UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

CITY NEW BUS STOP OPENED

MAYAANGELOUCOIN S BORDERBOWLSHOT

JANUARY 17 - 31, 2022 • VOL. 10 NO. 11

Sidney Poitier 1927 - 2022

Sidney Poitier’s Academy Award for the 1963 film “Lilies of the Field” made him the first Black performer to win in the best-actor category. He rose to prominence when the civil rights movement was beginning to make headway in the United States.

Photo by Sam Falk The New York Times

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Augusta Black Restaurant Week 2022 Celebrates AfricanAmerican owned Eateries and Chefs in the Garden City AUGUSTA Urban Pro Weekly (UPW) is proud to once again present Augusta Black Restaurant Week on June 13-19, 2022. This annual event takes pride in highlighting some of the area’s black-owned eateries and chefs, while giving patrons an opportunity to partake in specialty or signature items for the week.

Since its inception last year, UPW has endeavored to strengthen our community by bringing attention to some of the small businesses in the area hit the hardest by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Although financial relief was issued, the disparity between Black-Owned businesses, as compared to others, was seen and felt across the nation - even MORE in the small business

sector. For this reason, Augusta Black Restaurant Week (ABRW) was established.

New to the 2022 ABRW experience are prix fixe options from each partner and a collaboration with personal and executive chefs, food trucks, and stalls to provide a unique culinary experience. Registration opens for chefs, cooks, and restaurant professionals on February 1 at augustarestaurantweek.com.

Urban Pro Weekly (UPW), a division of Growing Augusta, is a minority woman-owned, Augusta-based, bi-weekly publication focused on local arts, culture, business, and politics. The UPW team publishes relevant community news and events in the print and digital channels.

Augusta Black Restaurant Week June 13-19, 2022 Richmond, Aiken, Columbia, Burke counties

2022 Martin Luther King Jr. TE DA Parade NAACP W NE Theme: “When We Fight, We Win” Dyess Park Community Center Sat, Feb. 26, 2022 @ 1:00 pm

Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

PUBLISHER Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency LLC http://www.growingaugusta.co/UPW +1 (706) 751-2537 SALES & MARKETING http://www.growingaugusta.co/UPW +1 (762) 233-5299

CONTRIBUTORS K.L. Gordon Olivia Gaines Menia L. Chester Frederick Benjamin Sr. Layout/Design : UrbanProMedia

Sidney Poitier set the standard for black actors

S

idney Poitier, groundbreaking star of American movies, has died at the age of 94. His death was confirmed by the office of the prime minister of the Bahamas.

Poitier was the first Black person to win a Best Actor Oscar — and for people of a certain age, his image was indelible: his smooth, commanding presence, his dark skin, his searing good looks, bemused eye rolls and memorable physicality. It all symbolized — and offered a challenge to — the way Black men were represented in movies, and how they might be seen in the real world.

In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry’s landmark work about the dreams and disappointments for a Black family in 1950s America, Poitier plays Walter Lee Younger. Walter aspires to open his own business, but finds his big plans frustrated. Poitier first played the role on stage, with actor Glynn Turman as Walter’s son Travis.

“We were in Chicago and it was just freezing,” he recalls. “And I remember watching him take the time to stand there, in this cold, and sign all of these autographs. I said, ‘Doesn’t he feel the cold? Doesn’t he know it’s freezing out here?’ Because the time he took with each person to sign these autographs just made him in my view grow bigger, taller and stronger... I said, man, who IS this guy?”

Sidney Poitier was well aware of his own symbolism. His life began far more humbly than the fame he would later negotiate; his first years were spent on Cat Island in Bahamas, as the youngest of nine. His parents, Evelyn and Reggie, were tomato farmers.

The Poitiers brought their harvest to market in Miami by boat, and Sidney was born prematurely on one such trip.

He was so small that he wasn’t expected to survive. But he did.

Speaking with NPR in 2009, Poitier recalled his family’s move to Nassau when he was 10. He had never seen his face in a mirror before then. “I saw my teeth. and they were quite acceptable, they looked pretty ok. And my eyes, my hair... me! I was looking at myself,” Poitier remembered.

His life in the Bahamas could hardly prepare him for becoming the most familiar of all Black men seen

in Hollywood movies. His everyday workers and professional businessmen were elegant, flawless, dignified; they never were villains. In the 1958 movie, The Defiant Ones, Sidney Poitier shared top billing with Tony Curtis, and even as a fugitive, he was hard to dislike.

Poitier’s name above the title marked a turning point for his career. He was becoming more widely accepted by moviegoers. Sidney Poitier’s rise in popularity seemed linked with the hopes of the civil rights movement.

Five years later, in Lilies of the Field, Poitier portrayed Homer Smith, a handyman reluctant to help a group of German nuns lacking bricks or money for a new chapel. He made history with Lilies of the Field: In 1964, the same year as the passage of the Civil Rights Act, he became the first Black man ever to win as Oscar for Best Actor.

In 1967, Poitier became the top box office draw with three popular movies out the same year: To Sir With Love, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, and In The Heat of the Night, in which he played big city detective Virgil Tibbs.

In one iconic scene, Tibbs questions a

murder suspect, a wealthy plantation owner, who slaps him — and the detective immediately slaps back. The white man is taken by surprise, and so were many moviegoing audiences.

Sidney Poitier told WHYY’s Fresh Air back in 2000 that the script had called for Tibbs to be slapped, and then leave.

Poitier says he refused to turn the other cheek. To him, it was an opportunity to show real anger at a white man for his mistreatment, and it held meaning far beyond the movie house.

Film critic Elvis Mitchell says there was a time when Black audiences were just happy to see someone on screen who wasn’t, for example, carrying a tray. But eventually, dissatisfaction with the civil rights movement and Poitier’s mostly non-threatening roles made him an easy target. “He suddenly went from being the lone representation of his race to being unfairly castigated as the man who apologized for being Black. And he was just working, he wasn’t in control of the movie business, he didn’t choose to make the movies — he chose to be in them, because he just wanted to work.”

Against the hot wind of criticism,

Poitier set a new course, claiming new territory for Black performers: He starred in, and directed comedies with large Black casts — the best known are Uptown Saturday Night, and Let’s Do It Again. There was a romance, For the Love of Ivy, in which he played opposite the late singer and actress Abbey Lincoln. His debut as a director was Buck and the Preacher, a Western with comic touches, about freed slaves homesteading out West.

As he moved further away from acting, he directed Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor in Stir Crazy in 1980 his biggest commercial hit as director. In 2002, nearly 75 years old, Sidney Poitier received an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement.

“I accept this award in memory,” he said on stage, “of all the African American actors and actresses who went before me in the difficult years, on whose shoulders I was privileged to stand to see where I might go.”

In 2009, President Barack Obama awarded Sidney Poitier the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

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IN 1964, HE BECAME THE FIRST BLACK MAN EVER TO WIN AN OSCAR FOR BEST ACTOR

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COMMUNITYWATCH

City opens new bus stop serving Enterprise Mill Augusta Transit has opened a new bus stop location serving Enterprise Mill. The bus stop is located at 1452 Greene Street and is served by Route #3 East Augusta/Gold Line Outbound (towards East Augusta).

The new bus stop is within walking distance to Fat Man’s

Café, Augusta Canal Discovery Center, Augusta Canal National Heritage A rea Of fice, and Enterprise Mill.

Riders can receive information on bus routes and fares by calling 706-821-1719 between 6 a.m.6 p.m. Monday–Saturday.

Chris Betts among 2022 Dyess Awards recipients On January 13, 2022, Chris Betts became one of four honorees receiving the 2022 Jimmie Dyess Distinguished American Award.

This award salutes “outstanding Americans who, over a lifetime, have made major contributions to their nation, their community and their fellow citizens.”

Betts is being recognized for advancing African American history and the education of our youth through her work at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum in Augusta, Georgia.

The award will be presented virtually at the 12th Annual Jimmie Dyess Symposium on January 13th beginning at 5:00 pm. You can join the live broadcast at https://www.augustamuseum.org/ Chris Betts retired in 2020 JimmieDyessSymposium .

New Coin Series features Trailblazing Women

Angelou becomes the first Black woman to appear on the quarter A new quarter featuring legendary poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou and other trailblazing American women has officially started shipping to banks on Monday, the U.S. Mint announced.

Angelou is the first Black woman to appear on the quarter.

The Maya Angelou design is the first quarter in the “American Women Quarters Program,” a fouryear program that will include coins featuring prominent women in U.S. history.

The other honorees include astronaut Sally Ride; actress Anna May Wong; suffragist and politician Nina Otero-Warren; and Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. The coins featuring the other honorees will be shipped out this year through 2025, according to the Mint.

Angelou, who died in 2014 at the age of 86, held many distinctions. She received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama and won

The Maya Angelou design is the first quarter in the “American Women Quarters Program.” the Literarian Award (an honorary National Book Award). In 1992, she became the first Black woman (and second-ever poet) to write and present a poem at a presidential inauguration, in 1992. She also held more than 30 honorary degrees and published more than 30 bestselling works.

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MLK PARADE DATE CHANGED NEW DATE IS SATURDAY, FEB . 26

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Team Georgia defeated Team Carolina 16-0 during Border Bowl IX, held at Lucy C. Laney Memorial Stadium. The football showdown featured the best CSRA high school senior players from Georgia and South Carolina.

Proceeds from the annual event benefitted the Ronald McDonald House Charities Augusta. January 8, 2022 (Augusta, GA)

ALL PHOTOS BY VINCENT HOBBS

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Congratulations to all of the 2022 Border Bowl Participants

Laney Museum offers Mental Health Summit VIII

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On Thursday, January 20, from 9 am to 1 pm for the Mental Health Summit VIII. This is the Lucy C. Laney Museum’s 8th year in partnership with Augusta Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Augusta University, to provide this free mental health summit for the community.

The event is free to attend. Deadline to register is January 14, 2022.

Registered attendees will be provided a lunch.

1116 Phillips Street Augusta, Georgia 30901

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Umoja Village Calendar

*** ATTENTION ALL CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND BUSINESSES, please use the Umoja Village Community Calendar as a planning tool and a marketing tool. This calendar is paid for by the Umoja Village organization and exists to help us work together so that our events and activities can be as effective as possible and to help alleviate dividing our intended audience due to multiple events planned on the same dates. You can use this calendar, on www.umojavillage.

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U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn will be the keynote speaker for the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration.

For the past several years, Aiken Technical College and USC Aiken presents this community event at no admission.

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, Jan. 23, at the USC Aiken Convocation Center, 2049 Champion Way, Graniteville. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., event at 3 p.m. Reps from several service orgs will have booth displays about available services.

The Black Historical Committee of Aiken will hold its 22nd Annual Black History Parade on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m. This year’s theme will be: Excellence In Community Service: Honoring Betty Gyles. Entry fee is only $20.00. Pick up applications at the Smith Hazel Recreation Center, 400 Kershaw Street in Aiken; or Brothers & Sisters of Aiken, 132 York Street in Aiken. Together, let’s make this parade the best year ever and truly demonstrate unity.

Attention all churches, youth groups, praise dancers, families, organizations, and businesses!

For more information, call The Black Historical Committee of Aiken, 803-642-7634.

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Latrell’s Favorite Pecan Pie Live your best life! That is my motto. My name is Menia L. Chester, I am a chef and owner of Desserts by Latrell and Southern Jazz and Sweets.

As we approach the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday, I am reminded that Dr. King’s family had a small kitchen garden in their backyard. In this garden they would have planted things such as tomatoes and okra in the summer. In the fall, they would have had greens and turnips. He truly enjoyed those traditional southern foods. He especially loved fried chicken and his favorite dessert was pecan pie.

I must admit that I love those dishes too!

Pecan pie would have been found on the dinner table after church on Sundays. Here my take on Dr. King’s favorite dessert. Remember, eating sweets in moderation is the key!

INGREDIENTS 1 unbaked deep dish pie shell 1 ¼ cups roughly chopped pecans 3 eggs 1 cup light corn syrup ¼ cup melted butter (salted) 1 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp butter flavoring 2 tsp rum or imitation rum flavoring

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Place pie crust on a cookie sheet. Spread pecans evenly inside pie crust.

3. In a large bowl stir eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla flavoring, butter flavoring, rum, and melted butter until combined. Pour mixture over pecans.

4. Bake the pie for 50-55 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. (If pie crust is browning too quickly, cover the edges with foil.) Remove the pie from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. The pie filling will set as it cools.

5. Slice cooled pie and serve with ice cream. Enjoy!

If you have questions, would like to see other recipes, or learn about events by Latrell, please visit my website or send me an email.

Website: www.southernjazzandsweets.com Email: dessertsbylatrell@gmail.com

LATRELL’S FAVORITE PECAN PIE

Scott elected to Nat’l League of Cities’ (FAIR) Federal Advocacy Committee City of Augusta in this capacity, as I work with other municipal leaders in developing policy positions on issues involving intergovernmental relations and protecting the interests of cities in federal tax reform efforts,” said Scott.

As a member of NLC’s FAIR committee, Scott will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocating on behalf of America’s municipalities before Congress, with the administration and at home.

Good Jobs Challenge Applications Now Due Thursday, February 10 Thank you for all the work that you do every day to support your communities and build economies that work for all.

Throughout this year, we’ve seen unprecedented interest in EDA’s funding opportunities, including our American Rescue Plan programs.

It is our mission to efficiently, effectively, and equitably disperse these funds to help communities respond to and recover from the pandemic and build back better.

With that mission in mind, we have decided to provide Good Jobs Challenge applicants with an extra two weeks to complete their applications.

The Good Jobs Challenge application deadline is now Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET. We are also providing potential applicants with the option to submit their intent to apply to GoodJobsChallenge@EDA.gov by January 5, 2022. The applicant’s intent to apply email should include the applicant’s name and a contact person with contact information. Submission of intent to apply is voluntary; it will have no impact on an applicant’s consideration. There are no consequences if an applicant submits an intent to apply email but does not actually apply for the grant.

To help support your efforts, please review our FAQ and other resources. If you have any further questions, please contact GoodJobsChallenge@EDA.gov.

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C o m m i s sione r Fr a nc i ne Scott has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2022 Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) Federal Advocacy Committee. Scott was elected to a one-year term and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities. The appointment was announced by NLC President Mayor Vince Williams of Union City, Georgia.

“I am honored to represent the

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