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Vol. 110 No. 36

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SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

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‘DISAPPOINTED BUT NOT DISMAYED’

53 of 66 County Council votes down homicides Civilian Police Review Board Black lives

by Christian Morrow and J.L. Martello Courier Staff Writers

view all the testimony and objections in hopes that a modified bill can be introduced in January after new councilmembers are sworn in. This vote, he told the New Pittsburgh Courier, was a “small bump in the road.”

He added: “In the long run, if we want this legislation passed we need to make modifications without gutting the legislation.

We want it to have some power. Some people, even

After a year of public hearings and special committee meetings, Allegheny County Council finally voted on an ordinance to create a county-wide Civilian Police Review Board— and it was defeated, 9-6, with five Democrats joining Council’s four Republicans in voting against it.

The ordinance would have created an appointed board of civilians who would have oversight of the county police and any municipal departments that wanted to opt in. It would have reviewed incidents of alleged police misconduct and made recommendations as to discipline and/or criminal COUNTY COUNCILMAN DEWITT WALTON, charges. who voted for the Civilian Police Review The push to Board. create the board accelerated after the shoot- if we made modifications, ing death of Antwon Rose II still would not support by former East Pittsburgh this kind of bill. With new police Officer Michael Ros- councilmembers coming in feld. Rose’s mother, Mi- I think that gives us anothchelle Kenney, was in the er yes vote—and based on Allegheny County Court- some modifications if the house for the Aug. 27 vote co-sponsors are willing to and in the hallway after- make them, I think we can wards, she told reporters it come out with a victory.”

Councilmembers DeWitt changes nothing.

“This is never going to be Walton and Paul Klein, who over, never,” Kenney said. co-sponsored the ordinance, “They took a vote today, told the Courier they will reintroduce the ordinance we’ll be back in January.”

Khalid Raheem of the next year after new counCommittee for a County cilmembers are sworn in.

Civilian Review Board said SEE REVIEW A5 the committee would re-

Four of six incidents claim Black lives in August

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

With six homicides, August was the first month since April that Allegheny County didn’t have a double-digit total. Again, however, the majority of victims were Black. One of the White victims was shot by police. Most others were part of the ongoing genocide plaguing the African American community. The New Pittsburgh Courier will continue to note their passing in hopes that the commu-

IT’S NOT OVER—Michelle Kenney, mother of Antwon Rose II, vows to return in January to pursue a new vote for a county-wide Civilian Police Review Board. (Photos by J.L. Martello) nity will get fed up and stand up against this insanity.

AUG. 1—Gregory Eason, a 33-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times in the head after getting into a fight outside a bar in the 400 block of St. Clair Avenue in Clairton. A second man was shot in the foot. Police, as yet, have not identified a suspect. Anyone with information is urged to call the Allegheny County police Tip Line at 1-833255-8477.

AUG. 6—Donald Babbit, a 49-year-old White male, was fatally shot by police outside his home on Spencer Grove Lane in Glenshaw. Officers from multiple jurisdictions surrounded the house after receiving a domestic disKHALID RAHEEM, left, and Fawn Walker-Montgomery urged councilmembers to pass a county-wide Civilian Police Review Board, at a rally outside the courthouse, Aug. 27.

SEE HOMICIDES A9

Booker T. Williams remembered Westinghouse wants another as fierce advocate for Blacks shot at the championship

by Christian Morrow

corporate representation, and he was active in supporting progresCourier Staff Writer sive candidates across the politiWhen retired state Sen. Jim cal spectrum,” Ferlo said. “It was Ferlo was asked his thoughts difficult for any elected or government official on Booker T. Wilto avoid a direct liams, he said answer to Booker they first met in when requested as the 1970s—and he was intelligent, the World War II adamant but alveteran made an ways a gentleman impression on the and a class act— young community he never thought activist. of himself, but the “He was a vocal community atadvocate of fundlarge or someone ing the Freedom in need.”

House ambulance, Williams, a Mathilda Theis teacher, writer, health center, Hill BOOKER T. WILLIAMS fisherman, small House back when Jim Henry was the executive business owner, jazz aficionadirector, and the 84-loop bus, do and devoted member of the among other successful initia- NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, tives. I always associated Booker passed away on Aug. 13. He was with being a vocal advocate for 92. greater minority employment in SEE WILLIAMS A10 the visual media, the police force,

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Coach Donta Green says it all hinges on team maturity

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

What exactly is maturity?

How do you become more mature?

When do you know you’ve matured?

Trying to lock down a definition of maturity could take all day, though Wikipedia defines maturity as “the emergence of individual and behavioral characteristics through growth processes over time.”

Moments after Westinghouse High School’s football team let their second straight game slip away after having a third quarter lead, head coach Donta Green

said it all boiled down to one word concerning his players: maturity.

The Bulldogs, who most high school football experts believe have a good shot of returning to the Pittsburgh City League championship game, had an 18-6 lead midway through the third quarter of their matchup against Linsly School (W.Va.) at Cupples Stadium on the South Side, Aug. 30. But Linsly fought back by scoring three DONTA GREEN is in his first year as head coach of the Westinghouse Bulldogs. (Photo by Andre SEE WESTINGHOUSE B7 Swinton Jr.)

Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick says

A strong Black man born, raised and achieved in Pittsburgh!

Forum B6 Forum B6

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INTERNATIONAL

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History

LESLEY NNEKA ARIMAH

Women’s stories capture 2019 African Literary prize (TriceEdneyWire.com/ GIN)—Nigerian writer Lesley Nneka Arimah has won the prestigious Caine Prize for African Writing for her short story “Skinned” that looks deeply at the disparity in the treatment of married and unmarried women.

Her short story “topples social hierarchies, challenges traditions and envisions new possibilities for women of the world,” said Kenyan author Peter Kimani, who also chaired the judging panel.

The judges called it a “unique retake of women’s struggle for inclusion.”

Nneka Arimah’s Skinned’, selected from a short list of 5, envisions a society in which young girls are ceremonially ‘uncovered’ and must marry in order to regain the right to be clothed.

It tells the story of Ejem, a young woman uncovered at the age of 15 yet ‘unclaimed’ in adulthood, and her attempts to negotiate a rigidly stratified society following the breakdown of a

protective friendship with the married Chidinma.

With a wit, prescience, and a wicked imagination, ‘Skinned’ is a bold and unsettling tale of bodily autonomy and womanhood, and the fault lines along which solidarities are formed and broken.

Announcing the award, Peter Kimani said the work is a unique retake of women’s struggle for inclusion in a society regulated by rituals... Using a sprightly diction, she invents a dystopian universe inhabited by unforgettable characters where friendship is tested, innocence is lost, and readers gain a new understanding of life. Women’s stories figured prominently in this year’s Caine Prize short list. Authors included Meron Hadero (Ethiopia) for ‘The Wall’; Cherrie Kandie (Kenya) for ‘Sew My Mouth’ published in ID Identity: New Short Fiction From Africa. Cherrie Kandie is a Kenyan writer and a senior at college in the United States of

America;Ngwah-Mbo Nana Nkweti (Cameroon) for ‘It Takes A Village Some Say’, published in The Baffler.

Ngwah-Mbo Nana Nkweti is a Cameroonian-American writer and graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her forthcoming short story collection, Like Walking on Cowry Shells, focuses on the lives of hyphenated-Americans who share her multi-cultural heritage in the United States and Africa.

Lastly, Tochukwu Emmanuel Okafor (Nigeria) for ‘All Our Lives’ published in ID Identity: New Short Fiction From Africa.

A 2018 Rhodes Scholar finalist and a 2018 Kathy Fish Fellow, he won the 2017 Short Story Day Africa Prize for Short Fiction. is at work on a novel and a short story collection.

Works of all short listed writers and the prize winner can be heard online at http://caineprize.com/ the-shortlist-2019 The Caine Prize winner receives a $12,500 prize.

Leader in women’s issues to head U.N. AIDS program (TriceEdneyWire.com/ GIN)—The U.N.’s office on AIDS has named a longtime activist on women’s issues to head the global health agency.

Ugandan humanitarian Winnie Karagwa Byanyima’s career began as a member of parliament in the National Assembly of Uganda. She became the director of Women and Development at the African Union Commission and worked on the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa.

“I am honored to be joining UNAIDS as the Executive Director at such a critical time in the response to HIV,” said Ms. Byanyima. “The end of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is a goal that is with-

in the world’s reach, but I do not underestimate the scale of the challenge ahead. Working with all its partners, WINNIE KARAGWA BYANYIMA U N A I D S must continDr. Penninah Iutung, Afue to speak up for the people left behind and champi- rica Bureau Chief of the on human rights as the only AIDS Health Foundation, said: “With young women way to end the epidemic.”

Ms. Byanyima, who also and girls being disproporheaded the development tionately affected by HIV/ group Oxfam International, AIDS, particularly in Afriis the first woman executive ca, a strong UNAIDS leaddirector to lead the agency er can inspire them to pursue their dreams and stay since its launch in 1996..

She succeeds Michel healthy. We are excited and Sidibé who was appointed look forward to working Minister of Health and So- with a new and transforming UNAIDS.” cial Affairs of Mali.

Ms. Byanyima is married to Kizza Besigye, a Ugandan opposition leader for many years.

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Week of September 4-10 September 4 1781—The city of Los Angeles is founded by 44 settlers of whom 26 were Black. This little known fact of history is found in H.H. Bancroft’s authoritative “History of California,” which details the ages, races and genders of the city’s founding fathers and mothers.

1957—Nine Black students are banned from Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., by Gov. Orval Faubus. The move makes him a folk hero among White supremacists but sets in motion a major conflict with the federal government. President Dwight Eisenhower is forced to call out 1,000 federal troops in order to force the LITTLE ROCK NINE eventual integration of the school.

1981—Popular recording star Beyoncé Knowles is born on this day in Houston, Texas.

September 5 1859—The first novel written by a Black woman is published in the United States. The woman was Harriet Wilson and the novel was entitled “Our Nig: Or Sketches from the Life of a Free Black.” The novel was lost for years until reprinted with a critical essay by Black scholar Henry Louis Gates in 1982. The novel, which may have been a bit autobiographical, centers on the life of “Frada”—a Black indentured servant who was physically and emotionally abused by her owners.

September 6 1865—One of the great White heroes of Black history, Pennsylvania Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, first proposes an addition to the Freemen’s Bureau Act which would have required the confiscation of land from former THADDEUS STEVENS slave owners and the redistribution to former slaves in “40 acre lots.” Although Stevens was at the time the most powerful person in the U.S. Congress and a friend of Blacks, he was unable to get the measure passed. The so-called “40 acres and a mule,” which promised to aid Black economic development after slavery was defeated in Congress on Feb. 5, 1866 by a 136 to 36 vote. The lopsided nature of the vote reflected lingering pro-slave owner sympathies in the Congress and a general lack of support for the freed slaves.

September 7 1859—John Merrick, co-founder of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company was born on this day in 1859. He would help make the Durham, N.C., based firm the largest Black controlled insurance company in the nation. Merrick was born in Clinton, N.C. He died in 1919.

1957—Ghana becomes the first African country to break from White colonial rule and become an independent nation. The West African nation, once known as KWAME NKRUMAH the Gold Coast, was led to independence by the dynamic Pan-Africanist Kwame Nkrumah. He championed the slogan “Africa for the Africans” and encouraged the participation of Blacks throughout the world in building a strong and free Africa. However, the U.S. educated Nkrumah would be overthrown in a military coup in 1966. He befriended American activists ranging from W.E.B DuBois to Martin Luther King Jr. September 8 1925—On this day in 1925 a series of events are set in motion which would lead to one of America’s periodic trials of the century. In this case, prominent Black doctor Ossian Sweet moves into an all-White neighborhood in Detroit, Mich. The following day a crowd of nearly 1,000 angry Whites gather around his home in a bid to force him out.

Sweet had anticipated trouble and had 11 family members and friends in the house to help defend his property. A shot rings out from the Sweet home killing one member of the angry mob. All 11 persons in the Sweet home are charged with murder. The family is defended by Clarence Darrow—one of the nation’s best known and most progressive OSSIAN SWEET lawyers. Sweet’s brother admits to firing the deadly shot, but Darrow convinces an all-White jury he acted in self-defense and they found him not guilty. Charges are then dropped against all the others. Sweet would later write “I have to die a man or live a coward.”

1965—Dorothy Dandridge, perhaps the most prominent African American actress of the 1940s and 1950s, commits suicide in Los Angeles, Calif. She had been suffering from a host of financial and emotional problems.

In the early years of her career, she starred in a number of so-called “race films” oriented at Black audiences, but Hollywood “discovered” her and expanded her roles while simultaneously subjecting her to various forms of discrimination. Nevertheless, she would become the first Black actress nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Actress category. She was only 42 when she died.

September 9 1739—The so-called Stono, S.C., slave revolt begins.

It was led by a slave from Angola named Jemmy. The group gathered near the Stono River about 20 miles from DOROTHY DANDRIDGE Charleston and began a march and insurrection, which resulted in the deaths of at least 25 Whites. Marching under a banner proclaiming “Liberty,” it took a couple of hundred armed Whites to put down the revolt.

1817—Merchant, anti-slavery activist and “Back to Africa” advocate Paul Cuffee dies on this day in 1817. Cuffee had been born free in Massachusetts in 1759. Shortly after America’s war for independence from Britain, Cuffee and his brother built a boat and started a trading business. Over time, Cuffee became a wealthy man. However, he grew frustrated with America’s injustices against Blacks and became a “Back to Africa” advocate.

On Dec. 10, 1815, he sailed a group of free Blacks to the West African nation of Sierra Leone to establish a settlement. The settlement rapidly became successful but on a return trip to the U.S. in 1817, he died.

1817—This is the day that Alexander Lucius Twilight received his B.A. degree from Middlebury College and thus became the first African American college graduate. Twilight, born free in Vermont, would go on to become a Presbyterian minister and pastor at several churches.

1915—The “Father of Black History,” Carter G. Woodson, PAUL CUFFEE leads the founding of the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History during a meeting in Chicago. It was originally called the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The organization became the nation’s leading organizing center for the dissemination of information on Black history.

Woodson was also the founder of Negro History Week, which grew into the current day Black History Month.

1934—Renowned poet Sonia Sanchez was born Wilsonia Benita Driver on this day in Birmingham, Ala. She has authored more than a dozen books of poetry and has been a professor at several American universities. Sanchez joined the Nation of Islam in 1972 but left in 1975 following a dispute over the issue of women’s rights.

September 10 1847—John Roy Lynch is born into slavery on this day near Vidalia, La. Lynch would be among the first group of Blacks to serve in the United States Congress after slavery.

He represented the state of Mississippi. Lynch would even serve as temporary chairman of the Republican Party NaCARTER G. WOODSON tional Convention. During this period, the Republicans were the more progressive and friendly-to-Blacks party. But as the period of Reconstruction faded and Southern politicians made it virtually impossible for Blacks to remain in political office, Lynch moved to Chicago and practiced law. He died in 1939 at the age of 92.

1965—Father Divine dies in Philadelphia, Pa. From about 1910 to his death in 1965, Father Divine was Black America’s foremost spiritual and cult leader. Indeed, he claimed to be God and his full self-given name was Rev. General Jealous Divine.

Critics called him a charlatan and a religious scam artist. But initially as a traveling preacher and then from a base in New York City, Divine built his small church into the International Peace Mission—a large mass congregation with members and churches throughout the United States and several foreign countries. Little is known about his background, but he was probably born in Georgia and his real given name was probably George Baker. During his heyday, Divine’s only serious competition was another Black spiritual-cult leader by the name of Daddy Grace.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

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METRO

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

WILKINSBURG COMMUNITY DAY 2019!

SHAWNIECE JOHNSON, DEBBIE CUSPARD AND NIKKI JOHNSON, at the annual Wilkinsburg Community Day celebration, Aug. 31. (Photos by Courier photographer Rob Taylor Jr.)

SIERRA BROWN, with Modesty, 2, and August, 4.

BARRELS TO BEETHOVEN plays some selections at Wilkinsburg Community Day.

WILKINSBURG POLICE—Officer Chris Duncan and Sergeant Wayne McKenith.

KRISTINE BRADSHAW, DOROTHY BRADSHAW AND AMETHYST BRADSHAW-WATERS, with Jonathan, 4, and Kaleb, 1, at Wilkinsburg Community Day, Aug. 31. August 31 was Jonathan’s birthday.

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019 A5

Body of abducted toddler Nalani Johnson found

Pennsylvania State Police have confirmed that the body of 2-year-old Nalani Johnson, the toddler who was abducted in Penn

Hills on Saturday, Aug. 31, was found in a park in Blairsville, Indiana County, on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 3.

“We’re working handin-hand with the Pennsylvania State Police, the Allegheny County Police and District Attorney’s office…the FBI has also been here and is assisting with this investigation,” said Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty during a press conference Tuesday evening, Sept. 3. “This is a co-operative effort between Allegheny County and Indiana County to try to get the best outcome and determine what happened to this child.”

Dougherty added: “Make no mistake that we are working very hard to ensure that the individuals involved will be brought to justice.”

As more details will be revealed at a later date,

what’s known right now is there is one suspect in custody—Sharena I. Nancy, 25. She is charged with kidnapping a minor and other felonies. Police said she was driving a Toyota Yaris on Saturday, Aug. 31, in Penn Hills when she drove off with Nalani, the daughter of Paul Johnson, who had just exited the car.

Paul Johnson, as of Tuesday evening, Sept. 3, has not been arrested.

An AMBER Alert was issued for the abduction, and authorities searched endlessly for Nalani. Authorities arrested Nancy around 7:30 p.m., two and a half hours after the reported abduction on Aug. 31. But neither Nalani nor her car seat were in the car when authorities apprehended Nancy.

NALANI JOHNSON

County Council votes down Civilian Police Review Board REVIEW FROM A1

“We’re disappointed but not dismayed. We are bloodied but unbowed.

We have to stay true to the issues and the need to bring about fundamental change,” Councilman Walton said. “My colleague and I are committed to doing that and we’re beginning to build a broader strategy on how we move that forward. We’re going home tonight, but we’re not going away. In January, we’re coming back—with the same document.”

Objections to the ordinance ranged from concerns over costs, to its lack of subpoena power, and

even a lack of protections against officers incriminating themselves under questioning.

“That’s bulls___t,” Walton said. “That’s smoke and mirrors. The Fifth Amendment provides that protection. They were lying out front.”

Councilman Klein said the objection showed a lack of good faith by the ordinance’s detractors.

“It’s not a legal tribunal,” he said. “The reality is it’s an administrative body and trying to recognize that there are things that could have been done differently and make recommendations. That’s a red herring.”

ONE OF THE MANY SIGNS directed toward County Councilmembers as they voted down the Civilan Police Review Board, Aug. 27.

(Photo by J.L. Martello)

McKeesport mayoral candidate Fawn Walker-Montgomery, who co-chairs the Committee for a County Civilian Review Board, asked that if the objections were so serious, why didn’t anyone bring them up earlier?

“No legislation is perfect. We’ve been at this all year. They could have brought up objections at the four public hearings we had or any of the special committee meetings.

They had ample time to bring that up, but they wait until tonight,” she said. “Regardless of the outcome, we’re not going to stop. We’ll be back.

All we’re talking about

here is accountability.

You can’t expect police to police police—it doesn’t make sense.”

In January, Olivia Bennett of Northview Heights, who supports the civilian county review board legislation, will replace Denise Ranalli Russell on Council after beating her in the May primary. Russell voted against the civilian county review board on Aug. 27. Republicans Sue Means and Cindy Kirk, who also voted against it, face Democratic challengers in November. Democrat John Palmiere, who also voted against it, faces a Republican write-in candidate in November.

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RELIGION

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

NETWORKING EVENT

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: Journey Worship...........8:45 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship...........11 a.m.

Taize -Wednesdays.........7 p.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Legacy International Worship Center August 13, 2019—Pittsburgh, Pa. Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello

LEGACY INTERNATIONAL FIRST LADY AMBER DAY with daughter, Elise.

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!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

LEGACY INTERNATIONAL PASTOR MICHAEL DAY, speaking with attendees at the church’s networking event, Aug. 13, on the North Side.

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.

KATHLEEN MCDONOUGH, QUINCY KOFI SWATSON

REV. MICHAEL DAY speaking with an attendee.

Church Circuit 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.

GAITHER VOCAL BAND

SEPTEMBER 6—The Bible Church in McMurray, 300 Gallery Dr., will host multi-Grammy winner, Bill Gaither & the Gaither Vocal Band, at 7 p.m. at the church. The Gaither Vocal Band will share timeless gospel classics, as well as refreshing, inspiring new favorites embraced by audiences of all ages and backgrounds. For ticket information, call 1-855-484-1991.

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.

ST. PAUL BAPTIST WOMEN’S DAY

SEPTEMBER 15—St. Paul Baptist Church, 6701 Penn Ave. will hold its Women Of the Word (W.O.W.) ministry’s annual Women’s Day celebration during the 10 a.m. worship service.

The theme is “Walking in the Light.” Reverend Leola P. Cherry of St. Paul Baptist will deliver the morning sermon. All are welcome to attend. For more information contact the church at 412-3624932.

A PRAYER prior to the start of the event.

ANTIOCH BAPTIST PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY

SEPTEMBER 22—Antioch Baptist Church, 332 Elizabeth Street, Sewickley, will celebrate their 8th Pastoral Anniversary with Rev. Travis C. Coon and family at 10:45 a.m. Guest speaker for the service will be Elder Leonard Carson, Church of the Living God, Midland. Dinner will be served after service and all are welcome.

Call 412-741-7688 for details.

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

HEALTH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

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Take charge of your health today. Be informed. Be involved.

ESTHER BUSH

Teens and Sleep This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on teens and sleep. Erricka Hager and Bee Schindler, community engagement coordinators, University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh spoke about this topic.

BS: Good morning, Ms. Bush. I thank you for the chance to talk with you today about teens and sleep. A 2014 study published in the journal Pediatrics showed that, while most people in the study did not get the eight to nine hours of sleep per night that’s suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black male participants had the least amount of sleep, which could play a role in daily life activities like school performance.

EB: That’s a great point, Bee, especially when, as Dr. Hasler states, school start times are the earliest they have ever been. If young people are not getting enough sleep, we have to wonder whether discipline rates for attentiveness begin to shift. And we know that studies have repeatedly shown that black students in the United States are subject to disciplinary action at rates much higher than their white counterparts.

BS: Right; the effects of sleep are multifaceted.

And it’s interesting that Dr. Hasler also notes that trying to make up sleep on the weekends actually has worsening effects on overall health.

EH: Esther and I previously discussed the “sleep gap” and how it negatively affects the health of black adult shift-workers. However, researcher Tiffany Yip, PhD, professor of psychology at Fordham University, has found that the sleep gap between white and nonwhite students starts as young as 2 years old and only grows from there. Tiffany’s study has shown that white students have slept hundreds of hours more than black students. The study cites how the effect of stressors like discrimination from peers or teachers not only affects sleep but also hinders academic performance.

EB: Yes, Erricka; I remember our conversation about how black Americans are suffering from a “sleep gap,” but I didn’t realize that it starts at such an early age. It’s unfortunate that this disparity isn’t receiving much attention, especially when we understand how important sleep is to our health. What are some suggestions to help teens get more sleep and ultimately reduce the sleep gap?

BS: Dr. Hasler notes that keeping track of sleep patterns, limiting the blue light from smart devices before bed and being mindful of teenagers’ natural daily cycles could help young folks get more restful sleep.

It sounds as if these steps could also potentially reduce the sleep gap.

EB: Thank you so much for having this conversation with me, Erricka and Bee. We’ve provided some great information and ways that readers can take charge of their health today. I look forward to next month as we discuss the importance of oral health.

Getting enough sleep is necessary for teens’ overall health Have you ever gotten frustrated with a teenager who wants to go to bed late and sleep until late in the morning? Does the teen always seem to want sleep—except at night?

In those moments of frustration, remember that teens’ sleep patterns are a result of their age, biology and internal clocks.

Sleep is fuel for our bodies; everyone needs it. Sleep does not just help us feel better. Research shows that getting enough sleep is necessary for our overall health, too. Being well rested helps us fight illness, be at a healthy weight, lower our risk for serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease, reduce stress, make good decisions and get along better with people. Teens experience the same health benefits from get ting enough sleep, but their sleep patterns change.

“There are marked changes that occur in sleep and in circadian rhythms, especially postpuberty and during adolescence,” said Brant P. Hasler, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, School of Medicine, of psychology, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, and of clinical and translational science, University of Pittsburgh. “The timing of sleep changes for adolescents in that they increasingly prefer and pursue both later bedtimes and later wake-up times. We know that that’s driven in part by changes in their circadian rhythms.”

A circadian rhythm is a 24-hour internal clock that regulates our sleep/wake cycles, along with many other processes in our brain and body, including temperature, cardiovascular function, and digestion.

The circadian rhythm is always running in the background of our brains and is controlled by BRANT P. HASLER, PHD a portion of the brain called the hypothalamus. In recent years, researchers have found that the molecular basis of our clocks, the molecular clock, is not just in that central clock but is in essentially every cell of our bodies.

“One way to think about it is that the central clock is the conductor, but there’s this orchestra of clocks that are throughout other parts of our brain, our body and in every organ and tissue,” said Dr. Hasler. Making sure this orchestra is playing in tune is very important to health. Many research studies have shown that there are various negative health effects—including problems with mood, metabolism and cardiovascular health—when different clocks are no longer in time with one another.”

Researchers know that teens’ internal clocks change and cause them to not feel sleepy until later at night, which makes them want to sleep in later. Even though their internal clocks may be shifting later, teens still need between eight

and 10 hours of sleep a night to feel well-rested. Dr. Hasler notes that the problem is that only around one-third of adolescents report sleeping that long every night, especially during the school week.

“The problem is that teens typically have some of the earliest school start times they’ve ever experienced,” said Dr. Hasler.

“This happens at the same time as their internal clocks are telling them to go to sleep later than ever, so there’s a mismatch.

During the school week, they’re trying to go to bed earlier than their internal clock is telling them to and may have trouble falling asleep as a result. Then they have to get up well before their internal clock is ready.

Thus, they end up getting fewer hours of sleep than they need. On the weekend, they tend to change their schedule by going to bed later and sleeping in to try to make up the sleep they’ve lost during the week. But we know that it’s not possible to make up for five days of insufficient sleep in

Join us for Dinner & Dialogue about Teens and Sleep in Homewood Who: The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, New Pittsburgh Courier, UPMC Center for Engagement & Inclusion, University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), and YOU. Teens are encouraged to come!

What: We invite you to join in a conversation getting at the root causes of issues related to sleep and teens.

We hope to think about how the blue-light emitting from smart phones, mental health contributors, stress from working, family and environmental factors and more all affect young folks he oor will be open to robust dialogue. The free and open to the public Dinner and Dialogue series will discuss Allegheny County specific health disparities and current research and resource opportunities. Researchers and community leaders will be on hand to present findings and ex plore solutions. Dinner and child care will be provided.

There will be panelists and opportunities to engage in deeper conversation around youths and sleep and the disproportionate ways that sleep effects communities of color. The event will highlight opportunities for all voices to be heard in the space.

Where: Community Engagement Center in Homewood at 622 North Homewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 When: September 24, 2019, from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Why: This unique event seeks to boost community health education and advocacy, increase diverse participation in clinical and translational research and encourage individuals to become empowered and actively engaged in their own health and well-being.

RSVP to bos23@pitt.edu with your name, number in your party, if you have any food allergies. Please let us know if you will require child care.

only two days.”

Teens are essentially living in a school time zone and a weekend time zone and bouncing back and forth between them. Researchers’ term for this is “social jet lag.”

Research is showing that the effects of social jet lag are similar to those of regular jet lag, which we know has all sorts of effects on health.

The difference is that teens are doing this chronically, week in and week out. Dr. Hasler is examining social jet lag in detail in a study called “Social Jet Lag in Teens.”

(For more information about Dr Hasler’s studies or to find out how to participate, see the contact information elsewhere on the page.)

Though some school districts are experimenting with later start times—the current recommendation from many major medical organizations is for schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later—many schools still start before 8 a.m. The general recommendations for helping teens to get as much sleep as possible are to turn off devices earlier, wearing “blue blockers” in the evenings (blue light can suppress the production of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin; blue blockers are glasses that block the blue light in LED devices), keeping a more regular sleep schedule the entire week and being aware of the internal clock issue.

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report

Just a joke?

Did you hear the story about the news anchor in Oklahoma that told her co-anchor that he looked like a gorilla? This might have sneaked by you if you’re not on social media or you don’t listen to talk shows. I listened to both the original statement and the apology the next day.

Last week, Alex Housden and Jason Hackett, anchors at KOCO 5 News, were covering a story about Fin, a gorilla at the Oklahoma City Zoo that recently went viral.

Housden was talking about the story and said, “Now as you can see, Fin was fascinated by the camera.” Hackett fondly replied, “You can tell that he was ready for his closeup.”

But then, Housden suddenly said, “(He) kinda looks like you.”

It seems these types of stories are becoming commonplace. Someone that is in front of the camera will make a statement about blackface, or young boys dancing and then the next day they make a huge apology and say they didn’t know it was offensive. For a few days it is a big media story and then it makes its way to talk radio and it is passed off as “just a joke.” Most of the people who I have heard say the comment was just a joke are White.

They don’t understand or are not aware of the years of abuse that Black people have suffered being compared to apes, monkeys and gorillas. Blacks are told to “get over it.” Instead of an apology, I think the news anchor or public person that makes these kinds of comments should instead explain what they meant in detail when the statement was made, what were they thinking and if this is how you think most of the time. People have referred to this as a teachable moment so let’s really learn something here.

How do you really feel and how did you think your co-anchor, who you claim to be a friend, felt when you made that statement that you thought was funny and cute? Here is what the man who was called a gorilla had to say: “What she said yesterday was wrong. It cut deep for me and it cut deep for a lot of you in the community. I want this to be a teachable moment (and) the lesson here is that words matter. The demographics are changing and there’s no excuse.

We have to understand the stereotypes. We have to understand each other’s backgrounds. We have to find a way to replace those words with love and affirmation. As broadcasters, words are the tools of our trade. What we need to do is use those words not to hurt and not to divide, but to build a more perfect union.”

However, many did not buy her apology and wanted her fired from her job at KOCO 5. *** There are only three months left in 2019, if you have an event that you would like to have covered by me please email me with “request for coverage” in the subject line and give me the details.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com.)

DAIS GUESTS—Timothy J. Cager, Sherrie Cager and George Calloway

THE HEARDS—Cary Heard Jr., LeSans Heard Montgomery and Cary Heard Sr.

Golden Gate Lodge No. 33 celebrates 100 years

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

A charter was granted on Sept. 29, 1784 under the name of African Lodge No. 459 and delivered on April 29, 1787. Prince Hall was named the first Master of the Lodge which was formed one week later on May 6, 1787. This charter is the most prized and significant document known to be Prince Hall Masonic Fraternity, through its Ma-

ter. A page in the program book signed by Junior Warden DeWayne C. Hart Sr. welcomed guests, Brothers, OES Sisters and Grand Lodge Officers to the centennial celebration held at the Green Oaks Country Club on Aug. 10. Nearly 200 attended the black tie celebration.

On this beautiful evening in the eastern suburbs with Past Master David A. Jones as master of ceremonies, Golden Gate No. 33 honored: Douglas Connor Sr., James Davis, Willie Dillard, Cary D. Heard, Michael Mays, LaRon Nance HONOREES—Past Masters Derek White Sr., Michael Mays and and Derek White Sr. Also LaRon Nance

HONOREES—Past Masters Douglas Connor Sr., James Davis and Cary D. Heard

YOU LOOK MARVELOUS—Louis Ray Malone Sr., Esther Bush and Gary E. Bush Sr. sonic Fraternity, through its Masonic legitimacy among Black men. This charter is believed to be the only original charter issued from the Grand Lodge of England, still in the possession of any lodge in the United States (Black or White).

Golden Gate Lodge No. 33 was founded on Dec. 8, 1919. John W. Arnold was the first Worshipful Mas- MASTER OF CEREMONIES—David A. Jones

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS—Mike Ralston, Herbert Hart and Dwayne Hart. (Photos

by Debbie Norrell)

on this evening Timothy J. Cager (No. 117) was made an honorary member of Golden Gate Lodge No. 33.

After an evening of recognition guests enjoyed dessert and dancing.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION—Jeffrey Snipe, Timothy Cager and Christopher Ransome

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SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019 A9

53 of 66 homicides Black lives…four of six incidents claim Black lives in August HOMICIDES FROM A1

turbance call from Babbit’s wife saying he was acting erratically. A neighbor said he emerged from the house wearing only underwear and a towel on his head. Police said he refused to put down a gun and get on the ground. When he pointed a gun at the officers, three officers opened fire. County police are investigating and will turn their findings over to the district attorney.

AUG. 8—Janice Purdue-Dance, a 61-year-old Black female from Erie, was fatally stabbed at the bus stop at Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh in front of a police officer. The officer saw the victim lying at the bus stop; he went to render aid, and as he did, James Wyatt, 23 of McKeesport, reached over him to stab her. He turned and stabbed another nearby woman before the officer subdued him. The second woman was treated and released.

Wyatt is in the county jail awaiting trial on homicide and assault charges.

AUG. 12—Curtiss Eugene Meeks Jr., a 48-yearold Black male, was found by police responding to a ShotSpotter alert in the 1200 of Blackadore Street in Penn Hills. He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. Allegheny County detectives said Meeks was a member of a motorcycle club and may have been targeted by a rival club. Anyone with information is urged to call the Allegheny County police Tip Line at 1-833-255-8477.

AUG. 15—Terrance Jerome Jones Jr., a 21-yearold Black male, was found lying in a ground floor hallway at the Bedford Dwellings housing complex in the 2500 block of Chauncey Dr. in the Hill District with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. He was transported to Mercy Hospital where he died a short time later. Police have yet to identify a suspect. Anyone with information is urged to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

AUG. 30—Susan E. Jeffries, a 54-year-old White male, was fatally stabbed in her Tarentum apartment. Police said Juan H. Hayden, 55, admitted to stabbing Jeffries. He was charged with homicide and tampering with evidence.

July Homicides (11) JULY 1—Ricky Deon Moultrie, a 20-year-old Black male, was discovered in a car in East Hills. He had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

JULY 11—Christopher Lamont Lowman Jr., an 18-year-old Black male, was found in the 100 block of Millbridge Street in Allentown with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

JULY 11—Dauminique Ross, a 20-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times when he answered a knock at the door of his parents’ house on 16th Avenue in Homestead. He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive. Police arrested 24-year-old Rahim homas after finding him hiding in a home on 8th Avenue the next day.

JULY 13—Delquay Lamont James, a 21-year-old Black male, was found shot multiple times near a vacant home on Beacon Street near Hazel Way in McKeesport. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Allegheny County detectives have not yet identified a suspect Anyone with information is asked to call the Tip Line at 1-833-255-8477.

JULY 14—Joshua A. Makhanda-Lopez, a 30-year-old Black male, was found by police in his car with a gunshot wound to the head in an apartment parking lot in Penn Hills.

Witnesses told police two men ed the scene to a nearby house. Three people came out of the house, but police said Onaje Dickinson, a 20-year-old Black male, hid in the basement and fired at an officer when discovered he officer returned fire, killing Dickinson. Allegheny County detectives have charged 15-year-old Myzle Ford as an adult in connection with the Makhanda-Lopez killing.

JULY 17—Calvin Hall, a 36-yearold Black male, died in the hospital three days after being shot in the back multiple times on Monticello Street in Homewood. The off-duty Pittsburgh police officer was walking away after trying to defuse an argument between neighbors and his cousin’s wife when he was shot. Christian Bey, 30, has been charged with Hall’s murder.

JULY 22—Matthew Khoury, a 37-year-old White male, was fatally shot at a arfield building he owned when an argument with one of his

tenants over back rent escalated. The tenant, 49-year-old Michael Wolf, has been charged in the case.

JULY 23—Omari Ali Thompson, a 31-year-old Black male, was killed in a shootout with undercover officers from the state attorney general’s office during a drug buy bust in the Big Lots parking lot on McKnight Road in oss ownship ne of the officers was wounded in the exchange but is expected to recover. The district attorney’s office is investigating JULY 27—Tareef DelTae McClellan, a 22-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot in the head inside the garage of a home in the 1500 block of Versailles Avenue in McKeesport. County police have not yet identified a suspect and are asking anyone with information to call the Tip Line at 1-833-255-8477.

JULY 27—Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire, a 57-year-old Black male, was fatally shot at the Northside Common Ministries shelter on Brighton Road on the North Side after he refused entrance to 19-year-old Gerald Adams because it was after admittance hours. Pittsburgh police said there is surveillance video showing Adams firing through a window at the side of the door. He was arrested after a brief foot chase and is now in the Allegheny County Jail.

JULY 29—Darius Savaughn Freeman a 26-year-old Black male, was found by police responding to a ShotSpotter alert in the 1200 Block of Faulkner Street in Sheraden. He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

June Homicides (13) JUNE 1—Jordan Emanuel Lewis, a 22-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times on the porch of a home in the 7500 block of Ellesmere Avenue in Swissvale. According to Allegheny County Police, Charlton Mitchell, 21, admitted to shooting the victim who, during a party earlier in the evening, had taken Mitchell’s gun from him and threatened to shoot him if he didn’t leave. Mitchell said he retrieved a semi automatic ri e he’d placed in the bushes behind a nearby business, returned and shot Lewis.

A 19-year-old female and a 24-year-old male were also injured by bullet fragments during the shooting. Mitchell is in the Allegheny County Jail.

JUNE 2—Ciquann Dudley Jr., a 17-year-old Black male was found in the 1300 block of Tube Works Alley in McKeesport with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. Allegheny County Police said in a press release they do not know yet why the victim was in such a remote location, nor do they have a motive. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 1-833-255-8477.

JUNE 3—David Herbin, a 49-yearold Black male was inside a home on Laketon Road in Wilkinsburg with a gunshot wound to the head. He died later at the hospital. Police have issued an arrest warrant for Tariq Price, 39, who was recently released from jail. Price faces robbery and homicide charges.

JUNE 11—Marion White, a 49-yearold Black male, was fatally shot after an argument escalated and Alonzo Terrel Glen, 27, shot him four times.

Glen turned himself in to police a week later. He is now in the county jail.

JUNE 12—Tyrese Smith, a 20-year-old Black male, and Alexus N. Chester, a 17-year-old Black female who was celebrating her birthday, were both killed when an as yet unidentified person opened fire at a house rented for the party on McNeil Place in Pittsburgh’s Upper Hill neighborhood. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh Homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

JUNE 17—Whiney Maleeca Lyn Boyer, a 25-yer-old Black female, was discovered in the basement of a Maple Street house in East Pittsburgh,

after year old Delrico cClinton confessed the crime to a counsellor at the Cambria County Prison.

JUNE 20—James Rust, a 49-yearold White male, was fatally shot following an argument with his neighbor at a duplex on Horning Road in Bethel Park. The neighbor has not been identified because no charges have yet been filed JUNE 21—Gerald Dwain Walker, a 41-year-old Black male, was discovered bleeding from multiple stab wounds at a home in the 2100 block of Perrysville Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Perry, he dies later at the hospital. Maneca Pressley, 29, was arrested less than a day later and charged in his death. According to the criminal complaint, the couple had been arguing all day. Pressley told police Walker had assaulted her multiple times. The last time he lunged at her, she stabbed him then called 911. She is currently in the county jail.

JUNE 22—Kaine Williams, a 34-year-old Black male, was killed in the 1800 block of Sumac Street in McKeesport when arcus Acie riffin, , got out of his white Acura with a shotgun and fired at Williams Acie riffin was taken into custody after leading police on a chase through several communities before crashing over a hill in West if in He is now in the county ail JUNE 25—Corey Laguardia, a 22-year-old White male, was shot multiple times by a homeowner after he forced his way into a house in the 1000 block of Starr Road in Crescent ownship o charges have been filed JUNE 26—Christian St. John Jenkins, a 27-year-old Black male was found with multiple gunshot wounds lying in Truax Way in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Within minutes, police also responded to a second shooting a block away on Lowrie Street. That victim was last reported in critical but stable condition at a local hospital. Police have not said if the shootings are related, nor have they identified a suspect Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh Homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

JUNE 29—Octavia Stone, a 22-year-old Black Female, was found with multiple stab wound on Bessemer Way in East Pittsburgh. She was taken to UPMC Presbyterian hospital.

Though a suspect has not been named state police said Stone knew her killer.

Anyone with information is urged to call the state police at 412-299-1607 May Homicides (16) MAY 1—Jakeem Booker, a 19-year-old Black male, was fatally shot while trying to force his way into a Franklin Avenue home in Wilkinsburg over a dispute with one of the occupants. Police found him on the porch with a gunshot wound to the head.

Allegheny County detectives said a 17-year-old in the house feared for his family and fired one shot though the partially open door. No charges have yet been filed MAY 8—Bryan Jackson, a 31-yearold Black male, was found fatally shot in a home at 127 McKinne Ave. in Stowe Township after giving 25-yearold Terrence Murphy a tattoo. County police found and arrested Murphy at a house in Ambridge later that day. He is currently in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial.

MAY 8—Irvin Green, a 48-year-old Black male was fatally stabbed during an altercation in the 1200 block of Evans Avenue in McKeesport. Police have not identified a suspect Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 833-255-8477.

MAY 9—James Dent Jr., an 85-year-old Black male, who was shot in the back in October inside a store next to a daycare on Jones Avenue in North Braddock, died of his injuries.

Courde Daye, , was arrested for the shooting in December and will now face homicide charges.

MAY 9—Tre Valorie, a 26-year-old White male, was fatally shot in the

head when his girlfriend’s obsessed ex, Matthew Lambert, allegedly carried out his threat to “kill anyone she was with” as the couple left Rumerz bar on Pittsburgh Northside. He is awaiting trial in the county jail.

MAY 11—Mary Kornick, a 62-yearold White female, died at Allegheny General Hospital after being shot on Route 365 in Buffalo Township in what police said was a murder-suicide. Her alleged killer icholas Domek, , killed himself at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in reenfield shortly thereafter MAY 12—Luke Connolly, a 51-year-old White male, was found fatally stabbed multiple times in an apartment on Third Avenue in Carnegie.

A woman who was in the apartment was also stabbed before eeing to get help. She remains hospitalized. Police arrested 58-year-old Richard Mickens at a home on Spikenard Street in Scott, where he allegedly assault someone else with a knife, May 15. He is charged with homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, rape, and several other charges. He is in the county jail awaiting trial.

MAY 15—Ivan Walls, a 45-year-old Black male from Philadelphia, was discovered by police shot multiple times behind a house on Karl Avenue in Du uesne He died later at the hospital. County detectives say the victim and another man had just arrived at the house when shots were fired Police are searching for the second man and have not yet identified a suspect Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 833-255-8477.

MAY 19—Aris Payto Barclay Vann, a 22-year-old Black male, was found with multiple gunshot wounds on a porch of a home in the 2200 block of Woodstock Avenue in Swissvale. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Allegheny County Homicide Inspector Andrew Schurman said the victim was there to visit friends and may have been the target of a robbery attempt.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 833-255-8417.

MAY 24—Morgan Dunston, a 17-year-old Black female, was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community Church on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Police do not believe she was the intended target.

Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

MAY 24—Michael McDonald, a 51-year-old White male, was killed when he barged into the Robinson Township home of a man he allegedly owed money to he homeowner fired his shotgun, hitting cDonald in the chest As yet no charges have been filed MAY 26—Ernest Dixson, a 31-year-old Black Male, was fatally shot inside Shooters bar on Island Avenue in Stowe Township after getting into an argument with another patron.

Police have issued a warrant arrested Omar Harris, 36.)

MAY 27—Isaac Harrison, a 34-year-old Black male, was fatally shot on Chauncy Drive in Pittsburgh’s Hill District after an argument escalated into gunfire A 1 year old girl was also wounded in the foot in the incident. Pittsburgh police have not yet identified a suspect Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

MAY 28—William Mosby, a 62-year-old Black male, was found with fatal gunshot wounds in a parking lot in the 1800 block of Homeville oad in West if in he investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 833-2558417.

MAY 28—James Donovan Goodwine, a 29-year-old Black male, was found by police fatally shot in the head near the intersection of Forest Way and Collier Street in Homewood.

Police have not identified a suspect Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

MAY 28—Richard Lee Greene, a 35-year-old Black male, was found by city police lying in Chartiers Avenue in Sheraden. He had been shot multiple times and died at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

April Homicides (6) APRIL 3—Vernon Lee Owens III, a 33-year-old Black male, was fatally shot by a 72-year-old jitney driver during a failed armed robbery in Du uesne According to police, shortly after the driver picked up Owens and another passenger, he struck the driver with his gun and demanded money.

When they both got out of the car, the driver shot Owens with his own gun he other passenger ed Police have determined that the driver legally owned the gun used in the shooting and had a valid concealed-carry permit o charges will be filed APRIL 7—Alison Fritzius, a 55-year-old White female, was found fatally stabbed on the porch of a home in the 800 block of Broadway Boulevard in Pitcairn. Police charged her boyfriend Derrick Avant in her death He is awaiting trial in the Allegheny County Jail.

APRIL 8—Mark Jackson, a 39-yearold Black male, was found shot in the face in a house in the 600 block of Winfield Street in Larimer He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have charged Robert Harper in the shooting.

Harper was already in the county jail on unrelated criminal charges.

APRIL 10—Brad Lee Lucier, a 23-year-old White male, was found by first responders shot multiple times at a house in the 1 block of Dohrman Street in Stowe Township. He died at the hospital. On April 15, 18- year-old Tomichael Sherrell turned himself in after police issued a warrant charging Sherrell had shot Lucier during a robbery. Sherrell is now in the county Jail.

APRIL 13—Ameer Coleman, a 19-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot inside a house in the 200 block of ern Street in arfield Police have not yet identified a suspect he investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7161.

APRIL 26—Armani Ford, a 23-year-old Black male was found by police fatally shot in a house in the 800 block of Vankirk Street in Clairton.

County detectives have not yet identified a suspect and are asking anyone with information to call the Tipline at 1-833-255-8477.

March Homicides (5) MARCH 15—Leslie Robertson, a 72-year-old Black male, was killed when he was struck by a car driven by Kakiia Williams, 33, outside the Harrison Village housing complex in McKeesport. Williams allegedly told police she was trying to run down someone else and hit the wrong person. She is now in the Allegheny County Jail.

MARCH 18—Daniel Carpenter, a 42-year-old Black male died in the hospital one day after being shot while sitting in his car on Shetland Street in Larimer in the middle of the afternoon.

Despite eye witnesses and possible surveillance footage, Pittsburgh police have not yet identified a suspect Anyone with information is urged to call 412-323-7161.

MARCH 28—Calvin Walker, a 39-year-old Black male, was fatally shot when he and another man got into an argument over a parking space with Neil Chandler, 42, on West Oak Street in Homestead. Police said Chandler shot both men during the altercation. Walker died late at the hospital the other man was treated and released. Chandler is in the Allegheny County Jail.

MARCH 30—Kenneth Baptiste Jr., a 27-year-old Black male, was found

by Pittsburgh police and emergency responders with a gunshot wound to the chest in the 800 block of Murtland Avenue in Homewood. He was trans-

ported to UPMC Presbyterian but died from his wounds. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh Homicide at 412-323-7161.

MARCH 30—Andre Jordan, a 41-year-old Black male, was found

by Pittsburgh police and emergency responders with multiple gunshot wounds in a hallway of an apartment in the 3000 block of Cordell Place in Arlington. He was taken to UPMC Mercy where he died from his injuries.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 412-323-7161.

February Homicides (4) FEB. 2—Tre-Quan Embry, a 22-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times in the head on East 17th Street in Homestead. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Allegheny County detectives have not yet identified a suspect and ask anyone with information to call the Tipline at 1-833-255-8477.

FEB. 4—Aaron Wade, an 18-yearold Black male from Munhall, was found lying in the front yard of a home on Plymouth Street in Du uesne Heights with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Pittsburgh homicide detectives have not yet identified a suspect Anyone with information is asked to call 412-323-7800.

FEB. 18—Norman Clarence Manuel, a 37-year-old Black male, was discovered by medics lying in the street in the 400 block of Enright Court in East Liberty with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone with information is asked to call Pittsburgh homicide detectives at 412-323-7800.

FEB. 25—Wilbert Barber, a 58-yearold Black male, was fatally shot when answering the doorbell of a home in the 300 block of Fifth Avenue in Rankin.

County police said the killers fired through the door, hitting him twice. They have not yet identified any suspects Anyone with information is asked to call the Tipline at 1-833-255-8477.

January Homicides (5) JAN. 9—Jonathan Freeman, a 16-year-old Black male, was fatally shot when bullets tore through the wall of a friend’s house in the 7300 block of Susquehanna Street in Homewood where he’d gone to play video games.

Pittsburgh police have not yet identified a suspect Anyone with information is asked to call 412-323-7800.

JAN. 11––Josiah Battle-Davis, a 26-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot in an SUV parked in the 200 block of Glenwood Avenue in Hazelwood. Pittsburgh police have not identified a suspect Anyone with information is asked to call 412-323-7800.

JAN. 14—Tremaine Solomon, a 30-year-old Black male, was found

by Wilkinsburg police shot multiple times lying in the street in the 1500 block of Marlboro Avenue. He died at the hospital three hours later. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County police tipline at 1-833255-8477.

JAN. 23––Heather Short, a 46-year-old White female, was allegedly strangled to death with an extension cord and dumped in a wooded area near Sutersville in Westmoreland County in November.

Allegheny county police arrested Dale Cooper, 3 , of West if in after her remains were found. Police said he admitted killing her because he feared she would tell a drug dealer he had robbed of $700 and an ounce of crack that it was him. Cooper is in the county jail awaiting trial.

JAN. 26—Paul McMillan, a 48-year-old Black male, was shot multiple times in the parking lot of The Lounge on Verona in Penn Hills after getting into a fight with another man inside the bar, according to Allegheny County police. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to the tipline at 1-833-255-8477.

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Call our own Brenda Hill at 412-481-8302, ext. 134, to extend your current subscription for 6 months ($20), 1 year ($35), or 2 years ($65). Be sure to tell Brenda the code word for the discounted rates: “SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL” This special is open only to our current Courier subscribers until Sept. 20, 2019. Once again, we thank you for your commitment to the Courier.

Booker T. Williams remembered as fierce advocate for Blacks WILLIAMS FROM A1

Born in Aliquippa, his family moved to Pittsburgh and he graduated from Fifth Avenue High School before enlisting in the Army. He returned to Pittsburgh after the war and earned a master’s degree in education from Duquesne University before moving to Rochester, N.Y., where he taught English at Madison High School and also operated a record store.

Returning to Pittsburgh in the early 1970s, he served as the state coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s PHEAA Act 101 program, which provided state schools with financial support for disadvantaged students. He also served as program director, and later interim executive director, for the Hill House Association.

Black Political Empowerment Program Chairman Tim Stevens, who spoke at Williams’ Aug. 21 funeral service at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Homewood, said he was probably the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch’s most dependable member over the years.

“Booker Williams was a stalwart with the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch. He and I worked together for years. He was a strong supporter of mine as president of the branch, and more importantly was a

strong supporter of the NAACP and of civil rights.

He was a no-nonsense warrior in the cause for social and political justice, and in particular with regard to the rights of African Americans,” Stevens said. “In his role with the NAACP Political Action committee he was a never-ending advocate for voting rights for Black people, and for the need for us to always be in the voting booth on Election Day. He did his advocacy with passion, commitment and steadfastness, but frequently sprinkled with a never-ending sense of humor.”

Pittsburgh School Board representative Sala Udin said there were times when that humor was set aside.

“I remember Booker as a plain-spoken, bold-spoken leader involved with the NAACP and with the Hill House Association leadership,” Udin said. “It seemed to be important to Booker to not let things slide by, if they needed to be called out and exposed. This applied equally to our own community leaders as well as to the power brokers Downtown. But nobody doubted his integrity and he didn’t tolerate foolishness. Leaders of Booker’s type are not seen as much today, but they are surely missed.”

Williams is survived by three daughters, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

The 1619 prediction, says J. Pharoah Doss Forum B6

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SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

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PROPERTY IS POWER Road of the firsttime homebuyer

by Anthony O. Kellum For New Pittsburgh Courier

It’s a feeling we are all familiar with in some form or fashion. You know the feeling…the one when you see that favorite and overpriced car of your dreams or that beautiful but expensive little black dress and you work really heard and you save, save and save some more and then the day finally comes when you can make your move and but it! The euphoria you feel at that very moment when you can go into the store, online or to the showroom floor to make that purchase. There is a feeling like no other: it’s a feeling of accomplishment and pride. Well…imagine that feeling times 10.

Clearly there are several large and expensive buying decisions you will make in your lifetime. But none are as emotional, financially binding and somewhat permanent as buying a home.

You are going to experience a roller coaster ride like never before. You may be thinking, “Oh yea…well I rode the Millennium Force at Cedar Point and nothing can begin to compare.”

But the emotional roller coaster you are about to go on when you buy your “forever home” or your first home also known as your “starter home” will have you singing high and low at the same ANTHONY O. KELLUM time.

There are several emotional stages you will feel when going through the home purchasing process. First you decide it is time to buy a house. You’re at a point in your life when you are tired of paying rent and putting money in someone else’s pocket. Then you are excited, anxious and nervous. Your emotions are all over the place, and, after your initial research you are more overwhelmed than ever. You start thinking about number of bedrooms and if hardwood floors are a deal breaker or not. Then you receive your pre-approval from the bank or credit union and you feel mostly excited and then you start to think about how much debt you are about to be in, so now you are as nervous as a road lizard.

However, you’re still mostly excited.

YOU are about to buy a house. Your own house! No one can tell you what to do or how to do it in your house. You’re also emotionally invested at this point. You start visiting potential homes and you walk into a kitchen and it just feels right or the moment you walk into the house and immediately know “…uhhh this one is not for me” and hightail your way out of there. And the more houses you visit SEE PROPERTY B2

America’s racial wealth gap could cost economy $1.5 trillion

by Charlene Crowell

the cost of economic losses to the general economy will be in the range of $1.0-$1.5 trillion.

Black America’s “racialized disadvantage” was created through historical forces—including private business practices and public policies that together advantaged White consumers while often excluding or relegating

•Black Americans can expect to earn up to $1 million less than White AmerFor New Pittsburgh Courier icans over their lifetimes; America’s nagging racial wealth gap •Black men with no criminal records has been the focus of many research are less likely to receive job interviews reports and economic policy debates. than are White men with criminal reNow new research analyzes the strong cords; connection between disproportion•The median wealth of a single Black ate wealth and financial services women is $200, while that of a single and products that are either White man is $28,900; and shared or denied with con•Black families are up to 4.6 sumers of color.

Black America’s “racialized disadvantage” times more likely to live in Authored by the McKinsey areas of concentrated poverGlobal Institute (MGI), The was created through historical forces—in- ty, than are White and Latino economic impact of closing cluding private business practices and pub- families; the racial wealth gap, identiGeographically, 65 percent fies key sources of the nation’s lic policies that together advantaged White of Black Americans reside socioeconomic inequity with in one of only 16 states. The its accompanying racial and consumers while often excluding or relegat- states are also areas that gender dynamics along with ing Black Americans. score below the nation’s nafamily savings, incomes, and tional average of 77 state percommunity context. formance metrics spanning “Black families are undereconomy, education, economic served and overcharged by institu- Black Americans. For example, the opportunity, fiscal stability, infrastructions that can provide the best chan- National Housing Act of 1934 limited ture and more: Alabama, Arkansas, nels for saving,” states the report. housing options for Black Americans Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, “For instance, banks in predominantly by assigning a D-rating to neighbor- Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, MisBlack neighborhoods require higher hoods in general decline and occupied sissippi, New Jersey, New York, North minimum balances ($871) than banks by lower-income residents.

Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Fast forward to more recent times, and Virginia. in White neighborhoods do ($626). Unsurprisingly, 30 percent of Black fam- the Federal Reserve in 2017 found “This study represents a critical look ilies are underserved by their banks, that Black consumers are 73 percent at the key components of wealth-buildand 17 percent are completely discon- more likely than Whites to lack a cred- ing: access to community and family nected from the mainstream banking it score due to “credit redlining”. This assets, ability to save, access to homesystem because of a lack of assets and term refers to where a consumer lives ownership and availability of good a lack of trust in financial institutions.” to be the central determining factor in jobs,” said Tom Feltner, Director of ReAdditionally, according to the MGI whether to approve credit, rather than search with the Center for Responsible report, the nation’s overall economy the actual credit profile.

Lending (CRL). “At every step it points Among the MGI report’s other key is affected by racial wealth gaps, estiSEE GAP B2 mating that between 2019 and 2028, findings are that:

Black Greek clubs can do better for Black folks

by Michael Coard For New Pittsburgh Courier

Black fraternities and sororities do good for Black folks but can do better Two weeks ago, up to 10,00015,000 members of my beloved fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, flooded into Philly to participate in the thoroughly impressive Kappa Conclave 2019.

The weeklong event included several parties, a golf outing, a gospel fest, a public meeting, a Black male health symposium, a school district check presentation, and a Cheyney/Lincoln HBCU fundraiser.

The check presentation was in the amount of a whopping $75,000 that the Kappas donated to the city’s schoolchildren.

And thanks to the fundraiser, Cheyney and Lincoln received a total of $20,000 with half to each. By the way, the fundraiser stemmed from a mega-party with several hundred attendees at the Marriott Hotel at 12th and Filbert Streets that resulted in $10,000 along with a separate matching gift of $10,000 from Samuel J. Patterson, General Chairman of the conclave.

In fact, it was Patterson who in-

formed me that, in the interest of promoting Black businesses regarding the c o n c l a v e ’s various events and festivities, he and the other conclave officials had one question before deciding which companies to hire: “Do we know somebody Black?”

That’s exactly why, as Patterson pointed out, “The printing firm, the transportation service, the security agency, the decorating establishment, and several oth-

ers were all Black-owned and operated.”

That’s a good thing.

It’s actually a great thing. But it could be even greater.

It should be even greater because we can do better.

While in Philly, the K a p p a s along with their families, friends, fans, and groupies— yes, we have many fans and many groupies!— spent, in the thoughtful and conservative estimation of Patterson (who holds an MBA

from Wharton Business School and is the CEO of PK Financial Group, LLC), probably as much as roughly $50 million or so in the city at the convention center, hotels, restaurants, stores, clubs, bars, parking lots, and elsewhere.

This is exactly why I say we can do better. And by “we,” I don’t mean just the Kappas. I mean all the members of the Divine Nine, which is officially known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council and consists of Black fraternities Alpha Phi Alpha, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma along with Black sororities Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta.

Instead of us Divine Nine members constantly giving our money to White-owned convention centers, hotels, restaurants, stores, clubs, bars, parking lots, and other places in order to hold and attend conclaves, conferences, banquets, weddings, and similar gatherings, why don’t we all come together and build our own damn convention centers with their own hotels, restaurants, stores, clubs, bars, and parking lots?

SEE GREEK B2

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BUSINESS

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

BUSINESS CALENDAR 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, I 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 412-392-0610 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 412396-5884 for more information.

Alternate Business Funding Workshop

OCT. 2—The Chatham University Women’s Business Center, The Diversity Business Resource Center and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council PA-DE-sNJ will host Think Beyond The Bank—Alternative Funding For Your Small Business, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at CoLab18, 100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, 15212. Hear presentations from and network with representatives of funders including Kiva Pittsburgh, Urban Redevelopment Authority, The Progress Fund, Bridgeway Capital, Honeycomb Credit, Idea Foundry, and the Hebrew Free Loan Association Pittsburgh. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free, but registration—which does not open until mid-September—is required. Call Kate Booker at 412-365-1448 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 ffice, S SBA ohnna 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.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Amazon is looking to hire more than 700 employees for work-at-home job openings BlackJobs.com, created by the founders of BlackNews. com and BlackBusiness. com, has partnered with Amazon to promote their virtual (or “work-fromhome”) positions available to qualified individuals who live in certain areas.

So if you aren’t near a physical Amazon location, or just want to see if there are virtual opportunities in your area, you’re in the right place.

Amazon currently has more than 700 remote job openings for customer service associates, shipping and delivery support associates, IT engineers, systems engineers, cloud infrastructure architects, engagement managers, principal project managers and more!

Amazon has always been, and always will be, committed to diversity and inclusion. They seek builders from all backgrounds to join our teams, and they encourage their employees

to bring their authentic, original, and best selves to work.

The perks of being an Amazon employee don’t stop at collaborating with great people on exciting and innovative projects. They also offer a full range of benefits

to regular, full-time U.S. employees that support employees and eligible family members, including domestic partners and their children.

These benefits include: •Medical, prescription drug, dental and vision cov-

erage •401(k) savings plan •Paid time-off and Holiday overtime pay

(For more details and/or to apply for these virtual jobs, visit: https://www.blackjobs.com/ jobs/6320342-virtual-work-fromhome-positions-at-amazon )

Road of the first-time homebuyer PROPERTY FROM B1

the more you realize that the vision of your “Dream House” has changed.

You realize your “Dream House” is probably unattainable. And so you create a list of your “must have’s.”

Eventually it happened.

You found the one. After months of looking, searching and seeking you finally found it. You make an offer and you are sitting on pins and needles. You pray on it and wait to see if your offer was accepted.

And then…your realtor calls to tell you what you’ve been anxiously waiting on. The only thing is it’s not the answer you’ve been hoping for; you were

out-bid or something went wrong with the inspection, and now it’s back to square one. And you are disappointed beyond belief, because after all…this was your house. You envisioned yourself there, making memories with friends and family. But eventually, you pick yourself up and keep it moving.

Now that you have regrouped and just when you thought you’d never find the one you find a house that’s even better than the first. You make an offer.

And then you wait. But this time, you keep looking—just in case.

Unlike the first offer you made, this time, everything went smoothly! Your offer

was accepted, and the inspection was on point and the price was right! Marley Berger, a recent first-time homebuyer said with tears of joy in her eyes, “It’s such an amazing feeling. I did it! I really did it! All of my hard work has finally paid off!”

Now for the real tricky part. You are inundated with a ton of paperwork, the reality sets in on how much this is actually going to cost, you spend an insurmountable amount of time talking to your mortgage broker and you shop around for the best insurance policy for you future home.

The numbers are starting to get real. It feels like

the closing costs are getting bigger by the millisecond and your savings are starting to dwindle faster than ice cream melting on a hot summer day. But you suddenly remember that none of that matters because you are now a homeowner and it’s time to celebrate.

And finally, you feel accomplished you made your dream come true. A sense of pride takes over and then you realize you are truly “adulating” and you breathe a sigh of relief. You have a set of new keys and a place to call home. Now go change the locks.

(Anthony O. Kellum is a speaker, author and TV host, and president of Kellum Mortgage LLC)

Black Greek clubs can do better GREEK FROM B1

The cost is absolutely no problem. In fact, the Baltimore Convention Center and Exhibition Hall, for example, cost only $200 million to build along with another $200 million for the cost of the adjacent and enclosed skywalk-connected Baltimore Hilton Hotel.

The Kappas have around 170,000-200,000 members, which is approximately similar (or thereabout) to most of the other eight members of the Divine Nine, all of which have annual membership dues of about $700.

So let’s do the math. If you multiply $700 times 200,000 Kappas, for instance, you have $140 million. And if you multiply $700 times 1.8 million (based on the nine organizations having, for example, approximately up to 200,000 members each), you theoretically have $1.26 billion in a single year. Obviously, though, most members, generally speaking, of most types of organizations don’t regularly pay dues. But even if only ten percent of the Divine Nine do, we have $126 million in just one year.

In other words, much of that approximately $50 million that went into the pockets of mostly White businesses in Philly last week in connection with the Kappa Conclave could have gone into the pockets of Black-owned and operated businesses—if the Divine Nine had its own “Divine Nine Convention Center and Hotel” designed

by Black architects, built by Black construction workers, and serviced by Black receptionists, maids, waiters, caterers, etc. All we have to do is to form a Black fraternity and Black sorority coalition and rely upon the expertise of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, the National Organization of Minority Architects, the National Black Contractors Association,

and the National Bankers Association.

In addition to getting our business right, we gotta get our mind right. And we can start by no longer foolishly calling ourselves “Black Greeks.” At least 2,000 years before the Greeks did their fraternity thing, the Egyptians (correctly known as the Kemites) had originated their “Wisdom Teaching” and their “Sophia” (meaning sophisticated) rites of passage, which the Greeks tried to copy with their own pledge program. The Greeks referred to the Egyptians’ thing as the Mystery School. That’s because when the Greeks asked the Egyptians what they were secretly doing, the Egyptians politely told

them that it was none of the Greeks’ business and that it would remain a mystery to the Greeks.

While the Greeks’ pledge program lasted for weeks or months, the Egyptians’ rites of passage—which included a mental obstacle component, ritualistic ceremony, secret passwords and handshakes, and cultural/ spiritual enlightenment— lasted for years.

So why do the Greeks get all the credit for the fraternity/sorority system? Well, the short answer is mutual commercial trade that eventually led to a takeover as a result of Greek scheming, duplicity, aggression, and then weaponry that was more massively destructive than any on

the planet. The Greeks not only stole much of Egypt’s wealth. They also stole and plagiarized much from Egypt’s public and secret libraries, including most— but fortunately not all—of its “Wisdom Training” and “Sophia” documents.

Enough of the history lesson for now. Let’s get back to business. And we do that by building facilities and creating wealth. In other words, let’s do for self!

And although we certainly do good already, we can certainly do better. Much better.

(Michael Coard, Esquire can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well as at AvengingTheAncestors.com.)

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

America’s racial wealth gap GAP FROM B1

to a widening racial wealth gap between Black families and White families.”

“With today’s Black homeownership rate hovering around 40 percent, while 73 percent of similarly situated Whites own their homes, access to responsible mortgages remains more of a dream than a reality,” added Keith Corbett, a CRL EVP. When student loan debts and criminal incarcerations are factored into the racial wealth divide, an even more bleak scenario is disclosed.

“Incarceration is estimated to reduce annual wages by 40 percent—not including the lost wages during the time served—for the formerly incarcerated,” states the MGI report, “reduces their economic mobility, and even increases the risk of school expulsion six times for their children….[B] lack men without criminal records are actually less likely to receive job interviews than are white men who have criminal records.”

For Black women, gender brings a dual “wage penalty,” according to the report.

Median earnings for Black women are only 65 percent as much as those earned

by White men, and 89 percent of median earnings for Black men. Black women typically borrow more in student loans, so their lower earnings bring stronger financial challenges in repayment years. As a result of these and other factors, the median wealth of a single Black woman is only $200, while that of a single White man is

$28,900.

Both male and female Black college graduates are prone to support their families more so than their white college classmates. The financial assistance shared with older family members reduces the amount of disposable dollars that might have contributed more to paying down student debt or beginning financial investments like mutual funds or certificates of deposit.

“Education, while quite beneficial to those who attain it, is not an equalizer,” said Aracely Panameno, CRL’s Director of Latino Affairs. “And financial innovation and debt, even if well underwritten, can never undo historical racial discrimination that results in financial marginalization. Moving forward this situation can only be addressed through bold federal and state laws and policies that create equity of opportunity for all.”

Authors of the MGI report would likely agree.

“A number of simultaneous and mutually reinforcing initiatives will likely be necessary,” states the report. “This work will be neither simple nor easy, but targeted, productive efforts will likely strengthen the economy, increase economic and social equity, and improve the quality of life for families.”

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

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

by Glenn Ellis Urban community gun violence is a massive part of our country’s gun violence epidemic but, we’ve reach a point where it is too frequently overlooked within the broader gun violence debate, which often focuses, at least in the press, on mass shootings.

With all due respect, I believe we’ve all read more than enough about the rash of mass shootings. These are tragic, senseless incidents, and something needs to be done. But, that’s only one side of the equation.

As reported by Giffords Law Center, “nowhere is the gun violence crisis more evident than in our underserved urban communities, where homicide rates often reach 10 times the national average.” Young Black men are especially vulnerable—the chance of a Black American family losing a son to a bullet is 62 percent greater than losing him to a car accident. In fact, Black men make up just 6 percent of the US population, but account for 51 percent of all homicide victims.”

As recent as, this past July 4 holiday weekend, six people were killed and 66 were hurt in shootings in Chicago. Eighteen people were shot in St. Louis. Seventeen in Boston.

As I write this column, here in Philadelphia at the beginning of the weekend, following an internationally televised “Wild West”-style shootout where six police were shot, eight people were shot and were taken to the hospital overnight Friday with seven more shootings and four more homicides into Saturday morning. Over 1,600 people died in Pennsylvania from gunshot wounds in 2017, and where ever you are reading this column in any urban area, I pretty sure the same impact from gun violence is felt in your community.

We, as a nation, are mistakenly talking about gun violence in the U.S. as if it’s a single problem. But it’s really at least four different ones: suicides, urban gun violence, domestic violence, and mass shootings. Suicides are the majority of the nearly 40,000 gun deaths in the US in 2017. But urban violence is the second biggest category, making up a majority of the 14,000 gun homicides that same year!

When we hear about more typical everyday shootings in urban America, those incidents get fewer reactions and overall interest. I can’t prove with 100 percent certainty why this is, but it seems likely that the fact victims of widely covered mass shootings are often white (while everyday shooting victims often aren’t) plays a role.

Black and Latino children and teens are impacted by gun violence at higher rates than their White peers, in part because of what can only be described as deliberate policy decisions that created segregated neighborhoods and underinvestment in their communities.

I’m sure some of you are convinced that mental illness is responsible for the shootings which are commonplace in our communities. There is no evidence of a link between mental illness and violence against others. In fact, people with mental health disorders are more likely to be victims of a violent crime (up to 10 times more likely than the general population) than the perpetrators.

What we do know for sure is that the trauma of witnessing or being touched by gun violence has a been shown to, conclusively, affect cognitive development, academic performance and behavioral health, and worthiness in Black and Latino children and teens. This should have an even greater sense of urgency as many of us have young people who are beginning a new school year.

However, even if we had a perfect mental health system, we would not stop the current American gun violence epidemic ravaging urban cities.

In the absence of meaningful attention to this part of the crisis, nothing will change; no matter what they do in Congress or the White House. The drug market is a major contributor to the homicide rate. The young people who are impacted most are left with the options of drug trade and the streets. With the unlimited amounts of cash generated selling drugs, there is always a way to access guns illegally. One major report referred to this as the “three D’s:” Drugs; Drug Addicts; and Drug Dealers. This “deadly” combination fuels the proliferation of easy availability of military-style assault weapons, leading to the carnage of the bodies of our children and youth littering the streets all over America.

By the end of the day (and every day), 30 people will have lost their lives to gun violence. The statistics show that many of these will be the lives of young Black men between the ages of 18-25 years old. Gun laws, buybacks; red flags, and background searches only work for legally owned or purchased guns.

The fact is that for eight out of 10 gun crimes the shooter is not the legal owner of the weapon used, we know the steps we need to take to reduce gun violence. It’s way too easy to skirt the law to move illegal firearms from state to state, and we cannot continue to ignore the reality that America’s urban communities are actually bearing the brunt of this public health crisis.

(For more good health information, visit: www.glennellis.com.)

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

Founded 1910

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

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

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Calls for justice for a Black immigrant

Commentary

Addressing urban gun violence

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—In an article, titled “A Clarion Call for Racial Justice Reaches the Highest Level,” Rev. Jesse Jackson brought to light “the story of an immigrant, an internationally praised economist, and a whistleblower that exposed a $16 billion fraud against American taxpayers all wrapped in one person.”

The immigrant is Dr. Yonas Biru, an Ethiopian national, who’s waited for justice for a very long time.

An unusually mixed group of people have come to the aid of Dr. Biru. They range from the far left to the far right politically and philosophically, as well as a racially mixed group of people.

This group gives hope to what our US Congress could be like if they’d go beyond party labels to resolve problems we face.

Dr. Biru has become a national hero for a broad swath of people, but he remains a victim of what one conservative supporter called a “legalized racial discrimination case.”

Rev. Jackson presented the story as an “epitome of the most dehumanizing issue of race and intelligence.” Dr. Biru was a Deputy Global Manager at the World Bank. He was praised for “managing one of the most critical programs the World Bank has ever managed” and for leading research endeavors that produced “legacy-setting methodological innovations.”

His performance record raised a red flag with some senior executives who realized his high rating would qualify him to become Global Manager.

When he applied for the position, they wrote his performance rating had the

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary unintended consequence of feeding into his megalomaniacal view of his performance and the resultant sense of entitlement to the position.”

A 73-page report by Sen. Chris Van Hollen revealed that Dr. Biru’s record was “retroactively downgraded” to inaccurately reflect his actual performance record, Culprits deemed the record “too good to be true for a Black man.” Every project that was deemed “legacy setting,” which he was credited for “initiating, managing and delivering,” was retroactively retracted. His Deputy Global Manager title and role was denied under oath. The brazen criminal act involved redacting his title and leadership role from the Bank’s publications and websites, crediting his accomplishments to White managers.

Dr. Biru also happened to be a whistleblower after he exposed his superiors who fabricated fraudulent economic data to make Africa and Asia look poorer than they were.

With a feigned report that claimed “The Developing World Is Poorer Than We Thought,” the Bank portrayed the two continents as paupers in desperate need of interna-

tional aid. They used the fabricated data to siphon off $16 billion from American taxpayers.

Dr. Biru’s whistleblower case bought him prime real estate in the conservative orbit. The first person who demanded “to hold the World Bank accountable” was Dr. Ben Carson!

Subsequently, a group of 32 conservative organizations wrote a letter to the current President, pleading with him to ensure “Biru is fully redressed.”

Several Republicans such as Ken Cuccinelli, Acting Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services asked the Trump administration to intervene with a sense of urgency.

He wrote an op-ed in the Washington Examiner which led World Bank President, David Malpass, to agree to restore Dr. Biru’s official record.

His Chief of Staff wrote to Dr. Biru’s advocates, promising to redress the injustice. Sadly, someone stopped the process in its tracks. No action has been taken to date.

Others whose interventions have borne no fruit include 26 U.S. legislators, the US Departments of Treasury and State, current Dean of the World Bank’s Board and two former US Board members.

Recently, 20 African American religious leaders pleaded with President Trump to intervene in the interest of “justice and humanity.” With his record on immigrants, the question is: Will he respond and how?

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of the National Congress of Black Women.)

National Congress of Black Women to honor Shirley Chisholm

by Stacy M. Brown (NNPA)—On Sunday, Sept. 15, the National Congress of Black Women will celebrate its 35th annual brunch in the Thurgood Marshall Room of the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. The non-profit dedicated to the educational, political, economic and cultural development of Black women, will also honor the 50th anniversary of Shirley Chisholm’s election to Congress.

“We in the National Congress of Black Women consider it an honor to tell the stories of Black women and to remember them at our events as well as in our daily activities,” said Dr. E. Faye Williams, president, and CEO of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. “We are inspired by so many of them —especially Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm,” Williams said.

“Black women are awesome, but unfortunately, our true stories don’t always make the news. Mrs. Chisholm was our founder along with many great women like Dr. C. DeLores Tucker, Dr. Lezli Baskerville, Dr. Mary Frances Berry, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, and the Honorable Alexis Herman,” Wil-

liams said.

In 1968, Chisholm became the first Black woman to serve in Congress.

In 1972, Chisholm became the first Black woman to seek the nomination for President of the United States from a major political party. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 30,

1924, Chisholm was the oldest of four daughters to Charles St. Hill, a factory worker from Guyana, and Ruby Seale St. Hill, a seamstress from Barbados. Her motto and the title of her autobiography, “Unbought and Unbossed,” illustrates her outspoken advocacy for women and minorities during her seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Williams said.

Chisholm died in 2005 at the age of 81.

The 10 a.m. brunch will include a

special tribute to Chisholm by Congresswomen Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y. and Barbara Lee, D-Texas.

During the 35th celebration, the National Congress of Black Women will also honor Congresswomen Lucy McBath, D-Ga., Ayanna Pressley, D-Ma., Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., and Ilhan Omar, D-Mn. “Several women serving in Congress today were inspired by Mrs. Chisholm. They will be at our event to pay tribute to her. When I see the newest group of Congresswomen, I can see the influence of Mrs. Chisholm in their actions, and I am so proud of them,” Williams said.

“They are not just pathfinders. They are trailblazers. I love their spirit and their courage, and I know that their terms in Congress will definitely make a difference for other Black women as well as our community in general,” she said.

Joining the organization at the brunch will be three descendants of Harriet Tubman, and Alelia Bundles, a descendant of Madame C.J. Walker.

“We will also be introducing an initiative called, ‘Healing the Wounds of Circumstance,’” Williams said.

“Your readers will hear a lot more about this initiative soon,” she said.

Letter To The Editor

Rest easy, Mr. Zappala, no one is watching Dear Editor: Rest Easy Mr. DA, no one is watching and no one is listening. Lady Justice is supposed to be blind thus allowing her to hear the facts of the case without being prejudiced by looks, appearances and stereotypes driven by the dominant society. However, any and everyone knows that the United States justice system is not blind at all. However, when the people who the judicial system is supposed to derive power from are blind and ill-informed, corruption coupled with desperation becomes a system out of control.

The statements quoting (candidate for Allegheny County District Attorney) Lisa Middleman in a transcript 28 years ago are not only deplorable and of no surprise to anyone who has lived in the arrogant atmosphere of White privilege. It is also an indication that she was confident in: 1. Saying what she said among White colleagues and a judge (that allowed it). 2. Get away with doing it by the permission of the court. So when a White woman pulls out all of the stops for a White man as a White court system appointed her as counsel there’s more intelligent questions that need to be raised: 1. Were the statements a moral stance or a legal strategy? To be quite honest in the American jurisprudence legal takes priority over morality.

2. If the prosecutor felt so appalled by the statements where are the judicial reprimands calling for disciplinary actions on behalf of the people (legal jargon for DA).

3. If an attorney is fighting for you,

do you want them to win YOUR CASE or be politically correct?

I AM NOT A PAID SUPPORTER of Ms. Middleman, however as of now outside of Brother Turahn Jenkins, she’s the only one calling the system out as needing to be fixed. For those wanting an apology she gave it. For those who didn’t like the apology, Mr. Zappala doesn’t recognize the Black plight of criminal justice and has already told the Black community to kiss his a__ by going to the young White Republicans. If our great activists and celebrity Jasiri X (of 1Hood Media) had not been on the job he would have never had a conversation with Black people.

Mr. Zappala is known to be a very powerful man from great legal stock.

The fact is his father was the president judge of Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court. Mr. Zappala even took down a reigning state Supreme Court Justice without any assistance from the Black community but we think our anger with Ms. Middleman’s words justifies letting a man stay in office who doesn’t even see us.

Lastly, I have been told by many socalled Black leaders that Mr. Zappala is vindictive.

This stops many from not taking strong stances against him. So Mr. Zappala, you can rest easy because the negroes are working overtime not to offend you. They’re willing to turn a blind eye to the fact police dog killers go to jail while killer police go free.

The trained scared-to-death negroes can be bought and paid for by an irrelevant story by the media that’s never

been favorable to the Black people it (media) and you (District Attorney) are supposed to serve.

Don’t worry, Mr. Zappala, the trained, “educated” negro has forgotten the grand jury said that FOP President Robert Swartzwelder obstructed justice and you never charged him. Don’t worry, Mr. Zappala, the so-called Black leadership forgives you for not charging Woodland Hills High School Principal Kevin Murray for threatening and beating up Black students but you did charge the Black victims.

The Black community is even willing to forget that you graduated from Central Catholic and the heart of the Catholic sex abuse scandal, according to state Attorney General Scott Shapiro, was right here in Allegheny County. AND YOU HAVEN’T PROSECUTED ONE!!!!

I know that American politics is the devil’s arena, however, the truth can free all of us if acted upon properly.

Mr. Zappala has ignored the masses of Allegheny County and, I believe, will continue to do so because of the fear of reprisals in and around the Black community.

Though I may have to pay a price for speaking truth to power, I cannot sit idly by and watch Mr. Zappala win cases important to White people and continue to fumble the ball when it comes to Black people.

Lisa Middleman, you are on notice.

You get no free pass so get up, clean up and stay up on colorblind justice and prove you are who you say you are.

Victor Muhammad Pittsburgh

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

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SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR

DEPUTY SHERIFF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

East Liberty Presbyterian Church is searching for a Financial Administrator. Please visit this site for details: www. PC.church c reers

INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

UPMC Community Medicine, Inc. seeks an Internal Medicine Physician to work in Oil City (Venango County), PA to provide long-term comprehensive care for adults, adolescents, and the elderly and diagnose a wide variety of illnesses that can occur in any of the body system; will exam patients to ensure proper injury care and disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, request necessary tests and follow-up visits, and refer patients to specialists, if necessary.

Must have a M.D. or foreign equivalent; completion of 36 months of residency training in Internal Medicine; must have a valid PA medical license or eligibility for license; must have valid DEA license. Apply by following these steps; visit http c reers.up c.co and enter 190000VL in the “Search Keyword ob ID field and click o EOE/Disability/Veteran.

BUSINESS ANALYST OPERATIONS

Port Authority is seeking a business analyst who has the primary responsibility to elicit, analyze, validate, specify, verify, and manage the real needs of the project stakeholders, within Operations.

The business analyst serves as an assistant to the Chief Operating Officer and is a conduit between perations and Finance. The Business Analyst is also responsible for generating and compiling reports based on the findings, complete with probable causes and possible solutions to departmental issues. Performs basic budgeting and accounting functions conducts financial, statistical, and analytical studies; prepares and assists in the preparation of financial reports, statements, performs related duties as required. ssenti l unctions •Works with the Deputy Chief of Operations, Deputy Chief of Maintenance, and the Chief Operating Officer to document the department’s vision, pro ect’s scope, and financial budgeting on actuals vs. budget.

•Elicit requirements using interviews, document analysis, business process descriptions, use cases, scenarios, event lists, business analysis, competitive product analysis, task and work ow analysis, and/or viewpoints.

•Participate in department meetings to prioritize projects / initiatives.

•Enter, manipulate, and report specific data to perations according to standard templates, using Key Metrics. o re uire ents include •High School Diploma or GED. •Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Business Administration, Data Analytics, Public Administration or related field from an accredited college or university. Directly related experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

•Comprehensive knowledge of transportation operations, project management techni ues, and financial budget review for a transit environment with a minimum of three (3) years of experience.

•An understanding of contemporary re uirements, analysis, specification, verification, and management practices and the ability to apply them in practice; familiarity with requirements engineering books and resources •Effective oral and written communication skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with employees, senior management, Board members, regulatory authorities, and the public.

•High level of analytical and creative skills and the ability to find solutions to moderately complex interpersonal, professional technical and administrative problems.

•Ability to effectively work as a team player •Ability to generate presentations for Staff and Board of Directors.

•Demonstrated ability as a self-starter, responsive to organizational needs, committed to excellence and focused on balancing risk and innovation.

Preferred attributes: •A minimum of 3 years of experience working with public agencies, preferably the City of Pittsburgh, Penn DOT, Allegheny County and Local Municipalities in the coordination of mass transit service.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: o yn ylor ploy ent ep rt ent 5 i th Avenue rd loor Pitts urgh PA 5 - 5 ylor port uthority.org EOE

SONNY BOY

Allegheny County is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Sheriff through Friday, October 4, 2019. The written exam is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2019. For application requirements and job description please visit the following link: https llegheny county.us C reers eputy- heriff. sp

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PRINCIPAL SPEECH ENGINEER COMPUTER AND INFORMATION RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Voci Technologies, Inc. FKA Silicon Vox Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA seeks Principal Speech Engineer Computer and Information Research Scientist. Duties include continuous responsibilities for designing and developing the company’s acoustic models to increase the accuracy of speech recognition systems. These job duties include leading the development of algorithm and procedures for discriminatively trained acoustic models, researching emerging technologies to continue to improve the accuracy of the company’s V-Blaze speech recognition system, providing in-depth testing of Voci’s proprietary V-Blaze system, and research supporting the development and maintenance of the company’s product roadmap. Requires Ph.D. in Computer and Information Systems or Computer Science, and two years of experience in Speech Recognition research.

Must have knowledge of Speech Signal Processing and Advanced Signal Processing, Numeric Analysis, Optimization Theory, acoustic model adaptation technologies and their application to speech recognition systems, and speech bandwidth extension for speech recognition. $145,000/year. CVs to ennifer.findley vocitec.co .

ASSOCIATE INTERNAL AUDITOR

Port Authority is seeking an Associate Internal Auditor to be responsible for conducting and documenting moderately complex audit projects.

Makes material contributions to the report of audit findings, including the development of recommendations for the correction of unsatisfactory conditions, improvement of operations, reduction of costs, or the increases of revenues. ssenti l unctions •Plans and executes moderately complex audit assignments, conducts reviews of portions of extensive audit assignments, prepares work papers to document audit procedures, findings and recommendations in accordance with recognized professional standards.

•Participates in conducting reviews of assigned organizational and functional activities and contribute in interpreting and analyzing the policies and procedures of same.

This may include developing recommendations for business process improvements.

•Participates in the performance of special reviews and/or matters of significant at the re uest of Internal Audit management, which may include, investigating and attempting to resolve matters related to the assignments. o re uire ents include •BA/BS degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or directly related field from an accredited school.

•Minimum of two (2) years auditing/ accounting experience.

•Experience planning and executing moderately complex audit assignments, conducts reviews of portions of extensive audit assignments, prepares work papers to document audit procedures, findings and recommendations in accordance with recognized professional standards.

•Must have the ability to travel to various Port Authority locations, out of town overnight and occasional evenings and weekends as needed to perform audits and potentially serve on Pennsylvania’s Uniform Certification Program CP Appeals Committee as part of Port Authority’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.

•Effective and professional communication skills.

Preferred ttri utes •Minimum of two (2) years Internal Auditing experience.

•Knowledge of Government Auditing Standards (GAS).

•CIA, CFE, CPA or other related professional certification program that would enhance the performance of their internal auditor duties.

•Experience using audit software.

•Experience with business process improvement (BPI).

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: issy sey ploy ent ep rt ent 5 i th Avenue rd loor Pitts urgh PA 5 - 5 sey port uthority.org EOE

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Bids/Proposals

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS & CORPORATE RELATIONS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

FIRE DEPARTMENT CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION ANNOUNCEMENT

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE POSITION OF FIREFIGHTER FOR THE ALTOONA FIRE DEPARTMENT Applications for irefighter for the City of Altoona can be obtained from the Human esources ffice in City Hall between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, or by visiting www. ltoon p .gov, beginning Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Completed applications must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than NOON A C Human Resources Department – Altoona City Hall 1301 12th Street, Suite 301 Altoona, PA 16601-3491 Individuals on the previous eligibility list must reapply to be considered for employment; as previous applications and eligibility lists are void.

•Must pass a Physical Agility Test to be held in Altoona on Saturday, October 26, 2019 and Sunday, October 27, 2019.

•Must pass a Written Civil Service Test to be held in Altoona on Saturday, November 2, 2019, with a score of 70% or better.

•Must be a United States citizen.

•Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application.

•Must have a valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License.

• Must be a high school graduate or possess a GED equivalent. ust be physically and mentally fit to perform the essential duties of a firefighter as determined by successfully completing the physical agility test and physical examination.

•Must become a resident of the City of Altoona within six (6) months of date of employment and must remain a resident of the City during the tenure of employment.

Applications must be complete, written legibly, signed and notarized.

Completed applications must include: •Copy of valid Driver’s License Copy of Birth Certificate or appropriate proof of age •Copy of Social Security Card or proof of U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization •Copy of High School Diploma or GED •Copy of DD214 (if applicable). Veteran’s Preference will be applied to the final score of eligible candidates otarized Verification orm •Signed General Consent Form •Check or Money Order in the amount of $25.00 made payable to the “City of Altoona” he City of Altoon is n u l pportunity ployer ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the College will be held on: epte er 5 P CCAC Allegheny C pusyers ll 8 8 idge Avenue Pitts urgh PA 5 LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Port Authority is seeking a Director of Business & Corporate Relations to work with and report to CEO and Chief of Staff in the development and management of business and corporate partner relationship strategy. ssenti l unctions •Manage and maintain current connections with businesses.

•Establish new connections with businesses.

•Identify new revenue streams and ways to leverage business partnerships.

•Contribute to maximizing ridership. o re uire ents include •BA/BS degree business or public administration from an accredit school.

•Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in community, government, and business relations. inimum of five years of supervisory experience with proven Leadership and Management skills.

•Must be organized, accountable, and metrics-oriented.

•Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

•Strong decision-making and innovative problem-solving skills.

•Experience meeting deadlines and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.

•Excellent collaboration skills with both internal staff and external clients.

•Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with diverse communities and leaders.

Preferred ttri utes •Experience managing county-wide projects.

•Legislative and/or legal experience.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: o yn ylor ploy ent ep rt ent 5 i th Avenue rd loor Pitts urgh PA 5 - 5 ylor port uthority.org EOE LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Estate of MR. MARTIN R. SAVKA, Deceased, of 2008 Carey Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Estate No. 02-19-05232 Mr. Martin E. Savka, 820 Thompson Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136, Administrator, c/o Max C. eldman, Es uire and the Law ffice of ax C. Feldman, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108.

Estate of ANTHONY M. SALVI, Deceased, of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania No. 02-19-05013 Jodi L. Neel and Angela M. Kilbert, Co-Administrators, 1317 Patterson Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132 or to ROBIN L. RARIE, Attorney, BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC, 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017 Estate of LOUIS W. MEASSICK, Deceased, of Cannonsburg. No. 04925 of 2019. PNC Bank, 300 Fifth Avenue, FL 31, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or to James J. Bowman, McKinley Bowman & Bowman Attorneys, 429 Washington Avenue, Suite 1, Bridgeville, PA 150172350.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

Estate of .

CA JOHN RODGERS MCALLISTER, Deceased, of lenfield oad, Sewickley, PA 1 143 Estate No. 02-19-05378 Ms. Patricia Moyles, lenfield oad, Sewickley, PA 1 143, Administrator, c/o Max C. Feldman, Esquire and the Law ffice of ax C eldman, 13 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108.

Estate of ADAM M. SCHAIBLE, Deceased, of Pittsburgh, No. 04311 of 2019, Molly Hyatt, Administrator, c/o Molly Hyatt, 4030 Deer Run Drive, Knoxville, TN 37912, or Judith Anderson, Esquire, POB 17497, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

Jay Arthur Gilmer, Esquire, 7246 Campania Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Notice is hereby given that Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on August 27, 1 , with respect to a nonprofit corporation, Pressing On Pittsburgh, Inc. which has been incorporated under the onprofit Corporation Law of 1988.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation, a 501(c)(3) corporation, on behalf of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), is requesting Technical Proposals and Price Proposals (together, the Proposal package) for the preparation of a State Route 28 (Kittanning to I-80) Regional Corridor Study. he selected firm or team of firms will assist SPC with completing a study with recommendations that will improve safety and mobility for all travel modes along the corridor.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released by SPC on September 4, 2019. Copies may be downloaded from the SPC Website (www.spcregion.org) or may be obtained from SPC by written, e-mail, or fax request to: State Route 28 (Kittanning to I-80) egion l Corridor tudy Consult nt ervices P outhwestern Pennsylv ni Corpor tion wo Ch th Center uite 5 shington Pl ce Pitts urgh PA 5 - 5 - il rgordon spcregion.org Proposal Packages are due at the above address by 2:00 PM, 10/2/19.

ALLIES & ROSS MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR

Ph se nviron ent l ite Assess ent nd pd te for the nchester eigh orhood e id A C P - 8The Allies & Ross Management and Development Corporation (ARMDC) hereby request proposals from ualified irms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Ph se nviron ent l ite Assess ent nd pd te for the nchester eigh orhood The documents will be available no later than epte er and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until . . epte er at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Parties or individuals interested may obtain information from: r. Ki etric Procure ent irector Chief Contr cting fficer ousing Authority o the City of Pitts urgh Procure ent ep rt ent nd loor uite oss treet Pitts urgh PA 5 - 5 -5 ption or by visiting the Business Opportunities section of www.h cp.org A pre bid meeting will be held: ousing Authority of the City of Pitts urgh Procure ent ep rt ent oss treet nd loor Conference oo Pitts urgh PA 5 epte er A. .

The Allies & Ross Management and Development Corporation strongly encourage certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

ARMDC 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.

C ster . inion President C Allies oss n ge ent nd evelop ent Corpor tion ARMDC & HACP conduct 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.

o pl ce displ y d in the ew Pitts urgh Courier c ll - 8 -8 e t. 8 or

CLASSIFIEDS/SPORTS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION of the SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

TOWN OF MCCANDLESS ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT

Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on October 1, 2019, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Pgh. Langley K-8 Corridor Ceilings and Lights, and Classroom Ceilings and Lights (Deduct Alternate) General, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Pgh. Greenfield K-8 Replace Electrical Distribution System General and Electrical Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on September 3, 2019 at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority. org).

Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on September 30, 2019 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527), for the following: Electronic Proposal Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org) B19-08-57A Automatic Trip Stop Detecting Unit Antennas - LRV B19-08-58A Environmental Sampling, Testing & reporting B19-08-60A rock Salt - Bulk No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on each of the above items at 10:00am September 11, 2019 at Port Authority’s Heinz location (345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA). Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening.

These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.

Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing.

Port Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

The Board of Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Support the publication that is ALWAYS focused on Pittsburgh’s African American community.

Subscribe to the Courier today by calling 412-481-8302, ext. 134.

Sealed Proposals will be received

by The Town of McCandless at the Town Hall, located at 9955 Grubbs Road, Wexford, PA 15090 until 10:00 A.M., Friday, September 20th, 2019, for: Streambank restoration and stabilization on an unnamed tributary north of Patricia Drive and west of Brittany Place. Work included consists of the removal of vegetation, sediment, and other debris within the stream channel/embankment and the installation and implementation of various stream bank stabilization products. An existing Gabion Basket Wall located on the downstream end of the project failed and needs reconstructed. A small cast in place concrete endwall is also needed.

Project stabilization includes the seeding and mulching of all disturbed areas including all those areas disturbed for access to the various work areas in and around private residential properties.

Received bids will be publicly opened and read aloud immediately thereafter.

Bids shall be delivered in a sealed envelope and clearly marked on the outside with the name and address of the Bidder, the time and date of the bid opening and the words “BRITTANY PLACE DRIVE STREAMBANK RESTORATION PROJECT”. Bids that are mailed or delivered by a commercial service shall be placed in a sealed, properly marked envelope placed within a sealed, properly marked delivery envelope.

Copies of Drawings, Specifications, and Bidding Documents are on file and open to public inspection at the office of PVE Engineering, LLC, Waterfront Corporate Park III, 2000 Georgetowne Drive, Suite 101, Sewickley, PA 15143, (724) 444-1100, where sets of said documents may be obtained upon payment of $75.00 per set. Bidding Documents will be mailed upon request after receipt of payment of $100.00 per set. No refund will be made for the return of any documents.

All Bidders must submit the non-collusion affidavit with their bid or the bid will be considered void.

Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds, along with Public Liability and Property Damage Certificates of Insurance in the amounts specified, as well as Certificates of Workman’s Compensation must be filed with the executed Agreement.

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wages shall be paid on this contract.

Proposals to receive consideration must be accompanied by a Certified Check or Bidder’s Bond from a Surety Company authorized to do business in Pennsylvania, made to the order of The Town of McCandless, in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the Proposal as a guarantee.

The Owner reserves the right to award the contract, or any portion included in the project area, within ninety (90) days from the date bids were opened.

The Owner hereby reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids submitted or any part thereof or item therein. The Owner also reserves the right to waive any defects, errors, omissions, irregularities, or informalities in bids received.

BY: Mr. Robert Grimm, Town Manager Town of McCandless

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

B5

SONNY BOY

PITT’S TRE TIPTON is lifted by teammates after scoring a touchdown against Virginia, Aug. 31. However, the Panthers lost, 30-14. (Photo courtesy Pitt Athletics)

Will Pitt ever be ‘it’ again? :10—Yes, that’s clearly the question.

Will Pitt ever be “it” again…Being kicked (and I do mean kicked) around at Heinz Field on this Labor Day holiday, a day that saw very little labor applied to the Pitt football team. Pitt fell to Virginia, 30-14, and trust me, the game was way uglier than the score. A poor showing by the team in general, a very, very poor showing by quarterback Kenny Pickett, who by the way, ended last season with a poor showing, continuous mistakes by a team headed up by fifth-year head coach Pat Narduzzi, and a defensive backfield that would give you reason to think being in the same building with the Steelers may not be a good thing. (OK, kind of kidding on that one. As we all know the Steelers’ D-Backs are greatly improved. Just wait you’ll see when they play New England on Sunday, Sept. 8…or will you?) :09—Speaking of which, your Pittsburgh Steelers are about to…as the old folks used to say… “get right on down to the real nitty gritty!” The Steelers open up the 2019 campaign at Gillette Stadium where they will take on the World Champion New England Patriots. Sunday, Sept. 8, 8:20 p.m., Channel 11. :08—Granted the Pats are not the same team without retired tight end Rob Gronkowski, but

:05—Yes, your Pittsburgh Pirates are hot…

OK better put, they are lukewarm. Regardless of the temperature it’s way too little and way, way, way too late! But, hey the wings at PNC Park are the bomb. :04—At the Open, world #1 ranked champion Naomi Osaka was upset by Belinda Bencic in the fourth round. Serena Williams is looking for her 24th major title. And, after showing her young emotional side in her loss to Osaka, Coco Gauff and her partner Catherine McNally defeated Nicole Melichar and Kveta Peschke. :03—Speaking of movies, and I was just a second or so, if you were paying attention…for those of you that thought you didn’t like Denzel and the boys in the remake of the “Magnificent Seven” a year or so ago, I suggest you revisit it at home on blu-ray and see why you were wrong in your own space and time. I still give it four basketballs. C’mon, man! :02—The sixth annual Pittsburgh City League High School All Sports Hall of Fame Inductions is set for Saturday, Nov. 2.

If you have nominations for the City’s Best-of-the-Best, call 412628-4856 asap. :01—As always, do-not-forget your next Presidential vote is a vote to “Save The Soul of America!” Vote Donald Trump OUT!!! :00—GAME OVER.

Overtime

Bill Neal they are the same team with Tom Brady and owner Robert “pullyour-pants-up” Kraft. So buckle up, boys and girls, it’s about to be on like bacon-flavored popcorn. :07—I told you going in I’ve got the Steelers at 12-4 come January, winning the AFC North Division, but not going to the big dance.

Let’s hope I’m wrong on that count! With that being said, your Black and Gold wins the opener in Foxborough in convincing fashion.

I told you the preseason games meant something, and this team has a lot to prove; most notably, we won Super Bowls without Brown and Bell, and we can win them again. :06—Movie Review…and man it’s been slow. “The Angel Has Fallen,” the new flick starring Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman, would be better titled “The Script Writer Has Fallen.” The third in a series of OK movies lived down to expectations. I give it two and half basketballs only because of Morgan Freeman. Ya’ll know he’s God in his good movies, don’t you? Can’t be too careful!

Eli Rogers, remember one word: R-E-S-P-E-C-T Please, before all of you begin Google-ing and consulting your PDRs (physician desk references), please remember that what you are about to read is purely theoretical in nature.

I have heard a lot of hemming and hawing in regards to the untimely relocation of one Antonio Brown, former resident narcissistic clown and present wide receiver (no one knows how long) for the Los Angeles/ Oakland Raiders or whatever their name will be in a year or so. I previously thought (it was later confirmed) that the peculiar greed-like behavior that Mr. Brown exhibited before he boarded the Al Davis express was possibly because he had allegedly been bitten by the “meme” bug which infected him with the “I only count virus” or the “I-ock syndrome.”

This ailment should not to be confused with the East Nile or the East Pittsburgh virus that is known to be transmitted by mosquitoes, oh, except for the East Pittsburgh virus—that sickness may be transmitted by insects breeding in the standing and stagnant water around the Clairton Coke Works (just joshing, don’t get your dander up).

Now, what you are about to read below is purely accurate in

Inside Conditions

Aubrey Bruce nature.

Several days ago I spoke with Steelers wide receiver James Washington and former receiver Eli Rogers. That was shortly after the death of Coach Darryl Drake. When asked about Coach Drake, perhaps Rogers had seen the handwriting in the bathroom stall that his 2019 days sporting a black and gold uniform were numbered. I wanted to open up my interview with Rogers with a question about Coach Drake.

He put that to rest very quickly.

“I don’t want to talk about that again. I have said all that I am going to say.”

Quite frankly, I was sort of surprised at his reaction but hey, that’s how it goes when sometimes out of sight may be out of mind. He might have already discussed it, but he

had not discussed it with yours truly. I was not going to drudge up old information, heck I was just trying to get some additional insight from a player that I perceived, maybe incorrectly that was close to the late coach.

I realize that Rogers may have had more information than the rest of us concerning his own job security but there are certain ways that anyone no matter who that person is or what their vocation may be to deal with pending unemployment or receiving an actual pink slip. When I asked Washington the same question, there was a totally different reaction and response. Washington said in soft almost hallowed tones when it came to reflecting on his former coach: “You could talk to him about more than

football, a lot more than football, but one of the things that he let you know that life goes on…We all miss him.”

It is understandable that Rogers was far more worried about his future than his past and I am sure that he meant no blatant disrespect to his former coach. However, if Rogers displayed an indirect indifference to the fresh emotional wound that the team was trying to apply fresh ointment to behind the death of Coach Drake, then he should have reacted with the same callousness when the “Turk” came knocking on his bedroom door asking him for his playbook.

I don’t know much about Eli Rogers except that he was an NFL Pittsburgh Steelers player.

I never make an attempt to psychoanalyze a player, because I am not qualified to do so and furthermore that is not my job.

However, when specific personality traits jump out at you, these personality flaws must be recorded. I hope that Eli Rogers, for his own sake and for the sake of his future, receives a vaccination against the “I-ock syndrome” because “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Just ask Brother Benjamin.

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FORUM

SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

Please bring A strong Black man born, raised school supplies and achieved in Pittsburgh!

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—The event promised to be one of those last-gasp of summer events that would raise a little money for a good cause. The young woman who called to tell me about it promised that I’d meet interesting people, enjoy excellent wines and that the cost of attending was modest. “We aren’t charging anything this year, “she said rather breezily.

“But please bring school supplies.”

Her call wasn’t the first call that I’ve had asking for school supplies.

And whether we are educators, parents of now-adult children, or others, we understand how important it is for young people to approach a new year with “new stuff.” They should have pristine notebooks for the new subject matter. A supply of pens, folders, markers, pencils, and more. Some schools actually provide parents with a list of necessary supplies. The lists may include as many as 30 items and cost as much as three hundred dollars.

Low-income parents can’t even begin to meet the set of needs teachers’ detail, not to mention the things their children clamor for.

Please bring school supplies. That plea speaks to the economic disparity that exists in our country and to the many ways that individuals rush to help, if not close the gap. According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute (I serve on the Board), the teacher spends at least $450 per year in school supplies. The overwhelming number of them won’t be reimbursed.

They pay for some things that school districts should pay for, and they

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary pay for items to support their pupils.

Teachers who work in high poverty areas spend about a hundred dollars a year more than those who spend in lower-poverty districts. But they all contribute, and even with their spending, people are asked to “bring school supplies.”

Most of us have the heart to help young students, especially those whose families are struggling, especially those who may not have a new notebook but for charity. But we have to connect the heart to serve to activism that ensures that no child is inadequately supplied when she returns to school this fall. As commendable as the please for school supplies, they must be accompanied by please for structural shifts. Why is education the most easily cut item in our federal, state, or local budget? Why are we so satisfied that a plea for donated school supplies will be met? And why are we more confident in well-meaning charity than with an economic structure that would serve every child well.

Teachers are among the least well-compensated, but the hardest working contributors to our society.

They earn at least 21 percent less than folks who are similarly qualified as they are, mainly because the public does not value teachers as much as we once did. Last year teachers in West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arizona, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Colorado went on strike, and also garnered national publicity for their plight. Cover stories included accounts of teachers who were working additional jobs to make ends meet.

And too may states report teacher shortages because the occupation, with low pay and big hassles, isn’t as attractive as it once was.

Collecting school supplies will help some students, but I think it makes teaching challenging and less attractive. While teachers may enjoy the support of the community with donated school supplies, what does this support mean in terms of relationships and realistic pay? Who wants to be associated with an occupation so marginally regarded that supporters have to pan-handle for the tools of their trade?

On the one hand, then, I applaud Courtney Jones, the elementary school teacher from Tyler, Texas who launched a #clearthelists campaign to encourage people to help teacher pay for school supplies. On the other hand, I’d be much more enthusiastic about a #educationfirst campaign that urged legislators to prioritize education in budgets.

It’s nice to send school supplies. I bought a bag of notebooks and pens and dropped them in the box at the front door, which was overflowing with donations from others. There were notebooks and pads, pens, and markers. There were gift cards and lunch boxes, and more. The table was overflowing with community generosity. Why can’t we be as generous in pursuing a public policy that provides an equal and quality education for all of our students, and economic equality for their parents? Please bring pencils and school supplies and a passion for justice!

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)

We generally, ferring to does when we refer Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick not shoot 3 to a Black man pointers in the as a strong NBA, but he Black man, we scores a multiname men who tude of points are nationwide when it comes or internationto improving al. Overwhelmthe quality of ingly, we refer life throughout to Dr. Martin our communiLuther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rev. ties. The strong Black man that I Adam Clayton Powell, Paul Robe- am referring to is the former execuson, Nelson Mandela and often- tive director of the Kingsley Associtimes, our fathers. We are correct, ation, Malik Bankston. but it has always been a concern In his capacity has executive diof mine that too frequently, we ig- rector he was the driving force that nore those that live and work and built the current Kingsley buildsacrificed among us. I have been ing. The largest building ever built fortunate to know and have known in the history of Allegheny County a large number of strong Black by a Black contractor, first-class men who have lived and worked swimming pool, first-class gymnathroughout Allegheny County. sium, education, exercise, health, I will introduce to some of you community meeting facilities…He a strong man that I have had the would be the first person to state good fortune to have known him he could not have done it without as a youth and watch him develop the Kingsley’s Board of Directors, into a STRONG BLACK MAN. His but if you have been reading my size alone would describe him as a columns over the last 20 years you strong Black man but I am referring know it is titled, “TO TELL THE to the kind of strength that he used TRUTH.” to build communities and character It is my absolute conviction that it in persons that he has come in con- was the ability, conviction, concern, tact with over the years. He has the commitment, dedication, love and physical statute of a professional physical and moral strength of Maathlete, in fact, he is Pittsburgh’s lik Bankston, a SUPER STRONG version of the L.A. Lakers’ King BLACK MAN. (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to Lebron James, who built a school in Ohio. The person that I am re- the New Pittsburgh Courier.)

To Tell The Truth

The 1619 prediction The New Perspectives, York Times J. Pharoah Doss an award-winMagazine ning blog of released a the African special issue American called “The Intellectual 1619 Project” History Socito commemoety, whose exrate the 400pressed aim is year anniverto produce and sary of the disseminate beginning of cutting-edge American slavery. It contains es- research and discuss the many assays, photo essays, poems, and fic- pects of Black intellectual history. tion written by Black academics, journalists, and literary figures in Guasco stated: 1619 is not the consultation with historians. best place to begin the history of The material examines the histor- African people in America. It asical and modern impact of slavery sumes the arrival at Jamestown over the 400-year span. It updates was an exceptional historical monotions expressed by Black think- ment. 1619 was not the first time ers throughout the 20th century Africans made their mark on that Black Americans forced Amer- the land that became the United ica to live up to its founding princi- States. In 1526, enslaved Africans ples and the effects of slavery lin- were part of a Spanish expedition ger in modernity. There’s nothing to establish an outpost in presnew to this examination of history ent-day South Carolina. The Afriand there shouldn’t be, it’s an anni- cans launched a rebellion and deversary, but there is a point of con- stroyed the settlement liberating tention. themselves. (In 1565 when Pedro The New York Times Magazine Menendez founded St. Augustine, said it aims to reframe the coun- Fla.) he had Black members of try’s history by understanding 1619 his crew and he noted his arrival as America’s true founding. was preceded by free Africans in But that’s not a fact. the French settlement a few miles This invites critics to attack their north at Fort Caroline. This is half agenda and dismiss the 400-year a century before Jamestown.) The anniversary. elevation of 1619 has the uninOne critic responded, “Jamestown tended consequence of cementing was founded by a British company in our minds that the English over a decade before the introduc- settlers were already home but tion of slaves; its purpose was to they were not. Elevating 1619 sisearch for gold and establish trade lently condones the notion that to enrich its owners, not give free- this place is, and always has been, dom to anyone. America was born White, Christian, and European, in 1776 when we declared our inde- and establishes conditions for peopendence to free the American peo- ple of African descent to remain ple, including Blacks, from British strangers forever. As we near the rule.”

400th anniversary of 1619 and A defender of the project replied new works appear that are timed conservatives feel threatened be- to remember the “firstness” of a cause “it challenges the totalism on few Africans at Jamestown, it is which their entire world view has important to remember that hisbeen constructed. It is their mind- torical framing shapes historical set, which monopolizes imagina- meaning. How we characterize the tion and stifles alternatives, that past has consequences, the biggest lays the groundwork for authori- consequence is essentializing notarianism.” tions of “us” and “them.”

Now, that’s a premise worthy of But this was predicted.

In 2017 Michael Guasco, chair of debate during the 400-year anthe history department at Davidson niversary of Africans arriving at College, wrote an essay called, “The Jamestown, not whether 1619 was Fallacy of 1619: Rethinking the his- America’s true founding.

(J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the tory of Africans in Early America.”

The essay was published on Black New Pittsburgh Courier.)

Check It Out

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

A Fool’s Folly

by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (BlackPressUSA)—The hundreds of thousands of distressed desperate women with babies, children and men from Central America, South America and Africa who journey thousands of miles from their countries, risking their lives and leaving those that they love behind to enter the United States for a new life, will not be stopped by a Southern border wall.

That belief is simply folly, or at worse, political rhetoric designed to win over emotional voters that can be easily manipulated during the election season by an administration whose life expectancy, many predict, will conclude in 2020.

Serious thinkers understand that a comprehensive federal immigration strategy and a working relationship with the leaders of nations such as Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, are critical to stem the tide of the massive numbers of migrants that are moving north.

Perhaps the president and those who help him to shape his immigration policy might consult with people such as the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, who recently suggested that migrants would remain in the country that he leads if there were sufficient employment and a safe environment.

President Bukele recently urged Washington to become his country’s partner in creative a massive jobs programs in El Salvador.

He said that he believes his government, with assistance from President Trump, could create nearly 400,000 jobs that do not exist today. Those jobs, President Bukele said, would discouraged Salvadorans from seeking a life in the United States, he added, saying “… if people have an opportunity for a decent job, a decent education, a decent health care system and security, I know that forceful migration will be reduced to zero.”

No one wants to leave their home. If the average person were to examine their own lives and found that they were jobless and fearful, they would search for a place where they could earn an income and raise their families in peace.

Isn’t that what the first settlers in this country did when they fled what they characterized was tyranny in England?

So, history teaches us that those who stand at our Southern Border eager to enter and those who are walking towards it are not much different from those who settled what is now the United States of America, which we have declared as the ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave.’

(Congresswoman Johnson represents the 30th congressional district of Texas in the US House of Representatives.)

Misty Copeland set to receive Trailblazer Award

by Lauren Poteat

(NNPA)--Misty Copeland had the world of ballet standing still, when she made history as the first Black female principal dancer to the prestigious American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 2015, just months after becoming the first Black woman to perform the lead role of “Odette” in ABT’s coveted “Black Swan” in the winter of 2014.

Determined to shatter the glass ceiling of the ballet world, on Sep. 11, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will honor Misty Copeland with their esteemed Trailblazer Award during the CBC’s annual “Celebration of the Arts” event—an award that Copeland deemed as not only an honor but also a necessity.

“It’s so important for other Black dancers to see a possibility, a future for themselves, in a world that still doesn’t include many other Black ballerinas,” Copeland said.

“There’s definitely still a glass ceiling in the ballet world,” Copeland continued. “There’s only one Black principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre in their entire almost 80-year history and a lot of people don’t have the understanding that just because it’s been done once, doesn’t meant that that problem goes away… having one Black president didn’t mean that racism didn’t exist.”

“If I didn’t have art in my life, then I wouldn’t be the articulate, confident person that I am today. Fields in STEM are important but the arts are also so vital… not every child learns the same way and sometimes the missing link is art.”

Growing up as the fourth child of six in underserved areas of San Pedro, California, Copeland spoke to a time where she and her five other siblings found themselves all living in a small motel after her mother’s marriage to her fourth husband became abusive—both emotionally and physically—to Copeland’s mother and all of her children.

Despite the economic and social hardships, Copeland said that she was able to find solace and her voice through the world of dance. At the age of 13, the ballet lessons that she began taking at at the local Boys and Girls Club would eventually allow her to move in with her teacher’s family and eventually prepare her to make history.

“It’s been 25 years now that I’ve been a part of classical ballet and I still have that same fire,” Copeland said. “I think for me it was initially out of my own need, as a 13year old girl growing up in underprivileged areas, to find structure, something I never had, and dance provided exactly what I needed for that time in my life.”

“I represent ballet and any child that needs to see someone persevere,” Copeland continued. “What it means to be an underdog and to be mentored and have an amazing support system and represent that American dream.”

Since joining the American Ballet Theatre in 2001, Copeland has gone on to be inducted into the Boys & Girls Club National Hall of Fame; serve on the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, under the Obama administration; publish three books, including the New York Times Bestselling memoir, “Life in Motion;” secure her own clothing line with Under Armour; and receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Hartford. All the while Copeland has been an ardent beliver in reminding others that “representation is important.”

“I’m still a Black ballerina and a Black woman in this world and that doesn’t just disappear with titles,” Copeland said. “The more I use my visibility, my platform, my voice, to continue to speak about diversity both in front of the scenes and behind them, the more I’ll be able to help change the directory of dance.”

“A lot of underserved areas and youth either don’t receive access to dance courses or don’t receive quality training, which limits their chances of going even further when that time comes,” Copeland continued. “My hope, is that with my platform, I can continue this conversation to bring about change, to show younger people how to own their own power, to embrace who they are, to walk in their own path and to be represented.”

SPORTS

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SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

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Westinghouse wants another shot at the championship Coach Donta Green says it all hinges on team maturity WESTINGHOUSE FROM A1

unanswered touchdowns and a game-sealing interception of Westinghouse quarterback Troy Lanier to take a 26-18 win back to the Mountaineer State.

A week prior, Aug. 24, the Bulldogs had an astonishing 30-13 lead after three quarters over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, at a game played at the Wolvarena in Turtle Creek. But Our Lady of the Sacred Heart scored 20 fourth quarter points to stun Westinghouse, 33-30.

That’s right, Westinghouse has not scored a single point in the fourth quarter of their first two games of the season—the reason for their 0-2 record heading into their Sept. 5 matchup against City League foe University Prep, their first City League conference game of the season.

“It takes maturity to finish games and we haven’t been able to do that,” Green told the New Pittsburgh Courier after his team’s loss to Linsly, Aug. 30. “It’s just finishing those games and really driving that point home that we have to finish.”

Green said his team has a good amount of seniors, but “a lot of them are firstyear players or second-year players, so we appear to be older than we really are. So it’s just trying to find our identity, trying to find that will from inside to finish these games, that’s the biggest thing…at some point it has to become embedded in their hearts to want to finish these games and want to get better and want to make tackles. We (as coaches) can’t want it more than they do.”

Though Westinghouse has gotten off to a rocky

they’re enjoying coming to practice, they’re enjoying the preparation,” all the little things needed to master to hopefully, for the ‘House, have its first City League championship since 1996.

Westinghouse is also enjoying having one of the top players in the state of Pennsylvania on their team—Dayon Hayes, a senior defensive end who’s ranked as the No. 3 recruit in 2020 on Rivals.com. He’s already committed to play football at Pitt.

“From Day 1, in school he’s a huge leader, making sure all the young guys, even the older guys, are where they’re supposed to be, in class,” Green said of Hayes.

“Then of course on the field, it’s just his natural ability to take over games and to basically take one side of the football field away is big for us from him.”

Hayes lets his play do the talking. “He’s not a rah-rah guy, you probably won’t hear him say one word in the game,” Green said, “but he’s going to give 100 percent effort every single play.”

Hayes, at 6-foot-4 and 237 pounds, anchors a Westinghouse defense that returns eight starters, including senior free safety Khalil Jeter.

The Bulldogs also return eight starters on offense, and will call upon Lanier (a senior), running backs Mike Massey (senior) and Malik Harris (sophomore), and senior receiver Cameron Jones to carry the load.

While the Bulldogs relied much more on the run game last year, Green told the Courier he’s not going to worry about which attack (run or pass) will be relied on more. He just wants “hard-nosed football…I just

(Photos by Courier Photographer Andre Swinton Jr.)

“From Day 1, in school he’s a huge leader, making sure all the young guys, even the older guys, are where they’re supposed to be, in class. Then of course on the field, it’s just his natural ability to take over games and to basically take one side of the football field away is big for us from him.”

Westinghouse football coach Donta Green, on senior defensive end Dayon Hayes, pictured above, a Pitt recruit and the No. 3 rated recruit in Pennsylvania for 2020.

Prep at Cupples Stadium, Sept. 5, they’ll face Allderdice at Cupples, Sept. 12.

They’ll also play Carrick (Sept. 19), Brashear (Sept.

26), Hickory (Hermitage, Pa., Oct. 4) and Perry (Oct. 11), all at Cupples.

Can the Bulldogs turn things around, and get back in the fast lane to the City League championship

TROY LANIER will be called upon to “quarterback” the Westinghouse offense to points and victories.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS QUARTERBACK JOSHUA DOBBS checked out the game between Westinghouse and Linsly, W.Va., at Cupples Stadium, Aug. 30. He’s pictured with Westinghouse principal Dr. Bernard Taylor Jr. start, this year’s squad still has a good chance to return to the City League championship game for a second straight year. They lost to Allderdice, 18-8, on Oct. 30, 2018.

Green said his Bulldogs are “enjoying football,

want a team that’s going to come out and that’s going to smash into some people,” he said. “It’s going to be hardnosed football that’s going to finish plays, finish drives and finish games.”

Following Westinghouse’s game against University

game once again? Green believes so.

“I think we’re just inexperienced, and it’s going to take some time,” he told the Courier. “Once we find ourselves, we’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

MALIK HARRIS, No. 7 in blue, is a key component of the run game for Westinghouse.

THE WESTINGHOUSE CHEERLEADERS

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SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2019

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