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Melania accused of plagiarizing Michelle’s speech VOL. 107, NO. 29
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JULY 20-26, 2016
CLEVELAND (AP)— Melania Trump’s well-received speech Monday to the Republican National Convention contained two passages that match nearly word-for-word the speech that first lady Michelle Obama delivered in 2008 at the Democratic National Convention. The passages in question focus on lessons that Mrs. Trump, the wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, said she learned from her parents and the
relevance of their lessons in her experience as a mother. They came near the beginning of her roughly 10minute speech, which was otherwise distinct from the address that Mrs. Obama gave when her husband, then-Sen. Barack Obama, was being nominated for president. In Mrs. Trump’s speech in Cleveland, she said: “From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and
you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life.” In Mrs. Obama’s 2008 speech in Denver, she said: “And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: like, you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say you’re going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them and even
MELANIA TRUMP, MICHELLE OBAMA
if you don’t agree with them.” Another passage with notable similarities that follows two sentences later in Mrs. Trump’s speech addresses her attempts to instill those values in her son. “We need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow,” Mrs. Trump said. “Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of SEE MELANIA A5
URA approves new Homewood rental housing
Quick arrest in Knoxville shooting of 6-year-old
by Christian Morrow
In less than 24 hours, Pittsburgh police announced they had arrested 19-year-old Kamau Thomas of Carrick for the shooting that left a 6-year-old girl battling for her life with a critical head wound. Police said the KAMAU THOMAS shooting took place following a fight that broke out on Zara Street in Knoxville, July 17. As a result of the fight Thomas was firing at a house in the 300 block, and “lost control” of the semiautomatic pistol
Courier Staff Writer
Though moves to address the lagging development at the Hazelwood ALMANO brownfield were of primary concern during the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh’s July board meeting, it also authorized lowincome housing and property development in the East End and the Hill District. Piggybacking on the construction of the new senior housing facility and for-sale housing on Finance Street built by Rev. Samuel Ware’s Building United, the board approved up to $700,000 in loans for Susquehanna Homes Housing LP to build 36 rental homes along Susquehanna, Tioga, and Dunfermline Streets and Panke Avenue in Homewood. The project was awarded $11 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits last year, and the developers requested the authority
A PRAYER FOR PEACE—During a rally at Freedom Corner in the Hill District, Rev. Victor Grigsby calls for the community to support police in the wake of shootings that killed officers in Texas and Louisiana. (Photo by Candi Castleberry Singleton)
Vigil: A call for Unity In the wake of the killing of three Dallas police officers that following the fatal police shootings of Black men in Louisiana and Minnesota, Hill District Ministers Alliance Chair and Central Baptist Church pastor Rev. Victor Grigsby planned a prayer rally to call for healing. He had to call a bit harder, having learned just before
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starting the July 16 rally at Freedom Corner that three more officers were dead following an ambush in Baton Rouge, La. “There is such a deep burden and sorrow in this country that I think the real healing of it is going to come from some divine action,” he said. Grigsby was joined by Wesley
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Center AMEZ Church pastor Glenn G. Grayson, state Rep. Jake Wheatley, city Councilman Danny Lavelle, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, several police officials including Zone 2 Cmdr. Anna Kudrav, and about 90 men women and children who heeded the call SEE VIGIL A4
County joins initiative to reduce incarcerations by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
As the New Pittsburgh Courier reported in 2015, a national study on jail populations revealed that at any given time 62 percent of those incarcerated have not even been convicted of a crime. They are awaiting a hearing, or the resolution of a plea deal, and in either case are too poor to get out on bail. 75 percent of them are there for non-vio-
lent, often minor offenses, and overall, four times as many Blacks are jailed as Whites. Now, Allegheny County and its Jail Collaborative have an additional resource to address those conditions locally. On July 6, the county announced it had joined 66 other city, county and state governments in a new White House initiative to use proven, data-driven strategies to safely reduce incarceration across the country. The initiative is intended to also help stabilize individuals and families, bet-
ter serve communities, and, often save money in the process, and mirrors efforts the Jail Collaborative has implemented previously. During a recent meeting with the Courier editorial board County Executive Rich Fitzgerald praised collaborative members Common Pleas Judge Joseph K. Williams III, President Judge Jeffrey Manning, Warden Orlando Harper and County Human SEE COUNTY A4
Fitzgerald lauds police changes by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
As part of his efforts to maintain a connection with the New Pittsburgh Courier’s readership, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald met recently with the Courier editorial board, and praised his staff for moving county government forward in
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A ‘Blue Lives Matter’ bill is now in PA by Iain Oldman PublicSource
A Pennsylvania state representative is renewing his calls for the swift passage of a hate crime bill after the second high-profile shooting of police officers in two weeks. Rep. Frank Burns, R-Cambria, introduced HB 2261 to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on July 13, though Burns is urging lawmakers to push the bill through the General Assembly. “As the daily news keeps proving, time is of the essence if we want to let people know that Pennsylvania won’t tolerate attacks on police officers,” Burns said in a release. Burns’ bill, which he has referred to as the “Blue Lives Matter Bill,” would add “law enforcement officer” to the categories
terms of fiscal responsibility, increasing racial diversity and creating more employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. But he was particularly proud of the structural changes he has instituted at the Allegheny County Police Department, because SEE FITZGERALD A4
Photo by G20 Voice | flickr
RICH FITZGERALD, Allegheny County executive. (Photo by Gail Manker)
SEE BLUE A4
Ulish Carter says
Youth are to be commended on Black Lives Matter rallies Opinion A6
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This Week In Black History
JULY 20-26, 2016
INTERNATIONAL
Gates: Foundation to invest $5B in Africa over next 5 years
MANDELA LECTURER—Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates delivers the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Pretoria, South Africa, Sunday, July 17. (AP Photo)
by Cara Anna
Associated Press Writer
JOHANNESBURG (AP)—Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates said Sunday his foundation will invest another $5 billion in Africa over the next five years. Gates delivered the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture ahead of Mandela Day, when South Africans are encouraged to donate 67 minutes of their time to help others. Gates is also in South Africa to attend a global AIDS conference that starts Monday. Gates said the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has already invested more than $9 billion in Africa. Health is a major focus. Gates warned that if the world doesn’t come up with more creative ways to make HIV treatment and
prevention accessible, “the hard-earned gains made against HIV in sub-Saharan Africa over the last 15 years could actually be reversed” as high birth rates continue. He said Africa is the world’s youngest continent
“By 2050, 40 percent of the world’s children will live on this continent.” BILL GATES in terms of demographics. “By 2050, 40 percent of the world’s children will live on this continent,” he said. Still, he said Africa had made notable progress in fighting AIDS, saying that the last time South Africa hosted the global confer-
ence 16 years ago, only a few thousand Africans were on HIV drugs. At the time, the drugs were too expensive for many in the region hardest hit by the epidemic. South Africa now says half of its infected population of 6.8 million people is on treatment. Gates noted that Mandela fought stigma by announcing publicly the death of his son from AIDS in 2005. Gates’ speech focused largely on youth and on how to achieve ambitious global development goals endorsed by countries last year. In the only sharp words of his address, he said: “I get angry when I see that Africa is suffering the worst effects of climate change, although Africans had almost nothing to do with causing it.”
South African athlete dies while climbing Kilimanjaro
by Cara Anna
Associated Press Writer
JOHANNESBURG (AP)—A South African trying to summit Kenya’s Mount Kilimanjaro to mark Mandela Day has died. A statement from the Nelson Mandela Foundation said details are
Elaine Effort
“sketchy” but that it appeared Gugu Zulu had problems breathing early Monday as his group tried to reach Africa’s highest peak. “We are informed that the medical teams tried everything possible to save his life” as they tried to descend, the statement said. The foundation said the
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athlete was part of a Trek4Mandela team hoping to summit to mark Mandela’s birthday, a day of volunteer service in South Africa. Authorities said they were climbing in support of girls from disadvantaged communities. In his last Facebook post, Gugu Zulu on Saturday said, “Am having flu like symptoms and struggling with the mountain but taking it step by step!! Today we managed to see our destination and our camp is literary above the clouds!!” He was hiking with his wife, Letshego, who descended the 5,895-meter (19,340-foot) mountain with him, the foundation said. South Africa’s sports ministry called Gugu Zulu a “great talented motorsport athlete who excelled on the race course.”
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Week of July 20-26 July 20 1967—The first Black Power Conference takes place in Newark, N.J. More than 1,000 delegates representing 126 organizations attended. The conference represented a break with the integration-with-Whites thrust of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Instead, delegates called for greater focus on Black political empowerment, economic development, community control and the building of Black institutions. July 21 1864—Amazingly, what is now considered the first Black daily newspaper begins publishing on this day during slavery. The New Orleans Tribune was founded by wealthy Black Doctor Louis C. Roudanez and edited by a Belgium Jean-Charles Heuzean. The Tribune, however, actually followed the Daily Creole which began publication in 1856. But it was so pressured by Whites that it adopted pro-slavery positions. The Tribune, meanwhile, MARY CHURCH TERRELL would begin as a tri-weekly and become a full-fledged daily in October. 1896—The National Association of Colored Women is founded in Washington, D.C., and Mary Church Terrell is elected president. The association would establish nurseries, help orphans, and battle for a woman’s right to vote. Terrell became an activist and power broker in the nation’s capital fighting for desegregation of restaurants and helping build schools. She was born in 1863 and died in 1954. 2001—Blues legend John Lee Hooker dies. He was 83. July 22 1861—President Abraham Lincoln submits the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation to his cabinet. The order freeing slaves, however, was not actually issued until Jan. 1, 1863. And even then it benefited very few slaves. The EmanciJOHN LEE HOOKER pation Proclamation freed slaves in the rebellious Southern states. But the federal government at the time did not have control of the South so no slaves actually went free. In the so-called Border States where the federal government did have authority, the Proclamation did not apply. About the only slaves who benefited were those who had already escaped and fled to the Union side during the Civil War. 1939—Jane Matilda Bolin becomes the first Black female judge in America. New York City Mayor Fiorella LaGuadia appointed her a judge in the court of domestic relations. 1963—Floyd Patterson loses his heavyweight boxing title to Sonny Liston and Liston would later lose it to a young fighter by the name of Cassius Clay—later Muhammad Ali. 2001—Actor Whitman Mayo dies in Atlanta, Ga., of a heart attack. He was 71. Mayo is best known for his role as “Grady” in the popular 1970s television series “Sanford and Son.” July 23 1900—The first Pan African conference took place in London, England. Blacks from throughout the world gathered to plot strategies for bringing about rights for all people of African ancestry, independence from coloFLOYD PATTERSON nialism for African countries and international Black unity. This “conference” was the precursor of all the subsequent Pan African “Congresses.” Among the most prominent names present in 1900 were African-American activist and intellectual W.E.B. DuBois and West Indian lawyer H. Sylvester Williams. 1948—The Progressive Party Convention begins in Philadelphia. The convention nominates Henry Wallace for president and he makes the strongest showing of virtually any third party candidate in American history. More than 150 Blacks were at the convention and dozens ran for office on the Progressive Party ticket. They were attracted by the party’s call for an end to segregation, full voting rights for Blacks and universal government sponsored health insurance. The party was populated mainly by liberals and leftists. Wallace’s candidacy was even endorsed by the then relatively strong American Communist Party. The party came under vicious attack during the anti-Communist hysteria of the 1950s. But positions taken by the Progressive Party forced the Democratic Party to adopt meaningful changes in order to hold onto the Black vote. 1984—The first Black Miss America Vanessa Williams is forced to give up her crown as a result of the discovery of some sexually explicit photographs. She was replaced by the first runner-up (another African-American) Suzette Charles. Williams bounced back, however, and became a successful singer and actress. July 24 1651—Anthony (or Antonio) Johnson, a free Black man who had purchased freedom for himself and his wife, VANESSA WLLIAMS is awarded 250 acres of land in North Hampton, Va. Johnson was among the first group of 20 Black indentured servants brought to America in 1619. Indentured servitude was a form of slavery which allowed the person to either work for or purchase his freedom. After becoming free, Johnson became the first wealthy Black person in America. He even purchased five indentured servants of his own. He probably picked up the name “Johnson” from his original owner but in official records from the period he is simply referred to as “Antonio the Negro.” 1802—Famed French writer Alexander Dumas is born. He was the product of a French general and a light-complexioned Black Haitian woman. Dumas would go on to become one of the world’s greatest and most prolific writers. He is best known for his classics such as “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo.” His Blackness caused him some problems in French society, but by and large his fame and the money from his books enabled him to live an extravagant lifestyle. 1904—This is the day it is believed that actor Ira Aldridge was born in Africa. He would come to America, learn English and German, and develop into one of the world’s most accomplished Shakespearean actors. He played the role of the Moor Othello on many occasions. July 25 1916—The Black inventor of America’s first gas mask, Garrett T. Morgan, made national headlines on this day when he and a team of volunteers used his invention to rescue 32 workers trapped in a gas-filled tunnel 250 under Lake Erie. Morgan called IRA ALDRIDGE his device “the Morgan safety hood and smoke protector.” But it has become known simply as the gas mask. Morgan also invented America’s first traffic light. He was born in 1877, did most of his inventing in Cleveland, Ohio, and died in 1963. 1972—Faced with possible exposure by the media, the federal government (specifically the U.S. Public Health Service) finally acknowledges its involvement in the horrific and immoral Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. During the experiment, 399 Black men (mostly poor sharecroppers from Alabama) were led to believe they were being treated for syphilis while the doctors and nurses involved (some of them African-American) were actually fooling the men with fake medicines in order to discover the long-term effects of syphilis on the human body. The “experiment” lasted from 1932 to the time it was exposed in 1972. Finally, on May 16 1997, President Clinton issued an official apology to the eight surviving members of the experiment saying, “The United States government did something that was wrong—deeply, profoundly, morally wrong…and clearly racist.” July 26 1847—President Joseph J. Roberts declares the West African nation of Liberia an independent republic. The nation was primarily founded by former U.S. slaves returning to Africa. Roberts, himself, was born in Virginia. Three factors were behind the founding of Liberia beginning around 1821. TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENT Free Blacks were coming under increasing discrimination in America; pro-slavery forces felt the presence of free Blacks would encourage rebellion within the slave population; and friendly Whites (like those in the American Colonization Society—ACS) felt Blacks would never be treated fairly in America and should return to Africa. The ACS helped over 13,000 Blacks return to Africa with most going to Liberia. 1926—The NAACP awards its prestigious Spingarn Medal to Carter G. Woodson for his work in Black History. Indeed, Woodson became known as the “Father of Black History.” The historian, author and journalist founded Negro History Week—the precursor to today’s Black History Month. Woodson felt knowing true Black history would be an inspiration to people of African ancestry. He once wrote: “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
NATIONAL
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
JULY 20-26, 2016
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Black and a cop: Dallas detective says by Lisa Marie Pane ‘We’ve all got work to do’ Associated Press Writer
DALLAS (AP)—In the aftermath of the deadly attack on Dallas officers, the city’s police chief
onship, she later played professionally in Israel and Turkey before returning to Texas and joining the
“We’re all dominated by fears and our prejudices. We’ve got to do better. We can’t just jump to ‘What this White person did is racist’ or ‘What this Black person did is criminal.” CHELSEA WHITAKER issued an appeal to Blacks: If you want to change law enforcement, join us. Apply to become a cop. Chelsea Whitaker heeded that call nearly a decade ago, long before the fatal police shootings in Ferguson, Mo., and North Charleston, S.C., and elsewhere that energized the Black Lives Matter movement. Now she finds herself living in two worlds. Whitaker is a police officer who’s been cursed at and attacked while making an arrest. She’s also a Black woman who has faced the indignity of being asked if she belongs where she is, even while using the city’s gas pumps to fill up her department-issued vehicle. In this era of distrust between Blacks and police, Whitaker believes she has an opportunity to help bridge the divide. “We’re all dominated by fears and our prejudices. We’ve got to do better,” she said. “We can’t just jump to ‘What this White person did is racist’ or ‘What this Black person did is criminal.’” In the days after the sniper slayings, Police Chief David Brown urged Blacks to leave the protests and join the department to work for change from within. Like most U.S. cities, the Dallas department has struggled to diversify its ranks. While the city is composed mostly of Blacks and Hispanics, the police force is still dominated by Whites, which make up about half of the department. The rest of the force is 26 percent Black and 20 percent Hispanic. The city is about 28 percent White, 25 percent Black and 42 percent Hispanic. The police chief, a Black man who rose through the ranks during a three-decade career, challenged protesters to be part of the solution. “Serve your community. Don’t be a part of the problem,” he said. “We’re hiring. Get off of that protest line and put your application in.” Whitaker, who turns 34 next week, is well known in Texas. A former point guard on the Baylor University squad that won the 2005 NCAA champi-
department. She’s now a detective in the criminal intelligence unit and attends law school. She comes from a family of public servants: Her brother and father work for the fire department. Her mother is a retired probation officer. Since becoming an officer in 2007, she’s seen both ends of the spectrum. Many Blacks who distrust officers based on years of harassment and excessive force are quick to view every police interaction as racist. Many White officers are fearful that crime or danger is just one stop away. She’s found herself in the middle, trying to explain to Black people that she and fellow officers aren’t all out to get them and insisting to White colleagues that many Blacks, including herself, are stopped for no apparent reason and challenged about their activities. When she first started patrolling, she was infuriated by people hurting each other, committing crimes or cursing her out when she was arresting them. She was trying to help, trying to take bad guys off the streets, and she was getting grief for doing her job. “I let it consume me. I hated it,” she said. But she started to think more about the circumstances that lead someone into a life of crime. She began to focus on the things she could do to be a mentor: talking regularly to a guy she had arrested and is now in jail, buying a meal for a girl who had been molested, bringing a teenager to Wal-Mart to get her personal hygiene products and teach her how to care for herself. Her chief lamented the myriad of society’s ills that police are asked to handle — from loose dogs to single-parent households. All for about $44,000 a year. As much as possible, Whitaker tries to explain that police are human too, and if they might be a bit rude or brusque, it’s not necessarily because of racism. On the flip side, she tries to explain to White colleagues why Blacks might be distrustful or fearful when encountering an officer. The long history of
LIVING IN TWO WORLDS—Chelsea Whitaker, former point guard from Baylor University and now a detective with the Dallas Police Department, poses for a portrait on Wednesday, July 13, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Lisa Marie Pane)
CHELSEA WHITAKER (Facebook Photo) police targeting Blacks for violence—and going unpunished—can’t be easily dismissed. As a detective, she doesn’t wear a uniform. When she
goes to the city gas pumps, she’s been questioned about where she works. “Does he know that I work here? Yeah, he sees me using my ID to get
(gas), and they still feel the need to ask me. And that happens more than once,” she said. When she asks White co-workers how they might
feel in the same situation, they say they would “absolutely lose it.” “Well, you don’t experience that,” she said. Americans’ opinions about policing are sharply divided along racial lines. In a nationwide poll last summer by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs, 81 percent of Black Americans said police are too quick to use deadly force, compared with 33 percent of Whites. A third of Blacks said they trust police to work in the best interest of the community, less than half the percentage of Whites. Whitaker has taken to Facebook to talk about police shootings, violence and race relations in lengthy posts that expand upon law and emotion. Her page has now more than 1,300 followers. Her mission is to be a messenger of peace. “It takes courage for all of us to meet in the middle, and that’s hard to do,” she said. “Perception is everything.”
(Follow Lisa Marie Pane on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ lisamariepane.)
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JULY 20-26, 2016
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
METRO
‘Blue Lives Matter’ bill now in PA CONTINUED FROM A1
SHOWING HOW IT WORKS—Co-founder and managing member of Skyop is Brian Pitre talking about the drone and the law and new FAA regulations.
CCAC hold drone demonstration PITTSBURGH—The Community College of Allegheny County held a drone demonstration and press conference on Allegheny Campus in advance of a new course being offered at the college—Introduction to small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS). The event included a demonstration of a small training drone that will be used during the class, as well as a display of a variety of drones Members of the media and the public had the op-
portunity to ask wide-ranging questions about drone operation, drone safety and the use of recreational and commercial drones from expert Brian Pitre, co-founder of SkyOp, a small unmanned aerial systems education company. Pitre is a 40-year veteran of the computer and information technology industry. He has held positions with Data General, Prime, and Wang, as well as senior management positions at Scientific Calculations and Microlytics/Selectronics.
COMES WITH COURSE—The drone that comes with the course.
The course runs for three weeks amd is designed for individuals interested in flying drones for fun or as a new career. Students will get indoor hands-on flight practice using a small model quadcopter, receive computer simulator training, learn about the different types of flight systems and emerging job opportunities and gain an understanding of safe and legal flying practices. Each student will receive their own small quadcopter and flight simulator software.
of people protected under Pennsylvania’s hate crime laws. Pennsylvania’s hate crime protections currently include race, color, religion or national origin. A “law enforcement officer” is defined in the bill as: “A person who by virtue of his office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is limited to specific offenses, or any person on active State duty—The term includes a corrections officer, a parole agent and a member of a park police department in a county of the third class.” Six Republicans and five Democrats cosigned the bill, including Rep. Dom Costa, D-Allegheny. HB 2261 comes after two weeks of highprofile fatal attacks on police officers. Five police officers were killed and 11 were wounded when a man fired on police in Dallas on July 7, minutes after a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration. On July 17, three officers were killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Police say the motives for the attack are still unclear, but many believe the killings were a targeted attack against police officers. Both of the shooters in these events were
Black, and both served in the armed forces. As well, both shooters died at the scene of the crime. Since then, the targeted killings of law enforcement officials has become a national hot topic, gaining prominence at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland this week. Keynote speaker and former mayor of New York City Rudolph Giuliani began his speech Monday night at the RNC on the topic of law enforcement shootings. Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke also spoke at the event and opened his speech by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to make something very clear. Blue lives matter in America.” Clarke recently wrote an editorial for The Hill in which he called the killing of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge “guerilla urban warfare against the police” and dubbed Black Lives Matter as “the enemy.” Burns said his bill was being worked on weeks before the attacks on police officers took place. If signed into law, Pennsylvania would be the second state in America to have such a law. Louisiana signed a bill into law adding police officers to the protected hate crime list in late May. (Reach Iain Oldman at ioldman@publicsource.org. Follow him on Twitter @iainoldman.)
County joins initiative to reduce incarcerations CONTINUED FROM A1
Service Director Marc Cherna for their work in reducing recidivism and increasing career training for County Jail inmates. “We are thrilled to be part of this national effort that uses data to help individuals and families in our community, while also reducing costs and impact to the county as well,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “The Allegheny County Jail Collaborative has long been a model of efforts to reduce incarceration and recidivism. To now also have additional resources and partners to continue to move forward with the steps we’ve taken on datadriven strategies is an exciting part of our work.” Called the Data-Drive Justice Initiative, the plan is to use data-driven strategies to divert low-level offenders with mental illness out of the criminal justice system and changes approaches to pre-trial incarceration so that low-risk offenders no longer stay in jail simply because they cannot afford a bond. “Even three days in jail for people accused of nonviolent crimes increases the
risks of recidivism, since they lose their jobs and even their housing while they wait for trail. For people with mental illness, waiting in jails instead of getting treatment can have even more negative effects,” said Cherna in a press release. “We’re pleased to be working with key local and national partners to make sure we can provide treatment to more people who are low-level defendants with mental illness, rather than incarcerating them. Serving people in the community is as important as effective reentry programs to public safety.” The Allegheny County Jail holds an average population of 2,200 to 2,400 inmates. Over the course of a year, approximately 18,000 men and women enter the facility, with nearly 7,000 spending less than 30 days in the jail. On an average day, approximately 40-50 arrestees come through the Intake Department. For its part of the DDJ, the White House will support the participating communities by developing and leveraging a community resources toolkit, improving outcomes for veterans
through mental health services, and addressing individual needs through evidence-based interventions. Private-sector, philanthropic and nonprofit organizations have also been asked to participate in the initiative and are providing critical and targeted support in four areas: data; diversion and coordinated services; research on what works; and ongoing support and collaboration. “While our primary responsibility is to manage the system of incarceration, our services to inmates and former inmates support reentry into the community and reduce recidivism,” said Warden Orlando Harper. “Through funding provided by the Jail Collaborative, we are able to work with a broad-based group of partners including our own departments, court officials, service providers, ex-offenders, faith-based community organizations, families and the community at large to do what we can to ensure that an inmate has every opportunity to success when he or she is released, and to limit the chance that he or she will return to the Allegheny County Jail.”
Fitzgerald lauds police changes CONTINUED FROM A1
IN FLIGHT—A drone in flight at the press conference.
they allowed him to hire recently retired Pittsburgh Assistant Chief Maurita Bryant to fill one of the newly created deputy superintendent positions. “Maurita’s skills are well known. She managed every division in the Pittsburgh police, and we’re very Lucky to have her,” he said. “We’re hoping she’ll help us create opportunities to do innovative work.” County manager William McKain said the old hierarchy within the department— multiple commanders reporting to the superintendent— was outmoded. Now, operations and investigations responsibilities will be divided between Bryant and fellow Deputy Superintendent James Morton, with four inspectors—supervising the police academy; the airports; parks, building guards, headquarters; the county jail and internal investigations—reporting to them. Fitzgerald said he also
hopes Bryant can help with minority recruiting and hiring, which remains a problem area. “It’s not good. The county is 13 percent African American. I’ve hired 25 percent African American department directors and assistant directors, and my board appointments are even higher,” he said. “I want a force that looks like the county. And that will be more important going forward because, for one thing, the county—for the first time in its history—will be doing municipal policing.” Fitzgerald said the Borough of Wilmerding can no longer afford its own police, and has approached the county for assistance. “We will have county police walking beats, patrolling the streets,” he said. “Now naturally the borough will pay a fee for this, but it is much lower than if they had to pay for their own force. And we expect Mau-
A call for unity CONTINUED FROM A1
from across the city. “We either fight it with hate and choosing sides, or we take that upper road and work together as one,” Mayor Bill Peduto. Police Chief Cameron McLay did not attend the rally, but issued a statement to media later in the day. It read: “The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police will be exercising extreme caution to ensure the safety of our officers as the nation is reeling from yet another incident in which police have been targeted in a shooting. There will be
fewer single-officer units patrolling the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh as officers will be more likely to respond in two-officer units. Calls for service will be closely monitored to ensure proper backup. Every precaution will be taken to keep our officers safe. We appreciate the community’s concern and will not diminish our level of service.” Grigsby said the solution to these issues will not come from government. “These problems will be best answered when we pray and seek God,” he said.
rita to manage that effort.” Fitzgerald said it was only possible because earlier department reorganization moved officers from county parks to taskforce oriented work. He said he doesn’t foresee being asked to do that in other struggling boroughs because he hopes economic development will bring many of them back. “I see Millvale and Braddock coming back. We see companies locating just outside of the (City of Pittsburgh) but they still want to be close enough to the universities,” he said. “The East Busway is proving to be an economic investment magnet thanks to transit oriented development, but it stops at Rankin. I’d like to see it extended.” Fitzgerald also noted that Allegheny County is the only place in the country that has Google, Apple, Uber, and Microsoft all in the same place. And Carnegie Mellon University is spinning off 40 new companies a year. “And the talent is staying here because of the low cost of buying houses, the amenities, and other young people,” he said. “An article in Fortune said Pittsburgh is the best place for 25-yearolds in the country.” And though those tech spinoffs are, at first, small entrepreneurial firms that don’t employ a lot of workers, there is one newcomer that will—the Shell cracker plant coming to Beaver County. “It’s the biggest thing to hit the area in decades—a $6 billion project,” he said. “We have to ramp up our technical schools to meet the demand so that local people, especially African Americans can take advantage of these opportunities.”
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
JULY 20-26, 2016
METRO
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HHS office of Minority Health Awards $2.8 M to help children exposed to trauma The Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced new grant awards totaling approximately $2.8 million to seven organizations to promote healthy behaviors in minority and/or disadvantaged children who have been exposed to trauma. The Communities Addressing Childhood Trauma initiative will promote healthy behaviors for youth, ages 5 to 15 years at the start of the five-year program, who are at risk for poor health and poor life outcomes because of childhood trauma. The seven organizations receiving the ACT grants are: Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, $393,900 Children’s Institute, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, $400,000 Clayton County Juvenile Justice Fund, Inc., Jonesboro, Ga.A, $400,000 Memorial Hospital of South Bend, South Bend, Ind., $398,801 South Bay Community Services, Chula Vista, Calif., $400,000 The Village for Families & Children, Hartford, Ct., $399,568 Valle del Sol, Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., $400,000 “For children, traumatic events, such as witnessing a death, serious injury, a single or repeated natural or human-made event can result in emotional harm and can lead to long-term physical and mental health consequences,” said Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, deputy assistant secretary for minor-
ity health and director of the Office of Minority Health. “The Communities Addressing Childhood Trauma grants will help bring together communitybased organizations to develop innovative and collaborative approaches to provide more support for children and their families who are at higher risk for exposure to trauma.” The ACT initiative also promotes the goals of My Brother’s Keeper, which was launched by President Obama in 2014 to ensure all young people can reach their full potential, including boys and young men of color. ACT funding will strengthen community based efforts to will provide services to youth and their families who live in communities that experience trauma and its effects, such as substance use disorders, depressive episodes, posttraumatic stress disorder, violence, legal detention, incarceration, school dropouts, bullying, chronic absenteeism, food insecurity, or unhealthy weight. The ACT grants are projected for five years, depending on the availability of appropriated funds. The initial grant awards are for one year. Incorporating culturally and linguistically appropriate services, grantee projects will work to increase the systems that build resilience and provide support and education to youth living in communities that experience high incidents of trauma. The projects will also help establish a social
Health Department offers free Shingles vaccine at immunization clinic PITTSBURGH—The Allegheny County Health Department is offering the Shingles vaccine free of charge, for a limited time, to uninsured or under-insured people, 50 years of age and older. While supplies last, Shingles vaccines are available at the Health Department’s Immunization Clinic located at 3441 Forbes Avenue in Oakland. No appointment is necessary; however, individuals are asked to call 412-578-8062 in advance
Quick arrest CONTINUED FROM A1
just as six-year-old Isis Allen and an adult were walking in front of the building. Thomas is in the Allegheny County jail, charged with one count of attempted homicide, 12 counts of reckless endangerment, one count of carry a firearm without a license and one count of aggravated assault.
to ensure supplies are still available. Clinic hours are as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday, 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters, caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles because the virus remains in the nerve cells of the body after chickenpox goes away, but it can reappear many years later causing Shingles. The risk of getting Shingles begins to increase around the age of 50. Anyone that age or older should get the vaccine, regardless of whether they recall having chickenpox. Studies show 99 percent of individuals 40 and older have had chickenpox. People who have already had Shingles can still receive the vaccine to prevent future occurrences of the disease. The vaccine reduces the risk of developing Shingles by more than 50 percent, and it reduces the risk of pain after the rash by 67 percent.
Community Calendar College Enrollment Event JULY 20—CCAC will hold a college-wide enrollment event at all eight of its locations, from 69 p.m. for prospective students and families. Individuals who bring their high school diploma, GED or college transcripts can complete their CCAC registration in one day. Attendees can take placement tests, meet with an advisor and learn about CCAC’s program offerings in the arts and humanities; business; education, social and behavioral sciences and human services; health; science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and the skilled trades. For more information, contact Margaret Anderson, 412-237-3029.
Forum on Heroin and Opioid Addiction JULY 27—State Rep. Dom Costa, D-Sharpsburg, will host a public forum on heroin and opioid addiction in the Sharpsburg Borough Building, 1611 Main Street, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. He
will be joined by area law enforcement, health care professionals, and drug and addiction specialists to discuss ways to work together to combat the epidemic. For more information contact Costa’s office at 412361-2040.
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 part-time 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.
determinants-based and trauma-informed model fo-
cused on social and emotional support and academic
achievement programs that can be replicated.
(For additional information visit: www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov.)
Sprout Fund joins city, county to advance ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ Initiative Sprout Fund Joins City, County to Advance “My Brother’s Keeper” Initiative Pittsburgh: The Sprout Fund will join the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County in the next phase of the ongoing “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to close the opportunity gap for young people of color in the Pittsburgh region. With the support of a $200,000 grant from the Heinz Endowments, Sprout will work in partnership with the City and County to identify and employ a project manager, engage a planning consultant, and make grants totaling $100,000 to seed implementation projects that enhance access to learning experiences that connect young people of color to career opportunities in technology. “There is tremendous opportunity in the Pittsburgh region today, but many members of our community lack equitable access to the educational experiences needed for jobs in rewarding fields,” said Cathy Lewis Long, Executive Director of The Sprout Fund.
“We have a responsibility to do everything we can to make sure young people of color acquire the technological and academic skills they need to thrive.” The project builds on efforts by the City, County, and a committee representing academia, the clergy, community groups, and school partners that led to the release of the local MBK Playbook in October 2015, which recommended several strategies to achieve social and economic equity. “As a community, it’s important that we focus on providing youth and young men of color opportunities to share in the growth in our region,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “The MBK Playbook provides a game plan that can have a significant impact provided that we remain focused on the goals set forth in it. Having this support from The Sprout Fund and Heinz Endowments is going to help us ensure that we keep this effort on track.” A planning consultant and project manager will
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didn’t mention Mrs. Obama. “In writing her beautiful speech, Melania’s team of writers took notes on her life’s inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking,” Trump spokesman Jason Miller said. White House officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Monday evening. In an interview with NBC News taped ahead of her convention appearance and posted online early Tuesday, Mrs. Trump said of her speech, “I wrote it.” She added that she had “a little help.”
Melania accused of plagiarizing speech
your dreams and your willingness to work for them.” In the first lady’s 2008 speech, she said, “Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values and to pass them onto the next generation, because we want our children—and all children in this nation—to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.” Trump’s campaign responded in a statement that said her “immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech.” The statement
(Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report.)
work cooperatively to advance the initial work of the My Brother’s Keeper committee. The planning consultant will host community conversations in
fall 2016 that will result in recommendations for providing high-quality technology learning experiences to more young people of color.
URA approves new housing CONTINUED FROM A1
sell it 44 properties for the project. After staff review— and the realization by the developers that 10 of the properties were not needed—the board approved the sale of 34 properties for $61,000. Reading from Executive Director Robert Rubinstein’s, authority Housing Director Tom Cummings said the project is part of a comprehensive community plan to revitalize the neighborhood. “The commercial and residential development strategies work in tandem to eliminate blight, increase homeownership, provide affordable housing, attract residents, and attract commercial amenities,” he said. He noted the project will provide 7 two-bedroom units and 2 three-bedroom units for families earning 60 percent or less of the Area Median Income; 7 two-bedroom and 16 threebedroom units for those earning 50 percent or less of the AMI, as well as 3 twobedroom units and 1 threebedroom unit for those earning 20 percent or less of the AMI. Additionally, the units will be available for purchase at the end of the 15-year LIHTC compliance period at a rate affordable to the tenant. The board also approved the sale of 61 tax-delinquent properties to the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh for $1 each, plus costs, for the third and final, scattered-site phase of its Addison Terrace redevelopment project. The bulk of these properties are actually on the other side of the Hill along Webster Avenue and
Wooster, Trent, Elmore Streets. Three additional sites are expected to be transferred for the project by the end of July. Pending approval of final drawings and proof of financing, construction on the $20 million, 52-unit development is slated to begin in the fall. The developer is Keith B. Key Enterprises. In other business the board approved $200,000 grant to East Liberty Development Inc. to administer the Homewood, East Hills, East Liberty, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, and Larimer Protection Initiative. The initiative’s broad goals are: to preserve and increase affordable housing choices, and to to develop diverse, mixed-income, sustainable communities. Along those lines, the board also approved the purchase of 29 properties along Hamilton Avenue, Susquehanna Street and Formosa Way for future housing development. The board also voted to seek $3 million in state grant funds to finish converting the final section of Penn Circle back to twoway traffic. The plan also calls for adding three traffic signals and a bicycle lane. As for ALMANO, the board voted to change the start date of the Tax Increment Financing period from 2013 to 2017 because no tenants are yet on site— so no debt has been issued. Uber has plans to build test roadways for its driverless cars, but no other deals have been made. That should change once $25 million in road and utility construction is completed by year’s end.
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JULY 20-26, 2016
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
OPINION
Youth are to be commended on Black Lives Matter rallies
Guest Editorial
Heed Ramsey’s warning for nation The nation’s political leaders, police chiefs and activists should heed the warning of Charles H. Ramsey, former police commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department. Ramsey said the United States is “sitting on a powder keg.” In an interview July 10 on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Ramsey said: “You can call it a powder keg. You can say that we’re handling nitroglycerin. But obviously when you just look at what’s going on, we’re at a very critical point in the history of this nation.” Ramsey was referring to the recent sniper killing of five police officers in Dallas and the deaths of two Black men at the hands of cops in Louisiana and Minnesota. Ramsey’s warning should be heeded. Not only is he the former police commissioner of the nation’s fourth-largest police department he was also chosen by President Barack Obama to head the Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which focuses on ways to strengthen police community relations across the country. On July 10, Ramsey spoke to the racial tension and high emotions resulting from the recent shootings of White police officers and Black civilians. “You’ve got too many people that are now with this extreme rhetoric, and that is just not good for anybody,” he said. “We need to come together, we need thoughtful people to sit down and engage in dialogue, but actually come up with solutions, not just finger-pointing and playing the blame game. That’s not helpful to anybody at all. But it is a very volatile time that we’re in right now.” Ramsey said the shootings must be viewed in the context of rising crime in some cities, nonpolice-related shootings and the challenges facing police officers. But Ramsey said that we should be “mindful of the fact that we have some officers that use excessive force, that shoot people when it’s not totally justified. We’ve got to really address that and hold them accountable.” Ramsey said the country had approximately 18,000 police departments which he said is way too large, with different policies, procedures and training. He recommended that the numbers of police departments be consolidated by cutting the number of different departments in half and enacting standards policies and consistent training for police officers. Ramsey’s recommendation appears to be a good step toward better policing and improved relations between police and citizens. (Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
Founded 1910
Rod Doss
Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher
Allison Palm
Eric Gaines
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Ulish Carter
Jeff Marion
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John H. Sengstacke Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)
I was going to let it go and move on but everyone I talked to had something to say about it and the TV news talk shows was all over it, and most importantly there was a massive turnout in Pittsburgh for the protest march in support of the two men killed by police and the five police officers killed by a mad man. What really impressed me is that despite some of the leaders trying to create a negative direction the masses of the young people throughout the country Pittsburgh refused to be violent and kept the majority of the rallies and marches nonviolent. And another surprise was the large number of White people participating. I still can’t understand why conservatives like Bill O’Reilly won’t just come out say that the police officers who murdered these two men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, on video was wrong and a poor example of police officers. O’Reilly got some Black talking heads who agreed with him on everything and condemned the whole Black Lives Matter movement as a radical militant group. Many consecutive Whites are saying that the mere term Black Lives Matter is racist because all lives matter, missing the point. The reason for the term in the first place is that we don’t see White Males gunned down in cold blood by police officers, we don’t see White females pulled over for a busted tail light and gunned down like a mad dog. We don’t see Whites followed and attacked like Trayvon Martin. That’s why these marches are using the term Black Lives Matter, because White America would be outraged if they saw a video of this happening to a White person. But one thing they did bring out in
Ulish Carter
Just Sayin’
ficers, Trump stated that what happened to the two Black men was terrible. The police and the community must work together to stop these killings, and we will not with young people throwing rocks at the police, young people shouting kill the pigs. All that will do is give them more reasons to kill. Remember they have more guns. So I for one am proud of the vast majority of young people who have led this fight to stop police killings of innocent Black men and create a better working relationship between police, other law enforcement officers and city, county, state and federal authorities. Then transfer some of that rage, concern, and organizational skills to helping the mothers throughout the country bring attention to the Black on Black violence that is causing hundreds of deaths every month throughout America. Since O’Reilly and his conservative friends know so much about Black on Black violence maybe we should approach some of them to use all that money they have and access to national TV to help illustrate the problem thus help find a solution to it. Just sayin’. Black Lives Matter must be a part of the presidential campaign this year and not just telling White America that Blacks Lives should Matter to them, but telling Black America that Black lives must Matter to them to a point where they must stop killing each other. Another sick individual used this as an excuse to kill three police officers in Baton Rouge. Nothing justifies killing another individual, police, Black or White.
which they had a point. They said over 5,000 Blacks had been murdered by other Blacks in Chicago alone during President Obama’s term and nothing has been said about it. Of course they didn’t say how many were killed during the Bush administration, the Clinton administration or the Reagan administration. I don’t know how correct these numbers are but I think they are right. But does that give police officers the right to gun down innocent Blacks. Does that give law enforcement officers who are suppose to serve and protect the right to treat all Blacks, even Blacks with criminal records who served their time, like mad dogs. Shooting them on sight. I alone with the Courier and a few others have led the fight and have constantly spoke out through my columns or wherever given the chance, against Black on Black violence be it domestic or the streets. We as a people must speak out, must stand up against violence and the conservatives are right, President Obama hasn’t been as forceful or vocal as he should be, nor has Hillary Clinton, and definitely not Donald Trump. But I do give Trump his due when asked about the murders he said all three murders “were terrible.” (Ulish Carter is the managing editor of the Whereas other conservatives were only concerned about the five police of- New Pittsburgh Courier.)
The legacy of trauma (NNPA)—Can stress be passed on to one’s children? More and more, scientific research supports that premise. Known as “epigenetic change,” the science says that intense psychological trauma can be and is passed on to future generations. Profound or extreme stress apparently alters the chemical markers in genes. That means that the depression or other psychological effect one might experience because of trauma can be passed on to one’s children. If this research is accurate, it means that people today are carrying the results of the stress their ancestors endured. If that stress has been extreme and the psychological and emotional damage has been great, it is probable that we are carrying, to a greater or lesser degree, the pain of our mothers and fathers. The fact that White supremacy and its child, racism, has been so much a part of American life takes on an added dimension when this possibility of genetically transmitted trauma is considered. To be sure, African Americans have not had the benefit of counselors and therapists as we have endured the hate and violence meted out by White supremacists. One can only imagine how our ancestors kept themselves together after seeing loved ones murdered in front of them, bodies burned, dismembered and left to hang in full view of all survivors. The human mind can only take so much. People who come home from
war suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the jury is still out as to how many of these suffering soldiers are responsible for crimes on this side of The Pond. War veterans suffer greatly and actually get very little professional help for their postwar suffering. African Americans, it seems, have been in a war for decades; we have had to “fight” violence with little redress or hope for justice. White people either cannot or will not see or believe that the suffering White supremacists have caused African Americans has been damaging to the depths of the very cores of people trying to hold on. While many Whites have denied the horror of the violence of White racist violence, African Americans have been unable to deny that same violence, but have had to sublimate and bury memories of what they have seen and endured, in order to function. One can only wonder how the parents and families of African Americans who have been felled by racist violence—aka domestic terrorism— have been able to hold on and survive in this society. There has been no support, no acknowledgement of the horror meted out, no forcing the perpetrators of murder, rape and psychological trauma to be accountable for their actions. That means that on top of their hurting souls, African Americans have had to also carry anger at being treated as though they (we) have no
feelings, no emotions, and no pain. It is singularly maddening to hear people talk about how they want justice; Fred Goldman, the father of Ronald Goldman, for example, has been living in a state of trauma ever since O.J. Simpson was acquitted of his son’s murder. The pain of losing his son has been exacerbated by the fact that in his mind, his son’s murder has not been avenged; there has been no justice. For Black people, there has very seldom been justice, and the pain of the stress and trauma White supremacy has caused, coupled with that lack of justice, has very likely caused a couple of generations of African Americans to live in that stress and pass it on to their children, even if unknowingly. Many White people resent the phrase, “No justice, no peace!” They consider it a threat. But it is not a threat. It is a statement of truth. No person has peace if he or she has not had justice when wronged. The African American community has been walked over, left out, pushed aside and forgotten for literally hundreds of years. There has been no justice....and so there is no peace. It’s the price of genetically transmitted trauma from a society which refuses to own the fact that White supremacy is a destroyer of lives and possibilities of all people—Black and White. (Rev. Susan K Smith is an ordained minister who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Reach her by emailing revsuekim@sbcglobal.net)
Need for gun reform underscored (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—“We can’t tolerate this anymore. These tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change. We will be told that the causes of such violence are complex, and that is true. No single law— no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world, or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society. But that can’t be an excuse for inaction. Surely, we can do better than this.”—President Barack Obama, Sandy Hook Interfaith Prayer Vigil, 2012 One of the more unsettling revelations about the tragedy in Dallas is that the mentally unbalanced gunman was rejected, after a background check, for membership in an extremist group but was legally able to purchase a high-capacity assault rifle. According to media reports, Micah Johnson was labeled “unfit for recruitment” among a network of extremist groups, including some designated as “hate groups” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Yet, within months of that rejection, Johnson was able to meet in a parking lot with a gun seller he contacted online, and take possession of a military weapon designed to slaughter human beings as quickly and efficiently as possible. In what kind of a world do we live when hate groups that actually encourage violence against law enforcement officers are more circumspect than our current firearm safety laws? The man who sold Johnson the AK-47 said Johnson appeared during
their 15-minute meeting—as though dangerous mental instability is written across someone’s face. “It’s my belief he would have passed a background check,” the man said. But it wouldn’t have mattered, not in Texas. Federal law requires only licensed gun dealers to conduct background checks. Millions of guns are sold each year online or at gun shows through private sellers. Felons, domestic abusers, the violently mentally ill are able to acquire firearms and the law does nothing to stop them. More than 90 percent of Americans support universal background checks. Legally-required background checks have blocked more than two million gun sales to dangerous people since the system was instituted. Maybe Micah Johnson’s background would have slipped past the system. Seung-Hui Cho, who killed 32 people and wounded 17 on the Virginia Tech campus in 2007, was banned from buying guns because a court found him severely mentally ill. But he passed a background check because his records never made it into the system. And if the current system wouldn’t have deemed Johnson’s bizarre behavior a red flag for a gun purchase, it certainly should have. The background check database must be complete, and the types of incidents that warrant prohibition must be thoroughly examined. Prior to the attack in Dallas, each mass-shooting incident in the United
States has prompted a bizarre chorus calling for even more guns in our society. “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” as the saying goes. Setting aside the impossibility of distinguishing a “good guy” from a “bad guy,” there were plenty of people with guns at the scene of the Dallas massacre and not one of them was able to stop the sniper. The police were armed. About 30 of the marchers at the demonstration where the attack took place were armed. Not one of them managed to stop Micah Johnson with a gun. Every modern study concludes that more guns equal more crime. Right-tocarry laws are associated with significantly higher rates” of aggravated assault, robbery, rape and murder. American children are 16 times more likely than children other high-income countries to be killed in gun accidents, with as many as 100 children dying each year. Our firearm safety system is broken— tragically, fatally broken. Lobbyists for the firearm industry hold our lawmakers in an almost literal death grip, blocking commonsense reform at every turn. Call your U.S. Senators and Congress member and demand action on gun violence. Learn the truth about gun violence in America and educate your friends and family. And work for a nation that puts the safety of its citizens ahead of profits for the gun industry. (Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans, is president and CEO of the National Urban League.)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
We prayed, and we prayed, but? O’Reilly says MLK Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick would not have supported Black Lives Matter To Tell (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—Fox News Host Bill O’Reilly escalated his ongoing attack on the Black Lives Matter Movement by asserting without a hint of evidence that if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were alive, he would not support the group. “With all due respect to President Obama, well-meaning activists do not associate themselves with a group that often commits violent acts, and encourages violence through irresponsible rhetoric. Dr. King would not participate in a Black Lives Matter protest,” he said in a Fox News commentary. First, Black Lives Matter does not, contrary to O’Reilly’s assertion, often commit violent acts or encourage violence through what he characterized as irresponsible rhetoric. He is part of the crowd that thinks the chant of “Black Lives Matter” should be discarded in favor of “All Lives Matters.” Forever trying to bridge the gap between Blacks and Whites, President Obama explained the nuances associated with the phrase. “I think it’s important for us to also understand that the phrase ‘black lives matter’ simply refers to the notion that there’s a specific vulnerability for African Americans that needs to be addressed,” he told a gathering of enforcement officials, civil rights leaders, elected officials and activists recently in Washington, D.C. “We shouldn’t get too caught up in this notion that somehow people who are asking for fair treatment are somehow, automatically, anti-police, are trying to only look out for Black lives as opposed to others. I think we have to be careful about playing that game.” It’s a game O’Reilly plays well, which is why he has the gall to claim that Dr. King would not support the Black Lives Matter Movement.
George E. Curry
Commentary Credible civil rights leaders strongly disagree. Bernard LaFayette Jr., who worked with Dr. King as a field organizer and now chairs the board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the organization Dr. King cofounded, said: “Dr. King supported the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee so it stands to reason that he would support Black Lives Matter as long as they practice nonviolence.” Representative John Lewis knows that from first-hand experience. As chairman of the upstart SNCC, he participated in numerous marches with Dr. King, including the 1963 March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery, Ala. March that led to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Lewis has praised the Black Lives Matter Movement and quoted Dr. King, as he did at a recent protest in the Capitol, by saying, “ The time is always right to do what is right.” O’Reilly, never a King supporter, opposes many of the things Dr. King fought for during his lifetime, including affirmative action. Nothing in his background qualifies him to be an expert on what Dr. King would say or do if he were still alive. Those who are active in the Civil Rights Movement today have no doubts that Dr. King would be supportive of the young people who make up the core of Black Lives Matter. “Dr. King would enthusiastically embrace the philosophy and activism which inspires Black Lives Matter because every life matters,” said Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. “The continuing disparities and unequal treatment most apparent in but not limited to the police/ community relations and the criminal justice system demonstrates that all lives have not mattered equally. “Black Lives Matter sends a powerful wakeup call to our nation in the same way that a young Dr. King activist of the 50s and 60s shook the foundation of the segregated South.” This was not the first time O’Reilly has disparaged Black Lives Matter. On July 8, he told Hilary Shelton, Washington bureau chief of the NAACP: “I think that if you really want, if African Americans really want to bring the country together and have good racial relations, they have to distance themselves from Black Lives Matter.” Instead of doing that, Shelton distanced himself from O’Reilly’s advice. “I believe in my conversations with leaders of Black Lives Matter, and even my participation in a demonstration in which we marched from the capitol building here in Washington, D.C., to the front of the White House in a very peaceful demonstration with a number of members of Congress. In much the same way those marched in Dallas, Texas, we saw things very differently. We have to take on those issues in a very significant way,” Shelton said. “Let us not forget two things, Bill. Number one is that those marches were for good reasons. Indeed, if we look at the disparities and the attacks of African-Americans and the killings of African-Americans by police officers, even unarmed African-Americans, the numbers and the data is important as well...and we look at the data, we see that twice as many African-Americans and unarmed African-Americans are shot by police officers than White Americans in our society. That raises a problem.” And the problem is that Bill O’Reilly and others of his ilk prefer to blame the Black Lives Matter Movement for how they react to police disproportionately killing African Americans rather than police misconduct that precipitated the marches. (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.)
JULY 20-26, 2016
FORUM
I was born into the church and have always attempted to live out God’s greatest commandment “Love.” I was introduced to prayer as a child, but as I matured and became aware of the multitude of roadblocks that confronted Blacks it was apparent that prayer without works would not be sufficient. In the days when the KKK was so active a chaplain also rode with them and prayed for them as they lynched our grandparents. On Sunday, a day that is considered by the majority in America as the Sabbath is the most segregated day of the week. It is a day of prayer but the overwhelming majority of those in attendance attend all Black or all White churches. Do you remember the time frame when all of our homes and churches portrayed images of Christ and he was always portrayed as white skin, blue eyes and blond hair? However in the ’60s an overwhelming cry went out as we began to question why Christ was not portrayed as a person of color with hair of wool. Black Americans have been portrayed as the most praying citizens in the history of this nation. Why? We came here as the property of another man, with absolutely no rights. Our women were degraded and our men were lynched, and oft times we were viewed us as less than human. God and prayer became a driving force in our lives. I remember in a museum in Ohio
The Truth
many years ago I saw a portrait of an elderly Black woman, and it read “everyday of my life I pray to my God that he allows me to live long enough to see my children as free people.” Yes there was a period of time that we had no legal vehicle to help us, and we turned to God in prayer. Do you remember when every church had a substantial number of members and we would be referred to them as praying churches? That’s not necessarily true today why? Too many homes are one-parent homes, why? Drugs saturate our communities, why? Violence is devouring our neighbors, why? Unemployment figures are staggering, why? There is no Black owned Bank, why? Blacks have become less important in both local political parties, why? Black parents fail to attend school board meetings, why? Black persons fail to attend Allegheny County Council meetings and Pittsburgh City Council meetings, why? Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh and state of Pa. have provided Blacks with extremely limited business opportunities, why? All of the above questions that are so relevant to improving the quality of life for you and I can be changed when we come together and work it out and then pray about it. Prayer without works will not solve our critical situation.
(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the New Pittsburgh Courier.)
Parable of the poster child after protesting My sophomore I wondered summer back J. Pharoah Doss what particular home from colcause was prolege, I particimoted in the litpated in a “Free erature the Mumia” march. woman received Mumia Abuthat motivated Jamal was a her to join the radio host and march, because former Black after listening to Panther. the speakers I He was convicted of murdering a po- didn’t know what the cause was anylice officer and sentenced to death in more. 1982. On June 1, 1995 PennsylvaI was motivated by the passion of nia’s new governor Tom Ridge signed the bookstore owner and attended to Abu-Jamal’s death warrant. prevent the execution of an innocent Around this time I was in a local man. Black bookstore and the owner gave But not one speaker mentioned his me a flyer advertising the march. I innocence. recognized the name because a friend Then I noticed the protest signs of mine had a copy of Abu-Jamal’s scattered through the crowd. One book Live from Death Row. But I said something like, “Capital Punishknew nothing else about his case and ment is a Crime against Humanity”, had no opinion on his guilt or inno- and others had catchy slogans concence. demning the criminal justice system I guess the bookstore owner sensed and racism in general. my ignorance and proclaimed Then a poet accompanied by a Mumia’s innocence with an intensity bongo player preformed. And during that moved me to march. Then he of- his profanity laced recital that insinfered to sell me Live from Death Row uated Black people were still slaves, I at a discounted price. I wasn’t buying realized I didn’t have a stance on capit. ital punishment, but my presence at I read the flyer. this gathering meant I was against It was loaded with racial rhetoric, the execution even if he was guilty. but I ascertained the state was going That was not my intention and I left to execute an innocent man that uninspired. wasn’t given a fair trial. Last week I read a headline that The march to the state building said: Assault charges dropped began at a place called Freedom Cor- against Baltimore cop in Freddie ner. The crowd was large and diverse. Gray case. The event was a coordinated effort by Freddie Gray was arrested last year different local organizations. The and died in police custody. After his only group I could distinguish was funeral Baltimore erupted with riotthe Nation of Islam. One NOI mem- ing and looting due to the circumber offered me a Final Call news- stances of Grey’s death. paper. I wasn’t buying it. But if it was unjust to begin with, it As we marched there was a college would remain unjust a year later, esage group of Whites that passed out pecially after a Black prosecutor’s literature to bystanders and passen- failure to secure a single conviction. gers in cars. But the article stated, “About a One elderly White woman read the dozen protesters, the largest group literature, got out of the car, and since the trial began, stood outside joined the march. Everyone that wit- the courthouse, holding signs refernessed it cheered, word spread encing the recent killings of Black through the crowd of the newcomer, men in Louisiana and Minnesota.” and by the time we reached the state (Which translates into “Freddie building she was a celebrity. Every who?”) speaker mentioned her death Later that week an NOI member ofrow/Damascus road conversion be- fered me an old edition of their newsfore they addressed the crux of the paper because the cover featured pomatter. And the core arguments of lice brutality, to him it was timely each presentation made me angry. even though it was outdated, and of But my anger wasn’t at what was course…you got it…I wasn’t buying being done to Mumia Abu-Jamal. My it. (J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the anger was directed toward the demonstration, because I wasn’t buy- New Pittsburgh Courier. He blogs at jpharoahdoss@blogspot.com) ing it.
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.
A7
Lee A. Daniels
Commentary
Why we can’t get along (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—“Our nation is moving toward two societies, one Black, one White—separate and unequal...The alternative is not blind repression or capitulation to lawlessness. It is the realization of common opportunities for all within a single society.” Those words weren’t written or spoken to describe today’s crisis of race and injustice now being exposed, condemned and lamented in a flood of videos, news articles, opinion columns and polls. They were written a halfcentury ago for the 1968 Kerner Report, the document of the emergency presidential commission that examined the causes of the Black urban rebellions that convulsed American society just at the moment when the Civil Rights Movement had achieved its great national legislative victories from the mid1960s to the early 1970s. Of course, the Kerner Report deliberately got the first part of that famous assessment wrong. America was not “moving” toward two societies. It had always been. The so-called “White backlash” that erupted in both the South and the North in the early 1960s and the Black urban rebellions that came later both illuminated how difficult re-constructing American society as one nation “indivisible” still was. So it remains today when—to cite one relevant example—a Black elementary school supervisor named Philando Castile and a Black United States Senator named Tim Scott shared an experience common to vast numbers of Black Americans: being harassed by White police officers for no reason other than the color of their skin. For Philando Castile, a man described by friends and co-workers alike as friendly, compassionate and responsible, that harassment— he had been stopped by Minneapolis-area police 52 times for alleged minor traffic violations in recent years—led to his unjustifiable killing by a police officer. For Senator Scott, Republican of South Carolina, the racial explosions of this month compelled him to deliver last week in the Senate what a Washington Post report described as a “bristling and personal speech” about his numerous negative encounters with White cops, including being repeatedly pulled over for alleged traffic violations. “The vast majority of the time,” Scott said, “I was pulled over for nothing more than driving a new car in the wrong neighborhood, or some reason just as trivial. Imagine the frustration, the irritation, the sense of a loss of dignity that accompanies each of those stops.” Scott also said the negative encounters included his being stopped and questioned by U.S. Capitol police officers several times as he was entering the Senate office buildings, despite his wearing a pin that identifies him as a member of Congress. “I have,” Scott continued, “felt the anger, the frustration, the sadness and the humiliation that comes with the feeling that you are being targeted for being nothing more than yourself.” The repeated, infuriating, and too often lethal shared experience of these two individuals, who otherwise occupied vastly different stations in American society, with millions of other Black Americans underscores that “being targeted for being nothing more than yourself” remains the central fact of that centuries-old American tradition: the “racial divide.” That’s the foundation of all the polls published in the wake of the police shootings in Baton Rouge, La., where Alton Sterling was shot to death and in suburban St. Paul, the site of Philando Castile’s killing, and Micah Xavier Johnson’s sniper attack on White Dallas police officers a day later. They’ve confirmed the blunt title of a late-June Pew Research Center survey released before the incidents occurred: “On Views of Race and Inequality, Blacks and Whites are Worlds Apart.” Especially, one might add, on views of police behavior. Why should anyone be surprise—given that we continue to literally see Black and Latino men, women and children beaten and killed by non-Black police officers in questionable circumstances. And to discover how commonplace are the bigoted emails, tweets and text messages some White police officers exchange with one another while on duty. And to read governmental reports documenting that numerous police departments allow officers to behave in virulently racist and even criminal ways toward the citizens of color they’re supposed to serve. And, finally, to discover that in case after case of these beatings and deaths, holding police accountable for their actions is thwarted by institutional processes that are—to use a currently fashionable word—“rigged” against justice being done. We can and should be inspired by the significant progress Blacks and other previously stigmatized groups have made in claiming the protections of full citizenship. The growth in tolerance among Whites that have helped produce that progress is clearly evident in the Pew report as well. But, its findings, along with those of the latest batch of polls and surveys on race, also underscore the major continuing dynamic of U.S. Black-White relations. That is that Black Americans—and American society at large-are still ensnared in the old dynamic of slow progress shadowed by diminishing but stillfierce resistance. (Lee A. Daniels, a former reporter for The Washington Post and the New York Times, is also a former editor of The National Urban League’s The State of Black America. He can be reached at leedanielsjournalist@gmail.com)
A8
NATIONAL
JULY 20-26, 2016 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Poll: In tumultuous summer, young Americans in a dour mood by Janie Hair and Emily Swanson
people at the top have a chance to get ahead, while the remainder said that anyone can rise economAssociated Press Writers ically. Those figures were consistent for all races and ethnicities. SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—In a sumMatthew Monnot, an assistant mer of political and racial tumult, professor at the University of San young Americans are in a dour mood: Francisco School of Management, pessimistic about the fairness of their said wages haven’t grown for deeconomic system, questioning the cades and have, in fact, decreased greatness of the United States and for lower-paid professions while deeply skeptical of the way the nation increasing dramatically for those picks its leaders. at the top. A new poll of young people between “It’s been completely stagnant,” the ages of 18 and 30 finds that an Monnot said, “so for the people overwhelming 90 percent think the you’re surveying, their entire life two-party political system has real— span has been that of the average though fixable—problems or that it worker not having any wage inis “seriously broken.” Three-quarters crease.” believe the U.S. is “falling behind” or Young adults are especially sour “failing” as a nation. about the two-party political sysJust over half say the chance to get tem. More than a third of responahead economically is reserved for dents said the system is seriously only a few people at the top. broken, with just 9 percent saying Though the new GenForward surit is working well. The majority, 54 vey is a poll of all young people, not percent, said the system has real necessarily registered or likely voters, problems but can be fixed. it nevertheless shows clear discontent Natalie Woodford, a White with the two major-party candidates 25-year-old doctoral candidate in for president. Only 39 percent of nutrition and exercise at Virginia young people have a favorable opinion of Hillary Clinton. Just 19 per- SUMMER OF DISCONTENT—In this Friday, July 8, file photo, Ashley Wilson, 21, left, a student at George Washington Tech, counts herself in that group. University, Janay Richmond, and Jeanne Isler, right, both with the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, She imagines a country that isn’t cent think well of Donald Trump. attend a rally in support of the “Black Lives Matter” movement in front of the Department of Justice in Washington. so consumption-oriented, a place The generation that is the most ed- (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) where people don’t have to pay ucated, diverse and indebted in U.S. more to eat healthfully and don’t history is still pining for the candifeel that a fat salary equals success. date who only last week left the race: Ver“There’s bound to be people out there mont Sen. Bernie Sanders. who are having similar thoughts and at “Millennials, unfortunately, are subject the end of the day want to do what’s right,” to an economic and political future that she said. is not of their own making,” said Sarah *** Swanbeck, executive director of the Center The poll of 1,965 adults 18-30 was conon Governing & Investing in the Future at ducted June 14-27 using a sample drawn the Goldman School of Public Policy at the from the probability-based GenForward University of California, Berkeley. “It’s no panel, which is designed to be represensurprise then that young adults across the country have increasingly turned to ‘poALEJANDRO OCHOA tative of the U.S. young adult population. The margin of sampling error for all relitical outsiders’ promising to reform the system.” 21-year-old from Adelanto, California spondents is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. GenForward is a survey by the Black *** Youth Project at the University of Chicago The survey was paid for by the Black with the Associated Press-NORC Center going to look out more for the 1 percent older brother or father could be shot and for Public Affairs Research. The first-of- and not the rest of us.” killed by police. She wonders if the U.S. Youth Project at the University of Chicago Only 5 percent of respondents said the will ever have a president who can ad- using grants from the John D. and Catherits-kind poll pays special attention to the voices of young adults of color, highlight- United States is greater than ever, with an dress what she sees as inequities and fear ine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. ing how race and ethnicity shape the opin- additional 14 percent saying it’s as great seared into the country. Respondents were first selected randomas it has been in the past. More than half ions of a new generation. “I just feel like a lot of the times we’re There’s a strong desire among young said the country is “falling behind” and a forced to pick the lesser of two evils rather ly using address-based sampling methods, people of all races and ethnicities for a quarter said it’s “failing.” than the right candidate,” said Davis, who and later interviewed online or by phone. Online: Young Whites expressed the greatest dis- supported Sanders. third-party challenger to Trump and ClinGenForward polls: http://www.genforwardsurton: 72 percent of Latinos and Whites, 67 may, with 84 percent saying the country is A quarter of young people overall say percent of Asian-Americans and 63 per- falling behind or failing. About two-thirds the distribution of wealth and money is vey.com/ Black Youth Project: http://blackyouthproject. of young Latinos, Asian-Americans and Af- fair, but while 32 percent of Whites said cent of African-Americans. “The candidates we’re left with are very rican-Americans thought so. so, only 12 percent of African-Americans com/ AP-NORC: http://www.apnorc.org/ Lakevia Davis, a 24-year-old college stu- agreed. About 20 percent of Asian-Amersimilar,” said Alejandro Ochoa, a 21-yearFollow Janie Har and Emily Swanson on Twitter old from Adelanto, California. “I say that dent in Montgomery, Ala., is among the 23 icans and Latinos said distribution is at: http://twitter.com/byjaniehar and http://twitthey’re similar mainly because they’re percent of African-Americans who say the fair. both rich, and I get the sense that they’re country is failing. Davis worries that her Overall, 54 percent said that only a few ter.com/EL_Swan
“The candidates we’re left with are very similar. I say that they’re similar mainly because they’re both rich, and I get the sense that they’re going to look out more for the 1 percent and not the rest of us.”
New Pittsburgh Courier
names Ruffin director of Social Justice Institutes B6
Carlow
LIFESTYLES JULY 20-26, 2016
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
questions Clinton religious devotion B2
Trump
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Debbie Norrell
Lifestyles Report
History MIA The show Unsung deserves so many awards and I think the series should be sold in a boxed set. Recently I was watching an Unsung episode featuring Eartha Kitt. If you don’t know her “back story” you need to read it or download that Unsung episode. Kitt was blackballed for speaking out about the Vietnam War and had to leave the United States for more than a decade. I am so proud to have a photograph of her in my living room. It is a part of my personal Teenie Harris collection. Each photograph tells a story. I’ve had people who come in my home and tell me the pictures remind them of being in a museum. I love to tell them stores about the pictures and some of the other memorabilia in the house. In this particular picture she is signing autographs for children when she was in Pittsburgh appearing in the Owl and the Pussycat. I looked it up recently and that production began in September of 1965. The reason I bring this up is I am finding that too much history is being lost, changed or overlooked. I was listening to a young man recently. I would say he was in his early twenties. He was speaking about Donald Trump’s choice for his vice presidential running mate. If you don’t know Governor Mike Pence he is well known for signing a controversial “religious freedom” bill into law last year that could allow people to discriminate against the gay community. This young man went on to say he could not imagine how someone could do that; by “that” he meant deny someone service just because of who they are. I could no longer keep quiet, I explained to him that when I was a little girl we could not go into certain restaurants just because we were Black and that we could not try on clothes in most stores but we could buy the clothes and there were banks were we could not have accounts. He looked at me in disbelief and asked me did that really happen? If he didn’t think it happened there is a whole generation out there that does not know the history of this nation. That story brings another story to mind. Last month a friend of mine who is White was watching television in my house on June 12, and there was a story about Loving Day. Loving Day is an annual celebration held on June 12, the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia which struck down all anti-miscegenation laws remaining in 16 U.S. states.” In the United States, anti-miscegenation laws were U.S. state laws banning interracial marriage, mainly forbidding marriage between nonwhites and Whites. He listened to the story and looked and me and said “I had no idea that there was a law about Blacks and Whites not being able to marry.” This history is not taught in schools and unless you see it on television or have a friend who likes to share you will not know about history missing in action. (Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
Pittsburgh Black Nurses in Action hold annual brunch
POWERFUL SPEAKER—Melvin El
by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor
On a beautiful June 18 afternoon the Pittsburgh Nurses in Action held their Eighth Annual Evelyn Paige Parker Scholarship Brunch. The luncheon carries the name of a nursing pioneer who faced a racist society to become a nurse during World War II and then devoted her life to making sure other African Americans got the support she did not. The luncheon was rich with speakers with important messages to deliver. “Nothing stops a bullet like a job,” said keynote speaker James E. Taylor, Ph.D., UPMC Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Melvin El speaking on behalf of state Rep. Ed Gainey reminded the large crowd to “increase the peace not stop the violence.” The group was re-
KEYNOTE SPEAKER—James E. Taylor, Ph.D.
minded to take a risk in life and if you fall, fall forward. Scholarships were presented to Alison Davis a clinician at UPMC-Shadyside. She is a student at Carlow University working on her MSN. Natalie Thur-
RAISING AWARENESS—Janice Goldsboro
man, is a student in the West Penn Nursing program. Maria Scott is a sophomore student at Duquesne University School of Nursing and Kathie Hodge a student at St. Margaret’s Hospital School of Nursing. The 2016 Living Legend: Mary Eliza Mahoney Award was presented to retired Lt. Colonel Patricia Tucker, RN. Tucker worked at St. Francis hospital for four decades all the while doing her duty in the Army Reserves becoming a Lt. Colonel. Tucker also served two terms as president of PBNIA and renamed the annual luncheon after trailblazer Evelyn Paige Parker. The Office of Inclusion & Diversity of the Center for Engagement & Inclusion at UPMC provided $5,000 in scholarship support for the 2016 luncheon. LIVING LEGEND—Patricia Tucker
PROUD NURSES—Norine Jenkins, Jackie Blake (PBNIA Past President) and Dawndra Jones (PBNIA President)
EVENT CO-CHAIRS—Linda Fleming Heath and Dorretta LemonFallen
CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER—Elliot Howsie
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPENT—Natalie Thurman
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPENT—Maria Scott
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPENT—Alison Davis
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RELIGION
JULY 20-26, 2016
Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) 11:00 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 22 Sampsonia Street, Northside Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-231-2554 FAX 412-231-6395 Rev. Lacy F. Richardson, Ph.D., Pastor Church School.................................9:30 A.M. Worship Service.................8:00 & 10:45 A.M. Bible Study/ Prayer Wednesday...................6:30/7:30 P.M. www.metropolitanbaptistchurch.com metropolitanbaptist2224@gmail.com
SIXTH MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH 6556 Shetland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (412) 441-7839 Church School Worship Service Wednesday Night Bible Study
9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
www.cathedralofhope.com
Summer Worship........10 a.m.
Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext. 128. We are looking to feature 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
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Trump breaks bread with Christian leaders (AP)—Trump broke bread with pastors and priests in a closed-door Times Square talkfest aimed at restoring the faith of evangelicals who have questioned his commitment to their cause. Trump’s own faith credentials have been called into question. While trying to reach out to evangelicals in January at a Liberty University speech, he made a biblical reference to “Two Corinthians instead of “Second Corinthians.” “I said, ‘Well, you can pray for your leaders’—and I
agree with that, pray for everyone—but what you really have to do is pray to get everybody out to vote for one specific person. “And we can’t be, again, politically correct and say we pray for all of
DONALD TRUMP
our leaders, because all of your leaders are selling Christianity down the tubes, selling the evangelicals down the tubes,” Trump said. “And it’s a very, very, very, very bad thing that’s happening.”
Some evangelists peeved with VP choice
(AP)—Evangelicals still peeved over Pence’s religious freedom act flip. “It was the worst we’ve ever been stabbed in the back by a Republican,” says conservative Iowa radio host Steve Deace. Donald Trump’s new running mate is a born-again evangelical Christian, he’s fiercely opposed to abortion rights and he’s a staunch defender of Israel. But that’s not enough for some evangelicals and other conservatives plugged into that community—especially those previously backing Ted Cruz—who haven’t forgiven Indiana Gov. Mike Pence for his backtracking on a religious freedom measure in his state. Resentment over his waffling on a bill that was important to social conservatives has dampened enthusiasm in some quarters for Trump’s running mate, who Trump’s allies had hoped would help improve relationships with evangelicals skeptical of Trump’s social conservative bona fides. In 2015, Pence initially signed a Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA. He then backpedaled on language that critics feared could be discriminatory against gay people, but that some evangelicals felt was essential to defending religious freedom. Social conservatives saw the move as a disappointment at best, and at worst, a betrayal—and some are still smarting over it. “The reason why conservatives are not going to be moved that much by this choice is because Mike Pence, when he had an opportunity to stand up for religious liberty, to mark himself in history, he didn’t do that,” said South Carolina-based Pastor Mike Gonzalez, who led evangelical outreach for Cruz in the state. He went on to add, “I’d never thought that of Mike, but when it came down to it, he crumbled under pressure. That, for many evangelical conservatives, has been something that is a red flag.” In an interview in POLITICO’s Playbook earlier last week, conservative Iowa radio host Steve Deace, who helped Cruz win that state on the strength of support
MIKE PENCE from the evangelical community, went a step further, declaring of Pence’s actions, “It was the worst we’ve ever been stabbed in the back by a Republican. It’s the worst I’ve ever seen.” And conservative radio host Erick Erickson wrote, “Christian evangelicals, in particular, were disheartened that Pence threw them under the bus. The irony is that, as Trump’s vice presidential pick, some of those evangelicals most critical of Pence at the time will now come out and say how awesome he is. But during that fight there was real bitterness in the evangelical community that Pence clearly did not have the courage of his convictions.” Certainly, plenty of movement conservative leaders are happy with the selection, with Marjorie Dannenfelser of the anti-abortion rights Susan B. Anthony List calling Pence a “pro-life trailblazer” in a statement, and leaders from several other prominent groups telling POLITICO that most evangelical voters are paying more attention to Pence’s long, conservative record in his earlier job as congressman than to his actions in one legislative fight. “There are definitely people that will be a little focused on that as…not his highest moment, but I will say, I also think that doesn’t discount 15 years of strong personal faith [in Congress and as governor], as well as a very conservative voting record,” said Timothy Head, the ex-
ecutive director of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, a major conservative religious group. “Any elected official or public figure, there’s always going to be two sides of a ledger, but the side of his ledger of conservatism and faith far outweighs any criticism people may have.” Indeed, Pence is someone who often describes himself as a “Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order,” and as a congressman, developed a reputation as a strong opponent of abortion and gay marriage. Penny Nance, the head of Concerned Women for America—who has had plenty of reservations about Trump in the past—said Pence gave her reason for optimism about the GOP team. “As governor, the RFRA issue was difficult,
it wasn’t handled the way I would have chosen,” she said. But, she continued, “I also look back at Pence’s record on marriage, religious freedom…He voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment, every vote he took was pro-religious freedom. The preponderance of his record is strongly pro-marriage.” She added, “Mike Pence will bring some weight to the ticket. As far as conservatives go, he’s someone we know, someone we’ve worked with over the years. I look forward to working with him.” But not everyone has moved on. “The view shared by many in my camp is, Mike Pence really destroyed his reputation among social conservatives in Indiana over his fecklessness on the religious freedom bill,” said one evangelical activist currently involved in Republican races. “Because of that, there’s not going to be much enthusiasm for his placement on the ticket among evangelical social conservatives.” In the eyes of its supporters, Pence’s initial RFRA measure was meant to protect individuals from government mandates that could encroach on their free expression of religion. He tapped into an issue that resonated deeply with a religious community that feels that that right is under assault in an era of contraception mandates and wide and growing acceptance of same-sex marriage.
Statement from Bishop Zubik on the shootings in Dallas The events of these days have riveted our attention. Hatred, violence and anger are contagious. Our love and respect for one another must be more contagious. Every person is an individual. We must not judge any person based on their race or color, their national origin, their faith tradition, their politics, their sexual orientation, their job, their vocation, their uniform. If someone does something violent, it is imperative for us to reach out
to each other in kindness and with respect and refrain from blanket condemnations. We must build bridges. We must tear down walls. We must break the cycle of violence. As Pope Francis tweeted some time ago: “The secret of Christian living is love. Only love fills the empty spaces caused by evil.” There can be no competition for whose life matters most. Every life is precious in the eyes of God. So must it be so for us.
Church Circuit Rib Festival
JULY 23—St. Paul AME McKeesport Annual Fellowship Rib Festival from 12:00 noon until ?. Place: Unity park on Bailie Ave., McKeesport. Sponsored By: Mon Valley Churches and Organizations Featuring: St Paul AME McKeesport and Christ Temple AME McKeesport. Anyone wishing to participate contact P.Waite @412-6671538 or pwaite2407@comcast.net
Family & Friends Day
JULY 24—St. Mark AME Church, 1409 Montier St. , Wilkinsburg, Trustee Board, Shoe Size Rally. Donate $1 per inch in shoe size. June Ridley, chairperson, Jeffrey Morgan, co-chair.
Appreciation Service
JULY 30—Macedonia Baptist Church in Duquesne will host an appreciation service in honor of Jean Bryant at 5 p.m. This event is being organized by former Ms. Black Teen committee and volunteer members. Expected to attend are former contestant, associates, colleagues, family and friends of Mrs. Bryant. this event is a surprise to her. Contact info: Kevin Smith 412-608-8350 or Nichole Smith at: nikki.4christ. ns@gmail.com
Concert
JULY 30—The Gospel Lights will be in concert at Trinity Baptist church, 3415 Ligioner St in Lawrenceville Saturday July 30 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for more information please call 412-513-5020 (primary) or return an email to samuel.taylor56@yahoo.com.
Missionary Day
JULY 31—The J. D. Morton Missionary Ministry of Second Baptist Church, 108 W.12th Ave, Homestead, PA 15120, Rev. Donald P. Turner, Pastor, invites you to fellowship with us at our Annual Missionary Day, Sunday, at 4:00pm. Theme is “Lifting Jesus as We Go”. In concert, Men of Friendship Male Chorus, Friendship Baptist Church, Washington, PA. All are welcome. Contact: 412-461-8235.
Holy Convocation Music
August 1—The Vermont Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Vermont Holy Convocation Musical is at 7 p.m. at Pentecostal Temple COGIC 6300 East Liberty Blvd, Pgh. Special Guests are: Trini Massi & 4 The Caz of Christ, Chozen One MIME, The Mann Family Singers, Glorious Overcomers, The Sutherland Family Singers, alnd Shiloh Baptist Church Mass Choir.
Women Conference
August 12-14—Morning Star Baptist Church West Mifflin, the theme will be “Living Your Change.” Scripture: Isaiah 30:21. This is the way , walk in it.
(All announcements, events and press releases must be sent 2 weeks in advance with contact phone number and email address to newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
CUISINE
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
A Grape Idea
JULY 20-26, 2016
B3
Flavorful fruit serves as heart-healthy ingredient
(Family Features) Grapes make the perfect snack: they are delicious, with a juicy burst of flavor, and are hydrating, easy to eat and portable. Additionally, grapes are good for you, offering a variety of nutritional benefits. Grapes are a natural source of beneficial plant compounds, including antioxidants and other polyphenols. At just 90 calories per serving, they also contain no fat, no cholesterol and virtually no sodium. This healthy, handy fruit is also a versatile ingredient, making grapes a perfect way to enhance your favorite foods and recipes. With their delicately sweet flavor and vibrant hues of red, green and black, grapes lend a delicious and attractive addition to dishes from breakfast to dinner. The recipes that follow highlight the art of the possible with fresh grapes from California. (Find more recipes for every meal of the day at grapesfromcalifornia.com.)
Grilled Ginger Salmon and Grape Rice Bowl Servings: 4 4 boneless salmon fillets (3 ounces each), skin on kosher salt freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 1 tablespoon honey 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 cups mixed green and red California grapes, halved 2 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally 4 cups hot cooked brown rice 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage 1 teaspoon sesame seeds reduced sodium soy sauce (optional) Heat grill to high and oil grates. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper; set aside. In small saucepan, combine rice vinegar, ginger, honey and olive oil, and bring to simmer over high heat. Stir in grapes and scallions, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside off heat. Grill salmon, skin side up, 5-6 minutes. Turn and grill another 2-3 minutes, or until salmon reaches desired doneness. Divide rice among four bowls and top with cabbage and salmon. Spoon grape mixture over top and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve with soy sauce, if desired.
Fruit Breakfast Crepes
Servings: 6 Crepes 1/2 cup low-fat milk 1egg pinch of salt 3/8 cup (1.5 ounces) flour 1 tablespoon butter, melted Filling 1-1/2 cups California grapes, Nutritional information per serving: 487 calories; 23 g protein; 69 halved g carbohydrates; 13 g fat (24% calories from fat); 3 g saturated fat 1-1/2 cups oranges, peeled, sliced (6% calories from saturated fat); 43 mg cholesterol; 301 mg sodium; and quartered 6 g fiber. 1 tablespoon sugar 1/8 cup orange juice or orange flavor liqueur 1 teaspoon grated orange peel 6 tablespoons nonfat sour cream Recent research from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the UniCinnamon sugar versity of Miami, funded by the California Table Grape Commission, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar suggests that eating grapes may help contribute to eye health. The 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon laboratory study showed that a grape-enriched diet preserved the In blender, combine milk, egg and retina’s structure and function against damaging oxidative stress. salt; add flour and butter. Blend at Findings from two earlier laboratory studies at different universities high speed 1 minute. also showed that grape consumption helped protect the retina from To make filling, combine grapes, ordeterioration. anges, sugar, liqueur or juice, and or-
The Eyes Have It
ange peel; set aside. Heat lightly-buttered 7-inch skillet or crepe pan over medium-high heat. Pour 3-4 tablespoons batter into pan; tilt to spread batter to cover bottom of pan. Cook over medium-high heat about 1 minute, or until batter is set. Turn crepe and cook about 30 seconds, or until lightly browned. Fill each crepe with 1/2 cup of filling; fold in half or roll up. Top with calories; 4 g protein; 26 g carbohydrates; 3 1 tablespoon sour cream and sprinkle with cinnamon g fat (20% calories from fat); 1.7 g saturated fat (11% calories from saturated fat); 39 mg sugar mixture. Nutritional information per serving: 145
cholesterol; 80 mg sodium; 1.7 g fiber.
Roasted Squash and Grape Salad with Pesto Hearty Quinoa Salad Servings: 4 24 ounces cubed butternut squash (1 1/2-inch pieces) 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary kosher salt freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons reduced-fat prepared pesto 1 1/2 cups halved red or green California grapes 4 ounces bocconcini, drained and quartered 4 cups arugula Heat oven to 425 F. Place squash on sheet pan with sides and drizzle with oil, rosemary, salt and pepper. Mix well and roast until squash is browned and soft, about 25-30 minutes, turning after 15 minutes. In large bowl, combine warm squash with pesto; add grapes and cheese and gently toss. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Divide arugula among four serving plates, top with squash mixture and serve.
Nutritional information per serving: 264 calories; 8 g protein; 33 g carbohydrates; 13 g fat (44% calories from fat); 5 g saturated fat (17% calories from saturated fat); 25 mg cholesterol; 223 mg sodium; 5 g fiber.
with Grapes and White Beans
Servings: 12 Quinoa 2 cups (12 ounces) quinoa 2 cups vegetable stock 2 cups water Lemon Pepper Dressing 1/2 cup white wine vinegar 1/2 cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic 1-1/2 tablespoons honey 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon peel, grated 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper Salad 4 cups California grapes 2 cups Chinese pea pods, cut in 1-inch pieces 2 cups canned small white beans, drained 1 cup diced celery 1/4 cup minced cilantro 1/4 cup Anaheim peppers, chopped 12 lettuce leaves Rinse and drain quinoa. In large saucepan, combine with broth and water. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 10-15 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid. To prepare dressing, combine vinegar, lemon juice, oil, garlic, honey, lemon peel, salt and pepper; mix well. Add 1/2 cup of dressing to quinoa; mix well and cool. Add grapes, pea pods, white beans, celery, cilantro and peppers to quinoa and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve on lettuce leaves. Nutritional information per serving: 219 calories; 8 g protein; 40 g carbohydrates; 4 g fat (18% calories from fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 363 mg sodium; 5 g fiber.
ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier
B4
JULY 20-26, 2016
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Cover To Cover
‘The Gilded Years’
by Terri Schlichenmeyer For New Pittsburgh Courier
Always be true to yourself. It sounds like a poster, a meme, or advice that’s always been in the background of your life. Putting on airs, pretending to be someone you’re not, keeping up the ruse, it’s harder than it looks—and besides, genuineness is a trait people like. Always be true to yourself— unless, as in the new book PACKED HOUSE—The crowd on 9th street during one of the free jazz concerts. (Photos by J. L. Mar“The Gilded Years” by Karin tello) LYNDSEY SMITH performing with Soul Distribution. Tanabe, temporarily living a lie could change your future. For three years, Anita Hemmings had worked for this moment. It was the fall of 1896, the first day of her last year at Vassar. She’d finally get to partake of the bittersweet rites that senior students enjoyed, and she anticipated a post-graduate future as a scholar of Greek studies, maybe even a professor. She studied hard and made what she hoped would be lifelong friends—but she was always careful. She had to be.
Pgh JazzLive International Festival, Cultural District
DWAYNE DOLPHIN Bass
DJ SELECTA during Prince tribute. PITTSBURGH, Pa.—The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced that the sixth annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival was held June 24-26. For three-days, internationally-renowned musicians performed at one of the most highly anticipated festivals in the country in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Performances took place in a variety of settings: outdoor stages, ticketed spe-
cial engagements and indoor “gigs” at more than 20 small venues throughout the Cultural District. PJLIF is a free event that is open to the public. All three outdoor stages, the Artist Market and Crawl were free. Ticketed special engagement performances took place indoors. PJFIL was expected to attract more than 20,000 attendees from around the country.
Anita was African American. Vassar had an official ban on Black students. She’d been dreaming about attending Vassar since she was a little girl, but she’d been warned about their admissions policy. Even so, someone at her church told her to try anyhow; two of Anita’s ancestors were white, and her skin was “high yellow.” She could easily pass—but for four years? Education was important to her family and, though it had taken a lot of diligence and care, Anita knew that graduation would be worth every night out denied, every study-session alone, each dance missed. It was all about to pay off. And then she was assigned to be Lottie Taylor’s roommate. Everybody on the East Coast knew the Taylor family, Lottie in particular. She was rich and beautiful, well-traveled and fun-loving. Lottie was never with- IGMAR THOMAS trumpeter, composer, arranger, band out her large wardrobe, leader with the Revive Big Band. her mischievous streak, or a beau, and she embraced Anita without question. She pulled Anita out of solitude, took her on trips, and introduced her to a life of wealth and comfort. And then Anita got a little too careless… Alrighty then. I guess the next thing to do is to figure out who’ll play whom in the movie version of “The Gilded Years.” Yes, this is the stuff that Hollywood (and readers!) love because there really was an Anita Hemmings and she really did matriculate at Vassar by “passing”; in fact, she became that college’s first African American graduate. When you pack your bags for vacation, work, or just a day away, toss this book on the top. You’ll want to dive into it as much as possible, because “The Gilded Years” is truly a worthy read. (”The Gilded Years” by Karin Tanabe, c.2016, Washington Square Press $16/$22.00 Canada, 390 pages.)
The eclectic line up is a mix of straight-ahead jazz, Brazilian, Latin, electric, free jazz and big band jazz with a twist that includes: Chick Corea Trio with Christian McBride & Brian Blade, Christian McBride, Brian Blade, Eddie Palmieri, Big Salsa Orchestra, Jeff “Tain” Watts Quartet, Vijay Iyer with Wadada Leo Smith Duo, Davina and the, Vagabondssss, Nu Grid featuring Jean Paul Bourelly
POOGIE BEY Drums & Vernon Reid, Kenia with special guest, Antonio Adolfo (Brazil), Antonio Adolfo, Revive Big Band, Brianna Thomas. The Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival greatly relies on the support of individuals. Join the Jammin’ JazzLive Club and receive terrific festival benefits all while preserving the rich legacy of Jazz in Pittsburgh! The Pittsburgh JazzLive
CONCHA BUIKA performing on stage at the August Wilson Center.
International Festival is a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. This festival, aimed at connecting the community to jazz, will bring prominent jazz musicians and visual artists to Pittsburgh’s Cultural District to present Grammy-winning performers, jazz and jazz-influenced musical performances, and visual art.
(For more information, visit TrustArts.org/JazzLiveFest.)
AARON “AB” ABERNATHY
MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE—Penn Avenue packed with people for blocks to see or hear or dance to TAKING A BREAK—Singer “Kenia” on left with Janis Burley Wilson. Eddie Palmieri and his Salsa Orchestra
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
July/August Childrens Museum
JULY 16–31—Meet and Greet Daniel Tiger, Thursdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Bring your camera and join us for a special meet and greet with Daniel! Sessions: 11-11:25 a.m., 12-12:25 p.m. or 1-1:25 p.m.
Solar Concert Series 2016
Enjoy free live music outside in the sunshine at Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square. Bring your lunch and enjoy family-friendly concerts on a solar-powered sound system Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. in July and August. This year's lineup and links where you can learn more about each artist/band: July 20–City Dwelling Nature Seekers–City Dwelling Nature Seekers is a folk/rock band that has been performing locally and touring for the past 8 years. July 27–Meeting of Important People Acoustic!–Pittsburgh-based rock and roll band with a new album called Troika
Beats N’ Eats
July 21-Aug 18—Take a break from your day and join an easy-going midday East-End community mixer! It’s a chance for neighbors old and new to mingle, meet and move to the beat. Our next Beats N’ Eats features performances by KST’s Up Next Youth Producers, and food from Pizzaiolo Primo.
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
JULY 21—The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra opens a two-night stand of symphonic rock concerts with the music of quintessential American rock band, the Eagles, at Heinz Hall on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles had five number-one singles, six Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards and six number one albums, making them one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. Guest conductor Brent Havens (last seen in The Music of Led Zeppelin earlier this year) returns to Pittsburgh to lead vocalists Terry Brock, John Hines and Glenn DeLaune and the Pittsburgh Symphony in a live concert featuring songs like “Take It Easy,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Desperado,” “Hotel California” and more. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 21. Tickets, ranging in price from $25 to $60, can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412-3924900 or visiting pittsburghsymphony.org/summer.
Soldier & Sailors
July 22—For One Night Only, 6 to 8 p.m. $5 admission. Escape to paradise. We are rolling back time to the Hawaiian Territories during the summer of 1941, when Friday night meant canteen dances, umbrella drinks, and tropical treats!Experience the sights, sounds, and sips of Hawaii. Visit our "virtual beach." Enjoy a dance under palm trees or relax as you gaze at ocean waves! Guests receive a free lei! Cool down with an Aloha Punch cocktail or "grown-up" shaved ice for purchase at cash bars. All the Best Catering will be onsite with Hawaiian-inspired selections for cash purchase only. Steel City Ukuleles will set the tone for a steamy tropical night. Reenactors in authentic WWII US Navy and US Army uniforms will bring 1941 alive! Docents will be available through the museum to discuss various exhibits! View exclusive, authentic artifacts on display for one night only! Must be 21.
Rosy Simas Danse Skin(s)
July 29 – 8 p.m. / KST Alloy Studios Choreographer Rosy Simas (Seneca) examines the contradictions that arise out of the many dimensions of identity. Skin(s) is a continually evolving project in which community and audiences inform and observe the process of creation—and explore what we hold, reveal, and perceive through our skin. Employing a Native circular model of creation Simas explores the beauty and diversity of the ways that Native people identify, and examines the contradictions, pride, joy, pain and sorrow that arise out of the many dimensions of identity.
MCG Jazz's
August 7, at 7:30 p.m., Lee Ritenour performs at Hartwood Acres. The show is free and open to the public! Stop by and say hello to the MCG Jazz staff and enter the raffle before you enjoy the shows.
Alloy School Summer Camp!
August 8-12—Monday 9 a.m.–1 p.m.KST’S Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Ave. Pay What Makes You Happy!
ARTS & CULTURE
JULY 20-26, 2016
B5
Vivica A. Fox, Howard Hewitt to highlight DNC watch party PHILADELPHIA—The city of Brotherly Love will declare more than liberty on Tuesday, July 26, when a convergence of trendsetters, elected officials, labor and civil rights leaders descend upon the city and partake in the DogonVillage.com 2016 Democratic National Convention Watch Party. Heralded as the ‘must attend’ side event of the Democratic Convention, “Independence Day: Resurgence” star, actress Vivica A. Fox will host the affair, alongside the Chair of the Darby Township Democratic Party, Richard Womack Jr. R&B's smoothest balladeer, Grammy award winning singer, Howard Hewett will perform. Planned as a resounding “Celebration of the Black Vote,” there will be a special tribute to the dean of the civil rights movement, Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, and Samuel Staten Jr., vice president of LIUNA will also be honored. The festivities will begin at 7:30 p.m. and end at 12:30 a.m. at Penns Landing Caterers Ballroom, 1301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. in Philadelphia. Confirmed attendance includes: Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (Oh.); Congresswoman Corrine Brown (Fla.); Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman, George “G.
women to become elected officials and led to the election of President Barack Obama. We are celebrating past leaders and those tenacious activists continuing to protect the right of all Americans to cast a ballot. We are thrilled to have Vivica A. Fox and Howard Hewett among this prestigious gathering of influential minds.” DNC Watch Party sponsors include: Laborers Local 332, Tri State Design Construction Company, and Transport Workers Union of America.
VIVICA A. FOX, HOWARD HEWITT K.” Butterfield (N.C.); Assistant Democratic Leader, Congressman James Clyburn (S.C.); Congressman David Scott (Ga.); woman's rights leader, Melanie L. Campbell; civil rights attorney, Barbara Arnwine; and civil rights leader, Rev. Jesse Jackson. Award-winning journalist, Roland S. Martin will bring his crew from TV One's News One Now with Roland Martin and Joe Madison The Black Eagle will broadcast live from the event on SiriusXM Urban View Ch 126 from 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. Ryan N. Boyer, business manager for Laborers' District Council of Philadelphia & Vicinity, the Presenting Sponsor of the Watch Party states, “It's an honor to celebrate those
who fought for our right to vote, the hard-working individuals getting people to the polls, and most importantly, voters.” Boyer continues, “We will also honor Samuel Staten Jr.—who was recently appointed vice president of Laborers' International Union of North America—for his outstanding contribution to increasing Black voter participation.” Produced by Edrea Davis, the founder of DogonVillage.com, the oldest Black-oriented website focused on digital advocacy, the nonpartisan celebration will project a live stream from the convention floor so guests can assess how important issues related to the Black community are addressed. “Our civil
Landmark production of August Wilson’s ‘Seven Guitars’ mounted at his childhood home
PITTSBURGH—August in August means Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company will present August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars” at the playwright’s boyhood home in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District neighborhood each weekend in the month. This production marks the second time “Seven Guitars” has been presented by PPTCO; the first time was in 2009. Set in 1948 (and directed again by Mark Clayton Southers), Seven Guitars opens with the funeral of Floyd Barton, and then reveals in powerful language and explosive AUGUST WILSON action the events that led to Floyd's death. “Seven Guitars” is the Pulitzer home of August Wilson Arts Initiative, Regional AsPrize-winner’s brilliantly - 1727 Bedford Avenue. Due set District, Greater Pittsconstructed examination to the outdoor presentation, burgh Arts Council, Richard of the African-American there will be no matinees King Mellon Foundation male's fight for his own hu- for this production. and Advancing Black Arts manity in the face of perTickets are $35. Seniors in Pittsburgh Fund. sonal and societal ills. 65+ and Hill District resi The cast includes Ty Bar- dents pay $25 for the first row, Jonathan Berry, Teri two weekends only. Students Bridgett, Kevin Brown, Ja- with ID pay $25 at the door, milla Chanie, Wali Jamal first three weekends only. and Leslie Ezra Smith. Opening night fundraiser “Seven Guitars” will be on August 5th with food and presented every weekend drink is $100 for all tick(Friday, Saturday and Sun- ets. Tickets are available at day) in August 2016 (5-7, www.pghplaywrights.com. 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28) Support for “Seven Guibeginning at 8 p.m. Perfor- tars” is provided by The mances are in the backyard Pittsburgh Foundation, The of the historic childhood Heinz Endowments Small
rights leaders made huge sacrifices to make sure every citizen can vote. Their work created opportunities for people of color and
(To join the celebration, become a sponsor, purchase a table or tickets, visit www.dogonvillage. com, email production@dogonvillage.com, @dogonvillage on Twitter or Instagram, or call 770961-6200.)
B6
PEOPLE
JULY 20-26, 2016
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Carlow names Ruffin director of Social Justice Institutes
PITTSBURGH—Carlow University has named Jessica Ruffin to be the director of its Social Justice Institutes. “Jessica brings a wealth of experience at community building, strategic planning, financial management, and fundraising. In addition, she values service and is committed to social justice,” said Deanne D’Emilio, JD, Provost of Carlow University. “We are very pleased to welcome her as the inaugural director of The Social Justice Institutes of Carlow University.” The Social Justice Institutes includes the Grace Ann Geibel Institute for Justice and Social Responsibility and the Women of Spirit Institute. The Geibel Institute engages students, faculty, staff and the community in research, education, and outreach that seek to challenge systemic oppression. The new Women of Spirit Institute will work to provide access to resources and programming for women seeking to create and implement solutions for social change. The collaboration between the two institutes will build capacity to make a sustainable impact in communities, locally and globally. “One of my primary goals in this position is to increase the visibility of Carlow’s existing efforts so that it receives the recognition it deserves for the amazing work that has been accomplished over the years,” said Ruffin, who wants to position the university as a leader in education, research, and advocacy around social justice issues. “I have long admired and appreciated the contributions that Carlow has made to the region as a result of their mercy-driven
mission. The opportunity to work alongside members of this committed community to build a more socially just society was simply an opportunity that I could not pass up.” Most recently, Ruffin was the chief operating officer at Coro Pittsburgh. In this role, Ruffin managed and coached staff through the delivery of quality programing to emerging civic leaders who sought to develop their leadership in an effort to have a meaningful impact on our region and make Pittsburgh more livable for everyone. In this role, she also served as the director of Public Allies Pittsburgh. She joined the organization in 2012 as the training and learning manager. Ruffin has also held positions as community impact director with Amachi Pitts-
Michael Hansom, a resident of East Liberty, landed a summer internship with the Pittsburgh Department of City Planning as an American Disabilities Act Compliance Intern. Hansom is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Point Park University in Downtown Pittsburgh and is expected to graduate in August. “As a person on the autism spectrum, I wanted to prove to everyone that I could do it. It was a very tough road for me as a kid, but I made it through a lot of difficulties and have been able to accomplish my goals. My huge interest in the criminal justice major is because of the interesting career opportunities this field offers,” said Hansom What factors made you choose Point Park to study criminal justice? I chose Point Park to study criminal justice during my senior year at CCAC. I heard that Point Park had a very good program in criminal justice and wanted to further my knowledge in that field and earn a bachelor’s
degree. Also, as a person on the autism spectrum, I wanted to prove to everyone that I could do it. It was a very tough road for me as a kid, but I made it through a lot of difficulties and have been able to accomplish my goals. My huge interest in the criminal justice major is because of the interesting career opportunities this field offers. Tell us about your key responsibilities as an ADA compliance intern. In this internship, I have a lot of responsibilities. My work includes various administrative duties such as helping to put agendas and meeting minutes together for the monthly City Task Force meetings. I also assist at meetings. Most recently, I attended the Zone 1 Police Station meeting that focused on the topic of training police officers to properly deal with individuals who have disabilities. How have Point Park classes prepared you for this internship? One particular class that really helped me with this internship would be the Corrections, Probation and
JESSICA RUFFIN burgh, and as a business support specialist with the YWCA Greater Ruffin earned a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from the University of Pittsburgh, and her MBA from Chatham University. She is active in the community, most notably as a school-based mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Mentor 2.0 Program and as a faculty member for the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh’s Black Female Leadership Development Institute. Ruffin is a graduate of the Serving Leaders’ Leaders Collaborative and Coro Pittsburgh’s Community Problem-Solving Fellowship. She also serves on the capital campaign committee for her church, St. Paul AME Church in Knoxville. Ruffin resides in Beltzhoover.
East Liberty resident lands summer internship with Pittsburgh Department of City Planning
Parole course withProfessor Trudy Avery. Ms. Avery was actually one of the main reasons I applied for this internship. She gave me a book to borrow called Jumpstarting Your Career: An Internship Guide for Criminal Justice. In that book, it showed the steps on how to get an internship, gave examples of internships for criminal justice majors and provided additional helpful information. I also got advice from Ms. Aurelia Carter, a well-known advocate for the disabilities community in Pittsburgh. What have you enjoyed most about being a Pioneer? I’ve enjoyed everything about being a Pioneer because faculty and staff at this school have been wonderful. Also, thelocation of campus has been very convenient. What are your career goals? I’m still looking at all of my options on what I want to do with my criminal justice degree. Two options I’m considering are working within the federal government or at the Allegheny County Courthouse.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JULY 29, 2016
New Pittsburgh Courier
C3
Inside Conditions
BUSINESS JULY 20-26, 2016
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing C4, C5
Classifieds
C
Four things you should know before you sign that car loan (NNPA)—It’s that time of year again when days are longer, temperatures are higher and auto dealers advertise some of the most tempting deals. And while there’s nothing new about new car fever or the annual ad blitz, there’s a good deal of news on how consumers are choosing and paying for their cars. For example, new car sales increased more than 5 percent from a year ago. At the same time, the average credit score for a new car loan dropped to 710 and even lower to 645 for a used vehicle. These data points provided by Experian, a major market intelligence firm, also Charlene Crowell recently reported that today the average monthly car payments are also at an all-time high: $503 for a new car and $376 for a used one. Car loan terms are also longer and the amounts financed are both larger too. On average, both new and used car loans are respectively 68 and 66 months. The average new car loan is now an alltime high at $30,032. “The continued rise in new vehicle costs have kept many consumers exploring options to keep their monthly payments affordable,” said Melinda Zabritski, Experian’s senior director of automotive finance. “As long as vehicle prices continue to rise, we can expect leasing rates to grow along with them…The record highs we have seen in vehicle prices also have had a significant impact on the loan market.” Consumers short on savings for a down payment, but anxious for a new or nearly-new car may opt for a lease rather than a purchase—a very complex transaction with pitfalls of its own. During the first quarter of 2016, nearly a third of all new car transactions were leases. For consumers, the really ‘good deal’ is tied not only to the cost of the car, but also to the terms of the sale as well. Sale or lease prices, interest rates, length and other items are also important to the art of ‘the deal’. Unfortunately, all too often consumers of color—especially Blacks and Latinos—consistently try to negotiate a ‘good car deal,’ but often wind up paying more than others. The practice of car dealers adding extra interest to a car loan has a long history of discrimination that has led to a series of multi-million dollar settlements with finance arms of major auto manufacturers and other ones with banks. Fortunately, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently developed a series of consumer resources that can better inform those making decisions. Topics included in the series cover: how to plan for a purchase; loan options and how to better negotiate a car loan. A consumer guide available for download can also serve as a handy reference, providing greater detail on the process from determining how much to borrow to closing the sale. Most importantly, CFPB provides specific steps to take before going to dealers. The CFPB strongly encourages consumers to get an offer from a bank, credit union or other finance source before setting foot in the dealership. The Bureau also urges caution when striking agreements with dealers. Consumers should carefully review loan paperwork to catch differences between what was verbally promised against what the paperwork requires borrowers to do. Consumers should never sign any loan with unclear terms, blank spaces or language they do not completely understand. According to the Center for Responsible Lending: 80 percent of car loans are financed through dealers;
Commentary
SEE THINGS C2
by Roz Edward National Content Director
Building on a breakthrough Black Women Executives Resebrch Initiative in 2008, the study charts the progress, disappointments and opportunities for black women in business leadership There is a way for Black women executives to increase their numbers in business leadership positions if conscientious and intentional steps are taken to recognize and reward their talents and contributions to business success. A qualitative study conducted by The Executive Leadership Council, the preeminent membership organization for the development of global black leaders, in collaboration with Springboard—Partners in Cross Cultural Leadership, builds on the findings of the groundbreaking research in the Black Women Executives Research Initiative in 2008. The current findings, published in the Black Women Executives Research Initiative Revisited, examine the facilitators and impediments to Black Women Executives in reaching the C-Suite. The new findings show that while nearly 27 percent of BWEs received promotions or advanced their positions in the same or a different company during the period,
SHOWING THE WAY—Dr. Erica C. Tachoir, Penn State Greater Allegheny career service coordinator and instructor in communications assists Shavontay Davenport of Penn Hills and Charelle Monnerlyn of Swissvale with their resumes during the State of Employment City-Wide Workshop held at the Penn State Greater Allegheny campus.
Helping career development Local Penn State campus aims to collaborate with community by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier
The front of the Penn State Greater Allegheny marketing material reads: “how will your Penn State story begin?” For job seekers that participated in the recent State of Employment City-Wide Workshop that question was answered when they received cover letter and resume building assistance, received tips on how to get, be prepared and conduct job interviews and met with on-site recruiters. One of the college’s first community based projects under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Egan recently appointed chancellor and chief academic officer of the campus, according to Erica C. Tachoir, PhD the State of Employment workshop was the first of many outreach activities and collaborative efforts the community can expect. “Our goal is to recruit students from all over Pittsburgh. We want to be in-
volved with churches, the YMCA’s and YWCA’s and other community groups,” said Tachoir, career service coordinator and instructor in communications. Already
involved with the Hosanna House, her philosophy is that if people are exposed to opportunities and activities provided by the Greater Allegheny Campus that there
are no excuses for them not to be involved in self-improvement programs and higher education. Parrish Davenport, founder and executive director of the Family and Friends Initiative and cohost of the event described the purpose of the State of Employment Workshop as a way to attract people from the Penn State Greater Allegheny footprint to assist them in their job search efforts and to assess their needs to provide further assistance. “Everyone has gifts, talents and aspirations,” says Davenport. “Programs like this provides resources, information and exposure to opportunity for people to make informed decisions.” In addition to the job WORKING TOGETHER—Workshop organizers, Arron Whigham; readiness component the community relations and Dr. Erica C. Tachoir, career service coordi- morning program connator and instructor in communications both from the Penn State sisted of the State of EmGreater Allegheny campus and Parrish Davenport, founder and exec- ployment Panel discusutive director of the Family and Friends Initiative strive to bring Penn sion. Moderated by Scott State Greater Allegheny to the community. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels) SEE HELPING C2
Study reveals roadmap to the top for Black women executives more than 50 percent stayed in the same or similar position, made lateral moves in the same or different company, or lost ground through diminished roles or transitioning out of the corporate workplace entirely. All of which took place during a severe recession, one of the most difficult economic periods in modern history. “The findings of the Black Women Executives Research Initiative Revisited present an insightful perspective on the performance and opportunities for Black women executives during a turbulent and challenging period for global business,” said Ronald C. Parker, President and CEO of The Executive Leadership Council. “It shows that although more than a quarter of the respondents advanced their careers under difficult circumstances, there is much more that needs to be done by Black women and companies to recognize and reward the underutilized talent of these exceptional leaders.” The interviews with the BWEs identified four factors critical to understanding why BWEs were both suc-
cessful and challenged during the 2007–2015 timeframe. Four areas of opportunity for BWEs to influence positive outcomes were revealed: (1) Alignment of Values; (2) Agility and Repurposement; (3) Sponsor Relationships; and, (4) Relationship-building as Politics. These four areas of focus could create a “roadmap” leading to an increase in the representation of BWEs in corporate C-Suites and on boards. Of the four, the two most important areas suggested by the research were relationship building and agility, and repurposement. “The ‘runway’ is so impor-
tant,” said Pamela Carlton, president of Springboard – Partners in Cross Cultural Leadership and Co-Founder of The Everest Project, which explored contributions of multicultural women to business success. “It is clear that BWEs must start early in their careers, in the first 5–7 years, to develop strategic multiple relationships with the people who can support and advance their careers. The most successful BWEs take risks and have the opportunity for big roles early in their careers, allowing them to build the long runway of leadership experiences all executives need,
build alliances and create a track record of success,” Carlton added. Details on the findings are available in an Executive Summary available on The ELC’s website at www.elcinfo.com. Two areas of particular interest are “Sponsorship: Who’s in Your Wallet,” and “Relationshipbuilding as Politics.” Both speak to the importance of BWEs building and nurturing a network of allies, in addition to sponsors, in a very competitive environment where everyone performs at a high level, demonstrates agility and an alignment with the values and mission of the enterprise, and is willing to take risks with socalled “glass cliff” assignments. The study found that BWEs are willing to take on daunting assignments, but frequently are not recognized with promotions for successfully achieving or exceeding favorable outcomes. “This is the kind of research that helps us develop the necessary leadership development programs, strategies, and research that will help BWEs navigate the corporate land-
scape and find a path to the top,” said Steven Williams, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Vice President & Chief Learning Officer of The ELC’s Institute for Leadership Development & Research. “The findings of this research will help guide our efforts to develop a pathway to success for BWEs that we believe will contribute to more positive results.” The findings from the Black Women Executives Research Initiative Revisited also contributed to a larger study of multicultural women as part of The Everest Project, which examined the influence of women’s leadership in today’s global economy and provided insight into how the intersection of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, and sexual orientation impacts women in the workplace. The study titled Eve of Change: Women Redefining Corporate America involved participants who identified as Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ, Pan Asian or White and represented over eighty Fortune 500 corporations from a range of different industries and regions. It found that female executives are leading transformation and “making their mark by creating the capacity of teams to innovate, a phenomenon that will fuel corporate SEE STUDY C2
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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
BUSINESS
Multimedia Power Couple helps give second chances with jobs for felons (BlackNews.com)—Felon, felony, criminal record, ex-offender, ex-con, etc., etc., etc. These labels in the job market are a hindrance. They are a separating factor of who gets in and who goes in File 13 even before an interview. Once an individual had completed their time of incarceration, they are further subjected to pre-employment biases and hiring manager judgments many years after the court imposed sentence is said and done. Jenny and Rufus Triplett, Ebony Magazine’s Couple of the Year in 2012 and coowners of Dawah International, LLC, a multimedia company, that incorporates print, radio, blog, webTV and social media in order to thwart mass incarceration and wrongful convictions, but also help those returning to society get a second chance. Published under the company’s umbrella is Prisonworld Magazine, the preferred prison entertainment magazine, available on Amazon, Prisonworld Radio Hour, produced and co-hosted weekly by the Tripletts and airs in podcast and syndicated to iTunes and tunein, Prisonworld Blogtalk and Prisonworld TV which looks to be distributed in various detention facilities. Prisoner re-entry is not new to the Tripletts who are certified Georgia prison volunteers. Their work and
JENNY AND RUFUS TRIPLETT reach extends inside and outside the prison system so they remain truly in tune with the needs of those coming out of the system. Not only are Jenny and Rufus a husband and wife team in 25 plus years of marriage as showcased in their best-selling book, Surviving Marriage in the 21st Century, but also as business partners. “There appears to be a lot of people fighting to stop mass incarceration. That’s great. But the fight is twofold. The fact still remains that several people are incarcerated and return to incarceration because they don’t get the help they need on the outside. That’s
where we come in with providing valuable resources and reliable information. The majority of the information provided to inmates inside the system as to what is available outside the system for them, is wrong. We clear that up and help them move forward. We get companies and organizations to see how they can help. The more we encourage people to stop judging those that have been formerly incarcerated and think outside the box, they actually understand what we are trying to do,” says Jenny Triplett, co-Editor-in Chief of the magazine. Prisonworld Magazine has been in print since
Social Security questions and answers Question: What is a Social Security Statement, and how can I get a copy? Answer: Your online Social Security Statement gives you secure and convenient access to your earnings records. It also shows estimates for retirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for. You can get your personal Statement online by using your own my Social Security account. If you don’t yet have an account, you can easily create one. To set up or use your account to get your online Statement, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. We also mail Statements to workers attaining ages 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and older, three months prior to their birthday, if they don’t receive Social Security benefits and don’t have a my Social Security account. If you don’t want to wait for your Statement, you can access it online, whatever time of year you need it. Question: My son, who gets Social Security, will attend his last year of high school in the fall. He turns 19 in a few months. Do I need to
fill out a form for his benefits to continue? Answer: Yes. You should receive a form, SSA-1372BK, in the mail about three months before your son’s birthday. Your son needs to complete the form and take it to his school’s office for certification. Then, you need to return page two and the certified page three to Social Security for processing. If you can’t find the form we mailed to you, you can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ssa-1372.pdf. Question: My neighbor, who is retired, told me that the income he receives from his part-time job at the local nursery gives him an increase in his Social Security benefits. Is that right? Answer: Retirees who return to work after they start receiving benefits may be able to receive a higher benefit based on those earnings. This is because Social Security automatically recomputes the retirement benefit after crediting the additional earnings to the individual’s earnings record. Learn more by reading the publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
2007, ships domestically and internationally, was recognized by the White House as a “creative form of media” and a letter of acknowledgement from President Obama as well as numerous other recognitions for community work and activism. Jobs for Felons workshops stemmed from the idea of the Triplett’s book, Future Entrepreneur Network — Jobs for Felons: From Inmates to Entrepreneurs, to be released this month. While teaching inmates to tune into and develop their entrepreneurship skills while incarcerated, upon release they may not be able to immediately start their ventures. Parole and probation require steady employment and that is where the cycle of continuous struggle to secure employment begins. “That little box on employment applications “have you ever been convicted of a crime” stops so many people from getting a fair chance. Employers see that and move on to the next applicant. The Ban the Box
movement has helped but employers may and can discriminate in other ways. We teach the skills needed to be better prepared, push past the application to obtain an interview, how to dress, how to interview and how to talk about your previous incarceration in order to present yourself for job opportunities. You can always work on your own ideas while working a job to make sure you stay in compliance with the terms of your release,” says Rufus Triplett, co-Editor-in-Chief. The Jobs for Felons workshops will start in Atlanta on July 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Dawah Center of America, and will visit various cities across the country through the end of 2016. The workshops are free of charge, but all attendees must register as space is limited. Additional help is offered in select specialized areas for a fee on a first come, first served basis. The Tripletts are requested keynote, session and panel speakers about prisoner re-entry and prison reform for various platforms which include corporations, wellness retreats, correctional facilities, non-profit organizations, schools, radio shows and print magazines. This added workshop to their portfolio has already moved to the top of their requisitioned list. To register for the Atlanta event, go to https://prisonworldjobsforfe lons.eventbrite.com. (For more information on Jobs for Felons workshops and how you can bring one to your city go to www.prisonworld.info or connect via social media on Facebook and Instagram @Prisonworld. To contact the Triplett’s about their work or speaking engagements, call 678-389-2646 or email info@rufusandjennytriplett.com.)
Things you should know CONTINUED FROM C1
At more than one trillion dollars, outstanding car loans are the third highest amount of consumer debt, surpassed only by mortgages and student loans; and Although borrowers of color report trying to negotiate loan terms more than other consumers, they wind up paying more for financing. A fact sheet on how to avoid a predatory car loan
is available on CRL’s web. “Car prices are rising faster than incomes, so consumers are faced with taking on longer loans,” said Chris Kukla, CRL executive vice president. “The CFPB’s new guide rightly puts the focus on the overall cost of the car. Lenders are taking big chances when making loans for 7 or 8 years—borrowers should think long and hard before taking one.”
Helping career development CONTINUED FROM C1
Albert from Building Bridges for Business, panelists included Jessica Albert from the United States Probation and Pretrial Services, Shannon Austin from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, William Hart from Arias Agencies and Joseph Martelli from the Boss Labor Group. Discussed topics included; the disconnect between employers and job seekers, effective job search strategies, different ways to earn money, diversity in the work place and tips for college graduates. Advice from the panel as to ways to look for employment included to continued participating in job development programs, to use staffing agencies and to utilize Social Media sites like Monster.com, LinkedIn, Crags List and Hart suggested utilizing www.kdka.com/careertalk. Stating that tapping into personal resources and networking as a key source for job hunting, Jessica Albert mentioned attending the Pennsylvania Professional Employment Network meetings. When questioned as to how to address having a criminal background she advised being honest with the employer. “Research the company and know their policies of hiring x-offenders,” she said. “Most people don’t consider utilizing college placement offices,” said Tachoir. “They think they’re only for college students.” She also
encouraged the students in the audience to take advantage of internship and apprenticeship opportunities that not only provide work experience but can lead into permanent employment. All the panelists strongly agreed to the point that no matter what age of a job seeker that things employers often stress is the importance of a concise mistake free resume, showing up on time and a professional image appropriate for the position. “Showing up for the appointment is also key,” stated Hart. “If
you can’t make the interview proper etiquette is to call and reschedule” In an era of technology and social media, the panelists stressed being cautious of what is posted on sites like Facebook and Snapchat. They pointed out that employers view social media sites before deciding who to interview or to hire. “Image is everything. And once something is posted it’s there,” said Albert. Pleased with the outcome of the State of Employment Workshop, Parrish said the event fit in with the purpose
and goal of the group to transform lives through holistic ministry. “Family and Friends Initiative is an organization whose mission is to support, encourage, and empower area communities through a variety of outreach and mentoring programming designed to foster individual and family growth,” he said. Comprised of a variety of mentoring components, he said their objective is to help citizens to gain the necessary skill-sets to achieve living wage employment, and encourage the completion of an individu-
WHAT A TEAM—Moderator and panelists for the State of Employment workshop. Seated: Shannon Austin, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry; Jessica Albert, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, William Hart, Arias Agencies. Standing: Scott Albert, Building Bridges for Business; and Joe Martelli, Boss Labor Group.
als’ formal education. Programming and workshops are designed to support and inspire our participants to achieve greater community and career potentials. Continuously striving to recruit and increase their enrollment Tachior said collaborations like the one with the Family and Friends Initiative are always welcome. Concurring with Tachoir, Arron Whigham, in the community relations department of the Greater Allegheny campus said they are looking to build and foster healthy relationships with the community. “Partnerships are a great opportunity to make a difference,” he said indicating that they are starting a community garden on and off campus and opening a food pantry. When questioned about their strategy to market the Greater Allegheny campus activities and programs in a foot print with a number of colleges and universities he said they plan on doing a lot of door knocking within the community. Whigham said they have a student population of approximately 600 students and have plans to create more internship opportunities and ways to assists the students accomplish success. As a way to reflect the evolving and expanding presence for the campus in the region, in 2007 the Penn State Greater Allegheny name replaced the Penn State McKeesport name.
BUSINESS BUSINESS CALENDAR CALENDAR
Training Event JULY 20—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center presents Writing and Implementing a Business Plan, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, One Chatham Center, Suite 900, 112 Washington Place. A panel of experts will convey step-by-step instruction on how to write and implement a business plan along with the financing options available to assure the best results for achieving the established goals. The event is free, but seating is limited. Call 412-3501067 to register.
Special Business Breakfast JULY 22—The African American Chamber of Commerce will host a Special Breakfast Meeting, starting at 8 a.m. at the Rivers Club, 301 Grant Street. The guest speaker will be Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce President Matt Smith.
Build Your Business Workshop JULY 30—The Women Business Center in partnership with Hill CDC an SCORE® Pittsburgh present a Build Your Business Workshop to women interested in starting or expanding their business, from from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hill CDC offices, 2015 Centre Avenue. Business experts and seasoned entrepreneurs will discuss the following topics: business planning, marketing and sales, financing, legal issues and business lessons learned. The cost is $20. Veterans are free and there are a number of 50-percent scholarships available. Register online at http://www.chatham.edu/wbc.
Small Business Workshop August 27—The Chatham Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship presents Small Business Basics, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in the Mellon at its Shadyside Campus. Entrepreneurs will provide lessons learned and experts in areas including sales, accounting, and financing will provide brief presentations and will be available for participant Q&A at this informal workshop. The fee is $30. (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.)
Study reveals roadmap to top
CONTINUED FROM C1
growth well into the future,” Carlton underscored. The issue of women in corporate leadership and on corporate boards has been explored and discussed in a number of studies and blogs, including a GAO Report on women on corporate boards, a study of women leaders from Capitol Hill to the board room in Barriers and Bias: The Status of Women in Leadership by the American Association of University Women, The ELC Institute and a blog exploring the nuances of a blended masculine-feminine style of leadership contributing to business success. Trends are leaning towards increasing the representation of women in corporate leadership and women of color have the most ground to make up to reach parity. About The Executive Leadership Council: The Executive Leadership Council, an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1986, is the pre-eminent membership organization committed to increasing the number of global black executives in CSuites, on corporate boards and in global enterprises. Comprised of more than 650 current and former Black CEOs, thought leaders, board members and senior executives at Fortune 1000 companies and equivalents, and entrepreneurs at top-tier firms, its members work to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline that empowers global black leaders to make impactful contributions to the marketplace and the global communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.elcinfo.com.
SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier
C3
JULY 20-26, 2016
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Bargain basement
AUBREY BRUCE
by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh
Here we go Steelers, here we go. How bout dem Buccos? Pittsburghers love to root for their favorite teams and players, except when it is time for them to get paid. Aren’t you tired of hearing the whining about who makes what? Recently, I wrote a column detailing how perverted I thought the lifestyle of LeBron James was. Now I am going to visit the opposite end of the spectrum.
you have to pay to play. Look at the Cleveland Cavaliers, they got paid, they played and they won. However, Golden State didn’t sit down after they blew a 3-1 lead and allowed the Cavaliers to sneak up on them and “take the trophy,” you diggg. It is all about the dough bro, ain’t nothing shakin’ but the Bacon. Pretty darn soon, the Pirates are going to have to share the wealth. They can’t afford to go back to the give all your talent away for future prospect, otherwise known as the Dave Littlefield syndrome. I have a funny feeling that these next two years are going to be critical in regards to the maintenance of personnel. Can’t you see the buzzards’ sitting on the fence for them to throw relief specialist Mark Melancon or outfielder Andrew McCutchen on the chopping block? Pirate’s manager Clint Hurdle has become a baseball “alchemist” and Pittsburgh cannot afford to upset the chemistry that he has developed. Not one player from the 2016 Pirates squad can be sacrificed, in fact they need to be adding to the equation, not subtracting from it. All
TONI AND CRAIG MURPHY
MONIQUE AND REV. ERIC McINTOSH
‘The Hammer of Hank Aaron’ spotlights baseball icons
Inside Conditions When former Pirates outfielder Dave Parker became a million dollar man in baseball, he wasn’t greeted by congratulations and cheers, he was confronted with foreign objects being hurled at him from almost every direction. The city of Pittsburgh missed an opportunity to celebrate the success of one of the greatest Pirates of all time, yet many fans from the Steel City chose to accentuate the negative and effectively drive Parker out of town. Pittsburgh is a great sports town until they economically disagree with you, then its Katy bar the door. The economics of sports has changed. In the NBA
the Pirates need are a few more pieces and coupled with their youth, they can be on top for a long, long time. But they are going to not have to go with the flow, they are going to have to “go with the dough.” The times of indentured servitude in the world of professional sports has long past. How many CEO’s make perverted money just to sit there and look cute, but people still run and purchase their products? These small markets had better wake up or they will remain asleep in the “cellars” of professional sports. BASEBALL ICONS —Mayor Bill Peduto and Charles Poe, SVP of Productions, Smithsonian Channel and Rob Ruck, Sports History Pro(Aubrey Bruce can be reached fessor University of Pittsburgh sponsored a premiere screening of “The Hammer of Hank Aaron” produced by the Smithsonian Channel at: abruce@newpittsburghcouri- and Major League Baseball’s “Major League Legelnds” series, which tells the stories of four players who transcended the National Paser.com or 412-583-6741. Follow time and left legacies as true American icons. Hank aaron, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Ted Williams. “Major League Legends” premiered him on Twitter@ultrascribe.) over four consecutive Monday nights of “The Hammer of Hank Aaron” at the Senator John Heinz History Center, which was followed by a panel discussion. The documentary featured extensive newly-captured interviews with baseball icon Aaron himself, as he discusses his upbringing in Mobile, Ala and the challenges that he faced growing up in the heart of Jim Crow. “The Hammer” would continue to battle bigotry and racism throughout his life and baseball career. As he sought to unseat Babe Ruth as the all-time home run king, Aaron received numerous death threats and hate mail, making his feat all the more impressive. It seemed justly symbolic that he hit number 715 on April 8, 1974, in Atlanta, the epicenter of the Civil Rights movement. SERIES WEBSITE: http://smithsonianchannel.com/mlb Above the Ford family came out to see the Hammer Hank Aaron movie premiere. (Photos by J. L. Martello)
by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh
:10—Ok, Ok, I don’t know about the Pirates. Sometimes I think I do, but I don’t. So whatever happens next, happens. :09—July 29…that’s the day boys and girls. Your
Overtime
Pittsburgh Steelers kick off the 2016 season in search of Super Bowl #7. I for one think this will be it, but two things have to happen. Number one: everyone has to stay healthy…duh! And number two, and this is key and one step up from staying healthy, they have
to keep the money makers all on the field at the same time. Big Ben, Bell, Pouncey, A.B., Heyward and whatever linebacker decides to be a star. Oh, one more thing, coaching mistakes must be reduced…I’m just saying. :08—I wouldn’t care what bug is biting in Rio. If I have a chance to see “special” women on the beach, I’m going. Oh please, you know what “special” means. (As always, you were thinking it. You just wanted me to say it!) :07—And speaking of that…the 40 year anniversary of the nationally recognized Connie Hawkins Pro/AM/NCAA Summer Basketball League is at hand. The celebration reunion party will be coming up soon. Come one. Come all. If you played, coached or just watched some of the greatest players of all time, come on out. Get all the final information next week in your New Pittsburgh Courier! :06—You’re lost without this huh? Go see the “Infiltrator”. Great movie. I give it 4 basketballs. And if you missed “Tarzan”, go catch it. Not great, but good. It’s worth the swing. 3 basketballs. :05—This is your next to the next last call. The Armon “The Hammer” Gilliam and Leroy Freeman Memorial “Hard Work” Basketball Camp. Coming up Aug. 6 and 7 at the Penn Hills
YMCA. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Includes total professional supervision, lectures, games, skills and drills, t-shirt, lunch and a lot of “hard work,” respect and love. Only $25 for the weekend. Call ASAP to register your child at 412-628-4856 for boys and girls ages 8-16 years old. Space is limited to the first 100 children. :04—As we get ready for little league football, make sure you make your league officials provide the best equipment for your kids. Good equipment and good coaching keeps it safe! :03—The 3rd Annual Pittsburgh City League High School All-Sports Hall of Fame Inductions are upcoming, Saturday, Oct. 22. You can start your call-in nominations starting now. Looking for the best of the best in city league sports history 412-628-4856. :02—All I can tell ya is, if you missed the Monte Carlo Night at the Savoy last Saturday, you missed the greatest night of the summer. Hats off to Chuck Sanders, John Bettis, and Gary White for a really first class, top of the line event. (But of course that’s how we Penn Hills boys roll.) (Plus John.) :01—Speaking of that night, I can’t say a lot about this, but I can say this about this…Darieth Chisolm…WOW! :00—GAME OVER
CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier
C4
JULY 20-26, 2016
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Help Wanted
Help Wanted
CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR
The Allegheny County Airport Authority Airport has a position opening for an Contract Administrator at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Complete information about this position is available at http://www. flypittsburgh.com/ACAA_employment The advertisement period ends on July 20 2016. The Allegheny County Airport Authority offers a competitive compensation package. EOE / M / F / D / V.
MANCHESTER CRAFTSMEN’S GUILD TEACHING ARTIST - CERAMICS
Full time W/non-profit. BA & 1-2 years previous experience working with youth in formal or informal settings; 2-3 years previous experience in an arts, social service, or public school system; or equivalent combination of education & experience. Some technical or practical experience in a professional or community-based arts organization is preferred. Relevant studio-specific technical skills required. Implements learning experiences, develops creative capacities, that engage students through the arts and technology. Send resume with cover letter and salary requirements to: hr@ manchesterbidwell.org EOE
SONNY BOY
CERTIFIED TEACHERS
Seeking Pa. Certified Teachers for grades K-5 Elementary school located at 437 Turrett street pgh, pa 15206. Please send resumes and three letters of references along with clearances and finger print to Sharris@urbanacademypgh.org. No phone calls please.
MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION PURCHASING & ACCOUNTS COORDINATOR
Full time W/non-profit. BA in Accounting, Business or related field & 3 yrs relevant administrative experience; strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office; valid PA driver’s license; insurable driver’s record; ability to drive a 12-15 passenger van required. Responsibilities: building vendor relationships; negotiate with vendors; maintain information on contracted business, accurate computer, file records, & organization’s van fleet; resolve supplier issues; track orders & conduct driver road tests. Assists Vice President/ CFO with facilities including capital projects & insurance policies. Coordinates any claims with insurance adjuster or broker. Send resume with cover letter and salary requirements to: hr@manchesterbidwell.org EOE
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LEGAL ADVERTISING
LEGAL ADVERTISING
Help Wanted
Legal Notices
Legal Notices
MANAGER OF REAL ESTATE/ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Allegheny County Airport Authority Airport has a position opening for a Manager of Real Estate / Economic Development at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Complete information about this position is available at http://www.flypitts burgh.com/ACAA_employment The advertisement period ends on August 1 2016. The Allegheny County Airport Authority offers a competitive compensation package. EOE / M / F / D / V. LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
Estate of ROBERT L. DANIEL, JR. deceased, of Allegheny County No. 021603538 of 2016, Cicley Lancaster Extr., 3147 Wadlow Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, to Allegheny Law Group, LLC Attys., 816 5th Avenue, Ste. 600, Pittsburgh. PA 15219
LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
CHANGE OF NAME
COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS! COURIER CLASSIFIEDS…THE ONLY WAY TO GO!
In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: GD16-10342. In re: Petition of Samantha J. Ronk-Basalyga, for change of name to Samantha J. Ronk. to a persons interested: Notice is hereby given that an order of said Court authorized the filing of said petition and fixed for August 8, 2016 at 9:45 a.m. as the time and the Motions Room, City County Building, Pittsburgh, PA and the place for a hearing, when and where all persons may show cause, if any they have, why said name should not be changed as prayed for. Max Feldman, Esquire, 1322 Fifthe Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108, 412262-6181
COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY PITTSBURGH, PA July 7, 2016
The Office of the Director of the Department of Public works for Allegheny County in Conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is soliciting Statements of Interest through PennDOTs ECMS system for the following: ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Allegheny County Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Assessment Study For County Project No. ACPW-RBPA Local Agreement Number: L00193 This is a federal-aid project with PennDOT oversight. Statements of Interest are due no later than July 29, 2016 and are to be submitted through PennDOTs ECMS System, http://www.dot14.state.pa.us/ECMS The advertisement can be found under agreement number L00193. A copy of the published advertisement can also be found on the County Website: http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/bids Any inquiries into this Advertisement are to be directed to Mr. Michael Dillon, P.E., Deputy Director of Engineering, at 412-3505469 or mdillon@alleghenycounty. us The County will use the normal selection process and preselect or short-list at least three firms for consideration for this Project assignment on the following evaluation criteria: Clear Understanding of the Project Description, Quality Control and Quality Assurance, Cost Effective Solutions and Design Flexibility, Past Performance, and Experience with PennDOT and Allegheny County’s Requirements, Policies, and Specifications. The County’s Minority and Women disadvantaged goals for these Projects will be 13% of the total price for MBE participation and 2% of the total price for WBE participation. Stephen G. Shanley, PE, Director Department of Public Works of Allegheny County
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NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
July 20, 2016 City of Pittsburgh, Department of City Planning 200 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Pittsburgh. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about August 5, 2016 the City of Pittsburgh will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title 1 of the of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, to undertake projects known as Bridge Repairs $87,500, Facility Improvements $495,555, Flood Control Projects $500,000, Park Reconstruction $27,500, Ramp/Public Sidewalk Program $55,000, Recreation and Senior Center Rehabilitations $755,000, Street Resurfacing $1,775,600, Pool Rehabilitation $12,500, Urban Redevelopment Authority Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship $300,000, Urban Redevelopment Authority Choice Neighborhood Redevelopment Projects $1,454,400, Urban Redevelopment Authority Personnel $2,000,000 for the purpose of improving infrastructure, public facilities and services for low-moderate income City of Pittsburgh residents. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Pittsburgh has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Pittsburgh, Department of City Planning, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00A.M to 4:00P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Pittsburgh, Department of City Planning. All comments received by Friday, August 5th , 2016 will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Pittsburgh certifies to the Department of Housing and Urban Development that William Peduto in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Pittsburgh to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS The Department of Housing and Urban Development will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Pittsburgh’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Pittsburgh; (b) the City of Pittsburgh has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by The Department of Housing and Urban Development; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1000 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Potential objectors should contact The Department of Housing and Urban Development to verify the actual last day of the objection period. William Peduto Mayor, City of Pittsburgh July 20, 2016
CITY OF PITTSBURGH NOTICE OF PROPOSED SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH 2012 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
Notice is hereby given that the City of Pittsburgh Proposes to amend its 2012 Annual Action Plan. This substantial amendment proposes to adjust the project description of the Homewood/Brushton Redevelopment line item from “Provides funding for the redevelopment of Homewood/Brushton” to “Provides funding for the Homewood Comprehensive Plan and HELP Initiative. The HELP Initiative will create and implement community-specific strategies and solutions to preserve and increase affordable housing choices and have sustainable communities.” A statutory 30-day comment period will begin on Thursday, July 21, 2016, and will end on Monday, August 22, 2016. All interested parties and other stakeholders of the City of Pittsburgh are encouraged to submit written comments or questions regarding the proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2012 Annual Action Plan to: Mike Petrucci Assistant Director for Community Development City of Pittsburgh, Department of City Planning 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 A copy of the 2012 Annual Action Plan is available for public review weekdays between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM at the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning, Community Development Division, located at the above referenced location.
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July 15, 2016
LEGAL NOTICE
Allegheny County Department of Human Services and Juvenile Court Public Hearing on Children’s Services Annual Plan and Budget On Thursday, August 4, at 1 p.m., the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and Juvenile Court will hold a public hearing to obtain comments on the DRAFT of the 2017-2018 Office of Children, Youth and Families Needs-Based Plan that will be presented to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The hearing will take place at One Smithfield Street, Lower level, in the Liberty Conference Room. A draft of the plan will be available on the DHS website on July 25 at http://www.alleghenycounty.us/ Human-Services/About/Plansand-Budgets.aspx. Persons wishing to provide comments on the plan through written or oral testimony at the meeting are asked to call 412-350-3457 to be placed on the agenda. The Department of Human Services makes reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please call 412-350-3439 by August 1 if you require special accommodations. Marc Cherna Director Allegheny County Department of Human Services
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July 15, 2016 City of Pittsburgh-Dept. of City Planning 200 Ross Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 412-255-2211 This notice shall satisfy procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Pittsburgh. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about August 06, 2016 the City of Pittsburgh will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release federal funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended for a real estate project. Susquehanna Homes Phase II is a thirty six (36) unit scattered-site rental project located on Tioga, Susquehanna, North Dumfermline Streets and Panke Way in the South Homewood neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh. The newly constructed units will range in size from two-bedroom to three-bedroom attached and detached homes. The developer is Susquehanna Homes Housing, L.P., a special purpose entity consisting of S & A Homes and Oxford Development Company. The federal funding sources utilized on this project are 2015 Low Income Housing Tax Credits and HOME program funds. The projected cost of the activity is $12,980,964. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Pittsburgh has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at 200 Ross Street, 2ND Floor Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mitigation Required: A combined Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessment was submitted by KU Resources, Inc. on July 14, 2016. The assessment reported no impacts to soil or ground water PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to: Mike Petrucci City of Pittsburgh, 200 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 255-2211 All comments received by August 06, 2016, will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Pittsburgh certifies to HUD that William Peduto, in his capacity as Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Urban Redevelopment Authority to use development funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Pittsburgh certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Pittsburgh; (b) the City of Pittsburgh has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development Division The Moorhead Federal Building 1000 Liberty Ave.-10th floor Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222 Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. William Peduto Mayor City of Pittsburgh LEGAL ADVERTISING
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Bids/Proposals
Bids/Proposals
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR ROLL OFF CONTAINER SERVICE AUTHORITY WIDE IFB# 300-36-16
REQUEST FOR BIDS AUTO INSURANCE
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.
The Westmoreland County Housing Authority (WCHA) is requesting bids for Auto Insurance for its fleet of vehicles. Sealed bids will be received by Michael L. Washowich, Executive Director, until Friday, August 19, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Standard Time) at the office of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority, 154 South Greengate Road, Greensburg, PA 15601, at which time they will be opened publicly. Interested respondents can obtain hard copy bid documents from the WCHA Administration Office, telephone (724) 832-7248, Ext. 3057. Electronic Bid Documents are available for downloading at www. wchaonline.com. Inquiries and registration can be emailed to rachelf@ wchaonline.com. Perspective Bidders shall register with WCHA via email in accordance with the bid requirements.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA July 11, 2016
The Office of the County Controller of Allegheny County, in conjunction with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Contract Awards Room; 7th Floor; Commonwealth Keystone Building; 400 North Street; Harrisburg, PA 17120 will receive bids through ECMS or a diskette delivered to the aforementioned address until 11:00 A.M. prevailing local time, Thursday, August 11, 2016. Bids will be opened through ECMS at approximately 11:00 a.m. and can be viewed publicly in the Contract Awards Room, for the following: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS SOUTH 10TH. STREET BRIDGE REHABILITATION, PHASE 2 ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNTY PROJECT NO. MA11-3511 MPMS NO.: 79881 THIS PROJECT WILL BE BID THROUGH PENNDOT ECMS PRE BID INFORMATION: View the Project Manual and Drawings(PROPOSAL REPORT) on the PennDOT ECMS website (http://www.dot14. state.pa.us/ECMS) or in Room 504, County Office Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The anticipated Notice-to-proceed for this project is November 7, 2016 and the project is to be completed by October 3, 2019. Chelsa Wagner CONTROLLER COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY
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NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): ROLL OFF CONTAINER SERVICE AUTHORITY WIDE IFB# 300-36-16 The documents will be available no later than July 18, 2016 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on August 5, 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 Thursday, July 28, 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
JULY 20-26, 2016
LEGAL ADVERTISING
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Bids/Proposals
Bids/Proposals
Bids/Proposals
LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT Port Authority of Allegheny County REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 16-12
PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Port Authority of Allegheny County (Port Authority) is requesting proposals for the performance of the following services: Bus Rapid Transit Project Management and Engineering Services The services under the proposed Agreement pertain to a proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) facility in the Downtown Pittsburgh – Uptown – Oakland – East End corridor, and will consist of, but not be limited to: (1) overseeing and directing the remaining consultant efforts toward completing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and identifying the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA); (2) completing Preliminary Engineering (PE) on the LPA to a degree suitable for supporting a federal final design and construction grant application; (3) performing or assisting Authority in community involvement work, surveys, and other tasks supporting the federal final design and construction grant application; and (4) preparing and submitting the federal final design and construction grant application. A copy of the RFP will be available on or after July 15, 2016, and can be obtained by registering at the Port Authority ebusiness website: http://ebusiness.portauthority.org and following the directions listed on the website. Please note that for this RFP, Proposers must register under the ebusiness categories of: •ENGINEERING •ENGENV – Engineering Environmental •ENGGAE – General Architecture and Engineering •ENGPLAN – Enigneering Planning/ Studies •ENGPM – Engineering Project Management Proposers may also register in other categories for any future RFPs issued by Port Authority. If you have specific questions regarding this RFP, please contact Catherine Terrill at (412) 566-5188 or cterrill@ portauthority.org. An Information Meeting for interested parties will be held at 10:00 a.m., prevailing time, July 25, 2016 in the Fifth Floor Board Room of Port Authority of Allegheny County’s downtown offices, 345 Sixth Avenue to answer any questions regarding this RFP. Hard copy proposals must be both delivered to, and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, August 16, 2016, at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department, Port Authority of Allegheny County, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527. Proposals received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of proposals shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for award. Each Proposer shall be solely responsible for assuring that its proposal is timely received and time stamped in accordance with the requirements herein. Please note that a sealed Summary of Costs shall NOT be submitted with the Proposal, but will be submitted at a later date as requested by Port Authority. This Contract Services may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The proposal process and the performance of the requested services will be in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Port Authority of Allegheny County, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, requires that certified Diverse Businesses (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts for these Contract Services. In this regard, all Proposers shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Proposers shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts for these Contract Services. Port Authority of Allegheny County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.
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Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.port authority.org). Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on August 16, 2016 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at Port Authority’s Heinz Location at 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527, for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org) Bid Number Bid Name 1 B150425RRR Cummins Replacement Engines 2 B151295RRR Air Compressors–Ross 3 B160536 Battery Powered Forklifts 4 B160550 Embedded Switch 5 B160552 Coach Replacement Parts–EGR Coolers 6 B160653 Ballast Regulator 7 B160654A Fire Alarm Testing and Certification Service Paper Proposal – Documents are available for the following item at Port Authority’s Main Offices 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15222-2527 Bid Number Bid Name 1 B160657A Printing of Public Timetable No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on each of the above items at 10:00am on August 3, 2016 at Port Authority’s Heinz Location at 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527. Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within 48 hours of the scheduled bid opening. These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable.All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing. Port Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. The Board of Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) is accepting competitive proposals from experienced property maintenance firms to perform year-long full-service maintenance of its vacant land and structures real estate portfolio. Approximately 1,100 properties are involved throughout the City of Pittsburgh. A listing of properties is available for review at the URA offices for those companies wishing to submit a proposal. The initial contract period will be for twelve (12) months, with the possibility of extending up to three (3) years. Interested companies must secure a copy of the RFP from the URA website at www.ura.org/working_ with_us/proposals.php. A mandatory pre-proposal meeting must be attended by a direct representative of any firm wishing to submit a proposal. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 10:00am in the 11th floor conference room of the URA, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Proposals are due Tuesday, August 2, 2016 4:00pm prevailing time.
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Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, Purchasing Department, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233(412.237.3020) on the following items: Bid Proposal No. 959-2 Building Envelope Renovations at Visual Arts Center – Allegheny Campus A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting and site visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. The assembly point will be the front of the Visual Arts Center, corner of N. Lincoln Avenue at Galveston (behind Graybar Electric), Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at which time they will be publicly opened. Any proposals received after this deadline will be considered as a “late bid” and will be returned unopened to the offerer. The CCAC Purchasing Department is now publishing all bids via the CCAC website at https:// www.ccac.edu/Bid-RFP_Opportunities.aspx. It will be each vendor’s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda. Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the final submittal may result in the rejection of your bid. Proposals may require Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds, and Surety as dictated by the specifications. No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.
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Deadline/Closing/ Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication
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JULY 20-26, 2016
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Pittsburgh celebrates bicentennial
MILLER STUDENTS—Students and teachers from Miller school walk in the bicentennial parade with new PPS Superintendent Anthony Hamlet. (Photos by J. L. Martello)
Pittsburgh bicentennial parade Pittsburgh celebrates its 200th anniversary! In March of 1816 the city received a charter from the Commonwealth of PA and swore in its first mayor in July. This bicentennial celebration marks the 200th anniversary of Pittsburgh’s incorporation as a city, which gave Pittsburghers the right to vote and govern themrselves. “In 2016 the city is back to see how far we’ve come, celebrating where we are today, and envisioning Pittsburgh’s future potential. The 200th anniversary offers an opportunity for the city, region and world to celebrate all that makes Pittsburgh extraordinary and visionary,” said a Press Release from the city.
CRAWFORD GRILL—Etta Cox Jazz trio perform outside the Crawford Grill exhibit. (Photos by J.L. Martello)
“If you’re not familiar with Pittsburgh, visiting this year is a great way to get to know our city’s incredible history. Pittsburgh is a hardworking city of dreamers and doers. Experience firsthand our history of innovation, our can-do spirit and the strength and warmth of our people, all things that have stood the test of time. In 2016 our city is on display and you have the chance to visit our unique attractions, attend special events and meet the partners that make Pittsburgh such a great place to live, work, study and play. This bicentennial provides an opportunity to share what is best about Pittsburgh. It’s the perfect way to welcome visitors.
CUTTING THE CAKE—Mayor Bill Peduto and history center’s Andrew Masich president and CEO cut the Pittsburgh bicentennial cake with swords.
GETTING COMFORTABLE—African Americans came down to watch the parade.
THE MOVE MAKERS BAND performing on the first floor.
LOOKING AT THE PAST—Actor portraying Martin Delany marches in the Pittsburgh bicentennial parade as a Civil War officer.
ENJOYING THE BIRTHDAY—Jackie Livingston and Bertram Garner from Apollo area.
PIRATES GREATS—Former Pittsburgh Pirates Manny Sanguillen and Kent Tekulve ride through the parade.
HAITI BEAUTIES—Group is with the L’Union Fait La Force Haiti In Pittsburgh.
HANGING OUT—Tara Matthews and Esther Bush hang out at the birthday party.