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RaShall Brackney

Charlise Smith

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Pittsburgh Courier NEW

Vol. 109 No. 20

Two Sections

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

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MAY 16-22, 2018

‘Giving the Black community a good face’

$1.00

YMCA files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Two locations to close—Hill, Homewood locations unaffected

by Christian Morrow

LESTER HOLT, host of NBC Nightly News, speaks to Allderdice students following his live broadcast in Pittsburgh, May 10. (Photo

by Rob Taylor Jr.)

NBC’s Lester Holt visits Pittsburgh, speaks to Allderdice students

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

The forecasters were correct—the threat of rain and thunderstorms turned into reality, as the Pittsburgh area was belted in the early morning by fierce lightning and sonic boom-style thunder. Later Thursday afternoon, the skies darkened again, and the city got another dose of heavy rain.

But by 6:30 p.m., when it was Lester Holt and NBC’s time to showcase Pittsburgh, the skies were clear, the sun was shining.

Holt, the first African American solo anchor of a network nightly news broadcast, came to Pittsburgh on May 10 as part of NBC Nightly News’ “Across America” tour; Pittsburgh being the fourth of five cities on the tour. The program wanted to let nationwide viewers—who may think of Pittsburgh as that smoke-filled, blue-collar steel town—see the new side of Pittsburgh. One that’s filled with the likes of Google, Uber, Duolingo, and the overall tech craze.

The show broadcasted at

Allegheny Landing, across the street from PNC Park, just steps from the Allegheny River.

On the broadcast, Holt didn’t shy away from giving nationwide viewers the complete story—Pittsburgh, a city that’s revamped, infused with new, affluent millennials, at the expense of removing African Americans from their neighborhoods.

Randall Taylor and Alethea Sims of Penn Plaza Support and Action Coalition were featured on the broadcast.

What was unbeknownst to

the millions of nationwide viewers was what happened after the live show.

Holt held a 15-minute discussion with students from Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, sharing tidbits on his profession, but more importantly, he said, allowing the students to speak their mind on the issues affecting them.

The primary issue raised were school shootings, particularly the Parkland, Fla. shooting, in which 17 people, mostly students, were SEE HOLT A5

Nickole Nesby battles to rebuild Duquesne

by Christian Morrow

In an interview with the Courier, Nesby said she found that her agenda for moving the community forward from poverty and stagnation couldn’t really begin until she addressed several lingering issues—most of them financial.

She found some curious things.

“The former mayor’s son-in-

Courier Staff Writer

Two years ago, Duquesne resident Nickole Nesby, in her words, told the city’s chief of police that her neighbor was selling drugs out of the home. What happened next, according to Nesby, was unthinkable.

“The chief of police told my neighbor on me and the neighbor confronted me,” Nesby told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “I was so mad at that point in time. How dare you tell on me? I was heated.”

That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Nesby decided to run for the mayor of Duquesne.

“To make a change in the community,” she said.

Nesby is now referred to as “Mayor Nesby,” as she became Duquesne’s first Black female mayor in January.

She told the Courier one of her first appointments as mayor was making Thomas Dunlevy, a department veteran and federal task member of the Drug EnNICKOLE NESBY became Duquesne’s first Black female forcement Administration, as mayor in January. (Photo by Dayna Delgado) the city’s new police chief.

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“Hey, I’m just getting started.” law was the city manager. His nanny was the controller. Her husband was the chair of planning commission, and her family is related to the Act 47 coordinator,” Nesby said during the May 11 interview.

“When I came in, in January, I came into years of audit deficiencies. And learned the city hadn’t paid some venders since SEE NESBY A7

ing to Erie, May 15. “Julius was passionate about youth Courier Staff Writer programming. He put our Y When Kevin Bolding on the map, working with joined the YMCA of Great- people and in places where er Pittsburgh in 2009, he nobody else would.”

Just prior to worked unhis retirement der and was Jones completmentored by ed a massive its then-iconic capital camleader, the late paign that reJulius Jones. sulted in the So when Boldbuilding of the ing realized the Thelma Lovette Y’s financial Y in the Hill, situation would construction require some of its newest drastic action, KEVIN BOLDING building in he called Jones President/CEO YMCA Bethel Park, to alert him. and improve“As we startments to many ed to wade of the Y’s other through this, I branches and called him and three camps. told him we It became fohad some difficused on being cult decisions a “membership to make, but I Y” rather than said we would a “program Y.” maintain the But, as a relegacy of the sult of the Y he built,” FRED BROWN Bolding told President/CEO Forbes Funds e x p a n s i o n , Bolding said, the New Pittsburgh Courier SEE YMCA A11 over the phone while driv-

NAACP National President: ‘Make democracy work’ Derrick Johnson was keynote speaker at NAACP Human Rights Dinner

by Tene Croom

the job of the NAACP is to make democracy work.

For New Pittsburgh Courier “We do that through advoDerrick Johnson, nation- cating for public policy that al president of the NAACP, meets the needs of our comsaid the message of the munity. It improves upon nation’s oldest and largest the lives of many people,” civil rights organization Johnson said.

Nearly 400 people gathremains essentially unered in the Westin ballroom for the event, as they gave Johnson a rousing response as he challenged them to be involved with the NAACP, no matter their age.

“The NAACP is not a monolith. It is different from NAACP NATIONAL PRES. DERRICK JOHNSON c o m m u n i t y to community. Intergenerational orgachanged.

The group was founded nizing has always been one in 1909 partly in response of our strengths—not only to the ongoing violence as an organization but as against African Americans a community,” he told the New Pittsburgh Courier in across the country.

Johnson was the keynote an exclusive interview.

The theme of the dinner speaker at the Pittsburgh NAACP’s 64th Annual Hu- was “New Visions—New man Rights Dinner, May 1, Directions.” That struck a at the Westin Convention SEE NAACP A7 Center. He said that now,

Jesse Jackson says

Trump’s ‘New Deal for Blacks’ was dealt from bottom of deck Opinion B3

A2

MAY 16-22, 2018

INTERNATIONAL

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History

GOODWILL AMBASSADOR—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and former NBA star Dennis Rodman watch North Korean and U.S. players in an exhibition basketball game at an arena in Pyongyang, North Korea, Feb. 28. (AP Photo/VICE Media, Jason Mojica)

When North Korea and U.S. meet, will Dennis Rodman be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize?

by Frederick H. Lowe NorthStarNewsToday.com

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—There’s a lot of talk that President Donald Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for opening a dialogue with North Korea and thus lowering world tensions. But others argue that Dennis Rodman deserves that honor, or if Trump receives the coveted award he should share it with Rodman.

Rodman, a former NBA star, has been friends with Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader, since they were first introduced in 2013. Un is a basketball fan and he genuinely admires Rodman, who played for the world championship Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons.

Rodman, a former power forward, has five NBA championship rings and he was the league’s rebounding champion for seven consecutive years. Needless to say he also is a member of the NBA hall of fame.

Rodman has visited Un in North Korea several times, sparking rampant harsh criticism from some who called Rodman part of a long line of Un’s western pawns.

Now “The Worm” has turned. Get it. Rodman’s nickname is The Worm.

During a visit in 2014, Rodman took Un Trump’s book “The Art of the Deal,” which the North Korean leader read. Rodman told TMZ that Un did not really understand Trump until he read the book. “I guess he started to understand him,” Rodman said.

Now Trump is scheduled to meet with Un in few weeks or maybe sooner. Mike Pompeo, Trump’s Secretary of State, has already met with Un to discuss the meeting’s arrangements.

Who is saying Rodman deserves the Nobel Prize? RT (Russian Television) News has mentioned it.

Greg Gutfeld, editor at Fox News, who in 2014 called Rodman Un’s ‘little bitch,’ said if the summit occurs he will nominate Rodman for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Rodman, who had three nose rings and dozens of tattoos, said he wants credit for easing tensions between the U.S. and North Korea.

(Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from NorthStarNewsToday.com)

Week of May 16-22 May 16 1868—The United States Senate fails by one vote in securing the two-thirds vote needed to convict President Andrew Johnson of the articles of impeachment, which had been brought against him. The failure was a major setback for Black rights in America because Johnson had become a leading opponent of voting rights and economic advancement for the recently freed slaves. While the impeachment trial did not center on Black rights, Blacks would have clearly benefited if Johnson had been expelled from office.

1929—Detroit Representative John Conyers Jr., one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus, was born on this day in 1929. He remains one of JOHN CONYERS JR. the most progressive members of the United States Congress.

1966—Janet Jackson, of the famous and talented Jackson family, is born on this day in Gary, Ind. Controversy remains as to whether Janet has a secret daughter.

1990—Sammy Davis Jr. dies in Beverly Hills, Calif., at age 64. Davis, born in Harlem, N.Y., was a world class entertainer who performed well as an actor, singer and dancer. He was also a member of Hollywood’s popular and notorious “Rat Pack,” which included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford.

SAMMY DAVIS JR. May 18 1896—The United States Supreme Court issues its infamous ruling in Plessy v.

Ferguson. The decision declared the doctrine of “separate but equal” was constitutional. By doing so it, in effect, approved all Jim Crow or segregationist laws designed to degrade Blacks or keep them separate from Whites. The ruling would stand until the Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954.

1955—Legendary educator Mary McLeod Bethune dies at 79 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Born the 15th of 17 children in Mayesville, S.C., Bethune would rise to become one of the nation’s foremost Black educators and early civil rights activist. She was a driving force behind the founding of Florida’s Bethune-Cookman College.

May 19 1925—Black revolutionary Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on this day in Omaha, Neb. His father, Earl Little, was an outspoken Baptist minister and a follower of the legendary Black Nationalist Marcus Garvey. For his outspokenMARY MCLEOD BETHUNE ness, Earl Little would be brutally killed in 1929 by a Ku Klux Klan type group. A smart and focused student, Malcolm dreamed of becoming a lawyer. But that dream would be crushed by prejudice when one of his favorite teachers told him that was “not a realistic goal for a nigger.” He would end up dropping out of school and moving with his mother to Boston, Mass. He would later travel to New York City where he began a criminal life of petty crimes, but rapidly moved up to coordinating drug, prostitution and gambling rings. With the “heat” on, he moved back to Boston where he was arrested and sentenced to prison on a burglary charge in 1946. By the time he was paroled in 1952, he was a devoted follower of Elijah Muhammad and a small Muslim sect known as the Nation of Islam and had dropped his “slave” last name in favor of being referred to as “Malcolm X.” From 1952 to 1963, he became the primary force behind the building of the Nation of Islam from a sect MALCOLM X of fewer than 1,000 members to a national organization of more than 30,000 members.

But his faith in Elijah Muhammad was crushed when he learned in 1963 that the married and outwardly puritanical Muhammad had had extra-marital affairs with at least six young Nation of Islam women. A bitter separation resulted between Malcolm and the Nation. Malcolm then turned to a more orthodox version of Islam and began to seek closer relations with other Black Nationalist and civil rights groups. He was assassinated at Harlem, N.Y.’s, Audubon Ballroom on Feb. 21, 1965 by three men associated with the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X was 39.

1930—Lorraine Hansberry is born in Chicago, Ill. During her short life she becomes one of Black America’s most prolific authors and playwrights. Her most faLORRAINE HANSBERRY mous play was “A Raisin in the Sun”— which was the first drama written by an African-American woman to be produced on Broadway. After her death from cancer in 1965, another one of her plays—“To Be Young, Gifted and Black” became a major off-Broadway production.

1952—Eccentric model and singer Grace Jones is born in Spanish Town, Jamaica. In addition to her singing and modeling, her unusual style propels her into a status as one of the icons of the disco and new music scene of the 1970s.

GRACE JONES May 20 1743—Touissant L’Ouverture, the father of Haitian independence, is born. Although he was not part of the initial disturbances, L’Ouverture was quickly drafted into leadership of the 1791 Slave Revolt. He converted the random burnings of plantations and killings of unlucky Whites into a full-scale revolution against slavery on the island. Under his leadership, the slaves were organized into an effective fighting force which would go on to defeat the British army and the greatest conqueror of the period, France’s Napoleon Bonaparte. Indeed, L’Ouverture’s fighting might was indirectly responsible for the growth of America. Desperate to raise money to fight the Haitians, Napoleon sold the massive T’OUSSAINT LOUVERTURE Louisiana territory to America at an amazingly low price.

L’Ouverture was tricked into attending a phony “peace conference” in France. Once there he was jailed. But the leadership void was immediately filled by one of his lieutenants—Jean Jacques Dessalines who would complete the revolution started by L’Ouverture. Haiti became THE independent in 1804.

NEW PITTSBURGH May 21 COURIER 1862—Mary Patterson becomes the first Black womPUBLISHING COMPANY an in U.S. History to be awarded a master’s degree. She earned it from Oberlin College in Ohio.

2009—NFL star quarterback Michael Vick is rePublication No.: USPS 381940 leased from federal prison after serving 19 months of a 315 East Carson Street 23-month sentence for financing a dog fighting ring. ForPittsburgh, PA 15219 merly with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick finished his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Phone: 412-481-8302 2009—A Black man—James Young—is elected mayor Fax: 412-481-1360 of Philadelphia, Miss.,—a town which during the 1960s had the nation’s most racist reputation. Ku Klux Klan The members dominated the town and it was known for the New Pittsburgh Courier mistreatment and unpunished killings of Blacks. One of the most brutal events in the city was the 1964 murders is published weekly of three civil rights workers. In his 2009 election victory, Young captured 30 percent of periodicals the White vote. paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. 1881—Blanche Kelso Bruce PRICE $1.00 is sworn in as a senator from Mississippi. He became the first Black man to serve a full term (Payable in advance) in the United States Senate.

6 Months.....$25 During his service, he advocated for the political and social rights 1 Year....$45 of Blacks, Indians and Chinese 2 Years...$85 immigrants.

May 22 BLANCHE KELSO BRUCE 9 Month School Rate $35 1863—The War Department the Bureau of Colored Troops and began to POSTMASTER: Send establishes aggressively recruit Blacks for the Civil War. The Black address changes to: troops would play a major role in turning the tide of battle against the rebellious Southern slave states.

New Pittsburgh Courier 1959—Benjamin O. Davis Jr. becomes the first African-American general in the U.S. Air Force. His father, 315 East Carson Street Benjamin O. Davis Sr., had been the first Black general Pittsburgh, PA 15219 in the U.S. Army.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

NATIONAL

MAY 16-22, 2018

A3

Waters earns TIME 100 ‘Influential’ honors

by Freddie Allen

occupy,” Shahidi said.

“In this time of sociopolitNNPA Editor In Chief ical unrest, Congresswoman Waters has been the TIME magazine recently brilliant, tenacious reprehonored Rep. Maxine Wasentative of the people that ters, D-Calif., as one of the we all need.”

100 most influential people Shahidi added: “She’s not in the world. new to it, she’s true to it.”

According to a press reWaters is one of President lease about the honor, “The Trump’s most vocal critics list, now in its 15th year, on Capitol Hill, even callrecognizes the activism, ining for his impeachment. novation and achievement “[President Trump] has FACING PRISON—In this April 18 file photo, Bill Cosby arrives for of the world’s most influendefined himself as someone his sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in tial individuals.” who is not deserving and Waters said that she was Norristown. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File) that should be our mantra, shocked and surprised by that should be the conthe recognition and that she “felt very, very blessed” MOST INFLUENTIAL—Congresswoman Maxine Waters attends the versation, that should be to receive the honor.

Black Girls Rock! Awards at the New Jersey Performing Arts Cen- what we talk about with In a commentary about ter on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, in Newark, N.J. (Photo by Charles our newspapers and our radio stations…we need to the award, “Black-ish” Sykes/Invision/AP) speak up,” Waters said. “We actor Yara Shahidi wrote In explaining why he have to let everyone know change with United States could not usurp it.” that, “Congresswoman

by Stacy M. Brown made the deal with Cosby, we don’t accept this and we Secretary of the Treasury Waters said that the vidMaxine Waters of the 43rd NNPA Newswire Contributor Castor said: “I thought don’t feel helpless like viceo inspired a lot of women District of California, a.k.a. Steven Mnuchin, Waters making Mr. Cosby pay Before they convicted tims in all of this. We are acknowledged that the use and showed that, even Auntie Maxine, has made money was the best I was Bill Cosby on three counts going to resist him and we of the phrase “reclaiming on Capitol Hill, women my generation proud to be going to be able to set the of aggravated indecent are going to fight him.” my time” is a part of the lawmakers must have the nieces and nephews.” stage for. I was hopeful assault last month, some Waters said that the regular order of business in courage to demand respect.

Shahidi continued: “She that I had made Andrea of the jurors were already Black Press must cover Congress.

Waters said that young is adored and admired plotting on how they could Constand a millionaire.”

President Trump in a way “It’s what we use when people welcome the openby people who care about Constand did reach an cash in on the case. that allows the average it is our time to speak and ness and tenacity that she social justice and is oh People familiar with three out-of-court civil settleperson to stay up-to-date we’re being ignored by displayed during that exso eloquent in letting the ment with Cosby worth of the jurors on the case and to understand what’s the people who are on the change with Mnuchin and world, particularly the $3.4 million. said they had a book deal going on in the White panel and you want to shut in her searing criticism of White men of Congress Castor reiterated that he who dare test her acumen, them down,” Waters said. on their minds, long before House.

President Donald Trump’s granted Cosby immunity evidence was presented in Black millennials need to “We use it when we’re performance. know that she is not here from prosecution and that the courtroom. know that they can make a being interfered with by “They welcome it this is for any nonsense.” future prosecutors were “The 80-year-old comesignificant difference in the the first time they’ve seen Waters said that for many another member of Conbound to honor that deal. dian faces up to 10 years upcoming midterm elecgress in a debate.” this kind of authenticity,” young people, she is one of Castor also blasted in prison on each count, tions, Water said.

Waters continued: “It Waters said. the few lawmakers willing but Cosby is likely to serve Steele.

“If our millennials vote, Shahidi, who also stars to step outside of the box of was something that I used “A sitting prosecutor them concurrently,” CNN. we win,” Waters said. “We at a time when it was in the “Black-ish” spin-off a traditional, non-confronspent $1 million proving com reported. “A sentenccan take back the House, “Grown-ish,” said that tational lawmaker to speak important for me to let Cosby is guilty in caming hearing with Judge Mr. Mnuchin know that Waters, says what many of we will keep many of our truth to power. paign ads, before charges Steven O’Neill has not yet state legislature seats… he couldn’t have his way us are thinking.

And even though she been scheduled, and Cosby were ever brought,” Castor captured the attention of if [millennials] go to the that it was my time and I “She reminds us that we said. “That’s in direct remains out on bail.” are worthy of any space we polls, we win.” millions in a viral video ex- intended to use it and he contravention of written Juror No. 11 and juror ethics rules which says No. 12, two White males, prosecutors cannot do “specifically talked about how much they could make that. What is happening to Cosby, as bad a man as after they send that old man to prison,” said a Nor- he undoubtedly is, should ristown resident, who goes never happen to anyone in America. I’m 36 years in by the nickname, “Deacon the justice system, much Stone.” Stone declined to of it at a pretty high level provide his given name, and I’m disgusted that any because he said he feared citizen entitled to the prefor his safety, but he was visibly present throughout sumption of innocence has been treated this way.” the trial.

Castor continued: “I didn’t According to Stone, another juror was told, “Dude, say anything, because it do the right thing, get that is up to the judge and the book deal,” by a close fami- lawyers to police their own conduct. I kept waiting for ly member. someone to ask me, but it Asked how he came never happened.” across the information, Matt Pinsker, a former Stone and another man, who didn’t want to give his prosecutor and magistrate name, said they are “closer who is now a criminal defense attorney and adthan cousins” to one of the junct professor of criminal jurors. justice at Virginia ComDuring the trial, juror monwealth University, said No. 12 appeared to talk he was appalled when he to Montgomery County heard about the jurors in District Attorney Kevin the Cosby case.

Steele’s spokeswoman “It’s completely inapKate Delano in a flirtatious propriate for jurors to be manner. At least three planning a book deal, and individuals regularly complained of the juror raising it could result in a mistrial,” Pinsker said. “Jurors his eyebrows and winking should be focused on doing at Delano, who may have justice, and not profiting not been aware of the juror’s actions. Juror No.12 from their public service. A prospective book deal is lewas also observed smiling gally and morally problem“almost uncontrollable” at attorney Lisa Bloom, who’s atic because it gives jurors a profit incentive.” client Janice Dickerson Kimberly Bathgate, a testified against Cosby. spokeswoman for the “If jurors in the Cosby trial were motivated by the Montgomery County Court, possibility of getting a book said the judge and district deal, then they would have attorney would have no comment. had incentive to find him Cosby’s spokesman guilty, guilty, guilty—just Andrew Wyatt could not like they did,” said famed immediately be reached for forensic psychiatrist and comment.In April, Cosby, expert witness, Carole 80, was found guilty on Lieberman. “Finding him ‘guilty’ made it a landmark three counts of aggravated sexual assault stemvictory of sorts, because of ming from a 2003 or 2004 the #MeToo [movement] incident involving Andrea and because it brought Constand at his Elkins down a once-powerful celebrity. If they had found Park home.

He’s scheduled to be senhim ‘not guilty,’ there wouldn’t be much of a story tenced later this summer and faces up to 30 years in there, so people wouldn’t be as interested in reading prison.

Ryan Babcock, a trial about it in a book.” lawyer who owns a firm in Eleven of the 12 jurors have already joined to hire Brunswick, Ga., said juror misconduct can be a seria publicist. ous problem at trial, particJuror No. 1, who was observed sleeping throughout ularly with technological advances made in the last the trial, appeared alone decade. on ABC’s Good Morning “The parties are entitled America after the verdict to jurors who don’t have and said Cosby’s 2006 their minds made up about deposition hurt the comea verdict before the trial dian. starts, and jurors who are However, former Montnot influenced by third pargomery County District ties outside of the courtAttorney Bruce Castor made a deal with Cosby in room trial,” Babcock said.

“That can be especially which Castor agreed that challenging in a high-proif the comedian sat for the deposition, his words could file case like Bill Cosby’s.

The comment about [the never be used against him book deal] alone would not in any current or future amount to juror misconcriminal prosecution. duct. In any event, juror Castor blasted O’Neill in misconduct could result an email last month. in a new trial or reversal “A judge with an enormous potential bias did not on appeal, but should not impact the sentence itself.” disclose that possible bias (This article was originally to the lawyers to give them published at BlackPressUSA. the option to seek a new com.) judge,” Castor said.

Cosby jurors allegedly shopped for book deal during trial

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MAY 16-22, 2018

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

RaSHALL BRACKNEY

RaShall Brackney named Charlottesville, Va. police chief Was 30-year veteran of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP)—A former George Washington University police chief has been tapped to lead the city of Charlottesville’s police department after its previous chief

departed in the aftermath of a white nationalist rally.

Charlottesville City Manager Maurice Jones announced Tuesday, May 15, at a news conference that he had recommended

RaShall M. Brackney of Arlington for the job. In addition to having led George Washington University’s department between 2015 and 2018, the 55-year-old Brackney is a retired 30-

COMMUNITY PARTNERS—In this New Pittsburgh Courier file photo, then-Pittsburgh Zone 1 Cmdr.

RaShall Brackney and history teacher Dennis Henderson show Manchester students that police officers are approachable. year veteran of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, according to city officials.

During her tenure as a law enforcement official, Brackney has overseen SWAT teams, hostage negotiations, special events, patrol operations and major crimes, the city said in a statement.

She was the top choice out of 169 applicants, Jones said.

“Chief Brackney is very mindful of the expectations of modern police departments and I’m confident she will work diligently to ensure the men and women of the Charlottesville Police Department continue to live up to those high standards,” he said.

Brackney will be the first permanent successor of Chief Al Thomas, who retired in December.

Thomas, who was 50 at the time, left after the release of a scathing report about the August “Unite the Right” rally that found serious police and government failures in responding to the violence that erupted.

The City Council will formally consider Brackney’s appointment at a meeting Monday, May 14. The council members participated in conducting interviews for the job and spoke favorably about Brackney at the news conference.

She is expected to begin work on June 18. Her starting salary will be $140,000, city spokesman Brian Wheeler said.

Charlottesville’s four top officers will jointly supervise the department in conjunction with Jones’ office in the meantime, Wheeler said.

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MAY 16-22, 2018

A5

NBC’s Lester Holt comes to Pittsburgh

First Black solo anchor of a nightly network newscast HOLT FROM A1

killed earlier this year by alleged suspect Nicolas Cruz. Many Allderdice students told Holt they felt empowered to speak out, collaborate and ignite change.

Then the students discussed where they get their news—many said from online news outlets. But could they trust what they read online? One student asked Holt how NBC News makes sure the network airs real— not fake—news. “We rely on multiple sources, we are constantly fact-checking.

Sometimes if the story’s not there, it doesn’t run,” Holt responded. “It’s a constant process of supporting each other, layers of editors.”

Holt has worked at NBC for 18 years. Most viewers knew him as a presence on “Dateline,” and weekend versions of the “Today” Show and “Nightly News.”

Now, everyone knows him as the anchor of the one of the two most-watched

newscasts in the country.

“I’ve grown up watching Lester Holt. And growing up, I’ve never explicitly thought about his being Black. I just always thought, ‘Wow, that man on TV has a great voice and covers a lot of great stories all over the world’,” said Kelauni Cook, an African American wom-

an who founded Black Tech Nation in Pittsburgh last year, and met Holt after the broadcast. “I couldn’t help but appreciate the amount of work he’s probably had to put in above and beyond his non-Black colleagues to get to that position. Somewhere his presence is an inspiration to a young Black

kid who has dreams of talking to millions of people on the nightly news one day. For me, I can only hope to be that same example for a young Black kid who dreams of owning a tech company and changing their community.”

Count Giavanna Gibson and Kyley Coleman as young Black youth who call Holt an inspiration. The Allderdice students, who were among the 18 students selected for the question-and-answer session with Holt, told the New Pittsburgh Courier that they understand Holt’s impact for African Americans across the country.

“That honestly inspires me to do a lot more,” Gibson, 16, said. “Just seeing him, knowing that could be me at some point, and it makes me want to work a lot harder in school and get to where I want to get to in life.”

Both Gibson and Coleman LESTER HOLT, with Allderdice students Giavanna Gibson and Kyley are members of the AllderColeman. dice Black Student Union.

The organization aims to help students learn more about politics, while also holding events that stress Black excellence, Coleman said. From teacher recommendations and being involved in various events at school is how Coleman and Gibson were selected to meet Holt.

“Very encouraging to see a Black male as the face of a TV show. It’s very thrilling and it’s not something you see often,” Coleman, a ju-

nior, said.

Coleman said she’s well aware of some of the stereotypical ways African American males are depicted on TV. “The rappers, the pants down to their knees…and that’s not who we are. I feel like a lot of figures in the music industry represent us the wrong way, but Holt, he’s taking charge again and taking power back into the right hands, and giving the Black community a good face.”

LESTER HOLT, with Pittsburgh Black Tech Nation founder and CEO Kelauni Cook.

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

A6

MAY 16-22, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report

Living While Black We all heard the chant “Make America Great Again.” Throughout the entire presidential campaign that is what 45 said he would do. Many felt it was not a campaign promise but more like a dog whistle to “make America White again.” The more I watch the news it feels like that is what’s happening. If you are Black you can’t sit in Starbucks and wait for someone, you can’t shop for the prom in Nordstrom’s rack, and please don’t even think about renting an Airbnb and not waving to the neighbors when you are leaving.

When the story was told after the Airbnb incident was over the neighbor stuck to her story that the main reason the police were called on the three Black women suspected of stealing luggage in broad daylight was because she was not acknowledged when she waived at them.

What really disturbed me was the officers were not aware of what “Airbnb” was. If you are going to serve the public you really need to read more and become familiar with what is happening in this world. It also may be nice to let your neighbors know that your home is under contract with Airbnb so when they see new people coming in and out of your home they won’t call the police.

The latest incident of living while Black that I heard really hit home with me. Did you hear the story about the attorney and her daughter who were vintage thrift shopping in a gentrified neighborhood and were accused of taking a garment? The way the story went, the customer who was Black took four items to the dressing room and did not like any of them.

She brought them out of the dressing room and laid them down and proceeded to walk out of the store with her daughter.

The storekeeper comes after her and says that she tried on five items, not four. The police were called and the attorney was handcuffed and yes, you guessed it—they had not taken anything. But they were detained, embarrassed and reportedly their driver’s license was held for more than 11 hours. Yet another case of living while Black.

If my calendar didn’t say it was 2018 I would swear we were in the Jim Crow South and that we are trying to be put in “our place” wherever that place is.

There have been so many of these incidents over the last month. These calls to law enforcement should be written up as nuisance calls and the stores should be charged for making frivolous reports to the police. I am sure the police have better things to do, like stopping real crime.

I also think it would be a good idea for these businesses to start treating all of their customers the same or perhaps our trillions of retail dollars is not wanted.

Here is another book giveaway from my collection: “The Book of Luke”

by Luther Campbell.

Read all about his life before and after “2 Live Crew.” Email me to win.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com.)

CONSERVATIVE TO THE UNUSUAL—Ginny Merchant and Jackie Dixon—2018 hat luncheon committee GREAT VARIETY—Lois Mufuka Martin, Barbara Howard, Lynne Popash and Chris Howard

PNC Spring Hat Luncheon turns 20

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

What a difference a year can make. Last year on the first Saturday in May the

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL—Peggy Harris and Melanie Crockard

weather was chilly and wet. This year on May 5 the weather was warm and the sun came out to welcome hundreds for the 20th annual PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon.

This year the location was east of Pittsburgh in Highland Park and more than $500,000 was raised to benefit our city’s most valuable green spaces. Ladies and gents wore hats that ranged from the conservative to the dramatic. Many guests came from hundreds of miles away but came without hats.

This year the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy welcomes a new President & CEO, Jayne Miller. Miller comes to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy after serving as Superintendent of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board for the past seven years.

Bill Demcha, Chairman, President and CEO The PNC Financial Services Group, said public parks promote wellness, enhance the environment and strengthen communities. Well-maintained parks increase real estate values for the properties that surround them and improve the quality of life for all BEAUTIFUL IN NAVY—Marsha Jones who enjoy them.

CHECKING INTO HIGHLAND PARK—Jacki Bauer and Doris Carson LOVELY LADIES—Valerie McDonald Roberts and Ernestine Taylor Williams (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

GRAND STYLE—Roseanne Wholey and Lisa WE SEE THE FUTURE—Tim McFreeman Vay and David Bush

WELCOME—Phil Gruszka, Pam Rollings and Richard Reed

SPRING HAT LUNCHEON CO-CHAIRS—Jayne Miller, Mollie Hanna Lang, Mary McKinney Flaherty, Emily Mack Jamison, Jimmi Sue Smith and Ramsey Lyons

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Pittsburgh NAACP holds 64th Human Rights Dinner NAACP FROM A1

special chord for Johnson and for Pittsburgh NAACP President Richard Stewart Jr. Both are new in their positions with new visions.

While people are concerned about changing things they don’t like in their neighborhoods or city or country, Johnson said for there to be effective change people must first look inward.

“All of us individually have the power to make change. We must understand that through collective consciousness and action we can impact public policy that benefits our future. It is not about an individual. It is not really about an organization. It is really about all of us in the room making sure we do our part to make society a better place,” Johnson stressed.

What about those who would say the NAACP is no longer needed and not useful? As you would expect, he strongly disagreed with that kind of thinking.

“The NAACP has a proven track record and a brand that can attract the necessary support and collective action needed. Some communities may not be the vehicle, but as you look across the country we are 2,200 units strong in 47 states.

And so it’s the vehicle that people there choose. If individuals choose another vehicle that’s great, so long as we’re all involved in social justice advocacy,” Johnson said.

The Human Rights Dinner raises funds for the Pittsburgh branch to implement effective local and national NAACP programs focusing on the areas of health, wealth, and educa-

MAY 16-22, 2018

A7

Nesby battles to rebuild Duquesne NESBY FROM A1

PITTSBURGH NAACP PRESIDENT Richard Stewart Jr., with Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis, at the 64th Human Rights Dinner, May 1, at the Westin Convention Center. (Photo by Tene Croom) tion. It is also the organization’s special way of recognizing individuals in the community who have made significant strides towards advancing civil rights as well as outstanding young people.

Reverend Victor J. Grigsby, pastor, Central Baptist Church, received the Bishop Charles H. Foggie Lifetime Achievement

Award. The Judge Homer S. Brown Award was bestowed on the Dan Rooney family, and Julius Boatwright, founding CEO of Steel Smiling and executive director of the Will Allen Foundation, received the Young Person of the Year Award. Additionally, scholarship awards were given out to eight high school students.

Feb. 2017. My immediate priority going forward is cleaning up the city water which has had high levels of carcinogen present for at least five years and which test positive for E-coli. I applied for a grant to treat the E-coli but couldn’t get it because I also found the last quarter financial records for 2017 were gone.”

Though another priority for Nesby is economic development, again she said, she has so far been stymied by previous policy decisions and mismanagement.

“One third of the city’s real estate is owned by the Allegheny County Housing Authority, the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority or the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Duquesne (RACD), and for 20 years, they’ve done nothing with these properties,” she said.

The last straw came when—just prior to Nesby taking office—the RACD board voted to transfer $1.4 million to the nonprofit Duquesne Business Advisory Corporation—whose board includes the last two mayors and the previous city manager.

“So I sued the redevelopment authority and the advisory corporation,” she said. “So that’s working its way through. In the meantime, I’ve got a full plate, I’ve been going nonstop.”

What else does she have to address? Well, in order to lure more companies to her biggest asset—the 72acre former U.S. Steel mill site—she needs a skilled workforce. Currently she doesn’t have that.

“I have three generations of illiteracy, a poverty rate of 76 percent and 40

DUQUESNE MAYOR NICKOLE NESBY (Photo by Dayna Delgado) percent have criminal records—they’re in jail before they get out of high school,” she said.

However, after more mismanagement within the school district, Duquesne City Schools has a new superintendent, and Nesby said they have arranged for the Allegheny Intermediate Union, the Carnegie Library and the University of Pittsburgh to add additional programing to address literacy beginning in the fall.

But there is no adult education programming or training in the immediate area or easily accessible by public transportation.

“There’s CCAC in West Mifflin, but there’s no transportation—same with Penn State McKeesport,” she said. “We had a CareerLinks office, but it moved two buses away in Forest Hills. They opened a satellite office, McKeesport, but it’s a mile walk up the hill once you get there. And we have no clinics and the closest hospital is UPMC McKeesport.”

But it’s not all gloom and doom. On the bright side, she said, there is a Taco Bell opening soon, and she

is negotiating with another restaurant that specializes in barbecue.

“We’re also in the running for the next round of sites for cannabis growing— again at the mill site, and we’re working to get an Austrian glass maker who would employ between 100 and 300 people, and would take a portion to Germany for training,” she said.

“We also, finally, have the Mon-Fayette Expressway coming—which means they’ll have to relocate and rebuild our baseball and football fields. And we just got the Port Authority to scrap their initial Rapid Bus plan that would have cut service and increased fares.”

Nesby said she hopes to get foundations, corporations and nonprofits to collaborate on opportunities in Duquesne. She wants to create more affordable homes for ownership to rebuild the population that was displaced when the county demolished the city’s public housing and never replaced it.

“Hey, I’m just getting started,” she said. “I’ve got three more years. I hope it works.”

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ENTERTAINER

MAY 16-22, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Pittsburgh Pipers—Celebrated, Appreciated

MEMBERS OF THE 1968 WORLD CHAMPION PITTSBURGH PIPERS. Also pictured are former Pitt star Billy Knight, center in back, and Mark Whited, center in front. Whited is the author of the book, “Pittsburgh’s Forgotten Champions.” The Pipers’ 50-year reunion was held, May 4-5, in Pittsburgh. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

1968 team recognized as Pittsburgh’s only pro basketball champion

by Bill Neal

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Let’s go back to the future one last time and begin this story as one most often does, at the end. It’s very important that we recognize and acknowledge all those who helped make one of Pittsburgh’s most historic and memorable events a major success.

In no particular order, here are the names of those who “Flew With the Hawk” one last time. And trust me— they all know what they did and how valuable they were.

Mark Cuban Foundation, The Pittsburgh Penguins, Major Mark Whited, Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald, The New Pittsburgh Courier, Councilman R. Daniel LaVelle, UPMC, Highmark, Pittsburgh Housing Authority, Mr. Sam Schizco, Atty.

Vince Lackner, the Marriott hotel, Billy Knight, Roland Ford, Darelle Porter, The Sensation Models, Ms. Rita Gregory, Ms. Kathy Junes, the staff and personalities of Urban Media Radio, Barron Flencay, the staff at East Liberty Staples, The Western PA School for the Deaf, 93.7 The Fan, Paul Zeise, Joe Starkey, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, The Highland Park Tennis Association, Gannon University, Pittsburgh Piper Cal Graham, Savoy Restaurant, Gary White, state Representatives Austin Davis and Ed Gainey, Shawn Hawkins, Kowenia Hawkins, Chuck Sanders Charities, and last but not least, the legendary Pittsburgh Pipers and the Connie Hawkins Summer

Basketball League Family and Hall of Famers.

As you can clearly see it truly does take a village. Without the help, support and participation of all these people and companies we would never have been able to reunite the 1968 ABA World Champion Pittsburgh Pipers, salute the legendary Connie Hawkins and induct some of the nation’s greatest basketball players into the Connie Hawkins Hall of Fame.

If you still reside under that rock you call home and haven’t heard by now—the May 5 event at the Marriott City Center was a major success. More than 300 people, a sold-out crowd and a great time had by all. This was definitely one of the greatest events in Pittsburgh sports history.

In closing…you knew it was coming, and I’ll make it short and sweet...and hope it cuts deep. For all of you that OWED it to come out in memory of the great Connie Hawkins…who did not for WHITNEY ALLEN, who performed during the May 5 event at the all your petty and selfish rea- SHAWN HAWKINS, grandson of basketball legend Connie Hawkins. Marriott City Center. sons—shame on you! Now somebody run and tell that, they know who they are!!

BILL NEAL

THE 2018 CONNIE HAWKINS LEAGUE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

MICHAEL BOOKER, the voice of the Connie Hawkins League, and a Hall of Fame inductee.

He’s pictured with his wife, Charmaine.

DARELLE PORTER, former Pitt star

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

RELIGION

MAY 16-22, 2018

Nabhi Christian Ministries Mother’s Day Brunch

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Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 12:00 P.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

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

www.cathedralofhope.com

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

Sanctuary Worship...11:00 a.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

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

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue 412-683-2669

New Destiny CME Church 114 North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-231-7882 Rev. Kornelus Neal, pastor The Rt. Rev. Marvin Thomas Sr., presiding bishop

ATTENDEES AT THE MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH sponsored by Nabhi Christian Ministries, May 12, at 7060 Lemington Ave. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

ANDREA “ANDIE” JAMES

SPECIAL GUEST KAREN SCOTT MILES was the keynote speaker.

TERA FIELDER, of Penn Hills, with her children, at the Mother’s Day Brunch.

Sunday School....................................9 A.M. Morning Worship Service............11:00 A.M.

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

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

Send info to: KAREN ROLLINS-FITCH, JACQUE FIELDER

To have your church included in the Praise & Worship section, contact Ashley Johnson at 412-481-8302 ext. 128

for rates.

New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Or Email us!

religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com

A10

MAY 16-22, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MAY 16-22, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

A11

YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy YMCA FROM A1

the organization began to accumulate debt. On May 9, that debt eventually became the impetus for the Y filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The YMCA announced it would close its Downtown location on Fifth Avenue and its Delmont location.

As of now, the YMCAs in predominantly-Black neighborhoods like the Thelma Lovette Y and the Homewood YMCA are unaffected.

“As I said at the press conference (announcing the filing), we need to find the balance between a membership Y, and to always being that committed pro-

gram organization that Julius helped create,” he said. “I didn’t start in this position to see how many people could get on a treadmill, I got in to provide services—and we will continue to do that.”

According to the bankruptcy filing the Y has revenues of about $40 million annually and assets valued at about $50 million, but its debt is somewhere between $10 million and $50 million.

Its largest named creditor— although the debt is disputed—is Cecil-based MSP Commercial Subtenant LP, the landlord of its Downtown building on Fifth Avenue. The debt claimed is more than $264,000. The

filing also lists creditors Specialty Pool Contractors of Ross Township at $112,000 and Climatech Inc. of Pittsburgh at almost $40,000.

The bulk of the debt, Bolding explained, is in the buildings.

“Remember, we’re a nonprofit, so we’re not sitting on a pile of capital,” he said. “Obviously we’d like to raise as much as we can, but our general model when

building a new branch— say our newest one in Bethel Park— has been to raise at mini m u m half of the money and finance the rest. That’s where the debt is.”

But there are other kinds of debts, and within hours of hearing Bolding’s announcement, Fred Brown, President and CEO of the Forbes Funds, decided to repay one to his friend, by offering the services of his

organization to assist in any way it could. He said he hoped he would spur other foundations to come forward.

“Being a philanthropic leader, I thought it was important for me to stand with them. They are important to the community and the region,” he said.

“We want to let the community know the Y isn’t facing this alone and that there are organizations out there to lend expertise, provide resources, where applicable, and align service supports where necessary.”

Bolding is grateful for the support.

“Fred is a good friend and the role he’s in now,

he is uniquely positioned to understand the troubles nonprofits have and the opportunities that foundations have to have to help.

“I don’t think our issues are unique, maybe the degree, but we all need to be aware of how tenuous our existences are,” Bolding said. “The foundation community understands we’ve been here for 164 years and are a key part of fabric of the community and they want us to remain strong. We are not leaving those who need help in the lurch, we are committed to this organization and its commitment to the community.”

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METRO

MAY 16-22, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

ELIMINATING RACIAL STEREOTYPES, IMPLICIT BIAS Police, community together under one roof during April 28 event

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

In the past weeks alone, Black men, who were perfectly innocent, had the police called on them for simply sitting in a Starbucks; a Black Yale University student had police called on her because she fell asleep in a common area of her own dormitory; and three African Americans had the police called on them because a neighbor thought they were intruders, when in reality, they had legally rented the house via the service AirBnB. In those situations, the African Americans were not physically harmed. But in other situations, like

Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Tamir Rice in Cleveland, and Philando Castile in Minnesota, these African Americans, in their interactions with police, are dead.

Black Women for Positive Change and Aunt Cheryl’s Catering hosted a community workshop with residents and local police agencies, entitled: “Don’t Stereotype—The Dangers of Implicit Bias,” at the Woodland Hills Administration Building in Braddock, April 28.

The event gave local residents a chance to interact with police from the City of Pittsburgh, Braddock, Rankin and Duquesne, and, just as important, a chance for

BRADDOCK POLICE OFFICER GUY COLLINS speaks with community residents during the event at the Woodland Hills Administration Building, April 28. (Photos by Courier photographer Dayna Delgado)

PITTSBURGH POLICE showed this slide, which is part of what officers in training see as they complete the steps to becoming a city officer.

Implicit Bias is something that agencies and residents want eliminated at all costs. police to hear real concerns voiced by community members.

Pittsburgh police showed a presentation on some of the same things officers in training watch, including a slide from, among others, the Center for Policing Equity at the University of Cali-

fornia-Los Angeles. That slide discussed situations that create “fast traps,” or situations that can lead to an over-reliance on implicit biases. Those situations included being mentally taxed, being in a bad mood, feeling threatened, being a novice, making quick decisions and

COMMUNITY RESIDENTS at the April 28 event. multi-tasking. It’s what Pittsburgh’s department is trying to eliminate, thus making implicit bias a thing of the past when faced with encounters with all, especially African Americans.

DIANE POWELL, with Black Women for Positive Change.

BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

Andrew McCutchen’s return to PNC Park Sports B8

MAY 16-22, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Classifieds

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B4-B5

B

How to pick a new password

by Anick Jesdanun AP Technology Writer

A NEW NAME—Charlise Smith reveals the new name of her organization, Willissae’s Agency for Vision and Empowerment. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)

‘At My Age’ women’s wellness forum uplifts, inspires, educates

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

Most days you can log on to Facebook and find motivational, uplifting, educational messages posted by Ola Jackson.

Information of the same manner are the focus of her two websites; www.onyxwoman.com and www.yourstylishways.com.

During her recent “At My Age” women’s wellness forum, more than 100 participants gained similar information and many hands-on tools and techniques. “The purpose of ‘At My Age’ was to educate and provide participants with information that focused on the issues we must address to become informed evolving women,” said Jackson. “Whether the ladies wanted to start a business, focus on their finances, or needed to learn more about self-care, the At My Age women’s forum covered it.”

Created to address wellness issues rele-

“Whether the ladies wanted to start a business, focus on their finances, or needed to learn more about self-care, the ‘At My Age’ women’s forum covered it.”

OLA JACKSON

vant to women of color, the forum consisted of a combination of workshops and community awareness activities.

“Eight hundred forty-nine businesses are started by women a day and nine million people are employed by women entrepreneurs,” pointed out Jonnet Solomon-Nowlin during the “What About Me” workshop. The accountant, business strategy consultant and owner of JSA, LLC, informed the participants that

entrepreneurship is an alternative to having a job, but a decision of which to be well prepared. Moderated by Orlana Darkins of the Shyne Network, other panelists included Renee Beavers; author and lifestyle brand strategist, and Karen McCormick, a group bank representative for Dollar Bank. The workshop focused on the economic well-being of women who need to balance their work, personal, financial and business life.

Jackson moderated the “Coming of Age: Now What!” workshop that focused on the importance of women taking care of themselves. Panelists included Elaine Jenkins, an AARP volunteer; author Corretta Doctor; Kesi Howard, outreach coordinator for UPMC; and Dr. Anita Edward of Highmark.

Center stage presentations open to the public were presented by Ja’Neen Jones of Three Rivers Adoption Council, DocSEE FORUM B2

NEW YORK (AP)—Yet another service is asking you to change your password.

Twitter said Thursday it discovered a bug that stored passwords in an internal log in plain text, without the usual encryption. Though Twitter says there’s no indication that anyone has stolen or misused those passwords, the company is recommending a change as a precaution.

Here are some tips on coming up with a new password and safeguarding your account—even if your password is compromised.

COMPLEXITY COUNTS Don’t even think of using “password” as your password. Picking any common word as your password should be avoided because it’s easily guessed using software that tries out every word in the dictionary.

However, you can get a good password by combining two or more words, such as “rocketcalendar.” Sprinkle in some numerals and punctuation marks, and make some of those letters in caps, and you’ve got a strong password. So “rocketcalendar” becomes “rocket44!calendaR.” (But don’t use that one; the fact that it’s in this article means hackers probably already have it in their databases.)

Some services will even require your passwords to have certain characteristics.

As you type a new password on Twitter, the service will tell you whether it’s “Too Obvious” or “Weak.” Go for “Very Strong.”

KEEP PASSWORDS FRESH Each service should have its own password. If you use “rocket44!calendaR” on Twitter, don’t use it on Facebook. Once hackers get your password on one service, they’ll try it on other services, too. Outsmart them by using a fresh password each time. It can be as simple as adding the first three letters of the service’s name, so Twitter gets “rocket44!calendaRtwi” and Facebook gets “rocket44!calendaRfac.”

You can turn to a password-manager service to help you keep track of various passwords, though make sure the one you use hasn’t had its own security problems. If you’re storing passwords in a spreadsheet or other document on your computer, be sure to protect it with its own password (Microsoft Office lets you encrypt files). Avoid naming the file “passwords.” Call it “badmovies” or something innocuous.

SEE PASSWORD B2

SHARING OF INFORMATION—Renee Beavers, Jonnet Solomon-Nowlin, Karen McCormick and workshop moderator Orlana Darkins inform participants on how to balance their work, personal, financial and business life.

SUSAN RICE

Larimer School, Greater Pittsburgh Susan Rice joins Netflix’s board Coliseum discussed at URA meeting

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

East Liberty, Larimer and Homewood figured prominently during the Urban Redevelopment Authority board’s May 10 meeting as members voted to authorize $3 million to finance three projects there, involving the Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum, the Larimer School, and a new park to be built on the East Liberty/Larimer border.

The authority purchased the school from developer Emmett Miles in 2016. Despite the building’s historic and architectural significance—and the fact that its location now makes it eligible for federal Choice Neighborhood Tax Credit financing— Miles could never get the funding needed to convert the 53,000 square foot complex into a hub for career training, housing and economic development.

“Though the Larimer School has had several owners since closing in the 1980s, none have been able to redevelop it. These funds will be used to stabilize the main building, primarily the roof,” Deputy Director of Housing Jessica Smith Perry told the board.

Similarly, with the Coliseum, the funds will be used to purchase and stabilize the property for redevelopment. The Coliseum was to have been purchased in February,

but the sale was delayed by the death of the owner, John Brewer, who turned the former trolley barn into a hub for events and activities in Homewood.

Lastly, the park, to be constructed at the intersection of Larimer Avenue and Station street, will comprise about 3.2 acres and make use of the latest in “green” infrastructure.

In related actions with respect to the Larimer/East Liberty Choice Neighborhood development area, the board also voted to accept a $650,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to construct another three-acre “Green” park, and to sell 25 lots along Larimer Avenue, Winslow Street, Meadow Street and Stroebner Way to the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh for new housing construction. This phase of the $3 million Choice Neighborhoods development calls for 49 units of mixed-income housing, including 15 unrestricted market-rate units, 18 Low Income Housing Tax Credit units, and 16 Project-Based Voucher replacement units.

In the Hill District, the board approved the $4 million loan to developer Ralph Falbo to build 24 new senior housing units and an adult daycare center at the former Western Restoration Center Tuberculosis Hospital. The approval had been delayed

since last month’s meeting.

Something that has been delayed slightly longer is the decade-old idea of building a park over I-579 to reunite the lower Hill District with Downtown. The board approved a loan of $900,000 to the Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County as its part of the funding for the project, which received a major federal grant in 2016.

Board member and Hill District Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle was elated to vote yes on the authorization.

“This has been a long time coming,” he said.

Reading from his report, authority Executive Director Robert Rubinstein put the total cost of the project at $26.44 million, with the bulk coming from a $19 million TIGER grant the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the SEA in 2016. Rubinstein called the project “transformational.”

“It will create a new urban public connector that will improve pedestrian and bicycle movement, remediate a physical and psychological barrier that currently separates the historic Hill District and the Central Business District, and increase job and economic opportunities for the residents of the Hill District community,” he said.

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Netflix, Inc., the world’s leading Internet-service company, has named Susan M. Rice, former Ambassador to the United Nations and former U.S. National Security Advisor, to its board of directors.

“We are delighted to welcome Ambassador Rice to the Netflix board,” said Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and CEO. Rice said she was thrilled to join the board of Netflix.

She described the business as a cutting-edge company. Rice has a strong resume. From 2013 to 2017, she directed the National Security staff, chaired the Cabinet-level National Security Principals committee which provided the daily national security briefings to President Barack Obama.

Ambassador Rice received a master’s degree and a PhD in international relations from New College at Oxford University, England, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. She earned a BA in history with honors from Stanford University and graduated with a BA in History with honors from Stanford University. Rice is a native of Washington, D.C.

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BUSINESS

MAY 16-22, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

‘At My Age’ women’s wellness forum FORUM FROM B1

tor, author of What About Me; and Charlise Smith of Women Against Violence Enterprise (WAVE). More than 20 non-profit and profit-making vendors were on hand, providing information and selling merchandise of all kind.

Not just a Pittsburgh forum, Jackson included experts from Virginia, Alabama and Michigan to participate in the event. Doctor, committed to helping people save their lives or the lives of someone they know from the perils of depression, stress and related mental health conditions that lead to suicidal ideation, is based in Virginia. Located in Alabama, Beavers identifies herself as an entrepreneur, author, whole-person, plantbased lifestyle strategist.

And LaTanya Orr, based in Michigan, describes herself as an award-winning designer, brand strategist and visual business growth expert. Her book is called “Strike a Pose: 7 Red Carpet Strategies.”

An unveiling of the new name of Women Against Violence Enterprises also took place during the stage activities. Based in Larimer, WAVE’s mission, according to Smith, is to primarily facilitate safe housing and high quality social services for women and men who reside in subsidized housing and are transitioning from incarceration to help them heal, transform, and rebuild their lives. Named after her mother who was killed in front of her at the age of 3, the organization is now called, Willissae’s Agency for Vision and Empowerment. “Under its new name WAVE will continue

QuickBooks Workshop

MAY 16—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host Using QuickBooks Online Version, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282.

A representative from Dennis Piper & Associates will guide attendees through a Product Overview, setting up company file, importing data; Navigating, home, customer and vendor centers, transaction; Recording Transactions; sales & expenses, Quick Create menu; Reporting, common reports, reports by version, and customizing, and Advanced Topics, including credit card payments, payroll and Apps Center. Cost: $49. Call 412396-6233.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION—Ola Jackson, second from right, receives the Entrepreneurship and Communications Leadership Award during the Black Women’s Roundtable Women of Power National Summit in Washington D.C. Presenting the award are Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of the NCBCP and BWR Convener; Rev. Dr. Judith C. Moore, Founder and Director of the local BWR Chapter; and Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., chairman of the NCBCP and Chairman of 100 Black Men of America. to provide social and spiritual empowerment, home ownership programs for its clients,” said Smith.

A very strong advocate, supporter and marketer of women of color, Jackson has been a voice and provides a voice to women through media content focusing on entrepreneurship, finances, career advancement and self-care.

Her Onyx Woman Network empire throughout the years has developed to consist of a multimedia network that encompasses broadcast, motivational seminars, Internet and formerly print. Jackson describes OWN as a spin-off of a hard copy magazine. The site, she says, introduces viewers to women who share their

Pick a new password PASSWORD FROM B1

RESET AND REFRESH Some security experts recommend that you change your passwords frequently, though treat that advice with caution. When there’s a breach, it doesn’t matter whether that password is two weeks or two years old. And if you change passwords too often, you risk forgetting them and falling back on simpler, less-secure passwords.

A BETTER SAFEGUARD You can ignore much

BUSINESS CALENDAR

of this advice if you just do one thing: Turn on two-factor authentication, which Twitter calls “login verification.” You’ll get a text with a code each time you try to log in from a new device or web browser. So even if hackers get your password, they can’t do much unless they have your phone—or some other way to intercept the code.

Of course, this makes it even more important to protect your phone with a pass code, so that no else can get these texts if your phone is lost or stolen.

experiences, advice, tips and offer encouragement through their inspirational stories. Everyday women with diverse backgrounds discuss issues that impact the quality of life for women, their families, their careers, businesses and healthy lifestyles.

The sister site, Your Stylish Ways, focuses on beauty, fashion, retail, travel, and the lifestyle industry.

Its mission is to encourage women to implement lifestyle ideas that are presented to assist them to evolve and grow. The site presents ideas, inspiration and motivation to nurture

evolving women and enhance their quality of life.

Jackson earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris University, her Associate Degree in Specialized Business and Retail Merchandising from the former Duff’s Business Institute.

“It’s because of activities like the At My Age women’s wellness forum that Ola received the Entrepreneurship and Communications Leadership Award during the Black Women’s Roundtable Women of Power National Summit,” said Rev. Dr. Judith C. Moore, found-

er and director of the local Black Women’s Roundtable chapter. The seventh annual summit was held in Washington D.C. “Her commitment to uplifting and inspiring women of color mirrors some of the thinking of the BWR. As the women and girls empowerment division of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation it promotes health and wellness, economic security and sustainability and education and global empowerment. I commend Ola for her vision and encourage her to continue her efforts.”

Don’t let your credit die of neglect

by Liz Weston NerdWallet

Certified financial planner David Rae says he used to think that “anyone who could draw breath” could get an auto loan. Then one of his millionaire clients tried to buy a car—and failed.

The 42-year-old client was turned down for a loan because he had no credit scores, says Rae, who is based in Los Angeles.

Nineteen million American adults are “unscoreable,” lacking enough recent credit history to generate credit scores, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

They either have “thin” files, with too few accounts, or “stale” ones that haven’t been updated in a while.

Roughly 7 million of these people are what credit scoring company FICO calls “credit retired.” They no longer actively use credit, but their histories are free from charge offs, collections or other negative marks that might indicate that “their exit from the credit mainstream was involuntary,” says Ethan Dornhelm, FICO’s vice president for scores and predictive analytics.

HAVING NO SCORES CAN COST YOU These consumers can face a host of potential problems, including: •People without scores

could be shut out of credit they might want in the future, including rewards credit cards and low-cost loans.

•Insurers typically use credit-based scores to set premiums for auto and home insurance, so not having credit could cause those without scores to miss out on lower rates.

•People with no credit scores may not qualify for the best cell phone plans and may have to make bigger deposits to get utilities.

The median age of these credit retirees is 71, Dornhelm says. They may have retired from work, paid off their homes and feel no need to borrow money. But the credit retired also can include younger people, including those who live cash-only lifestyles.

CREDIT SCORES CAN DIE FAST They may not realize that credit scores can die relatively quickly. While closed accounts in good standing typically remain on credit reports for 10 years, lenders often stop updating those accounts soon after they’re closed. Without updates, scores can’t be generated. The FICO scoring formula used in most lending decisions requires peoples’ credit reports to show at least one account that’s been updated within the previous six months.

The rival VantageScore looks back somewhat further, 24 months, for updated accounts. VantageScore and FICO’s alternative formula, FICO Score XD, also generate scores for people based on their histories paying noncredit accounts, such as telecommunications and cable bills. But applicants typically can’t know in advance if a lender uses VantageScore or an alternative score, so they should assume it will be a traditional FICO score.

USING ONE CREDIT CARD CAN SAVE THE DAY The key to reviving traditional scores? Having and using a single credit card is enough, as long as the card issuer reports to all three credit bureaus (most do).

Balances can and should be paid in full each month, since there’s no credit score advantage to carrying debt.

Rae’s client was a renter whose only credit card was tied to his business.

Business credit cards often don’t show up on individuals’ credit reports. Rental payments are included on some credit reports, but they’re not factored into the most commonly used FICO credit scores.

So Rae had his client apply for a secured credit card, which required a $500 deposit to get a $500 credit limit. After four months, the client applied for a regular credit card from his bank. His healthy account balances helped convince the bank he was a good bet, Rae says.

Having lots of assets or making big down payments can help the credit retired get approved for many types of credit, notes Jeff Richardson, vice president of communications for VantageScore. Credit unions, which are member-owned, may also be willing to look beyond credit scores when making lending decisions, Richardson says.

Two months after being approved for the credit card, Rae’s client got a car loan. And a year after that, he got a mortgage to buy a multimillion-dollar home, Rae says.

“It’s all good, but it was rough and a big hassle at the beginning,” Rae says.

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

African American Chamber Luncheon

MAY 17—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA will hold its annual meeting and luncheon, beginning at 11 a.m., in the 17th oor Grand Ballroom at the Omni William Penn, 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh 15219. The luncheon will feature a keynote address

by Duquesne Light President and CEO Richard Riazzi. Tickets are $75 for members and $90 for non-members. RSVP is required by May 11. Call 412-392-0610 for more information.

20th Annual Entrepreneur’s Growth and Networking Conference

JUNE 7—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host its 20th Annual Entrepreneur’s Growth and Networking Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., in the Union Building, 4th Floor. The daylong event will include multiple breakout sessions, lunch with keynote speaker Michael DelGrosso and a business building trade show. More than 400 small business managers and owners are expected to attend. Cost: Full Day, including breakfast and lunch, 139; Half Day, 79; Lunch Only, $50. For more information, call 412-396-6233.

Procurement Open House

JUNE 7—The Community College of Allegheny County will host a Procurement Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Open House, 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the Office of College Services, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Fifth Floor in the board room and room 513, Pittsburgh, 15233. The event is designed to give MWDBEs and opportunity to learn about doing business with CCAC. For more information, call 412-237-3020.

The event is free.

Intellectual Property Workshop

JUNE 19—The Chatham University Women’s Business Center presents Intellectual Property: What You Need To Know, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chatham Eastside Entrepreneurship Hub, 6535 Penn Ave. Have you adequately protected the very foundation of your business—the creative ideas and/or unique designs that set you apart from your competition? In this session attorneys from Meyer, Unkovic & Scott will help you better understand the various business considerations with respect to intellectual property law. Discussion topics include: Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and Trade Secrets. The event is free, but registration is required and limited to the first 50 participants. To register, or for more information, call 412-365-1448.

Corporate Inclusion Conference

JUNE 25—The Corporate Equity and Inclusion Roundtable presents its 6th Annual Conference, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Duquesne University Power Center Ballroom, 1105 Forbes Ave. The event includes breakfast, networking and a keynote address by Candi Castleberry-Singleton, vice president of diversity and inclusion of Twitter. The event is free. To register, visit www. ceirpittsburgh.org.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MAY 16-22, 2018

B3

CBC introduces bill based on Main Street Marshall Plan

Guest Editorial

We didn’t choose America— or each other

by Mike Jones The root of community comes from the Latin communis, which means shared in common. A community can be defined as a social unit that shares common norms, values, language or religion that are the foundation of an identifiable culture that creates a shared identity. They also share a sense of place. This is important because it’s the culture that transfers the identity from generation to generation in that specific geography that supports and maintains the community.

We are inherently social animals, but specific communities are not preordained. They evolve as the response of groups of individuals to the physical conditions of their environment.

The Black community of today has its genesis in the response of groups of individual Africans and their descendants to their enslavement in North America.

What separates the Black community from everyone else in America is how we came here. Malcolm used to say, “We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Rock landed on us!”

Unlike everyone else, our ancestors didn’t come to America by choice; they were violently extracted from Africa so their labor could be exploited in America. We didn’t choose America; America chose us.

You Can Never Go Home Again is the title of a novel by Thomas Wolfe about a young author who writes a successful novel about his hometown that outrages its residents and makes him an outcast. This estrangement sends him on a journey in search of a new identity in a troubled pre-WWII world. This is the other foundational reality of the Black community: Once we got here, we couldn’t leave. Everybody from Europe came here voluntarily, including indentured servants, and they all retained the theoretical possibility of returning to their ancestral homelands. Our ancestors never had the option of leaving and, like Wolfe’s protagonist, had no home to return to. Nothing speaks to this sadness better than the Killmonger death scene in Black Panther.

Our ancestors were given a new identity by their captors; they became Negroes because they were slaves, they were slaves because they were Negroes. Solomon Northup’s 1853 memoir Twelve Years A Slave illustrates the impossibility of anyone Black escaping the logic of this paradigm. Black life and liberty have always been at risk to the arbitrariness of White men. The only thing separates Solomon Northup from Michael Brown is time.

Today’s Black community is a function of overt, structural, systemic oppression of a group of human beings around the social construct of race. But as they say in Jurassic Park, “life will find a way,” so like Sisyphus they struggled against the absurdity of their condition and created a new identity and culture out of the chaos of racism and slavery. Central to that identity and culture was the inseparability of the fate of the Black individual from the destiny of the Back community. We will see the full articulation of this fusion of the new individual identity with the group identity when we get to post-Civil War America.

It’s this historical reality that makes us a community, but it also makes us a community formed by someone else’s hand.

Just as we didn’t choose America, we didn’t choose each other either. And it’s this historical reality that is impacting how we have and haven’t navigated the 21st century. It’s this social construct and the oppression associated with it that must be the basis of our political organizing until race is no longer a social construct or race is no longer the basis of oppression.

We were brought here against our will because we were Black. We were enslaved and robbed of our labor because we were Black. We were stripped of our historical identities because we were Black. In fact, we didn’t know we were Black until we got to America.

(Mike Jones is a former senior staffer in St. Louis city and county government and current member of the Missouri State Board of Education and The St. Louis American editorial board.)

Founded 1910

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

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“Every man is our brother, and every man’s burden is our own. Where poverty exists, all are poorer. Where hate flourishes, all are corrupted. Where injustice reins, all are unequal.”—Whitney M. Young The Main Street Marshall Plan, the National Urban League’s comprehensive blueprint for addressing lack of opportunity and economic inequality in America’s urban communities, has been introduced as federal legislation by members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The National Urban League long has advocated for a major national commitment to alleviate poverty and expand economic opportunities in America’s most neglected communities, modeled on the Marshall Plan that eliminated widespread poverty in Western Europe following World War II. Then-Executive Director Whitney M. Young first proposed a “Domestic Marshall Plan” in the 1960s; elements of that proposal were incorporatedi into President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty.

In 1990, National Urban League President John E. Jacob urged Congress to shift $50 billion in defense spending—part of the so-called “peace dividend” resulting from the end of the Cold War—into an “Urban Marshall Plan.”

The Congressional Black Caucus’ Jobs and Justice Act, unveiled Thursday at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol, represents the most inclusive legislation of the Main Street Marshall Plan, first proposed as part of the 2016 State of Black America and

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal finalized in detailed form last year.

Among the provisions of the bill based on the Main Street Marshall Plan, the Jobs and Justice Act: •increases funding for programs that promote minority-owned businesses (MBDA and SBA).

•creates incentives for infrastructure spending bills to include development programs that recruit and train individuals from communities with high unemployment rates.

•authorizes states to establish local hiring bid specifications or consider the hiring of local workers in the evaluation of bids and proposals for federal-aid highway projects.

•invests in transportation infrastructure through the successful “TIGER” program, which provides competitive grants to local governments and transit agencies to fund innovative highway, bridge, and transit projects.

•funds the creation of more than 1.9 million jobs by addressing critical physical and digital infrastructure needs in schools.

•establishes new programs or amends existing programs for job skills training for older individuals

and for workers in highly-skilled industries; and scholarships for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and teaching certifications.

•makes the work opportunity tax credit permanent •allows states to assist, through Title XX Block Grants, low-income and long-term unemployed individuals with developing their own businesses and self-employment opportunities.

•incentivizes businesses to create apprenticeship programs.

•creates a grant program to subsidize summer jobs for in- and out-ofschool youth ages 14 to 24 and yearround jobs for youth ages 16 to 24 who are out of school and work.

•Raises the federal minimum wage to $15.

•Urges businesses contracted to rebuild infrastructure, to actively recruit, hire, and provide on-the-job training to African American men ages 18 to 39 through existing jobs, apprenticeships, and “earn while you learn” programs.

As I said when we introduced the detailed Main Street Marshall plan a year ago, it is time for the nation to treat its urban communities and cities as the jewels that they are. This comprehensive plan to rebuilt and accelerate the growth of America’s urban communities will accelerate the growth and progress of the nation as a whole.

I urge you to contact your member of Congress and urge him or her to support the Jobs & Justice Act.

Let’s stop kidding ourselves!

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Every day we get alarming news about #45 and the damage he’s causing our country.

I’m sure the average person has grown weary of waiting for this chaos to end.

The 1/3 of those still supporting #45 must be called out as traitors to our nation. They’re actually promoting the fact that truth no longer matters, that confusion is the order of the day, that ordinary people don’t matter and that hate is what’s happening!

Speaking of hate, one of the people #45 was speaking of as having two sides to a story was found guilty for firing a gun at that Charlottesville rally near a school. He was the leader of the Ku Klux Klan—the imperial wizard no less! I guess the judge didn’t think so highly of one of those sides because KKK leader, Richard W. Preston was found guilty recently. Preston had planned to go to trial on the possible thought that he could convince a jury he did nothing wrong.

At the last minute, he changed his tune and pleaded no contest. #45’s claim that there was blame on both sides didn’t seem to work in this case. Judge Richard E. Moore immediately pronounced Preston guilty after Preston’s plea. The judge didn’t seem to buy the President’s proclamation that there was hatred and violence on both sides—just on Mr. Preston’s when it came to firing a gun in the crowd near a school. We don’t get to find out what his punishment is un-

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

mission statement does not require anti-discrimination language. Will somebody tell Kanye that this administration has no concern for the needs of poor and marginalized people?

Moving on through the week, #45 kept on proving that the Storm is coming for him as Stormy Daniels promised on Saturday Night Live.

His relationship with Michael Cohen keeps on getting hotter. Rudy Giuliani’s antics sure haven’t helped #45’s case.

There was damage on the world stage, too. #45 pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear weapons deal with Iran as he attempts to talk with North Korea’s leader about making deals.

If you were the North Korean leader, would you trust #45 for honoring any deal they might make at their upcoming summit? I’m not suggesting the North Korean leader can be trusted either, but I’m sure all Americans are praying that something good will come out of the proposed summit.

Our wanting our country to succeed at something good is a far cry from what we’ve been getting from #45 and his followers. We must stop kidding ourselves that #45 is doing anything for the good of our country. He does it for his own glory. Let us pray that he doesn’t do further damage to our nation.

til August but isn’t it good to know a klansman can be convicted! It wasn’t always that way.

Senator John McCain said, “There’s no moral equivalency between racists and Americans standing up to defy hate and bigotry. The President of the United States should say so.”

It’s easy to see why Senator McCain informed us that he does not want #45 to attend his funeral whenever it happens.

Well, let’s check in on another act of hate in #45’s administration. During the past few days, HUD Secretary Ben Carson suspended a President Obama era fair-housing rule. The rule required communities to examine and address barriers to racial integration.

It stated that over 1200 communities receiving billions of federal housing dollars had to draw up plans to desegregate their communities or be subject to losing federal funds. Carson basically said to local and state (Dr. E. Faye Williams is national president governments they can ignore that Obama era rule because Carson’s of the National Congress of Black Women.)

Trump’s ‘New Deal for Blacks’ was dealt from the bottom of the deck

by Jesse Jackson

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—African American unemployment has reached its lowest levels ever. President Donald Trump boasts about this on the stump, naturally claiming credit for a recovery that began after his predecessor, Barack Obama, saved an economy that was in free fall. Trump says he’s delivering on his promised “new deal for Blacks.”

Don’t fall for the hype. A low top line unemployment rate is a good thing.

Tight labor markets force employers to compete for workers. More African Americans who are too often the last hired find jobs.

Those who have lousy jobs are more confident about looking for better ones. Even harsh employers like WalMart find it necessary to lift wages to attract and keep decent workers. Wages should start going up. But we haven’t seen much of that in this economy.

That’s because while the topline rate is down, it doesn’t count millions who have given up looking for work and have dropped out of the work force. Only if the economy continues to grow and unemployment continues to decline are we likely to see wages starting to improve.

The big problem, however, is that most of the jobs are simply lousy. Virtually all of the new jobs aren’t secure—they are part-time, short-term contract jobs, with variable hours, few benefits and low wages. Not surprisingly, African Americans are more likely to be caught in these kinds of jobs than Whites are.

Like most Americans, African Americans find that the costs of what they

need are rising faster than their wages are. Paychecks don’t buy what their paychecks used to buy. Health care costs are exploding. College debt is now higher than credit card debt and auto debt.

Housing costs are at or near record highs, both for those who want to buy a home and those who want to rent. As bad as this is for everyone, it is worse for African Americans. Black unemployment rates remain nearly twice as high as White unemployment rates.

Black households make less income and have dramatically less wealth than White households. This is true at all levels of education and in every region. According to a report from the Asset Funders Network, the median wealth of single African-American women is a stunning $200.

It is $300 for single African-American men. It is $15,640 for single White women and $28,900 for single White men. There is less poverty now than there was 50 years ago. African-Americans have started to close the education gap—in graduating from high school, getting a college or advanced degree. Yet in 1968, the median Black household only earned 63 percent what a median White household earned. In 2016, the gap was worse, with Blacks earning only 61 percent of what a typical White household earned.

Much of this is due to discrimination. Study after study shows that job seekers with a “White sounding name” are more likely to be called back than those with a “Black sounding name.”

Some of it is due to the failure of the minimum wage to keep pace with pro-

ductivity or inflation. Some of it comes from the decline in labor unions, with wages stagnating across the board.

Trump boasts about the unemployment rate. He promised in the campaign a “new deal for Blacks.”

He claims that cracking down on illegal immigrants has helped lift Black wages by reducing competition for low-skilled jobs. The reality is that Trump’s policies are perversely designed to make things harder for African-Americans. His administration is rolling back enforcement of civil rights laws across the government. It is cutting back on enforcement against wage theft and payday lenders.

It is reversing Obama’s order to provide millions more with overtime pay.

Trump boasts that he has dismantled Obamacare. The result is millions more losing coverage or unable to afford the prices that are rising in part as a result of Trump’s attacks.

The administration plans to reduce funds for Pell grants and college loans. Its tax cuts will go overwhelmingly to the already rich, while it calls for reducing the resulting deficits by slashing spending on Medicaid and Medicare, on food stamps and education. Low-wage White workers will be the most numerous victims, but African Americans and Latinos will be hit disproportionately. A good economy with full employment can help solve many problems.

But Trump’s “new deal for Blacks” is a bad deal from the bottom of the deck. We know what to do to reduce poverty and entrenched discrimination. It isn’t a mystery. It is simply a matter of will—and of power.

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B4

MAY 16-22, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

UNDERWRITING SALES EXECUTIVE

POLICE OFFICERS CITY OF ALIQUIPPA

Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Company is an independent, locally owned, community-supported public media organization and is home to Pittsburgh’s NPR News station, 90.5 WESA and 91.3 WYEP, home of Pittsburgh’s Adult Alternative Music. PCBC is seeking an experienced and successful underwriting sales executive to join its team, to represent WESA/ WYEP with businesses and organizations in the Pittsburgh region.

This is a key role in our organization and this individual will be responsible for new business development.

For complete job description and to apply, go to: www.wesa.fm and follow the employment link. Please no phone calls. PCBC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks diversity in its workforce.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN

United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is seeking an Administrative Assistant to work under the direct supervision of the Vice President – Workplace Campaign. This position provides administrative and secretarial support for the Vice President and six Corporate Relations Managers. In addition to Microsoft Office suite work, filing and scheduling, United Way’s administrative assistant will perform duties such as coordination of meetings and conferences, database data entry and management, obtaining supplies, coordinating direct mailings, and working on special projects. Also, answers correspondence and assembles confidential and sensitive information. Deals with a diverse group of important external callers and visitors as well as internal contacts at all levels of the organization. Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize and organize diversified workload, recommends changes in office practices or procedures.

A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in general office responsibilities and procedures. Proficient with Microsoft Office products and excellent customer service skills.

Visit our website at https://uwswpa. org/careers/ to view job description and apply for this position. Submissions will only be accepted electronically.

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity, serving Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette and Southern Armstrong Counties.

SENIOR CLAIMS ADJUSTER (Bodily Injury and Property)

Port Authority is seeking a Senior Claims Adjuster (Bodily Injury and Property) to perform investigation and settlement of assigned claims and other assignments as assigned.

Job requirements include: •High School Diploma or GED. •BS/BA degree in Criminal Justice, Business Management or related field. Directly related experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

•Minimum of two (2) years general liability and property damage claims experience.

•Customer service oriented with the ability to handle emotionally charged situations.

•Professional and effective communication skills.

•Excellent organizational and planning abilities.

•Valid PA driver’s license.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows.

Preferred attributes: •Demonstrated ability in the use of Microsoft Word and Access.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:

Inez colon Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 IColon@portauthority.org EOE LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

FOREIGN REGISTRATION

Stellar Copters LLC gives notice that on April 24, 2018 it registered to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under Chapter 4 (relating to foreign associations). The name of the association is Stellar Copters LLC and its jurisdiction of formation is the State of Ohio. The address of its principal office under the laws of Ohio is 219 Henn Hyde Rd. NE, Warren, OH 44484. The address of its registered office in Pennsylvania is c/o Tkacik Law Office, 9500 Brooktree Rd., Suite 205, Wexford, PA 15090.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

Qualified persons are invited to apply to the City of Aliquippa Civil Service Commission to take competitive examinations leading to eligibility for appointment as a Police Officer in the City of Aliquippa Police Department. An application form may be obtained beginning May 14, 2018 at the City Building, 581 Franklin Avenue, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Completed applications must be returned by 4:00 PM, May 25, 2018, with a 35.00 non-refundable application fee payable to the City of Aliquippa.

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

Women and Minorities Are Encouraged to Apply. EOE LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

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LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION NONPROFIT CORPORATION

Jay Arthur Gilmer, Esq., 5700 Bunkerhill Street, Apartment 2207, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, JayGilmer@ verizon.net. Notice is hereby given that Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on April 7, 2018, with respect to a nonprofit corporation, ACE Ministries, which has been incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

Estate of Ms. Christine M. Rozsa, Deceased of 121 Cottonwood Court, Moon Township, PA 15108. Estate No. 02-18-02595. Mr. Eric Rozsa, 7714 LaFayette Square, Aliquippa, PA 15001, Administrator c/o Max C. Feldman, Attorney At Law, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108.

Estate of FLORENCE M. BODOSKY, Deceased of Oakdale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. No. 02-18-01877 Tracey Smith, Executor, 4570 Battleridge Road, Oakdale, PA 15071 or to TODD A. FULLER, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC, 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 Estate of FRANCES H. ANDERSON, Deceased of Pittsburgh. No. 01358 of 2018, Audrey J. Snyder and Saundra J. Hogan, Co-Executrixes, c/o Ms. Audrey Snyder, 189 ColoniaL Village Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235, or to Judith Anderson, Esq., POB 17497, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

Estate of MILDRED I. LUCAS, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA No. 06334 of 2017. Annie M. Grice, Executrix, 11005 Azalea Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 or to Thelma C. Spells, Esquire, 1533 Bidwell Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Estate of FRANZ CARL KEPPLER a/k/a FRANZ C. KEPPLER, Deceased of 5036 Sequoia Court, Export, PA 15632. No. 6518-0512 Executor Berry J. entner, 5036 Sequoia Court, Export, PA 15632 or to American Wills & Estates, Lloyd A. Welling, Esquire, 2100 Wharton Street, Suite 302, Birmingham Towers, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 Estate of MYRNA J. WORTHY, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA No. 06970 of 2017. Walter P. Worthy, Representaive, c/o A. Jean Cason-Wynter, Esq., 504 Arthur Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Estate of GEORGE WILLIAM MECHEM, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA No. 06611 of 2017. David Mechem, Extr. c/o Robert C. Watson, Esq., 1700 Wylie Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

OFFICIAL BID NOTICE TOWNSHIP OF UPPER ST. CLAIR GREEN-LIGHT-GO TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADES

At the following intersections: •McLaughlin Run Road / McMurray Road (SR 3004) and Panther Pass •McMurray Road (SR 3004) and Johnston Road Please refer to www.twpusc.org / Business/Procurement & Bid Information, for details regarding specifications and Bidding requirements. /s/ Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

ADVERTISEMENT

Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 (412.237.3020) on the following items: RFP 3107 Metro Ethernet and Dark Fiber Connectivity Options Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

The CCAC Purchasing Department publishes all bids and RFPs via the CCAC website at https:// www.ccac.edu/Bid-RFP_Oppor tunities.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.

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.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Stella Patterson, deceased, Case No. 021802619 of 2018: Notice is hereby given that on April 24, 2018, a Petition was filed by Shirley Patterson, to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Stella Patterson, deceased, in the real estate located at 2909 Highland Ave, South Park, PA, 15129, and determine that fee simple title is in Shirley Patterson.

If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 30 days, Petitioner will seek an Order adjudging that the deceased’s title is in herself.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Thomas Kern, deceased, Case No. 021802870 of 2018: Notice is hereby given that on May 3, 2018, a Petition was filed

by Carole Kern, to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Thomas Kern, deceased, in the real estate located at 419 West 8th Avenue, Tarentum, PA 15084, and determine that fee simple title is in Carole Kern. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 30 days, Carole Kern will seek an Order adjudging that Thomas Kern’s title is in herself.

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

ARTICLE 1 – ADVERTISEMENT PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT

Separate sealed Bids for the Work as listed hereinafter will be received at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department of Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority) Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527 until 1:30 p.m. on June 14, 2018 and will be publicly opened and read immediately thereafter at the same address. Each Bidder shall be solely responsible for assuring that its Bid is both received and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before the advertised time for submission of Bids. Bids received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of Bids shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for Award.

BRIDGE RESTORATION GROUP CONTRACT NO. SYS-18-01 The Work of this Project includes, but is not limited to, the furnishing of all labor, materials, tools, equipment, and incidental items necessary for the replacement of the following bridge structure. Work items generally consist of, but not limited to, removal of existing structure, maintenance of traffic control plan, construction of new concrete box culvert and wingwalls, and reconstruction of adjacent roadway approaches.

BMS No. 1) Brookside Boulevard over Graesar’s Run 02 7407 0000 9009 In addition, the Work of this Project includes, but is not limited to, the furnishing of all labor, materials, tools, equipment, and incidental items necessary for the preservation of the following ten (10) bridges and structures along, but not limited to, the Authority’s LRT System. Work items generally consist of, but not limited to, concrete repairs, structural steel repairs, joint repairs, and bridge painting.

BMS No. 2) Brookside Acres Bridge 02 7407 0000 9400 3) McKinley Park Bridge 02 7301 0000 9201 4) Memorial Hall Pedestrian Bridge 02 7301 0000 9205 5) South Bank Flyover Bridge 02 7301 0000 9206 6) Killarney Culvert 02 7301 0000 9207 7) Glenbury Road Bridge 02 7301 0000 9208 8) South Hills Junction Flyover Inbound Bridge 02 7301 0000 9210 9) South Hills Junction Flyover Outbound Bridge 02 7301 0000 9211 10) South Access Road Bridge 02 7407 0000 9308 11) Fort Couch Road Bridge 02 7407 0000 9106 Bid Documents will be available for public inspection and may be obtained on or after May 15, 2018 at Authority’s offices at the following address: Port Authority of Allegheny County Purchasing and Materials Management Department Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527 Bid Documents are available for purchase as follows: Bid Documents are available in an electronic form on compact disk upon payment of $15.00 per CD. Payment shall be by check or money order (NO CASH), payable to “Port Authority of Allegheny County.” No refunds of payment will be made.

Upon request, Bid Documents can be mailed upon receipt of payment in full. Should the purchaser wish to have the Bid Documents delivered via special delivery, such as UPS or Federal Express, the purchaser shall provide its appropriate account numbers for such special delivery methods.

This Project may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Authority, 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 this Project. In this regard, all Bidders 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. Bidders 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 this Project. If aid is required to involve DBs in the Work, Bidders are to contact Authority’s Director of Employee Relations and OEO at (412) 566-5262.

The Bidder’s attention is directed to the following contacts for Bidder’s questions: Procedural Questions Regarding Bidding: David Hart - Authority (412) 566-5415 All other questions relating to the Bid Documents must be submitted by mail or email to: Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 Attn: David Hart Email: dhart@portauthority.org In addition, the Bidder’s attention is directed to the following schedule of activities for preparation of its Bid: 9:00 a.m.

Pre-Bid Conference May 31, 2018 Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center 5th Floor Board Room 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended) Pre-Bid Site Tour [immediately following the Pre-Bid Conference] 1:30 p.m.

Bids Due June 14, 2018 Purchasing and Materials Management Department Authority reserves the right to reject any or all Bids ARTICLE 2 – PRE-BID CONFERENCE A Pre-Bid Conference may be held with prospective Bidders to review the Bid Documents and generally discuss the Project. The time and place will be specified in the Advertisement. All Bidders are encouraged to submit their questions in writing to the respective individuals listed in the Advertisement prior to the time specified in the Advertisement for the Pre-Bid Conference. A response may be provided during the Pre-Bid Conference or by Addendum thereafter.

ARTICLE 3 – PRE-BID TOUR If a site tour is to be conducted covering the area(s) of the Work, it will be held at the date and time indicated in the Advertisement.

ARTICLE 4 – PUBLIC OPENING OF BIDS Bids will be publicly opened and announced at the advertised time and place set for such Bid opening.

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CLASSIFIEDS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA May 8, 2018

The Office of the County Controller of Allegheny County, in conjunction with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Contract Awards Room; 7th Floor; Commonwealth Keystone Building; 400 North Street; Harrisburg, PA 17120 will receive bids through ECMS or a diskette delivered to the aforementioned address until 11:00 A.M. prevailing local time, Thursday, June 7, 2018. Bids will be opened through ECMS at approximately 11:00 a.m. and can be viewed publicly in the Contract Awards Room, for the following: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Homestead Grays Bridge and West Drive Ramp Preservation City of Pittsburgh and Homestead Borough COUNTY PROJECT NO. MA12-3515 FEDERAL PROJECT NO. X111-939 MPMS NO.: 56957 THIS PROJECT WILL BE BID THROUGH PENNDOT ECMS As a prospective bidder, please note the following general Project data regarding: PreBid Information, Bidding Requirements, and Contract Conditions. See the Project Manual and Drawings(Proposal Report) for detailed information, responsibilities and instructions.

PREBID INFORMATION: View the Project Manual and Drawings(PROPOSAL REPORT) on the PennDOT ECMS website(http:// www.dot14.state.pa.us/ECMS) or in Room 504, County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

BIDDING REQUIREMENTS: THIS PROJECT REQUIRES PREQUALIFICATION OF BIDDERS, INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTORS, AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 102.01 OF COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SPECIFICATIONS 2011 (PUBLICATION 408) ON THIS PROJECT. ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH ECMS AND IF NEEDED ADDENDA WILL BE ISSUED ELECTRONICALLY. INSTRUCTION TO BIDDERS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE PROPOSAL REPORT WHICH CAN BE VIEWED THROUGH ECMS. SUBMIT YOUR BID USING ECMS OR MAIL A DISKETTE TO THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, CONTRACT AWARDS ROOM. CONTRACT CONDITIONS: U.S. Department of Labor minimum salaries and wages apply to this Project.

The County Manager reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

The County of Allegheny, in accordance with the Davis Bacon Act and other Federal Labor Standards Provisions; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat.

252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21 Non-discrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the County of Allegheny issued pursuant to such Act; Executive Order 11246; Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968; Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; and Executive Order 11625 (Utilization of Minority Business Enterprises), hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract pursuant to this Advertisement, the County will afford disadvantaged business enterprises full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and the County will not discriminate against disadvantaged business enterprises on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. It is a condition of the bidding process/contract that responsive bidders/contractors shall follow the disadvantaged business enterprise procedures in the Bidding and Contracting Documents.

Chelsa Wagner CONTROLLER COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY

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

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/ Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

MAY 16-22, 2018

B5

SONNY BOY

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

Melba Moore delights Pittsburgh audience New Horizon Theater Inc. and its audience enjoyed a fantastic performance from the five-octave, five-time Emmy nominated and Tony award winner Melba Moore on May 5.

The performance included some of Melba Moore’s own tunes like Lean On Me, tunes of Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, and scenes from Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill. The multi-talented star also told life stories that she had experienced. Photographer Richena Brockinson captured the event in pictures.

MELBA MOORE, middle, with Joyce Meggerson-Moore and Chris Moore.

MELBA MOORE, middle, with Andrea T. and Glenn R. Mahone.

MELBA MOORE, right, with former KQV reporter Elaine Effort.

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GIANT EAGLE (15 Pittsburgh Locations) 6320 Shakespeare St., East Liberty (EAST, near BUSWAY) 4004 Monroeville Blvd., Monroeville (MONROEVILLE MALL) 230 Rodi Rd., Penn Hills (EAST inside Penn Hills Shopping Center) 9001 Frankstown Road. (EAST, corner of Frankstown and Verona Rd.) 550 Centre Ave., Shadyside (EAST, Market District) 3812 O’Neill Blvd., McKeesport (SOUTHEAST) 1356 Hoffman Blvd., West Mifflin (NEAR KENNYWOOD) 1901 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill (EAST) 4250 Murray Ave., Greenfield (EAST) 254 Yost Blvd., Forest Hills/Braddock Hills (SOUTH EAST) 1705 S. Braddock Ave., Edgewood Towne Center (EAST) 420 East Waterfront Dr., Homestead (SOUTHEAST) 2021 Wharton Ave. (SOUTH SIDE FLATS) 318 Cedar Ave., North Side (NORTH near E. OHIO ST.) Crafton/Ingram Shopping Center, 51 Walsh Road (WEST END) NORTH SIDE LOCATIONS North Side Beer and Beverage, 1304 Federal St. 7-11, 1001 Western Ave. RICHEY’S BARBER SHOP 1207 N. Franklin St. NORTH SIDE VALERO 820 Pennsylvania Ave. RITE AID 802 Pennsylvania Ave. MARSHALL SHELL 1500 Spring Garden Ave. SWINKO’S MARKET 2535 Perrysville Ave. MERCY STREET EXPRESS 6 Mercy St. HARV’S EXXON 2501 Brighton Rd. QUICK SCHWARTZ 3235 Brighton Rd. HANINI MARKET 3245 Brighton Rd. SOUTH SIDE LOCATIONS KEN’S MARKET 216 Beltzhoover Ave. Daily Mart 1125 Arlington Ave. SHOP N’ SAVE Brownsville Rd., Carrick WEST END LOCATIONS

CRAFTON BEVERAGE 15 Foster Ave., Crafton/Ingram Shopping Center SHEETZ 5400 Campbells Run Rd. SHOP N SAVE 2103 Noblestown Rd. HILL DISTRICT LOCATIONS SHOP N’ SAVE 1850 Centre Ave. WONG’S MARKET 2170 Centre Ave. ANN’S MARKET 2316 Webster Ave. A-PLUS MINI MARKET 2350 Centre Ave. UJAMMA BOUTIQUE 1901 Centre Ave. K LEROY IRVIS TOWERS 715 Mercer St. ABE’S MARKET 1860 Centre Ave. WYLIE TOBACCO 2152 Wylie Ave. POPULAR EAST END LOCATIONS GETGO 4924 Baum Blvd.

BP GAS STATION 11835 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 10991 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills SHOP N’ SAVE 3335 William Penn Hwy, near Monroeville Mall GETGO 10525 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills CVS PHARMACY 10600 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills SHELL GAS STATION 7619 Baum Blvd., Shadyside STANTON NEGLEY DRUG 804 N. Negley Ave., Highland Park UNIMART 5724 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside SHELL GAS STATION 6701 Frankstown Rd., East Hills SQUIRREL HILL NEWS 5804 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill MURRAY AVE. NEWS 2024 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 234 Yost Blvd., Braddock Hills DORSEY’S RECORDS 7614 Frankstown Ave., Homewood HOMEWOOD MARKET 7201 Frankstown Ave., Homewood SHEETZ

3457 William Penn Hwy., Monroeville WILLIAM PENN SMOKE SHOP 132 North Highland Ave., East Liberty DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS PENN AVENUE 7-11 (Sixth and Penn) Koppers Building (Ninth and Penn) NEWS-NUMBERS 136 Penn Avenue SMITHFIELD STREET SMITHFIELD NEWS 115 Smithfield St. 7-11 SMITHFIELD 420 Smithfield St. GRANT STREET FABER COE & GREGG 500 Grant St. FABER COE & GREGG 600 Grant St. NIELSEN’S STORES One Oxford Centre, Grant St. WOOD STREET 7-11 429 Wood St. NEWSTAND Sixth and Wood ONE STOP 300 Sixth & Wood OTHER DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS INCLUDE...

KWIK-E-MART 212 Tenth St. 7-11 643 Liberty Ave. ESTER’S SNAX Federal Building, Second Floor FABER COE & GREGG Fifth Ave. Place, First Floor EXTRA EXTRA NEWS 413 Seventh Ave. UTSAV NEWS 400 Cherry Way C&C NEWS 2 PPG Place EDDIE’S SNACKS 262 Fifth Ave. BIG DADDY 465 Forbes Ave.

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B6

MAY 16-22, 2018

Graduation is just the first hurdle (TriceEdneyWire.com)—The Black Panther, Chadwick Bozeman, graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts (BFA) in 2000. His writing partner is also a HU graduate. Bozeman came back to his alma mater to address the Class of 2018, and to reportedly receive an honorary degree.

The Howard University graduation is one of more than 100 HBCU graduations, and more than 4000 graduations around the country. April Ryan brought down the house at Bennett College on May 5. Sophia Nelson spoke at the Philander Smith (Arkansas) graduation. All over the country, families are gathering, people are celebrating, and graduations are an occasion of joy.

If you are African American and graduated from the University of Florida, however, your achievement might be marred by the horrible memory of a faculty graduation marshal physically pushing you off the stage simply because you stopped to flash a frat sign or to execute a couple of steps.

More than 20 students were assaulted by the unidentified faculty member (although some say he is a chemistry lecturer), who is now on paid leave.

Why would the university continue to pay someone who seems to have differentially attacked Black students (apparently no White students were assaulted or pushed off the stage)? This lecturer is a menace to society and college students who should not be exposed to his racism, either on a stage or in a classroom.

University of Florida President W. Kent Fuchs has apologized to the affected students and reached out to at least some of the students. The New York Times reported that Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member Oliver Telusma ’21 got a call from President Fuchs, but as of May 8, had not called him back.

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary From where I sit, Telusma should not call President Fuchs, instead the President needs to track that student (and the others) down and visit them personally, if necessary.

The University of Florida incident reminds Black students that graduation is but one of the hurdles they must clear. Every day, every single day, they face the possibility of pernicious racism, differential treatment, and the threat of law enforcement to compel compliance with the most foolish of laws and norms, spoken or unspoken.

That’s why Holly Hylton, the White woman who managed a Philadelphia Starbucks, felt free to call the police on two Black men after they had been seated for a scant two minutes without ordering anything. That’s why a hysterical White female bigot called the police on a Black man who was barbequing in a public park in Oakland, California, where barbequing is customary.

That’s why the police were called on three Black women (and a White man) because they failed to wave or smile when they exited an Airbnb in Rialto, California, and detained for 45 minutes even though they had proof that they had reserved the Airbnb. That’s why the police wrestled a Black woman to the ground (exposing her bare breasts) in an Alabama Waffle House after she asked for plastic cutlery, and an ignorant employee reportedly said she did not know her place. And the beat goes on and on and on. Law enforcement officers, whose mission is to “serve and protect” are frequently questioned by Black people and have now become the tools of racist White people who want Black people to “know their place.”

The police are too often called to put Black people in their place, to force them to comply, to reinforce the tenet of White supremacy; the notion that when we see a White person we must shuck and jive and smile.

So-called law enforcement officers become servants of racist who want us in our place. I want the graduates to know that their place is everyplace. Class of 2018, your place is in that Starbucks at the table, order or not.

Your place is in that Waffle House, getting the utensils you requested. Your place is at the lake in Oakland, burning those bones on your grill. Your place is on that stage at the University of Florida. As a matter of fact, your place is everyplace!

Resistance, though, now has a high price.

Who wants to go to jail and end up, maybe, like Sandra Bland, whose mysterious death in Texas still has not been solved.

Who wants to be handcuffed, humiliated, exposed, and maligned, just because you asked a simple question. Starbucks will close thousands of stores to the tune of millions of dollars for unconscious bias training. But who will train these biased police officers and the racists who call them because their feelings are bruised because no one waved at them.

The Class of 2018 will learn, as have millions of other African Americans, that racism is alive and well. They’ve cleared a hurdle with graduation, but even as some cross the stage they are being reminded that there are many more hurdles to clear to survive in our unfortunately racist nation. Perhaps, though, the Class of 2018 will be among those to dismantle the racist hurdles. Perhaps in the process of clearing other hurdles (graduate and professional school, marriage and children, artificial intelligence and gentrification), they will also find the wherewithal to eliminate racial barriers to success.

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)

FORUM

The truth will always defeat a lie, or liar!

We, you and I political party behave often been Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick cause they denied misled, misguidall Black contraced, misdirected tors from active and even lied to participation on by persons that either side of the we had too much stadiums being faith in. These built on the North persons were Side. both Black and The Democratic White and too Party called the frequently, they were persons with ti- HOUSE NEGROES on Bill, with ortles. We had too much faith in these ders to defeat him and they were sucpersons and too little in ourselves. We cessful. too often failed to prioritize our probGovernor Wolf stated that Black pollems and allowed others to prioritize iticians had not informed him that them for us.

Black contractors are denied state In the early years of my introduc- contracts in 2018. The incumbents tion to politics, I was absolutely con- constantly talk about the educational vinced that sophisticated voting was system, particularly Pittsburgh Public our complete answer to the multitude Schools, but never focus on the deplorof problems that confronted Black peo- able political system that denies Blacks ple. However, time has proven me to an opportunity to work and own a be partially correct, because persons, business where they can stabilize their Black and White, once they were elect- family’s economic status. They often ed to political positions, civil rights use the weak excuse that Blacks are positions, even ministers, have fallen totally outnumbered in Harrisburg, so short of the mark. They capitalized on they are hampered. My rebuttal to this their positions, name recognition, fi- weak argument is that they have an nancial opportunities to feather their obligation to publicly expose all of the own nest. All of the political debates roadblocks that stand in the way of our that I have attended are the same, the becoming first-class citizens. incumbent states they have experience East Liberty has been almost totaland are familiar with the politicians of ly rebuilt, and Black contractors and both political parties. workers were almost invisible, but our It is my personal observation that I political leaders never said a mumhave witnessed very little change over bling word. I have written and disthe last 30 years or longer. For exam- cussed this deplorable situation from ple, when Crawford Square was being the first day ground was broken. I do built, persons marched and picketed, understand that when a person stands laid in front of bulldozers and stopped up and speaks the truth, there can be construction because we could not a price to pay.

(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the work. William “Bill” Robinson, the former Pa. state Legislator, exposed his New Pittsburgh Courier.)

To Tell The Truth

Kanye West, involuntary servitude and modern-day slavery Nietzsche boastin review was an ed he could say J. Pharaoh Doss opportunity for in 10 sentences “well meaning” what others say Americans to perin a whole book. form. Whites could I got Nietzsche prove they’re good beat. I don’t need people by showing a sentence to reoff what they know fute Kanye West’s about the horrors of “400 years of slavslavery and Blacks ery sounds like a felt it was their choice” comment, all I need is another duty to deliver this message to the naterm for slavery. tion. It wasn’t a “teachable moment,” Involuntary servitude. because you can’t correct nonsense, it “Involuntary” before “servitude” in- was a performing moment. dicates force, which eliminates choice.

And that’s fine, everyone enjoys a good Now, let’s repeat Kanye’s thought ex- performance, but one Black performer periment using this term. said Kanye’s comments were similar to Involuntary servitude was a choice.

Holocaust denial. (Kanye never denied Here, the contradiction is clear, choice slavery took place.) The irony here is is not involuntary. Most will call the that this illogical comment actually statement inaccurate, but actually, made me think of a question. Is it posit’s illogical. What’s the difference? sible the performance by all the “well 4+4=16 is inaccurate, but 4+4=W is il- meaning” Americans is a mask to hide logical. In the first equation the error their denial or indifference to modin operation can be detected and cor- ern-day slavery? rected. The second answer does not obEnd Slavery Now wrote, “In the U.S. serve any principles of addition and is more foreign victims are found in labor nonsensical. traffic than sex traffic. Some of these Now, if Kanye said “involuntary servi- labor trafficking victims entered the tude” or “forced labor” the illogic of his country under work or student-based statement would have been self-evident visa programs. Victims can be targetand dismissed. No logical person would ed once they arrive in the U.S., or forhave felt the need to respond to such eign recruiters may bring these forced nonsense. But Kanye said “slavery;” laborers to the U.S. using fraudulent referring to past slavery in the United or coercive means. Primary countries States, and that’s a concept “well mean- of origin for foreign victims certified ing” Americans can’t ignore. So, the by the U.S. government are Thailand, proselytizers and protectors of slavery’s Mexico, the Philippines, Haiti, India, “proper” narrative and the self-appoint- Guatemala, and the Dominican Repubed instructors of “teachable moments” lic.” (Notice only one country listed is joined forces to chastise Kanye. For a predominately Black. Racism was once week I saw headlines like: Historians loosely defined as the soft bigotry of low respond to Kanye West, Kanye West expectation. Now, for argument’s sake, should visit the Montgomery Slavery do the previously mentioned Black perMemorial, and Kanye West’s fallout formers have the power to display soft with the Black community. indifference?)

It seemed unnecessary to embark on Pacifists don’t correct all revisionist a fact-checking crusade to correct non- accounts of previous wars to teach the sense, but these crusaders believe slav- populace that “war is hell.” They’re too ery must be presented in “proper” con- busy opposing modern warfare. text at all times in order for America Maybe all of the “past slavery” perto come to terms with its horrific past. formers should become more like pacRecently, linguist John McWhort- ifists.

(J. Pharaoh Doss is a contributor to the New er was skeptical of these motives.

McWhorter suggested the Kanye week Pittsburgh Courier.)

Check It Out

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

A. Peter Bailey

Commentary Reasons why the United States has never achieved greatness (TriceEdneyWire.com)—A recent column by a Black Republican activist in the Washington Informer included the following: “But to my liberal friends who constantly ask ‘When was America great?’

I simply say that America was great when Lincoln freed the slaves. America was great when we passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. America was great when we passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

America was great when we passed the Fair Housing Act of 1968. America was great when we elected the first Black president in 2008.”

It takes a willful denial of American history to make such a statement in 2018. The historical truth is that the federal government of the United States has never in its entire history voluntarily promoted or protected the civil and human rights of Black people. It has done so only when forced by compelling, strategic circumstances. The real deal is that the false history he so ardently and inaccurately declares is exactly what is being taught in most elementary schools, high schools and colleges in this country. And those teaching it are well aware of what they are teaching.

The columnist, who insisted that Lincoln freed our enslaved ancestors, should read Lerone Bennett Jr.’s must-read book, “Forced into Glory: Abraham Lincoln’s White Dream!” The late brilliant journalist/historian includes the following Lincoln quote in his book: “I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the White and Black races. That I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with White people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the White and Black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the White race.”

As for the Emancipation Proclamation, Bennett noted that “Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was a tactical move designed not to emancipate the slaves but to keep as many slaves as possible in slavery until Lincoln could mobilize support for his conservative plan to free Blacks gradually and to ship them out of the country…” Bennett added that “What Lincoln did…was to ‘free’ slaves in the Confederate held territory where he couldn’t free them and leave them in slavery in Union-held territory where he could have freed them.”

Just as Lincoln was forced into glory regarding the enslavement of African people, the U.S. federal government was forced into glory to pass the civil rights legislation of the 1960s. It was forced by the courageness of the warriors against White supremacy and by the country’s propaganda needs of the so-called Cold War with the Soviet Union. The White Russians are just as much White supremacist as their American counterparts. However, they took advantage of racism in the United States for their own propaganda purposes.

Between 1955 and 1968 numerous Black warriors, including Medgar Evers, James Chaney, George Lee, Samuel Younge Jr., Louis Allen, Samuel Hammond, Delano Middleton, Henry Smith, Phillip L. Gibbs, James Green, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were killed by White supremacist terrorists. Many Black people lost jobs, had their homes firebombed, and were otherwise brutalized by the racist terrorists.

Very few of whom were punished for those crimes by local, state and federal governments.

I strongly believe that if it wasn’t for those propaganda needs, the federal government would have sat by and allowed the terrorists to crush the civil and human rights movements. That’s exactly what Washington did when Black folks were regularly lynched by White, racist terrorists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

As for America being great “when we elected the first Black president,” my position is one of total skepticism about how that came about. I still want to know how a man who was barely known to most of us before 2004 could be elected president of the United States in 2008. It took big boys to pull that off. I agree with the great Rev. Jeremiah Wright who has been quoted as saying that President Barack Obama “was selected before he was elected.”

The columnist should know that the United States has never been great as far as Black people are concerned. And it will never achieve greatness until it pays in full the debt owed to the descendants of the Africans whom it enslaved for over 300 years. The U.S. loves to brag about being the wealthiest country in the world.

It should be since it is the only country in the world to have enjoyed 300 years of free, enslaved labor.

SPORTS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MAY 16-22, 2018

B7

ANDREW MCCUTCHEN—A SPECIAL HOMECOMING

IT WAS MOTHER’S DAY, Sunday, May 13. But most of the mothers in attendance at PNC Park were there to see their favorite Pirate, Andrew McCutchen, for the final time this season. Of course, these days, he wears a San Francisco Giants uniform. Courier photographer Will McBride captured the afternoon ballgame in pictures. The Pirates won 2 of the 3 games against the Giants over the weekend.

Andrew McCutchen should still be a Pirate

Not adding to roster in 2017 produced low wins, sealed fate of Cole, ‘Cutch’

by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier

January 15, “A day that will live in infamy”…Oops, sorry. Wrong FDR speech.

January 15, 2018 was the day that Pittsburgh Pirates ownership sent former outfielder Andrew McCutchen unceremoniously packing along with his $14.75 million salary.

On May 11, almost five months later, McCutchen returned to his familiar stomping grounds, PNC Park, as a member of the San Francisco Giants to face his former team. There were many theories on how receptive or non-receptive his former fan base might be. Well, based on three raucous ovations (including several standing ovations) that McCutchen received from the PNC Park faithful, I surmise that May 11, 2018 will certainly be a day in infamy for the ownership of

Inside Conditions

AUBREY BRUCE the Pittsburgh Pirates.

McCutchen could still be sporting the colors of the Buccos if mean green had not been the color of the day on Jan. 15. Nostalgia was the word for the day as the Pirates broadcasted a couple of nice, touching videos profiling a former MVP and in the eyes of many, “The Face of the Franchise.”

Andrew McCutchen should still be the heart and soul of the Pirates because, according to many sources, he is liked and respected by his peers, his coaches and his city. Attendance for the weekend series was far above normal. The May 11 crowd of almost 35,000 was the largest crowd to watch a Pirates game this year.

And who knows, the Pirates may still have ace pitcher Gerrit Cole on the roster, if the Bucs would have made more of an effort to boost the 2017 roster and make one last playoff run with McCutchen as the franchise centerpiece.

However, the R&B group the O’Jays might have put it just a bit more realistically. I can still hear their lead singer Eddie Levert crooning; “Money, money, money money...Some people got to have it. Some people really need it. Do things, do things, do things, bad things with it. Do things, do things, do things, good things with it.”

What good things come from the Pirates ownership regarding the revenue that is earned from the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise? According to an article on www.bizjournals.com from 2017, the City of Pittsburgh ranked around 27th of 30 cities when it comes to philanthropy. To say that Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Pirates are a tad frugal would not be a blatant misrepresentation, so where is all of the profit that the Pirates are earning disappearing to?

Mark Madden, a sports radio host on 105.9 FM “The X” was again a guest on WPXI’s “The Final Word” Sunday night, May 13, and had this to say about Andrew McCutchen’s heartfelt return: “Come to salute ‘Cutch,’ stay for the Pirates victory. It should be noted that the most important thing about the weekend was that the Pirates won two out of three and kept in contention for a playoff spot and for that matter, for the top spot in the NL Central.

Andrew McCutchen wasn’t Willie Stargell, wasn’t Honus Wagner, wasn’t Roberto Clemente, wasn’t Ralph Kiner, wasn’t Barry Bonds.

I’m not even sure he was Dave Parker or Al Oliver.

But he was a good player in a little window winning for the Pirates after 20 years of incompetence.”

Except for superficial honorable mentions of Barry Bonds, Al Oliver and Dave Parker, every other Pittsburgh Pirates great that made the “Mark Madden” Hall-of-Fame list now only exists in our memories.

Andrew McCutchen couldn’t control what era he was born in. He was a smiling face, enduring the pain of losing on an almost-daily basis. When he was all that the Pirates had to celebrate, he was a white-hot All-Star in an otherwise “dark and starless Pirate universe.”

He was the Phoenix rising from the ashes of what was supposed to be a MLB franchise. McCutchen was sailing upon dark and treacherous seas in a dingy, when he should have been an officer and a crew member on the USS Pirate, a destroyer

supposedly primed for battle. When Andrew McCutchen first donned a Pirates uniform; the “Jolly Roger” was not so jolly because the Pirates were and still are in the process from raising “Roger” from the dead.

(Aubrey Bruce: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com)

PIRATES FIRST BASEMAN JOSH BELL gives a gift to his mother, Myrtle Bell, for Mother’s Day, before the Pirates faced the San Francisco Giants, May 13, at PNC Park. (Photo by Will McBride)

SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier

B8

MAY 16-22, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

‘San Francisco on his shirt.

Pittsburgh in his heart.’

(Photos by Courier photographer Brian Cook)

‘CUTCH’ COMES HOME It was a spectacle rarely seen in Pittsburgh sports.

The spectacle could only be reserved for an athlete who many viewed as the face of the team’s resurgence into respectability, resurgence into relevancy, and resurgence as a postseason contender from 2013-15.

The night belonged to Andrew McCutchen, a National League MVP, a five-time All-Star, and the unquestioned leader of the Pirates for nine seasons, who returned to Pittsburgh, May 11—but in a different uniform. “Cutch,” who was traded to San Francisco in January, was given the ultimate recognition and appreciation by both the fans and the franchise throughout this momentous spring evening. The outpouring of love continued throughout the weekend.

It was quite a spectacle. And it’s only fitting for a man who still calls Pittsburgh his offseason home.