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Gov. Wolf signs medical Marijuana law VOL. 107, NO. 16

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APRIL 20-26, 2016

Implementation still up to 16 months away by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

Just four days after members of the state house followed their Senate colleagues in passing legislation to legalize the sale of medical marijuana, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed the new bill into law.

“I am proud to sign this bill that will provide long overdue medical relief to patients and families who could benefit from this treatment. I applaud members of both parties in the House and Senate who have come together to help patients who have run out of medical options and want to thank the thousands of

NEW LAW—As state Rep. Ed Gainey looks on, Gov. Tom Wolf fields questions after signing legislation legalizing medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, April 17.

advocates who have fought tirelessly for this cause,” said Wolf. “Since taking office, I have met with patients and families, held roundtables, and urged action on this legislation and it is encouraging that the hard work of these families has resulted in truly historic legislation.” The signing means that once all the nuts and bolts of implementing the law are put in place, those suffering from a number of specified conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, AIDS, and chronic pain can treat them

with marijuana. But until the law is fully implemented, there is a “safe haven” provision under which patients using marijuana for a medically allowed condition are safe from prosecution. State Rep. Ed Gainey, DEast Liberty, who was instrumental in making sure the law contained provisions ensuring veterans, women and minorities are among the businesses established to provide medical marijuana, attended the Sunday signing ceremony. SEE MARIJUANA A7

URA OKs massive deals in Strip, East Liberty, Downtown by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

GRIEVING THE LOSS OF HIS SON—Earl Baldwin Jr. from the North Side speaks about his pain in losing his child to murder. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

After nearly three years, the Urban Redevelopment Authority board has finally approved a deal to develop the former produce building in the Strip District. Rather than selling the building, the authority approved a long-term lease on the property for a $2.5 million up front fee to McCaffrey Interest Inc. of Chicago, who redeveloped some of the first strip loft apartments decades ago. McCaffrey’s plan for the iconic produce terminal include restaurants and a public market or grocery, plus office space and up to 20 apart-

ments that would double as offices for the tenants. Rent would average $21 per square foot. The total cost is estimated at up to $70 million, with about $20 million coming from foundation grants and public subsidies. Despite calling the property an “albatross around the neck of taxpayers for more than a decade,” board member Jim Ferlo joined in the unanimous decision. McCaffrey told the board the development would retain the “gritty” look of the strip, and would bring in about 350 jobs. Executive Director Robert Rubinstein estimated the annual tax SEE URA A6

Protesters say Zappala has to go Workers rally for higher wages, union

by Michael B. Rose

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Saturday, April 19 at the Fight for Justice Rally Downtown, the message was made loud and clear by activists across the city: 18 years is too long to hold one office. Power has gone to the head of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala, and he has to go. After the usual chants of “No Justice No Peace,” and “What do we want justice, when do we want it? Now!” The Alliance for Police Accountability President Brandi

“We are watching you Mr. Zappala…you won’t even give people in Pittsburgh justice and you are running for chief law enforcement officer for the state of Pennsylvania and we find this unacceptable.”

Fisher introduced a lineup of zealous activists speaking with fierce urgency. Minister Victor Muhammad was the first to take aim at the candidate for state Attorney General. “On Oct. 18th 2014 we took a private criminal complaint to your office that you never responded to for the unjust shooting of Leon Ford. We watched you (try) to derail Kevin Lockett and let four White men (back) on the street as if they didn’t try to kill that Black man at

NEW YORK (AP)—Maurice Ashley was 14 when he saw a high school friend playing chess and challenged him to a match. He lost badly, but it sparked a love affair that started him playing nearly non-stop ever since. There were the countless hours competing against the hustlers in city parks, and the serious players at chess clubs in Manhattan. There were the years spent against increasingly tougher competition in college, and ultimately against the best of the best at tournaments around the country and abroad. All that playing has led the 50-year-old AshSEE CHESS A6

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First Black chess grandmaster inducted into Hall of Fame by Deepti Hajela Associated Press

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Despite an announcement last month that it would phase in a $15 per hour starting wage, UPMC saw a crowd of union protesters, students and some employees marching outside Montefiore Hospital in Oakland calling for more money and a union. Several speakers urged the crowd to demand $15 and hour and “If we don’t get it—shut it down.” Though some of the participants either walked off their jobs or did not report for their shifts to join the April 14 protest, CALL FOR UNIONIZATION—Latasha UPMC issued a Tabb calls out UPMC, accusing the statement saying it healthcare giant of interfering with efforts would not inter- to organize its nonunion employees. vene. (Photo by J.L. Martello) “We respect employees’ rights to engage in legally protected activities and

MINISTER VICTOR MUHAMMAD

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by Christian Morrow

George Curry says

‘Bill O’Racist’ at it again Forum A9

Boko Haram still a threat months after ‘technical victory’

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APRIL 20-26, 2016

by Bradley Klapper Associated Press Writer

MAROUA, Cameroon (AP)—Here on the front line against Boko Haram, no one boasts of having “technically” won the war. More than four months after Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari made such a claim, the extremists still crisscross international borders, avoiding direct confrontations with U.S.-backed African forces while refocusing on soft targets like marketplaces and mosques with little to no protection. The group may be gone from major cities, but in the countryside it poses a constant threat. And for the hundreds of thousands of refugees and impoverished villagers surrounded by fighting in the isolated northern reaches of Cameroon, terror and hunger form daily challenges to their survival. “All of you who are attempting to fight this terror, the United States stands with you,” said Samantha Power, America’s U.N. ambassador, making a rare visit by any foreign dignitary, let alone a U.S. Cabinet member, to this parched, dusty landscape dotted by thatchedroofed huts and meandering goats and donkeys. Underscoring the insecurity, Power traveled with a large contingent of U.S. and Cameroonian special forces. A Cameroonian helicopter monitored overhead. But in a tragic accident, an armored jeep in Power’s motorcade stuck a 7-yearold boy who darted onto the road, killing him instantly. She traveled back to the scene of the incident several hours later to offer her condolences to his parents and “our grief and heartbreak.” Power’s larger goal of pairing military efforts with greater development of West Africa’s impoverished, Boko Haram-ravaged regions is daunting. They’ve suffered generations of neglect. In Maroua, an enclave some 800 miles from the Cameroonian capital sandwiched between Chad and Nigeria, shortages of water, schools and investment are chronic. Activists, opposition politicians and Muslim clerics say the extremists will draw Maroua’s disaf-

Elaine Effort

This Week In Black History

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AMBASSADOR IN AFRICA—U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power speaks to members of civil society groups at the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon, Sunday, April 17. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) fected youth to their ranks as long as economic opportunities are limited and security forces continue committing indiscriminate atrocities while trying to stamp out the insurgency. Military force must be part of the counter-terror effort, Power told reporters. “They have guns. The have suicide vests. They have armored vehicles,” she said. But Power said targeting civilians is self-defeating because doing so only creates more potential recruits, echoing counterinsurgency lessons the United States learned the hard way in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Excessive military force is a problem that appears ubiquitous in the region. In its flagship Human Rights Report released last week, the State Department chided Nigerian forces for killings, torture, rape, arbitrary detention, prisoner abuse and destruction of property while countering Boko Haram. One Nigerian state government recently acknowledged burying hundreds of minority Shiite Muslims in a mass grave after they were killed in army raids. Pushed from population centers by Nigeria’s military since Buhari’s election last year, Boko Haram is changing its tactics. It launched 159 suicide bombings last year, more than half in Nigeria, in-

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creasingly using girls to set off the explosives. The consequence has increased suspicion even on children And buoyed by its alliance with the Islamic State, Boko Haram is employing increasingly slick messaging — as evidenced in some recent videos. As of now, however, U.S. officials aren’t sure about how deep the operational links between the two groups run. The war against Boko Haram has killed perhaps 20,000 people in this decade, and possibly far more. Some 2.4 million are displaced throughout the region. More than 60 percent of these are children. Millions more face dire food shortages. Boko Haram, which espouses an extreme form of conservative Islam, also has kidnapped and raped hundreds of girls. These include more than 200 they still hold two years after seizing them from their school in the town of Chibok, drawing worldwide condemnation. Power met with one such child at the Minawao refugee camp, which currently houses almost 60,000 people. It was designed to host 20,000. Less than 50 miles away, Boko Haram’s fighters hide in the wilderness. “She has nothing to be ashamed of. She is brave and strong and beautiful,” Power said of the 14-yearold girl, who painfully recounted the terrible choice she was given between death and forced marriage. Her name was withheld because she is a child victim. In the small city of Mokolo, Haulatu Usman, a 28-year-old widow, recounted to Power how she was able to flee with her five children from Nigeria when Boko Haram fighters entered her village, guns ablazing. She doesn’t imagine ever returning. “They’re around but we don’t see them,” she said of Boko Haram.

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Week of April 21-27 April 21 1898—An official state of war is said to exist between Spain and the U.S. over Cuba. This Spanish American War was fought with major representation of Black soldiers from Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, Illinois and Kansas. For imperialistic reasons of its own, the U.S. aided Cuban independence from Spain. Cuba became independent in 1902. However, when the Black troops returned to America, their greetings ranged from parades and speeches in some cities to assaults and lynching in other cities. 2003—African-American song stylist Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, dies in Paris. She was was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist. Over the length of her career Simone recorded more than 40 albums, mostly between 1958, when NINA SIMONE she made her debut with “Little Girl Blue,” and 1974. She was 70 years old. April 22 1692—The notorious “Salem Witch Trials” of Salem, Mass., claim their first Black victim. Mary Black, a slave, is accused of sorcery and jailed. The hysteria created by the trials would lead to the arrests of 141 people (mostly women) and result in 19 of them being put to death. Ironically, there is reason to believe that the witch trials were indirectly set in motion by the voodoo stories of a Black slave. It seems that a minister brought to Salem a slave from Barbados named Tituba. He fascinated the minister’s daughters with stories about witchcraft in Africa and the Caribbean. The two daughters shared the stories with other young girls in the area and soon imagination took the place of reality. The girls started acting strangely and claimed they were victims of witchcraft. SALEM WITCH TRIALS Superstitious adults began pressuring them to name names and soon dozens of women were being jailed for practicing witchcraft. The trials, which were not limited to Massachusetts, but spread throughout New England, are perhaps one of the greatest testimonies to how minds can be twisted to believe in the ridiculous and hurt others of as result of false belief. 1922—Jazz great Charles Mingus is born. The virtuoso bass player was born on a military base in Nogales, Ariz. April 23 1856—One of the greatest inventors in American history, Granville T. Woods, is born in Columbus, Ohio. During his life he received 65 patents for electrical, mechanical and communications devices. Among his inventions was an advanced telephone transmitter. The transmitter was so advanced that the Alexander Graham Bell Company purchased the rights to it from Woods, both because it was superior to what Bell had invented and for fear that Woods might become a major rival to the Bell Company. At his GRANVILLE T. WOODS height, the Cincinnati, Ohio Catholic Tribune (Jan. 14, 1886) wrote of Woods: “…the greatest colored inventor in the history of the race and equal, if not superior, to any inventor in the country…” 1872—Charlotte E. Ray becomes the first Black female lawyer in American history. Born in New York City to a journalist father and a politically active mother, Ray was a brilliant student who was teaching at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by the time she was 19. By age 22 she had her law degree and was admitted to the D.C. bar. However, sexual and racial discrimination forced her to abandon her law practice and return to New York to teach. She died Jan. 4, 1911. 1971—Liberian President William Tubman dies. Tubman and his strong-man rule had kept the West African nation founded by freed American slaves relatively stable but not necessarily democratic. His death laid the foundation for the anarchy and civil wars which would grip the nation for the next 30 years. Tubman also headed a class of so-called Americo-Liberians who often discriminated against the native African population. April 24 1867—The first national meeting of the Ku Klux Klan is held at the Maxwell House in Nashville, Tenn. The CHARLOTTE E. RAY White supremacist organization and its various offshoots would go on to launch a wave of terror, which would result in death and injury to thousands of African-Americans over the years. The Klan would remain the nation’s most powerful anti-Black terrorist organization for the next 70 years. The first chapter, however, was actually formed a year earlier in Pulaski, Tenn. Most of the early Klan members were former soldiers of the defeated Confederate Army from the Civil War. The group’s initial aim was to spread fear among Blacks and prevent them from voting. But as the organization grew, it expanded into anti-Jewish, anti-Catholic and anti-foreigner activities. The first grand wizard was Nathan Bedford Forest. 1944—The United Negro College Fund is incorporated. Over the years, the fundraising activities of the UNCF would result in thousands of college educations for African-Americans. 1944—Whites only political primaries are declared unconstitutional. In a case known as Smith v. Allwright, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a “Whites only” primary law, which excluded Blacks from voting, was a violation of the 15th Amendment and was thus unconstitutional. Such laws had been common throughout the South. April 25 1918—Jazz singing legend Ella Fitzgerald is born in Newport News, Va. Orphaned at an early age, Fitzgerald was literally living in the streets when she was discovered in Harlem, N.Y., by bandleader Chick Webb. Despite never having received formal vocal training, musical experts often compared her techniques and vocal range to that of a conservatory trained singer. One of ELLA FITZGERALD the ultimate compliments to her abilities was given by the great song writer Ira Gershwin who said, “I didn’t realize our songs were so good until I heard Ella sing them.” Fitzgerald died at the age of 79 on June 15, 1997. 1943—Tuskegee Institute President Frederick Patterson writes his famous letter (published in the Pittsburgh Courier) urging the presidents of the nation’s predominantly Black colleges and universities to “pool their small resources and make an appeal to the national conscience” in order to produce more scholarship funds for the education of Black students. One year later the United Negro College Fund is incorporated with 27 member colleges. April 26 1886—The “mother of the Blues” Gertrude “Ma” Rainey is born Gertrude Pridgett in Columbus, Ga. She began her career touring with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. She was the first person to sing the Blues in minstrel shows. Rainey also coached, then young Blues singer Bessie Smith who would become more famous and celebrated than Rainer. Rainey died Dec. 22, 1939. 1994—The first all race elections take place in then White ruled South Africa. The elections would bring an end to 300 years of White minority rule, known as apartheid, in the African nation as well as bring about the election of Nelson Mandela as the country’s first Black and democratically elected president. Mandela had spent 27 years in prison because of his leadership of the African National Congress which had led the struggle against apartheid. GERTRUDE MA RAINEY April 27 1903—W.E.B. DuBois’ “The Soul of Black Folks” is published. The book did much to outline and summarize progressive African-American thought and opposition to the accommodation policies of Booker T. Washington—then the nation’s foremost Black leader. DuBois argued that “the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line” and labeled Washington’s program as one of “industrial education, conciliation of the South, and submission and silence as to civil and political rights.” A collection of DuBois’ papers are currently being placed online by the University of Massachusetts. 1903—Maggie Lena Walker becomes the first Black woman to head a bank in America. In fact, she was the first woman of any color to head a bank when she was named president of the St. Luke Bank and Trust Company in Richmond, Va. Walker was an outstanding businesswoman who took over Richmond’s Order of St. Luke when it was nearly broke and rapidly losing membership. Within a few years the Order owned a bank, a newspaper, a printing press and a three-story department store despite the active opposition of Richmond’s White business community. Walker also helped found the Lilly Black Party in part as a slap at the segregated “Lilly White” political parties of the day. One of her mottos was “Don’t get angry, get busy.” She died Dec. 15, 1934.

Ex-St. Louis Black police association head charged with fraud

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

by Jim Salter

Associated Press Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP)—A St. Louis police sergeant who used to lead an association for Black officers was indicted Monday on allegations that he defrauded the organization of more than $80,000. Darren Randal Wilson, 41, faces nine felony counts of

APRIL 20-26, 2016

NATIONAL

wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s office in St. Louis said. Wilson shares a first and last name with the Ferguson, Missouri, police officer who fatally shot 18-yearold Michael Brown in August 2014. They are not related. The former Ferguson officer, who was White, was cleared of wrongdoing and resigned in November 2014. The officer charged

Monday is Black. The indictment alleges that Darren Randal Wilson misappropriated money from the bank account of the Ethical Society of Police in 2013 and 2014. Wilson has been suspended from the police department since last year, said Police Chief Sam Dotson, who added that the department began an in-

vestigation in January 2015 after the Ethical Society of Police raised concerns about financial irregularities. “We hold our officers to the highest standards and when they fall short of what we expect, we take action,” Dotson said in a statement. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the Ethical

Society of Police still exists. A listed phone number did not work, the organization’s website was down and its Facebook page has not been updated since December 2014. Wilson’s attorney, Tim Smith, did not immediately return a message seeking comment. The similar names of the two officers caused confu-

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sion soon after Brown, who was Black and unarmed, was killed during a street confrontation with the Ferguson officer on Aug. 9, 2014. Darren Randal Wilson said at the time that he and his children received hate messages from some who found his name and position on the Internet and thought he was the Ferguson officer.

Former Iowa St star Nikki Moody sues coach

by Luke Meredith and Ryan J. Foley Associated Press Writers

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)—Former Iowa State basketball star Nikki Moody has sued coach Bill Fennelly, the university and the state for racial discrimination and retaliation, saying she was repeatedly called a “thug” and labeled a selfish player despite being the program’s career assists leader. Fennelly, who has been Iowa State’s coach since 1995, constantly demeaned, berated, harassed and discriminated against Moody during her time with the Cyclones, according to the lawsuit filed in state district court. Moody, who is Black, said the discrimination she suffered led to a “hostile education environment through racial harassment.” “Iowa State University has not seen the lawsuit and has no comment,” spokesman John McCarroll said. Fennelly is 447-223 with Iowa State— which regularly ranks among the na-

SUING—In this March 20, 2015 file photo, Iowa State’s Nikki Moody (4) consults with head coach Bill Fennelly during the first half of a women’s college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/James Crisp, File)

tion’s top teams in home attendance—and is signed through 2019 after agreeing to a 12-year, $10.6 million contract in 2007. Moody, who graduated in 2015 as a four-year starter, said the abuse caused her severe emotional distress and that her complaints to assistant coaches and a senior athletics administrator brought no response. Moody claims that Fennelly treated White players differently than African American players and that Fennelly called her a “thug” multiple times throughout her career. Moody said that Fennelly told Iowa State’s freshman players that her senior class, made up of Moody and

two other African American players, were “bad influences” and to stay away from them. Fennelly allegedly told Moody she had “been trying to ruin my life, but I will get the last laugh. I can’t wait to tell coaches that call me all the negative things I know about you.” According to Moody, Fennelly also repeatedly demeaned Chassidy Cole, at the time the only Black player on the team who was not a freshman, saying she “will end up in prison, just like her mother” and was also a thug. Cole declined comment Monday, telling The Associated Press she “didn’t want to be involved.” Moody led the Cyclones with 14.5 points and 6.8 assists per game in 201415. She was drafted 33rd overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2015 WNBA Draft but was cut soon thereafter. The Cyclones struggled without Moody last season, going just 13-17 and missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.

Less than one-fifth of PA state lawmakers are women

by Lauren Rosenblatt PublicSource

In Pennsylvania and nationwide, state legislatures are lacking female representation. New data out of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University shows that nationwide, women make up less than a quarter of lawmakers in state legislatures. In Pennsylvania, about 18 percent of state

lawmakers are female. In 2015, Pennsylvania had only one statewide elected executive who is a woman and did not have any female U.S. Congress members. In the state Legislature, nine out of 50 senators were women and 37 out of 203 house members were women. Because of the low percentage, Pennsylvania ranks as 40th in the nation for proportion of women in their Legislature. The No.

1 spot goes to Colorado with 42 percent of office spots going to women. Only eight states rank below Pennsylvania; Wyoming came in lowest with 13 percent of lawmakers being women. According to an NPR article about the data, the discrepancies in state legislatures come from difficulties women face when running for office that men don’t always deal with, including needing the encourage-

ment and self-esteem to run as well as trouble acquiring the donations to fund a campaign. In Pennsylvania, the number of female legislators has steadily increased by one or two new members since 2000, when the legislature had 32 women. In 2015, there were 45 women in the Legislature. Colorado House Speaker Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, the first female Democratic speaker, told NPR that the

increase in female voices has changed the state from a “good old boys club,” something Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has repeatedly accused the state legislature of allowing. In her time as attorney general, Kane released a stream of messages from the state email server among state officials and employees containing pornographic, racist and misogynistic messages.

In the PennLive article, multiple female legislators said they have to be more careful than their male colleagues to avoid making mistakes. Representative Patty Kim, D-Harrisburg, told PennLive, “If you screw up, you’ll be looked at as the dumb women, dumb female or whatnot.” (.Reach PublicSource intern Lauren Rosenblatt at lrosenblatt@publicsource.org. Follow her on Twitter @LRosenblatt_.)

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The truth about diabetes...Doug Banks’ death puts disease in fresh spotlight

APRIL 20-26, 2016

by Erick Johnson and J. Coyden Palmer

NATIONAL

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

ing on a set. Since then, she and some Black celebrities with diabetes have Chicago Crusader managed to live healthy lives. They include singer Patti Labelle, comedian Something was clearly wrong with Doug Sherri Shepherd and former American Banks when he appeared at V-103’s Idol judge and musician Randy Jackson, splashy booth at the Black Women’s Expo who disclosed his illness during a televitwo weekends ago at the McCormick Cension commercial in 2008. ter. The popular radio personality was his Banks’ death brings a fresh spotlight usually happy, larger than life self, but had on a serious disease. Many remember lost a tremendous amount of weight. The when another celebrity, former Los Anface that greeted his flock of fans for years geles Lakers basketball superstar Magic at events, had changed. Two days later, Johnson brought national attention to Banks was dead at just 57 years. Diabetes the AIDS crisis when he announced in had killed him. 1992 that he contracted the HIV virus. Banks publicly battled Type 2 diabetes It’s an ever-recurring story of Black for 15 years. Doctors say Type 2 diabetes celebrities becoming the face of a probaffects African Americans and minorities at lem that has wiped out generations in a much higher rate than Whites and at the Black culture. Even in death, Banks least one physician said it can be athas people talking about a serious probtributed to the daily diet of Blacks. lem affecting his people. For decades, Banks was the beguiling Diabetes has afflicted Blacks for a long radio personality that reigned as king on time. There are two types of diabetes. the FM dial in major cities across the counType I is when the pancreas does not try. When he signed off this life for the final produce enough insulin and patients time on Monday, April, 11, it shocked many have to take daily insulin shots. That is loyal fans and got many talking about a subject that’s not often discussed during DIABETES CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTIM—Nationally syndicated radio host Doug Banks, a longtime fix- one that is usually diagnosed in people as a child, according to Dr. David Zich, morning shows or everyday conversation ture in Chicago radio and television, has died at age 57. (Courtesy Photo) who practices Internal Medicine at among Blacks. Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He Diabetes. The disease that has claimed newed calls for a healthy diet and lifestyle, a problem said Type I diabetes can be controlled with modern the lives of millions of Blacks took the life of one of that many Blacks face on a daily basis. medicines and people can live long, healthy and producChicago’s most celebrated and well-loved figures. Now, Many deceased Black celebrities in television, music, tive lives. Zich says Type I diabetes can also be heredimillions mourn Banks’ death, diabetes has reemerged as film and sports had diabetes. They include soul crooner tary and is influenced by other environmental factors as a concern in the Black community. Bank’s death has reLuther Vandross, Gospel well. Doctors say Type 2 is the most common disease singer Mahalia Jackson, that’s caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. “The Godfather of Soul” “It’s what we’re eating,” says Dr. Terry Mason, Chief OpJames Brown, “Good erating Officer at Cook County Department of Public Times” actress Ester Health and host of “A Doctor in the House” every Sunday Rolle, baseball legend morning at 10 a.m. on radio station WVON 1690 AM. and boxer Sugar Ray “We’re eating more meals that are produced outside of Robinson. our home. We’re eating a ton of processed foods. Diabetes At the end of her life, as well as cancers and heart disease can be lessened by Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerdoing a simple thing; drinking more water and eating ald was confined to a more natural green foods like fruits and vegetables.” wheelchair in her Beverly According to the U.S. Department of Health and Hills home. Her lower Human Services, there are four (4) times as many Blacks legs were amputated and diagnosed with diabetes today as there were in 1968. And diabetes severely damfor every 6 white Americans who have diabetes, 10 aged her eyesight. Like Blacks have the disease. Among Blacks 20 years and Banks, she became a vicolder, the prevalence of diabetes is 8.2 percent compared tim of the disease that with 4.8 percent among non-Latino whites. has killed individuals Today over 2.2 million Blacks have diabetes; 1.5 million from all walks of life. But have been diagnosed and 730,000 have not yet been diagfor years the biggest nosed, according to the National Institute of Diabetes group suffering from diaand Digestive and Kidney Diseases. betes has been people of In 1995, there were 27,258 new cases of kidney failure color. attributed to diabetes in Black Americans. Blacks are In 2005, Academy much more likely to undergo a lower-extremity amputaAward winner Halle tion than white or Latinos with diabetes. In 1994, there Berry came out of a diawere 13,000 amputations among Black people with diabetic coma after collapsbetes, involving 155,000 days in the hospital. According to the World Health Organization Global Diabetes report, in 1980, 108 million adults had diabetes. By 2014, that number jumped to 422 million. Researches also found that diabetes killed 1.5 million people in 2012 and 2.2 million died from high blood-glucose, a complication of diabetes. Death rates for people with diabetes are 27 percent higher for Blacks compared with whites. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death for those ages 45 years or older. Mason said the average American now eats up to 110 pounds of sugar every year, compared to about 12 pounds back in the 1970’s. He said the changes in diet are also leading to obesity and diabetes being found in children as young as 12. Mason lack of exercise, or laziness are also leading factors in contracting Type II diabetes. “We also have to get out and move more. You don’t have to go out and lift up a gym, but we have a great city with a beautiful lakefront and plenty of walking, jogging and biking paths,” Dr. Mason said. “As long as we stay away from doing that and make excuses for not doing that, we will continue to see the death rate, diseases and sickness.” Dr. Mason said he stopped eating meat over 20 years ago and said using fresh ingredients like beans, rice, okra, greens and egg plant that have protective elements in meals, can reverse the effects of Type II diabetes for those that have it and prevent it in most cases. Mason says most people are not eating enough fruits and vegetables or drinking water because they are not having enough bowel movements during the week. He said oils from fried foods are also contributing to many health problems. But Zich agrees with Mason that the one that is killing more Americans and debilitating even more is the Type II. He outlined risky behaviors that can increase the chances of contracting the Type II form. “I would say the number one risk of contracting diabetes is obesity,” Dr. Zich said. “People who are able to stay thin have a decreased risk in getting diabetes. Simply by losing weight you can decrease your chances and minimize the effects of diabetes if you already have it.” When Banks was first diagnosed with the disease, he immediately changed his diet and began a regular exercise program. The disease forced Banks to put his radio career on hold for several months while he underwent treatment for diabetes. With a multi-million dollar syndication contract with ABC Radio, Banks’ influence and appeal afforded him the opportunity to get the best medical treatments. He did all of this publicly after sharing with his millions of listeners around the country what was ailing him. Zich credits that lifestyle change in extending his life, even though he eventually lost a toe and one eye to the disease. “The key is not to ignore it once you are diagnosed,” Dr. Zich said. “Be very aggressive in your treatment and manage it properly. Have a good relationship with your doctor. Now we have a lot of medicines that can treat this condition and we can increase your life expectancy and life quality.” With food desserts in the poor communities, long work hours, family pressure and more stress from economic challenges, Blacks face a harder battle in keeping a healthy lifestyle. And with the high costs of healthcare, Blacks are unable to get routine checkups to find out whether they have the deadly disease. Still, doctors say individuals must make a healthy lifestyle a priority when their lives are at stake. “We need to move towards eating more plants and drinking more water,” Dr. Mason said. “Food is the way. If we want to keep getting the thing we got, then keep eating what we’re eating. If we want a new life, there is no middle ground, you have to change the way you eat. Once you start eating right, your blood pressure is going to go down and your blood sugar is going to go down.”

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NATIONAL

APRIL 20-26, 2016

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The Truth behind the ‘Black Exodus’ at the RNC by Stacy M. Brown NNPA News Wire Contributing Writer

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is refuting claims that a number of key African-American employees were either fired or forced to resign and officials are pointing to the hiring of Telly Lovelace, the GOP’s newest liaison to the Black media, as proof that the party remains devoted to diversity. Lovelace said that the top Black staffers who left did so after being presented with opportunities that could have helped to boost their careers. “The staff [people] that left were not fired,” he said, countering public comments by Raynard Jackson, a veteran Republican consultant, who recently wrote an op-ed that said that, “these staffers deserved to be fired and it should have happened a long time ago. They were in way over their heads and their level of arrogance was just astonishing.” Lovelace said that Kristal QuarkerHartsfield, the former national director of African American Initiatives was with the RNC through the 2014 election cycle and that she left to take a position with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. Orlando Watson, the communications director for Black media, resigned at the beginning of March. BuzzFeed News reported that Tara Wall, the senior strategist for media and engagement for the RNC, departed sometime in November and NBCBLK reported that Raffi Williams, the former RNC Deputy Press Secretary, left last year to pursue a job in the media. “I was not fired, I left and there’s no problems,” Watson said, declining to further elaborate. Lovelace said that the staffers left because of opportunities they simply couldn’t or didn’t want to pass up, but Jackson remained incredulous about the timing of their exits. “This time of the year is like the Super Bowl of politics,” said Jackson. “You want to be on a presidential campaign or in the RNC during an election year, because this gives you a close-up view of all these things that are going on. You’ll not only have all the access at the Republican National Convention, but you’ll be privy, to some extent, to the inner workings of the presidential nomination process as well as the inner workings of the RNC.” Jackson continued: “If you are a true political junkie, this is what you live and breathe for. This is a political junkie’s dream.” Jackson compared the RNC staff departures to a player in the NBA asking to be

TELLY LOVELACE (Courtesy Photo) traded away from the Golden State War“Instead of making such false and unforriors to the Los Angeles Lakers, right betunate accusations, he should be working fore the start of the playoffs. with us,” said Lovelace. “He hasn’t con“If you’re on staff now you’re probably tacted anyone at the RNC since I’ve been going to be a part of history that probably here and, from what I understand, he hasn’t happened in a lifetime, in a genera- hasn’t contacted anyone here since at tion,” said Jackson, referring to the poten- least the beginning of the year.” tial of a contested nomination process set When reached by telephone, Jackson to take place this summer at the Republisaid that he stood by his column, adding can National Convention in Cleveland, that the idea that he’s not in touch with Ohio. RNC offiJackson, cials is prewho is the “The African American community will posterous. founder and Jackson chairman of be turning out the vote in records num- said he defiBlack nitely conbers this year, yet no political party siders himAmericans for a Better part of should take the African American vote for self Future the Republigranted. The NNPA will be closely moni- can team (BABF), a 527 Super that toring both the RNC and DNC to discern and PAC estabhe’s loyal to lished to get whether or not their stated commitments the party. In more Blacks 2013, Jackwill actually be implemented.” involved in son created the Republithe RNC BENJAMIN CHAVIS Trailblazer can Party, also wrote Awards to that the forhonor Black mer RNC officials were ill-equipped to dis- Republicans who have made a “substancuss real solutions to the challenges factial, positive contribution to the Black ing the Black community and that “many community, the Republican party and in the GOP felt the need to hire Blacks, America.” That same year, he led the plannot because they really wanted to diverning for the RNC’s celebration of the 50th sify the party, but in some of the party’s Anniversary of the March on Washington thinking, they can’t be called racist befor Jobs and Freedom. cause they hired a few Blacks.” Jackson said that he also coordinated an Lovelace said that “Raynard Jackson is on-the-record media session between 100 percent incorrect” and the only way to then-Chairman of the House Budget Comdescribe what he said, is that he doesn’t mittee Paul Ryan and a handful of Black know what he’s talking about at all. journalists. In 2014, the long-time Repub-

lican consultant even escorted RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to deliver a speech at the National Association of Black Journalists’ conference in Boston. “I have some 25 years [in the party]. I stood with Paul Ryan and even Trent Lott through his troubles. That’s what friendships are, they are battle tested,” he said. Watson was hired in 2013 amid much fanfare and proclaimed that it was imperative that the Republican party articulate its message in a “language that’s relatable to the people we’re speaking with and… to recruit candidates that look like the people we want to engage with.” Today, Watson and his vision are gone replaced by Lovelace who now finds himself trying to explain and mitigate the socalled mass exodus of African-American staffers from the RNC. Lovelace said the RNC has more African-Americans now than it did during the disastrous election year of 2012 when presidential nominee Mitt Romney received just four percent of the Black vote. Lovelace also noted the continued success of the Republican Leadership Initiative, that Priebus designed, that trains minorities how to engage with their communities as leaders and allows them to learn the ins and outs of field organizing using the latest digital and data-driven tools. He said that RLI now has a total of 160 fellows. With a significant drop in those who now identify as Democrats, a growing number of Black voters—10 percent— who turned out to support Republicans in the midterms and a historic slate of new Black Republican leadership in Congress, Lovelace said that now is the time for Black America to vote its interests. “They are on the ground continuing to build relationships in the communities and they are continuing to strengthen the relationships that were already built,” Lovelace said. Benjamin Chavis, the president and the CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a trade group that represents over 200 Black-owned media companies, said that the NNPA recognized that the RNC had retained the “good services” of Mr. Lovelace. “The African American community across the nation will be turning out the vote in records numbers this year, yet no political party should take the African American vote for granted,” Chavis said. “The NNPA will be closely monitoring both the RNC and the [Democratic National Committee] to discern whether or not their stated commitments will actually be implemented.”

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APRIL 20-26, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

METRO

Pittsburgh workers rally for higher wages, union CONTINUED FROM A1

will not prevent the participation of any employees who choose to join,” said spokesperson Gloria Kreps. The rally was part of the nation-wide “Fight for 15” effort by the Service Employees International Union to organize workers in entry-level positions. Students also railed against the University of Pittsburgh because it caps the number of hours students can work and primarily pays minimum wages. Latasha Tabb, a medical assistant in the neurology department at Children’s Hospital, said the rally was about solidarity. “I’m here to stand up with my co-workers to win $15 and a union,” she said. “We want to make Pittsburgh a livable city, not just for those who can afford it, but for everyone.” James Threatt, a patient care technician, said he and his fellow workers deserve a respectable wage. “We’re here to have a voice, to have the decency, dignity and respect that comes with a good wage and a union,” he said. “That’s what we want, and

Workforce Experience Program THROUGH JUNE 30—The Urban League of Pittsburgh’s Work Experience program has 38 out-of-school youth, ages 16 to 24, available for five hours per week on either a Thursday or Friday for four/six weeks through June 30. The Urban League pays and provides supervision to the participants. Parties interested in taking on any of these young people may contact Director of Housing Richard Morris at 412-227-4163 to schedule interviews.

Application Period for ‘Summer of Earn and Learn’ LIFT THE MIMINUM WAGE—Hundreds of protesters chant and carrying signs protesting against UPMC wages. Photos by J.L. Martello) we’re not going to stop until we get what we want.” Pamela Banks, who has worked as a medical assistant at UPMC Children’s for 15 years, said all the employees need to stand together. “We deserve more than crumbs. We deserve a fair wage to live off of,” she said. “I’m here for all my coworkers who can’t be here today.” Nila Payton, who has worked for UPMC as a receptionist for 10 years went

even further. “We are striking in protest of UPMC’s unlawful interference with our union rights so that we can have a seat at the table to make UPMC truly responsive to hospital workers, our patients and our community,” she said. “Pittsburgh is a city of people who stand up for ourselves and the raises we won are only a first step in holding UPMC accountable

to our city. Hospital workers and the people of Pittsburgh won’t stop fighting until we’ve won a voice on the job, adequate staffing and access to affordable

Chris Ellis, who said he makes just $8 per hour after 10 years in the fast food industry, said McDonalds sets the benchmark for industry wages.

revenue at $1 million. Additionally, the board also approved the sale of the former Detectives Building in East Liberty to School House Electrical Supply of Portland Oregon for $250,000. Reading from his report, Rubinstein noted the company owner started his business in a 1910-era warehouse and has experience in redeveloping such properties. The building will serve as the company’s East Coast hub for distribution of its lighting fixtures, and renovation costs are projected at $7 million. Additionally,

the authority is only selling the 25,900 –square-foot building, it is keeping adjacent properties so as to reconnect Harvard Street as part of the larger Mellon’s Orchard South development, taxes from which are slated to fund Affordable Housing initiatives in the East End. The authority also approved yet more hotel space downtown by selling the air rights above the former Sax Fifth Avenue site to developer Millcraft Investments for $2.2 million so it can add a 161-room “luxury” hotel above the 62 apartments 580 parking spaces it

is already building on the site, bring in the total investment in the project to more than $90 million. Millcraft CFO Brian Walker told the board he expects the hotel’s amenities to drive more interest in the apartments. In other business, the board approved up to $446,000 in funding for more houses in the Manchester Columbus Square development, and also approved banking up to $1.5 million in New Market Tax Credits awarded to Pittsburgh Urban Innovations for small and minority business development.

THROUGH MAY 9— Pittsburgh and Allegheny County youths seeking summer jobs may begin applying for the region’s second “Summer of Learn and Earn” program. Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh and the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board have, once again, joined together to match 2,000 youths aged 14 to 21 with summer jobs that position them for later careers. The application period ends May 9. The work period begins on June 27 and runs through Aug. 5. Interested youth may complete the online application at http://www.jobs4summer.org/

The Great Debate APRIL 21—The League of Women Voters and B-PEP will host a debate at 6:30 p.m. at the Homewood YMCA, 7140 Bennett Street, between candidates for the 24th District State House Seat, Rep. Ed Gainey and his challenger William Anderson. Brittany McGraw, WPXI-TV anchor, will moderate.

URA Oks deals in Strip, E.L., Downtown CONTINUED FROM A1

Community Calendar

Forever Family 5K Run & Walk SEEKING A BETTER FUTURE—Students Morgan Overton from Pittsburgh and Rebecca Reid are fighting for $15 and ending student debt. care for every patient. To win our union and help make our city as strong as we know it can be, we need UPMC to stop violating our rights.” In addition to the rally in Oakland, hospital and fast food workers also rallied earlier in the day at the City County Building and at the McDonalds on the North Side.

“McJobs cost us all,” he said. “McDonald’s is a symbol of everything that is wrong with our economy. It doesn’t matter where we work, McDonald’s holds us all back and influences what we are paid and how we are treated. The Fight for $15 is about all workers because we are all affected by McDonald’s global race to the bottom.”

APRIL 23—Adoption Connection PA will host its 5k Run & Walk at 9 a.m. at Irvine Park in Beaver, Pa. to raise funds and awareness and find homes for waiting children. For more information and to register visit Online at www.AdoptionConnectionPA.org

Conference/Symposium

Grandmaster inducted into Hall of Fame

APRIL 22, 23—Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for African American Urban Studies will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a two-day conference at the Heinz History Center. A welcoming reception and Keynote address begin at 5 p.m., April 22 in the museum’s Grand Hall, 1212 Smallman street in the Strip District. Following a 9 a.m. breakfast, the April 23 academic sessions begin at 10 a.m. and resume after lunch at 12:30. For more information call 412-2688928, or register online at www.cmu.edu/history/cause

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Job Fair

ley to some trailblazing accomplishments — the first Black person to be designated as a chess grandmaster, and last Wednesday, the first Black person to be inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis. He received his honor as the U.S. Chess Championship got underway, with Ashley taking on commentating duties. When he got the call in January that he was being inducted, for his contributions as a player, coach and commentator, Ashley said tears came to his eyes. “For me to hear that I’m being inducted for everything I’ve given to the game, that I’ve done to promote the game, that I’ve done to help young people play, and for the inspiration I’ve been, has just been absolutely incredible,” Ashley told The Associated Press in an interview at, where else, at Chess Forum, an allthings-chess shop in Manhattan. Born in Jamaica, Ashley came to the tough Brownsville section of Brooklyn with two siblings when he was 12, reuniting with the mother who had left her children a decade earlier to carve out a better life, working as a nanny and later in a string of office clerk jobs. Ashley got serious about chess during his high school years and continued at New York’s City College. From the start, he had one goal. “I was transported to this world and I wanted to be one of the grandmasters and that’s all I knew,” he said. The process of becoming a grandmaster is done under the auspices of the World Chess Federation, known by its French acronym FIDE, and involves earning

overall points and performing particularly well in chess tournaments. At the time Ashley became a grandmaster, in 1999, he said there were about 500 or so players with the title. Currently, there are just over 1,500 grandmasters. They come from all over the world, but Ashley is still the only Black American to reach that status. Ashley, who makes a living from the game as a player, coach and author, says he wants to see more African-American players reach the highest levels. “It takes a lot of ground seeding to get players on that path,” he said. Some of that seeding involves the work Ashley does with school children, including at an after-school program in Ferguson, Missouri. “Ashley is a great inspiration to younger Black players, and to younger players of any race, that they could be a grandmaster too someday,” said Frank Brady, past president of the Marshall Chess Club in New York, one of the oldest clubs in the country. Overall, Ashley said his experiences in the chess world have been good, with only a few moments in which his race became an issue. He recalled one incident when he was playing at a club and an older player came by and asked his opponent why he was letting Ashley beat him, using a slur to describe him. “It hurt. I was angry,” Ashley recalled. “Then he and I played eventually, two tournament games, and I beat him both times.” That’s what makes chess great, he said. “Your moves do the talking.”

APRIL 30—The Community Empowerment Association and Community College of Allegheny County will host a job fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7120 Kelly Street in Homewood. Representatives from companies including PNC, Bethlehem Haven, National Insurance, McDonalds and others will attend. The event will also include sessions on how to dress for success, resume writing and job interviewing skills. For more information, call 412-371-3689.

Comcast Cares Day April 30—Comcast employees, their families and friends will join community partners volunteer to improve several sites, including landscaping, gardening and minor repairs activities in conjunction with The Urban League of Pittsburgh, the YWCA Homewood, the YMCA Homewood-Brushton, the Best of the Batch Foundation in Munhall, Small Seeds in East Liberty and others as part of the 15th annual Comcast Cares Day. For more information contact Josephine Posti at Josephine_posti@comcast.com

Adoption Information Open House APRIL 30—Adoptions From The Heart (AFTH), a licensed, nonprofit agency is hosting a free information meeting as an opportunity for perspective adoptive parents to have a personalized meeting with a licensed social worker. For information call Rebecca Snodgress at 610-642-7200 or email RebeccaS@afth.org

Admissions Open House MAY 5— Shadyside Academy Middle School will host an admissions open house at its Middle school, 500 Squaw Run Road East in Fox Chapel. Prospective parents can tour the campus and meet the school head, faculty and program directors. Admission directors will be available to answer questions regarding the admissions process and financial aid. Reservations for open houses are encouraged but not required. For more information, call 412-968-3155.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

METRO

APRIL 20-26, 2016

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Pittsburgh area protestors say Zappala has to go CONTINUED FROM A1

this here T- Station. Why are you not bringing charges against the officer that shot Bruce Kelley Jr.?” he said adding, “If it were five Black boys beating up one White boy we’d all be in jail right now with no trial. We are watching you Mr. Zappala…You won’t even give people in Pittsburgh justice and you are running for chief law enforcement officer for the state of Pennsylvania and we find this unacceptable.” He then alleged that three of the lawyers representing the assailants donated to Zappala’s campaign and went on to discuss Alliance for Police Accountability founder Brandi Fisher being charged with misdemeanor counts of theft by deception, receiving stolen property and passing a bad check and then having charges dropped with no apology, stressing ethics charges should be filed against Judge Ravenstahl for over stepping his authority.” He closed with a message to the police themselves. “To the police officers who are good, turn your people in. You want us to start snitching, start snitching on your people. Fire Zappala!” A common theme among all of the speakers was the concept of the double standard. Fisher took issue with how mental illness is perceived and the role this double standard plays in many tragedies involving police. “Too many mentally ill people are getting locked up in the criminal justice system when what they really need is help, I call for better training for officers to know the difference. I charge the mayor and county exec to reinvest in mental health. There are a bunch of people in jail who should be in the hospital getting help.” Fisher then pointed to the current crisis affecting western Pennsylvania. “It’s only a public health issue when it comes to someone in a White area addicted to heroin, but for some reason in our community, addiction is criminalized. When alcohol is

abused they don’t need help, they need a prison according to the system.” Taylor Goel, Pittsburgh coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition got up and demanded charges against Bruce Kelley Sr. be dropped and police officer Bryan O’Malley charged with murder, saying, “The police murders are portrayed as the work of a few bad apples in a system that otherwise works for the public good…the police are doing exactly what they’re trained to do; serve the interests of a rich minority, the ruling class whose wealth is founded on the poverty and exploitation of the poor and working class.” At that juncture of the event, a second element of classism took center stage as Goel passed the bullhorn to Fisher who introduced Dustin Gibson, committee chair for Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh. “If a White man wants to lynch me that’s his problem, if he has the power to lynch me it’s my problem. Racism isn’t a question of attitude, it’s a question of power,” he said, as he referenced Stokely Carmichael. Earl Baldwin Jr. of Hallelujah Anyhow Gospel Talk Barber Shop brought the fire of Carmichael as well as his own bullhorn to the event. As he spoke, he began to shake with anger, overcome with emotion as he aired his grievance to Zappala. “They killed my son in the middle of the street,” he said. “Your officers felt they needed to shock me with tasers while I was trying to say goodbye. You forever stole from me what I can never get back. Do you know what it’s like to cut your son’s hair in a casket?” he screamed in a hoarse rasp. Shouts of it’s alright came from the crowd but Baldwin responded with indignation. “It’s not alright man!” Finishing by throwing the bullhorn down, shattering it on the concrete. Baldwin’s stepson, Mileek Grissom, was killed in 2014 by gunmen who haven’t been identified. Fisher took her bullhorn while the next

BLACK LIVES MATTER—Protesters hold a Black Lives Matters sign and chant “What do we want?” “Justice.” When do we want it?” “Now.”

Gov. Wolf signs medical Marijuana law

GIVING REASONS FOR PROTEST—Organizer Brandi Fisher speaks about several different injustices in the city of Pittsburgh and those are the reasons why they are protesting.

CONTINUED FROM A1

He thanked Wolf and his fellow legislators. “This is a good day for the mothers and fathers and other family members who have stayed strong in their commitment to getting needed medical help for their loved ones who continue to suffer from debilitating illnesses,” he said. “It took much longer than necessary to get this bill to the governor, but by working together—Democrat and Republican, House and Senate—we are able to send a clear message that we care about Pennsylvania families and we don’t want them to suffer any more.” The signing makes Penn-

sylvania the 24th state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, and because of that, the law mirrors lessons learned by trial and error elsewhere. The law features consumer protections to insure quality and price of the end product, which will be sold as a liquid, an oil, or as a pill. Sales will also be tax exempt. With the creation of this new industry, there will be a small job boom. The law calls for up to 25 growing and processing firms and 50 dispensaries which could each operate three locations. There will also be job growth in the attendant medical, transportation, engineering and medical fields. And the entire pro-

cess, from seed to sale, will be heavily regulated. As with the gaming industry, there are provisions restricting ownership or employment of individuals with criminal records. The law requires criminal background checks for principals, operators, employees and financial backers of “medical marijuana organizations” and designated caregivers for patients. Background checks are free for caregivers. The law also makes it a crime to divert or adulterate medical marijuana, or to falsify required identification cards. The state Department of Health is tasked with implementing the law and its regulations.

JAIL MEDICAL NEGLECT—Julia Johnson speaking on the Allegheny County jail and how many medical neglect deaths they have. (Photos by J.L. Martello) speaker prepared and spoke about how police say that they can’t solve murders in the Black community because no one will talk, but meanwhile in the murders of the Wolfe sisters in East Liberty, massive resources were spent to solve their murders with no witnesses and how Bruce Kelley Sr. upon getting released from jail got his belongings back including the weapons he had on him they charged him with. “They hand him the weapons then arrested him again for having weapons. If it was a crime to carry it, why put it in his hands again?” she said. Ayodeji Young a community-outreach coordinator at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA took the stage. “The problem is White people don’t think that the crimes that happen in our com-

munities affect them,” Young said. “Didn’t we just see footage of an out of control Pittsburgh police officer beating the [expletive] out of a young White kid? Now transfer that to the hood times 50!” The crowd applauded in agreement. “The purpose of the Trump rally wasn’t to protest but it was to see who the enemy is. All of the people who are aligned against you in secret. That’s how Pittsburgh works. If you support the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) and you are a lawyer on Grant Street, then kiss our [expletive].” He left the audience with a call to action. “Your twitter finger protests make no impact on nobody. If you don’t show up face to face and make your voice heard at this hearing April 21st, its business as usual.” (JL Martello also contributed to this article.)

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APRIL 20-26, 2016

Farewell to Kobe

Primary Endorsements

Voting is critical, so get out and vote The Pennsylvania Primary is Tuesday, April 26 and it’s critical that Blacks come out in large numbers to not only vote for President Barack Obama’s successor, but to vote out Pat Toomey in the U.S. Senate so that the GOP will not be able to undue everything President Obama has accomplished. The GOP has once again totally overlooked the Black community so we should totally overlook them at the national level as well as the state. At the top of the primary on the Democratic side are Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Both have expressed their commitment to issues affecting the Black community such as employment, under employment, education in urban schools, affordable health care, minimum wage as well as affordable housing to mention a few. We commend Sanders for forcing a debate on the Democratic ticket, thus forcing Clinton to address issues such as affordable health care, education, unemployment, social security, billionaires buying elections and other issues important to the Progressive movement. Before Sanders, the voters only had the Conservative GOP, and the Moderate Clinton. Even though Clinton is well out front in delegates after winning most of the states thus far Sander’s issues will no doubt be part of the Democratic platform. So far polls have been projecting Clinton to defeat either of the leading GOP candidates, Donald Trump, or Ted Cruz. We haven’t seen any projected polls of what Sanders would do against them. Both Democratic candidates have been about unifying the country, working toward diversity instead of the division of the GOP. Because the bulk of the Black community, and the fact that the Clintons have a proven record of helping Black people, we endorse Hillary Clinton for president of the United States because we think she is the best overall candidate. We are not endorsing any of the three Republican Presidential Candidates. The GOP presidential candidates as well as every U.S. Senator and Congressmen have vowed to gut all of the programs that President Obama has pushed through which makes the Pat Toomey U.S. Senate race critical. The winner of the Katie McGinty, Joe Sestak, and Braddock Mayor John Fetterman, Democratic race will seek to unseat Toomey. All the top Democrats, including President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and U.S. Senator Bob Casey have endorsed McGinty, mostly because they feel she has the best chance of beating Toomey. But despite all the endorsements Sestak won the latest poll, receiving 41 percent to McGinty, 31 percent, and Fetterman 9 percent. Either of these candidate would make a far better Senator than Toomey, but we endorse McGinty not only because of her stand on issues affecting the Black community but because with the support of all the top Democratic elected officials she will have the resources to defeat Toomey. District Attorney Stephan Zappala is from western Pennsylvania and is running for Pennsylvania Attorney General against veteran attorney John Morganelli, and Josh Shapiro. Shapiro has received just about all the major endorsements, including President Obama as well as the Black leadership from the Philadelphia area. We endorse Shapiro because he has shown his willingness to work with the people as well as the police in making sure each side is treated fairly and objectively. There have been some questions about Zappala’s handling of the Leon Ford, Jordan Miles cases as well as others where he appeared to be unwilling to go against the police even though they were clearly wrong. Mike Doyle14th Congressional District vs. Janice C. Brooks. We endorse Doyle because of his proven record of supporting causes and issues that affect the Black community. We endorse Jay Costa Jr., 43rd Senatorial District because of his support for issues affecting the Black community. Jake Wheatley vs. Jessica Wolfe in the 19th Congressional District and Ed Gainey vs. William Anderson 24th District House of Representatives, are no brainers. We commend Wolfe and Anderson, for their efforts in running for these seats but we endorse Wheatley and Gainey because they are proven leaders not just in politics but also in the communities they serve as well as outside. Both have been very visible to the community as well as the Courier during their time in office. We endorse Eugene A. DePasquale for Pennsylvania Auditor General because he has done an excellent job while serving in this position. Once again we urge you to vote, because it’s one of the most important rights we have as American citizens. Don’t take it for granted. If you don’t vote you lose your voice.

Pittsburgh Courier NEW

Founded 1910

Rod Doss

Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher

Allison Palm

Eric Gaines

Office Manager

Advertising Manager

Ulish Carter

Ashley Johnson Associate Editor

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

OPINION

Managing Editor

Jeff Marion Circulation Consultant

John H. Sengstacke Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

After a 20 year fabulous, exciting, great, super, explosive, beautiful… sorry, there’s not a word to describe Kobe Bryant’s career, as he has quietly gone into the sunset. Well…not quietly. He exploded for 60 points in his final game just to leave the young guns in the NBA and fans something more to remember him by. Letting the young guns know what they missed and the old heads know what they have had the luxury to enjoy for the past 20 years. From a young 18 year old coming into the league fresh out of high school trying to fit into a team which already had its share of stars and fresh after the Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar era which had spoiled the Lakers fans, it was championships or bust for one of the two most successful franchises in major league sports. Kobe following the lead of his father, Joe Bryant, who had played in the NBA for several years took a little time but adjusted not only to playing in the league but being a star in the league to becoming The Star in the league, which led to friction between he and Shaquille O’Neal, who was the star before Kobe. But with age and maturity Shaq was able to accept going from being the number one option to the second option behind Kobe for three titles. But finally Shaq left the Lakers for the Miami Heat where he won another title to go with the three he won with Kobe. Magic Johnson led the Lakers to nine NBA finals winning five championships before Kobe so he was determined to match the championships which he did winning five in eight trips to the finals. His last two titles being without Shaq. Kobe finished as the all time Lakers scorer, passing such greats as Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, while finishing second only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the league. He averaged over 25 points a game, six rebounds and five assists, and was also recognized as one of the best defensive players in

Ulish Carter

Just Sayin’

not from Pittsburgh and he’s replacing a political icon in Bill Robinson, which has caused resentment from some for no reason. What I found out is that he is a lifetime fighter for unionization for Blacks working within the A. Phillip Randolph organization. But even though he understands the positives that come with being a member of a union he also understands that unions are made up of people who are just as biased as non-union workers, or employers, so Blacks are going to have to fight for their rights within the union. So if Blacks are to be part of a union they had better make sure that that union is representing them, first by assuring diversity. By being a part of the A. Phillip Randolph organization, which is the leader in fighting for Blacks in the unions be it Black unions, White unions, or mixed unions, he has aligned himself with a solid support group who understands the struggle of Blacks and the unions. He said he has been involved in unions for nearly all his adult life. If you can get your hands on it at your local library or cable network watch “10,000 Men Called George” by Showtime which is somewhat of a bio of the beginning of A. Phillip Randolph, starring Andre Braugher, Brock Peters, and Mario Van Peebles. Speaking of Mario Van Peebles I watched an old movie classic, “New Jack City” which he starred in and directed, that displayed Black on Black violence at its worst starring Wesley Snipes, Allen Payne, Ice T, Chris Rock, and I had forgotten Pittsburgh native Bill Nunn II. This was a great movie that I think all community activists need to watch at least once a year and when mothers or fathers think their child is leaning toward selling or using hard drugs they should set them down to watch this movie. The beginning and middle was great for the drug lords, but the ending is generally the same for most.

the league making the All Defensive team several times. For those of you non-NBA fans asking how could he surpass Abdul-Jabbar, since they both played for the Lakers? Abdul-Jabbar played most of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks; he joined the Lakers at the end of his career helping them to five championships, but not with Kobe. Some of Kobe’s accomplishments: Score 81 points in a game which was second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. He made 18 all-star games in 20 years and 15 All-NBA teams. Eleven first teams, two Second teams and two Third teams. He was the NBA Finals MVP twice and MVP for the season once. How he ranks All Time. At off guard or shooting guard most would rate him second to Michael Jordan, and some would rate him third behind Jordan and Jerry West. I would place him second to Jordan but just slightly ahead of West. As far as the All Time NBA Team, I would put him on the second team with Bill Russell, Tim Duncan, Julius Erving, and Magic Johnson. My First Team: Wilt Chamberlain, Elvin Hayes, Elgin Baylor, Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson. Where does he go from here? Coaching is not likely. Nor is announcing? I wish him well, whatever he decides to do for the rest of his life. Remember, he’s only 38. …. A recent editorial board with County Councilman DeWitt Walton really im(Ulish Carter is the managing editor of the pressed me. Most people really don’t know much about him because he’s New Pittsburgh Courier.)

The fight against voter suppression (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—“No right is more precious in a free country than that of having a voice in the election of those who make the laws under which, as good citizens, we must live. Other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if the right to vote is undermined.”—The Supreme Court of the United States, Wesberry v. Sanders, 1964 In 2013, the Supreme Court stripped the Voting Rights Act of its power to stop states from creating and enforcing laws that would prevent eligible voters from exercising their constitutional right to vote. Under the dark shadow of the newly crippled law, our nation celebrated the 50th year anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 2015. In 2016, our nation will observe its first presidential election since the court effectively paved the way for states to usher in new, legal obstacles to the polls that would largely affect low-income people, the elderly, people with disabilities, students and communities of color. Preclearance-which laid at the very heart of the VRA-required states with a history of discriminatory, race-based voter suppression to have any amendments in their voting laws “precleared” by the Justice Department. The Supreme Court, in all its wisdom, decided the preclearance provision was the stuff of a bygone era of racial injustice in American history. The court could not have been more flawed in its thinking. Since then,

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal states have been hard at work introducing and passing countless laws that do what the VRA was created to stop: the calculated denial of the vote to targeted classes of Americans. In our first election since Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected this nation’s president, 17 new states—from Texas to Rhode Island—will have new voting restrictions in place. While it is true that the days of poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses exist in the pages of our history books. The old strategy of voter suppression is not sitting somewhere collecting dust on a shelf. Voter suppression is alive and well and dressed in a new suit of modern tactics, with states passing laws strict voter ID laws, cutting back on early voting, denying exfelons the right to vote and even closing polling places in communities of color. In all, 22 states have new restrictive voting requirements in effect since the 2010 midterm election, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. That sobering number represents

nearly half our nation’s states. It also represents hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, of eligible voters being denied their protected right to a vote. We should not accept this current state of affairs as the last word on voting rights in our democracy. We certainly cannot rely on a change of heart from states bent on denying this fundamental right to its residents. We cannot allow political parties to hijack elections for shortterm political gain while they undermine a basic pillar of our democracy in the long-term. We need action, and we need action from our elected officials. When the Supreme Court stripped the preclearance provision from the VRA, it challenged Congress to create new legislation-an updated set of protections that would help guarantee our right to vote and repair much of the damage caused by the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling. The National Urban League will continue to work in coalition with the civil rights community and press members of Congress to restore the VRA. If we don’t stand for everyone’s right to vote-we stand to lose it and lose what makes living in this country special, and in many cases, unique. Millions of Americans should never have to fear barriers at the ballot box. Let’s #RestoretheVRA. (Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans, is president and CEO of the National Urban League.)

Voting is key to education reform by Brian L. Pauling Education—the answer to many of the problems ailing our country—is getting the least amount of attention from the candidates on the presidential campaign trail. According to a November 2015 Gallup poll, only 4 percent of Americans consider education or education policy to be the most important problem facing our nation. Respondents instead cited the economy, poorly run government, immigration, gun control and health care of most concern. While I agree that these are important issues, we at 100 Black Men of America, Inc. (The 100) believe that without a quality education, many young people, particularly African Americans, will be condemned to lives of poverty, incarceration and despair. As a nonprofit mentoring organization, the education of our youth is one of our top concerns. In our advocacy work, The 100 has sought to raise public awareness about the need to reform our nation’s education system, especially in predominately AfricanAmerican and low-income communities where far too many of the schools are failing our children. We are working to ensure that every child, no matter their zip code, has access to highperforming schools. Schools with caring and nurturing environments, high-performing teachers, rigorous

curriculum, and the proper materials and technology are some of the key ingredients to preparing our kids to successfully graduate high school, handle college-level coursework without requiring remediation, compete in a global marketplace and become productive members of society. How we get there is the real question. One answer is by voting. When we go to the polls in November, we will not only elect the next president. We will use our voting power to also make important decisions about our children’s education. In some states, for example, the electorate will be asked to decide whether to turn the operational and decision-making control of failing schools in their communities over to their state governments. Others will be asked whether more charter public schools should be permitted to open in their communities to provide families with an option to traditional public schools. Still others will be asked how money raised through state lotteries, property and sales taxes, and state and federal allocations should be earmarked to support educational initiatives from cradle to college. As voters, we are facing some tough choices. Many of our local public schools are struggling and some even failing, but is a state government takeover the answer? There has been a decades-long imbalance in the dis-

tribution of educational quality and opportunity due, in part, to how public schools are funded, but will proposed funding formula changes address those inequities and produce successful outcomes? If we allow more charter schools, will that irreversibly damage our traditional public schools or will the competition make both stronger? What happens to the children and schools in our communities will depend largely on the actions we take as voters. Elections at both the federal and local levels—from the school board to the statehouse and from the assembly to the White House—are vitally important. We need to be talking about education in our households and at PTA meetings, in our barber shops and coffeehouses, and in our workplaces and houses of worship. But transformation doesn’t come by talk alone. We also must take decisive action. We can start by increasing our knowledge of the issues, committing to exercise our right to vote, encouraging others in our communities to do the same and then casting ballots for candidates for whom education and the academic success of our children are top priorities. The choice—and the vote—is ours. (Brian L. Pauling is national president and CEO of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Learn more about the work of The 100 at www.100blackmen.org.)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

‘Bill O’Racist’ at it again (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—I have written about Bill O’Reilly, a/k/a “Bill O’Racist,” in the past and his proclivity to distort the facts when discussing African Americans. Well, he’s at it again. On one of his recent shows on Fox News, he asked, “Don’t you think most African-Americans know there are super predators among their ethnic group? Don’t they know it?” Earlier in the year, he said, “Well, Sanders says he is a straight talker but not, not on this issue. Here’s the truth. African-Americans make up 13 percent of the total population in the U.S.A. but commit 37 percent of all murders. And 90 percent of Black murder victims are killed by other Blacks. You will never ever hear either Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton say that. Republican candidates will not likely point it out either because it’s politically incorrect. It’s much easier to decry racism than actually address the root causes of violent crime which are a corrosive culture and collapse of the traditional family.” For the record, every racial and ethnic group has predators among its ranks, just as they have members who are positive forces. In his rush to blame everything on “corrosive culture” and “collapse of the traditional family” among African Americans, Bill O’Racist conveniently ignores some basic facts. He should have learned last November from Donald Trump’s re-tweeting an erroneous post that claimed that 81 percent of Whites are killed by Blacks. Not only was that fiction, the supposedly source for the figure—“Crime Statistics Bureau—San Francisco”—did not exist. As fact checkers pointed out at the time, only 15 percent of Whites are killed by Blacks. “Trump cast Blacks as the primary killers of Whites, but the exact opposite is true. By over-

George E. Curry

Commentary whelming percentages, Whites tend to kill other Whites. Similarly, Blacks tend to kill other Blacks. These trends have been observed for decades,” Politifact observed. Indeed, FBI stats show that few homicides are committed outside an assailant’s race. In fact, 8 percent of Blacks are killed by Whites and 90 percent of African Americans are killed by other African Americans. According to the FBI, 82 percent of Whites are killed by other Whites. Clearly, there is no “corrosive culture” factor among African Americans at play here. A report titled, “Black Homicide Victimization in the United States: An Analysis of 2013 Homicide Data” by the Washington, D.C.based Violence Policy Center, provides further insight into Black homicides. The typical Black homicide victim was 31 years old; 7 percent were younger than 18 years old and 2 percent were 65 years old or older. Most—87 percent—were male and 13 percent were female. The report notes that 84 percent of all Black victims (4,960 out of 5,891) were killed with guns. Of those, 73 percent were killed with handguns. Significantly, 72 percent (2,002 out of 2,766) of Black victims were killed by someone they knew. Only 764 were killed by strangers. Moreover, 51 percent of the homicides grew out of an argument between the victim and the assailant. Approximately 15 percent were reported to be gang-related. Instead of dwelling on Bill O’Reilly’s ignorant diatribe, the stats should point us in a different direction if we want to reduce homicides in Black America. First there is the larger issue of gun control. “Blacks in the United States are disproportionately affected by homicide. For the year 2013, Blacks represented 13 percent of the nation’s population, yet accounted for 50 percent of all homicide victims,” the Violence Policy Center report stated. “...For Black victims of homicide, like all victims of homicide, guns— usually handguns—are far and away the number-one murder tool. Successful efforts to reduce America’s Black homicide toll, like America’s homicide toll as a whole, must put a focus on reducing access and exposure to firearms.” Equally important, we most focus on young Black males. That’s not to say we should ignore Black females—we shouldn’t—but 87 percent of Black homicide victims are male. No other group is close. “The homicide rate for Black male victims was 30.59 per 100,000. In comparison, the overall rate for male homicide victims was 6.87 per 100,000. For White male homicide victims it was 3.71 per 100,000. The homicide rate for female Black victims was 4.36 per 100,000. In comparison, the overall rate for female homicide victims was 1.72 per 100,000. For White female homicide victims it was 1.39 per 100,000,” according to the report. Finally, we must discard the stereotype that most homicides are a result of random violence. As the figures show, 72 percent of Black victims were killed by someone they knew. And just more than half of those deaths began with an argument. With 15 percent of the deaths attributed to gangs, they also cannot be ignored. Teaching Black men to successfully resolve conflict nonviolently has to be a top priority, if we are going to be successful. And this must start early in the life of boys. There are many reasons to be concerned about homicide in Black America. But Bill O’Racist and other right-wing nuts totally miss the point. (George E. Curry is President and CEO of George Curry Media, LLC. He is the former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA. He can be reached through his Web site, georgecurry.com.)

APRIL 20-26, 2016

FORUM

Whom I am voting for and why In the last 60 they repreodd years I Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick sented Blacks have never well. There missed voting comes a time in an election, in life when and next week change is reApril 26 I will quired, it is a be voting once new year and again. It has after 100 always been years that old my conviction song has bethat voters should have a deeper rea- come a reality do you remember? son for casting their vote than just “Everything must change nothing saying it’s my obligation to vote. We remains the same.” Yes change is must do more research on all candi- long overdue as Black women have dates, thereby becoming an informed grown in statue, ability, articulation, voter. commitment and I will be voting to For example the President: I am silence the voice of a man by voting voting for Bernie Sanders, because for the new voice of Dr. Janis C. he has the greatest potential to cre- Brooks. Pennsylvania Attorney General: ate positive change in America, by challenging the super rich, the 1 per- President Obama endorsed Attorney cent which may reinvigorate the Josh Shapiro, but I had already deworking class citizens of America. cided to support him. Why? The other Bernie Sander’s opponent is sup- candidate is basing his campaign on ported by the super rich, the 1 per- being an 18 year prosecutor. However the state law only requires that you cent. United States Senator: This is my be an attorney not a prosecutor or most difficult decision, because of the persecutor. I believe he has been a sesimilarities between Joe Sestak and lective prosecutor, for example there Big John Fetterman, the Mayor of are two outstanding incidents where Braddock. The two candidates are al- two young Black men were attacked. most identical in their concern and The first happened in Homewood a commitment to the people not the po- young brother going to grandma’s litical machine. However in life you house and he winds up going to trial. have to make a choice so I am voting The other a young brother was the result of wrong identification and he for Admiral Joe Sestak. 14th U.S. Congressional District: wound up in a wheelchair and For the last 100 years a White man charged. I am voting for Josh Shapiro has been the voice for the largest for attorney general. (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to numbers of Black voters in Western Pennsylvania, and overwhelmingly the Forum Page.)

To Tell The Truth

Hillary Clinton’s White humility Recently, Democreate jobs? cratic presiden- J. Pharoah Doss Either Clinton tial frontrunner believes sysHillary Clinton temic racism is spoke at Rev. Al so discouraging Sharpton’s Nathat it has tional Action Nethandicapped work. Sharpton’s the proper organization repsearch for emresents the older ployment and civil rights estabthis psychologilishment or “The Black vote.” cal damage is the first barrier that Earlier in Clinton’s campaign, she needs to be broken in poor Black insulted the younger “Black Lives communities, or her agenda is job Matter” generation at a Black church creation for Sharpton’s audience, when she innocently said, “All lives who are what E. Franklin Frazier lamatter.” beled: The Black Bourgeoisie, and This inclusive remark was con- they’ll be able to give back to their demned because it “white washed” community by assisting in the the specific ill-treatment Blacks en- search for job’s that haven’t been credured in a country founded on the ated, especially for those that paid principle of inalienable rights be- their debt to society. stowed to all, some even said “All Then she said, “White Americans Lives matter” was a new racial slur. need to do a much better job of lisClinton’s remark was politically tening when African-Americans talk careless. It deviated from a party about…Seen and unseen barriers,” strategy that treated minorities as and Whites, “need to recognize priviinterest groups with unique prob- lege and practice humility rather lems that required special attention than assume our experiences are evfrom the federal government. eryone else’s experiences. We need to Under that plan inclusive phrases try…To imagine what it would be (like we’re all Americans) are divi- like…If people followed us around sive. They diminished the group and stores or locked their car doors when uplifted the individual. we passed.” Since Clinton’s display of “inclusive Apparently “White humility” was racism” her campaign rallies have the new strategy developed after the been disrupted by protesters de- Black church controversy. manding apologies. (Not for the “all The strategist figured the “Black lives matter” comment, but for past Lives Matter” generation doesn’t dispolicies that disproportionately tinguish between privilege and harmed Blacks.) “White pride.” “White pride” doesn’t Now she was in a Black setting honor European ancestry, it prowithout the threat of disruption, she motes the superiority of “whiteness”, needed to be clear not careless. “white privilege” is a term used to Clinton said, “It’s time we face up to address racism, but it’s rooted in the reality of systemic racism.” class envy, and practicing “White huAnd she announced a $125 billion mility” allows Black lives to matter “Breaking Every Barrier” agenda. (a false sense of significance) while Clinton said, “It has to start with a pacifying the protesters. strategy to create more good jobs. So Clinton concluded, “I believe that my plan devotes $20 billion specifi- Democrats have a special obligation. cally to help young people find work If we’re going to ask African-Ameriand $5 billion to help people who cans to vote for us, we can’t take your have paid their debt to society find vote for granted.” jobs and support when they get out This wasn’t the apology the “Black of prison.” Lives Matter” generation sought. She stuck to the old party strategy. It was an admission of guilt for She acknowledged a specific decades of neglect by a recognizer of grievance of the group—systemic privilege but instead of feeling huracism, stressed “breaking barriers”, miliated the “Black vote” applauded which are embedded in hiring prac- her “White humility”. (J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the tices, but plans to appropriate funds New Pittsburgh Courier. He blogs at for a massive employment search. Great, but how is that a strategy to jpharoahdoss@blogspot.com.)

Commentary

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Lee A. Daniels

Commentary

America’s war for democracy (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—The conservative movement’s war against democracy in America has erupted on two fronts within the last month in ways that sharply illuminate the threat to many Americans’ rights—especially their right to vote in many states this November. First, less than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of same-sex couples to marry, recent anti-LGBT laws hurriedly enacted in North Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi, while ostensibly aimed just at transgendered individuals, actually have a much broader intent: to undermine the laws and regulations banning discrimination against bisexuals, gays and lesbians as well. Proponents of the measures, and similar ones under consideration in other states, claim they’re not discriminatory but merely seek to protect individuals’ “religious freedom”—“to stop,” as Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant put it, “the government from interfering with people of faith who are exercising their religious beliefs.” Of course, that dodge—using an asserted religious faith to justify discrimination—was a pillar of the vicious legalized racism Black Southerners endured during the long reign of Jim Crow. So, this scenario of continued widespread resistance among conservatives to a Supreme Court decision expanding democracy should seem familiar. Indeed, the story of the stalwart, nonviolent struggle Black Americans waged from the 1940s to the mid-1960s to gain that fundamental marker of citizenship, the right to vote, is especially important to remember today, both in considering the new anti-LBGT reaction and on its own merits. In the latter decades, Blacks and their allies among other American had to overcome the hydra-headed “massive resistance” of Southern segregationists, who used fear-mongering, political subterfuge, economic intimidation and outright physical violence to try to continue their evil regime. Many Americans thought that struggle had been won forever with the enactment of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). But the remarkable progress the law produced was shadowed by irrefutable proof that massive resistance to racial inclusion had not disappeared. Instead, adopted in the mid-1960s by its new advocates, the Republican Party, it had just shapeshifted into more cloaked, seemingly race-neutral forms. Those innumerable, continual attempts to undermine the voting law were stymied—until the Supreme Court’s conservative majority in 2013 struck down the VRA’s key protective provision. The result: an intensifying of GOP-controlled state legislatures’ efforts to enact laws and voting procedures intended to limit the number of eligible Black and Hispanic voters who actually get to vote. This GOP-driven campaign of massive resistance has nothing to do with protecting the voting process. It has everything to do with preserving white conservative rule, especially now that the American population is becoming more and more racially and ethnically diverse. For example, it’s no coincidence that two of the most significant voting rights cases since the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision come from Texas, where the state’s Hispanic population will soon surpass that of Whites. The sudden death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia—which dashed conservative expectations of another anti-democratic voting rights ruling from the Court in one of the Texas cases — will undoubtedly ratchet up conservative campaigns to block voters of color, who overwhelmingly vote Democratic, from getting to the ballot boxes. The massive election-day crisis on Arizona’s primary election day last month that left voters in the state’s Democratic-leaning areas waiting for hours to vote underscores what could happen this November in the more than 30 states whose Republican-controlled legislatures have enacted various kinds of voting restrictions in recent years. In Arizona state Republican officials, saying they needed to cut costs, reduced the number of polling places in the significantly minority districts of Phoenix from the 200 in place for the 2012 election to just 60. The reduction meant that there was one polling place for every 21,000 voters in those areas—compared with one polling place for every 2,500 voters in the rest of the state, which is overwhelmingly Republican. Democratic Party officials and the campaigns of both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have challenged the state’s primary elections actions in court. Their lawsuit seeks, among other things, to force state officials to increase the number of polling places throughout the affected districts in time for the November election. As the blatant voter-suppression tactics employed in Arizona indicate, the right to vote of a significant number of Americans’ living in GOPcontrolled states could be threatened this November. According the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, 8 of the 12 states that experienced the largest Hispanic population growth between 2000 and 2010 have enacted new restrictive voting laws since 2010, as have 7 of the 11 states with the highest African-American voter turnout in the 2012 elections. In other words, the conservative movement’s massive resistance against voting rights is as fierce as their use of it against LGBT rights. That fact underscores one of the most important lessons of African-American history: Just because you achieve significant victories now and then does not mean the struggle is over. (Lee A. Daniels, a former reporter for The Washington Post and the New York Times, is also a former editor of The National Urban League’s The State of Black America. He can be reached at leedanielsjournalist@gmail.com)

A10

APRIL 20-26, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

New Pittsburgh Courier

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report

To China and back “Screaming cheap” was a phrase a good girlfriend of mine used to use whenever we would see someone in a cheap outfit or if we would run across something in a store that was poorly made. We wanted the bargains but we did not want them to look like bargains. Recently I made a purchase that was against my better judgment. I have been looking at these outfits that appear on social media for a long time. They look so good in the picture. I even read a few reviews, which I’m sure now were false. And then I remembered the dress I ordered for my last birthday party it was from China and it turned out just fine. So maybe, just maybe these outfits would turn out to be a pleasant surprise. I ordered a white jumpsuit, a grey maxi dress and a red cocktail dress. When I logged in to order these items each one said “ships in 24 hours.” I finally got a confirmation email that my package had been shipped and I was given a tracking number. This was a good sign. I checked the site and could see my package had arrived in New York and then it was in Pennsylvania and then a half opened package showed up on my doorstep. All three outfits were shoved into a flimsy plastic envelope. I can’t believe this package made it all the way to my house from China. I could not wait to open the package and try on the outfits. I ordered sizes according to their chart for US sizes. I ordered each one in an extra-large; currently I wear a size 10. They said an XL would fit a size 12. I tried on the grey maxi first; this dress was to be a tee shirt type fabric, off the shoulder with three quarter length sleeves and the color grey like a sweatshirt. Let me say that none of these items have a label only a small tab that says “XL.” The dress fit but the fabric was an odd synthetic like the material of those old sweat suits men used to wear in the seventies. Next I put on the jumpsuit. It was a mess. It was too tight and the pants legs were high water. It also was an off the shoulder jumpsuit. Each outfit was made with the cheap elastic around the shoulders, this was an attempt to make it fit. I tried on the red dress last. This dress was pictured as a beautiful fit and flare dress with a high low hemline and a sweetheart neckline. The dress was missing the stays in the bodice therefore allowing the dress to roll down in the front. Last week the Today Show did a segment on this very thing. They ordered a few items from these sites and their results were the same as mine. What a joke. I plan to send this bunch of junk back to China. Ladies these outfits are screaming cheap. Look but do not touch. (Email rell@aol.com)

debbienor-

LIFESTYLES

BASH Presents Spring into Wellness

friends celebrate Whartonʼs 105th B6

Family and

APRIL 20-26, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

by Debbie Norrell

WORKING IT OUT

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Matulula, Taj-Aya Barnes, Joshua Lacks, Taylor Ellis, Aliyah Moore, Elijah Frazier, Malik Wells, Hannah McClendon and Kiera Whitson. BASH was founded in May 1978 by 11 African American women who saw the need for new residents to form a solid group of industrious and creative women. The organization has served as a welcoming committee for new residents to the South Hills, as well as a social, civic and charitable organization. BASH was awarded the Washington, PA, NAACP Human Rights Award.

Courier Staff Writer

Nearly 500 were in attendance for the BASH (Black Association of South Hills for Women) Annual Scholarship Luncheon and fashion show on April 2, at the Doubletree by Hilton-Meadowlands. Guests enjoyed vendors, a tasty lunch, a great fashion show sprinkled with workout sessions led by certified fitness instructor Charla Pettis Murphy, owner of Akwaaba Fitness in McKeesport, Pa. This year’s fashions were courtesy of Kohl’s In South Hills, Dress Barn in Trinity Point, Galleria Chico’s, Tuxedo Junction South Hills and Lenese Callea, NYC. BASH husbands Bernard Mack and Gary Walton made a return appearance as the fashion show mix masters. On the runway: William Adams, Desmond Goins, Scott Goins, Kesha Hairston, Karyn Hakeem, Mabel Lee, WHO SAYS FITNESS FASHION Phoenix Moore, Jackie IS BORING Reynolds, Gloria Richardson and Reverend Richard White. This year’s chairpersons included: Lynnelle Goins, Joy Baker, Andrea O’Daniel, Diana Ward, Loretta Williamson and Kim Jackson. A highpoint of the show is always the 50/50 raffle. This year’s winner walked away with $870. BASH has awarded numerous scholarships to deserving high school seniors. The 2015 scholarship awardees included: Ali Jackson, Danny

Ordination B2

Deacon Gaither

FASHION SHOW WORKOUT

BLACK AND WHITE ALWAYS RIGHT

HEADING TO THE GOLF COURSE

THE LADIES OF BASH

HEADING FOR A WALK

FIT TO SWIM (Photos by Rossano Stewart)

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RELIGION

APRIL 20-26, 2016 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Praise & Worship HILLCREST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 2340 Wylie Ave., Pgh., PA 15219 412-391-4334 412-566-8787

“Be Encouraged”

Elder Christopher C. Thompson Power Hour Sabbath...............8:15 A.M. Sabbath School........................9:00 A.M. Divine Worship......................11:00 A.M. AYS One Hour Before Sunset Prayer Meeting Wednesday......7:30 P.M.

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & Noon Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) Noon www.stbtmchurch.org

IN SUPPORT OF—Macedonia Baptist Church, 17 Cochran St, Duquesne, Pa. Rev. Archie D. Perrin Jr, Pastor, cordially held the Ordination Service of Brother Larry Gaither April 17 at the church. All were invited out in support. “This is a glorious event,” said Rev. Archie Perrin. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13) Above the deacons and pastor of the church gather in support of Deacon Gaither. (Photos by J. L. Martello)

Deacon Gaither Ordination at Macedonia in Duquesne

METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 22 Sampsonia Street, Northside Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-231-2554 FAX 412-231-6395 Rev. Lacy F. Richardson, Ph.D., Pastor Church School.................................9:30 A.M. Worship Service.................8:00 & 10:45 A.M. Bible Study/ Prayer Wednesday...................6:30/7:30 P.M. www.metropolitanbaptistchurch.com metropolitanbaptist2224@gmail.com

SIXTH MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH 6556 Shetland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (412) 441-7839 Church School Worship Service Wednesday Night Bible Study

9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 6:00 p.m.

PROVIDING SPIRITUAL SUPPORT—Pastors and deacons lay their hands on the deacon and pray over him as he is being ordained.

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

PASTOR ARCHIE D. PERRIN JR. Macedonia Baptist Church, Duquesne

www.cathedralofhope.com

Journey Worship........8:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship.......11 a.m.

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community

THE GAITHER FAMILY

REV. DR. WILLIE THOMPSON—Pastor Morning Star Baptist Church preached the Word.

For rate information, call 412-4818302, ext. 128. We are looking to feature

JAMES JOHNSON Charman Deacon Board

our positive youth in the church communities. You can e-mail, fax or mail their bios and photo to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax: 412-481-1360 email: egaines@newpittsburghcourier.com

PASTOR EARLENE COLEMAN Bethlehem Baptist Church

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

APRIL 20-26, 2016

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4 ways to make every day Earth Day (BPT)—On Friday, April 22, millions across the globe celebrate Earth Day by participating in eco-friendly activities in order to make a positive impact on the world we live in. This special day is also the perfect opportunity to start thinking about how you can add small, environmentallybased actions to your everyday lifestyle. This can be achieved through small efforts at home, work and in your community. In our fast-paced culture, it’s easy to take the world around us for granted. Many aren’t aware how environmental concerns from climate change and pollution to the rise of e-waste are impacted by our daily activities. It’s never too late or too soon to become an environmental steward by committing to be more kind to the planet. Take action by creating more eco-conscious traditions with your family. Here are four green initiatives you can adopt this Earth Day and every day: Have a paperless trail. Paper waste takes up

more than one-third of space in local landfills, which can generate methane gas that is harmful to the environment. Luckily, today’s technological advances make it easy to go paperless. There are many apps and services that can help you cut back on how much paper you use. You can start by requesting items such as bills, statements and newsletters be sent electronically. The paper items you do wish to receive, like newspapers, cardboard boxes, magazines and phone books, can easily be recycled when you finish using them. Get unplugged. Did you know vampires really do exist? Well, energy vampires that is. This term is used to describe how many types of electronics and office equipment - including computers, phone chargers, clocks, TVs and printers—continue to use electricity when they’re off but still plugged into an outlet. In households across the U.S., wasted energy not only costs consumers more than $5.8 billion annually,

it also sends more than 87 billion pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. Make a pact to reduce the amount of energy your family uses. This can be as simple as turning off lights or the TV when you’re not in the room. Unplugging electronics when they aren’t being used is also a great way to save your family money and conserve energy. Develop a green thumb. While many people choose to plant trees for Earth Day, take it a step further by

(BPT)—By 2029, more than 76 million baby boomers will be 65 or older, according to recent Census estimates. While there is great upside to increased longevity, there are also challenges. Inflation, climbing health care expenses and ebbing safety nets are complex dynamics to navigate through an extended retirement. One key aspect of longer lifespans many Americans overlook is caregiving. In fact, the government estimates 70 percent of adults 65 or older will require some form of long-term care (“LTC”). Recent findings from Northwestern Mutual’s 2015 C.A.R.E. (Costs,

Accountabilities, Realities, Expectations) Study underscore this reality. Nearly four in 10 Americans (36 percent) are currently or have been caregivers to adults who are aging, ill or with special needs. The study further reveals caregiving, while rewarding, can have significant financial and emotional implications. The good news is that whether boomer or any other generation, it is rarely too late to create—or adjust—a financial planning strategy that will help you live your desired lifestyle through your lifespan. Rebekah Barsch, vice president, planning and

sales, Northwestern Mutual, suggests the following: Face the financial realities. The Northwestern Mutual 2015 Planning & Progress Study found outliving their retirement savings is among the top financial fears for Americans. Moreover, a solid portion do not feel at all financially prepared to live through their 80s and 90s. Combined with rising costs and the potential long-term care needs, avoidance is no longer an option. Speak up. Though finances are an uncomfortable topic for many, a candid dialogue is essential to making important decisions. This is especially im-

(BPT)—Naps, knitting and nuzzling with the grandchildren—the traditional image of retirement is being challenged by the more than 76 million baby boomers in the United States. This vibrant generation wants to make the most out of their golden years, and while hobbies and time with grandkids are a priority, they want more. To do so, they know that a proactive approach to health and wellness is a must. Matt Johnson, health and performance expert and president of On Target Living, admires the tenacity boomers and all seniors exhibit when it comes to maintaining their health and wellbeing. He suggests five incredibly simple, yet powerful ways to age healthfully, and keep those engines revving at peak performance, no matter how vintage the model. 1. Take advantage of pit stops “Lack of sleep is the fastest way to age the human body,” says Johnson. “Additionally, adequate sleep is extremely important for a healthy brain. Deep REM sleep allows the mind to rejuvenate. Memory, creativity and cognitive function get refreshed in this stage of sleep.” He recommends three steps to achieve quality sleep. First, go to bed at the correct time to achieve eight hours of sleep. Second, unplug and avoid digital devices that put out stimulating blue light. Third, add the relaxing mineral magnesium to your routine by taking an Epsom salt bath or foot bath once a week. 2. Fuel your machine “I like to tell people to think of nutrition as fuel for the body; without the correct fuel, the engine and components can’t

work correctly,” says Johnson. “The most critical nutrients that boomers don’t get enough of are supergreens and omega-3s. We know we all need to eat more green veggies, but did you know that up to 91 percent of the Ameri-

are endless, but the underdog benefit is how it makes us feel and think,” says Johnson. “You should move your body if you want to stay sharp and happy.” Find an exercise program you enjoy, he sug-

can population is deficient in omega-3s?” He recommends every Boomer get 1,500 mg of EPA and DHA each day, such as 1 tablespoon of Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil Orange Flavor. It’s a high-quality fish oil that offers an easy, safe way to add omega-3s to the diet. As for supergreens, he recommends spirulina and chlorella (types of algae), and frozen wheatgrass. 3. Get an oil change Some oils are considered healthy and others cause health problems. Johnson recommends: Adding: •Extra virgin olive oil for salad dressings, baking and low-temperature sautéing •Virgin coconut oil as a substitute for butter and baking oil •Cod liver oil as a supplement to get omega-3s (not for cooking) Removing: •Vegetable oils like canola and soybean which are heavily processed anD often made with GMOs 4. Rev your engines daily “The benefits of exercise

gests. “Exercise is the fountain of youth, but you shouldn’t do something you don’t like. Make sure you move your body daily. If you are looking for suggestions, think about hiring a trainer to learn a set program. I think focusing on form and technique over intensity is the first step.” 5. Schedule regular maintenance checks “Play offense instead of defense with your health,” says Johnson. “Modern medicine is better than ever at early detection and treatment.” The key is to focus on prevention. “Use annual doctor visits to screen, ask questions and monitor your risk factors. Remember, you can only get good answers if you ask good questions,” he says. Finally, Johnson reminds people that anti-aging doesn’t exist. “We are all aging - the key is to age well. This means to aspire to quality of life. We all have motivators in our life: kids, grandkids, spouses, careers, passions, etc. Without your health, none of these can be enjoyed to the fullest.”

starting a garden in your yard. You can plant anything from flowers, herbs or vegetables. This is a great way to get the entire family involved in an activity you can do together throughout the year that is fun and healthy for everyone! Become a battery recycling superhero. Some items that can be recycled are thrown away mostly because people do not know what can be recycled and where to recycle them. Many household electronics and popular tech gadgets use rechargeable

batteries that contain materials that are potentially harmful to the environment and should never be thrown into the trash. You can help by educating your friends and family about how they can reduce waste by choosing to recycle. Organizations like Call2Recycle Inc. strive to minimize the environmental impact of products through responsible disposal by offering an easy and no-cost recycling solution for rechargeable batteries. Call2Recycle has a network of more than 30,000 drop-off locations, including retail stores in your own community that you may already visit regularly. Their collection sites accept cellphones and rechargeable batteries (weighing up to 11 pounds), including those you find in laptop computers, digital cameras, two-way radios, MP3 players or iPods, tablets and cordless phones. Get started by organizing a local recycling drive to encourage others to gather up their batteries to be recy-

cled. Through recycling, you can make your community more sustainable and keep potentially hazardous materials from entering local landfills. Visit www.call2recycle.org/locato r and use the location finder to find the nearest collection site. Being a responsible member of any community means making choices and taking action to take care of the world we live in. These eco-friendly activities may sound simple and easy to get started, but the real challenge is creating new habits that will ultimately lead to a greener lifestyle. By starting small and making your goals realistic, there is a greater chance you will continue implementing them throughout the year. Your efforts can inspire your family and friends to join you in incorporating environmentallyfriendly behavior into their everyday lives. These changes—big and small— can make a positive impact and create a better world for ourselves and for future generations.

Live long and financially strong with these 3 tips

Boomers: 5 proven practices to win the race against aging

nancial planning, half of the boomers (age 50-68) in the 2015 Planning & Progress Study said they were either informal or non-planners. Considering the correlation between planning and financial security in retirement, as well as the added complexities of longevity, a self-directed approach can be a risky bet when the stakes are high. An expert can take an objective look at your finances and tailor a strategy that adapts as your financial needs evolve.

portant when it comes to difficult topics like longterm care, which could impact the entire family. Understanding the concerns

and wishes of your loved ones is the cornerstone of effective planning. Know when you need help. When it comes to fi-

To learn more about more about planning for longevity try the lifespan calculator, and a Long-Term Care Cost Calculator. MG)

ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier

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APRIL 20-26, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Cover To Cover

We Love You, Charlie Freeman’ by Terri Schlichenmeyer For New Pittsburgh Courier

Anything’s worth a try. Never done it before? Then give it a whirl, you have nothing to lose. You might actually like it. You might grow to love it. And then again—as in the new book “We Love You, Charlie Freeman” by Kaitlyn Greenidge, the experiment might go horribly awry. The shiny new car just didn’t seem right. Nothing did, really. Leaving their home, moving to another state, having to make new friends, Charlotte Freeman hated it all. And this experiment her parents had gotten them into, well, no. Her mother, Laurel, sure was excited about it, though. Ever since she was young, Laurel had been fascinated with sign language, and she taught both her daughters to sign as soon as they were old enough to understand the motions. But a chimpanzee? A chimp the Freemans

Celebrates her Silver & Gold tour

by Renee P. Aldrich For New Pittsburgh Courier

The temperature in Pittsburgh on Saturday night, April 9, plummeted below freezing; but it was triple digit heat on the inside of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. It was the fire behind the powerful voice of Grammy Nominated, singer, songwriter and vocal stylist, Maysa being spread all over the sold out auditorium.

She has been performing for 25 years and this tour is part of a year celebration; not only for that milestone, but also this is her year of “50” because she will be 50 years of age in August, so the tour reflects those two events—silver and gold. Opening up with new music she belted out each tune with what appeared to be little effort. In between each line of lyrics, she utilized the “Scat” to further tantalize the audience drawing them deeper into

MAYSA singing during her concert at August Wilson Center. her artistry; demonstrating her vast range; up and down the scale. Backed by her full band; Charles Baldwin, bass; Damon Bennett, MD/ keys; Tim Hutson, drums; and AUTOGRAPHS—Maysa signing autographs for fans after the show. Richard Tucker, guitar. In-

would raise as a child, while they taught it sign language? Charlotte couldn’t ever imagine spending the rest of her teenage years pretending that a chimpanzee was her brother. She was leery of the “doctor” who ran the program, and of the ancient woman who’d founded the whole thing. They were White; the Freemans were Black and Charlotte suspected that race had something to do with why The Toneybee Institute had hired her mother, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that Charlotte and her little sister seemed to be losing their mother’s love to a chimpanzee. Nobody’d called Ellen Jericho by her real name in years. They all called her by her Star of the Morning name, Nymphadora, which was a name that made her proud, and which was the name she’d given Dr. Gardner when they first met. They made their acquaintance because he’d been bothering the town’s children with his obsessive sketching. Her Star sisters asked her to ask him to stop, which Nymphadora did—brokering a deal with him to sketch her instead, in poses that he chose. She didn’t expect to fall in love with him, nor was she prepared to stumble upon the horrible reason why Gardner wanted her to pose unclothed. And more than 70 years later, Charlotte was equally surprised at what she discovered… Author Greenidge doesn’t just touch upon the issue of race, she tackles it and knocks it to the ground. This, while we squirm over what we see happening to the people in the story, and what we think is coming. Yep, Greenidge is good at making readers uneasy. That dis-ease, however, fully extends to the character, Nymphadora, who’s introduced with her Star of the Morning lineage in a way that made me wonder if this was a time-travel novel. It’s not—but it took me a good long while to understand so.

WITH BAND—Maysa singing on stage with her band. (Photos by J. L. Martello)

Marlon Wayans:The Scandal-Less Tour

Drusky Entertainment presents an evening with Marlon Wayans for an all ages show for his Scandal-Less Tour at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, 510 E 10th Ave, Munhall, Pa., on Thursday May 5, 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show. Reserved seating tickets will be available for $42.50 with a limited amount of VIP tickets available for $150 that include a meet and greet as well. General Tickets on sale at Ticketfly.com or by calling 1-877-4-FLY-TIX. Marlon Wayans is an accomplished actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director. His films, which include “White Chicks” and “A Haunted House,” have grossed more than $736-million in domestic box office, an average of nearly $50-million per outing. As a standup comedian, he is selling out venues nationwide and continues to add new shows every weekend. Wayans is currently filming a pilot for NBC loosely based on his life. (“We Love You, Charlie Freeman” In 2015, he hosted the hit by Kaitlyn Greenidge, c.2016, AlgonNBC comedy/variety show quin Books of Chapel Hill, $25.95/ “I Can Do That!” higher in Canada, 336 pages.)

cluded also was jazz violinist, Chelsey King, who did not hold back in her electric dance with the stringed instrument. Her solo opportunity in the tune “What are you doing for the Rest of your Life?,” is where she

burned up the stage and seats, and left us all yearning for more and fondly remembering Pittsburgh’s own Rodney McCoy. Newest member to her band, saxophonist Rick Tate, took the concert several layers higher himself. And the lone back up singer Angela Phillips, held it down by herself. The evening’s repertoire included new works by Maysa such as “Back to Love,” which she explained she wrote as a personal commitment to move forward with her life after years being devoted to raising her son. This is on the new album of the same title due to released soon. “Out of the Blue,” a song she wrote about the love of her child who came at a time when she didn’t’ expect him—three months early—she ended up delivering him at 25 weeks; and proudly introduced her now; handsome, healthy 16 year old son Jazz. The entire audience could feel the depth of her love as she sang his song. The strongest place in the moment was when she brought him out on stage and he played with the drummer on the song. “Hypnotic Love” was a song she wrote about unrequited love and the pain and brokenness that comes from it. Clearly this was

a night about love and connection on every level, starting with demonstrating a greater love of self. Through a combination of conversations sprinkled with appropriately placed humor, and the music she selected, she made that message known. At one point she even made the audience promise to “do something for themselves” before the week was out. Commenting that “it’s time we began to get some of the love we pour onto others poured onto us.” But the audience was primed for the party too as she took us on an “Old School” ride through all those songs we loved so well, including hits like “Flashlight,” by Funkadelic, music by AWB, and of course “Incognito” and more. She rounded out the concert with a conversation about the encouragement she received from her parents who came to her in a dream at a time when she was experiencing great stress. She shared “in a dream my parents sat at the kitchen table and told me to ‘breath’ take it easy, to stop worrying so much and that all would be well.” “I wrote a song about that experience, “It’s only a Dream.” Continuing what seemed to be the theme of the concert—LOVE—her final numbers beginning with “Deep Waters—l’m Drowning,” “I’ll always Love You,” “I Love to Love You Baby” and “I’ve Got Love On My Mind” spoke to how she started out, with the renewed commitment to moving on with her life as she reaches two milestones in one year, 25 years of life in the music industry, and 50 years of life on this earth.

JANICE WILSON Introducing Maysa

‘Empire’ season 2 soundtrack to be released NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

NEW YORK, N.Y.— Columbia Records; ‘Empire: Original Soundtrack, Season 2 Volume 2,’ the next official release in the hit hiphop drama EMPIRE’s music catalog, will be released on April 29th. The soundtrack features never-before-heard songs from the upcoming episodes. The collection also features the powerful song “Never Let It Die” by Jussie Smollett and Yazz, which debuted on American Idol , the remix contribution by rapper Yo Gotti of “All Nite” and the emotive Lyon family collaboration “Chasing The Sky” by Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett and Yazz. Hope you didn’t miss the aftermath unfold in the EMPIRE spring premiere episode on FOX. After losing the company he built, Lucious (Terrence Howard) announces he will stop at nothing to regain his power, but Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) has her own way of handling things. Meanwhile, Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday), Andre (Trai Byers) and the rest of the Lyon family come to terms with a life-changing tragedy that changes their lives as they know it. EMPIRE airs Wednesdays (9-10 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Colour of Music Festival The Colour of Music (Black Classical Musicans ) Festival is pleased to present the Colour of Music Festival Virtuosi in performance in Pittsburgh Thursday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Carnegie Mellon University, Kresge Recital Hall, 500 Forbes Ave. with an encore performance Friday, April 29 at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Ave. This production is presented in association with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The April 28 Carnegie Mellon performance is free for Carnegie Mellon faculty and students; all other general admission tickets are $10$25; general admission tickets for the April 29 performance at East Liberty Presbyterian Church are $10$35. The Colour of Music debut is part of Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for the Arts Society Requiem for Rice initiative led by Dr. Edda L. Fields-Black librettist on which The Requiem is based. The Requiem will premiere at the Colour of Music Black Classical Musicians’ Festival Oct. 18-22, 2017 in Charleston, SC. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, the Colour of Music Festival presents a diverse repertoire of Baroque, Classical and 20th century music at the highest musical standards comprising top musicians of African descent from around the globe. .

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APRIL 20-26–, 2016

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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Family and friends celebrate Wharton’s 105th birthday

CELEBRATING 105—Janet Wharton’s family and friends helped her celebrate her 105th birthday recently. Wharton was born in Mountville, SC on March 29, 1911. She was one of six children. The family moved to Pittsburgh in the Hill District when she was 3. She was married at 19 and they had one daughter, two grand daughters, and four great grand children. She was a private duty nurse for most of her life, but later became a beautician and eventually purchased her own salon “Jan’s Salon of Beauty.” She has been a member of Calvary Baptist Church for several years with Jesus always being the a constant in her life. She enjoys reading and is very gifted at arts & crafts. Her crafted bible covers were so popular that she began to sell them. She loves to bake and makes the best apple and sweet potato pies. She has received two city proclamations from the mayor’s office, one in 2011 and one this year. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

POISE appoints Col. Patton as chairman emeritus POISE Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping the Black community of Pittsburgh achieve self-sustainability, is announcing its appointment of Colonel (Ret.) Paul G. Patton as Chairman Emeritus. Col. Patton had served as the chair of POISE Foundation for 19 years and was an original incorporator of this 36-year-old, philanthropic institution. He was the organization’s first Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Greg Spencer, who succeeded Col. Patton in November, 2014 reported that “the Board elected to confer emeritus status to him as a mark of distinguished service and leadership. “We are also excited that he has agreed to continue to stay active on the Board,” Spencer said. Born and raised in the historic Hill District, he was one of the original mentees of founder Bernie Jones. After serving 27 years in the United States Air Force, Col. Patton, a graduate of Fifth Avenue High School

and the University of Pittsburgh, School of Engineering, began a second career working in the Information Technology (IT) industry. In this capacity, he rose from a Director in a small ($40M) IT firm to his current position as a Senior Vice President in CACI, Inc., a $4.5B IT Solutions and Services Company. Colonel Patton is proud of his Pittsburgh roots! He has been a loyal Steeler fan since 1955, and has been totally dedicated to POISE Foundation since its incorporation in 1980. In addition to maintaining his active involvement as a POISE Board member, Col. Patton serves on the Board of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chantilly, VA; and the George Mason University Advisory Board for University Life, Fairfax, VA. He is a member of the

goal is to assist Pittsburgh and Allegheny County’s Black community to grow its ability to become self-sustaining. POISE provides grants, scholarship and supports various initiatives designed to promote community collaboration and wealth building. The Foundation is dependent on the many donors who have established endowed funds with the Foundation as well as those who make general contributions to support its work.

COL. PAUL PATTON Air Force Association, the Air Force Cyber Operations and Support Hall of Fame and the Armed Forces Communications Electronics, Association. He is also is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternities and he is a 33rd Degree Prince Hall Mason. The POISE Foundation’s

McKeesport native Gilmore serving aboard nuclear-powered submarine PEARL HARBOR—A 2014 McKeesport Area High School graduate and McKeesport, Pa native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of a crew working aboard one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, USS Santa Fe. Seaman Seanlou Gilmore is a yeoman serving aboard the Pearl Harbor-based submarine, one of 40 Los Angeles-class submarines making it the backbone of the submarine force. A Navy yeoman is responsible for all adminstrative related tasks on a ship. “Being underwater for months at a time, we all have a really good connection with each other in the office,” said Gilmore. With a crew of 130, this submarine is 360 feet long and weighs approximately 6,900 tons. A nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at more than 25 mph. Attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. Their primary tactical advantage is stealth, operating undetected under the sea for long periods of time. “Submarine sailors never cease to amaze me with their ability to complete complex missions in the world’s most challenging environments,” said Rear Adm. Fritz Roegge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Continued U.S. undersea superiority is not possible without their dedication, expertise and professionalism.” According to Navy officials, because of the demanding environment aboard submarines, personnel are accepted only after rigorous testing and observation. Submariners are some of the most highly trained and skilled people in the Navy. The training is highly technical and each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board. Regardless of their specialty, every-

SEANLOU GILMORE one also has to learn how everything on the ship works and how to respond in emergencies to become “qualified in submarines” and earn the right to wear the coveted gold or silver dolphins on their uniform. “We have a lot of fun on this sub,” said Gilmore. “We’re a small group, only 150 sailors, so it’s been great to get to know so many people on a personal level.” Challenging submarine living conditions actually build strong fellowship among the elite crew, Navy officials explained. The crews are highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills. “The Navy is a calling. My brother joined two years before I did, and he encouraged me to join,” added Gilmore. “I like how organized life in the Navy is. You wake up every day and you have a plan of the day, but every day is different and challenging.” By U.S. Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill Steele, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs.

New Pittsburgh Courier

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Office of Federal Contract Policy, Compliance programs procurement, and personnel APRIL 20-26, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

The above federal agency is one of the most important offices in our nation. It is the vanguard for Affirmative Action. OFCCP was formed into its current structure in 1977 as a result Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and President Lyndon Johnson’s Executive Order 11246. The office reports to the Secretary of Labor. This office assigns the proper goals for each race and gender. There is a national goal as well as six regional goals. Its regulations can be found at CFR Title 41 Chapter 60. Recently, this office brought a lot of attention to the discriminatory practices of “Silicon Valley”. It is a shame that some of our largest corporations ignore the goals Harry C. Alford set for them and get away with it. If we had a true Secretary of Labor they would be made to change their ways or cease winning government business. Instead, we as a people are dormant about this situation. We are equally dormant about construction unions who discriminate on an ongoing basis and the Department of Labor continues to maintain their certifications knowing all the time that they indeed discriminate against Blacks and women. What good is the Civil Rights Act if we do not enforce it? Here is a brilliant idea: Why don’t we do the enforcing since the people who we elect ignore this precious law. The NAACP and Urban League chapters are not doing anything about it. Discrimination is alive and well in America. So as the saying goes—“If not now, when? If not you, who?” It is very simple to do. Each year contractors and subcontractors are required to fill out a report entitled EEO-1. The reports are public records and copies can be received during a Freedom of Information Act request. Over the years of my advocacy I have received, via FOIA requests, the hiring information for various utilities and other corporations. If a company is discriminating and remains reluctant to changing its hiring and/or promotion practices the reports can be grounds for a lawsuit. There is one trick to the process. OFCCP will notify the company you are going after that they are about to fulfill your request. They can file suit to prevent this from happening. That is what led to the struggle in Silicon Valley. It is obvious in a state that is 54 percent minority that some companies in Silicon Valley are doing less than 3 percent minority and practically no Blacks and Hispanics. If there is a struggle please stand firm and insist until they relent or start losing federal contracts. The required annual report is known as Standard Form 100. This is what the employers send to OFCCP and it becomes the EEO-1. As the instruction booklet states: “In the interests of consistency, uniformity and economy, Standard Form 100 has been jointly developed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs of the U.S. Department of Labor, as a single form which meets the statistical needs of both programs. In addition, this form should be a valuable tool for companies to use in evaluating their own internal programs for insuring equal employment opportunity.” “Under Section 209(a) of Executive Order 11246, the penalties for failure by a federal contractor or subcontractor to comply may include termination of the federal government contract and debarment from future federal contracts.” This is serious business! You can see samples of the Standard Form 100 from our website www.nationalbcc.org. You can also notice the contract information for the six regional offices (this is to whom you make the FOIA request). I once received the final EEO-1 on Midway Airport (Chicago) after their last major addition which was construction via a Project Labor Agreement. The report showed very little Black participation and very

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing C5-C6

Classifieds

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Beyond the Rhetoric

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For more than a decade, state and local consumer advocates have challenged triple-digit interest rates on small-dollar loans like payday and car-title. To their combined credit, 14 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to limit interest and fees to about 36 percent. Despite these successful efforts however, the vast majority of the nation still lacks state regulation to protect consumers from predatory lending’s debt trap. Consumers of color and those of modest means who need just a few hundred dollars are often the financial prey that payday lenders love. Now a diverse coalition of Christian leaders are proclaiming that payday lending is not just a legal problem, but a moral one as well. The group also has new data that broadly and consistently supports payday and car-title reform across 30 states where no current regulation exists. ‘Faith for Just Lending’, the official title of the faith-based coalition, released new poll results this week from interviews of 1,000 Christians. The survey found that Blacks are the most likely to know someone who has borrowed a payday loan (58 percent) or have borrowed one themselves (49 percent). Nearly a third of clergy and service providers (35 percent) who know consumers with payday or car title loans had provided money to help pay off or refinance

WORKING THE ROOM—Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh Managing Partner Dana Yearly gives an animated presentation on diversity in the bank’s policy, procurement and personnel. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

Yearly pushes building diversity on multiple levels at PowerBreakfast by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

The majority of people have little idea of what the Federal Home Loan Bank is, or how it operates. So when Dana Yearly, Managing Director, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh explained it to the audience at the most recent African American Chamber of Commerce PowerBreakfast, it was enlightening. But when he told them what the bank was doing to promote diversity— through its lending, through its sourcing and through its direct hiring—it was inspiring. “We have concerns about (Pittsburgh’s) lack of diversity, and the effect it has on us and on the region,” he said. The FHLB is not a government agency. It is a collective of private member banks which range in assets from a $82 million to more than $2 trillion that lend money for public purposes. One-third of all the world’s current debt is held in FHLB notes. Because of its size—the system is actually broken into 11 district across the country—and because all of member banks are responsible for the loans any single member makes, the FHLB can and does make loans that federal overseers would not allow strictly private S&Ls or Banks to make. “Say you’ve got a guy, a business owner who needs a loan to expand,” said Yearly. “And you know this guy’s a

THANKS—African American Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Doris Carson Williams thanks Dana Yearly for his PowerBreakfast presentation on FHLB diversity initiatives. good risk, but the number just aren’t up to what the regulators will approve. We make that loan.” The bank’s focus is in three main areas, small business, affordable housing and community development. Its Banking on Business program loaned $50 million to 612 small and minorityowned businesses—and it had a 93 percent success rate.

“And last year our Affordable Housing Program put $25 million into 32,000 housing units,” Yearly said. “Since its inception, it has provided more than $2 billion to create over 800,000 housing units.” But with recent surveys indicating that the Pittsburgh region is the least racially diverse in the country, and that it will need 100,000 new workers to fill the gap left by retiring baby boomers, and that racial diversity is a key element in attracting new workers, Yearly said the FHLB is moving beyond just a diverse lending policy. “We’ve implemented our own ‘Rooney Rule,’” he said. “There has to be at least one woman and one minority in the talent pool for every position we are staffing.” The bank has also rolled out a supplier diversity program to enhance inclusion in its procurement process. And it is also “suggesting” that its loan recipients take advantage of its growing list of diverse suppliers. “We purchase construction services, IT hardware, software and services, office supplies, plant maintenance. Go to our website and click on supplier diversity and you’ll see a pdf listing all the products and services we buy— and you can register to be a vendor right there on line,” he said. “Or better yet, come down to our offices in the ‘Duncan Donuts’ building on Grant Street and meet with LaNee (Davis), our procurement manager. We are dedicated to increasing our contracts and our spend with diverse suppliers.”

The Center for Public Justice, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., National Latino Evangelical Center for Public Justice, PICO National Network, the Ecumenical Poverty Initiative and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission are also members of Faith for Just Lending. Four lending principles guide the coalition’s agenda and call for specific accountability standards for all stakeholders: 1. Lenders should extend loans at reasonable interest rates based on ability to repay within the original loan period, taking into account the borrower’s income and expenses 2. Government should prohibit usury and predatory or deceptive lending practices; 3. Individuals should manage their resources responsibly and conduct their affairs ethnically, saving for emergencies and being willing to provide support to others in need; and 4. Churches should teach and model responsible stewardship, offering help to neighbors in times of crisis. “Predation, poverty and poor health is the unholy trinity residing in impoverished communities,” concluded Dr. Gould.

Black America’s unholy trinity: Predatory lending, poverty and poor health

payday or car title day loans were “exCharlene Crowell debt. pensive”, “harmful” “Communities aland “predatory.” ready suffering due “Exploiting the to economic inpoor while pretendequities are falling ing to serve them is prey to these finana greedy and sinful cial predators,” business,” said Rev. noted Rev. Dr. CasDr. George Mason, sandra Gould, a Senior Pastor of coalition member Dallas’ Wilshire with Missouri Faith Voices and also the Baptist Church and a member of the CoopPICO National Network. “As a pastor, I erative Baptist Fellowship. have become aware of the cycle of shame . . The coalition also stressed the need for . The real culprits are these unregulated consumers to have access to fair and reprofiteers who are extracting wealth from sponsible small dollars loans. families. They are contributing to the poor “Ethical lending is an honorable busihealth of communities and individuals.” ness,” noted Galen Cary, Vice-President for Further findings reveal: Governmental Relations with the National •Nearly 90 percent of respondents felt Association of Evangelicals, “but ensnaring payday loans “mostly hurt” borrowers; vulnerable people in debt traps is not. We (Charlene Crowell is a communications manager •84 percent witnessed an increased need need just laws and regulations that meet for emergency assistance after a payday legitimate needs while preventing the egre- with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be at loan was used; and gious abuses that are now committed by too reached Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org) •The most common descriptions of pay- many payday lenders.”

Commentary

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APRIL 20-26, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

BUSINESS

Women’s groups connecting Social Security questions and answers to leverage their power Question: What is a Social Security Statement, and how can I get a copy? Answer: Your online Social Security Statement gives you secure and convenient access to your earnings records. It also shows estimates for retirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for. You can get your personal Statement online by using your own my Social Security account. If you don’t yet have an account, you can easily create one. To set up or use your account to get your online Statement, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. We also mail Statements to workers attaining ages 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and older, three months prior to their birthday, if they don’t receive Social Security benefits and don’t have a my Social Security account. If you don’t want to wait for your Statement, you can access it online, whatever time of year you need it. Question: I own a business. What should I do if an employee gives me a Social Security number but cannot produce the card, or if the employee is waiting to receive a Social Security number? Answer: Seeing the card is not as important as putting the correct information on the worker’s Form W2. You can verify employee Social Security numbers by using our Social Security Number Verification Service. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/bso. This online service allows registered employers to verify employee Social Security numbers against Social Security records for wage reporting purposes. If the employee recently applied for a Social Security number, but does not yet have a card when you must file the paper Form W-2, enter the words “Applied for” on the Form W-2. If you are filing electronically, enter all zeros (e.g., 000-00-0000) in the Social Security number field. When the employee receives the card, file Copy A of Form W2C, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement with Social Security to show the employee’s number.

Federal contract compliance programs CONTINUED FROM C1

little local employment for the City of Chicago. It was amazing that a large city that is majority minority had so little minority representation. There were a noticeable amount of workers from Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. The people of Chicago were ripped off. Oh! If they only knew which one of their employees slipped a copy of their report to me? Do a FOIA on the major construction projects in your community. How about all of the major banks and utility companies? What about the di-

versity of major school boards? How about the local governments of area, i.e. city, county, etc.? How about other major employers like supermarket chains, department stores? In other words, take control of your local Affirmative Action. We need many more activists who are pure at heart and not looking for a payoff. The world will become better if you do. (Harry Alford is the CoFounder, president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc.org .)

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

vene other likeminded organizations that have a passion and a willingness to collectively participate in eliminating the challenges women of all colors face. One of their goals is to develop a national agenda for mobilizing around the five pillar areas of focus of the Black Women in the United States, 2016 report. Areas are: Inclusive Democracy; Economic Opportunity and Access; Quality Education and Access; Quality Healthcare and Health Justice; and Systematic Racism within the Criminal Justice System. Since 2001, the Pittsburgh based AAWPC, a non-partisan, multi-election, political action committee has been identifying and supporting viable candidates, espe-

Black women in the United States have power. According to the 2016 Black Women in the United States 2016 Power of the Sister Vote Report, Black women are leveraging their voting power in the presidential primaries just as they did in 2008. The report produced by the Black Women’s Roundtable indicates that younger Black women are trending away from the Democratic party and identifying more as Independents which leaves the door open for increasing numbers of Black women to vote for Republican or Independent candidates. The report also revealed that Black women make up more than half, 52.9 percent of the workforce and are the most likely demographic group in America to start a business. Their statistics point out that between 1997 and 2015, the number of companies started by Black women grew by 322 percent culminating in over 1.3 million businesses nationwide. Despite the positive statistics, questions still remain as to why Black women are the most likely of any group of women in TIME TO COMBINE FORCES—Rev., Dr. Judith C. Moore aims to edAmerica to live in poverty, ucate women on leveraging their power. (Photo by Diane I. Daniels) 28 percent due in large part to low pay. According to the report al- cially women, whose positions and actions though more Black women are working, reflect AAWPC’s priorities and objectives. they have seen the largest decline in earn- It studies and supports candidates on the ings between 2009 and 2014 at -3.6 percent, Pennsylvania landscape while advocating with most of that decline occurring in 2011. to make sure that the issues that affect the Earnings for Whites -0.2 percent and His- African American community are intropanic women -0.8 percent are down by less duced, considered and dealt with. over the same time period. As a result of the “It is an honor to have Melanie Campbell, differential rates in earnings recovery, president and CEO of the, NCBCP and Black women have lost ground in closing Convener of the BWR co-sponsor and take the racial pay gap. In 2014, Black women part in this event. Recently returning from earned 77 cents for every dollar earned by participating in a US Public Diplomacy White women; down from 80 cents in 2009. Speaker Project for the U.S. Embassy in Statistically entrepreneurial wise, ac- Argentina her input will be invaluable. She cording to the report although Black has also worked with organizations in women are especially likely to start a busi- Charleston, S.C. and Washington, D.C. to ness, they tend to fall behind when it sponsor town hall meetings prior to their comes to revenue generation. Businesses elections.” owned by Black women tend to produce Founded in 1976 and housed in Washingjust under $40,000 annually compared to ton, D.C. the NCBCP with 12 affiliates, one average per-firm revenues of over $68,000 that includes Sisters Saving Ourselves Now for Latina-owned firms, more than which encompasses Pittsburgh and the $170,000 for Asian American woman- Mon Valley is dedicated to increasing civic owned firms, and nearly $190,000 for firms engagement and voter participation in owned by White women. Black and underserved communities. It “These are the types of issues and ques- strives to create an enlightened community tions that will be addressed Friday during by engaging people in all aspects of civil soour Power of the Sister Vote Town Hall ciety. The National Coalition works to exMeeting,” said Rev. Dr. Judith C. Moore. pand, strengthen, and empower communiThe town hall meeting is April 22, 5 p.m. at ties to make voting and civic participation a the Hosanna House, 807 Wallace Avenue in cultural responsibility and tradition. Wilkinsburg. Organizers include local The BWR serves as the women and girls groups Sisters Saving Ourselves Now and empowerment arm of the NCBCP. BWR the African American Women for Political promotes health and wellness, economic Change. National groups are the Black security and sustainability, education and Women’s Roundtable and the National global empowerment. Coalition on Black Civic Participation. “The theme for Friday’s Power of the Sister “With the Pennsylvania Primary Election Vote Town Hall Meeting is What Black on Tuesday our goal is to gather as many Women Want from the Next President. women of voting age as possible to remind Blacks in our region, and across the United them of the power they have and to educate States are dealing with similar issues, the them on the issues at hand,” said Moore lack of affordable housing, gun violence, affounder and executive director of Sisters fordable education, affordable healthcare and Saving Ourselves Now. Moore also said she employment opportunities,” Moore pointed is pleased to partner with local and national out. “Women experts from across the County groups to host the town hall. “It demon- will not only join us to discuss and educate on strates our ability to capitalize on each how we should leverage our voting power and other’s strengths and to work as a unit.” the importance of Black Women running for Focused on underserved women, Sisters political office but also initiate an agenda to Saving Ourselves Now’s objective is to con- move ourselves forward.”

BUSINESS CALENDAR

QuickBooks Training Event APRIL 26—Again At 9 a.m. in Room 108, Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave., Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host a the second part of a two-day QuickBooks PC Users training workshop. The session will concentrate on Sales Tax Payable, Payroll Setup, and Payroll Processing. The cost for both days of the event is $90. For more information, call 412-396-6233.

Members Mixer APRIL 27—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will hold a members’ mixer hosted by the Center for Organ Recovery, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 204 Sigma Drive, Pittsburgh, PA. 15238. Attendees can meet the center’s staff and administrators, and learn how the Center for Organ Recovery & Education impacts families in our region. The event is free to members and $25 for non members. To register call 412-392-0610.

Sales Seminar April 27—The Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council presents “Selling the Cintas way,” hosted by EQT from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Meeting room 17A, Suite1700, 625 Liberty Ave. Downtown. Topics include strategies to: Develop a sales strategy that works; Effectively identify potential customers; Manage the sales cycle, and Close the deal. Lunch is provided. For more information or to register, call Christine Robertson at 215569-1005.

Awards Luncheon APRIL 28—The Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council will host its inaugural Stellar Awards event, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, at the Renaissance Hotel, Downtown. Darieth Chisholm will emcee the event The event honoring achievements by corporations, minority business enterprises and resource partners. Mine Safety Appliances International Ronald Herring is the keynote speaker. Registration must be completed by April 22, and can be done at http://emsdc.org/event/awards -luncheon.

Understanding Financial Statements Workshop APRIL 28— At 9 a.m. in Room 108, Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave., Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host a hands-on workshop takes a step-by step approach to explaining two important financial statements: profit and loss statement and balance sheet. A representative from Wilke & Associates will offer clear examples for using these statements to make informed decisions, identify potential problems, and set realistic financial goals. For more information, call 412-3966233.

Understanding Financial Statements Workshop APRIL 28—At 9 a.m. in Room 108, Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave., Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host a hands-on workshop takes a step-by step approach to explaining two important financial statements: profit and loss statement and balance sheet. A representative from Wilke & Associates will offer clear examples for using these statements to make informed decisions, identify potential problems, and set realistic financial goals.

Annual Meeting and Luncheon MAY 3—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will hold its Annual Meeting and Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Downtown. University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher will deliver the keynote speech. For more information call 412-3920610. (To have information on Business Calendar, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412481-1360 or e-mail: newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com.)

New Pittsburgh Courier

SPORTS

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Aliquippa 2016 state hoops title results of long, strong winning tradition APRIL 20-26, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

by Timothy Cox

For New Pittsburgh Courier

(Part 2 of a 3 part series) The hiring of Aliquippa native Coach Nick Lackovich was the turned the program around. In Lackovich’s hire, the school retrieved a native son, who played three years in the Quip basketball program. Lackovich said he became a symbolic keystone, sharing the legacy and stories of past Aliquippa athletes with incoming youngsters. During Lackovich’s sophomore season, he played with seniors Donnie Gipson and Maron Clark. Gipson would enjoy a successful career at West Virginia University, and a lengthy pro career in Australia. When asked why and how the Quips program experiences such ongoing phenomenal success, Lackovich credits “community pride and an internal will to succeed, at all costs. Most of these players are (family) related or close friends. Even the younger ones in elementary school, they’re already groomed with an attitude that they should not lose - they’re brought-up to win. When

the kids graduate, it’s a next-in-line attitude,” said Lackovich who played college ball at Blue Mountain Community College (Pendleton, Oregon) and NAIA powerhouse, Texas Wesleyan University (Fort Worth). Billingslea equates the success to the competitive games held at the city’s Jones School (Elementary School) playground. “That’s where it all began. Jones School was similar to ‘The Rucker’ in Harlem,” he said. The 15th Street Playground roundball court in Beaver Falls had a similar allure, attracting the best ball players from throughout Beaver County to Eastern Ohio. The Jones School property has since been razed and no longer exists. Dr. Anthony Mitchell, a professor of African and African-American Studies at Penn State University Greater Allegheny, was a former athlete at nearby Beaver Falls High School, where he played football and basketball in the competitive WPIAL Section 3 4A basketball region from 1971 to 1974. Mitchell, a Geneva College (Beaver Falls) graduate, credits Aliquippa’s football and baskeball programs for its “remarkable success.” He adds that he thinks last year’s

COACH NICK LAKOVICH HELPED TURN PROGRAM AROUND.

FIGHTING FOR THE BALL

HIGH ON THE BOARDS

(hoop) squad may have been more talented, but this year’s team “was unselfish and committed to winning the state. We’re very proud of them,” he adds. Alex Johnson, a 1971 prep star at North Braddock Scott High (now merged with Woodland Hills H.S.), competed as an allstar WPIAL player when Pittsburgh’s City League ruled Western Pa. basketball hoop success. Johnson played with the likes of Schenley legends Maurice Lucas, Ricky Coleman, Robert “Jeep” and his brother Nathan “Sonny” Lewis; Oscar Jackson Jr. (Beaver Falls), Jonathan Marshall (Clairton) and Ulice Payne Jr. of Ringgold High. Johnson says he too is impressed with what the Quips are doing in the modern era. “No matter what league or era you play in, to run the table like they (Aliquippa) did, is phenomenal. I’ll put it simply like this: special players do special things. This team is very special,” added Johnson, who also enjoyed a solid career as a swing-forward at Robert Morris University. Eddie Jefferies, former New Pittsburgh Courier, Sports Editor, asks the question, “How can this small town continue to win in football and basketball? And, it shows in the people in the stands, when you attend

their games. It’s an attitude, almost like they expect to win. I’ve also seen that type of attitude in towns like Clairton and Duquesne,” Jefferies recalls the lore of teams like Midland’s ‘65 PIAA champs with Simmie Hill and Norm Van Lier, and the ‘71 Schenley squad of Maurice Lucas and Ricky Coleman. While this year’s Allderdice team helped revive Pittsburgh’s City League’s legacy, Jefferies calls the 2007 State title Schenley team of DeJuan Blair and David Kennedy as one of the City League’s greatest compilations ever. But Coach Lackovich feels the City League’s dominance of past eras was destroyed during the rise of gang activity in many of Pittsburgh’s inner-city neighborhoods. “It really impacted many of the talented players who apparently affected by the violent lifestyles there,” he says. Jefferies agrees. “City kids can’t even play outside anymore. There’s too many factions, primarily the safety factors. The Ozanam League (inner-city youth league) had a way of bringing city kids from different neighborhoods together, so they would develop lasting friendships and connections - no reasons to shoot one another,” said Jefferies who was inducted into the Pittsburgh AllSports Hall of Fame last October.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT—Aliquippa players go into the stands after the game for family and friends support. (Photos by Michael Lackovich)

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APRIL 20-26, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SPORTS

Spotlight on LeBron, Steph in NBA playoffs by Ulish Carter Courier Staff Writer

It’s NBA playoff time again and all the men will be glued in front of their televisions once again trying to figure who the winners will be while enjoying some of the greatest games in history. Gone is Kobe, Shaq, MJ and many other greats but returning are Seph Curry, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbroolk, Dirk Nowinski, Zach Randolph, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, C. J. McCollum and the list goes on. Most of these are young guns new to long time NBA fans but just as exciting as the gunslingers of old. But the new NBA is geared more toward teams than individuals, and there’s more than scoring in the paint. Yes LeBron and Steph are still superstars and their teams will go only as far as they lead them, but without an entire team effort on both offense and defense one individual is not going to do it alone no matter how great LeBron, Steph and Kawhi are. In the West the four teams to beat are the Golden State Warriors, 739; the San Antonio Spurs, 67-15; Oklahoma Thounder, 55-27; and the Los Angeles Clippers, 5329. Yes, the Clippers. Even though the Warriors are heavy favorites, anyone of these teams could win it all. The record breaking Warriors open against the Houston Rockets, 41-41. Leading the Warriors are: Curry, 30.1; Klay Thompson, 22.1. Draymind Green 14 points 9.5 rebounds; Harrison Barnes 11.7, and six other outstanding players who blend their talents beautifully with the stars. Leading the Rockets are James Harden, 29; Dwight Howard, 13.7 and whoever steps up in each game. Look for a sweep by the Warriors. The Spurs have one of the most talented, deep and mixed teams in the

LeBRON JAMES LEADS THE EAST league with old veterans like Tim Duncan, 8.6, Tony Parker, 11.9 and Manu Gnobili, 9.6 blending in so smoothly with youngsters Leonard, 21.2; LaMarcus Aldridge, 18; Patty Mills, 8.5; and much like the Warriors, four other players blending their skills with whoever is on the floor. They face off with the depleted Memphis Grizzlies, 42-40. Out with injuries are Marc Gasol, and Mike Conley. All they have is Zach Randolph,16.3; which should lead to a 4-0 Spurs sweep. This may be the year that if the Thunder don’t win it all they may split up. Leading them once again are Kevin Durant, 28.2 and Russell Westbrook, 23.5. They need another gun or two if they are to upset the talented Spurs, Warriors, or Clippers. But they should have no problem beating the Dallas Mavericks, 4240. After veteran Dirt

Nowitski the talent drops which means the Thunder 3-1. The Clippers have Blake Griffin, 21.4, back just in time for the playoffs to face the young surprising Portland Trailblazers, 44-38. Joining him are Chris Paul, 19.5 and 10 assists; J. J. Reddick, 16.3; Jamal Crawford, 14.2; DeAndre Jordan, 12.7; Jeff Green, 10.9; with Paul Pierce and Austin Rivers off the bench. Portland is led by one of the best backcourts in basketball in Damien Lilliard, 25.1; and C. J. McCullum, 20.8. Six very talented young players who made this team one of the big surprises of the season support these two. But the Clippers will take them down 3-1. In the East things have changed from last season. Last season they were weak, but this year with the exception of the Cleveland Cavaliers there are about 10 teams of equal

STEPH CURRY LEADS THE WEST strength which will make the playoffs very competitive at every round including the first. Cleveland, 57-25, behind LeBron James, 25.3; Kylie Irving, 19.6; and Kevin Love, 16; should dispose of Detroit, 44-38, in four games 3-1. Assisting the big three are J. R. Smith, Mo Williams, and Tristan Thompson. The Pistons are the surprise of the season led by Reggie Jackson, 18.8; Tobian Morris, 16.6; Andre Drummond, 16.2; Kantaviow Caldwell-Pope, and a very balanced attack of 6 guys in double figures scoring. Drummond led the league in rebounding with 14.8. The Toronto Raptors, 5626, is another of the surprises this season finishing

just one game behind Cleveland for the top spot. But they will have to meet a red hot Indiana Pacers, 45-37, team led by Paul George. Toronto is led by DeMarco DeRozan, 23.5; Kyle Lowry, 21.2; Jonas Valan Claws, 12.8; DeMarre Carroll, 11; and Terrence Ross, 9.9. With Luis Scola, Cory Joseph and Patrick Patterson off the bench. The Pacers are led by George, 23.1; Mont Ellis, 13.8. George Hill, 12.1; Codi Miles, 11.8; and Ian Mahinoni, 9.3 with Myules Turney, Lavoy Allen off the bench. Toronto 3-2. The Miami Heat, 48-34, is back in the championship hunt even without their second best player

Inside Conditions…Grave robbers by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier

Overtime by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier

:10—Definition: “Black Mamba”…a highly lethal, slender, olive brown, dark snake that moves with great speed and agility and is known to kill with quick and decisive aggression!!! Definition — Kobe Bryant —Black Mamba!!! :09—C’mon man, even the greatest Laker/Kobe haters must agree that the end of a career 60 point performance and a victory was amazing. It is the stuff that legends are born of. :08—Listen, I hate to keep sounding like “a broken bat,” but I continue to preach to you…” no pitching, no peace!” Piece of the World Series that is. The Pirates must develop another ace, a second ace if you will. And a drop dead closer. Period. :07—The Pens are in the playoffs. I told ya! They

BILL NEAL stepped their game way up. I told ya that too! And that’s all I can tell ya…and I’ve told ya that a thousand times. Live with it. :06—THIS—JUST— IN…Hey, Donald Trump, Joe Paterno is dead! Other than that, we’re good. But thanks for askin’! :05—Pitt “kicked off” the new upcoming season with a great weather blue gold game showcasing foot-

ball legend Tony “Hawk” Dorsett. Let’s go Pitt. Let’s go Pitt. Let’s go Pitt! And here’s a Let’s Go to my super star cousin Denny Briggs. :04—OK, OK, OK, I went to see Jungle Book! But my lady friend made me go and guess what? It was fantastic. I give it 4 basketballs. Now shut up about it. :03—While we’re at the movies…“Barber Shop— The next cut” is good, not great, but good. It’s hard to top the first one. I give it 3 basketballs. :02—The NBA playoffs are on. Take this to the bank. The Heat upsets the Cavs in the East and the Spurs win the West and take it all. Trust me on this. Huh??? :01—Booker, Fred, Zik and my old man…Please see #10. :00—GAME OVER…Me and Mamba drop the Mike…Bam!!!

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Chris Bosh. They will face the biggest surprise this season in the Charlotte Hornets, 48-34. They are led by superstar Dwayne Wade, 19.0; Hassan Whiteside, 14.2; Goran Dragic, 14.1; Joe Johnson, 13.4 and Luol Deng, 12.3. Off the bench are Gerald Green, Amari Studemire, and Justise Winslow. The Hornets are led by Kimba Walker, 20.9; Nicolas Battom, 14.9; Al Jefferson, 12; Jeremy Lin, 11.7 and Marvin Williams, 11.7. Off the bench are: Coby Zeller, Frank Kaminsky, and Courtney Lee. Miami 3-0. The final matchup may be an upset between the Atlanta Hawks, 48-34 and the Boston Celtics, 48-34. Atlanta is led by Paul Millsap, 17.1; Jeff Teague, 15.7; Al Horford, 15.2; Kent Bazemore, 11.6; and Dennis Schroeder, 11. Coming off the bench will be Kyle Korvar, Thaho Salolosha, and Tim Hathaway Jr. Leading the very balanced and deep Celtis are Isaiah Thomas, 22.2; Avery Bradley, 15.2; Joe Croader, 14.2; Amar Johnson 7.3; and Evan Turner, 10.5. Off the bench are Jared Sullinger, Lykely Olyack, and Marcus Smooth. The only upset, Boston 32. In the first games Saturday and Sunday of last weekend the Warriors 10478 over the Rockets, the Thunder 108-70 over the Mavericks, the Hawks barely beat the Celtics 102-101, and the Pacers upset the Raptors 100-90 behind 33 points by George. Sunday games. Spurs 104-76 over the Grizzilies, Cavaliers 106-101 Pistons, Heat 123-91 Hornets, and Clippers 115-95 over the Trailblazers. Monday night games: Toronto 98-87 over Indiana, Dallas 85-84 over Oklahoma, and Golden State 115-106 over Houston.

Last Friday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa., the Pittsburgh Pirates, as did the remainder of the MLB clubs around the National and American Leagues, “celebrated” the legacy of baseball legend, Jackie Robinson. However, as far as I am concerned these continued “celebrations” of the accomplishments of a great man and athlete unintentionally play into the hands of the “make America great again” crowd. Every time that we celebrate Jackie Robinson breaking the color bar it is an insidious reminder that there was a color bar existing that Jackie Robinson was forced to overcome in the first place. Forty four years after the death of Mr. Robinson, there is a day put aside to honor his “contributions” to the sport of Major League Baseball. “Make America great again.” What exactly does that mean? Does going back to the days of Jim Crow laws represent an era of greatness from our nation’s past? No, we should all be determined to just make America greater and maintain her status as the most powerful nation in the world, not just on Jackie Robinson day or in the world of sports, but every day. In 1947 approximately seven years before the historic Brown versus the Board of Education decision was rendered by the United States Supreme Court in 1954 declaring that schools and education should be equal but 62 years after that ground breaking legal decision, education remains far from equal; how about crossing the barrier of ignorance and “poisoned” education? Robinson became the

AUBREY BRUCE first Black American allowed to participate in the Major Leagues of American professional baseball. He carried the torch for a generation of Blacks in the major professional sports after World War II, okay we all get that, yada, yada, yada. However, do you know how we can really make America greater? Well first by honoring the contributions of the present MLB players’ Black, White, Latino, Asian whatever their race may be, honoring all of them, while they are in their prime. There should be celebrations around MLB every day when the players of both leagues wear the numbers of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen, Cincinnati Reds 1st baseman Joey Votto, Texas Rangers DH/1st baseman Prince Fielder, Miami Marlins 2nd baseman Devaris “Dee” Gordon, honoring their contributions of the present. I could go on and on and on…. When society continues to individualize anything, does it dilute or diminish the contributions of those of the present? I want to see some league wide Ty Cobb celebrations and some Honus Wagner celebrations we are in this thing together. Baseball is America’s pastime. Re-

member how basketball evolved to a Black cultural phenomenon in the 1970s through the 1990s? People tend to forget the contributions of certain players because of the effect that Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and now the newest member of “the greatest ever” Steph Curry have had and continue to have on professional basketball. I remember seeing Rick Barry throw up what would be four and five point shots in this day and age. Jerry West and Bob Cousy could handle the “rock” and pick apart a defense on the basketball court with the best of them. So to me it is a bunch of baloney to continue to keep us separated from “the greatness of all.” Separate but equal, no separate and unequal. We play right into the hands of the preservationists’ and the ultra-right wing conservatives when we continue, day after day, month after month, year after year and decade after decade trying to breathe new life into the skeletons of the past as opposed to being in the delivery room, assisting in the birth of and ushering in a new generation of Jackie Robinsons’ and Bob Cousy’s. Every living MLB player, Black or White should just be honored to bring the “spirit of competition to the baseball diamond because anything less than that represents no more than polishing a tombstone until it gleams. We may see a headstone gleaming from 2 miles away but we must remember that the one resting under it can no longer see the light or feel the warmth of the sun. (Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412-583-6741. Follow him on Twitter@ultrascribe.)

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BUDGET ASSISTANT

$35,000 – $38,000 Starting Salary Allegheny County Council Please visit http://www.allegheny county.us/careers/index.aspx for more information.

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PROCESS ANALYST (Multiple Openings)

SDLC Management, Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA) Resp for assessng procss strngths & weakness thru complx analyss techniqus, inc. sr. & operatng mgmt focusd interviws, analyticl procedrs, benchmrkng of leadng practics acrss the businss & externl reserch to determne optiml techniqus for improvng effectivenss & efficincy of businss operatins. Master’s deg in Mgmt. or Businss Admin. or relatd mgmt field. Must know (thru acad trainng or wrk exp) Microsoft Office (Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Word, Project, Visio, SharePoint), SQL, PMP, ArcGIS. Resume to Ms. Terri Nicholls, SHRS, SDLC Management, Inc., 2790 Mosside Blvd, Ste 705, Monroeville, PA 15146, refer to Process Analyst.

MEDICAL UNIT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES ALLEGHENY COUNTY JAIL

Allegheny County is accepting applications for Assistant Director of Nursing, Registered Nurse, Mental Health Registered Nurse, and Licensed Practical Nurse at the Jail. Full-time, part-time, and PRN status-per diem positions are available. For application requirements and job description check our website at http://alleghenycounty.us/ careers or visit us at our Human Resources office at 102 County Office Building, 542 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA.

9-1-1 TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, FULL-TIME ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Allegheny County is accepting applications for 9-1-1 Telecommunications Officer, Full-Time in the Department of Emergency Services. For application requirements and job description check our website at http://alleghenycounty.us/careers or complete an application at our office at 102 County Office Building, 542 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

FICTITIOUS NAME

Notice is hereby given pursuant to the provisions of the Fictitious Names Act of Pennsylvania that an application for registration of a fictitious name was filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the conduct of a business under the fictitious name of Pollino Boys with its principal office or place of business at 1527 Sherman Street, Cheswick, PA 15024. The name and address of the person who is party to the registration is Pollino Landscaping, LLC, 1527 Sherman Street, Cheswick, PA 15024. The name of the fictitious name is: Pollino Boys.

Estate of VARGA, JOHN, deceased of Allegheny County, No. 02-11-1132. Jeanne Marie Marquette, Administrator or to Marquette Law Office, LLC, Jeannne M. Marquette, Esq., 1102 S. Braddock Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218. Estate of EASLER, RICHARD E., deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, No. 02-16-02037, Richard P. Easler, Executor c/o One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or to Nancy L. Rackoff, Esquire, Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, P.C., One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Estate of LINHART, PAMELA F., of Verona Borough, No.: 02-16-02130, Pamela L. Entwisle, Executrix, 403 N. Pasadena Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15215, or to R.M. Entwisle, III, Atty., 125 1st Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Estate of CHAMBERS, EVELYN L., deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, No. 04759 of 2016, Sandra E. Alford, Executrix, 3059 Renaissance Parkway, Jamestown, NC 27282 or to Thelma C. Spells, Esquire, 1533 Bidwell Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Estate of BROWN, JACK L., deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, No. 02215 of 2016, Carolyn Y. Marshall, Executrix, 2525 Mahon Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or to Thelma C. Spells, Esquire, 1533 Bidwell Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Estate of SINGER, HAROLD P., deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, No. 02-16-02158, Debra Singer King, Executrix c/o Judith A. Lehnowsky, Atty., 820 Evergreen Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209.

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LETTER OF INTEREST ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

Community Based-Non-Profit Organization seeks letter of interest for a PA Licensed Professional Architect to assist in design services for, community planning and design. The selected architect will assist in identifying potential properties for modernization and rehab in the business core area, and attend community meetings. Architect will use community input to develop site plan(s) for the Central Business Area. Selection will be based on the following: 1. Letter of interest outlining the Firms experience with Minority Community Organizations. 2. MBE firms participations. 3. Price Proposal. Send letter of interest by May 6, 2016 to: BUSP 801 N. Homewood Ave. Pittsburgh, PA. 15208

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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR Professional ADA/UFAS Third Party Certification Services RFP#750-19-16 Rebid

NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Stadium Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will receive sealed bids for the Lot 1 Parking Facility. The contract for this work will be with the Stadium Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and assigned to Massaro Corporation. Inquiries regarding the bidding should be made to Massaro Corporation, 120 Delta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, Attention: Jason McCandless, Project Manager, Email: jmccandless@ massarocorporation.com, Telephone: 412-963-2800 Facsimilie: 412-963-2880. Bid packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu-Copy at (724) 935-7055. Additional information on the project can also be found on Accu-Copy’s website at http://www.accu-copy.com. This Advertisement applies to the following Bid Packages: Project: Lot 1 Parking Facility Bid Package: Bid Package #1 Structural & Architectural Precast Bid Package Available: April 15, 2016 Approximate Value: $9,000,000.00 Pre-bid Meeting: April 20, 2016, 9:00 AM at David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., East Lobby, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Bids Due: May 4, 2016, 2:00 PM at Sports and Exhibition Authority, 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Professional ADA/UFAS Third Party Certification Services RFP#750-19-16 Rebid The documents will be available no later than April 11, 2016 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 10:00 A.M., April 29, 2016 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested may obtain information from: Mr. Kim Detrick – Procurement Director/Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116, Option 1 or by visiting the Business Opportunities section of www.hacp.org A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 April 21, 2016 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

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

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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. 964 – Window Cleaning – All College Locations Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at which time they will be publicly opened. Any proposals received after this deadline will be considered as a “late bid” and will be returned unopened to the offerer. The CCAC Purchasing Department is now publishing all bids via the CCAC website at https:// www.ccac.edu/Bid-RFP_ Opportunities.aspx 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. Proposals may require Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds, and Surety as dictated by the specifications. No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR FIRE HOSE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE IFB#300-20-16

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): FIRE HOSE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE IFB#300-20-16 The documents will be available no later than April 18, 2016 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 11:00 A.M., May 9, 2016 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Invitation for Bid from the Business Opportunities page of www. HACP.org. Questions or inquires should be directed to: Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept. 100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Friday, April 29, 2016 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

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Port Authority of Allegheny County REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 16-03

Port Authority of Allegheny County is requesting proposals for the performance of the following service: UTILITY CONSULTING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES The required services include, but are not limited to: a) monitoring of utility bills including recommendations for cost reductions of utility services; b) bill approval services; c) assisting Port Authority in energy and telecommunications procurements; and d) energy management which includes the construction and maintenance of an accurate and historical database of energy costs and usage; an inventory of meters, site addresses and phone numbers of utility providers; support of Port Authority’s staff regarding construction activities; and, at the request of Port Authority, an on-site energy audit of operating locations. A copy of the RFP will be available on or after April12, 2016 and can be obtained by registering at the Port Authority ebusiness website: http:// ebusiness.portauthority.org and following the directions listed on the website. Please note that Proposers must register under the ebusiness category of PSUC – Pro Utility Consulting for this RFP. Proposers may also register in other categories for any future RFPs issued by Port Authority. If you have specific questions regarding this RFP, please contact Jerimaine Ward at (412) 566-5147. An Information Meeting for interested parties will be held at 9:30 a.m., prevailing time, April 26, 2016 in the Fifth Floor Board Room of Port Authority of Allegheny County’s downtown offices, 345 Sixth Avenue to answer any questions regarding this RFP. Proposals must be received by 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, May 13, 2016 at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department, Port Authority of Allegheny County, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527. This Contract Services may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The proposal process and the performance of the requested services will be in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Port Authority of Allegheny County, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, require that certified Diverse Businesses (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts for these Contract Services. In this regard, all Proposers shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Proposers shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts for these Contract Services. Port Authority of Allegheny County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

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

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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR

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

Utility Allowance Updates for Housing Choice Voucher Program, Low Income Public Housing, and Mixed Finance RFP #250-24-16 The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Utility Allowance Updates RFP #250-24-16 The documents will be available no later than April 18, 2016 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 2:00 P.M., May 9, 2016 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested may obtain information from: Mr. Kim Detrick – Procurement Director/Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116, Option 1 or by visiting the Business Opportunities section of www.hacp.org A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 April 29, 2016 2:00 P.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA April 6, 2016

The Office of the County Controller of Allegheny County, Room 104, Court House, Pittsburgh, PA, will receive separate and sealed Bids until 11:00 A.M. prevailing local time, WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016, and a representative of the Department of Public Works will open and read the Bids in the Gold Room, Room 410, Court House, Pittsburgh, PA, one‑half hour later, 11:30 o’clock A.M., for the following: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Campbells Run Road Soldier Beam and Lagging Wall, Phase 2, Borough of Carnegie COUNTY PROJECT NO. 6072-0903 PRE‑BID INFORMATION: Purchase and/or view the Proposal, Specifications and Drawings at the Office of the Contract Manager, Room 504, County Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA. The non‑refundable charge for the Proposal and disc containing the Specifications and Drawings is $ 107.00 including sales tax. Bid documents may be mailed for an additional fee of $16.05 including sales tax. The Contract Manager will accept only check or money order to the “COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY.” The Department of Public Works will hold a Pre‑Bid Meeting on April 12, 2016 at 1:30 P.M. in Room 505 County Office Building, 542 Forbes Ave., Pgh., Pa. 15219. Details of this project, Bidding Requirements and Contract Conditions are available on the Allegheny County internet website (www.alleghenycounty. us; click on “Departments,” click on “Public Works” then click on “Bids & Proposals)” and are also available on the Pennsylvania Purchasing Group/PAPG website (www.PAbidsystem.com; click on “bid opportunities;” then click on “Allegheny County-Dept. of Public Works-open documents” – then register if necessary). Chelsa Wagner Controller County of Allegheny

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Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Room 251, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on April 26, 2016, until 2:00 p.m., local prevailing time for: Pgh. Allderdice H. S., Pgh. Classical, Pgh. Carrick H. S., Pgh. Milliones, Pgh. Arsenal Exterior Envelope Evaluation (Masonry) – Bid Package 1 Rebid General Prime Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on April 11, 2016 at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700) 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is nonrefundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (SEA) will receive proposals for STRUCTURAL CABLE INSPECTION as identified below. The contract for this work will be with the Sports & Exhibition Authority. The Request for Proposals may be obtained after the date identified below from Linda Mihalic, email: lmihalic@pittsburghcc.com, Telephone: (412) 325-6167, Facsimile: (412) 325-6104. This Advertisement applies to the following Request for Proposal: Project: DLCC Structural Cable Inspection RFP Available: Monday, April 18, 2016 Pre-Proposal Meeting: 10:00 A.M. Monday, April 25, 2016, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, SMG Admin Office-East Lobby, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Time/Date/Location for Proposals: 4:00 P.M. Monday, May 9, 2016, David Lawrence Convention Center 1000 Ft Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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

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Deadline/Closing/ Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

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Pick up your Courier at these locations WESTERN AREA: CRAFTON BEVERAGE CRAFTON/INGRAM SHOPPING CENTER GIANT EAGLE CRAFTON/INGRAM SHOPPING CENTER SHEETZ #353 5400 CAMPBELL’S RUN RD SHOP N’ SAVE #1686 2103 NOBLESTOWN RD SAFRANS SUPER MKT 429 WALNUT ST GIANT EAGLE #74 PARKWAY CENTER MALL SOUTHERN AREA: KEN’S 216 BELTZHOOVER AVE NELSON’S 92 SYLVANIA AVE GIANT EAGLE #61 2021 WHARTON AVE COGO’S 2400 EAST CARSON ST COGO’S 925 EAST CARSON ST DAILY MART 1125 ARLINGTON AVE SHOP N’ SAVE CARRICK SOUTH EASTERN AREA: SUPER STOP 403 KENMAWR AVE CARL’S CAFE 337 FIFTH AVE COMET NEWS 540 BRADDOCK AVE PUFFS DISCOUNT TOBACCO 1722 GREENSBUR AVE A-PLUS SUNOCO 7403 WASHINGTON ST COGO’S 1050 BRINTON RD COGO’S 2003 S BRADDOCK AVE EDGEWOOD EXPRESS 253 EDGEWOOD AVE BRAD EXPRESS 1101 S BRADDOCK AVE GIANT EAGLE #619 1705 S. BRADDOCK AVE CVS 7406 CHURCH ST HANINI MARKET 1105 SWISSVALE AVE DUKE’S SUNOCO 825 DUQUESNE BLVD 7-11 818 N. DUQUESNE BLVD GIANT EAGLE #6379 420 EAST WATERFRONT DR GIANT EAGLE— MCKEESPORT 3812 O’NEILL BLVD J & S FOOD MART 625 W GRANT AVE RITE AID PHARMACY 100 WILLIAM MARKS DR GIANT EAGLE 1356 HOFFMAN BLVD BP GAS STATION LYSLE & WALNUT DS FOODMART 929 UNION ST RITE AID PHARMACY 725 LYSLE BLVD CHARLIE’S CORNER STORE 500 LOCUST ST NEIGHBORHOOD DOLLAR 333 5TH AVE GIANT EAGLE #38 1901 MURRAY AVE JACK’S E 8TH AVE EASTERN AREA: WATERWORKS GIANT EAGLE #72 1005 FREEPORT RD— DIVINE HAIR STUDIO 10 DUFF RD GIANT EAGLE 9001 FRANKSTOWN RD GIANT EAGLE #78 230 RODI RD BP GAS STATION 11835 FRANKSTOWN RD THE SPOT 11675 FRANKSTOWN RD MASH MINI MART 4341 OLD WM. PENN HWY

GIANT EAGLE #60 4004 MONROEVILLE BLVD GIANT EAGLE #76 AMES PLAZA, ROUTE 22 GET IT QUICK 500 GARDEN CITY DESTINY’S HAIR SALON 408 RODI RD PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 10991 FRANKSTOWN RD SHOP N SAVE 3335 WILLIAM PENN HWY SHEETZ 3457 WILLIAM PENN HWY GETGO 10525 FRANKSTOWN RD CVS PHARMACY 10600 FRANKSTOWN RD SHELL OIL 7619 BAUM BLVD KIWI SUNOCO FRANKSTOWN AVE WILLIAM PENN SMOKE SHOP II 132 NORTH HIGHLAND AVE MARATHON GAS 6680 FRANKSTOWN AVE PENN AIKEN DAIRY 5401 PENN AVE GIANT EAGLE #17 6320 SHAKESPEARE ST HOMEWOOD MARKET 7201 FRANKSTOWN AVE SALIK HARDWARE 607 NORTH HOMEWOOD AVE NEGLEY A PLUS 123 NORTH NEGLEY AVE BAKER’S 7203 HAMILTON & STERRETT AVES DORSEY’S RECORDS 7614 FRANKSTOWN AVE HOSPITAL CORNER 4201 PENN AVE PEOPLES GROCERY 5136 PENN AVE A&M MARKET 5224 PENN AVE A-PLUS MINI MART 7701 PENN AVE WOOD & PENN 902 WOOD ST AL’S FISH & CHICKEN 1000 PENN AVE SAVE A LOT 725 ROSS AVE CVS PHARMACY 520 PENN AVE GETGO 408 PENN AVE QUICK STOP LIBERTY 3349 LIBERTY AVE K-2 CONVENIENT STORE 4900 PENN AVE SHUR SAVE 4120 MAIN ST SHELL GAS 6701 FRANKSTOWN RD UNIMART 5724 ELLSWORTH AVE GIANT EAGLE #77 254 YOST BLVD PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 234 YOST BLVD SPEEDY MART 2131 ARDMORE BLVD SQUIRREL HILL NEWS 5804 FORBES AVE MURRAY AVE. NEWS 2024 MURRAY AVE GIANT EAGLE MURRAY AVE & LORETTA ST DISCOUNT TOBACCO & NEWS 1929 MURRAY AVE UNIVERSITY OF PGH BOOKSTORE 4000 5TH AVE DANA’S BAKERY 720 N. HOMEWOOD AVE DA STORE 606 & 1/2 N. HOMEWOOD AVE BONUS TIRE SERVICE 4349 VERONA RD KANDY CAFE 4291 VERONA RD GIANT EAGLE SHADYSIDE 550 CENTRE AVE MARATHON GAS 4010 PENN AVE STANTON NEGLEY DRUG 804 N. NEGLEY AVE RON’S CORNER DRUG MT. CARMEL RD CENTRAL AREA:

GET GO #64 4924 BAUM BLVD SCHWARTZ MARKET 1901 5TH AVE SMOKER FRIENDLY 906 5TH AVE HILL DISTRICT: WONG’S MARKET 2170 CENTRE AVE ANN’S MARKET 2316 WEBSTER AVE A-PLUS MINI MART 2350 CENTRE AVE UJAMMA BOUTIQUE 1901 CENTRE AVE K LEROY IRVIS TOWERS 715 MERCER ST SHOP & SAVE SUPERMARKET 1850 CENTRE AVE ABE’S MARKET 1860 CENTRE AVE WYLIE TOBACCO 2152 WYLIE AVE DOWNTOWN: KWIK-E-MART 212-10TH ST 7-11 #167 643 LIBERTY AVE 7-11 #165 SIXTH & PENN AVE 7-11 #170 429 WOOD ST ESTER’S SNAX FEDERAL BUILDING, 2ND FL SMITHFIELD NEWS 115 SMITHFIELD ST FABER COE & GREGG 500 GRANT ST FABER COE & GREGG FIFTH AVE. PLACE FABER COE & GREGG 600 GRANT ST NIELSEN’S STORES #09 301 GRANT ST— ONE OXFORD CENTER NIELSEN’S STORES #13 437 SEVENTH AVE— KOPPERS BUILDING 9TH & PENN NEWS-NUMBERS 136 PENN AVE EXTRA EXTRA NEWS 413 SEVENTH AVE NEAL NEWS 400 CHERRY WAY CVS PHARMACY #4120 610-612 WOOD ST C&C NEWS 2 PPG PLACE NEWSTAND SIXTH & WOOD ONE STOP 300 SIXTH & WOOD EDDIE’S SNACKS 262 5TH AVE BIG DADDY 465 FORBES AVE 711 SMITHFIELD 420 SMITHFIELD ST NORTHERN AREA: W. N. GROCERY 1018 NORTH AVE. NORTH SIDE BEER & BEVERAGE 1304 FEDERAL ST ALLEGHENY GIFT SHOP—AGH HOSPITAL 320 EAST NORTH AVE GIANT EAGLE #652 318 CEDAR AVE 7-11 #158 1001 WESTERN AVE RICHEY’S BARBER SHOP 1207 N. FRANKLIN ST QUIK-IT 820 PENNSYLVANIA AVE RITE AID #3459 802 PENNSYLVANIA AVE MARSHALL SHELL 1500 SPRING GARDEN AVE SWINKO’S MARKET 2535 PERYSVILLE AVE MERCY STREET EXPRESS 6 MERCY ST HARV’S EXXON 2501 BRIGHTON RD QUICK SCHWARTZ 3235 BRIGHTON RD HANINI MARKET 3245 BRIGHTON RD