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Vol. 110 No. 34

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AUGUST 21-27, 2019

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Tyian Battle’s ACH Clear Pathways purchases the Kaufmann Center Permanent location for youth arts programs in the Hill District

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

In just 10 years, ACH Clear Pathways has gone from an idea to a nonprofit agency that employs art to enrich the lives of hundreds of children and youth in the Hill District. But one thing it always lacked—which became ever more pressing as the program grew—was its THE KAUFMANN CENTER on Centre Avenue. It was purchased by own building.

ACH Clear Pathways from the Hill House Association.

That will cease to be a

problem very shortly, as ACH Clear Pathways has purchased the Kaufmann Center building from the Hill House Association, the New Pittsburgh Courier has learned.

“We are in the process of closing on the purchase,” founder and Executive Director Tyian Battle told the Courier. “It will be done by the end of the year.”

When Battle’s son, Amon Cashmere Harris, died at

age 7 from a rare heart condition in 2009, Battle knew she wanted to honor his TYIAN BATTLE, founder of ACH Clear Pathways. memory by (Photo by J.L. Martello) providing “And it took off from there. for local children. At the suggestion of a friend, she I can’t sing, dance or draw, decided to start a nonprof- but we have people who it, and thought to do that can. And I’m just blown through something Amon SEE BATTLE A7 loved—martial arts.

Mark A. Thomas, new president of Many African Americans the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance still displaced after fire ‘Plans to be a champion for the region’

people is as important as attracting companies, but so is retaining African American talent coming out of Pittsburgh’s universities.

“The highly educated African Americans are leaving, and the ones coming in are not as educated,” she said.

“We need to make sure we continue to work on improving the quality of life, environment, inclusion, workforce. We need to supercharge growth, bring more companies here. And Mark

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

At 16, Mark Anthony Thomas wrote a letter to the governor of Georgia, noting that all the highly touted economic investment and development in Atlanta had entirely missed poorer neighborhoods like his on the outskirts. Both the writing and the topic foreshadowed things to come.

Since then, Thomas has edited a daily newspaper, directed communications for a hospital in Israel, written award-winning books of poetry, and run economic development and promotional agencies for Los Angeles and New York City. In June he was named president of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.

On Aug. 7, he and Allegheny Conference on Community Development CEO Stefani Pashman met with local media for an informal chat about the region, its needs, its potential and

SEE THOMAS A5

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Seventy-four people, many of whom are African American, are still displaced from their homes after a five-alarm fire this past Saturday, Aug. 17, at the De Ruad Street Apartments in Uptown.

The fire began around 2:30 p.m., as residents hurriedly left the apartment and made sure no one else was left inside.

City of Pittsburgh fire investigators determined Monday, Aug. 19, that a 6-year-old boy was playing with matches when the fire began in a laundry room in the building’s second floor.

Police officials said the

6-year-old admitted to playing with the matches, but the boy’s mother refuted the police statement, telling WPXI-TV (Channel 11) on Aug. 19 that she doesn’t believe her son started the fire.

No charges will be filed against the child or his family.

“The boy and his family have been referred to the County Child Line where they will direct them toward any available services and provide the child with the help he needs,” Pittsburgh Police said in an Aug. 19 statement.

The De Ruad Street Apartments is one of the first apartment buildings you’ll SEE FIRE A5

IMPROVING YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH MARK A. THOMAS its plans to help make it “the next great place” for everyone. The Pittsburgh Regional Alliance is an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community

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Development.

“First, we have to make sure we’re on the radar. I go to national tech sector conferences and read about where capital should be invested—Pittsburgh’s not even on the list,” Thomas, 40, said. “Yet Astrobotic is going to put payloads on the moon. People should be coming here just to be part of that.”

Pashman said attracting

Rep. Wheatley, state treasurer say it’s all about saving money

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

Last weekend, state Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District, sponsored his 6th annual Health and Wellness weekend, featuring live entertainment, food, art, children’s events, health seminars and races, and basketball. But before that even started, Rep. Wheatley and the House Democratic Policy Committee, on which

Rep. Wheatley serves, held a roundtable discussion on the financial health and future of the state and its residents—young, old and in-between.

The first insight provided at the Friday, Aug. 16 meeting at the BNY Mellon Building, Downtown, was a sobering analysis by Deputy State Treasurer Keith Welks on what he called “The Retirement Crisis.”

He handed out a paper with

some numbers on it.

“Does anyone know what the median amount of savings people have is? It’s that first figure: $0,” he said. “Fifty percent of Pennsylvanians have no savings.

And that means, for the cohort retiring between 2015 and 2030, they will cost the commonwealth $15,700,000,000—that’s $14.7 billion in services they are, by law, entitled to, and another $1 billion in lost tax revenue because they are no longer working and aren’t purchasing goods and services.”

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AUGUST 21-27, 2019

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This Week In Black History

Week of August 21-27 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 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 NAT TURNER as “Turner” after the rebellion. During his life, he was simply known as Nat and was considered a 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 STATE REP. JAKE WHEATLEY converses with state Treasurer Keith Welks during a forum at BNY Meland bandleader Willon, Downtown, Aug. 16. liam “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 WILLIAM “COUNT” BASIE an amazing NBA career including being the only player to score 100 points in a single game. Chamberlain died in October 1999.

August 22 1791—The Haitian Revolution begins. It was the FINANCIAL FROM A1 so he said state Treasurer who is a participant,” she most successful Black slave revolt in world history.

Thus, to say that the Joe Torsella is looking at a said. “Whenever she gets Led by Toussaint L’Ouverstate has an interest in pilot program that would money she wants to go WILT CHAMBERLAIN ture, a trusted house slave getting people to save automatically set up an to the bank—she knows who initially opposed the more is an understateaccount for every newborn where she banks and how rebellion, the slaves defeated the mighty French army led ment. Welks noted that in the state and prime it much is in her account.”

by Napoleon. They also defeated a contingent of British people are 15 times more with $100. The treasury The committee also troops. However, L’Ouverture was tricked into attending a likely to save for the gets the children’s data heard from Henry “peace” conference where he was captured and would later future if they have an IRA from county health offiHorn-Pyatt, of Mayor die in prison. It fell to one of his lieutenants, Jean-Jacques (Individual Retirement cials, anyway. All parents Bill Peduto’s office, and Dessalines, to complete the struggle and declare the island Account) through their would have to do is claim Sarah Dieleman Perry of nation an independent republic on Jan. 1, 1804. employer. Unfortunately, the account. Last year, Neighborhood Allies about 1843—A National Convention of Black Men takes $2.1 million workers don’t Welks said, there were their partnership, creating place in Buffalo, N.Y. The militant abolitionist Henry Highdo that, mostly because 140,000 births, so that Economic Empowerment land Garnett called for a slave revolt and for free Blacks to they work for small comwould put a $14-million Centers across the city launch a nationwide strike in support of the revolt. But a panies that cannot afford price tag on the program. where people can meet more moderate Frederick Douglas opposed Garnett’s plan TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE to set up a plan, nor can But it’s the kind of incen- one-on-one with a finanout of fear of potential violence. they afford the regulatory tive that can work, said cial professional, for free, 1989—Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton is gunned down in burden the federal govern- panelist Jeremy Resnick, to help with reducing debt, California. He was killed by a 24-year-old member of the ment imposes on having who chairs the Propel improving credit scores, Black Guerilla drug gang. The reason for the murder was one. This also factors into Schools Foundation. As the saving for a house, etc. never clearly revealed, but Newton supporters considthe “wealth gap,” he said, New Pittsburgh Courier “In our work revitalizing because minorities and reported in April, Propel neighborhoods, we realized ered it a political assassination. Newton had founded the militant Black Panther Party along with Bobby Seale in women are more likely to started “Fund My Future” that if the people who live 1966. The group advocated community control, armed work for small employers, in its schools in 2013 as in our neighborhoods are self-defense and a mixture of Black Nationalism and as are low-income worka way to encourage and no better off, we haven’t socialism based on the works of Mao Tse-tung, Che Gueers. involve families in saving done our job,” said Perry. vara and Frantz Fanon.

But there may be an alfor their child’s education.

“We now have nine finanAugust 23 ternative, Welks said, and They do it with monthly cial counselors working 1826—This is generally recognized as the day that it’s in the works. prize raffles (some cash in 13 different locations the first Black person in “It’s called an AutoIRA. prizes reach $2,000 or around Pittsburgh.”

BLACK PANTHERS America graduated from Essentially the state oper- more). But to qualify, a The committee also heard college. His name was Edward Jones and he received ates a giant IRA structure parent has to have made from Ron Celaschi, CEO of his BA degree from Amherst College in Massachusetts. and invests in IRAs, Roth a deposit into their child’s Clearview Federal Credit Despite the general recognition, however, there is some IRAs, other products, but account in the past month. Union, who said it sponsors evidence that the honor actually belongs to Alexander because we can do it at a By 2015, 1,500 famiJunior Achievement’s BizLucius Twilight who appears to have graduated from huge scale—with potenlies were participating.

Town project and various Middlebury College in Vermont in 1823. Nevertheless, tially millions of clients— Through a partnership high school “Reality Fairs,” Jones would eventually leave America and help estabwe’ll get much better with the City of Pittsburgh where students have to lish the African nation of Sierra Leone. rates,” he said. “Individual and Allegheny County, make budgets, pay utility August 24 employees can opt out, the program was opened bills, etc., as part of its 1854—Dr. John V. DeGrasse, perhaps the most if they choose, and there countywide at the end of commitment to financial prominent Black person in New England during the would be a default plan 2017. Now there are 3,500 literacy education. He said pre-Civil War period, is admitted to the Massachusetts for those who don’t choose families participating, it also proactively helps Medical Society. DeGrasse was born in New York City one. But it could make “I’m here because we its members attain their in 1825 and graduated from Bowdoin College in Maine.

EDITH SPURLOCK SAMPSON a difference in people’s want to give our families financial goals.

1950—Chicago attorney Edith Spurlock Sampson lives. We have bi-partisan and students hope for a In thanking everyone, is named by President Harry S. Truman as the first support in both the state better future,” said ResRep. Wheatley admitted House and Senate and nick. “Savings is a concrete that he would not be finan- African American representative in the U.S. delegaI’m cautiously optimistic embodiment of that hope.” cially stable today if not for tion to the United Nations. Sampson was also the first that by next year, we’ll be Toni Corinealdi, the the personal tutelage—and Black female elected judge in the United States. She working with employees program manager for well-meaning hectoring—of was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., around 1901 and died in 1979. and setting up plans.”

Fund My Future, told the Richard Witherspoon at August 25 Welks also noted that the committee that 47 perthe Hill District Federal 1862—After a disastrous loss to the South during treasury already offers a cent of participants said Credit Union, located on a battle known as the Peninsular Campaign, U.S. “529” savings account pro- they saved more money, Centre Avenue.

Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton orders the arming gram that allows parents saved more frequently, “It’s hard for someone of 5,000 Black soldiers in a bid to turn the tide against to save money—tax-free— improved their budgeting who’s basically private the pro-slavery forces. The Blacks (both freedmen for their child’s college or increased their financial to bear all that someand former slaves) fought with distinction winning 15 education. It also has the health—and the kids love times-embarrassing stuff,” Congressional Medals added benefit of locking in it. said Rep. Wheatley. “But of Honor. In fact, the the cost of college credits.

“I can personally attest Richard was really good.

Black soldiers were so But even with that, people to this because I have a He helped me a lot.” effective, near the end don’t take advantage of it, 7-year-old granddaughter To which Horn-Pyatt said of the Civil War, the of his program: “We’re just Confederacy, in a desMARTHA MINERVA FRANKLIN trying to get everyone a peration move, actually Richard.” attempted to recruit Black soldiers to the pro-slavery side.

1908—The National Association of Colored Nurses THE is founded by Martha Minerva Franklin. At the NEW PITTSBURGH time Black nurses were not welcomed in the all-White COURIER American Nurses Association.

PUBLISHING COMPANY 1925—Six men, led by A. Phillip Randolph, organize the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters—a union composed of porters and attendants on the nation’s Publication No.: USPS 381940 railroad passenger cars.

315 East Carson Street The effort was the most successful Black labor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 organizing campaign in A. PHILLIP RANDOLPH Phone: 412-481-8302 American history. The Fax: 412-481-1360 Brotherhood would go on to become the largest and most powerful Black controlled union in America inThe cluding more than 15,000 members by 1959. Randolph New Pittsburgh Courier would also become a major (often behind the scenes) figure in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. He is published weekly played a key role in Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous 1963 March on Washington. Randolph would often Periodicals boast that his union paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. was a success not because people loved PRICE $1.00 it, but because it knew how to “push people out (Payable in advance) of the way.”

ALTHEA GIBSON 6 Months—$25 1927—The first Black person to win the Wimbledon Singles Tennis Champi1 Year—$45 onship, Althea Gibson, is born on this day in Silver, 2 Years—$85 S.C. Gibson won Wimbledon on July 6, 1957. The allaround athlete died on Sept. 23, 2003.

9-Month School Rate $35 August 26 1943—In a primarily token gesture Black Chicago POSTMASTER: Send Congressman William L. Dawson is recommended to address changes to: be the Democratic Party’s vice presidential candidate.

For several years, Dawson was the only African AmerNew Pittsburgh Courier ican in the United States Congress. He would later be joined by New York’s Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Dawson 315 East Carson Street WILLIAM L. DAWSON served in Congress for 27 years, from January 1943 to Pittsburgh, PA 15219 the time he died in November 1970.

IMPROVING YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH Rep. Wheatley, state treasurer say it’s all about saving money

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AUGUST 21-27, 2019

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Mass shootings, widespread death, White hatred permeate America

by Rhodesia Muhammad and Bryan 3X Crawford For New Pittsburgh Courier

“Ya basta!”

Estela Reyes-Lopez pleaded, which means “enough” in English.

“Twenty lives were taken from us because of some young man filled with so much hate, so much ignorance, so much hostility toward people he doesn’t even know,” said Ms. Lopez, the media and public information officer for Centro De Salud Familiar La Fe, the center for faith and family health, a non-profit social justice organization based in El Paso.

It was a hail of bullets that sent families who were back to school shopping, screaming and running for their lives, when a gunman opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, around 10 a.m. Aug. 3, killing at least 22 people and wounding more than two dozen.

According to authorities, Patrick Crusius, the 21-year-old White male identified as the shooter, drove nearly 10 hours from his hometown of Allen, Texas, about 30 miles north of Dallas, to carry out an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against the Hispanic community. Mr. Crusius surrendered to police shortly after his reign of terror, leaving many baffled as to why he didn’t take his own life like many mass shooting suspects.

A manifesto apparently posted on social media by Mr. Crusius outlined his intentions and his racist and anti-immigration views, said authorities. Perhaps he surrendered that he wanted to be heard.

Just 12 hours later, another gunman opened fire in a crowded bar in Dayton, Ohio, early Sunday morning, on Aug. 4. Connor Betts, 24, killed nine people, including his own 22-yearold sister, in less than a minute, authorities reported. Thirty-one other people were reported injured. The suspect was eventually shot and killed by police. Authorities are saying the two shootings are not linked.

During an Aug. 5 press conference, President Trump said the nation must condemn racism, bigotry, and White supremacy.

“These sinister ideologies must be defeated,” he added. “Hate has no place in America. Hatred warps the mind, ravages the heart and devours the soul.”

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said the shootings were clearly, at least in part, a result of Mr. Trump’s divisive, racist rhetoric and condemned the president’s proposed legislative fix for strong background checks for gun users and tougher immigration laws. Many questioned why Mr. Trump connected the two issues, especially since the shooting suspects are U.S. citizens.

Many social media users’ disdain for the U.S. government, including the president for hesitancy and refusal to call these mass shootings what they really are hate crimes and domestic terror.

Student Minister Abel Muhammad, Latino representative of the Nation of Islam, said, “President Trump’s rhetoric has emboldened and lit fire to many extremist groups. There is a hesitancy and a slowness in labeling this in what seems to be apparent to every one of us. So many of our Black and Brown brothers and sisters are being killed for far less. Yet, somehow these extremists who take the life of our people somehow always makes it safely to be arrested without incidence.

But our people unarmed can’t seem to make it out of a traffic stop.”

“It’s absolutely a sign of the times as the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has been warning the American people for years now, that the injustices within the country create an imbalance and if not addressed the results of ignoring and not trying to create a remedy would be acted

out in acts of violence. We see that coming into existence more and more as the times are getting darker,” Student Minister Muhammad said.

“After a tragedy like this, there is a time to be sad and there’s a time to mourn.

But this situation that we are living right now in our community, this has been building for a long time,” said Ms. Reyes-Lopez, who shops at that same El Paso Walmart with her family.

“These clouds have been circling. This thunder has been building and this lightening have struck. And we’re very angry about it.

Many of the people I’ve spoken to in the last 24 hours have told me, friends, activists, people that have had their feet on the ground for a long time, said, we are talking about voting, we’re talking about legislation, and gun control.”

Dr. Abdul Haleem Muhammad, southwest regional student minister of the Nation of Islam in Houston said, God loved us so much, he set up a military structure and security apparatus for his servants, the Most Hon. Elijah Muhammad and Min. Farrakhan, and the Nation of Islam in anticipation of the current dark days. “If we love our people as much as Allah (God) loves us, we will be found teaching and training our people to make our neighborhoods and institutions safe places to live, work, play, learn, and pray. Offering thoughts and prayers or finger pointing is not sufficient today,” Dr. Haleem Muhammad stressed.

“Love is a verb. We must show and prove the unequaled wisdom Allah has taught us through his Christ and Messiah.”

Student Minister Abel Muhammad agreed that this is not the time for finger pointing. “This is what has angered me, the response has been politicized, where Democrats are pointing at Republicans now trying to win the Latino votes by saying, ‘oh look what they’ve done, they’ve allowed this to happen because of their gun laws’ when for eight years the Democrats had charge of the Congress and the presidential office and they were not able to fix anything in terms of immigration or in terms of those things which ill-affect our people.”

Dee Woo, operations manager of KTEP FM, El Paso, a public radio station, commended the residents of El Paso for being a strong community that bands together in times of need. She believes parents are the root of the hatred that leads to mass shootings. “Parents need to stop teaching racism and hatred at home.

And, they need to address it with their children as early as two and three years old, because as we’ve seen, children will play with other children because they want to play with other children and for no other reason but to have fun. And it doesn’t matter who it is or the color of their skin. So, stop teaching the children racism and prejudice and instead start teaching them universal love, which is respect for one another and being able to help one another,” she told The Final Call.

Jay Hernandez, a resident of El Paso, noted, “Some in the Latino community in El Paso may have been injured but didn’t seek treatment because of their lack of citizenship and I think that’s hurtful and disgraceful. This is America, yet we don’t have the freedom to shop for school supplies for our children.”

There has been an average of one mass shooting every 12 days in 2019, with the total so far being 18.

All told, as many as 102 people have been killed this year in mass shootings, with many of them being committed by White men; all of whom adhere to and embrace the ideology of White nationalism.

Compounding the issue is the reluctance to paint these men as what they are: domestic terrorists.

The emergence of Donald Trump on the political scene in America has

MEMORIAL—An American flag dons a memorial for the shooting victims in El Paso, Texas. (Photo: MGN Online) brought feelings of White pride mixed with concern about Whites acting out in public spaces every day.

Videos capture White men and women berating, harassing, insulting and even calling the police on Blacks and other non-White people. Social media is flooded with clips showing the differences in the way law enforcement treats White perpetrators of crime, versus treatment of non-White people who don’t have to be committing a crime to be forcibly attacked—or even killed at the hands of police officers.

All of this could, and

should, be very easily categorized as acts of terrorism.

But in a society where the thought appears to be only Muslims can be terrorists, White domestic terrorism gets softened to “mental illness.”

“No one is safe. And the days of thinking something like this can never happen to me are pretty much over,” political commentator and activist Mark Thompson, told The Final Call. “[White people’s] fear of genetic annihilation, as Dr. Frances Cress Welsing described it, is enabled

by Donald Trump. He can dismiss these mass shoot-

ings as mental illness. But White supremacy is a mental illness. To believe that you are a superior race that is supposed to be separate and distinct above every other race, is a form of mental illness.”

“In America, the dangerous are seen as endangered,” Ibram X. Kendi, director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University, wrote in an op-ed for The Atlantic. “Leaders treat White-nationalist terror, not as a broad social ill, but as a fringe problem that will become extinct on its own. To portray White ter-

rorism as an outlier is to ignore America’s entire racial history, not to mention its present.”

Technology and media are part of the phenomenon with White terrorists able to amplify their views through mainstream and social media. And on these platforms, the idea that only Black and Brown people are dangerous can spread like wildfire.

“White folks are upholding a slavery amendment— the 2nd Amendment—that was meant to use violence to keep Black and Brown folks in check. But the 2nd Amendment is now being used in the killing of White folks themselves,” Mr. Thompson explained, adding, “Firearms are an instrument of White supremacy and the enforcement of racist oppression.”

In May, testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee, officials from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department, that there are more than 850 open cases of domestic terrorism in the United States; 40 percent of them have involved racially motivated violence. However, there is no law on the books in America against domestic terrorism..

Thus, charges can be left to the whims of prosecutors dealing with those who commit acts of extreme violence.

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‘What they see is what they’ll be’

ZHARIA WHITE, a student-graduate of the program, with Al Valentine, 100 Black Men of Western Pa. president, during the July 27 graduation. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

STUDENT-GRADUATES ALEX JAMES, SEBASTIAN JAMES

‘100 Black Men’ Infolink Summer Computer Camp Graduation The nonprofit organization 100 Black men of Western Pennsylvania recently completed its Infolink 100 Summer Computer Camp, of which the 2019 graduating class now has a leg up on the competition when it comes to information technology.

For multiple weeks this summer, the students were introduced to, among other things, creating websites,

graphic design and Microsoft Excel, and used some of their newfound computer knowledge in real-world situations.

The 100 Black Men of Western Pennsylvania organization knows the future is computers. It seems like everything is a computer these days, and yes, that includes your phone.

These students were

equipped with plenty of computer-based information that will help them in their careers.

The specific focus of the 100 Black Men of Western Pennsylvania is mentoring, and the organization touts it has successfully mentored over 850 students in the Greater Pittsburgh area for more than nearly 30 years.

DARRYL BAILEY-SMITH, a student-graduate, with Al Valentine.

MANY OF THE STUDENT-GRADUATES are pictured above, along with two members of the 100 Black Men of Western Pa. organization.

There were 12 graduates in all.

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AUGUST 21-27, 2019 A5

Many African Americans still displaced after De Ruad Street Apartments fire FIRE FROM A1

see along Fifth Avenue in Uptown after passing the Birmingham Bridge, heading towards Downtown.

“I heard the neighbor in apartment two screaming, ‘everybody get out, everybody get out!’ I said, what’s wrong? She said, ‘it’s a fire,’ so we started knocking on the tenants’ doors getting everybody out,” said De Ruad Street Apartments resident Mischelle McMillan to KDKA-TV (Channel 2). “By the time we got everybody out, what you see right there, that’s what was coming out of the building.”

Thick black smoke could be seen for miles coming from the roof area of the apartment building. Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Darryl Jones called it a very “stubborn” fire in a “very large and old building.”

The fire actually rekindled the following day, Sunday, Aug. 18, and firefighters were again called to the scene.

The building is now condemned, with yellow police tape blocking the entrances.

While most of the residents

who live at the apartment building were able to find temporary housing with family and friends, other residents were given temporary housing at other locations within and outside city limits, and roughly 25 residents took shelter at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, thanks to the American Red Cross.

Lara Washington, CEO of the Allegheny Housing Rehabilitation Company (AHRCO), which operates the De Ruad Apartments, said in an Aug. 19 statement that they “remain first and foremost concerned about the well-being of all our residents. We are working closely with local authorities, HUD, social service agencies and retail stores to help residents who lost everything in the fire.”

Washington said AHRCO will assist each resident “with a permanent housing FIREFIGHTERS ON THE SCENE of a fire that has displaced 74 residents of the De Ruad Street Apartments in Uptown. The fire occurred Aug. 17. (Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Public Safety) solution.”

Washington said that any loss of life,” state Rep. Jake of more than our prayers. I arms around these families organizations wishing to 412-894-8988.

“Thanks to the Creator Wheatley, D-Hill District, have spoken to a representa- and make sure they are supassist residents with new clothing items, new or gen- and speedy, profession- said in a statement posted to tive for the families and they ported through this tragedy tly used household goods, al response from our first his Facebook page, Aug. 18. are still trying to get situat- with as much comfort and or gift cards should call responders there was no “However, they are in need ed but we have to wrap our ease as we can provide.”

Mark A. Thomas, new president of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance THOMAS FROM A1

is someone with that skill set. He’s a big city guy, but he understands neighborhoods.”

Thomas also understands the need for cooperation and said the relationship between Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto—their solid relationships with Gov. Tom Wolf—is a distinct asset.

That was not the case during his previous stint

in New York City—at least, not at first.

“I was tasked with fixing the toxic relationship between (Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio) to work together on the Amazon HQ2 bid. And I actually thought we had it. But once the press put out everything they would be giving Amazon, there was no saving it,” he said.

“But I had been doing all the site visits and that got

me to thinking about a region. So when this came up on my radar, I wanted it. I wanted a passion project where I could make a difference—and what I saw when I got here was passion; from people like Stefani, Chris Howard, Christina Cassotis, Bill Strickland, David Morehouse. It’s been a warm welcome and I’m going to be a champion for the region.”

Thomas is an Atlanta native, and earned his

bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Georgia. He earned his MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and MPA (Master of Public Administration) from Columbia University’s School of International Affairs.

Thomas is currently touring all 12 counties that make up the Southwestern Pennsylvania region and said it has all the amenities to be attractive and acces-

sible to African American entrepreneurs.

“The message has to be that you can build an international company right here. The airport has British Airways,” he said. “I’ve spoken with development people from Vienna to Singapore, and I don’t know if American cities understand the level of competition for companies and talent.”

Thomas said the Amazon HQ2 competition elevat-

ed the Pittsburgh region’s status, but the region still has to be a bigger player in the big tech and development conferences. He said he also needs to learn who is providing the pathways to jobs.

“People (who’ve been excluded from past opportunities) have to believe development is for them,” he said. “That has to be baked into the cake so they can be part of the transformational conversations.”

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AUGUST 21-27, 2019

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CELEBRATING HOMESTEAD COMMUNITY DAY 2019

LONGTIME HOMESTEAD COUNCILWOMAN WANDA BURWELL

RAY RAY’S BBQ IN THE HOUSE…! At the Homestead Community Day 2019, held Aug. 17. (Photos by Rob Taylor Jr.)

CSL PLASMA—Diane Day, Ryan Olsavsky

MARY CAREY, left, Linda Parks, and a youth member of Fellowship 4:12 in Munhall.

HOMESTEAD MAYOR BETTY ESPER, GAYLE HOLYFIELD

THE MARY NESBY FAMILY—Rhonda Nesby, front left; Adrienne Smith, front right; Veronica Watts, top left; Homestead Councilwoman Mary Nesby, top right.

To Pittsburgh’s African American community, the Courier is FAMILY. Support the Courier with a subscription today!

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Tyian Battle’s ACH Clear Pathways purchases the Kaufmann Center Permanent location for youth arts programs in the Hill District BATTLE FROM A1

away by the way our kids engage in arts,” Battle said.

“This year is an amazing year for me because Amon would have graduated from high school this year. The stars are really aligning in heaven for this.”

By 2010, Battle had registered ACH Clear Pathways as a nonprofit charity. Almost immediately, it earned the backing of the United Way, and thanks to Battle’s tenacity and faith, it has enjoyed a meteoric rise to success. In addition to traditional studio and visual arts programming, ACH Clear Pathways now offers theatre and acting, music and vocals, dance, poetry and spoken word, and, of course, martial arts after school each day.

There are 47 students enrolled for the coming year.

It also operates a six- to eight-week summer Creative Camp where students receive breakfast, lunch and a snack, attend field trips and complete community service projects and the visual arts projects they complete are displayed throughout the Hill District community.

But again, the lack of its own space was a problem.

Battle operated from the Blakey Center until the Hill House ended its youth programming in 2012. She then moved to the Ammon Recreation Center until 2017, then to Weil School, and finally to the former Hill House Charter Acade-

my space in the Kaufmann Building in July.

State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District, was one of Battle’s earliest financial supporters and now serves on her board of directors.

He also serves on the board of the Hill House Association, which has been liquidating assets pursuant to its bankruptcy filing earlier this year, and said the deal was a case of perfect timing.

“They had actually done a huge capital campaign and had raised a lot of money so they could build their own facility. They’d even purchased some property in the Hill,” he said.

But then Battle said the Hill House approached her about purchasing the Kaufmann Center building, which she knew from having leased the space on the ground floor had all the amenities needed—a classroom, studio, and thanks to a $1 million grant from the late Elsie Hillman, beautifully upgraded performance space. The auditorium inside the Kaufmann Center is named the Elsie Hillman Auditorium.

“I think it’s always important to help children grow creatively, artistically, because it helps them academically and socially, and our kids need that creative side nurtured,” said Rep. Wheatley. “That and Tyian’s passion and her personal story made me want to be a part of this. So, I’m all in and I’m very proud of how she’s stuck with it—

Real Times Media extends content licensing partnership with ProQuest Real Times Media (RTM) has announced that it has extended its agreement with ProQuest, a global leader in educational technology, to grant exclusive worldwide rights for the education and library markets and non-exclusive worldwide rights for all other markets to reproduce, transmit and distribute the newspaper archives of the Chicago Defender, New Pittsburgh Courier and Atlanta Daily World. With the extension, RTM and ProQuest are expanding the partnership to include the media company’s Michigan Chronicle archives through 2029. RTM receives royalties from licensed content.

The expanded partnership advances Real Times Media’s strategic vision to digitally connect its content with audiences in contextually relevant ways and build a business model that propels the company into the next generation of media solutions—a mission that includes expansion of content sales.

ProQuest, which offers

the world’s largest collection of journals, ebooks, primary sources, dissertations, news, and videos to academic, K-12, public, corporate and government libraries in 150 countries, curates six centuries of content and is highly regarded by its customers for its array of content and technology solutions.

“ProQuest is an innovative and ambitious leader in educational technology, making them the perfect partner to help Real Times Media advance our mission to evolve who we are as a content provider,” said Hiram E. Jackson, chief executive officer, Real Times Media.

“Content from Real Times Media is extremely valuable to research, teaching and learning across disciplines,” said Susan Bokern, ProQuest vice president, product management. “We share Real Times Media’s mission to enhance the impact of this rich portfolio of historical content by making it easily accessible to those who need it.”

people closed doors on her in the beginning. But she’s an example of what you can do when you have clarity of purpose and heart.”

Battle gives the credit to God for ACH Clear Pathways’ success (the “ACH” in ACH Clear Pathways are her son’s initials). As for the speed with which it has come about, she says that’s all relative.

“It doesn’t seem quick to me because I’m doing the work,” she said. “I have a strong faith and I don’t really even look at that.”

Now, assuming everything passes due diligence, she’s looking forward to filling that auditorium—not just with kids, but with performing artists and community members.

“We want it to remain a

TYIAN BATTLE, holding up one of the paintings being auctioned off during ACH Clear Pathways’ Creative Spark Flame Award Dinner, Aug. 16. (Photo by Courier photographer J.L. Martello) hub for artists and the community. We’re looking at programming for seniors, and we want to partner with advancing Black artists,” Battle said. “And we’ll have an

event coordinator to schedule concerts, poetry slams, plays—we want it packed with events. The revenue is part of our strategic plan.”

This year’s students will

celebrate their artistic accomplishments with two showcases; the holiday showcase, Dec. 20, and the spring showcase, May 19, 2020.

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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AUGUST 21-27, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report 50 years and counting After celebrating a recent birthday it’s hard to believe that a lot of my significant life experiences took place 50 years ago or more. This just hit me when I heard an announcement about the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. I remember the time when my classmates at Taylor Allderdice High School were trying to play a certain Beatles record backwards to get a message about tickets to Woodstock. Those were some crazy days. My school attire included wearing bell bottom jeans that were frayed at the hem, a vintage China Mink coat and a braided piece of suede around my head. Parts of the year I was a true hippie, the rest of the time I was model chic.

When I got an email earlier this year asking me if I was interested in a 50-year class reunion it all began to sink in.

I’ve been out of high school for almost 50 years. I attended my 10, 20 and 30-year reunions but I’m not so sure I want to attend the 50th.

Most of the people that I want to see or connect with I have done so on Facebook or in person. There is so much I remember about that time. Richard Nixon was president; the cost of gas was 35 cents a gallon and I could fill up my Volkswagen Beetle for $5. I bought that VW at Ted McWilliams on William Penn Highway.

Some interesting stats for 1969: the average cost of a house, $15,550; average income per year, $8,550; average monthly rent, $135; average cost of a new car, $3,270. And then there was Charles Manson— he murdered five people and called it Helter Skelter. I remember reading the book about the murders from cover to cover. It was fascinating. Now there are tours that ride by the house where the murders took place.

My favorite groups around that time were the Temptations, Sly and the Family Stone, the Isley Brothers, and I was a huge James Brown fan. I still have my James Brown 45’s.

In 1969 we also enjoyed music from groups including the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and the Beatles and the most famous music festival of modern times, “WOODSTOCK” took place on a New York Farm on August 15-17 with more than 400,000 avid music fans attending to see The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Crosby Stills Nash and Young and others perform live.

Fashions reflected the anti-war sentiment with military jackets adorned with peace signs, and other trends including long unkempt wild hair and headbands showed the feelings of anti-establishment felt by the youth. In the early seventies I used to work at Susan Ives Ups and Downs and they played the soundtrack from Woodstock everyday.

That music is still in my head, 50 years sure went fast.

“I’m going up the country, don’t you want to go...”

NORTH HILLS EBONY WOMEN (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

North Hills Ebony Women’s Annual Scholarship Reception

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

North Hills Ebony Women Inc. (NHEW), was founded in 1979 and has provided 40 years of programming and sisterhood. The organization is a support, service and social organization for women of similar interests and backgrounds

GOSPEL SONGTRESS—Damarra Chanel who are devoted to the continuous recognition of African American heritage, education and unity.

On June 30, at La Roche University, NHEW held their annual scholarship reception. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon guests enjoyed light refreshments, gospel songstress Damarra Chanel and keynote

speaker Marsha Jones, executive vice president, chief diversity officer, PNC Bank. Jones reminded the scholarship recipients to always look your best, always be prepared, be your best person, avoid gossip, show respect and always tell the truth.

The 2019 scholars included: Taryn Douglas, recipient of the Norma Jean Ware Duncan Memorial Scholarship, the scholarship was named after founding member Norma Jean Ware Duncan. Douglas has been accepted into the 138th class of Spelman College. Also, Kennedi Wade and Jada Woods received NHEW Scholarships. Each recipient received $1,500. Wade will attend Columbia University with a major in mechanical engineering and Woods will attend Penn State University with a major in chemical engineering. Elizabeth Birru served as the NHEW Scholarship Committee Chairwoman while Evelyn Lawler is NHEW president. Beautiful bouquets of flowers were presented to Jones and Sister Candace Introcaso, president of La Roche University, as a thank you for their contributions to a successful reception.

NHEW asks you to watch for an-

NHEW SCHOLARS—Taryn Douglas, Kennedi Wade, Jada Woods

SAYING THANK YOU—Marsha Jones with Pamela Bullie nouncements about their Annual Membership Tea in September and their Holiday Tea Fundraiser in December. Ladies, this tea will be a great opportunity to wear your beautiful hats.

EVENT CHAIR & PRESIDENT—Elizabeth Birru and Evelyn Lawler

NORTH HILLS EBONY WOMEN

SAYING THANK YOU—Candace Okello, NHEW VP, and Sister Candace Introcaso

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Rep. Ed Gainey’s Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway

DARNICE ELLIS, with Ivryonna Ellis, 5, at state Rep. Ed Gainey’s fifth back-to-school backpack giveaway, Aug. 17, at Destiny International Ministries in Lincoln-Lemington. (Photos by Rob Taylor Jr.)

JORDAN HARRIS, with Jacqueline Harris, 8.

MALACHI PUGH, BIANCA ALTON, STATE REP. ED GAINEY

ON THE GRILL…!

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RELIGION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

THE SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

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

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

www.cathedralofhope.com

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

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

Curious about Quakerism?

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

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

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

PRESIDING PRELATE BISHOP MARVIN FRANK THOMAS SR.

A QUESTION IS ASKED BY A DELEGATE...

Ohio/Central Indiana Region Annual Conference Hosted by New Destiny CME Church Pittsburgh, Pa.—July 31-Aug. 2, 2019 Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello

DEBORAH EDMONDS, JAMES MELTON

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

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

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

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

MEMBERS OF NEW DESTINY CME CHURCH, hosts of The Second Episcopal District 2019 Ohio/Central Indiana Region Annual Conference, which includes the Pittsburgh region. The conference was held at Trinity AME Zion on the West End.

SUSAN MARBURY, 94 years young.

SHAUNTINIQUE ISOM, KAYSHA GILLARD, SHAY THOMPSON, JAKI ROAL, with Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas Sr., center.

Church Circuit SEED & HARVEST COMMUNITY DAY

AUG. 24—Seed & Harvest Ministries Inc., in North Versailles, is holding its second Community Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the church, 3500 Fieldcrest Dr. There will be games, fun, face-painting, a dunk tank, a bounce house, blood pressure screenings, a fire engine, free food and hot dogs while they last, and free baskets will be raffled. It’s a day to bring the community together as one. For more information, call 412-664-4400.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

AUG. 31—Under the big tent across from the Carnegie Library In Oakland will be the annual International Day of Prayer For Our Youth, from noon to 3 p.m. The goal is to pray at the same time for the same purpose: our youth. Shirley Jones Douglas will be the host. Opening prayer by Bishop Dr. Gerald Loyd. Other speakers include Pastor Tony Armstead, Rev. Regina Ragin Dykes, Russell Bynum, Tim Stevens, Frederick Douglas Sr., and Devantae Butler. Bring the whole family. For more information, call 412-969-7299.

ANTIOCH BAPTIST FALL REVIVAL

SEPTEMBER 4, 11, 18, 25—Antioch Baptist Church, 332 Elizabeth St., Sewickley, will hold its annual Fall Revival every Wednesday in September at 7 p.m. Guest speakers: Rev. Michael Peterson (Sept.

4), Mount Olive Baptist Church; Rev. Bryan Crawl (Sept. 11), Second Baptist Church, Rochester; Rev. Lisa Richbourg (Sept. 18), Pilgrim Baptist Church; Rev. Jonathan Wilson (Sept. 25), New Bethel Baptist Church. The theme is “Revived to Lift Him Up.” All are welcome to attend. For more information, call 412-741-7688 for details. Rev. Travis C. Coon, pastor.

SIXTH MOUNT ZION MISSIONARY DAY

SEPTEMBER 15—Sixth Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 6556 Shetland St., will hold its Missionary Day at the church. The theme is “Replanting the Seed.” The guest speaker will be Rev. David White of Shiloh Community Missionary Baptist Church. For more information, call 412-441-7839.

To place your event in our Church Circuit weekly calendar, Send info to: New Pittsburgh Courier, 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh PA 15219 or Email us! religion@newpittsburghcourier.com

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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AUGUST 21-27, 2019

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HONOREES WITH BILL NEAL—Pete Harris, Darelle Porter, Matt Furjanic, Bill Neal, Jimmy Cox. (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

Achieving Greatness honors basketball greats

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

joining the Federal Police in Washington, D.C. Also inducted was Larry Harris, an All-American in both football and basketball at Clearview High School. Harris was the

leading scorer at Pitt and in 1978 he was selected by the Buffalo Braves in the fourth round (pick No. 7) and later signed with the San Diego Clippers.

Neal, who is also a New

In the mid-1970s the place to be in the summer was the basketball games sponsored by the Connie Hawkins Pro/Am Summer Basketball League.

The league was founded

by Bill Neal Jr., CEO of Champion Enterprises and Achieving Greatness Incorporated.

On June 21, at Sugar and Smoke in Bloomfield, Neal inducted three of Western Pennsylvania’s greatest basketball players into the Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League Hall of Fame.

The inductees included: Bill Varner, who played for Valley High School, leading the Vikings to a 1979 PIAA Championship, and after playing basketball at Notre Dame he played in the Continental Basketball Association before enjoying a long professional career overseas as part of the European Pro League (Belgium). Donald Pete Harris played for Braddock High School before heading to Northeastern University, and when he graduated in 1982 he was the school’s all-time leading scorer and one of five New England players to reach 2,000 points playing in 109 games.

Harris was drafted by the Phoenix Suns and ACCEPTING CORPORATE AWARD—Evelyn Newsome, Port Auenjoyed a career in the thority CBA Pro League before

Pittsburgh Courier sports columnist, also honored outstanding members of the Pittsburgh and Allegheny County community for their commitment and sacrifice for all they do to make the world a better place. The 2019 Willie Stargell MVP Awardees included: Mary Ann Miller, James R. Cimino Jr., Frank Duck, Derrick Hemby, Clarence Battle, Randall Taylor, David G. Brueggemann, and the corporate award was presented to the Port Authority. Neal thanked premier sponsor, Pittsburgh Pirate Charities, and said champions are made when no one is looking.

HEMBY RECEIVES MVP AWARD—Charlene Hill Coleman presents to Derrick Hemby

2019 WILLIE STARGELL MVP AWARDEE—Randall Taylor

ENTERTAINING PRESENTATION—Chanel Smith

2019 WILLIE STARGELL MVP AWARDEES—David G. Brueggemann, Frank Duck, Mary Ann Miller, LAURA VARNER NORMAN—Accepts for her late father, Bill Varner Clarence Battle

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Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B4-B5, B7

B

It’s never too early or too late to start retirement planning RENEE TIRADO

Gucci names diversity chief after Blackface flap Renee Tirado has been appointed director of Gucci’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion division.

In her new capacity, Tirado will be tasked with developing and implementing a global strategy to make Gucci’s workplace more inclusive through by its hiring process and developing its diversity, equity and inclusion team.

“I am in the business of making human connections that start with the foundations of inclusivity, respect, and diversity to ensure Gucci remains culturally relevant and economically competitive,” Tirado, who is an attorney, said in a statement. “I am honored to join a company that puts these non-negotiable values at the forefront of their business model, not as a ‘nice to have’ but as a key component of its business strategy.”

Tirado, a graduate of the University of Rochester where she joined the Pi Beta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, will also lead Gucci’s Cultural Awareness Learning Program, Global Multicultural Design Fellowship Program, the Internal Global Exchange Program, and other programming.

Over the last year, multiple fashion brands have faced backlash for what many in the public considered culturally insensitive or racist products. Gucci, in particular received backlash for what has been referred to as its “blackface” balaclava sweaters which were pulled from shelves in February.

Chanel, Prada and Burberry have all introduced diversity initiatives as well.

(This post originally appeared in The Washington Informer.)

Debra Lee named to AT&T Board of Directors Former BET Networks Chair and CEO Debra Lee has been named to the AT&T board of directors.

Lee, who worked for more than 30 years at BET Networks, was previously named to both Billboard’s Power 100 list and The Hollywood Reporter’s Most Powerful Women in Entertainment.

She was appointed in 2011 to the White House Management Advisory Board by President Barack Obama and currently serves on the boards of Marriott and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

“Debra’s outstanding leadership, deep expertise and strong track record in the entertainment and media industry will be terrific additions to our board of directors,” said AT&T Chair and CEO Randall Stephenson. “Her unique perspective as a media industry leader and operations executive, and her lifetime commitment to community service give her valuable

insights I look forward to having on our board.”

Lee worked at BET, beginning as its first in-house counsel in 1986 and eventually ascending to chair and CEO, a role she held from 2006 to her retirement last year.

Under her leadership, the net-

DEBRA LEE work launched such hit series as “Being Mary Jane,” “Black Girls Rock!” and “The New Edition Story,” and as well as the BET Awards and BET Honors ceremonies.

(This post originally appeared in The Washington Informer.)

by Gina Gallovich For New Pittsburgh Courier

There are many important life events—graduation, marriage, children, home buying, and, of course, retirement. You want to plan for a comfortable retirement, but you don’t want to live like a pauper while doing so. According to Kenneth Kelly, Chairman and CEO of First Independence Bank, “Start early to create the habit of saving. Look at your everyday expenses and see where you can get the same service or product for less and put that savings into your retirement plan.”

It’s a balancing act, one that can be helped by using tools and resources easily available to you. You don’t need to be a financial whiz or have an advanced degree. Common sense

will guide you along the way as you make plans for retirement.

One resource you have but don’t immediately consider is your family or friends. Your parents and grandparents have saved for their own retirement. Sit down with them and discuss the plans they made for themselves, ask them how it’s working out, and what, if they had the opportunity, would they do differently.

Learn from them as they’re learning from their own successes and missteps. Did they set aside a specific percentage of their income each year or did they increase it over time; did they set up a 401K or put money into an IRA; and/or did they contribute to a company pension plan?

Now is the time to get started on your own plans if you hav-

en’t. First, you need to take into consideration what “benefits” await you, from Social Security; private, government, corporate or union pensions; 401Ks, or other investments.

Do a risk assessment for each “benefit.” For instance, Social Security is not the be all and end all of plans. It is there as a minimum safety net, the key is to diversify your retirement assets to limit your risks.

First Independence Bank has tools, resources and calculators that can help you in your planning. Go to https:// www.firstindependence.com/, click on the Resources tab and go to the financial calculators.

You can also log onto the Social Security Administration site: https://www.ssa.gov/ OACT/quickcalc/index.html to SEE PLANNING B2

Time for CFPB to do the right thing: Enact payday loan rules

by Charlene Crowell For New Pittsburgh Courier

For most people, life feels better when there is something to look forward to.

Whether looking forward to graduation, the arrival of a new baby, or retirement that affords a few years to just enjoy life – these kinds of things make going through challenging times somehow more manageable.

For payday loan borrowers and consumer and civil rights activists, this August 19 was supposed to be the end of payday lending’s nearly inevitable debt trap.

No longer would consumers incur seemingly endless strings of loans that lenders knew they could not afford. Nor would lenders have unlimited and automatic direct access to borrower checking accounts; only two debits could be drawn on an account with insufficient funds. The days of unrestrained businesses recklessly selling payday and car-title loans as shortterm financial fixes that

grew to become long-term debt was set for a shutdown.

Let’s say these borrowers were looking forward to financial freedom from the endless cycle of loan renewals and costly fees generated by triple-digit interest rates. In practical terms, the typical, two-week $350 payday loan winds up costing $458 in fees.

But just as seasons and circumstances can and do change, under a different administration, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has functioned more recently to help predatory lenders than to fulfill its statutory mission of consumer protection.

Last summer, then-CFPB head Mick Mulvaney, joined the payday loan industry to challenge and win a delay in the implementation of the long-awaited payday rule. Mulvaney also withdrew a lawsuit filed by the CFPB against a payday lender ahead of his arrival.

Months later in in a West Texas federal court, U.S.

District Judge Lee Yeakel granted a ‘stay’, the legal term for a court-ordered delay, to allow the current CFPB Director the chance to rewrite the rule adopted under the Bureau’s first Director. Even earlier and under Acting CFPB Director Mick Mulvaney, a lawsuit filed by CFPB against a payday lender was withdrawn.

In response to these and other

anti-consumer developments, consumer advocates chose to observe the August 19 date in a different way: reminding CFPB what it was supposed to do on behalf of consumers. “[S]ince its 2017 leadership change, the CFPB has repeatedly failed to support the August 19, 2019 compliance date the agency established for these important

provisions,” wrote Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund, National Consumer Law Center, Public Citizen, and the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL).

The August 12 joint letter to Director Kraninger called for “timely implementation” of the rule’s payment protections.

While the CFPB continues to push for a stay of the rule’s ability-to-repay requirements, it has failed to offer any basis for its anti-consumer effort.

It took years of multiple public hearings, research, public comments, and a careful rulemaking process before Director Cordray, delivered a rule that would provide financial relief from one of the nation’s most heinous predatory loans.

Similar sentiments were expressed to the CFPB by 25 state attorneys general (AGs) whose jurisdictions included California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In written comments on CFPB’s plan to rewrite the payday rule, these state officials also expressed serious issues with the Bureau’s anti-consumer shift.

“T] he Bureau’s proposed repeal of the 2017 rule would eliminate an important federal floor that would protect consumers across the country, including from interstate lending activity that is challenging for any individual State to police,” wrote the AGs. “Extending credit without reaSEE CFPB B2

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BUSINESS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

BUSINESS CALENDAR Chatham Training Program

AUG. 21 through SEPT. 25—The Chatham Women’s Business Center will offer “Concept to Launch” a six-week entrepreneurial training program for women in the early stages of starting a business, on six consecutive Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., at Chatham Eastside, 6585 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh 15206. Classes focus on: Developing a business concept; identifying target customers and markets; marketing strategies, basic financials and more. Cost for all classes is $95, but a limited number of need-base scholarships are available through a partnership with Bridgeway Capital. For more information, contact Anne Flynn Schlicht at 412-365-1448.

Duquesne Small Biz Workshop

AUG. 28—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host First Step: Business Essentials, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh 15282. This interactive workshop is designed to help new entrepreneurs and business startups to understand the first step of starting a new business. Topics covered include Business Structure and Formation, Fictitious Name Registration, Insurance, Environmental Concerns, Financing Options, Taxation Requirements, Major Components of the Business Plan, and Financial Statements & Projections. Cost: $25. For more information, call 412-396-5884.

Cybersecurity Workshop

SEPT. 12—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will present Cyberscurity: Must-Haves for Small Businesses, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh 15282. According to Forbes,43 percent of all breaches occurred at small businesses and ransomware attacks are on the rise. However, many business owners are not sure of the steps they need to take. This workshop can get you started. Albert Whale, president -chief security officer, IT Security, Inc. will cover topics such as Data access authorization, Data back-up, Data storage, Identifying potential attacks, and Employee training. Cost: $35. For more information, call 412-396-5884.

Business Startup Workshop

SEPT. 19—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host First Step: Business Essentials, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh 15282. This interactive workshop is designed to help new entrepreneurs and business startups to understand the first step of starting a new business. Topics covered include Business Structure and Formation, Fictitious Name Registration, Insurance, Environmental Concerns, Financing Options, Taxation Requirements, Major Components of the Business Plan, and Financial Statements & Projections. Cost: $25. For more information, call 412-396-5884.

Chamber PowerBreakfast

SEPT. 20—The African American Chamber of Commerce returns from a two-month summer break with a presentation by California University of Pennsylvania President Geraldine Jones, 7:30 a.m. at the Rivers Club, Oxford Center, 301 Grant St., Pittsburgh 15219. Jones will give an overview of the university and of potential business opportunities for chamber members. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Call 412392-0610 for more information.

Ready for web training?

SEPT. 26—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host Building a Small Business Website: From A to Z, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh 15282. Building a website has now become an essential step for businesses to increase their sales. Chris Vendilli from ProFromGo will cover: Cost-effective tools to make a website stand out; Major factors in estimating costs and the timeline to building a website; Differences between agency, freelancer and online website builders; Factors that can improve the process while keeping costs down, and Recommended tools and resources. Cost $35. Call 412-396-5884 for more information.

Business Growth Seminar

OCT. 10—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center will host Proven Strategies for Business Growth, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 108 Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh 15282.

Local businesses that have grown using these marketing and finance tools to enter new markets and expand in current ones.

Learn how to finance your growth and increase sales through exporting, government procurement, and digital marketing including social media. Speakers include: Andreas Beck, Beyond Spots & Dots; Jim Boltz, North Allegheny Chamber of Commerce; Ryan Lockhart, The 504 Company; Rich Longo, Duquesne University SBDC; Ed Nemeth, Southwestern PA Commission; David Pinkosky, Pittsburgh District Office, US SBA; Johnna Pro, Department of Community & Economic Development; Brent Rondon, Duquesne University SBDC; Heather Thomas, Huntington Bank, and Art Tintori, Catalyst Connection. The workshop is free. Call 412-396-5884 for more information.

Media firm led by Armstrong Williams among nation’s largest Black-owned businesses WASHINGTON—This week Howard Stirk Holdings (HSH) debuted on the Black Enterprise 100 list. HSH, wholly owned and operated by media mogul Armstrong Williams, occupies a unique niche in the television broadcasting industry— an industry where fewer than 2 percent of owners are minorities. HSH dominates its sector under Williams’ leadership by featuring in-depth discussions with national and global power brokers, celebrating the stories of everyday Americans, and cutting through partisan noise to expose unvarnished truths about American politics.

With annual revenues of over $35 million and rising, Howard Stirk Holdings joins the prestigious list of national business success stories including World Wide Technology Inc., ActOne Group and Bridgewater Interiors, llc.

HSH’s appearance among the BE 100s represents the culmination of consistent, robust growth of a business strategy employed by Williams since 2013. In 2015, with the acquisition of two additional television stations, Williams became

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS the largest Black owner of TV stations in America, with a total of eight stations under current ownership. Williams honed his entrepreneurial acumen while work-

ing on his family-run farm in rural South Carolina.

“As an employer and business owner, Armstrong is a triple threat,” said Shirley Dave Executive Vice President of HSH. “His wild success in the business is a direct product of the vast industry knowledge, incredible work ethic and unending passion for the truth he has garnered over several decades in the media business. As a veteran journalist, he knows all aspects of the industry. No one can outwork him. He’s a true journalist whose only end game is to make sure his audience is well-informed.”

In addition to serving as vital infrastructure to the American economy, companies like HSH represented on the BE 100 place a high value on offering apprenticeships, mentoring and growth opportunities to small businesses and minority entrepreneurs.

The rankings for the BE 100s have served as the most reliable and publicly available measures of success for blackowned businesses for over four decades.

Equifax may owe you a $125 payment but, let’s get real, you’ll get much, much less

by Manny Otiko California Black Media

On June 22, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the outcome of a settlement with Equifax, one of the three major credit monitoring firms in the United States.

The settlement requires Equifax to pay somewhere between $500 and $700 million in restitution for a 2017 data breach that affected about 147 million people across the United States, according to Jacqueline Connor, a privacy attorney with the FTC. The amount of the settlement is the highest in U.S. history for a data breach and the number of people impacted represents almost half the United States’ population. That’s nearly every adult in the country who has credit.

In California alone, Hackers were able to access and expose the personal information of about 15 million people.

“Our credit status impacts nearly every aspect of our lives—from purchasing a home or a car to finding a job,” said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “The same Americans who had to immediately protect themselves from fraudsters or identify thieves will have to be vigilant for the rest of their lives. We encourage every eligible person to apply for the relief they are entitled to as part of our settlement.”

About $300 million of the settlement amount will go to making payments to Americans affected by the breach. Equifax will pay another $275 million in fines to close the investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and to end legal action by states who filed lawsuits against the company.

The hackers, who have not yet been identified, penetrated Equifax’s data files and were able to steal social security numbers, credit card numbers, addresses and other personal data. The breach affected all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.

To compensate victims, Equifax has set up a website (EquifaxBreachSettlement. com) where you can first check to see if you were affected by the breach. Then, you

can apply for a check payment of “up to” $125, or you can choose free credit monitoring with all three major credit bureaus for up to four years, a value of a little over $950. When that period is over, you can choose to opt in for free credit monitoring

by Equifax for another six years.

Because “millions of people” affected have filed claims for the $125 payment option since the settlement announcement, the FTC, which is responsible for consumer protection across the country, says applying for a cash payment is not the best

way to go. So, as an alternative, Equifax is primarily now offering free credit monitoring to its customers affected by the data breach. If you’re already signed up for a free credit monitoring service and intend to keep it for the next six months, then you can apply for the $125 payment.

“The pot of money that pays for that part of the settlement is $31 million,” the FTC said in a statement. “A large number of claims for cash instead of credit monitoring means only one thing: Each person who takes the money option will wind up only getting a small amount of money. Nowhere near the $125 they could have gotten if there hadn’t been such an enormous number of claims filed.”

For Equifax to have paid out the full $125 to each person affected, a number of no more than 248,000 people would have needed to apply. If all 147 million people end up filing a claim, individual payouts would shrivel down to around .22 cents per person.

The cost for Equifax’s credit monitoring service is $19.99 a month, according to the company’s website. If every victim of the breach signs up, it could cost Equifax up to $2 billion to cover the costs.

Victims of identity theft or other fraud resulting directly from the breach who have documentation to back up their claim, will receive compensation of $25 an hour (for up to 20 hours) of the time they took to resolve the problem. They will be eligible for up to another 10 hours of $25-an-hour payments for the time they took to research or purchase protection services, including freezing their credit, after the fraud happened.

Those who incurred legal expenses or spent money on credit monitoring, notaries and other approved fines as a result of the hack, are eligible for up to $20,000 per person in reimbursements.

They will also be required to show proof that their claims are valid.

The deadline to file all claims is Jan. 22, 2020.

For people who have already requested a $125 payment and would now like to opt for free credit monitoring instead, look out for an email from Equifax.

The company will allow you to change your choice.

Some consumer advocates and legislators around the country say the settlement didn’t go far enough.

“Equifax’s data breach put over 100 million Americans at risk by exposing their Social Security numbers and other personal information,” said Rep. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey, chair of the House Energy and Commerce committee, in a press release. “This settlement does not come close to making consumers whole and, once again, shows the limitations on the FTC’s ability to seek strong penalties and effective redress for consumers.”

News of data breaches of financial institutions and credit monitoring agencies is becoming an increasingly common occurrence.

Paige Thompson, a Seattle-based hacker, was arrested by the FBI last Monday after she bragged on social media about hacking Capital One and leaking 100 million consumers’ data.

Thompson, who previously worked for Amazon Web Services, bragged about her hacking exploits on Twitter under the username “Erratic.”

(Reprinted from the Los Angeles Sentinel.)

Time for CFPB to do the right thing CFPB FROM B1

sonably assessing borrowers’ ability to repay their loans resembles the poor underwriting practices that fueled the subprime mortgage crisis, which eventually led to an economic tailspin and enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act.” A 2019 CRL research report found that every year, payday and car-title loans drain nearly $8 billion in fees from consumer pockets. Although 16 states and the District of Columbia have enacted rate caps that limit interest to no more than 36 percent, 34 states still allow triple-digit interest rate payday loans that together

generate more than $4 billion in costly fees. Similarly, car-title loans drain more than $3.8 billion in fees annually from consumers in the 22 states where this type of loan is legal.

Texas leads the nation in costly payday loan fees at $1.2 billion per year. Overall, consumers stuck in more than 10 payday loans a year represent 75 percent of all fees charged.

Car-title loan fees take $356 million out of the pockets of Alabama residents, and $297 million from Mississippi consumers.

And among all borrowers of these loans, one out of every five loses their vehicle to

repossession.

This spring before a Capitol Hill hearing, Diane Standaert, a CRL EVP and Director of State Policy summarized the choices now before the nation: “Policymakers have a choice: siding with the vast majority of voters who oppose the payday loan debt trap or siding with predatory lenders charging 300% interest rates.”

As Spike Lee advised years ago, “Do the right thing.”

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

It’s never too late to start planning PLANNING FROM B1

help you in your planning. Various company and union websites also have these sorts of tools available as well to calculate your pension. You can put in variables with guesstimates on future salary, retirement age, etc.

Next, determine what type of retirement you want. By that, I mean, do you want to retire at the same standard of living you now enjoy, or can you live off of less? This will help determine how much money you need to save. “Starting in your 20s, a good rule of thumb,” said Kelly, “is to put aside roughly 18 percent of your salary. Let

market conditions take over and by your early 60s you will have generated enough money to maintain your lifestyle well into your 80s.” Also, keep in mind that financial planning is not “one size fits all”. Be sure to consult a certified financial planner to discuss your retirement plan.

Also, take into consideration the possibility of unforeseen medical expenses and plan accordingly. Do you need to take out longterm care insurance? If you suffer from a debilitating or chronic disease such as diabetes, it may be a good move on your part.

There are a whole host of other variables to consider including determining at what

age you want to retire, factoring in the market value of your investments, calculating the effect of inflation, etc. But the key is to start building your nest egg now.

Don’t be among the nearly 50 percent of American families who, according to the Economic Policy Institute in 2018, had no retirement account savings.

It is never too early to start saving for retirement. And, it is never too late. The sooner you start, the earlier you can retire and work only if it fulfills you, not out of necessity.

(First Independence Bank is a member of the FDIC and is an Equal Housing Lender.)

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Dear Mr. President, you are a racist—racism is alive and well and cultivated by our president There is a peculiar kind of madness to being Black in America these days.

It has never been easy. However, not since the first Post-Reconstruction era have the civil rights, civil liberties, basic citizenship, and very humanity of African Americans been under such withering and open assault by the leader of our federal government.

Yet, such are the times we live in under the presidency of Donald J. Trump.

In fact, the Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian Jon Meacham, a southerner, recently described him as the most racist president in the history of this nation since President Andrew Johnson, who was a flagrant racist from Tennessee. Johnson ascended to the presidency upon the 1865 assassination of President Lincoln. Once in office he immediately went about trying to reverse the outcome of the Civil War and constitutional amendments that provided freedom and constitutional protections for freed slaves.

Even the late Alabama segregationist Gov. George Wallace’s daughter recently said that Trump was a worse bigot than her father.

Most people are aware of Trump’s toxic, White supremacist rhetoric, targeting people of color; however, not many are aware of how his administration’s actions go far beyond words. His administration is aggressively working on what can only be characterized as White supremacist policy to undermine decades of hard-fought civil rights gains of African Americans in every possible way.

It is the packing of the courts with literal bigots who refuse to acknowledge that the 1954 Supreme Court Brown v.

Board of Education was rightly decided. Trump’s Justice Department, under Attorney General William Barr, is collaborating with Republicans to rig elections by encouraging the racial gerrymandering of voting districts and attacking African American and Hispanic citizens’ right to vote by allowing other voter suppression schemes.

Trump’s Department of Education is reversing decades-old policy meant to protect children of color from discriminatory treatment in school. And his Housing and Urban Development Department— headed by Detroit native Ben Carson—is undermining fair housing laws and even moving to stop efforts to prevent redlining in housing.

Trump’s DOJ has even gone as far as to refuse to recognize consent decrees between police departments and communities with a history of discriminatory and violent behavior against people of color. And it recently re-imposed the death penalty after the courts found it to be applied discriminately against African Americans.

Hiram E. Jackson

Commentary

‘For the first time in most of our lifetimes, African Americans are confronted with a president who is an open racist, who advocates for policies specifically designed to harm our interests, and thus, the interests of our nation.’

I can go on and on, but you get the point.

As I have noted, there have been racist presidents before Trump and will be after he is gone. However, you have to go back 100 years, during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, to find the level of hostility toward Blacks and other people of color, that we are witnessing from the White House today.

During Wilson’s time the Ku Klux Klan was at its peak and marching on Washington, D.C. by the tens of thousands. The lynchings of African Americans were rampant during the “Red Summer” of 1919 when White soldiers came back from World War I and engaged in the massacre and widespread assault of Black citizens across the country. These anti-Black, White supremacist terrorist attacks occurred in more than three dozen cities and one rural county over the course of that year.

Wilson, himself, was an open White supremacist and suspected by many Black leaders at that time of secretly being a member of the Klan. He did little to nothing to stop the acts of violence against African Americans.

Today, mainstream African American leaders and politicians are virtually unanimous in their condemnation of Trump as a racist. In fact, most Black journalists no longer even qualify the noun “racist” with the adjective “alleged” when describing the president.

And neither should we as publishers of African American newspapers and other media platforms.

We are obligated to deliver the truth to our readers as seen through the eyes of the Black community. And as sobering as the thought may be, there can be no doubt that for the first time in most of our lifetimes, African Americans are confronted with a president who is an open racist, who advocates for policies specifically designed to harm our interests, and thus, the interests of our nation.

Such is the Black man and woman’s burden—once again.

(Hiram E. Jackson is the publisher of the Michigan Chronicle and the CEO of Real Times Media, the parent company of the New Pittsburgh Courier.)

Founded 1910

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

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Office Manager

Managing Editor

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John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

AUGUST 21-27, 2019

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President Trump is ignorant but he’s not stupid (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Baltimore is a “…disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess…Why is so much money sent to the Elijah Cummings’ district when it is considered the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States? No human being would want to live there. Where is all this money going? How much is stolen? Investigate this corrupt mess immediately!” President Donald Trump 7-28-09 President Trump is many things.

He is ignorant; probably the most ignorant president ever elected.

He is disinterested (ignorant and disinterested are a very dangerous combination). He is racist, a liar, sexist, misogynist, anti-Muslim, homophobic and many other things.

The one thing he is not is stupid. He clearly understands and has made millions from marketing, messaging and branding.

His use of racist troupes, bombast, hyperbole, lies and narcissism may be dysfunctional and dangerous but they are shrewd and crude political calculations. This is a base-galvanizing political strategy not a consensus governing political strategy. One data point, according to Pew, even after Trump admitted that he is a misogynistic sexual predator, 47 percent of White women voted for Donald Trump. Why, because as Tom Porter stated, “they rather eat their racism than sit down and dine on a fine meal”. Or as H. Rap Brown said, “racism is as American as cherry pie”.

Since Trump cannot formulate a political message or campaign strategy that highlights his accomplishments or ability to deliver on his campaign promises, he defaults to the troupes that have historically carried the day in America, racism and xenophobia.

President Trump has failed to deliver on any of the major promises that candidate Trump ran on. He has failed to bring manufacturing

Wilmer J. Leon III

Commentary jobs back to America. According to The Atlantic, “From trade deals to gun control and immigration to military deployments, the president has a consistent pattern: Talk a big game, then back down.”

I have watched for the past two years and specifically the past two weeks as Trump has employed the tactics of hyper or uber-racist rhetoric to distract the media and public away from the issues that really matter. Two weeks ago, Trump referred to “ ‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen” (aka “The Squad”) in his tweets, saying they should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.” “Go back to where you come from” has been one of the most often used racist rants from bigots in America for centuries. Trump must have been talking about his own administration since all four women are members of Congress and US citizens.

Last Sunday Trump Tweeted the racists insults about the city of Baltimore, MD, its residents and one of its congressional representatives. “No human being would want to live there.”

Really? Then what do you call the residents of the 26th largest city in the US who choose to and enjoy living in Baltimore…less than human? The racial composition of Baltimore is African American: 62.80 percent, White: 30.29 percent and Asian: 2.56 percent.

The average household income has increased over the past 10 years from $45,900 to $64,100.

Again, Trump is ignorant but he’s not stupid. His Tweets are not the mindless and aimless rants of a stupid man. They are political calculations designed to distract the media and electorate from the real issues that are plaguing America.

There’s a finite number of minutes, hours and days before the 2020 election. Every minute and day that our news cycle is consumed by and dedicated to Trump’s Tweets is time that America is not focused on how to address or solve wealth disparity, mass incarceration, the correlation between extrajudicial killings and mass deportation and America’s bankrupt and racist foreign policy.

It’s easy for so-called analysts and pundits on mainstream corporate media to tell us that Trump is a racist. How do we know this? He tells us this every day. They may as well be discussing is water wet. Calling Trump racist is not journalism, nor is it news. It is simple and obvious.

The challenge is to avoid the contrived distractions and deal with the real issues and solutions. Solutions that solve problems such as why this current generation of young people are slated to be the first generation in this country that will not have a higher standard of living than their parents. We need to ensure that the American dream is obtainable for everyone.

The media, Democrats, pundits and analysts can follow Trump down the racist rat hole if they want but do it at your own peril. Telling us that he’s incompetent does not take much analysis or insight. It’s a trap that he has set you. It’s a fool’s errand and a losing venture; just ask Hilary Clinton.

(Dr. Wilmer Leon is the producer/host of the nationally broadcast call-in talk radio program “Inside the Issues with Leon,” on SiriusXM Satellite radio channel 126. Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email: wjl3us@ yahoo.com.)

Celebrating Shirley Chisholm (TriceEdneywire.com)—It’s been 50 years since Shirley Chisholm was elected to the U.S. Congress and took Washington, DC by storm. A lot of men didn’t know quite what to do with her. She was the first Black Congresswoman and she made such a splash that many women were listening and were inspired to run not only for Congress, but for all kinds of offices to serve the people. When I ran for Congress in Louisiana, she was one of the first persons to send a check.

Shirley didn’t do or say things because they were politically wise. She said and did things that were morally right, and never worried about what others would think. When she ran for President of the United States, she didn’t ask anybody’s permission. She was proud of being “Unbought and Unbossed,” and that’s why so many of us loved her and wanted to come as close to being like Shirley as we could.

I’m honored to serve as National President of the organization she founded, along with Dr. C. DeLores Tucker.

Shirley served as the first leader of our organization that is now known as the National Congress of Black Women.

(NCBW). On Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 in Washington, DC at the Marriott Wardman Hotel we will be remembering Shirley Chisholm at our 35th Annual Brunch for the 50th year of her election to the U.S. Congress.

We’ve named an annual award in

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

them played such an important role in helping Nancy Pelosi to become Speaker of the House again, and assisting the Democrats in regaining a majority in the House.

Others, like Shirley, have proven to be Unbought and Unbossed and will also be honored for breaking new ground in major corporations. Two of the honorees in this category are Shelley Sylva and Kelly Cornish. Two Black women are responsible for developing new methods for healing the wounds of circumstance will be honored. They are Dr. Linda James Myers and Dr. Monica L. Clement. You will be hearing more about them in the immediate future.

So many Black women are doing incredible things to perfect our union, and many credit Shirley for being that catalyst for change that we so badly need in the midst of craziness and evil doing from the top. The 2020 elections are coming up soon, and again, there is no doubt Black women will make the difference in many close races.

Lest you think NCBW only honors women, included among the honorees who will receive the NCBW Dick Gregory Good Brother Award are Dr. Percy Thomas, Atty. Jack Olender, Dr. Hemant Patel, Dr. Jay Patel, Dr. James Dail, Atty. Aaron Watson and Atty. Jack Olender.

her honor and the first two recipients will be the two Black women who are part of the “Squad.” We’ve chosen them because of the courage they’ve exhibited in an effort to make changes so needed in our nation. The two receiving the Shirley Chisholm Courage Award are Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. It’s so important for us to honor and protect the names of those who take courageous steps on our behalf. If we don’t tell their stories, they either won’t be told or will often be distorted.

NCBW will also honor the other three newly elected Black Congresswomen with our Sojourner Truth Award. NCBW was responsible for placing the Sojourner Truth statue in the U.S. Capitol, making her the first Black woman to be honored with a memorial there. The three other Congresswomen who were elected in 2018 (Dr. E. Faye Williams is national president are Jahana Hayes, Lauren Underwood and Lucy McBath. The three of of the National Congress of Black Women.)

Are the Democrats leading or is President Trump?

by Roger Caldwell (NNPA)—There are more than 20 Democratic candidates running for President of the United States, and if you listen to them talk, they all believe they can win the nomination. Everyone knows that most of these candidates know they can’t win, but they can raise money. No individual or agency can keep up with how they spend the money, and the amount is in the billions.

This may not make much sense, but in the first debate spanned 2 nights with 20 candidates up on the stage.

President Donald Trump and the Republicans are laughing at this spectacle and the polls say the majority of leading Democratic candidates would win the election if it were held today. Quinnipiac University’s polls have been deemed “fake news” by the President.

“The Fake News has never been more dishonest than it is today. Thank goodness we can fight back on Social Media.

Their new weapon of choice is Fake Polling. Sometimes referred to as Suppression Polls and they suppress the numbers. Had it in 2016, but this is worse,” says President Trump in a Tweet.

Many Americans say the President is wrong, but the Quinnipiac University poll numbers do appear to be incorrect, because 60% of White people support President Trump and that number could be higher. Presi-

dent Trump is always talking about how much he loves America, and it appears that most White Americans love him right back.

White Americans have been searching and looking for a savior, and President Trump is someone they can believe in. Almost their entire life, White folks have been looking for an individual they can put their trust in, and President Trump is their man.

“Make America Great Again” is essentially a code slogan that means “Make America White Again,” and it is working under Trump’s administration.

Most Americans are not looking for a minister to be the president, and most are comfortable if he does not tell the truth and breaks some rules.

Many politicians are lawyers and they go to school to learn how to bend, stretch, and change the laws, and there is nothing wrong with lying as long as you don’t get caught. President Trump has changed the rules, because he does not care if he is caught lying. In fact, the President will say one thing one day and say something totally different the next day.

Our president believes the system is set up for White men to rule, and when you are caught with your hand in the cookie jar, most of the time money has a way of fixing problems.

The Mass Media in America has awesome power and it can turn a

criminal to a saint, and a saint into a criminal. Americans are lazy, and they wait for the news to give them information and it does not matter if it is right or wrong.

According to the Quinnipiac University polls, Mr. Trump trailed Mr. Biden—the clear frontrunner thus far in the Democratic primaries—by a whopping 13 per cent, while Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and others also hold strong advantages.

Trump says these are made up numbers that don’t exist.

In 2016, the poll numbers were wrong and many of the political experts don’t believe President Donald Trump is 13 per cent behind the Democrats in the numbers in 2019. White people love President Trump and when he speaks the place is sold out.

The economy is good, and the president can toot his own horn.

The Democrats are all over the place, and the Republicans are in line and following their leader. It is hard to beat Trump especially since the economy is good. And don’t underestimate the love affair between the President and White America.

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.)

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

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AUGUST 21-27, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Help Wanted

Public Notice

The Department of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA, seeks Systems Programmer IV to perform analyses & interpretations of large high throughput biological datasets, including but not limited to expression analysis, micro RNA, SNP, methylation & next generation sequencing technologies. The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EEO/ AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled. Apply at https://join.pitt.edu, #19006273.

PUBLIC NOTICE OPENING OF WAITING LISTS

LEAD AND ASSISTANT TEACHERS AND TEACHER AIDES/CAREGIVERS

Quality PreSchool/Childcare Center has immediate openings for qualified Lead and Assistant teachers and Teacher Aides/ caregivers. Infant, Young Toddler and PreSchool Rooms. Minimum HS diploma w 2yrs exp working w children and willingness to pursue a CDA. Preference for Assoc and Bachelors degree in the field of Child Development, Early Childhood or related field. Competitive salary commensurate w Educ & Exp. HB included et al fringe benefits. Send resume to admin@hill topccc.org We are located in the South City of Pittsburgh.

HOSPITALISTS

University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks Hospitalists to provide and direct inpatient medical care for hospital patients. May be required to work overnight shifts as a Nocturnist (a Hospitalist who works overnight shifts). Possible worksite locations at hospitals and medical centers throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Requirements: medical degree; must have completed a U.S. accredited medical residency training program in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine; valid Pennsylvania medical license. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 190000TS in the “Search Keyword/Job ID” field and click Go. EOE/Disability/Veteran.

PROJECT MANAGER

Port Authority is seeking a Project Manager, to provide project management oversight for all phases of the Authority’s non-construction projects including but not limited to project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control, change management, and closure. The ability to ensure project objectives, budgets, resources, deliverables, and timelines are met as outlined in the project schedule. This position will work closely with multiple internal departments to create reports based upon deliverables and organizational goals.

Essential Functions: •Utilizes project management processes and methodologies to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, adhere to high quality standards, and meet the Authority and customers’ expectations.

•Exercises direct responsibility for management of projects including planning, requirements gathering, scheduling, communication, issue resolution, cost tracking, and financial reporting.

•Develop and maintain a master schedule for projects. Focuses management efforts on ensuring the various activities are coordinated, critical path activities are achieved and the project is completed on time.

Job requirements include: •BS Degree in Business Administration, Engineering or a directly related field from an accredited college or university.

•Minimum of five (5) years of project coordination or related project management experience.

•A combination of directly related education and experience may be substituted for the above stated minimums.

•Professional and effective communication skills.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows, Word and Excel.

•Valid PA driver’s license.

Preferred attributes: •Master’s Degree.

•Current Project Management Professional certificate.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: Amy Giammanco Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 AGiammanco@portauthority.org EOE

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

Effective at the start of the business day Tuesday, August 20, 2019, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) will open the waiting lists for the following Project Based Voucher Site Based Communities: •Sycamore Street Apartments – 124 W. Sycamore Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211. (1 bedroom units only. These units require the head of household to be at least 55 years of age).

•Crawford Square Apartments – 510 Protectory Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. (1, 2 and 3 bedroom units only).

•East Liberty Place South – 5836 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

(1 and 2 bedroom units only).

Not all households will be eligible for a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom unit, as the age, gender and relationships of household members affect the number of bedrooms for which a household is eligible. Income and eligibility restrictions of the Housing Choice Voucher Program apply.

Not all units at this location are served by these waiting lists; additional units with different requirements may be available directly from the location’s management office.

Pre-applications can be submitted in person to the HACP Occupancy Department between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., mailed to the address below, or faxed to 412456-5182. For information about obtaining a pre-application for one of the communities listed above, please contact the Occupancy Department at 412-456-5030.

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.

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations to submit a pre-application can contact the HACP’s Disability Compliance Office at 412-456-5282. For those that are deaf or hard of hearing, you can also contact HACP at TDD: 412-201-5384.

This event is for Project Based Vouchers for Sycamore Street Apartments, Crawford Square Apartments and East Liberty Place South 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

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT AND PUBLIC HEARING HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH DRAFT 2020 MTW ANNUAL PLAN AUGUST 14, 2019

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) is a participant in the federal Moving to Work Demonstration Program (MTW).

The 2020 MTW Annual Plan takes the place of the Capital Fund Annual Statement, Five Year Plan and the PHA Annual Plan normally required under the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA).

The HACP’s 2020 Moving To Work Annual Plan will be available for review from August 23, 2019 to September 21, 2019 on HACP’s website; at the HACP Occupancy Department, 200 Ross Street, 6th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219; and at HACP Management Offices.

Copies of the draft annual plan may also be obtained by contacting the HACP Executive Office at 412-456-5012.

Written comments on the Annual Plan must be addressed to MTW Annual Plan Comments at the address above and must be postmarked by September 21, 2019.

Public hearings to receive comments on the Plan will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019, at 12:00 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. at 200 Ross St., 9th-floor HACP Conference Room.

Persons with disabilities requiring assistance or alternative formats, or wishing to submit comments in alternative formats, can contact the HACP ADA/504 Coordinator at 412-456-5020, ext. 2504; TTY 412-201-5384.

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LEGAL ADVERTISING

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Legal Notices

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PETITION NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, CIVIL DIVISION

In Re: The Condemnation by the County of Allegheny of one certain parcel of land, now or formerly of Bernard Masa and Josephine F. Masa, his wife, in the Borough of Swissvale, Allegheny County, to reconstruct Kenmawr Bridge carrying South Braddock Avenue and Kenmawr Avenue over Norfolk Southern Railway, to: GD 19-000301 Bernard Masa and Josephine F. Masa, his wife (“Condemnee”), tax parcel identification number 235-P-200, 30 square feet of right-of-way, 203 square feet of slope easement and 425 square feet of temporary construction easement, Plans - Miscellaneous Volume 177, Page 34, estimated just compensation: $500.00.

TO: Bernard Masa and Josephine F. Masa, his wife, their heirs, successors or assigns: TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Sections 307 and 522 of the Pennsylvania Eminent Domain Code, 26 Pa.C.S.A. §§307 and 522, the County of Allegheny will on September 24, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. present to the Motions Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Civil Division, a Petition Requesting Order for Possession Upon Condemnor’s Tender of Estimated Just Compensation to the Department of Court Records.

The identity of the Motions Judge then presiding can be ascertained in the City County Building located at 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 on the date of presentation either in the Department of Court Records/Civil Family Division located on the 1st floor or in the Assignment Room located on the 7th floor. At the time of presentation, the County will request the Court to authorize the payment into Court of the County’s estimate of just compensation, as identified above, and the entry of an Order granting the County possession of the subject property. The County’s Petition including a proposed schedule of distribution and proposed Court Order may be viewed in the Department of Court Records/Civil Family Division prior to the date of presentation. Any moneys which the Court may direct be paid into Court will be held by the Department of Court Records/Civil Family Division until further Order directing payment of said amounts to the Condemnees and/or persons entitled thereto pursuant to 26 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 521 and 522.

Andrew F. Szefi County Solicitor LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

ESTATE NOTICE

Letters Testamentary on the Estate of DONALD H. SPINELLI, Court Term No. 021904831, late of Penn Hills, Allegheny County, deceased, having been granted to the undersigned by the director of Dept. of Court Records, Wills/Orphans Court Division of Allegheny County, notice is hereby given to all persons indebted to said estate to make immediate payment, and to those having claims against the same to present them to the undersigned, duly authenticated for settlement. Rose Spinellli, Executrix, 202 Delaware Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139, or to Cathy L. Brannigan, Esq., 15 Duff Rd., Suite 6C, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Estate of Mr. ROBERT M. DILANNI, SR., Deceased, of 314 Olivia Street, McKees Rocks, PA 15136. Estate No. 02-19-04990 Mr. Robert M. Dilanni, Jr., 155 Grant Street, Verona, PA 15147, Executor, c/o Max C. Feldman, Esquire and the Law Office of Max C. Feldman, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108.

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COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (“FONSI/RROF”)

This Notice is published pursuant to Federal Regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”)’s Environmental Assessment set forth at 24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.36.

August 21, 2019 City of Pittsburgh Office of Management and Budget 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh under HUD’s disposition of property regulations of 24 C.F.R. § 970.19.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about September 6, 2019 the City of Pittsburgh (“City”) will authorize the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (“HACP”) to submit a request to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for the disposition of approximately 3.3 acres of vacant land to the ownership entity or master developer of the Oak Hill Brackenridge rental housing development sub-phase in the form of a fee simple sale transaction for an appraised fair market value. HACP’s Moving-to-Work (MTW) federal funds will be utilized to pay for fees and costs incurred for the disposition activity project. Oak Brackenridge will consist of the new construction of approximately 140 market rate-rental dwelling units which will help improve the income mix of the Oak Hill community pursuant to Oak Hill Resident Council’s approval. The Oak Hill community is an ongoing redevelopment effort of the former 1,800-unit Allequippa Terrace public housing complex, and is currently comprised of 461 low income units (65% of total units) and 244 market rate units (35%).

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Pittsburgh has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. This FONSI is based upon compliance with mitigation measures which have been identified as necessary to reduce the environmental impacts of the proposed action to a point or level where they are determined to no longer be significant.

Based on compliance with mitigations measures which reduce the environmental impact to no longer be considered significant, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (“NEPA”) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at City of Pittsburgh 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to: Whitney Finnstrom City of Pittsburgh, 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 All comments received by September 5, 2019, will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Pittsburgh certifies to HUD that William Peduto in his capacity as Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows HACP to use MTW funds under Request for Release of Funds above.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Pittsburgh’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Pittsburgh; (b) the City of Pittsburgh has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development Division The Moorhead Federal Building 1000 Liberty Ave.-10th floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

WILLIAM PEDUTO Mayor City of Pittsburgh LEGAL ADVERTISING

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REQUEST FOR BIDS AUTO INSURANCE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ARTIST AND DESIGN TEAM COLLABORATION TERMINAL ROADWAYS AND BRIDGES PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

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

Sealed bids will be received by Michael L. Washowich, Executive Director, until Friday, September 20, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Standard Time) 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 respondent can obtain hard copy bid documents from the WCHA Administration Office 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 Airport Authority at Pittsburgh International Airport, is requesting qualification statements from artists to collaborate with design teams on projects identified in the request for qualification documents. Qualification statements are due September 16, 2019 by 11:59 Am EST. To view the qualification package visit: https://flypittsburgh. submittable.com/submit Should you have questions e-mail TMPart@flypittsburgh.com

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PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT

Separate sealed Bids for the Work as listed hereinafter will be received at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department of Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority) Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527 until 1:30 p.m. on September 18, 2019 and will be publicly opened and read immediately thereafter at the same address. Each Bidder shall be solely responsible for assuring that its Bid is both received and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before the advertised time for submission of Bids. Bids received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of Bids shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for Award.

MECHANICAL IMPROVEMENTS AT VARIOUS FACILITIES SYS-19-08 The Work of this Project includes, but is not limited to, the furnishing of all labor and materials for mechanical improvements and supporting electrical infrastructure at the Operations Control Center (OCC), South Hills Village Rail Center (SHVRC), and Manchester Main Shop.

Bid Documents will be available for public inspection and may be obtained on or after August 19, 2019 at Authority’s offices at the following address: Port Authority of Allegheny County Purchasing and Materials Management Department Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527 Bid Documents are available for purchase as follows: Bid Documents are available in an electronic form on compact disk upon payment of $15.00 per CD. Payment shall be by check or money order (NO CASH), payable to “Port Authority of Allegheny County.” No refunds of payment will be made.

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

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

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

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

August 29, 2019

Pre-Bid Conference Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center 5th Floor – Neal Holmes Conference Room 345 Sixth Avenue, Fifth Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended)

Pre-Bid Site Tour

[immediately following the Pre-Bid Conference]

Participants shall wear a safety vest

and appropriate footwear

Transportation will be provided.

1:30 p.m.

Bids Due September 18, 2019 Purchasing and Materials Management Department Authority reserves the right to reject any or all Bids

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NOTICE OF PROGRAM AVAILABILITY

Allegheny County, through its Department of Economic Development, wishes to announce that applications are available for the Allegheny Housing Development Fund (AHDF) 2019 Program Year (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020). The Allegheny Housing Development Fund may provide project funds from one or more of the following sources: 1. HOME Investment Partnerships Program 2. Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) 3. Affordable Housing Trust Funds (Act 137) 4. Other Funds, as available Note that this application is required if you are proposing housing and CDBG is the sole source of funds you are requesting.

AHDF provides funding for projects that may include the following: 1. New construction of low/moderate income multi-family or senior rental housing.

2. Conversion of existing properties into low/moderate income multi-family or senior rental housing, such as old schools, warehouses, and municipal buildings.

3. Rehabilitation of vacant, existing multi-family rental housing developments for rent to low/moderate income tenants, either families or seniors.

4. New construction of single-family units (detached) or townhomes (attached) for purchase by low/moderate income buyers.

5. Rehabilitation of existing single-family or townhome units for purchase by low/moderate income buyers.

6. Projects with multiple funding sources, such as Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HUD mortgage loans or other funds from a non-County of Allegheny source.

Applicants need to complete the AHDF application whether or not state or other funds are also being pursued, and other applications may not be substituted for the AHDF application.

Projects considered for funds under this program are intended to stabilize neighborhoods whose viability have been and continue to be damaged by the economic effects of properties that have experienced or are continuing to experience disinvestment; or to locate housing in areas of opportunity that provide low/moderate income persons with improved access to transportation options and enhanced school and/or employment opportunities.

Funds awarded will be secured by a mortgage (or mortgages) placed on the property for a period of five to forty years. Funds are not provided in the form of grants. Affordability provisions run concurrently with the term of the mortgage(s).

Applicants are encouraged to identify all members of their development team in the application, such as architects, engineers, attorneys, marketers and general contractors. Team members that are not identified via this application’s procurement process will be required to be procured via the Allegheny County procurement process, including public advertisement for professional or construction contracts of $30,000 or more.

Recipients of AHDF funds will be bound by Federal, State and County regulations including, but not limited to, those related to fair housing, equal employment opportunity, prevailing wage law, relocation and property acquisition, lead-based paint, provision of opportunities to Minority-, Women- and Disadvantaged-owned business enterprises (M/W/DBE) and to Veterans Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Section 3 opportunities.

The majority of the funds utilized require that households with incomes of no more than 80% of the Area Median Income be served. AHDF funds should be leveraged with other development dollars secured by applicants. HOME funds for rental projects require that tenants have incomes below 60% of AMI. To receive an application, contact Nathan Wetzel, Allegheny County Economic Development at (412) 350-3724 or by e-mail @ nathan.wetzel@ county.allegheny.pa.us.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Submission of an application in no way guarantees an award of funds.

AUGUST 21-27, 2019

LEGAL ADVERTISING

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Bids/Proposals

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LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT Port Authority of Allegheny County REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 19-04

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFBs) FOR HOMEWOOD NORTH STOOPS AND COURTYARD PAVING, AMP-20 HACP CONTRACT NO. 600-37-19

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR BEDFORD DWELLINGS PLUMBING LINES SERVICES, AMP-02 HACP IFB NO. 600-15-19

Port Authority of Allegheny County is requesting proposals for the performance of the following TEMPORARY TECHNICAL AND TEMPORARY CLERICAL SUPPORT SERVICES The work under the proposed Agreement consists of establishing a pool of firms to provide qualified temporary technical and temporary clerical personnel support services for Port Authority on an as- needed basis. While it is currently the Authority’s intention to enter into agreements with a pool of five firms for each category, this number may be adjusted up or down, at Authority’s sole discretion, based upon the number of proposals received and Authority’s evaluation of same in relation to its temporary services needs in each of the categories.

A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) will be available on or after August 14, 2019, and can be obtained by registering at the Port Authority ebusiness website: https://www.portauthority.org/ business-center/procurement/ bidder-registration/ and following the directions listed on the website.

Please note that Proposers must register under the ebusiness category of PSTTC – Pro Temp Tech and Clerical for this RFP. Proposers may also register in other categories for any future RFPs issued

by Port Authority. If you have specific questions regarding this RFP, please contact Fred Buckner at (412) 566-5467.

An Information Meeting for interested parties will be held at 9:30 a.m., prevailing time, August 26, 2019 in the Fifth Floor Board Room of Port Authority of Allegheny County’s downtown offices, 345 Sixth Avenue to answer any questions regarding this RFP. Hard copy proposals must be both delivered to, and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, September 16, 2019, at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department, Port Authority of Allegheny County, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527. Proposals received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of proposals shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for award.

Each Proposer shall be solely responsible for assuring that its proposal is timely received and time stamped in accordance with the requirements herein.

This Contract Services may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The proposal process and the performance of the requested services will be in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Port Authority of Allegheny County, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, require that certified Diverse Businesses (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts for these Contract Services.

In this regard, all Proposers shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Proposers shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts for these Contract Services.

Port Authority of Allegheny County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT INVITATION TO BID

Demolition, site cleaning and grading and construction for 14 unit townhouse development located on Burrows Street in West Oakland.

Approximate construction contract $3,000,000 Approximate start date: October 1, 2019 Bid date: Demolition bids due by September 1, other bids due October 1.

Bid documents are available by emailing christophers@dgabuilders.net.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH will receive sealed bids for the Homewood North Stoops and Courtyard Paving, AMP-20.

The construction work is estimated to begin in November of 2019.

Bid Documents will be available on or about Monday, August 12, 2019 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp. org. Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. Electronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms, project manual, and drawings can be picked up in person, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.: Homewood North Stoops and Courtyard Paving 10 Albertice Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 A site visit will be conducted thereafter. Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement until 2:00 p.m. September 16, 2019 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH reserves the right to waive any informality in, or reject any and all bids.

No bid shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted Construction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sexual preference, handicap or national origin.

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

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement at (412) 456-5116 Opt 1.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Drug and Alcohol Intensive Case Management. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. Eastern Time on September 20, 2019 For more details and submission information, visit: www.alleghenycounty.us/ Human-Services/Resources/ Doing-Business/Solicitations(RFP/RFQ/RFI).aspx.

Marc Cherna Director Allegheny County Department of Human Services

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH will receive sealed bids for the Bedford Dwellings Plumbing Lines Services, AMP-02 The construction work is estimated to begin in December of 2019.

Bid Documents will be available on or about Monday, August 12, 2019 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage, www.hacp. org. Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. Electronic versions of the Bid Documents, including bid forms, project manual, and drawings can be picked up in person, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.: Development and Modernization Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement until 2:00 p.m. September 11, 2019 at which time and place all bids will be received.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH reserves the right to waive any informality in, or reject any and all bids.

No bid shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted Construction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sexual preference, handicap or national origin.

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

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement at (412) 456-5116 Opt 1.

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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The Allegheny County Department of Human Services recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Independent Assessment of Financial Operations. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. Eastern Time on September 6, 2019 For more details and submission information, visit: www.alleghenycounty.us/ Human-Services/Resources/ Doing-Business/Solicitations(RFP/RFQ/RFI).aspx.

Marc Cherna Director Allegheny County Department of Human Services

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AUGUST 21-27, 2019 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Hungry for sanity—no more Trump (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Have you ever been hungry? Not the missed-a-meal, wanna overeat hungry, but the stomach-churning, bout to steal a loaf of bread hungry. Not the luxury of choice, but the sheer desperation of not having eaten for so many hours that food is nothing more than a memory. A dictionary describes hunger as “an uneasy or painful sensation from lack of food.”

Synonyms include starved and starving.

It happens at our border when children are separated from their parents and not given enough to eat in a day. It happens in our inner cities, where poor folks often choose between paying rent and buying food. Millions of people in the United States, as many as 40 million in 2017, experienced hunger. According to the US Department of Agriculture, 15 million households are “food insecure,” scrambling, often at the end of the month, to put food on the table.

The statistics are daunting. One in six children do not know where their next meal is coming from. Twenty-two million children need free or reduced-price lunch to get enough nutrition. The Department of Agriculture has just promulgated rules that will cut another 3 million people off food assistance. You won’t be surprised to know that Black and brown folks are more likely to experience food insecurity than others.

Denny’s and the National Council of Negro Women have partnered to visit seven HBCUs this fall. They have titled

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary their tour “Hungry for Education,” and as President of PUSH Excel, the education arm of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition, I was excited to join with friends and colleagues to promote the tour. The theme was amplified when Denny’s President John Miller shared a poem that highlighted the ways hunger affects academic performance. While the poem seemed to focus on the K-12 youngsters whose presence, ability, and behavior is affected by hunger, it is also clear that young adults who are attending colleges across the country make painful choices. Food or tuition? Dinner or a required book? These young people are experiencing an “uneasy and painful sensation from lack of” be it nutritional or intellectual sustenance.

I feel their pain. I am hungry, too, but I’m hungry for sanity. I get a feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever our 45th President opens his mouth and hits the airwaves. And I am all the more nauseated because I talk to friends in the world and around the globe who never hesitate to make fun of our nation. We elected the world’s biggest clown. Who the heck articulates his desire to be an extreme colonialist by saying he might like to buy Greenland, a territory of Denmark that is uninterested in being sold? I know that 45 was once a failed real estate mogul, but the imperialist notion of purchasing other countries is, at best, laughable and even deplorable.

I am hungry for sanity when I read disgusting tweets that encourage Israel to block duly elected United States Representatives (those who vote on an Israel subsidy from this country) from visiting and speaking to oppressed Palestinians.

Whether Trump or Israel agrees with Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the fact is that they are elected representatives of their districts and the Trump exhortation against them, not to mention Netanyahu’s foolishness, are anti-democratic. I am hungry, so hungry that there is a pit in my stomach when I consider this foolishness.

Dr. Johnnetta Betch Cole, the seventh President of the National Council of Negro Women, disturbingly noted that there are hungry children in our world’s most prosperous nation. Perpetuating hunger will erode our riches, but some of us are too busy addressing the antics of the Provocateur in Chief, that we can’t deal with the minor matter of hungry children. Thus, the NCNW Hungry for Education partnership with Denny’s is both about physical hunger and intellectual craving for better lives. It’s about transcending Trump.

Those of you who read me regularly know that I can rarely bring myself to type the word “Trump.” I’m doing it now because I’m hungry. I’m hungry for sanity, hungry for peace, hungry for the possibility of a better world. I won’t be writing about our 45th President again this year. I will write about economics, public policy, and philosophy. I won’t write about the narcissist, the elected clown who has turned our nation into a circus.

I’m less interested in the circus than in the sideshow ways this administration has consistently attacked and oppressed people. I am hungry for sanity, and I surely won’t get sanity by writing about idiocy. I’m going to take at least a threemonth hiatus from reacting to unhinged madness. I am hungry for sanity, and millions of us are still hungry for food!

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)

An open letter to our great granddaughter, Lauren Congratulations, attend college, beLauren, for com- Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick cause your parpleting your first ents attended, positive step in your grandparents, becoming a posigreat grandparent, tive adult by gradaunts, uncles, cousuating from high ins went as well. school and attendYour great great ing college. God grandparents were has been a blessing called home by God in your life by probefore you were viding you with loving, concerned par- born but they are looking down smiling ents who have done their very best to and saying, “Well done, Lauren, and an provide you with a foundation. As you education is something that no one can leave home for the first time, there will take away from you.” be some challenges that you will have College is a place where you can have to face, but always remember that your fun, but never permit fun to block you parents, grandparents, and great grand- from focusing on your reason for being parents are just a phone call away. in college.

You must understand that there are I almost forgot to mention that your friends and associates. Friends nev- brother is a second-year student at Mier attempt to influence you to do that ami University. which is wrong. Your focus must be on As you prepare for your next step tobeing the best student that you can be. ward adulthood, allow me to close with You may not be a straight A student, the advice my parents instilled in me but focus on doing the best that you and has been a foundation for the last can. It is important that you never be 87 years: “You are no better than anya follower—lead if you can, but never one, but just as good, and what makes hesitate about questioning and asking you rich is love, family, friends and good yourself why. health.”

You are fortunate that you are not Love you forever, the first in your extended family to Your Great Grandparents

To Tell The Truth

Reducing mass shootings: The crisis vs. the concept After the 2018 ment district in Parkland, Fla., Dayton, Ohio.

J. Pharoah Doss school shooting, 2). 8-3-19—Gunwhere 17 students man kills 22 at a were killed, a concrowded Walmart cerned citizen told shopping center in a journalist, if the the Texas border shooter had a retown of El Paso. volver instead of a 3). 7-28-19—A legally purchased 19-year-old gunassault rifle the man kills 3 at a body count would garlic festival in never have reached double digits.

Gilroy, Calif., but the gunman killed In other words, no assault rifle, no himself, making the body count 4, so it mass shooting. was called a mass shooting.

The citizen’s revolver theory assumed 4). 5-31-19—A city worker opens if there were only 6 students killed fire in government offices in Virginia from the revolver, instead of 17 from Beach, killing 12 people before being the assault rifle, the decreased body gunned down by police. count also reduced the mass shooting.

5). 2-15-19—A 15-year veteran of an This may be correct by body count, but Aurora, Illinois, manufacturing firm not by concept. At the moment, there’s kills 5 co-workers during a discino “official definition” of mass shooting, plinary meeting before he is killed in a but the commonly used descriptor is shootout with police. an incident where four or more people, 6). 11-7-18—A U.S. Marine veteran including the gunman, are killed or who may have suffered from PTSD injured by gunfire. So, the citizen’s rekills 12 people at a country music bar volver theory would only have applied in Thousand Oaks, Calif., before taking if the Parkland shooter killed 3 stuhis own life. dents or less.

7). 10-27-18—A gunman kills 11 worAt the moment, mass shootings are shippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue considered a national crisis, and since here in Pittsburgh. politicians are crisis-driven, their leg8). 9-13-18—A Gunman in Bakersislative focus is on drafting bills that field, Calif., kills 5 including his wife, can prevent mass shootings as they are before turning the gun on himself. currently conceptualized.

This list had 4 mass shootings in But gun rights proponents believe double digits and 4 mass shootings in this legislative focus has the same single digits. If mass shootings were impossibility factor as the citizen’s officially defined as 10 or more killed revolver theory, because legislation by a gunman this list is automatically cannot restrict a random shooter to cut in half. merely three kills, unless the legisI know what you’re thinking: What lators plan on banning firearms all would that accomplish? together. (Which gun rights proponents I can think of 4 things. fear is the legislative agenda, making 1). It would cut down on hysteria. the majority of gun rights proponents This normally leads to punitive legissecond amendment absolutists.) lation.

Based on the impossibility of keeping 2). It makes preventing the crisis dead body counts to 3 and under, mass sound practical, not impossible. shootings can actually be reduced by 3). It merges the crisis and the body increasing the body count in the comcount into a single entity to reduce. monly used descriptor.

4). It would statistically reduce the Demonstration. number of mass shootings in America.

Listed below are the notable mass Reducing mass shootings can be shootings in the past 12 months. I will done by changing the concept, then by reduce the list by 50 percent. legislation.

(J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New 1). 8-4-19—Gunman wearing body Pittsburgh Courier.) armor kills 9 at a popular entertain-

Check It Out

Oscar H. Blayton

Commentary

Why Lady Liberty weeps There is a sickening stench about Ken Cuccinelli.

Ken Cuccinelli is Donald Trump’s newly appointed acting director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and his type of stench is not one that assaults the nose, rather it is a noxious affront that assaults one’s dignity.

Cuccinelli’s main function in his new position is to act as Donald Trump’s gatekeeper to bar America’s doors to people of color. His job description requires a belief in the notion that America is a land for White prosperity and any non-white presence—if not of service to White supremacy—is a trespass.

The Trump Administration recently came under fire when Cuccinelli announced that it would implement its “public-charge rule,” declaring that anyone seeking immigration to the United States would be deemed undesirable if they could not satisfactorily prove their self-sufficiency—the effect being to bar poor people.

Some commentators have described this rule as Draconian and point out that it would have barred Cuccinelli’s poor ancestors from entering America as well. And one reporter reminded him that the Statue of Liberty welcomes “your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Oblivious to the meaning of the words of the poem inscribed on the plaque at the base of the great statue, Cuccinelli insisted that their intent was “Give me your tired and your poor who can stand on their own two feet, and who will not become a public charge.”

When asked to explain his revised version of the famous poem, Cuccinelli said, in essence, the poem was meant for White people.

In his words: “That poem was referring back to people coming from Europe…”

Cuccinelli’s remark gives proof to the fact that White supremacy can only flourish when fertilized with the manure of bigoted ignorance.

The Statue of Liberty was conceived by Édouard René de Laboulaye of France to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The original concept was to have Lady Liberty holding a broken shackle and chain in her left hand. But due to powerful Americans objecting to this reference to slavery, the final version of the statue replaced the chains with a tablet inscribed with “July IV MDCCLXXVI,” the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and placed the broken chains beneath her feet.

By the time the statue was installed in New York Harbor in 1886, Reconstruction in the South was over, and America had turned its back on the plight of African Americans suffering from injustice and oppression. Little, if any, reference was made at that time to the anti-slavery message of the statue. By then, America had moved so far away from being concerned about the welfare of African Americans that one African American newspaper expressed derision at the notion of American liberty. In November 1886, The Cleveland Gazette stated in its editorial: “Shove the Bartholdi statue, torch and all, into the ocean until the same ‘liberty’ of this country is such as to make it possible for an industrious and inoffensive colored man in the south to earn a respectable living for himself and family, without being ku-kluxed, perhaps murdered, his daughter and wife outraged, and his property destroyed. The idea of the ‘liberty’ of this country enlightening the world, or even Patagonia, is ridiculous in the extreme.”

Despite Cuccinelli’s assertions, Ellis Island did not officially open as an immigration station until Jan. 1, 1892. And the words of Emma Lazarus’ famous poem were not placed on the base of the statue until 1903— 17 years after the Statue of Liberty was unveiled.

Given the history of this country, it is not difficult to understand why Cuccinelli believes America is reserved for White people and the Statue of Liberty was meant only for them. But we must always keep in mind that people like Ken Cuccinelli drag this nation further into the mire of despotism as they seek the “blessings of liberty” only for themselves and those who look like them.

Cuccinelli’s political path includes election to the Virginia state senate beginning in 2002 and as Virginia attorney general in 2009. During his career, he tried to eliminate birthright citizenship, proposed making it a firing offense to speak Spanish on the job and distributed lapel pins to his staff at the Attorney General’s Office that were decorated with a state seal adopted

by Virginia and used on Confederate battle flags after the state seceded from the Union in 1861.

The stench of bigotry enveloping Ken Cuccinelli is so strong that, according to reports, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell advised Donald Trump not to nominate him for any post that requires Senate confirmation. To this day, Cuccinelli remains acting director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, holding that office without Senate confirmation.

I have been exposed to the stench of racism and bigotry all my life, and as a Virginian, I have endured Ken Cuccinelli’s stench for almost two decades. Now, thanks to Donald Trump, all America is experiencing that stench as well.

(Oscar H. Blayton is a former Marine Corps combat pilot and human rights activist who practices law in Virginia.)

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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

AUGUST 21-27, 2019

B7

The sun never sets on a champion!

Cleveland Edwards dies at age 71 :10—“CLE”…that’s all you have to hear to know exactly who I am talking about. Such is the way of true legends “Mike,” “Magic,” “Cher,” “Franco,” “Ali,” you know when you know! :09—Unfortunately, I have to inform you that the legend of whom I speak has gone home. “CLE” Cleveland Edwards passed away this past

said, and I quote, “‘CLE’ is one of the best and toughest athletes the city ever had.

He could do it all and don’t get him mad, you’ll have trouble on your hands!” :06—Popa Banks recounted how he got his start on the Fifth Avenue High School basketball team. As a 10th grader, he was giving “CLE” and some of the

Overtime

Bill Neal weekend, Aug. 17, in Las Vegas where he has been living for quite some time. :08—It goes without saying most anybody that is Pittsburgh City League, Fifth Avenue sports, and most importantly basketball, knows “CLE” and without question can tell you story after story about this Pittsburgh icon. :07—So let’s start with what another Pittsburgh City League legend told me, “K.D.” (That’s Kenny Durrett to those of you just coming out the cave). He

older cats all they could handle in some legendary street ball. “CLE” went to then-coach George Cupples and told him Popa should be starting. The rest is Fifth Avenue history. :05—Former Pittsburgh basketball star and ABA draft pick Kirk Bruce has very vivid memories of having to go against “CLE” and Buzzy Harrison every day in practice. Like they say, if it doesn’t kill ya, it makes you stronger. Kirk, who was a longtime coach, really summed it up when he said

“CLE” was everybody’s big brother. He took you under his wing and that made everything better. :04—“Black Magic”…aka Ricky Coleman, considered by all basketball purists to be the best guard in Western Pa. history, remembers how “CLE” schooled him for an entire summer on how to play tough through contact to protect the ball, stay focused and to finish!

Do you all get that feeling by what I am telling you . . . this Fifth Avenue “Brother” is taking time to teach a Schenley “Brother” how to play at another level because they were “Brothers” in basketball. Ricky called him “a warrior with a warm heart!” :03—Last, but not least, and going back to my opening comment about name recognition, “Quickdraw” … say the name and everybody knows who you’re talking about. Not only quick of foot, but a quick and deadly release to go with it. He played with many of the greats and knew “CLE” well. But of all the great basketball they shared together, “Quick” speaks to what a great guy “CLE” was. Just a great guy that was matter of fact. No nonsense. And if he had you, he had you. If not…watch out! :02—Of the names I profiled here, I am certainly the least of these, but my story rings true nonetheless. The

first comes to my mind as if it happened ten minutes ago. It was East Hills, April 1979. The Connie Hawkins League was in full and massive glory, 1,000 people a night. Connie introduced me to Kenny Durrett for the first time and asked me to put him on a team. Well, my unaware and flat out wrong answer was, “Hawk, we got 16 teams and every team is loaded. I just can’t do it.” “CLE” walks over to me and said, “Neal, take any team in this league, then take any five players off the team and put Kenny Durrett in their place and they’ll be 10 times better!”

(FOOTNOTE: Please remember you have to forgive a Brother. I was a football player by way of Penn Hills and Slippery Rock. Forgive me, Lord. I know not what I do!) Secondly, and most importantly, it was “CLE” Edwards that introduced me to Pitt Coach Tim Grgurich.

That, in essence, opened my world and eyes to the game of basketball. “Coach Girg” and “CLE” showed me, taught me and allowed me to be a part of the Pitt basketball program and family that continues to this day. They both showed me how to make the Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League what it became. :01—In closing, Cleveland Edwards, Fifth Avenue High

CLEVELAND EDWARDS (Photo courtesy Robert Morris University) School basketball legend, high school football player, knocked softballs out the park for the fun of it. Robert Morris College starting point guard. Pitt starting point guard and defensive specialist, assistant basketball coach at Pitt, assistant basketball coach at UNLV where he was an interim head coach and won a national title. C’mon man!!! :00—GAME NOT OVER, JUST A TIMEOUT. “CLE”

now joins Heaven’s Hoopers, but he joins the team as a coach, not a player.

Who else can handle these guys…Kenny Durrett, Jeep Kelly, Warner Macklin, Tyrogue “Moon” Howard, Larry “Byrd” Richardson, Sonny Lewis, Armon Gilliam, John “Shanghi” Mathews, Darrell Gissendanner, Maurice Lucas, Chuck Cooper, Ed Fleming, Lenard “Houn” Johnson, Maurice Stokes…We’ll be playin’ all night long!

God Bless… ‘Americans’ We should be able to accept excellence from any source Jones hasn’t performed yet for the former league of “he hate me.” However he hung in and hung on with the Steelers until his clipboard became outdated and they switched to a tablet. Jones joined the Steelers in 2013. He did not complete a pass for the Steelers until 2015. In 2015 he was 32 of 55. In 2016 he was 53 of 86. In 2017 he was 23 of 28. A lot of his work was in a cleanup role,

Inside Conditions

Aubrey Bruce forced retrospection on myself, my craft, my mortality and my country. I always have and will always love America, warts and all. The song “God Bless America” has always been a hymn dedicated to the strong and enduring spirit of our country and has always been a motivator for yours truly. However, I was forced to ask myself this question: “Why do we sing ‘God Bless America’ as opposed to, ‘God Bless Americans?’”

As the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas Chiefs preseason game unfolded on Aug. 17, I was able to eavesdrop on certain opinions regarding the Steelers’ second- and third-string quarterbacks, Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph. Well, that is the order at least for now. After two preseason games in 2019 (Dobbs started the first game against the Buccaneers and Rudolph started against the Chiefs), Dobbs has a 67.9 QBR and Rudolph has a 115.9 QBR. Now to many that may sound like a death knell for Dobbs to maintain his status as the No. 1 backup to Ben Roethlisberger. However, please allow me to explain how that sometimes superficial stat may be a bit misleading.

Ex-Steelers backup and current XFL “performer” QB Landry Jones was with the Steelers from 2013-2017. Sorry, my bad,

yet when the Steelers were close to beginning the 2018 season, all of the pundits except me anointed, appointed and crowed and crowned Joshua Dobbs as being cut or traded because in their minds the Steelers QB roster was going to be Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones and Mason Rudolph. Jones was going to be the odd man out.

The Steelers had to keep Jones as the number two QB because of his “experience.” Rudolph was

the up-and-comer and was also the Oklahoma teammate of Steelers WR James Washington and they had already developed “chemistry” from their collegiate days.

Dobbs was traveling solo so he was going to have to make it on his own.

Well…Dobbs made the team and became the No. 2 QB. Nowadays rumors are trending toward Joshua Dobbs being trade bait because once again the Steelers QB roster has been reset by the “squawking heads.”

Starter Ben Roethlisberger, backup Mason Rudolph and número tres, Devlin Hodges. From Joe Gilliam to Kordell Stewart to James Dixon, Charlie Batch and now Joshua Dobbs, the Western Pennsylvania pundits as well as the surrounding demographic has a “unique perspective” when it comes to evaluating “certain quarterbacks.”

I am at a loss for words. I am in need of your insight for as the Beatles once asked: “won’t you please, please help me?” If we would stop worshipping mountains and prairies and oceans white with foam and start giving value to Americans with beating hearts and spirits emboldened, it might not be so hard to recognize and accept excellence from any source.

JOSHUA DOBBS (Photo by Courier photographer Brian Cook Sr.) LEGAL ADVERTISING

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Bids/Proposals

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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR ELEVATOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE AUTHORITY WIDE IFB#300-38-19

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Elevator Repair and Maintenance Authority Wide IFB#300-38-19 The documents will be available no later than August 12, 2019 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 11:00 A.M. on September 3, 2019 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

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

HACP.org.

Questions or inquires should be directed to: Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 August 22, 2019 11:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

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

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

Sealed bids will be received in the Bellefield Avenue Lobby, Administration Building, 341 South Bellefield Avenue until 11:00 A.M. prevailing time August 28th, 2019 and will be opened at the same hour for the purchase of the following equipment and supplies: ROCK SALT & ICE MELT General Information regarding bids may be obtained at the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Service Center, 1305 Muriel Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. The bid documents are available on the School District’s Purchasing web site at: www. pghschools.org Click on Our Community; Bid Opportunities; Purchasing - under Quick Links.

The Board of Public Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or select a single item from any bid.

We are an equal rights and opportunity school district

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) will receive sealed bids for the project identified below. 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: Ryan Buries- E-mail: rburies@pittsburgh cc.com, Telephone: 412-325-6179.

Bid Packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu-Copy at (724) 935-7055. Additional information on the project can also be found of Accu-Copy’s website at https://accu-copy.com/ plan-room This Advertisement applies to the following Bid Package: Project: David L Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC) Bid Package Name: Composite Deck Repairs Bid Package Available: August 15, 2019 Approximate Value: $3,200,000 Time/Date/Location for Pre-Bid Meeting: 10:00am, Fri., August 23, 2019 Time/Date/Location for Bid: 2:00 PM, Fri., September 6, 2019, DLCC, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS…THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

God Bless America, land that I love...Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies. To the oceans white with foam...

God Bless America, my home sweet home. God Bless America, my home sweet home!

During the week that everyone was dealing with the death of Steelers wide receivers coach Darryl Drake, I did some

B8

AUGUST 21-27, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER