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MAE FEST FREE STUFF DOWNTOWN SAT. MAY 21

2022•VOTE LA ST SHOTS N’ STAY SAFE • GRILLI

URBAN PRO WEEKLY

MAY 23- JUNE 5, 2022 • VOL. 10 NO. 23

U.S. Justice Department investigating death of 6 black men shot in the back during 1970 rebellion

THE 1970 AUGUSTA RIOT EXHIBIT VIEW THE EXHIBIT IN ITS NEW HOME: THE AUGUSTA MINI THEATRE CAMPUS OF AUGUSTA MINI THEATRE 2548 DEANS BRIDGE ROAD SPONSORED BY THE 1970 AUGUSTA RIOT OBSERVANCE COMMITTEE

“Augusta Six”

John Bennett Sammie L. McCullough Charlie Mack Murphy James Stokes Mack Wilson William Wright Jr. + Charles Oatman

Reckoning with Our Past: The 1970 Augusta Riot is open to the public at the Augusta Mini Theatre campus.

This fascinating exhibit includes historical documents, oral history quotes, and artwork by local artists created in response to the memory of the May 1970 Augusta Riot.

PHOTO BY VINCENT HOBBS

shots in the back

BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK • PARTICIPANTS NAMED

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Feds open investigation into deaths of 6 blacks during 1970 Augusta Riot AUGUSTA The 1970 Augusta Riot Observance Committee announced recently that the U.S. Department of Justice is actively investigating the killings of Charles Oatman and the Augusta Six. Their report follows: “Sponsored by the late Rep. John Lewis and fueled by the conviction that it is never too late to seek justice, the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act established the Cold Case Initiative to investigate unsolved killings from the Civil Rights era. Now that the focus of the investigations is shifting to the late 1960s-early 1970s, the focus is on Black victims of White violence at South Carolina State (1968), at Jackson State (1970), and in Augusta.

“In the workings of the Whitecontrolled legal system of 1970, allWhite juries convicted two Black

teenagers in Charles Oatman’s death and acquitted the one White police officer tried in the killings of the Augusta Six. The 1970 Riot Committee’s extensive research corroborates what the Black community of 1970 believed: that the real perpetrators were never held to account, that the judicial system failed to render justice. The 1970 Augusta Riot Observance Committee strives to cultivate awareness, recovery, and justice for the community through education, conversation, and creative experiences.”

For more information on the Cold Case Initiative visit https://www.justice. gov/crt/cold-case-initiative.

For more information from the 1970 Augusta Riot Observance Committee, visit our website https://1970augustariot.com/ or social media (1970 Augusta Riot on Facebook; 1970augustariot on Instagram).

The DOJ’s new investigation offers the possibility that even at this late hour, some measure of justice can be done. Anyone with information on the killings of Charles Oatman and the Augusta Six is urged to share what they know with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (202) 514-0716

New Mini Theatre Production inspired by Charles Oatman After two years, Augusta Mini Theatre will present a new play “CAGED” on June 10-12. It will take place in the Judith Simon Black Box on the campus of The Theatre, 2548 Deans Bridge Road, Augusta, GA 30906.

“Caged”, written by Tyrone J. Butler and directed by Judith Simon-Butler, informs how Slaves and its descendants of segregation, 1619-1970, were housed likening to an

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

unlicensed zoo for the untamed.

“Caged” shows how, ancestrally, remnants of Slavery were passed down and became truths in the mind and heart of a child born in 1949. And their devastating damage to his human development.

The play, about healing and one America, was inspired by the death of Charles Oatman, a mentally challenged black youth, found dead in a jail cell.

After receiving an unsatisfactory

response from city officials, caused Augusta’s Riot of 1970 when six African American Males were shot in the back, by police, and died.

Choreography is by Jena Ju’Whann, Judith Simon-Butler and Tyrone J. Butler. Song Development by Judith SimonButler and Tyrone J. Butler.

For tickets, visit www. augustaminitheatre.org, or call 706-722-0598

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

3 campus deaths in ‘68

“The Orangeburg Massacre” targeted by Justice Dept.

The U.S. Justice Department is also investigating the killings of seven other Black men involved in student protests in South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana during the societal upheaval of the late 1960s and early ‘70s.

Three men were killed on Feb. 8, 1968, during protests to desegregate a bowling alley near South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Nine state police officers were acquitted in what came to be known as the “Orangeburg Massacre,” and a campus sports arena now honors the three victims, Samuel Hammond, Delano Middleton and Henry Smith.

Phillip Gibbs and James Earl Green were killed by police during a student demonstration at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, on May 15, 1970, and Leonard Brown and Denver Smith were gunned down during a protest at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Nov. 16, 1972.

No one was ever prosecuted for the killings in Jackson or Baton Rouge.

CONTRIBUTORS K.L. Gordon • Rickey Jones Jr. Olivia Gaines • Vincent Hobbs Menia L. Chester Frederick Benjamin Sr. Layout/Design : UrbanProMedia

POLITICALCommentary

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UPW Political Analysis AUGUSTA Are political endorsements still relevant in the new digital environment? To an endorsement-rich candidate who had just won a narrow victory, every endorsement was a veritable nugget of gold. On the other hand, endorsement-rich candidates who are soundly defeated in their races may wonder if the endorsements were of any value at all.

In Augusta-Richmond politics, endorsements have traditionally been sought-after political bonuses, but the past couple of decades have seen a decline in one previously potent type of political endorsements — I call it “the King’s nod.” But the cold fact is that, there are no more “kings.”

I have a theory that the decline of the ““king’s nod” endorsement was directly related to the disappearance of political “bosses” such as former state senator Charles W. Walker and former mayor Ed McIntyre. These two local politicians had political machines that pretty much called the shots in local Democratic circles which greatly impacted both the white and black communities. If you got on a Walker or McIntyre-backed “ticket” you could feel comfortable of success. You got “the nod.”

In today’s political environment, mayors and other top-elected officials are not necessarily “bosses” nor do they control powerful political organizations. Thus, the endorsements of other politicians is likely to amount to little more than “hit-or-miss” volleys.

Now most local endorsement announcements don’t make the local news feed, but recently, there has been a lot of buzz about two former Augusta mayors who have backed two different mayoral candidates. That woud be Deke Copenhaver, and Bob Young. Copenhaver has endorsed Garnett Johnson and Young has endorsed Marion Williams.

I am not sure if anyone has done a scientific survey of the value of endorsements in Augusta-Richmond elections, but there is plenty of anecdotal info.

For example in the 2020 city runoff elections you had Mr. Young and Mr. Copenhaver backing the same District 3 runoff candidate, Sean Mooney. Mooney also had the endorsement of the then-incumbent Mary Davis. Yet, despite all of those blessings, he lost to Catherine Smith McKnight.

Also, that year, Copenhaver endorsed Corey Johnson in the District 9 runoff between Johnson and Francine Scott, but to no avail. Scott prevailed in that contest.

It all boils down to, whose endorsement really matters.

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Are political endorsements still relevant?

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#gardencityjazz june 27 : july 25 code: UPW text UPW to (706) 528-6855

Get UPW delivered to your inbox OR your front door.

Subscribe at growingaugusta.co/upw

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Augusta Black Restaurant Week • Participants • June 13 - 19, 2022 Urban Pro Weekly (UPW), in partnership with Yelp Augusta, 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 independent 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. Participating food partners listed below and at augustarestaurantweek.com.

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

Your Vote MATTERS

Vote on May 24

RESTAURANTS Alexander’s Great BBQ Arie’s Confectionaries Big Mama’s Soul Food Big T’s Seafood Black Lotus Cuisine Broad St. Bullies Brunch House of Augusta Cafe 209 Catz Kitchen Cliffism Sports & Spirits DeShawn’s Seafood Fielding Bros BBQ Glamm Deli

Humanitree House J. Renae Experience Jackie M’s & Son Shake City Timbuktu Cafe Vibes and Vines Jazz Lounge WSS1 (Wings, Subs, Salads)

CHEFS Thomas Jacobs Dairius Mealing Rosslina Anderson Lateisha Thomas

The Greater Augusta Arts Council is pleased to announce the 2022 Augusta Arts Awards winners.

Anila Agha, Morris Eminent Scholar in Art, Augusta Univ. - Artist Award Matt Porter, The Morris Museum of Art - Arts Professional Award Dennis Skelley, Georgia Rehabilitation Institute - Kath Girdler Engler Public Art Award Ashlee Duren, Augusta Magazine - Media Award Blane Bailey, Tranter Grey - Sponsor Organization Award Nelson A. Danish - Volunteer Award Russell Joel Brown - President’s Award Nominations were submitted by the public and the finalists chosen by a panel of local arts community leaders. The Annual Augusta Arts Awards dinner will be held on June 23 at 6:00pm at The Foundry at Rae’s Creek, 250 Boy Scout Road in Augusta, GA. Tickets are $55 for members or $60 for not-yet members. The event is cocktail attire and includes Hors d’oeurvres,

Dinner, a Cash bar and a special performance by 2022 President’s Award Winner Russell Joel Brown. RSVPs are required by June 7th.

Reservations can be made online at https://bit.ly/ ArtsAnnualAwards2022 or by calling the Arts Council at 706826-4702. The Augusta Arts Award winners will be published in Augusta Magazine.

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2022 Augusta Arts Awards Winners Announced

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Latrell’s Food Safety Tips When Grilling 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. Summer is approaching and that means outdoor parties and barbeques will be plentiful!

Follow the four Follow the 4 C’s C’s (chill, clean, cook and cool) (chill, clean, cook and

As a chef and caterer, I try to help people stay safe and the key to this is using good food safety techniques.

The first line of defense is washing your hands. Have you ever thought about having a hand washing station near your grilling area? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), many people fall ill after attending summer barbeques because of food safety issues. Ensure that your family safe by keeping your cold foods cold and your hot foods hot!

Also, be sure to have hand sanitizer readily available for your guests.

CLEAN Wash your hands with soap before and after handling any food. Wash work surfaces, utensils, and clean the grill.

cool)

CHILL Keep meat, poultry, and seafood refrigerated until ready to grill. When transporting, keep in an insulated cooler.

Don’t Cross-contaminate Throw away marinades and sauces that have touched raw meat juices, which can spread germs to cooked foods. Use clean utensils and a clean plate to remove cooked meat from the grill.

Check Your Grill and Tools If you use a wire bristle brush, thoroughly inspect the grill’s surface before cooking.

Wire bristles from grill cleaning brushes may dislodge and stick into food on the grill.

Too late for Absentee Ballots You must go to the polls in person to

Vote on May 24

COOK Use a food thermometer to ensure meat is cooked hot enough to kill harmful germs. Grill your meats to these USDA recommended temperatures: 145°F—whole cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and veal (then allow the meat to rest for 3 minutes before carving or eating) 145°F—fish 160°F—hamburgers and other ground beef 165°F—all poultry and pre-cooked meats, like hot dogs COOL Divide leftovers into small portions and place in covered, shallow containers. Place prepared foods in the refrigerator or a cooler within 2 hours of cooking (1 hour if above 90°F outside).

I hope that you will consider using these techniques to keep your family safe. 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: southernjazzandsweets@gmail.com

LIVE COMEDY

Three-time BET Comic View comic LARRY “COOP” D. VEAL is bringing his comedy show called “LAUGH DON’T SHOOT” to the CSRA on Saturday May 21st.

Veal, A Paine College graduate, and former probation officer, is not only a longtime stand-up comic, but also the founder of an enrichment curriculum & mentoring program for troubled at-risk youth learn called BE MORE POSITIVE. The program, created

by Veal in 1996, teaches sound decision-making and conflict resolution skills, as well as helping to bring solutions and resources that could address one of America’s major crises: gun violence.

“Much of today’s senseless gun violence stems from issues and frustrations from this two-year pandemic,” Veal says, “In addition to gut-busting laughter, LAUGH DON’T SHOOT seeks to encourage people to think before they do something that could hurt others or themselves. The slogan for these shows is ‘Get Mad, Get Over it, Be Free, Focus on the Positive.’

The BE MORE POSITIVE enrichment curriculum and mentoring program has a track record of helping hundreds of youth get back on the right track with its mentoring services. Participants of BE MORE POSITIVE either attended alternative schools, were on their last leg of the school discipline cycle, or sentenced to community probation through the court system.

The Augusta leg of the LAUGH DON’T SHOOT comedy tour will be held at Ikonz Sports Bar at 1515 North Leg Road, featuring ATL comics Greg Langford & Christy Gavnell, and local comics Skyler Q. Andrews and Lorenzo Williams. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com.

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Laugh Don’t Shoot

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Richmond County School System hosts Spring Career Fair AUGUSTA Richmond County School System will host a career fair on Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 9 a.m. – noon at Augusta Marriott, 2 10th Street. During the career fair, hiring managers from schools and departments will conduct on-site interviews and hiring for select positions.

“Richmond County School System is an employer of choice in our community. The school system offers excellent benefits and a collaborative working environment that makes joining our team an attractive option for recent graduates and experienced professionals,” said Dr. Cecil Clark, Richmond County School System Chief Human Resources Officer. “We encourage energetic, highly motivated individuals who desire to make an impact in the lives of nearly 30,000 students to apply.”

To view the complete list of openings, visit website at rcboe/ info/Work4RCSS.

B&B Theatre Productions is casting for musical Lil Red From The Hood Middle bear…. Gummy Oldest Pig …….Einswine Middle Pig……..Hamilton Big Bad Wolf ( younger self for a flash back scene . Ages 5-7) Piglets ( boys and girls ages 6-8) White Rabbit ( boy or girl ages 8-10) Alice ( girl ages 5-7) Opportunity is calling so the question is will you answer?

Message for an audition slot (706)592-8317

RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PROPOSAL NUM.: B-21-024-0103 Bond Issue Program PROJECT NAME: Freedom Park Roof & HVAC Replacement

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY INVITATION TO BID Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received for the B-21-024-0103 – Freedom Park Roof Replacement & HVAC Replacement by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 3:00 p.m. local time, June 15th, 2022, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held June 2nd, 2022 @11:00 AM local time in the Media Center Conference Room, Freedom Park Elementary School, 345 42nd Street, Building 43400, Fort Gordon, GA 30905.

Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 2956 Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta, Ga 30906.

Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the Architect: 2KM Architects, Inc., 529 Greene Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $100.00 set should be filed promptly with the Architect. Bidding material will be forwarded (shipping charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposit for one set will be refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bids.

All other deposits will be refunded with deductions approximating cost of reproduction of documents upon return of same in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bid.

Contract, if awarded, will be on a lump sum basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of 35 days after time has been called on the date of opening.

Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than 5% of the base bid. Personal checks, certified checks, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable. The successful bidder will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

To promote local participation, a database of Sub-contractors, Suppliers, and Vendors has been developed by the Program Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826-1127 for location to review and obtain this database.

Bids shall be submitted and addressed to: Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw County Board of Education of Richmond County Administrative Office 864 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 c/o: Mr. Bobby Smith, CPA

2022 Elections THIS TUESDAY May 24, 2022 Are You Registered?

RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PROPOSAL NUM.: B-21-015-0297 Bond Issue Program PROJECT NAME: McBean HVAC and Roofing Replacement

Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received for the B-21-015-0297– McBean HVAC and Roofing Replacement by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 3:00 PM local time, June 9, 2022 , at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held May 26, 2022 @ 11:00 AM local time in the Media Center Conference Room, McBean Elementary School, 1165 Hephzibah-McBean Rd., Hephzibah, GA 30815 Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 2956 Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta, Ga 30906.

Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the Architect: 2KM Architects, Inc., 529 Greene Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $100.00 set should be filed promptly with the Architect. Bidding material will be forwarded (shipping charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposit for one set will be refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bids.

All other deposits will be refunded with deductions approximating cost of reproduction of documents upon return of same in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bid.

Contract, if awarded, will be on a lump sum basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of 35 days after time has been called on the date of opening.

Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than 5% of the base bid. Personal checks, certified checks, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable. The successful bidder will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

To promote local participation, a database of Sub-contractors, Suppliers, and Vendors has been developed by the Program Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826-1127 for location to review and obtain this database.

Bids shall be submitted and addressed to: Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw County Board of Education of Richmond County Administrative Office 864 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 c/o: Mr. Bobby Smith, CPA

2022 Elections THIS TUESDAY May 24, 2022 Are You Registered?

ATLANTA The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging parents unable to find baby formula typically used for their child to contact their pediatrician about appropriate nutritional and safe feeding alternatives. Georgia WIC is working with WIC agencies statewide, local grocers and retailers, and formula manufacturers to help locate formula for clients, especially those in need of specialized formula.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is offering guidance for parents that are having difficulty finding baby formula: • Watering down baby formula is dangerous and can cause nutritional imbalances that may lead to serious health problems. Always mix formula as directed by the manufacturer.

• Homemade baby formulas are not advised. While recipes may seem healthy, they are not safe and do not meet your baby’s nutritional needs.

• Buy baby formula online but only from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies.

• Be leery of ads on social media. You can check out a company’s reputation through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) at www.bbb.org.

• Do not use imported formulas from other countries that are not reviewed by the FDA. • Only prepare the amount of formula you will use - throw out any infant formula that is left in the bottle after feeding your baby.

• It is recommended that during the shortage you buy no more than a 10-day to two-week supply of formula.

For a complete list of AAP guidance and tips for finding formula during the shortage, visit healthychildren.org. Parents should not hesitate to talk to their pediatrician with any concerns about their baby’s health and nutrition.

WIC clients who need help finding formula or who have questions should contact their local WIC office or call 1-800-228-9173.

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COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY INVITATION TO BID

DPH urges parents to talk to MDs during 11 baby formula-shortage

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kgordon + friends Candlelight Music Series June 12 @ 7:30p Augusta Common 836 Reynolds St * Special Guests AE The Cool : is0latedbeauty : Cookie Pontoo : Mike Tanksley : Nya Lawrence : Jordan Deshong : Kigwana "Kigg" Cherry : PMG Music Group : Dae Made It (custom jewelry) : Yelp Augusta

Augusta Black Restaurant Week 2022 kickoff