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Muhammad Ali January 17, 1942-June 3, 2016
“He stood with King and Mandela, stood up when it was hard, spoke out when others wouldn’t. His fight outside the ring would cost him his title and his public standing. …But Ali stood his ground. And his victory helped us get used to the America we recognize today.” —PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Ali’s confidence, cockiness made him symbol of Black pride by Jesse J. Holland Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP)—For Muhammad Ali, the idea of being a humble athlete— someone pre-packaged and palatable for white America—was never an option. Instead, he demanded respect not only as a boxer but as a brash, unbought and unbossed black man and endeared himself to African-Americans as a symbol of black pride. He radiated courage and confidence, skill and showmanship. “He became the incarnation of Black defiance, black protest and Black excellence at the same time,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, a longtime friend of Ali’s. Ali, who died Friday at 74, gave voice to many Blacks frustrated with a white society that asked them to fight communism in Vietnam but openly practiced segregation and discrimination at home. “At a time when Blacks who spoke up about injustice were labeled uppity and often arrested under one pretext or another, Muhammad willingly sacrificed the best years of his career to stand tall and fight for what he believed was right,” said retired NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
who like Ali converted to Islam. Abdul-Jabbar was among several prominent AfricanAmerican athletes in the late 1960s who supported the boxer for his religious beliefs and as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. Unapologetically arrogant about his looks and his skills, Ali taunted opponents by reciting playful poetry and frequently declared himself “pretty” and “the greatest.” Many people had never heard a successful black man talk about himself so boldly in front of whites. And it made a difference, Ali biographer Thomas Hauser said. “Every time that Muhammad Ali looked in the mirror and said ‘I’m so pretty,’ what he was really saying—before it became fashionable—is ‘Black is beautiful,’” Hauser said. “I can’t tell you how many people... have come up to me and said, ‘Before Muhammad Ali, I thought it was better to be White than Black. I was ashamed of my color, and Ali made me proud. Ali made me just as happy to be Black as somebody else being White.’” Ali’s blackness infused everything he did and everything he was. “If you wanted to make it in this country, you had to be quiet, carry yourself in a cer-
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tain way and not say anything about what was going on, even though there was a knife sticking in your chest,” recalled the late Black journalist Gil Noble in an essay written by Hauser. “Ali changed all of that. He just laid it out and talked about racism and slavery and all of that stuff. He put it on the table. And everybody who was Black, whether they said it overtly or covertly, said ‘Amen.’” The day after winning his first world heavyweight championship, Ali announced he had joined the Nation of Islam and had shed his “slave” name of Cassius Clay. He refused to be drafted into the U.S. military to fight in Vietnam. He was convicted of draft evasion, banned from boxing and stripped of his heavyweight title. When asked about his stance on the North Vietnamese, Ali famously said: “They never called me nigger. They never lynched me. They didn’t put no dogs on me. They didn’t rob me of my nationality, rape and kill my mother and father.” He was eventually cleared by the U.S. Supreme Court and won back his boxing title. With that, Ali had defeated what SEE CONFIDENCE A2
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MUHAMMAD ALI
Muhammad Ali welcomed all at Pennsylvania training camp
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
President Obama says Ali shook up the world and left it better off STUART, Fla. (AP)—President Barack Obama, who keeps a pair of boxing gloves worn by Muhammad Ali in his private study off the Oval Office, said Saturday that Ali “shook up the world and the world is better for it.” Obama likened Ali, who died Friday, to other civil rights leaders of his era, and said the boxer stood with Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela in fighting for what was right. Ali defied the military draft at the height of the Vietnam War and lost 3½ years from the prime of his career. He also joined the Black Muslims and changed his name from Cassius Clay. His fight outside the ring would cost him his title and his public standing, but he stood his ground, Obama noted. “He wasn’t perfect, of course. For all his magic in the ring, he could be careless with his words, and full of contradictions as his faith evolved,” Obama said in a statement with first lady Michelle Obama. “But his wonderful, infectious, even innocent spirit ultimately won him more fans than foes — maybe because in him, we hoped to see something of ourselves.”
The president keeps Ali’s gloves underneath a photograph of the young heavyweight champion standing over defeated Sonny Liston in 1964. Obama said he was too young to understand the brash fighter when that picture was taken. He said over time that he came to understand that Ali was more than a skilled fighter or “poet on the mic.” Rather, Ali was a man who “who fought for us,” Obama said. “Muhammad Ali shook up the world. And the world is better for it. We are all better for it,” Obama said. Obama said that after Ali’s boxing career ended, he became an even more “powerful force for peace and reconciliation around the world.” He said Ali visited sick children and those with disabilities and told them that they, too, could become the greatest. And while Ali battled Parkinson’s disease later in life, it “couldn’t take the spark from his eyes,” Obama said. On his Twitter, Obama account posted a picture of himself earlier in his presidency, sitting underneath the photo he keeps of Ali. “Rest in peace, Champ,” Obama tweeted.
DEER LAKE, Pa. (AP)—He called himself “The Greatest,” but Muhammad Ali was humble, friendly and eminently approachable whenever he came to this outof-the-way spot in northeastern Pennsylvania to train throughout the 1970s. Since Ali’s death last week at age 74, residents have been coming to the rustic hilltop camp where he sparred with a young Larry Holmes and prepared for his epic fights against George Foreman and Joe Frazier. In paying their respects, they recalled how one of the most famous people on the planet became a familiar presence at the edge of Pennsylvania’s coal region. It’s hard to imagine now, with athletes and celebrities so cloistered from the public. But 40 years ago, locals regularly showed up at Ali’s training camp—and he welcomed them in. He got out into the community, too, eating at local diners and running on the country roads, waving back at residents who waved at him. Every old-timer around here seems to have an Ali tale. James Ferenchick, 71, Orwigsburg, recalls stopping at the camp early one morning before work and running into a worker hooking a horse to a carriage. Ferenchick told the worker he was there to see Ali. The worker fetched Ali from his cabin, and Ali gave him an autograph. “He says to me, ‘Are you in a big hurry?’ I said, ‘I have to go to work, but no, I can be late.’ He says, ‘Jump in the carriage.’” And that’s how Ferenchick found himself on a 45-minute buggy ride with the champ, up and down Sculps Hill. “I’m sitting there with goosebumps,” Ferenchick said. “It knocked me over.” The camp had its share of famous visitors, too, including Elvis Presley, who went antiquing with Ali. But locals considered Ali as one of their own, Ferenchick said. Growing up in nearby Pottsville, Noreen Marzano visited Deer Lake with her parents many times to watch him spar. He’d
do magic tricks for the kids, “then he would show us how the magic trick worked, which I don’t think he was supposed to do,” she said. She said her father, a retired ophthalmologist, removed a particle from Ali’s eye after the Rumble in the Jungle, his 1974 title fight with Foreman. Ali gave him an autographed picture that hangs on Marzano’s wall. “It was a very different time. There was no entourage, no security keeping people back. There was always a crowd here and he loved it,” said Marzano, 58, of Clinton, New Jersey, who stopped by the camp this week after visiting her parents. “For someone who was the most famous athlete in the world at the time, he was just so genuine and welcoming to everyone,” she said. Ali bought this wooded 5-acre tract in 1972 and installed 18 primarily log buildings, including a gym, a dining hall, a mosque, visitors’ cabins and a horse barn. He trained at Deer Lake until his last fight in 1981. It looks much as it did in Ali’s day. His desk and typewriter occupy an office near the gym. The dining hall has the original stove and kitchen table. His footprints can be seen on the wood-planked ceilings — Ali had trod on them while the camp was under construction. Ali sold it in 1997 to the noted martial arts instructor George Dillman, who trained Ali and who once operated it as the Butterfly & Bee Bed and Breakfast. Two martial arts camps are held there each year. It’s been for sale, and Dillman’s son, Allen Dillman, 51, said interest has been high since Ali’s death. He said the family wants the camp to go to a buyer who will preserve it. “I’m hoping we get someone who brings back the life in it, brings back the energy,” said Dillman, who’s contemplating a public memorial service at the site. “Because the energy’s here.”
FILE—In this Aug. 14, 1978, file photo, boxer Muhammad Ali trains at his Deer Lake, Pa., retreat.
Muhammad Ali was the subject Ali’s confidence, cockiness made of many films and star of a few
him symbol of Black pride CONTINUED FROM A1
many Blacks saw as a racist system—regardless of whether Ali was right or wrong in his particular stance. It would have been easier and more lucrative for Ali to keep quiet and go along with what many in white society wanted from him, said his longtime friend and sports commentator Howard Cosell. They wanted “a White man’s Black man,” Cosell once said. The United States has a long history of expecting deference from Black athletes, said Clarence Lang, chairman of the African and African American studies department at the University of Kansas. “The expectation is that you will keep your head down, that you don’t make White people uncomfortable by being excellent and being mindful and outspoken about the fact that you are excellent,” Lang said. Ali didn’t do deference. “I am America,” he boasted. “I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me—Black, confident, cocky. My name, not
yours. My religion, not yours. My goals, my own.” The boxer “made people accept him as a man, as an equal, and he was not afraid to represent himself in that way,” NFL great Jim Brown said. President Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president, keeps a set of Ali’s gloves on display in the White House. “He stood with King and Mandela, stood up when it was hard, spoke out when others wouldn’t,” Obama said. “His fight outside the ring would cost him his title and his public standing. It would earn him enemies on the left and the right, make him reviled and nearly send him to jail. But Ali stood his ground. And his victory helped us get used to the America we recognize today.” Lang said it would be wrong to assume that Ali was beloved during his time as a boxing champ. He stepped outside of the mainstream of the civil rights movement with some of his rhetoric, outside of the religious community with his conversion to the Nation of Islam and outside of the Black military com-
munity with his refusal to go to Vietnam. “In some ways, Ali became a loveable figure after his heyday, after his career,” Lang said. “I think people love to love him now.” But even back then, people who might not necessarily agree with the rhetoric of militant Black activists such as H. Rap Brown, Stokely Carmichael or Malcolm X “could nevertheless respect Ali’s talent,” Lang said. Ali, Sharpton said, “went from one of the most despised figures in the world to one of the most popular men in the world because people respected that he really authentically believed and sacrificed for what he believed in.” “If there was a Mount Rushmore erected for influential Black figures in America,” Sharpton added, “he would not be on the mountain. He would be the mountain.” (Jesse J. Holland covers race and ethnicity for The Associated Press. Contact him at jholland@ap.org, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jessejho lland or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jessej holland.)
Muhammad Ali would almost seem unbelievable if he was created as a work of fiction for a movie script. He was brash, bold, the best in the world—just ask him—and might have won an Oscar instead of heavyweight gold had he taken his A-list talents to Hollywood instead of the boxing ring. He was more quotable than any Tarantino flick, had the presence of Brando in boxing gloves (though he WAS a contender), and survived more adventures and cliffhangers in his career than Bond. Ali was made for the movies. His life story was made into a movie or a documentary seemingly more times than he had professional fights. Ali even starred in his own biopic and guest starred on television shows such as “Diff’rent Strokes.” “Hi there, Arnold,” Ali tells Strokes’ kid Arnold Jackson, played by Gary Coleman. “Who’s that?” Jackson asked, feigning illness so he could meet Ali. “It’s me, the champ,” Ali said “Joe Louis,” Jackson says to laughter. “This kid’s delirious,” Ali deadpanned. Ali had the presence for
the big screen and there are some of the greatest films made about the champ. ALI Will Smith portrayed Ali when his life got flipped upside down. Smith, more memorable for his comedy and action roles, was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Ali in the 2001 flick. “I ain’t got to be what nobody else want me to be and I ain’t afraid to be what I wanna be,” Smith, as Ali, says in one scene. The biographical film , directed by Michael Mann, centers on Ali from 1964-74 and follows him as he defeats Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title and the personal and professional drama that followed him. Smith plays Ali as he defied the draft, converts to Islam and his epic fights against Joe Frazier and George Foreman. Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film two stars and said it was a, “long, flat, curiously muted film about the heavyweight champion.” WHEN WE WERE KINGS Ebert had much more love for the acclaimed 1996 documentary “When We Were Kings.” The film chronicles per-
haps Ali’s most memorable bout, the “Rumble in the Jungle,” when he upset George Foreman to become heavyweight champion once again at age 32. Ebert praised the film and said it “captures Ali’s public persona and private resolve.” The film won an Oscar for best documentary feature. With Jodie Foster and Kevin Spacey wildly applauding, Foreman and Ali both hit the stage to help accept the award. THE GREATEST “The Greatest” was more than just Ali’s nickname—it was the title of a dramatized version of his life starring, well, Ali. There is real fight footage in the 1977 movie which chronicles Ali’s life from the 1960 Olympics to his early 1970s title fights. Ernest Borgnine played Angelo Dundee and James Earl Jones played Malcolm X. “The Greatest” wasn’t all that great, though it does boast one bit of interesting trivia. That song that plays over the opening credits of a jogging Ali is “The Greatest Love of All” by George Benson. You might know it more from a decade or so later when it became a smash hit for Whitney Houston.
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34 of 44 homicides Shell commits to build cracker plant Black lives
by Christian Morrow Courier staff Writer
KEVIN BOLDING
New YMCA CEO Bolding rolls out new program by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
Kevin Bolding, who has served as the COO of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh for the last six years, has been named the organization’s president and CEO. And he is getting his tenure off to a bold start with a new program to bring the Y to where it isn’t. “We call it ‘Y on the Fly’ and, basically, it will utilize a van to be in 100 different locations this summer where there is no YMCA presence,” he said. “It’s all about youth recreation and healthier ways to eat. Now we can’t bring a pool with us, but when I was a kid, if we had a football or a bat and glove, we had a day of activity. So we’re excited to see what this turns out to be. It may have a lifetime beyond just a summer program. When Bolding was a kid in Lynchburg, Va. he gave no thought to the Y, let alone eventually having a career in the organization. But after graduating from the University of Virginia, then spending about three hours as an accountant, he took a position with the LINKS that changed everything. “I ran a middle-school program SEE NEW A6
After four years of willthey-or-won’t-they, Royal Dutch Shell has announced it will construct a multi-billion-dollar ethane cracker plant at the site of the former Horsehead zinc smelter in Center and Potter townships, Beaver County. The company announced it was going forward with the project June 7, much to the delight of Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald who released a statement thanking Shell and congratulating everyone involved in the process, from Governor Tom Wolf to the Marcellus Shale Coalition. “The project is monumental; the building of this plant will be equivalent to the construction of 25 stadiums,” said Fitzgerald. “This announcement accelerates our growth to a next level and will provide even more opportunities for our young people. This
Project will employ thousands
We need to continue the marches, rallies, vigils
by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
FITZGERALD
WALTON
multi-billion investment will bring economic growth to our region now and for generations to come, and we thank Shell for their decision to invest here.” Shell first took out an option to buy the 340-acre property in 2012, and finally purchased it for $13.5 million two years later. It also purchased some surrounding properties for another $13.8 million, and has since spent another 80 million on environmental re-
WALKER
mediation of the smelter site. And in addition to the billions it will spend constructing the plant, Shell will also pay Center Township $69 million to move its water intake infrastructure and build a new water treatment plant. The facility, consisting of two “crackers” a natural gas-fueled power plant, and dock and a waste water SEE BOOM A5
300 ACRES OF JOBS—Royal Dutch Shell’s design plan for its ethylene cracker plant in Beaver County, slated to begin construction in 16 months.
Pittsburgh’s homicide rate is nowhere close to Chicago’s and other large Urban Cities but the percentages of Black lives, especially Black males are the same. At least Pittsburgh Black communities have recognized street and domestic violence as a serious problem and have started working toward a solution. But thus
far that outrage, marches, and rallies are not occurring in other cities. We must continue the fight to bring this fight to the front in the Black struggle for survival.— Ulish Carter. May homicides (8) May 1—Gerald Harris, a 19year-old Black male, was shot multiple times in a vacant house on Divinity Street in Pittsburgh’s North Side. No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing. May 1—Isha Tyree, a 20-yearold Black female, was shot multiple times as she sat in her car outside a vacant house on Divinity Street in Pittsburgh’s North Side. No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing. May 15—Darshele Johnson, a 41-year-old Black male was found shot multiple times outside a home on Graham Boulevard extension in Penn Hills. Police said he had just exited his car when someone in a white Cadillac drove up and shot him. Johnson had previously been charged in the shooting death of Christopher SEE HOMICIDES A6
Housing Task Force 9 local Black men awarded $90,000 by BMe community calls for $10 million in annual trust fund by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
In order to meet the housing needs of the city’s poorest residents, Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing Task Force has recommended establishing a dedicated trust fund to seeded annually with $10 million in new taxes. That funding, the final DANNY LAVELLE draft report suggest, could finance around 680 affordable housing units each year toward the more than 17,000-unit shortfall for low income renters. Task force co-chair Councilman Danny Lavelle said in a statement that city council should enact legislation authorizing the creation of the trust fund. “City Council must act to ensure that all Pittsburghers have access to quality affordable housing, and that all of our neighborhoods are stabilized and benefit from Pittsburgh’s new investment and growth,” he said. “One of the biggest challenges we face is dedicating the necesSEE HOUSING A5
PITTSBURGH, Pa.—Nine Black men have been named “BMe Leaders” and will receive $10,000 a piece for their community service and ability to inspire. The honor is presented by the prestigious BMe Community, a national social network for people of all races and genders who care about making communities stronger. BMe Community’s reach is impressive. In fact, “Reach” is the title of BMe’s 2015 New York Times bestseller on the lives of Black men like John Legend and Pittsburgh’s Lamman Rucker. The Whitehouse invited 60 BMe Leaders and Rucker to a May 20th briefing this year where they
received the President’s Voluntary Service Award. BMe has significant local champions as well. “I am a proud partner in this important community-building work,” said Pittsburgh Mayor, Bill Peduto. “These BMe Leaders not only provide Pittsburgh residents with care, education, and economic opportunity; they provide inspiration, role models and hope.” Pittsburgh has 20 of the 165 BMe Leaders who are in 6 cities providing education, public safety, and economic services to over 500,000 people every year. “We’re serious about commu-
nity-building,” said BMe Community founding CEO, Trabian Shorters. “Thanks to The Heinz Endowments, BMe’s vision of black men as catalysts for community-building is here in Pittsburgh.” BMe posits Black men are assets but it’s social network has over 22,000 members of all races and genders. “BMe is providing an innovative and collaborative network for local residents to plug into and better network with one another,” said Urban Innovation 21 President, William Generett. “That is why I am such a huge supporter of this important community-build-
ing network.” On June 17th, BMe and its partners are hosting “Better Together Awards” to celebrate many of Pittsburgh’s men and women who are community-builders. “That’s because BMe isn’t about Black men,” said BMe-Pittsburgh Community Manager, Harry Johnson, III. “We’re about better communities. Black men just so happen to lead the nation in measures of service, enterprise and generosity. So we invite Pittsburghers to realize that and get more involved no matter your race or gender.” SEE LOCAL A6
BLACK MALE LEADERS—Black male leaders from all around the country were honored recently by the BMe organization. (Photo Supplied)
Ali remembered in Muslim world as champ, voice of change
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by Hamza Hendawi Associated Press Writer
CAIRO (AP)—Of all Muhammad Ali’s travels, his 1964 trip to Egypt was perhaps the most symbolic, bringing him face to face with President Gamal Abdel Nasser, who had punched above his own weight as a champion of Third World struggles. Nasser was viewed with suspicion by the United States, but revered across much of Africa and Asia for confronting European colonial powers. For the newly crowned heavyweight champion, being received by one of America’s chief enemies announced his arrival on the global stage as a powerful voice of change. The boxing genius and revolutionary political views of Ali, who died Friday at age 74, emerged when America’s civil rights movement was in full swing and the Vietnam war raged on, sharply dividing Americans. The Muslim world was also gripped by upheaval, stemming from the withdrawal of the colonial powers and the onset of the Cold War. Nasser, a popular Arab nationalist and Soviet ally, had emerged as a leading opponent of American “imperialism,’’ and his fiery speeches touched on themes that would later be embraced by Ali. Ali’s conversion to Islam won him the support of many across the region. Three years later, his refusal to serve in the U.S. Army in Vietnam—“I ain’t got no quarrel with them Vietcong’’—and his subsequent loss of the world title resonated with Muslims, many of whom saw that
GLOBAL VOICE OF CHANGE—In this Feb. 25, 1968 file photo, former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali addresses a gathering at a Black Muslim convention in Chicago. (AP Photo/File) conflict as the epitome of America’s global tyranny. “Muslims wanted a hero to represent them, and Clay was the only Muslim champion... No other Muslim athlete managed to achieve what Clay did ... Thus, he was a symbol for Muslims,’’ said Mohammed Omari, an Islamic law professor in northern Jordan’s Al al-Bayt University. It was the diversity of the causes embraced by Ali during his lifetime—from the civil rights movement and anti-war activism to global charity work and dealing with Parkinson’s disease—that has won him a large following among a wide range of admirers in the Muslim world. “The uplifting exuberance of Muhammad Ali will endure long after his passing,’’ Dubai’s Gulf News, a widely read daily in the
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United Arab Emirates, said in an editorial, hailing the “lasting political achievements of one of the 20th Century’s greatest sports superstars.’’ Jordan’s King Abdullah II wrote that Ali “fought hard, not only in the ring, but in life for his fellow citizens and civil rights.’’ “The world has lost today a great unifying champion whose punches transcended borders and nations,’’ Abdullah wrote on his Twitter account. Accompanying his tweet was a photo of Ali, King Hussein, Abdullah’s late father, and U.S. President Gerald Ford—all in tuxedos. To Nashaat Nashed, a 55year-old boxing coach who is also a member of Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority, Ali was an inspiration. “God created him to box, not for anything else. I owe it to him that I took up boxing and that I fell in love with the sport.’’ Pakistan’s cricket legendturned-politician Imran Khan, writing a series of tweets mourning Ali’s death, described the boxer as the “greatest sportsman of all time’’ and a man of strong convictions. “Sportsmen have a limited career life span in which they can earn and Ali sacrificed it for his beliefs with courage and conviction.’’ In Iraq, which Ali visited in 1990 to secure the release of 15 Americans who had been taken hostage by Saddam Hussein in the wake of his invasion of Kuwait, retired heavyweight boxer Ismail Khalil mourned the “greatest.’’ “Today marks the death of a great champion. It is a sad day for the world of boxing. This champion does not represent America only, but the entire Islamic world too.’’ (Associated Press reporters Karin Laub and Khetam Malkawi in Amman, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, Ahmed Sami in Baghdad and Adam Schreck in Dubai contributed to this report.)
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Week of June 8-14 June 8 1886—Homer A. Plessy, a light-complexioned Black man, refuses to leave the “White” section of a New Orleans railroad car and move to the “colored” section. His Rosa Parks type refusal sets in motion a legal case, which eventually reached the United States Supreme Court. In its May 1896 ruling, the Court decided against Plessy and thus confirmed the segregationist doctrine of “separate but equal.” The ruling also had the effect of treating anyone with any “Black blood” as Black. The court never actually ruled on Plessy’s claim that he was 7/8 White and only 1/8 Black and thus should not be treated as “colored” under the laws of that day. 1968—James Earl Ray, the man convicted of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is captured at an airport in London using a false Canadian passport. Ray would spend the rest of his life trying to withdraw his guilty plea charging that his brother HOMER A. PLESSY and a mysterious man he met in Montreal, Canada, named Raoul were actually involved in the killing of King. He claimed he “did not personally shoot Dr. King” but suggested he knew beforehand about the conspiracy to assassinate him. Ray died in prison in April 1998. 1982—One of the greatest athletes to ever play the game of baseball, Satchell Paige, dies in Kansas City, Mo. Paige had played in the old Negro Baseball Leagues and went unrecognized by Major League Baseball and the general public for decades. He was finally voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. June 9 1948—Oliver W. Hill becomes the first African American elected to the Richmond, Va., city council. He is best known for his work as a civil rights attorney helping bring down the segregationist doctrine of “separate but equal.” SATCHELL PAIGE Hill was born in 1907. 1989—One of the “founding fathers” of the Congressional Black Caucus, Michigan Rep. John Conyers issues the first call for a Congressional investigation into paying African Americans reparations for the enslavement of their ancestors. June 10 1760—Several sources list this at the birthday of Richard Allen—founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Other sources give his birth date as Feb. 14, 1760. Regardless, the AME church was the first African-American organized and incorporated church in America. Allen, Absalom Jones and a group of free Blacks in Philadelphia founded the church in 1794. Allen and his group were initially members of the city’s predominantly White St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church. But when several Blacks were ejected from the church for attempting to pray alongside Whites, Allen led a walkout, which resulted in the forming of the AME church. 1898—Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American to win an Oscar, is born on this day in Wichita, Kan. She won her Academy Award in 1940 for Best Supporting AcRICHARD ALLEN tress for the role of Mammy in the classic film “Gone With The Wind.” Once criticized for playing stereotypical and sometimes demeaning “Black roles,” she responded, “I’d rather play a maid than be one.” McDaniel died in 1952. 1941—The “Black Moses,” Marcus Garvey dies in London, England. Starting around 1916, Garvey built his United Negro Improvement Association into the largest mass organization of Blacks in history, with the slogan “Up You Mighty Race.” The UNIA owned businesses ranging from bakeries to shipping companies. Garvey preached Black pride and self-reliance, while steering away from the more integrationist thrust of most prominent Black leaders of his day. He was eventually jailed on what are now viewed as trumped up mail fraud charges. Presidential intervention got Garvey freed. But in exchange for his early release from prison, the Jamaican native had to agree to leave the United States and not return. Separated from his U.S. base, Garvey was never able to rebuild the UNIA. June 11 1963—President John F. Kennedy declares during a nationwide radio and television address that segregation was “morally wrong” and told the U.S. Congress it was MARCUS GARVEY “time to act” (pass legislation) to end all segregation of the races. That statement and similar ones endeared Kennedy to millions of African-Americans. However, a few months after making the declaration, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. But most of his legislative ideas would be implemented by his successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson. 1963—Displaying the tenacity of the segregationist mentality dominant in the South in the 1960s, Alabama Gov. George Wallace, with the aid of state troopers, stood in the doorway of the University of Alabama to block two Black students from integrating the school. But when the Deputy U.S. Attorney General returned later in the day with a force of National Guardsmen, Wallace stepped aside and Vivian Malone and James Hood were allowed to register. June 12 1840—The world’s first anti-slavery convention took place in London, England. The aim of the gathering was to unite abolitionists worldwide. However, the effectiveness of the convention was harmed by a decision to exclude female delegates. 1886—The Georgia Supreme Court upGOV. GEORGE WALLACE at UNIVERSITY OF AL holds the will of former slave owner David Dickson who had left over $300,000 to a child he fathered by raping a 12-year-old Black girl. The ruling made Amanda America Eubanks the wealthiest Black person in America. She would later marry one of her White first cousins. 1963—Medgar Evers, Mississippi field secretary for the NAACP, was assassinated in front of his home by White supremacist Byron de la Beckwith. All-White juries twice refused to find De la Beckwith guilty although the evidence was overwhelming. Finally, in 1995, Beckwith was convicted of killing the civil rights activist. Beckwith died in prison in 2001. 1967—The United States Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia that Virginia’s law banning interracial marriages was unconstitutional. The decision was a death blow to similar laws throughout the South. However, Alabama did not officially remove its “anti-miscegenation” law from the books until 2000. June 13 1967—President Lyndon B. Johnson nominates former NAACP Chief Counsel Thurgood Marshall to be the first Black justice on the United States Supreme Court. He said of his decision, it “was the right thing to do, the right time to do MEDGAR EVERS it.” Marshall had been a towering figure in the legal battles against segregation including lead counsel in the historic Brown v. Board of Education case. The Senate would confirm the nomination Aug. 30. An aside: Marshall’s original name was Thoroughgood but he shortened it to Thurgood. 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 HARRIET BEECHER STOWE in the Miss America beauty pageant.
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treatment plant, will convert ethylene from natural gas production into polyethylene pellets. It will employ more than 6,000 workers during the construction phase and will
eventually employ 600 permanent positions. The governor likes those numbers. “Since first taking office, I have worked in close collaboration with my Secretary of Community and Eco-
nomic Development Dennis Davin, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, local officials in Western Pennsylvania, and Royal Dutch Shell to make the proposed plant a reality,” Wolf said in a press statement, adding.
“We have worked to develop strategies for safe and responsible pipeline development that brings resources to markets and facilities and we have prioritized the Shell plant to show the world that Penn-
Housing Task Force calls for $10 million in annual trust fund CONTINUED FROM A1
sary financial resources to support the efforts recommended in the report.” Though the report, released May 31, suggest the trust be funded through multiple sources such as taxing large nonprofits or earmarking revenue from expiring tax abatements and tax increment financing deals, the task force estimated that $9 million a year could be generated by increasing real estate transfer taxes by 1 percent, and $8 million could be raised annually by a halfmill increase to the city’s 8.06 mills property tax. It also suggested increasing fees that would require state approval, such as increasing the hotel tax by $1 per room. The report also said the city should find a way to better utilize the 4 percent federal low-income housing tax credit. But noting the
continuing decline in federal and state support for developing or preserving affordable housing, the task force said meeting the city’s needs will require “a local pool of resources.” The release of the report coincided with two national studies noting the increasing unaffordability of apartments across the country. The National Low Income Housing Coalition “Out of Reach 2016” report noted that for low income households in Pennsylvania, it takes working 101 hours per week or 2.5 full-time jobs to afford a two-bedroom apartment. In Allegheny County, it requires only 2.2 full-time jobs. Similarly, the Apartment list monthly online update noted that, nationally, the average $1,330 rent for a two-bedroom apartment is up 2.7 percent from last year. It rose 1.6 percent in
Community Calendar Market Square Farmers Market CONTINUING—The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership presents the 12th Annual Market Square Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 27. The opening day event includes flower bulb and tree giveaways sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. This season will also see the addition of 10 new full and parttime vendors including Two Acres Farms, A519 Chocolate and Pittsburgh Fudge Co. Again this year, Just Harvest’s Fresh Access program will allow credit/debit and food stamp EBT cards to be used to purchase fresh produce, meat, dairy and baked goods.
SummerFood Program JUNE 13 through AUG. 19— The Allegheny County Department of Human Services will begin its SummerFood program offering breakfast, lunch and recreational activities for children up to 18 years old and individuals with disabilities at more than 80 sites throughout the county. For a complete list of times and locations, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/fo od.aspx or call 800-851-3838.
Auto Auction JUNE 14—The Pennsylvania Department of General Services will hold its third vehicle auction of 2016 beginning at 10 a.m. at Manheim Keystone Pennsylvania, 488 Firehouse Road in Grantville, Dauphin County. The auction will include a number of luxury vehicles seized by law enforcement as well as a selection of sedans, pick-up trucks, SUVs and utility vehicles no longer used by state agencies. Motorcycles will also be auctioned. For more information on this auction, payment conditions and a complete listing of vehicles, visit the DGS Auto Auction Information page.
Workforce Experience Program THROUGH JUNE 30—The Urban League of Pittsburgh’s Work Experience program has 38 out-of-quschool youth, ages 16 to 24, available for five hours per week on either a Thursday or Friday for four / six weeks through June 30. The Urban League pays and provides supervision to the participants. Parties interested in taking on any of these young people may contact Director of Housing Richard Morris at 412227-4163 to schedule interviews.
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of Life: Black Tie Event JUNE 17—Stop the Violence Pittsburgh will honor Men of Distinction and Women of Distinction during its Pittsburgh Legacy Martin R. Delaney Bicentennial Juneteeth Celebration at the SHereton Station Square, 300 West Station Square Drive. Honorees include: African American Chamber of Commerce Pres. and CEO Doris Carson Williams, former Pittsburgh police Asst. Chief Maurita Bryant, Civil Rights Icon Katie E. Johnson, CEO & CFO of Rice Enterprises Mitchell Rice, also former Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church pastor Rev. Johnny Monroe, Historian John L. Ford, U.S. Army Col. Paul G. Patton Ret., State Rep. Ed Gainey and Bethel AME Church pastor Rev. Dr. Steven Jackson. Actress Vivica A. Fox will emcee the event from 6 to 10 p.m. Call 724-205-9376 for tickets.
Juneteenth Interfaith Memorial Service and Reenactment Parade JUNE 18—A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. at St. Benedict the Moor followed by Historic re-enactors from across the country join residents at 9 a.m. for a reenactment of the 1870 Freeman’s Jubilee Parade from Freedom Corner, down Center avenue, to Grant street, on to the Blvd of the Allies, to Stanwix street and Third avenue. At 1 p.m. a commemorative and wreath laying service for U.S. Civil War hero Alexander Kelly at the Martin R. Delany historic marker will precede festivities at market Square including Kids-FunZone, Live Bands, Drill Teams, Speakers, DJ’s, Food and Specialty vendors, Singers, Resource Tables, Culture Dance troupes and more.
Corporate Inclusion Conference JUNE 20—The Corporate Equity & Inclusion Roundtable will hold its 4TH Annual Conference at the Duquesne University Power Center Ballroom, 1015 Forbes Avenue, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Industry Leaders from firms including Highmark, Massaro Construction, UPMC, Duquesne University, Randall Industries, Rivers Casino, the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board and others will share ideas on providing opportunities for employment and advancement, including the Revised Rooney Rule; suppliers with business opportunities, including the Hybrid Rooney Rule, and aiding hose re-entering the workforce, including Ban the Box initiatives. For more information call B-PEP at 412-758-7898.
Pennsylvania to $1.250. Given these findings, the task force recommends the trust fund focus should be on assisting households earning less than 30 percent of the are median income, $24,000 for a family of four. The task force recommends dedicating half of the income generated by these new taxes to units for those renters. The report also recommends that a certain amount of new housing developments be dedicated to low-income renters, and that existing deed-re-
stricted affordable units be preserved. With the report having formally been presented to city council, the task force recommends passing enabling legislation to create the task force—and appoint governing and advisory boards—within 45 days, which could have the trust operational as soon as 2017. It also recommends putting a referendum on the ballot seeking public approval of any dedicated tax increases. (Send comments to cmorrow@newpittasburghcourier.com.)
sylvania is a leader in energy manufacturing and downstream production.” In it’s own statement, Shell said construction is slated to being in about 18 months and would bring the facility online early in the next decade. And in that time, Allegheny County Councilman DeWitt Walton expects great returns. “This really bodes well for the region, and as a steelworker, as program director for the A. Phillip Randolph Institute, and as a resident, I have to see that everyone has a chance to participate in this opportunity,” he said. “This is a chance to build a quality workforce, with apprentices who will be journeymen by the time the plant is built, and who can replace those skilled baby boomers who are retiring— they’ll be people who look like me and have aspirations like me, and have a chance to succeed. I am really happy about the announcement.” Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker said he is pleased to hear Shell is finally going ahead with the project, be-
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cause his city is five minutes away and has 60 acres of shovel-ready land available at the former LTV Steel site for support businesses. “I’m optimistic because we have to space for the ancillary businesses that will feed the plant, and that will utilize its products in manufacturing,” he said. Walker said he has spoken with Walton about his worries on diversity commitments and local hiring and training. “Shell has been reaching out to us and to our county commissioners, but I’m worried about what diversity is going to look like,” he said. “The good news is they’re coming. The bad news is They’re coming—but are they coming from the Texas panhandle or Aliquippa? We need to make sure there are no impediments to transportation and training. But in any event, we’re ready for the businesses the plant will support. We’re strategically located and we’re ready.”
(Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
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9 local Black men awarded $90,000 by BMe community CONTINUED FROM A1
Congratulations to 2016 BMe Leaders: Emmai Alaquiva—Emmy Award Winning Videographer; Founder of Hip Hop on L.O.C.K. Emmai Alaquiva has gone from once being homeless to being an Emmy Award winning videographer. In 2007, he also created Hip-Hop on L.O.C.K., an arts education program that promotes youth empowerment and self-esteem. Emmai will use his BMe Leader Award to grow the HipHop on L.O.C.K. program, and develop a pipeline for more positive images of Black people to be highlighted in popular media. Vernard Alexander—Founder and CEO of the Minority Networking Exchange Vernard Alexander is nicknamed the “Connecting King” for his ability to connect people throughout Pittsburgh and abroad. Vernard has over one thousand businessowners in his network and provides coaching to assist entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses. Vernard will use his BMe Leader Award to grow the Minority Networking Exchange and connect thousands of Pittsburgh residents to entrepreneurial opportunities and resources. Chris Edmonds—Founder and CEO of Athletic Trauma Unit Former NFL player, Chris Edmonds created Athletic Trauma Unit (ATU) to provide free physical workouts and healthy living activities for people of all ages and abilities in low-income communities. ATU has helped people recover from work injuries, amputation, back and knee surgeries. Chris will use his BMe Leader Award to extend ATU to thousands of Pittsburgh residents. Cornell Jones—Founder and Pastor of
Iron Cross Community Ministries Reverend Cornell Jones believes in second chances. Through Iron Cross Community Ministries, he is giving formerly incarcerated citizens opportunities to reintegrate into society. Cornell will use his BMe Leader Award to create an Internet radio show that takes an insightful and assetoriented approach to topics such as violence prevention, reentry, and social justice. Claudy Pierre—Owner of Culture Restaurant and Lounge; Founder of E.A.T. Initiative Restauranteur Claudy Pierre grew up in a busy Haitian-American household in Brooklyn where by age 10 he was cooking dishes for his parents and 8 siblings. He attended the LeCordon Bleu School Arts, in Pittsburgh and is now the proud owner of Culture Restaurant and Lounge. Claudy will use his BMe Leader Award to create a healthy eating initiative supported by Culture Restaurant and Lounge. Jason Rivers—Project Manager for the Office of Equity, Pittsburgh Public Schools; Founder of AR3 Foundation In 2008 when Jason Rivers’ brother Anthony was senselessly gunned down by two young men whom he didn’t know; Jason launched the AR3 Celebration of Life Foundation. AR3 has provided life-enriching activities for thousands of young people. Jason will use his BMe Leader Award to help mentor boys in Pittsburgh Public Schools, and to grow the impact of AR3. Greg Spencer—Founder & CEO of Randall Industries Greg Spencer has a long history of creating opportunities despite obstacles. As a child he had both a stutter and difficulty reading; but he went on to found one of the
New YMCA CEO rolls out new program CONTINUED FROM A1
for them and it hit all the strings for me, let me be a role model, helping kids in struggling minority communities, and giving them a chance to bridge the gap,” he said. “I loved it. The Y let me build it from scratch. We made a game about how the stock market worked—no one was doing that stuff back in the 90s. And someone told me the Y was looking for a director. “ He got the job, and though he was never a “Y rat,” he learned that during segregation, it had been the “Black Y” in Lynchburg. It was where his parents, uncles and aunts learned to swim. “That was meaningful for me,” he said. “And here I
am, 22 years later—a second-generation Y rat.” After Lynchburg, Bolding managed the Metropolitan Y to Detroit, Mich. for 10 years, then moved to Miami. Detroit was culture shock, going to such a big city. I don’t think I knew any of my neighbors,” he said. “Miami was a wonderful diversion from reality. It was great, but it wasn’t home. Pittsburgh is the only place beside Lynchburg that feels like home.” And in his new home, going forward he and the Y will focus on three core initiative: Food insecurity, the Y now has seven different urban gardens—even in the suburbs; closing the achievement gap work, the Y operates 50 different sites
delivering after-school programs, especially to kid in city, and eliminating heath disparities. “You see that more profoundly illustrated in city, the predominance of prediabetes is alarming,” he said. “So, we’re trying to work on that, not just gym-and-swim but for total health. So its going to be those three areas. The buildings are just a tool. The idea behind it— that is the focus going forward.” Bolding and his wife are members of Central Baptist Church in the Hill District, and are also actively engaged in the local chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. They currently reside in Kennedy Township.
largest Black-owned chemical manufacturing companies in the nation. Greg will use his BMe Leader Award to help create a leadership skills development program connecting Black residents to successful corporate, government and nonprofit leadership opportunities. Derrick Tillman—President and CEO of Bridging the Gap Development Derrick Tillman is committed to providing housing and job opportunities. His company, Bridging the Gap Development, is focused on affordable housing, job training opportunities, mixed-income housing, and developing retail space for small busi-
nesses. Derrick will use BMe Leader Award to support projects that expand livable wage job opportunities to residents throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. Dwan Walker—Mayor of the City of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania When Dwan Walker’s 33-year-old sister was shot and killed in front of his nephew, Dwan began campaigning to change things; and became the first black mayor of the City of Aliquippa. Today he’s working to bring more businesses and corporate partnerships his city. Mayor Walker will use his BMe Leader Award to support youth programming there as well.
Community celebrates opening of ONE Homestead PITTSBURGH—The county’s newest scattered site development, ONE Homestead, held its grand opening today, along with a ribbon cutting, for the affordable housing community located in Homestead Borough. The developer, a.m. RODRIGUEZ ASSOCIATES, inc., hosted officials including County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, State Sen. Jay Costa Jr., state Rep. Paul Costa, Homestead Borough Mayor Betty Esper and Homestead Borough Council President Lloyd Cunningham to celebrate this coordinated community revitalization project. They were also joined by representatives of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets and Bank of New York Mellon in marking the occasion. “It’s really gratifying to see the completion of this project. Homestead has worked for a long time on making improvements to its community, and finding developments and partners that are a good fit for the borough,” said Fitzgerald. “Allegheny County has a strong partner in a.m. RODRIGUEZ ASSOCIATES, and knowing that they are so deliberate in their decisions and planning gives a great deal of confidence that the project will meet every expectation.” ONE Homestead is a 51unit affordable housing community in six buildings lo-
cated on East Eighth Avenue and Amity Street. The project included adaptive reuse as well as new construction and offers 3-story loft apartments, 2 and 3story townhouse units, and 1 and 2-bedroom apartments with patios or sunrooms. In addition to providing much needed affordable housing for the community, the project also includes energy efficient features such as triplepane windows, green construction, a solar array and tankless water heaters. ONE Homestead also preserved the historic Homestead Post Office, retaining its most significant architectural features. The building contains three apartments, the leasing office and the community room with kitchenette and computers. “Our ONE Homestead project was a very challenging project, but it will stand the test of time. We put a great deal of thought into the design,” said Victor Rodriguez, President of a.m. RODRIGUEZ ASSOCATES, inc. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Borough of Homestead on new developments, including the opening of a new brewpub in the old Levine Hardware store on 8th Avenue.” The multi-year project was begun in 2011 with the housing units available for initial occupancy beginning next month. Funding was secured for the project from a variety of sources including Allegheny County, federal housing funds
from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, state funding from the Keystone Communities Program and the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program, low income tax credits from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority, equity from RBC Capital Markets, the Steel Valley Enterprise Zone and a construction-bridge loan from the Bank of New York Mellon. “This project epitomizes what true partnership is all about,” Senator Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) said. “We all share the goal of revitalizing this community and providing opportunities for growth and development that will benefit everyone who lives, plays and works here. This type of coordination and cooperation is the cornerstone to the success of this project.” The ONE Homestead development is part of a coordinated community revitalization effort with a.m. RODRIGUEZ ASSOCIATES, inc., Allegheny County and the Borough of Homestead. The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County has been instrumental in the renewal of the Homestead business district because of their acquisition and stabilization of parcels which were then sold for redevelopment. To date, those efforts have resulted in housing, a mill shop and headquarters for a local construction company, a new municipal parking lot and new commercial facilities.
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Moss in 2014. The investigation continues. May 25—Thomas Cheeks, a 40-year-old Black male was fatally shot during a home invasion at his Crafton Heights home. His wife and son were home at the time but were not harmed. The two gunmen also killed the family dog. No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing. May 26—Tamar Taylor, a 26-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times as he sat in his car on Bellanca Avenue. Police have charged 29-year-old Daevon Plowden with the homicide. He is currently in the Allegheny County Jail. May 27—Dehnad Taiedi, a 78-year-old Iranian, was shot once in the head at the front desk of the motel he owned on Rte. 51 in Jefferson Hills, in what police said was an apparent robbery. No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing. May 27—Mark Lopata, a 35-year-old White male was found beaten and fatally shot in his Elliot apartment. Police have charged his roommate, 28year-old Robert Hunter in the death. Hunter is in the Allegheny County jail. May 28—Delores Alviani, a 70-year-old White female was found by police fatally shot in a bedroom of her Bloomfield home along with her 79-year-old husband Louis, also deceased, in what police said was a murder-suicide. April Homicides (6) April 1—Dontae Thompson, a 27year-old Black male was shot multiple times after another vehicle pulled along side him while driving on Henderson Street in Pittsburgh’s Fineview neighborhood. Police discovered him after his car had crashed trough a fence and flipped onto its roof. He was taken to Allegheny Gen-
eral Hospital where he died a few hours later. On April 20, Police arrested Andre Branch-Samuels for the killing after tracking him and his vehicle on surveillance video through several neighborhoods. He is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 4. April 6—Brandon Nguyen, a 29year-old Asian male, was sitting in his car in front of his home on Shadeland Avenue on Pittsburgh’s North Side when another car pulled up and a tall, thin Black male got out and shot Nguyen multiple times before speeding away. Nguyen was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrest has been made. The investigation is ongoing. April 14—Terence Jackson, a 27year-old Black male, was shot multiple times inside Red’s Bar on E. Warrington Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Beltzhoover neighborhood. He was taken to UPMC Mercy in critical condition and died about two hours later. Another man who was wounded in the leg during the incident said the shooting started after a scuffle. As yet, police have released no description of the shooter. The investigation is ongoing. April 15—Derek Schindler, a 30year-old White male, was fatally shot by Joshua Huber following marijuana and alcohol-fueled argument in Huber’s Etna apartment. Huber’s upstairs neighbor heard the shots and held him at gunpoint with his shotgun until police arrived. Huber is being held in the Allegheny County Jail pending a preliminary hearing. April 15—Melissa Zuk, a 22year-old White female, was fatally shot by Joshua Huber following marijuana and alcohol-fueled argument in Huber’s Etna apartment. Huber’s upstairs neighbor heard the shots and held him at gunpoint with his shotgun until police arrived. Huber is being held in the Allegheny County Jail pending a preliminary hearing. April 26—Aaron Govostes, a 42year-old Black male, was shot three times in the doorway of his South Oakland home after opening his front door to intruders. His mother and two children were unharmed. Police found marijuana and cash in the house but did not reveal a motive. Govostes was pronounced dead at the scene. His mother described the intruders only as three Black males. As yet, police have no suspects. The investigation is ongoing.
March Homicides (10) March 1—Tyrell Jones, a 20-yrold Black man, was discovered by police shot multiple times near a Homestead playground. No arrest has been made. The investigation is ongoing. March 5—Michael Watson, a 52year-old Black Male, was discovered by police fatally wounded in the 600 block of Chataqua Street on Pittsburgh’s North Side. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he died shortly afterward. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing. March 9—Tina Shelton, 37, Shada Mahone, 26, Chanetta Powell, 25, Brittany Powell, 27, all Black females, Baby Boy Powell, 8 months, and Jerry Shelton, a 35-year-old Black male were all executed by a pair of gunmen at a during a cookout in Wilkinsburg. Despite District Attorney Steven A Zappala saying police had good leads on the shooters, no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing. March 12—Derek Price, a 26-yearold Black male was shot multiple times at the Monview Heights housing complex in West Mifflin and later died at the hospital. Hours later police arrested 22-year-old Zyaire James of Clairton and charged him with homicide. He is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial. March 13—Taevon Harris, a 15year-old Black male was fatally shot by 19-yea-old Ryzel Barret after the two argued outside Mr. Barrett’s house in Homestead. Police said Barrett then went into the house, argued with his father, shot and wounded him shooting himself. March 14—Walli Hardy, a 23year-old Black male, was found shot to death in a neighbor’s kitchen in Homewood. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing. March 23—Linda Katilius, a 63year-old White female, was strangled to death by her 60-year-old husband Richard, who confessed to the crime. He is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial. March 24—Saevon Ponder, a 21year-old Black male, was fatally shot and dumped in Beltzhoover after being kidnapped over what police said was a drug debt. Mitchell Coles has been arrested and charged with the shooting, kidnapping and other charges. He is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial. March 25—Tarvus Gainer, a 28year-old Black male, was found fatally
shot on Montier Street in Wilkinsburg. No arrests have been made. The investigation continues. March 27—Glenn Fischer, a 49year-old White male, was discovered strangled after a disturbance in a neighbor’s home. No charges have yet been filed. February Homicides (4) FEB. 3—Reginald Franklin, a 27year-old Black male from Homewood, was fatally shot while exiting a store in the 7200 block of Frankstown Avenue in Homewood. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian where he later died. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. On the listing provided by the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner, Franklin is identified as Reginald Frankin. Feb. 15—Calvin Turner, 56, Gerald Johnson, 68, and Darlyn Vance, 73, all Black males died of smoke inhalation and burns after the North Lang Street house where they lived in Homewood was set on fire. Latoya Lyerly, 42, who also lived there confessed to the arson. She is in the Allegheny County Jail. FEB. 15—Keith Woodard, a 19year-old Black male from North Side, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the 100 block of Waldorf Street in the North Side. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he later died. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. FEB. 15—Amelia Roman, a 96year-old White female from North Braddock, was found dead in her North Braddock home, in the 700 block of Jones Avenue, by individuals conducting a welfare check. It has been reported that she had a heart attack during a home invasion in which she was left bound and gagged. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. FEB. 17—Madeline Bernard, a 65-year-old Black female from Brighton Heights, was found stabbed to death in her home on Verner Court in Brighton Heights. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Madeline Bernard was reportedly stabbed during a domestic altercation with her daughter, Sommer Bernard, who has been charged with criminal homicide. January Homicides JAN. 10—Damion Graham, a 39year-old Black male from the North Side, was fatally shot during a domestic altercation at a home on Forest Avenue in Bellevue. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No one has been charged; the investigation is
ongoing. JAN. 10—Chauncey Howard, a 25year-old Black male from the North Side, was found fatally shot inside of a vehicle that had crashed into a pole in the 3100 block of Universal Street in Sheraden. He was found by officers who were responding to a call of shots fired in the 3200 block. Howard was pronounced dead at the scene. Tremond Allston and Charles Williams have been charged with criminal homicide, criminal conspiracy, carrying a firearm without a license and more. JAN. 15—Martell Benton-Bridgett, an 18-year-old Black male from McKees Rocks, was found at the Holiday Inn Express, in the 800 block of Greentree Road, in Greentree, with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died. It has been reported that he had been at a party at the hotel when he was shot. No one had been charged; the investigation is ongoing. JAN. 19—Shawn Cavender, a 39year-old Black male from Pittsburgh, was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his lower extremities in a home in the 100 block of Southern Avenue in Mt. Washington. He was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital where he later died. Reportedly, he had gotten into an argument with another male who fled the scene. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. JAN. 19—Raymond O’Neal, a 17year-old Black male from Penn Hills, was shot and killed at a home in the 8900 block of Upland Terrace in Penn Hills. It is believed that there was a confrontation and O’Neal was shot. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. JAN. 20—Dante Dawkins, a 29year-old Black male from Clairton, was shot to death in the 400 block of Windgap Avenue, in Windgap Industrial Park, which is in the Windgap/Esplen area. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Divine Barrett was also found dead at the scene; one was found in a nearby vehicle and the other was lying in the street. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. (The Office of the Medical Examiner of Allegheny County has Dawkins’ age listed as 39, but other reports and an obituary list him as 29.) JAN. 20—Divine Barrett, a 24year-old Black male from New Jersey, was shot to death in the 400 block of Windgap Avenue, in Windgap Industrial Park, which is in
the Windgap/Esplen area. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Dante Dawkins was also found dead at the scene; one was found in a nearby vehicle and the other was lying in the street. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. JAN. 21—Bronson Waite, a 23year-old White male from Brighton Heights, was found shot to death in the torso at a residence in the 3900 block of Vinceton Street in Perry North. He was pronounced dead at the scene. It has been reported that a robbery and the shooting may have taken place the previous day. Daron Clark has been charged with criminal homicide, burglary, robbery, criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm with an altered manufacture number. JAN. 22—Janese Jackson Talton, a 29-year-old Black female from Penn Hills, was found fatally shot outside of Cliff’s Bar, located at North Lang Avenue in Homewood, by officers who were responding to a ShotSpotter notification. She was pronounced dead at the scene. According to reports, Talton was allegedly shot by Charles McKinney after rejecting his advances. McKinney is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license, fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession with intent to deliver, recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving. JAN. 30—Eric Johnson, a 24-yearold Black male from McKeesport, was fatally shot in the area of Fern Alley, in McKeesport, while sitting in a vehicle with another male. Johnson died at the scene; the other male was taken to a local hospital. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. JAN. 31—Bruce Kelley Jr., a 37year-old Black male from Pittsburgh, was shot and killed by Port Authority Police after an altercation. According to reports, Kelley and his father were found drinking alcohol at a Wilkinsburg shelter near the East Busway when officers initially encountered them. An altercation broke out and the two got away. After finding the two again and Kelley allegedly refusing orders to put down a knife, officers Tased him. When that did not work, they released their K-9, Aren, and Kelley stabbed him. Officers then shot and killed Kelley. He died of multiple gunshot wounds to the trunk and extremities. Aren also died. The investigation is ongoing.
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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
OPINION
Isis wouldn’t survive Chicago streets
Guest Editorial
Clarence Thomas: He just doesn’t get it The Supreme Court has been divided on a number of issues over the years. But more recently, the use of race as a determinant in striking a potential juror from selection hasn’t been one of them. Disallowing such an act became a legal precedent with the 1986 Batson v. Kentucky landmark decision. So, observers and legal experts alike were baffled when Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas ended up the lone dissenter in an otherwise unified court decision to upend the death row conviction of an African-American man due to the intentional exclusion of Blacks from the all-white jury that convicted him. Chief Justice John Roberts, among the Court’s most conservative members, himself wrote, “The State’s new argument today does not dissuade us from the conclusion that its prosecutors were motivated in substantial part by race.” Six other justices agreed, for the 7-1 decision. In the case Foster v. Chatman, Timothy Tyrone Foster was convicted of murder and sexual assault of Queen Madge White, a 79-year-old retired school teacher, nearly 30 years ago in Rome, Ga. Attorneys for Foster used Georgia’s open records law to uncover evidence of the prosecutor in the original case writing a capital “B” alongside the names of prospective jurors who happened to be Black. The indication was apparently made on two occasions, after which neither of the prospective jurors were chosen. Roberts concluded that these two such strikes “on the basis of race are two more than the Constitution allows.” It’s unfortunate, almost tragic, that Thomas doesn’t see the situation this way. In his dissent for Foster v. Chatman, Thomas wrote, “Foster’s new evidence does not justify this court’s assessment of who was telling the truth nearly three decades removed ...” Apparently the big “B” scribbled alongside the names of prospective jurors who were Black wasn’t worth noticing to him. In fact, Justice Thomas seems to try mightily to ignore the “B” and all things Black that keep revealing themselves in his life. But his refusal to see race doesn’t make him seem less Black, it only makes Thomas seem Black and selfloathing. Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court, insisted that any use of pre-emptive strikes against a potential juror should be curtailed because it opens the door for racial discrimination. So, Thomas’s views on this case are just another sad reminder of how much he is not like that first great AfricanAmerican Supreme Court Justice, and how much he’s not like us, either. 1(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)
Letters to the editor for publication The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication. All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360, or via e-mail to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com.
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
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Ulish Carter
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Managing Editor
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John H. Sengstacke Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)
Memorial Day weekend in Chicago, and most Urban Cities, was deadly. But in Chicago it was one of the deadliest in years. But still I hear no outrage about how Black Lives Matter from our Black leaders, or White leaders for matter. According to the news media there were 64 shootings and 6 deaths over the three-day Memorial weekend. For the week there were 13 murders, 85 wounded out of a total 98 shootings bringing the year to date total in Chicago to 243 murders, 1343 wounded, for a total of 1586 shootings. Chicago is estimated at having 2.7 million people with the population being almost evenly distributed between Blacks, Whites and Hispanic. Of the 64 shot 52 were Black, 11 Hispanic, and one White. I repeat one White. I didn’t think I was reading correctly. People we are not talking about the Middle East here. We are not talking about war against Isis, keeping peace in the Middle East, we are talking about American cities, yet all the Sunday Morning News shows and the Presidential candidates are saying the threat to America is terrorists, such as Isis. But is that the case? Having lived in Illinois for 10 plus years, and graduating from Southern Illinois University where most of the Blacks attending back then were from Chicago, I can tell you this is nothing new for Chicago, or most of the Illinois Urban Cities, or Urban Cities as a whole. As people talked about Chicago my question to them is where is the outrage? When are the Black folk in Chicago going to get upset, mad, pissed off? Remember the ranting and raving in an effort to get the Mayor to resign behind police shootings of Blacks, and overall police corruption, but nothing over this. We are just going into June and there’re already 243 murders and 1343 people wounded. It is a level of violence that has become the terrifying norm, particularly in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods on the South and West Sides. With far fewer residents, Chicago has more homicides than Los Angeles or New York City.
Ulish Carter
Just Sayin’
proach the numbers or percentages of Chicago and other Urban cities, but the percentage of Blacks is still ranging from 70 to 90 percent of the total. Hopefully, Pittsburgh will lead the way in showing the country that Black people can live together without killing each other. *** Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf hosted two roundtables in southeast Pennsylvania. The roundtable discussions continued the governor’s statewide tour to hear from state lawmakers, local officials, law enforcement, emergency responders and health care professionals about ways to work together to combat the opioid abuse epidemic spreading across the Commonwealth. “I look forward to continue working collaboratively with the General Assembly and community leaders to ensure Pennsylvania leads the nation in the fight to combat the opioid abuse and heroin use epidemic,” said Gov. Wolf, in a press release. “The magnitude of the addiction and overdose death epidemic in Pennsylvania is shocking: at least seven Pennsylvanians die every day from a drug overdose. With nearly 2,500 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania in 2014 and estimates that the 2015 total will be higher, a collaborative effort on the federal, state, and local levels is crucial in combating this crisis.” “On this issue,” said Gov. Wolf, “we’re all in agreement that we need to do something about this.” More people die from drug overdoses than from car accidents statewide, the governor said Stating that he wants lawmakers to approve an additional $34 million for drug treatment in the 2016-17 state budget. “[What] I’m doing now and what we all here in this building are doing now to focus on this opioid crisis really is building on what has been going since the early days of my administration.” Since drugs is very heavily involved in the Urban deaths maybe we can get the governors and other politicians to get involved in finding a way to stop the street violence in the urban cities throughout this country.
There was some discrepancy in the statistics, with Chicago police telling CNN that six people were shot and killed, and 42 were injured in gunfire from Friday evening through midnight Monday, However, an analysis by the Chicago Tribune had a higher figure, finding at least 69 people were shot over the weekend. Breaking down the total shootings by race I could not find a break down but I assume the total numbers pretty much reflect the numbers given the Memorial Day weekend. Yet we still get hundreds on the streets when it comes to police shootings, but for some reason those 243 must be less dead because Blacks killed them. They also estimated that the average cost for a gunshot would is $55,000. And that’s just the initial cost of ambulance service, emergency service, hospital stay if you don’t die right a way. And of course it’s much cheaper to the family if the person dies right a away, because then there’s no hospital stay, and no doctor’s cost such as emergency surgery, hospital stay, continued doctor’s care after the shooting. And if the family doesn’t have health insurance, which many don’t, the bill just keeps clicking up and up. In an effort to capture what is happening on Chicago’s streets, and why, The New York Times dispatched a team of reporters, photographers and videographers to virtually all of the shooting scenes across the city. Working around the clock through the three-day weekend, The Times interviewed relatives, witnesses, police officers and others, and captured how much violence has become a part of the city’s fabric. The Times intends to follow the cases throughout the year. (Ulish Carter is the managing editor of the Hopefully Pittsburgh will never ap- New Pittsburgh Courier.)
Make presidential race about issues (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—Donald Trump has now won the delegates needed to give him the Republican presidential nomination. The Bernie Sanders surge continues, but Hillary Clinton apparently has the super delegate support needed to give her the nomination. We’re headed to a presidential race with two candidates burdened with record-levels of disfavor. This leads to the widespread expectation of a spitball brawl for a campaign. Trump has already begun branding Clinton. The Clinton campaign has begun attacking Trump as reckless and unqualified. A negative campaign of branded insults will drive down turnout. It would be a disservice to this country and its people. The United States faces major challenges. We have an economy that does not work for working people, who struggle with stagnant or declining wages, increasing insecurity, and soaring costs of basic needs from health care to college education to retirement security. Record numbers are in poverty. Shameless tax scams allow billionaires to pay lower tax rates than the police who protect their homes. Global corporations stash trillions abroad and pay lower tax rates than mom-and-pop small businesses. Climate change is a real and present danger that the Pentagon rightly says poses a rising national security threat. The president’s efforts to extract us from the endless wars in the Middle East have been frustrated. Tensions are rising with both Russia and China. We’re running trade deficits of $500 billion a year, undermining good jobs here. In our cities, the impoverished are more concen-
Jesse Jackson Sr.
Commentary trated, more isolated, with less hope and more dope and violence. We need a real debate about the choices we face. Donald Trump has used insult more than policy to win his nomination. But he’s begun to make policy addresses. He recently gave a speech on energy policy. He vowed to unravel the Paris climate agreement, rescind the Obama climate change rules, revive the coal industry and redouble our efforts to achieve pure energy independence. He vowed to “deal with real environmental challenges, not the phony ones we’ve been hearing about,” presumably climate change. Clinton has a detailed agenda on energy policy. She believes climate change is a real threat. She wants to build on the Paris agreements and capture the lead in the emerging clean energy economy. The differences between the two positions are stark and worthy of a great debate. Similarly, Trump earlier gave a speech on foreign policy in which he challenged many of the shibboleths of our foreign policy. He wants a stronger military that is used less. He wants our allies to pay a greater share of the burden. He seems more willing to negotiate and more skeptical about intervention. Again, there are major
substantive differences in direction and policy from Clinton. The American people would benefit greatly if the election debate were focused on these and other fundamental policy choices. Both candidates should continue to detail their policies and debate their differences. The media should focus less on gotcha questions, stop recycling insults and feeding the spitball fight, and start probing about policy and direction. The problem, of course, is that insult draws attention. Attention means viewers. Viewers mean advertisers. The media are constantly driven to highlight the latest insult, the outrage and the fake scandal rather than to focus on the needs of the people and how each candidate proposes to address them. Similarly, as Trump showed in his primary, insults gain free media. Free media means attention from voters—and saves money. So the candidates are tempted to descend into a brawl of jabs and counterpunches. Instead of a debate about the direction of the country, we get a campaign based on branding the other. This is a recipe for dividing and misleading the country. We’re going to be electing a president in a country that faces big challenges. It is time to take this out of the back alley. The only way that happens is if everyone is more responsible: the candidates in choosing issues over insults, the media in the questions they ask, and the voters in what kind of behavior they will reward. (Jesse L. Jackson Sr. is founder and president of the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition. You can keep up with his work at www.rainbowpush.org)
The many delusions of Donald Trump by Bill Fletcher Jr. (NNPA)—What do you say about someone who apparently sees things that do not exist? I have been asking myself that question while I have watched Donald Trump’s presidential campaign unfold. And, as taunts, name-calling, and the lack of substance continue to define the tone of Trump’s campaign, I have wondered whether we need to think about Trump in a different way. Let’s review three items. First, Trump has argued for a wall between the United States and Mexico to prevent Mexican migrants, who he contends are the major source of crime in the U.S., from entering this country. Interesting. In reality, the migration flow in recent years has reversed between the U.S. and Mexico, i.e., people are returning to Mexico. Second, if Mexicans are the major source of crime, what does Trump have to say about Russian immigrants and the Russian mafia?
What about previous generations of criminal organizations that have been associated with immigrant communities, such as the Cosa Nostra (Sicilian and Italian), as well as Irish and Jewish mobs? Why not expel all of them? Well, the Donald is silent on this. Besides racist, what does one call such a mischaracterization of reality? The second example: Trump asserted—and repeated—that on 11 September 2001, masses of Muslims in the U.S. were applauding the terrorist attacks. No evidence—and I repeat NO EVIDENCE—has ever been found to back up his claim. Yet, Trump and many of his supporters continue to argue that they saw it. How is that possible? The third example, and I simply have to bring this up. Trump seized onto the so-called birther allegations against President Obama, suggesting that he is not a true citizen of the U.S. and, therefore, has been ineligible to be President of the U.S. Again, in ad-
dition to racism, what do you call someone who, despite all legitimate evidence, continues to assert something which is so obviously false? This all reminded me of the “Flat Earth Society.” I have no idea whether they still exist, but during the 1960s this group, which believed that the Earth was flat, sent a congratulatory note to an orbiting U.S. space vehicle saying to them that while the Earth might look round, it was actually an optical illusion. Hmm… So, the next time that you hear someone say that they support Trump because he calls it as it is, ask them about Mexican immigration to the U.S., Muslims celebrating 9-11, and his false citizenship allegations against President Obama and watch their response. If they tell you that it doesn’t matter, all that I can only suggest one thing…run. (Bill Fletcher Jr. is a talk show host, writer and activist. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and at www.billfletcherjr.com.)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Muhammad Ali, the people’s champion (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—I know it’s extremely difficult, but if you can, ditch the memories of Muhammad Ali showing up uninvited at Sonny Liston’s training camp, announcing that he was going bear hunting. Put aside his boasts of being the greatest of alllll-timmmme. Scratch the images of the “Ali Shuffle” and his patented rope-a-dope. Ali’s greatest victories came outside the boxing ring. He was the greatest of all time as a boxer and, more important, as a humanitarian. He consistently displayed unwavering courage and a willingness to be unpopular. In fact, it was his unpopularity with the establishment that made him popular with people all around the word. I had the pleasure of meeting Muhammad Ali twice, first in the late 1960s as a part of a conference of college newspaper editors in Washington, D.C. and in the late 1990s as a board member of the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). At that first meeting, I was struck by how physically imposing Ali was at 6’2 ½ inches and about 236 pounds. I pretended to be boxing with him — making sure he knew that I was just pretending — and my fist looked like a small pimple next to his face. Ali was extremely generous with his time and was playful as ever. By the time of our second meeting, he had already been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects body movement. Though considerably slowed, he was still the star attraction, communicating with his eyes more than with his mouth. Whether in his prime or just a shell of his old self, Ali was one of the world’s most recognized and beloved public figures, a brash boxer whose
George E. Curry
Commentary punches and physical dexterity could back up the words that flowed from his mouth. “Muhammad Ali was The Greatest. Period. If you just asked him, he’d tell you. He’d tell you he was the double greatest; that he’d ‘handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder into jail.’ But what made The Champ the greatest—what truly separated him from everyone else—is that everyone else would tell you pretty much the same thing,” the president and First Lady Michelle Obama said in a statement. He was also the boldest—unafraid to take a stand. He was widely criticized—and even by African Americans such as Jackie Robinson— for joining the Nation of Islam shortly after his upset victory over Sonny Liston. He later left the NOI but remained an outspoken advocate for Blacks and the downtrodden. In a interview with Playboy magazine, which is included as part of The Muhammad Ali Reader, edited by Gerald Early, Ali was asked: “What would the old Cassius Clay be doing today?” In his typical direct manner, Ali replied, “If I was Cassius Clay today, I’d be just like Floyd Patterson. I’d probably have a White wife and I wouldn’t represent Black people in no way. Or I’d be like Charley Pride, the folk singer. Nothin’ bad about him—he’s a good fella and I met his Black wife, but Charley stays out of controversy. It’s not only him, because I could name Wilt Chamberlain and others who don’t get involved in struggle or racial issues—it might jeopardize their position. I’d be that kind of man.” But he wasn’t that kind of man. And he was sensitive to the type of lifestyle his high-profile career afforded him and the rest of Black America. “Last week, I was taking a ride and thought, ‘I’m driving a Rolls-Royce and I got another one in the garage that I hardly ever use that cost $40,000,’” Ali said. “I got a Scenicruiser Greyhound bus that sleeps fourteen and cost $120,000 and another bus that cost $42,000— $162,000 just in mobile homes. My training camp cost $350,000 and I just spent $300,000 remodeling my house in Chicago. I got all that and a lot more. “Well, I was driving down the street and I saw a little Black man wrapped in an old coat standing on a corner with his wife and little boy, waiting for a bus to come along—and there I am in my Rolls-Royce. The little boy had holes in his shoes and I started thinkin’ that if he was my little boy, I’d break into tears. And I started crying.” Ali didn’t know it, but wherever he was going, the FBI was spying on him as part of its COINTELPRO campaign to undermine civil rights leaders and organizations. According to Racial Matters: The FBI’s Secret File on Black America, 1960-1972 by Kenneth O’Reilly, the agency overheard conversations between Ali and Dr. King as part of its wiretapping of King’s phones and hotel rooms. A footnote in the book stated, “FBI surveillance of Muhammad Ali sucked in everyone around him, from Howard Cosell to Angelo Dundee and even Johnny Carson. Whenever Ali appeared on the Tonight Show, an agent stayed up to watch and record the telecast.” Although his own government engaged in such cowardly acts, Muhammad Ali was a true patriot, standing up to his government when it was wrong—costing him more than three prime years of his life—and praising it when it was right. As Ali liked to say, “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” (George E. Curry is president and CEO of George Curry Media, LLC. He is the former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA. He can be reached through his Web site, georgecurry.com.)
JUNE 8-14, 2016 A9
FORUM
Have eyes, but still unable to see I attended a under 78 years meeting last Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick of Democratic week and once rule. Are the again it became above acts of apparent how racism the blind a lot of us acts of a libare. The meeting eral political was opened with party? a statement The issue of from an eduthe Republican cated person, nominee, Donwho described a number of persons as ald Trump making a statement that conservatives and liberals. He then he questions if he could get a fair deciwent on to clarify his statement by sion from a judge of Mexican descent, stating all Republicans were arch con- is that a racist statement? Untold servatives and Democrats are liberals, numbers of Black persons who have which meant Republicans care noth- been in the Allegheny County Court ing about Blacks and Democrats are system have echoed the same statethe best friends of Blacks. ment when they are confronted by an If that definition has any validity all White jury, White prosecutor, White then explain the unbelievable “condi- judge and White public defender; is tions of Blacks in cities of Chicago, De- that statement racist? troit, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, PhiladelSeveral years ago I filed a lawsuit in phia, etc., etc. which have been gov- federal court and an all-white jury erned by Democrats [liberals] for the was selected, but there were no Blacks last 50 to 80 years, no Republicans in the jury pool. The trial lasted five [conservatives]. days and I lost, but there were two reI have been a citizen of Pittsburgh porters in attendance everyday and since birth and still remember being they were absolutely astounded that I forced to sit in the balcony in the the- lost. I will always remember the reaters, could not eat in restaurants, porters asking my wife and I how did there were restricted areas in the you lose, what trial were they listencemeteries, Blacks were prohibited ing to? from swimming in city and county The alleged liberals have only three owned pools, Blacks could not work Blacks on the Allegheny Court of as school teachers, police, truck Common Pleas, and not one on the drivers, salespersons. Blacks were U.S. Federal bench. denied insurance, mortgages, busiOne of the most recent inaccurate ness loans, swimming and dancing at myths released to the public was that amusement parks, admittance to at the Allegheny County Airport 23 skating rinks, and hotel accommoda- percent of the venders are minorities. tions. Blacks would not be hired to I question how they define minorities? operate buses or streetcars; the What percentage is native born such unions were as White as the KKK. as Alabama, South Carolina, North Police would stop you for riding Carolina, Mississippi, etc.? (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the though certain White neighbors. All of these acts of racism occurred New Pittsburgh Courier.)
To Tell The Truth
Snoop Dogg’s old nemesis and Alex Haley’s pardon Rap icon Snoop what is now Dogg suggested a J. Pharoah Doss South Carolina. boycott of The The Spaniards History Channel’s brought over remake of Alex 100 African Haley’s Roots. Apslaves. These parently, he’s were the first tired of slave nar“Black folk to ratives and wants touch down” on more material what is now the showing successUnited States. ful Blacks in present day America. The colony was unsuccessful, one ac(Like The Cosby Show?) count said it failed due to disease and Ironically, Snoop sounded like his old another account reported a slave renemesis, C. Delores Tucker, chair of bellion, either way the Africans that the National Congress of Black escaped became Americans, 90 years Women. She was tired of how Blacks before Jamestown. were portrayed too, but she was fed up But The History Channel aired, with the misogynistic music made by what the New York Times called, Snoop Dogg and his cohorts at Death Roots: Remade for the Black Lives Row Records. Matter Era. Now, the re-runs of The There’s no moral equivalence be- Cosby Show have been removed from tween the two, but Snoop unknow- the air because of criminal accusaingly channeled the spirit of Tucker’s tions against Bill Cosby, but as far as concern. History is concerned why isn’t the In the early 1990’s, after The Cosby same standard applied to Alex Haley? Show’s final season, C. Delores Tucker It’s a known fact Haley plagiarized picketed stores that sold “gangsta rap” Roots from a novel called The African and she demanded congressional by Harold Courlander. Expert testihearings. mony at the trial stated, “The evidence (Rappers retaliated in their songs of copying from The African in both and called her every demeaning word the novel and the television dramatishe protested.) zation of Roots is clear and irrefutable. Then Tucker bought stock in Time Roots takes phrases, situations, ideas, Warner. aspects of style and plot …Such things In 1995 she appeared at a share- are the life of a novel and when they holders meeting and demanded the appear in Roots they are the life of executives to read aloud some of the someone else’s novel.” lyrics of the songs they distributed. The Cosby show is innocent of Bill After they refused Tucker demanded Cosby’s actions. Roots is Alex Haley’s to know, “How long will Time Warner crime, but Alex Haley is pardoned by put profit before principle?” (Not long popular demand to reinforce the roots after the incident, Time Warner sold of racism Cosby’s sitcom creatively its interest in Interscope and their rap chose not to address. subsidiary was Death Row Records.) Remember The Cosby Show was critNow profit motive aside can the icized for presenting a successful same concern about principle be ap- Black family, critics believed the sucplied to The History Channel? cessful image misled Whites to think Immediately following Snoops com- that racism and poverty were no ments a TV news anchor attacked longer problems in America, and that Snoop for his drug habit and stated: message, no matter how subtle, had to Slavery is real, Americans want to be discouraged by any means necesdeny what took place, and Black folks sary. are survivors since the first slave And in some bizarre Faustian revertouched down in Jamestown, Virginia sal, Snoop called for the remaking of 1619. The Cosby Show’s success, but Snoop However, the “epic response” by the was told to fund it himself in defense anchor to school the addict was inac- of plagiarism that repeats itself incurate, and The History Channel is stead of history. (J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New supposed to correct these Anglo-cenPittsburgh Courier. He blogs at jpharoahtric assumptions. In 1526, Spain attempted a colony in doss@blogspot.com)
Commentary
Letters to the editor for publication The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication. All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor, New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360, or via e-mail to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com.
Susan Smith
Commentary
Valuing a gorilla’s life over that of a Black child (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—The story is old as news cycles go: a 3-year-old toddler fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo and the end-result is that the gorilla was shot and killed, but the toddler was rescued, apparently unharmed. It’s a bittersweet end-result, yes? The little boy is Okay; the 400-pound gorilla, probably pretty stunned that the little guy was in his space, dragged him around but didn’t hurt him. But because the situation was so tenuous, zoo authorities decided the only way to insure the safety of the child was to shoot and kill Harambe, the gorilla. Immediately, the outcry and outrage rose to deafening levels. An online petition was begun by animal rights activists, and had by the next day garnered more than 330,000 signatures. Activists said that the gorilla should have been tranquilized, not killed. However, zoo authorities and animal behavior experts said they decided to kill Harambe because they were not sure tranquilization would have worked—and would not have worked immediately—and might have actually enraged the animal, putting the little boy in more danger. (http://www.nbcnews.com/news/usnews/harambe-gorilla-killed-cincinnatizoo-had-pay-price-experts-n583146) The blame game started—with a fair number of people on each side of the “who’s fault is it?” conversation. But now something very troubling has come to the surface: it seems that the parents of the little boy are being investigated and they may face charges for this whole unfortunate incident. This is an African American family. Apparently the child’s father has a “long criminal history,” with charges including burglary, drug trafficking, and disorderly conduct. But as everyone knows, a Black kid can be and is arrested for “offenses” for which White kids are never approached. It is very easy for a Black person, especially a Black male, to be criminalized for nonviolent offenses. More important, what does his record have to do with the accident? (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article -3617016/EXCLUSIVE-PICTURES-parents-four-son-fell-zoo-enclosure-sparkingcontroversial-killing-Harambe-gorillaemerges-father-lengthy-criminal-history.html) The issue is bigger than the scrutiny being given to the child’s parents, especially his father. It is not unusual for kids to fall into the pens and enclosures of animals at zoos. (http://news.national geographic.com/2016/05/harambe-gorillas-zoos-safety-incidents-animals/) According to one news report, “since 1990, animals died during escapes or attacks 42 times; 15 incidents of this sort have resulted in the loss of human life and 110 have resulted in human injury. What is troubling is not only the statistics that support the not-so-unusual occurrence of kids getting into animal pens at zoos, but also the fact that for this incident, the attacks on the parents have a distinctly racist undertone. The mother has been called “stupid and lazy” for “letting” her child get away, and both parents have been called “irresponsible” in light of the incident, though the father was not at the zoo with the family at the time. The attacks on the parents have been brutal and non-stop and very many people want both parents to be charged with a crime. I do not recall this kind of reaction in previous incidents where kids have gotten away from their parents in a zoo setting. It is because Harambe had to be killed that people are angry, but it is telling about the times we live in that very few comments have been printed or reported voicing relief that the little boy is well. There has been very little acknowledgment that kids get away from even the best parents, and it is horrifying whenever it happens. The core and gut of America is not one of compassion and care; it is filled with the poison of racial and sexual hatred. In incidents like this, it seeps out. The scab over America’s sore does not hold well when it is hit by events that play to the most base racist instincts and emotions of far too many people. I hope the investigation of the parents ends. I hope the mother and father do not lose their jobs and therefore, their capacity to take care of their children. I hope they keep taking their kids out to places— like zoos—where they can learn and grow. I hope the mean-spirited “moms” and “animal lovers” will stop spewing their hatred and perhaps spend energy on getting zoos to make their animal enclosures more kidsafe. I hope all of that, but I am not optimistic that my hopes will be realized. (Revered Susan K Smith is an ordained minister who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Reach her by emailing revsuekim@sbcglobal.net)
A10
NATIONAL
JUNE 8-14, 2016 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
New Miss USA from DC to take a break from Army reserves by Sally Ho
Associated Press Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP)—The newly crowned Miss USA is a 26-year-old Army officer from the District of Columbia who gave perhaps the strongest answer of the night when asked about women in combat. “As a woman in the United States Army, I think ... we are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit, I’m powerful, I am dedicated,” Deshauna Barber said. “Gender does not limit us in the United States.” The winner of Sunday’s 2016 Miss USA competition held at the T-Mobile Arena off the Las Vegas Strip will go on to compete in the Miss Universe contest. Barber is the first-ever military member to win Miss USA. In a press conference following the event, the 26-year-old lieutenant from Northeast DC said she plans to take a break from the Army Reserves and had already discussed with superiors the possibility of going inactive for a couple of years should she win the title. She said she currently serves two days per month. “My commander should be watching right now,” Barber said. “Two days a month is definitely not active duty. It is an obligation that I signed up for but they are very flexible in the United States Army Reserves.” Barber said she plans to use the pageant’s spotlight and her title to support veteran’s causes and tackle the issue of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder among military members. When asked what message she had for the presidential candidates—including former pageant owner and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump— Barber said they should focus more on veteran’s issues, including the backlog at veterans hospitals. “I think that a lot of the topics that
NEWLY CROWNED—Miss District of Columbia Deshauna Barber smiles after being crowned Miss USA during the 2016 Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas, Sunday, June 5, 2016. (Jason Ogulnik/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) they discuss isn’t as important,” she said in a glittering gold gown. Barber’s not the only contestant who had to address the election and the Republican candidate, who had a public break-up with the beauty pageant organization last year. Trump offended Hispanics when he made anti-immigrant remarks in announcing his bid for the White House last June. He at the time co-owned The Miss Universe Organization with NBCUniversal, but the network and the Spanish-language broadcaster Univision quickly cut ties with him, refusing to air
the show. Trump sued both networks, eventually settling and selling off the entire pageant to talent management company WME/IMG. Miss Hawaii, who came in second Sunday night, punted during the question-and-answer segment when asked who she would vote for among the likely presidential candidates, Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton. Chelsea Hardin acknowledged that there was no way to correctly answer the question during the beauty pageant. The question was framed with Clinton’s likely status of being the first woman nominat-
ed by a major political party in the race for the White House. The 24-year-old college student from Honolulu responded that gender doesn’t matter when deciding the next commander in chief. The other women in the top five were asked about voting rights, income inequality and the recent death of sports icon Muhammad Ali. Fan favorite Miss California, Nadia Grace Mejia, had stumbled and paused when answering a question about social and economic inequality. The 20-year-old model, who is the daughter of the 1990s one-hit-wonder singer Gerardo, known for “Rico Suave,” had also talked about suffering from anorexia and wanting to promote body confidence earlier in the show. The beauty pageant organization also didn’t shy away from addressing another controversy from last year—Miss Universe. Steve Harvey made a cameo in a video at the start of the Miss USA show to poke fun of the Miss Universe crowning that he botched in December. Harvey was hosting Miss Universe last year when he mistakenly named Colombia’s Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo the winner before correcting himself on the stage. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines was then given the crown. Officials later said it was due to human error. The talk show host said he had re-read the card and noticed it said “first runner-up” next to the Colombia contestant’s name before clarifying with producers his mistake. He took to Twitter after Miss USA Sunday night to mock himself again by highlighting the similarity of the two locations, the District of Columbia and the country of Colombia.
(Follow Sally Ho at twitter.com/_sallyho. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/sally-ho)
Would teens be slimmer if Katy Perry hawked kale & quinoa? by Lindsay Tanner AP Medical Writer
CHICAGO (AP)—Would U.S. teens be any slimmer if Katy Perry hawked kale and quinoa? New research doesn’t prove a link, but its authors think music stars popular with teens may be contributing to the obesity epidemic by endorsing fatty fast food, snacks and soda. The study shows that 20 of the hottest teen-music heartthrobs have done TV ads or other promotions for products nutritionists consider unhealthy. Included were videos of company-sponsored concerts. Of 107 food and drink endorsements included in the study, few were for nutritious foods, the researchers said. Lead author Marie Bragg, a food policy and obesity researcher at New York University, singled out one “natural wholefood product.” That was South Korean pop star Psy’s “crackin’ gangnamstyle” TV ad for Wonderful pistachios, shown during the Super Bowl in 2013. About 80 percent of celebrity-endorsed food ads were high-calorie products including snack chips and chocolate, or fast-food restaurants including Mc-
Donalds, Chili’s and A&W. Most of the beverage ads were for sugary sodas. The list includes Perry endorsements for Pepsi and Popchips; Justin Timberlake ads or promotions for Chili’s, McDonald’s and Pepsi; and will.i.am ads or campaigns linked with Coca-Cola, Doritos, Dr. Pepper and Pepsi. The study was published Monday in the journal Pediatrics. Ads can influence behavior, and the researchers say the results have important implications, given the nation’s high obesity rates. Government statistics show that about 20 percent of U.S. teens are obese and even more are overweight. “Celebrities should leverage their influence to promote more healthful messages,” the researchers said. They selected music performers who have appeared on Teen Choice Award shows and who had hits on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts in 2013 and 2014. They included ads from 2000 to 2014. They cited previous studies linking food and beverage marketing with excess eating and childhood obesity. Bragg noted a 2013 study from Australia that found sports celebrity
John Lewis to receive Liberty Medal for civil rights work PHILADELPHIA (AP)—U.S. Rep. John Lewis will be honored with Philadelphia’s Liberty Medal for his dedication to civil rights. In announcing the award Thursday, National Constitution Center CEO Jeffrey Rosen says Lewis’s leadership “helped to extend the blessings of liberty and equality to all Americans.’’ Lewis, a civil rights veteran repeatedly threatened with violence while working for voting rights in the Jim Crow South, was a King lieutenant and the JOHN LEWIS youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington. He has represented Georgia in the U.S. House since 1987. He’ll be presented with the award in a Sept. 19 ceremony. The medal is given annually to those who strive to secure liberty for people worldwide. Previous Liberty Medal winners include the Dalai Lama, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and rock singer Bono.
endorsements influenced 11-year-old boys to buy fast food. Bragg said it would be unrealistic to expect teens to only eat healthy foods, or to ask celebrities to only endorse those products. She said “moderation” and “a better balance” of ads would be ideal.
(Follow AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner at http://www. twitter.com/LindseyTanner. Her work can be found at http:// bigstory.ap.org/content/lindsey-tanner)
TEEN HEARTTHROBS—This combination of 2011, 2015 and 2016 photos shows will.i.am, Katy Perry and Justin Timberlake. (AP Photo)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
MUHAMMAD ALI
JUNE 8-14, 2016
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In Pittsburgh Muhammad Ali remains ‘The People’s Champ’ by Smokin’ Jim Frazier For New Pittsburgh Courier
Muhammad Ali was an extraordinary human being who has always evoked the most extreme reactions—-ranging from love and adulation to vitriolic hate. When he spoke, the whole world listened. As he said: “Where do you think I’d be next week if I didn’t know how to shout and holler? I’d probably be down in my hometown washing windows and saying yassuh and nossuh and knowing my place!” Ali had the most unique boxing style, selfpublicizing skills, hip-hop poems, bravura stunts, ring-craft, ability to tame opponents such as Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, Archie Moore, Floyd Patterson, Jerry Quarry, Ken Norton, Cleveland Williams and George Foreman. But “The Greatest” was not simply an unforgettable boxer. He was also an amazing political force in his own right. “There are so many things come to mind when I think of Muhammad Ali. The heart he used to fight. The heart he used to help and care for people. Someone with common sense. Very intelligent. A beautiful athlete. The most important boxer ever. I don’t know if there was an athlete ever more copied than Muhammad Ali,” said Claudio Reilsono, head baseball coach CMU and boxing historian. “I remember I cried when he lost to Spinks. I was 13. And I remember how bad I felt when he lost fights at the end of his career. I remember how he made me laugh when he was with Howard Cosell. I remember how he made me think whenever he would talk about the injustices of the world. So here’s a guy who made me appreciate his athleticism. Made me think. Made me cry and made me laugh. Jim Valvano used to say if you can laugh, cry and think everyday you’ve lived a full day. Muhammad Ali made you live a full day.” At 12 years old, Cassius Clay was already on the way to becoming famous, at least in Louisville. As part of the amateur boxing program, Joe Martin produced a local television show called Tomorrow’s Champions. “In 1957 my dad and I was watching the Golden Gloves on television and the fights were coming from either Louisville or Cincinnati and that was the first time I saw Muhammad Ali, who was Cassius Clay back then,” said James “Dap” Frazier. “You could tell he was going to be great even then. He could hit you while moving backward and his hand and foot speed was exceptional.” Muhammed Ali, was a member of the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X was the most famous spokesperson. The Black Muslim’s believed in cleanliness and discipline and they were not allowed to smoke, drink, or eat pork. Interracial marriage was banned, as were homosexuality and adultery. Women were encouraged to cover their hair and wear ankle-length dresses. “Ali was such a great communicator. When a child asked him what he would do when he retired he responded in a manner so well communicated for a child and everyone to understand basically saying: be good because God is watching you and you want to go to heaven not hell. He was actually born too soon. Because we need him now,” said Jodi Velazquez, author of “Slick Move Guide.” “Racism has become worse and we need men like Ali to be able to communicate to our youth to love one another. There are groups emerging such as Cityyear.org who are desperately trying to get the youth of today to respect each other via working college campuses. Ali would have been a great spokesman for an organization like this. We miss him terribly but not only for his elaborate and charismatic boxing style and champion status but for his empathy and kindness for mankind and humanitarian nature.” Muhammad Ali, was a conscientious objector and that is an “individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service” on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, disability or religion. Author of “Everyone Has A Story” Debra Clark shares her thoughts on Muhammed Ali whom everyone knows as “The Greatest”! Debra is the ex-fiance of NFL legend Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns. Debra tells of her first meeting with the Champ but not before Jim Brown sat her down with his original “Real to Real” clippings of “The Rumble in the Jungle”! Debra said because of their age gap, Jim wanted to make sure that she knew more of Mr. Ali’s history and what made him a Champion! Brown explained to her that because Ali took a stance opposing the Vietnam War that our government thought he (Mr. Ali) was a draft dodger, not because it was against his religious belief and despite Ali being a boxer, he was a peaceful man. Jim Brown shared with her how the government prevented Ali from fighting in the states, so Jim along with Harry Belafonte, Don Cornelius, Don King and many others, put their finances together and took the fight to the Mother Land Africa!!! “The following day (Highly anticipated) arrival of the Champ Muhammed Ali arrived at our home. He was everything that I could imagine and more,” said Clark. “He was warm, sincere, present, gracious and to my surprise, he had a great sense of humor! I always knew one never gets to greatness without being GREAT! We all miss him and glad to have had the pleasure of meeting the peoples Champ Muhammed Ali!” In 1965, the United States began bombing North Vietnam and early 1966, as the war in
Vietnam escalated, the military was forced to lower its standards. In February Ali was reclassified 1-A, available for the draft. “Ali was the most courageous man to walk the face of the earth. Unlike today’s athletes, he always stood like a man, not what was going to make him the most money. He faced off with the US Government and lost three years of his boxing career for his beliefs. I can hear him say, ain’t no Vietcong called me nigger. Ali was a man with no fear and even if he had fear you wouldn’t know,” said Luther Dupree, host of Steel City Sportsworld. “My favorite quote is “service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth. I loved the way he always spoke about his blackness. He was Malcolm X with a stiff jab and an iron chin. Mainstream media villainized him when he was alive. But they couldn’t destroy and Black people never abandoned him. Now that he is gone, they want to idolize him. “The passing of an era. Ali stood for his people without a penny to his name. The GOAT wasn’t just an athlete, he was a man.” When Muhammad Ali then Cassius Clay was first competing as a boxer, the two major amateur competitions in the United States were the Golden Gloves tournament and the National AAU tournament. Today MMA and cage fighting has a growing number of young amateur fighter competing and are also inspired by Ali. “Ali is still and always will be a huge inspiration to myself and many others no matter how long ago he fought. For me and
many other Black African Americans athletes he served as an idol to us. Proved to us no matter what the complexion we are still able to accomplish what we want out of life. I listen to motivational music every morning as a fighter we try find motivation within ourselves and outside.” said Liz Lewis, 19-year old MMA champion. “One of my favorite Muhammad Ali Quotes: I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick; I’m so mean I make medicine sick. Muhammad Ali, I hear on repeat because no matter how big the difficulty looks or how small you may think you are..you can still achieve greatness. David defeated Goliath, God will always bring strength. I’m positive God is pleased with him and his work. He will never be forgotten.” Even as he publicly professed a radical religion, Ali was surrounded by people who were White and of other faiths. His trainer, Angelo Dundee, was Italian American; his assistant trainer, Bundini Brown, was African American and Jewish; Ferdie Pacheco, his doctor, was Cuban; Howard Bingham, his closest friend, was African American and Christian and Howard Cosell was Jewish. “Ali was a polarizing figure. At a time when America was in turmoil with the civil rights movement. He was an outspoken African American at a time when it was not popular to be. He stood up for his beliefs, and was a shining example of what America could be,” said Chip Haynor, co-host of Pittsburgh Sportsline. “There were as many peo-
MUHAMMAD ALI WITH PRESIDENT RICHARD M. NIXON
ple that hated him and wanted to see him fail, as there were people that wanted him to succeed. After his boxing career he put his energy to being an ambassador to heighten awareness to Parkinson’s.” For three and a half years, Ali was completely locked out of professional boxing. Even when Ali tried to fight an exhibition match for charity, he couldn’t get a license. “My thoughts of Muhammad Ali was that he was a fighter in and out the boxing ring, a true legend, humanitarian on social value and one who demanded respect of himself and all people,” said Billy Hester. “Ali was truly a global figure and will be miss for his contribution and dedication to society.” Many sportswriters and boxing historians were unimpressed with Ali’s style. He did not fight like a heavyweight. Instead of throwing powerful punches, he tended to rely on his legs. He danced quickly and gracefully around the ring to avoid being hit, while at the same time wearing out his opponent. “When I first learned of Ali, I Was training at Power Kick Academy under Sammy Pascal and Joe Delio. Both exceptional in footwork, they taught me the Ali Shuffle. I was able to incorporate that into my fights with success,” said Jaime Chesney, boxer and cage fighter. “His style was as beautiful and creative, as it was brutal. A true champion, Ali stood for making for his dreams come true by never giving up and of equally importance, absolute confidence and belief in his ability to do so.” “Muhammad Ali, was the most popular figure to walk on earth since Christ! Those that say Babe Ruth are wrong. Babe Ruth is known in this country but Go to Zimbabwe and ask them about Babe Ruth. Ali was known all over the world,” said Eddie Jefferies, Boxing Historian. “I first met Muhammad Ali when I was a college student at Lincoln University. He was doing his college speaking tour. Everybody wanted to shake his hand, but Ali had the ability to make you feel like he wanted to shake everybody’s hand.” In 1972 Muhammad Ali opened Fighter’s Heaven in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania. The remote camp included a gym, a house for Ali and his family, and cabins for sparring partners and guests. “I was working at the Pittsburgh Courier when Minister Mustafa Hussein asked did I want to go to Deer Lake to meet the champ. The camp was deep in the Poconos Mountain,” said Jefferies. When we arrived Ali was sitting in the restaurant and told me to come sit next to him. He said I’m going to make you famous. They are going to see me all over the world and they will see you too.” In 1975 Elijah Muhammad died. When his son Wallace took over as leader of the Nation of Islam, he changed its direction, abandoning its antiwhite rhetoric. Ali’s public statements also changed. “The Nation of Islam taught that White people were devils and I don’t believe that now; in fact, I never really believed that.” “Former NAACP President Harvey Adams and I went in 1979 to the old airport to pick up Muhammad Ali. He was stuffing and campaigning for Jimmy Carter,” said Jefferies. “As soon as Ali seen me he started throwing jabs at me. He told me we got to “elect the right White”. He asked me to come sit in his Limo and told me that he would give me stuff I can give to my grandkids. He recited some poems that he never told to anybody else.” Ali’s youngest daughter, Laila, became a professional boxer in 1999. By 2005 she had fought twenty-one bouts, scoring eighteen knockouts and no losses. “With the help of the late Jacquet Bazemore and Minister Hussein Mustafa we were able to bring Muhammad Ali to Pittsburgh to speak at the 1977 Willie Stargell MVP Banquet,” said Bill Neal, CEO Achieving Greatness, Inc. “The Banquet was at Judy’s Banquet Hall in East Hills and we were running behind schedule. Ali, walked over to me and said: if you don’t get this thing going I’m going to whip you like you was Joe Frazier.” My favorite quote from: Muhammad Ali: “I am America I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me. “The trials of Muhammad Ali...” The Fighter” the ascribed nickname given to people of color... born Black means you better be ready to fight? Muhammad Ali was ...fighting for existence, fighting to be heard; fighting to be visible, physically visible; fighting to remain in the color of his skin; fighting for approval; fighting to stand for something to be proud of; fighting for purpose; fighting for freedom ; fighting for you; fighting for me; fighting for greatness; fighting to be a Black man coexisting in a White world without a voice,” said Cynthia Culbreath. “He was more than just a legendary boxer, entertainer and orator he was also the GREATEST EQUALIZER of our time. He came into this world fighting with heart and left this world not wanting to give up his heart... his heart kept beating for 30 more minutes after all his organs failed. A Champ down to the final round! After Ali’s heavyweight championship title was taken away, an eight-man elimination tournament was held to determine the new heavyweight champion. The winner was Jimmy Ellis and Joe Frazier. During his exile from boxing, Ali thought of himself as the “People’s Champion.” Ali was a Golden Glove champion, an Olympic champion, a World champion and will always be The Champion of the People.
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JUNE 8-14, 2016
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
MUHAMMAD ALI
THE GREATEST IN ACTION
THE BEGINNING—Upset over Sonny Liston.
THE END—Upset victory over George Foreman
THE GREATEST—Muhammad Ali after upset victory over Sonny Liston
MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER
MUHAMMAD ALI VS. KEN NORTON
MUHAMMAD ALI VS. FLOYD PATTERSON
MUHAMMAD ALI VS. LEON SPINKS
LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier
Smokey wants you to get ready B5
JUNE 8-14, 2016
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Creative Ministries celebrates 15th anniversary B2
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Debbie Norrell
Lifestyles Report
Justice for Harambe People love to humanize animals. I’ve watched some humans treat their animals better than they treat their family. Over 60 billion dollars was spent on pets in 2015, this includes food, vet care, accessories and more. For the most part pets are loyal and loveable. Anyone who has a dog knows that when you get home the dog greets you like you just got home from the war, unlike a child who will soon tire of the parent. We should be able to understand why so many people want justice for Harambe. I think some people think this powerful animal is like a stuffed toy. Just in case you have been under a rock for the last week or just not interested in national news, Harambe is the silverback gorilla that resided in the Cincinnati Zoo that was shot and killed. A 3-yearold boy made his way into the gorilla’s space and his life was in danger, the little boy’s life not the gorilla. If you do know the story perhaps you saw a small portion of the video, the portion where the gorilla seemed to be holding the little boy’s hand or maybe the part where he pushed the little boy into the corner. But then the gorilla grabbed the boy by the foot and swiftly dragged him through the water. It was a scary sight. I can only imagine how that mother felt. I’m sure she was asking herself how did my son get away from me and into the paws of the gorilla. That is what I keep asking as well. How was it so easy for the child to get into the gorilla’s space? Doesn’t the zoo test every angle to make sure that the gorillas cannot get out and humans cannot get in? There is a large portion of the population that wants justice for the animal and they want the mother charged. These animals are not human they are wild animals and they look at humans as food. Does anyone remember the story about the lady who kept a large chimpanzee as a pet for years? She even served wine to the chimp. One day a friend who had come to the house frequently came over and the chimp was loose the chimp attacked her and torn off her face. Here is another story a little closer to home. Remember the mother who reportedly daggled her little boy over the painted dog cage at the Pittsburgh Zoo so he could get a better look. The mother lost her grip and the boy fell into the cage and was eaten by the painted dogs. A lot of people think the Cincinnati Zoo issue is racial because the family is Black but they wanted to charge the mother in the Pittsburgh story as well and she was White. What they didn’t do in the Pittsburgh case was dig into the background of the father who was not there when the incident happened just as the father in Cincinnati was not there. The zookeepers did the right thing. They saved the child. (Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEE—Chuck Adreon and Roger Titus (schol- NELLIE LEADERSHIP AWARDS HONOREES—Katie “Peachie” Wimbush-Polk, Kathy Humphrey and arship awardee) Sylvia Fields
2016 Nellie Leadership Awards Gala by Debbie Norrell
provement Company. In September and October of 2015, Lowe’s Heroes from their Cranberry and Scott Township stores combined the efforts and funding from 18 stores totaling $45,000 in materials and well over 1,000 participant hours to provide significant upgrades to three residential facilities of Three Rivers Youth in the Metro Pittsburgh area. This year’s scholarship presentation was made to Roger Titus in the form of a $1,000 check for Community College of Allegheny County. Three Rivers Youth has been serving the Pittsburgh area since 1880 and has driven actions that served in positive outcomes for over 2,000 youth and families that they serve annually.
Lifestyles Editor
If you are somewhat aware of the annual Nellie Awards Gala you know there is always a theme. In recent years guests have been jetted off to Paris, they have taken the “A Train” or maybe they boarded a cruise ship to experience the great work of Three Rivers Youth (TRY). This year on May 6, at the Twentieth Century Club hundreds of guests strolled through a beautiful lighted garden of hope. Peggy Harris, president and CEO of TRY said, “Tonight we have created a beautiful garden to celebrate our 2016 Nellie Leadership Awardees. We have chosen to celebrate women who are mothers and one corporation who are flowers in their own right. We have lighted your path
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS—Charlie Batch and Latasha Wilson-Batch with Peggy Harris
TRY ALUMNI—Brittany Powell (former resident) and Yvette Harrison (former employee)
to our door with greens, boxwoods, roses, hydrangeas and other flowers to emphasize the words of the late Lady Bird Johnson ‘where flowers bloom, so does hope.’” This year’s event was in capable hands with Board of Directors Chair, Chauncey Smith, Charlie Batch and Latasha Wilson-Batch as Honorary Co-chairs and Lynne Hayes-Freeland as Mistress of Ceremonies. This year’s honorees included: Sylvia Hill Fields, executive director of the Eden Hall Foundation. Fields is the first and only African American woman to direct a major private foundation in the Pittsburgh region and is responsible for allocating $9 million dollars annually. Kathy Humphrey, PhD, serves the University of Pittsburgh’s
Senior Vice Chancellor for Engagement, Secretary of the Board of Trustees and Chancellor Patrick Gallagher’s chief of staff. In these roles she oversees the university’s internal and external relations, focusing on facilitating business engagement, strategic initiatives and partnerships and government interaction at all levels. Katie “Peachie” Wimbush-Polk, U.S. Air Force veteran, fairy godmother, wife, teacher, comedian, counselor, straight shooter, life coach, self-sufficiency/get your life expert, mommy to her children LaLa and Cameron better known to his fans as Wiz Khalifa and her favorite role to date, OG to her grandson, Sebastian. Also receiving a Nellie Leadership Award was Lowe’s Home Im-
WITH FORMER DIRECTORS—Alan Trivilino, Peggy Harris and Chuck Adreon (photos Debbie Norrell)
NELLIE LEADERSHIP AWARDS HONOREE—Lowe’ Heroes—Cheryl Brown (Scott Township store), Tracy Mammarelli (Scott Township store) Joe Becton (market direcSUPPORTERS—Jackie and Robert Hill with Colleen and Dennis Travi tor of Pittsburgh stores) and Mike Sturtz (Cranberry Store)
TRY BOARD OF DIRECTORS—Diana Charletta (secretary), Peggy Harris (president and CEO), Gloria Brown, Adam Smith, Chauncy Smith (chair) and Claudette Lewis
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RELIGION
JUNE 8-14, 2016
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Praise & Worship
Church Circuit
HILLCREST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Bethlehem Church anniversary
JUNE 11—Bethlehem Baptist Church, 716 Walnut St., McKeesport. Worship Experience with the BBC Music & Arts ministry. Special guests Rev. Helen Jackson and Evangelist Sherri Johnson. Sunday Morning July 12 Pastor Richard Wingfield of the Unity Baptist Church and BBC New Image Mime will ministror. For more infordmation call 412-664-7272.
2340 Wylie Ave., Pgh., PA 15219 412-391-4334 412-566-8787
“Be Encouraged”
Elder Christopher C. Thompson Power Hour Sabbath...............8:15 A.M. Sabbath School........................9:00 A.M. Divine Worship......................11:00 A.M. AYS One Hour Before Sunset Prayer Meeting Wednesday......7:30 P.M.
ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141
“Sixty, Saved and Staying the Course”
Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & Noon Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) Noon 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
SIXTH MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH
THE GUIDING LIGHTS—Pastors and founders of Creative Ministries, Pastor John T. Davidson and Pastor Paulette V. Davidson.
Creative Ministries celebrate 15th Anniversary
6556 Shetland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (412) 441-7839 Church School Worship Service Wednesday Night Bible Study
9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800
5th Pastoral Anniversary
JUNE 12—Rev. William A. Baker IV, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 330 Fourth Ave, Rankin. The Theme is “A Time of Refreshing” from Romans 15:30-33. Events are: 11 a.m. Rev. Victor LaMonte Lane, Senior Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Denver, Col. 4 p.m. Rev, Barbara A. Gunn, Senior Pastor, Mount Carmel Baptist Church, North Versailles. Karen Bell Earland guest preacher, and Pastore Earlene Coleman, host pastor.
Pastorial Anniversary
JUNE 17—Shiloh Community Missionary Baptist Church, proudly presents its 25th Pastorial Anniversary of Hubert D. Hutcherson, at the Double Tree at the Hilton 101 Mall Blvd, Monroeville at 6 p.m. Program starts at 7 p.m. 412-4418710.
116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
www.cathedralofhope.com
Summer Worship........10 a.m.
Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community
JUNE 12—Bishop Otis L. Carswell will celebrate his 60th birthday. Family, friends and colleagues will honor him in a special service at Potter’s House Ministries’ 10:30 a.m. morning service. The celebration will continue at 5:30 p.m. aboard the Gateway Clipper’s Three Rivers Queen. Bishop Loran E. Mann and First Lady Barbara Mann are among the 100+ guests who will be sailing the Three Rivers with Bishop Carswell.
Kennywood Park
PASTOR JOHN T. DAVIDSON JR.
PASTOR CALVIN McCOY Of Christ Temple Ministries Keynote Speaker
JUNE 19—The Education Department of Pentecostal Temple Church will be selling tickets at a discounted price of $23.00 for Kennywood Park that can be used for the following dates— June 19, July 6, July 8, July 18,and Aug. 9, which will be PT day at the park. Come out join us in the pavilion with your basket for great fellowship and fun. For information /tickets call the church office at 412-3617000.
Praise, Worship & Candlelight Service
JUNE 22—Following are the services to be held in celebrating the Zion Baptist Church’s 10th Anniversary. Theme “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” at 7 p.m.
For rate information, call 412-4818302, ext. 128. We are looking to feature
Men’s Day
JUNE 23—Second Baptist Church,108 W. 12th Ave., Homestead. At 7 p.m. 10th Annual Men’s Day. Rev. William Hill, Pastor, New Pilgrim. Friday, Rev. George Williams, Pastor, First Baptist.
Worship Service
JUNE 24—Worship Service featuring Rev. Craig Giles, son of Zion Baptist Church, and Pastor of Triumph Baptist Church, Sewickley, PA; accompanied by his congregation and choir, 7 p.m.
Prayer Breakfast
DANCE MINISTRY—From the Dance Ministry Deborah Harriett does a dance selection.
our positive youth in the church communities. You can e-mail, fax or mail their bios and photo to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax: 412-481-1360 email: egaines@newpittsburghcourier.com
ELMER BRUCE
Elmer Bruce was the son of Oprah Elliot and Henrietta (Jan) Bruce. He was born on April 29, 1938 in Pittsburgh. PA. Both of his parents preceded him in death. The sun set on his earthly horizon at approx. 12:45a.m on May 30, 2016 at West Penn Hospital after he lost a long battle with emphysema. He was preceded in death by his brothers’ Jonathan (Jody), Thomas, Lonnie, Clarence and Stanley. He is survived by Virginia Henry of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Hazel Thomas of North Charleston, South Carolina and Dorothy (Ricky) Bruce also residing in Pittsburgh. He is also survived by brothers’ Robert (Skip) Bruce and Aubrey (Peanut) Bruce, both of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins both from the Bruce and Copeland families. Elmer would enjoy a good laugh but he was generally a very serious person and anyone that knew him will attest to that. His hobbies were numerology, chess, Germanic culture and the study of case law precedents. He was also a certified radio and television repairman as well as a home remodeling and electrical repairs specialist. He will be missed. Services were on June 7, 2016, Coston Funeral Home, 427 Lincoln Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206, 412-661-5916.
JUNE 25—Bethlehem Baptist Church Women’s Ministrdy Prayer Breakfast at the Comfort Inn Hotel & Conference Center, 699 Rodi Road, Penn Hills, at 9 a.m. Pastor
Morning Worship Anniversary
JUNE 26—10:30 a.m. Rev. Richard W. Truss, pastor, preaching. Anniversary banquet, Georgetown Centre, Pleasant Hills, Pa, Rev. W. C. Callaway, pastor of Mt. Olive First Baptist Church, Clairton, banquet preacher, 3 p.m. Tickets available: $40 donation.
THE CONGREGATION ENJOYS THE DAY OF PRAISE (Photos by J. L. Martello)
(To have items listed on the Church Circuit, email information at least two weeks in advance to newsroom@newpitts burghcourier.com.)
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‘Holding Hope‘ Allegheny Family Network Mental Health Expo
KEYNOTE SPEAKER—Hakeem Rahim, (NAMI) shares his journey through the Illness
by Rossano Paul Stewart For New Pittsburgh Courier
Allegheny Family Network held its Annual Mental Health Expo at the Marriott City Center. This year’s theme, “Holding Hope,”centered around parents of children with mental health and emotional needs. Understanding the difficulties of these debilitating illnesses while holding on to hope can be illusive. Thanks to Allegheny Family Network, its board of directors along with the Department of Human Services and staff, the needs of parents and children that deal with mental illness have resources at their disposal. There are currently nine different support groups throughout Allegheny County. On this afternoon AFN, its sup-
SPECIAL THANKS—Deputy Director for Integrated Program Services, Pat Valentine
SPEAKER—State Rep. Dan Miller, South Hills.
ANDREW CARNS Vocalist
port groups and many vendors made it possible for those who need information for family and friends. The Mental Health Expo took place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a variety of informed, inspired and enjoyable give-aaways, along with music and laughter, creating a wonderful experience for the day. A special thank-you went to Pat Valentine, the Deputy Director for Integrated Program Services, who shares the importance of the “Family Voice“ in the services provided to children with behavioral needs. The Keynote speaker was, Hakeem Rahim, “Lets Talk Mental Illness“ author. He shared his personal journey as an undergraduate and graduate student at Harvard. It was a tremendous response from families addressing mental illness.
PROCLAMATION—Melvin EL Hubbard, office of State Rep. Ed Gainey, presents proclamation to Ruth Fox, executive director of AFN.
GUEST REGISTRATION (Photos by Rossano P. Stewart)
4 receive Pittsburgh NAACP scholarships The NAACP Pittsburgh recently awarded scholarships for the upcoming 2016-17 academic year to Point Park University students Blaine King, Rikkilee Rose, Sonya Rudolph and Maricca Spencer. The 2016 recipients were honored May 5, at the NAACP Pittsburgh Chapter’s Awards Dinner at the Westin Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. The Point Park students selected by the NAACP represented under graduate majors from all four schools at the University. “As a person of color, receiving this award from one of the most prestigious organizations in the country meant a lot to me. This award made me real-
SHARING INFORMATION—Kelley Hollis and Dionna Rojas of Peal Center (Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership Center) share information with guests
RIKKILEE ROSE
BLAINE KING
ize the opportunities people of color have today that my grandparents
didn’t have,” said King, a senior broadcast reporting major.
MARICCA SPENCER
SONYA RUDOLPH
ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier
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Cover To Cover
‘Chasing Perfection’
by Terri Schlichenmeyer For New Pittsburgh Courier
All air. Is there anything better in basketball? It’s sheer poetry, absolute magic, and your team can’t do it enough— especially when it happens from the three-point line. In the new book “Chasing Perfection” by Andy Glockner, you’ll see how science is trying to ensure that it does, as much as possible. Ask any baseball fan about their favorite player or team, and you’ll likely hear stats. Baseball is known for that but baseball, says Glockner, is a relatively easy game to analyze. Basketball, on the other hand, is different. Players in basketball have no set pattern for play. Analytics for basketball, therefore, is a big business. It all started, perhaps not surprisingly, with baseball when Bill James began his Baseball Abstract in the late 1970s. Shortly after that publication appeared, a computer database for basketball was created to
Review: How I literally fell for Beyoncé by Merecedes J. Howze For New Pittsburgh Courier
“crudely…determine a value for adding a new player to an existing team” but, amazingly, few people were interested in the information and work on the system ended. Nearly twenty years later, “a handful” of analysts started working on sophisticated, deeply-detailed basketball metrics, and an industry was born. While it’s true that analytics may be of interest to fans, the information absolutely benefits owners, coaches, managers, and agents. Through basketball analytics, coaches can maximize each individual players’ time on the court. Analytics can show what happens when a certain play is used, and where. The information even “comes into play in actual roster construction…” says Glockner. But numbers-crunching isn’t the only thing that is revolutionizing the game. Glockner says that “cutting-edge professional sports diagnostics” can determine which exercises and motions can enhance physical performance without causing injury. He says that “sophisticated scales” now measure “force and explosiveness.” Team doctors use technology to promote muscle balance and flexibility and they can predict specifically where on the body an injury might take place. And yet—it still all boils down to the human factor: coaches and general managers are needed to sort through the information and determine what’s important. And even if they do pick the right information, players are still fallibly human. Okay, if you’re a casual basketball fan, you can stop reading now. “Chasing Perfection” is a fierce fan’s book, filled with metrics and possibilities featuring names you won’t recognize, and some you will. That might include the name of Andy Glockner, whose basketball-writing background gave him access to corporations that are working to create perfection on the court.
Moments before Beyoncé hit the stage at Heinz Field I hit the floor—literally! Anxious to see the Queen Bey again was the least of my worries when I found out that there were two bathroom options for patrons with floor seats. You could choose from a series of ghastly portable bathrooms or walk up two flights of steps for a proper lavatory. At 32 weeks pregnant, the journey was endless. Fatigued and tired, I made my way back to my seat and fell coming down my last set of steps. Beyoncé didn’t hit the stage yet so I had two options; either seek medical attention immediately or bare the pain to catch a just one more glimpse of Mrs. Carter herself. The decision was clear. Although irresponsible, I stayed for one of the best concerts Pittsburgh has ever seen. Yoncé throwbacks intertwined with cool sips from her “lemonade” made the pain unrecognizable. Performing several hits off of her successful visual album “Lemonade,” Beyon-
cé, 34, is unstoppable and clearly on a continual victory train. Her Pittsburgh fans salivated over her every dance move and lyric. This tour marks another triumph on her resume. Jumping from stage to stage, interacting with the audience, and performing for 2.5 hours straight, the original Destiny’s Child member radiates the uttermost stage presence. She kicked off the Formation Tour with just that “Formation” and ended with a star-studded performance of “Halo.” The in-between was just as incredible. While she hit all other marks, I am surprised that she did not perform the iconic women’s anthem, “Single Ladies,” and “6 Inch.” Those songs seem to be fan favorites. But, what she did not perform was well made up for in every other performance. She was the definition of slay. The track list from “Lemonade” had an upbeat flow. She performed songs like “Sorry,” “Daddy Lessons,” “Hold Up,” and “All Night.” But, an emotional highlight was when the crowd was prompted to serenade her with one of my favorites, “Love on Top.”
Uh, Jermaine Dupri. He wasted the trip to Pittsburgh. If he was not going to go on stage directly before Beyoncé, then I am not quite sure the purpose he served. I imagined that
he would have went hard, brought out Da Brat and Lil Bow Wow, and reminded us of the So So Def era. Instead, we got a brief hip-hop mix and some prerecorded messages.
In case you are wondering, my left foot is fractured in two places. But, I have a magical story to tell the new baby about how mommy literally fell for Beyoncé.
‘Empire’ sets viewing record on TV One
SILVER SPRING, Md.— TV One’s Memorial Day Weekend marathon of EMPIRE’s first and second season helped deliver the Best Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, May 28-30) performance in network history in primetime and total day among all key demos. Memorial Day weekend, including the two day marathon of the award winning series reached 7 million unique total viewers and delivered the No. 1 telecast on broadcast and ad supported cable television among Black women 25-54 on May 29. Continuing its run on TV One, the epic series will air Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET beginning June 9. “Living up to its name, “Empire” ruled our Memorial Day Weekend and we couldn’t be more excited for its success,” said Brad Siegel, TV One’s President. “TV One is honored to bring this passionate fan community a place to catch up, relive or introduce amazing moments of their favorite hit show. And the best part, we start all over again every Thursday night starting next week with three episodes a night.” (“Chasing Perfection” by Andy ADDITIONAL RATINGS Glockner, c.2016, Da Capo Press, STATS: $25.99/$33.99 Canada, 274 pages.) •TV One earned the No. 2
Telecast on all of Television among Black W25-54 on May 29 •TV One had four of the top five Telecasts on television among Black W25-54 on May 29 For more information about EMPIRE on TV One, visit the network’s companion website at www.tvone. tv. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the
hashtag #EmpireOnTVONE. During TV One’s Memorial Day Empire Marathon, TVOne.TV launched four new online packages, including “This Ain’t New,” a think piece on the comparison between soaps of yesteryear and their modern interpretations or remixes; “Which Empire Character Are You?,” an exclusive online quiz to determine if viewers have what it takes to be a Lyon; “Music Star Copycat,” an in-depth look
at which real-life musicians were the inspiration for EMPIRE’s cast of characters; and “Best Empire Looks,” a week-to-week editorial capturing each character’s best looks. ABOUT EMPIRE Set within a world of music, glamour, danger and power, “Empire” is about a family dynasty that follows the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne. After music mogul
Lucious Lyon (Howard) is diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease, he must choose which of his three sons will succeed him at the legendary Empire Entertainment. The game changes when his ex-wife Cookie (Henson) returns from prison, where she’s been for almost two decades. Brash and fearless, she sees herself as the sacrificial lamb who built an empire with Lucious and then took the fall for running the drugs that financed Lucious’ early career. As the Lyons slug it out, a battle begins that will either cause the family’s destruction or redemption. With 35 nominations, “Empire is the most-nominated television series this season and recently named a Top 10 Television Program of the Year by the American Film Institute. It was the only broadcast series to earn a Golden Globe Award nomination this year in the category of Best Television Series - Drama. Additionally, Taraji P. Henson won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series-Drama. The series also earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
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ARTS & CULTURE
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Mathew Knowles has new twist on girl group with BLUSHHH Music by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier
It’s time for the resurgence of the girl group and Mathew Knowles is leading the charge. “When Destiny’s Child got into the music business in the mid ‘90s, there were at least 15 girl groups that were out,” explained Knowles, Music World Music founder and founder, president and CEO of Music World Entertainment. “I wasn’t looking to start another girl group but when I went to an open-mike night and heard the group and they got my attention.” Knowles’ new female trio, BLUSHHH Music (which stands for beauty lives under stone hearts. The three h’s represent the three members of the group—rappers Sunni and Bunni Ray and vocalist Tali) is a harmonically blended hip-hop and R & B trio established in 2013 is reminiscent of the ’90s hiphop era with a trendy twist. Their debut single “Old School Back” will introduce the ladies’ first album “Old School Hip-Hop Past, Present and Future.” “We wanted to be something new and fresh to the music business melody and singing goes a long way people look for a hook they really want to hear that,” explained Tali, a Houston native who incorporates her Colombian roots into her lyrics with prowess.
BLUSHHH Music To prepare BLUSHHH Music for the entertainment business, Knowles enrolled the girls in the same boot camp that he used to groom super group Destiny’s Child (Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams) which not only grooms style and appeal but also the inner growth of artists as well as each individual’s
personal growth. Knowles had the girls in boot camp for two years to make them more polished and light years ahead of any other group coming onto the musical landscape. BLUSHHH Music learned team building, how to function as a group and how to connect with the audience. “The boot camp is grueling. We rehearse five days a week
and we perform shows on the weekends. Mr. Knowles is making sure our bind is there and that we are solid. That’s what you need if you want longevity in this business,” said Sunni, a Woodland Hills California native who moved to Houston at the age of six and quickly found a passion penning rhymes and poetry being influenced by MC Lyte, Lauryn Hill and
June Three Citiparks Farmers Markets JUNE—Squirrel Hill, Carrick and Beechview sites join four markets currently open All markets sell farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese and baked goods, while several locations also sell flowers, small gifts and gardening items. Four Citiparks markets have been operating since early May: East Liberty (Monday afternoons), South Side (Tuesday afternoons), Downtown Pittsburgh (Friday middays) and North Side (Friday afternoons).For more information, visit www.Citiparks.net or call 412-422-6523.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Events JUNE 1-15—EXHIBITS. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit. Opens June 11. Grounded in Fred Rogers’ landmark curriculum on social and emotional learning,
this exhibit lets kids step into Daniel Tiger’s world and join him to explore some favorite places. Through January 17, 2017. Opening Weekend Activities: June 11-12: •June 11: Exhibit Opens, 10:30 a.m. •June 11: Daniel Tiger Meet & Greet, 12:00 pm. and 1:00 p.m. •June 12: Daniel Tiger themed-activity provided by WQED Education Department, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
time. Recording sessions are on a first come, first served basis.
Father’s Day CD Cards
Live Performance: Lee Robinson
JUNE 8-11, 13-18—Create a one-of-a-kind gift for dad, grandpa, uncle or any special man in your life. Saturday Light Brigade staff will conduct an interview about that person and record it on a CD that can be decorated, affixed to a special card and brought home that day. Kids and adults can record alone or together and can also record a special song or poem that will be cherished for a life-
JUNE 10, Noon-1 pm Enjoy live jazz music throughout the museum! Lee Robinson has been an active participant on the local Jazz scene for more than 30 years.
Father’s Day VoicePrints JUNE 12—Noon – 4 p.m. Say and display “I love you” by making a Voiceprint in the Saturday Light Brigade radio studio. Voice Prints feature a waveform depicting the unique sound of one’s voice that can be decorated, framed and taken home.
Sensory Friendly Afternoon JUNE 14—Individuals with autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing disorders can enjoy a fun, friendly experience in a comfortable
and accepting environment. Announcement and exhibit sound volume will be reduced, and sound reducing headphones will be available.
Mathew Tembo and the Afro Routes Band JUNE 18—A Benefit Concert for Surgicorps International Presented in partnership with Surgicorps International, the award-winning Afro-Pop and Reggae musician Mathew Tembo and the Afro Routes Band bring their unique sound to benefit Surgicorps’ life-changing surgeries in Zambia.
Sonny Fortune JUNE 18—At the Jazz Workshop the renowned jazz legend saxophonist and multi-reedist, Sonny Fortune will perform at the Concert Haoo of the Pittsburgh Carnegie Library in Homewood, 7101 Hamilton Ave. at 6:30 p.m. For More Information: 724-506-2556
Smokey wants you to get ready (Black PR Wire) LOS ANGELES—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Smokey Robinson together with Skinphonic LLC announced the launch of two skincare brands. A men’s line called Get Ready Cause Here I Come® and a women’s line called My Girl®. Smokey Robinson will be representing the men’s line and his wife, Frances Robinson, will be representing My Girl®, the women’s line. The launch follows approximately two and a half years of product development and clinical testing to prove the efficacy of the respective brands. The Get Ready and My Girl® products were originally developed for Smokey Robinson and his wife Frances because they were not satisfied with the skincare products available to them in the marketplace. The Robinsons sought the help of top skincare developers, Les Riley and Dr. Sergio Nacht, PhD, of Skinphonic LLC. Les Riley is a 30+ year veteran in skincare and the field of dermatology, including leadership of the prescription RetinA® sensation while President of the Ortho Dermatological Division for Johnson & Johnson and member of the board of directors. He was then President and member of the board of NeoStrata Company, the inventor of Alpha Hydroxy Acid skincare technology, President of Topical Technolo-
gies at Cardinal Health, and one of the first corporate executives to be granted membership in the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Nacht is a skin biologist with more than 40 years of commercial experience in the field of dermatol-
skincare solutions that solved several different common issues facing people of color. These issues include hyperpigmentation, oily skin, dry skin, age spots and wrinkles. By taking a new approach, they formulated a coordinated product regimen for men and women, re-
SMOKEY ROBINSON WITH WIFE FRANCES ogy. He is the co-author of more than 50 scientific publications, holds 15 US patents and was the director of the development team for multiple well known brand lines including; Clearasil®, Olay® and Pantene®. Dr. Nacht’s technologies and formulas are featured in hundreds of products worldwide. The Skinphonic team had the challenge of developing
spectfully, that helps improve the overall appearance of the skin and allows the skin to begin to naturally heal itself. This also restores and protects from damage caused by sun and environmental exposure. “I was really surprised,” said Smokey Robinson, “I noticed that my skin was smoother in just over a week. Over time the results kept getting better. I knew
right then and there that this was a product that we needed to make available for people of color.” Frances Robinson added, “Since starting the My Girl® regimen, people are constantly commenting on how glowing and healthy my skin looks. I love the way it feels.”
Tupac. “We have a 99 percent failure rate in the music business but two rappers and a vocalist has never been done before,” Knowles said. “The sound is different and the imaging is different than Destiny’s Child. I’ve had success in gospel with Trinity 5:7, I’ve had success with pop and R & B and Destiny’s Child,” he said. Destiny’s Child was named the Best Female of All Time in popular music, selling over 100 million records and collecting nearly 200 awards including GRAMMY awards, American Music Awards, MTV Awards and more. Under Knowles’ watchful eye, Destiny’s Child achieved spectacular success between 2000-2012. Music World Music has had an unprecedented on the history of music around the globe with record sales ex-
ceeding 300 million worldwide. Knowles established several recording imprints under Music World Music including 2012 No.1 independent gospel label, Music World Country/Compadre and Music World Kids. Music World Music was crowned by Billboard Magazine as one of the top imprint labels of the decade(2000-2009) To perfect their craft, Knowles has them performing in various southern cities including Houston, Miami and Atlanta. Although BLUSHHH has no plans to come to Pittsburgh, Knowles is planning a New York performance for the girls in the near future. “We love to entertain and we all love to perform. Nothing else can give you that high like performing does,” said Houston native Bunni Ray who synchronizes her fast rhymes with a sassy swagger. If you can’t make it to the Big Apple to see BLUSHHH Music, don’t despair. Knowles is documenting the trio’s journey for a reality TV format, allowing the public to witness the girls’ evolution as they adjust and to the trials and tribulations of the music industry. The show will also give viewers the chance to see Knowles’ proven formula for success. The show will also highlight some of the obstacles that each member had to overcome like near homelessness, emotional and relationship pressures, to controversy over one member’s open bisexuality. “With our music, each one of us have sacrificed a lot to be together,” said Tali. “We want people to know that they can feel accepted for who they are and can chase whatever dream is in their heart.” (To learn more about BLUSHH Music visit: blushhhmusic.com or musicworldent.com or check them out on facebook at facebook.com/BlushhhRush twitter: blushhhmusic Instagram: blushmusic, Tumbler: blushhhmusic.)
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Jefferson Foundation honor volunteers “The Jefferson Foundation is America’s gold seal of public service. Like our namesake, we believe by engaging in social good inspires purpose—and drives lasting solutions for our communities and the nation. Our five programs accelerate and amplify public service. We deliver tools for collective engagement and empower anyone to make an impact. We train and activate Americans to take action and to be leaders in schools, communities, workplaces and the world. We are the country’s most prestigious and longest standing public service award. With celebration, we say thank you. In sharing the stories of America’s best citizens, we empower them to do more and inspire all to take action,” statement from the Jefferson Foundation. “We Power Those Who Change the World, our mission: To power others to have maximum impact on the things they care about most. Through celebration, we inspire action. Our programs
HONOREE—Patricia Bluett being honored for her work in the community. and partnerships drive Americans to change their communities and the world.” The Jefferson Foundation recently handed out
several Jefferson Awards at the Heinz Museum in which some went to African Americans. Below are some of the recipients.
HONOREES—Dr. Jane Madison, Dr. William Simmons and Dr. Jane Madison. (Photos by J. L. Martello)
HONOREES—Kathleen Hunt and Cheryl Morris.
Westinghouse Electric ‘Introduce a Girl to Engineering’
GIRL ENGINEERS—Obama Academy High School students from right, Sabria Davis, 16, and Amina Newsome, 16, ready some zirconium rods for a demonstration inside Westinghouse Electric Company’s Churchill site during the “Introduce a Girl to Engineering” event recently. Introduce a Girl to Engineering, now in its 14th year, exposes high school girls to engineering careers and gives them a glimpse of what a day in the life of an engineer is really like. Westinghouse’s Cranberry and Churchill facilities recently completed two separate sessions, with a third planned for November in Madison, Pa. In just this year alone, 62 students and 19 school districts have toured working labs and conducted hands-on experiments to learn more about engineering applications within Westinghouse.
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by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier
BUSINESS JUNE 8-14, 2016
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with higher-order business development skills and systems to expand their businesses into sustainable enterprises; provides deeper professional, personal competencies that will raise the efficacy of their business practices and ethics. Also provides leadership and social awareness abilities that will result in the advancement of their business brands. CLI Workforce Trainings include Administrative Science, Social and Human Service Assistant, Building Construction Technology and Customer Service, which can be comprised of Microsoft Software Training Modules. Youth programming entails a Leadership Engineering Academy Program with components consisting of Workforce and Career Development, STEM and Academic Enrichment, Leadership and Empowerment, and Supportive Services. A Back-to-School Blast Mini Camp activities include academic and leadership assignments and discussions, a leadership lunch, a kiteDYNAMIC DUO—Diamonte Walker, program associate at the Hill CDC and Cassandra M. Williams, president and founder of Higher Liv- making project, trips sponing, Inc, organize for the cohorts of the BLAST Program. sored by Tickets for Kids, field trips, visits from the City of Pittsburgh Police and water-fun activities. With an array of experience in executive management and program development, organizational planning and implementation for capacity development and gaining administrative experience in social and human service agencies throughout her career, Williams has developed the philosophy that there is a need for entrepreneur programs like BLAST. “Entrepreneur programs
Collaboration, commitment and access to resources are attributes needed for the success of most endeavors. As a result of collaborative efforts between the Hill Community Development Corporation and Higher Learning, Inc. 10 emerging business owners are participating in a 12-week small business leadership program called BLAST, the Business Leadership Academy for Social Transformation. Described as a project designed to provide core business development programming for small business owners seeking to develop deeper professional and personal competencies, Diamonte Walker says BLAST will help the participants devise leadership strategies to advance their brands while making a difference in the business community. “The program is keenly focused on developing leadership skills that will create a solid foundation for growth and the ability to use their brand as a force for good within the community,” Walker points out. “Our motto is to empower, educate and equip each of the participants.” With seven weeks of training under his belt, Douglas J. Webster one of two male participants considers the program very valuable. An artist he says all his life, Webster says he is pleased with the objectives of BLAST which includes equipping he and his cohorts with a higher-order of business development skills and systems to expand their businesses into sustainable enterprises. Also to supply them with deeper professional and personal competencies that will raise the efficacy of their business practices and ethics and establishing their leadership and social awareness and abilities that will result in using their brands to create transformative opportunities in the Hill. Remembering that the Hill District was once an arts and cultural Mecca, he says he is excited about the possibilities. “My business, Bezaleel Studio Design Group belongs here,” he said noting that he is excited that segments of the New Granada Theater is slated to open by rears end. BLAST, according to Walker not only con-
Working together
Hill CDC using collaborative efforts to build successful entrepreneurs sists of 12-two-hour sessions but also has two books that are required reading and several books for suggested reading, weekly assignments and there will be a team project. The project, she explained will be a hypothetical project collaboration to be demonstrated via paper and presentation. Each cohort will also have a functioning business plan. A Hill native and program associate at the Hill CDC for almost a year, Walker who came up with the concept for BLAST says she wants to make a difference in her community. “I believe people can learn how to run a business, but our focus is insuring
LET THE TRAINING BEGIN—Cassandra M. Williams, president and founder of Higher Living, Inc, conducts one of the 12-week trainings of the BLAST program. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)
(GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—Black people talk a lot about accountability, especially as it relates to politicians. How do we do that? How can you hold someone accountable who is not accountable to you? Most politicians, Black ones included, couldn’t care less about what we think or what we do, so where is the incentive for them to be accountable to us? Throughout the Obama terms, certain Black folks have met with him, supposedly to let him know what to do for Black people, but nearly eight years of that has resulted in nothing specific for Black people—even with the highest percentage of votes cast among all voter segments. It’s all about power, as we know too well, yet we settle for lip service from political lackeys and the politicians themselves. How can Black people hold anyone accountable if we have no real power over them? Our power resides in holding Black dollars accountable. What power does the NAACP hold over politicians? This so-called “Black” organization flaunts itself before the world as the “biggest and baddest” Black organization in this nation, yet its national leaders have proven to be corrupt, money-grubbing, hypocrites who hide behind the transparent veil of “nonpartisanship.” What a joke; but the joke is on us because we give them our money, which allows them to continue living their lavish lifestyle while pretending to have real sway over the political system on behalf of Black folks. You would think that a 100-year-old Black
that BLAST participants show up in their business.” Committed to the success of the program, Walker and Cassandra M. Williams take personal interest in all BLAST cohorts. Along with Webster other participants include Tia Baker of Cupcakes Most Wanted/EME and Premier Consulting, Tyler Coulverson of Massage Heights, Torie Day of Day La Soul Catering, Lashawanda Gore of Beauty Bar Hair Studio, Jamia Harper of Above and Beyond Inhome Care, Sharise Hemby-Nance of Handin Hand Counseling Services, LLC, Teliah McCaskill of Good Body Stuff, LLC, Shawna Solomon of Exotic Hush and Shemaria Scharmann of Grindware. With the mission to raise the socio-economic status and overall life quality for youth, adults and entrepreneurs through education and resources, Williams, president and founder of Higher Living, Inc., established the organization on the premise that in order to achieve constant elevation, the essence of true success, one must always aspire to go higher. It is a statement she feels applies to the interworking of all areas of life. Emerging as a community outreach ministry of King of Kings Baptist Ministries located in the Garfield community, Higher Living provides educationbased and workforce programs and services to adults, youth and entrepreneurs with a focus on leadership development. Their services include business and leadership development trainings and highpriority occupations workforce trainings with the objectives to equip entrepreneurs
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READY FOR BUSINESS—One of two males in the BLAST Program, artist Douglas J. Webster owner of Bezaleel Studio Design Group is ready for customers.
or took us for granted. Amateurish? Child-like? Naïve? Uniformed? Misinformed? Apathetic? Call it what you will; we blew it, brothers and sisters. We really blew it. But that was then and this is now, as the saying goes. The Calvary has arrived. It’s called the One Million Conscious Black Voters and Contributors. This movement encompasses and melds together all of the basic principles espoused by those Black champions mentioned above. The One Million focuses on three primary factors that must be done in order to meet the goals promoted by our true economic empowerment leaders. First, we must “Organize.” The One Million has done that. Second, we must have a vehicle through which our problems can be solved; the One Million is that vehicle. Third, we must make Black dollars accountable to Black people. By pooling and leveraging our dollars, creating more conscious Black millionaires by supporting their businesses en masse, and by using our own dollars to help one another. The One Million is leading the way to economic empowerment for Black people. To join the movement, go to: iamoneofthemillion.com
Moving from ‘depraved indifference’ organization would cool down; Black be able to make a James Clingman folks will fall back in couple of phone calls line and continue to and get some approbuy their products priate results for and services as if those who have supnothing ever hapported and suspened. tained it for a cenFacing that sad retury. You would ality, where do think they would be Black folks go and able to hold politiwhat do we do in cians accountable; but they cannot. order to hold accountable those whom we The corporations across this country, support? Back in 1951, then-president of while they do have the power to hold politi- the National Negro Business League, Hocians accountable, even to the point of forc- race Sudduth, said, “Economic freedom is ing them to change legislation by threaten- the greatest cause before the Negro today.” ing to move their companies and boycott In the early 1960s, Elijah Muhammad various cities and athletic events, do not ex- called on Black folks to “do for self,” and ercise their power on behalf of Black peo- Malcolm X continued that refrain. Then, in ple. Eric Garner was killed before our eyes 1968 MLK said, “The emergency we now and no corporation said it would move out face is economic.” In the 1980s and 1990s, of New York because of it. Tamir Rice was it was Tony Brown, Claud Anderson, Bob executed and no corporation stood up Law, Brooke Stephens, Robert Wallace, against that heinous act. Look back at how Kelvin Boston, Julianne Malveaux, the they responded to Michael Vick and the dog very astute and dedicated Kenneth Bridges fighting, or Ray Rice, or Adrian Peterson. of the MATAH Network, and yours truly, As Bob Law has stated so appropriately, sounding that same alarm and giving ecothese corporations, many of which earn nomic prescriptions for empowerment. their profit margins from Black consumers, With all of those and others like them, have a “depraved indifference” to the plight Black people continued to follow the empty of Black people in this country. Corporate path of no-win politics, abandoning our ecoexecs know they only have to pay off a cou- nomic base along the way and seeking the ple of selected lackeys and things will soon largess of politicians who either ignored us
Blackonomics
(Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is the nation’s most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. He can be reached through his website, blackonomics.com. He is the author of Black Dollars Matter: Teach Your Dollars How to Make More Sense, which is available through his website; professionalpublishinghouse.com and Amazon Kindle eBooks.)
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Have a great Staycation Americans had planned to spend an average of $1,621 on their vacations last summer, according to an Allianz Global Assistance USA survey. That was down from $1,895 the previous year, as 40 percent of millennials planned to spend less than $400 on summer travel. One of the easiest ways to trim your travel spending is through a stay-at-home vacation, or staycation. You can find great ways to enjoy some time off without ever leaving home. Not sure how to find the fun in staying put? These tips from the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants can help you make the most of sticking around. Focus on the experience The key to an enjoyable staycation is understanding that it is the experience, and not the trip itself, that can create lasting memories. For most people, the true benefit of a vacation is not the journey but the joy of sharing time with family or setting off on a new adventure. Before planning an elaborate trip, think about what you really hope to gain from it. You may find that you can have everything you want while staying right where you are. Gather family together to plan local activities you can all enjoy together. Or investigate adventures in your own area that you may have been missing. Be a tourist What would you normally do on a vacation? Visit a museum? Ride your bicycle on beautiful back roads? Meet new people? A staycation gives you the chance to be a tourist in your own hometown. Just as many native New Yorkers say they have never been to the top of the Empire State Building, you may not have checked out all the historic sites, natural wonders, or cultural attractions in their own neighborhoods. Map out places you’ve never seen—or don’t visit as often as you’d like—within an hour of where you live, and explore what they have to offer. Spruce up your great outdoors Consider using your vacation budget for outdoor home improvements that you can appreciate year-round. A new set of lawn chairs or an outdoor dining area can make it much more fun to entertain or simply wind down in your own backyard. Consider upgrading your cooking space with a new grill or adding a fire pit that your family can gather around. Throw in a hammock and you’re ready for relaxation. Your enjoyment of these purchases will last longer than a short trip—and you may enhance your home value, as well. Create your own spa The many pleasures of a vacation often include a comfortable hotel room where you can kick back and relax. But why not use your vacation funds to create the same atmosphere right in your own home? For example, if you haven’t replaced your mattress in a while, it may be time to shop around to see if you can find one that offers better support, keeps you cooler, is allergen free, or otherwise makes it more likely you’ll have uninterrupted sleep. A new paint job and some cozy bed linens can make your bedroom and bath more inviting places to relax. Consider replacing your tub to make it a calming place to unwind at the end of the day. Once again, you’ll be able to appreciate your investment long after a typical vacation would have ended. Consult Your CPA There are many ways to have fun and indulge yourself while still making smart financial decisions. Be sure to ask your local CPA for advice on the best ways to budget for fun. Don’t have a CPA? Friends and family can be good resources for finding a trusted adviser. You can also visit www.picpa.org/moneyandlife to use the CPA locator and to find other valuable articles and videos.
Working together CONTINUED FROM C1
help raise up business owners in our low income communities,” she says. “They help them develop their businesses, to develop their brands which all works together to establish Black wealth. It’s what we need. We don’t have a strong network of resources that we can tap into in terms of finance so we definitely need to build it. Collectively with all the different local and community programs that are doing entrepreneurship programs I think it will begin working together to start the process of building Black wealth.” “As a driver of economic development in the Hill District, members of the Hill CDC know the importance of providing professional and leadership development to entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners. Serving as a pipeline program, BLAST is designed to position participants as business leaders with the resources necessary to create opportunities in the Hill,” says Hill CDC President and CEO Marimba Milliones. “Our gratitude goes out to the organizations that have made this opportunity possible; partners Neighborhood Allies, Wood Forest Bank, Biz U, and Higher Learning, Inc, and our supporters Urban Innovation 21 and Vernard Alexander.” The Hill CDC mission is to work in partnership with residents and stakeholders to create, promote, and implement strategies and programs that connect plans, policies and people to drive compelling community development opportunities in the Greater Hill District.
US grinds to a near-halt; many stop looking for work by Christopher S. Rugaber and Josh Boak AP Economics Writer
by a fundamental shift from an industrial economy to a post-industrial economy.” Craig Lloyd, 27, has mostly worked parttime jobs in restaurants in Wichita, Kansas, since graduating from high school 10 years ago. Some paid as little as minimum wage, while his most recent position as a sous-chef paid $12 an hour. Three months ago, he started his own business selling burritos out of a friend’s food truck on weekends. His wife is returning to school to get her degree, but he doesn’t plan to do so himself. “I’ve really put off getting a higher education, because of the debt that you can incur,” Lloyd said. The hiring stall could be temporary, economists noted. There have been hiring lulls before in the seven-year recovery. But job gains in March and April were also revised downward on Friday, leaving average monthly hiring at a pace of just 116,000 in the past three months. That’s sharply below last year’s average of nearly 230,000. The share of Americans who are working or searching for jobs — a figure known as the labor force participation rate — fell in May to 62.6 percent, near a four-decade low. Separately, Lael Brainard, a Fed board member and ally of Chair Janet Yellen, signaled Friday that the Fed should be in no hurry to act, especially after the bleak jobs report. The Fed meets next on June 14-15. Economists now see little chance of a rate increase at that time. The Fed raised the short-term rate last December after holding it at nearly zero for seven years. Fed officials may not keep investors guessing for long: Yellen will speak Monday in a closely watched address that may show how she has interpreted Friday’s report. The May job gain was lowered by the Verizon workers’ strike, which depressed hiring in the telecom sector by 37,000. In addition, manufacturers, construction companies and temporary help agencies all shed jobs. Retailers, hotels and restaurants added jobs, but at a slower pace than in recent months. Employers probably cut back on hiring after the economy grew at just a 0.8 percent annual rate in the January-March quarter. Yet Friday’s dismal jobs report was a surprise in part because most recent economic reports have been encouraging: Consumer spending surged in April. Home sales and construction have also increased. Sales of new homes reached an eight-year high in April. Most economists expect growth will rebound in the April-June quarter to about a 2.5 percent annual pace.
WASHINGTON (AP)—U.S. hiring slowed to a near-standstill in May, sowing doubts about the economy’s health and complicating the Federal Reserve’s efforts to raise interest rates. While unemployment slid from 5 percent to 4.7 percent, the lowest since November 2007, the rate fell for a troubling reason: Nearly a half-million jobless Americans stopped looking for work and so were no longer counted as unemployed. Employers added just 38,000 jobs in May, the fewest in over five years. Less-educated workers bore the brunt of the hiring slump, with a quarter-million high-school dropouts losing their jobs in May. That has perpetuated a long-term trend toward a two-tiered job market, with college-educated adults more likely to be employed and earning steady raises. “The shockingly low payrolls gain in May provides further evidence that the economy is showing clear signs of slowing,” said Laura Rosner, an economist at BNP Paribas. The much-weaker-than-expected figure raised doubts that the Federal Reserve will increase short-term interest rates at its next meeting in mid-June or perhaps even at its subsequent meeting in July. Many analysts had expected an increase by July. On Wall Street, investors reacted by selling stocks. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 45 points, or 0.3 percent, in afternoon trading. The disappointing report spilled into the presidential race, with Donald Trump referring to it on Twitter as a “terrible jobs report” and a “bombshell.” The figures come just days after President Barack Obama touted his economic record in Elkhart, Indiana. Americans particularly worried about the economy have been more likely to support outsider candidates such as Trump and Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders. Trump’s support has also come disproportionately from adults without college degrees, and Friday’s report served as a stark reminder that less-educated Americans have continued to lose economic ground even as overall hiring and growth have picked up since the Great Recession. Essentially all of the 7 million jobs added over the past decade belong to workers with at least some college experience. The number of high school graduates with jobs is 3 million lower than 10 years ago. “The high school jobs are gone and they’re not coming back,” said Anthony Carnevale, (Follow Christopher S. Rugaber director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce. “It’s driven http://www.Twitter.com/ChrisRugaber)
at
North Carolina Airbnb host banned after racist messages exposed by Charise Frazier
late both our policies and everything we believe in. For New Pittsburgh Courier This host has been re“I hate n– so I’m going to moved from Airbnb and we’ve reached out to the cancel you.” guest to offer our full and That’s the message a complete support, includBlack woman received ing ensuring the guest has from a North Carolina man on home-sharing plat- a safe place to stay.” Taylor pointed out just form Airbnb. Shani Taylor, one of the recent incidents a friend and classmate of that minority customers the woman who received the message, posted the ex- have echoed about Airbnb. Social media users have change on Twitter, shared the hashtag TIME.com reports. #AirbnbWhileBlack to Airbnb has since permahighlight the difficulties nently banned the host, prohibiting him from offer- customers face when using the site. ing rooms on the site, acTIME reports: cording to USA Today. A video released Tuesday “We were horrified when by Share Better, an organiwe read these messages,” zation that calls Airbnb a Airbnb spokesman Nick Papas said in a statement. “rampant threat” to com“The language and conduct munities, featured a black woman speaking about the are unacceptable and vio-
routine discrimination she has encountered on Airbnb and calling on the service to do “more to stop racial discrimination because we deserve better.” A study conducted by Harvard University showed that customers with “distinctly AfricanAmerican names were 16 percent less likely to be accepted by hosts as identical guests with distinctively white names,” according to USA Today. Airbnb plans to host a forum on June 8 to address claims that certain customers are discriminated against. Topics will cover anonymity vs. identity, discrimination in online platforms, and eliminating bias in hiring decisions, the company said.
Buy vs. rent: 5 things to consider Buying a house is the largest investment most people ever make, and it’s not a decision you should enter into lightly, say personal finance experts at the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. If you’re considering making the leap from renter to owner, there are some things you should consider. Where you are A 2016 study from the National Association of Realtors found that more than one-third of all homebuyers are 35 and younger. While people five or 10 years older might still be recovering from the housing crash, millennials seem ready to start a new chapter in their lives. And this group may be onto something. In 70 percent of the major markets across
the nation, buying beats renting in less than two years. A Zillow analysis of rent vs. purchase costs found that it takes an average of 1.9 years to break even on a home purchase. In larger cities, you would need to live in a home for three years or more to break even on comparable rent, but that number drops to 1.5 years or less in Cleveland, San Antonio, Kansas City, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, and Indianapolis. When to buy A study from Black Knight Financial Services analyzed national price appreciation and household income. Today, 21 percent of median income is required to purchase a median-priced home with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Considering the cur-
rent rate of home price appreciation, combined with a 0.5 percent annual increase in mortgage interest rates, it may become more difficult. If home prices and interest rates continue to rise at the same pace, the average monthly payment on the median home will rise by $114 within 12 months and would be $240 more per month in 24 months. How long to stay House prices fluctuate year to year. And you’re leveraged when you buy, so a price drop of just 5 percent could mean a huge loss if you have to sell. However, if you own for five or more years, that’s much less of a risk. Home prices are more likely to move at least a bit higher over longer periods of time. And you’ll have built up
more equity in your home by paying down the mortgage over five years, and that will cushion you against a drop in prices. Affordability CPAs advise not spending more than 28 percent of your gross pretax income on your monthly housing payment. Another rule of thumb is that your combined debt (housing expenses, credit cards, student loans, alimony, car loans, etc.) should be between 30 percent and 40 percent of your pretax income. Costs of remaining a renter Renters aren’t immune from price increases. If you live in a popular neighborhood with no rent control, your rent is most likely to rise over time. A fixed-rate mortgage won’t increase,
and you will build equity if you own rather than rent. Also, there aren’t any tax write offs available to renters; your landlord generally gets those honors. When you sit down and crunch the numbers, does it make more financial sense to buy or rent? There are many free calculators online to help you create and analyze different financial scenarios. If now isn’t the right time, you can continue to save for a down payment until you’re ready. A CPA Can Help Your CPA can help. As a trusted, independent financial advisor, a CPA understands the different options available to you. To find a CPA in your area, or to learn more about the services CPAs can offer you, visit www.picpa.org/moneyandlife.
BUSINESS CALENDAR
Business Leaders Breakfast Series JUNE 10—Chatham University Women Business Leaders present Lynn M. Banaszak, executive director of the Disruptive Health Technology Institute at Carnegie Mellon University at its June breakfast meeting, 7:30 to 9:30 at the James Laughlin Music Center, at the Shadyside Campus, Woodland Road, Pittsburgh 15232. The cost is $25 for non-CWE members. For more information, call 412-3651253.
Employer Seminar JUNE 10—The Allegheny County Anchored Re-entry Consortium will hold a seminar for potential employers on hiring job applicants re-entering society from jails, prisons and penitentiaries from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the CCAC Student Services Center auditorium, 800 Ridge Ave. on the North Side.The seminar will cover factors to consider in hiring re-entrants, reading and understanding criminal records, employment law, bonding programs, training and tax credits. To register visit http://www.goodwillswpa.org/AC AR.
Government Contracting Echat JUNE 14—The U.S. Small Business Administration will hold an Onine seminar beginning at 11 a.m., designed to give small business owners the nuts and bolts of government contracting. “NAICS: The Code of the Road,” covers the North American Industry Classification System; industry specific codes used by the federal government to identify a business. to register, email wpainfo@sba.gov or call 412-395-6560.
PowerBreakfast JUNE 17—The African American Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly PowerBreakfast schedule by welcoming new Regional Asset District Executive Director Richard Hudic to the Rivers Club, 301 Grant St., Downtown, 7:30 a.m.
Corporate Inclusion Conference JUNE 20—The Corporate Equity & Inclusion Roundtable will hold its 4TH Annual Conference at the Duquesne University Power Center Ballroom, 1015 Forbes Avenue, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Industry Leaders from firms including Highmark, Massaro Construction, UPMC, Duquesne University, Randall Industries, Rivers Casino, the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board and others will share ideas on providing opportunities for employment and advancement, including the Revised Rooney Rule; suppliers with business opportunities, including the Hybrid Rooney Rule, and aiding hose re-entering the workforce, including Ban the Box initiatives. For more information call B-PEP at 412-758-7898.
Vision Pittsburgh Luncheon JUNE 22—Vision Pittsburgh’s quarterly Luncheon series continues with a presentation by Vivien Li, president and CEO of RiverLife, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Duquesne Club, 325 Sixth Avenue, Downtown. Li will discuss her organization’s mission to reclaim, restore and promote Pittsburgh’s riverfronts. Cost for the event is $65.
Training Event JUNE 22—Duquesne University’s Small Business Center presents First Step: Business Startup Essentials, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rockwell Hall, 108, 600 Forbes Avenue, Uptown, designed for new business start-ups and entrepreneurs without previous business experience. The program will cover: Business Structure and Formation, Fictitious Name Registration, Employee Issues, Insurance, Government Procurement, Environmental Concerns, Financing Options, Taxation Requirements, and Major Components of the Business Plan. Cost is $25. for more information, call 412-396-6233.
Disaster Loan Deadline JULY 5—The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding businesses that they have until July 5 to apply for low interest Working Capital Loans to address damages and issues related to the excessive rain, flooding, high winds and lightning from May 28 through July 15 of 2015. To apply, visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. (To have information on Business Calendar, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-4811360 or e-mail: newsroom@ newpittsburghcourier.com.)
SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier
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PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER—From left: Coach Karen Hall, Fuel-Up to Play 60 assistant executive director of Communications; Darrelle Porter, executive director of Ozanam; and Lon Wall, board chair of Ozanam. (Photos by J. L. Martello) FUNDAMENTALS—Darelle Porter going over some fundamentals with the players before the games.
5th Annual Ozanam Youth Leadership Conference huge success
by Smokin’ Jim Frazier For New Pittsburgh Courier
Right in the middle of Bedford Avenue in the historic Hill District sits the home of the Ozanam Youth Basketball Program. The Ozanam Basketball program was established in 1970 and successfully ran until 1997. It grew from the historically well-known program sponsored by the Ozanam Cultural Center under the direction of the late Carl Kohlman that included players from all over the city, WPIAL and surrounding areas participating in the Ozanam’s Basketball League. Over the years Ozanam has done a great deal to help develop basketball talent throughout the Pittsburgh area as well as the country. In 2007, a new youth basketball league and after-school programs was started under the Ozanam banner. The Ozanam’s Event Committee consists of: Darelle Porter, Diane Stotts, Howard Bullard, Milona Wall and Karen Hall. Coach Hall is a former NCAA women’s basketball head coach and a University of Nevada-Las Vegas full scholarship player, graduate and three time Academic Athletic Achievement Award Winner. Hall has more than 30 years of basketball experience as a player, coach and player development instructor. Hall still holds the record at UNLV for most career steals and in 1996 she was inducted into the Western PA High School Hall of Fame. Currently, Hall is the ambassador of the NFL PLAY 60 program and one of 11-member Equal Opportunity Review Commission appointed by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. When you think about sports in Western Pennsylvania, one name comes to mind is Darelle “Dap” Porter. Dap Porter is the epitome of a handson-dad, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “We have a program to provide for every need a kid might have. We have a strength and conditioning program. If the kids need food we got a dinner program and they don’t have to pay for nothing,” said Dap Porter. “If these kids work hard enough they can use this basketball to go to school for free. To go all over the country. To go all over the world and to get paid.” Porter, a former athletic-combo guard at the University of Pittsburgh. Porter, Sean Miller, Jason Matthews, Brian Shorter and Bobby Martin, were recruited by John Calipari and they are one of the best recruiting classes in Pitt Panther history. Porter has always been a leader and is still making a big impact on his hometown city.
AMIRAH HUNT guest speaker from Pittsburgh ZARI GRANDY-OVERTON from Obama Academy, speaks to audience. Promise “When I played 25 years ago only a couple European players were playing basketball and now you have 5 or 6 on every team,” said Dap Porter. “If you want a school to give you a scholarship you have to be special. Attend classes, get good grades, high character, be responsible on social media, work hard and keep your nose clean. Because you’re competing now for a few scholarships with players
from all over the world.” At the 5th Annual Ozanam Youth Basketball Leadership Conference coaches and volunteers Monica Williams and Citiparks’ staff, Jack Shannon, Sean Gibson and Darnell Farrow were running players through drills and at the same time legends like Monique McCoy was signing autographs. Contributors to Ozanam are: McGin-
ANGELO SHEFFY shooting the 3 pointer.
DYONNA HALL from Obama High.
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE—Mike Logan speaks to all the kids and adults in the room.
ley Foundation, Mike Logan, Maria Townsend, Gregory Johnston, Marla Dixon-Smith, Fuel-Up to Play 60, DHS, Dave Edmunds, The Miles Group, Pittsburgh Public Schools, APOST, UWAC and Pittsburgh Promise. The Pittsburgh Promise helps pay for college tuition, fees, books, and room and board for students who have been enrolled in Pittsburgh Public Schools, or one of the four schools chartered by Pittsburgh Public Schools. Students must attend any accredited college, university, trade or technical school in Pennsylvania. “In basketball you have to focus, warm up, get excited and practice. And it’s the same thing for academic success. Grades, attendance, practice and ask for help if you need it,” said Amirah Hunt of Pittsburgh Promise. “Pittsburgh Promise can help as one of your coaches. Scholarships up to $40,000. You need to maintain a 2.5 gpa and 90 percent class attendance. Live within the city limits. Pittsburgh Promise wants to be one of your coaches to help you reach your dreams.” As clichéd as it may seem, basketball and football is indeed about the journey, not the destination. To get the results you want in the gym or on the field, you need the proper strength and conditioning training. Mike Logan got hooked on football the same way many other young area athletes did: he read and watched everything Steelers. “You guys have an advantage because you’re learning at an early age. I didn’t have a weight program. When I went to college at West Virginia I couldn’t bench press 225 pounds as a freshman,” said former Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Logan. “Coach Greg Johnston and I will provide free strength and conditioning training right here every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. A champion is a champion not for trophies given, but because of his order of thinking and ability to claim responsibility for what he or she and his or her achievements. The aim is to think correctly, plan correctly and execute the plan correctly. You have to recognize it is your responsibility to choose what you do with your life. It’s your decision; not your mother’s, not your girlfriend’s or boyfriend’s, not your coaches. At this time of year, we often reflect on the importance of family. And while some families are related by blood, just as important are those families who may be unrelated, but that are formed through the same bonds of love and support as your Ozanam family.
SHARING THE KNOWLEDGE—Lisa Ibekwe, assistant to Maria Townsend, PhD., speaking to the kids about sports, and life.
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Overtime by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier
•EDITOR’S NOTE: Please be advised that this is a special Overtime presentation dedicated to the life and times of Leroy Freeman. Scholar, husband, father, legend, friend! :10—A clear recall growing up with “Leroy”…we’ll, call him “Leroy” right now. When I would visit my Aunt Jessie, God rest her soul, and my cousins “Bubble” and “Yi Yi”, yep, I said it, anyway, the walk up Charles Street to the park at age 7-8-9 was always headed by Leroy, and yes, he was the fastest, quickest, best jumper, best shooter, and best swimmer, even then. :09—I wasn’t at Westinghouse High School when he played (I was at a real high school…Penn Hills! Let it go people. Keep it movin’. Save the hate for someone
who cares. (C’mon, just jokin!) In any event, I will tell you what others told me. He was determined, aggressive and relentless, especially on the boards. So much so that “Freeman” made such a name for himself that Pitt University gave him a full scholarship to play basketball. :08—To be sure, at that time, a Pitt scholarship meant you were sitting on top of the world, but the view from where “Freeman” sat was not the one he envisioned. He was good enough and talented enough to be the premier player on the visiting scout team, but not enough to be a star on the Pitt team. Go figure. :07—“Leroy Freeman” decided to take his show on the road to the University of Oklahoma Arts and Sciences with his future master, his basketball talent, and his amazing artistic skills. (He
was so gifted, if you gave him a photo, he would return a painting exactly like the photo.) Some time later, he would become the winner of the Dapper Dan Artist Award of Pittsburgh. :06—While at UOAS, Freeman achieved NAIA All-American status and national recognition that allowed him to enjoy several years with the New Orleans Jazz of the NBA. :05—Now, perched back on top of the world, “Free” returned to establish his now legend asphalt status on the outdoor courts, and no, not just the Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League, but everywhere. The Due Brown League, the Kinard League, the Crossan Tournament, Brookville Tournament, and he dominated everywhere he played. :04—That domination was cemented when he de-
feated the great and legendary “Bobby Byrd,” he of Cosmic Echoes fame, and the Centre Avenue YMCA in an Ali-Frazier like oneon-one competition that drew so many people, it literally shut down Centre Avenue traffic for hours. :03—The legend grew even greater when he and others from the CHL were cast in the cult classic “The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh.” (Yes, if you re-watch the movie, you’ll see “Free.” And an added treat, you’ll see me in the movie for “5 seconds.” I know, you don’t care, but I told you anyway. Now shut up and keep reading.) For “Free” the movie wasn’t quite enough. One day, on a slow set, the elite guys were playing rise and fly. Long story short, “Free” sent the following names flying in this order: Eric Money Boston Celtics, Norm Nixon - L.A. Lakers, Derek Shelton
- Boston Celtics, and “Super Lou” Hudson - Atlanta Hawks. Yep, they’re all in the movie. You’ll see ‘em! End of the story though, Dr. J. got in the game and set “Free”…free! When I asked Free if he were playing for a bigger part in the movie, he said, “No. I’m playing to get back in the NBA. I need these guys to go back and tell their GM’s to come get me.” :02—He figuratively and literally helped me build The Connie Hawkins League. He was a force of basketball. Poetry in motion…effortless, but intense. He could shoot it, handle it, “D” you up like you stole something and dunk on you in “Kobe” like fashion. :01—Yes, he was a gifted artist, an educator, a proud member of Omega Psi Phi, coach, mentor, philosopher, husband, father,
brother…all that, but basketball…man, that’s who “Free” was. He was that unstoppable force on the court that most others wanted to be like and none wanted to be in the way of!!! :00—As I said when Jacquet Bazemore died, many of you didn’t show up that could have and should have, but you know who you are. You only want respect when it’s about you!!! :00:00—DOUBLE OVERTIME You will note in the photo featuring the greatest players in Pittsburgh history, Durrett, Coleman, Lucas, etc., there is an open space between Mel Bennett and Slaganski while everyone else is shoulder to shoulder. If Free had been in town for the game, he surely would have had his rightful place there…that’s powerful stuff man! ~ GAME OVER ~
Penguins move closer to another NHL championship SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)— The Pittsburgh Penguins were confident that three straight games without a point for Evgeni Malkin and a rare off night by Matt Murray were an aberration more than a concern. Bounce-back performances from those two key players moved the Penguins to the brink of winning the Stanley Cup. Malkin scored one goal and assisted on another, Murray made 23 saves and the Penguins took a 3-1 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final by beating the San Jose Sharks 3-1 on Monday night. “He’s a world class player,” Penguins defenseman Ian Cole said of Malkin. “He’s been going through a rough stretch. He’s been really contributing in other ways than on the scoresheet. But obviously you saw how good he is today. When he turns it on, obviously what he can do is huge for our team.” Malkin helped set up Cole’s goal to open the scoring, then added one of his
own on the power play to give Murray all the support needed. Eric Fehr sealed it with a late goal after San Jose made a strong push in the third. Two nights after allowing a soft game-tying goal to Joel Ward, Murray was steady throughout to put the Penguins one win from skating off with their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history. They can do it at home in Game 5 on Thursday night. “Just keep doing what we’re doing. Obviously we know what’s at stake,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. “We don’t have to change a thing, just keep playing the same way we’re playing and the results will take care of themselves.” The Sharks were unable to build on their first win in the final, allowing the first goal for the fourth straight game and going more than nine minutes without a shot on goal during one stretch of the second period. San Jose has yet to lead at any point in the series other
than after scoring in overtime in Game 3. “We’ve been chasing the game the whole series by not scoring first,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “That takes you out of your fourline rhythm. It affects all parts of your game. …That’s the biggest thing we have to fix. We have to find a way to get on the board earlier in the game instead of chasing it all night.” Melker Karlsson scored the lone goal and Martin Jones made 17 saves for San Jose. The Sharks will now need to win in Pittsburgh to give their loyal fans who waited 25 years to watch the Stanley Cup Final in the Bay Area another home game. No team has come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the final since Toronto did it in 1942 against Detroit. “It’s disappointing to lose in front of the home crowd,” Sharks center Logan Couture said. “You see them leaving and they’re not happy. You feel like you let them down. We hope we’re back
here, but we have to worry about the next one first.” The story for the Penguins after their 3-2 overtime loss in Game 3 was how to get Malkin going after a slow start to the series. And how would the rookie Murray respond after giving up the soft goal to Ward and the winner to Joonas Donskoi. Both passed with flying colors. Malkin was energized from the start, helping setting up the first goal when he caught San Jose on a bad line change and sent Phil Kessel in on a rush. Jones stopped Kessel’s shot, but Cole knocked in the rebound for his first career playoff goal. Malkin then got his goal when he tapped in a perfect from Kessel for Pittsburgh’s first power-play goal of the series. “I didn’t change my game
a lot,” Malkin said. “I wanted a little bit more to play with the puck.” Murray wasn’t tested often early and went nearly the first half of the second period without facing a single shot. “I’m just trying to have fun through all of this,” Murray said. “It’s been an absolute blast so far. I’m going to look to keep that same mindset going forward.” The Sharks made a strong late push, and he robbed Couture, left all alone in the slot after a turnover by Kris Letang, late in the second. Murray then stopped Patrick Marleau on a breakaway and saved a one-timer by Joe Pavelski early in the third before allowing his first goal. Karlsson beat him on a rebound of Brenden Dillon’s point shot with 11:53 to play.
But Murray didn’t flinch and came up big again against Pavelski, keeping the NHL’s leading goal scorer this postseason without a point in the final. “He’s just been great,” Crosby said. “You see tonight. They press late. They get one, they keep coming. He gets a big stop on a breakaway, a lot of scrambles there late. He’s just showing a lot of poise now, a lot of maturity.” Fehr provided the insurance when he beat Jones on an odd-man rush with 2:02 to play. (NOTES: The Penguins have not played from behind for a span of 435:46 since a Game 4 loss to Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference final. Pittsburgh’s only two losses since came in overtime games they didn’t trail until an OT goal. … Sharks F Tomas Hertl missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury.)
Inside Conditions…Pirates running scared An extra rest day in NBA finals may help Cavaliers
CLEVELAND (AP)—Under the longused former NBA Finals format, Game 3 of this Golden State-Cleveland matchup would have been played Tuesday night. Not this year, thanks to an extra rest day. And the Cavaliers are probably celebrating that. The Eastern Conference champions need as much time as they can get to try to figure out a way back into these finals. They’ve used LeBron James as a ballhandler and as a center, they’ve played at different speeds, they’ve tried different lineups. There have been moments of success— just not enough to make this a series. As such, the Warriors are two wins from back-to-back championships. Golden State will try to take a 3-0 lead in this finals rematch when the series resumes in Cleveland on Wednesday night. “The next couple days, I won’t be reflecting,” James said. “I’ll figure out ways I can be better.” That certainly sounds good, given that James at his best is probably still better than any player in the world. Problem is, James is already averaging close to a triple-double in this series—so he’s already plenty productive. And the Cavaliers are down 0-2 despite keeping Warriors’ sharpshooters Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in check so far. Regardless, Golden State won Game 1 by 15, then rolled in Game 2 on Sunday night by 33. That plus-48 combined margin adds up to the most one-sided first two games of
the finals ever. “They’re just a better team right now,” acknowledged Cleveland guard J.R. Smith, who managed a combined eight points in Games 1 and 2. Adding to the tough spot the Cavaliers are in is the status of forward Kevin Love, who is now in the NBA’s concussion protocol after taking himself out of Game 2. Love caught an elbow from Harrison Barnes in the back of the head during the first half, and left in the third quarter when symptoms of a concussion started to present themselves. If Love can’t go, the Cavaliers might have no choice but to reinvent themselves with their realistic title hopes hanging by a thread. Going to a bigger lineup—probably meaning giving all-but-forgotten center Timofey Mozgov some minutes that matter—could be the only real card Cavs coach Tyronn Lue has left to play. “They’ll probably play with a little more energy,” Thompson said. “That’s natural when you go home. Probably with a sense of desperation. They might go big. You never know. But we’ll be prepared.” James has faced 0-2 deficits four times before, all during his first stint in Cleveland. He and the Cavs lost in seven games to Detroit in the 2006 second round, rallied to beat Detroit in six games in the 2007 East finals, got swept by San Antonio in that season’s NBA Finals, and lost in seven games to Boston in the 2008 second round.
by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier
Last Sunday the Los Angeles Angels an MLB American League Club were without the designated hitter advantage, but regardless of what seemed on the surface to be a slight disadvantage for the team from the west coast, the Angels put on a designated hitters clinic beating the Pirates 5-4. The Pirates had a chance to at least tie the game and force the game into extra innings but the Angels held on for the win. Sean Rodriguez was at bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Should he have swung away or at least attempted a bunt? A suicide squeeze with one out would have made it next to impossible for the Angels to have completed a double play. Instead the Pirates strategy was to swing away which resulted in a groundout in the infield, which resulted in a “twin killing” game, set, match. In addition to that flawed strategy, the Pirates reliever in the top of the ninth inning, the usually reliable Tony Watson offered up a juicy USDA type pitch to Pi-
rates killer Albert Pujols and he threw the final shovelful of dirt on top of the “Jolly Roger,” crushing a two-run homer. Watson said, “(the pitch to Pujols) was an up-and-in fastball. It was thrown well. He’s been around for a long time. He had one thing on his mind that at-bat, and that was to give his team the lead.” I beg to differ, if the pitch was “thrown well” why did Pujols smack it out of the yard? A 91mph or slightly speedier fastball had better be perfectly placed if any pitcher expects to have any success with one of the great hitters in the history of MLB. As of June 6, 2016, no other second place MLB team was more than 3 games out of 1st place. The Pirates reside in the MLB Central Division and trail the division leading Chicago Cubs by 9.5 games. Today is June 8. The Pirates have up until the All Star break (approx. 4 weeks and some change) to shave at least 4.5-5 games off of the Cubs division leading lead and if they don’t I have a sneaking suspicion that something profound will have to happen before and immediately after the break for a even
wildcard postseason berth to be possible for the Bucs.’ In recent seasons past the Pirates allowed the St. Louis Cardinals to mount and sustain the division lead, forcing the Pirates to sneak in the back door just to qualify for the postseason. That is exactly the way that the Cubs are playing and it appears as if Chicago might pull off a similar scenario. There are no safe strategies when a team is 9.5 games behind in their division. There had better be more “suicide squeezes” than an orange juice factory if the Pirates expect to compete to win a division title. They don’t have Pedro Alvarez to kick around or to blame anymore. Ya can’t vent about pitcher Charlie Morton. If they are confident bringing up any of their minor league stars that had better not wait until September because that strategy is almost like pouring oil into car with an undetected leak. At this point in the season, the Pirates and their management had better, run, gun and have fun because if they don’t at the end of the 2016 season, they will be “well done.”(The source for this article was espn.com)
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OPENING OF THE SKYLINE TERRACE TWO- (2) BEDROOM, THREE- (3) BEDROOM AND FOUR- (4) BEDROOM SITE BASED WAITING LISTS FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE UNITS ONLY Effective Wednesday, June 15, 2016, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) will reopen the Skyline Terrace two- (2) bedroom, three- (3) bedroom and four- (4) bedroom waiting lists to persons/families that require the features of a wheelchair accessible unit only. Families must meet the specific bedroom size requirements. The waiting lists will remain closed for the above mentioned waiting lists for all persons/families that do not require the features of a wheelchair accessible unit. HACP will only be accepting pre-applications in person. Pre-applications can be made at the HACP Occupancy Department, 100 Ross Street, 4th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodation to submit a pre-application can contact the Disability Compliance office at 412456-5282. Please be advised that part of HACP’s eligibility determination process includes the provisions of its reasonable accommodation policy, requiring families to request accommodation to qualify a person/family for a wheelchair accessible unit. For more information on HACP’s reasonable accommodation policy and qualification for a wheelchair accessible unit, please contact the Disability Compliance Office at 412456-5282. For information about obtaining a pre-application, please contact the Occupancy Department at 412-456-5030. For those that are deaf or hard of hearing, you can also contact HACP at TDD: 412201-5384. This event is for the Skyline Terrace Community ONLY and is completely separate from the HACP Housing Choice Voucher and Low Income Public Housing Programs. The Housing Authority of the City Of Pittsburgh Occupancy Department 100 Ross Street – 4th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219
PUBLIC NOTICE BEAVER COUNTY TRANSIT AUTHORITY DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) GOAL
The Beaver County Transit Authority in accordance with the regulations of the US Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26, hereby announces its overall goal for the Federal Fiscal Years 2017 through 2019 as 1.40% for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) on contracts assisted by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under Section 5307 and 5311 programs as authorized by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, as amended. The proposed goal, along with a description of the DBE program, are available for public review at the BCTA Transportation Center at 200 West Washington Street, Rochester, PA 15074. The BCTA and the DOT will accept comments for 45 days from the date of this notice. Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments. LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
Estate of JACOB J. RUHLE AKA JACOB JAMES RUHLE, Deceased, of Pittsburgh, PA. August 19, 2014, No. 021602937. Shirley M. Ruhle, c/o Judith A. Lehnowsky, Atty., 820 Evergreen Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412) 821-0441. Estate of SCHULZ, JEFFREY N., deceased of Pittsburgh No. 03029 of 2016. Ryan Warfield Schulz Adm., or to c/o Matthew J. Beam, Esq., Scolieri Law Group, 1207 5th Avenue, Ste. 200, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219. Estate of DAVID HEAD a/k/a DAVID HEAD, SR., Deceased, of Pittsburgh, PA. No. 06091 of 2015. Stacy L. Head, Executor, c/o A. Jean Cason-Wynter, Esq., 905 Western Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.
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CITY OF PITTSBURGH, PA CDBG, HOME, HESG, AND HOPWA PROGRAMS FY 2015 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (C.A.P.E.R.)
Notice is hereby given that the City of Pittsburgh intends to submit the FY 2015 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (C.A.P.E.R.) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on or before June 30, 2016. In accordance with Title I of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, the City of Pittsburgh has prepared its Fiscal Year 2015 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (C.A.P.E.R.) for its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), the Emergency Solutions Grant (HESG), and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Programs. This report describes the level of housing assistance and other community development activities through grants from various Federal funding programs during Fiscal Year 2015 (April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016). Copies of the FY 2015 C.A.P.E.R. for the City of Pittsburgh are available for public inspection at the City of Pittsburgh website at (http:// pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/community-development/cdbg) and at the following locations beginning Thursday, June 9, 2016 through Thursday, June 23, 2016: Department of City Planning 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Urban Redevelopment Authority 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 All interested persons are encouraged to review the FY 2015 C.A.P.E.R. Written comments should be addressed to Mr. Michael Petrucci, Assistant Planning Director for Community Development, Department of City Planning, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Written comments on the C.A.P.E.R. will be considered up to and including June 23, 2016. Mr. Michael Petrucci, Assistant Planning Director for Community Development
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Estate of PUDUP, DAVID, deceased of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania No. 02-16-02423. Bernice Pudup, Administrator c/o Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, P.C., One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or to Todd T. Jordan, Esquire, Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, P.D., One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
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COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, PA. PITTSBURGH, PA. May 23, 2016
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA May 25, 2016
The Office of the Director of the DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY will receive Letters of Interest with current Federal Standard Form 330 (SF) Architect-Engineer Qualifications until 4:00 p.m. on June 17, 2016 for the following assignment: ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 2016 Small Bridge Inspection Services County Project No. AA00-1601 The assignment will involve periodic bridge safety inspections for the County’s inventory of bridges with span lengths 20 feet and under over a five-year period. Submit 5 (five) copies of your Letter of Interest and current SF 330 to: Stephen G. Shanley, P.E., Director Allegheny County Department of Public Works Room 501, County Office Building 542 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2904 Instructions for submission of Letters of Interest are available on the Allegheny County Internet Website (www.alleghenycounty.us; click on “Department of Public Works;” then click on “Bids & Proposals).” Stephen G. Shanley, P.E., Director Allegheny County Department of Public Works County of Allegheny LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals
INVITATION FOR BIDS The URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY of Pittsburgh will receive bids from qualified contractors for trail removal and replacement, construction of a new trail segment, excavation, grading, seeding, and all work incidental thereto required to complete Mellon Park Proposed Trail Extension and Renovation until 11:00 a.m. prevailing time on Wednesday, the 29th day of June, 2016, at its office, 11th floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Conference Room on the 11th floor. Contract documents will be available on Friday, June 10, 2016, in the Engineering and Construction Department, 11th Floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, upon a non-refundable payment of THIRTY DOLLARS ($30.00) made payable to the URA of Pittsburgh. CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. Contract documents will not be mailed. A pre-bid meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, in the URA’s 10th floor conference room at 11:00 a.m. A certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value), or a satisfactory bid bond, executed by the Bidder and an acceptable surety in a dollar amount equal to 5% of the total bid, shall be submitted. Each bid submittal must include the Bid, Non-collusion Affidavit of Prime Bidder, Bid Bond, Statement of Bidders Qualifications, and Certification of Minority and Women’s Participation with Exhibits. Wages paid on this project shall not be less than the minimum wages determined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry as set forth in the contract documents. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. The Contractor must assure that applicants and employees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, ancestry, national origin, age or sexual preference, gender identity, gender expression, political and/or union affiliation. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh requires that all bidders complete and submit Certification of Minority and Women’s Participation with Exhibits. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informality in the bidding. Bids may be held by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of opening of bids for the purpose of reviewing the bids prior to awarding the Contract. URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF PITTSBURGH Robert Rubinstein Acting Executive Director
The Office of the County Controller of Allegheny County, Room 104, Court House, Pittsburgh, PA, will receive separate and sealed Bids until 11:00 A.M. prevailing local time, WEDNESDAY, June 15, 2016, and a representative of the Department of Public Works will open and read the Bids in the Gold Room, Room 410, Court House, Pittsburgh, PA, onehalf hour later, 11:30 o’clock A.M., for the following: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Rehabilitation of Douglass Run Culvert No. 13 and Pond, Elizabeth Township COUNTY PROJECT NO. ZCRH-LC01 PREBID INFORMATION: Purchase and/or view the Proposal, Specifications and Drawings at the Office of the Contract Manager, Room 504, County Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA. The nonrefundable charge for the Proposal and disc containing the Specifications and Drawings is $ 107.00 including sales tax. Bid documents may be mailed for an additional fee of $16.05 including sales tax. The Contract Manager will accept only check or money order to the “COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY.” The Department of Public Works will hold a PreBid Meeting on June 1, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at the Round Hill Park Visitor’s Center, 657 Round Hill Road, Elizabeth, Pa. 15037. Details of this project, Bidding Requirements and Contract Conditions are available on the Allegheny County internet website (www. alleghenycounty.us; click on “Departments,” click on “Public Works” then click on “Bids & Proposals)” and are also available on the Pennsylvania Purchasing Group/PAPG website (www.PAbidsystem.com; click on “bid opportunities;” then click on “Allegheny County-Dept. of Public Works-open documents” – then register if necessary). Chelsa Wagner Controller County of Allegheny
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR RHVAC SUPPORT AUTHORITY WIDE IFB# 300-29-16
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): RHVAC SUPPORT AUTHORITY WIDE IFB# 300-29-16 The documents will be available no later than May 31, 2016 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on June 20, 2016 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the 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 Friday, June 10, 2016 2:00 P.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.
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CONTRACT 1661 ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE CONTRACT NO. 1661
PUBLIC MEETING I-579 “CAP” URBAN CONNECTOR PROJECT
Sealed Bids for CONTRACT NO. 1661 CCTV INSPECTION, REGIONALIZATION CONTRACT TWO shall be received at the office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233, until 10:00 A.M., Prevailing Time, July 1, 2016, and then shall be publicly opened and read. A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the Authority’s Plant in the Main O&M Building Room 106, on June 15, 2016 at 10:00 A.M., Prevailing Time. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory. ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities and women to submit bids on Authority Contracts or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to successful Bidders. Successful Bidders are to use minority and women’s businesses to the fullest extent possible. Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the office of the Authority. A non? refundable fee of $100 (no cash will be accepted) will be charged for each set of Contract Documents. Bid Security shall be furnished by providing with the Bid a Certified Check or Bid Bond in the amount of 10% of the Bid Price. Bidders are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Bid Documents, if they have not already done so, from the Clerk’s Office, 2nd Floor ALCOSAN O&M Building, either before or following the Pre-Bid Meeting. Any questions regarding the Contract Documents should be directed in writing and submitted by fax to Mr. Michael Lichte, ALCOSAN at (412) 734-6209. The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality in any bid and to accept any bid should it be deemed in the interest of the Authority to do so. ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY Jan Oliver Director, Regional Conveyance
The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) in cooperation with The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will hold the third of the three planned Public Meetings for the I-579 “Cap” Urban Connector Project. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the preferred layout of the park/open space that was developed based on the public input obtained at the previous two meetings and to get feedback on the plan. The purpose of this project is to reconnect the Lower Hill District and Downtown neighborhoods of the City of Pittsburgh. In order to achieve this, an approximately 230 foot wide structure between the Centre Avenue bridge and Bigelow Boulevard bridge will be constructed over the existing I-579 highway. This “Cap” will create a new urban public open space (park) of approximately 3 acres with accessible pedestrian and bicycle pathways, incorporating sustainable stormwater and energy strategies, and providing for other fixed site components. SEA staff and consultants will be available to answer questions. Please contact Roger Eaton PE, E-mail: roger.eaton@hdrinc.com, Telephone: (412) 497-6010 for more information. Time/Date/Location: June 27, 2016, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Presentation 6:15 PM, Jeron X. Grayson Community Center, Granville Auditorium, 1852 Enoch Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 The meeting facility is compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, if you or an individual with whom you are familiar does not speak English as their primary language and who has a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English desires to attend the meeting or if you require special assistance or need additional information please contact the number above.
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Pick up your Courier at these locations WESTERN AREA: CRAFTON BEVERAGE CRAFTON/INGRAM SHOPPING CENTER GIANT EAGLE CRAFTON/INGRAM SHOPPING CENTER SHEETZ #353 5400 CAMPBELL’S RUN RD SHOP N’ SAVE #1686 2103 NOBLESTOWN RD SAFRANS SUPER MKT 429 WALNUT ST GIANT EAGLE #74 PARKWAY CENTER MALL SOUTHERN AREA: KEN’S 216 BELTZHOOVER AVE NELSON’S 92 SYLVANIA AVE GIANT EAGLE #61 2021 WHARTON AVE COGO’S 2400 EAST CARSON ST COGO’S 925 EAST CARSON ST DAILY MART 1125 ARLINGTON AVE SHOP N’ SAVE CARRICK SOUTH EASTERN AREA: SUPER STOP 403 KENMAWR AVE CARL’S CAFE 337 FIFTH AVE COMET NEWS 540 BRADDOCK AVE PUFFS DISCOUNT TOBACCO 1722 GREENSBUR AVE A-PLUS SUNOCO 7403 WASHINGTON ST COGO’S 1050 BRINTON RD COGO’S 2003 S BRADDOCK AVE EDGEWOOD EXPRESS 253 EDGEWOOD AVE BRAD EXPRESS 1101 S BRADDOCK AVE GIANT EAGLE #619 1705 S. BRADDOCK AVE CVS 7406 CHURCH ST HANINI MARKET 1105 SWISSVALE AVE DUKE’S SUNOCO 825 DUQUESNE BLVD 7-11 818 N. DUQUESNE BLVD GIANT EAGLE #6379 420 EAST WATERFRONT DR GIANT EAGLE— MCKEESPORT 3812 O’NEILL BLVD J & S FOOD MART 625 W GRANT AVE RITE AID PHARMACY 100 WILLIAM MARKS DR GIANT EAGLE 1356 HOFFMAN BLVD BP GAS STATION LYSLE & WALNUT DS FOODMART 929 UNION ST RITE AID PHARMACY
725 LYSLE BLVD CHARLIE’S CORNER STORE 500 LOCUST ST NEIGHBORHOOD DOLLAR 333 5TH AVE GIANT EAGLE #38 1901 MURRAY AVE JACK’S E 8TH AVE EASTERN AREA: WATERWORKS GIANT EAGLE #72 1005 FREEPORT RD— DIVINE HAIR STUDIO 10 DUFF RD GIANT EAGLE 9001 FRANKSTOWN RD GIANT EAGLE #78 230 RODI RD BP GAS STATION 11835 FRANKSTOWN RD THE SPOT 11675 FRANKSTOWN RD MASH MINI MART 4341 OLD WM. PENN HWY GIANT EAGLE #60 4004 MONROEVILLE BLVD GIANT EAGLE #76 AMES PLAZA, ROUTE 22 GET IT QUICK 500 GARDEN CITY DESTINY’S HAIR SALON 408 RODI RD PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 10991 FRANKSTOWN RD SHOP N SAVE 3335 WILLIAM PENN HWY SHEETZ 3457 WILLIAM PENN HWY GETGO 10525 FRANKSTOWN RD CVS PHARMACY 10600 FRANKSTOWN RD SHELL OIL 7619 BAUM BLVD KIWI SUNOCO FRANKSTOWN AVE WILLIAM PENN SMOKE SHOP II 132 NORTH HIGHLAND AVE MARATHON GAS 6680 FRANKSTOWN AVE PENN AIKEN DAIRY 5401 PENN AVE GIANT EAGLE #17 6320 SHAKESPEARE ST HOMEWOOD MARKET 7201 FRANKSTOWN AVE SALIK HARDWARE 607 NORTH HOMEWOOD AVE NEGLEY A PLUS 123 NORTH NEGLEY AVE BAKER’S 7203 HAMILTON & STERRETT AVES DORSEY’S RECORDS 7614 FRANKSTOWN AVE HOSPITAL CORNER 4201 PENN AVE PEOPLES GROCERY 5136 PENN AVE A&M MARKET 5224 PENN AVE A-PLUS MINI MART 7701 PENN AVE WOOD & PENN 902 WOOD ST AL’S FISH & CHICKEN 1000 PENN AVE
SAVE A LOT 725 ROSS AVE CVS PHARMACY 520 PENN AVE GETGO 408 PENN AVE QUICK STOP LIBERTY 3349 LIBERTY AVE K-2 CONVENIENT STORE 4900 PENN AVE SHUR SAVE 4120 MAIN ST SHELL GAS 6701 FRANKSTOWN RD UNIMART 5724 ELLSWORTH AVE GIANT EAGLE #77 254 YOST BLVD PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 234 YOST BLVD SPEEDY MART 2131 ARDMORE BLVD SQUIRREL HILL NEWS 5804 FORBES AVE MURRAY AVE. NEWS 2024 MURRAY AVE GIANT EAGLE MURRAY AVE & LORETTA ST DISCOUNT TOBACCO & NEWS 1929 MURRAY AVE UNIVERSITY OF PGH BOOKSTORE 4000 5TH AVE DANA’S BAKERY 720 N. HOMEWOOD AVE DA STORE 606 & 1/2 N. HOMEWOOD AVE BONUS TIRE SERVICE 4349 VERONA RD KANDY CAFE 4291 VERONA RD GIANT EAGLE SHADYSIDE 550 CENTRE AVE MARATHON GAS 4010 PENN AVE STANTON NEGLEY DRUG 804 N. NEGLEY AVE RON’S CORNER DRUG MT. CARMEL RD CENTRAL AREA: GET GO #64 4924 BAUM BLVD SCHWARTZ MARKET 1901 5TH AVE SMOKER FRIENDLY 906 5TH AVE HILL DISTRICT: WONG’S MARKET 2170 CENTRE AVE ANN’S MARKET 2316 WEBSTER AVE A-PLUS MINI MART 2350 CENTRE AVE UJAMMA BOUTIQUE 1901 CENTRE AVE K LEROY IRVIS TOWERS 715 MERCER ST SHOP & SAVE SUPERMARKET 1850 CENTRE AVE ABE’S MARKET 1860 CENTRE AVE WYLIE TOBACCO 2152 WYLIE AVE
DOWNTOWN: KWIK-E-MART 212-10TH ST 7-11 #167 643 LIBERTY AVE 7-11 #165 SIXTH & PENN AVE 7-11 #170 429 WOOD ST ESTER’S SNAX FEDERAL BUILDING, 2ND FL SMITHFIELD NEWS 115 SMITHFIELD ST FABER COE & GREGG 500 GRANT ST FABER COE & GREGG FIFTH AVE. PLACE FABER COE & GREGG 600 GRANT ST NIELSEN’S STORES #09 301 GRANT ST— ONE OXFORD CENTER NIELSEN’S STORES #13 437 SEVENTH AVE— KOPPERS BUILDING 9TH & PENN NEWS-NUMBERS 136 PENN AVE EXTRA EXTRA NEWS 413 SEVENTH AVE NEAL NEWS 400 CHERRY WAY CVS PHARMACY #4120 610-612 WOOD ST C&C NEWS 2 PPG PLACE NEWSTAND SIXTH & WOOD ONE STOP 300 SIXTH & WOOD EDDIE’S SNACKS 262 5TH AVE BIG DADDY 465 FORBES AVE 711 SMITHFIELD 420 SMITHFIELD ST NORTHERN AREA: W. N. GROCERY 1018 NORTH AVE. NORTH SIDE BEER & BEVERAGE 1304 FEDERAL ST ALLEGHENY GIFT SHOP—AGH HOSPITAL 320 EAST NORTH AVE GIANT EAGLE #652 318 CEDAR AVE 7-11 #158 1001 WESTERN AVE RICHEY’S BARBER SHOP 1207 N. FRANKLIN ST QUIK-IT 820 PENNSYLVANIA AVE RITE AID #3459 802 PENNSYLVANIA AVE MARSHALL SHELL 1500 SPRING GARDEN AVE SWINKO’S MARKET 2535 PERYSVILLE AVE MERCY STREET EXPRESS 6 MERCY ST HARV’S EXXON 2501 BRIGHTON RD QUICK SCHWARTZ 3235 BRIGHTON RD HANINI MARKET 3245 BRIGHTON RD