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Vol. 109 No. 33

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FOUR SHOOTINGS IN 24 HOURS

Community leaders make passionate plea for violence to stop

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

It started out as another normal morning for Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh CEO Esther Bush. As she was getting dressed for work, she overheard on the television “one, two, three different shootings, and I’m like, ‘Dang, what’s happening?’

“I stepped out of the restroom and looked at the TV and heard the fourth and fifth shooting announced. And the tears just started flowing down.”

Those same tears were seen during Bush’s emotional plea to the community— her community—to end the gun violence that’s taking lives and destroying families.

“What is happening to us? This is Pittsburgh,” Bush told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview, Aug. 14, at Freedom Unlimited in the Hill District. “Shootings? And you’re talking about teenagers, you’re talking about women.

You’re talking about a half dozen different neighborhoods, they’re not connected? We don’t want to see things connected but seeing them not connected is scarier because that means more people are taking guns and violence into their own hands.”

Bush was joined by Tim Stevens of the

URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER PITTSBURGH CEO ESTHER BUSH calls for the gun violence to stop in Pittsburgh’s African American communities, during a press conference at Freedom Unlimited in the Hill District, Aug. 14. (Photo by Rob Taylor Jr.)

A ‘key’ moment for Strickland

Black Political Empowerment Project, Diane Powell of Black Women For Positive Change, Valerie Dixon with the Coalition Against Violence, who lost her only son to gun violence, local NAACP President Richard A. Stewart Jr., and Pittsburgh by Christian Morrow Chief of Police Scott Schubert, among oth- Courier Staff Writer ers, during yesterday’s (Aug. 14) news conWhen asked what it’s like ference. working with and knowing Bill Together they stood as one, outraged at Strickland, Pittsburgh Mayor SEE SHOOTINGS A4 Bill Peduto said he is “truly inspirational.

“I feel like I’ve had the privilege to walk with a saint,” Peduto told the New Pittsburgh Courier exclusively. “That’s what it’s like. He’s made us all better through the work he’s done.”

For that work, and the relationships he’s forged throughout the city and across the globe confirmed that the family has in the 50 years since he estabby Christian Morrow filed a wrongful death lawsuit lished what is now the ManchesCourier Staff Writer against the city and officer Gino ter Bidwell Corporation, StrickMacioce, who fired the fatal land was awarded the Key to the Calling for transparency and City, Aug. 10, at a ceremony in shot. justice, family members, friends “We’re here to question the the mayor’s conference room. and activists rallied outside the Noting he had been honored by justified killing—Zappala statAllegheny County Courthouse ed—of Mark Daniels,” said Jef- mayors, governors, presidents to demand that District Attorfries at the Aug. 10 rally. “We and world leaders, Peduto said ney Stephen A. Zappala release want people to know his name, it was his honor to recognize all surveillance video of the fawho he was, and that officer Strickland at home. tal February shooting of Mark “All throughout this planet Mr. Macioce lied about him (DanDaniels by Pittsburgh police.

MARK DANIELS Strickland has been recognized, iels) shooting at officers.”

As about a dozen protesters Daniels was a 39-year-old father of two not only for his humanitarianheld signs saying, “Shot in the back while running away” and “Justice for Mark SEE DANIELS A4 SEE STRICKLAND A10 Daniels,” his sister, Sequaha Jeffries,

Family of Mark Daniels files wrongful death lawsuit

BILL STRICKLAND received the Key to the City from Mayor Bill Peduto, Aug. 10. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Gov. Wolf, community residents celebrate ‘Braddock’s Rebirth’

by Rob Taylor Jr. and Dayna Delgado Courier Staff Writers

Some called Saturday, Aug. 11 a “celebration of Braddock’s rebirth.”

But Summer Lee, who, come November, will almost assuredly become state representative of the House district that includes Braddock, said Braddock never died.

“There are so many of us who, when the steel mills died, we’re still here. When UPMC left, we were still here. There are so many people on this stage,” Lee told the crowd, “they’ve been working, mentoring kids, raising their families, protesting, advocating for this area, and they’ve never GOVERNOR TOM WOLF, third from right, helps celebrate the grand opening of the Braddock Civic Plaza, during the borough’s Community Day, Aug. 11. (Photo by Dayna Delgado) stopped.”

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What’s in total agreement by all is Braddock residents, in collaboration with local leaders and developers, are fighting to make Braddock viable and prosperous again.

A day-long celebration was held, Aug. 11, complete with a parade, a skate park, musicians, comedians, and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Braddock Civic Plaza, a new outdoor greenspace equipped with free Wi-Fi, tables and chairs, and spaces for food trucks to pull up and serve customers. The Braddock Civic Plaza sits near the very place the old UPMC Braddock Hospital was housed.

The hospital closed in SEE BRADDOCK A11

One political party is detrimental to Blacks Forum B6

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INTERNATIONAL

AUGUST 15-21, 2018

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This Week In Black History

THRIVING BUSINESS—In this July 25 photo, Janine Ndagijimana displays African eggplant, also called bitter ball or garden egg, harvested from her field in Colchester, Vt. Far from the refugee camps where she once lived, Ndagijimana has developed a thriving small farm business, growing African eggplants in Vermont and selling them around the country. (AP Photo/Lisa Rathke)

African refugee grows homeland’s bitter eggplants in Vermont

by Lisa Rathke Associated Press Writer

COLCHESTER, Vt. (AP) — After surviving refugee camps in Africa, Janine Ndagijimana settled in Vermont and began to dream of farming.

When she considered what to plant, she thought back to her time in Tanzania and settled on the African eggplant, also called bitter ball or garden egg. It wasn’t found in Vermont, and she remembered how it garnered a good price at the refugee market.

These days, Ndagijimana’s farming of the oblong white fruit and other varieties has turned her into a refugee success story in Vermont, one of the least culturally or racially diverse states, with a population that’s 95 percent White. She’s part of a growing number of farmers from other parts of the world who have used social media, the internet and niche markets often in big cities to successfully sell crops native to their home countries. She grows eggplants on 3 acres (1.2 hectares) of land on two plots in Burlington and Colchester, one of which was leased to her for free by a local farmer.

“This is to support the family,” she said through an interpreter as she stood on a hot afternoon in the farm field just a week before she was expected to deliver her sixth child.

She said she’s hoping when the business gets bigger she can use the money she makes to send her kids to college.

The 38-year-old Ndagijimana’s success goes well beyond Vermont. Since she planted her first crop in 2013, she has sold her 5,000-pound (2,270-kilogram) harvest through the mail to Africans in Arizona, Texas, Utah, Michigan and Idaho.

Her business is spread by word of mouth. Other cus-

“It is what we love eating, you know,” he said of the fruit, which is more bitter than the purple-skinned variety. “This is our native food.”

Before arriving in the United States in 2007, Ndagijimana knew only life in a refugee camp. She was born in one in Rwanda to parents from neighboring Burundi. The family fled the country in 1994 at the start of the genocide and ended up at another refugee settlement in Tanzania.

“Life was not easy beThe 38-year-old cause even the food they was not enough Ndagijimana’s suc- provided for one person,” she said, cess goes well be- recalling how a person would receive 8 pounds yond Vermont. Since (3.6 kilograms) of food, consisting of corn and she planted her first often beans, to eat for two weeks. crop in 2013, she has It was at the camp that considered growing sold her 5,000-pound she African eggplant, known as harvest through the intore in her native Kirundi language. As a young mail to Africans in entrepreneur she bought from farmers Arizona, Texas, Utah, produce and sold it to the refugee Michigan and Idaho. markets. She saw that growers of African eggplant were making good money but didn’t have the land to selling eggplants, peppers grow the fruit herself. and herbs in Lowell, MasIn Vermont, she also sachusetts, and Syrian and Iraqi refugees are growing lacked land — until she peppers and mint in Dear- was able to use about an acre (0.4 hectares) of born, Michigan, said Lee community garden land Williams, the committee’s and then a farmer leased senior vice president. her another 2 acres (0.8 “It’s good community hectares) for free. building,” Williams said.

She hopes to eventually “Obviously it’s important to us that our clients have ac- farm on 10 acres (4.1 hectcess to nutritious food, and ares). She has gotten help having food that’s familiar from a program called New Farms for New Americans, to our clients is great.” the U.S. Department of AgAfrican eggplant, an riculture and the Univerimportant crop in several sity of Vermont extension African countries, can be found in some urban areas, service.

She’s been a teacher for such as in Minneapolis, people who want to emuwhere Hmung farmers late her business model, grow it for mostly African said Ben Waterman, of the customers. A refugee from UVM Center for SustainLiberia, Morris Gbolo, able Agriculture, who grows it among other West African vegetables in meets with her weekly.

“Janine does her research Buena Vista, New Jersey, and she really kind of and sends it to customers weighs her options and around the U.S. makes use of a lot of the resources around here,” Waterman said. tomers come to pick up the harvest themselves. One Florida man was expected recently to pick up 2,500 pounds (1,130 kilograms) of eggplant, which he planned to resell.

Other refugee communities also are growing and selling native crops around the U.S., according to the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Arlington, Va. For example, Burmese and Bhutanese farmers are raising and

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Week of August 15-21 August 15 1975—In another of those highly publicized “trials of the century,” which frequently grip national attention, 20-yearold Joan Little is found not guilty of murder after she stabbed a White jailer who had entered her cell in Beaufort County, N.C., to sexually assault her. The trial had been moved to Raleigh because of widespread racial prejudice in the Eastern North Carolina area where the incident actually took place.

1979—President Jimmy Carter forces the resignation of United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young after he angered Jewish JOAN LITTLE groups by meeting with representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The resignation created stormy relations between Blacks and the generally uncompromising pro-Israel lobby in the United States.

August 16 1922—Author and investigative reporter Louis E. Lomax is born in Valdosta, Ga. Little is known today, but in the 1960s Lomax was one of the ANDREW YOUNG most prominent Black journalists in America. He was renowned for his coverage of the Civil Rights Movement and his investigative reporting. He died mysteriously in an automobile accident near Santa Rosa, N.M., on July 30, 1970. One urban legend is that his car was forced off the road by persons working for the FBI because he was completing a book which would show that the assassination of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was part of a government plot. This urban legend is often repeated, but LOUIS E. LOMAX there has been little concrete evidence offered to support it. Lomax’ best known books are “Negro Revolt” and “To Kill a Black Man.” August 17 1887—Black separatist and Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey is born on this day in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. Garvey advocated Black pride and the building of Black institutions. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association in 1914 and with amazingly rapid speed built it into the largest independent Black organization in history with 1,100 branches in more than MARCUS GARVEY 40 countries. He came to the U.S. in 1916 and the FBI began keeping a file on him in 1919. By 1923 he was indicted on what many considered trumped up mail fraud charges and eventually deported from his U.S. base in 1927. Garvey would die in England on June 10, 1940. But years before his death, he predicted his return, writing, “Look for me in the whirlwind or the storm, look for me all around you, with God’s grace, I shall come and bring with me countless millions…to aid you in the fight for liberty, freedom and life.”

August 18 1963—The first Black person admitted to the UniverJAMES MEREDITH sity of Mississippi, James Meredith, graduates on this day in 1963. His graduation was unmarred by the protests and violence which marked his federally forced entry into the once segregated institution.

1964—White-ruled South Africa is officially banned from competing in the Olympics because of its system of racial oppression known as Apartheid. The country’s Black majority would not achieve democratic rule, however, until May 1994 when the Nelson Mandela-led African National Congress won more than two-thirds of the vote in the country’s first free elections.

August 19 1791—Benjamin Banneker writes a letter to Secretary of State (later president) Thomas Jefferson denouncing slavery. In his letter, Banneker declared, “I freely and cheerfully acknowledge BENJAMIN BANNEKER that I am of the African race” and then precedes to label America’s recently achieved freedom from England a “hypocrisy” as long as Blacks continued to suffer under “groaning captivity and cruel oppression.” Banneker was a Black activist against slavery even though he is generally recognized for his mathematical achievements, designing one of the first clocks made in America and laying out the nation’s capital after Pierre L’Enfant abandoned the job.

1954—African American diplomat Ralph Bunch is named Undersecretary of the United Nations. Bunch had already received the Nobel Peace Prize (1950) for his work RALPH BUNCHE as a U.N. negotiator during the Arab-Israeli war of 1948-1949. Bunch would later become U.N. Secretary General. He was born in Detroit but raised in Los Angeles.

August 20 1619—This is the most probable date that Black History in America begins. Approximately 20 Africans (the records of the day referred to them as “20 and odd Negras”) arrived in Jamestown, Va., aboard a Dutch ship.

It appears the Africans were sold as indentured servants who could work and earn their freedom. Little is known about the group except that the Dutch had stolen them from a Spanish slave ship which was probably headed for the Caribbean or South America. Few names survive.

But one of the men was called Anthony (or Antonio) and one of the women was called RICHARD ALLEN Isabella. The available records indicate the ship arrived in Jamestown in the latter part of August. Other records and some speculation have led most historians to believe the actual arrival date was Aug. 20, 1619—the beginning of Black history in America.

1830—The first National Negro Convention is held.

It takes place in Philadelphia and is chaired by Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Top on the agenda of the gathering was what could free Blacks do to help bring an end to slavery.

ISAAC HAYES 1942—Musician, composer, singer, songwriter Isaac Hayes is born on this day in Covington, Tenn.

August 21 1831—The Nat Turner slave rebellion begins in Southampton, Va. It was the best organized and most deadly slave revolt in American history. The charismatic Turner brought together between 50 and 70 Blacks (some slave NAT TURNER and some free) to launch his revolt prompted by what he saw as a vision from God. As many as 70 Whites (men, women and children) were killed during a two-day period. It took the local militia and a detachment of federal troops to put down the rebellion. However, Turner, known as “the Prophet” by his followers was not captured until Oct. 30. He was hanged on Nov. 11, 1831. Interestingly, he became known as “Turner” after the rebellion. During his life, he was simply known as Nat and was considered a WILLIAM ‘COUNT’ BASIE brilliant, self-taught man. After the rebellion, Virginia passed a law making it illegal to teach a Black person how to read and write.

1904—Jazz pianist and bandleader William “Count” Basie is born on this day in Red Bank, N.J. 1936—Basketball legend Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain is born in Philadelphia, Pa. The 7’1” phenomenon had an amazing NBA career including being the only player to score 100 points in WILT CHAMBERLAIN a single game. Chamberlain died in October 1999.

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AUGUST 15-21, 2018

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Analysis: One year in, Trump still fuels racial divide

by Julie Pace, Steve Peoples and Zeke Miller Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON (AP)— There has been no reset, no moment of national healing.

One year after blaming “both sides” for violent clashes between White supremacists and counterprotesters, President Donald Trump still flirts with racially tinged rhetoric— and feels little blowback from Republican leaders or GOP voters when he does.

Black leaders and Democrats argue Trump’s tone and actions on race have gotten even worse in the months since the clashes in Charlottesville, Va. The result is a starkly segregated political landscape where there is scant punishment for racially loaded rhetoric and, at times, clear reward.

Democrats are pinning their hopes of flipping control of Congress on mobilizing liberals and minorities, particularly Black voters.

And Republicans’ best chance of holding off a Democratic wave is strong turnout among the conservative White voters who helped sweep Trump into office and often cheer his willingness to dive into hot-button issues with racial overtones.

Trump has told associates that he believes at least one of those issues— his criticism of Black NFL players who kneel during the national anthem—is a political winner because it energizes his White base.

He revived the matter on Friday, tweeting that the players are expressing outrage “at something that most of them are unable to define.” Players have said they are protesting police killings of Black men, social injustice and racism.

Trump’s rise to power can be traced through a series of statements that invoke racial stereotypes. In 1989, he called for the death penalty for the Central Park Five, five Black and Hispanic teenagers accused of raping and beating a White woman; they were later exonerated through DNA evidence, but Trump has suggested he still believes they’re guilty. For years, Trump promoted the lie that President Barack Obama was born in Kenya.

Over the past year, from his perch in the White House, he’s repeatedly questioned the intelligence of prominent Black figures, including Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., basketball star LeBron James and CNN anchor Don Lemon, whom he called “the dumbest man on television.”

“One of the oldest strategies is to call into question the intellect of African Americans,” said Mitch Landrieu, the former Democratic mayor of New Orleans. “It’s just sad and awful.”

NAACP President Derrick Johnson said the Black community has “never seen this level of tone deafness or this total disregard” from a modern American president.

Even against that backdrop, Trump’s response to Charlottesville stood out.

In his initial remarks about the violent clashes that killed counterprotester Heather Heyer, the president said there were “very fine people on both sides.”

Two days later, reading carefully from a written statement, he condemned the KKK, White supremacists and neo-Nazis. Yet in an unscripted moment the next day, he again said there was “blame on both sides.”

Trump revisited the Charlottesville controversy on Saturday, tweeting that the clashes “resulted in senseless death and division” and he condemns “all types of racism and acts of violence.” He ended his tweet by wishing “Peace to ALL Americans!”

Charlottesville prompted some Republican leaders to condemn him. Some business leaders abandoned White House advisory

committees, and some West Wing aides let it be known that they contemplated quitting.

But, ultimately, the outrage from those corners subsided. Washington moved on. GOP leaders who harshly criticized the president at the time still largely back his agenda, well aware that polling shows there was no sustained damage to Trump’s popularity among the party’s voters after Charlottesville.

“If it did anything, it reinforced opinions,” said Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster. “The intensity of opinions changed, both supportive and against.

It confirmed what people thought about Trump. It didn’t change their views.”

According to a CBS News poll taken in the days after the Charlottesville clashes, a wide share of Democrats—about 7 in 10—said Trump’s policies encouraged racial division in the country, little DEMONSTRATORS CLASH—In this Aug. 12, 2017 file photo, a counter demonstrator uses a lighted spray can against a White nationalist different from a poll condemonstrator at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) ducted earlier in the year.

By comparison, more than 8 in 10 Republicans said the president’s policies either had no effect on race relations or encouraged unity.

Trump’s job approval among Blacks has shown little change, consistently stuck around 10 percent in most surveys.

The White House did not respond to questions about whether Trump has any regrets about his handling of the Charlottesville protests or other racial rhetoric.

Some of Trump’s Black supporters argue that the criticism is overblown.

“Either people have a short memory or they’ve brushed it under the rug and they’re focused on what’s really important: their ability to take care of themselves economically,” said Michael Barnett, an African-American Trump ally who serves as chairman of the Palm Beach GOP and vice chairman of the Florida GOP. Yet a year after Charlottesville, the president’s relationship with the Black community remains deeply strained.

In a new memoir, former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman labels Trump a “racist” and claims she’s been told there are tapes of him using the N-word repeatedly while filming “The Apprentice” reality series.

She discussed the memoir on national television Sunday, the anniversary of the Charlottesville violence.

A White House spokeswoman dismissed Manigault Newman as “a disgruntled” former employee.

Pollster Henry Fernandez of the African American Research Collaborative reports that Black women in particular feel “disrespected” by Trump, a fact that may mean Charlottesville will come back to hurt Trump after all.

Black women helped fuel Democratic victories in recent months in Alabama and Virginia. And Black voters make up a small but motivated slice of the electorate this fall: at least 7 percent of the electorate in more than a third of the nation’s most competitive House districts, Fernandez noted.

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat and one of just three African Americans in the Senate, warned that the consequences for Trump’s tone and actions could extend well beyond political pain.

“The president’s demeaning and degrading and cruel attacks on minorities,” Booker said, “make people feel like they have license to hate, make people feel like they have license to hurt others.”

Booker added: “These things are dangerous.”

(Peoples reported from New York. AP polling reporter Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report.)

(Follow Julie Pace at http:// twitter.com/jpaceDC, Steve Peoples at http://twitter.com/ sppeoples and Zeke Miller at http://twitter.com/zekejmiller)

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AUGUST 15-21, 2018

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FOUR SHOOTINGS IN 24 HOURS

Community leaders make passionate plea for violence to stop SHOOTINGS FROM A1

this past weekend’s barrage of shootings inside city limits: A 25-year-old man was shot on Frankstown Avenue in Homewood around 2 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12; three hours later, Elaine Pearson, 63, was shot to death in an SUV in Lincoln-Lemington; at 8:30 p.m. that evening, four people were shot during a fight on Broad Street in East Liberty; and in the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 13, an unidentified man was shot in Bedford Dwellings in the Hill District.

Outside city limits, 54-year-old Donnell Demery, 54, of Duquesne, was shot and killed inside the 1313 Bar in Duquesne, early Monday, Aug. 13.

Pittsburgh Assistant Chief of Police Lavonnie Bickerstaff thanked members of the community who provided information which led to arrests of most of the suspects in the recent shootings. She also urged that Stacey Gibson, of Homewood, turn herself into police, as she’s a suspect in the

East Liberty shooting on Broad Street. Gibson later surrendered to police at 2 p.m., Aug. 14.

“My heart goes out to those who were shot. My heart goes out to those who did the shooting,” Bush said, as television cameras were rolling. “Their families are impacted, both sides. It doesn’t matter who’s (at) fault or what the issue was.

We have to understand that we are responsible for each other. And we have to communicate. And so I keep us, the greater Pittsburgh community, in prayer, that we start to love each other enough to step up and step out and do what is appropriate so that it is a safer place to be.”

A common theme echoed by speakers at the news conference was loving oneself enough to not inflict harm—especially deadly force—on another person.

“When I was coming up as a kid, we protected our neighborhoods. It was no such thing as guns,” Stewart said. “If we had a disagreement, we might have

DIALLO MITCHELL JR., 23, urges youth to “become the change that we want to see,” at an Aug. 14 news conference denouncing the recent violence in Pittsburgh’s Black communities. Mitchell is paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in Greenfield five years ago.

(Photo by Rob Taylor Jr.) had a fight—but we took it to the basketball court… then, on Friday and Saturday, we would get clean and see who was the best dressed and go to a dance, and go on the floor. If you had a disagreement, this is what we did to have bragging rights. It was no such thing as this type of violence. This has got to stop.”

Stewart added: “Apparently, these individuals have lost respect for themselves because they lost

the educational piece and the intelligence piece to respect themselves. We have to find a way to get back to what was done back then of respecting our parents, our mothers and fathers, our uncles, our brothers and sisters.”

Sharon McIntosh, a former principal in the Duquesne City School District who is working with youth at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center, said today’s young people have to be educated—by, in some

cases, professional educators—on how to not allow built-up frustration to lead to violence.

“We have to make this better. The accountability falls on me as well as you, as a parent, as a minister, as a politician, as a media and how we report things— all of us are responsible,” McIntosh said.

McIntosh’s former student, Diallo Mitchell Jr., was at the news conference—in a wheelchair. The 23-year-old was shot in

Greenfield in July 2013, a month after graduating from West Mifflin High School. The gunshot to his spine caused him to be paralyzed from the waist down.

“There’s a lot that we can do out here to make the world a better place because we are the future,” Mitchell said in a statement directed to Pittsburgh’s youth. “In order to make change, we have to become the change that we want to see.”

Family of Mark Daniels files wrongful death lawsuit

DANIELS FROM A1

and had recently become a grandfather. Though on parole, he had started a new construction job in Ambridge just prior to his death. Jeffries said her brother would never have shot at police.

Officer Macioce and another officer were on foot patrol near the intersection of Frankstown and Brushton avenues, Feb. 11, when they said they saw Daniels acting suspiciously as he ducked down an alley. They said he

fired at them. Officer Macioce fired back and hit Daniels in the shoulder as he tried to flee. The bullet severed an artery and Daniels later died from his wound.

In April, Zappala showed pieces of surveillance video—some showing Daniels on the sidewalk looking across the street, another of officers running across the street—during a press conference where he ruled the shooting justified, saying it was “certain” that the officer was fired upon three

times.

Jeffries doesn’t believe it is certain at all.

She said there was no gun found with Daniels at the time and that police only produced one hours later.

She also said there was no gunshot residue on Daniels’ hands.

“Officer Gino Macioce lied about Mark Daniels firing a gun—once again, where’s the evidence?” she said. “And we have multiple witnesses who contradict what Zappala and the po-

SEQUAHA JEFFRIES, above, leads a rally at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Aug. 11, announcing the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Pittsburgh. Jeffries’ brother, Mark Daniels, was shot and killed by police in Homewood in February. DA Stephen Zappala called the shooting “justified.” For more on this developing story, visit newpittsburghcourier. com. (Photo by Christian Morrow) lice say—and I don’t believe they even interviewed all the witnesses. We want the full video from all camera footage of that night.”

Neither Zappala nor his office would comment.

On Aug. 11, family members and friends again gathered in Homewood at the site of the shooting and marched through the neighborhood calling for justice for Mark Daniels.

The Courier is The VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

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Schenley grad Janel Young brings art show home

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

This Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 18-19), a pop up art show will be held, featuring a New York City artist who, deep down, bleeds Black and Gold.

Janel Young was born and raised on the South Side, attending Beltzhoover Elementary School, then Rogers CAPA middle school and Schenley High School.

It was Ms. MaryAnn Miller, Young’s elementary school art teacher, who recognized the talent in Young and “encouraged me to pursue visual arts more purposefully.

Ms. Miller took me under her wing and showed me different drawing and painting techniques,” Young recalled in an exclusive interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier.

That led to her acceptance into CAPA as a visual arts major for grades 6-8. Her love for painting, Young said, “developed in seventh grade when I was selected to be part of Rogers’ mural painting team.”

The love for arts only grew as she entered Schenley High School through PPS’ magnet program. She took on the International Bacca-

laureate art program under Ms. Karen Price, and had her first art exhibit of her work in 2009. “From there, I held art, especially painting, dear to my heart and never looked back,” Young said.

Upon graduating from Schenley—as class president, no less—in 2009, Young embarked and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and International Studies from Penn State University in 2013.

These days, Young is a resident of the Big Apple, moving there five years ago for a job opportunity as a digital strategist in Manhattan.

“New York City’s diversity, culture and inspiring creative community have kept me in the city and allowed me to showcase my talent, as well as connect with other like-minded creatives,” Young told the Courier.

Her art has been on display as far away as Australia, but this weekend, it will be her first solo art exhibition in Pittsburgh since high school. Aptly-titled, “HOME is Where the HE(ART) is,” there will be new canvas and wood pieces and fine art prints for sale, live painting by Young, “JY Originals” merchandise such as T-shirts,

Coming to Monroevil e— The sounds of Jazz 16th annual festival occurs Aug. 18

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

Fifteen years ago, jazz buff Chuck Summerville was looking to raise money to replace the organ at his church, so he asked guitar legend Joe Negri to come and play—and it was a success.

From there it grew into its own nonprofit, putting on festivals every year to encourage and promote the love of jazz, a unique American art form. But last year, Summerville announced he would no longer be able to handle the load of putting on the festival and would be stepping down.

“He had such a passion for jazz and the festival. So there we were. We had a board, but without his direction it was looking like we wouldn’t be able to continue,” said former board member Debbie Iszauk.

The Monroeville Foundation was then approached, and “in January they decided it was a good fit for their mission and that they would take it on.”

Over the years the festival has focused mostly on local artists, included a national act, as well. Among those who’ve played the festival are Kenny Blake, Harold Betters, Rodney McCoy, Etta Cox, Eric Johnson, Al Dowe, and even the United States Air Force Band.

This year is no exception, featuring local quartet Funky Fly Project; University of Pittsburgh Jazz instructor and international saxophone artist Yoko Suzuki; Westinghouse and CAPA grad—and student of Roger Humphries—Javon Rushton, and New York City-based Grammy-nominated piano sensation Emmet Cohen, who is currently the “Hammond B-3 organist in residence” at Harlem’s SMOKE jazz club.

Monroeville Foundation Board President Ernie Groover said picking up the Jazz Festival was a natural fit for the foundation. He said there are people who don’t know the foundation is there to support various community events like the recent Community Day celebration on July 28, and entities like the food pantry, the botanical gardens, even the Eagle Scouts.

“When they brought it to me I said fantastic—let’s

do it,” he said. “It’s a great way to bring people together, and it’s another piece of the puzzle in giving back to the community and doing things that the borough just can’t do.”

Groover said putting on the festival has been a whirlwind learning experience, but thanks to major sponsors Dollar Bank and UPMC and a host of other friends and sponsors, they’ve managed to put together a great lineup.

“It’s a lot of lessons learned about signing artists, moving equipment, getting sponsors, but it’s been fruitful,” he said. “The show will be great—and it’s free, parking is free.

There’ll be food trucks, Rivertowne Brewery will be selling their wares, Ole Smokey Distillery will be sampling some of theirs, too.

“This is also a great opportunity for folks to make applications to us for grants, and for us to raise money so we can give it away.”

(The Saturday, Aug. 18 festival runs from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. and is again being held at the Tall Trees Amphitheatre, Monroeville Community Park West, 2447 Tilbrook Road. For additional information, visit www.monroevillefoundation.org.)

hats, etc., a DJ (Twelve45) and free refreshments. The art show will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. each day (Aug. 18-19) at the Glitter Box Theater, 460 Melwood Ave. “Every artist pulls from a different source of inspiration during their creative process, but I believe the common thread is internalizing personal experiences,” Young told the Courier.

“Many people talk about ‘creative juices’ as if they can be bought off the shelf in a carton on demand, but the reality is that creativity is a real process, and it’s not always a pretty or exciting one. There are, of course, moments of magic that happen and propel an idea, but other times it may take a lot of digging and looking at the world from multiple angles/ through multiple lenses before a noteworthy idea comes into play. The key is to enjoy the process in its entirety, which, for artists like myself, means taking in everything around me (from nature, to politics, to relationships) and finding the JANEL YOUNG will hold a pop up art show, Aug. 18-19, at the Glitter Box Theater, 460 Melwood Ave. from 1 to 5 p.m. Find more information on Young’s artwork on Instagram, go to @jy.orginals. beauty in expressing it.”

ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier

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AUGUST 15-21, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

HARAMBEE BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL 2018

COREY LANKFORD

LEIA RHODES, performing at the Harambee Black Arts Festival, a three-day event that was held, Aug 3-5, in Homewood. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

BAGUMEA LOWERY, MAYME WILLIAMS, OLA EMI

ROSE AND ROSABELLA PROVOLONE

“MAJ” MODELS pose for a photo moments before the Afro Nubian Parade, held Aug. 3 along Frankstown Avenue.

KELLI SHAKUR’S FRO GANG

Actor Jerald Vincent shines as Sultan in Disney’s ‘Aladdin’

by Genea L. Webb for New Pittsburgh Courier

Actor, singer and dancer Jerald Vincent loves to play kings and beasts on stage.

He portrayed Nubian King Amanassaro in Aida, was the first and only African American to play the role of “Beast” in “Beauty and The Beast: The Musical” and he’ll be enchanting audiences as Sultan in “Aladdin” when it graces the Benedum Center stage, Aug. 22 through Sept. 9.

“Aladdin is unique to itself because of the type of story,” said Vincent, the father of two sons who hails from Kansas City but resides in Los Angeles. “The Sultan is the ruler of an entire land and the opulence of what has been created on stage

by Disney, the writers and creators is pretty amazing. If you think about it, it starts from a script of writing of an adaptation by wonderful creatives and then all the craftsman come together to create an entire world. What they’ve created on stage is absolutely breathtaking! I don’t have to play the Sultan, I AM Sultan. I exhibit power and caring and all of those things, but the number

one thing is my relationship, growth and well-being of my daughter, Jasmine.

“I get to play a full father and create those textures of that character throughout this show,” continued Vincent, who is now in his third Disney production and on his fifth national tour. “My stage time is not that much but it’s very important when I’m on the stage because it keeps driving the story forward with Jasmine and whatever is going on in her life, as well.”

Based on the 1992 Disney movie of the same name, “Aladdin” tells the story of a poor man from the streets of the fictional town of Agrabah who is granted three wishes by a genie in a lamp. Aladdin uses the wishes to romance princess Jasmine and thwart the Sultan’s evil grand vizier.

Aladdin comes as part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series. Tickets begin at $35 and can be purchased by visiting www.trustarts.org or by calling 412-456-6666. There is a VIP ticket option that includes the best seats in the theater, a commemorative souvenir program, and a complimentary VIP show merchandise item.

Vincent was bitten by the

theater bug as a teenager and started his career almost immediately, earning his Actors’ Equity card at the age of 15 during a performance of “Oklahoma!” where the casting director told him he was ready and would do well. From there he booked his first touring production, “Funny Girl,” between his junior and senior year of high school at age 17, which allowed him to graduate early. Then he headed to Los Angeles where he landed a regular recurring role of the TV show, “Fame,” opposite Debbie Allen and Gene Anthony Ray. Next, he appeared in the dance scene at the end of the Eddie Murphy classic, “Coming to America.”

Other credits include “Naked Gun: 33 1/3: The Final Insult,” opposite Leslie Nielsen and “The Flintstones” opposite John Goodman, Rosie O’Donnell and Halle Berry.

“Getting to work with Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, it was quite an eventful movie. It’s one of those movies that have stood the test of time, that’s for sure,” Vincent told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “It’s still just as funny today as it

‘Aladdin’ plays at the Benedum Center, Aug. 22 through Sept. 9

JERALD VINCENT (Photo by Deen Van Meer) was then. I’m from the era where everyone learned how to sing, dance and act that was just the way it was. I come from the generation of Ben Vereen, Sammy Davis Jr., all that generation of people and I was working with Paula Abdul at the time, and she asked me to come and do the movie so I actually got the chance to do the big dance sequence in the wedding,”

Vincent recalled. “So I got to put on some of those African headdresses and get out there and kick up my leg from when I was doing ‘Fame’ back in the day.”

Vincent credits his God-given talents, his guardian angels and the Miller-Marley Dance Studio for the good fortune in his career.

“I always thought I could do anything. I always thought there was nothing

but possibility in this life.

I was the kid who always wanted more, and I did what I had to do to get it. I drove across country from Kansas City to California by myself,” Vincent said. “My perspective was if there was a wall I figured a way to get around it by either going over it or under it or through it. There was never the thought to go back home. I was fighting for what I wanted.”

New Pittsburgh Courier

OLDER PEOPLE WITH ACTIVE LIFESTYLES AUGUST 15-21, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

What should you be doing to prepare for retirement?

Top tips and tactics from financial advisors (BPT)—You’re 10 years or less away from retirement. You can clearly see the next phase of your life down the road and it’s coming up fast. Are you ready for it? Do you have a comprehensive plan in place so you don’t outlive your savings?

If you’re not as prepared for retirement as you should be, you’re not alone.

The Federal Reserve did a study and found that one-fourth of Americans have no retirement savings or pension.

And a Money article reports 56 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved.

Why aren’t more people prepared?

There are myriad reasons. Some people are stretched thin. Credit card debt, student loans, rising mortgage and interest rates all conspire to make it difficult for them to save. Others may lack information on the importance of retirement savings, or lack the financial savvy to be comfortable managing their own investments. And then there’s the gap between men and women. The Federal Reserve’s study found that among women with any level of education, investment comfort is lower than among similarly educated men.

Yet, retirement is waiting just around the corner. People need good advice to help them build their nest eggs before “someday” becomes “now.”

That’s why the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), a national organization representing Fee-Only financial advisors, conducted a poll of its members to get their top tips and advice for people who are nearing retirement. They want to raise consumer awareness about the urgency of preparing for retirement and the importance of having a comprehensive plan in place.

Here are the best tips, advice and tactics for retirement planning from the top financial advisors in the business.

1. Make a list of retirement “needs” and “wants.” If you do not have enough savings for all of your “needs,” make a ten-year plan to increase your funds.

2. Take a hard look at any major debts you have and develop a plan to eliminate them.

3. Brainstorm any “big ticket” finan-

cial commitments (caretaking for a family member, etc.) for the next 10 years and consider how these items might affect your ability to save for retirement.

4. Continually monitor and analyze your asset allocation to make sure it is the right one for you. Understand whether you should move to a more conservative asset allocation or continue investing for growth.

5. Be tax efficient with your investments. For example, you should defer as much of your salary as you can to your defined contribution plans.

6. Save to an emergency fund and stay aware of your company’s financial situation. Companies are prone to reorganizations and layoffs, and older workers can be vulnerable.

7. Ask your HR department about the relationship between your current health insurance and Medicare, as well as what your options are when you reach age 65.

Get information about any pension or defined contribution options and any other retiree benefits.

8. Research when stock-based compensation might expire and what stock awards you can retain after retirement.

9. Double check your reported Social Security earnings and resolve any discrepancies now. Explore your Social Security claiming options and make sure you understand the timing of applying for benefits.

10. Make sure that all of your estate documents are up-to-date. Verify that your named executors and proxies know your wishes and are willing to act on them if needed.

If you think you’ll need help creating and sticking to a financial plan, NAPFA recommends working with a Fee-Only financial advisor who adheres to a strict fiduciary standard. These advisors are required to put your best interest first and don’t accept commissions on the products they recommend, which reduces potential conflicts of interest. For more information and resources on retirement planning, check out NAPFA’s infographic about the poll. To find a Fee-Only financial advisor in your area, visit the NAPFA website at www.napfa.org and NAPFA’s “Find an Advisor” search engine.

The Pittsburgh OASIS Intergenerational Tutor Program is seeking volunteers (50+) to tutor in Pittsburgh and Woodland Hills School Districts in grade K-4. An hour a week can change a child’s life! Trainings on Tuesday, August 21 and Thursday, August 23 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 411 Seventh Ave., Suite 525 (Duquesne Light Building) downtown Pittsburgh. All training, materials and clearances are provided free of charge. For more information or to register, contact John D. Spehar, OASIS Tutoring Program Director at (412) 393-7648 or by email at jdspehar@ oasisnet.org.

OASIS is program of Literacy Pittsburgh

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LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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AUGUST 15-21, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report Home Ec reboot So what the heck is a reboot? I always used the term when I needed to restart my computer; now I hear it associated with remakes of television shows. The new Roseanne Barr show that was canceled was a reboot. So for the sake of this column let’s call it a do-over or a remake.

Several of my Facebook friends (Crystal Rhae McCormick) feel that Home Economics needs a reboot. Yes it will be updated to include what’s new but this is a much-needed class and of course we will give it a new name. Here are some things that I think should be included: balancing your debit card account (checking account), how to prepare a healthy meal, planning a party or a gathering for more than four people, how to budget your income and saving for the future. Those are just a few things that should be included and there are so many more. These things are life basics.

How about a class called Microwave Cooking? Let’s show the students how to fix a gourmet-baked potato, a baked sweet potato and how to make a bowl of instant oatmeal without it boiling over out of the bowl. A class that I would like to see everyone take is a “dining out” course on what eating utensil you should use when. Often I sit next to someone at a banquet who has no idea where their bread plate is or what fork to use first.

Thanks to my friend, Michelle Goodman-Jones, I always remind them BMW – Bread Meal Water. Your bread to your left, meal in the middle and water to the right of your plate. This should be easy for all to remember and I won’t have to tell people to please not eat my bread.

Back in my day Home Economics included a course on sewing. I think this is good idea as well because there are a lot of people calling themselves designers and cannot thread a needle.

In my opinion they are not designers, they are stylists, especially if they are buying ready-to wear and putting it in a show and calling it their design.

A few other things I would love to see included in this reboot: what affects your credit score and how your credit score affects your financial life like renting an apartment, buying a house or buying a car. Young people need to understand the importance of a 401K and if your company offers it how much should you contribute. There is so much that can be offered in a life skills class, how to bake a cake, cookies or pies. Most people like to eat so why not learn to cook. I would love to conduct a “dollar store” challenge class.

Students would have to purchase everything from a real dollar store where everything is a dollar and make a meal that does not include ramen noodles. I think I will forward this to PPS and maybe we will see an addition to the curriculum.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com)

GUEST SPEAKER—Bishop Kenneth E. Anderson

BEAUTIFUL IN WHITE—Ashley Kelley

CHURCH MOTHER—Martha Mae Brown and Ann Brown

Mt. Olive Celebrates 109 Years

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

The Mt. Olive First Baptist Church in Clairton began as a prayer band meeting from house to house. It was organized into a church in 1910 in the home of Mary Williams on Railroad St. Early services were frequently read by candlelight and interrupted by the whistling and rumbling of passing trains.

On June 24, Mt Olive held their 109th anniversary at the church, now located at 451 Park Ave. Members of the church and guests made a red carpet arrivA FAMILY AFFAIR—Rickiah Herring, Makaila Wade, Macayle Wade al and were beautifully and Maria Thurman dressed in white, the color of the day.

With Rev. William C. Callaway as the senior pastor since 1962, many souls have been led ARRIVING FOR SERVICE—Penny Nelson, Pamela Kelley and Honey Hudson (Photos by Debbie Norrell) to Christ.

In 1986, Rev. Cal- try, too numerous to men- from Clarity Internationlaway led tion. In November of this al Christian University the church year Rev. Callaway will of Tallahassee, Fla. Bishinto major celebrate 56 years as se- op Anderson said he was c o n s t r u c - nior pastor. humbled to be there and During the anniversary “by the grace of God I am tion, adding an ed- celebration Mt. Olive First what I am and I’m working u c a t i o n a l Baptist welcomed Bish- towards the next level of wing that op Kenneth E. Anderson God’s Plan.” was named as guest speaker. Bishop Mt. Olive’s motto: “The the E.W. Anderson is a graduate of church where everybody is Starks An- the Pittsburgh Theological somebody but Christ is all.” nex. There Seminary with a Master’s The church anniversahave been Degree in Pastoral The- ry committee included: a d d i t i o n s ology and Contemporary Deacon Gus Reed, Deacon to the Christian Living. He re- George Williams, Deacon church and cently received his Doc- Carlton Wade and Deacon ARRIVING ON THE RED CARPET... the minis- torate Degree of Divinity Thomas Wade.

YOUNG MEN HEADING TO SERVICE—Malcolm Callaway, Christopher Bell and Aqaveon Jackson

PASTOR AND FIRST LADY—Leona and William C. Callaway

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE—Deacon Carlton Wade, Deacon Augustus Reed, Deacon Thomas Wade and Deacon George Williams

RELIGION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

AUGUST 15-21, 2018

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Praise & Worship

24th Holy CONVOCATION

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. 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

Summer Worship Hour.....10:00 a.m.

BISHOPS’ WIVES—First Lady Barbara Mann, Lady Johnson, Lady Barbara Holden

At Pentecostal Temple COGIC Aug. 7-12

JOSEPH DUKES, with a mime presentation

MOTHER SYLVIA OGEN, EMERITUS MOTHER LILLIAN GRAY

Photos by Jacquelyn McDonald

CONVOCATION REGISTRANTS—Jackie Cobbs and Veronica Sutherland

New Destiny CME Church 114 North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-231-7882 Rev. Kornelus Neal, pastor The Rt. Rev. Marvin Thomas Sr., presiding bishop Sunday School....................................9 A.M. Morning Worship Service............11:00 A.M.

Seminary at the Tabernacle 43 Belvedere St., Crafton, PA 15205 Sept. 10, 2018-May 16, 2019 Sr. Pastor Tony Armstead, MDiv Christian Leadership School (CLS) a Four-year Program currently offering Four non-credited courses in four years.

Teaching includes Doctorate and Master of Divinity Teachers.

When: Fluctuates Mon. or Thurs., 6:308:30pm Cost: $75 per class, plus any required books Contact: Rev. Marjorie Davis, Ph.D. 412335-2832

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

BISHOP RANCE ALLEN

PASTOR ANDREW SINGLETON

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

ELDER CHRISTOPHER THORPE

Or Email us! religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com

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METRO

AUGUST 15-21, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Bill Strickland gets the Key to the City

A DAY TO REMEMBER—Bill Strickland, the longtime president and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation who recently stepped down as the organization’s leader, is honored with the Key to the City from Mayor Bill Peduto, Aug. 10. In the right photo, Strickland is pictured with his family: daughter, Olivia; wife, Rose; and daughter, Julie Strickland-Gilliard. (Photos by J.L. Martello) STRICKLAND FROM A1

ism, but for his entrepreneurialism and his deep conviction of how you can change a place by helping people,” Peduto said. “He is part of the reason why Pittsburgh is on the global map. We’ll never be able to know all the lives he will touch.”

Strickland announced his retirement as president and CEO in June from the organization he founded in 1968 as the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild, a free arts program for disadvantaged youth. It later incorporated the Bidwell Training Center and grew to include the Drew Mathieson Horticultural Center, the National Center for

Arts and Technology, MCG Youth and Arts and the Grammy Award-winning MCG Jazz.

Joined by his wife and two daughters, Strickland said he was honored to receive such an award— only the third given—from Peduto.

“I’m especially honored to get it from you. Pittsburgh is on a roll, largely because of you. And because of the partnership you have with (Allegheny County Executive) Rich Fitzgerald,” he said. “It’s a level of cooperation that is unparalleled.”

Strickland then announced that, thanks to a grant from Gov. Tom Wolf and a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh,

BILL STRICKLAND

a new center would be opening in Titusville. He then announced that he and Peduto would possibly be meeting with the Dalai Lama about building a center in India.

“What’s great about that is when you go to ask people for money, and you tell them your partner is the Dalai Lama, they are very reluctant to say no,” Strickland said.

Valerie Njie, executive director and vice president of the Bidwell Training Center, said it’s been a pleasure working with Strickland. She said he gave her a clean slate as long as she was a positive difference for the students.

“When you think of how

young he was when he started this—he could have taken it anywhere,” she said. “But he is selfless—you can see it in his face. He’ll never leave us, and we have a lot of people who are committed to his vision.”

Strickland said yes, the city’s success is partially tied to Manchester’s achievements giving investors, corporations and entrepreneurs a reason to give Pittsburgh a look.

“It’s because we thought the community is part of the overall solution,” he said. “The city has benefited from that situation, and from the fact that Bill Peduto and I became friends.”

TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Take the kids to the Pittsburgh Zoo on us!

There’s nothing like staying informed about the happenings of Black Pittsburgh, while having some fun with the kids at the Pittsburgh Zoo! Get a 6-month paid subscription to the Courier ($25), and you’ll receive 5 FREE TICKETS to the Pittsburgh Zoo! Get a 12-month paid subscription to the Courier ($45), and you’ll receive 10 FREE TICKETS to the Pittsburgh Zoo! This is an UNBEATABLE value! Open to new and current Courier subscribers! But there’s only a limited amount of Zoo tickets available, so call the Courier’s Brenda Hill right now!! 412-481-8302, ext. 134!

Promotion begins at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 1, 2018 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 31, 2018 or when Pittsburgh Zoo tickets are no longer available. Only 275 Pittsburgh Zoo tickets are available for this promotion.

All Pittsburgh Zoo tickets must be picked up in person at 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh PA 15219.

No Zoo tickets will be mailed. Zoo tickets are valid through December 31, 2018.

The Courier is The VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

AUGUST 15-21, 2018

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BRADDOCK’S REBIRTH On Saturday, Aug. 11, all were invited to a celebration. A celebration of a tight-knit community whose collaborative efforts have resulted in the new Braddock Civic Plaza, a place for all to learn, create, and ultimately, succeed.

BRADDOCK FROM A1

2010—its closing, to some, a representation of another business that elected to leave the area. The Overlook, a family apartment complex which was built in 2013, sits exactly on the old hospital grounds.

“This is all about what the community has done,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said before the ribbon was cut to signify the opening of the Civic Plaza.

“Braddock is a place that, everyone who lives here, around here, and whomever visits here, ought to be proud of. If you want to know what it’s like to bring a community back, come to Braddock. Come to see what you all have done in this community. And this plaza, this park, is just a reflection of all the good things that you’re doing in this community. And I’m proud on behalf of the 12.8 million Pennsylvanians to be a partner with you in resurrecting this community that you have done so much to resurrect.”

The cost of the plaza was $1 million, with 90 percent of the funds coming from Allegheny County and various agencies and foundations.

At the height of Braddock’s boom, when the steel mills were churning and Whites and Blacks were side-by-side in the mills working, this town seated near the Monongahela River had roughly 18,000 residents in the ‘40s and ‘50s.

Braddock was also home to Andrew Carnegie’s first public library, some 130

years ago.

As with many Mon Valley communities, Braddock began its decline when the steel mills began its decline.

The ‘70s and ‘80s were a time that saw a marked decline in city population, along with a decrease in its overall White population.

It’s estimated that today, roughly 2,000 people live in Braddock, two-thirds African American.

But residents, like Braddock Borough Council President Tina Doose, are determined to rebuild and reinvigorate Braddock. As director of the Braddock Civic Plaza grand opening celebration, her team organized the parade, which featured acts such as the Pittsburgh Obama band and the Touch of Wisdom Johnson Family and Friends mime ministry, and the closing ceremony, entitled “Celebration of Light, Hope and Healing,” in which candles were lit to remember victims of gun violence from Braddock and surrounding communities.

“This is not just a good day for Braddock, but a good day for the entire Mon Valley,” said state Rep. Austin Davis, who represents House District 35 (McKeesport, Duquesne, Clairton, among other communities). “I wanted to make sure I was here to support my neighbors and friends as they embark on this new journey of revitalizing their community.”

Lee, in a passionate speech to the more than 1,000 spectators who were present at the ribbon-cutting ceremo-

ny for the Civic Plaza, said that “in this crowd is the next state rep, in this crowd is the next governor, and all we have to do is to continue to pour into it and feed into it.”

Lee, a 2005 Woodland Hills High

School graduate, has played a vital role in rallying Braddock residents to take part in elections, school board meetings, and, most importantly, taking back their community. “I’m always grateful for Braddock because I

know that if it weren’t for this area, I wouldn’t be up here today. Don’t ever let anybody tell you that Braddock ever died because we know we’re here, and we’re strong and we’re going to keep going.”

ALL IN ATTENDANCE—State Rep. Austin Davis, Gov. Tom Wolf, Braddock Borough Council President Tina Doose, and Evan Frazier with Highmark. (Photos by Dayna Delgado)

THE PITTSBURGH OBAMA BAND marched through the streets of Braddock for the Community Day parade, held a few hours before the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Braddock Civic Plaza.

SUMMER LEE, the Democratic candidate for the House District 34 which includes Braddock, with Justin Udo, left, a reporter for KYWTV in Philadelphia.

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AUGUST 15-21, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

Neighborhoods are now just ‘hoods,’ says J. Pharaoh Doss Forum B6

Tax-planning tips to help you benefit from tax reform

Certainly, you’ve heard the old adage, there is nothing certain in life except death and taxes. However, tax laws can be uncertain. They evolve and change, and taxpayers must stay flexible to make the most out of the situation. With the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, many taxpayers will see changes to their tax situation. Now is the time to plan for those changes and embrace the opportunities.

The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) provides five tax planning tips to explore today.

Consider adjusting your withholding and estimated tax payments (if you haven’t already) and making tax-saving deferrals.

No one likes surprises when it comes to their tax bill. With the many 2018 tax law changes, it’s important to revisit how you are withholding taxes from your paycheck.

If you’re withholding too much, you’ll get a bigger refund at the end of the year when you file your taxes, but you could have had that money sooner. If you will owe more taxes this year, increasing your withholding or paying estimated tax payments can mitigate a large tax bill when you file your return. Plus, there are interest and penalties that you could be assessed if you don’t pay enough taxes throughout the year.

The IRS revised its 2018 withholding tables based on the new tax law, and taxpayers should consider updating their Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, with their employer. The withholding calculator can help you determine the effect of the 2018 tax changes, though you may still need professional guidance.

One PICPA member provided a step-bystep guide on using this calculator to accurately assess your tax situation.

Also, explore other tax-saving deferral opportunities provided by your employer, such as increasing the amount you are contributing to a 401(k) or into a health savings or flexible spending account. If self-employed, you may want to consider a simplified employee plan (SEP) IRA where contributions are made entirely by the business, or a solo 401(k) that offers both employee and employer contributions.

Consider “bunching” charitable contributions so you’re able to maximize tax benefits.

The standard deduction is now double what it used to be, and millions of taxpayers will no longer itemize their expenses. This means some taxpayers will no longer receive a tax benefit from the deductions they used to regularly claim. However, with some careful planning, you can still see benefits from charitable contributions. If you are a charitable person, consider bunching donations into one tax year so that you reap the tax benefits of those gifts.

For small-business owners, understand the new deduction for qualified business income (QBI).

There is a new deduction that allows owners of sole proprietorships, S corporations, and partnerships to deduct up to 20 percent of their business income. The intent of this new deduction is to help these businesses keep pace with the large tax cuts associatSEE TAX-PLANNING B2

AUGUST 15-21, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Classifieds

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

B

TIME FOR A POWER SHIFT Managing debt in

retirement takes some planning

by Liz Weston NerdWallet

PREPARING TO INFORM—Renee Aldrich, the founder and director at Softer Side Seminars, is prepared for this weekend’s family summit. (Photo by Diane I. Daniels)

Upcoming summit to showcase Black women’s leadership, influence

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

It’s time for a power shift throughout the country, and in some states Black women’s leadership, influence and power has been intensifying and making the shift.

“In some spaces, such as in the political sphere, Black women’s leadership and power is truly rising. Through both voter participation and by waging successful electoral campaigns as candidates themselves, Black women are, at this moment, exemplifying historic political strength,” said Rev. Dr. Judith C. Moore, Executive Director of Sisters Saving Ourselves Now and Convener of the Pittsburgh/Mon Valley Black Women’s Roundtable. “Locally, look at the recent win of Summer Lee in the 34th State (House) Legislative district during the May Primary election and in Ferguson, Missouri, just last week Lezley McSpadden, the

mother of Michael Brown, announced that she is running for city council in a city where her son was killed by a White police officer.”

Quoting from the Black Women in the United States & Key States 2018 Annual Report, produced by the Black Women’s Roundtable, she pointed out that Black women continue the fight to push through challenges where they exist, while also building on strengths in the political and economic arenas and beyond.

The report also revealed that entrepreneurship is viewed as a conduit to greater economic power for Black women. Its research indicates that from 1997 to 2016, the number of businesses owned by Black women increased by more than 600 percent, putting Black women as the fastest growing demographic to embrace entrepreneurship in the nation.

Owing money in retirement isn’t ideal— but most people do.

Seventy percent of U.S. households headed by people ages 65 to 74 had at least some debt in 2016, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest Survey of Consumer Finances. So did half of those 75 and older.

Paying debt usually gets more difficult on a fixed income. Mortgage debt, especially, can be a huge burden in retirement.

Retirees may have to withdraw larger amounts from their retirement funds to cover payments on debt, which can trigger higher tax bills and increase the chances they’ll run short of money.

People have the most options to deal with debt if they create a plan before they retire, financial planners say. Refinancing a mortgage, for example, is usually less of a hassle while people are still employed.

It’s also typically easier to generate the extra income that may be needed to pay off debt.

“It is much easier to keep working for another year or two than to try and come back into the workforce when they are older and the employer needs have changed,” says Linda Farinola, a certified financial planner in Princeton, N.J. Here are three loans to consider before you stop working: REFINANCE (OR RECAST) YOUR MORTGAGE Certified financial planner Rebecca L. Kennedy of Denver would prefer that clients pay off their mortgages before they retire. But paying off a mortgage may not be feasible or advisable, especially if it would mean taking a lot of money from a 401(k), IRA or other account.

“Often the majority of the assets are pretax so it would require a much larger withdrawal to net the after-tax amount needed,” Kennedy says.

People also could consider downsizing to eliminate or reduce mortgage debt, Farinola says.

For retirees determined to stay put, refinancing or “recasting” the loan can lower payments, says Serina Shyu, a certified financial planner in Atlanta. While refinancing requires taking out a new loan, with substantial fees, recasting means keeping the same loan, but using a lump sum to pay down the balance and lower the payments. Recasting is offered by some but not all lenders and may not be good idea if the lump sum would come from retirement accounts.

Another option, if the mortgage balance is less than half of the home’s market value, is using a reverse mortgage to pay it off. Reverse mortgages allow people 62 and older to tap their home equity without having to pay the money back until they move out, sell the house or die.

“For many, that is a very viable way to increase cash flow,” says Chris Chen, a certified financial planner in Waltham, Mas-

SEE SUMMIT B2

SEE MANAGING B2

AP Report: Google tracks your movements, like it or not

by Ryan Nakashima Associate Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Google wants to know where you go so badly that it records your movements even when you explicitly tell it not to.

An Associated Press investigation found that many Google services on Android devices and iPhones store your location data even if you’ve used a privacy setting that says it will prevent Google from doing so.

Computer-science researchers at Princeton confirmed these findings at the AP’s request.

For the most part, Google is upfront about asking permission to use your location information.

An app like Google Maps will remind you to allow access to location if you use it for navigating.

If you agree to let it record your location over time, Google Maps will display that history for you in a “timeline” that maps out your daily movements.

Storing your minute-by-minute travels carries privacy risks and has been used by police to determine the location of suspects— such as a warrant that police in Raleigh, North Carolina, served on Google last year to find devices near a murder scene. So the company will let you “pause” a setting called Location History.

Google says that will prevent the company from remembering

where you’ve been. Google’s support page on the subject states: “You can turn off Location History at any time. With Location History off, the places you go are no longer stored.”

That isn’t true. Even with Location History paused, some Google apps automatically store timestamped location data without asking.

For example, Google stores a snapshot of where you are when you merely open its Maps app.

Automatic daily weather updates on Android phones pinpoint roughly where you are.

And some searches that have nothing to do with location, like “chocolate chip cookies,” or “kids science kits,” pinpoint your precise latitude and longitude—accurate to the square foot—and save it to your Google account.

The privacy issue affects some two billion users of devices that run Google’s Android operating software and hundreds of millions of worldwide iPhone users who rely on Google for maps or search.

Storing location data in violation of a user’s preferences is wrong, said Jonathan Mayer, a Princeton computer scientist and former chief technologist for the Federal Communications Commission’s enforcement bureau. A researcher from Mayer’s lab confirmed the AP’s findings on multiple Android devices; the AP conducted its own tests on several iPhones that found the same behavior.

“If you’re going to allow users to turn off something called ‘Location History,’ then all the places where you maintain location

history should be turned off,” Mayer said. “That seems like a pretty straightforward position to have.”

Google says it is being perfectly clear.

“There are a number of different ways that Google may use location to improve people’s experience, including: Location History, Web and App Activity, and through device-level Location Services,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement to the AP. “We provide clear descriptions of these tools, and robust controls so people can turn them on or off, and delete their histories at any time.”

To stop Google from saving these location markers, the company says, users can turn off another setting, one that does not specifically reference location information. Called “Web and App Activity” and enabled by default, that setting stores a variety of information from Google apps and websites to your Google account.

When paused, it will prevent activity on any device from being saved to your account. But leaving “Web & App Activity” on and turning “Location History” off only prevents Google from adding your movements to the “timeline,” its visualization of your daily travels. It does not stop Google’s collection of other

location markers.

You can delete these location markers by hand, but it’s a painstaking process since you have to select them individually, unless you want to delete all of your stored activity.

You can see the stored location markers on a page in your Google account at myactivity.google. com, although they’re typically scattered under several different headers, many of which are unrelated to location.

To demonstrate how powerful these other markers can be, the AP created a visual mapof the movements of Princeton postdoctoral researcher Gunes Acar, who carried an Android phone with Location history off, and shared a record of his Google account.

The map includes Acar’s train commute on two trips to New York and visits to The High Line park, Chelsea Market, Hell’s Kitchen, Central Park and Harlem. To protect his privacy, The AP didn’t plot the most telling and frequent marker—his home address.

Huge tech companies are under increasing scrutiny over their data practices, following a series of privacy scandals at Facebook and new data-privacy rules recently adopted by the European Union. Last year, the business news site Quartz found that GooSEE GOOGLE B2

B2

BUSINESS

AUGUST 15-21, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Upcoming summit to showcase AP Report: Google is tracking your movements Black women’s leadership, influence GOOGLE FROM B1

SUMMIT FROM B1

Despite the tremendous gains Black women are achieving, there are many areas of deficiency. Economic and social justice barriers, escalating racism, sexism, misogyny and civil rights reversals are just a few. This weekend, local and national experts will be on hand during the annual Sisters Saving Ourselves Now Black Family Summit. Aiming to empower, enlighten, engage and organize women, Rev. Moore emphasizes that the time is now for women in the Pittsburgh region to get involved, embolize and develop a unified strategy around issues of race and gender equity, economic security and prosperity, affordable health care, criminal justice reform, jobs, quality public education and clean air.

“For the past six years we have focused on issues affecting women and the Black family, but this year we must be more intentional,” said Moore. “We have political officials, community advocates, medical experts and entrepreneurs that are prepared to create an intense agenda. Some of our topics will address health and environmental disparities, how the community can address violence in Pittsburgh and the Mon Valley, civil rights yesterday, today and tomorrow and how we have to brand ourselves and relate our stories to the public.”

The summit kicks off with youth night, Friday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of Community College of Allegheny College South Campus in West Mifflin. Sponsored

by Kyle I. Ross, a Western and Southern Life representative, the evening will consist of a mime competition. The youth focus will continue Saturday, Aug. 18, with a teen trac conducted by Renee Aldrich, the founder and director at Softer Side Seminars.

Others involved in the Saturday seminars include Joseph K. Gordon from Allegheny General Hospital; Ronell Guy, managing director of Landless Peoples Alliance; Brenda Tate, state Democratic Committee Person, Jake Wheatley, state representative, V. Fawn Walker Montgomery with Take Action Mon Valley; Kimberly Fitzpatrick with Fitzpatrick Marketing Group; Kathy Bynum with Bynums Marketing and Communications Inc.; and Soleil Meade of Soleil Branding Essentials.

Melanie Campbell, President and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable, will be the keynote speaker for the summit. “I am always excited to come to Pittsburgh and the Mon Valley,” said Campbell. “Women in this area, like around the country, are making great strides politically. We have to keep the momentum going. Now more than ever, it is of vital importance to lift up Black women and girls’ perspectives, methods, leadership and build on this track record of success.”’

Founded in 1976 and based in Washington D.C., the NCBCP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement and voter participation in Black and underserved communities.

SSON is dedicated to identifying barriers and formulating actionable steps for women of all colors with a specific focus on underserved women. The organization’s objective is to convene other like-minded organizations that have a passion and a willingness to collectively participate in eliminating the challenges women face. Its goal is to develop a national agenda for mobilizing areas of concern for women in Pittsburgh and throughout the Mon Valley.

gle was tracking Android users by collecting the addresses of nearby cellphone towers even if all location services were off. Google changed the practice and insisted it never recorded the data anyway.

Critics say Google’s insistence on tracking its users’ locations stems from its drive to boost advertising revenue.

“They build advertising information out of data,” said Peter Lenz, the senior geospatial analyst at Dstillery, a rival advertising technology company. “More data for them presumably means more profit.”

The AP learned of the issue from K. Shankari, a graduate researcher at UC Berkeley who studies the commuting patterns of volunteers in order to help urban planners. She noticed that her Android phone prompted her to rate a shopping trip to Kohl’s,

even though she had turned Location History off.

“So how did Google Maps know where I was?” she asked in a blog post .

The AP wasn’t able to recreate Shankari’s experience exactly. But its attempts to do so revealed Google’s tracking. The findings disturbed her.

“I am not opposed to background location tracking in principle,” she said. “It just really bothers me that it is not explicitly stated.”

Google offers a more accurate description of how Location History actually works in a place you’d only see if you turn it off —a popup that appears when you “pause” Location History on your Google account webpage. There the company notes that “some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other Google services, like Search and Maps.”

Google offers addition-

other apps store your whereabouts in a section of your account called “My Activity,” not “Location History.”

Since 2014, Google has let advertisers track the effectiveness of online ads at driving foot traffic, a feature that Google has said relies on user location histories.

The company is pushing further into such location-aware tracking to drive ad revenue, which rose 20 percent last year to $95.4 billion. At a Google Marketing Live summit in July, Google executives unveiled a new tool called “local campaigns” that dynamically uses ads to boost in-person store visits. It says it can measure how well a campaign drove foot traffic with data pulled from Google users’ location histories.

Google also says location records stored in My Activity are used to target ads. Ad buyers can target ads to specific locations—say, a mile radius around a particular landmark—and typically have to pay more to reach tion, some taxpayers will no longer receive a this narrower audience. tax benefit from the mortgage interest paid on their home. Under the new rules, you can’t deduct interest paid on your home equity loan or BUSINESS line of credit if the money was used for purposes other than buying or improving your home.

CALENDAR PICPA members addressed both the mortgage deduction and home equity loan deduction.

Now is a great time to look at your balance Training Event sheet. Review your assets and liabilities, pay AUG. 20—The Duquesne Uniattention to the interest rates you’re paying versity Small Business Devel(net of any tax savings), and start paying off opment Center presents First debt. Taxes are always a huge consideration, Step: Business Start-up Essenbut overall financial stability and debt man- tials, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Rockwell agement should be your focus.

Hall, Rm. 505, 600 Forbes Ave., Talk to your CPA. Pittsburgh. Topics include: BusiA certified public accountant (CPA) can help ness Structure and Formation, you navigate the constantly changing and Fictitious Name Registration, complex tax laws. CPAs must comply with Employee Issues, Insurance, extensive education and experience require- Government Procurement, Enviments, making them the best tax profession- ronmental Concerns, Financing al for you to consult about these changes.

Options, Taxation Requirements al information in a popup that appears if you re-activate the “Web & App Activity” setting—an uncommon action for many users, since this setting is on by default. That popup states that, when active, the setting “saves the things you do on Google sites, apps, and services…and associated information, like location.”

Warnings when you’re about to turn Location History off via Android and iPhone device settings are more difficult to interpret.

On Android, the popup explains that “places you go with your devices will stop being added to your Location History map.” On the iPhone, it simply reads, “None of your Google apps will be able to store location data in Location History.”

The iPhone text is technically true if potentially misleading. With Location History off, Google Maps and

Tax-planning tips to benefit you TAX-PLANNING FROM B1

ed with C corporations (C corporations now pay a flat 21 percent tax rate, a big cut from the previous graduated rates of 15 percent, 25 percent, 34 percent, and 35 percent).

There are many complexities associated with this new deduction, including limitations, income phase-outs, and what is considered “income” for purposes of the deduction, to name a few. One PICPA member further explained these complexities in a blog after tax reform became law.

You may want to consult with your tax adviser to determine if there is anything related to the QBI deduction that you are not utilizing. The QBI deduction is complex, and there are some small but impactful changes a business can make to maximize the impact of that deduction.

Consider paying down your home mortgage and home equity loans.

Because of the increased standard deduc-

Managing debt in retirement

above their means. That’s sachusetts. not something that tends CONSOLIDATE to get better when incomes YOUR DEBT drop in retirement, Farino(Information on the Aug. 17-18 summit can be obtained by calling Credit card debt indi- la says.

412-427-8994.) cates people may be living “I find that if people canMANAGING FROM B1

not pay off debt when they are working, they certainly cannot when they retire and the cycle just continues,” she says.

People with good credit scores, and sufficient discipline, can use zero-percent balance transfer offers to consolidate and pay off their credit card debt.

Those who need more time to pay off debt might consider a personal loan with a fixed interest rate and fixed payments. If it would take over five years to pay off the debt, however, their debt load may be unmanageable. In that case, they should talk to a credit counselor and a bankruptcy attorney to better understand their options.

OPEN A HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT A home equity line of credit is like a credit card that allows you to borrow against the value of your home. If that sounds dangerous—good. It should.

HELOCs shouldn’t be used for frivolous spending, but they can be a good backup to an emergency fund. HELOCs also can fund home repairs or longterm care.

A HELOC probably isn’t a good option for people who aren’t disciplined about their spending. HELOCs have another big pitfall: Payments on any borrowed money can spike after an initial interest-only “draw period” ends, usually after 10 years.

Another product, a reverse mortgage HELOC, costs more to set up, but payments are optional.

Some financial planners recommend reverse mortgage HELOCs as a potential source of cash in market downturns. The retiree can draw on the HELOC rather than selling stocks in a bad market, and pay the money back—or not— in good markets.

“The key advantage is ability to choose if and when to make payments, and ability to access a growing line of credit,” says Tom C.B. Davison, a certified financial planner in Columbus, Ohio.

(This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet.)

and Major Components of the Business Plan. Cost: $25, for more information, call 412-3961633.

Financial Management Workshop

AUG. 30—The Chatham University Women’s Business Center presents Managing the Financial Operations of your Business, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Colab18 @ Nova Place (Former Allegheny Center Mall), 100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, 15212. Programming will be facilitated by Jonnet Solomon, Founder & CEO of J. Solomon and Associates, LLC. The workshop is free, but registration is required. For more information, call 412-365-1448.

Regional Economic Inclusion Summit

SEPT. 17—Vibrant Pittsburgh will host its Regional Economic Inclusion Summit, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Convention Center Hotel, 1000 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh 15222.

The summit is designed to bring together a diversity of leaders committed to the advancement of people of color into executive roles, foster connections, enhance networks and recognize great work being done in Diversity and Inclusion. For information on registration, tickets, sponsorship and nominations Visit vibrantpittsburgh.org.

Training Event

SEPT. 18—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center presents Social Media Series: LinkedIn, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15282. Speaker Joel Burstein will walk through setting up a Lin edIn profile offer tips for best practices and review examples of how LinkedIn is being used by customers like yours to help them find businesses li e you. Cost: $49. For more information, call 412-396-6233.

Duquesne Workshop

SEPT. 19—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center presents Get Behind the Numbers & Increase Profits nderstanding Financial Statements, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15282.

This hands-on workshop takes a step-by step approach to explaining two important financial statements profit and loss statement and balance sheet. A representative from Wilke & Associates will offer clear examples for using these statements to make informed decisions, identify potential problems within your business and set realistic financial goals.Cost: $49. For more information, call 412-396-6233.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Guest Commentary

LeBron vs. Trump— redefining stereotypes

by John Mitchell A few years ago, NBA superstar LeBron James publicly thanked his father for abandoning him. He thanked Anthony McClelland for not being there as he and his mother, Gloria James, moved, not by choice, 10 times while he was between the ages of 5 and 8.

President Donald Trump never faced something so challenging. Raised in the lap of luxury, Trump grew up under the same roof as his parents, millionaire New York developer Fred Trump and his wife Mary Anne. An exclusive prep school education led to an Ivy League degree. Not long thereafter, Fred welcomed his 20-something as partner in the booming family business.

James, born to a 16-year-old mother, grew up as 70 percent of African American children do today, in a single-parent home. We stigmatize and condemn Black children who come into the world this way, as if it is their fault. Our culture erects roadblocks for them to clear, and when they don’t sail over these hurdles there is lot of “see, I told you so” finger pointing.

Trump, conversely, is the product of what is held up as the perfect familial situation. His upbringing was archetypal blue blooded— Ozzie and Harriet on steroids.

Why then, one wonders, have the two reached different stages of their lives as if they were the product of the stereotypes typically associated with the other’s circumstances?

The president has five children by three wives. Under normal circumstances, many of his supporters, particularly those on the religious right (whatever that means these days) would consider this to be anathema. Nineteen women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct. First wife, Ivanna, accused him of raping her in her 1990 divorce deposition.

Stormy Daniels, who has sex for a living, and former playboy model Karen McDougal, both of whom have been paid hush money not to talk about their romps with the president, want to tell their stories so badly that they have sued for the right to do so.

So what of James, the father and husband? Ever wonder why James is never associated with some barely dressed, booty-shaking Instagram model? If he wanted to, this would not be a problem. James is young, rich and fit far beyond normal standards. For gold diggers across the world, he is one of the biggest fish in the sea.

But rather than sow his wild oats like the 72-year-old Trump, it is the 33-year-old NBA star, who spends most of his life on the road, that by all outward appearance seems happily married to high school sweetheart Savannah Brinson, the mother of their three kids.

James has never set foot in a college classroom. However, it is James and not Trump—a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business— who appreciates the value of the education he never got. This helps to explain why he is making it accessible to the poor, who are so often treated as invisible.

Last week, James opened I Promise Academy in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, the same place where on many a night he went to bed hungry. It is those memories of an often empty, fatherless childhood that James says helped motivate him to partner with the Akron Public School system to open his school for at-risk children.

Students will receive free uniforms, free meals and free transportation to and from school. Remember, showing up really is half the battle. James would know: He missed 83 days from class in the fourth grade.

The parents of these kids? James has them covered, too. I Promise offers GED prep and job placement for moms and dads.

It is James who is the philanthropist.

Trump, too, ventured into education, but his foray was proven to be nothing more than a high-stakes hustle designed only to take advantage of the same type of ignorance James’ hopes his school will help to eradicate.

The last anyone heard of Trump University, a class-action lawsuit was being settled for $25 million, paving the way for thousands to get back some of their money from what amounted to a Ponzi scheme.

It is Trump who is the leech.

The blue blood could wind up ultimately being impeached.

The former couch surfer, meanwhile, is being asked during interviews if someday he’d like to be president. It’s a far cry from where they both began, and it is equally as far from where societal predictors suggest either would finish.

(John N. Mitchell has worked as a journalist for more than a quarter century. He can be reached at jmitchell@phillytrib.com and Tweet at @freejohnmitchel) (Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

Founded 1910

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

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Managing Editor

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John. H. Sengstacke

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AUGUST 15-21, 2018

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Black women’s pay equity gap is growing (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“The equity gap is calculated not just on the basis of what the Black female corporate lawyer makes, compared with her counterpart within the firm, but it looks at the median average salary…

What is really bringing that wage gap down are the women on the low end.

Black women are underrepresented in corporate and professional roles —what is it, 8 percent of us in corporate sector jobs? 2 percent in leadership positions?—despite the fact that we are the most educated group as a segment of the population. Where are we showing up mainly? In low-wage jobs. We make up 40 percent of health aides in America. You know what the average wage is for health aides? $21,000...We’re not even hitting the federal poverty level.”—Jennifer Jones Austin, chief executive officer and executive director of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies This week, the National Urban League hosted the New York State Council on Women and Girls for a panel discussion on Black Women’s Pay Equity Day, featuring a distinguished group of women leaders led by Essence President Michelle Ebanks.

The civil rights icon Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference and member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, told of her years as a single mother working two jobs to make

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal ends meet.

“It’s not easy to be a Black woman,” she said. “But being an only child, and being a daddy’s girl, I was born to be a hell-raiser.”

Tuesday, Aug. 7 was Black Women’s Pay Day—the day that represents how long women have to work in 2017 and 2018 to catch up to what White men made in 2017 alone. On average, Black women have had to work more than 19 months to make what White men made in 12. And this year, Black Women’s Pay Day was even later than it was last year—July 31.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, despite the myth that education would narrow the wage gap, Black women make less than men at every level of education, even when working the same jobs as men.

While Black women with a high school education or less made 57.5 cents for every dollar made by a man of similar education in 2016, the pay gap among those with advanced degrees was only about two cents less

—59.6 cents on the dollar.

In response to the pay gap, Essence has launched the social media hashtag #AskYourWorth, urging women to demand equal pay.

One of the panel members, Blondel Pinnock, Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, Carver Federal Savings Bank, drew cheers when she outlined the way she asked for her worth: “I kept copious amounts of notes of everything that I was doing—every loan that I closed and the money that I made from the fees for those closed loans,” she said. “So when it was time for my performance review, I laid out, and everything that I had done. Here are all the transactions I have closed and here’s how much money I have made for this institution. And I got a raise.”

In addition to Ebanks, Dukes and Pinnock, other members of the panel were Jennifer Jones Austin, Executive Director, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies; Lola Brabham, Acting Commissioner, NYS Department of Civil Service; Janella Hinds, vice president for Academic High Schools, UFT and secretary-treasurer, NYC Central Labor Council, and Farah Tanis, executive director, Black Women’s Blueprint.

“What a fantastic reminder of our culture: Black women supporting Black women supporting Black women,” Ebanks said. “That’s how we got here, that’s how we stay here, that’s how we go further.”

When will it end?

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—I wake up in the morning listening to the craziness in the White House or one of the agencies in this administration or some weird activity over on Capitol Hill. I only write articles for publication once each week, but I truly feel sorry for press who are charged with analyzing, writing and talking about the madness we are witnessing daily.

We have a press experiencing more than anything anyone should have to bear everyday they get up and go to work.

For a year and a half, not counting the campaign, we’ve had to listen to thousands of lies from #45. I won’t go into the ones from his staff, agency heads and loyal friends; but they, too, are numerous. At the same time, parents and teachers are expected to teach young people to tell the truth.

This is not getting any better. As we’re coming up to the mid-term elections, there seems to be a race among too many Republicans to see who can do the vilest thing and tell the biggest lie. I wonder if they have any time left over to work for the people who elected them. We already know they do not represent those who did not vote for them.

Something about which to shake your head happens every day that becomes public. One would think that what those same people say and do in private couldn’t be worse, but we’ve learned it can. A few days ago,

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

ership was claiming the notion of impeaching Rosenstein, was just an idea of fringe members, but it wasn’t going anywhere. Now, we hear from Nunes that to impeach him would imperil their ability to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court—a nomination they stole from President Barack Obama’s right to nominate a judge before his term was up.

McMorris Rodgers and Nunes seemed to agree they intend to impeach Rosenstein, but just not until after mid-term elections. At that time they expect to still be in control of the House and the Senate, as well as the Supreme Court. #45 would then be safe no matter what he does to wreck our nation.

Add to that, we have just learned that the first Congressman to endorse #45—Chris Collins (R), the purported richest man in Congress—was just arrested for insider trading!

Rudy Giuliani just said his client, #45, can’t talk with Mueller’s team because he might perjure himself!

That can be done only if he lies! From his past record with the truth, Rudy should know—but isn’t it a shame the President can’t be trusted to tell the truth!

When will all of this end? How much more do we have to endure before this whole bunch of liars are sent home!

Rep. Devin Nunes, (Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee) was heard talking behind closed doors, and anything we’ve heard him say in public pales over what he said behind closed doors at a fundraising activity for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (another leader of the Republican Party who serves as House Republican Caucus Chair).

In essence, Rep. Nunes let us know the real reason the Republicans must win the mid-term elections in November. Presumably they must win at all costs. He said if A.G. Jeff Sessions won’t un-recuse himself and Mueller won’t clear the President, then Republicans must remain in control!

He suggested not impeaching Deputy A.G. Rod Rosenstein who is in charge of the Mueller investigation, even though he thinks Rosenstein should be impeached, the Republicans would have to drop everything—so it’s just a (Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of the Namatter of time that’s preventing them from impeaching Rosenstein! Just a tional Congress of Black Women, Inc.—www. few weeks ago, the Republican lead- nationalcongressbw.org).

Get real about the achievement gap

by Nate Davis Our nation’s graduation rate is at an all-time high. The national figure shows 84 percent of young people, overall, graduating from high school within four years after first entering the 9th grade, a trend that has been on a consistent upswing since the 2010-2011 school year.

Still, despite much progress with that indicator, major gaps still exist.

And there is great concern that the graduation rate hype not only masks those gaps, but distracts us from what must be our ultimate goal: ensuring all students earn a high school diploma and are college and career ready.

Even as overall graduation rates improve, Black and Hispanic students continue to lag behind that curve.

Graduation rates for African American students are 76.4 percentage points—8 percentage points behind the national average—and Latino students are at 79.3 percent. Native American students fare even worse at just 72 percent graduation. Meanwhile, White and Asian students are anywhere from four to six points higher than the national average.

None of us can reasonably expect the closure of inequality gaps, if we’re simply satisfied with overall graduation rates while resigned to stubborn achievement gaps. Yet, it seems as if we’re in a phase whereby these disparities are being treated as normal—“the way it is”—as opposed to addressing a larger parity problem.

We have to ask ourselves: are we having a responsible and responsive conversation about high school graduation?

The most recent “Building a Grad Nation” report from America’s Promise Alliance says that, “Twenty-three states have Black-White graduation rate gaps larger than the national average, including five states—Wisconsin, Nevada, Minnesota, New York, and Ohio—where the gap is more than 20 percentage points…Twen-

ty-four states have Hispanic/White graduation rate gaps that exceed the national average, and in two states— Minnesota and New York—the gap is more than 20 percentage points.”

The persistent normalcy of lower achievement among certain disadvantaged student populations is deeply troubling. Closing those gaps should be as important—if not more—than simply raising overall graduation rates.

At the same time, graduation rates can be used to unfairly malign schools that are serving underprivileged youth and, in fact, helping at-risk students earn a high school diploma.

Alternative schools are singled out for having four-year cohort graduation rates that are generally lower than the national average, but left out of the conversation is how these schools are intentionally designed to serve credit-deficient transfer students and former dropouts at risk of never earning a diploma at all.

Measuring how well schools are graduating students is important, but it should be done right, and must not create disincentives for schools to serve credit-deficient students or dropouts looking for a second chance. After all, what is more important for these students: graduating or graduating “on-time”? It’s why graduation rate calculations should be reformed altogether so schools are held accountable for students’ annual progress toward graduation every year, not just in the fourth year of high school.

Sadly, the drive to meet on-time graduation has led to recent cases of manipulation and fraud, which, of course, is wrong, but it also misses the primary purposes of high school altogether: preparing students for higher education, careers, and the workforce. The linkage between these goals—graduation and college and career readiness—is crucial for broader national competitiveness. Graduating students is meaningless if they are not prepared.

The number of high school students

heading into remedial courses in their first year of college are staggering, and the gaps between varying demographics are even more troubling. Nearly 60 percent of African American students are forced to enroll in non-credit remedial classes in college, according to the Center for American Progress, compared to 45 percent of Latino students and 35 percent of White students. This means that Black, first-year college students, already burdened the most by rising college costs and loan debt, are taking on a greater share of the $1.3 billion wasted on non-credit remedial courses.

There is no one silver bullet that will solve our nation’s graduation problem, but we can start by realigning graduation standards to the expectations of colleges, career training programs, industries and jobs, and developing competency-based, personalized learning paths for students unconstrained by four-year cohorts. And we must finally address funding gaps that exist for too many alternative schools working to eliminate achievement gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged students.

Addressing this complex challenge requires a mix of other solutions, too; improved learning models and instruction, greater support for our teachers, innovative technology, and increased services to disenfranchised students groups are just a few that we should be working on. But none of this can happen without educators, policymakers and business leaders willing to engage in honest and constructive conversations, and then pledging to act.

A rising graduation rate is worth celebrating, but let’s not become complacent.

Learn more about improving the educational outcomes for the students in your life at nnpa.org/essa.

(Nate Davis is the chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Directors at K12 Inc., an online education provider for students in pre-K through 12th grade.)

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AUGUST 15-21, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Position available at Carnegie Mellon niversity, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering in Pittsburgh, PA. Resp. for following duties: Teach graduate and undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering; research, write, and publish articles in peer reviewed ournals in the field of Mechanical Engineering serve on faculty committees advise graduate students and perform other academic duties as re uired. e s. Must have Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or be near completion of Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field. esumes to: Ms. Katherine Tucker, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

CORPORATE RELATIONS MANAGER United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania Greensburg Office

he nited ay of Southwestern Pennsylvania is recruiting for a Corporate Relations Manager for our reensburg office. his individual will be responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies that create growth in donor engagement and investment. ill have an assigned portfolio of accounts to research, cultivate and grow.

Bachelor Degree required, and three to five years of outside account management, sales presentations skill, and fundraising and volunteer management a must.

Proficient with Microsoft ffice Products.

Visit our website at https://uwswpa. org/careers/ to view ob description and apply for this position. Submissions will only be accepted electronically. he nited ay of Southwestern Pennsylvania, is an e ual opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity, serving Allegheny, utler, estmoreland, Fayette and Southern Armstrong Counties.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER - ALTOONA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Applications for Police fficer for the City of Altoona may be obtained from the Human Resources Department at City Hall, 1301 – 12th Street, Suite 301, Altoona, PA, weekdays between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Applicants or their designees must file completed, NOTARIZED applications with accompanying documentation NO LATER THAN NOON ON THURSDAY, August 30, 2018. Return IN PERSON OR

BY MAIL to: Human Resources Department Altoona City Hall 1301 - 12th Street, Suite 301 Altoona, PA 16601-3491 A $25.00 processing fee (check or money order) must be paid at the time the application is filed. Applications that are incomplete for any reason will not be accepted, and will be returned to the applicant.

Falsification, concealment or misrepresentation of material fact on the application form may result in dis ualification. All previous applicants will be required to reapply and repeat the entire application process in order to be considered for employment.

REQUIREMENTS: •Must pass a physical agility test scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2018, at 8:00 A.M., in Altoona.

•Must pass a written Civil Service est to be administered on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 8:30 A.M., in Altoona.

Must have successfully completed a Pennsylvania Act 1 basic training program, or successfully complete a Pennsylvania Act 1 basic training program prior to the end of 2018.

•Must be 21 years of age on or before the date of employment.

•Must be a United States citizen.

Must have graduated from an accredited high school or have a raduate E uivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) acceptable to the Commission.

•Must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

•Must be of high moral character and free of felony or misdemeanor convictions.

Must be physically and mentally fit for the full duties of a Police fficer.

•Must submit to a Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA).

•Must agree to psychological and physical examinations if offered employment.

Starting salary: $43,073.43 The City of Altoona is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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

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PROJECT ENGINEER

F re . w t MS in Civil Engineering + 2 years of wk. experience in job offered or Design Engineer to develop and prepare planning studies and reports; Design sanitary sewer lines, waterlines and lift stations; Design engineering calculations and drawings, prepare technical specifications and permit applications, cost estimates and schedules; complete project plans using AutoCAD Civil 3D. PE License in the State of Pennsylvania is a must. . MF a p hrs – send resumes to grovnanik@ senateengineering.com or 420 William Pitt Way Pittsburg PA 15238.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Office

he nited ay of Southwestern Pennsylvania is see ing an individual to provide administrative support to the Senior Vice President, Administration and Chief Financial fficer as well as the Administrative and Finance Departments. In addition to Microsoft ffice suite wor , filing and scheduling, the administrative assistant performs duties such as coordination of meetings and conferences, database data entry and management, obtaining supplies, coordinating direct mailings and working on special pro ects. or s in tandem across departments to support and provide back up to others on the administrative team. Answers correspondence and assembles confidential and sensitive information. Deals with a diverse group of important e ternal callers, volunteers and visitors as well as internal contacts at all levels of the organization. Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize and organize diversified wor load, and insight to recommend changes in office practices or procedures.

A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in general office responsibilities and procedures. Proficient with Microsoft ffice products and e cellent customer service s ills.

Strong computer aptitude with the ability to easily learn new programs and databases.

Visit our website at https://uwswpa. org/careers/ to view ob description and apply for this position. Submissions will only be accepted electronically. he nited ay of Southwestern Pennsylvania, is an e ual opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity, serving Allegheny, utler, estmoreland, Fayette and Southern Armstrong Counties.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

NOTICE

The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics admits students of any race, color, age, sex, ancestry, religion, national ethnic origin to all the rights, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability in the administration of its educational polices, scholarship and loan programs and other school-administered programs.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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PUBLIC NOTICE OPENING OF WAITING LIST

OFFICIAL NOTICE CITY OF PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC MEETING – SMALLMAN STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Effective hursday, August 3, 2018, at 8:00 a.m., the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) will open the waiting list for the following Project Based Voucher Site Based Community: •Mackey Lofts - (1 and 2 Bedrooms) applicants requiring services for hearing and or vision impairments only: 1819 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 1 1 .

Pre-applications will only be accepted for families who qualify for the units available. hese units require the head of household, spouse or co-head of household to be a person re uiring services for hearing and or vision impairments.

Pre-Applications can be submitted in person to the HACP Occupancy Department between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., mailed to the address below, or faxed to 412-456-5182. For information about obtaining a Pre-Application for Mackey Lofts, please contact the Occupancy Department at 1 3 or visit our website at www.hacp.org. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodation to submit a pre-application can contact the HACP’s Disability Compliance ffice at 1 . For those that are deaf or hard of hearing, you can also contact HACP at TDD: 412-201-5384. Position on the waiting list will be determined based upon the date and time stamp received once the completed pre-application is submitted to the Occupancy Department. Not all units at this location are served by this waiting list; additional units with different requirements may be available directly from the location s management office.

Please be advised that part of HACP’s eligibility determination process includes the provisions of its reasonable accommodation policy, requiring families to request accommodation to qualify a person family for a unit specifically designed for persons requiring services for hearing and or vision impairments. For more information on HACP’s reasonable accommodation policy and ualification for a unit specifically designed for persons re uiring services for hearing and or vision impairments, please contact the HACP Disability Compliance ffice at 1 . his event is for the listed property ONLY and is completely separate from the HACP Housing Choice Voucher and Low Income Public Housing Programs.

The Housing Authority of the City Of Pittsburgh Occupancy Department 100 Ross Street – 4th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices Estate of MR. NATHAN NEVES, Deceased of 129 Park Place Drive, McKees Rocks, PA 15136. Estate No. 02-18-04385. Ms. Neline L. Ruttinger of 149 Chestnut Street, Aliquippa, PA, 15001. Administrator c/o Max C. Feldman, Attorney At Law, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108 Estate of PAYNE, GARY R., Deceased, of Pittburgh, PA No. 04613 of 2018. China Lee, Administrator, P.O. Box 17011, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 or to China Lee, Esquire, P.O. Box 17011, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Estate of ARTHUR M. FRYER, Deceased of South Fayette Twp., Allegheny County, Pennsylvania o.

1 . Mar . Schneider, Executor, 4721 Fairway Court NE, Hickory, NC 28601 or to ROBIN L. RARIE, Atty;, E L E F LLE , LLC, 1 ashington Avenue, ridgeville, PA 1 1

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS 3 ivers et eather, Inc. is accepting Statements of ualifications for Program Management Services for municipal activities related to wastewater and stormwater wet weather planning for regional water uality. Full details are available upon request by email: mwolinsky @3rww.org, calling 412-578-7966, or on the home-page of our website: www.3riverswetweather.org/ Deadline for submittal: 3:00p.m.

September 7, 2018

Estate of LEONARD D. BRANTLEY, Deceased, of Pittburgh, PA No. 02-18-04773.

Thelma C. Spells, Administratrix, 1533 Bidwell Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233

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315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Legal Notices

FICTITIOUS NAME

otice is hereby given pursuant to the provisions of the Fictitious Name Act of Pennsylvania that an application for registration of a fictitious name was filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the conduct of a business under the fictitious name of S CA Property Management with its principal office or place of busines at 3 Smithfield Street, Suite 1, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The name and address of the person who is paty to the registration is Advisor Property Management, LLC, 3 Smithfield Street, th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 1 . he fictitous name is S CA Property Management.

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140

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ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) is conducting a public meeting to discuss the proposed Smallman Street Improvements project located in the Strip District neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County. The purpose of this meeting is to present the proposed project scope and schedule. Further, DOMI and its consultants will be available to answer questions about the project.

This project will consist of roadway resurfacing and reconfiguration as well as traffic calming and streetscaping. The project limits extend from 16th Street to 21st Street.

When: Wednesday, August 22, 2018 Time: 5:30 pm-7:30 pm Location: Society for Contemporary Craft, 2100 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 For more information contact: Emily Jo Gaspich, P.E. Project Manager E-mail: Emily.gaspich@ pittsburghpa.gov Telephone: 412-255-2472 he plans viewing location is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, if you or an individual with whom you are familiar does not speak English as their primary language and who has a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English desires to view these plans or if you re uire special assistance to view the plans or need additional information please contact Richard Meritzer, the ADA Coordinator at the City of Pittsburgh, at richard. meritzer@pittsburghpa.gov or 412-255-2102

SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION

he Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) has set the following meeting dates for 20181 . he Commission E ecutive Committee meetings will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 24 and December 10, 2018 and January 28, April 29 and June 24, 2019, and at 1:00 p.m. on October 29, 2018 and May 20, 2019. The regular meetings of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 24 and December 10, 2018 and January 28, April 29, and June 24, 2019. All meetings will be held in the SPC Conference Center at Two Chatham Center, Suite 400, 11 ashington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

SPC is committed to compliance with nondiscrimination requirements of civil rights statutes, e ecutive 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 au iliary services for individuals with language, speech, sight or hearing needs, provided the re uest for assistance is made 3 days prior to the meeting. SPC will attempt to satisfy requests made with less than 3 days notice as resources allow. Please make your request for au iliary services to Abby Star at (412) 391-5590, Ext. 343, or astar 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 (412) 391-5590.

For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Discrimination Complaint Form, please see our website at: www.spcregion.org or call 412391-5590.

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NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) will receive sealed bids for pro ect identified below for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC). The contract for this work will be with the SEA. Inquiries regarding the bidding should be made to the SEA, 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Attention evin Mielcare E mail kmielcarek@pittsburghcc.com, Telephone: 412-325-6167. his Advertisement applies to the following Bid Package: Project: DLCC id Pac age ame Chilled ater Plant est Cooling ower Fan Motors id Pac age Available August , 2018 Approximate Value: $28,000 Time/Date/Location for Non-mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: 2:00 PM, August 21, 2018 Time/Date/Location for Bid: 2:00 PM, August 29, 2018, DLCC, 1000 Ft. Du uesne lvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 – East Lobby

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) will receive sealed bids for the pro ect identified below. he contract for this work will be with the SEA. Inquiries regarding the bidding should be made to the SEA, 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Attention: Simona Loberant - E-mail: sloberant@pgh-sea. com, Telephone: 412-325-3009 Facsimile: 412-393-7104. Bid Packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu Copy at (724) 935-7055.

Bid Package Name: North Shore arage Lighting etrofit id Pac age Available August 13, 2018 Approximate Value: $90,000 Time/Date/Location for Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: 10:00 AM Fri., Aug, 17, 2018 Time/Date/Location for Bid: 3:00 PM ed., Aug. , 1 , SEA, 1 1 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE CONTRACT NO. 1693

Sealed Bids for CONTRACT NO. 1693 – 2019 SEWER IMPROVEMENTS shall be received at the office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 33 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233, until 10:00 A.M., Prevailing ime, September 5, 2018, and then shall be publicly opened and read. A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the Authority’s Plant in the Main O&M Building, on August 21, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., Prevailing ime. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory.

ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities and women to submit bids on Authority Contracts or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to successful Bidders. Successful Bidders are to use minority and women’s businesses to the fullest extent possible.

Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the office of the Authority. A non- refundable fee of $100 (no cash will be accepted) will be charged for each set of Contract Documents. Bid Security shall be furnished by providing with the id a Certified Chec or id ond in the amount of 10% of the Bid Price.

Bidders are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Bid Documents, if they have not already done so, from the Cler s ffice, nd Floor ALC SA O&M Building, either before or following the Pre-Bid Meeting.

Any questions regarding the Contract Documents should be directed in writing and submitted by email to Mr. Joseph Sparbanie, ALCOSAN at joseph.sparbanie@ alcosan.org. he Authority reserves the right to re ect any or all bids, to waive any informality in any bid and to accept any bid should it be deemed in the interest of the Authority to do so.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY Jan M. Oliver Director, Regional Conveyance

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LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program are due by 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, September 12, 2018.

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

REQUEST FOR BIDS AUTO INSURANCE

The Westmoreland County Housing Authority (WCHA) is requesting bids for Auto Insurance for its eet of vehicles.

Sealed bids will be received by Michael L. Washowich, Executive Director, until Friday, September 21, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Standard ime) at the office of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority, 167 South Greengate Road, Greensburg, PA 15601, at which time they will be opened publicly.

Interested respondents can obtain hard copy bid documents from the CHA Administration ffice at the address listed above. Electronic Bid Documents can be obtained by emailing Rachel Fritz at rachelf@ wchaonline.com. Perspective Bidders shall register with WCHA via email in accordance with the bid requirements.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE CONTRACT NO. 1703

Sealed Bids for CONTRACT NO. 1703 – Furnish and Install a New Polar Crane for the Main Pump Station shall be received at the of Engineering Department office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 until 2:00 P.M., Prevailing Time Thursday, September 13, 2018 and then publicly opened and read aloud.

ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities and women to submit bids on Authority Contracts or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to successful Bidders.

Successful Bidders are to use minority or women’s businesses to the fullest extent possible.

Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the office of the Authority for $100.00 (nonrefundable and no cash or credit cards will be accepted). Bid Security shall be furnished by Certified Check or Bid Bond in the amount of 10% of the Bid Price.

A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the ALCOSAN New O&M Auditorium, located at 3300 Preble Avenue, on Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., Prevailing Time. Bidders are encouraged to attend, however they are not re uired to have a ualified representative attend the Prebid meeting to be eligible to bid on this contract.

Any questions regarding the Contract Documents should be directed, in writing, to Mr. Cody Edgell, Project Engineer I, by email to cody.edgell@alcosan.org, or by phone to (412) 734-6260, or fax to (412) 734-8716.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality in any bid and to accept any bid should it be deemed in the interest of the Authority to do so.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY Kimberly Kennedy, P.E. Director, Engineering and Construction

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

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com

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

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

AUGUST 15-21, 2018

B5

SONNY BOY

Pick up your Courier at these locations...

GIANT EAGLE (15 Pittsburgh Locations) 6320 Shakespeare St., East Liberty (EAST, near BUSWAY) 4004 Monroeville Blvd., Monroeville (MONROEVILLE MALL) 230 Rodi Rd., Penn Hills (EAST inside Penn Hills Shopping Center) 9001 Frankstown Road. (EAST, corner of Frankstown and Verona Rd.) 550 Centre Ave., Shadyside (EAST, Market District) 3812 O’Neill Blvd., McKeesport (SOUTHEAST) 1356 Hoffman Blvd., West Mifflin (NEAR KENNYWOOD) 1901 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill (EAST) 4250 Murray Ave., Greenfield (EAST) 254 Yost Blvd., Forest Hills/Braddock Hills (SOUTH EAST) 1705 S. Braddock Ave., Edgewood Towne Center (EAST) 420 East Waterfront Dr., Homestead (SOUTHEAST) 2021 Wharton Ave. (SOUTH SIDE FLATS) 318 Cedar Ave., North Side (NORTH near E. OHIO ST.) Crafton/Ingram Shopping Center, 51 Walsh Road (WEST END) NORTH SIDE LOCATIONS North Side Beer and Beverage, 1304 Federal St. 7-11, 1001 Western Ave. RICHEY’S BARBER SHOP 1207 N. Franklin St. NORTH SIDE VALERO 820 Pennsylvania Ave. RITE AID 802 Pennsylvania Ave. MARSHALL SHELL 1500 Spring Garden Ave. SWINKO’S MARKET 2535 Perrysville Ave. MERCY STREET EXPRESS 6 Mercy St. HARV’S EXXON 2501 Brighton Rd. QUICK SCHWARTZ 3235 Brighton Rd. HANINI MARKET 3245 Brighton Rd. SOUTH SIDE LOCATIONS KEN’S MARKET 216 Beltzhoover Ave. Daily Mart 1125 Arlington Ave. SHOP N’ SAVE Brownsville Rd., Carrick WEST END LOCATIONS CRAFTON BEVERAGE 15 Foster Ave., Crafton/Ingram Shopping Center SHEETZ 5400 Campbells Run Rd. SHOP N SAVE 2103 Noblestown Rd. HILL DISTRICT LOCATIONS SHOP N’ SAVE 1850 Centre Ave. WONG’S MARKET 2170 Centre Ave. ANN’S MARKET 2316 Webster Ave. A-PLUS MINI MARKET 2350 Centre Ave. UJAMMA BOUTIQUE 1901 Centre Ave. K LEROY IRVIS TOWERS 715 Mercer St. ABE’S MARKET 1860 Centre Ave. WYLIE TOBACCO 2152 Wylie Ave. POPULAR EAST END LOCATIONS GETGO 4924 Baum Blvd.

BP GAS STATION 11835 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills

PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 10991 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills SHOP N’ SAVE 3335 William Penn Hwy, near Monroeville Mall GETGO 10525 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills CVS PHARMACY 10600 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills SHELL GAS STATION 7619 Baum Blvd., Shadyside STANTON NEGLEY DRUG 804 N. Negley Ave., Highland Park UNIMART 5724 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside SHELL GAS STATION 6701 Frankstown Rd., East Hills SQUIRREL HILL NEWS 5804 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill MURRAY AVE. NEWS 2024 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 234 Yost Blvd., Braddock Hills DORSEY’S RECORDS 7614 Frankstown Ave., Homewood HOMEWOOD MARKET 7201 Frankstown Ave., Homewood SHEETZ 3457 William Penn Hwy., Monroeville WILLIAM PENN SMOKE SHOP 132 North Highland Ave., East Liberty DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS PENN AVENUE 7-11 (Sixth and Penn) Koppers Building (Ninth and Penn) NEWS-NUMBERS 136 Penn Avenue SMITHFIELD STREET SMITHFIELD NEWS 115 Smithfield St. 7-11 SMITHFIELD 420 Smithfield St. GRANT STREET FABER COE & GREGG 500 Grant St. FABER COE & GREGG 600 Grant St. NIELSEN’S STORES One Oxford Centre, Grant St. WOOD STREET 7-11 429 Wood St. NEWSTAND Sixth and Wood ONE STOP 300 Sixth & Wood OTHER DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS INCLUDE...

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

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AUGUST 15-21, 2018

Sweet Revenge — The decline and fall of Bob McCulloch (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Just over four years ago, on Aug. 9, 2014, 18-year-old Michael Brown was murdered by police officer Darren Wilson.

He was shot six times, and might have survived some of the shots, but was fatally wounded by a bullet in the head.

Wilson claimed he shot in self-defense, but Michael Brown was unarmed. Prosecutor Bob McCulloch took his time convening a grand jury and announced in November, three months after Brown’s murder, that the grand jury voted not to indict Wilson. Critics say that McCullough manipulated the grand jury process to protect Darren Wilson.

But now he has his come uppance.

The 27-year prosecutor was defeated

by Wesley Bell, an African American

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary attorney and member of the Ferguson City Council. Bell seems quite the opposite of the racially biased McCullough, a prosecutor who incarcerated poor African Americans for minor offenses. McCullough and the Ferguson police department were cited by the Department of Justice for unfair practices, and for using substantial traffic fines as revenue generators for the city.

Had Wesley Bell been County Prosecutor, it is likely that Darren Wilson would have been held accountable in the murder of Michael Brown. Wesley Bell was endorsed by the Real Justice PAC (https://realjusticepac.org), an exciting new political action committee whose purpose is to “elect prosecutors who will fix our broken criminal justice system.”

It’s a great approach given that “prosecutorial discretion” often determines who will be charged, and for what offenses. Prosecutors are the ones who decide whether to charge someone with a crime or convene a grand jury. They also choose how much bail to ask for, often pressuring indigent defendants into plea deals or holding them in jail for long periods of time if they cannot post bond.

The Real Justice PAC website lists nine endorsements for this election cycle. Two, Wesley Bell and Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, won their elections. Two, Boston attorney Rachel Rollins and San Antonio’s Joe Gonzales, face elections later this year.

The other five lost their races but were able to make essential points about criminal justice reform during their elections. Their opponents were all incumbents who will, perhaps, be motivated by their challengers to make changes in the ways they administer the law. This bottom-up approach to criminal justice reform, focusing on prosecutors who have a fair approach to “law and order,” is a logical outgrowth of the Black Lives Matter protests that have followed police killings of Black men.

The legacy of the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown has been a focus on police accountability. After Brown was killed, President Obama made $75 million available for local police departments to purchase body cameras, increasing police accountability in some instances (although some officers conveniently do not wear their cameras).

Having lost the Democratic primary for St. Louis County Prosecutor, Bob McCullough still has a few months left to serve in his term. Hopefully, he will be chastened enough by his loss to curtail his oppressive manner of enforcing the law. Indeed, activists will need to pay attention to these last days of McCullough’s reign. While he has the potential to continue to damage the lives of many individuals, his loss is sweet revenge.

Wesley Bell, who has no Republican opponent for November’s race, has the opportunity to model what criminal justice can look like when a progressive leader is making prosecution decisions. Perhaps Wesley Bell’s win will encourage the Real Justice PAC to seek out candidates in other cities—their work, so far, has focused on California, Texas, and the St. Louis race.

People of color in many urban areas, however, face injustice when biased prosecutors act on their biases with their “prosecutorial discretion.”

Police officers, too, use their prejudices to decide when to charge and when not to. Unconscious bias is a benign word for racism, and it is rife in the criminal justice system. Electing better prosecutors is a first step toward reversing some of this, so I applaud the work of the Real Justice PAC. But there is so much more that must be done before we experience equal justice.

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)

FORUM

One political party is detrimental to Blacks

In the year 1949, in the creek (poor it was my intro- Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick house creek) on duction to politics certain days, we in Pittsburgh, and stopped to buy gas, for all intents and my father said to purposes it was a the attendant fill one political party it up and the recity. The last time sponse was, “Fill Pittsburgh had a it up yourself, I Republican mayor don’t gas n____ers was 1937, 81 years cars.” For a long ago. Upon returning from the U.S. Army period of time I would attribute those inin 1954 I became an active member of a cidents to the fact we were in the deep non-functioning Republican Party, par- South. As I became more knowledgeable ticularly in Pittsburgh. My involvement about politics and the mistreatment of in the Republican Party resulted in my Black persons it was apparent how much getting to know and working with some we had in common with the deep South. of the most knowledgeable and commit- The Pittsburgh school system was allted Black persons in the nation. These White, administration, schoolteachers, individuals, in conjunction with my par- counselors, janitors, cafeteria employees. ents, church, etc., were major contrib- The City of Pittsburgh discriminated utors to positive factors over my entire across the board, practically in every delife. partment. It was in the 1960s when the The colored sections of the city were NAACP and others sued the city to hire registered 85 percent Democrat and they Blacks on the police department. Blacks would vote straight Democrat no matter were denied the right to eat in restauwho the candidate was. We are and were rants, swimming pools, dance halls, skatthe only bloc of votes that were counted ing rinks, be buried in certain cemeteries, before the election polls opened. hospitals, service, mortgages, denied the Prior to registering for any political right to rent apartments and in the curparty I analyzed what the benefits were rent year of 2018 Blacks are still being that were received by the colored voters denied contracts in spite of the statistics for the astronomical bloc of votes given to that are being printed. The state of Pennthe Democratic Party. I have always been sylvania, at a period of time, had more an avid reader and understood early in KKK chapters than Alabama and Missislife that you could not believe everything sippi combined. that you were reading.

In 2018, Blacks still vote straight DemMy parents were born in the deep ocrat and don’t receive their fair share.

South, father, Alabama, mother, GeorThe Republican Party continues to have gia. Their four children were born Up a non-functioning political party in PittsSouth (Pittsburgh). We went to Alabama burgh.

(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the many years ago and two incidents stand out…We were denied the right to swim New Pittsburgh Courier.)

To Tell The Truth

Neighborhoods are now ‘hoods’ because nobody’s neighbors In the 1990s De La al education and a Soul recorded a song J. Pharaoh Doss purpose.” (But does called “The Stakes Democratic social is High.” One verse policy have the philwent, “Neighborosophical foundation hoods are now hoods to combat the poverbecause nobody’s ty of purpose?) neighbors.”

This Recently, the Chiimplied the loss of cago Tribune stated something central to that gun violence in a healthy communi2018 has been well ty. Now, the loss of something central to above recent years except for the past civilization was actually proclaimed by two. There have been close to 1,700 peoa philosopher in the late 1880s. He an- ple shot and 300 homicides in the city, nounced the death of God, but he wasn’t and on the weekend that began on Aug. referring to the crucified son; it was the 3 and ended Aug. 6, more than 60 people father that was dead, killed off by an were shot and 11 died. age of reason that believed humankind At a press conference, Mayor Emanuel could invent morality without divine in- announced a fourth path to confront this spiration. The philosopher predicted this challenge. would have catastrophic results and the He said, “This may not be politically 20th century will descend into an age of correct, but I know the power of what nihilism. He also predicted the 21st cen- faith and family can do. Our kids need tury would be worse. that structure…I am…asking that we In 2016 Chicago’s mayor, Rahm Eman- also don’t shy away from a full discussion uel, gave a speech at Malcolm X Col- about the importance of family and faith lege. He addressed the violence that to develop and nurture character, self-rehas haunted his tenure in office. He told spect, a value system and a moral comthe audience, “Just over two years ago, pass that allows kids to know good from shootings and murders in Chicago were bad and right from wrong. We are going on a steady, downward slide. They were to discuss issues that have been taboo in reduced to a level our city had not seen years past because they are a part of the since 1965. Today, that hopeful trend solution, and we cannot be scared to have has been reversed…ending this string of this conversation.” tragedies is our top priority as a city.”

But many Black leaders were offended Then, Chicago’s mayor announced three by Mayor Emanuel’s call for a spiritual paths to confront the challenge. renewal throughout the neighborhoods 1). Enforcement that are now hoods. The former CEO of 2). Investment the Chicago Urban League said, “Scold3). Prevention ing the African American community The mayor stated, on the enforcement for the ills of what’s happening in those side, Chicago needs more police officers communities is not helpful. It’s not coron the street (Beat officers). These of- rect. There’s no more religious, conservaficers will be assigned directly to the tive, amazing community than the Afristreets of communities, to work with can American community. The African their residents in partnership against American community is resilient. The Afviolence…The second piece of this an- rican American community survived this ti-crime blueprint is investing in com- strife…It’s not fair to blame the victims munities and providing job opportu- of policies that have created their circumnities, the best anti-crime program is stances.” a job. As far as prevention, the mayor Now, if Mayor Emanuel knew the New pledged to invest $36 million over the Testament as well as he knows the Tonext three years to expand mentoring rah, he could have reminded his critics programs. that faith without works is dead.

(J. Pharaoh Doss is a contributor to the New Mayor Emanuel added, “We need to provide these young people with a mor- Pittsburgh Courier.)

Check It Out

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Jesse Jackson Sr.

Commentary

Attack on LeBron shows Trump wants to use fear, divisiveness to win elections (TriceEdneyWire.com)—The run-up to the 2018 congressional elections has begun.

With 40 Republican representatives deciding not to run again, the party’s majority in the House is at risk. President Donald Trump has announced he plans to stump for Republicans across the country, seeking to make the election a referendum on him.

Characteristically, a centerpiece of his approach is to use race as a weapon to divide and distract us. Once more, he’s gone after NFL players—largely African Americans—for their dignified, nonviolent protests against Black lives lost to police violence. The president has portrayed them as unpatriotic and ungrateful. He’ll escalate those insults this fall. Once more, he’s slurred immigrants as violent, using the MS-13 gang to rouse fears.

He says he will close down the government this fall if he doesn’t get full funding for his wall, raising the heat on an issue used to divide us. Days after LeBron James opened his I Promise school in Akron, Ohio, where his foundation is providing everything from school lunches to guaranteed tuitions for those who go to college, Trump questioned James’ intelligence and that of his CNN interviewer, Don Lemon (also an African American): “LeBron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made LeBron look smart, which isn’t easy to do.” Trump’s also libeled Rep. Maxine Waters as a “very low IQ individual.”

This isn’t accidental or coincidental; it is intentional and instrumental. Trump has a long, ugly history of preying on racial fears for his own political benefit. He rose to national attention by trafficking the lie about Obama’s birth, arguing that he was an illegitimate president, born in Kenya. He launched his presidential campaign with a blast at Mexican immigrants as murderers and “rapists.” He reveled in assailing the gold star Muslim parents of a U.S. Army officer who died serving his country in the Iraq War. During the Republican presidential primary campaign, Trump for a time declined to disavow the support of David Duke and the Ku Klux Klan, saying that he hadn’t done “research” on the group. (He later disavowed Duke and the Klan as a result of public outcry.) As president, Trump scorned immigrants from what he called “s—hole countries”—Haiti, El Salvador and countries in Africa—while saying the U.S. needed more immigrants from countries like Norway.

Trump claims he is the “least racist person that you have ever met.” His record suggests otherwise.

The Justice Department sued the Trump organization—including Trump’s father, Fred, the company chair and founder, and Trump himself, who was then serving as president —for systematic discrimination in refusing to rent to African Americans. After a protracted legal battle, the Trumps agreed to a consent decree that required them to take concrete steps to end discrimination, including providing the New York Urban League with weekly listings of vacancies, allowing them to supply qualified applicants.

Later Trump gained notoriety for taking out full-page ads championing the death penalty for the Central Park Five, five young American Americans accused of raping and murdering a jogger in Manhattan’s Central Park. They were convicted in a wave of hysteria only to be released after years in prison when DNA evidence proved they were innocent of the crime. There is no indication that Trump ever apologized. But the question really isn’t whether Trump is a racist or not.

What is undeniable is that he purposefully plays on racial fears for his own political purposes, seeking to rouse “his base” and divide and distract working people. Trump clearly enjoys scorning convention and violating norms.

During the campaign, he boasted that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and still keep the support of his voters. But we ought not adjust or accommodate to a president using his White House pulpit to spread fear, fan hatred and divide us. LeBron James understands how destructive this behavior can be, noting about Trump: “He doesn’t understand the power that he has for being the leader of this beautiful country. He doesn’t understand how many kids, no matter the race, look up to the president of the United States for guidance, for leadership, for words of encouragement …. ” Later, James reflected: “When I was growing up, there (were) like three jobs that you looked for inspiration. …It was the president of the United States, it was whoever was best in sports and it was the greatest musician at the time. You never thought you could be them, but you can grab inspiration from them. …And this time, right now, with the president of the United States, it’s at a bad time. While we cannot change what comes out of that man’s mouth, we can continue to alert the people that watch us, that listen to us, (that) this is not the way.”

Trump will make this election a test of what kind of country we are and what kind of country we want to live in. He believes that by spreading division and fears he will gain politically. We have to demonstrate that we are a better people than that. The provocations, the outrages, the slanders will continue. The only question is how we will respond to them.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

PEOPLE

AUGUST 15-21, 2018

B7

The Pittsburgh Symphony comes to the Hill District MONICA ELLIS

A FAMILY AFFAIR

ERNESTINE REED, MARGERT S. WASHINGTON DEATENA MILLIONES-NANCE, MARIMBA MILLIONES

HUSBAND AND WIFE—Kevin and Grace Watson

‘Sounds of Summer on Centre’

It definitely was a family affair at “Sounds of Summer on Centre,” an evening that celebrated the artistic and cultural vibrancy of the Hill District, July 31 at the Hillman Auditorium. Collaborating organizations included the Pittsburgh Symphony, Hill House Association, Macedonia Family Community Enrichment Center (FACE), Act3 Consulting Partners, LLC and the Hill Community Development Corporation. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

KENNY BLAKE

TERRI BALTIMORE and Angela Mendoza with the Hill House Association.

B8

PEOPLE

AUGUST 15-21, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

PITTSBURGH’S PRIDE FESTIVAL—Each year, the Delta Foundation sponsors a parade and other festivities highlighting the LGBTQ culture and lifestyle. Courier photographer J.L. Martello captured photos of African Americans who were part of this year’s festivities.

Being Black…and LGBTQ Over time, some have labeled Pittsburgh as the ‘Most Livable City.’ Pittsburgh, like many other cities, holds weeklong festivals recognizing and promoting the gay and lesbian community.

The New Pittsburgh Courier spoke with local African Americans who identify as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) to better understand their experiences in our city, along with how they are treated by family and friends.

by Atiya Irvin-Mitchell For New Pittsburgh Courier

Most people who’ve had at least one decent history class can easily recognize the name Martin Luther King Jr., but you’d be hard pressed to find similar recognition for Bayard Rustin.

Rustin was a chief strategist for the March on Washington and some people called Rustin the heart of the civil rights movement.

Years after his death the Obama Administration gave Rustin recognition in the form of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but his contributions lay largely forgotten because he was a gay man, some say, in a world where the church and the respectability politics of the time considered him a liability to the cause.

Thirty years after Rustin’s death, the New Pittsburgh Courier wondered what life was like for Blacks who identify as LGBTQ+ in this, the sometimes-labeled “Most Livable City.”

While not every perspective is covered in this article, for some Black members of the LGBTQ community that the Courier interviewed, being in the most livable city can be complicated.

AMANDA TAYLOR came out to her mother four states away as a teenager. She is pansexual, which, for her, means gender isn’t a factor in romantic attraction. She wrote a “melodramatic” letter to her mother; her mother read it and asked if the crush in the letter was the same girl she didn’t like from across the street, and two weeks later her mother surprised Taylor by introducing her to her own girlfriend. Taylor considers herself incredibly fortunate, but it wouldn’t be entirely smooth sailing. Her mother was accepting—as for the rest of her family, she felt a change.

“It wasn’t so much bashing me or outright hatred, things were just different between us after that,” she told the New Pittsburgh

Courier in June. “There were just little comments that let me know that it was very strange and not entirely OK.” When she came to Pittsburgh as a young adult she realized that finding a community in the city might be complicated. In the beginning she spent time in LGBTQ spaces that were mostly White; it was familiar experience. Growing up, she’d felt “disconnected” from her Blackness and at times rejected by African American people around her.

“Growing up in the South most of the Black people I knew rejected me either outright or indirectly,” she said. “I had a White name, I talked ‘like White people,’ I was just never Black enough. Adults loved me— kids, not so much.”

However, as time went on Taylor grew discontent in what she called the “White homogenous queer community.” She described instances of exclusion or racism she’d heard about secondhand or witnessed.

“Seeing what’s been considered to be the queer community, which is the White queer community and seeing so few people like me and realizing how much the community is willing to forgive and forget when it comes to aggressions that are faced along racial lines is entirely disheartening,” Taylor said.

A recent Harvard study showed that people of color were twice as likely to report experiencing anti-LGBTQ discrimination when it came to applying for jobs and police interactions than their White peers.

The study also found that LGBTQ people of color were “six times more likely to say they have avoided calling the police” for fear of discrimination.

Only five percent of White LGBTQ people reported being afraid to call the cops, as opposed to 30 percent of LGBTQ people of color.

Overall, studies show that 4.6 percent of African Americans identify as

LGBTQ. More than 10 million adults (of all races) in the United States identify as LGBTQ. Black celebrities have also recently made public their LGBTQ identity, such as CNN host Don Lemon, television and film director Lee Daniels, and ABC “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts.

In Pittsburgh, Taylor said that Black LGBTQ people lacked visibility within the city and spaces, and as a result are often overlooked.

“We just aren’t seen or

AFRICAN AMERICANS during Pittsburgh’s Pride Festival, held each June. The 2019 Pride Festival will take place June 1-9. hood in his family. He added that he sometimes felt like being openly gay was less accepted in the Black community.

A study showed that more than half of Black Americans support samesex marriage and LGBTQ rights in general, but for some people, feelings of disconnectedness can arise.

But, there can also be a sense of pride in being connected to two communities that have survived, in some people’s eyes, such a great deal of oppression.

A recent Harvard study showed that people of color were twice as likely to report experiencing anti-LGBTQ discrimination when it came to applying for jobs and police interactions than their White peers. thought of really,” she told the Courier in an exclusive interview.

“Not when it comes to fundraising or events. Most of us just don’t have the patience…we don’t want to constantly deal with the microaggressions in order to change the White homogenous queer community and make it more accepting.”

“There are few communities that have struggled as much as the queer and the Black communities have and we’re still here and surviving. And in both of those communities there’s still that determination not only to survive, but to thrive,” Amanda Taylor said.

She told the New Pittsburgh Courier that what helped her become confident as her identity as a Black, queer woman was meeting other Blacks of the same identity. But, sometimes she thinks this can be better accomplished in spaces dominated by Black queer people.

“Most of us just don’t have the patience…we don’t want to constantly deal with the microaggressions in order to change the White homogenous queer community and make it more accepting.”

TAYLOR ANDERSON shares a different view. Anderson told the Courier he has found acceptance within Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ community. At 21 years old, he said since coming out, the city has been more accepting than his own family.

“My mom just didn’t accept it,” he recalled. “People like putting other people in boxes—in the LGBTQ community I feel like there’s less of that.”

For SHARI MORRIS, He detailed a childhood where as a boy, sports 20 years of being out, she’s weren’t a hobby, but a re- experienced it all; from welquired way to express man- coming and respectful to

disappointing and disillusioning. She’s proudly an aunt, a grandmother, a Hill District native, a retired public health educator and happens to be married to another woman. Morris said she approaches the “Being Black and LGBTQ” from a place of being willing to learn and educate others. She stressed that everyone’s experience is different.

“There are so many accomplished Black, LGBTQ people. But if we keep them in the closet or don’t speak up when we have the opportunity, our elders get lost in history,” Morris said.

She sees any racism present in the LGBTQ community a result of living in a society where racism is still pervasive. ”There’s racism in our community because there’s racism in our society,” she noted. “It has to be challenged and dealt with rather than avoided. One would think our mutual oppression by the mainstream would unite us and it does sometimes, but there is much work to be done.”

As for 29-year-old JOHN “DEZ” EASTER, the Erie native said he grew up without much media representation or other LGBTQ people to share similar experiences.

When he came out to his mother, she was accepting, but his father took more time to come around. He thinks this is in part due his being more effeminate than his dad would have liked. Like with Anderson, masculinity is sometimes a reason for feeling disconnected.

“Masculinity is really huge for the Black community, so as a Black, gay man, I feel like we struggle with that as well,” he said. “It’s just like a historical thing and I feel like it goes back to slavery, a time you had to be strong and people feel like a man has to be strong all the time.”

After he graduated from Pitt, Easter decided to stay in the city, but even after he became involved in the “ball scene” as a college student,

looking around the city he noticed a lack of spaces for people who looked like him.

Ball Culture is a subculture comprised primarily of Black and brown LGBTQ performers who compete in voguing dance competitions. Easter said he found a home there, but still longed for something more.

While he forged a path in wellness outreach, Easter took things one step further in the betterment for Black LGBTQ individuals.

He co-founded True T PGH, a community platform that collaborates with several nonprofits in the city, aiming to share LGBTQIA resources and queer arts and entertainment from an African American perspective.

“We really started this entire organization because there was nothing in Pittsburgh for young, Black gay men in Pittsburgh, so we wanted to create something for ourselves,” Easter said.

July 31-Aug. 5 was True T PGH’s Fourth Annual Blackout Week. Eleven events over a six-day period were held for “queer people of color to connect through meaningful resource sharing, and bringing together a diverse mix of people,” according to a press release announcing the events.

Events included a day at Kennywood Park, a Young Adult Mixer and Discussion at Hotel Indigo in East Liberty, a fashion show featuring five queer designers at Ace Hotel in East Liberty, a Community Town Hall, and a Black Gay Prom, held Aug. 3 at Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Downtown.

“Blackout Week is about highlighting the many great happenings both within and outside of the LGBTQIA+ Communities of Color,” said True T PGH executive director Duane Binion in a release. “Many times social media, news outlets and people that might not agree with the LGBTQ lifestyle like to portray us negatively. Blackout Week unapologetically reclaims our greatness and celebrates the excellence that lives inside us all.”