Finney, along with Norman Green, Ernest Pollard, Sanford Barnes, and Deborah Starling-Pollard, soon were playing at seemingly every venue in town. Over the decades, they opened for the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ziggy Marley and Kymani Marley, and Jimmy Buffett.

“He was a spiritual uplift to me and all people that he touched,” Michelle Sandidge, Finney’s cousin and chief community affairs officer for the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, told the New Pittsburgh Courier, Feb. 17. “Never had a mean word to say about anyone, and his kindness was as infectious as his smile. He could make you laugh and feel good about yourself.

He gave you encouragement while helping you with life lessons that were spiritually fulfilling and profound.”

Sandidge told the Courier that while many bands fade away, Finney’s ability to keep The Flow Band on top for decades was his “powerful people presence that enabled him to touch your soul

with his spirit through music.”

She said Finney’s “talent far exceeded being a musical genius; his ability to engage the audience in more than song was his strong point.”

Finney’s last public performance, Sandidge said, was at Wallace’s Whiskey Room and Kitchen, inside Hotel Indigo in East Liberty, on Jan. 30.

In addition to a Celebration of Life event that occurred at Rocks Landing in McKees Rocks after the funeral and burial on Feb. 15, Finney was remembered with a final tribute salute from more than 30 fellow firefighters, led by Lisa Epps, a code compliance and education inspector and well-respected, longtime member of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire. The salute included a bagpipe serenade by firefighter Pete Soergel.

“He was a genuine artist, playing piano first and self-teaching himself the guitar,” Sandidge told the Courier of Finney. “Our family always said we were his No. 1 fans. His love of family and friends was unwavering. ‘One Love’ was his signature, and he lived by it.”

LOCAL, STATE NAACP WANTS JUDGE TRANQUILLI REMOVED FROM OFFICE

During a news conference at Freedom Corner in the Hill District, Feb. 18, NAACP Pennsylvania state president Kenneth Huston stood with Pittsburgh NAACP members and members of other local branches to denounce the alleged comments of Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli. He’s accused

of calling a Black juror “Aunt Jemima” in chambers following a jury trial three weeks ago.

“It is absolutely incomprehensible that this judge who serves our community throughout Allegheny County would speak in such a way about a young lady that met the qualifications to be on a jury,” Huston

said. “A judge sits high for a reason. He sits high to be fair, to protect all those that come before his courtroom. The state conference of the Pennsylvania NAACP will not stand idly by as this systemic racism permeates throughout the system of the criminal courthouse of Allegheny County.”

UZELL FINNEY JR.

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Mobutu and Charlotte Ka open MOKA Art Gallery in the Hill District

Judge’s alleged comments have Black community fuming INVESTIGATION FROM A1

DIANE I. DANIELS ON BUSINESS NEWS

The Courier’s Diane I. Daniels pens an exclusive story on the opening of the MOKA Art Gallery in the Hill District. See Page B1 for the story.

should have exercised a peremptory strike to deny Juror #4, an African American woman, the right to sit in judgment as a juror in this case is worse than any crime for which the accused was standing trial,” a statement

by The Pittsburgh Black Lawyers read. “Judge Tranquilli’s alleged comments and behavior unearth our worst inclinations and casts a dark cloud over the legacies of African American judges like the Honorable Homer S. Brown, Thomas Harper, Henry R. Smith, Walter Little and many of our White brothers and sisters who stood with them to ensure fairness and equity for all in the hallowed halls of our state courts in Allegheny County.”

The Pittsburgh Black Lawyers’ statement continued: “Judge Tranquilli’s alleged comments reflect a hardness of heart that causes one to question his past conduct as a prosecutor. Further, if proven true, evidences a blatant disregard for human decency and integrity in exchange for procuring a conviction at all costs.”

Prior to The Pittsburgh Black Lawyers’ Feb. 14 statement, organizations such as the Pittsburgh NAACP, the Black Political Empowerment Project and the Allegheny County Bar Association also denounced Judge Tranqulli’s alleged comments

from mid-January.

“There can be no fair administration of justice, when judges who are to be held to the highest of ethical standards display racist views,” the Pittsburgh NAACP branch said in a Feb. 7 statement. “That those views were on full display while he was engaging in court business makes them all the more despicable. There also can be no fair administration of justice when citizens serving as jurors are denigrated based on the color of their skin.”

The local NAACP’s statement continued: “These comments were not made in a vacuum, they reflect racist ideas and biases that undoubtedly influenced the case in question, and every other case he has presided over. Almost as disturbing, is Tranquilli’s long career as an assistant district attorney, where he was in a position to abuse power, promote bigoted views and discriminate against African Americans as a ‘tough on crime’ prosecutor. This is the type of systemic and structural racism that makes our region one of the worst places for African Americans to live.”

Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus weighed in on the matter; specifically, those Black legislators close to home. State Rep. Ed Gainey said in a statement that “our society is based on the

belief that justice is blind— that regardless of race, color or creed, every man and woman will be treated and judged the same. And so, when we hear allegations like this, it doesn’t just reflect poorly on one judge, or one courtroom, but on the entire justice system.

This is a great example as to why Black and brown people have fear and reservations about our criminal justice system. How can people of color believe they will get a fair chance in court when we hear about an incident like this? How can we be asked to trust a system in which these remarks exhibit an explicit bias? If justice is not blind, then it cannot be fair, and it is no justice at all.”

State Rep. Summer Lee said in a statement that “when we read about or see incidents like this, we must pause and ask ourselves what message this sends to our community. To me, that message is sadly clear: Justice is neither blind nor deaf in Allegheny County. In a system in which Black and brown people are disproportionally represented, this incident shows that systemic bias goes beyond incarceration statistics but is sitting on the very bench that controls the courtroom. How can we have faith in a system that has no faith in us, or that is unwilling or unable to see beyond stereotypes to see us for who we are?”

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Shelton found not guilty in Wilkinsburg mass shooting SHELTON FROM A1

Shelton was a suspect early on without much evidence to corroborate that, and they narrowed in and focused in on him without following any other leads, and I think they did that to their detriment,” said lead defense attorney Randall McKinney to reporters after the verdict.

McKinney said that as the verdict was read, Cheron Shel-

in Wilkinsburg.

Prosecutors in the case had to rely primarily on circumstantial evidence—evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact—rather than direct evidence. Prosecutors didn’t have direct evidence that linked Cheron Shelton to the scene of the crime that night, or witnesses that said they saw him at the scene that night. And

just hours before the murders, and was in no way the “menace” that the prosecution tried to portray him.

Lamont Powell is identified as the alleged target of the ambush shooting, as prosecutors said that Cheron Shelton blamed Lamont Powell for killing his best friend in 2013. Lamont Powell was shot four times that night, but survived.

THE WILKINSBURG MASS SHOOTING VICTIMS (Photo graphic: KDKA-TV) ton “immediately shed tears.

He has two young children who he’s been kept away from for approximately four years.”

Prior to the start of the trial, Judge Borkowski removed 31-year-old Homewood resident Robert Thomas as a co-defendant in the case.

There just was not enough evidence by the prosecution to proceed with the murder charges against Thomas, the judge determined.

That left Cheron Shelton as the only defendant, and the prosecution left to prove to a jury of 12 beyond a reasonable doubt that Shelton committed the murders in the ambush-style killing during a backyard cookout

they had no murder weapons.

But Deputy District Attorney Kevin Chenosky, during closing arguments on Monday, Feb. 7, directed the jury to “add” up all the evidence his side presented. “It’s not innocence,” he said. That evidence included surveillance video, certain timelines, a license plate from a car near the scene that led to Cheron Shelton’s mother and sister, and video of Cheron Shelton making a motion as if he were firing a gun while he spoke to his father during a jailhouse visit.

But McKinney, in his closing argument, told the jury that Cheron Shelton was speaking in person with a sister of Lamont Powell

McKinney hammered the notion to the jury that the prosecution did not prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” Cheron Shelton’s guilt. And in that case, you must acquit, McKinney implied.

When the case was handed to the jury for deliberations, McKinney said he felt “confident” that the jury would find Cheron Shelton not guilty.

But as the deliberations continued for days, he told reporters he thought there could be a hung jury, which would have resulted in a mistrial.

“He was ready either way,” defense attorney Wendy Williams told reporters about Cheron Shelton in the moments just before the verdict.

After the not guilty verdict, she said Cheron Shelton asked her if he was allowed to cry, and she said he could.

Three hours after the verdict, District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. released a statement on the verdict: “I would first like to thank the members of this jury who clearly put a good deal of thought and consideration

into their final decision. I would also like to thank the friends and family members of the victims for the dignity they have shown in the face of unspeakable loss and heartache. It is very difficult for the police and my office to investigate and prosecute crimes when the number of witnesses is limited.

That said, the members of

law enforcement in this county and the members of my office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute all criminal activity that takes place. We owe that much to victims and to public safety generally.”

Cheron Shelton remains in jail on other drug and gun charges unrelated to the Wilkinsburg shooting.

New Pittsburgh Courier

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OLDER PEOPLE WITH ACTIVE LIFESTYLES FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Simple ways to help caregivers focus on their own well-being (BPT)—Caring for a loved one with a chronic illness is something millions of Americans do every day. Whether it is a parent, spouse, extended family member or friend, the stress of caring for another adult can take a toll.

“I have to do absolutely everything for her,” explains Anthony Cowels, whose 71-year-old wife, Florence, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986. As he watched her disease progress, his caregiver responsibilities grew. What’s more, for some of the years Cowels also cared for his elderly parents, compounding his responsibilities. “It has been a long journey of caregiving,” says Cowels, 70. “I try not to let it overwhelm me. I always look for ways to do better.” Cowels learned to care for both himself and his wife better through useful tools, education and friendship and by joining a caregiver support group. He says he can “interact with others who identify with my situation.”

Family caregiving: A growing trend Cowels represents a growing number of Americans who care for older or aging loved ones. About 41 million family caregivers in the United States provided an estimated 34 billion hours of care to an adult with limitations in daily activities in 2017, notes the AARP report Valuing the Invaluable: 2019 Update. What’s more, as the population ages, caregiving demands are increasing while the pool of potential caregivers is decreasing.

As the Valuing report states, “Americans will have more older relatives or close friends to potentially care for than chil-

dren in about 15 years. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that, by the year 2035, adults ages 65 and older will outnumber children under the age of 18 for the first time in U.S. history. This fundamental demographic shift is the result of the aging of the U.S. population, increasing longevity, and a declining birth rate. “ Caring for yourself In addition to helping with self-care activities like bathing, dressing and going to the bathroom, family caregivers today

often perform complex medical tasks, including wound care, giving injections and handling medical equipment. The tasks that were once provided in hospitals and health care clinics are increasingly the responsibility of family and friends, who are often given little training or support.

While many family caregivers often report positive feelings in their role such as a sense of purpose or connection with their loved one, it often comes with feelings of being overwhelmed. Exhaustion,

worry, loneliness and financial stress are common challenges caregivers face. If you also work a full-time job, it can be even more difficult to balance your needs and responsibilities.

While you may not achieve perfect balance, it is important to prioritize your physical and mental wellbeing, so you can be there for the person you care for. These first steps can help you find some balance as you navigate your caregiver journey: •Join a support group. Ask your health care provider about local options. Community centers are another good resource. If you live in a remote area or have difficulties commuting, online support groups are another useful way to connect with others in similar situations.

•Make time for yourself. When you care for another person and have your own life demands, it can feel as though there is little time left in the day for yourself.

Even if it is just 15 minutes, make time to do something you enjoy, such as walking or reading.

•Don’t be afraid to ask for help. No one person can do it all. It takes a team to care for someone, especially those with complex medical conditions. You can start by asking your provider about local health care resources and reach out to family and friends for assistance.

It is important for family caregivers to stay mentally and physically healthy so they can provide the best care possible to the growing number of people who need support. For helpful tips and caregiver resources, visit www.aarp.org/caregiving.

people have an increased risk of flu and flu-related complications, including young children, pregnant women, adults 50 years of age and older, and people living with chronic health conditions, such as lung or heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

This comprises a significant number of people. In fact, 70 percent of adults ages 50 to 64 have at least one chronic illness according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Flu can disrupt everyday life The CDC estimates that the flu virus causes between 9 million and 49 million

flu-related illnesses each year. It can worsen symptoms of respiratory disorders, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Vaccination is the best way to help protect against the flu. Health officials recommend all people ages 6 months and older, with rare exception, get vaccinated each year. This is particularly important for adults 50 years of age and older. That’s why the American Lung Association launched the MyShot campaign in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur. The initiative empowers older adults to ask their

healthcare providers about which flu shot options may help offer a greater level of protection against the flu based on their age and chronic health conditions.

It’s not too late to get your shot. Vaccination throughout the fall and winter—and even into the spring—can help protect against the flu while the virus is circulating.

If you or someone you love is 50 years of age or older, go to GetMyShot.org to learn more and speak with your healthcare provider about flu shot options that may be right for you.

A challenge to older Americans: Take the flu seriously (BPT)—Alice Vaught skipped her flu shot one season. That was the year she got the flu. “I felt like I was dying. Within a couple hours I was unable to move. It came on so quickly, and I wasn’t aware of how severe it was.”

Unfortunately, the flu often strikes quickly and without warning, potentially leading to severe and sometimes life-threatening health problems. It’s an infectious disease that must be taken seriously—especially by those who are most vulnerable.

Flu can take a terrible toll Anyone can get the flu. However, some

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020 A7

OBAMA ACADEMY WINS 2020 CITY LEAGUE BOYS BASKETBALL TITLE

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

All last summer, while school students were happily sleeping in during summer break, there Sean Snead was, in Pittsburgh’s Sheraden neighborhood, waking up at four in the morning, practicing his dribbling and shooting skills before the break of dawn.

He could feel it. He could see it. He and his Pittsburgh Obama Academy teammates facing six-time defending champion Allderdice in the 2020 City League boys basketball championship game. And he could see his team pulling off the upset, rushing the court and giving the school formerly known as Peabody its first boys hoops title as Obama.

When Snead turns 21, maybe he should try his luck at Rivers Casino, because what he envisioned last summer turned out to be right on the mark.

And the Obama senior’s shooting was right on the mark, too, as Snead led his team to a 50-39 victory over Allderdice in the City League championship game at Petersen Events Center, Feb. 15.

OBAMA ACADEMY’S PLAYERS AND CHEERLEADERS celebrate winning the 2020 City League boys basketball championship over Allderdice, 50-39. The game was held, Feb. 15, at Petersen Events Center. (Photos by Courier photographer William McBride) 29-28 Obama lead heading into the final quarter.

But in the fourth, Obama found its touch that eventually won them the championship. Obama guards Dashon Cruse and Sayon Bennett were able to find

OBAMA’S SAYON BENNETT, left, attempts a shot against Allderdice’s Tony Henderson during the City League championship game, Feb. 15, at Petersen Events Center. Obama won the game, 50-39.

“I watch these motivational videos on YouTube about being an underdog, and ever since the summer, working out, I knew what it was,” Snead told the New Pittsburgh Courier after the game. “I knew we were going to get this.”

Allderdice came in as the perennial favorite, and for good reason—they had won the previous six City League boys hoops titles, including a thrilling, 71-70 triple overtime win over Obama to claim the 2017 title. At that time, it was Allderdice’s fourth consecutive title. In 2018, Allderdice beat Westinghouse for title number five in a row, and last year, Brashear was Allderdice’s victim, for number six in a row.

Snead said he had heard talk about Allderdice wanting to defeat Obama for a “Stairway to Seven” claim.

“We shut all that ‘Stairway to Seven’ stuff down,” Snead said.

On the same court that saw Allderdice’s girls basketball team dominate Westinghouse, 57-36, for their third consecutive title earlier in the afternoon, Allderdice’s boys team had no bite early on. Obama got out to a 9-0 advantage, igniting the Obama contingent of fans.

But Allderdice, who was coming off a huge demolishing of Brashear in the semifinal matchup, Feb. 11, clawed back into the game. At the half, Allderdice only trailed by two, 19-17, as players like Tony Henderson and Blake Haber exerted their offensive prowess on the tough Obama defense.

The third quarter was full of half-court offense and a plethora of defensive rebounds, as the shots just weren’t falling for either squad, a repeat of the final few minutes of the opening half. Obama scored 10 points in the third quarter; Allderdice scored 11, for a

paths to the basket, resulting in points or free throws.

Snead was unmatched down low, snaring both offensive and defensive rebounds; the offensive variety leading to points for Obama. And, with two minutes remaining and the arena realizing that an upset could be in the making, Obama freshman guard Tariq Francis nailed a three-pointer from the left wing, giving the purple- and black-shirted squad a 43-35 lead and, essentially, the win.

“Our kids came up with the mantra, ‘one quarter,’ Obama coach Devas Simmons told the Courier postgame. “Natel Blessit lost the city championship in football. He said, ‘coach, one quarter. We gotta win every quarter. One quarter at a time.’ And I always say, before it’s said and done, there’s only one switch, and that’s the ‘on’ switch, because that’s how we gotta play hard for 32 minutes, and we know we can compete against anybody.”

Snead scored 17 points, Bennett scored 11, and Francis added 10 for Obama (14-8). Henderson led Allderdice (18-6) with 14 points, Rob Jones scored six, and Haber added five.

Simmons told the Courier he knew his team came into the championship game as the underdog. “It’s like Mike Tyson,” he said. “Who wouldn’t pick Mike Tyson over anybody he faced?” referring to Tyson as Allderdice. Then, to complicate matters, Obama started the season 0-4. No way could Obama compete with the Allderdice Tysons…or so they thought.

“Everybody thought we’d be out of it at 0-4, but no one (on Obama’s team) panicked,” Simmons said.

“We knew we’d be here.

The question was, can we play hard and disciplined… and the young men did just that.”

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

RELIGION

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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

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

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

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

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

Curious about Quakerism?

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

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

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

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REV. DR. WILLIAM CURTIS, pastor of Mount Ararat Baptist Church, with an award from the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, during Urban League Sunday at Mount Ararat, Feb. 9. Also pictured are Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh CEO Esther Bush, and Urban League board chairperson Alan Trivilino. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

URBAN LEAGUE SUNDAY

REV. DR. JESSE WILLIAMS JR., senior pastor at Convent Avenue Baptist Church of Harlem, with an award from the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. He’s pictured with the Urban League’s Esther Bush and Alan Trivilino.

At Mount Ararat Baptist Church

We want to place your event in our Church Circuit weekly calendar!

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

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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

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The City of Pittsburgh Black History Month celebration

Honoring the heroes of the Negro Leagues

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

One hundred years ago, on Feb. 13, 1920, Andrew “Rube” Foster created the Negro National League.

As Ernie Suggs eloquently wrote in an article this month for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, it was Foster’s attempt to formally give Black men like “Cool Papa” Bell, Judy Johnson, Martin Dihigo, Turkey Stearnes and Pop Lloyd a league to play base-

ball, since they and others were barred from the Major Leagues.

Here in Pittsburgh, the Homestead Grays, which were founded in 1912 by Cumberland Posey, was not part of the original National Negro League.

Instead, the National Negro League had eight teams in places such as Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Kansas City and Indianapolis.

But Pittsburgh played a humongous role in the suc-

SEAN GIBSON, the great-grandson of Josh Gibson, stands next to a custom-made board honoring the accomplishments of his star baseball grandfather. It’s currently on display at the City-County Building, Downtown. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello) cess of the Negro Leagues as a whole, which was highlighted during the City of Pittsburgh’s annual Black History Month celebra-

LYNNE BARROW, the granddaughter of Negro League player Sam Bankhead.

THE HOMESTEAD GRAYS JERSEY

THE PITTSBURGH CRAWFORDS JERSEY

tion, held Feb. 4, at the City-County Building. The “Pittsburgh Negro League: Hall of Fame” exhibit will be on display at the City-County Building until Feb. 28.

There, one can read about Negro League legends such as Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, Willie Foster and Jud Wilson.

Charleston was regarded as the “best center fielder of all-time,” and was often called “The Black Ty Cobb.” He played with the Pittsburgh Crawfords from 1932-1937.

Foster was the youngest half-brother of “Rube” Foster, an outstanding lefthanded pitcher who played with the Grays in 1931 and the Crawfords in 1936.

Wilson was a premier hitter in the Negro Leagues, his batting average topping .420 in six seasons. He

played with the Grays in 1931-32 and 1941.

And James “Cool Papa” Bell, considered the fastest man to ever play baseball, could hit with considerable power. He played with the Grays in 1932 and from 1943-46, and with the Crawfords from 1933-38.

Gibson came to Pittsburgh in 1924, and played with the Grays in 1930-31, and 1942-46, and with the Crawfords from 1932-36.

Gibson is widely regarded as among the best power hitters and catchers in the history of baseball of any league.

Some call the early 1930s to the mid-1940s as the glory years of the Negro Leagues. In 1931, the Pittsburgh Crawfords were formed, owned by Gus Greenlee. In their years in Pittsburgh, from 19311938, they were one of the

strongest forces in the Negro Leagues. Iconic pitcher Satchel Paige was a member of the Crawfords, along with standouts like Gibson, Johnson, “Papa” Bell, Rap Dixon, Sam Bankhead and Ted Radcliffe.

Meanwhile, the Grays were always a force, so long as they had a team. Posey entered the Grays in the Negro National League in 1935 and, with power hitter Buck Leonard, won nine consecutive Negro National League Championships and three Negro League World Series titles.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, established in 1990, is located in Kansas City, in the heart of the city’s 18th & Vine Jazz District.

It’s two blocks away from the Paseo YMCA where “Rube” Foster established the Negro National League, 100 years ago.

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The annual African American Read-In

FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

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Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg spends a record $3.5 million with the Black Press Largest single advertising buy in the history of the NNPA

by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier

JOSIAH DENNIS, 4, with Lorena Amos of the United Black Book Clubs of Pittsburgh. The annual African American Read-In was held, Feb. 1, at the Carnegie Library in Homewood. The African American Read-In is a partnership between the UBBCP, the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, and the Homewood Library. The goal of the event is to encourage all, young and seasoned, to read and celebrate African American literacy. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

PRISCILLA DENNIS, 3, with her aunt, Danielle Smith.

Recognizing the importance of the Black vote and the reach of the Black Press of America, Democratic Presidential Candidate Mike Bloomberg recently delivered the largest single advertising buy to the Black Press in the 80year history of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

The NNPA is the national trade association that represents 230 black-owned

IZZY GOODSON, 5, with her mother, Sheila Beasley.

searchers at Brookings noted that candidates increase their chances of winning the presidency by “taking the long-range approach of energizing Black voters. Both parties should not discount the powerful recent election results in which Black votes determined the outcome.”

A new Quinnipiac poll revealed that Bloomberg is steadily gaining traction among Black voters.

The survey showed that Bloomberg rose 7 points overall, just two points be-

FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR MIKE BLOOMBERG, center, is making a push to win over Black voters in his quest to become the next President of the United States. (Photo: www.mikebloomberg. com) newspapers and media companies throughout the nation.

The $3.5 million ad buy became official on Monday, Feb. 10, during Black History Month. It enables Bloomberg to continue his aggressive campaign for president with ads appearing in Black Press of America publications throughout the upcoming Super Tuesday states, as well as other key states where the Black vote will be the determinative factor in the Democratic Party primaries.

Columbia, South Carolina, Mayor Steve Benjamin, who co-chairs Bloomberg’s campaign, said the deal is reflective of the former New York City mayor’s commitment toward building an inclusive economy.

“The Bloomberg campaign’s initiative is groundbreaking, and it goes to significantly increasing the

BRIAN COOK JR., right, with his father, Brian Cook Sr. Brian Cook Sr. is the president of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation.

economic health of African Americans by tripling their net worth,” said Mayor Benjamin. “The Bloomberg model is intentionally focused on creating a million new African American homeowners, 100,000 new African American-owned businesses, and $70 billion in federal capital to go in the 100 most challenged neighborhoods across the country.”

Benjamin added that the ad agreement counts as a recognition that, while some people only talk about

accomplishing important initiatives, Bloomberg follows through. “Mike has a history and a record as mayor, CEO, and philanthropist, of getting things done,” Benjamin stated.

“The ad buy not only is a show of respect to the incredible impact and importance of African American journalism but also it is Mike walking the walk when it comes to his investing in African American-owned businesses.”

Steven N. Larkin, the NNPA advertising salesman who helped in negotiations with Bloomberg’s campaign, called the ad buy a “historic partnership between Mike Bloomberg and the Black Press.”

Reaching Black America in 2020 is critical for all presidential candidates, according to the Brookings Institute, a nonprofit public policy organization in Washington, D.C. In a recent study, re-

hind former Vice President Joe Biden, who dropped 7 points.

Bloomberg now polls second among Black voters with 22 percent to Biden’s 27 percent. The former New York City mayor recently unveiled his Greenwood Initiative, which is designed to ignite economic justice for African Americans.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA, NNPA, emphasized, “It is appropriate and politically providential that candidates for the highest office in the nation recognize and sustain the significance of reaching African American voters through the Black Press of America via the NNPA. Mike Bloomberg has now stepped up to the plate with the commitment of his resources at this pivotal moment in history to affirm the importance of the Black vote in 2020.”

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

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BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

Allderdice girls win third straight basketball title Sports B8

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A Dream Come True

Mobutu and Charlotte Ka open MOKA Art Gallery in the Hill District

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

Who says dreams don’t come true?

Throughout their careers, Errol Reynolds, known as Mobutu, and Charlotte Ka knowingly and unknowingly have been working towards their dream of owning and operating an art gallery.

Both now in their mid70s, they have a consummate amount of knowledge in areas such as artistic production, music, painting and sculpturing. “We have chased our dream to fruition and now our goal is to keep the legacy of Black art and culture alive by creating a vehicle for young people to be inspired by our work,” Mobutu said.

the diverse contemporary artwork and music of the Hill District and the African Diaspora,” Ka said.

Born and raised in the Hill District, Mobutu attended Miller School and graduated from Fifth Avenue High School where he received one of his first introductions to music. At the age of 15, he played trombone at Carnegie Hall. After graduation, he said with a chuckle that he continued playing music on his mother’s pots and pans until he became a percussionist, using drums he carved from a dead tree trunk he found on Dinwiddie Street. As a percussionist, he played nine years with the late guitarist Grant Green. Traveling across the U.S. and the islands, he’s also played with

Dinwiddie Street which he and his artist friends renovated. The Archive served as the de facto studios and had an auditorium for writers, artists, sculptors and musicians. “Cats like Rob Penny and Bob Johnson all hung out at the Archive.

August Wilson wrote ‘Jitney’ and a few of his other plays there,” Mobutu claimed.

Mobutu also shared and developed his expertise in Atlanta and Fort-deFrance, Martinique. He developed art in the school’s programs with Shirley Franklin, the Director of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs and later the mayor of DREAMERS—Charlotte Ka and Errol “Mobutu” Reynolds sit in their new reality, MOKA Art Gallery.

Atlanta.

He was an invited artist at the Festival of Cultur- The Advancing Black Arts American Cultural Center, magnificent display of their al Arts in Fort-de-France, in Pittsburgh Program, The Pittsburgh Center For creative personality, life exwhere she received a grant The Arts and The Center of periences and artwork. The to create a series of ab- Contemporary Craft; and couple are planning exhibistract paintings to honor internationally in Nigeria, tions, studio practices, artPittsburgh musician and Ghana, Senegal and the ist talks, cultural exchangcomposer Billy Strayhorn. Ivory Coast as well as Cuba, es and art programming And she received the Art- Jamaica and Brazil. She to encourage dialogue and ists Fellowship in Painting also operated Jade Art Gal- to spawn innovation. But from the New York Founda- lery in 1979 on Forbes and one of the most important tion for the Arts (Gregory Craig avenues in Oakland. draws to the gallery is the Millard Award).

While touring the MOKA wealth of knowledge and She possesses a strong Art Gallery, the architec- experiences bottled within and extensive list of exhib- tural work, design and Mobutu and Ka, that are its and has displayed her development of the build- evident for all to see. wears nationally, including ing, as well as the art(The MOKA Art Gallery is also The Schomberg and other work of Mobutu and Ka, available as a community space galleries throughout New are promptly displayed for events, etc. For more informaYork City; locally at The throughout the building. tion on MOKA Art Gallery, call August Wilson African The first-floor gallery is a 412-692-1444.)

A LOVER OF ART—Charlotte Ka, co-owner of MOKA, a new art gallery in the Hill District, displays one of her many art pieces. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels) Their dream, a contemporary art, music studio and gallery, is located at 2297 Centre Ave. in the Hill District. The “Mecca of Kulture and Art,” MOKA is housed at the corner of Centre Avenue and Soho Street in a former grocery store building. MOKA’s mission is to provide a place where artists and musicians can come and hone their crafts and garner a further understanding of the region’s rich cultural history. It’s a cultural home that is designed to meet, reflect and learn.

Seemingly very enthusiastic about their project, the couple said their desire to create MOKA is to share the rich cultural legacy of jazz and art that originated in the Hill. “MOKA is depicted as a cultural ark, a home, which will showcase

Pittsburgh native George Benson, Freddie Hubbard and Johnny Liddell.

Mobutu also told the New Pittsburgh Courier that famed Pittsburgh drummer Marvin Turrentine was a member of Mobutu’s band, the Bandamystics.

A self-taught musician and sculptor, Mobutu admitted that in his early years in Pittsburgh he was influenced by many local giants and in turn has had the opportunity to help and influence other musicians and artists. Saxophonist Tony Campbell and bassist Christopher Sullivan, now residing in New York, are two musicians that participated in his music, art and drama center. The Archives Institute of Creative Arts was housed in an abandoned building on

Martinique, where the mayor there invited him to return to teach sculpting at the Cultural Park in FortDe-France. He also won an award at the fair for the best sculpture in the exhibition. Returning to Pittsburgh, Mobutu joined the ironworkers union as a welder and ironworker. He was involved in constructing buildings, bridges, highways, superstructures and the East Busway.

Ka labeled her artistic concentrations as paintings, mosaics and installations. “The installations are inspired by historic events with the general theme of ‘the power of the spirit to overcome obstacles’ and my paintings and mosaics illuminate in abstract language, ‘the beauty of spirit,’” she described.

A native of Crestas Terrace, a community located 12 miles east of Pittsburgh, Ka’s artistic influences became defined when she traveled to New York to study at Cooper Union for the Advancement of Arts and Sciences.

“I was in New York during the Black Revolution of the ‘60s and was inspired by that period of defiance, Black Power. I adopted a new lifestyle that included my African culture of the Motherland of Africa and I totally immersed American and African heritages.”

She identified the inspiration for her artmaking as the love of art, dance and music from the classical beauty of the art of Africa to blues and funk. “I am also deeply inspired and involved in the music of our survival, the ‘Spirituals.’

Memories of these strong and mighty foundations allow for much creative exuberance, mystery, magic and fun.”

Ka’s education also includes the Maryland Institute College of Art in BaltiA MAN OF MANY TALENTS—MOKA co-owner, Mobutu, shows more, and Carnegie Mellon samples of his sculptures and carvings.

University. Honors include

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

HEALTH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Take charge of your health today. Be informed. Be involved.

ESTHER BUSH

Racism and Health

These monthly pages focus on health disparities in the Pittsburgh region. They aim to educate readers about key health issues, research opportunities and community resources. All articles can be accessed online at the New Pittsburgh Courier website (newpittsburghcourier.com). The monthly series is a partnership of the New Pittsburgh Courier, Community PARTners (a core service of the University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute—CTSI), Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and UPMC Center for Engagement and Inclusion.

This month’s “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on racism and health—understanding how both race and racism relate to poor health outcomes for Black, Latinx, Hispanic and other communities of color. We will also share the range of resources available here in Allegheny County. Erricka Hager and Bee Schindler, community engagement coordinators, CTSI, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, spoke about this topic.

EH: Happy Black History Month, Ms. Bush. This is one of my favorite times of the year. My children were born in February, and we’re celebrating our heritage.

But our story also carries painful reminders of the historic journey of African Americans.

EB: I know what you are saying, Erricka. Black History Month gives us an opportunity to share our history and the amazing contributions we have made to society. But it is also important to acknowledge negative things in our past that are still affecting our present—for example, the legacy of the Tuskegee Study and how it understandably causes Black people not to want to participate in research.

Sadly, African Americans continue to experience health disparities in some cases because their specific health differences and needs are not known. Research participation can help in those cases.

BS: Yes, Ms. Bush. This is just one example of how racism influences outcomes just as it influences policies. Inequitable policies foster mistreatment of people not only in health care but also in education, housing, employment, criminal justice and other systems that—not surprisingly—add up to significant negative health effects as well.

EB: That is a concise explanation of the cycle of oppression and its effects. It is important for us to raise awareness within the health community and to help researchers understand their roles in the continuation or elimination of this cycle. But, Erricka and Bee, during this Black History Month, we can celebrate our partnership as a solid step toward healing the relationship between health researchers and the African American community.

EH: Yes, this health page gives us the opportunity to publicly discuss critical topics like race and health disparities. We are here to nurture understanding and trust and to help both sides work together for the improved health and well-being of Pittsburgh communities.

EB: That’s the power of a partnership between an academic space and a community organization like the Urban League.

Community organizations have been doing this work forever. Researchers can change the system by partnering with, listening to and believing communities. Are there any resources that we can recommend for our readers to continue to learn more about how race and racism affect our overall lives?

EH: Yes. We have included a few additional resources on this page that are great starting points for readers who are interested in getting involved with research.

The list also includes community organizations that are doing amazing work in interrupting cycles of oppression.

BS: Thank you so much for having this conversation with us, Ms. Bush, about racism and how it influences health outcomes. I look forward to next month as we discuss Down syndrome.

‘Advancing Just Health For All’ Studies have shown that racism and prejudice have contributed to racial gaps in health, education, economic stability and housing. Healthy People 2020 is the federal government’s “road map” agenda for building a healthier nation. The statement of our nation’s health recognizes racial discrimination as a social determinant of health that contributes to those racial gaps. Healthy People 2020 describes social determinants of health as conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.

Advocates are urging health professionals to clearly acknowledge that race and racism play a role in health status and social equity well-being. However, before we ask health professionals to examine their own role in improving the health of populations through achieving racial equity in health, we must first acknowledge past and present policies.

Noble Maseru, PhD, MPH, professor of behavioral and community health sciences, associate dean for diversity and inclusion, Office of the Dean, Graduate School of Public Health, and director, Center for Health Equity, University of Pittsburgh, quotes the Sankofa Bird, “If you want to know your present conditions, look at your past. If you want to know your future, look at your presentactions,” as a reminder.

Historical policies have contributed to differences in housing, education, health care, employment, media, criminal justice, and other systems. Dr. Maseru urges people to look to the past with a health equity lens.

Anthony Iton, MD, JD, MPH, senior vice president for health communities with the California Endowment and health equity expert, advises that people need to “...fully illuminate the powerful relationship between social inequities and health inequities.”

Despite not being a native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Maseru was intrigued by Pitt Public Health’s commitment to acknowledging its historical wrongdoings. Pitt Public Health

leadership recognized that previous policies have contributed to the limited representation of faculty, as well as students from historically underrepresented groups.

“Systematic inequalities are avoidNOBLE MASERU, PhD, MPH able,” says Dr. Maseru. “We have the knowledge and the resources to correct the deficiencies.”

One of the ways that Pitt Public Health is addressing these deficiencies is through the community research advisory board (CRAB). CRAB is an initiative of the Center for Health Equity which is housed in Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health. “CRAB, established in 2001, has been advising academics, service providers, community-based organizations and not-for-profit organizations for almost two decades,” says Dr. Maseru. “They educate about how best to engage vulnerable and historically underrepresented populations in research. They also promote collaboration among those researchers interested in addressing health inequities and/or disparities.”

CRAB is one way to bring attention to historical events, like the Tuskegee Study, and how they have changed the research process. CRAB also acknowledges that these events have contributed to people’s limited participation in research.

“CRAB is the lone organization in Allegheny County that has a diverse membership,” says Dr. Maseru. “It is made up of community-based persons, agency representatives, academics, service providers and students

who are experts in community-based participatory research.”

CRAB is a space where people from underrepresented communities can share their experiences of discrimination throughout the research process. Members are encouraged to educate researchers on the best ways to partner with Black, Latinx, Hispanic or other communities of color. CRAB is also helping the not-for-profit and public sectors respond to changing federal demands. New federal requirements for research funding are asking organizations to include a health equity framework in their mission, needs assessment and community benefits agreements.

Dr. Maseru is confident about the future of Pitt Public Health. He envisions change occurring in multiple ways including expanding the reach of the school into the Pittsburgh area. He hopes to see the University of Pittsburgh become a top institution for health equity.

“To do this, we will establish deliberate cross-sector collaborations involving external communities and organizations, as well as internal partnerships with schools and departments across campus,” says Dr. Maseru.

Pitt Public Health will continue to emphasize that health equity is a measure of social progress. This goal can be achieved only by using a Health Equity in All Policies framework. This approach is supported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy. Health equity in all policies is a joint approach that embeds health considerations in policymaking across all sectors.

The overall goal is to improve the health and well-being of all. Dr. Maseru pledges to work with the public sector to find ways to improve population health. He would also like to continue to partner with community organizations to develop interventions that will improve the health of Pittsburgh residents.

“In doing the above, we carry out our vision...Advancing Just Health for All,” says Dr. Maseru.

Exploring Links Between Racism and Health Dinner and Dialogue Series February 20, 2020 5:30-8 p.m.

RSVP by emailing bos23@pitt.edu or calling 412-383-3701.

Please join in this free and open to the public dinner and dialogue series as a way to lift up the community voice alongside the academics presenting their research. We hope to create opportunities to co-create solutions and co-learn about the effects of racism on health and mental health. Specifically, we are hoping to discuss ways to address and reduce racial disparities.

Panelists: As an Antiracist Integrative Raja Yoga Teacher, Felicia Savage Friedman is supporting ongoing antiracist organizing efforts in communities, organizations and institutions.

Noble Maseru, PhD, is a professor and director of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Center for Health Equity and associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Office of the Dean.

James P. Huguley, PhD, is interim director, Center on Race and Social Problems and assistant professor in the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work; his work focuses on school-based interventions that promote positive developmental outcomes for students of color, particularly in urban school settings.

Cheryl Hall-Russell, PhD, launched BW3 and excels as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant, speaker and facilitator.

She specializes in cultural audits to prepare companies for the adoption of inclusionary and equitable practices.

Chaunda Cunningham, LSW, is the

Healthy Start Pittsburgh team lead for the Moving beyond Depression program that services in-home therapy for pregnant and postpartum mothers who are suffering from depression.

Nicole Singletary is director of in-home services at Healthy Start Pittsburgh.

Ta’Lor Pinkston, MSW, speaks and facilitates workshops that help women + femme (including transgender women and nonbinary individuals) know their worth, cope with their mental health issues and commit to Healing over Everything. She is a Moving beyond Depression therapist at Healthy Start Pittsburgh.

Dawn Boggs, LPC, ICGC, CEAP is the Senior EAP Consultant at BNY Mellon. She works with employees, managers and the company as a whole, to provide a positive and healthy workplace. In addition to working in corporations, she has worked in the nonprofit, community college and private practice settings.

RESOURCES CRAB: The Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB) was established in 2001 to advise researchers on how best to engage underrepresented populations in research and to foster collaboration among those populations and researchers interested in addressing health disparity.

YogaRoots: Felicia Savage Friedman and YogaRoots On Location’s trained yoga teachers provide yoga-based techniques for people to manage the trauma and stress of their daily lives. smile@yogarootsonlocation.com Healthy Start touches the entire community—galvanized in support of a vision where communities are devoid of health disparities

and all babies have the opportunity to thrive.

(412) 247-4009 | info@hsipgh.org New Voices for Reproductive Justice: Promotes the complete health and well-being of Black women and girls in the Greater Pittsburgh Region, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Reproductive Justice is our innovative framework to engage Black women, femmes and girls in local, national and global movement-building for Human Rights, Racial and Gender Justice.

(412) 450-0290 | info@newvoicespittsburgh.org Pitt Center for Race and Social Problems: Conducts applied social science research on race, color, ethnicity and their influence on the quality of life for all people in the United States. http://crsp.pitt.edu/ The Pittsburgh Study: The Pittsburgh Study is a community-partnered study to find out what works to help children thrive. The study will follow children in Allegheny County from birth through high school. Pregnant women, parents, babies, toddlers, preschoolers and children in elementary, middle and high school can participate in the study. 412692-8026 | mab472@pitt.edu All of Us: The All of Us Research Program is asking one million people to come together to create the largest health database ever.

Researchers can use this data to better understand disease. This may create a healthier future for generations to come. allofuspa@pitt. edu | 1-800-664-0480 Pitt+Me: Answer a few questions and search studies you might be interested in.

Find studies to join or become part of our pool of future participants. We will email you about studies for which you may be eligible.

Pittplusme.org | 1-866-438-8230

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

While there is understandable concern about the spread of coronavirus, government officials and the media should not spread panic.

The viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 70,548 people globally.

China has reported 1,770 deaths and nearly 69,000 confirmed cases on the mainland. Most of the deaths have been in central Hubei province, where illnesses from the new type of coronavirus were first detected in December.

The U.N. health agency is now tackling misinformation over the virus outbreak.

Officials must navigate between fear about the spread of coronavirus and increasing international preparedness. While growth has been exponential in China, elsewhere cases remain under 150, scattered across nearly two-dozen countries.

“Instead of spending time on fear and panic, we should say this is the time to prepare,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization chief, “because 146 cases, by any standard, is very low.”

Meanwhile, the United States and other governments are clamping down on travel to China and airlines are suspending flights there. Airlines have canceled 25,000 flights to and within China. While caution is necessary officials must be sure not to say or do anything to fuel rising xenophobia and ostracism of China, which could lead to less transparency and information.

Since the outbreak began, a number of misleading claims and hoaxes about the virus have circulated online. They include false conspiracy theories that the virus was created in a lab and that vaccines have already been manufactured, exaggerations about the number of sick and dead, and claims about bogus cures.

Officials have expressed concerns that the outbreak and response have been accompanied by a massive “infodemic”— an overabundance of information, some accurate and some not—that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it. The World Health Organization is doing the right by battling misinformation and working with social media to ensure that people get facts from the U.N. health agency first when they search for information about the virus. The WHO is working daily to identify the most prevalent rumors that can potentially harm the public’s health, such as false prevention measures or cures.

The news media and social media platforms must also take steps to limit the spread of misinformation and rumors about the outbreak.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

Trump marches to authoritarianism President Donald Trump has apparently learned nothing from his impeachment.

Instead of acting with restraint and within the rules, the president is continuing to behave like an unrestrained authoritarian leader.

The latest example of a president out of control is the Justice Department’s case against Trump’s longtime ally and confidant Roger Stone.

Four attorneys who prosecuted Stone signed onto a sentencing memo that recommended between seven and nine years in prison for Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the 2016 election.

The four lawyers quit the case after the Justice Department overruled them and said it would take the extraordinary step of lowering the amount of prison time it would seek for Stone.

The Justice Department decision to overrule its own lawyers came after Trump blasted the original sentencing recommendation as “very horrible and unfair.”

Trump slammed the original sentencing recommendation and questioned the judge overseeing the Stone case. He tweeted congratulations to Atty. Gen. William Barr “for taking charge of a case that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have been brought,” suggesting the prosecutors had gone rogue.

Barr criticized Trump Thursday, saying that the president’s tweets about Justice Department prosecutors and cases “make it impossible for me to do my job.” Barr made the comment during an interview with ABC News just days after the Justice Department overruled its own prosecutors.

The prosecutors were within the sentencing recommendations when they asked for Stone to serve between 87 and 108 months in federal prison, which they said was consistent with federal guidelines.

The prosecutors wrote that “Stone’s actions were not a oneoff mistake in judgment” and that he “decided to double— and triple—down on his criminal conduct by tampering with a witness for months in order to make sure his obstruction would be successful.”

The sentence recommended by the prosecutors would send a strong message to deter others who might consider lying or obstructing a congressional probe or tampering with witnesses, they said.

Trump exerted his will on a Justice Department that he often views as an arm of the White House.

Trump’s involvement in the Roger Stone case is the latest example of the president inappropriately interfering with the Justice Department, meant to operate free from White House sway in criminal investigations and prosecutions.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

Founded 1910

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher Allison Palm

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020 B3

Fear paralyzes

Guest Editorials

Prepare, don’t panic, over virus outbreak

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—With all the fearmongering, the unjust firings, transfers, the name-calling, the profanity laced rantings, the lying, the mean spirited actions, the early negative predictions about the Democratic Party and its candidates—one could just give up and ask, “What’s the use of trying to make a difference about anything?”

Well, I’m not on that list of the fearful, nor are many of my friends and associates. All is not lost because Joe Biden may not be the Democratic nominee for President. All Black people aren’t suddenly jumping over Joe to get to Michael Bloomberg. Those of us who’ve seen Black people rise to the occasion at the voting booth so many times haven’t conceded the November 2020 election to Donald Trump.

We continue to hear on the news how important the Black vote is. If that’s the case, it’s up to us whether we choose to be the victors for winning where we have such power or whether we choose to be blamed when candidates not in our best interest win.

If we choose to win, why should we be fearful? Those of us who believe what we’ve been taught that “God has not given us a spirit of fear.”

2nd Timothy tells us that what the Apostle Paul was saying to his young friend is that his fear was standing in his way of success. All of us have

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary struggles but we shouldn’t allow them to control us to the point that we lose faith in our ability to succeed.

My friend, Dick Gregory, always said that fear and God do not occupy the same space, and we should not allow fear to block our good. If we put it out there, we’re sabotaging what we claim to want.

Let’s not become paralyzed and do nothing because somebody thinks we’re going to stay home or we don’t believe we can help to get a new occupant in the White House. Let’s go forward courageously doing all the things we can to win an election that brings about justice.

God is faithful. Let’s look at the full promise that says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Instead of fearing the worst, let’s be like the Apostle Paul by mentoring the doubters and the fearful. Instead of criticizing them, let’s help them believe we have the power to make a difference in the coming election.

Never allow our friends or families to concede the election to those who mean us no good.

Even if we’re not in need of a hand up, think about children at the border who’ve been kept in cages, children who don’t have nutritious meals, those who don’t have access to a safe home or a useable education. Think about the damage already done to a system some of our ancestors died to make better. Think of the embarrassment about our so-called leaders we face as we travel around the world.

Think about the threats faced by Americans who put their jobs and their lives on the line to testify before the House Impeachment Committee. Think about those who were too afraid to testify or to vote against what is evil and un-American.

So many of those who remained silent and try to make us believe they’re pro-Constitution are really traitors because they resisted every effort to be guided by the Constitution in making their decisions about impeachment and conviction of the scoundrel in the White House.

As was said in the movie “Black Panther” we have a duty to protect those we love, so let us never fear being courageous no matter what the consequences are.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. She’s also host of “Wake Up and Stay Woke” on WPFW-FM 89.3.)

Letter To The Editor

2020 Vision: The decade for true equity in Pittsburgh Public Schools?

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”—Frederick Douglass The struggle for equity and equality within Pittsburgh Public Schools began almost 200 years ago when Pittsburgh Public Schools became an official institution in 1835. African American students were not allowed to attend. Due to community protests, the Pittsburgh School Board finally funded a segregated Black public school in 1838. Again, the community had to protest for a decent building for Black students resulting in the Miller Street School for Black children in 1838 with Jacob B. Taylor as the Black principal. Although the state of Pennsylvania officially abolished racial discrimination in the public school system in 1881, there were NO Black teachers hired between 1881 and 1933. Lawrence Paul Peeler was the first Black full-time teacher hired in 1937. It wasn’t until 1955 that a Black principal, John Brewer was hired.

The struggle against systemic racial inequities continued through the subsequent decades. During the 1980s the late Dr. Barbara Sizemore, Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Black Community, Research and Education at the University of Pittsburgh conducted her own research of the racial disparities within Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Her findings were both inspiring and upsetting at the same time. There were highly effective principals at challenging schools serving predominantly African American students with high achievement. There were also glaring and disappointing results at other schools serving predominantly African American students. Due to the glaring racial disparities, Dr. Sizemore initiated action, organizing a broad base of individuals who were concerned about the education of African American students. The Advocates for African American Students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools (Advocates) was born to make a difference on behalf of African American students.

For years, the PPS Board ignored the community’s efforts, strategies, and recommendations to remedy the ever-widening academic achievement gap. Consequently, the Advocates became more and more dismayed and fired up regarding the long and inexcusable history of racial disparities facing African American students.

In 1992 The Advocates for African American Students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools filed a discrimination complaint with the Human Relations Commission against the Pittsburgh Board of Education. The complaint alleged the Pittsburgh Board of Education discriminated against African American students by: 1) Hiring as Superintendent a White candidate who was less qualified than the African American candidate, 2) Suspending and disciplining African American students at a higher rate than White students, 3) Distributing class grades disproportionately based on race, 4) Maintaining a large academic achievement gap between African American and white students, and

5) Underrepresentation of African American students in special programs and projects (such as Gifted or Scholars) and overrepresentation of African American students in special education because of their race.

After fourteen (14) years of stalling and six (6) Pittsburgh Board of Education Administrations, a Conciliation Agreement and Consent Order was agreed to in 2006. The Agreement detailed 94 issues of concern to be remedied by the district within five years or by 2012. In this Agreement, the Advocates insisted on the creation of an independent volunteer Equity Advisory Panel to monitor the district’s compliance with the Agreement. During the initial period, “substantial progress” was not achieved; consequently, an extended two-year Memorandum of Understanding continued the Agreement to 2014. After two years, “substantial progress” was not met again; therefore, an additional five-year Memorandum of Understanding extended the Agreement to 2020. The most recent 2018 PSSA/ PASA and Keystone Exams reveal significant racial disparities still exist and, in some cases, are increasing.

Pittsburgh Board Member, Dr. Regina Holley, as her final official act on the Board, introduced a Resolution in November 2019 to extend the Conciliation Agreement Memorandum of Understanding an additional five years through 2025. The resolution passed unanimously.

The Advocates Complaint and subsequent Conciliation Agreement led to the creation of the seven-member volunteer Equity Advisory Panel in 2006. An additional fourteen years and three Pittsburgh Board of Education Administrations later, the advocacy of the Equity Advisory Panel has produced results in several areas.

Notable accomplishments are the “Beyond Diversity Racial Bias Training,” the creation of the PPS Office of Equity, the We Promise and Promise of Sisterhood mentoring initiatives, the creation of the PPS Equity and Excellence in Education Policies, and the PPS On Track to Equity Plan.

However, are we really “On Track to Equity?”

After releasing PPS On Track to Equity, PPS initiated Imagine PPS

in December 2019. Imagine PPS is a new city-wide initiative composed of community leaders to “…help the District tackle its biggest challenges.” The initiative has 12 focus areas within four categories, none of which includes “Equity;” which is one of the district’s biggest challenges. Are we to Imagine PPS void of equity?

Although the PPS Board has passed a resolution to extend the Conciliation Agreement Memorandum of Understanding, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has consistently failed to respond to the requests from the Advocates and PPS to complete the details of the extending the Agreement. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission must be held responsible and accountable to monitor the Complaint housed under their jurisdiction for the affected students in Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The Gender Equity Commission Report titled “Pittsburgh’s Inequality Across Gender and Race” confirmed what, generally, Black Pittsburghers already knew. This finding is directly related to the inequalities within Pittsburgh Public Schools. The report found “Pittsburgh’s Black population faces stressful, life-and-death situations far more here than their counterparts across the nation.” How and when will the city’s Office of Equity address these multitude of racial disparities?

As Dr. Barbara A. Sizemore reflects in her book “Walking in Circles – The Struggle for School Reform”: “Lastly, as my life ends, I must encourage the freedom fighters who follow that any approach which fails to address White supremacy and its counterpart, the imputation of Black inferiority, will force you to walk in circles as I have done. Unless you want to wind up where you came in, seek strong confrontation to White supremacy at every opportunity and keep the glare on it”.

Keeping the glare on it, The Equity Advisory Panel Mrs. Wanda Henderson, Chairperson Ms. Celeta Hickman, Mr. Kirk Holbrook, Ms. Tamanika Howze, Dr. Anthony Mitchell, Mrs. Maria Searcy, Dr. James Stewart

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B4

FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ PRODUCTION ARTIST

POLICE OFFICERS CITY OF ALIQUIPPA

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. 21 to sbroadus@ newpittsburghcourier.com.

ASSISTANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Qualifications include creativity, strong instructional leadership, communication and collaboration skills, strong literacy background, knowledge of curriculum, and the ability to analyze data and apply results to instruction. This is a 12-month position. Salary commensurate with experience. All applications should include a letter of interest, resume, P.A. standard application, clearances, transcripts, and recommendations. Send applications to Dr. Thomas Ralston, Avonworth School District, 258 Josephs Lane, Pgh., PA 15237 by March 6, 2020. Spring and Summer 2020 Principal Certification Candidates are encouraged to apply. EOE

FLEET MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR

Port Authority is seeking a Fleet Maintenance Coordinator to coordinate all support level maintenance and overall maintenance management for Port Authority’s revenue vehicle bus fleet under the general directions of the Manager of Bus Maintenance Support.

Essential Functions: •Directly coordinates and oversees all support level maintenance for fleet maintenance activities completed outside the bus divisions, and all general overall maintenance management activities in support of service delivery.

•Provides technical aid/support and advice to managers, supervisors and employees in the field. Meets with division maintenance managers, supervisors, maintenance training coordinators and employees on a regular basis to address fleet maintenance issues or problems.

•Analyze bus mechanical failures and associated data. Recommend best course of action to remedy the current problem and avoid future issues, writing technical bulletins as needed. This includes mechanical failures as well as post incident investigations such as bus fires and accidents.

Job requirements include: •High School Diploma or GED. •Two-year Technical Degree or Associate Degree in Business or related field from an accredited school.

Related experience may be substituted for the education on a yearfor-year basis.

•Minimum of three (3) years of maintenance experience with bus fleets and/or heavy automotive vehicles.

•Valid Commercial Driver’s License, Class B with Passenger Endorsement and Air Brake Restriction removed or must possess a valid driver’s license and acquire a Commercial Driver’s License as described above within 90 days of appointment to the position.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows.

•Effective and professional communication skills.

•Customer-focused, well organized and results-oriented.

•This is a Safety-Sensitive position subject to all testing provisions under the Drug and Alcohol Policy, including random drug and alcohol testing. The person selected for this position may be required to be tested prior to being awarded the job.

Preferred attributes: •BA/BS Degree in Business or directly related field from an accredited school.

•Experience in managing maintenance of bus fleets or other fleets of heavy automotive vehicles and equipment.

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

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

Qualified persons are invited to apply to the City of Aliquippa Civil Service Commission to take competitive examinations leading to eligibility for appointment as a Police Officer in the City of Aliquippa Police Department. An application form may be obtained beginning February 17, 2020 at the City Building, 581 Franklin Avenue, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Completed applications must be returned by 3:00 PM February 28, 2020, with a $35.00 non-refundable application fee payable to the City of Aliquippa.

REQUIREMENTS: At the time of application applicants are required to be Act 120 Certified or have successfully completed Act 120 Training with the State Exam successfully completed by date of conditional hire, have a high school diploma or GED, be a minimum of 18 years of age, hold a valid motor vehicle operator’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, be a U.S. Citizen and be physically and mentally fit to perform duties of a police officer. Successful applicants must meet all other Civil Service requirements.

Women and Minorities Are Encouraged to Apply. EOE

REGISTRAR

California University of Pennsylvania seeks to hire a full-time registrar who will be responsible for all activities related to student records and reporting, records processing, grade reporting, degree auditing, developing and maintaining databases, and preparing studies related to student outcomes assessment and academic program and institutional effectiveness reviews. The registrar is responsible for ensuring that technology is used to optimize the student and faculty experience and to ensure compliance with accreditation requirements, as well as federal and state requirements for records and reporting. A master’s degree and five years of leadership experience in the records and registration environment is required. For a detailed job description, position requirements and instructions for application, visit www.calu.edu; click on Employment near the bottom of the page, then Staff Positions. All applicants must apply online. “Don’t settle for someone else’s vision of your life. Build your career at California University of Pennsylvania.”

Integrity, Civility and Responsibility are the official core values of California University of Pennsylvania, an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the College will be held on: March 5, 2020 4:00 PM CCAC Allegheny CampusByers Hall 808 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE

Former Glen Hazel Residents from April 18, 2015 to July 18, 2018 The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) is searching for former residents who lived in the Glen Hazel community between the dates of April 18, 2015 to July 18, 2018. During this stated time period, the HACP was considering making improvements in the Glen Hazel community which may have required you to be relocated.

You should have received a notice letting you know your rights if you were required to move. If you resided in the HACP’s Glen Hazel community within the dates specified above, please contact the HACP’s Relocation Specialist, Cassandra Palmer, at 412-643-2758 to discuss the notice that you should have received.

The Housing Authority of the City Of Pittsburgh Occupancy Department 100 Ross Street – 4th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

TRUST TERMINATION:

Advertising Trust Termination due to the death of Harry J. Kerr Jr. on December 22, 2019.

Claims against said Trust may be filed as follows and sent to: PNC Bank, National Association Attn: Sharon L Whitney, VP 300 Fifth Ave, FL 31 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 And/or: Trace L. Zihmer, Esq. 3244 Washington Road Suite 210 McMurray, PA 15317

SONNY BOY

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Public Notice

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE OPENING OF WAITING LISTS

Effective at the start of the business day Monday, February 24, 2020, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) will open the waiting lists for the following Project Based Voucher Site Based Communities: •Kelly Hamilton Homes (1, 2 and 3 bedroom units only) – located in Homewood •Lofts at Bentley (1 and 2 bedroom units only) – located in the Hill District •Middle Hill Homes (1 bedroom units only) – located in the Hill District •Skyline Terrace (1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom units only) – located in the Hill District •Elmer Williams Square (1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom units only) – located in East Liberty Not all households will be eligible for the unit sizes available, as the age, gender and relationships of household members affect the number of bedrooms for which a household is eligible. Income and eligibility restrictions of the Housing Choice Voucher Program apply.

Not all units at these locations are served by these waiting lists; additional units with different requirements may be available directly from the location’s management office.

Pre-applications can be submitted in person to the HACP Occupancy Department between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., mailed to the address below, or faxed to 412456-5182. For information about obtaining a pre-application for one of the communities listed above, please contact the Occupancy Department at 412-456-5030.

Position on the waiting list will be determined based upon the date and time stamp received once the completed pre-application is submitted to the Occupancy Department along with any approved waiting list preferences (Kelly Hamilton Homes is the only Project Based Voucher Waiting List that utilizes preferences).

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations to submit a pre-application can contact the HACP’s Disability Compliance Office at 412-456-5282. For those that are deaf or hard of hearing, you can also contact HACP at TDD: 412201-5384.

This event is for Project Based Vouchers for Kelly Hamilton Homes, Lofts at Bentley, Middle Hill Homes, Skyline Terrace and Elmer Williams Square and is completely separate from the HACP Housing Choice Voucher and Low Income Public Housing Programs.

The Housing Authority of the City Of Pittsburgh Occupancy Department 100 Ross Street – 4th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

OFFICIAL BID NOTICE TOWNSHIP OF UPPER ST. CLAIR

Sealed Bids will be received by the Township of Upper St. Clair, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania until 9:00 A.M., Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and the Bids will be publicly opened and read thereafter in the Training Room in the Township Building at the same address for the following: TOWNSHIP OF UPPER ST. CLAIR SPOT LINING AND MANHOLE REHABILITATION CONTRACT MANHOLE TO MANHOLE LINING CONTRACT Please refer to www.twpusc.org/ Business/Procurement & Bid Information, for details regarding specifications and Bidding requirements. /s/ Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

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

ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY February 19, 2020

Letters-of-Interest (LOI) with current Form SF330, for professional design engineering services, will be received at the office of the Director, Engineering of the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) until 12:00 PM on March 27, 2020 (late submissions will not be accepted), for the following: Professional Design Engineering Services: The ACAA will typically utilize a professional design engineering firm on each of the projects listed below at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC) which requires engineering services.

Specific responsibilities will include all aspects of design engineering required for new construction, rehabilitation, repairs, maintenance and permitting of airfield pavements, roadways, land development, erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, drainage systems, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, roof replacements, and other structures for the ACAA. Engineering firms will be required to provide, but not limited to, design, geotechnical investigations, surveying, permitting, preparation of bidding documents, construction administration, construction cost estimating, value engineering, and maintain all records as required by the FAA, PennDOT, PADEP, Findlay and Moon Townships, the ACAA or other entities as required.

1. Asphalt and Concrete Repair and Replacement Work will include miscellaneous repairs and replacement of cracked and deteriorated pavement on roads, shoulders, sidewalks, curbs, parking lots, runways, taxiways, aprons and ramps.

2. Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation, Signage, and Electrical Upgrades Work may consist of partial or full keel section replacement, isolated concrete slab work, joint and crack repair, trench drain repair, asphalt shoulder work, lighting upgrades, signage improvements, and pavement marking.

Typical projects may include: a. Airfield signage and sign bases b. Airfield apron and trench drains c. Runways, aprons and taxiways d. Joint sealant and spall repairs e. Airfield lighting upgrades/replacements 3. Infrastructure Development, Repair and Replacement Work may consist of permitting, surveying, geotechnical investigations, site grading, drainage, roadways, aprons, taxiways, sanitary and storm sewers, potable and fire protection water, electrical, HVAC, telephone and gas lines.

4. Building Rehabilitation, Replacement and Upgrades Work may consist of miscellaneous mechanical, electrical or structural repairs, roof replacement, brick work, caulking, sealing, painting, baggage system upgrades and security upgrades on the Landside and Airside Buildings, and other miscellaneous buildings as required.

Professional Design Engineering On-Call Services: The ACAA has a need for separate contracts to provide professional design engineering services on an on-call, as-needed basis to provide design, assessments, capital cost estimates, emergency evaluations and repairs, and other special needs for various projects that may arise. Engineering firms must be qualified and be prepared to respond on very short notice to various issues which may arise at any time of day, seven days a week.

Experienced and qualified staff members must be on-call and available on a 24/7 basis. Areas of expertise must also include familiarity with FAA Advisory Circulars; and PennDOT and PADEP permitting requirements.

If interested in providing any of the aforementioned services, design engineering firms are required to submit a Letter-of-Interest (LOI) and current Form SF330, identifying the specific service area(s) of interest with emphasis on main area(s) of competence. The ACAA encourages responses from small firms, minority, and women’s business firms, and firms that have not previously worked for the ACAA. The ACAA will use Form SF330 to evaluate and prequalify firms to be part of a highly qualified short-list, which will then be requested to submit comprehensive proposals. Comprehensive proposals will include the following at a minimum: Project understanding, project experience, project team identification, organization chart and resumes; approach to major tasks such as scope and schedule management, techniques for cost control, approach to capital cost estimating, scope creep and change order management, and identification of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Firms with description and quantity of work they will perform to meet or exceed FAA and ACAA DBE requirements, which is currently 14%. Note: Do not include company brochures and limit the LOI to no more than three typewritten pages (8.5” x 11”, 11 pt. font) in addition to Standard Form 330. A link to obtain SF330 can be found by going to the following website: Standard Form 330 (SF330) https://www.gsa.gov/cdnstatic/SF330-16f.pdf?forceDownload=1 Submissions should be made to: Mr. Jeff Bezek, P.E. Director, Engineering Allegheny County Airport Authority Pittsburgh International Airport Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezz.

PO Box 12370 Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370 Questions should be directed to Mr. Jeff Bezek, P.E. at 412-472-3852 or email to jbezek@flypittsburgh.com Final consultant selections (following short-listing, proposal evaluation, and interviews) will be based on, but not limited to, the following criteria: Staff qualifications, experience and local office bench strength; demonstrated interest in the projects; organization, clarity, cohesiveness, quality and completeness of both the written proposal and oral presentation; sensitivity to ACAA requirements and project constraints; indicated ability to manage projects, produce required results, meeting project schedule and controlling costs; demonstrated knowledge of FAA, PennDOT, local, and ACAA applicable standards and requirements; capital cost estimating expertise, constructability reviews, value engineering, construction procedures and scheduling methods; monitoring DBE goals, mentoring DBE firms, impacts to airport operations and other areas of professional design engineering.

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Legal Notices

Legal Notices

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.

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Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

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

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

Sealed bids will be received in the Bellefield Avenue Lobby, Administration Building, 341 South Bellefield Avenue until 11:00 A.M. prevailing time March 10, 2020 and will be opened at the same hour for the purchase of the following equipment and supplies: INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC SUPPLIES 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

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

FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

ADVERTISEMENT

Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 (412.237.3020) on the following items: Bid Proposal No. 1064 – Private Water Main and Meter Vault Relocation – Allegheny Campus A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site-visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. The assembly point will be the OCS Lobby, 800 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Park in the lot directly across from Wendy’s (buzz in at the gate).

Due date: 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 The CCAC Purchasing Department publishes all bids and RFPs via the CCAC website at https:// ccac.edu/business/rfp-bids.php.

It will be each vendor’s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda. Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the final submittal may result in the rejection of your bid.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.

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

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

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 18, 2020, and bids will be publicly opened and read by the Airport Authority in Conference Room A, 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 7G4-11 (GENERAL) SITE 9 MCCLAREN ROAD DEVELOPMENT AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT A pre-bid conference will be held in the Conference Room C, 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 412-472-3543 or 412-4723677.

Christina A. Cassotis Chief Executive Officer ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

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

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The NBA… It’s Fan-Tas-Tic!! :10—Kobe, Kobe, Kobe... Needless to say it still seems like a dream, still feels unreal. Like it never happened. But it did happen and it is real and the NBA has stepped up big time to make sure the world is reminded: Kobe Bryant was the best of the NBA and he was “FanTas-Tic!!!” :09—For the record, I’ve often said, and I contend that the greatest athletes on the planet bar none, are NBA players. When you have to run forward, backward, sideways, jump, slide, start, stop, rebound, pass, catch, shoot, and have to make the decision to all these things in a matter of seconds…C’mon man! :08—Going in I can tell you I am not overly concerned about the final score of the NBA AllStar Game. I am coming to you from the Windy City and there’s a thousand things on the to do list before game time. Here’s just a few - #1. Par-tay... Par-tay...

Par-tay! #2. The NBA “Give Back Program.” Big money donations to numerous community charities. #3. Photo and autograph sessions for kids of all ages. #4.

Rookie game, legends, big-time celebs… #5. And of course, the Slam Dunk Contest. Still good, still worth the effort. This year’s “King of the Dunk”—Derrick Jones Jr. of the Miami Heat.

(Who?) :07—Let me make this clear and simple. There is no difference between Shoeless Joe, Pete Rose, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens or the Houston Astros and Boston Red

being said, we’ll get back to ya and let you know what we’ve got.

And by that I mean our complete payroll will be about $6 million dollars more than Gerrit Cole’s salary this season.

I’m just sayin’. :03—Speaking of basketball, let’s be reminded that we also lost Commissioner David Stern. My brief encounter with Mr. Stern—on the phone with him for all of “3” minutes to invite him to Pittsburgh for the Connie Hawkins Hall of Fame salute back in the day. Quite the gentleman but he couldn’t make it. But did send his best to the Hawk! :02—Okay, this just in—final score of the NBA All-Star game from Sunday night—Team LeBron 157, Team Giannis 155, with Kawhi Leonard a very deserving MVP. By the way, the All-Star Game MVP is now named for the late Kobe Bryant. :01—Don’t worry, I won’t ket you down. The most important thing you have to do in your life— Vote, Vote, Vote Trump out. You can put in Fred Flintstone if you want... just get him out! :00—My All-Time NBA 1st Team - C. Wilt Chamberlain F. Julius Erving F. LeBron James G. Michael Jordan G. Magic Johnson — My All-Time NBA 2nd Team - C. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar F. Larry Bird F. Tim Duncan G. Kobe Bryant G. Oscar Robertson — My All-Time NBA 3rd Team - C. Bill Russell F. Elvin Hayes F. Karl Malone G. John Stockton G. Jerry West GAME OVER.

Overtime

Bill Neal Sox. Either everybody’s in or everybody’s out. :06—Speaking of sports— and that’s why you’re reading this—”Champions Live Sports Talk Show” is back! Come join the fun every other Monday at The Walnut Grill in Fox Chapel, 6 to 8 p.m. Call me to check the schedule and celebrity guests (412-628-4856). :05—Now here’s my partner “Tim Terrific” to update you on your Pittsburgh Penguins... ‘cause I know nothing!!! Tim: “Thanks, Bill…with a game in hand the Pens find themselves one point behind the Washington Capitals for the overall lead in the Metropolitan Division and now, with the best goaltending combo in the NHL with Tristan Jarry and Matt Murray, the Pens are poised for a deep run in the playoffs and have as good a chance of winning the Stanley Cup as any team that will be in the playoffs, provided, of course, the main components, Crosby, Malkin and LeTang, stay fully healthy through the playoffs. Another Cup looms in our future, remember where ya heard it first.

Back to you, Bill.” :04—BTW, did I mention pitchers and catchers reported to spring training last week? That

The Ballad of Mason and Myles Cleveland DE Garrett still can’t prove Rudolph used a racial slur This is Black History Month and everything is supposed to be about Rosa, Martin and Satchel. However, a Thursday night matchup in November 2019 between the Browns and Steelers in Cleveland might have changed that.

A fight broke out near the end of a 21-7 Cleveland win.

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ripped off Mason Rudolph’s helmet and hit him in the head with it. Garrett was suspended indefinitely by the NFL with a minimum ban for the remainder of the regular season and postseason. He has since been reinstated. Rudolph was also fined for his part in the incident.

Garrett made a claim days after the incident that he was called the N-word by Rudolph, an assertion that Rudolph vehemently denied. Many people question the timing of the accusation of Garrett, pointing out that during interviews initially given by Garrett, no racial slur accusations were mentioned by him to the media. However, according to a recent msn.com report former Browns GM John Dorsey confirmed that Garrett informed him of the slur almost immediately.

“Garrett said he told Dorsey, coaches and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi that Mason Rudolph‘s use of a racial slur is what set him off. The Steelers quarterback repeatedly has denied the allegation. Dorsey confirmed to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal last Monday that Garrett had informed the team of his racial slur accusation postgame. ‘Correct,’ Dorsey told Ulrich. ‘It’s the truth.’ That follows what Dorsey said in a prepared statement Nov. 21 in which he said Garrett ‘was open and honest with us about the incident from the start.’”

tailback and the tight end, Marcus Williams, is in motion. At the snap, Williams releases upfield and heads for the linebacker, Bill Romanowski.

Williams engages Romanowski and drives him toward the sideline as Jenkins cuts inside the block and runs downfield. What happens next isn’t on tape, but no one disputes how the scene played out. It’s why the jury is here, two years later, in California Superior Court, on the third floor of Oakland’s administration building. That’s why Marcus Williams sits before 12 jurors who have been forced to pass judgment on a world from which they are excluded.”

Ask anyone in the game.

Bruce Allen, director of pro personnel for the Bucs, held the same position with the Raiders in 2003 and said as much in his deposition. “I’ve observed thousands of fights in training camp,” Allen said. “I’ve seen a lot of stitches.” But when asked if he’d seen anything like what happened to Williams, Allen replied that he had not.

This time, a man was seriously injured, his career thrown into jeopardy.

“I’d been in some tussles,” Williams said. “But that ain’t what this was. I was like, g____mn.

I knew I didn’t do anything to deserve that. That wasn’t a fight.

It was an assault,” Williams said.

When the trial concluded in March 2005, Romanowski was ordered to pay Williams $340,000 in damages, just a tenth of the $3.5 million that Williams was seeking. Williams was also awarded $40,000 in medical expenses and $300,000 for lost wages—about one season’s salary. Just a season’s salary? Bruce Ormsby wrote; “that’s just the way it is. Some things never change.”

Inside Conditions

Aubrey Bruce Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has defended his second-string quarterback against these so far unproven accusations. However, by this being Black History Month, oops, I meant Black Mystery Month, I’d like to rewind the tape back to around 22 years ago when the NFL in particular and sports in general was not as politically correct or incorrect, depending on how you see it.

In December 1997, in a regular season game between the Broncos and the 49ers, former Broncos linebacker Bill Romanowski was captured by the television cameras spitting in the face of former 49ers’ linebacker J.J. Stokes. Romanowski was fined $7,500 for the violation. Stokes later complained that an official on the field had not addressed the incident. Romanowski played it off, saying that it was a “routine part of football.”

In the future, Romanowski continued his “racially insensitive” ways even against his own teammate when he played with the Oakland Raiders.

In an ESPN article titled, “Cracked Code” written by Alan Grant and posted on Aug. 15, 2005, Grant wrote the following when he covered the trial when Raiders tight end Marcus Williams sued Romanowski for damages.

“The jury sees the play. Hell, they see it at least 17 times. It’s called Exhibit 1. Rich Gannon is under center, fullback Zack Crockett lines up behind the left guard, Ronney Jenkins is at

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Trump’s 2021 budget reflects his values

by Julianne Malveax

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—If you tell me how you spend your money, I can tell you what your values are. You say you are a Christian but neither tithe nor have a church home. You say support civil rights but have no connection to a civil rights organization. You love your alma mater never contribute to the place.

Put your money where your mouth is. Budgets are reflections of values.

Thus, I was unsurprised with the budget our 45th President (also known as “Forty-five”) proposed to Congress on February 10. His budget—cuts domestic programs, maintains defense spending and targets poor people. It cuts education, housing, and environmental protection. It would eliminate our art and cultural agencies, including the National Institute for the Arts, the National Institutes for Humanities, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Forty-five’s hostility to poor people is reflected in reductions in Medicaid, food stamps, and the CHIP program, which provides health care for poor children. And while he is starving poor people, he insists on preserving the 2017 tax cuts that mostly benefitted the wealthy. I’m not surprised that “forty-five” maintains his hostility to the poor. We’ve seen this in the previous budgets that he’s presented to Congress. He favors cuts in domestic spending, increases in military spending, a wall (which he has directed the Pentagon to fund), and indifference to the environment.

The budget shows contempt for the planet and its survival. 45 would cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by more than a quarter, through the EPA budget, and even more with environmental initiatives that are embedded in other budgets. For example, with our crumbling infrastructure, the 45 budget cuts the Transportation Department by 13 percent, cutting highway infrastructure programs and transit grants. The Department of Interior is proposed to shoulder a 13 percent cut, reducing land acquisition, conservation, and assistance for Native American tribes.

Until 2017, the world has looked toward the United States for global leadership, but this most recent budget would reduce our involvement in world affairs. The State Department and USAID would be cut by $12 billion, more than a fifth less than last year. Virtually everything in the USAID and State budgets is reduced, including humanitarian aid, contributions to international organizations, and cultural exchanges; only Ivanka Trump’s Women’s Global Development fund seems to have been protected, with its allocation doubling!

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs is the only Cabinet agency that will experience a double-digit budget increase of 12 percent. After a series of scandals involving the delivery of health service to the nation’s veterans, few would dispute the need for a stronger agency.

But wonders if the $12 billion increase in this agency’s budget will improve efficiency, or if it is merely pandering to veterans, a core part of the President’s base.

NASA is another agency that gets a double-digit budget increase, partly to fund space exploration. The Defense Department budget remains relatively flat, with an increase at just one-tenth of one percent. The budget is generous enough, however, to purchase new nuclear warheads and new missiles. It also will fund an arms race with China and Russia. What if just a tenth of the “defense” (I consider it an offense) budget were devoted to human needs?

That would be $70 billion to, perhaps, restore the $9.5 billion Health and Human Services cut, restore the $5.6 billion Department of Education cuts, to restore the $1.3 billion cut to the Labor Department (“savings” will be realized by cutting unemployment insurance, and payment to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, among other programs/ That $70 billion could also restore the $1.9 billion cut from the Agriculture Department.

I’m fantasizing, of course. Few in our warmongering nation would have the nerve to cut the defense budget. Predatory capitalism and the war-industrial complex will keep our “defense” department in business, with companies that manufacture nuclear warheads, missiles, and more, raking in record profits.

This budget illustrates what this administration is all about. It is hostile to poor folks, to culture, to education, and to farmers. It is unwilling to spend money on international relations. It is willing to continue to reward the wealthy for just being wealthy. It reflects forty-five’s values.

But there’s good news. Congress has failed to pass forty-five’s budget in the past, and they probably won’t pass it this time either. With a Democratic majority in the House, human needs will likely have a higher priority. It won’t cut State and USAID budgets.

It’s a good thing Congress has more of a conscience than the President does.

But this budget is a wake-up call for those who want health care and also a second Trump term. The two are incompatible.

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, media contributor and educator.)

Contempt for Palestinians I was amazed by the audacity of Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Bill Fletcher Jr. Century” regarding the Israeli and Palestinians. It was called a “deal,” yet the Palestinians were never involved. It was called a “deal,” yet the Palestinians got nothing that they have demanded.

Think about it this way. A company wants your home. They tell you that they will offer you a specific price but that this price is non-negotiable. If you do not accept the price, they will take your land anyway. You may be able to continue to live on a portion of your property, but you will not have access to your kitchen, garage or bedrooms.

What would you say?

Contrary to the myths that have circulated for years, when Jewish colonists came to Palestine, it was not vacant property.

There were hundreds of thousands of Arabs/Palestinians living in what was first a province of the Ottoman Empire and, after 1918, a mandate/territory of the British Empire. The land was systematically expropriated. In the 1946-49 war (which began as a guerrilla war against the British and the Palestinians, and later became the so-called Israeli war of independence), thousands of Palestinians were driven from their homes for what they thought was a temporary relocation until the end of the war. They were never allowed to re-

Commentary

turn despite the fact that international law had dictated that the “right of return” was a human right of all those displaced through war.

The Palestinians have continued to face expropriation.

And then comes Trump. Largely to advance his domestic agenda, Trump has appealed to so-called Christian Zionists and to Jewish Zionists to rally around him as the alleged friend of Israel. Despite repeated examples of what looks a LOT like anti-semitism on the part of Trump and many of his supporters, his willingness to support the objectives of the most right-wing factions of the Israeli political elite have served as a flag to which he wishes his supporters and potential supporters to salute.

Trump’s “Deal” is made worse by the expectation that there is nothing that Palestinians and their global supporters can do about it. This is why the Boycott/Divestment/Sanctions movement has become so important. It is a non-violent means of resisting the Israeli effort to destroy the Palestinian people. It is not, in the least bit, anti-semitic. Rather, it is a movement against a policy and historical record of the suppression of an entire people.

(Bill Fletcher Jr. is the executive editor of globalafricanworker.com and a former president of Trans Africa Forum.)

Blacks the cornerstone of Democratic Party During the State of “Wake up, folks. The the Union, President Lauren Victoria Burke #IowaCaucus was a Trump featured severdebacle, followed by a al African Americans strong #SOTU speech from the gallery with laying out Trump’s long words of praise strategy to win – and detailed introducwhich includes going tions. The Republican for Black voters. This party has always strugwas a warning shot gled with Black voters. from the Trump camBut Trump’s political paign to liberals, and team believes that even a small percentage we need to take this very seriously in orof that vote could mean victory. der to win,” wrote CNN commentator Van Trump is increasingly highlighting his Jones on February 4, after Trump delivpitch to African Americans as Democrats ered the State of the Union. struggle to decide among a crowded field. Po“Hey Black America, you see this crap? litical observers understand that Trump is Trump has himself on a card with Fredrick unlikely to win more than 10 percent of the Douglass. He didn’t know who that was Black vote. But it is also understood that any last year right? Democrats get your shit percentage higher than average could be the together. FAST. Trump ain’t playin’! If he margin of victory in a close race. gets 12% or more of black voters it’s over,” Despite Trump’s efforts, polls indicate a wrote attorney Sophia Nelson over a photo huge problem with Black voters. A Wash- she posted on twitter of Donald Trump and ington Post-Ipsos poll last month of 1,088 Frederick Douglass proclaiming plans to black adults found 83 percent of respon- “Make Black America Great Again.” dents said they believe Trump is a racist.

Because a few of the leading Democrats The same percentage said they believe who may win the nomination to take on he has made racism a larger problem in Trump are having difficulty courting Black America. voters, Trump’s efforts are not going unA Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll survey re- noticed. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and leased last week found that 22 percent South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigeig are havof African American voters approve of ing issues with Black voters as well.

(Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent jourTrump’s job performance. The relatively high percentage surprised some observers. nalist for NNPA.)

Commentary

Gun rights advocates should empathize with stop/frisk fury AmmoLand, a website devoted to J. Pharoah Doss gun rights and competitive shooting, stated the following last month: “The march for more gun laws in New York continues with another assault on the right of the citizens. The latest bill would make it mandatory that every gun owner in the state of New York gets a mental health evaluation before they could purchase a firearm. This wouldn’t be a one-time thing, this would be for every gun, and, of course, these evaluations would have to be at the expense of the gun purchaser. Governor Andrew Cuomo is making it more than well-known that gun owners in New York are not only not wanted, they are on his list of targets, and the governor has said in the past if people don’t like his rules, then they are free to leave.”

The attitude attributed to Governor Cuomo comes from remarks the governor made in 2014 suggesting that extreme conservatives who were “right-to-life, pro-assault weapon, and anti-gay” had no place in the state of New York. As you can tell from AmmoLand’s commentary, they are still offended by Governor Cuomo’s statement.

But in the governor’s defense, his remarks were taken out of context, but suppose the governor did tell conservatives, who didn’t like the state’s gun control policies, they could leave. Would he have been wrong? Of course not; most conservative political theorists will explain that it’s better that restrictive measures be imposed by the town, county, or state instead of the national government because, in theory, the citizen can move out the respective jurisdiction, but moving out of the country should not be required of the citizen.

It’s obvious New York’s latest requirement for mental health evaluations are in response to the wave of mass shootings, where the perpetrators of the atrocities displayed mental instability before they legally obtained a weapon. But the gun owner’s complaint is preventive measures taken by the state do not prevent atrocities. These preventive measures primarily burden law-abiding citizens that wish to exercise their consti-

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tutional rights. It’s an understandable complaint, but all law-abiding citizens have to deal with the unintended consequences of public policy designed to increase public safety or to prevent crime.

Now, in 2015, Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, explained a controversial policy the NYPD enforced called stop and frisk. (The whole policy was called Stop, Question, and Frisk.)

Bloomberg stated, 95 percent of murders and murder victims are young male minorities and to combat crime “we had to put a lot of cops where the crime was,” which meant in minority neighborhoods, and to get the guns out of the kids’ hands police must throw them against the wall and frisk them.

But the people in these high-crime neighborhoods can’t just move.

Bloomberg acknowledged that the “over presence” of police in minority neighborhoods meant minorities were disproportionately arrested for marijuana possession and he referred to the disproportional arrests as a “necessary consequence.” A lot of people are still offended by Bloomberg’s comments and have demanded a series of apologies. But I think Bloomberg needs to explain the difference between unintended and necessary consequences.

Right now, in New York, law-abiding gun owners feel they shouldn’t have to get a mental health evaluation to prove to the state they aren’t criminally inclined before they purchase a firearm, and during Bloomberg’s three mayoral terms law-abiding citizens in minority neighborhoods felt they shouldn’t have been thrown against the wall so the police could discover they weren’t criminals.

Gun rights advocates should empathize with the stop-and-frisk resentment because it’s no different than their own resentment toward unintended consequences to restrictive measures. But if they lack empathy, it’s because they believe restrictive measures in minority neighborhoods are necessary and they don’t have unintended consequences.

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal Rev. William Barber’s assembly and march will be ‘generationally transformative’ (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“There’s no way we can inspire people to move with the normal politics that doesn’t fully address poverty. When you can work a fulltime job at minimum wage and still not be able to afford a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in this country, that’s poor. And if we can’t see that and if we don’t acknowledge that poverty then we are refusing to call upon these witnesses among us.”—Rev. Dr. William Barber II, co-chair, The Poor People’s Campaign In the richest country in the world, 140 million people struggle with poverty and low wealth.

Over the last 50 years, the U.S. economy has grown 18-fold. Yet wealth inequality has exploded. The top 1 percent’s share of the economy has nearly doubled, to more than 20 percent of our national income.

In 2017, the 400 wealthiest Americans owned more wealth than more than two-thirds of the entire U.S. population, and three individuals possessed a combined wealth equal to the wealth of 50 percent of the country.

The Poor People’s Campaign, led by the Rev. Dr. William Barber II, is a national call for a moral revival. It is a continuation of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was just beginning to build the campaign when he was assassinated in 1968.

On June 20, the campaign will lead the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington, a “generationally transformative” gathering to demand that both major political parties address the “interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism.”

At the National Urban League’s 2017 Conference in St. Louis, Rev. Barber delivered a powerful and inspirational message of justice, drawing parallels between Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and modern political figures.

“They were former slaves, and he was oppressing them in this historical moment because they were growing in power and influence and he saw this as the last chance to stop a growing diversity,” Barber said of the Hebrew people.

“He wanted to control their influence.

He wanted to control their wealth. He wanted to control their faith. He even wanted to control their health.”

He suggested that the nation is in a third reconstruction.

“The first reconstruction was from 1868-1880. The second reconstruction was from 1954-1968 , when Black and brown and white people came together—particularly in the South,” he said. “And when we broke through the Southern Strategy and elected President Obama, that represented the possibility of a third reconstruction. What we see happening is a Nebuchadnezzar spirit that is trying to block the transformation of America. Nebuchadnezzar might be dead, but the spirit—that narcissistic stuff still lives.”

That “Nebuchadnezzar spirit,” he said, is evident in the massive voter suppression effort that has swept the nation since the gutting of the Voting Rights Act in 2013.

In addition to the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Barber is President of the faith-based social justice organization Repairers of the Breach; Bishop with the College of Affirming Bishops and Faith Leaders; Visiting Professor at Union Theological Seminary; and Pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

He came to national attention in 2015 when, as president of the North Carolina NAACP, he organized weekly protests at the State Legislative Building that were known as “Moral Mondays.”

“Some ask the question, why don’t they be quiet?” Barber wrote of the Moral Mondays protests. “Well, I must remind you, that it has been our collective silence that has quietly opened the city gates to these undemocratic violators of our rights. If we must pray forgiveness for anything today, it will be the silence with which we have allowed this to happen in the dark. Thoreau said in his famous essay, ‘Civil Disobedience,’ that if he had to repent of anything, it would be his good behavior. What possessed me, he asked himself, that I behaved so well in the face of such evil?

“As people of faith, we understand that we have been called to be the voice of the voiceless and the shepherd of God’s beloved community. What we do here today is only what any responsible shepherd does to alert God’s flock to the presence of the predators of democracy.”

The Urban League Movement is proud to support the Poor People’s Campaign and count ourselves as allies of Rev. Barber. We look forward to the Assembly and March in June.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

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STUDENTS AT PROPEL BRADDOCK HILLS ELEMENTARY celebrate National School Choice Week with a pep rally to honor student scholars and school staff. The event was held at the school, Jan. 31. (Photos

by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

Propel Braddock Hills celebrates student scholars, staff

MS. ROBBINS, right, accepting award for her husband, and Danielle Glover.

MEGAN WORTH, MALAINA WALKER

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH—Jalyssa Anderson and Zak Lahijuddin, with school principal April Perry APRIL PERRY, the school’s principal. and the mascot, “Maximis.”

SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier

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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2020

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Allderdice girls claim third consecutive City League basketball title

THE ALLDERDICE DRAGONS girls basketball team celebrates with the 2020 City League trophy, after defeating Westinghouse, 57-36, Feb. 15, at Petersen Events Center.

(Photos by Courier photographer William McBride)

WESTINGHOUSE’S MAKITAH LOGAN, left, guarded by Allderdice’s Sidney Lighting.

ALLDERDICE HEAD COACH ELLEN GUILLARD, with instruction to her players during a timeout.

THE ALLDERDICE CHEERLEADERS

ALLDERDICE’S BROOKLYN JONES

WESTINGHOUSE’S DAJANAE GLOVER, left.

EMMA WAITE of Allderdice, who had 14 points in the win.

THE WESTINGHOUSE CHEERLEADERS