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Vol. 110 No. 30

Two Sections

Published Weekly

JULY 24-30, 2019

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‘He made a difference with the community, and he made a difference in his life.’

- Pittsburgh Chief of Police Scott Schubert

REMEMBERING PITTSBURGH POLICE OFFICER CALVIN HALL

by Christian Morrow

As they did, someone shot Officer Hall in the back three times. He clung to Even when Pittsburgh Po- life for three days before lice Officer Calvin Hall was succumbing to his injuries on Wednesday, July 17. He off-duty, he was on duty.

In the early morning was 36.

“We were hours of Suntrying to walk day, July 14, away, and he was visitboom, boom, ing his cousboom, boom, in Darnell and Calvin Coates at his falls,” Coates Monticello told the Street house Pittsburgh in HomePost-Gawood but left zette.

“It because a just weighs party across heavy on me the street because he had gotten came back to rowdy. Shortmake sure I ly thereafter, was alright.”

Coates reOFFICER CALVIN HALL Officer ported that someone had threatened Hall’s death weighed heavhim and his wife, Dawn ily on many people. SpeakRoyster, with a gun. Officer ing at an impromptu press Hall returned to find Roys- conference at UPMC Prester arguing with neighbors byterian immediately after in the street. He tried to in- Officer Hall died, his voice tervene, but the argument cracking with emotion, escalated. Coates managed Pittsburgh Chief of Police PITTSBURGH POLICE OFFICERS carry fellow Officer Calvin Hall’s casket out of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall after Officer Hall’s to get his wife and Officer SEE HALL A4 funeral service, July 23. (Photo by J.L. Martello) Hall to walk away.

Courier Staff Writer

‘Calvin’s legacy does not end here. Calvin’s legacy continues.’

Officers, community show full support at homegoing service

by Christian Morrow and Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writers

State Police troopers filled about a quarter of the seats, Pittsburgh Police officers about half, the others were filled with, among others, officers from Allegheny County Police, the Port Authority and the Sheriff’s office—and that was just on the inside.

Outside Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland, on the morning and into the afternoon of Tuesday, July 23, more officers— in the hundreds—from municipalities like Smithton, Cecil Township, Port Vue, and even Erie, stood at attention, waiting to say farewell to beloved Pittsburgh ANGEL WARREN, the fiancée of Officer Calvin Hall, is consoled by Officer Calvin Hall. Officer a Pittsburgh Police officer, as Officer Hall’s brother, Curtis, consoles Hall died July 17 after being shot in the back multiOfficer Hall’s sister, Eugenia Hall Miller. (Photos by J. L. Martello) ple times in Homewood in the early morning hours NEW of Sunday, July 14. Officer Hall was 36 years old.

Pennsylvania Secretary To subscribe, call of Corrections John Wetzel 412-481-8302 made the trip from Harrisext. 134 burg to attend the ceremo-

Pittsburgh Courier

HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS paid their final respects to Pittsburgh Police Officer Calvin Hall, who was shot multiple times on Sunday, July 14, and succumbed to his injuries three days later. ny.

“The Pittsburgh Police is a good partner of ours, and Chief Scott Schubert is a friend of mine,” he said.

“When one of our officers was killed, everyone came together. So I’m here to show my support.”

The service itself, though mostly somber, was also celebratory—due mostly to Officer Hall’s outgoing personality that was echoed by those who spoke at the funeral. All the speakers; Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Public Safety Direc-

tor Wendell Hissrich, Chief Schubert, Cmdr. Chris Ragland, Sgt. Joe Lewis, and Officer Hall’s partner, Reggie Eiland, commented on his infectious smile, his dedication, and his desire SEE SERVICE A5

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INTERNATIONAL

JULY 24-30, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Is the U.S. marching This Week In Black History steadily to war with Iran?

by Askia Muhammad Senior Editor, The Final Call

ka Katada, president of the Kokuka Sangyo shipping firm that owns the Kokuka Courageous tanker, told reporters in Tokyo June 14: “The crew are saying it was hit with a flying object.

They say something came flying toward them, then there was an explosion, then there was a hole in the vessel. Then some crew witnessed a second shot.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the United States had “immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran—(without) a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence,” and he accused the Trump White House of “economic terrorism” and “sabotage diplomacy,” according to published reports.

“So it’s apparent that the United States is trying to execute a false flag operation and to throw dust in the eyes of international com-

vices Committee meeting and confirmed to The Intercept by Rep. Gabbard. “We were all in that meeting with Pompeo where those statements were made,” Ms. Gabbard said.

The Trump administration is prepared to wage the war against Iran without congressional authorization, based on the notion that the “Authorization for the Use of Military Force” approved by Congress in 2001 after 9/11 can be applied to Iran, through that country’s purported links to Al Qaeda.

Democratic House members and senators, and a host of presidential candidates condemned the president’s saber rattling. “If the administration wants to go to war against Iran, then the Constitution requires them to come to Congress to ask for an authorization for the use of military force,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren

WASHINGTON—President Donald J. Trump seems to want war with Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is beating the drum for war with Iran.

National Security Adviser John Bolton is itching for war with Iran. Together they are orchestrating an all-too-familiar scenario to justify the use of U.S. military force against the Islamic Republic.

In 1846 U.S. forces falsely claimed they were attacked by Mexican forces inside U.S. territory. In retaliation the U.S. launched the Mexican-American War, seizing land from New Mexico to California, to Colorado, even to Utah.

Have we forgotten the suspicious sinking of the USS Maine, the Navy ship which went down in the Havana Harbor in 1898, dragging the U.S. into the Spanish-American War? In 1962, a Pentagon plan called “Operation Northwoods” was hatched for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to commit acts of terrorism against U.S. civilians to be blamed on Cuba, in order to justify an invasion of that country. In 1964 the TANKER ON FIRE—An oil tanker is on fire in the sea of Oman, June 13. (Photo: White House com- AP/Wide World Photo) mitted “material misrepresentations” of the munities and make the in- (D-Mass.), a presidential truth of what was known ternational community feel candidate told reporters.

“This is Constitutional as the “Gulf of Tonkin In- that the Iranians are the cident” in order to goad aggressors when in fact it’s Law 101, that it is Congress, Congress into authorizing Washington that’s the ag- not the president, that dewar with Vietnam. And of gressor,” Dr. Gerald Horne, clares war,” Sen. Warren, a course, the convincing dra- professor of history and Af- former law professor, conmatizations of “Yellow Cake rican American studies at tinued. “We would have to Uranium” and non-existent the University of Houston have a debate on the floor of the Senate. And if the ad“weapons of mass destruc- said in an interview. tion” were used to justify The U.S. lust for war is ministration doesn’t believe the U.S. invasion of Iraq in because U.S. interests and that they can withstand a 2003. allies are suffering, while debate, then they shouldn’t The Trump administra- Iran is making gains in be aiming themselves totion is now stoking fear of a the region, according to ward war.”

President Trump told an potential conflict with Iran. Dr. Horne. The U.S. invaThe president withdrew sion of Iraq has made that interviewer on June 13 that from the landmark Iran country even more depen- “Iran did do it.” In response, nuclear deal—the Joint dent on Iran for everything presidential candidate and Comprehensive Plan of Ac- from electricity to security. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tion—in May 2018. More And U.S. ally Saudi Ara- told reporters: “Attacks on recently, National Security bia is fighting a costly and oil tankers in the Gulf of Adviser John Bolton asked bloody war against rebels Oman are unacceptable the Pentagon to provide the in Yemen who enjoy Irani- and must be fully investigated. But this incident White House with military an support. options to strike Iran.

“Interestingly enough, be- must not be used as a preIn the latest incident, the cause of Mr. Trump pulling text for a war with Iran, a Secretary of State said Iran out of the (Iranian) nuclear war which would be an unwas behind the attacks on deal, the EU 3—Germany, mitigated disaster for the two oil tankers in the Gulf Britain, and France—are United States, Iran, the reof Oman June 13, implicat- trying to set up a special gion and the world.

“The time is now for the ing the nation in the second purpose vehicle to circumset of attacks on tankers in vent U.S. sanctions,” Dr. United States to exert inthe region in two months. Horne said, “which will ternational leadership and U.S. Central Command then be a threat to the bring the countries in the even released a video it dollar, which is now under region together to forge a says shows Iran removing siege not only because of diplomatic solution to the an unexploded mine from the EU 3 but also because growing tensions. I would remind President one of the tankers it’s ac- of Russia (and) China pre- also cused of attacking. paring to conduct trade Trump that there is no congressional authorization for But the Japanese owner of without the dollar.” the ship that was damaged A war, Mr. Trump may be a war with Iran. A unilaterdenied that it was struck estimating, could “rescue” al U.S. attack on Iran would by mines as the U.S. claims, him politically, and inject be illegal and unconstituinsisting instead that it was more money into the Penta- tional.”

Disclaimer: The views and hit by “flying objects.” Yuta- gon. The U.S. “war strategy” was revealed by Reps. Elis- opinions expressed in this article sa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and do not necessarily reflect the offiTHE Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) cial policy or position of BlackNEW PITTSBURGH after a House Armed Ser- PressUSA.com or the NNPA. COURIER PUBLISHING COMPANY

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Week of July 24-30 July 24 1651—Anthony (or Antonio) Johnson, a free Black man who had purchased freedom for himself and his wife, 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 ALEXANDRE DUMAS he is simply referred to as “Antonio the Negro.”

1802—Famed French writer Alexandre 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 feet under Lake GARRETT T. MORGAN Erie. Morgan called 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.”

TUSKEGEE SYPHILLIS EXPERIMENT 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. 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 more than 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.”

July 27 CARTER G. WOODSON 1919—The infamous Chicago Race Riot of 1919 begins. It would last for several days and require 6,000 National Guardsmen to put it down. The Chicago disturbance was the bloodiest of 25 race riots which took place in cities throughout the country. In fact, the summer of 1919 became known as the “Red Summer” because of the wide spread number of racial conflicts. In Chicago, the rioting was started by White gangs harassing the large number of Blacks who had moved to the city for wartime jobs created by World War I. In addition to harassing and beating CHICAGO RACE RIOT Blacks, the White gangs invented “drive-by shooting” as they drove through Black neighborhoods firing rifles and pistols. Young Blacks formed mobs of their own and began retaliating. When it was all over 15 Whites and 23 Blacks were dead; more than 500 people had been injured and another 1,000 left homeless.

July 28 1868—The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified formally making former Black slaves citizens of the United States. Many scholars consider this the most important amendment to the Constitution. In addition to making Blacks citizens, it contains both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause. These clauses have been used to guarantee a wide range of rights for all U.S. citizens. The 14th Amendment was passed, in part, to overturn the “Black Codes” being adopted in many Southern states after the Civil War. The Black Codes were an attempt to give Blacks official second class status in America by, among other things, limiting their rights to vote, sue a White person or testify in court.

1915—United States Marines begin the first American occupation of Haiti.

The official justification was that disturbances on the predominantly Black island might allow Germany’s Adolph Hitler to infiltrate troops into the Americas. But the U.S. invasion was driven in large measure by a desire to put down a popular rebellion which threatened the rule of Haiti’s dictator and American business interests. More than 2,000 Haitians were killed in the early weeks of the occupation which did not end until August of 1934.

1917—The NAACP organizes an 8,000-person strong “silent march” down New York’s Fifth Avenue to protest lynching and other brutalities against African Americans. The marchers were particularly outraged by the July 2, 1917 massacre of Blacks in East St. Louis, Ill. President Woodrow Wilson (considered by many Blacks to be a racist) had just taken America into World War I under the theme of “Making the World Safe for Democracy.” Many of the marchers carried signs reading “Mr. President, why not make America safe for democracy?”

2009—Death of the flamboyant Rev. Ike is announced. At his height in the mid-1970s, Rev. Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter reached an estimated 2.5 million African-Americans with his New Yorkbased spiritual and financial betterment radio program. However, critics often described him as a “hustler” and a “scoundrel” who exploited poor Blacks by selling “healings” and “prayer clothes.”

He died in California but was born in Ridgeland, S.C. July 29 1870—Pioneering boxer George Dixon is REV. IKE born in Nova Scotia, Canada. Little is known today but Dixon had an absolutely amazing boxing career. He pioneered much of modern boxing including training techniques such as the suspended punching bag and shadow boxing. He was the first Black person to win a world boxing title. Dixon was known as “Little Chocolate” because he stood only 5’3” tall and weighed around 90 pounds. Despite his diminutive size he won 78 fights—30 by knock out. He was known for his lightning fast speed.

Dixon died in New York in 1909. He is buried in Boston, Mass.

GEORGE DIXON July 30 1863—President Abraham Lincoln issues his famous “eye-for-an-eye” order. The order was basically a threat aimed at stopping the Confederate practice of killing captured Black soldiers instead of imprisoning them. Lincoln threatened to kill one captured rebel soldier for every Black soldier killed by the Confederates. In addition, he pledged to condemn one captured rebel soldier to life in prison at hard labor for every captured Black soldier sold into slavery by the rebelling Southerners. The order did not stop the Confederate practice of killing captured Black soldiers, but it did have a restraining effect.

1945—Activist minister Adam Clayton Powell Jr. is elected to Congress from Harlem, N.Y., becoming one of only two Blacks in Congress. The other was William Dawson of Chicago. Powell, however, would become the first truly powerful Black political figure on Capitol Hill. By 1961, he headed the influential Education and Labor Committee in the House of Representatives. Powell would steer more than 50 pieces of legislation through Congress. He also passed legislation making lynching a federal crime and bills to desegregate public schools and the military. In addition, he almost single handedly stopped Southern Congressmen from using the word “Nigger” during sessions of Congress. Despite his political influence, Powell constantly maintained that “Mass action is the most powerful force on earth.” He died on April 4, 1972.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

NATIONAL

JULY 24-30, 2019

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Startling reports show that police continue to profile, stop and search African American drivers

by Stacy M. Brown

likely to search Black people than White people, yet found contraband in only Two new recently pub41 percent of searches of lished reports show that Black people compared to racial profiling—partic72 percent of the searches ularly “Driving While of White people,” he said.

Black”—remains a crisis in Takei continued: America.

“In other words, the police A recent report issued by have a pattern of stopping Missouri’s attorney general and searching Black people Eric Schmitt revealed that in circumstances where Black drivers across that they would simply let state are 91 percent more White people go. likely than White motorists “This unjustly interferes to get pulled over by police. with Black people trying to What’s more, the profiling live their everyday lives— usually takes place in the subjecting them to humilmotorists’ own community, iating, intrusive stops and according to the attorney searches in circumstances general’s report. where White people would The Missouri report not be stopped or searched. arrives on the heels of one “Additionally, such raout of Kentucky where a cialized policing practices study found that Black harm law enforcement by motorists are searched at undermining the legitimaa rate of three-times more cy of the police and damthan Whites in Louisville. aging police relationships African Americans acwith the communities they count for approximately are supposed to be serv20 percent of Louisville’s ing.” driving age population, but The Louisville Courier they still accounted for 33 Journal reported that percent of police stops and Police Chief Steve Conrad 57 percent of the nearly spoke before the Metro STARTLING REPORT—The Louisville Courier Journal also found that Black motorists in Kentucky were searched 12 percent of the time Council Public Safety Com9,000 searches conducted they were stopped, while White motorists were searched just 3.9 percent of the time. (Photo: iStockphoto/NNPA) on motorists, according mittee and acknowledged to the Louisville Courier that the department has while White motorists were sequences, Johnson added. by discriminatory pracJournal, which conducted disproportionately stopped an airport without being “Our faith in our criminal tices just by doing simple searched just 3.9 percent of the study.

Black drivers. stopped merely because of justice system will contintasks—walking down the Their findings were high- the time.

The newspaper reported the color of our skin. Living “Aside from the alarming lighted in a tweet by The that Conrad reasoned that as a person of color should Thurgood Marshall Project, and devastating findings, African Americans are “What’s particularly damning about never be crime,” he said. we have always known a nonpartisan, nonprofit disproportionately repreAmerican Civil Liberthis data is that police were more like- ties Union Attorney Carl sented in all aspects of the that racial profiling is all organization that seeks to too prevalent throughout create and sustain a sense criminal justice system, ly to search Black people than White Takei told NNPA Newslaw enforcement and our of national urgency about including in arrests and wire that racial disparipeople, yet found contraband in only society as a whole,” NAACP the U.S. criminal justice incarceration. ties in the new data are President Derrick Johnson 41 percent of searches of Black people similar to what courts system.

“This is not all surprising compared to 72 percent of the search- have relied on around the based on my over 35 years told NNPA Newswire.

The Louisville Courier “What we need is to imJournal said it reviewed es of White people...In other words, the country to find unconsti- of practice defending drug plement proper training for “130,999 traffic stops in racial profiling in cases after traffic stops,” police have a pattern of stopping and tutional law enforcement officers Louisville from 2016 to Randall Levine, a Kalamatraffic stops. searching Black people in circumstanc- “Disparities of this kind on how to more efficiently 2018 and found that an zoo, Michigan attorney told carry out essential policing es where they would simply let White suggest that officers are overwhelming number of NNPA Newswire. without threatening the African American drivers “I would say that DWB— using race not only in people go.” lives of people of color,” were profiled and pulled Driving While Black—is deciding who to pull over, ATTORNEY CARL TAKEI but who to single out for Johnson said. over by police.” still as prevalent today Racial profiling is an The newspaper also found as it was in 1980,” Levine AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION searches,” Takei said. insidious practice and that Black motorists were said, before opining what “What’s particularly serious problem in America uously be challenged if we street, driving down an searched 12 percent of the could occur to affect damning about this data that can lead to deadly con- are constantly targeted interstate, or going through is that police were more time they were stopped, change.

NNPA Newswire

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METRO

JULY 24-30, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

REMEMBERING PITTSBURGH POLICE OFFICER CALVIN HALL

‘He made a difference with the community, and he made a difference in his life.’

HALL FROM A1

Scott Schubert said he was a model officer.

“Officer Hall, Calvin, got into this profession, got onto the Pittsburgh Police to make a difference. And I can tell you he made a difference with us. He made a difference with the community, and he made a difference in his life.”

Zone 1 Cmdr. Chris Ragland echoed Chief Schubert, saying that when he asked Officer Hall why he wanted to be a police officer, he instantly said, “to make a difference in my community.”

And when he thought he could do so at the Northview Heights Public Safety Center, he asked to be assigned there.

“He requested to be part of the Northview Heights police officer unit. So we gave him the tryout, and not only did he do well—he thrived,” Cmdr. Ragland said. “And he’ll be sorely missed by his fellow officers and the people in that community. He definitely made a difference.”

Before Officer Hall joined the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police two years ago, he was a patrol officer in Braddock.

Lieutenant Gov. John Fetterman, who was the mayor of Braddock at the time, said in a statement that Officer Hall epitomized service.

“It’s heartbreaking and I want everyone to know that he served our community with the utmost integrity, professionalism and empa-

thy,” said Fetterman. “He was a supreme credit to our force, as I’m sure he was to the City of Pittsburgh. It’s my understanding that he was shot while trying to break up a fight. That is wholly consistent with his character.”

In a July 17 statement, Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge #1 Vice President Patrick Knepp praised Officer Hall and vilified his killer.

“Calvin Hall died today due to the heinous act of a coward,” he said. “Brother Hall is remembered as a dedicated, professional, and congenial person dedicated to assisting the citizens of Pittsburgh. He was committed to his family and could be relied upon both personally and professionally because he went above and beyond to assist others. The FOP is here to assist Brother Hall’s family in any way possible…The Pittsburgh Police FOP asks for thoughts and prayers for Officer Hall’s family as they deal with their loss.”

The following day, the city’s Department of Public Safety released a statement from Officer Hall’s family thanking everyone for their support: “We would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and staff at UPMC Presbyterian who were involved in Officer Hall’s care. You worked incredibly hard to try to save his life, and for that we will be forever grateful. We

KIAUNA JEFFRIES, left, Elfreida Jeffries, center, and Joelle Jeffries attend the public visitation for their family member, Officer Calvin Hall, July 22. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello) would like to thank all of Officer Hall’s extended family—the men and women in blue. Your support, love, and kind words will be imprinted on our hearts forever.

“To Mayor William Peduto, thank you for all of your love and support. To Police Chief Scott Schubert, the support you and your offi-

cers have shown to Officer Hall and our family was above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you. We also want to thank Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich, Zone 1 Commander Christopher Ragland and Sgt. Joe Lewis, who was Officer Hall’s supervisor at Northview Heights, for your care and compassion.

We will never forget all that you have done.

“We want to thank everyone at the Northview Heights Public Safety Center. Officer Hall was so proud to be a part of a unit that was truly making a difference in the community. He spoke of his fellow officers and the substation often. We will not forget you.

“To Officer Hall’s partner, Officer Reggie Eiland, there are no words that can adequately describe how grateful we are for the love, dedication and loyalty that you showed your fellow officer. You never left his side. You were there day and night, as were as so many other officers. We thank you, Officer Reggie, we thank you, Officer Joe Bucci, and we thank every other officer who showed their support, including the Chief of Police in Braddock, where Officer Hall worked before he came to Pittsburgh, who was there to support him and to offer his prayers.

“There are so many others we want to thank, including those whose names we never learned. If we have forgotten anyone, please forgive us. But know that your kindness and devotion FAMILY MEMBERS stand next to Pittsburgh Officer Calvin Hall’s patrol car, which was stationed outside Soldiers and Sailors Memorial did not go unrecognized. We thank you all for working Hall. around the clock to support Officer Hall and his family.”

Both Gov. Tom Wolf and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Officer Hall’s memory.

Officer Hall’s public visitation was held Monday,

July 22, at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland. Just outside Soldiers and Sailors was Officer Hall’s patrol car, with a blue wreath on the front and a rose on the hood. It was where Officer Hall’s family would gather to speak with the media around 4:15 p.m., but prior to their appearance, Pittsburgh Police Commander Victor Joseph addressed the media, announcing that “we’ve charged Christian Bey in the murder of Officer Calvin Hall. The arresting detectives took great satisfaction in placing Calvin’s handcuffs on the actor.”

Commander Joseph continued: “Obviously this arrest will not bring Calvin back. But I hope it brings some peace to his family and friends.”

Moments later, Officer Hall’s family, in unison, appeared from the first row of seats inside Soldiers and Sailors to the outdoors, where the media was stationed. Eugenia Hall Miller, the sister of Officer Hall, spoke on the family’s behalf: “We are overjoyed that the suspect has been arrested and has been charged with the murder of my brother, Officer Calvin Hall. There are no amount of words that I can say to comfort my mother. Her heart has been ripped out of her, and I have to watch her suffer every day for the loss of her son. To the coward that shot my brother in the back, and killed him, may God have mercy on your soul.”

A ROSE is placed on the hood of Pittsburgh Officer Calvin Hall’s patrol car.

OFFICER CALVIN HALL’S patrol car, outside the Zone One Police Station on Brighton Road on the North Side.

A BLUE WREATH was placed on the front of Officer Calvin Hall’s patrol car.

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JULY 24-30, 2019 A5

REMEMBERING PITTSBURGH POLICE OFFICER CALVIN HALL On July 1 , when Officer Calvin Hall was shot, and for three days after that, he fought for his life his death meant something. It meant that peacemakers still survive. That we’re all not about violence, but the heart, the caring heart, still lives. His death meant that in our communities, we must come together, for that was his desire. His death meant that we can still stand, and stand for what’s right.

- Rev. Earlene Coleman

OFFICER CALVIN HALL’S PARENTS, Louella Hall Carter and Curtis Washington, leaving the funeral ser- OFFICER CALVIN HALL’S BROTHER, Curtis, is consoled by Officer Hall’s sister, Eugenia Hall Miller. (Phovice. tos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

Officers, community show full support at homegoing service SERVICE FROM A1

dedication, and his desire to make a difference in his community.

On the back of the program, with a photo showing Officer Hall in a white suit and hat, was a quote of his before he began each shift at the Northview Heights P u b l i c Safety Center: “Gotta go, time to make a difference.”

“It wasn’t just something to say, it was his philosophy,” Sgt. Lewis told the over 1,000 people in attendance at the service.

“He loved being a cop and he did it right.

He would talk to anyone, about anything, because he wanted to help.”

Officer Hall’s sister, Eugenia Hall Miller, standing with her brother, Curtis, thanked Sgt. Lewis and everyone who stood by Officer Hall as he fought for his life and who have supported their family throughout the ordeal.

“He was the rod in our family. He was the glue that held us together,” Miller said. “And he was determined to build bridges between the community and the police.”

Officer Hall’s father, Curtis Washington, accompanying himself on bass, also sang an original composition dedicated to his son: “I Loved You Before…Even Before You Were Born…”

But Officer Eiland, with his story of meeting Officer Hall and the two eventually becoming partners, injected a welcome dash of humor into the ceremony: “I was coming back from an arrest and a voice says, ‘sup Reg.’ And I turn and see a short, bald old guy (Officer Hall)…later on when we were staffing the Safety Center, Sarge tells me he wants Calvin up there, and to partner with me. And I

said, ‘you want to bring the old guy up here? Partner?

What did I do to earn this punishment?’”

Little did Officer Eiland know that in time, they would click as partners and become close friends.

Officer Eiland’s stern and quiet demeanor, mixed with Officer Hall’s smiling and talkative personality, turned out to be the perfect match.

Officer Eiland told the story about being detailed to a “Cops & Kids” event away from his normal Northview Heights site, beginning July 8. It was to last a few weeks. Thus, Officers Hall and Eiland texted each other throughout the week, culminating with a text Officer Hall sent Officer Eiland on Friday, July 12: “Dude, I need you back up here,” wrote Officer Hall, whom Officer Eiland commonly referred to as “Cal.” Officer Hall’s text read as a term of endearment; he was missing a partner, a friend, as they’d be separated for the next few weeks until “Cops & Kids” ended.

“Cal and I were not only partners, but brothers who happened to be partners,” Officer Eiland said.

The next evening, Officer Eiland took a trip, three hours away, to attend a bachelor party. Wiping away tears, he told the audience what happened next.

“I got a call from Sgt. Lewis at 2:43 in the morning (July 14). I didn’t answer.

He shot me a text saying to call him as soon as possible.

At 5:22 in the morning, I called Sgt. Lewis, to which he said Cal was shot multiple times, and is in critical condition.”

Officer Eiland immediately rushed back to Pittsburgh, to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

“From that moment until Calvin succumbed to his injuries on July 17, I was at the hospital, day and night by his side, I never left his room. When Calvin died in front of my face, I could not believe it.

I lost my partner, and I lost my brother.”

Officer Eiland told the audience he couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and had various mood swings in the days after Officer Hall’s untimely death.

“As I sit back and think, why him, why Cal, this isn’t fair…how could this happen to such a beautiful person, who only wanted to do right by his community, but the community betrayed him…A wise man told me…you do not realize now what God is doing, but later, you’ll understand. I get lost in this saying because it’s not fair that somebody took his life away from us, but as I sit up here in front of you, crying, I’m here to say that Calvin’s legacy does not end here. Calvin’s legacy continues.”

As the more than 700 police officers and hundreds more supporters looked on, Officer Hall’s casket was carried to the hearse, draped in the American flag. With a heavy police escort, the hearse traveled from Oakland to the Homewood cemetery, where a graveside service was held.

Shortly thereafter, Officer Hall was laid to rest.

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JULY 24-30, 2019

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

The 2nd Antwon Rose II Community Birthday Celebration

JULY 12, 2019 WOULD HAVE BEEN ANTWON ROSE II’s 19th BIRTHDAY. Rose is not to be forgotten by so many in the Pittsburgh area and across the nation, and it showed during the second Antwon Rose II Community Birthday Celebration, held July 12 at Hawkins Village in Rankin, where he lived. Rose was shot and killed by former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld as Rose fled from a traffic stop on June 19, 2018. (Photos by Courier photographer Streets)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

METRO

JULY 24-30, 2019

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ANTWON ROSE II’s FAMILY MEMBERS, including his mother, Michelle Kenney, watch as they release balloons into the sky in memory of Rose during the second Antwon Rose II Community Birthday Celebration, held July 12, 2019. Rose was shot and killed by former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld as he fled from a traffic stop on June 19, 2018. (Photos by Courier photographer Streets)

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METRO

JULY 24-30, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

REMEMBERING PITTSBURGH POLICE OFFICER CALVIN HALL

(Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

“There are no amount of words that I can say to comfort my mother.

Her heart has been ripped out of her, and I have to watch her suffer every day for the loss of her son. To the coward that shot my brother in the back, and killed him, may God have mercy on your soul.”

- Eugenia Hall Miller Sister of Pittsburgh Officer Calvin Hall LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Development and Implementation of an Organizational Style Guide and Organizational Re-Branding RFP #800-23-19 The documents will be available no later than July 1 , 201 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on August 1 , 201 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 1 21 .

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.

HACP.org. uestions or inquiries should be directed to: Mr. 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-submission meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 July 30, 2019 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 0 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 , the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS…THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ORGANIZATIONAL STYLE GUIDE AND ORGANIZATIONAL RE-BRANDING RFP #800-23-19

PITTSBURGH OFFICER CALVIN HALL is survived by his fiancée, Angel Warren; mother, Louella Hall Carter; and father, Curtis Washington; stepmother, Patricia Rucker Garfold; and stepfather, James Morgan; sisters, Eugenia Hall Miller and Tamaris Washington; brother, Curtis Hall; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Charles Calvin Washington; grandmother, Hilda Washington; grandfather, Benjamin Hall; and grandmother, Ernestine Holmes.

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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JULY 24-30, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report Write me a letter “I’m going to sit right down and write myself a letter and make believe it came from you.”

If you are anywhere near my age maybe you heard your mother sing these lyrics or heard the song on radio or television. Nina Simone performed this song as well as Barry Manilow. When you say that you are going to write someone a letter, to me the expectation is that the letter will be a handwritten letter in cursive. Frankly I have never had pretty handwriting but I still use the cursive style of writing. I was out of town recently and thought I would send my great-nephew a postcard. I guess all of this is old school but I thought he would appreciate the gesture. I know that he likes to get mail. When I was his age I thought it was a great thing to get a postcard from someone who has gone out of town.

We had the best postman back in those days and when the postman went on vacation he would send me a postcard. So I sent my favorite and only great nephew JB a postcard with a picture of the Martin Luther King Monument. On the card I wrote that I hope this was his first mail at his new address. After an appropriate time I asked his mother if the postcard had arrived and she said it did, however since it was written in cursive he could not read my message since cursive is no longer taught in his school, so she read it to him. Of course this led me to do an investigation on cursive writing in schools.

Alabama and Louisiana passed laws in 2016 mandating cursive proficiency in public schools, the latest of 14 states that require cursive. And a few years ago, the 1.1 million-student New York City schools, the nation’s largest public school system, encouraged the teaching of cursive to students, generally in the third grade.

Texas students will have to learn cursive again starting this fall.

Penmanship proponents say writing words in an unbroken line of swooshing l’s and three-humped m’s is just a faster, easier way of taking notes. Others say students should be able to understand documents written in cursive, such as, say, a letter from Grandma, or Aunt Debbie. And still more say it’s just a good life skill to have, especially when it comes to signing your name.

I heard a story about a young person registering to vote and was told to sign their name—instead, they printed it. Again they were asked to “sign” their name and the young person explained that they were never taught how to sign their name in cursive. One school explained there are only so many hours in the day and teaching cursive was something that was eliminated because in most causes cursive writing is transferred into a digital format.

I told my niece she could use cursive as a secret code language since her son cannot read it. Write his Christmas list in cursive.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com.)

PENN STATE AWARD WINNER—Jay- PENN STATE AWARD WINNER—Jada lin Hamlin with Michael Philips-Penn Woods with Michael Philips-Penn State State

UPMC AWARD—Cassandra Cooper/UPMC and Kennedi A. Wade

KSEF BOARD PRESIDENT HOWARD RUSSELL and keynote speaker Rob Wilson (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

KSEF presents the 29th Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon

KSEF MEMBERS—Mark Alexander, Ted Duncan, Rob Wilson, Nafis Hill

KSEF MEMBERS—Eric Cofield, Dwayne Cooper, Howard Russell, Robert Powell

by Debbie Norrell

Marcus P. Blakemore Undergraduate Award, Justin C. StewLifestyles Editor art—KSEF Financial Award, Kennedi A. Wade- UPMC Award The year 2019 represents the 29th and Makayla A. Washington— year for the Kappa Scholarship EnHighmark/Aaron Walton Award. dowment Fund (KSEF) presenting Also honored on this day were high school students from Western members of the Kappa League Pa. with scholarship and finanProgram: Edsel Trowery, Noah cial assistance to pursue their life Butts, Alfonso Warren and Mark dreams. On June, 1 at the LeMont Anthony Peters Jr. The Kappa Restaurant, KSEF Board President League Program is a mentoring Howard Russell said this year’s program designed to work with class of awardees will walk away Western Pa.-based minority male with awards valued at well over high school students with the $200,000. goal of developing the tangible This year’s keynote speaker and intangible skills needed to was Pittsburgh native Rob Wilbe successful upon completion of son, author of the Amazon best seller “Secure The Bag.” Wilson THOMAS MOTLEY AWARD WINNER—Thomas Motley/KSEF founder and Khari M. high school. This year’s winner of the Kappa League “stock game” is a financial advisor, television Smith was Edsel Trowery. contributor and new media personality who concentrates his practice on providing advice to and managing financial affairs for successful professional athletes, entertainers and other young professionals.

The 2019 KSEF scholarship recipients included: Mia M. Adams—CCAC Award, Jayla Hamlin— Penn State Award, Khari M. Smith—Thomas Motley Award, Modupe Wilson —KSEF Financial Award, Nason P. Williams—Dollar Bank Award, Jada I. Woods HIGHMARK/AARON WALTON AWARD—Makayla Washington and —Penn State Award, Aaron Walton Brandon Bennett—The DOLLAR BANK AWARD—Sam Stephens and Nason P. Williams

CCAC AWARD WINNER—Dr. Quintin Bullock, CCAC President, and KSEF FINANCIAL AWARD WINNER—Eric Cofield and Justin StewMia M. Adams art

2019 KAPPA LEAGUE—Frankie Hicks, Edsel Trowery, Noah Butts, Alfonso Warren, Mark Anthony Peters Jr., Michael Thomas

REFLECTIONS—Janelle Thompson and Jordan Giles–former scholars

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RELIGION

JULY 24-30, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Sunday Mass 10:30 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

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

www.cathedralofhope.com

Worship on Sunday: Summer Worship Hour...10 a.m.

Taize Prayer Service (Wed.) 7 p.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

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

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue http://www.quaker.org/legacy/pghpamm

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

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

Send info to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Or Email us! religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

SISTER SUSAN WELSH GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD—McAuley Ministries Executive Director Michele Rone Cooper presents the 2019 Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award to Hill District resident Ms. Edna Council. (Photo by E.A. Smith for CREW Productions LLC)

Ms. Edna, a ‘prime example of what a good neighbor should be’ McAuley Ministries’ inaugural Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award presented to lifelong Hill District resident Edna Council

by Tina Harper The first recipient of the Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award is Edna Council, a lifelong resident of the Hill District, who was nominated by Carol Hardeman, co-director of the Hill District Consensus Group, and Terri Baltimore, vice president of Neighborhood Development at the Hill House Association. The award was presented July 22 by the McAuley Ministries Board of Directors during a celebration breakfast held at Carlow University Commons in West Oakland.

McAuley Ministries Executive Director Michele Rone Cooper introduced the new award and presented it to Ms. Edna. Her daughter, Janicee Williams, and son-in-law, Irvin Williams, granddaughter Janai Smith with husband, Lee Smith, and grandson Jann Council were on hand to mark the occasion. Hardeman and Baltimore were also in attendance.

The Good Neighbor Award was created to honor the legacy of Sister Susan Welsh, RSM, retired president and CEO of Pittsburgh Mercy, and current board chairperson and founding board member of McAuley Ministries Foundation. Sister Susan has been a compassionate, helpful, and willing volunteer, beyond the scope of her leadership responsibilities. In honor of Sister Susan’s service to Pittsburgh Mercy and her continued works of mercy, the Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award was born.

The award recognizes a resident of the Hill District, Uptown, or West Oakland,

the neighborhoods served

by McAuley Ministries, who exemplifies the ideals of a “good neighbor”—someone who is compassionate, friendly, helpful, a willing volunteer, an organizer of neighborhood events, and willing to devote time, talents and resources to make their neighborhood a better place in which to live.

The award celebrates an individual resident who is working at the grassroots level to make a positive difference for his or her neighbors and community, beyond their day-to-day work responsibilities.

“Ms. Edna is a servant leader, a devoted volunteer, and leads others on a journey of healing, seeking, and community transformation,” according to Hardeman’s nomination. “Ms. Edna is a social change leader, focusing on strengthening the Hill District by encouraging residents to work together to find solutions to make change within their community.”

Hardeman affirms, “Ms. Edna has a proven track record and is a prime example of what a good neighbor should be.”

Baltimore experienced firsthand the compassion of the woman affectionately known as “Ms. Edna.” When Baltimore became director of the Hill District Community Collaborative in 1992, Ms. Edna took Baltimore under her wing. “Ms. Edna’s patience helped me to find my way—as a woman and as a leader. Her knowledge of the neighborhood helped me to understand the relationships, community politics, and its history.”

Ms. Edna was an original volunteer for the Chil-

dren’s Art And Talk Group (CHAAT), which Baltimore initiated at the Collaborative. Ms. Edna was the grandparent figure that so many of the children did not have. She was the authority who never wavered and who lovingly took on her tasks.

She was the boundary keeper, and her recitation of the ground rules came with a gravitas that none of the rest of the staff had. She created and maintained a safe and mutually respectful environment. Her role was critical to the success of the program. Over the years, her role has been taken up by different elders in the community.

Group to secure ongoing funding.

Ms. Edna is a tireless volunteer, caring for children who need a home, providing them shelter and support.

She would purchase a coat or shoes for anyone who was in need.

Rone Cooper marveled, “Ms. Edna is a visible presence in the Hill District. When I see her, I automatically think of her tenacity and passion for the community.”

Upon receiving the award, Ms. Edna humbly stated, “I didn’t do any of these things for recognition. I did them because I wanted to.”

“We’d like to thank the McAuley Ministries Foun-

ily Excellence steering committee to help close achievement gaps in support of people of color. She is a member of Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh in the Hill District.

Professionally, Ms. Edna has worked within several nonprofit organizations committed to serving underrepresented communities.

Baltimore proclaimed, “Every community needs a Ms. Edna—a person who will be a fighter, protector, and champion for the places she loves.”

(Editor’s note: Know a good neighbor in the Hill District, Uptown, or West Oakland whose neighborly deeds are worthy of

TERRI BALTIMORE, Vice President of Neighborhood Development, Hill House Association; 2019 Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award recipient and Hill District resident Ms. Edna Council; Carol Hardeman, co-director of Hill District Consensus Group; and Sister Susan Welsh, RSM, chairperson of the McAuley Ministries Board of Directors and the Sister of Mercy for whom the Good Neighbor Award is named. (Photo by E.A. Smith for CREW Productions LLC) Ms. Edna uplifts spirits and sees value in the community beautification projects that she leads, such as hanging flower baskets and holiday banners displayed along Centre and Herron avenues. Ms. Edna wrote the initial letter seeking grant funding for the project and coordinated with the Hill District Consensus

dation for this award and for selecting Ms. Edna as the charter recipient,” said Irvin Williams, Ms. Edna’s son-in-law, speaking on behalf of Ms. Edna and her family.

Ms. Edna also volunteers as treasurer for the Hill District Consensus Group and serves as a member of the Center for Fam-

recognition? McAuley Ministries will accept nominations for the next Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award, Oct. 1, 2019 through March 30, 2020.

For more information about the award and to download the nomination form, please visit http:// mcauleyministries.org/what-wefund/special-initiatives/.

For a printed copy of the form, call 412-578-6675.)

SISTER SUSAN WELSH GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD—Front row, left to right: Terri Baltimore, Ms. Edna Council, McAuley Ministries Board Chairperson Sister Susan Welsh, RSM. Middle row, left to right: Janai Smith, Janicee Williams, Carol Hardeman, McAuley Ministries Executive Director Michele Rone Cooper. Back row, left to right: Lee Smith, Irvin Williams, Jann Council; McAuley Ministries Board Member James H. Myers Jr. (Photo by E.A. Smith for CREW Productions LLC)

BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

There’s a new southernstyle restaurant inside the West Mifflin Walmart Metro B7

Classifieds

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

JULY 24-30, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

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Financial tips for newly married couples

SHARING WISDOM—Founder and CEO of the Community Empowerment Association, Rashad Byrdsong, after meeting with Devaughn Lyle, Tyonna Bey and Dejahne Fullard. All are instrumental to the success of the annual Harambee Ujima Black Arts Festival in Homewood, Aug. 2-4.

Harambee Ujima Black Arts Festival Celebrating Black culture like no other, Aug. 2-4

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

“Breathing Life Into The Community” is the theme for the annual Harambee Ujima Black Arts Festival, Aug. 2-4 in Homewood. Explaining the concept, George Hogan relays that the word “Harambee” is part of the Bantu Swahili language. A Kenyan tradition, the Harambee is a call of self-help, meaning “all pull together.”

Ujima, the third Kwanzaa principle, means “collective work and responsibility.”

Hogan, chair of the host organization Harambee Ujima Black Art and Culture Association, says Harambee is a collective work of Black power taking responsibility for the matters of Black lives.

A resurgence of the 1969 Black Arts Festival, he says that “today Harambee is recognized as the Spirit of the Panther providing an African American trade footprint

demonstrated by the arts as the catalyst promoting social and economic sustainable well-being. The call of Black Power collectively taking responsibility for the matters of Black Lives represents the regional Black Diaspora tradition history of responsible trust to fill mankind’s covenant with creation.”

The organizers also are striving for the festival to serve as a tool to eliminate negativity in youth culture and to empower young people to understand their individual and collective beauty. Like the previous two years, they are working with students participating in the Partner4Work Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program. The students are responsible for conducting interviews concerning the Harambee, writing the feature article for the READY TO RECORD—At radio station WAMO 100.1 FM, Dejahne Fullard, Tyonna Harambee program booklet, Bey, Deonna Beck and Diamond Clark prepare to record the Harambee Ujima SEE HARAMBEE B2 Black Arts Festival commercial.

Traditionally, June marks the start of peak wedding season, which runs through the early fall. All across the country, happy couples are discussing seating charts, selecting a song for their first dance, and planning their honeymoons. There is one conversation, however, that they cannot afford to forget: how will they manage their finances once they become married.

The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) has tips to make sure money issues don’t get in the way of happily ever after.

Financial compatibility Research from the American Institute of CPAs found that 88 percent of adults 25 to 34 who are married or living with a partner say that financial decisions are a source of tension in their relationship. If one partner watches every penny and the other doesn’t worry about costs, there are likely to be difficult moments ahead. That said, by sitting down and having a conversation with your significant other about their approach to saving and spending and how they feel about money, you’ll gain important insight into their perspective. Once both of you understand each other’s financial fears and motivations, you’ll be able to develop an approach to money decisions that is a compromise.

Together or separate?

Before tying the knot, couples should discuss how extensively they intend to commingle their finances. One option is to fully combine checking and savings accounts, share credit cards, and make all payments out of joint accounts. The other option is to retain some financial independence, perhaps by having some separate accounts but a joint savings account or a family credit card you share.

This method will require ground rules on how you’ll handle household costs, such as rent, insurance, and utilities.

Either way, couples need to establish an understanding for what purchases should be discussed in advance. If one person in a relationship is pinching pennies to save as much as possible while the other is splurging on discretionary purchases, it is bound to cause problems.

By setting price limits on expenditures, you’ll gain an opportunity to talk through major purchases before they are brought into the home. A similar strategy is to allow each of you a certain amount of money each month to spend as you see fit, no questions asked, as long as no one goes over their monthly budget.

Decide on roles In many instances, it makes sense to establish clear cut divisions of labor so it’s understood who is expected to handle which financial tasks. For many couples, one person often takes on the role of primary bookkeeper to ensure all bills get paid on time and accounts don’t beSEE TIPS B2

CFPB turns its back on fair lending enforcement and reporting

by Charlene Crowell

CFPB’s most recent fair lending report to Congress For New Pittsburgh Courier acknowledged a full year (TriceEdneyWire.com)— without any fair lending More than 50 years ago, enforcement actions.“ The Bureau must refer this nation enacted legal guarantees that fair hous- to the Justice Department ing would be available to (DOJ) a matter when it all Americans. Despite this has reason to believe that federal assurance, howev- a creditor has engaged in a er, a disturbing and ongo- pattern or practice of lending stream of reports and ing discrimination in violawsuits remind us that lation of ECOA,” acknowlwe are still on an aspira- edged the report. “In 2018, tional journey. Aggressive the Bureau did not refer enforcement of fair hous- any ECOA violations to the Department…In ing and other anti-discrim- Justice inatory laws are supposed 2018, the Bureau opened to bring punishments for and continued a number of violators, and restitution fair-lending-related investigations, however, it did for those harmed.

But as with so many jus- not bring fair lending-retice issues –either finan- lated enforcement actions”, cial or criminal, what real- the June 2019 report conly happens in life seems a tinued.

While CFPB turned away world away from the African - American experience. from fair lending, several Since its inception, the 2018 lawsuits were filed Consumer Financial Pro- mostly by private and tection Bureau’s (CFPB) nonprofit advocates. Their mandate was to protect collective actions realized consumers from discrimi- large settlements, fair natory lending as well as to lending reports and conensure fair access to credit. tinued documentation of In addition to violations illegal breaches.

For example, nearly a of the Fair Housing Act, CFPB also has the author- year ago, New York’s Sufity to refer potential viola- folk County Federal Credit tions of the Equal Credit Union signed a $1 billion Opportunity Act (ECOA) settlement rather than go to the Justice Department. to trial on discriminatory Despite these and oth- charges. The settlement er enforcement options, resolved a case filed two

years earlier, in 2016 that alleged Black and Latino consumers were denied mortgage approvals at a higher rate than that of the credit union’s white customers.

Later that same year, in a regulatory examination of

Citigroup, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) found that consumers of color were not receiving the same mortgage rate discounts reserved for its large-deposit customers. That case was referred to the Justice

Department.

Another 2018 discriminatory case involved lawsuits with several major banks on behalf of consumers in two Maryland counties, Montgomery and Price George. The case alleged that as early as the mid2000s, consumers of color were steered into higher-cost, non-prime mortgages—a violation of the Fair Housing Act. Some might contend that this sample summary might not be fair to CFPB and its mission.

To such questioning minds, I would add that this June a coalition of 158 state and national advocates filed written comments against another recent deregulatory move planned by the CFPB. This effort would exempt hundreds of lenders from providing vital data that tracks the market and consumer access to credit.

Every year, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) report makes public details of the past year’s mortgage market. It is the only national report that includes the race and ethnicity of mortgage applicants, types of loan approvals as well as denials.

Most importantly, the actual behavior of lenders –

both banks and nonbanks record the total number of loans involved.

By exempting so many lenders, the highly anticipated report would lose valuable clarity and irrefutable data.

Among the organizations signing these comments were: NAACP, The Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and the Center for Responsible Lending.

“A large loss of HMDA reporting will create a distorted view of lending trends in these underserved areas and will make it more difficult for stakeholders to determine if revitalization efforts are succeeding,” wrote the housing advocates. “The overall impact of raising the threshold will be to frustrate HMDA’s purposes of determining whether credit needs are being met and whether public investment has succeeded in rejuvenating the housing and lending markets in struggling neighborhoods.”

The coalition comments also include a litany of CFPB actions that have occurred since 2017, all with anti-consumer effects: SEE LENDING B2

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BUSINESS

JULY 24-30, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Harambee Black Arts Festival occurs Aug. 2-4 HARAMBEE FROM B1

designing flyers, writing and recording a commercial playing on WAMO 100.1 FM, designing mini-videos and conducting some of the Harambee Festival social media.

The students, Tyonna Bey, Diamond Clark, Dejahne Fullard and Devaughn Lyles, are 14 years old, and and Deonna Beck is 17. They are working out of Level Up Studios, 4836 Penn Ave. “It’s a pleasure having the students work out of our space,” said Mario Quinn Lyles, one of the co-founders and the executive director. “What we do here fits right in with what they are learning.” Lyles describes Level Up Studios as a creative arts studio offering dance and martial arts training, design services, music production, photography, creative writing courses and piano lessons under one roof.

“Inspired by hip-hop culture, Level Up celebrates its positive roots and serves as a creative playground for underserved youth, local artists, musicians and cultural enthusiasts,” he said.

Other partners in the venture include Shaun Mbaten, chief financial officer, and Patrick Everett, creative director.

“Keeping in line with what the Harambee Festival is all about, it’s imperative that the students work with the committee to promote the event,” says Sahaar Lyles, who’s also involved with Level Up Studios and working with the students. “They are the future and the ones who will one day carry on the tradition of the festival.” Chief Executive Officer and owner at Nubian Impulse & Company, last year Sahaar Lyles organized the Afro Nubian Parade. Nubian Impulse is an online magazine and shop catered towards creating a platform for artists, writers and influencers to transform the narrative of people of color in media. “Our goal is to instill a sense of cultural pride and spiritual enlightenment through

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Savoy Magazine, the leading African American lifestyle and business publication, announced on July 17 its selection of Andrea Clark Smith, associate chief legal officer and vice president of Physician and Human Resources Services for UPMC, to the 2019 list of the Most Influential Women in Corporate America.

Smith was chosen from LEARNING THE ROPES—Partner4Work Learn and Earn student Dejahne Fullard, 14, interviews Community Empowa pool of more than 500 erment Association CEO and founder Rashad Byrdsong for the Harambee Ujima Black Arts Festival program booklet.

(Photo by Devaughn Lyle) media and publications,” she describes.

Partner4Work is the workforce development organization that connects funding, expertise, and opportunities to develop a thriving workforce in the Pittsburgh region. Its mission is to lead the development, integration, and implementation of a world-class workforce development system in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. One of its many programs, Learn & Earn is a six-week summer job program for teens and young adults ages 14 to 21 living throughout the region. The program provides participants the opportunity to earn money, gain valuable work experience, and to develop soft skills to help them become college and career ready.

With the mission to improve the lives of Homewood’s children and simultaneously reweave the fabric of the community in which they live, the president and CEO of the Homewood Children’s Village, Walter Lewis says employing students of the

Learn & Earn Program perfectly fits their plan. “This is our fifth year participating and I am pleased to be a part of such a very valuable program. Each year student participation increases, and we have over 24 worksites throughout Homewood and parts of the east end. The Harambee site just happens to be one.”

In 1967, the Homewood organization Together Inc. hosted the first Harambee Black Arts Festival igniting a Black Arts Movement in Pittsburgh. “While a cultural legacy was built, a platform for Black artists to market their work and spur economic and social development also formed,” Hogan said.

Today’s Harambee Black

Arts Festival has The Heinz Endowments and The Pittsburgh Foundation as major financial supporters.

The Thomas Merton Center serves as the fiscal agent.

Activities for the weekend will kick off Friday, Aug. 2, with a parade and the Saturday (Aug. 3) and Sunday (Aug. 4) events will include food and retail vendors, live music, poetry and dance performances, nonprofit organization information tables, a Children’s Village, a Healthier You wellness section and the Legacy Arts Gallery.

Most activities are centered around Kelly Street and North Homewood Avenue and are projected to begin at 11 a.m. For more information, call 412- 606-1997.

TIPS FROM B1

CPAs are here to help The American Institute of CPAs’ 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy website has financial tips for couples to follow as “you and I” becomes “we. “ And as you decide upon a financial strategy, your local CPA can help you develop a financial plan that will set you on a path of prosperity. Turn to him or her with your financial questions. To find a CPA in your area or for more financial tips, visit www.picpa. org/moneyandlife.

CFPB turns its back on fair lending Tips for married couples

LENDING FROM B1

•Failure to issue any violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; •Declared its intent to ignore the Disparate Impact standard, a long-standing legal test that holds the effects of discrimination, not the intent are legal violations; •Publicly praised the repeal of anti-discrimination auto lending guidance; •Sided with payday lenders in their challenge of the Bureau’s payday rule promulgated under the previous director; •Stripped the Bureau’s fair lending office of its supervisory and enforcement powers; and •Relegated the development of regu-

lation on fair lending for minority and women-owned businesses to a low-level concern.

In many ways, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has failed to live up to its name and reneged on its mission.

“This lack of enforcement demonstrates our journey towards fair lending still has miles to travel,” said Melissa Stegman, a CRL Senior Policy Counsel. “CFPB was created to protect consumers without exception.”

(Charlene Crowell is the deputy communications director with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached atCharlene.crowell@ responsiblelending.org.)

come overdrawn. However, it is absolutely essential that the nonbookkeeping partner is kept informed of what’s going on. Consider a monthly or quarterly money date where you review the budget to see what went well and what went wrong, and to check if you need to tweak your numbers. This is also a great time to discuss any upcoming big-ticket expenses, such as vacations, holidays, or home repairs that may be on the horizon.

Historic Chicago Defender among Black media icons scaling back; others possibly closing (TriceEdneyWire.com)— It has been a rough few days for the Black media.

First, Ebony magazine and its sister publication, JET magazine, may be closing their doors for good.

And then the publisher of the storied Chicago Defender newspaper announced last week that it will no longer publish a print version.

In announcing the move to digital-only beginning Thursday, July 11, Real Times Media CEO Hiram E. Jackson said last Friday that the newspaper has made significant investment in digital media because of changes in the publishing landscape.

Jackson noted the Defender currently prints 16,000 newspapers. He said the newspaper reaches at least 10 times more people on its digital platform.

Jackson said Real Times’ other newspapers, the Michigan Chronicle and the New Pittsburgh Courier, will continue to offer a print version.

The newspaper was founded in 1905 by Robert S. Abbott and reached the peak of its influence at mid-century when it was a frequent critic of racial inequities in the nation’s Southern states.

The Defender delivered news of monumental events — the funeral of Emmett Till, the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the election of President Obama — but also of everyday life for Black Americans.

Jackson said the decision was an economic one.

Newspapers throughout the industry have seen a decline in print advertising and readers turning to the Internet.

Black newspapers often are an afterthought when it comes to advertising dollars, Jean Patterson Boone,

Andrea Clark Smith named to Savoy list

publisher of the Richmond Free Press told the New York Times.

Regardless of the financial challenges, the Richmond Free Press, which has a weekly circulation of 35,000 and a draw of around 130,000 readers, has no intention of going the way of The Defender and eliminating its print edition.

“We’re a miracle,” Mrs. Boone told the New York Times. “We are a miracle and most Black newspapers are a miracle.”

The National Newspaper Publishers Association, a trade organization for African-American-owned newspapers, currently counts 218 such publications across 40 states that attract 22.2 million readers between print and online each week.

Although the country may look different now, the enduring challenges of racism make the Black press just as essential now, said Benjamin Chavis Jr., NNPA’s president and chief executive.

As for Ebony and JET, former employees of the company took to Twitter last week using the hashtag #EbonyOwes to air their frustrations with the company, as it has fired all of its employees with little to no notice.

According to USA Today, members of Ebony magazine’s digital team say they’ve been fired and haven’t received their final paychecks in the latest controversy to hit the struggling publication that has chronicled Black life in America for decades.

Michael Gibson, co-chair-

ANDREA CLARK SMITH prospective candidates in diverse fields by a selection committee of Savoy editors, community leaders, and academic and business executives.

“I am honored that Savoy Magazine chose to include me among this list of impressive and dynamic corporate leaders,” said Smith.

Smith joined UPMC in 2013 and manages a team of immigration, employment, labor and health law specialists. She leads significant diversity and inclusion efforts as legal department sponsor for UPMC’s employee experience team and for UPMC’s minority counsel program.

Additionally, Smith serves on Boards of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, Sarah Heinz House (a Boys and Girls Clubs of America affiliate), and the Association of Corporate Counsel for Western Pennsylvania.

BUSINESS CALENDAR Meet The Primes event

JULY 25—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will host a networking/ meet-and-greet with all the prime contractors working on the $1 billion-redesign and expansion of the Pittsburgh International Airport, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Koppers Building Conference Center, 436 Seventh Ave. Pittsburgh, 15219. Representatives from Jacobs Engineering, P.J. Dick, Michael Baker International, AECOM, and Turner Construction will attend. RSVP

by July 19. Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members.

Call 412-392-0610 for more information.

Chatham Workshop

man and founder of Austin, Texas-based Clear View Group, which owns Ebony, declined to comment to USA TODAY on the digital team’s dismissal, citing a “policy of not commenting on any employment practices or issues.”

The Chicago Tribune previously reported how Ebony was being pressed by the National Writers Union to pay more than $200,000 it alleged the magazine owed to freelance writers who contributed stories back in 2017. The drama sparked the hashtag #EbonyOwes on Twitter.

According to a report on Ebony.com, the magazine’s previous owner, Johnson Publishing Co., filed for bankruptcy liquidation in

April, which Ebony said would not affect its operations.

“EBONY Media Operations, LLC brands, which include EBONY magazine, EBONY.com, digital magazine JET and jetmag.com and its related businesses, have viably operated independently of Johnson Publishing Company dba/ Fashion Fair Cosmetics (JPC) since Black-owned Ebony Media Operations, LLC (EMO) purchased the media assets of JPC in 2016. Black-owned investment firm CVG Group LLC assisted in the formation of EMO,” a statement read. “EMO is unaffected by the Chapter 7 bankruptcy announcement regarding the dissolution of

JPC. EMO is not able to comment further and is not familiar with the facts or events of the JPC business.”

The first issue of the iconic magazine hit stands 74 years ago and took the industry by storm. Founded

by John H. Johnson in November 1945, the Blackowned publication has always strived to address African American issues, personalities and interests in a positive and self-affirming manner.

Timeless editions of Ebony featured some of the biggest stars in Black America, including issues covered

by Diana Ross, Sidney Poitier, as well as President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama.

AUG. 10—Chatham’s Women Business Center in partnership with SCORE Pittsburgh will present a Build Your Business Workshop for women interested in starting or expanding their business, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Eastside Campus, 6585 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh 15206. Business experts and seasoned entrepreneurs will discuss the following topics: business planning, marketing and sales, financing, legal issues and business lessons learned. A continental breakfast will be provided. Cost: $10. For more information, call Anne Flynn Schlicht at 412-365-1448.

Training Program

AUG. 21 through SEPT. 25— The Chatham Women’s Business Center will offer “Concept to Launch” a six-week entrepreneurial training program for women in the early stages of starting a business, on six consecutive Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., at Chatham Eastside, 6585 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh 15206. Classes focus on: Developing a business concept; identifying target customers and markets; marketing strategies, basic financials and more.

Cost for all classes is $95, but a limited number of need-base scholarships are available through a partnership with Bridgeway Capital. For more information, contact Anne Flynn Schlicht at 412-365-1448.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JULY 24-30, 2019

B3

NYPD must terminate officer who used excessive force

Guest Editorial

GOP must condemn Trump’s racist views President Trump’s divisive, racially and ethnically insensitive comments on Twitter aimed at U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., freshman women of color duly elected to their jobs by people in multi-racial districts, shows that he has no interest in hearing anything they have to say. Tweeting that these lawmakers should “go back where they come from” reminds many people of the pre-Civil Rights era when progressive politicians of color got that type of response when they challenged segregation and White supremacy.

As horrendous as the president’s tweets are, the response of his fellow Republicans could be worse. The Republican leaders in the U.S. Congress have been tepid in their response. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel, R-Ky., hasn’t condemned the remarks, saying the president isn’t racist and implying that Democrats have engaged in similar banter.

Representative Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the House Minority Leader said the controversy “was political” and refused to condemn the president for insulting his colleagues. The Republican National Committee, which consists of some African Americans members, hasn’t issued a statement criticizing Trump’s tweets.

Black Republicans in the U.S. Congress, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Will Hurd, R-Texas, have blasted Trump’s remarks, with Hurd saying “I think those tweets are racist and xenophobic” and “inaccurate”. Notwithstanding Scott and Hurd, the Republican Party’s response to the latest Trump tweets has been eerily silent.

The Republican Party needs to stand up to the president and condemn his bigoted tweets. Republicans often brag that they are the party of Abraham Lincoln, who freed the slaves, and the party of Ronald Reagan, perhaps the most genuinely conservative president the country had in the 20th century.

However, the GOP of today seems to be enthralled by a president who doesn’t hesitate to belittle and condemn the descendants of the slaves Lincoln freed and while Reagan’s staunch conservatism remains unquestioned, he understood that he served all Americans, even those who disagreed with his views.

If the Republican Party wants to become relevant in the coming decades, with people of color assuming majority status in less than a quarter of a century, it must disparage any fellow party member, whether they are the president or dog catcher, who harbor racist and White supremacist views and advocate for a more inclusive America.

(Reprinted from the Washington Informer)

Founded 1910

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

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“It was Eric and my family five years ago, but it could be you and yours today or tomorrow. They want all of us to believe that we didn’t see what we saw on that video, but our eyes do not deceive us…Eric is no longer able to speak so I will be his voice and you will hear me.”—Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s mother.

Eric Garner died pleading for his life on a New York City sidewalk.

The chokehold that triggered his fatal asthma attack was illegal.

Eleven times, Eric Garner said he couldn’t breathe, and Officer Daniel Pantaleo did not loosen his strangling, illegal grip on Garner’s neck.

The world saw Pantaleo’s deadly assault. The world heard Garner’s pleas. But there will be no justice for Eric Garner.

When U.S. Attorney General William Barr abandoned the civil rights case against Pantaleo, it sent a devastating message from an administration whose hostility toward civil rights protections is unprecedented in the last 50 years.

Astonishingly, Pantaleo remains a member of the New York Police Department, pending a decision by an administrative judge who is expected to rule within a few weeks. His continued employment by the NYPD diminishes the institution, and he should be terminated.

It is difficult to imagine the grief of Garner’s family. To lose a father, a

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal son, a brother, to an untimely death is painful enough. To have been dragged through five years of injustice after injustice, to see the person responsible for that death escape accountability seems almost too much to bear.

Not only has Pantaleo escaped accountability, he has received a substantial raise in his pay since Garner’s death.

Sadly, police officers are rarely held accountable when unjustified brutality—local prosecutors are predictably reluctant to bring charges. That’s precisely why the federal government has a special responsibility to seek justice in such cases, and why Attorney General Barr’s failure to do so in the Garner case cuts so deeply.

In the wake of the death of Garner and other unarmed people of color who died violently at the hands of police officers, the National Urban League promulgated a 10-Point Plan for Police Reform and Accountability, elements of which were incorporated into the final report of the Pres-

ident’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. One of the key recommendations is “external and independent investigations and prosecutions of officer-involved shootings and other use of force situations and in-custody deaths.”

In the Eric Garner case, as in many others, the Department of Justice’s civil rights inquiry was arguably the only hope for an external and independent investigation.

But this is an administration that is intent on weakening enforcement of civil rights laws. Under Barr’s predecessor, Jeff Sessions, the Justice Department abandoned all efforts to work with local police departments to address discriminatory practices.

Consent decrees historically have been a crucial tool in the Justice Department’s efforts to ensure constitutional and accountable policing.

The department also tried, unsuccessfully, to block a federal court in Baltimore from approving a consent decree between the city and the Baltimore Police Department to rein in discriminatory police practices that the department itself had negotiated over a multi-year period.

The Department of Justice’s failure to seek justice in the Eric Garner case is just the latest in a series of missteps with regard to civil rights.

Our hearts go out to Garner’s family as they suffer yet another blow in the ongoing tragedy of Garner’s untimely death.

Don’t take Trump’s bait!

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—If you truly want to make America great, you must turn down Trump’s help to divide us. We were working toward being a better America for all before Trump became President. America was never her greatest for our Native American brothers and sisters, nor for much of America’s diverse population.

It’s necessary to remember how people like Trump came to be in charge of this country—mostly on the backs of Black people, then misusing brown people and yellow people.

You must think about how America treated Black people by enslaving our ancestors, then constantly telling us to get over it and love America without question. It’s not that easy when our ancestors have been robbed, killed, beaten, cheated, lied to, and we’re still too often pushed back when we try to rise up to enjoy what America professes to be. So many like Trump have made it clear that every time we begin to enjoy a little bit of America the Beautiful, there’s somebody like Trump wanting to send us back to some place most of us have never been.

I want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi for turning down Trump’s help to criticize her Party members while they are having a family dispute about the pace of change for those of us for whom America has a long way to go to give meaning to the words “justice for all.” She made a mistake in her response to young women who

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

to criticize others? With the resources he claims he has, he should’ve learned something about American History. Somebody must’ve told him the Wright Brothers didn’t give us airplanes that fly until 1903. Before that we had no need for airports! He should’ve learned proper English and a little about the laws of our country. I’m tired of hearing, “No one is above the law” when Trump thrives on living high above our laws. He constantly stirs up the worst behavior in others. God bless those who resist Trump’s racism.

Who else could get away with at least 10 charges of obstruction, allegedly raping many women, praising enemies of our nation, having a vulgar mouth, violates basic human rights, telling over 10,000 lies in office, having no respect for anyone who doesn’t bow down to and defend his bad behavior?

Speaker Pelosi is right in saying, “When…Trump tells four American Congresswomen to go back to their countries, he reaffirms his plan to ‘Make America Great Again’ has always been about making America White again. Our diversity is our strength and our unity is our power.”

The four lawmakers who fired back at Trump in a press conference were brilliant. They’re obviously the grownups representing American values.

refused to be silenced. Caught off guard, she took the bait, but these young women reminded all of us what Democrats stand for. It’s fair to ask Party members not to publicize Party differences—but Party differences are not Trump’s business. So, Democrats, don’t take the bait.

Who is Trump to tell Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came? Three of the women were born in the country he’s trying his best to make a crime infested country! Yes, Congresswoman Omar, came to this country as a refugee when she was just 17, became naturalized, and became a far more productive citizen than Trump has ever been. She has done pretty good through all of her challenges. She’s achieved what many who’re born here haven’t come close to achieving with better opportunities.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of the NaIsn’t there anyone who can teach him a few facts to use when trying tional Congress of Black Women.)

The Mueller Report and the question of U.S. foreign policy (NNPA)—If there had been any question about Russian interference in the 2016 election, that is now a settled matter in light of the Mueller Report. Whether that interference had a demonstrable impact on the election results will be debated for years to come, but Robert Mueller’s committee established, early in the report, sufficient evidence of the scale and scope of interference that further debate about “whether” is pointless.

Yet, what has been interesting throughout this entire period of discussion of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 elections has been the hypocrisy of most so-called mainstream commentators and political officials. On the one hand, they have expressed absolute outrage concerning alleged Russian interference.

They have pointed to how the manipulation of social media and hacking, along with possible efforts to affect voter registration rolls, compromises the system and could call into question the legitimacy of any election result.

This is all true. So, where is the hypocrisy?

It is found in the actions carried out historically by the US government in its various forms of covert activity over most of the 20th century and to this day. Yet, this sort of covert activ-

Bill Fletcher Jr.

Commentary

conducted dis-information campaigns against individuals and political parties that were perceived as a threat to the interests of the US ruling groups.

To paraphrase Bugs Bunny: what’s all the hubbub…bub…?

Please do not get me wrong. The activities of the Russians in the 2016 elections in the USA or their activities in Europe are reprehensible and should be exposed and opposed. Yet, we in the USA should not be sitting back acting as if such activities are a shock to our system; something that we have never seen previously. The reality is that, in the name of the USA, immense criminal acts have been conducted that have ignored the rule of law and undermined efforts at national self-determination and democratic rule.

The lesson from all of this? If we are going to oppose Russian electoral interference—which we should— then what is demanded of democratic-minded people in the USA is absolute opposition to interference in the internal affairs of countries trying to pursue their own paths, particularly when those paths are consistent with rule of law and democracy.

Anything else is hypocrisy, though I was going to use another term.

ity receives precious little attention from mainstream commentators and politicians. They act as if it was never done.

We can start with coups. Whether the 1953 coup which overthrew the Mossadegh government in Iran; the 1954 coup in Guatemala against Arbenz; the 1964 coup in then British Guiana against Chedi Jagan; the 1973 coup against Allende in Chile; the 2009 coup in Honduras against Zelaya; or the contemplated coup today against the Maduro government in Venezuela, the US government has rarely restrained itself from undoing democratically elected leaders.

Coups are among the most extreme forms of electoral interference. The USA, through the Central Intelligence Agency and/or numerous other intelligence organizations has offered (Bill Fletcher Jr. is the former president of financial and organizational support to political candidates and parties and TransAfrica Forum.)

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

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SONNY BOY

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (CCIP) PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR

(Pittsburgh, PA) FLSA Status: Full Time / Exempt Position Summary The Pro ect Administrator is responsible for the facilitation and processes related to the implementation of the Lower Hill Community Collaboration and Implementation Plan (CCIP). Oversight and implementation of the CCIP is the responsibility of the Executive Management Committee, a nine-person committee with three co-chairs including District City Councilman, Daniel Lavelle; Mayor Bill Peduto; and Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Kevin Acklin.

Committee members include: Glenn G. Grayson ( eighborhood Allies); Ma estic Lane (City of Pittsburgh Mayors Office); Daniel Lavelle (Pittsburgh City Councilman- District 6); Glenn R. Mahone (Reed Smith LLP); Dale Mc utt ( ptown Partners of Pittsburgh); Marimba Milliones (Hill Community Development Corporation); Kimberly Slater-Wood (ALCOSA ); and Irvin Williams (eHoldings).

The CCIP’s Project Administrator is an experienced professional in the areas involving project administration, strategic communication rea e tate e e o ent an finance con tr ction an tra e MWDBE and contract compliance and regulatory processes.

Essential Functions Establishing expert-level strategic and tactical understanding of the CCIP and related documents; Refining, building and implementing a framework for successful implementation of the CCIP utili ing the EMC adopted work plan; Carrying out the tactical implementation of the CCIP; Establishing protocols and procedures related to the CCIP’s implementation in partnership with the EMC; Identifying funding needs and supporting the EMC in identifying and securing funding sources for the implementation of the CCIP; Managing and facilitating effective communication on behalf of the EMC; and Engaging stakeholders including private, public and community based agencies to assure transparency and effective communication related to the strategic direction, implementation and status of the implementation of the CCIP. Requirements Education: Graduate degree preferred in public administration, business administration, finance, law, public policy, and or real estate development. Commensurate experience is acceptable.

Skills: Exemplary strategic planning and pro ect execution skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills Effective public speaking skills Excellent pro ect administration and management skills Strong knowledge of real estate development, pro ect finance, regulatory responsibilities and related development contracts Ability to manage positive relationships with disparate groups Excellent conflict resolution skills Proven fundraising abilities Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Cloud-based Tools, Pro ect Management Tools; (GIS, Market Analysis Tools are a plus.)

Equipment to be used: Computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, fax machine, copier, scanner, etc.

Typical Physical Demands: Manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment.

Typical Mental Demands: Able to deal with stress associated with fast-paced work environment, multiple priorities/tasks.

Make udgment decisions and adapt to changing work situations.

Grasp and apply new ideas.

Communicate with various personalities at all levels.

Working Conditions: Works in a typical office setting with frequent offsite meetings.

Occasionally called upon to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule.

Interested candidates should submit resume and salary requirements by way of email to the Executive Management Committee via: Daniel Wood - daniel.wood pittsburghpa.gov Chief of Staff Office of City Councilman Daniel Lavelle and Tracey McCants Lewis - tmccantslewis pittsburghpenguins.com Deputy General Counsel Director of HR Pittsburgh Penguins Use Subject Line: CCIP Administrator EOE Evoqua Water Technologies LLC seeks Network Designer III to work in Pittsburgh, PA, on the SharePoint product life cycle its cross-platforms integrations, including pro ect plan, design, implementation, support. Apply at https://careers. evoqua.com, #15089.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR

The Finance Administration Coordinator is a full time position, located in the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s (PEC) Pittsburgh Office. For more information, please visit our website at www. pecpa.org.

LGBTQ OUTREACH ADVOCATE

LGBT Outreach Advocate employment position available at the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

Job Summary: Provides engagement, outreach and community-based weekly support groups for LGBT victims of domestic violence/partner abuse. Ensures the Sanctuary model informs all services.

Send cover letter resume by August 2, 2019 to careers@wcspittsburgh.org For additional information regarding this position, please visit our website www.wcspittsburgh. org and find this ob posting under the “Who We Are” menu.

AUBERLE

Healing Children & Families Since 1 2, Auberle has been dedicated to transforming the lives of children, youth families. Auberle is a nationally recognized human service agency serving 4,000+ children & families each year.

Currently hiring for: Case Manager FT Case Aide/Driver FT Foster Care Parent Recruiter FT ight Monitor - FT 12 outh one Coach Supervisor - FT 12 Mobile Outreach outh Coach FT 12 Facility Support Staff - FT 12 outh one Coach FT outh Care Worker FT/PT If you are highly motivated, passionate about youth interested in making a difference, visit www. auberle.org to apply. EOE

SPANISH TEACHER

Spanish Teacher needed at AGPCS grades K- please email Resume and ALL Clearances and FBI report to jobs@urbanacadenypgh.org

LIVE-IN RESIDENT ADVISOR

Assists in management and supervision of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s student residence to maintain a safe and supportive living environment. Full description and to apply: https://bit.ly/2S6n8NR

ROMAN CATHOLIC MUSIC DIRECTORST BENEDICT THE MOOR

Looking for a dynamic and qualified person to lead our diverse and multicultural choir. Person must possess the skills and ability to direct members of the former Heritage, Gospel and Traditional choirs.

These choirs were recently brought together to form the St. Benedict the Moor Choir.

Applicants should send their resumes along with any questions about the position to cagoetz@ divinemercypgh.org

PROFESSIONAL

Economic development organi ational is requesting qualifications from: Environmental Assessment Firms ualifications relative to the following should be discussed: conducting Phase I ESA’s according to EPA’s AAI requirements, developing and implementing Sampling and Analysis Plans and Quality Assurance Project Plans., conducting site assessments in accordance with PA Act 2, conducting site characterizations relative for storage tanks, working in a team environment with the EPA’s Community Wide Brownfields Assessment Grant, meeting goals for minority and woman owned businesses.

Economic Development/ Real Estate Firms ualifications relative to the following should be discussed: inventorying real estate, working with property owners, redevelopment planning, managing the U.S. EPA’s Community-Wide Assessment Grant, packaging other economic incentive programs, working in a team environment, assistance in securing women and minority participation. Both RF ’s are due August 2, 2019. NSIDC, 700 River Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFBs) FOR PRESSLEY HIGH-RISE COMMUNITY ROOM AND CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS, AMP-17 HACP CONTRACT NO. 600-31-19

SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) has set the following meeting dates for 20192020. The Commission Executive Committee meetings will begin at :00 p.m. on Monday, July 2 , September 0, and December 1 , 201 and January 2 , April 2 and June 2 , 2020, and at 1:00 p.m. on October 21, 201 and March 0 and May 18, 2020. The regular meetings of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission will begin at : 0 p.m. on Monday, July 2 , September 0, and December 1 , 201 and January 2 , April 2 , and June 2 , 2020. All meetings will be held in the SPC Conference Center at Two Chatham Center, Suite 00, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

SPC is committed to compliance with nondiscrimination requirements of civil rights statutes, executive orders, regulations and policies applicable to the programs and activities it administers. Accordingly, SPC is committed to ensuring that program beneficiaries receive public participation opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or economic status. Meeting facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities and the location is reachable by public transit. SPC will provide auxiliary services for individuals with language, speech, sight or hearing needs, provided the request for assistance is made days prior to the meeting. SPC will attempt to satisfy requests made with less than days notice as resources allow.

Please make your request for auxiliary services to Shannon O’Connell at ( 12) 10, Ext. , soconnell spcregion.org. If you believe you have been denied participation opportunities, or otherwise discriminated against in relation to the programs or activities administered by SPC, you may file a complaint using the procedures provided in our complaint process document or by contacting SPC’s Title VI Coordinator by calling ( 12) 10. For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Discrimination Complaint Form, please see our website at: www. spcregion.org or call 12- 10.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT AND PUBLIC HEARING HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH 2019 ADMISSIONS AND CONTINUED OCCUPANCY POLICY & ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) is revising the Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP), AND The Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan.

The proposed revisions for both the ACOP and Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan will be available for review from August 1, 201 to August 1, 201 , at the HACP Operations Department, 200 Ross St., th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 1 21 ; the HACP website: www. hacp.org; and at HACP Management Offices.

Written comments on the proposed revisions must be addressed to “Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy” and/or “Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan” at the address above and must be received by close of business ( :00 p.m.) on August 1, 2019.

A public hearing to receive comments on both documents will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 201 , at 10:00 a.m. and at :00 p.m. at 200 Ross St., th floor Board Room.

Persons with disabilities requiring assistance or alternative formats, or wishing to submit comments in alternative formats, can contact the Disability Compliance Office at 12- 282, ext. 1; TT 12-201- 8 .

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting for July on Thursday, July 2 , 201 .

The board meeting will be held at 10: 0 a.m.

200 Ross Street, 1 th Floor Wherrett Room, Pittsburgh, PA 1 21 RENTAL SERVICE Furnished Rooms

FURNISHED ROOM with all amenities conveniently located in the Hill District.

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The Trustee named below gives notice of the death of Mavis H. Foster, late of Mount Lebanon Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, who died on June 16, 2019. During her lifetime, the said Decedent established the Mavis H. Foster Revocable Trust, of which Carol Anne Horowit is the Trustee. The Trustee requests all persons having claims against the Decedent to make known the same in writing to her attorney, and all person indebted to the Decedent to make payment without delay: Carol Anne Horowit , Trustee, c/o Todd A. Fuller, Atty., Brenlove & Fuller, LLC, 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

FICTITIOUS NAME

OTICE IS HEREB GIVE that the ndersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of : ComForCare Home Care of W Pittsburgh; to be registered the said name with the Pennsylvania Dept. of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organi ations. For: MB Healthcare Inc., 12 Oakhaven Drive, Wexford, PA 1 0 0 In Allegheny County

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Estate of THOMAS WILLIAM LUCCHINO, a/k/a THOMAS W. LUCCHINO, late of Robinson Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Estate No. 021904247. otice is hereby given that Letters of Administration on the above Estate has been granted to the undersigned at probate number 021 0 2 , to whom all persons indebted to said Estate are requested to make immediate payment, and those having claims or demands against the same will make them known without delay to the undersigned or their attorney. Andrew A. Lucchino, Jr., Administrator, 1244 Valleyview Drive, Lawrence, PA 1 0 or to Robert A. Cinpinski, Attorney, 200 N. Jefferson Street, Kittanning, PA 16201.

Estate of THERESA JOHNSON, Deceased of Collier Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. No. 02-19-04608 Maria McDermott, Administrator, 260 Patterson Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 1 01 or to ROBI L. RARIE, Atty; BRE LOVE F LLER, LLC, 01 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 Estate of DANIEL MORGAN REESE, Deceased of South Fayette, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. o. 02-1 -0 11 Kimberly A. Longar o, Administrator, 10 Lisar Lane Longwood, FL 2 0 or to ROBI L. RARIE, Atty; BRE LOVE F LLER, LLC, 01 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

ON-CALL ARCHITECTURAL/ ENGINEERING CONSULTANT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) ADVERTISEMENT 2019

The Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh (“Authority”) is soliciting Proposals from qualified professional consulting firms to perform on-call services that include those of engineers, architects and other professionals as may be required for various maintenance and capital improvement pro ects of Authority owned facilities and as more fully described in the RFP document.

RFP Packets will be available Wednesday, July 24, 2019 after 12:00 pm on the Authority website at www.pittsburghparking.com and at the Authority main office located at 2 2 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 1 222.

Prospective bidders are required to submit five ( ) copies of the proposal and one (1) electronic copy of the proposal, in a clearly marked and sealed envelope :00 p.m. EST on Thursday, August 22, 201 .

THE HO SI G A THORIT OF THE CIT OF PITTSB RGH will receive sealed bids for the Pressley High-Rise Community Room and Corridor Improvements, AMP-1 .

The construction work is estimated to begin in December of 201 .

Bid Documents will be available on or about Monday, July 1 , 201 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp.org. Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. Electronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms, pro ect manual, and drawings can be picked up in person, Monday through Friday from 8: 0 a.m. to : 0 p.m. at: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on Wednesday, August , 201 at :00 a.m.: Pressley High-Rise Community Room and Corridor Improvements 601 Pressley Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212 A site visit will be conducted thereafter. Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement until 2:00 p.m. August 19, 2019 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

THE HO SI G A THORIT OF THE CIT OF PITTSB RGH reserves the right to waive any informality in, or re ect any and all bids. o bid shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty ( 0) days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the HO SI G A THORIT OF THE CIT OF PITTSB RGH. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted Construction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sexual preference, handicap or national origin.

HACP has revised its website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFP documentation.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement at (412) - 11 Opt 1.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 0 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 , the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

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

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Pre-Bid Site Tour (Immediately following the Pre-Bid Conference) Participants shall wear a safety vest and appropriate footwear Transportation will be provided.

1:30 p.m.

August 21, 2019

Bids Due Purchasing and Materials Management Department Authority reserves the right to reject any or all Bids

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR Authority Wide Site Improvements RFP #600-33-19

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Authority Wide Site Improvements The documents will be available no later than July 22, 2019 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 2:00 P.M., August 26, 2019 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Parties or individuals interested may obtain information from: Mr. Kim Detrick – Director of Procurement/ Chief Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116, Option 1 or by visiting the Business Opportunities section of www.hacp.org A pre submission meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Development & Modernization 100 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 August 14, 2019 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download RFQ/IFB/RFPs documentation.

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Intensive Engagement and Case Management Service for High-Need Families of Newborns.

Proposals are due by 3 p.m. Eastern Time on August 30, 2019.

For more details and submission information, visit: www.alleghenycounty.us Human-Services/Resources/ Doing-Business/Solicitations(RFP/RFQ/RFI).aspx.

Marc Cherna Director Allegheny County Department of Human Services

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT Request for Proposal ACHA-1614 Vending Machine Services

The Allegheny County Housing Authority is requesting proposals from quailed firm/individuals to provide Vending Machine Services, per specifications for it locations throughout Allegheny County.

Request for Proposals and contract documents are on file and may be obtained, at no charge, in the Purchasing Department of the Allegheny County Housing Authority, 625 Stanwix Street, 12th floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or by contacting the ACHA at 412-402-2435 or email at gphillips@achsng.com.

A pre-proposal conference will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Allegheny County Housing Authority Board Room on the 12th Floor. Proposals are due by 10:00 a.m. local time, Thursday, August 22, 2019 at the Allegheny County Housing Authority.

The Allegheny County Housing Authority encourages responses from small firms, minority firms and firms that have not previously performed work for Allegheny County Housing Authority.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY Frank Aggazio, Executive Director

TO PLACE AN AD IN SOUL READERS Call 412-481-8302, Ext. 140 The deadline for all ads to be placed is Monday at 4 p.m. All ads must be paid for in advance. We accept Money Orders, Credit Cards and Western Union “Quick Collect” payments.

B5

SONNY BOY

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT

Separate sealed Bids for the Work as listed hereinafter will be received at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department of Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority) Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527 until 1:30 p.m. on August 21, 2019 and will be publicly opened and read immediately thereafter at the same address. Each Bidder shall be solely responsible for assuring that its Bid is both received and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before the advertised time for submission of Bids. Bids received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of Bids shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for Award.

ROOFING AND MECHANICAL UPGRADES AT MANCHESTER, EAST LIBERTY, AND WEST MIFFLIN GARAGES CONTRACT NO. SYS-19-09 G CONTRACT NO. SYS-19-09 H CONTRACT NO. SYS-19-09 E The Work of this Project includes, but is not limited to, the furnishing of all labor and materials for reroofing at Manchester Garage, HVAC rooftop unit replacement at East Liberty Garage, and reroofing and HVAC rooftop unit replacement at West Mifflin Garage.

Bid Documents will be available for public inspection and may be obtained on or after July 22 at Authority’s offices at the following address: Port Authority of Allegheny County Purchasing and Materials Management Department Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527 Bid Documents are available for purchase as follows: Bid Documents are available in an electronic form on compact disk upon payment of ($15.00) per CD. Payment shall be by check or money order (NO CASH), payable to “Port Authority of Allegheny County.” No refunds of payment will be made.

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

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

Authority, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, require that certified Diverse Businesses (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts for this Project. In this regard, all Bidders shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Bidders shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts for this Project. If aid is required to involve DBs in the Work, Bidders are to contact Authority’s Director of Employee Relations and OEO at (412) 566-5262.

The Bidder’s attention is directed to the following contacts for Bidder’s questions: Procedural Questions Regarding Bidding: Cindy Denner – Authority cdenner@portauthority.org (412) 566-5117 All other questions relating to the Bid Documents must be submitted by mail or email to: Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 Attn: Cindy Denner Email: cdenner@portauthoirty.org In addition, the Bidder’s attention is directed to the following schedule of activities for preparation of its Bid: 9:00 a.m.

Pre-Bid Conference August 6, 2019 Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center Neil H. Holmes Board Room 345 Sixth Avenue, Fifth Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended)

JULY 24-30, 2019

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LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT INVITATION FOR BIDS:

INVITATION TO BIDDERS THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT

The Allegheny County Housing Authority (ACHA) is requesting bids from qualified contractors for WEST VIEW TOWER BOILER REPLACEMENT. The Allegheny County Housing Authority encourages responses from small and/or certified Minority; Women; Disadvantaged and Veteran owned firms, as well as firms that have not previously performed work for the ACHA. LOCATION: 800 WEST VIEW PARK DRIVE WEST VIEW, PA 15229 CONTRACT: #ACHA-1615 DOCUMENTS: Drawings and Specifications will be on file after WEDNESDAY/ JULY 24, 2019 on the Pittsburgh Builder’s Exchange, or similar websites, and Complete Contract Documents may be obtained after WEDNESDAY/ JULY 24, 2019 at the Allegheny County Housing Authority, 625 Stanwix Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, or by contacting the ACHA at 412-402-2464 or emailing ajamrom@achsng.com.

FEE: A non-refundable fee is required for each set of paper Contract Documents (certified check or money order ) $75, $15 for CDs or no charge for emailed documents (If Applicable). NOTE! A FedEx or UPS Number will be required for any Contract Documents needing to be delivered.

NON-MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE: TUESDAY/JULY 30, 2019, AT 10:00AM in the Allegheny County Housing Authority Board Room 625 Stanwix Street 12th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

BIDS DUE: 2:00 PM local time on TUESDAY/AUGUST 13, 2019 at the Allegheny County Housing Authority Board Room 625 Stanwix Street 12th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Compliance is required with the Davis-Bacon Act and other Federal Labor Standard Provisions; Title VI and other applicable provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Department of Labor Equal Opportunity Clause (41 CFR 60-1.4); Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; Executive Order 11625 (Utilization of Minority Business Enterprise); Executive Order 12138 (Utilization of Female Business Enterprise); in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Allegheny County MBE/ WBE Program enacted July 1981, which sets forth goals of 13 percent Minority and 2 percent Female Business Enterprise; and the Allegheny County Ordinance #686712, setting forth goals of 5 percent Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.

Further, notice is hereby given that this is a Section 3 Project under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, (as amended) and must to the greatest extent feasible, utilize lower income residents for employment and training opportunities and Section 3 Business concerns and all contracts and subcontracts for this project shall contain the “Section 3 Clause” as set forth in 24 CFR, Part 135.38. Moreover, compliance is required by the prime contractor and all subcontractors with the document entitled Federal General Conditions that is included with the bid materials furnished, these Federal General Conditions to be incorporated by reference into all construction contracts between operating agency and contractor, contractor and subcontractor(s), and subcontractor(s) and lower tiered subcontractor(s).

Frank Aggazio Executive Director Allegheny County Housing Authority

SEPARATE and SEALED BIDS for the following solicitation, will be received by the Office of Procurement, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, 1200 Penn Ave., Second Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, until 2:00 PM Prevailing Time August 21, 2019.

INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR THE LANPHER SUPPLY MAIN LEAK ASSESSMENT AND REPAIR PWSA PROJECT NO. 2019-OPS-108-0 Work under this contract includes, but not limited to: Internal repair of a segment of the Lanpher Supply Main in order to correct leakage from the Main. The portion of the Supply Main to be repaired is 60inch diameter prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP)-embedded cylinder pipe (ECP) construction.

Work location is along Route PA 28 between 329 East Ohio Street in the Borough of Millvale and the 40th Street Bridge. Work includes, but not limited to: draining a segment of the Lanpher Supply Main; performance of internal electromagnetic pipe condition inspection; specific repairs to address leakage points; and chlorination and dichlorination after completion of repairs.

All bids must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation that can be obtained by sending an e-mail to procurement@pgh2o. com. There will be no charge for the solicitation, as it will be sent via e-mail. All questions relating to the solicitation itself shall be to Nicole Dickun, Procurement Manager, via e-mail: ndickun@pgh2o.com, no later than August 14, 2019.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on August 6, 2019, 11:00 a.m. Prevailing Time in the Authority’s conference room located at 1200 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. The purpose of this meeting is to give an overview of the contract requirements and to allow Bidders to ask questions.

Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Bond in the amount of Ten Percent (10%) of the bid for the project under construction. Said Bond shall be duly and legally executed with a Surety or Trust Company which has complied with City Ordinances/Resolutions relating thereto. A Performance Bond and Labor and Material Bond in the amount of 100% of the contract value for each awarded project will be required after award.

The Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sexual preference, sex, or national origin.

The bidders will be required to submit the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity.

The Authority reserves the right to withhold the award of the Contract for a period of 60 days after the opening of the bids.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, and to waive any informality or minor irregularity in any bid or bids. The Authority also retains the right to investigate the qualifications of bidders prior to any award and to award contracts only to contractors who, in the sole judgment of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, are qualified and equipped to properly execute the specified work.

ROBERT A. WEIMAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY

SEPARATE and SEALED BIDS for the following solicitation, will be received by the Office of Procurement, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, 1200 Penn Ave., Second Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, until 4:00 PM Prevailing Time, August 21, 2019.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SAFETY CONSULTING SERVICES PWSA PROJECT NO. PWSA125 Work under this contract includes safety consulting services that require the consultant to be responsible for managing PWSA safety compliance programs including reporting, coordinating and conducting safety related training, and working closely with the PWSA management team to improve processes effectively and efficiently without compromising safety.

All bids must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation that can be obtained by sending an e-mail to procurement@pgh2o. com. There will be no charge for the solicitation, as it will be sent via e-mail. All questions relating to the solicitation itself shall be to Thoryn Simpson, Senior Contract Specialist, via e-mail: tsimpson@ pgh2o.com, no later than August 14, 2019. All questions should be submitted electronically via email.

No questions will be answered by phone.

All Bidders interested in submitting a bid in response to this solicitation are required to attend a MANDATORY Pre-Bid Meeting to be held on August 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.

Prevailing Time in the Authority’s conference room located at 1200 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. The purpose of this meeting is to give an overview of the contract requirements and to allow Bidders to ask questions.

The Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sexual preference, sex, or national origin.

The bidders will be required to submit the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity.

The Authority reserves the right to withhold the award of the Contract for a period of 90 days after the opening of the bids.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, and to waive any informality or minor irregularity in any bid or bids. The Authority also retains the right to investigate the qualifications of bidders prior to any award and to award contracts only to contractors who, in the sole judgment of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, are qualified and equipped to properly execute the specified work.

ROBERT A. WEIMAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE PITTSBURGH WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY

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

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B6

JULY 24-30, 2019

No more Mary Turners (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Mary Turner was lynched on May 19, 1918 because she dared raise her voice. Her husband, Hayes Turner, was among 13 people lynched in two weeks in and around Valdosta, Georgia. The lynchings took place because one brutal White man, who was known to abuse workers so severely that he was only able to attract workers by getting them through the convict labor system, beat the wrong Black man too many times. Sidney Johnson shot and killed the brutal Hampton Smith, and in response the White people of the area started apprehending, beating, and lynching Black men believed to be associated with Sidney Johnson (even though many of those lynched were not).

Mary Turner was nineteen years old and eight months pregnant, and her husband was lynched. She openly denounced the lynchings and threatened to have the men who killed her husband arrested.

After Mary Turner’s lynching, an investigative reporter stated that Turner was lynched because she made “unwise remarks.” The mob, it was reported, “took exception to her remarks as well as her attitude.” Her “defiant voice” was the impetus for mob retaliation. The mob action was particularly brutal. Mary Turner was hung by her ankles, lowered face down from a tree. Her clothing was set afire while she was alive. When she was dead, one of the mobsters slit her belly open, and her fetus came out, landing in a pool of blood. Then the sick and brutal White men crushed the infant’s skull.

Black women have been, too often, cautioned to be silent, to be demure, not to

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary rock the boat. And Mary Turner’s lynching reminds us that mouthy Black women often suffer the consequence of their vocality. The 45th President of the United States stands in the shadow of the men who silenced Mary Turner with his vicious and vile attacks on Black women. From Congresswoman Maxine Waters to Congresswoman Fredricka Whitfield, to journalists April Ryan, Abby Phillips and Yamiche Alcindor, this man neither has the grace or the gravitas to interact with these brilliant and amazing Black women. Now, here he goes again, spewing his filth. He suggested that four fresh women members of Congress, the self-described “Squad” of Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, “go back to where they came from.” He amplified and attacked the women so vociferously (and inaccurately, but that’s another story) that one of the mobs, I mean crowds, that attended one of his rallies began to chant “Send her back.”

Three of the four members of the Squad were born in the United States. Ilhan Omar is a naturalized citizen and member of Congress. The President is out of line and out of order, but that’s nothing new.

What is new is that he’s stopped dog-whistling his racism and now just shouts it out.

And sometimes retreats. Five days after his offensive tweets, he claims he did not incite his crowd and instead tried to shut the racist chants down. Films of the mob at his rally shows otherwise.

Ilhan Omar and the other members of the Squad have had their lives threatened, sometimes by identifiable Trump supporters. We can’t expect 45 to repudiate the threats. After all, he thought there were “good people on both sides” in Charlottesville when Heather Heyer was killed. So we aren’t surprised that he let the vitriolic chants of “send her back” to go on for more than 13 seconds before they died down naturally (he did nothing to stop them, nor did he comment at the time).

If something happens to Ilhan Omar, our 45th President will be responsible. If something happens to any of the Squad, it will be the result of our putrid President and the silent Republicans who are reluctant to tell this man he is wrong. It took a full day after his offensive “go back” tweet for a handful of Republicans to speak up and say something.

Like the White men who lynched Mary Turner, our President “takes exception to her remarks as well as her attitude.” Without accusing Mr. Trump of lynching, one can accuse Mr. Trump of being a racist and hostile to Black women. Ilhan Omer isn’t the first he went after, and she won’t be the last.

Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib had better not shut up. They need to continue to raise their loud, discordant, disruptive voices to make our country a better, more inclusive nation. They must raise their voices because Ida B. Wells did, and she paid the price. Because Shirley Chisholm did, and she paid the price.

Because Barbara Lee did and got death threats as a result. Because Maxine Waters does, despite attacks and ridicule.

Mary Turner chafed at her husband’s lynching, and she paid the ultimate price.

But the story of her lynching should strengthen us all. We must surround the Squad with support. We need more mouthy women to challenge patriarchal predatory White supremacy. There must not be another Mary Turner.

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)

FORUM

Blacks have always been denied a fair share!

Allegheny Counbut fail to walk ty was created in Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick that walk. Those 1788, some 230 politicians in the years ago. Alleghseat of power eny County is compile statistics the second-largand then give to est county in the our colored repstate of Pennsylresentatives to vania. The census read their comreport indicated munities, and too that in the year many of us fail 1788 there were 189 slaves, but in the to understand that statistics don’t lie, year 1830 there were none listed. Once but those who compile the statistics Blacks became free women and men, are liars. I attended a meeting and full employment became a problem was presented with some stats that which exists today in 2019. indicated that 25 percent of all conIn the year 1949 (I was 17 years old), tractors on-site were minorities. My it was my introduction to a racist sys- response was the stats were deceptive tem that almost totally denied colored because only 2 persons were Ameri(not Black yet) people jobs, union and can-born Blacks so the percentage as non-union. I remember two incidents it relates to Blacks is about three perthat occurred many years ago (70 cent or less. Sixty years ago there were years ago) and I never forgot. Three those of us who began to challenge the Pittsburgh city trucks (sewer division) bigotry and racism that prohibited pulled up and parked and all of the Blacks from acquiring their fair share. drivers exited wearing short sleeve We watched our tax dollars build the white shirts and ties. I was amazed at airport (rebuilding it now), convention how they were dressed and said to the center, hockey arena, East Liberty, older persons standing there, “How do Strip District, Lawrenceville, streets, they clean sewers dressed like that?” bridges, etc. Across America Blacks in There were about six adults standing the capacity of prime contractors have there and they raised their voices and received major contracts…a Black stated, “you don’t know anything… man is building the airport in Atlanta, they don’t clean sewers, colored men and a Black female is building the airclean sewers, the White guys only port in New York City. drive the trucks.”

The present Allegheny County AirThe following statement is what port, when it was built, stated that bothered me in 1949 and bothers me 15 percent of the contractors would in 2019 because so many persons (not be Black and three percent would be Black) echo the same words, “It’s al- women, a total of 18 percent M/B/E… ways been like this and it will never but in reality, only ONE BLACK REchange.”

CEIVED A MAJOR CONTRACT, IT The district I lived in was the 9th dis- WAS CONCRETE. We have heard all trict, 3rd ward, and the committeeman of it before so we don’t have to apolowas referred to as Mr. Charley and the gize for being skeptical. In 1996 as the Democratic Party labeled him as the Director of Allegheny County M/B/E best vote-getter in Allegheny County. program in the company of seven other There came an election that a Black persons we attended a meeting at the man challenged him and that morning Allegheny County Airport. In my poof the election an elderly Black woman sition I asked the airport authorities, smacked the fire out of the Black man why did they fail to hire Black conand stated, “Who do you think you are tractors? Our response was so direct to run against Mr. Charley?” Yes, an that 30 days later a Black-owned enidentical attitude Black mind can’t ac- gineering firm received the award of a cept change, it’s always been like this. $200,000 contract (unheard of). There The same song has been sung for the are at least three of them still living last 50 years, titled, “We must improve that can verify what we were afforded the percentage of Blacks sharing in the opportunity to do. The tragedy is the not only construction but goods the lengthy list of that which we are and service contracts.” Those persons currently UNABLE AND UNWILLthat we have elected over the last half ING TO MAKE HAPPEN. (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the century, Black and White, overwhelmingly have failed us, they talk that talk New Pittsburgh Courier.)

To Tell The Truth

Rep. Ilhan Omar pays clever homage to Somalia It’s been an her back!” chant. unruly couple of But Rep. Omar J. Pharoah Doss weeks. quoted poet First, DemoMaya Angelou cratic Speaker of in response. Rep. the House, Nancy Omar tweeted: Pelosi, accused “You may shoot her first-term me down with colleagues, Demoyour words/ You cratic representamay cut me with tives Alexandria your eyes/ You Ocasio-Cortez, may kill me with Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, and your hatefulness/ But still, like air, I Ilhan Omar, of being unreasonable rise.” popularity seekers instead of serious Many felt Rep. Omar channeled the policymakers. Then the freshman advice of former first lady Michelle congresswomen, known as the squad, Obama, who famously said, “When accused the speaker of attacking them they go low, we go high.” But Rep. because they are women of color.

Omar’s poetic response was deeper Was the speaker a racist? Or was than that. the squad too extreme?

It had ancestral significance.

A line of demarcation was drawn Representative Omar’s homeland between Democrats left of center is known as the Nation of Poets. Jay and the democratic far-left. (This is a Bahadur published a book on Somalia conflict of worldviews that shouldn’t in 2011. Bahadur wrote: “Throughout be viewed as just internal bickering.) their history the Somali poet was But just as Democrats started to side counted on to defend a clan’s honor. with the speaker, President Donald They used poems of persuasion in Trump made a comment that erased lieu of weapons to settle disputes, but the dividing line and united the Dem- in the 20th century times changed.

Both the English and the Italians ocratic Party around the squad. attempted to colonized them. The EuPresident Trump said the squad ropeans introduced guns into battle, should go back and fix the broken although Somalia valiantly refused and crime-infested places they came to succumb, the scars of war never refrom. (Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, lented. Somalia’s recent civil war had and Pressley were born in the Unitcaused over a million people to flee ed States, Rep. Omar is a Somalian refugee who immigrated to the U.S. in to neighboring countries as refugees.

Those who stayed faced droughts, the early 1990s and is a naturalized floods, famine, feuding clan battles, American citizen.) and Jihad.”

The Democrats called the presiIn 2010 this headline appeared dent’s comments xenophobic, and online: Somali artists use words to President Trump replied, “So sad fight extremism. The article explained to see Democrats sticking up for that Al-Shabaab (a Jihadist terrorpeople who speak so badly of our ist group linked to Al-Qaeda) have country…Whenever confronted, they waged an “unholy war” against the (the squad) call their adversaries, internationally recognized Somali including Nancy Pelosi, racist. Their government, and Al-Shabaab recruits disgusting language…And the many “youngsters as foot soldiers and terrible things they say about the United States must not be allowed to brainwashes many others to carry out suicide bombings.” go unchallenged.”

But a group of artists, comprised Then, at a rally in North Carolina, of a dozen teenagers from Somalia, President Trump singled out Somaincluding two former child soldiers li-born representative Ilhan Omar turned musicians, use poetic songs and claimed she minimized the 9/11 to pass this message to the youth in attacks, supported Al-Qaeda, and Somalia: Beware of Al-Shabaab and called her un-American. The crowd roared and revised their infamous an- other militant groups who are out to ti-Hillary Clinton “Lock her up” chant exploit you.

Representative Omar’s poetic into a vicious anti-immigrant taunt response was a clever homage to her of— “Send her back!” homeland, and the homegrown “Send Of course, the speaker, the others her back!” shouters sunk American in the squad, the Democratic presipolitical discourse into a deeper state dential candidates and fair-minded of deplorability. conservatives condemned the “Send

Check It Out

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Raynard Jackson

Commentary

The biggest threat to Black folks The biggest threat to the Black community is by far and away drugs. No, not the drugs you might think; but the drug of liberalism!

The biggest drug dealers in America are radical liberal quasi journalists like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, Don Lemon, and Richard Princess. And the biggest institutional drug dealers are radical liberal groups like the NAACP, The National Urban League, and the Congressional Black Caucus.

Martin, Reid, and Lemon have their own TV shows that rabidly promote the radical liberal talking points of the Democrat Party. Princess is like the crazy old uncle that writes and says crazy things that no one pays attention to; but many Black journalists seem to revere him and his radical thoughts on racism that seem to have no end.

They all claim to be journalists; but are in daily violation of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) code of ethics. SPJ’s code of ethics are supposed to be the Bible for all journalists; they lay out the dos and don’ts of journalistic conduct.

The SPJ’s preamble states, “Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough [emphasis added]. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.”

They go on to state that the foundation of ethical journalism is: seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, be accountable and transparent. You can read the details on SPJ’s website: https://www.spj.org/ethicscode. asp.

Can anyone with any shred of integrity prove these quasi journalists live up to their own industry’s code of conduct?

They all claim to be registered “independents,” but they all are liberal Democrats, notwithstanding their clams to the contrary.

On a daily basis they serve as unpaid surrogates for the Democratic National Committee (DNC). They constantly assert their opinions into their quasi coverage of news and are afraid to engage with “real” Blacks who are “real” Republicans.

They either go out and find millennial Republicans who don’t know their butt from a hole in the ground or find a Black who will criticize the Republican Party and the Trump administration.

They want weak, Black Republicans that they can embarrass on national TV in order to create the perception that all Black Republicans are ill-informed, have no connection to the Black community, and are buffoons.

On the institutional side, the NAACP, The National Urban League, and the Congressional Black Caucus are just as bad as these quasi radical liberal journalists, if not worse.

They represent their membership, not the Black community. There is a big difference.

Each of these groups, without evidence, claim to be non-partisan. They all are dependent on the expansion of government programs and the continued intrusion of government into the lives of Blacks.

They all aggressively advocate for radical liberal policies that are indistinguishable from the Democrat Party. I was once told that the sign of a great teacher is one who makes himself increasingly unnecessary.

These group’s very existence is contingent upon the constant dependency of Blacks on government programs; i.e., the governmental drug of liberalism.

It is estimated that the federal government has spent over $ 22 trillion on the War on Poverty since the sixties. Yet, the problem has not been solved and one can argue that it has gotten worse.

These radical liberal quasi journalists and institutions have continued to get yet another generation of Blacks hooked on the drug of liberalism.

They cause more damage to and in the Black community than anyone with a white sheet over their face.

Herein lies my frustration with my Republican Party and my current president. We have a great story to tell to the Black community; but the story is not being told.

These radical liberal quasi journalists and institutions would lead you to believe that they speak for and represent the mainstream of the Black community. THEY DO NOT! But a lie that is repeated enough times becomes the truth.

The Black community is sold a bunch of lies daily from these sellouts to our community and because Republicans are totally disengaged in the debate, the narrative is deemed to be true.

The Republican Party and the Trump administration would be wise to engage with respected Black Republicans like former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, businessman and civil rights legend Richard Finley of Birmingham, businessman and economic genius, John Burnett of New York City, to name a few.

Blacks are totally fed up with liberalism and do not consider Maxine Waters or Al Sharpton their leaders. They are “media” appointed leaders.

I am a graduate of Oral Roberts University and Oral would always tell me, “Go into every man’s world and meet them at the point of their need.”

When will the Republican Party and the Trump administration take our message of “traditional values” to the marketplace of ideas within the Black community?

We don’t need to be persuaded, because we already believe; we don’t need to be convinced because we have no doubt that liberalism has failed us; we need only be invited to be “part of the team.”

(Raynard Jackson is a Pulitzer Award nominated columnist and founder and chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future (BAFBF).

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JULY 24-30, 2019

B7

A hot, southern-style dinner at Walmart? Yes, it’s true

THE GRAND OPENING—Cornbread co-owners Adenah Bayoh, center, and Elzadie “Zadie” Smith, second from right, celebrate their new restaurant inside the West Mifflin Walmart, 2351 Century Dr., July 5. (Photos by Briana L. White)

‘Cornbread’ is the new Black-owned restaurant inside Walmart’s West Mifflin location

by Briana L. White For New Pittsburgh Courier

Who would have thought you could have a southern-style dinner at your local Walmart?

Thanks to the new restaurant, “Cornbread,” you can.

Elzadie “Zadie” Smith and Adenah Bayoh have brought their dining concept from Maplewood, New Jersey, to the West Mifflin Walmart. The fast-casual dining option allows customers to kill two birds with one stone—grocery shopping and feeding their family.

I had the opportunity to speak to Smith and Bayoh at the grand opening celebration on July 5. When asked why they decided to partner with Walmart, Bayoh said, “We wanted to reach everyday, hard-working people and make our food accessible to everyone.”

They decided on Pittsburgh for the following reasons: “We looked at several cities and Pittsburgh has an amazing food scene, (and) we wanted a place where people would be welcoming to our food. The hospitality and love we’ve received has been amazing, and this is the environment we want to be in.”

I can attest to the customers being welcoming of the food. One customer, YDaina Jett, says she’s been coming every day since the restaurant opened its doors.

After the grand opening ceremony concluded,

the restaurant gave out free samples. First up was cornbread, of course. It was warm, sweet, and almost tasted like a piece of cake. I can see why this is a staple dish there. They then brought out samples of fried chicken, catfish and whiting. I thought the fried chicken leg was perfect; crunchy skin, juicy meat and great seasoning. Now, I will say that I am not a huge fried fish fan…or so I thought. The fried catfish was bomb! The interior was

Breelicious Bites

Restaurant Reviews fluffy and moist, and the outside was fried and seasoned to perfection as well.

So, when it was time to order my full meal, the catfish was the protein I chose.

As accompaniments, I tried the mac ‘n cheese and yams, two of my favorite side dishes. In my opinion, the mac ‘n cheese wasn’t

creamy or cheesy enough for my liking, and the yams lacked the flavor profile I was looking for.

I finished my meal, with their one and only dessert, the peach cobbler. Now that, I loved! It was gooey and warm, with a delicious crisp topping, and a generous amount of sweet peaches. I’d go back just for that!

This farm-to-soul restaurant is different from many other soul food spots. They use hormone-free and steroid-free meats, as well as collaborate with local farmers to get many of their ingredients. For the locations in the Greater Pittsburgh area, they are sourcing ingredients from Benedict’s Produce out of Chambersburg, Pa. According to Smith, “We don’t pack on a lot of unhealthy extras, such as excessive butter and fats” as many soul food restaurants do, and “we even season our greens with other veggies, to make them healthier. So, you can have a soulful taste with less fat!”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 40 percent of American adults were obese in 2015 and 2016. Worse, the American Psychological Association reported that in 2014, 48 percent of African American adults were clinically obese.

With that being said, “Cornbread” gives us the option to have down-home comfort food, with less guilt.

The duo plans to open two more locations at the Walmart locations in Tarentum and Greensburg later this year. The West Mifflin

location is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

I recommend going to Cornbread and ordering the fried catfish, fried

chicken, peach cobbler, and of course, the cornbread.

My rating for this restaurant is between 3.5 and 4 Breelicious Bites (out of 5).

FRIED CATFISH, YAMS, MAC ‘N CHEESE, CORNBREAD

Bree Recommends: ‘The fried catfish, fried chicken, peach cobbler, and of course, the cornbread.’

THE PEACH COBBLER at Cornbread.

B8

JULY 24-30, 2019

BOWTIES & SUNDRESSES

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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Summer Concert Festival Grand View Golf Club, North Braddock, Pa. June 22, 2019 Photos by Courier photographer Dayna Delgado