America’s best weekly Black woman takes down Confederate flag in South Carolina
Pittsburgh Symphony bringing Smokey, Mathis
Full text of President Obamas eulogy for Clementa Pinckney
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Arts & Culture B6
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NAACP president introduces national march VOL. 106, NO. 26
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JULY 1-7, 2015
by Ashley Johnson Courier Staff Writer
CAMPAIGN LAUNCH—National NAACP President Cornell William Brooks speaks of the recently launched “America’s Journey for Justice” March during a Meet and Greet on June 24 at the Hill House. (Photo by Rossano Stewart)
Taking action, and standing up against racism and injustices in regard to voting rights, education and employment during this “critical time in our nation’s history” are just a few of the points National NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks discussed during his national address which took place in Pittsburgh on June 24 at the Hill House Association. His message was to air days later on several national broadcast stations including the American Urban Radio Network and WGBN-AM. “This is a critical moment in the life of the NAACP; a moment in
“We are marching because we believe our lives, our votes, our jobs and our schools matter.” Cornell William Brooks which our character is being tested. It is a moment in which our integrity is being stressed. It is a moment in which the nation is looking to an organization represented by people who love this country, who believe in this country, who stand on the values of the constitution. It is a moment
in which real leadership is necessary,” Brooks, an attorney and minster, said to a room of invited guests. “Your NAACP is suited up to fight. This is the fight of our lives. (We are) not an NAACP content on standing on our past. We are standing up for the present and the future. That’s who we are.” During his approximately 30minute address, Brooks discussed the recently announced launching of the national organization’s “America’s Journey for Justice” March, an 860-mile march, through five states, which will begin Aug. 1 and run through mid-September. It will start in SEE NAACP A4
not sold ‘We really have to get jobs’ Public on new PAT
Centre Avenue Plan crystallizes community vision
Davis talks jobs, racism and upcoming book
by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
The Hill Community Development Corporation’s recent State of The Hill celebration also served to officially unveil its comprehensive Centre Avenue Corridor Development and Redesign Plan, solidifying a coordinated development vision ahead of an anticipated $400 million in business and housing investments. Nearly a year in the making, the plan crystallizes the input of residents an stakeholders into a vision for the future of the Hill that also pays homage to its past, encompassing housing, commercial and mixed-use development as well as cultural and historic programming. “The Hill District community stepped up and provided input and feedback throughout the process,” said Hill CDC President and CEO Marimba Milliones. “We have been able to capture the essence of what the Hill District envisions.” The plan, prepared by evolveEA Sustainable Architecture and 4wardPlanning using a grant from The Design Center, also incorporates green infrastructure and includes a heritage trail, and calls for restoring the stream at the bot-
ConnectCard charge by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
Not surprisingly, the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s proposal to charge a fee for the ConnectCard fare payment system it will eventually require all riders to use— and which is currently free—did not receive a lot of positive feedback during the first of two public hearing sessions held June 30. The authority launched the cards in 2012 to work with its new automated fare boxes for buses and the T, saying it would save money and increase efficiency by eliminating the use of money and paper transfers— SEE PUBLIC A4
State gun law ruled unconstitutional
LARRY E. DAVIS, PHD
by Ashley Johnson Courier Staff Writer
Recently, University of Pittsburgh Dean of the School of Social Work and Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems Larry Davis, MA, MSW, PhD, visited the New Pittsburgh Courier and chatted with editors about Black on Black Violence, race in Amer-
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ica and his current projects. While many talk about the issue of police brutality, the tragic epidemic of Black on Black shootings and killings continue to plague Black communities across the country, and it looks as if no end is in sight. “In the Vietnam War, there were 58,000 troops killed, 7200 of them were Black; and the
by Christian Morrow
war lasted for 13 years. It took 13 years to kill 7200 Black people. We (Blacks) have, on average, killed somewhere between 9 (thousand) and 5,000 every year,” Davis said, pointing out an astonishing statistic. “Black America has the equivalent of the Vietnam War every year. It took 13 years to do it for the
Beginning in 2011 municipalities like Allentown, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh enacted local gun ordinances that could for instance, fine or jail legal gun owners who did not report weapons as lost or stolen. Last November, state legislators rammed through Act 192, which allowed legal gun
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Courier Staff Writer
MAD DADS provides stability and solutions to Wilkinsburg youth by Michael B. Rose For New Pittsburgh Courier
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL—Kids unveil a library in the playground for youth to be able to get books. (Photo by J.L. Martello)
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On June 20, the MAD DADS of Wilkinsburg defied the rain at Ferguson Park in Wilkinsburg to celebrate fatherhood and remind the community that the MAD DADS are on the loose. Since 2006, MAD DADS (MEN AGAINST DESTRUCTION DEFENDING AGAINST DRUGS AND SOCIAL DISORDER) has been a citizen police force engaging with youth at the proverbial ground zero for crime, on the streets. In that time, they have broken up fights, brought an end to vandalism in troubled areas and
have been positive male role models for communities in need of them. Most of the members are men who spent time on the streets themselves as kids. They know what it’s like to feel like no one is watching, and know the temptation to do wrong that can arise from that. George Spencer, president of the Greater Pittsburgh Area MAD DADS Chapter and chairman of the national board of MAD DADS, said he joined because he began to see some of the youth in his own family in the upcoming generation get into too many close calls. “I was a little surprised at SEE MAD A5
Ulish Carter says
Get rid of that flag. There’s no place for it in America Opinion A6
US same-sex marriage ruling likely to impact other countries
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JULY 1-7, 2015
by Gregory Katz
Associated Press Writer
LONDON (AP)—The landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriages has no legal force outside the United States, but gay rights activists in many parts of the world believe the court ruling will help their cause. In the Philippines, in India, in Australia and elsewhere, gay rights advocates think the U.S. ruling may help change attitudes, just as American activists—and judges, educators and legislators—had earlier been influenced by the easy acceptance of same-sex marriage in some European countries, where the laws were changed smoothly without much fuss. In today’s wired world, political movements cross national boundaries in the blink of an eye, and the trend toward legal acceptance of same-sex marriage is gaining pace, though still rejected outright in some parts of the globe. The U.S. is neither laggard nor leader in this movement, which reflects a fundamental change in public views in many parts of the world, but the ruling of its highest court is expected to have a ripple effect elsewhere. In the Philippines, activists seeking to win legal recognition for same-sex marriages believe the U.S. ruling will be useful, particularly since the country’s legal setup is largely based on the U.S. system, said Sylvia Estrada Claudio, a gender rights advocate and professor at the University of the Philippines. “This ruling will have positive repercussions for our own movements here,” she said. The Philippines’ civil code limits marriage to a union between a man and a woman—but the constitutionality of this proviso is being challenged by a lawyer, Jesus Nicardo Falcis III. Twenty-one countries now allow same-sex marriage, according to the Pew Research Center, and Mexico permits it in some states, with many other countries offering various legal rights that fall short of marriage to same-sex couples. In most of those countries, well-organized advocacy groups are lobbying for full marriage rights.
This Week In Black History
INTERNATIONAL
PRIDE CELEBRATION—Filipino LGBTs (Lesbians Gays Bisexual and Transgenders) hold hands as they gather for a Gay Pride rally Saturday, June 27, in Manila, (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) These movements, and startup campaigns incubating in other countries as well, may get a real but hard-to-measure boost from
“It’s a giant step for the fight in the United States,” he said. “And it confirms for me that we can take giant steps in Cameroon as well.” LAMBERT LAMBA Cameroonian activist the U.S. Supreme Court. Opinion polls show backing for the measure has increased in Australia in the month since Ireland endorsed same-sex marriage. Opposition leader Bill Shorten—capitalizing on the momentum building in other countries—introduced the bill in Parliament just days after Ireland voted. Still, staunch opposition remains, with Australian Marriage Forum president David van Gend calling the U.S. Supreme Court decision proof of “moral dementia.” The issue is different in India, where activists believe the U.S. ruling may make Indian judges and legislators feel uncomfortably isolated by the 2013 Indian Supreme Court decision to reinstate a colonialera law making homosexuality a crime. The law calls homosexuality an “unnatural offense” punishable by 10 years in jail. In the past, police have used it to harass people and
There’s a new economic redevelopment...
plan for the Centre Avenue corridor in the middle Hill District. Hear all the details from Community Development Corporation President and CEO Elaine Effort Marimba Milliones on the next Pittsburgh Profiles with KQV News Reporter Elaine Effort.
Pittsburgh Profiles Heard on
KQV 1410 AM and at WWW.KQV.COM Friday, July 3 at 7:30 P.M. Saturday, July 4 at 6:30 A.M. Sunday, July 5 at 1:30 P.M.
demand bribes from gays. At gay pride parades in Dublin, Paris and other cities Saturday, the U.S. ruling was hailed by many as a watershed. “Soon in all countries we will be able to marry,” said Celine Schlewitz, a 25-yearold nurse taking part in the Paris parade. “Finally a freedom for everyone.” In countries where gay sex is treated as a crime, beleaguered activists said they took heart from the U.S. ruling even though same-sex marriage is not on the horizon. In most cases, activists seek to decriminalize homosexuality before pressing for marriage rights and other benefits. In the deeply conservative Arab world, where homosexuality is regarded as a crime in many countries, some clerics warned that the U.S. ruling would lead to the collapse of civilizations. In Jordan, where homosexuality is not illegal but is considered taboo, one member of the small gay community said the U.S. ruling is “a victory for human rights in general and gives everyone hope.” He is hopeful same-sex marriage will one day be legal in Jordan. “In this region, we are going through the dark ages, and when we come out, we will move toward full rights,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he feared the consequences of being identified as gay. Marriage equality is also not part of the conversation in many parts of Africa, where more than twothirds of the countries treat homosexuality as a crime. That is true of Cameroon, which has pursued dozens of prosecutions in recent years under an anti-gay law imposing up to five years in prison for same-sex acts. Lambert Lamba, a leading Cameroonian activist who has been imprisoned on accusations of violating anti-gay laws, said he was “exulting” in the U.S. ruling. “It’s a giant step for the fight in the United States,” he said. “And it confirms for me that we can take giant steps in Cameroon as well.”
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July 1 1863—Walter Francis White is born in Atlanta, Ga. For nearly 25 years White was one of the most influential Black leaders in the nation. He headed the NAACP from 1931 to 1955. However, he first received national attention because of the way he looked. As a light-complexioned Black man with blue eyes, White was able to infiltrate racist groups and investigate planned brutality against Blacks. But in 1919, he barely escaped with his life while attempting to investigate the deadly Elaine Race Riot in Phillips County, Ark., which had left more than 200 Blacks dead. Somehow the mob discovered that White was in the area and set out to lynch him. But he was able to catch a train back to Little Rock before he could be identified. While on the train, the White conductor told him he was leaving town too early because the mob had discovered “a damn yellow Nigger passing for White and the boys are going to get him.” White would die in New York WALTER FRANCIS WHITE City in 1955. His autobiography is entitled “A Man Called White.” 1899—Thomas Andrew Dorsey is born in Villa Rica, Ga. Dorsey is widely credited with being the “Father of Gospel Music.” During the early 1930s, after leaving Atlanta for Chicago, Dorsey combined gospel and the blues while performing under the name “Georgia Tom.” He wrote more than 400 gospel and blues songs including his most famous “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” He died in Chicago in 1993 at the age of 96. Once asked to comment on his life, Dorsey said, “I had hope, faith, courage, aspiration and most of all determination to accomplish something in life.” July 2 1777—Vermont becomes first U.S. territory to abolish slavery. By 1783, New Hampshire and Massachusetts had followed Vermont’s lead. THOMAS ANDREW DORSEY The abolition of slavery was formally placed in the Vermont Constitution, which was formally adopted on July 8, 1777. A major force in the early abolition movement was a group known as the Rights of Man Movement. 1822—Denmark Vesey and five of his co-conspirators are hanged in Charleston, S.C. Vesey’s “crime” had been the organization of the largest slave rebellion in American history. But the insurrection was betrayed by a “house slave” before it could be implemented. Vesey was actually a former slave who had purchased his freedom. 1908—Thurgood Marshall is born in Baltimore, Md. Marshall would go on to become chief counsel for the NAACP and the lead attorney in the Brown v. Board of Education case, which led to the desegregation of the nation’s schools. President Lyndon Johnson would, in June 1967, nominate him to be the first African-American Justice on the United States Supreme Court because as Johnson put it, “It was the right thing to do THURGOOD MARSHALL and the right time to do it.” 1943—Lt. Charles Hall became the first AfricanAmerican pilot to shoot down a Nazi warplane during World War II. Hall was from Brazil, Ind. July 3 1775—Prince Hall founds African Lodge Number One—the first Black lodge of Free Masons in the United States. Hall would become the pioneer builder of Black Masons in America. He was also a leading voice against slavery and for Black rights in the North. 1962—The first Black man permitted to play Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson, is named to the Baseball Hall of Fame. July 4 1776—The United States formally becomes a nation with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The document JACKIE ROBINSON was largely written by later President Thomas Jefferson. Amazingly, although he was a slave owner himself, Jefferson originally included a section in the Declaration denouncing slave traders and slave owners. But it was later deleted by Congress. The section said of the slave trader: “He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him.” 1792—Thaddeus Stevens is born. Stevens would become one of the great White heroes of Black history. He was a leader of a group known as the “Radical Republicans” which fought tirelessly in Congress against slavery. It was Stevens who introduced the 14th Amendment to the Constitution which, in effect, made the former slaves full citizens of the United States. It also contains the due process and equal protection clauses of the Constitution. These clauses are now considered two of the most fundamental underpinnings of American law and were used extensively during the Civil Rights Movement to outlaw discrimination against Blacks. 1881—Booker T. Washington opens Tuskegee Institute (now university) in Alabama. It would become a leading cenTHADDEUS STEVENS ter for the education of Blacks. July 5 1975—Tennis star Arthur Ashe becomes the first Black man to win the men’s singles championship at Wimbledon defeating Jimmy Connors. Ashe was born and raised in Richmond, Va. During his prestigious career he had become active in several social causes including frequent protests against the system of racial oppression known as apartheid in then White-ruled South Africa. Ashe contracted AIDS as a result of blood transfusion in 1988. He died of AIDS complications on Feb. 6, 1993. July 6 1853—The first novel written by an African-American is published on this day. However, the novel had to be published in England because the author William Wells Brown was a fugitive slave. The novel was entitled “Clotel” or “The President’s ARTHUR ASHE Daughter” and may have been partially inspired by the then rumored relationship between President Thomas Jefferson and the slave Sally Hemmings. 1862—One of the most pioneering and militant Black journalists in Black American history is born. Ida B. Wells-Barnett came into the world on this day in Holly Springs, Miss. The legendary journalist was also a relentless anti-lynching crusader and a fighter for women’s right to vote. She even made a stand against one of the more insulting laws of Jim Crow segregation nearly 70 years before Rosa Parks. In 1884, she refused to give up her seat on a train to a White man and move to an already over-crowded smoking car. It took the conductor and two other men to drag her off the train. She was among the group of Blacks and progressive Whites who helped establish the NAACP. When she was just 25 she established her lifelong attitude towards women being submissive to men declaring, “I will not begin at this late day by doing what my soul abhors: sugaring men, weak deceitful creatures, with flattery to retain them as escorts …” She died in Chicago in 1931. 1957—Althea Gibson becomes the first Black person (male or female) to win the singles championship at Wimbledon. Gibson was born in Silver, S.C., and grew up in Harlem, N.Y. She died in September 2003. She often said she was driven to success in life by an attitude she developed during childhood. She summarized that attitude as “I always wanted to be somebody.” 1971—Henry T. Sampson invents the “gamma electric cell.” His invention and other engineering accomplishments ALTHEA GIBSON had wide-ranging applications, but he did not invent the cell phone as some histories suggest. The gamma-electric cell converted nuclear radiation from reactors into electricity without going through the heat process. July 7 1906—Baseball legend Satchel Paige is born in Mobile, Ala. He was one of 15 children born to John and Lula Paige. Paige first learned to pitch in a reform school where he had been sent at the age of 12 for shoplifting. He spent most of his career playing in the old Negro Baseball Leagues prior to the integration of Major League Baseball. He is generally recognized as one of the greatest pitchers to ever play the game. Baseball great Joe DiMaggio once said Paige was “The best and fastest pitcher I ever faced.”
Full text of President Obama’s eulogy for Clementa Pinckney
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CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP)—The White House released the following text of President Barack Obama’s eulogy for Rev. Clementa Pinckney on June 26. THE PRESIDENT: Giving all praise and honor to God. (Applause.) The Bible calls us to hope. To persevere, and have faith in things not seen. “They were still living by faith when they died,” Scripture tells us. “They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on Earth.” We are here today to remember a man of God who lived by faith. A man who believed in things not seen. A man who believed there were better days ahead, off in the distance. A man of service who persevered, knowing full well he would not receive all those things he was promised, because he believed his efforts would deliver a better life for those who followed. To Jennifer, his beloved wife; to Eliana and Malana, his beautiful, wonderful daughters; to the Mother Emanuel family and the people of Charleston, the people of South Carolina. I cannot claim to have the good fortune to know Reverend Pinckney well. But I did have the pleasure of knowing him and meeting him here in South Carolina, back when we were both a little bit younger. (Laughter.) Back when I didn’t have visible grey hair. (Laughter.) The first thing I noticed was his graciousness, his smile, his reassuring baritone, his deceptive sense of humor—all qualities that helped him wear so effortlessly a heavy burden of expectation. Friends of his remarked this week that when Clementa Pinckney entered a room, it was like the future arrived; that even from a young age, folks knew he was special. Anointed. He was the progeny of a long line of the faithful—a family of preachers who spread God’s word, a family of protesters who sowed change to expand voting rights and desegregate the South. Clem heard their instruction, and he did not forsake their teaching. He was in the pulpit by 13, pastor by 18, public servant by 23. He did not exhibit any of the cockiness of youth, nor youth’s insecurities; instead, he set an example worthy of his position, wise beyond his years, in his speech, in his conduct, in his love, faith, and purity. As a senator, he represented a sprawling swath of the Lowcountry, a place that has long been one of the most neglected in America. A place still wracked by poverty and inadequate schools; a place where children can still go hungry and the sick can go without treatment. A place that needed somebody like Clem. (Applause.) His position in the minority party meant the odds of winning more resources for his constituents were often long. His calls for greater equity were too often unheeded, the votes he cast were sometimes lonely. But he never gave up. He stayed true to his convictions. He would not grow discouraged. After a full day at the capitol, he’d climb into his car and head to the church to draw sustenance from his family, from his ministry, from the community that loved and needed him. There he would fortify his faith, and imagine what might be. Reverend Pinckney embodied a politics that was neither mean, nor small. He conducted himself quietly, and kindly, and diligently. He encouraged progress not by pushing his ideas alone, but by seeking out your ideas, partnering with you to make things happen. He was full of empathy and fellow feeling, able to walk in somebody else’s shoes and see through their eyes. No wonder one of his senate colleagues remembered Senator Pinckney as “the most gentle of the 46 of us—the best of the 46 of us.”
NATIONAL
A EULOGY FOR THE AGES—President Barack Obama sings “Amazing Grace” during services honoring the life of Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Friday, June 26, 2015, at the College of Charleston TD Arena in Charleston, S.C.. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Clem was often asked why he chose to be a pastor and a public servant. But the person who asked probably didn’t know the history of the AME church. (Applause.) As our brothers and sisters in the AME church know, we don’t make those distinctions. “Our calling,” Clem once said, “is not just within the walls of the congregation, but.the life and community in which our congregation resides.” (Applause.) He embodied the idea that our Christian faith demands deeds and not just words; that the “sweet hour of prayer” actually lasts the whole week long—(applause)— that to put our faith in action is more than individual salvation, it’s about our collective salvation; that to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and house the homeless is not just a call for isolated charity but the imperative of a just society. What a good man. Sometimes I think that’s the best thing to hope for when you’re eulogized—after all the words and recitations and resumes are read, to just say someone was a good man. (Applause.) You don’t have to be of high station to be a good man. Preacher by 13. Pastor by 18. Public servant by 23. What a life Clementa Pinckney lived. What an example he set. What a model for his faith. And then to lose him at 41—slain in his sanctuary with eight wonderful members of his flock, each at different stages in life but bound together by a common commitment to God. Cynthia Hurd. Susie Jackson. Ethel Lance. DePayne Middleton-Doctor. Tywanza Sanders. Daniel L. Simmons. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton. Myra Thompson. Good people. Decent people. God-fearing people. (Applause.) People so full of life and so full of kindness. People who ran the race, who persevered. People of great faith. To the families of the fallen, the nation shares in your grief. Our pain cuts that much deeper because it happened in a church. The church is and always has been the center of African American life—(applause)—a place to call our own in a too often hostile world, a sanctuary from so many hardships. Over the course of centuries, Black churches served as “hush harbors” where slaves could worship in safety; praise houses where their free descendants could gather and shout hallelujah—(applause)— rest stops for the weary along the Underground Railroad; bunkers for the foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement. They have been, and continue to be, community centers where we organize for jobs and jus-
tice; places of scholarship and network; places where children are loved and fed and kept out of harm’s way, and told that they are beautiful and smart—(applause)—and taught that they matter. (Applause.) That’s what happens in church. That’s what the Black church means. Our beating heart. The place where our dignity as a people is inviolate. When there’s no better example of this tradition than Mother Emanuel—(applause)—a church built by Blacks seeking liberty, burned to the ground because its founder sought to end slavery, only to rise up again, a Phoenix from these ashes. (Applause.) When there were laws banning all-Black church gatherings, services happened here anyway, in defiance of unjust laws. When there was a righteous movement to dismantle Jim Crow, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached from its pulpit, and marches began from its steps. A sacred place, this church. Not just for Blacks, not just for Christians, but for every American who cares about the steady expansion—(applause)—of human rights and human dignity in this country; a foundation stone for liberty and justice for all. That’s what the church meant. (Applause.) We do not know whether the killer of Reverend Pinckney and eight others knew all of this history. But he surely sensed the meaning of his violent act. It was an act that drew on a long history of bombs and arson and shots fired at churches, not random, but as a means of control, a way to terrorize and oppress. (Applause.) An act that he imagined would incite fear and recrimination; violence and suspicion. An act that he presumed would deepen divisions that trace back to our nation’s original sin. Oh, but God works in mysterious ways. (Applause.) God has different ideas. (Applause.) He didn’t know he was being used by God. (Applause.) Blinded by hatred, the alleged killer could not see the grace surrounding Rev. Pinckney and that Bible study group—the light of love that shone as they opened the church doors and invited a stranger to join in their prayer circle. The alleged killer could have never anticipated the way the families of the fallen would respond when they saw him in court—in the midst of unspeakable grief, with words of forgiveness. He couldn’t imagine that. (Applause.) The alleged killer could not imagine how the city of Charleston, under the good and wise leadership of Mayor Riley—(applause)—how the state of South Carolina, how the United States of America would
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respond—not merely with revulsion at his evil act, but with big-hearted generosity and, more importantly, with a thoughtful introspection and self-examination that we so rarely see in public life. Blinded by hatred, he failed to comprehend what Reverend Pinckney so well understood—the power of God’s grace. (Applause.) This whole week, I’ve been reflecting on this idea of grace. (Applause.) The grace of the families who lost loved ones. The grace that Reverend Pinckney would preach about in his sermons. The grace described in one of my favorite hymnals—the one we all know: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. (Applause.) I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind but now I see. (Applause.) According to the Christian tradition, grace is not earned. Grace is not merited. It’s not something we deserve. Rather, grace is the free and benevolent favor of God—(applause)—as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. Grace. As a nation, out of this terrible tragedy, God has visited grace upon us, for he has allowed us to see where we’ve been blind. (Applause.) He has given us the chance, where we’ve been lost, to find our best selves. (Applause.) We may not have earned it, this grace, with our rancor and complacency, and short-sightedness and fear of each other—but we got it all the same. He gave it to us anyway. He’s once more given us grace. But it is up to us now to make the most of it, to receive it with gratitude, and to prove ourselves worthy of this gift. For too long, we were blind to the pain that the Confederate flag stirred in too many of our citizens. (Applause.) It’s true, a flag did not cause these murders. But as people from all walks of life, Republicans and Democrats, now acknowledge—including Governor Haley, whose recent eloquence on the subject is worthy of praise— (applause)—as we all have to acknowledge, the flag has always represented more than just ancestral pride. (Applause.) For many, black and white, that flag was a reminder of systemic oppression and racial subjugation. We see that now. Removing the flag from this state’s capitol would not be an act of political correctness; it would not be an insult to the valor of Confederate soldiers. It would simply be an acknowledgment that the cause for which they fought—the cause of slavery— was wrong—(applause)—the imposition of Jim Crow after the Civil War, the resistance to civil rights for all people was wrong. (Applause.) It would be one step in an honest accounting of America’s history; a modest but meaningful balm for so many unhealed wounds. It would be an expression of the amazing changes that have transformed this state and this country for the better, because of the work of so many people of goodwill, people of all races striving to form a more perfect union. By taking down that flag, we express God’s grace. (Applause.) But I don’t think God wants us to stop there. (Applause.) For too long, we’ve been blind to the way past injustices continue to shape the present. Perhaps we see that now. Perhaps this tragedy causes us to ask some tough questions about how we can permit so many of our children to languish in poverty, or attend dilapidated schools, or grow up without prospects for a job or for a career. (Applause.) Perhaps it causes us to examine what we’re doing to cause some of our children to hate. (Applause.) Perhaps it softens hearts towards those lost young men, tens and tens of thousands caught up in the criminal justice system—(applause)—and leads SEE FULL TEXT A12
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JULY 1-7, 2015
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
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State gun law ruled unconstitutional CONTINUED FROM A1
WELCOME TO PITTSBURGH—From left: former NAACP President Tim Stevens, Cheryl Hall-Russell, president, Hill House Association; Connie Parker, president, NAACP Pittsburgh Branch; Cornell William Brooks, National NAACP president; and Caryn and Sam Covelli of Covelli Enterprises, owners of Panera Bread. (Photo by Rossano P. Stewart)
NAACPpresidentintroducesnationalmarch CONTINUED FROM A1
Selma, Ala., and end in the nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C. He called this event a “multigenerational fight” that will last 40 days and 40 nights. “We are marching because we believe our lives, our votes, our jobs and our schools matter. We’ve seen all across this country, young people engaged in protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, (and) die-ins because they can’t stand what they see on television, they can’t stand what they see on social media. They’re saying, ‘Someone, somewhere has got to stand up and stand against this injustice.’ We at the NAACP understand.” It’s critical to get involved, he said, because “at a moment where we’re seeing police brutality reign supreme across the country, the voting rights act under attack, profound injustices in our educational system and in terms of the economy. What we’re trying to do is bring young people together and older people together, and focus on what we can do?” Brooks, who is asking local branches to send individuals to the national march, the end gathering in D.C., or organize and support simultaneous demonstrations and teach-ins at home on the four areas of “our lives, our votes, our jobs and our schools matter,” said this march is a combination of the teachings learned from the March on Washington in the 60s married with modern technology. “We’re online and in person.” Connie Parker, president of the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, said, “We have a lot of work before us. It’s not easy, people may not like it—too bad, we’re going to do what we have to do and we’re going to get it done. We’re going to change this city.” She later said, of Brook’s words, “that was a fantastic message and it inspired me more than I was before. We’re all on the same journey, to change our community… We have to do the right thing.” Along with the “America’s Journey for Justice” March, Brooks also touched on the recent shooting in South Carolina, needed gun reform legislation and the re-
moval of the Confederate rebel flag, which was just days before a Black woman, Bree Newsome with the assistance of James Tyson, who is White, both from North Carolina, climbed up the 30foot flagpole that holds the Confederate flag outside the South Carolina State House and removed it. During his comments on removing the rebel flag, which Brooks said the NAACP has been fighting for years, he said, “We’re saying to the South Carolina legislators, we understand that as a matter of law, legislatively speaking, a two-thirds vote is necessary, but were are clear that (while) a two-thirds vote may be legislatively necessary, a unanimous vote is morally required.” Esther Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, attended the meet-and-greet and said, “We are going to be supporting each other’s efforts. Whatever the NAACP is doing and all of our sister organizations are doing, all of us have to help each other. It’s not just about the flag. We want to bring the flag down from everywhere and stop its use, but this is an opportunity to talk about race in America. This is much bigger than a flag.” She continued by saying, “I’m just so proud and pleased that the president of the NAACP was here because that motivates us even more.” In addition to Brooks’ address a special presentation was made by Sam Covelli, president of Covelli Enterprises’ Panera Bread, the afternoon’s food sponsor and a local corporate supporter. While promising to continue to embrace and support the NAACP, Covelli presented Brooks with a $10,000 check for the NAACP National Youth & College Division. “There’s a lot of work to do. You (the organization) can’t do it yourself. We need to all work together, as a country, to end racism and hate. We want to work for a better just society for everyone.” (For information on the “America’s Justice for Journey” campaign, visit www.naacp.org, follow #justicesummer or text summerjustice to 62227.)
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Vietnam War and we’ve done it every year for the last 30 or 40 years. “National leaders march, demonstrate and speak out against police brutality, but where are their voices when a young Black male shoots another young Black male, in broad daylight? Where’s the national outrage then?” When asked the question, Davis said he believes that many leaders are outraged, but that they just have trouble “getting their arms around” the issue and how to stop it. Although he says there are many contributing factors to the violence and destruction, Davis said there is one main solution for the problem—employment. “We have to have more employment opportunities for youth because they gotta do something. They are going to get money from somewhere; they’re not going to just sit there and starve and do nothing.” Davis said it takes letting youth see employment opportunities sooner in life, job creation within the Black community and reaching out to youth on their level. “We need to talk to kids on their level, about what they want to talk about,” he said. “We have to demonstrate to our kids the value of education, and that it pays off. Go to them with what they value. It is important that we show them, ‘this is the way you can make money and not end up in jail.’”
He said it also takes finding an answer to the question, “Why Not?” “If you don’t have a job, why not stand on the corner and drink wine? If you don’t have anywhere to go, why not stand on the corner and do drugs? “Until alternatives can be presented, there is no incentive for individuals to do otherwise. “We really have to get jobs. We have to lobby for greater economics. It’s like boxing. In boxing everything works off jabs, in life everything works off jobs.” He added, “If (the government) had put the money in Black America that they put in the Middle East in the last five years, we’d be in great shape.” Along with employment, Davis said there are two other things need to happen in the Black community: Cops who harm Black people need to be punished and there needs to be a higher percentage of Black officers on forces; they need to look like the demographic of the city they serve. “One of the best diversity trainings for White people are Black people,” he said. Two weeks ago, the country was rocked by the racially charged terroristic attack that took place when 21-year-old Dylann Roof entered the historic Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina and slain nine church members, including the pastor, during their Bible Study. As the na-
tion heals, many have said this is a time to have discussions about race to address racism in the country. Currently, Davis is working on his latest book, “Why Are They Angry With Us?” He said the eight chapter book is a personal history of race and social science, and that he wrote it for his children, so that they could know the stories within it. A publication date was not given. The real source of racism or any –ism, according to Davis, is advantage. “It’s always about the advantage and how you sustain advantage. Attitudes are the supporters of the attitude you want to engage in,” he said. “If I can charge you more for land, why not? If I can pay you less for doing work, why not? If I can vote and keep you from voting, why not?” It is about one wanting to have an advantage over another, he said. Davis agrees racism is a discussion that needs to be had and even applauded Starbucks for their efforts in attempting to discuss racism through their “Race Together” campaign. The short-lived campaign was not very well accepted among many of its customers. While he has earned some notoriety through his achievements as a dean, director, professor, author and expert, Davis does not take it lightly. He said he is currently trying to figure out what role he can take in aiding the Black community.
owners—or membership groups like the National Rifle Association—to sue those municipalities that tried to enforce local restrictions. Last week, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled Act 192 unconstitutional, allowing the municipal restrictions on gun ownership to stand, for now. Community leaders and gun control advocates across the state praised the ruling. “This law was clearly unconstitutional from the outset, and designed to threaten Pittsburgh and other cities trying to protect their neighborhoods from illegal guns,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. “I’m overjoyed that the court system is joining us in standing up for citizens and public safety instead of special rights for the gun lobby.” State Rep. Ed Gainey, DEast Liberty, a longtime advocate for removing guns from the Black community, was even more vocal. “The day that we are not able to protect our citizens, that is a strike against humanity and we cannot afford it,” he said. “I will stay strong in my fight for the safety of every resident of Pennsylvania.” Gainey thanked all the
ED GAINEY state representatives and senators, mayors and advocates like CeaseFirePA that challenged the law and prevailed. “They’re right that the fight is not over, but the battle right now is a joy to us because we returned the power to our municipalities, and we can protect our citizens,” he added. The unanimous court decision did not rule on Act 192’s merit, but found it unconstitutional on technical grounds, namely, violating the single-subject rule. The state constitution bars the legislature from addressing multiple, unrelated issues in a single piece of legislation. Legislators inserted the
gun provisions into a bill dealing with penalties for stealing scrap metal. Given the ruling, and those that came down from the U.S. Supreme Court, attorney and CeaseFirePA Director of Organizing Rob Conroy said it was “a good week.” “There are no guarantees when it comes to judicial review,” he said. “But after hearing the legal arguments (on Act 192) in April, I was pretty confident of the outcome—but not smugly so.” Conroy said “lost or stolen” gun laws, which can exact $500 fines for the first failure-to-report offense, are just one tool, but a valuable tool, in fighting gun violence because they can identify the repeat offenders, who are often trading guns for drugs. Conroy said he doesn’t know whether or not the NRA and its allies in Harrisburg will try again. “We view this as a victory because it was our efforts that forced them to try this plainly unconstitutional move at the 11th hour rather than push a clean bill in the first place,” he said. “I think it would be a mistake to try again. We have a different governor and a different climate.” (Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
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that, however, for a number of reasons has not happened. So now the fare system costs more than before. Now the authority is saying it has lost more than $1 million by distributing over 350,000 cards for free—due to the cost of making the actual cards and supporting their use. It proposes to charge $5 for new and replacement cards after August 1. Almost all who testified at the June 30 hearing said the fee would penalize the authority’s most vulnerable clients; the poor and disabled, and would disincentivize new and occasional riders from using the cards—which are supposed to save money and are more efficient. The first speaker, Mark Wagner, said it is outrageous for the most expensive transit system in the country to charge a fee for new, lost or stolen cards. “Instead of charging a fee, we should be getting a discount for using them. Do you know how long it takes to put in $3.50 in nickels,” he said. “And if my card is stolen, then I’m victimized twice. And we all know that if you charge $5 now, it’ll be $10 next year.” Linda Worman, who lives in Duquesne, said she had to have hers replaced because of an error loading it. “They put on a weekly pass instead of monthly at Giant Eagle and when they tried to fix it they couldn’t, so I had to get a new one,” she said. “And another
ROSS MITCHELL, one of many public speakers at hearing. thing, if it costs $3 to make them and you want to charge $5, where’s the other $2 going?” Retired flight attendant Sonja Coston, who now lives in Edgewood, has lived and worked in several cities including Chicago and Houston. She gave the board some stats cities with the highest and lowest percentages of riders, noting that of the highest three only New York City charged an initial fee, $1. The other two charged nothing, as did the three cities with the poorest level of ridership. “You want to save money—stop using paper transfers and money. And institute pay-getting-on all the time to eliminate freeloaders,” she said. “PAT needs to be more user friendly. In Houston, after 50 rides, you get five free. You don’t need a fare change, you need a fair
change.” Ross Mitchell, who lives in North Braddock, agreed that pay-enter should be the rule system-wide, and though he is against charging for ConnectCards, he did not think the public comment would stop the authority from doing so. “You’re gonna charge $5, and there’s probably going to be a fare increase next year—for maintenance, legacy costs, whatever excuse. But if you’re going to do that, give us something back,” he said. “You should have 24-hour service on the East and West busways— just one articulated bus, and on three other route. Giving something back would help this expensive and very criticized system.” Finally, John Robison, who is wheelchair-bound, said not only is charging for ConnectCards the exact opposite of smart, so are some other potential changes that have been floated recently. “Eliminating the downtown free-fare zone is backwards. It should be expanded to include Uptown, the Hill, Oakland, the South Side Flats and the Lower North Side,” he said. “How about increasing revenue by printing advertising on the cards themselves?” More speakers—those who could not afford to leave work—were expected at the afternoon/evening hearing session, after New Pittsburgh Courier deadline. (Send comments to cmorrow@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
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tom of the Chauncey Street steps for a rain water park. The plan also includes maps of property ownership, vacant lots, zoning and land use criteria, as well as data on existing housing stock, commercial and institutional properties, demographics and population changes. The latter shows an increase of more than 1,000 residents since 2000, which further indicates the need for additional rental and for-sale housing. To serve them and future residents, the plan calls for retail amenities ranging from boutique clothing shops and restaurants to bakeries and even a fitness center. One ambitious idea in the plan would literally create the “crossroads of the world” by creating a Heritage Square at the Centre Avenue and Dinwiddie Street intersection on the site where the Zone 2 police station currently sits. It would also include a museum and
would be tied to housing, commercial and cultural redevelopment in and around the New Granada Theater across the street. Another key aspect of the plan is that both Milliones and city Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle noted is how it will integrate with development in the Lower Hill. Agreements forged among the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, their development authorities and the Pittsburgh Penguins established levels of minority hiring and minority business participation both during and after construction, and the amounts of retail, office and affordable housing space to be built on the 28-acre former Civic Arena site. Another agreement created a tax-abatement LERTA district, which will reallocate tax revenue to fund much of the development beyond the 28 acres, including to projects in the Centre Avenue corridor. Milliones said the Lower
Hill development is so big that investors “want to know what’s happening down the street.” “This is a diverse plan and calls for a diverse mix of parties to bring it together,” she said. Lavelle said the plan is a key element remaking the Hill into a vibrant cohesive city neighborhood linked to Downtown and beyond. “With the bustle of activity surrounding the new development in the Lower Hill, there has been increased interest in carrying that momentum further down Centre Avenue,” he said. “This plan covers Centre Avenue from Dinwiddie Street to Reed Street and offers, through streetscaping and placemaking elements, deliberate and carefully phased redevelopment designed to promote the growth of the community.” The complete plan can be viewed at www.hilldistrict.org/centave. (Send comments to cmorroew@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
JULY 1-7, 2015
METRO
A5
MAD DADS provide stability, solutions to Wilkinsburg youth
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one of the things one of them got into that went under my radar and I felt the conviction that I had not been as aggressive about the problems MAD DADS addresses when it was other people’s problem,” Spencer said. “I sensed that I had to address the issue where it goes on and that’s the streets. I said I’m about to get mad, bad and aggressive about this issue.” Spencer said it was at a Community Empowerment Association meeting where he found his new purpose. “Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu was
WILLIAM BEY
speaking and he wrote a book called ‘Positive Black Solutions.’ He mentioned this organization MAD DADS and getting strong drug free men to take the streets.” So Spencer decided to open a Wilkinsburg chapter of MAD DADS. It wasn’t easy and the process took two years but by May of 2006, they were ready to start bringing civility and order to neighborhood. “We had a problem on devil’s night around 2006.The previous year a blind man got attacked and another man got dragged of his porch by a roaming gang of hoods,” he said. Spencer recounted an anecdote of just what happened the next devils night the first time MAD DADS hit the block. “The police asked us are you sure you want to go out there? It’s bad out there. We said that’s the point, to go where it’s the worst. So they told us if it was going to go down anywhere it would be at the Park Triangle. So we thought they were just trying to get us out the way, we thought there were way worse places than that. We had 19 men that night with a po-
Community Calendar Gospel Idol Deadline JULY 6—Submissions are due for the Center for Organ Recovery and Education’s Gospel Idol. The event, which will be held July 25 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, will recognize National Minority Donor Awareness Month. Monetary prizes will be awarded to top finalists. For more information, email Lisa Upsher at lupsher@core.org.
Summer Blood Drive JULY 8—MINI of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Central Blood Bank will host a Summer Blood Drive from 12-5 p.m. at MINI of Pittsburgh, 4900 Baum Blvd., Shadyside. In an effort to help the local community, the dealership will join with the Blood Bank to collect donations that will be used to provide potentially life-saving aid for people in the local area. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are strongly encouraged. This is open to the public. For more information, call Jason Karpa at 412-682-0788 ext. 258 or email Jason.Karpa@miniofpittsburgh.c om.
Media Forum JULY 8—The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation will host a Media Forum from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh East Liberty Branch, 130 South Whitfield St., East Liberty. The topic is “From Ferguson to Baltimore: How Facts, Fairness and Firsts Can Collide in Storytelling.” Journalists, community leaders, residents and others will gather for a panel discussion that will address biases and fairness in coverage, conflicts that arise in the race to break news, how images are selected, and more. There will be a question-and-answer period. For more information, email info@pbmf.org.
Heritage Sports Luncheon JULY 10—The Pittsburgh Pirates will host the 2015 African American Heritage Sports Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at PNC Park’s Lexus Club, 200 W. General Robinson St., North Shore. McKeesport native and WNBA Player Swin Cash will be the keynote speaker. Reservations are required. For more informa-
tion, call Chaz Kellem at 412325-4731 or email chaz.kellem@pirates.com.
Walk 4 Life JULY 11—The Kierra Keeps Caring Foundation along with Purpose of Life Home Healthcare and Posh Nail Boutique will host the 6th Annual Walk 4 Life at 10 a.m. at Schenley Park Trails, near Anderson Grove. This fundraising event will include a walk, a celebration cookout and more. KKCF was established in memory of Sha’Vaughn Kierra Wallace who lost her life in 2009 due to senseless gun violence. For more information, call Carla GainesRobinson at 1-866-561-5523 ext. 01 or visit www.kierrakeepscaring.com.
Hometown Hoops Mini-Camps ONGOING—The Allegheny County Parks Department will host the Hometown Hoops MiniCamps, weekdays from 10 a.m.2:30 p.m. at 30 site locations throughout the county. Now through Aug. 3, boys and girls ages 9-18 will have the opportunity to participate in a free basketball mini-camp. Lunch will be provided. Registration is not required, but is strongly suggested. For more information, call 412-350-2455 or email hometownhoops@alleghenycounty.us.
SummerFood Program ONGOING—The Allegheny County Department of Human Services will host its SummerFood Program at more than 80 sites located throughout Allegheny County. The program provides a free breakfast, lunch and recreation program for children through 18 years old, as well as eligible individuals with disabilities. A site supervisor and accompanying staff member will be present to ensure the well being of the children. For more information, call 1-800-8513838 or visit www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/foo d.aspx. (To have items listed on Community Calendar, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or email: newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
lice escort and we saw 6080 kids and it was on for a couple of hours. “They called us every nasty name in the book because they didn’t like it that we were with the police. They were like why are you out here trying. We said we are trying to keep you out of Shuman Center. They said I don’t care about going to Shuman Center. So I said then go ahead and do something while I’m looking at you and I’ll make sure you go.” Spencer said the detective told him that the daylight crew was going to be so happy because thousands of dollars of vandalism got stopped that night. One window got broken. The man of the house came out to confront them with a beast of a dog and Spencer believes the man was armed. “That’s what these kids don’t realize, it’s not about stopping their fun. That man could have hurt them.” Deb Rose, a resident in Wilkinsburg, was having a lot of trouble on her block where more than 50 percent of the homes are vacant. She had a problem with people tagging her house with graffiti. She met the MAD DADS at a council meeting desperate for any help or solution. “First thing they did was come down with weed whackers and mowers and they just restored pride in the little street,” she said. “They came and stood with me and helped me remove the graffiti. At first, when they showed up, the kids would scatter. Then they got curious and would come around and they were able to do street outreach to the kids.” Fast forward nine years and the MAD DADS are celebrating their Ninth Annual Fatherhood Celebration at Ferguson Park in Wilkinsburg. Not only did they have games, dancing, and barbeque but also a new apparatus to reach kids- a free library. There is a new cabinet in Ferguson playground with books that kids can take out and read. Wilkinsburg Councilman and Parks and Recreations Advisory Board member Patrick Shattuck said this new device could really
COMMUNITY FUN—Kids, MADD DADS, and city council members play water balloon toss. (Photos by J.L. Martello) make a difference. “When MAD DADS asked where we could go to build a mini library, we said set them up where there are the most kids and as fast as you can build them, we will find space in our other playgrounds as well because this is something we definitely want,” he explained. Spencer said he recalled hearing the government projects how many prisons to build based on second or third grade reading levels. “I don’t know if it’s true or not but we felt this could encourage the kids to read.
They can take the book and bring it back or keep it and we will build these in every park in Wilkinsburg,” he said. William Bay said he has been with MAD DADS four or five years. “We’re here to spread love. We aren’t out here to tell on anybody. When we come around people just respect what we do and we respect what they do, for instance if they sell drugs, they were there before we got there but we also let them know that this is our street and that’s where law enforcement
comes in and we let them know we are going to be here as long as you are here and for the moment, no one is getting shot.” Bay was inspired to do something after two of his close cousins were killed. “Adults don’t pull kids to the side anymore to hear what they have to say,” he said. “They know these streets better than we do they want to know why this is going on and when we come around, they know their fathers are concerned. We are the fathers of the community.”
QUEEN FOR A DAY—MAD DADS carry young ladies in a queens chariot as they did in ancient Egypt to make all the young women feel like queens.
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JULY 1-7, 2015
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
OPINION
Get rid of that flag. There’s no place for it in America
Guest Editorial
Take down that damn flag South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley should be commended for asking lawmakers in her state to remove the Confederate battle flag from outside South Carolina’s Statehouse. Haley said June 22 that the flag should be removed and put in a museum. The governor is right. Haley’s announcement came only days after the heinous shooting deaths of nine Black church members in South Carolina. The governor’s announcement also comes days after authorities announced murder charges against Dylann Storm Roof, a 21-year-old white man who told a friend that he had a plan to do something “for the white race” and posed in photos displaying the Confederate flag and burning or desecrating the American flag. Even after Roof’s terroristic act, the governor’s actions still took courage. Lawmakers have resisted for years the removal of the flag citing historic reasons. “This flag is heritage. If you take it down you won’t get rid of racism. The flag didn’t pull the trigger. The flag didn’t kill anybody. That was an individual that did that,” said Mark Garman, 56, of Eastover, one of a handful of flag supporters in the crowd of hundreds. Garman is partially right. The repugnant flag “won’t get rid of racism.” America’s problem with race goes beyond the Confederate Battle Flag, South Carolina or the South. The bigger problem is institutional racism and a criminal justice system in which too many white police officers are exonerated after shooting to death unarmed Black men. But symbols do matter. A swastika “didn’t kill anybody” either. But men upholding that symbol did commit genocide and anyone seen bearing that symbol today is suspected as someone who embraces hate. The Confederate Battle flag is a symbol of hate against America and African Americans. It is a symbol of white supremacist and secessionists. Tom Clements knows this heritage—he brought a poster displaying details and photos about his great-great grandfather, who fought for the Confederacy, and three great-great uncles who died for the South. He said he loved the Confederate flag growing up, but now sees it as a symbol of oppression. “The racists took over the memories of the Confederacy,” said Clements, who joined the chants of “bring it down,” at a rally this week outside the South Carolina’s Statehouse. Lawmakers who want to keep the flag want to cite history as their reason. But in doing so they omit how the flag got there in the first place. The Confederate Battle flag did not always fly above the statehouse. The Confederate battle flag was placed atop the Statehouse dome in the 1960s as an official protest of the Civil Rights Movement. After mass protests, it was moved to a flagpole next to a Confederate monument out front in 2000, as part of a compromise between a group of Black lawmakers and the Republicans who have controlled South Carolina since 2001. The governor’s request has already had some effect. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley last week ordered Confederate flags to be taken down from the state Capitol. Major retailers are halting sales of the Confederate flag and related merchandise. On June 23, Sears Holding Corp. said it would begin removing Confederate flag merchandise from its website as did the online retailer eBay. Sears does not sell Confederate merchandise inside Sears or Kmart stores. The announcements follow that of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which said that it would remove all Confederate-themed items from its store shelves and website after the shooting suspect. While the governor can urge the removal of the flag, it is up to the South Carolina legislature to vote to remove it. Two-thirds must vote for its removal. It is time for lawmakers of courage and conscience to remove this symbol of hate once and for all. (Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
Founded 1910
Rod Doss
Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher
Allison Palm
Eric Gaines
Office Manager
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Ulish Carter
Ashley Johnson Associate Editor
Managing Editor
Jeff Marion Circulation Consultant
John H. Sengstacke Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)
The Confederate Flag stands for slavery. There’s no if, ands, or buts. Just like the Nazi flag stands for Hitler and anti-Jews, slavery was the worst form of cruelty man has ever created. Sure they all have a history. Yes most Whites throughout the South fought for the Confederacy, as did the Germans for Hitler—most by choice and some because they had too. But to say the Confederate flag is about history, heritage, and bravery, is correct, but it’s main meaning and heritage is slavery. Yes the Confederacy was all about States’ Rights, the right to keep slavery in the Southern states and to expand it into the Western states. That’s what Jefferson Davis and the rich plantation owners were really about. So no there is no place for the Confederate flag hanging at any state capital in these United States. If Davis and his friends had had their way there would not have been a United States. If it’s about history, then put it in a history museum. But please don’t try to say it wasn’t about slavery. It’s a shame that Southern Whites are still hanging onto that flag and are not willing to say they are sorry for slavery, and that they were wrong to start the Civil War where more Americans died than any other war. *** The U.S. Supreme Court handed down two major decisions last week, which will have gigantic consequences for people all over this country and will affect the world. One was the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obama Care and the other was Same Sex Marriage. By a 6-3 vote the Supreme Court ruled the federal subsidies millions of Americans rely upon to actually afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will still be allowed in states without their own health insurance marketplaces. This was a huge victory for President Obama and a gigantic defeat for the Republicans who had vowed to de-
Ulish Carter
Just Sayin’
rection. No…Health Care is still not affordable yet in this country. There are still huge deductibles for most people in which they are struggling to pay. But with a Health Care Plan in place, now instead of fighting to keep the plan in place, we can fight to make it more affordable, for everyone. My suggestion is that it needs to be set up like the government and large corporations health plans are. The person pays so much a month into the health coverage with 10, 20 or 30-dollar co-pays. Those $500 to $2000 deductibles should be eliminated completely or at lease reduced drastically because this is what is killing people. Who has that kind of money in one lump sum? *** The other ruling was a 5-4 vote on Same Sex Marriages, which I have mixed feelings about. I agree that states should not have the right to deny same sex marriages just like they shouldn’t have the right to deny mixed race marriages. But I don’t believe that churches should have to marry them because Christians believe that marriage is between one man and one woman as Jesus Christ told his disciples when asked about marriage and divorce in the New Testament. The church or Christians or other Religions should not be forced to host or accept gay marriages. Just like gays have rights so must there be Religious rights. But I also don’t believe Religion should be a part of government. I believe that two people living together should have the same rights as a married couple. If we are separating Church and State then why should married couples receive health care and other benefits that so-called LiveIns don’t get? There are millions of people, gay and straight, living together raising families who don’t receive all the benefits married couples do. I say that is wrong.
stroy Obama Care by any means necessary. Even though I have been one of the harshest critics of the Affordable Care Act and still believe it has to be improved to better help the low and middle-income individuals, I understand that it’s far better than what was there before. Nothing. And what’s so tragic is the Republicans in this fight still have not come up with an alternative plan to replace Obama Care after five years. Nothing. Nothing. So the Republican plan was to go back to nothing, which would have left millions of Americans without health insurance. And the best argument they have today is well, there are still millions without insurance, not as many but millions, who are willing to pay the fine rather than get health insurance. If the Republicans had worked with Obama instead of fighting him on every turn, there would have been a much better Health Plan put into place which would have helped more people, but Obama had to take what he could get. Which means you would like to help everyone but in fact you help as many as you can. A person’s health is the most important thing he has. It’s more important than money, more important than family, nothing comes close to health, and the older you get the more you realize this. And the more love ones you have the more you realize this. Everybody should and must have access to affordable health care, especially in a country as rich as America. (Ulish Carter is the managing editor of the And now with the ruling on this law the U.S. can start working in that di- New Pittsburgh Courier.)
The Confederate Flag was never ‘misappropriated’ (NNPA)—The other night I listened to a South Carolina state legislator announce his support for pulling down the Confederate battle flag (of the Army of Northern Virginia) from the South Carolina statehouse. In the course of his quite interesting comments, he argued that the Confederate flag had been misappropriated by hate-groups. MSNBC talk-show host Chris Hayes politely asked him how it was possible to misappropriate a symbol that was born in hate. The South Carolina legislator chose that moment to do a tap dance. There has been a good deal of discussion of the Confederate flag, discussion that has been reaching a badly needed crescendo. The public is getting a better understanding of the history of the flag and some history of the Confederate States of America. Yet, there is one thing that has avoided any discussion. The Confederate flag is the flag of traitors. The Confederate States of America was formed in open opposition to the Constitution of the United States. It was treason. Nevertheless, there are White people around the U.S. who seem to see no contradiction between flying both the flag of the U.S.A. and the C.S.A. How can we understand this?
Bill Fletcher Jr.
Commentary It seems to me that there are two main answers. First, that the reemergence of the Confederate battle flags (it is, actually plural) starts in the 1940s with the rise of the Dixiecrat revolt against a civil rights platform in the Democratic Party. The use of the flag spread in subsequent years as a symbol of open and audacious resistance to the Black freedom movement and the pressure that it brought on the U.S. government to enact legislation against Jim Crow segregation and voter disenfranchisement. The second answer is that for many of these White people, the flag of the Confederate States of America is the flag of the essence of the United States of America. In other words, the CSA is seen as representing the core of what the so-called Founding Fathers
wanted in North America and, as such, it was not that the CSA left the USA, but the non-slave states departed from the core mission of the Republic. For this element of White America, the Confederate flag symbolizes the “America” of the slave-holding presidents; the “America” of the genocidal wars against Native Americans; the “America” of unlimited possibilities for Whites. In other words, it represents what we, in Black America, understand to be the underside of the so-called “American Dream.” Those who fly both flags do not see the flag of the CSA as a flag of treason but instead a flag of authenticity and essence. Thus, irrespective of the correct and well-intentioned comments about the Confederate flag being a flag of traitors or a flag of hate, the reality is that it is flown not to represent Southern pride but as a reaffirmation of the essence of White supremacy. It is, in other words, no different than the swastika. Let’s stop beating around the bushes. (Bill Fletcher Jr. is the host of The Global African on Telesur-English. He is a racial justice, labor and global justice activist and writer. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and at www.billfletcherjr.com.)
I will not join Nevada’s SB302 celebration I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of the fight to provide low income and working class parents with the power to choose the best educational options for their children. I joined this fight over 25 years ago because I believed it is one of the levers that addresses the systemic inequities so many poor students face. I became involved in this noble struggle to ensure that low income and working class Black families had greater access to quality educational options for their children. So, while I believe that all students deserve a quality education in a school that best meets their needs, I also believe that publicly funded parent choice programs should be used primarily as a tool to empower communities who face systemic barriers to greater educational and economic opportunity. I did not join this movement to subsidize families like mine, which may not be rich, but have resources and thus, options. I joined the late Polly Williams in 1989 in her courageous fight to make sure that poor families were afforded some opportunity to choose schools in the private sector for their children. Since then, I, along with many others, have fought tirelessly for parent choice programs and policies for low-income and working class families throughout the nation. From the
Howard Fuller
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years. It is a gift to the opponents of the parent choice movement. Separate from the argument above, some of our allies in the choice movement have made no secret of their desire for universal vouchers or programs that give everyone access to public dollars to be used to access private schools, and I have been just as clear that I could never support such programs. I hold no malice toward them, but I will never support a plan that will no longer give low-income families a leg up and will instead give those of us with means even greater means to leverage the limited number of private school options to the disadvantage of low-income families. So, I will not join the celebration of the Nevada Education Savings Account Program. While some may view it as a “landmark” victory for the parent choice movement, I do not. At least it is not a victory to those of us who are focused on helping low income and working class families in their quest to find better options for their children. While I hope that I am proven wrong, I believe Nevada’s SB302 will do very little to help low-income and working class families find better options for their children.
beginning, some critics of the parent choice movement claimed that Republican lawmakers and other conservative individuals who have strongly supported parent choice policies and programs over the years were only using poor children. The real agenda, these critics have charged, has been that at some point these programs would be hijacked to offer universal vouchers or other types of similar programs to even the wealthiest citizens. I reject this sweeping generalization of people’s motives. I know for a fact that many of the individuals who have supported parent choice over the years did so and continue to do so, because they believe, as I do, that we should not have an America where only those of us with money are able to choose the best schools for our chil(Howard Fuller is founder and director of dren. Unfortunately, Nevada’s Education Savings Program fits the pattern the Institute for the Transformation of Learnthat these critics have asserted for ing at Marquette University)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Neutralizing the Right Wing political agenda (NNPA)—There’s a lesson to be learned from the Confederate flag quickly and unexpectedly falling into disfavor following the murder of nine Bible-studying African Americans, including the pastor, at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C. The lesson is that the economic clout of African Americans and their progressive allies can be used to pressure businesses to do the right thing, which in turn can keep the far right wing in check. With every Southern governor’s mansion, Senate seat and 12 of the 13 Southern Statehouses controlled by Republicans (the Kentucky House is the lone exception), a corrosive sense of helplessness had begun to set in among some Blacks. After all, the majority of Blacks live in the South and once powerful Black Democratic state legislators have been politically neutered now that they are in the minority. The tragedy in Charleston may have provided us with a blueprint for improving our predicament. First, it’s necessary to understand the role businesses played before and after Nikki Haley, the Republican governor of South Carolina, reversed her long-held position and advocated for the removal of the Confederate flag from the grounds of the state Capitol in Columbia. According to the New York Times, “The chairman of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, an old friend of Ms. Haley’s named Mikee Johnson, polled his 56 board members about the future of the flag. Everyone who responded was of the same opinion. He called Ms. Haley and told her: If she was ready to bring down the Confederate banner, they were behind her. “So was the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, the muscular association that represents giant international companies like BMW and Bridgestone Tire. Over the weekend after the shootings, its president, Mr. Gossett, urged members to draw up a strategy for finally ridding the
George E. Curry
Commentary State House of the flag.” There were business reasons that motivated this change. “They were tired of explaining why a symbol of the American Confederacy lingered at the capitol of a state that wanted to lure workers from all over the world,” the Times explained. “To many of them, it was a source of embarrassment that the N.C.A.A. would not pick South Carolina to host championship events because of the flag, and in the college-sports-crazy state, coaches said it was an obstacle to recruiting.” To be clear, African Americans were at the forefront of this movement long before the business community belatedly flexed its muscles. On July 15, 1999, the NAACP announced a boycott of South Carolina because it refused to remove the racially offensive flag from the Capitol. Five days later, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s old organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), voted to move its 2000 national convention from Charleston. The group “Black Lives Matter,” which grew out of the movement to protest the death of African Americans who died at the hands of police, organized an online petition at Moveon.org, collecting signatures at a rate of 5,000 signatures per hour. And social media, especially Black Twitter, was ablaze. The floodgates were opened when Gov. Haley pronounced on June 22: “Today, we are here in a moment of unity in our state without ill will, to say it’s time to move the flag from the Capitol grounds. A hundred and fifty years after the end of the Civil War, the time has come.” Within hours, a stampede of businesses, led by Walmart and Sears, announced they would no longer sell Confederate memorabilia. Other retailers fell in line, including Amazon, eBay, Target and Etsy.com. This was old-fashioned capitalism at work. Why risk alienating a large base of consumers for the sake of a small segment of lunatics who not only wanted to turn back the clock, but wanted to turn back the calendar? Leaders throughout the South got the massage. Virginia Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe decided Virginia will no longer sell license plates that honor the Old Confederacy. Alabama Republican Gov. Robert Bentley ordered four different Confederate flags at the state Capitol be promptly removed. In Mississippi, House Speaker Philip Gunn, a Republican, called for changing the state flag, which incorporates the Confederate insignia. With the business community weighing in along with the LBGT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) advocates, we saw a similar retreat over religious freedom legislation in two states. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence asked state legislators to “clarify” the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that he had already signed into law. In Arkansas, Gov. Asa Hutchinson threatened to veto similar legislation unless it, too, was “clarified” to say that it could not be used to discriminate against gays and lesbians. In both the Confederate flag and religious freedom controversies, we have seen the clout of business leaders. Black spending power reached $1.1 trillion in 2014, according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business. It’s time to exercise that clout by putting pressure on businesses, compelling them to apply pressure on Republican lawmakers who work against our interests. (George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the NNPA and BlackPressUSA.com. He can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com.)
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FORUM
We heard all the great voices, now what? I was in atfair share of tendance at Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick construction the Hill contracts and House last absolutely no week and share of proheard a prefessional sersentation by vice cona young tracts. There Black man are only who is the nathree Black tional presijudges on Aldent of the NAACP. He is a graduate legheny County Court of Common of Harvard Law School and an or- Pleas and no Black federal judges. dained minister, and he delivered a Too many young people are caught standing ovation presentation. A up in using guns and other crimifriend of mine asked why I did not nal activities, and how do the stand. My response was I have mayor and Allegheny County Execgrown accustomed to good speeches, utive respond? They have supbut he persisted. I then simply said ported shot detectors, more camto him that untold numbers of peo- eras, telephones that connect to pople and I have heard all of the great lice emergency, but all those are voices over the course of our lives. stop gap methods, definitely not We have heard the voice of God, long term or permanent. Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., For a number of years I have advoMalcolm X, and Minister Louis Far- cated the rebuilding and strengthrakhan, ministers local and nation- ening of the family. How? Those wide. We have heard Paul Robeson, whom we have elected decade after Marcus Garvey, Rev. Adam Clayton decade (only the names have Powell Jr. and numerous men and changed) have absolutely refused to women who have delivered mesmer- provide our fathers, uncles, and sons izing speeches. with the job opportunities to provide It is long overdue for us to focus for their families or themselves. A on the implementation of the gainfully employed husband and faphrase coined during the sixties: ther can definitely be the focus in “Do we put an overfocus on the rap strengthening the family. and too little emphasis on the There are those Black politicians map?” For example, the NAACP who go the extra mile to help politiPresident Cornell Brooks ex- cians who look different than them, pounded on a march, which is and only support those who look like scheduled to originate in Selma, themselves if “Old Massa” says it’s Alabama, and for those involved okay. If you are dissatisfied with it’s their right. It is my absolute those candidates running, then do conviction that those of us who live something about it. You can do a in Allegheny County should be write in. A write in is not easy, but marching in Downtown Pitts- nothing in life is. You must have the burgh. Blacks have allowed the courage of your conviction, and you city and county to not hire Black definitely can’t win if you don’t run. (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a weekly conpolice (Pittsburgh got sued by the ACLU.) Blacks are denied their tributor to the Forum page.)
To Tell The Truth
Compromise and symbols of slavery Politics is mise in good the art of J. Pharoah Doss faith or was compromise, it one inbut some tended for compromises the wrong leave an inbeneficiaheritance to ries? the wrong The legislabeneficiaries. tor honored When it the specifics was decided of the population count would determine NAACP’s complaint but disrestate seats in The House of Repre- spected the spirit of it. (As if to sentatives a compromise was childishly say in your face colored reached concerning slaves. Each people, but pride cometh before slave was counted as three-fifths the fall.) And Governor Jim of a person settling one of many Hodges said, “South Carolina resiconstitutional convention controdents yet to be born will look at versies. the flag one day and decide it But slaves shouldn’t have been doesn’t belong. I think when it ficounted at all. (Under the circum- nally comes down; it will be with a stances slaves being referenced as whimper and not a bang.” property would have been more Now in 2015 a bang from a conbeneficial.) federate flag brandishing White The three-fifth compromise gave gunman left South Carolina resithe southern states a third more dents dead in a historic Black seats in congress. In 1793 the church. This event brought nasouth had 47 seats but would have tional attention back onto the conhad 33 if there were no comprofederate flag and its symbolism. mise. (Which would have been unnecesThis congressional leverage alsary if it was removed without lowed southern slave interest to compromise.) dominate the government until So what does the confedsuccession in 1860, which began erate flag symbolize? Slavin Charleston, South Carolina giv- ery/racism/hate? Southern ing birth to The Confederate pride/heritage? When symbols are States of America. separated from their original inA century later in 1962 the content they’re subjected to individfederate battle flag was placed on ual interpretation. So the flag top of the South Carolina statemeans all of these things, dependhouse by an all White legislator. ing on personal ideology or politi(Descendents of the wrong benefi- cal agenda, but what did it stand ciaries of the three-fifths comprofor when it was created? It stood mise.) Was this an act of southern for The Confederate States of pride? Or was it a symbolic decla- America, and this non-existing enration of war against the federal tity is remembered for one word: government that was supporting secession, the most anti-American the civil rights movement. If it’s act in history. That alone is the latter the flag symbolized reenough for its removal and renbellion and what Alabama goverders all other debate over contemnor George Wallace proclaimed porary symbolism irrelevant. that January during his inaugural For those that insist the Conaddress, “Segregation now, segrefederate flag is a symbol of Amergation tomorrow, segregation forica’s original sin remember the ever.” confederacy only existed for five Then at the turn of the century, years and slavery existed for over when slavery and segregation five hundred. Slavery is the origishould have been history, a civil nal crime against humanity, and war/civil rights clash started arguing whether or not something again in Charleston, South Carsymbolizes American slavery is olina. This time the NAACP deperhaps the greatest sign of clared war. (Actually a boycott.) American progress, because acThey denounced the confederate cording to the second annual ediflag as a symbol of slavery, racism, tion of the Walk Free Foundaand hate and demanded that the tion’s Global Slavery Index (2014) flag be removed from the state36 million people are subjected to house dome. As the nation demodern slavery. (Defined as bated whether the confederate human trafficking, forced labor, flag was a symbol of debt bondage, forced or servile slavery/racism or of southern marriage, or commercial sexual pride/heritage another comproexploitation.) mise was reached. (Within the America’s original sin isn’t slavstate legislator not with the ery, slavery is unoriginal, it’s comNAACP.) The legislators removed promising moral matters hoping the flag from the state-house but the next generation will have the place it by a memorial of fallen resolve they lacked and advance confederate soldiers on the state peacefully without a bang. (J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the grounds, making the confederate New Pittsburgh Courier. He blogs at flag more visible to the public. jpharoahdoss.blogsport.com) But was this really a compro-
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Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
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July 4th: Taking our cue from Frederick Douglass (NNPA)—Though the keynote address was delivered 163 years ago in Rochester, N.Y. on the significance of the 4th of July celebration in the United States, the roaring eloquence and penetrating clarity of Frederick Douglass’ speech still rings true today. Slavery and its lingering aftermath in America continues to be the albatross around the neck of our democracy that chokes the quality of life for millions of African Americans and others who cry out freedom, justice, equality and prosperity. History captures both transformative events and the evolution of impactful epochs of the long journey of humankind. Yet, the history of the times and outspoken courage of leaders such as Frederick Douglass challenges all of us not just to remember the past, but to learn from it and be determined to fight for a better future for all who have been denied basic fairness and respect. As our nation prepares for its annual celebration of Independence Day, I re-read Frederick Douglass’ Fourth of July speech with a specific eye toward what we can learn from it in the wake of the recent tragedies of Charleston and North Charleston, S.C.; Cleveland; New York City; Ferguson, Mo. and Sanford, Fla. Frederick Douglass observed, “Oppression makes a wise man mad. With brave men there is always a remedy for oppression…The freedom gained is yours; and you, therefore, may properly celebrate this anniversary. The 4th of July is the first great fact in your nation’s history—the very ringbolt in the chain of your yet undeveloped destiny…Pride and patriotism, not less than gratitude, prompt you to celebrate and to hold it in perpetual remembrance. “I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ringbolt to the chain of your nation’s destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost. The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn…What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.” A little more than a week ago we were still mourning. This time, in Charleston, S.C. for the racially motivated murders of Rev. Clementa Pinckney and eight others at Emanuel A.M.E. Church. But our spirit and our determination to be free will not be broken even after centuries of cruelty and oppression. Giving up out of fear or giving in to injustice are not and will not be in our menu of options. The spirits of David Walker, Denmark Vesey, and of Frederick Douglass live on within us. Douglass’ intellectual imperatives are quite appropriate to reject the contemporary tolerance of poverty, injustice and ignorance. We have to move beyond removing the “symbols” of racism and oppression, such as the Confederate flag, to removing the substantive structures and policies that deny equal opportunity to advance and improve the quality of life of all Americans. The issue today is not what the Confederate flag represents. The real issue should be what does the American flag represent to African Americans and others who yearn for freedom? How are American businesses and institutions of higher learning making a difference for millions of people throughout the country who aspire to prosper and to make our world a better place for all people? An appropriate response to Douglass’ admonitions would be: (1) Education—maximizing high quality equal education for all without discrimination or restriction because of race, color, gender, creed or any other form of social exclusion. (2) Criminal justice reform and overcriminalization—there are simply too many people imprisoned in America, more than 1 million disproportionately African American and Latino American. (3) Principled entrepreneurial development—with a particular emphasis on economic equality and inclusiveness in the global marketplace. In his eulogy of Rev. Pinckney, President Obama set the right tone when talk about removing the nation’s blindness to poverty and racial injustice. Let’s raise up the next generation of “amazing” young gifted and talented genius who are currently entrapped in the ghettos and barrios of America’s impoverished neighborhoods. Let’s flood our Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other universities with scholarships and career opportunities to prepare a new generation of young leaders to carry America forward in STEM fields of study and research. Let’s give the million or more prisoners in American jails and prisons a chance to redeem their lives and families with advanced training and academic preparation. Combine, all of this would constitute an “Amazing Grace.” The words of Frederick Douglass reverberate today with a renewed sense of urgency and commitment to organize and mobilize a new, bi-partisan coalition to bring about real change in America. The executive, legislative and judicial branches of the U.S. government now appear poised to finally to begin to work together in the interest of empowering of all the people. But we must not be silent witnesses. We must be vocal. We must stand without fear. It is time once again, in the spirit of Douglass, to speak truth to power to empower! (Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is the president and CEO of the NNPA and can be reached for national advertisement sales and partnership proposals at: dr.bchavis@nnpa.org.)
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Washington elected as Pitt’s senior vice chancellor, chief legal officer PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees unanimously elected Geovette E. Washington as Pitt’s senior vice chancellor and chief legal officer. In this capacity, Washington will also serve as an officer of the University. Washington currently serves as general counsel and senior policy advisor in the Office of Management and Budget at the White House. At Pitt, she will succeed P. Jerome Richey who is retiring from the position, effective June 30. “We are fortunate to have an individual with the combination of outstanding professional ability and personal qualities that Geovette Washington possesses join Pitt in a senior leadership capacity,” said Pitt Chancellor Patrick
GEOVETTE E. WASHINGTON Gallagher. “She brings a wealth of experience to the position, having worked in private practice, with both corporate and nonprofit clients, and in the highest levels of government. Beyond her professional credentials, Geovette is a truly
caring individual who can manage the toughest situations, and as a daughter of teachers, she is passionate about education.” “I am honored to join the University of Pittsburgh,” Washington said. “As the daughter of educators, I was raised to place a high value on education, and in particular higher learning. I was able to witness the many ways that education enriched the lives of and opened doors of opportunity for their students and so many others. This role allows me to be a part of the community that opens doors and creates opportunities for Pitt’s students and allows me to serve the University in fulfilling its mission. I would like to thank the Board of Trustees for their support, and I look forward
to joining the Pitt family.” “Geovette has been an invaluable member of the OMB leadership team,” said OMB Director Shaun Donovan. “I know I speak on behalf of the entire OMB family and others across the Administration when I say I am saddened to see her go but heartened by the fact that she will be moving into a role that is so close to her heart and where she can make a
real difference in the lives of those seeking a higher education and beyond.” Washington was named general counsel of OMB in June 2013. In that capacity, she is a member of the OMB senior leadership team for the agency that is charged with the overall budget and management responsibility for the federal government. She provides legal advice and counsel to OMB leader-
ship and staff, works with other Executive Office of the President offices to coordinate processes related to Presidential priorities, resolves and manages significant issues that cut across OMB components, and works with the OMB director and deputy directors on critical issues to facilitate resolution within the EOP or elsewhere in the Executive Branch.
An Evening in the Village Homewood Children’s Village celebrated at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, 6300 Fifth Ave., its annual Evening in the Village on June 20. The program featured a VIP reception, main reception, a program and an awards ceremony. Each year, the Homewood Children’s Village gathers to reflect on the innovation, creation and education happening in the Homewood community. The commitment of the Village’s partners is cru-
cial to successes made in community, economic and human development. This past year there was a dramatic reductions in academic suspensions, reduced truancy, fewer days of missed school and significant improvements in grades among students supported by HCV and the Promise Fulfillment Network. In a press release, the Homewood Children Village stated “All of this would be impossible without the end-
less support and dedication of those who not only believe in the cause, but act with unending vigor. We are proud to recognize eight especially impactful individuals: Community Griot, Lorena Amos and Elwin Green; Volunteer of the Year, Kyle Goldcamp; Community Trailblazer, Dianne Swan; Community Visionary, Rep. Ed Gainey; and Service and Commitment, Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess, Ron Porter and Mary Savage.
LATRENDA LEONARD SHERRILL Excepting for mayor
ELWIN GREEN
RON PORTER
MARY SAVAGE
LORENA AMOS
DIANNE SWAN
REV. RICKY BURGESS
KYLE GOLDCAMP
ED GAINEY (Photos by J.L. Martello)
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Black Woman takes down Confederate flag in South Carolina by Kovie Biakolo For New Pittsburgh Courier
(hellobeautiful.com)—There has been a lot of talk about the Confederate flag since the Charleston shooting. On one side, there are people who somehow believe that it shouldn’t be seen a symbol of hate and racism, but a marker of “Southern pride.” And of course, there are the rest of us who don’t understand the first group, and know that the flag represents the history and pains of slavery, the remnants of which we are still living with today. But as they say, talk is cheap. While many of us have been out here getting flustered and talking each other’s ears off, a North Carolina Black female educator took matters into her own hands. At 6:30 a.m. local time, Bree Newsome grabbed her climbing gear, scaled the South Carolina statehouse flagpole and removed the Confederate flag. Boom.
Newsome, who is an activist, was arrested for her actions, but she is being championed as a hero by many who are for taking the flag down. The flag, which is protected by state law, was raised about 45 minutes later, Upon her arrest, she was overheard quoting scripture, saying: “The Lord is my light, and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” She had the help of activist James Tyson, who was also arrested at the scene. They released a statement, saying: “We could not sit by and watch the victims of the Charleston Massacre be laid to rest while the inspiration for their deaths continue to fly above their caskets.” The act was filmed as part of the #KeepItDown movement. Upon her arrest, she was met with cheers from the crowd below. Considering that the funerals of the Charleston attack’s victims have been taking place over the past few days, it is an especially wonderful resistance gesture.
Full text of President Obama’s eulogy for Clementa Pinckney
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us to make sure that that system is not infected with bias; that we embrace changes in how we train and equip our police so that the bonds of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve make us all safer and more secure. (Applause.) Maybe we now realize the way racial bias can infect us even when we don’t realize it, so that we’re guarding against not just racial slurs, but we’re also guarding against the subtle impulse to call Johnny back for a job interview but not Jamal. (Applause.) So that we search our hearts when we consider laws to make it harder for some of our fellow citizens to vote. (Applause.) By recognizing our common humanity by treating every child as important, regardless of the color of their skin or the station into which they were born, and to do what’s necessary to make opportunity real for every American—by doing that, we express God’s grace. (Applause.) For too long— AUDIENCE: For too long! THE PRESIDENT: For too long, we’ve been blind to the unique mayhem that gun violence inflicts upon this nation. (Applause.) Sporadically, our eyes are open: When eight of our brothers and sisters are cut down in a church basement, 12 in a movie theater, 26 in an elementary school. But I hope we also see the 30 precious lives cut short by gun violence in this country every single day; the countless more whose lives are forever changed—the survivors
ACT OF RESISTANCE—Bree Newsome of Charlotte, N.C., climbs a flagpole to remove the Confederate battle flag at a Confederate monument in front of the Statehouse in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday, June, 27. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith)
crippled, the children traumatized and fearful every day as they walk to school, the husband who will never feel his wife’s warm touch, the entire communities whose grief overflows every time they have to watch what happened to them happen to some other place. The vast majority of Americans—the majority of gun owners—want to do something about this. We see that now. (Applause.) And I’m convinced that by acknowledging the pain and loss of others, even as we respect the traditions and ways of life that make up this beloved country— by making the moral choice to change, we express God’s grace. (Applause.) We don’t earn grace. We’re all sinners. We don’t deserve it. (Applause.) But God gives it to us anyway. (Applause.) And we choose how to receive it. It’s our decision how to honor it. None of us can or should expect a transformation in race relations overnight. Every time something like this happens, somebody says we have to have a conversation about race. We talk a lot about race. There’s no shortcut. And we don’t need more talk. (Applause.) None of us should believe that a handful of gun safety measures will prevent every tragedy. It will not. People of goodwill will continue to debate the merits of various policies, as our democracy requires—this is a big, raucous place, America is. And there are good people on both sides of these debates. Whatever solutions we find will necessarily be incomplete.
But it would be a betrayal of everything Reverend Pinckney stood for, I believe, if we allowed ourselves to slip into a comfortable silence again. (Applause.) Once the eulogies have been delivered, once the TV cameras move on, to go back to business as usual—that’s what we so often do to avoid uncomfortable truths about the prejudice that still infects our society. (Applause.) To settle for symbolic gestures without following up with the hard work of more lasting change—that’s how we lose our way again. It would be a refutation of the forgiveness expressed by those families if we merely slipped into old habits, whereby those who disagree with us are not merely wrong but bad; where we shout instead of listen; where we barricade ourselves behind preconceived notions or well-practiced cynicism. Reverend Pinckney once said, “Across the South, we have a deep appreciation of history—we haven’t always had a deep appreciation of each other’s history.” (Applause.) What is true in the South is true for America. Clem understood that justice grows out of recognition of ourselves in each other. That my liberty depends on you being free, too. (Applause.) That history can’t be a sword to justify injustice, or a shield against progress, but must be a manual for how to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past—how to break the cycle. A roadway toward a better world. He knew that the path of grace involves an open mind—but, more importantly, an
open heart. That’s what I’ve felt this week—an open heart. That, more than any particular policy or analysis, is what’s called upon right now, I think—what a friend of mine, the writer Marilyn Robinson, calls “that reservoir of goodness, beyond, and of another kind, that we are able to do each other in the ordinary cause of things.” That reservoir of goodness. If we can find that grace, anything is possible. (Applause.) If we can tap that grace, everything can change. (Applause.) Amazing grace. Amazing grace. (Begins to sing)—Amazing grace—(applause)—how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind but now I see. (Applause.) Clementa Pinckney found that grace. Cynthia Hurd found that grace. Susie Jackson found that grace. Ethel Lance found that grace. DePayne Middleton-Doctor found that grace. Tywanza Sanders found that grace. Daniel L. Simmons, Sr. found that grace. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton found that grace. Myra Thompson found that grace. Through the example of their lives, they’ve now passed it on to us. May we find ourselves worthy of that precious and extraordinary gift, as long as our lives endure. May grace now lead them home. May God continue to shed His grace on the United States of America. (Applause.)
New Pittsburgh Courier
LIFESTYLES B Straight out of Egypt
annual boat ride B4
‘Tambourines to Glory’
Roger Humphries
Debbie Norrell
Lifestyles Report
The Stars and Bars I read this post on Facebook about the Confederate flag: “They’ve been pushing for it for over 150 years and this year the politically correct anti-Confederate flag movement may have finally achieved its ultimate goal. Following a racially driven shooting spree that left nine people dead at a church in Charleston, the governor of South Carolina is pushing legislation to have the flag removed at any government buildings where it currently flies. In Alabama, the governor has ordered Confederate flag ‘paraphernalia’ removed from the Confederate Memorial Monument. Major retailers like Amazon, Ebay, and Walmart immediately jumped on board and have now removed confederate flags from their listings. Paul Joseph Watson highlights the sheer ridiculousness of the move, noting that while Amazon has removed memorabilia featuring the flag of the Confederacy, they continue to allow the sale of items featuring Nazi emblems and Swastikas. “But the idiocy, based on absolutely no logical reasoning except that this is the perfect crisis to not let go to waste, doesn’t stop there. Warner Bros. has announced that it has halted production of toys and replicas of the iconic Dukes of Hazzard sports car known as the General Lee. “Dukes of Hazzard, a staple TV show of the early 1980s, featured what may possibly be the most popular and most recognizable car in American history. “As of today, that car will no longer feature the Confederate flag on its roof.” Wait a minute now, the General Lee will not be the General Lee. To me, it makes no sense to do that. The flag needs to be removed from places where it is a symbol of hate and intimidation. I know when I see that flag in the back of a pick-up truck window or in the hands of a hooded individual I do not feel comfortable, I feel scared. I don’t like to drive to the south by myself for that very reason. I don’t think the flag should fly at a public building, but if people want to display it in their personal space perhaps then you would know who you are dealing with. Now a bookstore at Gettysburg National Military Park is pulling confederate flag items. Gettysburg, the site of the Civil War’s pivotal battle, said last week that it will no longer sell 11 items that use the battle flag as a standalone feature. The bookstore will continue to offer items that feature both the US and Confederate flags, as well as books, DVDs and other educational materials where the image of the Confederate flag is depicted in its historical context. National Park service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis says “stand alone depictions of Confederate flags have no place in park stores.” Not being able to fly the flag over a public building will not remove the hate and bigotry from people’s minds and hearts. People will still not want Black people or people of color in “their” socalled neighborhood, and discrimination will continue to happen in the workplace but perhaps this in one step to a better world. (Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
JULY 1-7, 2015
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Langston Hughes B2
by Debbie Norrell Courier Staff Writer
The holiday that kicks-off the summer is Memorial Day weekend and traditionally in Pittsburgh that is also Alpha Weekend as in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. On May 22 their Straight Out of Egypt Weekend began with a grand Skeephi Party with the queens of pink and green (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority) at the Three Lakes Golf Club. There was a celebrity sighting at the party, it appears that Dawan Owens, who plays Quan on Tyler Perry’s “If Loving you Is Wrong” on the OWN Network, is an Alpha and attended the University of Pittsburgh. Owens was in town for the big weekend and planned to play in the Divine 9 Basketball Classic on May 23 at Ammons Recreation Center. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Information Sci-
CLEVELAND COMES TO THE BURGH—Sean Gibson with Cleveland Alphas, Clyde Christian, Eric Williams and Brian Tompkins.
tral’s “Open Mic Fight,” O w e n s booked his first acting job as a series regular on “The Bobby Lee Project.” The Alpha Weekend concluded with the Straight Out of Egypt Annual Boat ride on the Gateway C l i p p e r Fleet’s EmSISTERS AND SORORS—Yvette Dudley-Moris- press. The proceeds sey and Charma Dudley from the weekend will ence, and rising through benefit the Alpha Omicron the ranks of one of the Lambda Scholarship Proworld’s top IT consulting gram. firms, Owens realized that The planners behind the comedy was his true call- weekend were John Ayers, ing. Almost immediately Marisa Jamison, Monica after his stand-up earned Johnson, Mark Johnson him a spot in Comedy Cen- and Greg Lovelace.
AT THREE LAKES—Darren and Kelly McCormick (Photos by Debbie Norrell)
THE PLANNERS—John Ayers, Marisa Jamison, Monica Lamar, Mark Johnson and Greg Lovelace
ALPHA MEN FOR SURE—Dawan Owens, Kacey Green and Donnie Yawn
NOTHING LIKE A LINE DANCE
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JULY 1-7, 2015
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
RELIGION
Praise & Worship
Church Circuit Fashion Show
HILLCREST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
JULY 11—New Beginnings Ministries, 705 Shaw Ave., McKeesport, will host a Fashion Show from 12-3 p.m. This event is a fundraiser to help the church’s pastor during his run for bishop. For more information, call 412-672-8883.
2340 Wylie Ave., Pgh., PA 15219 412-391-4334 412-566-8757
“Be Encouraged”
Elder Christopher C. Thompson Power Hour Sabbath..............8:15 A.M. Sabbath School.......................9:00 A.M. Divine Worship.....................11:00 A.M. AYS One Hour Before Sunset Prayer Meeting Wednesday....7:30 P.M.
Fashion Show JULY 11—Morningside COGIC, 5173 Dearborn St., Garfield, will host a Unique By Design Fashion Show at 5 p.m. at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Homewood Branch, 7101 Hamilton Ave., Homewood. There will be entertainment and refreshments. Reservations are required. For more information, call 412-897-7839.
ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 11 A.M. Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) 12:00 P.M. www.stbtmchurch.org
CAST OF CHARACTERS (Photos by Rossano P. Stewart)
‘Tambourines to Glory’
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 22 Sampsonia Street, Northside Pittsburgh., PA 15212 412-231-2554 FAX 412-231-6395 Rev. Lacy F. Richardson, Ph.D., Pastor Church School.....................................9:30 A.M. Worship Service.....................8:00 & 10:45 A.M. Bible Study/ Prayer Wednesday.......................6:30/7:30 P.M. www.metropolitanbaptistchurchpgh.com metropolitanbaptist2224@gmail.com
SIXTH MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH 6556 Shetland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (412) 441-7839 Church School 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:15 a.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study 6:00 p.m.
East Liberty PresbyterianChurch Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 www.cathedralofhope.org
Sanctuary Worship.........10 a.m.
Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community
Choir Rehearsal
A play by Langston Hughes by Karen Harris Brooks For New Pittsburgh Courier
The evening light dimmed to an aura of creativity and craftsmanship...elements that have always been embraced by the culture of the African American church. Through powerful readings, the re-enactment of Langston Hughes’ “Tambourines to Glory” lit up the stage of Homewood’s Carnegie Library on June 12. The fascinating story line, written in 1956, held the audience captive as a tale of friendship told the struggles of love, faith and corruption. Centered around the people of a Harlem street corner, smiles spread as the actors and actresses portrayed their characters with inborn professionalism. The phenomenal cast took the audience from the street corner of falsehood to the building of truth. It was that deception that ignited an explosion of jealousy and anger, thereby opening the door to life-changing reality. Described as “a sparkling gem,” the delightful “Tambourines to Glory” was portrayed by 14 amazing actors and actresses who lined the library’s stage to tell the compelling story. From out of his own life experiences and unique imagination, Hughes did a magnificent job in his description of the characters of yesterday. Within the church of today, there is no doubt that today’s membership includes those same characters. There is Birdie (Stevie Akers) whose melody left a lot to be desired, but her
JULY 11—The Allegheny Union Baptist Association Women’s Choir will host a Choir Rehearsal at 6 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 2629 Wylie Ave., Hill District. For more information, call Rev. Cathy Brundage at 412-4183483.
Gospel Musical JULY 12—Morningside COGIC, 5173 Dearborn St., Garfield, will host an Old Time Gospel Musical at 3:30 p.m. All proceeds will go to the Women Christian Council and the Community Day Special Project. Dinners will be sold downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, call 412-897-7839.
Church Anniversary
PARTNERS—Sheila Beasley as Essie and Karla C. Payne as Laura exchange dialogue during scene. Brandon Wade and Louis Walker. Energy flowed through the crowd as tambourines accompanied the music of guitarist Larry Estes. Tap-dancing his way into everyone’s heart, Robert Eberhardt had no problem capturing the attention of the attendees. DelRoyce Tatum, a resident of Garfield and a member of the audience who loves the arts, was “impressed with the readings of the actors and actresses.” She enjoyed the concept of the presentations and states “the visualization took me back to the days when we would listen to the radio.” The production was made possible by Lewis Colyar, founder and executive director of the Langston Hughes
Poetry Society of Pittsburgh. “I had been sitting on this play for about a year, and I wanted to do something different,“ he said. Colyar enlisted well known actor, producer, director, Charles Timbers Jr. “I know that Chuck (Timbers) is involved in bringing up new voices. My philosophy is when going to the mountain, take the village with you.” Humble, but confident, Timbers stated with excitement. “I don’t believe in coincidences. I had 14 parts to fill. I posted on Facebook and 14 people, all anchored in God, responded. I thank God for this opportunity.” Timbers’ request did not go unheeded by Karla Payne, who is an admirer of the much loved thespian. “I
love Chuck Timbers and anything he needs, I will be there to do it. It was a fun way to tell the story. Langston Hughes is a lover of words and when he writes, there is poetry in the dialogue. It is exciting to see his work presented in a full stage production.” Sheila B Productions was instrumental in spreading the word of “Tambourine Temple” to the Pittsburgh community. Colyar found a creative way to tell Hughes’ story of the transformation of playing with God to total dependence on God. The anointed Christians making up the powerful cast summed it up in a song... “If you got a tambourine, shake it to the glory of God.”
For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext 40. We are looking to
JULY 12—Hopewell Baptist Church, 436 Chestnut St., Jeanette, will host its 105th Church Anniversary. The church will celebrate 105 years of service to the community. For more information, call Veronica Jones at 724-261-9113.
Holy Spirit Seminar JULY 13—Greater Works Outreach, 301 College Park Dr., Monroeville, will host its Holy Spirit Seminar at 10 a.m. Through July 18, the church will feature three-daily sessions of worship, teaching and ministry. Guest speakers will be Pastor Darlene Bishop, Pastor Matthew Brown, Bishop Joseph Garlington, Dr. Larry Huch and Prophet Ron Campbell. The seminar will also be held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. There will also be a daily Vacation Bible School and Youth Conference. Registration for the school and conference are requested. For more information, call 724-327-6500 or visit www.garymitrik.com.
Kennywood Ticket Sale
TERRI BRIDGETT, as Gloria, sings her way through tough times.
feature our positive youth in the church communities. You can e-mail, fax or mail their bios and photo to:
New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax: 412-481-1360 e-mail:
egaines@newpittsburghcourier.com
warmth and familiarity brought laughter throughout the production. Narrated by the talented Debbie Norrell, two very different friends, Laura (Karla C. Payne) and Essie (Sheila Beasley) were dynamic in their portrayal of a sisterhood that struggled while supporting each other throughout life’s trials. Declaring his “heart as the devil’s playground,” Buddy (Bernard Tench III) left no stone unturned in his portrayal as the conniving evil imposter representative of Satan at its best. The theatrical performers who shook up the stage included Teri Bridgett, Dominique Briggs, LaMar Darnell Fields, IJasneem, Corey Lankford, Diane Hart Pettis, G. L. Riley,
PRODUCERS AND DIRECTOR—From left: Lewis Colyar, executive producer; Sheila Beasley, lead actress; and Charles Timbers Jr., co-producer and director.
JULY 13—The Rachel Randall Education Department of Pentecostal Temple COGIC, 6300 E. Liberty Blvd., E. Liberty, will host the selling of Ride All Day tickets for Kennywood Park. Tickets will also be sold on July 13 & 29. Pentecostal Temple Family Day will be held July 29. For more information, call 412-371-6268 or email gzusislove@comcast.net.
Revival JULY 19— Morningside COGIC, 5173 Dearborn St., Garfield, will host a Revival at 3:30 p.m. The theme is “Revive and Restore Us O Lord God Almighty.” The guest revivalist is Evangelist Regina Bryant. For more information, call 412-8977839.
THEATER BUFFS—From left: Lewis Colyar, Chris Moore, Joyce Meggerson-Moore and Lamont Jones Jr.
(To have items listed on the Church Circuit, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
JULY 1-7, 2015
PEOPLE
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Shahrazad Ali keynotes Annual Day of Unity in the Community collaboration
ASIA JACKSON Hostess
SHAHRAZAD ALI Keynote speaker
NAZURA ASA EYEDURU Community activist and organizer
cated at 7310 Frankstown Ave., in Homewood. The first part of the program included live p e r f o r mances by Queen S Boo, Blak King Folk and more. Community presentations were on groups that are applying strategies and solutions to strengthen the Black family. The day also included a more intimate setting with Sister ORGANIZERS—From left: Steve Tipton, Nazura Asa Eyeduru, Gerald Ferguson and Jeanine Ferguson. S h a h r a z a d Ali that in(Photos by J.L. Martello) cluded food, beverages and front row seating. Featured guest lecturer Ali was the highlight of the second part. Ali is a best- selling author, independent publisher and activist. She has earned nu-
State of the Hill District a fun-filled day
merous awards and citations for her literary contributions and diet of African American families. Her title of being “the Mother of the Black Book Explosion” is gleamed from her 1990 blockbuster hit, “The Black Man’s Guide to Understanding the Black Woman,” plus “Are you Still a Slave?” “Things Parents Should Have Told You” and “How Not to Eat Pork” along with a handy manual called “Urban Survival.” For more than 20 years, Ali has been the featured guest on multiple talk shows and currently is a regular panelist on the popular “HLN,” as well as “Dr. Drew on Call,” CNN TV and other national television, where serves as an outspoken social commentator specializing in race relations. Ali also starred in the hit documentary, “Hidden Colors” film series. She lectured on “Uniting Black Men and Women & Strengthening the Black Family.”
by Paige Mitchell
(Information courtesy of the Seshemet Community Council)
On June 6, Seshemet Community Council in collaboration with Sankofa Community Empowerment Inc. proudly
BROTHER VICTOR MOHAMMAD Speaking about issues in the community
hosted a Day of Unity in the Community at the Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum, lo-
For New Pittsburgh Courier
The Hill Community Development Corporation recently held an impactful event to involve the community while enjoying fun festivities. People of the Hill District attended the event to join in the lively discussions and be in the know! The State of the Hill District event took place June 21 at the Kaufmann Center. and featured Marimba Milliones, president and CEO, as the keynote speaker. “This event provided the opportunity for members of the community to learn about recent developments in the Hill District,“ Milliones said. The event was sponsored by Investor; Dollar Bank, Partner; UPMC, and Patrons; Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh; KBK Enterprises; McAuley Ministries; McCormack Baron Salazar; POISE Foundation; and TREK Development. Attendees enjoyed a continental breakfast catered by, Thyme Limit Catering, while lunch was provided by Z-Best Barbecue and In God’s Hands Catering. A BBQ Cook-Off took place on the plaza, Z-Best Barbecue vs. In God’s Hands Catering, where people were able to feast on succulent soul food; sizzling ribs, chicken and side dishes. There were also lively performances by the Hill Dance Academy Theatre, and musicians Tony Campbell, Poogie Bell, Howie Alexander and Dwayne Dolphin. These performances were the introduction that led into different segments of the event and hot discussions. An interactive panel discussion took place. Milliones unveiled and discussed the Centre Avenue Redevelopment Plan, saying it’s a plan that, “honors the cultural legacy of the Hill District but contextualizes it in the future and the market that we can expect today.” The “Bricks, Mortar, and Money” segment, moderated by William Generett of Urban Innovation21, discussed buildings, businesses and breakthroughs. The “Getting to the Heart of Community Development” portion was moderated by Michele Cooper of McAuley Ministries who discussed
MARIMBA MILLIONES Hill CDC president & CEO
ALEXIS CLIPPER Emcee the topic of children and families, Art & Culture, health & wellness, education and faith matter. Also during the event, awards were presented to residents and stakeholders who have demonstrated care, excellence, and/or commitment to the Hill District.This year’s honorees included community members who worked tirelessly on behalf of the entire neighborhood during the Lower Hill District negotiations, as well as other community collaboration and Hill CDC support efforts. Honorees were Audrey Anderson, William Bercik, Emma Lucas Darby, PhD, William Generett, Glenn Grayson Jr., David Hopkins, Donnie Kyte, Marc Little, Charles Mosley, Emma Pipkin, Brenda Tate, Sala Udin, Diamonte Walker, Dewitt Walton, Mercedes Williams, John Anderson, Rev. Dr. Vin-
HONOREES—Eugene Williams III and Sala Udin
HONOREES—Chloe Velasquez and Brenda Tate (Photos by J.L. Martello) cent Campbell, Robert Damewood, Phyllis Ghafoor, Rev. Dr. Victor Grigsby, Bomani Howze, Joann Lewis, Jason Matthews, Deborah PittrellParker, Carl Redwood, Kimberly Slater-Wood, Chloe Velasquez, Rev. Lee Walls and Eugene Williams III. The State of the Hill District was a free event used to inform the community, acknowledge leadership and those making a difference, while celebrating the growth of one of Pittsburgh’s historical landmarks, the Hill District. Attendee Sequoia Howard said, “Being a resident of the Hill District for 20 plus years, I have a love for the community like no other. And I want nothing more, but to see the Hill District and the community grow. I enjoyed myself at this event, and it was important for me to be in the know.”
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SALE DATES July 1-8
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1-888-WHOLEYS 1711 Penn Ave. In The Strip District
New Pittsburgh Courier
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ENTERTAINER JULY 1-7, 2015
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
Cover To Cover
‘I’ll Miss You Too’ by Terri Schlichenmeyer For New Pittsburgh Courier
Thirteen long, interesting years. Imagine: more than 115 months of your life spent with your hiney under a school desk. That’s a lot, but now you’ve graduated (or will soon be graduating) from high school and (you can barely believe you’re saying this) you can’t wait to get to college. Leaving home won’t be easy, but you’ll be ready once you’ve read “I’ll Miss You Too” by Margo Ewing Woodacre & Steffany Bane Carey. And your parents? Ah, that may be a different matter…. On one hand, you’re very excited about the idea of college: the independence, new friends, new experiences, being an adult. It’s what you’ve been working towards for at least a year, maybe more. On the other hand, you hate to think of leaving behind your room, your pos-
Roger Humphries annual boat ride soothes the soul with amazing music
CHRIS MORELL performs with RF Factor. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)
by Genea L. Webb
For New Pittsburgh Courier
sessions, your siblings and everything familiar. College is going to be different, especially if you plan on moving more than a few hours from home. Will you fit in? What if there’s an emergency? Will your friends still be your friends? You’ll have fears, and you might have tears. That’s all normal, say the authors. Remember that “all of the freshmen [are] in the same boat.” The first and perhaps most useful thing to do is to attend freshman orientation, which plunges you into campus life and helps diminish self-consciousness. It sounds silly, the authors admit, but it helps. Try to meet up with your roommate, or at least talk on the phone or online before you have to live together. Remember that nobody’s going to remind you to study when you’re at college. Get to know your professors. Use extra caution when posting on social media while you’re at college; party posts can haunt you for a good long time. Finally, stay in touch with your parents. They’ll miss you, possibly more than you’ll miss them (and your Mom will probably cry). Call, Skype, or text them often—not just when there’s an emergency. Talk to them when you’re in a bad spot, if you think you made a big mistake, or you just need a shoulder and you’re homesick. Remember that you’re an adult now but you’ll always be their kid. If you’re a parent and you’ve read this far, fear not: “I’ll Miss You Too” has plenty for you as well. Half the book, in fact, is for parents of future college freshmen. Starting with the fall semester of high school, mother-daughter authors Margo Ewing Woodacre & Steffany Bane Carey walk readers through everything from choosing a college, studying for SATs, and packing for the big move, all the way through secondary education and for a year or two beyond. They helpfully touch upon issues both happy and thorny, and their words are soothing for parents, teens, RAs, and advisors. (“I’ll Miss You Too” by Margo Ewing Woodacre, MSW & Steffany Bane Carey, c.2015, Sourcebooks,, $14.99/$19.99 Canada, 202 pages.)
North Side resident Robin Alexander and downtown Pittsburgh resident Carolyn Kazdin have made it their business to attend the annual Jazz on the Water boat ride given by local Pittsburgh Jazz icon, Roger Humphries. “It’s the best place to be on a Sunday afternoon,” said Kazdin, who along with Alexander have attended the event for three years. “It’s a sensational atmosphere with the music and everything and the fact that it helps with a scholarship that Roger gives out ensures that Jazz is brought forth to the next generation.” Alexander agreed with her friend. “Pittsburgh is such a fabulous Jazz city and it’s wonderful to be here with these great Jazz musicians,” Alexander said. In addition to Humphries and his RH Factor Band, the afternoon featured local soul artist Spanky Wilson, salsa band, Azucar, salsa instruction by Loyal Martinez from Salsa 412 and the afternoon ended with Jazzy balladeer Chris Morrell who traveled all the way from North Carolina to perform at Humphries’ request. “Roger gave me a call and asked me to come and perform,” explained Morrell, who performed with the Count Basie Orchestra for 18 years and cut an album at the Manchester Crafts-
ROGER HUMPHRIES men’s Guild. “It’s a beautiful day to bring God’s love through music.” Their diverse music styles is one of the reason’s Humphries chose this line-up for this year’s boat ride. “I chose these artists because I wanted to give people the taste and experience of different music. When I grew up we liked to dance and listen to a lot of differ-
DELANA FLOWERS, AND TERRANCE DENNE
ent things,” Humphries said. Thirty-three years ago, the boat ride began as a way for people to enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the water and 12 years ago Humphries added the scholarship component to help the emerging musical careers of CAPA kids. Humphries held teaching positions at CAPA for 28 years and also at the Uni-
versity of Pittsburgh Although slow to take o f f , Humphries’ good deed has spanned to include musically inclined students from other schools throughout the years. This year two students, Simon Bullo and Jason Washington, Jr. won the scholarships. “ T h e s e boys have a great desire to play music. They didn’t choose music. Music chose them,” s a i d Humphries who was “chosen” by the drums as at the age of 3 ½. Humphries began touring the country as a drummer at age 14 and has performed with some of music’s greatest artists including Ray Charles whom he went on tour with in 1967, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Slide Hampton and George Benson. He worked with Horace Silver and performed on the album, “Song for my Fa-
ther.” He performed on four tracks on the album. He has led his own band, RH Factor, since the early 1970s and led various other bands under various other names. Humphries released fulllength albums under his own moniker in 1993, 2003, and 2011. He can be found playing weekly at the Savoy Restaurant in the Strip District and is working on new material for another album. Humphries would like more students to get involved in the scholarship process. He said he plans on putting the scholarship information on more social media areas like Facebook. “I’m trying to explore other avenues to try and get more kids interested in participating in the scholarship. It’s so important to encourage the kids that are in music because they are the next generation,” Humphries said. Repeat and first time passengers alike were soothed by the music and the ether of the afternoon during the boat ride. “I was looking for something nice and elegant to do on this beautiful day and I wanted to be on the water,” explained boat ride newcomer Delana Flowers. The music is what drew Terrence Denne to the event. “This is the only chance you get to see all of these great artists together and enjoy all the artists together,” he said.
CAROLYN KAZDIN AND ROBIN ALEXANDER
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
June/July Thursday 2
Boys Choir celebrates 25 years of making sweet music
Jewelry in the Space Age
by Genea L. Webb
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History presents “Out of This World! Jewelry in the Space Age” at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Wertz Gallery, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. The fine jewelry exhibit brings together scientific fact and pop culture in a showcase of wearable and decorative arts related to outer space, space travel, the space age and the powerful influence these topics have had on human civilization. This exhibit runs through Jan. 4, 2016. For more information, call 412622-3131 or visit www.carnegiemnh.org.
Derrick Germany knew he was a part of something special when he was recruited into the Afro-American Music Institute’s newly- formed Boys choir in 1990. “I believe that many of us originals would tell a particular story of how we had no choice. We simply were a part of a group of young men gathered to give tribute to fathers,” recalled Germany who joined the Afro-American Music Institute as a little boy and remained a member of its then 14-member boys’ choir until he graduated high school. “The wonderful part was that most of us were there because we enjoyed and were a part of a group who shared that same similar interest and a bond of musiNow, more than two decades after its creation and 26-members strong, the boys’ choir is still making beautiful music and life-long memories. A 25th Anniversary of the Afro- American Music Institute Boys Choir will be held on Father’s Day, June 21, at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty. The celebration begins at 5 p.m. “It’s going to be a homecoming and alumni concert,” explained AfroAmerican Music Institute founder and Boys Choir creator, Pamela Johnson. “I plan to bring the original choir members on stage that have returned to town
Friday 3 Jazz at Andys Andys Wine Bar at the Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel presents Jazz at Andys from 5-7:30 p.m. at 510 Market St., Downtown. Every Friday night in May, DJ Malls will be spinning the vinyl. There will also be a musical performance by Bronwyn Wyatt Higgins. It is open to the public. For more information, visit www.andyswinebar.com.
Happy Hour Jazz Savoy Restaurant presents its Happy Hour Jazz from 5-8 p.m. at Savoy, 2023 Penn Ave., Strip District. The first Friday of every month, Savoy will feature jazz musicians Jessica Lee, Mark Strickland and Jay Willis to help end the week on a smooth note. For more information, visit www.savoypgh.com.
Saturday 4 Happy 4th of July!!!! DreamOn Festival Omicelo and Dream Cream Ice Cream present the 2nd Annual DreamOn Festival from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. in Market Square, Downtown. From July 3-5, the ice cream-music festival will feature 15 multi-genre live music concerts, three DJs, 30 flavors of Dream Cream Ice Cream, vendors and more. Performances include DJ Nate Da Barber, Anqwenique, Jasmine Tate, comedian J. Russ and others. Omicelo founder and CEO Joshua Pollard and EmmyAward winning producer Emmai Aliquiva will host the three-day event. For more information, visit www.DreamOnFestival.com.
JULY 1-7, 2015
ARTS & CULTURE
For New Pittsburgh Courier
AFRO BOYS CHOIR for the event. I just want to recognize the boys for the great work they’ve accomplished in their lives.” Germany began a career in aviation with American Airlines in 2001 after relocating to various cities throughout the United States. He now serves as the in-flight training specialist and program developer for in-flight standards with the company. He gives major props to the fundamentals he was taught at AAMI and through the Boys’ Choir. “I find that being musically inclined has significantly
helped with my creativity when it comes to writing training material. Not only has it given me the ability to have-rounded lesson plans, it has provided a foundation for my work ethic and ambiguity to culture,” explained Germany who currently resides in Charlotte, NC. “With this ambiguity to culture and I have been blessed to be able to teach music and possibly continue the AAMI movement in the Charlotte, NC area.” Another original member of the choir, Tommy Lumpkin, writes and produces music for superstar enter-
Some of the Black artists at the art festival
Sunday 5 Regatta EQT presents the 2015 EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta at Point State Park, Downtown. From July 3-5, families will enjoy this annual celebration of the nation’s birth. The event will feature food, live entertainment, attractions and much more. For more information, call 412980-3662.
RUTH G. RICHARDSON from Carnegie said “I have been an artist since I was 5-years old. The Arts Fest is a good thing because you can see local art and artists as well as artists from all over the country. It’s also a good opportunity for young people.” (Photos and copy by J. L. Martello)
Monday 6 Savoy Jazz Savoy Restaurant presents Savoy Jazz Mondays from 5-9 p.m. at 2623 Penn Ave., Strip District. Every Monday guests can enjoy live jazz in a sophisticated atmosphere. The evening will feature the Tim Stevens/Leonard Johnson Project. The attire is business casual. For more information, call 412-281-0660 or visit www.savoypgh.com.
Tuesday 7 JazzLive The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents JazzLive at 5 p.m. at the Backstage Bar at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., Cultural District. Every Tuesday guests can celebrate a decade of jazz in the Cultural District and enjoy hot jazz from some of the most talented musicians. The musician will be the George Jones New View Trio. For more information, call 412-456-6666 or visit www.trustarts.org.
AARON REED from Georgia who sits and paints during the Art Fest says “I just want to create pieces that would inspire peoples lives and every time they look at it, it makes them feel good and brings them to the place that they remember.”
Wednesday 8 Wednesday Night Live Jazz The Rivers Club presents Wednesday Night Live Jazz from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Rivers Club, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant St., Downtown. Every Wednesday night local artists, many from the Pittsburgh Jazz Society’s Hall of Fame, will perform. There will be a Jimmy G’s jazz buffet and more. This event is free and open to the public. Upscale casual attire, no jeans, is required. For more information, call 412-391-5227.
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CHESTER ALLEN from New Orleans standing in front of his art works says he has been doing this art for about 30 years. “The guy that taught me used to say each technique you learn is like a vocabulary but it’s what you have to say that makes the difference so I fast, I pray, I think about things that has happened, people that I have met then I go to work.”
tainer Janet Jackson. “I’m not surprised that he’s doing that because he was so gifted. He had great writing skills, piano skills and arranging skills. I’m proud to know that he and many of the boys have went on to do such great things,” Johnson said. Giving the boys a solid foundation is one of the reasons Johnson started the choir. She estimates that about 150 boys have come through the choir—most of them between the ages of eight years old and 10 years old—since it began. “Back in the ‘90s, there were so many negative things going on and we wanted to create something positive that the boys could feel good about. We were stepping out on faith and we wanted to bring visibility to AAMI” said Johnson who runs both the Afro American Music Institute and the Boys choir alongside her husband, James “Dr. J.” Johnson. “The boys in the choir grew from kids to young men to older men and some of the older ones have become mentors to the
younger ones.” Now Afro- American Music Institute’s Boys Choir has become one of the school’s main jewels. The choir has performed at Spelman College in Atlanta, Six Flags theme park where the group was invited to perform on the Great American Stage in Gurnee, Illnois and the House of Blues and the Rock-m-Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. In 2011, the choir won first place at the National Boys Choir Convention in Louisville, Ky. Also that year, the group released its third album, “One Big Family.” The choir will be embarking on a tour of the Southern United States beginning July 25. It kicks off in Shreveport, LA. “Having AAMI and the choir in my blood, I have been a part of not only a family, but a movement,” said Germany. “A movement grounded in the culture and blood of each family member, student, or friend. I AM AAMI!” (For more information visit www. afroamericanmusic.org.)
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JULY 1-7, 2015
ARTS & CULTURE
SMOKEY ROBINSON
JOHNNY MATHIS
Music icons coming to city Pittsburgh Symphony bringing Smokey, Mathis by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier
In an effort to show the diversity of the orchestra and to create a summer festival feel at Heinz Hall, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with BNY Mellon will be presenting Thursday Night Icons, a series of summer concerts that feature some of the music world’s greatest entertainers performing with the Pittsburgh Symphony. “We wanted to create a series of major American artists who have made an indelible impact on popular music in this country, and worldwide,” said Declan McGovern, vice-president of Orchestra Operations and General Manager of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. “Icons representing different music worlds—R& B, Pop, Jazz and film—all working in a symphonic setting for these special concerts at Heinz Hall.” The artists chosen for the series are Smokey Robinson, Johnny Mathis, Diana Krall and Randy Newman. Robinson will kick off the series on July 9; Mathis will follow on July 16; Krall will perform on July 23; and Newman will close out the series on July 30. All concerts will be held at Heinz Hall and will begin at 7:30 p.m. “Smokey Robinson is a ground breaker who made a major impact on a golden period in American popular music history,” McGovern said. “’Motown the Musical’ celebrated the life of Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy. It was a huge success in Heinz Hall last Christmas so we wanted to bring the man in person back to our stage to launch our first-ever icons series. He is a true legend as a songwriter and singer.” Robinson is thrilled to be in such great company. “I’m flattered to be considered an icon. They are all my friends and Pittsburgh is a wonderful city,” said Robinson who recently released the album, “Smokey and Friends.” “I’m glad to perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony. I do it in other cities.” Robinson said his Pittsburgh performance will include some of his classic hits, some of his new music and everything in between. “We perform an hour and a half show. We want to give the audience a good time,” Robinson said. Mathis will be making his return to per-
form with the symphony after a threeyear absence. “Heinz Hall is one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world,” explained Mathis, who will be celebrating his 80th birthday this year and is Columbia Records’ longest running recording artist with 60 years of recording to his credit. “I love singing with big orchestras and this is one of the best orchestras in the country.” The mutual love and respect between Mathis, the PSO and Heinz Hall is one reason why it was a no-brainer for Mathis to be considered for the Thursday Night Icons series. “Johnny has been performing at Heinz Hall for many years,” McGovern said. “He has a huge following in Pittsburgh and we thought it was time to bring him back. He is a true icon, one of the truly great voices of popular music. His arrangements for orchestra are stylish and classy. With Mr. Mathis in the room there is a sense of being in the company of greatness.” All four of the Thursday Night Icons artists are the centerpiece to a whole series of concerts and events known as “Summer with the Symphony.” The series puts popular, experimental, and classical spins on the musical summer in the Steel City. In addition to the four Thursday Night Icons, the series is set to include free concerts at some of Pittsburgh area parks including South Park on July 3 and Hartwood Acres in July 5 and A Night of Symphonic Rock featuring John Elefante, former lead singer of the rock group, Kansas on July 25. “An icon is someone who has not just excelled in terms of their innate talent but who has also broken new ground,” McGovern said. “An icon is also an instantly recognizable artist who has made an indelible impact on global audiences and who lives in the current consciousness as being an artist of great distinction and who possesses a voice to die for!” “All of these artists have worked with orchestras, have produced beautiful symphonic arrangements of their music and are all heavyweights in their respective fields,” McGovern concluded. For more information on Mathis’, Robinson’s or any other Thursday Night Icon performances or any other concerts in the Summer with the Symphony series, visit pittsburghsymphony.org.
Erroll Garner’s ‘The Complete Concert By The Sea’ to be released Iconic Jazz artist Erroll Garner’s greatest concert album and one of the best selling jazz albums of all time, “The Complete Concert By The Sea” will be released jointly by Sony Legacy and Octave Music Publishing Corporation on Sept. 18—in celebration of 60 years since the original concert. The set is available for pre-order on Amazon here:http://smarturl.it/EG _TCCBTS_Amzn. The complete live concert recording—newly uncovered by the Erroll Garner Jazz Project and digitally remastered in its entirety after six decades–— is produced by Guggenheim® Award-winning jazz pianist and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Pittsburgh Geri Allen and four time GRAMMY®Award-winning producer Steve Rosenthal. The release will intro-
ERROLL GARNER duce a new generation to Garner and his innovative piano playing. The three-CD box set contains the complete live “Concert By The Sea” including 11 previously unreleased tracks, the original edited Columbia release from 1956 (digitally restored and re-mastered
at The Magic Shop, NYC using the Plangent Process) and bonus material including announcer Jimmy Lyons and interviews with the Erroll Garner trio: Denzil DaCosta Best, Eddie Calhoun, and Garner himself, recorded directly after the concert. Producer Geri Allen remarks, “Erroll Garner personifies the joy of fearless virtuosity and exploration. One of the defining precursors to bebop, piano giant Erroll Garner embodied the very spirit of swing and free improvisation from every vantage point. His playing celebrated the greatest swinging big bands through an innovative and impossible pianism. Singular yet all embracing, Garner blurred the line between great art and popular art, and he was a staunch journeyman of the blues and his Pittsburgh legacy.”
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
New Pittsburgh Courier
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Inside Conditions
BUSINESS
Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing C4-C5
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Labor Dept. sues company over alleged abuse and discrimination JULY 1-7, 2015
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
by Zenitha Prince
For New Pittsburgh Courier
(NNPA)—A Baltimore-based company that provides staffing for federal contractors allegedly hired Hispanic construction laborers then created and helped to foster hostile working conditions for those workers, according to a lawsuit filed recently by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of
Federal Contract Compliance Programs. WMS Solutions LLC intimidated and discriminated against its Hispanic construction workers and also allowed supervisors of other federal contractors to assault them physically, make racial slurs, and threaten them with deportation, the complaint alleges. The company also allegedly discriminated against non-Hispanic ap-
plicants: They intentionally paid female workers less per hour than males and assigned fewer work hours to African-American, Caucasian and female laborers, the suit adds. “WMS allowed workers it hired to be exploited and abused. It denied job opportunities to qualified workers based on race and ethnicity. It underpaid feSEE DEBT C2
James Clingman
Blackonomics
A collective economic and political strategy (NNPA)—“Now there are some ‘practical’ things we can do. We begin the process of building a greater economic base. And at the same time, we are putting pressure where it really hurts. I ask you to follow through here.” Those words were spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the night before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn., as part of his famous “Mountaintop” speech. He stated the problem, did an analysis of the problem, and gave solutions to the problem. He also gave some “practical” solutions that would lead to economic empowerment and justice. On Friday evening, June 19, at Carl Nelson’s Power Talk Series in Washington, D.C., my speech contained the same basic steps and were captured by three questions: What? So what? and Now what? It was the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth, with which I began my comments on true freedom for Black people. I essentially stated the problem, analyzed it, and offered solutions to the problem by asking, “Now what?” Thousands of people attended the Power Talk event and they stayed for hours beyond the scheduled time to soak up all the information given out by the august group of speakers, too many to name here. Each speaker discussed problems and opportunities that are before us every day. They cited the common areas of work through which Black people can and should collaborate. I trust that most, if not all who were there, left with a “mind to work,” as the people had when Nehemiah spoke to them about rebuilding the wall. One of the main points of my speech was work, otherwise known as action, involvement, or initiative. And, in keeping with MLK’s words, I offered a “practical” and appropriate response to our economic and political problems via a movement called, The One Million Conscious Black Voters and C o n t r i b u t o r s (www.iamoneofthemillion.com). I admonSEE COLLECTIVE C2
FROM THE RESULTS OF NURTURING OF RELATIONSHIPS—PCSI board and staff members and supporters receive a check from The Coca-Cola Foundation. Front row; Cecelia A. Jenkins, DeAnn Baxter and Henry Pyatt. Back row; Pamela J. Wilbon, Melvin Hubbard El, Patricia Rogers, Davie S. Huddleston and Howard B. Slaughter. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)
Pittsburgh Community Services Inc. receives Coca-Cola Foundation grant by Diane I. Daniels
involvement with our youth. We are pleased to be able to reinstate our youth programming.” She said the For New Pittsburgh Courier money will enable PCSI to not only provide work experience to city youth but affords the opportuThe Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded Pittsnity to offer health and wellness initiatives. burgh Community Services, Inc. funding supThe YEPP services young people who are at port for its Youth Employment Program. “We risk of becoming involved in unlawful activity, are always happy to gain backing from major or who may already be familiar with the crimcorporations to assist us in our efforts in the inal justice system, and are experiencing community as we work toward helping our higher rates of unhealthy lifestyles. Referclients reach self-sufficient,” said Davie S. rals are accepted from public and private Huddleston, PCSI board president during a schools, group homes, social service agencies, recent press conference and open house. “We parents and self-referrals. YEPP is unique in are grateful for Coca-Cola joining us in this that each youth receives case management journey.” and mentoring services from PCSI. An individIn support of the Youth Employment Proualized program plan identifies areas of congram of Pittsburgh’s Health and Nutrition cern as acknowledged by referrals and adProgram, according to PCSI’s deputy director, dresses issues related to school, family, Pamela J. Wilbon, the $20,000 grant will be health and nutrition, employment, soused to provide opportunities for 24 cial, physical activity and future career student’s ages14 to18 throughout goals. the city to learn the importance of Partnerships have also been formed healthy and nutritional choices, with the Penn State Center - 4H which promotes long term Community and Innovation Training health. for Youth and the Kingsley Associa“This is a special occasion betion to augment programming cause it warrants our ability to through service, inquiry, and experirenew our support to our ential learning-based summer emyouth,” said Cecelia A. Jenkployment. ins, PCSI executive director. Wilbon said the Coca-Cola Foun“We are grateful and excited dation funded the initiative to adto receive this grant. Because of the nurturing of re- COCA-COLA IS NOT JUST ABOUT BEVERAGES—DeAnn Baxter of CoCa-Cola vance the health and wellness of the participants. Their plan is to lationships between our outlines her company’s philosophy. staff and DeAnn Baxter of SEE COMMUNITY C2 Coca-Cola we are delighted to be able to initiate the next phase of teach the importance
Abusive lending practices target people of color (NNPA)—Each year the many forms and products of predatory lending drain at minimum hundreds of billions of dollars from the nation’s economy and communities across the country. Abusive lending imposes high initial costs and ushers in a host of long-term debt for borrowers and communities. For example, in the subprime mortgage boom, specific abuses added thousands to the price borrowers paid. These abuses also triggered incredible long-term costs. From 2007 to 2012, the housing crisis alone cost the nation $10 trillion and 8.4 million jobs. New research from the Center for Responsible Lending examines how abusive lending has cumulative impacts on consumers, communities and the nation. Released June 16, The State of Lending in America and its Impact on U.S. Households finds that in addition to paying high fees and interest over the long-term, predatory loans and practices force borrowers to forfeit financial opportunities while robbing consumers of economic mobility. “This report shows how the damage can be compounded, creating a long-term barrier to upward mobility,” wrote Michael Calhoun, CRL president in the report’s foreword. “Responsible lending products can create a critical pathway to economic security, especially for low-and-moderateincome families. ‘Families who lose their home to foreclosure not only forfeit their existing equity, they also lose the opportunity to build savings, since they may be locked
out of affordable “Consumers are credit for many Charlene Crowell not simply mortgage years.” holders, credit card As highlighted in users, or payday loan the report, responsiborrowers – they are ble mortgages made likely to participate during the recent in more than one housing crisis to market, often at the subprime borrowers same time,” said resulted in an averSarah Wolff, CRL seage gain of approxinior researcher and mately $20,000 in home equity. author of the report. For borrowers victimConsumers of color—often Blacks and ized by predatory practices, the costs are Latinos—were found to be two to three high, compounding and long-lasting. And times more likely to be the target of an abu- this is especially troubling when considersive lending than White borrowers— ing that predatory lending disproportionwhether the product was a subprime mort- ately impacts lower-income families – congage with a pre-payment penalty, a payday tributing significantly to the widening of loan, an auto loan that had an interest rate this country’s wealth gap.” marked-up by the dealer or taking on debt Families devastated by subprime mortfor enrollment at a for-profit college. gages in the housing crisis are not the only Additionally, if a borrower has one abu- ones affected by predatory lending. Abusive sive loan, he or she may be more likely to lending tactics, like lenders extending struggle with other debts. And in some credit without assessing the borrower’s cases, one abusive prompts another as ability to repay, occur on multiple types of household financial stresses mount. loans. Among the report’s key findings: •Fifty-five percent of car-title loan borFor example, payday loans have interest rowers also have taken out a payday loan; rates ranging from 391-521 annual per•One-third of payday loan borrows repaid centage rates and are made without astheir loan by overdrawing their checking sessing ability to repay. In fact, only 25 peraccount and paying an overdraft fee to their cent of payday loans are ever retired in a bank; and two-week period while 75 percent of payday •One in seven jobseekers with blemished loan volume results from borrowers re-borcredit has been passed over for employment rowing every two weeks. Ultimately, half of after a credit check. payday borrowers eventually default and
Commentary
face as a result myriad consequences. If a bank customer, for example, incurs too many fees for insufficient funds, banks can and often do close these accounts, leaving the former customer to use costly alternative financial services such as check-cashing services, prepaid cards, and more. In other instances, a payday borrower hoping to finally pay off a payday loan may turn to a car-title loan. By doing so, the payday loan may be finally satisfied; but the high-cost of the car-title loan saddles the borrower with even more debt and puts the borrower at risk of losing his or her personal transportation at a fraction of the value of the vehicle. Even in instances where vehicles are taken by title-loan lenders, the consumer will still owe the balance of the title loan and additional fees related to the repossession. How personal transportation will be managed becomes yet another personal crisis. In short, every new form of predatory lending leads to greater financial instability, and siphons hard-earned wages from families. By contrast, responsible lending, says the report, “provides fair, affordable and transparent loans. . . .Just as a hammer can be used to build a house or take it down, lending can help families build wealth or strip it away.” (Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.)
Labor Dept. sues company for abuse
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male workers and assigned fewer work hours based on race and gender,” said OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu in a statement. “We have taken action on behalf of these workers.” US-OFCCP-logoAt the time the alleged offenses occurred –since at least Feb. 1, 2011—WMS held federal construction subcontracts totaling more than $6 million for projects involving the General Services Administration, National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of the Navy, according to the Labor Department. The Baltimore company specializes in asbestos removal and demolition and staffs federal contractors working on projects in the Washington, D.C. area. As a federal contractor, WMS is subject to review under Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. The alleged discriminatory practices highlighted in the current lawsuit came to light during OFCCP’s com-
pliance review of the company. The lawsuit was filed after WMS refused to make restitution to affected workers or otherwise address the issues raised in the review, according to a OFCCP press release. “OFCCP is prepared to use every tool at its disposal to ensure that no federal contractors and subcontractors engage in discrimination or harassment,” Shiu said. This is not the first time WMS Solutions has come under legal disrepute. In 2012, the Public Justice Center, a nonprofit that offers legal assistance to the poor, filed a complaint with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration alleging that WMS had violated federal laws requiring them to protect their workers from exposure to asbestos. WMS put its employees at risk of exposure to the known carcinogen, the complaint alleged, by not providing required protective measures, but instead, charging workers for medical exams, training and gear.
of health, nutrition and physical activity by providing such programming as the “My Plate – My Pyramid” and a variety of nutrition education tools. “Youth will learn to shop the perimeter of grocery stores for healthy foods and will participate in “The Biggest Winner” competition that supports physical activity, healthy changes in eating, and developing an overall healthy lifestyle. The winner will receive a membership to a YMCA of their choice,” she said. Also incorporated in the program are several field trips, one of which is a trip to the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Twinsburg, Ohio. Proud to show their support in this region, Baxter, Coca-Cola’s public affairs and communications manager said by partnering with organizations to support initiatives and programs that respond in a meaningful way to community needs and priorities that they strive to be responsive in the communities where their associates live and work. “At the CocaCola Company we recognize that we cannot have a healthy and growing business unless the communities that we serve are healthy and sustainable,” she said. The Coca-Cola Company has a belief that active, healthy lifestyles lead to happier lives and are committed to creating awareness around choice and movement, to help people make informed decisions. Since its inception, The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded more than $660 million to support global sustainable community initiatives, including water stewardship, community recycling, active healthy living, and education. The 127 year old company is the world’s largest beverage company with the world’s largest beverage distribution system. It has consumers in more than 200 countries and has an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities. Its focus is on initiatives that build sustainable communities, and the company is focused on initiatives that reduce its environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, creates a safe, inclusive work environment for its associates, and enhances the economic development of the communities where it operates. Together with their bottling partners, Coca-Cola ranks among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000
by Anick Jesdanun AP Technology Writer
NEW YORK (AP)—So many online accounts, so many passwords. No wonder it’s tempting to turn to apps and services that promise to keep track of your passwords. But these password managers are like treasure chests for hackers. If your master password is compromised, all your accounts potentially go with it. One such service, LastPass, says it has detected “suspicious activity.” Although it says it found no evidence that individual passwords or user accounts were breached,
the ID service offers two-step verification, as I’ll explain later. Turn that on. PHONES AND FINGERPRINTS If you haven’t protected your phone with a passcode, tsk tsk! Someone can easily swipe your phone and get to your email account to unlock all sorts of other accounts. Fortunately, the latest iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones have fingerprint IDs that make it easier to unlock phones. Instead of typing in the four-digit passcode each time, you can tap your finger on the home button. Apple now allows other app developers to
system associates. In its continuing efforts to help empower their clients by assisting them in the development of job skills and removing personal obstacles, PCSI recently incorporated a job development work readiness program under its Training and Workforce Development department called Work Certified. Designed to develop solid soft skills, Work Certified helps job seekers understand what they must do to be successful in the work place. The program prepares individuals to understand and fulfill their role in business. Labeled as a behavioral modification, team-building program it strengthens job seekers’ self-esteem, which better enables them to find and sustain a job. The Work Certified Program establishes a benchmark of skills that participants need to succeed in the workforce. The curriculum concentrates in the areas of: reading comprehension, business math, business technology, pre-employment, customer services, business communications, employment expectations, mastering career success and general business knowledge and is administered in 90 classroom hours plus 15 hours of additional assignments in a simulated work environment. Established in 1983, Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc. is the designated Community Action Agency for the City of Pittsburgh and serves as the anti-poverty agency for the city. The mission of the organization is to address the causes of poverty and to diminish its effects through the development, implementation, sponsorship, and support of programs and activities designed to enable and empower lowincome residents and to make measurable progress on the continuum from impoverishment to self-sufficiency. Its vision is to have a visible impact in reducing the number of impoverished people in the city. PCSI is widely recognized in the community as a collaborative partner who routinely influences public policy decisions and is an advocate for and expert on the issues that affect the lives and wellbeing of impoverished people. PCSI officials encourage Pittsburgh residents to visit their headquarters located at 249 North Craig Street or to call the main office at 412-904-4700 to find out about the array of programs and services they offer.
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
BUSINESS CALENDAR
Lunch and Learn Series
JULY 2— The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host its Lunch & Learn Series at 12:15 p.m. at the Downtown & Business Branch, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown. The topic will be “Inequality for All.” This seminar will examine the devastating impact the widening income gap has had on the American economy. Economics professor and Clinton Administration cabinet member Robert Reich will explain how the issue of economic inequality affects everyone. For more information, call 412-281-7141 or visit www.carnegielibrary.org.
Business Fraud Protection 101 JULY 9—The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence will host its Business Fraud Protection 101 seminar from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at 50 McIntyre Square Dr., Pittsburgh. PNC will highlight some of the common threats of internal and external fraud, share actionable best practices to decrease the risk of financial loss, and provide an overview of available fraud mitigation solutions to protect one’s company. Registration is required. For more information, email Rachel LaMarco at rlamarco@innovation.pitt.edu.
(Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspaper)
Pittsburgh Community Services receives grant CONTINUED FROM C1
Stay safe by reducing reliance on passwords BUSINESS
TYPING HANDS—In this Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 photo illustration, hands type on a computer keyboard in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) it’s advising users to change their LastPass master password. I advise users instead to rely less on just passwords. Here are some tips: ALL ACCOUNTS AREN’T EQUAL Instead of having to remember dozens of complex passwords, maybe you need to remember only a half-dozen. Focus on accounts that are really important: •Bank accounts, of course, along with shopping services with your credit card information stored. •Don’t forget email. Who would want your mundane chatter? Well, email accounts are important because they are gateways for resetting passwords for other services, such as your Amazon account to go on a shopping spree. •As for social-media accounts and discussion forums, maybe there are some you value more than others. You might not care if someone posts on your behalf to a discussion board offering tech support. But if it’s a forum you value, and you’ve established a reputation under that identity, you might want to prioritize that, too. For these highly sensitive ones, choose a unique password and remember it. Write it down by hand and keep it in a safe place. If you must store it electronically, use password-protected files kept on your device— not online. And don’t name that file “password.” Use something boring, like “chores.” LOWER PRIORITY For the rest of your accounts, it’s not as bad to turn to a password manager, but it might not be necessary. Web browsers from Apple and Google have built-in mechanisms for storing frequently used passwords. You even have options to sync those online if you use multiple devices. Google’s new Smart Lock feature extends that to Android apps, too, so you’re not limited to Web browsing. Many services also let you sign in with your Facebook or other ID instead of generating new passwords each time. Make sure
use that fingerprint ID, too. So you can unlock banking apps with just a tap of your finger. In its upcoming Android update, called M, Google is also promising to make it easier for app makers to incorporate fingerprint ID. And Microsoft plans support for biometrics—such as a fingerprint or iris scan—in the upcoming Windows 10 system. DOUBLE SECURITY Major services including Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Dropbox offer a second layer of authentication, typically in the form of a numeric code sent as a text message. After you enter your regular password, you type in the code you receive on your phone to verify that it’s really you. A hacker wouldn’t have access to your phone. You need to go into the account settings to turn on this feature, which goes by such names as two-factor authentication or twostep verification. It’s a hassle, but it keeps your accounts safer. Just assume that your password will get compromised at some point. This extra layer will keep the hacker from doing anything with it. EVEN SAFER … When given a choice, consider signing in with your mobile number rather than your email address. It’s much easier to hack into an email account to reset passwords. Of course, you’ll have to trust the service not to use your mobile number for marketing. (I don’t like to share my mobile number, so in many cases, I still use my email—knowing I have protection with two-step verification turned on.) Also be careful when creating security questions to reset passwords. Your dog’s name? Your first school? These are things someone might find on your social-media page or elsewhere online. I make up answers and make them as strong as my regular passwords. I won’t repeat my tips on creating strong passwords, but you can find them here: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7-ways-createbetter-stronger-passwords
A collective economic and political strategy CONTINUED FROM C1
ished the audience not to merely listen to the words of those Black scholars, activists, educators, and advocates, but to leave with a commitment to do something in response to what they heard. Why travel hundreds or thousands of miles, in some cases, or even across town, especially in D.C. traffic, to simply hear messages that make us feel good but fail to make us do good? Imagine where some of us would be if those who heard Gordon Granger’s words on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas, would have simply returned to their normal state of affairs by staying put rather than running for true freedom. Granger told them they were “free,” with conditions of course, but his General Order #3 also recommended that formerly enslaved Africans in Texas stay on their plantations and “work for wages.” Implicit in that statement was their right to leave if they wanted to, which some chose to do. Just as those
brothers and sisters had to make a decision, so must we today. Will we stay on our psychological plantations, waiting for someone to come and save us or make us comfortable in our misery? Or, will we decide to leave our current mental state of complacency and actually do the work necessary for our true freedom? The culmination of freedom for Black people in this nation is economic freedom. In that regard, my recommendation, as opposed to Gordon Granger’s, is that we move away from our comfort zones and build an effort so powerful that it cannot be swayed by corporate largess or manipulated by disingenuous politicians. That effort is the One Million, a movement that answers most, if not all, of the problems we face. During my speech at Power Talk, I listed 16 things Black folks can do while we wait for a myriad of things to take place in this country, including:* Holding ourselves accountable for our own freedom;
•Organizing ourselves around practical economic and political solutions that benefit US; and •Committing some of our time, talent, and treasure to the uplift of our people. The other 13 things are on the One Million website. It is way past time for us to assume our responsibility of taking care of ourselves. But only when we organize ourselves into a viable force and are willing and able to execute a collective economic and political strategy, through a “practical” vehicle called the One Million Conscious Black Voters and Contributors, we will remain a toothless tiger, ignored by some, taken for granted by others and, shamefully, feared by no one. Are you “One in a Million?” Go to the website and find out. (Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is the nation’s most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. He can be reached through his website, blackonomics.com.)
First Step JULY 10—The Small Business Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh will host its “The First Step: The Mechanics of Starting a Small Business” from 7:3010 a.m. at the University of Pittsburgh, Mervis Hall, Roberto Clemente Drive, Oakland. This session is designed for new business startups and entrepreneurs. Attendees will learn about business structure and formation, insurance, government, procurement, financing options, major components of the business plan, taxation, requirements and more. Registration is required. For more information, call 412-648-1544 or visit www.entrepreneur.pitt.edu.
Special Breakfast Meeting JULY 10—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will host a Special Breakfast Meeting at 8 a.m. at the Rivers Club, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant St., Downtown. The breakfast will introduce Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay. He will update Chamber members on plans for law enforcement. Reservations are required. For more information, email call 412-3920610 or email information@aaccwp.com.
Lunch and Learn Series JULY 10— The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host its Lunch & Learn Series at 12:15 p.m. at the Downtown & Business Branch, 612 Smithfield St., Downtown. The topic will be “Social Media Marketing for Business.” Thomas Coates, of Coates Web Solutions, will facilitate this seminar on how social media in one’s marketing campaign can increase the exposure of one’s business. Attendees will learn strategies and best practices of successfully utilizing social media to expand one’s market reach. For more information, call 412-281-7141 or visit www.carnegielibrary.org.
Final Fridays JULY 31—The Hill Community Development Corp. will host its Final Fridays Happy Hour at 5:30 p.m. at Savoy Lounge, 2623 Penn Ave., Strip District. The last Friday of every month through August, the Hill CDC will welcome guests to learn more about their programs and the Hill District community. For more information, call 412-7651820. (To have information on Business Calendar, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or email: newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com.)
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NASCAR dumps flag
Things that make you go, huh?
by Bill Neal
by Aubrey Bruce
For New Pittsburgh Courier
For New Pittsburgh Courier
:10—Now look, I don’t condone crime any way, shape or fashion and Lord knows I don’t give “do over’s” for murder…but, you were hoping the two escaped convicts on the run for the past two weeks got away weren’t you? Yes you were . . . Oh c’mon, yes you were. Oh, so it’s just me huh? You know you were thinking it, but you just wanted me to say it. It’s like the late great rockin’ roller Billy Preston once said, “Will it Go Round in Circles…Let the Bad Guy Win Every Once in a While!!!” :09—Speaking of bad guys, let’s officially call the St. Louis Cardinals the bad guys and we’re the good guys. The problem is the good guys can’t catch the bad guys cause every time the good guys win the bad guys win too and then when the good guys lose the bad guys lose too…get it? When!!! :08— Speaking of the Pirates, and I just was, if you were paying BILL NEAL the least bit of attention, whenever they’re playing Josh Harrison, they need to triple it. Good Lord the man can play every position on the field except pitcher. I mean, I
Now hear this, now hear this. Oops, I forgot that I am not on deck at PNC Park, standing on the topside of the SS Bucco, or on the bridge as the chief navigator for Captain Hurdle as he steers the Pittsburgh Pirates toward the MLB postseason harbor. I can hear Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown screaming a warning to the captains of the opposing teams, as one of the Bucs launches a baseball into or near the Allegheny River. “Clear the deck, cannonball coming.” I can also hear the opposing managers warning their infielders when Pirates outfielder Gregory “speedy Gonzales” Polanco, takes off from firstbase with larceny on his mind. “Hold the tag, Polanco is coming.” The Pirates have employed some of the most prolific base stealers in the history of the sport. Matty Alou, Maury Wills and Omar Moreno are a few that instantly AUBREY BRUCE come to mind. See it doesn’t matter how fast a baseball player may be, he must always stay in contact with the bag and he must al-
Overtime am assuming he can’t pitch. I don’t really know. Not only does he play all spots, he plays them all well. :07—U.S. Ladies Soccer team advances to the World Cup semi-finals tomorrow against Germany. That’s all I got. Yeah, like you know more! All you’re waiting for is for one of the players to rip their shirt off! A/k/a Brandi Chastain, Olympic champion. :06—Soooooo, we did Top 10 NBA centers, then we did Top 10 NBA forwards…twice. Now let’s ink in the floor generals. The Top 10 NBA guards of all time. No. 1 Michael Jordan (Since he’s a guard, not a guard/forward.)(God, a guy can’t make one mistake!); No. 2 Oscar Robinson (The man averaged a triple double for a season people.); No. 3 Erving “Magic” Johnson (Nuff said!); No. 4 Jerry West (He is, in fact, the logo.); No. 5 Kobe Bryant; No. 6 John Stockton; No. 7 Walt Frazier; No. 8 Bob Cousy; No. 9 Isiah Thomas; No. 10 Nate “Tiny” Archibald. Think you know better? Text me at 412-628-4856 when you get a minute. :05—By the way, whatever happened to Pam Anderson? Just asking! :04—While you’ve been sleeping, Ms. Serena Williams is about to become the first woman since Steffi Graf to win all four majors in the same season (1988). The Australian Open, The French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Hello! :03—No. 1: If you’re driving towards me with a Confederate flag in the truck, I’m keeping both eyes on ya! No. 2: If the president of NASCAR, Brian France, says it’s gotta go, then it’s gotta go. You can’t get anymore “Good ole boy” than that! C’mon people…let it go. The rebel flag speaks racism and hatred and you know it!!! We applaud you NASCAR and Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina. :02—Talk about “Lone Wolf!” I had the pleasure of being the only Slippery Rock University grad at the Cal-State reunion party given by Dwight Law, “Stan the Man” in from the West Coast (HBO baby!) Vince Neal and company at Sherwood Oaks in Forest Hills. LaVaughn “Meatball” Johnson used his considerable influence to hold off the rain and a great time was had by all as the D.J., who’s really a drummer, kept the party flowing. Candles lit for those who have gone too soon, most notably, Scotty Law. And the coming together of alumni and friends is never over done. In the eloquent words of Aaron Walton, “Let’s do this again before we’re on the candle list!” :01—Summer Madness Monday returns to the fabulous Blue Line Grille Uptown, Monday, July 13, 6-11 p.m., with “D.J. Shock.” Tickets only $10 benefit the Pittsburgh City League Hall of Fame. (The 2nd Annual coming October 10.) :00—AGI is still looking for executive types who want to make money and change the world. :000—Glad to welcome home my long time friend in basketball, Jack Henderson, who is now in The Locker Room. An avid reader from long distance. Good from three point, just like his jump shot. ~ GAME OVER ~
BOYS SOCCER (Photos by J. L. Martello)
Ambassador Sports Pittsburgh plants soccer roots in the Hill by Smokin’ Jim Frazier For New Pittsburgh Courier
The school year is over, but that doesn’t mean the competition, learning and improving stops. For much of the summer, those who want to be the best of the best will turn their focus to their area camps to improve their game. This past weekend, the Ambassador Sports Pittsburgh and Partners held one of its summer camps’ at the Josh Gibson Field at 2217 Bedford Avenue in the historic Hill District. Ambassador Sports Pittsburgh and Partners camps feature individualized player development within a team setting, soccer instruction by experienced coaches, competitive matches and scrimmages, strategy sessions and Biblical life lessons. Players learn to master the unique skills needed at different positions on the field. Making runs, clearing space, sending players through, shutting down an opponent and using angles. It is the reason that many camp alums have gone on to play at area colleges and Universities. The soccer camp program is led by Director Lenny Muckle Sr., and all kids receive position-specific instruction from expert coaches with extensive playing and coaching experience. The free camp is for girls and boys in kindergarten through the eighth grade. Was this the first soccer camp on the Hill? “I have hosted soccer camps in the Hill since 1999,” said Muckle. “It’s a changing community and we are establishing community programs also on the North Side and East End and we are excited about our partners and are looking forward to a longterm relationship.” Ambassador Sports Pittsburgh announced a new partnership with Bedford Dwellings, New Life Temple, Baptist Church City Reformed, Presbyterian Church, the Hill District branch of the YMCA, the Urban Impact, and Ammons Recreational Center. Ambassadors In Sports was originally founded in 1990 to get kids involved in their communities through
Inside Conditions COACH LENNY MUCKLE TALKS TO KIDS soccer. The ministry was founded by a group called Missionary Athletes International. They focused from the beginning to partner with churches and Christian organizations to develop grass root soccer ministry. “We had over 80 kids signup for the camp and between 60 and 77 kids attended each day and this exceeded our expectation,” said Muckle. “There are a lot of foreign kids living in the city of Pittsburgh and sometimes we have as much as 20 different counties represented at our camps.” The AIS are looking to ride their recent momentum and coach Muckle is enthusiastically embracing his role as director but he is aware of the demands of coaching on the camp level that features a schedule much demanding and hopes to be able to host year around soccer camps. The camp is a Christian soccer outreach organization dedicated to the transformation of individuals and communities through innovative programs focused on football, faith, and future. With the success of the U.S. World Cup team and popularity of athletes like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsy, it’s no wonder that the love for soccer has grown in the states. This sport is on the rise and soccer players may find it easier to find sports scholarships than athletes who play football or basketball. “Our camps are co-ed and
GIRLS SOCCER
my theory is the kids in the United States don’t see soccer as a way to make a lot of money and don’t understand or appreciate the foreign countries and the professional leagues overseas,” said Muckle. “Many of our former campers have received college soccer scholarships and our focus is on the inner city kids. With the increase popularity of MLS and other U.S. leagues coupled with all the concussions in American football you may see a shift toward soccer.” Ambassadors Soccer Camps are designed to give developing players an opportunity to learn basic and advanced soccer skills in a positive and encouraging Christian environment. Many participants come in with no previous experience and learn everything they need to know. Social media played a big role in AIS getting the camps together and also landing long-term partnerships. The Ambassadors Football Pittsburgh next soccer camp will begin July 6 through July 10, at the Eden Christian Academy-Berkeley Hills Campus located at 206 Seibert Rd., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15237. “This is not a free camp, but scholarships are available,” said Muckle. “We will have coaching coming in from all over the world.” (For more information call Coach Lenny Muckle Sr at 412 403-4044 or you can contact any of the partner organizations, at pgh@ambassadorsfootball.org.)
ways make contact with home plate in order to validate any effort to advance or score. If a player slides feet first, beats the throw but is ultimately called out when he over slides the bag or home plate, why waste a baserunner? These are volatile and competitive times in MLB. Every pitch, every hit, and every out is crucial because any and every team is only one pitch, hit, walk or diving catch from making the playoffs. Gregory Polanco is young and talented and if he remains healthy, you can circle his name to accomplish many great feats in baseball, but one of the things that he must learn post haste, is body control. He must harness all of the kinetic energy that he possesses and focus it on a reaching the next base safely, not stealing a base then being called out because of the lack of body control. That one unsuccessful effort could leave the Pirates and all of their fans at home watching the post season as opposed to drinking a “brewski” and wolfing down a dog, while cheering on the Buc’s as the compete in the 2015 playoffs. Now hear this Pirates fans, don’t be like Chicken Little walking through the 2015 season, monitoring every time andrew McCutchen is hit by a pitch moaning: “My, oh, my, the sky is falling. I must run and tell the lion about it.” The lion understands that “if you snooze, you lose.” The Pirates can no longer afford for Pedro Alvarez to get and remain hot. Why? Well because in the land of MLB as in all other sports, a player can be both a liability and an asset. However in the case of Pedro Alvarez or any other performer, the pros must always outweigh the cons. At the present except when it comes to marketing purposes and selling tickets, the negatives of Mr. Alvarez are outweighing the positives. This should be the Pittsburgh Pirates “everyday” infield: 3rd base-Josh Harrison, shortstop-Jung Ho Kang, 2nd baseNeil Walker, 1st base-Sean Rodriguez. When we include the outfield of Marte, McCutchen and Polanco, there may be only two of the starting nine of the Pittsburgh Pirates that don’t have just above average “wheels” but may possess downright blazing speed; Neil Walker and the designated starting pitcher taking the mound that day being the only exceptions. As the Pirates sail toward the All-Star break, herein lies a warning from the “Swami.” “Incoming couch potato, incoming, by the way the Pizza deliveryman is here.” If Pittsburgh wants to make it to the post season, fan-like ability will not be the deciding factor. As in everything else in life, when the smoke clears, the nice guys’ may just well be the ones finishing last. (Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412-5836741. He is also a contributing columnist for urbanmediatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter@ultrascribe.)
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SOUS CHEF
Levy Restaurants is seeking a FT Sous Chef. It is a great opportunity to work with an outstanding Culinary team! Interested candidates can apply by submitting their resumes to www.levyrestaurants.com/careers EOE
ADA COORDINATOR ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Allegheny County is accepting applications for a ADA Coordinator position for the Department of Human Resources. For application requirements and job description check our website at www.alleghenycounty.us/jobs or visit us at our Human Resources office at 102 County Office Building, 542 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA.
DRUG & ALCOHOL THERAPIST-POWER
POWER offers a full range of gender-responsive, trauma-informed treatment and support services just for women. We are seeking an experienced Therapist for our Outpatient department. Successful candidate will have an LCSW or Bachelorʼs degree with CAC. POWER values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. Please visit our website power-recovery.com to apply. No phone calls, please.
EMPOWERING GIRLS THRU COMM OUTREACH
Outreach to minority girls ages 13-18 thru risk-reduction groups to teach safer sex activities to prevent HIV & STD transmission, & assertiveness related to domestic violence/safe sex negotiations. Will conduct HIV/STD testing. Bach Deg pref. Exp teaching, facilitating groups, reqʼd. Competitive sal & exc benefits. Act 33/34 & FBI clearance reqʼd. EOE. For more info: www.patf.org. Resume, cover letter, & refs by July 17, 2015 to: PATF, Dir. of Prog/Comm, 5913 Penn Ave, Pgh, PA 15206 or jherring@patf.org
LANGUAGE INSTRUCTIONAL COORDINATOR
Duolingo, Inc. seeks Language Instructional Coordinator in Pittsburgh, PA. Duties: Responsible for developing instructional material in French and other romance languages. The duties for this position are to create and improve upon educational materials focusing on learning the French language and accommodating the needs of Francophone users of Duolingoʼs educational materials. Because French is a romance language, some of the lessons learned and products developed for and by the French community are applicable to instruction in and for other romance languages. Specific duties include: (i) mentoring teams to maintain and add content to Duolingoʼs online language lessons; (ii) working with the companyʼs technological infrastructure development with regard to presentation of lessons including French/English, French/Spanish, Spanish/English, Romanian/English, Ukrainian/English, Italian/French, and Portuguese/French; (iii) translating materials from French into English and vice versa for use in lessons; (iv) analyzing learning needs and patterns of Duolingo learners and improving courses; and (v) managing the French community on Duolingoʼs website. Requirements: Masterʼs degree in tourism, culture or related field and one year of experience in operational management. Must have verbal and written fluency in English and French. Email resume to jobs@duolingo.com. LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
Estate Notices
Letters have been granted on the estate of each of the following decedents to the personal representative named who request all persons having claims against the estate of the decedent to make known the same in writing to him or his attorney, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment to him without delay:
Estate of SMITH, MARGARET ANN, deceased of Coraopolis, PA. No. 02-15-02830, Kimberly Lynn Smith, Executrix, 60 Ehle Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108 or to Rosemary L. Corsetti, Esquire, Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, One Oxford Centre, 20th Floor, 301 Grant Stret, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Estate of MEYERS, TERRI L., deceased of Borough of Aspinwall, No.: 021503691, Landreneaux, Natalie Marie, Executrix, 3841 Ian Court, Eureka, CA 95503 or to R.M. Entwisle, III, Atty., 125 1st Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Estate of HALEY, DOLORES, deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, No. 021504065, Deborah Creek c/o Judith A. Lehnowsky, Atty., 820 Evergreen Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209. Estate of GROSICK, CHARLES R., deceased of Ohio Township, Allegheny County, No. 003828 of 2015, David Grosick, Executor, 7681 Brookstone Drive, West Chester, OH 45069 or to Witherel & Associates, 966 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
Estate of CARROLL, LAURA JEAN, deceased of Aleppo Twp., No. 021504011, Laura Jean Carroll Boyce, Executrix, 3227 North County Road 25 W, Brazil, Indiana 47834, or to R.M. Entwisle, III, Atty., 125 1st Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
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LEGAL NOTICE Allegheny County Airport Authority Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goals Fiscal years 2016 through 2018
The Allegheny County Airport Authority hereby announces its fiscal years 2016 through 2018 goal of 14% for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) airport construction contracts. The proposed goals and rationale are available for inspection between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for 30 days from the date of this publication at the office of Samantha Stedford, DBE & Outreach Manager, Allegheny County Airport Authority (address listed below). Comments on the DBE goal will be accepted for 30 days from the date of this publication and can be sent to the following: Samantha Stedford DBE & Outreach Manager Allegheny County Airport Authority Pittsburgh International Airport Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezzanine P.O. Box 12370 Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370 sstedford@flypittsburgh.com
COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, PA PITTSBURGH, PA June 19, 2015
The office of the Director of the Department of Public Works of Allegheny County is accepting Letters of Interest with current SF 330 for engineering services until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2015, for the following assignment: ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Roadway and Traffic Engineering Services - As Needed County Project Number 7A04-OPEN The work and services which may be required under this Agreement encompass a wide range of design engineering efforts and operational studies with the possibility of several different types of projects with short completion schedules being assigned concurrently. The anticipated type of projects include, but are not limited to: 2R and 3R reconstruction projects, roadway planning and design, roadway safety studies, traffic operational analysis, traffic impact studies, transportation design and operational reviews, pedestrian and bicycle planning and design, and the preparation of bid documents associated with construction. The County will use only SF 330ʼs responding with Letters of Interest to prequalify firms for consideration for these services. Allegheny County encourages responses from small firms, minority and women owned firms, and firms that have not previously worked for the County. Any questions should be referred to Michael Babusci, P.E., PTOE, Assistant Program Manager Roadway Division at 412-350-5792. A project profile is available upon request. The County will preselect or short-list firms for consideration for this contract based on the following criteria: Experience, Record, Size, Workload, Related Work, and Past Performance. Stephen G. Shanley, P.E., Director Allegheny County Department of Public Works
COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY PITTSBURGH, PA June 19, 2015
The Office of the Director of the Department of Public works for Allegheny County in Conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, is soliciting Statements of Interest through PennDOTs ECMS system for the following: ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Construction Management and Construction Inspection For Rehabilitation of the Andy Warhol (7th Street) Bridge County Project No. AL03-0801 ECMS No. 88541 Local Agreement Number: L00086 This is a federal-aid project with PennDOT oversight. Statements of Interest are due no later than July 22, 2015 and are to be submitted through PennDOTs ECMS System, http://www.dot14.state.pa.us/ECMS The advertisement can be found under agreement number L00086. A copy of the published advertisement can also be found on the County Website: http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/ bids Any inquiries into this Advertisement are to be directed to Mr. Michael Dillon, P.E., Deputy Director of Engineering, at 412-350-5469 or mdillon@alleghenycounty.us The County will use the normal selection process and preselect or short-list at least three firms for consideration for this Project assignment on the following evaluation criteria: Past Performance, Quality Control and Quality Assurance, Inspection staff qualifications and capabilities, Use and Experience of Subconsultants, and Assurance of Project Milestones. The Countyʼs Minority and Women disadvantaged goals for these Projects will be 13% of the total price for MBE participation and 2% of the total price for WBE participation. Stephen G. Shanley, PE, Director Department of Public Works of Allegheny County
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THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH
Sealed bids will be received in the Office Of The Chief Operations Officer, Room 251, Administration Building, 341 South Bellefield Avenue until 11:00 A.M. prevailing time JULY 14, 2015 and will be opened at the same hour for the purchase of the following equipment and supplies: SWIMMING POOL WATER ANALYSIS CALCULATORS General Information regarding bids may be obtained at the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Service Center, 1305 Muriel Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. The bid documents are available on the School Districtʼs Purchasing web site at: http://www.pghboe.net/pps/site/ default.asp Click on Bid Opportunities under Quick Links. The Board of Public Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or select a single item from any bid. Leon Webb Purchasing Agent We are an equal rights and opportunity school district
INVITATION FOR BIDS
The URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY of Pittsburgh will receive bids from qualified contractors for modifications to the traffic signal at Hot Metal and South Water Streets and associated work related to the modification, and all work incidental thereto required to complete Hot Metal Street and South Water Street Traffic Signal Modification Site Preparation Contract No. 24, until 11:00 a.m. prevailing time on Friday, the 24th day of July, 2015, at its office, 11th floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Conference Room on the 11th floor. Contract documents will be available on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in the Engineering and Construction Department, 11th Floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, upon a non-refundable payment of FIFTY ($50.00) DOLLARS made payable to the URA of Pittsburgh. CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. Contract documents will not be mailed. A certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value), or a satisfactory bid bond, executed by the Bidder and an acceptable surety in a dollar amount equal to 5% of the total bid, shall be submitted. Each bid submittal must include the Bid, Noncollusion Affidavit of Prime Bidder, Bid Bond, Statement of Bidders Qualifications, and Certification of Minority and Womenʼs Participation with Exhibits. Wages paid on this project shall not be less than the minimum wages determined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry as set forth in the contract documents. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. The Contractor must assure that applicants and employees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religious creed, handicap, ancestry, national origin, age or sex. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh requires that all bidders complete and submit Certification of Minority and Womenʼs Participation with Exhibits. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informality in the bidding. Bids may be held by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of opening of bids for the purpose of reviewing the bids prior to awarding the Contract. URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF PITTSBURGH Robert Rubinstein Acting Executive Director
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE SERVICES AT SEA AND SA FACILITIES
The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (SEA) and the Stadium Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (SA) (collectively “Authorities”) will receive proposals for Real Estate Brokerage Services. The agreement for this work will be with the Authorities. The Request for Proposals may be obtained after the date identified below from Mr. Rifat Qureshi, Development Manager at: email: rqureshi@pghsea.com, telephone: 412-393-7108. This Advertisement applies to the following Request for Proposals: Project Real Estate Brokerage Services RFP Available Friday, June 26, 2015 Non Mandatory Pre-proposal Meeting: Wednesday, July 8, 2015, 11:00AM at SEA Offices, Large Conference Room Time/Date/Location for Proposals: 2:00 PM; Thursday, July 16, 2015, Sports & Exhibition Authority, 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR FLEET VEHICLE REPAIRS FOR FORD VEHICLES IFB#300-20-15
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): FLEET VEHICLE REPAIRS FOR FORD VEHICLES IFB#300-20-15 The documents will be available no later than June 29, 2015 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 A.M., July 17, 2015 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Invitation for Bid from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquires should be directed to: Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept. 100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Thursday, July 9, 2015 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACPʼs has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.
INVITATION FOR BIDS
The URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY of Pittsburgh will receive bids from qualified contractors for removal and replacement of 389 square yards of cement concrete sidewalk, 440 linear feet of concrete curbs, handicap ramps, construction of 46 linear feet of retaining walls, site amenities, and landscaping, and all work incidental thereto required to complete Schenley Place, Site Preparation Contract No. 1 until 11:00 a.m. prevailing time on Thursday, the 23rd day of July, 2015, at its office, 11th floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Conference Room on the 11th floor. Contract documents will be available on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in the Engineering and Construction Department, 11th Floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, upon a non-refundable payment of FIFTY DOLLARS ($50.00) made payable to the URA of Pittsburgh. CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. Contract documents will not be mailed. A certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value), or a satisfactory bid bond, executed by the Bidder and an acceptable surety in a dollar amount equal to 5% of the total bid, shall be submitted. Each bid submittal must include the Bid, Noncollusion Affidavit of Prime Bidder, Bid Bond, Statement of Bidders Qualifications, and Certification of Minority and Womenʼs Participation with Exhibits. Wages paid on this project shall not be less than the minimum wages determined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry as set forth in the contract documents. Compliance is required with the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act of 1961, P.L. 987, No. 442; Title VI and other applicable provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Department of Labor Equal Opportunity Clause (41 CFR 60 -1.4); Executive Order 11625 (Utilization of Minority Business Enterprise); Executive Order 12138 (Utilization of Female Business Enterprise); in compliance with the Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and the URAʼs MBE/WBE Program, which sets forth goals of 18 percent Minority and 7 percent Female Business Enterprise. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. The Contractor must assure that applicants and employees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religious creed, handicap, ancestry, national origin, age or sex. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh requires that all bidders complete and submit Certification of Minority and Womenʼs Participation with Exhibits. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informality in the bidding. Bids may be held by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of opening of bids for the purpose of reviewing the bids prior to awarding the Contract. URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF PITTSBURGH Robert Rubinstein Acting Executive Director June 30, 2015
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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
CLASSIFIEDS
LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION of the SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH
Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Room 251, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on July 21, 2015, until 2:00 p.m., local prevailing time for: Pittsburgh Greenway Baseball Field Upgrades General Prime Pittsburgh Public Schools Service Center Rehabilitation of the Service Center Loading Dock General, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on June 29, 2015 at Modern Reproductions (412488-7700) 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is nonrefundable.Project details and dates are described in each project manual.
America’s Best Weekly
315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219
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JULY 1-7, 2015
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JULY 1-7, 2015
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
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STATEWIDE SUPPORT—Public officials and supporters from all over Pennsylvania gathered with the Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation Inc. in Harrisburg, at the State Capitol, for Pennsylvania Sickle Cell Advocacy Day on June 16. (Photo courtesy of state Rep. Ed Gainey)
Special Day set aside for sickle cell awareness ‘Living Well’ slogan for CSCF fight for better life, cure by Ashley Johnson Courier Staff Writer
Taking one day out to recognize and bring awareness to the thousands in the U.S. and the millions in the world who are “living well” with the debilitating blood disease known as Sickle Cell Anemia, all while remembering those who have lost the battle and who continue to fight for a cure, is what Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation Inc. Executive Director Andrea Williams said June 19, World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, is all about. In honor of the annual celebration, recognized globally, the organization that prides itself on being the only one in the Pittsburgh area committed to serving children with Sickle Cell and their families, held several events leading up to the day. Williams, who founded the organization after her son was diagnosed with the disease and found that resources were far too few, posted on Facebook, “…We speak life to those who live with Sickle Cell and to those who provide care for them, those who dedicate their lives to research to find a universal cure.” She later wrote that, to her, World Sickle Cell Day means “that we do what we can here in the U.S. for (the) 90-100,000 like our children (who are living with the disease) because there are millions depending on us to make a global difference. I get so many letters and emails and my heart breaks because I can’t do something tangible in our lives. WCSD means I choose to look beyond what happened to me and focus on the global need to cure the disease.” WSCD, according to Williams, was established June 19, 2009, by a World Health Organization resolution, at the United Nations in New York. To kick-off WSCD, not to be confused with National Sickle Cell Awareness Month which takes place in September, CSCF held its annual Walk on June 14 at Kennywood Park. Nine teams and a host of individuals walked around the amusement park to raise funds for the organization. For the first time, used online fundraising to accept donations, and Williams deemed it successful. The top teams to raise funds were Hogan’s Heroes with $1,120, followed by an UPMC team with $650 and St. Paul Baptist Church with $320. “It was really good. I get excited when I think about what God has blessed us with; to do things in a way that can benefit others.” Following the Walk, CSCF and supporters from across the state gathered in Harrisburg on June 16 for the Pennsylvania Advocacy Day; the theme “PA Supports Sickle Cell Disease.” Those living with the disease, along with family members and other sup-
porters gathered at the state capitol building not only to make legislators aware of the issues surrounding Sickle Cell Disease, but to also thank them for their continued support, especially of the Hydroxyurea Health Education, Awareness and Access Initiative. Through the initiative, approximately 20 percent more individuals suffering from the disease have been able to access Hydroxyurea, the only FDA approved disease modifying drug therapy for the disease; therefore decreasing the number of pain crisis and acute chest syndrome episodes, hospital stays and healthcare needs. The organization also asked that the initiative continue to be a line item in the state’s budget. Williams said the day’s event and supporters’ attendance was all made possible by American Eagle Outfitters who donated $1,000. She said their generous donation provided food and transportation for approximately 75 people from across the state. The week of events ended with an Applebee’s Dining to Donate fundraiser on June 18 at the Edgewood location. When individuals dined at the specific location and presented the special coupon, 15 percent of their total bill was donated to CSCF for their annual Back to School Bash which will take place Aug. 22. The Bash provides backpacks and school supplies to students with Sickle Cell and their siblings. Williams said the event is “to make sure students are prepared for a successful school year.” This was the first year that the fundraiser was held at the Edgewood location which was more accessible to CSCF’s families. Last year the event was held at a Robinson location. While WSCD brings awareness to the disease, it also recognizes those “living well with Sickle Cell,” as CSCF’s motto states. One individual Williams feels deserves to be recognized is 86-year-old retired United States Postal Service employee Birney Smith of Pittsburgh. Smith, who was diagnosed with Sickle Cell in the 1950s after experiencing unexplained pain and taking a blood test which detected the disease, is one of the oldest individuals living with the disease. According to Williams, the average life expectancy for women is age 45 and age 47 for men. “When you have someone who has lived so long for decades past the time expected that’s incredible, and it’s an inspiration to me as a mom. When I see him, I say, “he did this without the benefits of penicillin, without the benefits of Hydroxyurea; he’s done this without modern medicine and by the Grace of God,’” said Williams. “I look at him and I know he’s here to remind that Sickle Cell
Disease, yes, it is horrible, debilitating and sometimes even fatal, but there’s hope. For families, it means that we can live and for those persons who have been told that ‘you’re going to be dead before 21, before you’re 25,’ that blows that myth out the water.” Although it’s painful at times, Smith said he does not let Sickle Cell stop him from living the fullest life he can. He watches what he eats, staying away from fried foods, and said the best advice he can give is to
“keep up your faith in your eternal maker, creator; He controls everything. Keep the best of intentions and the golden rule is to treat other people the way you’d want to be treated.” Smith’s daughter, Patty Smith, said her father is an inspiration and that her family is blessed to have him. “Him being a living example of how we should live our lives, I think, has been the most important thing for me. It shows me that no matter what, you just got to keep your faith, keep be-
lieving and just keep on keepin’ on, and in the end it’s going to be alright.” While CSCF does observe WSCD, June is not the only month that the organization works to spread awareness of Sickle Cell Disease. Yearround CSCF hosts Lunch and Learn sessions for corporations interested in educating their employees. Williams said it’s an opportunity to increase awareness; keep employees healthier and connected, especially if they have a child or know someone living with
Sickle Cell; and it dispels the myth that the disease only affects African Americans. Thus far, CSCF has conducted sessions for BNYMellon and ALCOA. Williams always welcomes interested corporations to contact her. Also, for the first time, CSCF will host the 2015 Swing for Sickle Cell Celebrity Golf Outing featuring former All-Pro Steelers Wide Receiver Louis Lipps as the honorary chairperson on Sept. 14. The event will include brunch, golfing, a cocktail reception and dinner. “It’s incredible to think people would come out of the woodwork to do the things they do,” Williams said of Lipps, who wanted to get involved because of his two relatives living with Sickle Cell.
FAMILY SUPPORT—Birney Smith stands with his family. He is one of the oldest individuals living with Sickle Cell. (Photo by J.L. Martello)
(Registration and sponsorship opportunities for the event are now available. For more information or to sign-up, individuals can call 412-4882723 or visit www.cscfkids.org.)