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Pittsburgh Courier www.newpittsburghcourier.com
NEW
Vol. 108 No. 24
Two Sections
Published Weekly
JUNE 14-20, 2017
Going against the ‘Flo’
$1.00
J. Hud steals the show
GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ARTIST JENNIFER HUDSON performed in front of thousands Downtown at Pride in the Street, June 10. (Photo by J.L. Martello)
DEDICATED—Flo Taylor, left, talks with a group of teens Downtown. (Photos by J.L. Martello)
At age 65, Taylor is determined to stop the violence Downtown from teenagers by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
When there’s a small commotion amongst Black teens Downtown, many people start to move away from the situation. Flo Taylor, however, moves closer to the situation. When the situation turns into something more dire, even more potentially dangerous, most people move even further away, maybe even taking cover. Then there’s Flo Taylor. She’s not deterred. She’s not afraid. She moves even closer. “We (adults) are afraid to even say a word (to the teenagers). I know people who are
FLO TAYLOR
very afraid and they’re warning me about it,” Taylor said. “I just let them know what I see, and I’m very straightforward with them.” Taylor is a 65-year-old Downtown resident. A resident who’s very concerned with the present and future of Black teens in the city, county and overall region. What Taylor has noticed over the years with today’s young people is twofold—young people don’t know the limits concerning their perceived freedom, while older adults have
not done their best to provide an efficient road map for their children. It’s a situation that has kept Taylor up at night, thinking how she can remedy the problem. “I am so upset at what’s happening to our children, sometimes I can’t even sleep,” Taylor said. Taylor’s desire to turn perceived negatives into assured positives in today’s African American youngsters began roughly 15 years ago—with SEE FLO A4
Residents voice concerns about proposed BRT system by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
LISA UPSHAW is concerned about the Port Authority’s BRT system. (Photo by J.L. Martello)
Khaney Martin rides an hour into Pittsburgh on the 61C McKeesport bus every day, and is not thrilled with the prospect of that ride being made longer by having to transfer to another bus in Oakland, which she would have to do if the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Bus Rapid Transit plan is implemented as currently envisioned. “So, you’re telling me I have to leave even earlier, plus I might have to pay a transfer I don’t pay now? You’re shorting me on money and service,” she told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “You’re doing this for your convenience. Where’s the customer convenience?” The convenience is supposed to come from special BRT buses running between Oakland and Downtown Pittsburgh, in dedicated lanes and making fewer stops. They would be the only buses going Downtown from the eastern city neighborhoods and beyond. Buses currently serving those routes would either stop in Oakland and loop back out, or be replaced by BRTs.
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But the authority told the Courier in the June 7 edition that it has no idea where in Oakland all the 71 and 61 buses and BRTs would queue up. Aaron Owens, an 18-year-old business management student at Community College of Allegheny County, said he thinks it would make Oakland traffic, and his commute from Swissvale, worse. “There’s a definite possibility that it will pose an inconvenience for some people. I don’t like the sound of it,” he said. “Oakland’s going to be a mess. It doesn’t make any sense. I think we should see about stopping it.” Owens and others may have that opportunity. The authority has now scheduled four neighborhood meetings—and will schedule more, according to its website—to allow for additional community input on the “locally preferred,” or the Core+2 option, which puts the BRTs in with the other buses that would no longer go Downtown and regular traffic on two branches—one to Highland park, and one to Squirrel Hill—outbound past the CaSEE BRT A5
Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick says
PWSA modifies lead line replacements by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
Even though the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s partial lead line replacement strategy has resulted in even higher levels of lead in some residents’ water, the authority has opted to continue its program—but it will no longer do “partial” replacements. The partial replacement strategy was implemented because the PWSA is barred from doing work on private property. So, the authority’s plan was to replace their lead supply lines up to the “curb box” SEE PWSA A5
PBMF launches photography project showcasing positivity by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
In Pittsburgh’s predominately-Black neighborhoods such as Homewood, there are men who go above and beyond to take care of their families, watch over their neighbors, run community programs, teach, preach, and more. The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation (PBMF) wants to highlight those African American men with a feature entitled, “American Heroes: The Homewood Project.” It is a photo series that will be created by aspiring and professional photographers for social media exhibitions and presentations, set to launch in July. A community exhibit in Homewood featuring the photo series will be unveiled in Homewood later this summer. “The public will play a significant role in shaping this project, which we want to use to help change the media narrative about men of color. Too often that narrative is one that stereotypes or marginalizes them,” said Tory N. Parrish, president of PBMF. SEE PBMF A5
Daddy died in 1953, his positive influence lives on Forum B6
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JUNE 14-20, 2017
INTERNATIONAL
In Rwanda, a young woman activist challenges longtime leader by Ignatius Ssuuna Associated Press Writer
KIGALI, Rwanda (AP)—In Rwanda, where rights groups say many people fear to speak up against the ruling party, Diane Shima Rwigara thought she knew the risks of challenging one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Then, two days after declaring her candidacy for president, nude photographs allegedly of her were leaked on social media. The 35-year-old women’s rights activist quickly disowned the images, calling it a smear campaign. It is not clear who was behind the leak, and Rwanda’s government has not commented. “Do you think practicing politics is easy in these countries?” Rwigara asked, laughing, during an interview with The Associated Press. She said those behind the photographs want to “kill” her politically as she works to expose abuses she blames on the government. “But the issue has made me more resilient.” As slim as her chances at defeating President Paul Kagame in the August election may be, Rwigara has intrigued Rwandans by speaking openly in a country known for its devastating 1994 genocide and recovery. She acknowledges that much has improved under Kagame, who has a reputation for stabilizing the East African nation but faces rights groups’ accusations of authoritarianism. The government has strengthened the economy, reduced child mortality and is sending more children to school. Kagame also has pushed for more women in political office, and Rwanda now has a higher percentage of women in parliament—64 percent—than any other country in the world. “They developed an ingenious system of women’s councils ... where women learn political skills and move up into greater power. Now women running for office is the norm,” said Swanee Hunt, a former U.S. ambassador and author of the book “Rwanda Women Rising.” She did not respond to questions about alleged harassment of presidential challengers, including Rwigara. But Kagame’s government also may be the most complicated in Africa, Rwigara said. “People disappear, others get killed in unexplained circumstances and nobody speaks about this because of fear,” she said. “We must end this silence.” The U.S.-educated, soft-spoken businesswoman recognizes the dangers of speak-
YOUTHFUL CHALLENGER—In this photo taken May 14, women’s rights activist and presidential candidate Diane Shima Rwigara, 35, is photographed next to a portrait of her father, business tycoon Assinapol Rwigara, at her home in Kigali, Rwanda. (AP Photo) ing out from inside the country, instead of from exile like others, but she said: “I trust in god.” She has never been elected to public office. She doesn’t belong to any political party. But she says the issues she raises are important to everyday people. Rwigara was unknown until the death in 2015 of her father, business tycoon Assinapol Rwigara. While police called it a vehicle accident, his family suspected foul play. The death stunned them. For years, the prominent ethnic Tutsi family had worked closely with the ruling party. Then there was a falling-out, followed by alleged harassment by officials. Rwigara insists that her candidacy is not for revenge. One resident of the capital, Dan Karangwe, said he likes Rwigara because of her honesty. “For a long time, nobody is allowed to criticize government, even a constructive criticism. We need someone who will allow people to talk,” he said. Rwigara was born a few years before the 1994 genocide in which more than 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus were killed. The massacres forced her family to flee to neighboring Burundi, but violence there had them migrating to Belgium and then the United States. She returned to Rwanda to focus on the family business, staying out of the spotlight. Her father’s death changed that. “My father helped the poor and those marginalized. My father wanted all Rwandans to live in peace,” she said. In her campaign manifesto, Rwigara vows to eradicate poverty, champion free speech and set up a commission of inquiry to look into past injustices. She also wants an independent parliament.
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This Week In Black History
Week of June 14-June 20 June 14 1811—White anti-slavery activist Harriet Beecher Stowe is born. Stowe was the author of one of the best selling books of 1852—“Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The book addressed the brutality of slavery and featured the character of “Uncle Tom”—a slave who, perhaps unfairly, came to symbolize the accommodating Black person who showed complete deference to Whites. The book was such an indictment of slavery that when President Abraham Lincoln met Stowe he remarked, “You’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great [civil] war.” 1970—Cheryl Adrienne Brown wins the Miss Iowa pageant and becomes the first African-American to compete in the Miss America beauty pageant. BESSIE COLEMAN June 15 1864—Gen. Ulysses S. Grant outfoxed Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee by switching an attack strategy from Cold Harbor to Petersburg, Va. The assault, spearheaded by Gen. Charles Paine, knocked a mile-wide hole in Lee’s defenses and resulted in the capture of hundreds of rebel soldiers and helped speed up the end of the Civil War. Several Black regiments were involved in the assault and siege. Grant would later become the 18th president of the United States and use his office to deal a series of crushing blows to the rapidly growing forces of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1870s. 1877—Henry O. Flippea becomes the first Black graduate of the U.S. military academy at West Point. 1921—Bessie Coleman becomes the first woman of any race to obtain an international pilot’s license. But she had to leave the United States and study in France in order to accomplish her goal. She was barred from U.S. flight schools because of her race and her sex. Born in a small town called Atlanta, Texas, Coleman would move to Chicago where she was influenced by several prominent Blacks including Robert S. Abbott, publisher of the Chicago Defender. When she returned to the U.S. from France, Hollywood wanted to do a movie about her amazing feat. She walked off the set because she felt the film actually degraded Blacks. Coleman died in a plane accident April 30, 1926. June 16 1822—This was the rumored start date of the Denmark Vesey-led slave revolt in the Charleston, S.C., area. Vesey, a former slave who had bought his freedom, had organized what is still believed to be the largest and most comprehensive slave revolt in American history. Aware of how “house slaves” tended to be loyal to their slave masters, Vesey had given strict orders that none were to be included in the plot. But so many Blacks (both slave and free) were involved that word eventually leaked out and just as Vesey feared, a house slave told the authorities. Military forces were moved into the city and scores were arrested. Thirty-five Blacks, including Vesey, were hanged. [There is some historical debate as to whether June 16 was the actual start date for the rebellion. There is some authority that July 14 was to be the start date. But what is clear is that military forces moved into the city on June 16 to put down the planned revolt.] 1969—The United States Supreme Court rules that the suspension of Harlem Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. from the U.S. House of Representatives on alleged corruption charges was unconstitutional. Powell, who had first won election to Congress in 1945, was returned to the House but without his seniority. Powell had been one of the most powerful men in Congress. He had fought civil rights battles in New York and had followed his father as pastor of the city’s influential Abyssinian Baptist Church. He often told Blacks “Mass action is the most ADAM CLAYTON POW- powerful force on earth.” He also frequently reminded his supporters to “Keep the faith, baby.” ELL JR. June 17 1775—Blacks fight in two of the major battles of America’s war of independence from England—the battles of Bunker Hill and Breeds Hill. Two of the most outstanding soldiers were Peter Salem and Salem Poor. 1871—James Weldon Johnson is born in Jacksonville, Fla. Johnson is clearly one of the most multi-talented men in Black American history. He was a poet, writer, lawyer, diplomat and civil rights activist. Johnson was one of the leading figures in the Black cultural revolution of the 1920s known as the Harlem Renaissance. He was the first African-American admitted to the Florida bar to practice law. He was the first Black executive of the NAACP. He served as one of the first Black diplomats to Latin America and he is co-author of the “Black” National Anthem—“Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” He died in an automobile accident in 1938. 1928—The “Godfather of Soul” James Brown was born on this day in Pulaski, Tenn. He was also referred to as “Soul Brother Number One” and “Mr. Dynamic” for his sensational dancing. Brown died in December of 2006. 1948—Actress Phylicia Rashad is born on this day in Houston, Texas. Rashad is best known for her role as Bill Cosby’s wife in the once highly popular NBC television series, “The Cosby Show.” 1980—Tennis great Venus Williams is born in Lynwood, Calif. Venus is the older sister of fellow tennis great Serena Williams. June 18 1941—Labor and civil rights leader A. Phillip Randolph initially rejects a plea by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to call off the first-ever Black-organized March on Washington designed to protest unfair employment practices by the military and the defense industry. The march was planned by Randolph, Bayard Rustin and A.J. Muste—all relatively unsung heroes of the early civil rights movement. The march was not cancelled until Roosevelt signed the Fair Employment Act. Ironically, over 20 years later, Randolph would be one of the principal figures helping Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. organize his historic 1963 March on Washington. 1968—The United States Supreme Court bans racial discrimination in the sale and rental of housing. The decision came in a case known as Jones v. Alfred H. Mayer Co. The court used as its precedent the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to state that housing discrimination by either the government or private industry was unconstitutional. 2010—A study gains widespread publicity indicating that a growing number of Black males are abandoning Black females when it comes to marriage. The report, analyzing data from 2008, found that 22 percent of Black male newlyweds married a woman who was not Black. Meanwhile, 9 percent of Black female newlyweds married a man who was not Black. The study was compiled the Pew research Center and based on data from the Census Bureau’s “American Community Survey.” The actual report had been released in early June. June 19 1865—The Juneteenth Celebration begins. June 19, 1865 marks the day that many Blacks actually became free, especially those in Texas. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation technically freed all slaves in 1863, slavery actually continued in Texas until the end of the Civil War. It was not until June 19, 1865 that many slaves learned they had been freed. They called the day of freedom “Juneteenth.” It is normally marked with THE picnics, barbecues and commemorations. In 1980, the day NEW PITTSBURGH became an official holiday in Texas. COURIER 1918—Ebony and Jet magazines founder John H. Johnson is born in Arkansas City, Ark. He moved to PUBLISHING COMPANY Chicago to build his publishing empire. Johnson was the Publication No.: USPS 381940 first African-American to appear on the Forbes magazine list of 400 richest Americans with an estimated wealth 315 East Carson Street of $500 million. Johnson died in August 2005. However, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 both magazines are now in financial trouble. 2009—The U.S. Congress issues a formal apology Phone: 412-481-8302 to Black Americans for the slavery of their ancesFax: 412-481-1360 tors. The resolution acknowledged the “fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery The and Jim Crow laws” which followed slavery. However, the New Pittsburgh Courier resolution specific rejected paying Blacks reparations for past, discrimination, mistreatment and brutality. is published weekly June 20 1871—The first anti-Ku Klux Klan trials begin periodicals in Oxford, Miss. The trials were part of an effort begun paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. by President Ulysses S. Grant to crush the Klan, which PRICE $1.00 was populated by defeated Confederate soldiers from the Civil War and which was becoming increasingly power(Payable in advance) ful throughout the South. In Mississippi, White doctors, lawyers and even ministers were indicted for violating 6 Months.....$25 Black rights and conspiring against the U.S. government. Over 900 were indicted in Mississippi and 243 convicted. 1 Year....$45 Similar trials took place throughout the South—most 2 Years...$85 notably in South Carolina and North Carolina. Grant’s efforts succeeded in crushing the terrorist organization 9 Month School Rate $35 and it would not rise again until 1915. champion Muhammad Ali is convicted POSTMASTER: Send in1967—Boxing a Houston, Texas, federal court of violating the Selective address changes to: Service Act by refusing to be inducted into the armed services. He was fined $10,000 and given five years in prison. New Pittsburgh Courier The United States Supreme Court would later overturn the conviction. Ali’s refusal to be inducted was based, in 315 East Carson Street part, on his opposition to America’s war in Vietnam. He Pittsburgh, PA 15219 often said, “No Vietnamese ever called me N**ger.”
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JUNE 14-20, 2017
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50 years after the Lovings: Interracial couples still face strife by Jesse J. Holland Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP)— Fifty years after Mildred and Richard Loving’s landmark legal challenge shattered the laws against interracial marriage in the U.S., some couples of different races still talk of facing discrimination, disapproval and sometimes outright hostility from their fellow Americans. Although the racist laws against mixed marriages are gone, several interracial couples said in interviews they still get nasty looks, insults and sometimes even violence when people find out about their relationships. “I have not yet counseled an interracial wedding where someone didn’t have a problem on the bride’s or the groom’s side,” said the Rev. Kimberly D. Lucas of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. She often counsels en-
gaged interracial couples through the prism of her own 20-year marriage— Lucas is Black and her husband, Mark Retherford, is White. “I think for a lot of people it’s OK if it’s ‘out there’ and it’s other people but when it comes home and it’s something that forces them to confront their own internal demons and their own prejudices and assumptions, it’s still really hard for people,” she said. Interracial marriages became legal nationwide on June 12, 1967, after the
William Bundy, who have victims survived and he been married since 1994 was arrested. And even after the Loving and live in Bethesda, Maryland. decision, some states tried “To America’s credit, from their best to keep interracial couples from marrying. the time that we first got married to now, I’ve seen In 1974, Joseph and Martha Rossignol got mar- much less head turns when we walk by, even in rural ried at night in Natchez, settings,” said William, who Mississippi, on a Mississippi River bluff after local is Black. “We do go out for officials tried to stop them. hikes every once in a while, and we don’t see that as But they found a willing much any longer. It really priest and went ahead is dependent on where you anyway. are in the country and also “We were rejected everythe locale.” place we went, because Even in the South, interno one wanted to sell us racial couples are common a marriage license,” said Martha Rossignol, who has enough that oftentimes no one notices them, even in a written a book about her experiences then and since state like Virginia, HirscLANDMARK LEGAL CHALLENGE—This Jan. 26, 1965 file photo shows Mildred Loving and her hus- as part of a biracial couple. hkop said. “I was sitting in a restauband Richard P Loving. Fifty years after Mildred and Richard Loving’s landmark legal challenge shat- She’s Black, he’s White. rant and there was a mixed “We just ran into a lot of tered the laws against interracial marriage in the U.S., some couples of different races still talk of facing couple sitting at the next discrimination, disapproval and sometimes outright hostility from their fellow Americans. (AP Photo) racism, a lot of issues, a table and they were kissing lot of problems. You’d go sentence suspended on the of Columbia marriage But interracial couples and they were holding into a restaurant, people condition that they leave certificate on the wall, they can still face hostility from wouldn’t want to serve you. hands,” he said. “They’d Virginia. Their sentence is arrested them, leading the strangers and sometimes When you’re walking down have gotten hung for somememorialized on a markviolence. Lovings to plead guilty to er to go up on Monday in In the cohabitating as man and Richmond, Virginia, in 1980s, Miwife in Virginia. their honor. chele Far“Neither of them wanted rell, who to be involved in the lawsuit, or litigation or taking is White, on a cause. They wanted to was dating an African raise their children near American their family where they man and were raised themselves,” they decidHirschkop said. ed to look But they knew what was around at stake in their case. “It’s the principle. It’s the Port Hulaw. I don’t think it’s right,” ron, Michigan, for an Mildred Loving said in archival video footage shown apartment together. in an HBO documentary. “I had the “And if, if we do win, we woman will be helping a lot of who was people.” showing Richard Loving died in the apart1975, Mildred Loving in ment tell THE GRAVES OF RICHARD AND MILDRED LOVING are seen in a rural cemetery near 2008. Since the Loving decision, us, ‘I don’t their former home in Caroline County, Virginia, Wednesday, June 7. Richard Loving, a rent to Americans have increasWhite man, and his wife Mildred, a black woman, challenged Virginia’s ban on interracial coloreds. I marriage and ultimately won their case at the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967. Monday, June ingly dated and married definitely 12, marks 50 years since the Supreme Court issued that opinion, which overturned laws across racial and ethnic lines. Currently, 11 million don’t rent against interracial marriage in 16 states. (AP Photo/Jessica Gresko) people—or 1 out of 10 mar- to mixed thing like 50 years ago and ried people—in the United couples,’” Farrell said. the street together, it was In March, a White man States have a spouse of a like you’ve got a contagious no one cared—just two fatally stabbed a 66-yearpeople could pursue their different race or ethnicity, disease.” old Black man in New York lives. That’s the best part of according to a Pew ReBut their love survived, The Supreme Court’s City, telling the Daily News Rossignol said, and they re- it, those quiet moments.” search Center analysis of unanimous decision struck U.S. Census Bureau data. (Jesse J. Holland covers race that he’d intended it as “a turned to Natchez to renew down the Virginia law and and ethnicity for The Associated practice run” in a mission In 2015, 17 percent of their vows 40 years later. similar statutes in roughPress in Washington. Contact to deter interracial relanewlyweds—or at least Interracial couples can ly one-third of the states. him at jholland@ap.org, on Twittionships. In August 2016 1 in 6 of newly married now be seen in books, Some of those laws went people—were intermarried, in Olympia, Washington, television show, movies and ter at http://www.twitter.com/ beyond Black and White, Daniel Rowe, who is White, commercials. Former Pres- jessejholland or on Facebook at which means they had a prohibiting marriages walked up to an interracial ident Barack Obama is the http://www.facebook.com/jessespouse of a different race jholland. You can find his work between Whites and Native or ethnicity. When the couple without speaking, product of a mixed marAmericans, Filipinos, Instabbed the 47-year-old Supreme Court decided riage, with a White Ameri- at AP at bit.ly/jessejholland) (Associated Press reporter Jesdians, Asians and in some Black man in the abdomen can mother and an African the Lovings’ case, only 3 sica Gresko in Washington constates “all non-whites.” percent of newlyweds were and knifed his 35-year-old father. Public acceptance tributed to this story.) The Lovings, a workWhite girlfriend. Rowe’s intermarried. is growing, said Kara and ing-class couple from a deeply rural community, weren’t trying to change the world and were media-shy, said one of their lawyers, Philip Hirschkop,
PHIL HIRSCHKOP, one of two lawyers who represented the Lovings before the Supreme Court, recalls the case and the impact it has had. Supreme Court threw out a Virginia law that sent police into the Lovings’ bedroom to arrest them just for being who they were: a married Black woman and White man. The Lovings were locked up and given a year in a Virginia prison, with the
now 81 and living in Lorton, Virginia. They simply wanted to be married and raise their children in Virginia. But when police raided their Central Point home in 1958 and found a pregnant Mildred in bed with her husband and a District
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JUNE 14-20, 2017
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
An abundance of talent at the 2017 Three Rivers Arts Festival
NORA MOOREFIELD doing a Henna design on a young woman’s hand. SOUTH SIDERS—Mike, Joi, and Morgan, 7, at the arts festival.
ONE HOOD, after their performance at the Three Rivers Arts Festival. (Photos by J.L. Martello)
DEJAH MONEA performs on the arts festival stage.
PAINTER AARON REED, from Georgia, with some of his artwork.
FAMILY TIME—9-year-old Zeni Wilkerson, with mother Shantell and father Isaiah.
JOHN WALLACE, with wife Cynthia, enjoying the arts festival.
EMILIA JEAN of Swissvale dances to the music at the arts festival. FRIENDS HANGIN’ OUT—Kiania Flournoy of Homewood, with Anaya Jones of the West End.
Flo Taylor determined to help teens FLO FROM A1
the sound of gunfire. Taylor was living Downtown at the time, as she does currently. “We looked outside, and three young men were running,” Taylor told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “The overall scene disturbed me, that was about as uncultured as it could get. It was our children (running), African American children.” Soon thereafter, Taylor found herself at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center —volunteering. “I was one of the very few volunteers, and it’s been a very enlightening experience,” she said. “I love working with teenagers. Those kids educated me. Those kids told me the very first time I went out there (to Shuman) that what has happened to our communities has crippled them. They told me, ‘Flo, y’all dropped the ball. For all the marching and all the singing and all the Kum Ba Yah, y’all dropped the ball. I live in a neighborhood where when I get out of
here, I have to have a gun.’” Thus, for years Taylor was a frequent contributor at Shuman. Her contributions included positive reinforcement, teaching youngsters the importance of respecting others, and being a trusted shoulder to cry on. Then last September, she expanded her contributions to her own neighborhood— Downtown, due to another unfortunate occurrence— more gunfire. A 17-year-old was shot outside the Wood Street “T” station on Sept. 13. Taylor began talking to teens who congregate Downtown, preaching the same sermon—respecting others, not letting situations escalate, and lending a helping hand. “We have to take care of our kids,” she said. “We have a responsibility to them. If I see someone cutting up, I feel like I need to say something to them.” Taylor said today’s youngsters “don’t understand the limits of freedom. You are not free to do whatever. You
have to be civilized, you have to take into account that there are other people involved—you’ve got to be considerate, and that’s not only for the kids, that’s for everybody.” Taylor was disappointed with the actions leading to the July 4, 2016 shooting Downtown that led to four wounded, and the numerous fights that broke out during the Three Rivers Regatta in August. “It has to do with respect, and that’s a word that’s almost obsolete,” she said. Summer has arrived in the Steel City. School is no longer, and teens have more free time on their hands. Taylor is determined not to witness the negative events that happened last summer occur this summer. She’ll be Downtown, approaching teens who are showing signs of unruliness. She said parents of teens who hang Downtown need to “hang down there, too.” Taylor is also looking to raise funds to hold a river cruise on the Gateway
Clipper this summer for teens. “I’m going to do it one way or another,” she said. Taylor is not alone in her desire to help teens Downtown. The “Wild Women” are a group of about 10 that assists Taylor in “patrolling” teen hot spots Downtown such as the Wood Street “T” station. The group lets teens speak their minds and offer solutions, in a manner that’s generally accepted by the teens Downtown. But then, Taylor said, “Sometimes they don’t want to be bothered with me, and try to diss me.” No problem. Taylor said she’ll continue to stay out of her rocking chair and stay on the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh, assisting teens with their troubles, while never prejudging them. “If I can just affect what happens in this city with the young people, I would be very happy,” Taylor said. “This is my life’s work.”
MOTHER-DAUGHTER TIME—Sharon Briggs, with daughter Shannel.
ANNIVERSARY—Chester Stoney and Chere Gordon first met at the arts festival four years ago.
METRO
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Community Calendar Juneteenth Celebrations
JUNE 15—Stop The Violence-Pittsburgh African American Heritage Day at Kennywood Park, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., featuring bingo, gospel performances, speakers, poetry and more. For tickets call 724-205-9376. JUNE 16—Stop The Violence-Pittsburgh will host its Celebration of Life Black Tie Dinner at the Monroeville Convention Center, South Hall, 209 Mall Plaza Blvd., Monroeville. Hosted by Pittsburgh Public Safety nformation Officer Sonya Toler and POISE Foundation Pres. and CEO Mark Lewis, the event honors Rev. Dr. J. Van Alfred Winsett, Media Icon Bev. Smith and B-PEP founder Tim Stevens. For more information call 724205-9376. JUNE 17—Stop The Violence-Pittsburgh will present the Martin R. Delany Freedom Day Parade and celebration, beginning at 10 a.m. at Freedom Corner in the Hill with the Parade marching to Market Square where, from 1 to 9 p.m., the celebration will feature food, kids fun zones, dance troupes, gospel groups and performances by Shining Star, Gwen Dickey, and a Guinness World Record attempt at the largest Soul Train Dance Line. For more information call 724-205-9376
HIV Awareness and Free Testing Event
JUNE 17—The Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center will host an HIV education and free testing event, 1-4 p.m., at the Hill House Kaufmann Center, 1825 Centre Ave. In the Hill District. The event will feature free food, $100 giveaways every hour, and guest speaker Pamela Simpson. For more information, call Christina Hughey or Amy Wedner at 412-377-3089.
Scholarship Golf Outing
JUNE 17—The Jeron Xavier Grayson Foundation will host the 7th Annual Peace on The Greens Scholarship Golf Outing, 8:30 a.m., at the Meadowlink Golf Course, 4076 Bulltown Rd., Murrysville. Cost is $100 per golfer, and includes dinner and scholarship presentation. Proceeds go to scholarships in Jeron’s memory for high school juniors and seniors, to his “A Tie for Every Guy” mentoring initiative. For information, call Marsha Grayson at 412-812-5541.
School Plan Public Comment Sought
THROUGH JUNE 21—The Pittsburgh Public School District is seeking public comment on Improvement Plans for 16 of its poorly performing schools. Stakeholders may view plans and comment via survey by visiting http://www.pps.k12. pa.us/SIPlans. Comments may also be submitted by signing up to speak at the June 20 board meeting, by Email to title1@pghboe.net.
Residential Segregation Conference
JUNE 19 & 20—The University of Pittsburgh Center for Race and Social Problems will host National & Local Perspectives on Residential Segregation Issues, including Housing, Health, the Law, and Education at the Cathedral of Learning. The event will feature academic and community experts who will discuss the impact of segregation in housing, health and education in general with the Pittsburgh metro area being used as a case example. Opportunities will be provided for dialogue and discussion, as well as networking. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Registration is required as seating is limited. For more information, contact Marita Johnson at 412-624-7382 or email at maj135@pitt.edu.
Poetry Event
JUNE 24—Common Conversation412 will host a spoken word event, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Noble Manor Lanes, 2440 Noblestown Road, West End. The event is free and open to the public.
JUNE 14-20, 2017
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Residents voice concerns about proposed BRT system BRT FROM A1
thedral of Learning. The scheduled meetings are: •June 19, 6:30-8 p.m., Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple Street; •June 20, 6:30-8 p.m., NeighborWorks WPA, 710 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1000 in Uptown; •June 27, 6:30-8 p.m., JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, 5738 Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill; •June 28, 6:30-8 p.m., Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Ave., Downtown, and 8:30-10 p.m., Kresge Center, Carlow University Commons, 3333 Fifth Ave. in Oakland. Lisa Upshaw, from Highland Park, said she’d like to speak at one of them. “This doesn’t make any
sense. Who does this benefit? Not people commuting to blue collar jobs,” she said. “Who thought this up? It’s all okay for people living Downtown with their dogs pooping all over the place not to have buses coming by, but it’s not okay for people like me to come down and commute to a job.” Jeff Harris said he doesn’t want to get off in Oakland if he’s already taking two buses and a train to get from Wilkinsburg to Sewickley to visit family. “I like a straight shot Downtown,” he said. “The money for a transfer wouldn’t bother me because I’m a senior and ride for free, but this doesn’t seem to be about the riders. This AARON OWENS, a frequent bus rider, is concerned about the Authority’s plans for the new BRT system. (Photo by J.L. Martello) seems to be about money.”
PWSA modifies lead line replacements PWSA FROM A1
where the public line joins a building’s supply line. The PWSA halted the partial replacements after tests revealed elevated lead levels. Now, it is only replacing public lead lines that are connected to non-lead lines. “The short answer is that we’re proceeding with lead line replacements,” PWSA Spokesman Will Pickering told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “But only if our work doesn’t result in a partial lead line replace-
ment—that means that there is lead on the public side of the line, but a nonlead material on the private side.” In a press announcement released June 12, the authority also unveiled a new interactive website that shows the progress of its curb box inspection program—which is working to reveal which of 71,000 residential service lines in the system are made of lead. The PWSA estimates about 25 percent, or 17,750, are lead
PBMF searching for unsung heroes in Homewood PBMF FROM A1
With this project, she added, “We also hope to create mentorships among the participating photographers who are students, freelancers and media professionals.” The “American Heroes” project is part of PBMF’s Black Male Media Project, #InspireBlackMen, which began June 10 with a networking and mentorship forum for aspiring and professional photographers at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA. One of the forum participants was freelance photographer Kenneth Neely, 46, a teaching artist at an afterschool program at the Mt. Ararat Community Activity Center in Larimer. Many of the youngsters in the program come from neighborhoods such as Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington and Homewood. “Too often, the everyday heroes working and living among those who they help the most, are overlooked,” Neely said. Neely is a current Garfield resident who will be a photographer with the “American Heroes” project. He recounted a recent experience in which he asked 40 Kindergarten to eighth-grade students in his art program to name their heroes. The children rattled off the names of celebrities, professional athletes, and President Barack Obama, he said. Neely was stunned that none of the children listed a local person. Neely believes that having the students recognize the role models living and working among them, such as local police officers, firefighters, teachers, legislators, coaches and artists, “helps them see that their goals are attainable,” he said. “Because then it gives them a true sense that some things are possible for them,” said Neely, a former photography editor at the New Pittsburgh Courier.
The Black Male Media Project is an effort launched by the National Association of Black Journalists to inspire, support and develop training and mentorship opportunities for Black men working in media and those that aspire to do so. Nationwide, 22 association chapters, including PBMF, are participating in the project by crafting their own programs. One of the chief goals of the project is to try to marshal more diverse mainstream newsrooms in order to address the negative images of Black males in media and work to advance fuller, more positive and representative images of Black males. The continued and constant projection of negative images of Black males creates a cycle of negativity, said Larry Davis, dean of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work. “This affects the way Whites see Blacks, the way Blacks believe Whites see them and the way Blacks see themselves,” said Davis, who has studied the issues of Black males and media images. “One of the most important things any group of people can do is to control the image of themselves,” he said. “Black males are facing increasing difficulties obtaining positive life outcomes and avoiding negative ones,” Davis said. “We must change the way Black males are perceived and perceive themselves.”
(For more information about PBMF’s “American Heroes: The Homewood Project,” or to sign up as a participant/ photographer for a workshop that is being held June 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Homewood YMCA, E-mail project coordinator Ervin Dyer at americanheroeshomewood@ gmail.com—To recommend someone as a hero for the project, go to www.pbmf.org/inspireblackmen.) (Editor’s note: The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation contributed to this story.)
lines. Pickering said there are more than 2,000 data points in the map so far, and the inspections will continue until all 71,000 connections are catalogued. He said they originally planned to complete that by 2021, but are working to expedite the program. “PWSA is fully committed to sharing the results with the public from our innovative curb box inspection program,” said Interim Executive Director Robert A. Weimar in the release. “Identifying the location of lead service lines is a critical step toward removing harmful lead from our water system.” Mayor Bill Peduto has also presented legislation to council, and a vote was scheduled for June 13 that would allow the PWSA to replace lead lines on private property for free when
it does the public lines. Homeowners would have to volunteer for the program and, according to the bill, indemnify the city against any damages occurring during replacement: “(a) Property Owner’s private lead water service line will be replaced from the new water main to the meter and will include restoration of concrete paving disturbed during the line replacement as well as grass seeding for disturbed grass areas (collectively the PLRP). The PLRP work will be performed at no cost to the Property Owner.” If, however, the work requires going through finished walls, floors, steps or exterior structures like retaining walls, replacing those would be the homeowner’s responsibility. Kevin Acklin, Peduto’s
chief of staff, said the city is seeking a low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to cover part of the estimated $410 million the replacements will cost. Last week former mayoral candidate Rev. John C. Welch, a onetime environmental engineer, applauded the authority halting the partial replacement program. Its renewal, though modified, is still less than he recommends. He estimates putting point-of-entry filters in all buildings served by the PWSA would cost $100 million and would allow the authority to safely replace all its lines—including the mains—at a slower, less costly pace, while maintaining safety. (The authority’s interactive map is viewable at http://www. pgh2o.com/CBI.)
ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier
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JUNE 14-20, 2017
No Fluidity in ‘Orange is the new Black’
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
‘I stay humble because I realize at any given moment…this could be gone.’
by Merecedes J. Howze For New Pittsburgh Courier
Netflix’s original series “Orange is the New Black” premiered on June 9 with its fifth season, and in this season, the women of Litchfield Penitentiary take over the facility after a series of traumatic events occur. The fourth season left on a bitter #BlackLivesMatter note with the unfortunate death of Poussey (Samira Wiley). But, this fifth season dropped the ball big time. Between the mixed, chaotic plot and spotty storyline, the justice of Poussey is not complete. The prison riot overshadowed the biggest cliffhanger, and with another season having passed, it’s kind of hard to believe that viewers have to wait another year for answers. A White correctional officer killing a Black inmate is a huge statement, so big that it has to be addressed. Like in real life, the “Or-
Merecedes on…
WAMO 100’s MIKE DEAN, along with the entire WAMO 100 Staff, will be present at WAMO DAY, June 18 at Stage AE on the North Shore from noon to 5 p.m. Free admission. (Photo by Xavier A. Thomas)
WAMO’s Mike Dean grabs life by the horns by Paige K. Mitchell
ward.” final semester of college. One might After attaining his college For New Pittsburgh Courier imagine how degree in 2002, he was officially hired to the WAMO busy Dean They say he’s a Party is, but on top staff as board operator. Host Phenomenon, the of everything The Dean’s work ethic World’s Greatest Party Proelse, he’s and passion for music moter… undergoing quickly landed him a proHe’s Mike Dean, Pittsthe process motion to an on-air talent burgh’s very own evening on-air radio personality for —this was the official start of #TheTransformaof his professional career WAMO 100. tionOfMikeBut there’s more to Dean within the media realm. Dean, where “One of my favorite and than the parties, the fame, he gives most memorable career and the spotlight. his friends, moments and celebrity inDean discovered his love terviews was when I inter- family, and for the music industry listeners an viewed Timbaland,” Dean and his natural talent for said. “Timbaland randomly inside look talking at a young age. at his 5 a.m. showed up looking to do Many are surprised to ange is the New Black” learn that he is an only workout an interview with WAMO storyline about the Black child. routines and 100 to promote one of his Lives Matter movement new artists. This interview strict diet. “I love what I do, but I was buried with Hot Chee- still feel as though I want “It’s a stood out because I was tos and a secret bunker. funny story unprepared because we to do more,” Dean told the The riot saturated all of New Pittsburgh Courier. didn’t know he was coming. because I the things we love about “I love to have fun and never disTimbaland was a really “Orange is the New Black,” crack jokes, but I seriously laid-back guy, and the liked being such as the comedic com- appreciate where I am and interview went well.” chubby. I mentary and background all of the blessings. I stay WAMO-FM 106.7, owned was always stories. the cool chub- MIKE DEAN is serious about his workout routine, at the Camp Transformation Center. by Sheridan Broadcasting humble because I realize If you love breakout star at any given moment, all of at the time, went off the air wby guy, and Uzo Uduba, better known this could be gone.” girls still liked me,” Dean in 2009, causing the staff days. I’ve been committed gling, but admitted he is as “Crazy Eyes,” then do not recalled. “I decided to start to working out ever since, I interested in walking down to seek other job opportuIn his early years, Dean get your hopes up. Although attended Perry Traditional nities. Dean began working taking exercising seriously continued once the chalthe aisle and having chilshe’s won two Emmys and a Academy, and later purafter I was fired from PNC lenge was over. I’ve lost full-time at PNC Bank. dren of his own one day. Screen Actors Guild award sued his secondary educa“People look at my lifestyle, Bank. I would sometimes 35-40 pounds.” Through the ups, the for her “Orange is the New tion at Edinboro Universiworkout here and there and believe that I’m rich Dean said that “people downs, and life’s curveballs, Black” role, she is not that ty. He began cultivating his and living this celebrity but it was difficult to live often associate me with The Dean said he feels so visible this season. It’s a talent on campus as a radio lifestyle, but the fact is a healthy lifestyle working being the party guy, and I thankful and blessed for shame, too, because she personality on WFSE-FM that I am out here trying to at PNC by day and WAMO am, but it comes with the where he is today. provides a massive amount 88.9 (the campus radio sta- make it like everyone else,” by night. When PNC let profession. Some week“One of my favorwite of humor that the series so tion). This led him to emme go, I decided that there ends I’d rather kick it in he said. “I was employed quotes are, ‘Don’t be averdesperately needs. through PNC while WAMO were no more excuses. I bark on an opportunity to the house and fall asleep age!’ This keeps me driven Typically, every season intern with his hometown was gone, while also trying started working out in on the couch. And I do see to be the best guy I can be we get the history of the in- radio station, WAMO-FM to figure out my next move, June 2016, and decided myself being a family man every day. Every day and mates. This time around we 106.7, where he was offered and what I wanted to do to take on the challenge in the future.” every year I want to continonly get the stories of Frie- an internship during his of losing 20 pounds in 42 with my life moving forDean is single and minue to get better and better.” da and Allison. While entertaining, I miss the felony flashbacks. Those moments provided me with insight on how the women ended up in prison. I was not afforded the opportunity as much this season. There was no flow. It was hard to keep up with the different narratives. The confusion and unnecessary drama reminded me of a cheesy soap opera. This season was doomed, though. The first inclination of defeat was in April when a hacker leaked the first 10 episodes. Netflix should have released the series the moment the hacker threatened to release. Most of the excitement about the show comes from the anticipation of the release, and because the show was leaked, the interest was non-existent. Season five of “Orange is the New Black” was not all bad. Taystee (Danielle Brooks) had two compelling soliloquies, one including a tear-jerking speech about Poussey. The spotlight that Uduba once held now belongs to Brooks. She led the charge in beautiful, persuasive acting. But, overall this season was disappointing. Until MIKE DEAN with 1 Harmony Drill Team at the WAMO studios on Yost Blvd. MIKE DEAN WITH RAPPER TEE GRIZZLEY next year…
TV Shows
LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier
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JUNE 14-20, 2017
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Debbie Norrell
Lifestyles Report The weekend Weekends in Pittsburgh have become so busy I can’t keep up, and once again those who say there is nothing to do in Pittsburgh have not been reading the New Pittsburgh Courier and you have not been monitoring your Facebook page. My weekend started off with a “Taste of Africa.” This great fashion show was the centerpiece of the founder’s day celebration for the Community Empowerment Association and Brother Rashad Byrdsong. You will see more about it and some dynamic pictures in an upcoming issue. Jennifer Hudson was in town on Saturday night, she was the featured artist for Pride weekend. I didn’t make that event but I heard that she was fantastic. I did make the Pride Parade on Sunday. I volunteered with nearly a dozen people from my day job. I have not been to a parade in a long time and this was the first time that I attended the Pride Parade. It was impressive to see how many large companies were participating: Google, Walmart Starbucks, UPMC, Highmark, CCAC and more. I saw State Representative Jake Wheatley and County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as well. Have you ever watched or attended Mardi Gras in New Orleans and watched the people in the parade throw candy to the people on the sidelines? Well that happened on Sunday. Not only did they throw candy, they threw beads, T-shirts, sunglasses and in some cases new underwear. Oh and there were coupons for Chipotle and the Milkshake Factory. I came home with a bag full of stuff. The parade was colorful and entertaining and to top it off, the weather was great. Last weekend was the final weekend for the Three Rivers Art Festival, I kept trying to squeeze in some time to make it there but I just could not find the time. It was also the final performance of the play “Lotto” produced by New Horizon Theater. For this performance they used the Homewood Library Auditorium; that is a great space. There were several other events that I attended over the weekend but you will soon read all about it. In between all of the fun stuff there were the typical runs to the store and I am always so surprised when cashiers can’t count back change. I went to a local store and made a small purchase. The young man working the cash register was about 18 years old. He put my change in my hand and never said how much change he was giving me back. So I asked him do you know how to count back change? I knew the answer but I was just disturbed that this has become the norm in stores. He looked at me like I was crazy and never said thank you for your business or anything. This kind of nonsense should not be standard behavior. The invention of computers as cash registers shouldn’t be an excuse to stop counting back change. I know it will never come back but at least I would like for the cashier to tell me how much I am getting back. (Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com)
FROM THE MOTHERLAND
PERFECT FOR A FORMAL AFFAIR
BUTTERFLY WISHES JEWELRY
CLASSY IN BLACK
THE JUMPSUIT IS ALL THAT
Butterfly Wishes Presents Eighth Annual Fashion Show & Dinner by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor
Denise Raiford says she can’t believe it has been eight years since the first Butterfly Wishes Fashion Show. It began as an honor to her mother Arlene B. Keith and others who have lost their mothers. The show celebrates and honors mothers during the month of Mother’s Day. On May 6, at the Doubletree Monroeville Convention Center, over 300 attended the annual fashion show and dinner with the theme, “New Beginnings.” With Lesely Crawford as commentator, guests enjoyed the Sankofa Village for the Arts Drum and Dance group, Trini L. Massie & Friends and a multi-scene fashion show featuring the Butterfly Wishes Models. This group of mature models enjoys walking the
FASCINATING
catwalk in great looks from Mo’Reese Clothing and Accessories, Remo Men’s Fashions and Butterfly Wishes Jewelry. Other scenes included beautiful African fashions, After Five and a colorful finale. The 2017 Butterfly Wishes Models: Edward Raiford, Denisha Crawford, Kenya Owens, Elizabeth Hillard, Charles Pollard, Cynthia Davison, Hazel Jackson, Mary Etta Johnson, Richard Warren, Curby Davison, Monica Jackson, Lori Brown and Akita Milbourne. Raiford says her organization gives back to another organization that has made a difference in the community. This year, a portion of the proceeds will help send children to Promise Camp. Plans are in the works for next year’s show scheduled for the first Saturday in May, THIS JACKET IS MAGIC 2018.
KING OF THE VILLAGE
THAT LITTLE BLACK DRESS (Photos by Debbie Norrell)
STATELY ENSEMBLE
COMMENTATOR HITS THE RUNWAY
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PEOPLE
JUNE 14-20, 2017
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Helping the homeless and others less fortunate in Pittsburgh
It is ‘who God wanted me to be’
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
parole…and the Spiritual Devotional Outreach Recovery Program was born. “I would get advice from my pastor…everyone thought it was a good vision to help the homeless, help the families that are in need. Even our young adults, a lot of young adults are trying to turn their life around, but they don’t have the right role models,” Burrell said. Thus, Burrell’s life is dedicated to providing the homeless in Pittsburgh with clothes, food, and other resources. “People just started blending in with me (on my mission),” Burrell said. “Burlington Coat Factory, Toys ‘R Us,
they’re holding a toy drive this Christmas for families who can’t afford gifts for their kids…People ask me, ‘Why are you using your own money?’ The money that was given to me by my uncle, it might be for me to take care of myself, but I read the Bible a lot, and it states you should share,” Burrell said. “I give to others. God chose for me to do this, this is my mission, because all my past life, I was doing things I shouldn’t have been doing. Now, since I’ve been out of prison, all I’ve been doing is focusing on this.” Kenyatta Clemons serves as administrative liaison for the organization. She
Sometimes, it takes a person who’s been down that road, walked down that path, and encountered that pain in order to understand that other person. Pittsburgh’s homeless community is a forgotten community, said Tyrone “T-Bird” Burrell. And because he’s been homeless before, he’s determined to never let that community be forgotten again. Burrell founded the Spiritual Devotional Outreach Recovery Program in 2015, in efforts to help the homeless and other underserved communities with finances, physical resources and a proverbial shoulder to cry on. It’s the type of program that he said wasn’t available or well-known in his younger days. “My mom and grandmother always told me that I was very intelligent and that I could do things in a positive way,” Burrell told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “But the past was real bad for me. It was the negativity that I was around” that found Burrell in and out of jail for years. “We all in life have choices that we make,” he said. “But at the same token, you’re either going to go down the right path or the wrong path. I was hard-headed.” Burrell, a Pittsburgh native, attended Fifth Avenue, Langley and Schenley high schools. While imprisoned, Burrell began his mental transformation. He started contacting a wealth of organizations that could assist financially in his new venture once he was released from prison. In 2015, EASTER BUNNY—Tyrone Burrell dressed up as an Easter Bunny at Burrell was released from the Carnegie Library, Knoxville branch, and passed out candy and prison, with two years of gifts for area kids.
TYRONE BURRELL passes out flowers to mothers during Mother’s Day weekend in Market Square, Downtown. told the Courier she was homeless for two years. But she’s always been the type of person to want to help others. “I’ve worked in different soup kitchens, I’ve held picnics in the park…I know where they come from. I know what it feels like to be down and out and not have anyone care,” Clemons said. Burrell uses many creative ways to raise money for the homeless. The day before Mother’s Day, he passed out batches of flowers to mothers in Downtown’s Market Square. The mothers, in turn, gave financial donations. The money is then used to purchase a variety of items for the homeless community, along with those in various women’s shelters in the area. Burrell even dressed up as an Easter Bunny at the Carnegie Library, Knoxville branch, the day before
Easter. “There’s a lot of kids that go there, and sometimes they don’t get the things that they want for Easter, so I bought candy, toys, and passed them all out for free,” he said. On June 17, the day before Father’s Day, Burrell will pass out free gifts to fathers at Market Square, beginning at 1 p.m. And Burrell collaborated with Kennywood to hold “SDORP Kennywood Picnic Day” on July 1, where over 60 Kennywood tickets can be purchased from the organization for a discounted price of $29. The more people purchase tickets from Burrell’s organization, the more money can be funneled to Pittsburgh’s homeless community, while the ticketholder can have access to Kennywood and its rides for a discounted rate. There will also be a food tent at Kennywood, sponsored by SDORP. Free food accompanies the $29
ticket price from the organization’s food tent. To purchase tickets, call 216-8681965 or 724-575-2728. “A lot of times, (a homeless person’s) self-esteem gets so low that they don’t see a value in life anymore, they give up,” Clemons said. “But if we come and let them know that someone cares, it can build their self-esteem up to know they are worth something and can be something.” Burrell said he is in constant communication with Pittsburgh’s homeless community, many of whom reside along Wood St. and Liberty Ave., Downtown. He has their respect, because they know he understands them and their struggles. “You have to sit there and talk to them and let them know you really care,” Burrell said. “I have been just trying to be who God wanted me to be.”
Attention all PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS! You just celebrated the high school or college graduation of your son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter! But there’s one thing left to do...
The New Pittsburgh Courier is having a special “2017: Celebrating the Graduates” edition on Wednesday, June 28. And we want to put your graduate’s photo in the paper for thousands to see! We only have 25 spots left, so here’s what to do right now: 1. Call Rob Taylor at the Courier to reserve a spot for your graduate in our June 28 edition. Call 412-481-8302, ext. 135, or E-mail rtaylor@newpittsburghcourier.com. Cost is $25, which includes 6 month Courier subscription! 2. Pick out the best picture you have of your graduate! Senior picture, Facebook picture, or a picture from graduation day! Then... 3. E-mail or bring in that picture to the Courier. E-mail it to rtaylor@newpittsburghcourier.com, or send to 315 East Carson St., Pittsburgh PA 15219
Alanys McEnheimer Steel Valley High School Alanys was a member of the Steel Valley Varsity Marching Band for four years, in the chorus for three years, Students Against Destructive Decisions for three years, Future Is Mine for two years and a member of the Spanish Club. She attends Rodman Street Missionary Baptist and has served on the Jr. Usher Board for five years. Alanys had a GPA of 3.2 overall. She will be attending the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall and plans to major in Nursing.
4. In the E-mail, write a 3-5 sentence paragraph with your message to the graduate. Include graduate’s full name, school name, and degree received (college). This paragraph will be under your graduate’s photo in the paper (example on left side). 5. All photos, written material and payments must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday June 21!
Congratulations to your 2017 graduate! From all of us at the New Pittsburgh Courier.
PEOPLE
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
JUNE 14-20, 2017
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Breaking down the Barriers
ZONE 5 COMMUNITY DAY—An officer from Pittsburgh Police’s Zone 5 East Liberty division shows off a police dog to the kids in attendance at the annual community day/open house, June 3. (Photo courtesy Western PA Fire Photography)
EBONY KIRKWOOD of Penn Hills, with son Tristan, at the Zone 5 East Liberty annual Community Day/ Open House, June 3. (Photo courtesy Western PA Fire Photography)
PITTSBURGH POLICE OFFICERS Angela Garrett, Tawna White and Jeff Crawford at the Zone 5 East Liberty annual Community Day/Open House, June 3. (Photo courtesy Western PA Fire Photography)
On a sunny Saturday afternoon in June, New Pittsburgh Courier staffers Diane I. Daniels and Rob Taylor Jr. located a huge party for the community! The Pittsburgh Police Zone 5 East Liberty division held its annual Community Day/ Open House on Washington Blvd., and hundreds of area residents met officers, ate food, played football and chess, and received valuable information from community organizations. “We do it because we realize how important it is for the police to be con-
ERIC WILLIAMS, with Alonna Mills and Eric Williams Jr. at the Zone 5 East Liberty annual Community Day/Open House, June 3. (Photo courtesy Western PA Fire Photography)
HANGIN’ OUT—Minka Mitchell, far right, with daughters Ondaisha, far left, and Tisnika, at the annual Community Day/Open House in East Liberty, June 3. (Photo courtesy Western PA Fire Photography)
POLAR BEAR—Pittsburgh residents Sherise and Alyssa Ford take a picture with a Pittsburgh Zoo mascot during the Zone 5 East Liberty division annual Community Day/Open House. (Photo courtesy Western PA Fire Photography)
ZONE 5 OPEN HOUSE (Photo courtesy Western PA Fire Photography)
nected to the community,” said Jason Lando, Zone 5 commander. “It’s pretty clear that there’s a disconnect between the police and the citizens (across the country), and we don’t want to have that here. It’s just a really nice way to bring people together, and hopefully when we go out on the street, and we encounter some of the people, there’s less stress, it makes it easier for the officers, there s more trust on the part of the public, and it’s a really a win-win for everybody.”
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JUNE 14-20, 2017
Champions of Debate
PEOPLE
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
The New Pittsburgh Courier congratulations University Prep Pittsburgh Milliones students Tenika Spencer, Amir Hutchins, and Payton Bell! They were the winners of the “LISTEN UP! Neighborhood Debate Classic 2017” held at the August Wilson Center, May 12. The event was produced by Minor Victories. Each winner received a trophy and grand prize for $150. Jermaine Johnson, founder and CEO of Minor Victories, said the event introduces teens to the power of words and ideas through intellectual sparring, and provides a vehicle for teens to express opinions and learn to use solid, compelling arguments to defend them. (Photos by Outbound Images by Daniel Jonez)
UNIVERSITY PREP PITTSBURGH MILLIONES STUDENTS
THE CHECK IS THEIRS—Members of University Prep Pittsburgh Milliones take first-place honors in the LISTEN UP! Neighborhood Debate Classic 2017, at the August Wilson Center, May 12.
Working hard in Northview Heights
TIONA EVANS, of Brighton Heights, speaks with Jeremy Roberts from Johnson Controls at the Northview Heights Job Fair, May 31. The event was hosted by the Housing Authority of the city of Pittsburgh. (Photos by J.L. Martello)
SERENA WILLIAMS, coordinator for HACP, and Valerie Lauw, president of the Northview Heights Citizens Council.
SEVILLE MCCORD, 24, of Northview Heights, fills out an application.
ABDULKADIR CHIRAMBO speaks with Bridgette Kennedy-Riske from Bidwell Training Center.
NORTHVIEW HEIGHTS JOB FAIR PARTICIPANTS
RELIGION
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Celebrating the First Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor Marco A. Tinor and First Lady Michelyn Tinor
JUNE 14-20, 2017
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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. & 11:00 A.M. Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) 11:00 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 22 Sampsonia Street, Northside Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-231-2554 FAX 412-231-6395 Rev. Lacy F. Richardson, Ph.D., Pastor Church School.................................9:30 A.M. Worship Service.................8:00 & 10:45 A.M. Bible Study/ Prayer Wednesday...................6:30/7:30 P.M. www.metropolitanbaptistchurch.com metropolitanbaptist2224@gmail.com
East Liberty Presbyterian Church
St. Paul Baptist Church in good hands
www.cathedralofhope.com
Journey Worship........8:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship........11 a.m. Summer Worship.. .......10 a.m.
New Destiny CME Church
by Debbie Norrell Courier Lifestyles Editor
On June 11 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monroeville, an Evening of Appreciation Banquet was held to celebrate the first anniversary of Pastor Marco A. Tinor and First Lady Michelyn Tinor. With nearly 200 in attendance, guests enjoyed a beautiful program. Reverend John Knight made the call to worship, while Rev. Leola Cherry led the group in prayer. Antoinette Fitzgerald welcomed the large audience and Pastor Kandri J. Webb of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Oceanside, California, introduced the guest speaker, Dr. William H. Curtis, Senior Pastor at Mount Ararat Baptist Church. “Don’t get weary in your well-doing, you will reap if you faint not” was the focus of the sermon for the evening. Reverend Curtis said, “You can’t let weary win.” The evening concluded with presentations to First Lady Michelyn Tinor by Deacon Garland Walker and closing remarks from First Lady Michelyn Tinor and Pastor Marco A. Tinor. Sunday worship is held at 10 a.m. at 6701 Penn Ave.
Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
1018 Bidwell St. Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-231-7882 Rev. Kornelus Neal, pastor The Rt. Rev. Marvin Thomas Sr., presiding bishop Sunday School....................................9 A.M. Morning Worship Service............11:00 A.M.
To have your church included in the Praise & Worship section, contact Ashley Johnson at 412-481-8302 ext. 128 for rates.
CALL TO WORSHIP—Rev. John Knight
SERMONIC SELECTION—Lorraine Berry
Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community! For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext. 128.
SPECIAL GUESTS—Rev. J. Van Winsett and Jacqueline Winsett
FIRST ANNIVERSARY PASTORAL COMMITTEE—Liz Beckhom, Carol Moore, Parrish Davenport, Cherita Allen and Myra Powell (photos by Debbie Norrell)
FAMILY OF THE TINORS—Lynn Hood, mother of Michelyn, Tanya and Marilyn Tinor, sisters of Rev. Tinor, niece A’myiah Vanreil and nephew Kevin Carter.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT CHURCH EVENT! We want to place your event in our Church Circuit weekly calendar! Send info to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Or Email us! religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com
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‘Smart’ money PPG CEO McGarry signs diversity pledge moves that aren’t so smart by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
by Liz Weston NerdWallet
The odds of winning a lottery are infinitesimal. Yet inevitably, someone does. Inspired by the idea of a huge payoff, millions of people burn money on lottery tickets. The financial strategies below aren’t as much of a long shot as the lottery. More than a handful of people may actually benefit. But many who are tempted to use them don’t understand how high the odds are stacked against success. What seem like smart money moves on the surface may hide perils underneath. USING A 401(K) LOAN The pitch: Retirement fund loans may be cheaper than other loans, and borrowers pay themselves interest instead of paying a lender. The problem: The risk of a loan turning into a withdrawal is huge. A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that 86 percent of workers who had outstanding 401(k) loans defaulted when they left their employer. Most plans require borrowers to quickly pay back balances after they quit, get laid off or get fired. Those who can’t are considered in default. The money owed becomes a withdrawal, triggering taxes, penalties and the potential loss of tens of thousands of dollars in future tax-deferred, compounded gains. Rather than asking if a 401(k) loan will be cheaper, the real question might be whether borrowing is the right move at all. The answer often is no. Loans can mask overspending that the borrower doesn’t want to confront. Think of a 401(k) loan as putting your future in hock. If you have a rock-solid job and a compelling reason to borrow, it might be worth the risk. Otherwise, it’s not. INVESTING IN A VARIABLE ANNUITY The pitch: Variable annuities offer a tax-deferred way to save for retirement without contribution limits. In retirement, annuities can provide a lifetime stream of payments. The problem: Unlike other retirement accounts, variable annuities don’t offer a tax break. Contributions aren’t deductible and withdrawals are taxable as income. Plus, variable annuities are more expensive than mutual funds. A variable annuity is a contract with an insurance company. Your money is invested in mutual funds that may gain or lose value—that’s the “variable’’ part. Once payments start, the insurer typically promises to continue the checks for the rest of your life, or the life of your spouse or any other person you designate. If you die before you start receiving the payments, your heirs get a death benefit. Some annuities also have life benefits that guarantee certain levels of income. These benefits come at a cost. The average annual expense ratio—the administrative and operating costs deducted from your returns—for a variable annuity is 2.27 percent, according to Morningstar, and some top 3 percent. That compares with the 0.6 3 percent average for mutual funds, according to the Investment Company Institute. High costs can reduce the amounts investors accumulate for retirement. Variable annuities often have surrender charges that take a chunk of early withdrawals. A typical surrender charge starts at 7 percent the first year and deSEE SMART B2
Michael McGarry, CEO of PPG has announced that he is now among 150 CEOs from around the country who have signed the CEO Action Diversity Pledge. “A diverse workforce is a prerequisite to success in global markets and economies,” McGarry said. “Clearly, diversity provides PPG with a competitive advantage in serving the needs of increasingly diverse customers in virtually every corner of the world. Diversity is all about bringing our best together to protect and beautify the world.” By signing on to this commitment, CEOs pledge
to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion, and where best known—and unsuccessful—actions can be shared across organizations via a unified hub, CEOAction. com, in an effort to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In his keynote address at the African American Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon last month, McGarry said the company had recently hired a new global supply manager is specifically looking to create more SEE PPG B2
MICHAEL McGARRY
Corporate Equity and Inclusion Conference set to make a difference
by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier
Tim Stevens is a busy man. With the fifth annual Corporate Equity and Inclusion Roundtable Conference less than a week away, his schedule is filling up. “I’ve been on this computer all morning,” he said hurriedly while confirming last-minute speakers and organizing the final version of the event program booklet. On June 19 at 8 a.m., his hard work, along with the CEIR committee members, will pay off as over 200 people will gather at the Duquesne University Power Center, 1105 Forbes Ave., to share a common interest in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Pittsburgh’s workforce and supplier opportunities. Updates on progress made from the previous years on achieving higher levels of inclusion of African Americans and peo- PREPARING FOR THE BIG DAY—Tim Stevens, one of the many members of the CEIR Working Group in the final days ple of color and diversity in of preparation of the 5th Annual Corporate Equity and Inclusion Roundtable Conference. (Photo by Diane I. Daniels) employment, business ownership and business development in the region also will be revealed. ucation. ganizations collectively working toward a “I’m excited about this year’s conference,” Other highlights will include a show- common goal of branding the region with said Stevens, CEIR Working Group Facil- ing of the CEIR video, Creating Pebbles a strong and meaningful commitment to itator, and the Black Political Empower- of Possibilities for Ladders to Opportuni- diversity, equity and inclusion. Its purpose ment Project CEO. “The lineup is powerful ties, a tribute to the late Dan Rooney, the is to achieve higher levels of inclusion of and our keynote speaker, Dr. Kathy Hum- originator of the “Rooney Rule,” a special African Americans and people of color and phrey, will focus on our theme, Exploring announcement by Jeff Nobers, Executive diversity in employment, business ownerFormulas for Success.” Humphrey is the Director, Builders Guild of Western Penn- ship and in business development in the Senior Vice Chancellor for Engagement sylvania relating to the Pittsburgh Public Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvaand Chief of Staff, Chancellor’s Office at School System, and a video from the Air- nia Region. The Roundtable’s vision is to the University of Pittsburgh. bring about measurable lasting change port Authority; Ready for Takeoff. Panel discussions will include; Supplier Initiated five years ago, the mission of and breakthroughs in workforce diversiDiversity, facilitated by Doris Carson Wil- CEIR is to develop and implement strat- ty and inclusion and economic opportuniliams, President and CEO, African Amer- egies to overcome the diversity and inclu- ties. Objectives fall under the categories ican Chamber of Commerce of Western sion challenges within the corporate sector of human resources, institutional policies, Pennsylvania; and Ban the Box Update, in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsyl- institutional values, government policies facilitated by Tracey McCants Lewis, Esq., vania, by facilitating collaboration with and government values. Associate Clinical Professor and Interim key partners from educational instituWhen questioned if any achievements Co-Director, Duquesne University School tions, community organizations, workforce SEE CEIR B2 of Law Department of Clinical Legal Ed- development agencies and professional or-
Black unemployment rate falls for the wrong reasons by Freddie Allen For New Pittsburgh Courier
(NNPA)—Black workers continued to experience lackluster job growth under the Trump Administration, according to the latest jobs report from the Labor Department. Although, the share of Black workers in the population that held jobs (employment-population ratio or E-POP), ticked up from 57.6 percent in April to 57.7 percent in May and the unemployment rate decreased from 7.9 percent to 7.5 percent, the latest numbers also indicated that some Black workers exited the labor market. The 7.5 percent Black unemployment rate is more than double the jobless rate of White workers, a stubborn disparity that has existed for decades. Even though the jobless rate for White workers also decreased last month, it was likely because they stopped looking for work, too. In fact, all three key labor market indicators (unemployment rate, labor force participation rate and employment-population ratio) declined for White workers in May. Both White and Black working men
over 20 years-old lost ground in the labor market last month. So did White women, who not only left the labor market, but were also employed at lower rates in May than the previous month. Meanwhile, Black women entered the labor market and found jobs at higher rates in May compared to April. The labor force participation rate for Black women increased from 62.7 percent April to 62.9 percent in May. The employment-population ratio also increased from 58.4 percent in April to 58.6 percent in May. In a blog about the labor market for the Economic Policy Institute, researchers noted that job growth has slowed. “Adding in May’s 138,000 net new jobs, monthly job growth averaged 162,000 so far in 2017, and just 121,000 over the last three months, down from an average monthly gain of 187,000 jobs in 2016,” the post said. “While employment growth would be expected to slow as the economy approaches genuine full employment, other indicators suggest we are not that close to full employment yet, so this explanation seems insufficient.” Although the national unemployment
rate was 4.3 percent in May, the lowest in 16 years, the EPI post said that the labor force participation rate had been much higher in the past. “Today, there are lots of would-be workers on the sidelines not being counted, who would take a job if offered one,” the post said. “And, the drop in the unemployment rate in the past month is more of a sign of people giving up on finding a job than more people becoming employed.” The EPI post said that the American economy should not only be adding jobs, but also experiencing stronger wage growth. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., recently joined Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., and Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and Patty Murray, D-Wash., to introduce H.R. 15, the “Raise the Wage Act of 2017.” In a statement about the bill, Scott said that it’s been ten long years since we last raised the minimum wage. “While 29 states have taken action to raise their wages above the federal minimum since then, minimum wage workers in 21 states are still paid $7.25 an hour. This leaves a full-time, year-round
worker with a dependent child living below the federal poverty threshold,” said Scott. “Today’s low-wage workers earn less per hour, adjusted for inflation, than their counterparts did 50 years ago, but productivity has nearly doubled over that same time period. That is unacceptable.” Scott said that the “Raise the Wage Act of 2017” provides an important contrast between the Democrats’ agenda for working families and the agenda of President Trump and Congressional Republicans. “President Trump and the [Republican] majority have used the 115th Congress and the beginning of the Trump Administration to roll back safety and health protections, to attempt to take away health care from 23 million Americans, to undermine civil rights enforcement, and to advance legislation that would deny workers their hard-earned overtime pay,” said Scott. “By passing the ‘Raise the Wage Act,’ we can ensure that no one who works hard and plays by the rules has to live in poverty.” Scott continued: “Passing the ‘Raise the Wage Act’ is the right thing to do. It’s the fair thing to do. And it’s long overdue.”
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BUSINESS
JUNE 14-20, 2017
McGarry signs diversity pledge PPG FROM B1
opportunities for minority firms by diversifying its supply chain. Chamber CEO Doris Carson Williams welcomed the news. “I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “I’m pleased to see (PPG) stepping up. It will be good for our region and for our small business owners, who tend to hire from the community, so it’s a good thing.” The announcement comes less than a week ahead of the Fifth Annual Corporate Equity and Inclusion Roundtable Conference at Duquesne University presented by the Black Politi-
cal Empowerment Project. “Excellent, we’re thrilled to see that kind of commitment,” said CEIR Founder Tim Stevens. “We like to think we’ve planted deeper seeds. Sometimes we don’t know where they are falling, but it seems they are being watered. This announcement, coming from a major corporation certainly solidifies all we’re trying to do.” In addition to McGarry, other CEOs who’ve signed the pledge include KeyBank CEO Beth Mooney, Huntington Bank Steve Steinour and First Energy CEO Chuck Jones.
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
150 CEOs across country pledge to advance diversity and inclusion by Alisha Dixon For New Pittsburgh Courier
More than 150 CEOs nationwide made a commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace by joining CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, the largest CEO-driven effort of its kind. CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion said in a release that by signing onto the agreement, this large and diverse group of CEOs “pledge to cultivate a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected, where employees feel comfortable and encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion, and where best known—and unsuccessful—actions can be shared across organizations.” A steering committee of corporate leaders from over 50 industries include CEO’s from; Accenture, BCG, Deloitte US, The Executive Leadership Council, EY, General Atlantic, KPMG, New York Life, P&G and PwC lead all CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ efforts. “We are living in a world of complex divisions and tensions that can have a significant impact on our work environment. Yet, it’s often the case that when we walk into our workplace—where we spend the majority of our time—we don’t openly address these topics,” said Tim Ryan, U.S. Chairman and Senior Partner of PwC and chair of the steering committee for the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion. “CEOs across the country understand this isn’t a competitive issue, but a societal issue, and together we can raise the bar for the entire business community. By sharing best known actions and programs, we are helping to create a more inclusive environment that will encourage all of us to bring our greatest talents, perspectives, and experiences to the workplace.” With CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion each corporate leader has agreed to take the following steps to increase diversity and foster inclusion in each of their organizations and within the greater business community: 1. Continue to cultivate workplaces that
support open dialogue on complex, and sometimes difficult, conversations about diversity and inclusion: Companies will create and maintain environments, platforms, and forums where their employees feel comfortable reaching out to their colleagues to gain greater awareness of each other’s experiences and perspectives. By encouraging an ongoing dialogue and not tolerating any incongruence with these values of openness, companies are building trust, encouraging compassion and open-mindedness, and reinforcing their commitment to a culture of inclusivity. 2. Implement and expand unconscious bias education: Companies commit to rolling out and/or expanding unconscious bias education within their companies in the form that best fits their specific culture and business. By helping employees recognize and minimize any potential blind spots, companies can better facilitate more open and honest conversations. Additionally, the initiative will be making non-proprietary unconscious bias education modules available to other organizations free of charge. This training will live on the unified hub, CEOAction.com. 3. Share best-known—and unsuccessful—actions: Companies commit to working together to evolve existing diversity strategies by sharing successes and challenges with one another. This will include creating accountability systems within their companies to track their progress and share regular updates with each other in order to catalog effective programs and measurement practices. Following the announcement of this initiative, Diane Antishin, vice president of HR Operations at DTE Energy, revealed that Gerry Anderson, CEO of DTE Energy, is one of the 150 CEOs who has joined the pledge. “Diversity and inclusion is already a high priority for our company, and we’ve made tremendous progress independently. But the power of the CEO pledge is in the collective impact of America’s largest companies coming together—unified—to make positive change in the workplace,” the DTE VP said.
‘Smart’ money moves that aren’t so smart SMART FROM B1
clines by 1 percent per year. Investors also should understand the tax-deferral feature is a double-edged sword. Withdrawals are taxed at ordinary income rates that are typically higher— sometimes much higher—than the capital gains rates people could get if they invested in mutual funds directly rather than through a variable annuity. Variable annuities may have a place in your plans if you’ve contributed the maximum to 401(k)s and IRAs , you’re comfortable with the higher costs and you like the idea of lifetime payments. But you shouldn’t rely solely on the advice of someone who profits if you buy one. Take the annuity prospectus to a fee-only financial planner for a second opinion. Also, check out the financial strength of the insurer with rating agencies such as A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, since its failure could affect its ability to
pay benefits. TAKING A LUMP-SUM PAYOUT The pitch: You could take a lump-sum payout from a pension or other retirement account and invest it so well that you wind up with more money than you’d get from a lifetime stream of payments. The problem: Keeping your hands off a big pot of money. According to a MetLife study, many people who took lump sums spent or gave away sizable chunks of their payouts, and later regretted their actions. One in 5 retirees who took lump sums went through all of the money, and did so in an average of 51/2 years. If you’re disciplined, savvy about investing and get good, conflict-free advice, taking a lump sum can work. But if you struggle to live within your means, have a history of blowing through windfalls or are a novice at investing, lifetime payouts are the way to go.
CEIR conference set to make a difference CEIR FROM B1
Elaine Effort
Pittsburgh Profiles with KQV’s Elaine Effort sponsored in part by the New Pittsburgh Courier
Pittsburgh Profiles with Elaine Effort heard exclusively on Pittsburgh’s all-news radio station for 30 years
KQV 1410 AM and at WWW.KQV.COM Friday, June 16 at 7:30 P.M. Saturday, June 17 at 7:00 A.M. Sunday, June 18 at 5:00 P.M.
have been made by CEIR since its inception, Stevens confessed that it’s a hard assessment to make. “It’s a question for the working group to answer,” he said, pointing out that the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work will soon provide interns to assist them in moving ahead to provide follow-up with companies and corporations to evaluate their progress. Commending Robert DeMichiei, Chief Financial Officer of UPMC and Toni Silva, Director of Supplier Relations of UPMC for their commitment, Stevens said their creation of SHARE, a collaborative supplier diversity event designed to promote economic development opportunities for MWDBEs was created because of CEIR. The lineup of scheduled participants for the June 19 event Stevens credits as an
accomplishment. “The caliber of speakers indicates that we are beginning to have an impact on the conversation of diversity in this region.” The five-year partnership between CEIR and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development Stevens also views as significant. CEIR is an initiative of B-PEP in collaboration with Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, area agencies, and organizations. Key funding is provided from the Urban Affairs Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relations Council with additional financial support from the Pittsburgh Foundation, and in-kind support from Vibrant Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. To register for the free event, visit http://bit.ly/CEIR2017.
BUSINESS CALENDAR Invention Showcase
JUNE 13 to 15—INPEX, the country’s largest inventor showcase, returns to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center with an opening night party and a rooftop Beer Garden networking event at Sienna Mercato, Downtown. Both are open to exhibitors and business attendees. For the complete schedule and to register, visit www.inpex. com.
Legal Basics Seminar
JUNE 14—The Chatham Women’s Business Center, in collaboration with Urban Innovation21 and attorneys from Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP present a free Legal Basics seminar. The session will cover the legal topics of business formation and legal structures, overview of business contracts and terms, and business insurance. Registration is required. For more information contact Anne Flynn Schlicht at 412-365-1153, or aschlicht@chatham.edu.
Accessing Capital Workshop
JUNE 14—The African American Chamber of Commerce will present a seminar on Accessing Capital, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the th floor Board Room at its offices in the oppers Building, 436 Seventh Avenue, Downtown. The discussion will be led by Neal Shipley, CEO of Capital Foundry, and his team. Topics to be discussed include working capital management, non-dilutive capital, and other nontraditional capital options. If you are a small business owner who has been unable to obtain traditional ban financing this wor shop is for you. Cost: members: $10.00, non-members: $20.00, and includes Box Lunch. RSVP by: June 12, 2017 412-392-0610 or information@aaccwpa.com.
Corporate Equity & Inclusion Roundtable
JUNE 19—The Black Political Empowerment Project will sponsor this workshop, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Duquesne University Power Center Ballroom, 1105 Forbes Avenue, Uptown. The event will feature presentations, panel discussions and progress reports on increasing the number of minorities and women in the “C-Suites” of Pittsburgh’s corporations. For registration and additional information, visit http://ceiroundtable. weebly.com.
SBA Certification Workshop
JUNE 21—The U.S. Small Business Administration will host a free HUBZone & Women-Owned certification program wor shop, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1450, Pittsburgh. The hands-on workshop with the SBA’s team of specialists will review program requirements and the application process in this monthly, face-to-face session. For more information visit https:// www.sba.gov/offices/district/pa/ pittsburgh.
Training Event
JUNE 22—The Duquesne University Small Business Center will host First Step: Business Startup Essentials, 1:30-4:30 p.m. in Rockwell Hall, rm. 108, 600 Forbes Ave., Uptown. Topics covered include: Business Structure and Formation; Fictitious Name Registration; Employee Issues; Insurance Government; Procurement; Environmental Concerns; Financing Options; Taxation, and Major Components of the Business Plan. Cost: $25. For more information, call 412-396-6233.
PowerBreakfast
JUNE 23—The African American Chamber of Commerce welcomes Dollar Bank President James McQuade as this month’s PowerBreakfast Speaker, 7:30 a.m. at the Rivers Club, One Oxford Center, 301 Grant Street, Downtown. For more information, call 412-392-0610.
Training Seminar
JUNE 28—The Chatham Women’s Business Center, in collaboration with Urban Innovation21& HRT Solutions will present a seminar on HR Basics for StartUps and Small Businesses, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Ave., Hill District. Learn about the importance of hiring the right people, attracting talent when you are a small business, compliance, payroll, and other HR basics that are imperative to scaling the people side of your business. Cost: Free, but registration is required. Visit https://www. chatham.edu/events/register. cfm?eventID=18328 to register. For more information call Anne Flynn Schlicht at 412-365-1153.
OPINION
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
JUNE 14-20, 2017
B3
Homicide count up, but percentage of Black victims drops
Guest Commentary
U.S. institutions facing high anxiety under Trump Our core democratic institutions are under a considerable amount of strain: the press, the courts, our election system, and the Congress to name a few. I dare say that the institution of the presidency is under strain as well. Not since the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln challenged the Constitution by not allowing “disloyal persons” a trial; meaning that he suspended habeas corpus and also brushing aside free speech and the press in the South and imposed martial law in many states have we seen a White House so brazen. In other words, Lincoln tested the system and in many ways if he had tried to do any of this today, he most likely would have been impeached. Defenders of President Lincoln would readily argue that what he did what was necessary given the unprecedented time the country was going through where literally lines were being drawn between northern and southern states regarding slavery. It was a dark time and those times called for extraordinary measures from the president trying to save the Union. In other words, and in this particular case, the ends justified the means. Today, we’re not at war—at least not in the traditional sense like World Wars I and II, Vietnam, etc. and thankfully; the Union is more united than ever before—I’m not suggesting politically—rather we’re united around a shared sense of principles and a shared sense of facts. But are we? We have a White House that readily dismisses news articles that it does not like as “fake news”, a White House that, on the day after the inauguration, stated, without any facts to validate its claim that 2 million to 5 million people voted illegally, and the list goes on and on with information coming out of the White House that’s simply not true. The Congress is feeling anxiety surrounding this White House and so are the courts. All throughout the 2016 campaign season, we knew that Donald Trump was a disrupter. We knew that he would turn the electoral politics on its head, because he did that in more when he running for our nation’s highest office. We also knew that “a different kind of thinking” was what the American electorate wanted and draining the swamp was very much a mandate that President Trump was given when he won over a much more established candidate. But what about the anxiety that our core institutions are feeling? Is this normal for them and should this feel normal to us? Yes and no. Yes, any institution that has been around for quite some time should feel some anxiety when people want change. That’s normal and quite frankly, I think that’s a good thing. Change is good, but change is only good when it’s done in proper context and when it’s done with collective by in from people who want to be part of the process. It’s not normal for people to have this much anxiety toward their government and their White House. In fact, it’s always quite the opposite. Do we get mad at the government around tax day for collecting too much of our money? Of course. Do we get upset with our presidents when we are in the middle of a war? Just ask Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon or George W. Bush! But have we ever questioned so broadly a White House who boldly states so many untruths from the White House podium? This is something new and uncharted territory that is what I fear to be very dangerous and this is what every American should be concerned about. And this is why we all have to not only double down on protecting our core institutions such as newspapers, the courts, the Congress, etc, but to always be aware that these institutions are fragile and their only one generation away from slipping away from us. (Robert Traynham can be reached via Twitter at @roberttraynham.)
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John. H. Sengstacke
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There was good news and bad news when it came to May’s homicide count in Allegheny County. First, the bad news. The actual number of homicides in May was twice the number in April. But the good news was, even though the number was higher, the percentage of homicide victims that were Black, 60, was at a near all-time low. Even the overall percentage this year is lower. Normally the percentage is up around 80 to 90 percent, but so far this year it’s down to 70 percent. As of May 31, 28 of the 40 homicides this year in the county were Black lives. There were only four homicides in April, three were Black males and one White female. Three of the four homicides involving Whites in May were domestic and much older. An 83-year-old man killed his 80-year-old wife, then committed suicide, a daughter killed her 69-yearold father and a girlfriend killed her 23-year-old live-in boyfriend. The Black males, as usual, were much younger, with two of the six being teenagers, 17 and 18. The others were 25, 25, 31 and 34 years old. And, as usual, the shooters of the Blacks have not been found, as compared to the Whites. However, that is mostly because the Whites and Asian homicides were domestic, in which the husband killed the wife, the girlfriend kills the boyfriend and the daughter killed the father with the mother there. Another thing I’ve noticed in the past few years is that there are more head shots to make sure the victim dies instead of the wild drive-bys of previous years. My daughter was surprised to find on this year’s list of homicides the young man who took her to the prom six years ago. He was gunned down in front of a bar talking to friends.
Ulish Carter
Just Sayin’ These killings are not only getting younger, with a 14-year-old last month, and a 17 and 18-year-old this month, but even young mothers such as the 25-year-old mother of twins. Now those kids will have to grow up without a mother. The New Pittsburgh Courier has been publishing the homicide count the past several years in an effort to illustrate that Blacks Lives Matter regardless of who kills them, in an effort to stop the killing of our young Black males. Hopefully the Courier will continue this effort until the count is zero. Hiring more Blacks in city government I am hoping and praying that Janet Manuel, the new deputy director of personnel and civil service, can do what has never been done before—get more Blacks on the police force, like 20 to 30 percent, as well as more Blacks employed across the board in city positions, not just as police officers. Former Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper tried to get more Black police officers but was always shot down by someone or more, just when he thought he had the proper people selected, which was extremely frustrating to him. But maybe finally we have a mayor who will stand with Manuel as she fights for diversity in city employment. Hopefully the community groups will continue to keep the pressure on the city and Manuel to produce to
the point where we begin to see more Black faces in city government across the board. Meanwhile Esther Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, and other community leaders at the annual Urban League State of Black Pittsburgh forum (June 1) stated that even though Pittsburgh is making progress in diversity, it has a long way to go. Carl Redwood, of the Hill District Consensus Group, stated that the city is losing thousands of Blacks to the suburbs while others are being lost to other cities because of the lack of diversity in Western Pennsylvania. “A part of the role that I have is reminding folks throughout this community and certainly within the organization that because you hire diversity does not mean that you lesson quality. Through having a diverse workforce becomes better problem solvers, we become better decision makers, we become better at providing high-quality care to our diverse patient population,” Dr. James E. Taylor, chairman of diversity and inclusion for UPMC, said in an article by Rob Taylor Jr., in the June 7 Courier. President Donald Trump watch Well, practically all the news from the major media last week was dominated by the James Comey testimony. He is, of course, the former FBI director who was fired by Trump several weeks ago. In Comey’s testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, broadcast all over the nation, he said President Trump lied about their meeting. Then later when questioned about the Comey statements, the President said that Comey is, “a liar.” So, we are back to he said vs. he said. Are we ever going to get back to jobs, employment, and the economy? (Ulish Carter is the former managing editor of the New Pittsburgh Courier.)
The struggle continues by Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.”—Mahatma Gandhi The messages of Gandhi, King and others, whose lives have modeled the benefits of thinking on a higher moral plane, still serve as a guide for many of us who consider ourselves warriors for progressive social and spiritual advancement. Dr. C. DeLores Tucker, my predecessor as leader of the NCBW, stood firm against the constant flow of filthy lyrics being piped into the minds of our youth. She was viciously maligned for her efforts, but, since her death, we’ve maintained the fight to teach young people to select more positive expressions of their talents through our College for Kids, College for Teens, Internships, Young Ambassadors and Scholarship programs. I was pleased to learn that Bob Law and the National Black Leadership Alliance, Clear the Airwaves Project and others are joining us in assuming leadership in this decades long issue. Although faced with much of the same filth, NCBW and others have picketed Viacom, BET, record stores; attended and spoken to Boards of offending companies and sponsors of programs that repeatedly play and
support racially and sexually offensive music. Members of our coalition have staged protests to bring awareness to the link between the dangerous messages in certain music and the repercussion of those dangerous messages in our schools, homes and communities. These programs are geared toward our young impressionable minds, playing vulgar music constantly promoting sex and violence, while glorifying topics like drug use/peddling, alcohol abuse, popping pills, self-hate, misogyny, date rape and even murder. These stations target African American youth, while overlooking the inspiring music and messages from which young people could benefit Proponents of this “music” form suggest that it’s merely an expression of the reality of their circumstance. There may be a measure of truth in that assertion, but, if our race had only glorified the circumstance of slavery, Jim Crow or the persistent exclusion from the opportunity for achievement, it is doubtful that we would be far beyond the brutality of our past subjugation. It’s time to intensify our action. This music can be blamed for the bad choices too many young people make. We still lose too many to street violence. Too many languish in prison after being encouraged to participate in acts of personal destruction. Radio stations that play unhealthy music threaten the constructive work of
many of our organizations. As the current administration proposes cuts for education and programs of uplift, those exploiting this corrupting music for financial gain do so at the expense of options that give young people respectable future choice. The one way to end this marketing of negative music and force more responsible radio programming is to cut the profit! We call upon those who care about ending the filth fed to our young people to join a consumer action on June 19th. McDonald’s Restaurants have been identified as a major advertiser for this genre. Unsuccessful appeals have been made to McDonald’s to end their support. Our coalition is asking that YOU find another place to eat on June 19th. Bob Law says, “Let them operate without Black consumer dollars.” As Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity learned that White women cannot be disrespected at their station, our action on June 19th will demand the same respect for Black women and the Black community. We urge Black people to free our minds for just one day on June 19th to show McDonald’s and other advertisers we mean business. Stay tuned for the next action that we’ll continue until advertisers get the message we will not pay for our own destruction. (Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of the National Congress of Black Women. 202/6786788. www.nationalcongressbw.org.)
The negative side of Brown vs. Board of Ed. by A. Peter Bailey (TriceEdneyWire.com)—May 17, 2017 was the 63rd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Brown vs Board of Education decision declaring that legally-sanctioned and enforced school segregation a violation of the Constitution of the United States. At the time and often since then, that decision has been heralded as a major victory over the White supremacists/ racists in the former Confederate States of America. No doubt it was but the aftermath of that historic decision has not proven to be totally positive for Black folks because it has been interpreted as meaning all-Black schools were inherently inferior, not because of deliberate decisions made by state government officials and the White supremacist/racist attitudes and practices of the majority White population, but because they were allBlack. Through the years that interpretation came to include all-Black businesses, all-Black professionals, all-Black colleges and universities, all-Black anything. As a result, way too many, if not most Black folks, basically abandoned Black businesses, professionals, colleges and universities, restaurants, etc. With enthusiasm, we began delivering most all of our economic resources, mainly to Whites, but also to businesses owned
by members of other ethnic and nationality communities. This practice has cost us dearly, psychologically, culturally and economically. Psychologically, to believe that anything is inherently inferior just because it’s Black is self-defeating and demoralizing. Culturally, it means too many of us with dyed blonde hair and blonde wigs; it means accepting the use of the n-word as some kind of liberating act; it means way too many of us still talking about a woman being “dark-skinned but pretty” or having “good hair”; it also means giving people from other ethnic groups millions of dollars annually for fake hair. I guess Black hair is inherently inferior. Economically, it means practically donating several billion dollars, annually for services that we could get from other Black folks to White doctors, lawyers, dentists, press agents, public relations operatives, newspapers, magazines, car dealers, restaurants, bars, and on and on. For the sake of our children, if not ourselves, we must reject any declaration that all-Black schools were inherently inferior in 1954. They were physically inferior because of deliberate policies to make them so by White supremacists/racists. And remember that those schools were the initial learning spaces for the overwhelming majority of the Civil Rights and human rights warriors in the 1960s.
Our focus should have been in 1954 and today doing everything possible to provide a quality education for our children. That does not require integration or diversity. It requires a determined group of Black folks inspired by the following observations of Brother Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Education is an important element in the struggle for human rights. It is the measure to help our children and people rediscover their identity and thereby increase self-respect. It is our passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to the people also prepare for it today…Afro-American parents must be willing and able to go into the schools and see that the job of educating our children is done properly.”—Bro. Malcolm X “Education without social action is a one-sided value because it has no true power potential. Social action without education is a weak expression of pure energy. Deeds uninformed by educated thought can take false directions. When we go into action and confront our adversaries, we must be armed with knowledge as they are. Our policies should have the strength of deep analysis beneath them to be able to challenge the clever sophistries of our opponents.”—Martin Luther King Jr. (A. Peter Bailey, whose latest book is Witnessing Brother Malcolm X, the Master Teacher, can be reached at apeterb@verizon.net.)
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JUNE 14-20, 2017
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The New Pittsburgh Courier is looking for a display advertising sales representative. Experience in media sales or related area preferred but will train the right individual. This full-time staff position offers salary + commission with full benefits after 0 days, paid vacation after 6 months. Must be a self-starter with leadership s ills, reliable transportation, and strong computer, written and verbal communication skills. All resumes will be considered. Must be able to wor under deadlines, do comprehensive sales-related research and make sales presentations. Send resumes to jobs@ newpittsburghcourier.com.
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The Allegheny County Airport Authority has a position opening for a Recruiter supporting the Human Resources Department at Pittsburgh nternational Airport. Complete information about this position is available at http: www.flypittsburgh.com careers acaa-employment EOE / M / F / D / V
JOB FAIR
The Job Fair will take place on une 17, 2017 at the Hampton nn 4 7 Mc night Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 1 237 from 10am-2pm A Second Chance, nc is currently hiring for the following positions: Full Time Child and Family Services Caseworker Full Time Family Services and Transportation Worker Part time Family Services and Transportation Worker FACE Certification rainer Family Services and Transportation Supervisor Applicants can go to a e nd chance-kinship.com to apply
LANGUAGE CONTENT COORDINATOR, CHATBOT
Duolingo, nc. see s anguage Content Coordinator, Chatbot in Pittsburgh, PA to coordinate language educational content creation for our five most popular language courses: English, Spanish, French, erman, and Portuguese. Duties: (i) developing instructional material and coordinating Chatbot content team in the timely planning, creation, and dissemination of educational content across multiple language courses and platforms; (ii) identifying and testing contractors who provide translation services; (iii) training and supporting contractors and our volunteer network on our processes and systems; and (iv) performing content quality assurance. Requirements: Master s degree in tourism, culture or related field. 2 years of e perience in coordinating diverse operations and collaborative work on time-sensitive projects. Experience must include: (i) organi ing teams and setting up wor plans; (ii) wor ing with outside vendors; and (iii) developing materials responsive to client or user needs. Must have ability to identify errors in content in English, Spanish, French, erman and Portuguese. Email resume to jobs@ du lin and e i #20171 in the subject line.
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION
The Communications Manager works within the Development Department to promote the mission of Manchester Bidwell Corporation and its affiliate organi ations. Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Development, the Communications Manager meets the needs of the corporation’s administrators by overseeing aspects of program related communications to promote increased awareness of the organi ation and contributions. BS in Communications, Public Relations or similar 3 to yrs. e perience in communications preferably in an academic or nonprofit setting; demonstrated experience overseeing the creation, design and production of print materials and publications; e cellent verbal and written communication s ills; ability to effectively tell a compelling story to a wide variety of individuals; strong project management and analytical skills with an ability to prioriti e and meet tight timelines required. E pert PC and Apple Mac s ills including MS Office; print publishing software (Adobe CC) and basic video editing software (iMovie or Premiere Elements); basic desktop publishing and production ( ero printers); social media aggregator (HootSuite or similar); nDesign, ordPress CMS, and basic H M also required. Send Resume with cover letter and salary requirements to hr@ an e er id ell r EOE
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To manage housing projects and teach construction skills to youth yrs. e perience in the construction industry and classroom teaching capabilities Salary Range: 40,000 to 0,000 Send resumes to marciacrews4@ gmail.com or mail to Garfield Jubilee Assoc. Inc., 5323 Penn Ave., Pgh., PA 15224
FULL STACK JAVA SOFTWARE ENGINEER
ucas Systems, nc. ( e ford, PA) seeks Full Stack Java Software Engineer to be part of a team that builds a next generation commercial sftwr product write clean, testable, elegant ava code while embracing the principles of sftwr dsgn dsgn elegant User nterfaces. Apply new U tech or mobile platforms. or w team members to understand the functional technical product reqs. Document articulate the proposed dsgn implementation. Dsgn implement major functional components. Must hold Master’s deg in Comp Sci, Eng g or directly-rel d field. Must ve 2 yrs of prev e p in ava sftwr dvlpmnt for commercial use. Must now (thru academic training or wor e p) open source framewor s, li e Spring ORM technology, li e Hibernate; relational database technologies, li e MyS , Oracle, or MS S ; modern fullstack browser based JavaScript framewor s Angular, Bac bone, Ember or noc out; A a , H M CSS3. :30 a.m. to :30 p.m., 40 hrs w . All apps resumes must be submitted via e-mail to resumes@ lucasware.com ref “Full Stac Java Software Engineer”. LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
N HE COUR OF COMMON PLEAS OF A E HEN COUN , PENNS AN A C AC ON- A NO. D-17-00 11 NO CE OF AC ON N MOR A E FOREC OSURE Reverse Mortgage Solutions, nc., Plaintiff vs. Christopher Warobla , nown Heir of Ann . u si a a Ann arobla u si , ames R. u si , nown Heir of Ann . u si a a Ann arobla u si and Un nown Heirs, Successors, Assigns and All Persons, Firms or Associations Claiming Right, itle or nterest from or Under Ann . u si a a Ann arobla u si , Defendants O: Un nown Heirs, Successors, Assigns and All Persons, Firms or Associations Claiming Right, itle or nterest from or Under Ann . u si a a Ann arobla u si , Defendant(s), whose last nown address is 20 Houston Road, Pittsburgh, PA 1 237. COMP A N N MOR A E FOREC OSURE ou are hereby notified that Plaintiff, Reverse Mortgage Solutions, nc., has filed a Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint endorsed with a Notice to Defend, against you in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, doc eted to NO. D-17-00 11, wherein Plaintiff seeks to foreclose on the mortgage secured on your property located, 20 Houston Road, Pittsburgh, PA 1 237, whereupon your property would be sold by the Sheriff of Allegheny County. NO CE OU HA E BEEN SUED N COUR . f you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the notice above, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this Complaint and Notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the Court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. ou are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint or for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. ou may lose money or property or other rights important to you. OU SHOU D A E H S PAPER O OUR A ER A ONCE. F OU DO NO HA E A A ER O O OR E EPHONE HE OFF CE SE FOR H BE O . H S OFF CE CAN PRO DE OU H HE NFORMA ON ABOU H RN A A ER. F OU CANNO AFFORD O H RE A A ER, H S OFF CE MA BE AB E O PRO DE OU H NFORMAON ABOU A ENC ES HA MA OFFER E A SER CES OE B E PERSONS A A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE. A ERS REFERRA SER CE, Allegheny County Bar Assn., 11th Fl., oppers Bldg., 43 7th Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 1 21 , 412.2 1. . Mar . Udren, orraine a ara Doyle, Sherri . Braunstein, Eli abeth . assall, ohn Eric ishbaugh, Nicole B. abletta, David Neeren Morris Scott, Attys. for Plaintiff, Udren aw Offices, P.C., 111 oodcrest Rd., Ste. 200, Cherry Hill, N 0 003, . . 400.
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Estate of JEAN E. HESSE, Deceased of Mt. ebanon, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, No. 02-17-03002, Paul D. Hesse, Administrator, Estate of ean E. Hesse, 1 4 ent Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 1 241 or to ODD A. FU ER, Atty; BREN O E FU ER, C, 401 ashington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 1 017 Estate of ROBERT D. MCKINLEY, SR., Deceased of Monroeville, Pennsylvania No. 02-17-02 03, Robert D. Mc inley r., E ecutor 4 1 hitestown Road, Harmony, PA 1 037 or to odd . ordan, Esquire, Ec ert Seamans Cherin Mellott, C, U.S. Steel ower, 00 rant Street, 44th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 1 21 . Estate of ELIZA MAHAN, deceased of Pittsburgh, PA No. 02-17-02 24 Sharon R. ones, 2 A ehead Court, Randallstown, MD 21133, Co-E tr., Sylvia Mahan, 30 ucunda Street, Pittsburgh, PA 1 210, Co-E tr., or to Sheila M. Ford, 41 Stanton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 1 20 . Estate of MR. FREDRICK R. CORNELL, deceased of 12 Pine Acre ane, Moon ownship, PA 1 10 . Estate No. 02-17-3140. Mr. Steven Cornell, 1 2 Brighton Drive, Sweic ley, PA 1 143, E ecutor, c o Ma C. Feldman, Attorney At aw, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 1 10 . Estate of BETTIE PRESSLEY, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA No. 02-1 - 43. Nena Ale ander, E ecutor, 3 Apple Street, Pittsburgh, PA 1 20 or to Bruce S. elman, Esq., elman Reisman, aw Finance Bldg., 42 Fourth Ave., Ste. 1701, Pittsburgh, PA 1 21 .
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N HE COUR OF COMMON PLEAS OF A E HEN COUN , PENNS AN A C AC ON- A NO. M -17-000 0 NO CE OF AC ON N MOR A E FOREC OSURE Bayview oan Servicing, C, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, Plaintiff vs. Un nown Heirs, Successors, Assigns and All Persons, Firms or Associations Claiming Right, itle or nterest From or Under Nathaniel P. Morris, deceased and oanne ashington, nown heir of Nathaniel P. Morris, deceased, Defendant(s), o the Defendant(s), Un nown Heirs, Successors, Assigns and All Persons, Firms or Associations Claiming Right, itle or nterest From or Under Nathaniel P. Morris, deceased: A E NO CE HA HE Plaintiff, Bayview oan Servicing, C, a Delaware imited iability Company has filed an action Mortgage Foreclosure, as captioned above. NO CE F OU SH O DEFEND, OU MUS EN ER A R EN APPEARANCE PERSONA OR B A ORNE AND F E OUR DEFENSES OR OB EC ONS H HE COUR . OU ARE ARNED HA F OU FA O DO SO HE CASE MA PROCEED HOU OU AND A UD MEN MA BE EN ERED A A NS OU HOU FUR HER NO CE FOR HE RE EF RE UES ED B HE P A N FF. OU MA OSE MONE OR PROPER OR O HER R H S MPOR AN O OU. OU SHOU D A E H S NO CE O OUR A ER A ONCE. F OU DO NO HA E A A ER O O OR E EPHONE HE OFF CE SE FOR H BE O . H S OFF CE CAN PRO DE OU H NFORMA ON ABOU H RN A A ER. F OU CANNO AFFORD O H RE A A ER, H S OFF CE MA BE AB E O PRO DE OU H NFORMAON ABOU A ENC ES HA MA OFFER E A SER CES OE B E PERSONS A A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE. Allegheny County Bar Assn. 400 oppers Bldg., 437 7th Ave., 3rd Fl., Pittsburgh, PA 1 21 Christopher A. DeNardo, risten D. ittle, evin S. Fran el, Samantha able, Daniel . ut , eslie . Rase, Alison H. ulio atherine M. olf, Attys. for Plaintiff Shapiro DeNardo, C 3 00 Hori on Dr., Ste. 1 0 ing of Prussia, PA 1 40 10-27 - 00
COURIER CLASSIFIEDS
n accordance with section 307 of the NPC , public notice is hereby given that BR D E O HE MOUNA NS has filed articles of non-profit incorporation with the Pennsylvania Department of State on May 22, 2017. Bridge to the Mountains is a non-profit corporation, Christian faith based missionary organi ation providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental illness, and other related life challenges located at 2700 ane Street Pittsburgh, PA 1 203. LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION e SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH
Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Room 2 1, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1 213, on uly 11, 2017, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for the following: Pittsburgh Obama 6-12 Cooling ower Replacement Mechanical Prime Project Manual and Drawings are available for purchase on une , 2017 at Modern Reproductions (412-4 -7700), 127 Mc ean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1 21 between :00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. he cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.
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Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 00 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 1 233 (412.237.3020) on the following items: id r al e la e ari u lle en a pus A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting and site visitation will be held onsite for Bid 1001 beginning at :00 a.m. on Friday, une 23, 2017. he assembly point will be the front of the Allegheny Campus Boo store, 00 Bloc of Ridge Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 1 212. id r al e la e an ir S e a i rar uildin lle en a u A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting and site visitation will be held onsite for Bid 1002 beginning at 1:00 p.m. on hursday, une 1 , 2017. he assembly point will be the front of the ibrary Building, 00 Bloc of Ridge Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 1 212. id r al e la e Chiller/Cooling Tower at Visual r en er lle en a u A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting and site visitation will be held onsite for Bid 1003 beginning at 2:00 p.m. on ur da une . The assembly point will be the front of the isual Arts Center, North incoln at alveston, Pittsburgh, PA 1 212. Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on ur da June 29, 2017. The CCAC Purchasing Department is now publishing all bids via the CCAC website at https://www. a edu id r unities.aspx t will be each vendor s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda. Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the final submittal may result in the rejection of your bid. he Board of rustees 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.
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SEPARA E and SEA ED B DS for the following solicitation, will be received by the Office of Procurement, Pittsburgh ater and Sewer Authority, 1200 Penn Ave., Second Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 1 222, until 2:00 PM Prevailing ime une 2 , 2017. Bids must be received in the hands of and clocked in by a PWSA Procurement Officer in sufficient time prior to the opening in order for a bid to be considered. INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR ASPINWALL TREATMENT PLANT CLARIFIER NO. 2 AND NO. 4 REHABILITATION PWSA PROJECT NO. 2017-322-101-1 he scope of Clarifier wor includes repairs to expansion joints in Clarifier Basins No. 2 and No. 4, e pansion joint repairs in the overhead troughs, and repairs to e isting wall crac s spalling concrete as required to allow the expansion joint repairs to be completed. Flocculator tank solids removal entails removing and disposing of solids (accumulated coal, sand, and sludge) from the four flocculation tan s located inside Clarifier Basin No. 2. All bids must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation that can be obtained by sending an e-mail to c uratovic pgh2o.com. here will be no charge for the solicitation, as it will be sent via e-mail. All questions relating to the solicitation itself shall be directed to Jim Tracey, Contract Specialist, via e-mail: tracey pgh2o.com, no later than June 21, 2017. All Bidders interested in submitting a bid in response to this solicitation are invited to attend a Site isit on June 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held immediately following the Site isit. he purpose of this meeting is to give an overview of the contract requirements and to allow Bidders to as questions. Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Bond in the amount of en Percent (10 ) of the bid for the pro ect under construction. Said Bond shall be duly and legally executed with a Surety or Trust Company which has complied with City Ordinances Resolutions relating thereto. A Performance Bond and abor and Material Bond in the amount of 100 of the contract value for each awarded pro ect will be required after award. The Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, se ual preference, se , or national origin. he bidders will be required to submit the pac age of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity. The Authority reserves the right to withhold the award of the Contract for a period of 0 days after the opening of the bids. The Authority reserves the right to re ect any or all proposals, and to waive any informality or minor irregularity in any bid or bids. The Authority also retains the right to investigate the qualifications of bidders prior to any award and to award contracts only to contractors who, in the sole judgment of the Pittsburgh ater and Sewer Authority, are qualified and equipped to properly e ecute the specified wor . ROBERT A. WEIMAR, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
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LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Contract No. ACHA-1580, Admissions & Continued Occupancy Policy Administrative Plan (ACOP/AP) Services
The Allegheny County Housing Authority is requesting proposals from qualified firms to provide a review of its current ACOP/AP services. Request for Proposals and Contract Documents are on file and may be obtained at no charge from the Allegheny County Housing Authority, 625 Stanwix Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, or by contacting Guy Phillips, Purchasing Manager at gphillips@achsng.com. A pre-proposal conference (Not Mandatory) will be held in the Authority’s Boardroom on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Proposal submittals are due no later than 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 27, 2017at the Allegheny County Housing Authority. The Authority encourages responses from §3 business concerns, small firms, minority firms and firms that have not previously performed work for the ACHA. The Allegheny County Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any and all submissions. ALLEGHENY COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY Frank Aggazio, Executive Director
DOCUMENT 00030-AA ADVERTISEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Separate and sealed Proposals will be received at the Office of Procurement, Allegheny County Airport Authority, Pittsburgh International Airport, Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezz, P.O. Box 12370, Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370 until 1:00 P.M. prevailing local time, JULY 6, 2017, and bids will be publicly opened and read by the Airport Authority in Conference Room A, Pittsburgh International Airport, Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezz, P.O. Box 12370, Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370, one half hour later, for the following: ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY PROJECT NUMBER 7G1-17 McCASLIN ROAD RESURFACING AND REPAIRS AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT A pre-bid conference will be held in Conference Room A, Fourth Floor, in the Landside Building, Pittsburgh International Airport, at 10:00 a.m., on JUNE 15, 2017. Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, must be paid on these projects. Proposals must be made on the Authority’s form and in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and the “Instructions to Bidders”’. The non-refundable charge for the Bid Documents and a Disk containing the Plans and Specifications is $150.00; mailing can be arranged for an additional $75.00 charge – for mailing information call 412-4723677 or 412-472-3663. This project has DBE participation goals; DBE firms must be certified with the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program) (PA UCP). Firms must be certified prior to award of contract. A searchable database of DBE firms can be found on the PA UCP web site: http://www.paucp.com The Airport Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids or waive any informalities in the bidding. No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of sixty [60] days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. To view a complete advertisement, which is also included in the bidding documents visit i burgh.com under doing business with us – business opportunities or call 412-472-3779 or 412-472-3543 or 412-472-3677. Christina A. Cassotis ie e u i e fi er ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
JUNE 14-20, 2017
SONNY BOY
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Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 (412.237.3020) on the following items: Bid 1004 – Aimetis Symphony Software Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Thursday, June 22, 2017. The CCAC Purchasing Department is now publishing all bids via the CCAC website at https://www. ccac.edu/Bid-RFP_Opportunities.aspx It will be each vendor’s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda. Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the final submittal may result in the rejection of your bid. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES AT BEDFORD HOPE CENTER, DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES CENTER (DOC) AND CREATIVE ARTS CORNER (NORTHVIEW) – RESIDENT OWNED BUSINESSES ONLY IFB# 250-20-17
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): JANITORIAL SERVICES AT BEDFORD HOPE CENTER, DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES CENTER (DOC) AND CREATIVE ARTS CORNER (NORTHVIEW) – RESIDENT OWNED BUSINESSES ONLY IFB# 250-20-17 The documents will be available no later than June 12, 2017 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 9:00 a.m. on June 30, 2017 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP. org. Questions or inquiries should be directed to: Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept. 100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Thursday, June 22, 2017 9:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
LEGAL ADVERTISING Death Notice
WOOD BERNARD “SAM” D, Jr.
Peacefully on June 1, 2017, of Pittsburgh, PA. He leaves to cherish his memory, seven children, Juanita, Bernard III, Eva, Ray, Julie, Rashie Barnett, Adam Higgs; and former wife, Julia Wood; nine grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; four sisters and one brother. Memorial Service to be held Saturday June 10, 2017, at Kingdom Light Ministries International, 15206 at 11 a.m. Arrangements of care entrusted to www.houseoflawinc.com
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CHRIS PAYNE, SHERADEN
B5
B6
FORUM
JUNE 14-20, 2017
On Courtesy— Race, gender and the 45 defensive (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Courtesy flew out of the window in Washington parlance a long time ago. The minute a deranged Congressman stood up and hollered, “you lie” at a sitting President (this was South Carolina Republican Congressman Joe Wilson yelling at President Barack Obama), we knew that courtesy had taken a vacation. Courtesy took more than a time out when we had a Presidential candidate bragging about grabbing p***y and calling our Mexican American brothers and sisters rapists. Courtesy was even more far gone when 45 attacked Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, D-Ga., because of a disagreement. But courtesy was really kicked to the curb when Senator Richard Burr, R-N.C., had the audacity to scold his colleague, the scintillating Senator Kamala Harris, D-Calif., because she was theoretically not courteous to the dissembling liar, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, when she asked pointed questions about the firing of former FBI director James Comey. As she became aggressive, which was her right, Senator Burr,
Julianne Malveaux
Commentary who asked that Mr. Rosenstein be treated “with courtesy,” admonished her. What is courtesy? A dictionary defines it as “excellence of manners or social conduct”, “polite behavior,” “courteous, respectful or considerate acts”, “Indulgence, consent, or acquiescence.” A senate hearing is not the place to have “indulgence.” It is not the place to, necessarily, offer acquiescence. It is the place to ask hard questions and to demand uneasy answers. It is not the place, apparently, for an intelligent African American woman to do her job, given that Senator Richard Burr seems to think that Black women don’t get to ask hard questions. We’ve been down this road before. A couple of months ago, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, was shut down when she attempted to read a letter that the late Coretta Scott King wrote about current Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Her colleagues voted to halt her remarks because of some obscure rule that prevents Senators from criticizing their colleagues. More importantly, they voted to treat her in a way that they had treated no man. Just like they voted to scold Senator Harris. Senator Harris will not back down from her senatorial detractors. A seasoned prosecutor who has clawed her way up the political hierarchy in California, is a woman who does not play. She didn’t back down, and she won’t back down. All she wants, and all we want, are answers about what has happened about the Comey firing, the FBI investigations, and more. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, she is entitled to push as aggressively as required, and she must be allowed to have no pushback. How dare Richard Burr chastise her about courtesy? We are experiencing the most discourteous Presidential administration that we ever have. Seasoned politicos remember the Reagan administration as an ideological shift, but not a total absence of courtesy. Reagan, totally flawed, was at least affable. 45 is a mean, myopic, narcissistic, odious and rude man. And his minions, like Richard Burr, are especially going to have his back when a Black woman is pushing the envelope. Several other Senators, equally pointed, were allowed to go after the liars. Only Sen. Kamal Harris was pushed. I am lifting up Sen. Kamala Harris, and reminding myself of the words she offered at her victory party on Nov. 8, 2016. She said, “It is the very nature of this fight for civil rights and justice and equality that whatever gains we make, they will not be permanent. So we must be vigilant,” Harris said. “Do not despair. Do not be overwhelmed. Do not throw up our hands when it is time to roll up our sleeves and fight for who we are.” Senator Kamala Harris is fighting for us, and we have got to have her back. Shame on Sen. Richard Burr and the others who would silence her. Why would they muzzle her, but not their male colleagues? There should be no indulgence here, no acquiescence. Senator Kamala Harris should not back down, break down, stand down. She is fully within her rights to fight oppression. This is about race, and gender, and the power of patriarchy. This is the ugliness that we must fight.
(Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and founder of Economic Education.)
Daddy died in 1953, his positive influence lives on We set aside one day our father came home day a year to pay early from his job, and Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick homage to our explained to her that he fathers and mothwas not going to work one ers. The truth more day for anyone but of the matter is, himself. Mamma asked, too many moth“How do we feed these four ers have filled children?” the dual roles of Daddy replied that as mother and falong as God gave him ther, and in many his health and strength, situations, have done an exceptional job. he would provide for his family. Daddy I often write and speak to persons founded his own business in 1936 and the about my father, mainly because I think company existed until 1987 (50 years). about him regularly and constantly There was a period of time we had no reflect on the statements he would often indoor plumbing, no telephone, no outside make. My father emancipated me when toilet, no refrigerator, no gas…But Daddy I was about 14 or 15 years old. One day, instilled a sense of self-worth in the family, while I was working on the truck with and a clear understanding that poor and him, he and another man had a difrich is a state of mind, not being. ference of opinion, and when the man Over the course of my life I wined, dined, walked away, I said, “Daddy, Mr. Wilson and discussed issues with the richest and was right.” most powerful men in the nation. But I Daddy said, “Why did you not correct was never in awe, because of daddy’s upme?” and my response was, “You said chilbringing. I truly believed and understood dren are to be seen, not heard.” I was their equal. I was SOMEBODY long Daddy then said, “Never let your daddy before the Civil Rights Movement. play the role of a fool who don’t know what One of daddy’s favorites was, “Go to he is talking about.” school, they can’t take that away.” All of his That was my day of emancipation, and children heard the message and in conthe beginning of my telling the truth to junction with our wives, made education whomever. There were six in the Kendrick a reality. Daddy had four children, three family, and there was never any question went to college, and 10 grandchildren, and who was in charge. Daddy was daddy, all 10 went to college. He had nine great friend, neighbor, benefactor and active grandchildren, and all nine went to college. Christian, extending a helping hand to the And as I conclude this column, there is one entire community. Daddy had a number great great grandson preparing to medical of sayings that we were raised with that school. were an integral part of our upbringing. Daddy died relatively young—he only There was one that hung on the wall. It saw one of his grandchildren, but his last read, “Can’t is not acceptable in your vomessage to me was, “I die happy because cabulary or lifestyle.” God allowed me to live long enough to see He would elaborate by telling us that all my children reach adulthood.” (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the New things were possible and he truly believed Pittsburgh Courier.) that. My mother explained to us that one
To Tell The Truth
Colin Kaepernick did nothing wrong, but that’s the problem After San Francisco than I did about that 49ers quarterback issue.” The Giants J. Pharoah Doss Colin Kaepernick owner explained that embarked on a “nafans wrote in, stating tional anthem protest” if any of the Giants against police bruplayers did what tality, the NFL and Kaepernick did, they the 49ers stated that would never come to participation in the another game. pre-game ceremony In other words, was not a league or a Kaepernick’s non-parteam requirement. ticipation, which everyone pretended to That meant it was voluntary. be a serious protest, got the Giants owner But did headlines state, “Quarterback threatened with an actual boycott by didn’t volunteer for pre-game ritual for fanatics. (And who’s more fanatical than personal reasons...” Of course not, it was season ticket holders.) promoted as a protest. Kaepernick was But critics of the Giants owner went transformed from athlete to activist, but on to say that he neglected to mention a his symbolic gesture generated a national kicker the Giants signed to a new contract debate about free expression instead of the after he was arrested for domestic vioreality Kaepernick wanted to bring to the lence. They also questioned the priorities forefront. of Giants fans, by pointing out that the Kaepernick had no control over the narGiants owner received more letters about rative from the start. (The price of spontaa national anthem protest than a player neity or a rookie mistake.) that abused his wife. The NFL went back to business and left But the difference between Kaepernick Kaepernick’s fate to the public. and the perpetrator of domestic violence Some fans supported him and some fans is the perpetrator can admit he made a burned his jersey. (Fan is short for fanatic, mistake. He can apologize, hold a press and fanaticism is dangerous in all of its conference with his wife and beg for forms, add something unpatriotic to that forgiveness. A good public relations camfuel and business feels the heat.) paign will get him a second chance and But regardless of the controversy over reduce the letters from fans complainwhether or not Kaepernick was right or ing about domestic violence to the team wrong, the fact remained that not parowners. ticipating in an optional activity is not a But Kaepernick did nothing wrong, right? protest. So he has nothing to apologize for, and It’s just non-participation. all of the fanatics that rejected his free And pretending that it was something expression have nothing to forgive. And beyond that may be the biggest factor since they have nothing to forgive, all why he wasn’t picked up by another NFL that will remain is their fanatical hatred team. and their fanatical letters to team ownThe owner of the New York Giants made ers. some comments concerning the hypothetNo public relations campaign can help ical possibility of signing Kaepernick that Kaepernick because it’s not wrong to play upset a lot of Kaepernick supporters. The fantasy protest in the National Football Giants owner said he would be concerned League. about backlash from Giants fans. He conIt’s just bad for business. (J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New Pittsburgh tinued, “All my years in the league, I never Courier. He blogs at jpharoahdoss@blogspot.com) received more emotional mail from people
Commentary
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Harry C. Alford
Beyond the Rhetoric
Fingerprinting —A lifetime of rejection? A few weeks ago, in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Washington, D.C., C. Nicole Mason was hosting a party during the Memorial Day weekend. Her neighbor called the police and complained of loud noise. Usually this would cause a citation order, which would require her to go see a judge and possibly face a fine. But this policeman had other plans for this Black female living in the richest zip code in Washington, DC. He took her to the local police station where “she was photographed, fingerprinted and briefly put into a cell” according to the Washington, Post. She later received a formal apology from DC’s Chief of Police Besides humiliation and mistreatment Ms. Mason probably doesn’t know the worst thing that happened to her. She was fingerprinted. That will cause a life time of disruption. Whenever you get fingerprinted by police the results are sent to the FBI headquarters for entry into their database and will stay there forever. If she is up for a prominent assignment to a governmental board or a position that requires a security clearance the “arrest” is going to pop up. Not the unnecessary and stupid fingerprinting done by an admonished policeman. It will be assumed a criminal arrest. That could be next week or 15 years from now. It is there and it will never be expunged. Minorities in this nation are plagued by this kind of unnecessary action on an ongoing basis. The fact is there are millions of young minorities who get into the FBI database and those fingerprinting records are there to stay. If you were not indicted; not convicted; case thrown out or even all charges are erased from your records. Those fingerprints remain in that FBI database and will be reported via any simple background check. To the person receiving the report he will think “arrest” and nothing positive is going to come out of this. This alone is perhaps the biggest contributor to unemployment for the minority population. As an African American, I have seen far too many times that relatives of mine are thwarted from good job opportunities and the possibility of real wealth. It is an assault on minority employment with severe generational and economic consequences. How many times do some of my relatives get hired by a reputable corporation; work two months and then suddenly be escorted from the premises (background report arrived) to never come back. My sons matriculated at the College Park campus of the University of Maryland. The majority (majority!) of their Black alumni have been picked up and fingerprinted for one stupid thing or another. The clear majority usually spent a few hours in holding or were released the following morning. Little do they know that the fingerprinting that was done may come back to haunt them. I have written about the rideshare industry and how it has grown tremendously. Uber, Lyft and now others are filling a great need in this world. It is some of the best stock you can buy. What is even better they have hired a massive number of minorities as drivers. I can’t think of another industry other than the NFL and the NBA that has a higher percentage of minorities on their hiring roles. So, what has their competition been trying to do? They want these drivers to be fingerprinted knowing that a large percentage will no longer take part in this employment boom. This is sinister! Watch out there are state legislators that, for some reason, are starting to “kick around” the idea of blocking ex-offenders and denying them re-entry into society. I applaud other elected officials who are getting involved in this “re-entry” issue involving ex-offenders. Many want companies to “remove the box” on applications that ask if you have ever been arrested. That may make everyone feel good but the day of reckoning will come when the company routinely requests an FBI background check. They may want to hire the applicant but the HR policy or insurance requirements may demand the check and that calls off all employment chances for many. The future of our nation depends on a successful re-entry program for our ex-offenders. More importantly, records should be accurate and detailed. They are not. It is just “cut and dry’ with no other considerations. When one serves his time, he should be given a new start. Punishment becomes torture if there is no way out or forgiveness. Our civil rights organizations should establish policy about this issue and become very active in the needed advocacy. Parents, why do we allow such evilness to haunt our children. Let’s come together and make this world a much better place. (Harry Alford is the co-founder, president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org Email: halford@ nationalbcc.org)
PEOPLE
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
JUNE 14-20, 2017
B7
T H E
The Courier’s cookin’ up new dishes in 2017
C O U R I E R
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Managing Editor
JULIE WILLIAMS, YMCA HOMEWOOD DIRECTOR, AND HARRIET JONES (Photo by Brian Cook)
Can you smell what the Rock is cookin’? Neither can I. But… The New Pittsburgh Courier is cookin’ up a lot of new features, some that you’ve already seen, and others that are still in the oven. I’m Rob Taylor, the new managing editor of the Courier. I began my duties here on April 1. I’m a Pittsburgh native, and graduated from Central Catholic High School right before Y2K was supposedly going to become the end of the world. I then moseyed on over to THE Ohio State University in Columbus, where I began an African American publication entitled “Black Horizons,” named
We have revamped our website,
newpittsburghcourier. com, to become truly focused on Black Pittsburgh. As soon as you visit our site, you’ll see local, Cou-
rier-written stories that affect and impact African Americans in our region. You’ll see stories that were in our newspaper edition, as well as breaking local news stories and features that you’ll read only on our website, so please check our website every day for the latest content! Also, you’ll see a new section on the website entitled, “Positive Stories in Black Pittsburgh,” where we showcase, well, positive stories in our community. There’s a notion that many media outlets focus on the negative side of Black Pittsburgh. Our section will make sure that
I S E V E R Y W H E R E
EBONE GUNN OF WILKINSBURG, WITH DAUGHTER CAMRYN, 3 ROB TAYLOR JR. WITH COURIER CLASSIFIED ADS GURU CAMILLE ROBINSON!
BRANDY DOTSON OF HOMEWOOD, WITH DAUGHTER DISAYA, 10
after Pittsburgh TV legend Chris Moore’s WQED program. I graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Over time, I’ve written for numerous publications, including the Dayton Daily News, Columbus Call and Post, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the Courier. I’ve been a professional radio on-air talent in music and sports since 2003, and spent four years reporting a monthly student-athlete feature for an Ohio NBC-affiliated TV station. Today’s world is a fast world, an impatient world, a “you-better-get-my-attention-now-or-else” world. In this new position, I’m leading the Courier’s charge to be everywhere our readers are, and to grab their attention in an instant.
positive stories from us and by us are being told. We now have a YouTube video page! The Courier will be covering events and issues not only in written word via our newspaper, but also via video. You’ll see, with your own eyes, what’s happening in Black Pittsburgh. You can access our YouTube page on our website, or visit www.youtube.com and search “New Pittsburgh Courier.” We have upgraded our promotions and marketing department here at the Courier! In the last few weeks, we’ve given away tickets to local Pittsburghers to see comedians Katt Williams and Sinbad, White House reporter April Ryan, and just last week, tickets to see Jennifer Hudson in Downtown Pittsburgh! Please become
Everyone’s picking up their own copy of The Courier! The New Pittsburgh Courier is more than just a newspaper. It’s The Voice of Pittsburgh’s African American Community. We work hard to keep you informed about issues affecting our community. But we also show off the fun side of our community, spotlighting the movers and shakers, covering numerous events, and highlighting all the positive things and people in Black Pittsburgh.
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a friend of ours on our Facebook page so that you can have access to all the different contests and giveaways we’re providing for you, our readers: www.facebook. com/newpittsburghcourier. And there’s so much more to come, like an expanded religion section, a more impactful sports section, and a dedicated effort to getting all African Americans in Pittsburgh, from the youth to the adults, a chance to be featured in and exposed to the Courier. Thank you so much for supporting and reading the Courier. I am very open to hearing from you! Suggestions, comments, complaints, story ideas, and more! My number is 412481-8302, ext. 135. As I always say, the New Pittsburgh Courier is more than just a newspaper. It’s the VOICE of Pittsburgh’s African American community— then, now, and forever.
SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier
B8
JUNE 14-20, 2017
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
The Pittsburgh Penguins win their fifth Stanley Cup with a 2-0 victory over the Nashville Predators, June 11, 2017
SIDNEY CROSBY is the first to hoist the Pens’ fifth Stanley Cup trophy on Nashville’s home ice after winning Game 6, 2-0. Crosby was also named MVP of the 2017 NHL Playoffs. The Penguins have joined the hometown Pirates and Steelers with at least five championships. (Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP Photo)
For Lemieux and the Pens, The Stanley Cup ‘runneth over’ by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier
There are some who believe in a higher power and there are some who don’t. However, as I watched Pittsburgh Penguins great and owner Mario Lemieux field questions from reporters regarding his team’s 2-0 Stanley Cup victory over the Nashville Predators as well as the comeback season that provided Pittsburgh with their fifth Stanley Cup, my mind hit rewind allowing me to recall part of the journey to “today.” I also thought of the fifth and sixth verses of the 23rd Psalm, taken from the Holy Bible. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” The Penguins were forced to win the Stanley Cup in enemy territory and the Nashville Predators fans more than vocalized their displeasure at the enemies from the Steel City hoisting the trophy of victory in their house, with the stench of dead catfish providing the perfect backdrop for a unique and different fan base that mistakenly confused team support and loyalty with “stinkin’ thinkin.’”
The Nashville fans even who recently signed a sevhung around to boo the offien-year, $42-million concial trophy presentation. If tract, could return to the the Predators fans had done lineup in four to six weeks, their homework, they would although that projection have realized that comecould change, depending on backs are the rule, rather his response to radiation than the exception with the treatment.” Pittsburgh Penguins hockey In an article that apclub. peared in Sports IllustratStill in the midst of a ed on Jan. 22, 1996, Karen sparkling career in JanuGuregian wrote, “After 18 ary 1993, the Hall-of-Fame months away from hockey, career of Lemieux was put Lemieux, the Pittsburgh on hold, while he was forced Penguins superstar cento board a train traveling ter, had made his return to at warp speed toward an the game when the season uncertain future. On Janopened in October, and his uary 13, 1993, the Associencore performance was AUBREY BRUCE ated Press headline read, more spectacular than “Lemieux Has Hodgkin’s anyone could have imagDisease; Doesn’t Appear Life-Threaten- ined. In the Year of the Comeback, Suing.” The article, in part, read, “Mario per Mario once again stood alone. There Lemieux’s condition was diagnosed as were times early in the season when Hodgkin’s disease on Tuesday, but his nothing seemed impossible for Lemieux doctor said the cancer didn’t appear to or for the surprising Penguins, a team be life-threatening. Lemieux was found he has lifted to elite status once again. to be in the early stages of the disease In a game against the Tampa Bay Lightafter a large lymph node was removed ning in November, Lemieux had seven from his neck, according to a statement points; he had four goals against the issued by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. approved by team physician Charles “Then he felt it. The little lump,” he says. Burke. The Penguins said Lemieux, It was two weeks before Christmas and
Inside Conditions
Lemieux was performing a routine physical exam, searching the areas around his armpits and neck for any sign of the cancer that had attacked his body.” When asked what Lemieux’s return meant to his team, Pittsburgh coach Eddie Johnston looked up to the heavens, made the sign of the cross and said, ‘I thank God for him every day.’” Going back to the Bible verse, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...” Lemieux came back from cancer and resurrected the Pittsburgh Penguins when they were floundering in his absence. Lemieux later purchased the team when they were suffering from a diminishing market share, and were headed toward the auction block. He saved Pittsburgh hockey both as a player and an owner. Mario could have taken the money and run. However, he knew that if he called the “house” to pay up, Pittsburgh Hockey would have died instantly. He took a loss as a player to gain and prosper as an owner. Goodness and mercy have followed Lemieux and his team. They are a product of his courage and commitment. The Pittsburgh Penguins are Mario Lemieux and Mario Lemieux is the Penguins. (Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412-583-6741.)
There’s quite a few Black hockey fans here in Pittsburgh! by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier
:10—Wish I could tell ya I told you so… wait a minute, I can tell ya I told you so. The Pens win 4 games to 2, just like I said. And yes, you -are-correct…I know nothing about hockey. Pittsburgh, PA, City of Champions…That’s how we roll. Fivetime Stanley Cup Champions! :09—Truth be told, while I do joke about my limited knowledge of hockey, everyone should be reminded there are a fair number of African American hockey players now, and quite a few African American fans. That’s how we roll! :08—Let’s take that walk down memory lane one more time. Flashback with me, if you will. The Banks Brothers were part of all my “4 Guys” back in the day. Johnny “Dr. Curl” Banks, quiet and highly effective… Could play with anybody, anytime, anywhere. And Brother Chuckie…“The En-
forcer,” if you will. ScrapHall of Fame inductee. per, no nonsense “Bad Boy” :06—I went out on a very who could play. Just saw strong limb here, people. Chuckie for the first time I predicted Golden State in about 30 years. Looks would wrap up the NBA great and doing great. And Championship on June taking care of the grand12, and they did…LeBron kids like a good Black man and the Cavs put up a good should. fight, but KD was just too :07—I might as well give much for ‘em! Reggie Dukes this shout out :05—For your calendar: while I am at it. You know, Saturday, July 1, it’s a if I don’t call for “The Dukie Fourth of July weekend Stick” he gets upset. But for celebration, “Fashion and real for real…Reggie Dukes More…Upstairs at the Sawas a baller. A very special voy!” The fabulous sensaballer who had all the tools tion models, New Edition, and came very close to an return to the runway for NBA career out of Tulane a sizzling summer fashion University. He is 6’4,” 190 event starring national BILL NEAL pounds, could shoot it on recording artist Jasmine anybody, anywhere. The Leonard, spoken words by self-proclaimed youngest cat to play in Michael Smalls and the Dancing Styles the Connie Hawkins League and recent by the Roland Ford and the Bill Ford
Overtime
groups. 12 p.m. is the reception, showtime at 1 p.m. Free parking, cash bar, cash kitchen (limited menu), 50/50 raffle, prizes and surprises. Dress to impress and music by DJ Shock. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Proceeds to benefit Achieving Greatness Inc. “Safe Summer” youth programs. Call AGI at 412-628-4856 for information (Now run tell that). :04—The Pittsburgh Pirates…Pittsburgh Pirates…Pirates…Pirates…Pirates…Pirates… :03—On a better note, your Pittsburgh Steelers go to camp in about a month. Yea boy! :02—This just in. Babyface is coming, Babyface is coming, stay tuned! :01—Hey “Braddock Roy”…stop talking and start walking! Give me your list of the ten greatest athletes of all time and we’ll let the people decide whose list is better. C’mon man! :00—GAME OVER.