Challenger Community News April 18, 2018

SERVING BUFFALO, ROCHESTER, NIAGARA FALLS AND SURROUNDING AREAS

April 18, 2018 | FREE |

Beychella!

Photo by: Mel D. Cole

Beyonce’s Triumphant Coachella Performance An Unapologetic Celebration of Black Culture Page 8

Amaya Walker

Camille Pope

Diamond Howard

Dominique Moore

Janiya Croxie

Macayla Glenn

Mary Tess Wright

Robin Flowers-Quinniey

Taylor Hunter

Trinity Jackson

Who Will Be Miss Jabberwock 2018?

P.E.A.C.E.

Supporting Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones to Homicide Page 7

INTERNATIONAL

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Thousands Protest Expanding US Military Role in Ghana Page 4

April is Jazz Appreciation Month! Celebrate “Black Classical Music!”

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

Black Journalists Group, Movie Theater to Present "Black Panther"

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Community Leaders Honored

Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church celebrated Rochester’s community leaders during its “Black Heritage Dinner” recently. This year’s theme was “The Legacy of African American Leadership: Past, Present and Future.” Pictured (left to right) : Attorney/Master of Ceremonies, LaMarr Jackson, Marion Henderson, Henderson Ford President, Randy Henderson, Henderson Ford Fleet Supervisor, Melvin Rose, Maria Rose, Henderson Ford I.T/Operations Manager, DaMaris Corzatt.

AROUND TOWN Sunday, April 22 Book launch hosted by Dr. Lesli Myers for her new book called Life's Leadership Lessons. She is the first African American Superintendent of Brockport Schools.

he Rochester Association of Black Journalists in partnership with the Little Theatre will present a special screening of the film "Black Panther" at 7 p.m., Friday, April 27 at the Little, 240 East Avenue.

The movie is the April selection in the monthly Black Cinema Series, a RABJ-Little collaboration.

Attendees are encouraged to wear African attire. Those in African dress will be eligible for a raffle of two tickets to the Little Theatre, a gift certificate for Mood Makers book store in Village Gate and a gift card to a minority-owned restaurant. There will also be a general raffle for everyone for a Wakanda gift item.

A panel discussion of afrofuturism and other topics will follow the conclusion of

the film. Afrofuturism is defined as a movement in literature, music, art and film that features futuristic or science fiction themes which incorporate elements of black history.

Panel moderator will be Tara Eagan, president of the University of Rochester Black Student Union and a sophomore majoring in AfricanAmerican Studies and Economics.

Panelists will be: Jeffrey Tucker, a University of Rochester professor of English and a self-described comic book nerd.

Nita Brown, a native of Ghana and owner of MansaWear, a local boutique and custommade African clothing dress shop.

Katrina Thompson, a young author who writes about science fiction and fantasy.

Saturday, April 28 Ultimate Women's Conference hosted by Success Mentor Dante J. Worth at the Radisson Airport Hotel. This is the 4th annual women's empowerment conference. More than 100 women are expected to attend.

Saturday, April 28 The Center for Urban Education Success (CUES) at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education will host the second annual symposium, “All In: When Theory Meets Practice in Education Reform,” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Upper & Lower Schools (1801 East Main St., Rochester, NY).

The event is free and open to the public.

The Links Young, Gifted and Black Search for Excellence Scholarship Recital The Rochester (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will be hosting our annual Young Gifted and Black Search for Excellence scholarship recital on Sunday, April 29 at 3pm. at Kilbourn Hall of the Eastman Theatre. The scholarship is awarded to an Eastman School of Music student. This year's recipient is vocalist Veena Akama-Makia. Veena will perform during the recital. The concert is free and open to the public.

Benefit Luncheon for William Warfield Scholarship Fund The Annual Benefit Luncheon for the William Warfield Scholarship Fund will be held at noon on Thursday, April 19, at Max of Eastman Place Restaurant, 25 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY. The luncheon is a wonderful event featuring the 2017-2018 scholarship fund recipient, tenor Jonathan Rhodes, a sophomore at the Eastman School of Music.

Fringe 2018 Show Submissions Period Now Open!

Apply directly to venues at rochesterfringe.com by April 30th Organizers of the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival opened the 2018 show-submission process yesterday, on April 1, 2018 at 9 a.m. (EST). Through April 30 at 11:59 p.m. (EST), artists and producers from all over the world may submit production proposals directly to the 2018 Fringe’s 20+ venues via rochesterfringe.com. Complete how-to-apply instructions are available on the website (backstage.rochesterfringe.com/before-applying). Based on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe model, the vast majority of the Fringe’s 500+ shows are selected by the venues themselves from these submissions.

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!

Theatre tickets are $9, general admission and $6 for senior citizens.For more information, check the Little's web site is: www.thelittle.org.

HELP WANTED

House Keeper Needed

Honest & Reliable house keeper requested; Easy to get along with and responsible. Call 585 288-3439 Leave a message

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

AREA BRIEFS

DOING THEIR DUTY!Boy Scouts from Macedonia Baptist Church Troop 237 were on hand at the Jefferson Avenue Tops Friendly Markets recently to collect food items and health aids for the local pantry to help those in need. Pictured (standing rear) Scout Anthony Croskery and Etta Howell, Den Mother.

Front, Scouts Keith Allen, Jaivon Johnson and Marquis Harris.

Great work Scouts!

Mary B. Talbert Club to Host Annual Awards Banquet

The Mary B. Talbert Civic & Cultural Club Inc. will hold their Annual Awards Banquet Fundraiser on Saturday April 28 at 6 p.m. at Salvatore`s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road. The event theme is "Unsung Heroes: They Make A Difference."

The following ten outstanding individuals from the WNY community will be honored as Unsung Heroes serving our community. Rev. Diann Holt, Henderson Hutchins, Minister Ina R. Doss Chapman, Anna Bruce Vanderpuiji, Vera Beavers, Karl Shallowhorn, Bernarda Arias, Marie Hall Mullen, LouElla ColeBowens, and Myra Robinson-Moss.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Mary B. Talbert Scholarship Fund. Debra E.J. Thompson is president and event chairperson. For tickets and additional information call 716 903-1861.

Free Legal Clinic

Lawyers will be on hand at the free legal clinic to discuss issues and give advice on any issues you have questions about.

Hosted by WNY Council on Occupational Safety and Health (WNY COSH) and PUSH Buffalo, it will take place at Our Lady of Hope Church corner of Lafayette and Grant on Thurs-

The Youth Entrepreneurship Marketplace

The Youth Entrepreneurship Marketplace Juneteenth Kickoff Orientation will be held Saturday, April 21 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. 1423 Fillmore Ave. Contact Pam James for more information at (716) 332-3773.

Gentrification: Exploring Solutions

Gentrification is a growing challenge across the country. But solutions appropriate for mega-cities may not be right for midsize communities like Buffalo. What might work here?

The League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara will advance discussion of this important issue with a presentation and panel titled Gentrification: Exploring Solutions. The free program will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25, in the auditorium of the Buffalo & Erie County Central Library, 1 Lafayette Square.. Reservations are requested.

To reserve, sign up at the League website, www.lwvbn.org, or call the League office at 716-986-4898. .

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Ousted Buffalo Teacher Continues Racial Discrimination Case Against Elmwood Franklin School In Federal Court Shellonnee B. Chinn, who was wrongfully ousted from her 14-year employment at Buffalo’s Elmwood Franklin School, continues her 3-year long fight for justice in Federal Court. The Elmwood Franklin School’s work environment was "unimaginably hostile" says veteran elementary school teacher Shellonnee B. Chinn. "I just wanted to be treated like everyone else that I worked with."

"When you don't treat people fairly or treat them adversely because of their race, that's illegal."

Ms. Chinn’s case is intended to send a public message and act as a deterrent to the egregious conduct of the staff and governing officers of the Elmwood Franklin School. The defendants in the case are: The Elmwood Franklin School, Andrew Deyell, Sarah Duddy, Alyssa Schwabe, Patti Scaffidi, Molly Clauss, Jenna Evaldi, Michele Kulpit, Michael Joseph, Alice Jacobs, Barry Heneghan, Catherine Beltz-Foley, Cyndi Burnett, Christopher Koch, Omar Kahn, Brian J. Lipke, Alon Kupferman, Kimisha Shellonnee B. Chinn Brown Houston, Cutler Greene, Arthur Glick, Keith Frome, Scott Friedman, Terri Rich, Peter Allen Weinmann, Nicholas B. Tzetzo, Sonja Siren, Robert Scott, Anthony Johnson, and Michele Lee.

Sandra L. Green, Kelly Galloway, Named Among Buffalo News Outstanding Citizens Sandra L. Green and Kelly Galloway were included in a special section of the Buffalo News this month among the publication's Outstanding Citizens for 2017.

Sandra L. Green is a retired corrections officer who works with mothers whose children were slain. She personally lost two sons to gun violence just 10 months apart in 2007.

Kelly Galloway founded RAMP Global Missions, a Christian humanitarian organization five years ago. She recently established a safe haven to help women escape sex traffickers right here in Buffalo. Congratulations to these outstanding women!

Nurturing Fathers Program Offered at Delavan Grider Center The Nurturing Father’s Program is a 13-week, two-hour session designed to enhance and/or develop effective parenting skills for the well-being of children and families.

Meetings are held every Thursday beginning April 19 thru July 12 from 5:45 - 8 p.m. at the Delavan Grider Community Center, 877 E. Delavan Avenue.

There is no cost for the course and dinner will be provided. To register and enroll please contact Antoine Johnson, Fatherhood Coordinator, at 884-6711k ext. 279 or ajohnson@bppn.org

10th Annual Tell Me A Story” This Weekend Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of WNY is hosting its 10th Annual Tell Me A Story” event which includes a storytelling concert after workshops for both children and adults. Workshop topics include, “Tell Your Superhero Story,” “So You Want to Be a Storyteller“ and “Caught in the Web ~ Storytelling & Technology.” The event wll take place Saturday, April 21 from 10:15 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library. THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and will feature Storyteller Dylan Pritchett. Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of WNY meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month (except July and August) For more information go to Facebook.com/TKStorytellers/ or email: traditionkeepers1@gmail.com or call 716 - 308 - 8391, or 716 - 480 - 3967.

2018 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarships

The Christian Education Scholarship Committee at New Hope Baptist Church is accepting applications for our 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarships from graduating Buffalo Public High School seniors.

The applications are available in the guidance counselor’s office in all Buffalo Public High Schools. Students must demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership skills, community involvement, and financial need. Requirements include: completed and signed application, three reference letters (two from school personnel and one from a community leader), a 500-word autobiographical sketch, and an official school transcript. ALL documentation is due on or must be postdated by Friday May 14, 2018. No late paperwork will be eligible for consideration.

For additional information or paperwork please contact: Chair Retta Billingslea, Christian Education Scholarship Committee, New Hope Baptist Church, 2090 Genesee St. Buffalo, NY 14211 (716-835-4737/ akaretta@verizon.net or 716-883-0821/ newhope543@roadrunner.com).

Queen Nanny

Queen Nanny was born in the Ashanti region of present day Ghana in 1686 and kidnapped and forced into slavery in Jamaica. As an enslaved child her plantation worked in extremely harsh conditions to cultivate, harvest and process sugarcane.

•She later became one of the Maroons which were a group of Black people who escaped slavery and started their own communities.

•She led several slave revolts and raged war on the British for about 30 years.

•Although in the beginning Nanny and the Maroons were greatly outnumbered by the British, the British attacks were unsuccessful due to the strategic location of Nanny Town.

•Queen Nanny is credited with freeing over 800 enslaved men and women from captivity.

•Many of the freed men and women settled in Nanny Town ran by fellow Maroons.

•Nanny of the Maroons was very knowledgeable about healing methods and herbs.

This made her a very skilled physical and spiritual healer.

•Nanny Town stood for many years until 1734 when it was destroyed.

•Now Nanny is a celebrated and beloved hero of Jamaica. Jamaica declared Queen Nanny a National Heroine in 1976. Her image is on the Jamaican currency.

•She has communities named after her such as Nannyville Gardens in Kingston, Jamaica and a Nanny Monument in Portland, Jamaica.

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NATIONAL + WORLD

Thousands Protest Expanding US Military Role in Ghana

DAKAR, Senegal — Thousands of Ghanaians rallied in the streets of their capital recently to protest a deal that would give the United States military an expanded role in Ghana.

As part of the agreement, the United States would invest about $20 million in equipment and training for the Ghanaian military, carrying out joint exercises with Ghana and using the nation’s radio channels and runways.

Ghanaian officials said the agreement was an extension of a two-decades-long relationship between the United States and Ghana, a West African nation that has been a regular host of bilateral and multilateral military exercises.

But the deal struck a nerve in Ghana, which is in a region where the expansion of the American military has received increasing scrutiny. In Accra, the capital, more than 3,000 people gathered in the streets to protest the agreement.

“Having partaken in the struggle and fight towards our independence, we can never sit unconcerned when it comes to an agreement which has the tendency of compromising our sovereignty and integrity,” said Frank Amoako Hene, president of the National Union of Ghana Students, who was among the protesters.

In North Africa, the United States military most recently carried out its first drone strike against Al Qaeda militants in southern Libya, signaling a possibly significant expansion of the American counterterrorism campaign there. Elsewhere in Africa, the United States is investing more than $100 million to build a drone base in Niger, and the military already has a permanent drone base in Djibouti.

Officials in the American Embassy in Accra, played down the terms of the agreement.

They emphasized that there were no plans to create a base in Ghana or to permanently station American troops in the country, one of the continent’s most stable democracies.

The agreement “does not give the United States carte blanche to come in and act unrestricted in Ghana,” said a lengthy statement from the American Embassy in Accra, adding that Ghana is “recognized as a global leader — capable of maintaining its own security and perpetuating peace and security in the region and around the world.” (Excerpted From 3.28.18 New York Times)

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

-NEWS BRIEFS-

Several Bias Inquiries- African Nations Sign Frozen Under “Uncle Sweeping Free Trade Ben’s” Watch at HUD Agreement The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under The Trump administration is attempting to scale back federal efforts to enforce fair housing laws, freeing enforcement actions against local governments and businesses, while sidelining officials who have aggressively pursued civil right cases.

The policy shift is meant to roll back the Obama administration’s attempts to reverse decades of racial, ethnic and income segregation in federally subsidized housing and development projects. HUD Secretary Ben Carson has dismissed the idea that he was abandoning the agency’s fair housing mission as “nonsense.” But he made the decision in March to strike the words “inclusive” and “free from discrimination” from HUD’s mission statement.

Ex-House Speaker Joins Marijuana Company Former House speaker Republican John Boehner dropped his long-held opposition to marijuana to join the board of Acreage Holdings a rapidly expanding cannabis company. Former Massachusetts governor Bill Veld, also a Republican, has joined the board as well.

While many cannabis activists welcome Boehner’s change of heart, critics say he’s yet another wealthy White man to slide into the pot industry while tens of thousands of Americans – particularly young Black Americans – remain jailed non drug charges.

Kigali - African leaders March 21 signed what is being called the largest free trade agreement since the creation of the World Trade Organization.

The deal creates a continental market of 1.2 billion people, with a combined gross domestic product of more than $3.4 trillion. A major goal is to boost intra-African trade and rely less on the volatility of commodity prices that affect many exports.

The aim is to have agreement, signed by 44 of the African Union's 55 member states, enter into force by the end of this year, said the chair of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. States now must ratify the deal.

Forty-four African countries have signed the pact. Among the holdouts is Africa’s two largest economies – Nigeria and South Africa.

READERS ARE LEADERS!

Memorial Dedicated to Lynchings of Black People

On April 26 of this year, the Equal Justice Initiative will open both a memorial and museum in Montgomery, Ala., dedicated to the victims of lynching in America post-Civil War. The memorial is called the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the museum is called the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration. Both were featured with a first-look on 60 Minutes.The soon-to-be-opened monument features more than 800 pillars hanging from the ceiling, representing the more than 800 counties in America where lynchings have been recorded, and each pillar includes the names and dates (if known) of the victims.

NOTICE

The United States District Court for the Western District of New York is inviting applications for expansion of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program Mediator Panel. Attorneys and nonattorneys with relevant experience may submit an application, resume, and letter of interest to: WDNY ADR Program Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse 2 Niagara Square Buffalo, NY 14202 or adrprogram@nywd.uscourts.gov Applications are located on the ADR Program Website: http://www.nywd.uscourts.gov/alternative-dispute-resolution The deadline for submission is May 31, 2018.

Informational meetings regarding the ADR Program will be offered at the US District Court in Buffalo, 2 Niagara Square on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. and at US District Court in Rochester, 100 State Street, on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact: Barry Radlin, ADR Program Administrator at (716) 551-1511 Amanda Williams, ADR Program Law Clerk at (716) 551-1817

HEALTH MATTERS

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

A Tale of Two Shotgun Blasts

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n Buffalo a 12 year old Black boy was shot with a .20- gauge shotgun this past November after throwing a rock thru a homeowner’s window in the first block of Quincy Street, off Broadway.

He was seriously wounded and initially underwent more than 10 hours of surgery. He was left blind in one eye, shotgun pellets in his brain, a collapsed lung, a blood clot, brain swelling and damage to his esophagus. The homeowner, Edward M. Bald, the 61-year old White East Buffalo resident who did the shooting, told police the 12 year old and his 15 year old friend were trying to break into his home. He was never charged or arrested. And it was revealed a few weeks ago that an Erie County grand jury voted not to indict him. He will face no criminal charges.

In Rochester Hills, Michigan last week, a 14-year-old Black boy, Brennan Walker, stopped at a house to ask directions. Brennan told CNN after he knocked on the door, a White woman came to the door yelling, as if he were trying to break into her house. “I was trying to explain to that I wanted to get directions to go to my school,” said Brennan. According to CNN, her husband, 53 year old Jeffery Zeigler, a retired firefighter, then came downstairs, grabbed a shotgun, and fired one shot at the teen who had the good sense to run. Luckily he was not killed or injured.

When deputies arrived on the scene, both the boy and Zeigler were taken to a police station and questioned. Zeigler was arrested, charged with assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to authorities. He was later released from jail on a $50,000 bond and due in court later this week for a probable cause conference.

At least in the case of the Rochester Hills incident, the person who shot at the teen was arrested and charged. The final outcome has yet to be determined.

In Buffalo, from day one the police and the media sided with the shooter, even though a young boy was seriously wounded. Points out columnist Ted Kirkland in one of his follow up commentaries: “Police officers investigating the shooting left the scene without making an arrest of the shooter, even though a felony has been committed” and “Why is Bald being treated different than Blacks are treated by the Buffalo News, police and the office of the district attorney?”

Even after he was made aware that the boy was only 12 (he’s now 13), Bald said mockingly: “If he is 12 he must have been born in a leap year or something. I just got a glimpse of him.”

Bald’s conduct was reckless and against the law.

According to state law " deadly force is not allowed in defending a person’s own home when the crime involved is larceny or criminal mischief – like the breaking of a window.”

According to the News, the Erie County Attorney’s Office agreed to grant the 12-year-old immunity in order for him to make a statement to police. No charges have been filed against the 15-year old.

Their only “crime” was one of them throwing a rock thru a window.

Would a verbal warning from Bald have sufficed and caused the boys to run away? More than likely. Or if he had come out of his house banishing his shotgun –would that have made them run without him having to fire one shot?

A group of community activists and organizations organized by then legislator Betty Jean Grant and We Are Women Warriors held a press conference about three weeks after the shooting in front of 25 Delaware to call on the DA’s office for transparency regarding the case and a reassurance to residents that justice would prevail and that the incident will not be swept under the rug.

Justice did not prevail.

A demonstrator held a sign during that press conference which said it all:: “What if the boy was White and the shooter was Black?”

-National Issue“There have been a number of tragic SIGN OF THE TIMES: Protesters at last December's instances in which Black people have been press conference following the shooting of a 12 year killed by armed civilians or the police in old boy in Buffalo. recent years,” writes the New York Times. “ Brennan’s story is similar to that of Renisha McBride, 19, who approached a stranger’s home in Detroit suburb and was shot and killed in 2013.”

Trayvon Martin, the unarmed 17-year-old Florida youth was killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer.

Brennan’s mother said she had already talked with her son about all of the extra things he might do to keep himself safe: Don’t wear hoodies. Be open and approachable. Take your hands out of your pockets. She added that in the security footage her son appeared to be doing everything right that morning.

She said she considered Rochester Hills, a Detroit suburb, a safe community but was only half-surprised that her son was threatened.

“As a Black person, I know it’s a possibility,” she told the Times. -a.b.

Child Obesity

A new study published in the journal Pediatrics reports a significant increase in severe obesity among children aged 2 to 5 years old .

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How Big Tobacco Made Cigarettes More Addictive and Deadly Experts found that Big Tobacco companies genetically engineered their tobacco crops to contain two times the amount of nicotine The surgeon general’s 2014 report on the health consequences of smoking found that as smoking rates decreased over the past 50 years, the risk of dying from cigarette smoking increased.

How could that be?

Over the past 50-plus years, tobacco companies have leveraged modern science to manipulate their products to make them even more addictive. “The evidence is sufficient to conclude that the increased risk of” death and disease — specifically lung cancer — “results from changes in the design and composition of cigarettes since the 1950s,” states the surgeon general’s “The Health Consequences of Smoking – 50 Years of Progress” report.

One way the tobacco industry has manipulated cigarettes to increase addictiveness is by loading cigarettes with chemical compounds. Bronchodilators were added so that tobacco smoke can more easily enter the lungs. Sugars, flavors and menthol were increased to dull the harshness of smoke and make it easier to inhale. Ammonia was added so that nicotine travels to the brain faster.

Specifically, increasing the amount of nicotine was of paramount importance to tobacco company executives. Experts found that Big Tobacco companies genetically engineered their tobacco crops to contain two times the amount of nicotine and adjusted their cigarette design so that the nicotine delivered to smokers increased by 14.5 percent. As Phillip Morris Principal Scientist W.L. Dunn said in 1972, “No one has ever become a cigarette smoker by smoking cigarettes without nicotine.”

All of this is documented because tobacco companies were forced to publicly release scientific studies and internal documents in 1998. They have also been forced to publicly admit their strategies. In November 2017, tobacco companies began a court-ordered advertisement campaign admitting the variety of ways they manipulated the public, including that they designed cigarettes to be more addictive and lied about it. Four Big Tobacco companies paid for the campaign after a U.S. district judge ordered them to set the record straight with corrective statements to counter years of misleading marketing.

The result of these “innovations” in cigarette design is devastating. The surgeon general found that “today’s cigarette smokers — both men and women — have a much higher risk for lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than smokers in 1964, despite smoking fewer cigarettes.” Even though there are fewer smokers today than there were decades ago, smoking remains the number one cause of preventable death, accounting for 1,300 American deaths every day. (For more info google nicotineindustry and influencesaddiction)

SPRING OPEN HOUSE Saturday, April 21 | 8:30a.m.–1:00p.m.

• Explore majors at the Academic Presentations • Learn more about our Generous Merit Scholarships • See our beautiful suburban location Take a Campus Tour

Register today: Daemen.edu/OpenHouse 716.839.8225 | 800.462.7652

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FAITH & FAMILY

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

Mt. Olive Presents 5 Nights of Revival

Faith Missionary Baptist Church 37th Pastoral Anniversary

Mt. Olive Baptist Church is hosting five Nights of Revival April 16-20 at 7 p.m. nightly at the church, 701 E. Delavan Avenue. Dr. Rev. Jonathan McReynolds of Aenon Missionary Baptist Church in Rochester will be the guest preacher April 18-20. Pastor William Gillison is host Pastor.

Faith Missionary Baptist Church located at 626 Humboldt Pkwy. is excited to announce the 37th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration of Pastor James R. Banks II. The church will be celebrating with him during the month of April . On Wednesday April 11, at 6:30p.m. Pastor Dwayne Jones and the Mt. Aaron Baptist Church will worship with us. On Wednesday April 1, at 6:30pm Pastor Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr. and the Antioch Baptist Church Family will worship with us. And Sunday April 22 at 10:45 a.m. closing out our celebration will be Pastor Elgin J. Taylor, Sr. Pastor of The Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church of Albany NY. All are invited to attend.

WNY Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship To Host Hour Of Power Service Dr. James A. Lewis III, WNY District Overseer and the Full Gospel Fellowship Churches, serving under the leadership of State Bishop Darius G. Pridgen invite you to join our “Hour of Power” series, “Servants Serving Together,” 7 p.m. April 20, at Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church 406 Sycamore Street.

Parents, Have you Made Summer Plans for your Children?

A Representative from the 4H Youth Development Program will be present at the Calvary Baptist Church, 1184 Genesee Street on Saturday April 21 at 11 a.m. with information for summer activities. Please Share With Your Family and Friends!

Sponsored by the Youth Ministry of Calvary Baptist.

U.C.C.B. Report

By Pastor Charles H.Walker II - President

On Saturday, April 21, U.C.C.B. will be holding its monthly men's fellowship breakfast! It has been a month of planning our schedule for the summer as we are collaborating with other men's prayer groups. We will be fellowshipping at Living Water Fellowship Church located at 382 Pine Ridge Road from 10am-12noon. The community is invited to attend and break bread, praise and worship the Lord and speak about the issues that are affecting our communities along with possible solutions! There will also be important information about the Community Job Fair. Bishop Foye will be delivering another powerful dissertation to lift up the name of JESUS! We will be going over to the Temple of Christ Church located at 940 Broadway street where Pastor Frederick Gelsey is the under shepherd. The event is Homicide Prevention and we invite and The Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church Annual Spring Reencourage the whole Buffalo community to join us as we rapvival will take place Monday, April 23 through Thursday, April idly approach the summer months and we want to decrease the 26 beginning nightly at 7 p.m. violence in our city. U.C.C.B. is a group of concerned men, The evangelist will be Reverend James C. Blackburn, Jr., clergy, churches and brotherPastor of Greater Hope Baptist Church. Please come and bring hood whom God has called to your family and friends to be revived and renewed in Christ!

WANTED be the voice of the voiceless, Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church is located at 790 Humboldt Second Baptist Church and to help our communities put Parkway at Woodlawn. Reverend John t. Hilliard is Pastor. The Seeks the pride back in our neighborPublic is invited to attend!

Full-Time Musician hoods one block at a time!

Experience Preferred For More Information Call We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the LORD. Trusting in His Holy Word, He never failed me yet!

(716)-826-4940

Spring Revival

FAITH & FAMILY

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

Parents Encouraging Accountability and Closure for Everyone

Homegoing Services Set For

Bringing P.E.A.C.E. to Heartbreak and Pain

Mary A. Williams

By Nanette D. Massey

“When a mother cries out we want to be there to help her.

Who can do it better than us? Because we've walked that walk.”

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MARY A. WILLIAMS

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fter having surgery doctors gave Mary A. Williams six months

to live.

But her Creator had the final say. Mrs. Williams went on to live her life for almost five years after she was told she had only a few months left on this earth.

She died peacefully in her East Buffalo home on April 14. She was 83.

“She was a trooper” her daughter Althea said of her beloved mother. Defying the odds, she said, “was a testament to her endurance and to God's grace.” Having her each and every day was a true blessing, she continued.

“Mom lived a simple life. She loved to travel and her passion was cooking Sunday dinner.

She loved to cook and she had a big heart.”

“My mom reached out to so many people,” she added. “To know her was to lover her.

She was a kind hearted lady who would readily sacrifice herself for others.”

Mary A. Williams, wife of the late Richard Williams, was born Mary A. Thompson in 1934 in Kershaw, South Carolina, and moved to Buffalo over sixty years ago.

She retired from the M. Wile Company after 27 years of service. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for over 30 years.

She leaves to cherish her memory, one brother, Odell Thompson of Englewood, NJ; a loving family of five children, Richard (Regina), Malinda, Clifton (Melissa), Althea (Michael), and Renee (James); 19 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Her wake will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 1184 Genesee St. on Saturday, April 21 from 10-11 a.m. the funeral will follow at 11.

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-Jacqueline Wells P.E.A.C.E. Volunteer

t is snowing on an April afternoon in Buffalo outside the window of the Sherman L. Walker Human Services Center at 680 William Street.

One of the organizations housed in this building is Parents Encouraging Accountability and Closure for Everyone, better known as P.E.A.C.E. The group provides support and assistance to families who have lost a loved one to homicide. Its president and a founding member, Teresa Evans, lost her own 17-year old son in 1996. Volunteers Deborah Daniels and Jacqueline Wells lives have also been touched by homicides in their families.

Deborah has volunteered with the organization for the past three years. She became aware of the group when Jacqueline and Teresa knocked on her door the day after hearing of her son's murder on the evening news. Their timing couldn't have been better.

Deborah remembered "feeling like I'm going to die because it hurts so much just to breathe."

She was also dealing with an onslaught of law enforcement and media people whose purpose was anything but to assist her in her grief. They were just doing their jobs. Jacqueline and Teresa spoke to her in a way only others with similar experience can, helping her with what to expect next, how to navigate through various law enforcement channels, and making her aware of other victim services available to her in the region.

Jacqueline is a thirteen year volunteer. She joined after experiencing two separate incidents involving two sons within four years' time. When

Services Held for Wilma Mack

Services were held for Wilma Mack April 7 at 210 Southampton . Born June 24, 1946, she departed this life on March 28, 2018. She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter Delecia Smith and granddaughter DeOriana Ervin.

she found P.E.A.C.E., "I just needed a lot of answers I wasn't getting from the people I had been in contact with. Teresa is a Rock," she says of the organization's president. "If it hadn’t been for her, I don't know if I would have made it today."

Accompanied by Teresa, Jacqueline traveled to a prison some years after her first son's death to meet with his killer, a boyhood friend of her son before the shooting. Why the potentially hurtful face-toface consultation?

"This boy slept, ate, and everything else in my home,” she said. “They were supposed to be friends, I needed to understand how this could happen. Knowing his background and his family, I could accept there was some truth in what he was saying. It made me have a little understanding and gave me some balance and closure."

Having come full circle with her own pain, she volunteers believing "some good came out of my loss, (so)that I can help somebody else."

"I want people to take us seriously," says. founder Teresa Evans. P.E.A.C.E. is more than just a group of people bonded by their common experience. "We are professionally trained in grief counseling," Founded in 2004, the organization is now in its 15th year of service.

The volunteers regularly travel the country and attend events and conferences, bringing information back to their Buffalo efforts. They've attended the National Alliance for Grieving Children conference, and regularly participate in support group facilitator training through Niagara County's Mental Health Association in Lockport. Each year in September for the past nine years they host the local “National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims,” event.

Still, the center of the group's strength is that each volunteer has been on the front lines of a homicide loss and is able to ally themselves with others currently experiencing the heartache in a way that is exclusive. " “It takes heart to truly support a surviving family,” says Daniels. “What we do is from the heart. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you

P.E.A.C.E. Pictured (l-r) Deborah Daniels, Jacqueline Wells, Teresa Evans, and Lenore Reynolds. PHOTO by RONNIE TILLMAN

care. We let women know that we care."

The suddenness and finality, the women agree, is what makes homicide death so unique to shoulder. Through a prolonged illness, there is the chance to talk with loved ones with some hope they can hear you even if they're in a coma. However, says Daniels, "when the police come to your door, everything is cut off.

When you kill someone you don't just kill that person and

it's over. You have killed the history of a person's family.

Not only the past history, but the future history. People don't understand the depth and the duration of the pain."

"We don't want pity or sympathy, we just want some understanding," adds Wells. And they know that to be universally true. "When a mother cries out we want to be there to help her. Who can do it better than us, because we've walked that walk.”

The women want readers to know that one should never say something like "it's time to get over it." Years later a memory, a smell, or an anniversary can bring a genuine remembrance of the tragedy as if it were as fresh as yesterday.

"They say God doesn't give you more than you can handle," says Deborah. "I believe He doesn't give you the full impact of the death right away, otherwise you'd literally die of a broken heart. He gives it to us in stages."

For this reason also, the women agree it is important not to dismiss a family member too soon after the funeral.

Deborah continues: "People are there for you but after the ceremony you're left alone, while grief is a journey. Check on folks afterwards too."

They recount another mother's story of a neighbor who brought a cold cuts plate to her house more than a week after the funeral. Still proContinued Page 13

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Entertainment

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

Beychella's Buffalo Connection!

The talented Venzella Joy Williams, Vidie T. Williams and Amber Renee Camp of WNY were apart of history performing with Beyonce during her 2018 Coachella Music Festival!

Congratulations Ladies!

Photo by Mel D. Cole

Beyonce’s Triumphant Coachella Performance!

An Unapologetic Celebration of Black Culture!

L

ast Saturday night Beyonce made history as the first Black woman to Headline Coachella, one of the world’s highest grossing music festivals.

Queen Bey was triumphant in her historic performance, which was an unapologetic celebration of Black culture.

The following facebook post by A.J. Mims of Detroit, perfectly captures that awesome event!

“She’s the first Black woman to headline Coachella. She sang Lift Every Voice, the Black national anthem. She walked out like a damn drum major ! She had a step show and gave props to the Divine 9. She gave us Afro Latino, Afro Caribbean beats, Go-Go, Trap music, Rock, Operatic vocals, even Chopped and Screwed.

“She said I’m gon’ sing Drunk in Love on a crane and did!

She played patty cake with Solange. She reunited with Destiny’s Child and Michelle Crip Walked. She swag surfed with an HBCU band!!!! She had Shawn Corey Carter come out and I can’t think of a more accomplished Black rapper who somehow has stayed relevant when he puts out music. She had majorettes, she had samples of Fela Kuti and Nina Simone. You can hear Malcolm X’s voice talk about “the most disrespected and least protected person in the world Black women,” she’s unapologetically BLACK! “She had fat Black women dancing front and center, did you see that thick girl twirling that baton?! We heard Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speak on feminism. LES TWINS showed the hell out! She gave us stamina, vocals, changed 5 times, and only had 3 sips of water! You could see Rihanna front row center getting her whole life because Black women support each other. She never slipped, was never outta breath. Who else you know can change nail polish during a costume change?! She is one of the best performers in history. You can’t name a better performer alive and she will be (and is) as iconic as Michael Joseph Jackson. She honestly doesn’t have to give us anything else after this performance but you know she is!”

As if her mind-blowing Coachella set weren’t already a musical, visual and physical triumph, Beyonce revealed on Monday morning that the set’s collegiate theme was pointing to a scholarship program: Through her BeyGOOD initiative, the singer announced the four schools to receive the newly established Homecoming Scholars Award Program for the 2018-2019 academic year. The Universities, Xavier, Wilberforce, Tuskegee and Bethune-Cookman, are all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). *Coachella is the name of a city as well as a valley in southern California. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly referred to as Coachella) is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, located in the Inland Empire's Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert.

ON STAGE •Oscar’s Back To The Community Tribute

The legendary Oscar Alston Will Be Playing Tribute To The Music of The Delfonics, The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly & Maze and Morris SATURDAY, APRIL 21•Doors 7pm • Concert 8 pm Schiller Park Center 2057 Genesee St. Buffalo.

Guest Artists Include •The Next Level from Niagara Falls •Uncle Willie •Thomas Hall from The Exotics, •Denzel Ward and more Tickets $20 • VIP $30 & Includes Priority Seating, Free Drink And More...

For Tickets Or Group Rates 716/-222-2939. Also Available @ Doris Records 286 E. Ferry To donate to this worthy community event - GoFundMeBackToTheCommunity Visit Oscar at: OscarAlston.com Facebook - Oscar Alston Food Truck Tuesdays Is Back!

Larkin Square’s Food Truck Tuesdays is back and running now thru October. In addition to up to 28 food trucks in the Square, more trucks will be parked at Flying Bison Brewing company, 840 Seneca St. in Larkinville. Live music mini golf and other attractions will be featured.

•Drea D'Nur, Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. Canisius College Montante Cultural Center. Her performance is entitled “Healing Songs in Beautiful Spaces.” D’Nur’s work, which often has activist undertones, has received national and international acclaim. Tickets are $35. Part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Canisius Afro-American Society .

•Coming up at the Helium: •LaVelle Crawford - May 10May 13 •Arnez J. - May 24 - May 27 30 Mississippi St.: 853-1211

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

Taylor Made Jazz Celebrates its 30 Year Anniversary with Black Tie Gala Event On April 21, 2018 the internationally known and Buffalobased band Taylor Made Jazz will celebrate its 30th year with a black-tie gala at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara Hotel, 1340 Millersport Hwy, Amherst, NY 14221. The event will kick off with a private V.I.P. reception at 6:00. Doors will open at 7:00 for general admission.

This show will be led by the original vocalists of Taylor Made Jazz. In 2003, the City of Buffalo declared July 22, as Taylor Made Jazz day in the City of Buffalo and the band has only continued to grow and impact the community with its unique blend of original jazz and R&B. The far-reaching impact of Taylor Made Jazz can be seen in the biographies of its core vocalists who will be featured at the gala: -Joey Diggs: Vocalist and music producer, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee, 2016. Diggs’ noted history is as one of the lead singers of UST Topaze, and for his work in Rick James on the Come Get It album and arranging harmonies for the DooRags.

-Sandra Toussaint Crippen: Vocalist who appeared at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY during the 90’s, and on City Rhythm TV during the 80’s.

-Henry Wright, Jr.: Vocalist from Lackawanna, NY, started singing with Unique Sounds during the 70’s, which became UST Topaze, and worked as gospel drummer and singer throughout Western New York -Annette Batia: Lead Vocalist on the hit song “Springtime Love” with the Exoutics, written by Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee Ron Walker.

The show will feature original songs from the albums Agape and The Next Step performed by Taylor Made Jazz musicians Robert Garrett (drummer), Brian Freeman (trumpet, also known as the “jazz” of Taylor Made Jazz), Jerry Livingston (bass), Nelson Thomas (guitar), Michael Crymes (drums), and band-leader Van Taylor (piano/keyboard, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee, 1998).

Hosting the show will be the band’s current vocalists, Melissa Kate and Joyce Wilson-Nixon, and special guest hosts David Allen and Eric Martin. A special performance by Buffalo Music Hall of Famers The Exoutics will open the event Featuring Ron Walker Michael Pennick and Thomas Hall..

Robeson Theatre Celebrates Mother’s Day With Dinner Theatre Featuring “Blackberry Daze” A Murder Romance Musical Written in the Key of the Blues The Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center will close out its 50th anniver-sary season with it’s final production of the season “Blackberry Daze” written by Ruth P. Watson and Thomas W. Jones II and original music score written by William Knowles.

Blackberry Daze is a musical adaptation of Ruth P. Watson’s romantic mystery thriller (Blackberry Days of Summer), which made its world premier under the direction of Thomas W. Jones II (Three Sis-tahs, Bessie’s Blues) and William Knowles’ in 2017. The dazzling period score makes this an ex-citing new work on the American Theatre landscape.

It is the end of “The Great War” and a small Virginia town is rocked by secrets and seduction as Herman Camm, a provocative gambler, weaves his magic on the lives of three unsuspecting wom-en, Mae Lou and her daughter Carrie, and Pearl, a blues singer at the local juke joint.

The ensemble cast includes: Latosha Payton, Danielle Green, Sandra Gilliam, Tifani Wofford, Ayana Williams, Augustus Donaldson Jr. and Fisher.

“Black Classical Music” Is A Celebration Of Freedom And Creativity!

Pine Grill Reunion April Is Jazz Appreciation Month (fondly known as "JAM") and created right here at the museum in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April.

This year, JAM celebrates the relationship between jazz and justice by looking beyond the music to the dynamic ways jazz has played a transformative role in social justice, musician's rights, and equality since its birth in America.

Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) sets out to promote jazz both as an historical and a contemporary art form. It’s celebrated in 40 nations, and every state of the USA. During JAM, schools, concert halls and libraries are encouraged to host events to get local areas interested. Jazz, also known as “Black Classical Music,” is a celebration of freedom and creativity!

Applications Available for Vendors, Entertainers Vendor applications are available for African American Cultural Center's Pine Grill Jazz Reunion at www. aaccbuffalo.org Groups interested in performing send EPK to paulrobesontheatrebuffalo@gmail.com or drop off to AACC at 350 Masten Ave. Attn: Paulette D. Harris, Event Coordinator. Info contact 716-884-2013 x103

Duncan Ghanaian Dance Troup to Perform Last Thembi Named Director of Show of 2017-2018 Tour Here Arts Engagement Griffin Brady and the award sinning Saakumu Dance Troupe of Ghana, West Africa, will perform the last show of their 2017- and Education at 2018 U.S. tour in Buffalo on Saturday, April 21 at 500 Seneca Shea’s Performing Street. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6. The all ages performance is open to the public. Suggested donation is Arts Center $10. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

Members of the troupe were visiting the Rafi Green CAO community center several weeks ago.

Saakumu means traditions and Edward Green, the group’s lead drummer, said during a brief talk with the Challenger, that traditional Ghanaian music “from north to the south” would be featured during the upcoming show. In addition to authentic African drumming and dancing, an African market will feature handmade clothing, fabric, art work and instruments for purchase.

Edward added that the tour has been great, and the group really enjoys and appreciates being able to share their culture with receptive audiences where ever they perform. One of the leading traditional/contemporary dance and music group in Ghana, West Africa, Saakumu is led by master musician, Bernard Woma.

“I love how you (the people) take what we bring you,” Edward said.

The performance is being presented by The Slyboots School of Music, Art and Dance and the Buffalo World Music Dance Academy. Don’t miss it!

Pearls Collective to Celebrate Master Poet Jimmie Margaret Gilliam The Pearls Collective presents “Mothers’ Pearls: In Celebration of Master Poet Jimmie Margaret Gilliam” on April 21 at 7p.m. at the Main Street Gallery. Featured readers will include: Lorna C. Hill, Geri Grossman, Gary Earl Ross, Cecile White, Kathryn Henderson, and Renee Armstrong. Guest Pianist, Dr. Jacquelyn Hemphill-Peoples and bassist- Sabu Adeyola. The suggested donation is $5. Partial proceeds to benefit the Harvest House Center of Buffalo (175 Jefferson Ave. NY 14210).

The Pearls is a Women’s Writing Collective that was developed out of a Just Buffalo Literary Center writing workshop led by master teacher Jimmie Margaret Gilliam in the winter of 2004. The women in the group continued to meet and write together through 2015. Jimmie Margaret Gilliam passed away in 2016. Her life and legacy continue to be felt and inspired.

One To Watch : The LAST O.G. Comedians Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish star in a new TV comedy series “The Last O.G.” on Tuesdays ,10 p.m., TBS Cable Channel 26. Be sure to Tune In!

Michael G. Murphy, President of Shea’s Performing Arts Center has announced the appointment of Thembi Duncan as Director of Arts Engagement and Education.

Formerly Creative Programs Director at Young Playwrights’ Theater in Washington DC, she will manage the arts engagement and education programming across Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, Shea’s 710 Theatre, and Shea’s Smith Theatre, while developing collaborative projects that are responsive to and inclusive of the needs and interests of area schools and the diverse communities of WNY. The Director of Arts Engagement and Education is a new position at Shea’s.

“Thembi’s impressive passion for fostering community engagement makes her an ideal visionary leader for Shea’s., said Murphy. “After building a nearly 20-year career in the Washington DC arts community, I’m excited to connect to the rich cultural legacy of Buffalo and contribute to the future of arts and culture in Western New York,” said Ms. Duncan. “This new position reflects Shea’s commitment to increasing exposure to the performing arts, and I’m eager to begin building relationships across the region; working with schools and diverse organizations to design inclusive arts engagement programs" said Ms. Duncan.

10

Generations

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

Sentimental Spring: A Music, Art , Poetry Showcase C.C.A. (Christ Crusaders Assembly) invites all those who are inspired by music, vocalists, art, and poetry to our showcase event “Sentimental Spring ” Saturday April 28 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. (doors open 7p.m.), 300 Kensington Ave. This Showcase will not only include music, inspiring vocalists, art, and poets, but it will also provide a safe, comfortable, informative, and exciting experience.For any inquiries regarding attending, or donating for this event please Jermaine Jackson at (716)259-5034. The entrance fee for “Sentimental Spring” is $5. All proceeds will benefit Beds4Buffalo. Come out and be inspired through the arts!!

Who Will Be Miss Jabberwock 2018?

N

DELTA CONTINUES JABBERWOCK LEGACY

ow in their 75th year of service to the Buffalo-Niagara Community, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Buffalo Alumnae Chapter continues a legacy of leadership in youth development with their Jabberwock Extravaganza.

The first Jabberwock was held in 1966 at Woodlawn Jr. High School on May 14, 1966. Under the leadership of chapter president, Dr. Mattie L. Rhodes, and Jabberwock Co-Chairs Mrs. Trina Burruss and Mrs. JoAnna Johnson, the tradition continues this year on Saturday, April 28 at the Adams Mark Hotel. Dr. Rhodes explains, “Deltas will present ten dynamic young ladies in a tradition that began over 50 years ago in Western New York as a local effort of a nation-wide Delta program that started in 1923.” Mrs. Burruss continued, “The Cotillion-style presentation is the culmination of eight months of leadership development and skills building, with a review of the participant experiences as well as a showcase of talent in an evening of dining and dancing. We could not achieve this level of program excellence without each of our very hardworking sorority members and our generous sponsors and site partners, who include Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, CAO, Northwest Bank and Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.”

In October, the Jabberwock participants engaged in self-reflection and in getting to know one another at an opening retreat where they embarked on visioning, a Zumba class, a professional development workshop and a dialogue on activism and voting rights. Through the following months, the young ladies continued with cultural and educational enhancement covering topics including academic success factors, healthy lifestyles, dealing with bullying and financial literacy.

There was plenty of fun along the way, attending the Black Panther movie, a lecture by Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison and other social outings. Importantly, the young ladies learned that “service is the rent we pay in life,” through projects at Friends of the Night People and the Food Bank.

The service project was directed by Dr. Ramona Reynolds, who stated, “In this, the 50th year of the Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. it was fitting that their service projects took place on the King holiday in January.”

This Delta program also brings out the competitive nature of the Jabberwock participants, as they implemented many creative fundraising ideas to build a pool of funds for scholarships.

There were raffles, purse sales, an art show, bowling parties, skating parties and more!

Jabberwock 2018 class is comprised of 10 high energy, fully engaged lovely young ladies; representing high schools across WNY. They are: Janiya Croxie, a Sophomore at Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts, daughter of Joel and Sonya Croxie. Robin Flowers-Quinniey, a Junior at Amherst Central High School, daughter of Nyeema Quienniey and granddaughter of Kenneth and Verlaine Quinniey. Macayla Glenn, a Freshman at Sacred Heart Academy and daughter of Heather Blue. Diamond Howard, a Junior at Amherst Central High School, daughter of Tiffany White and David Howard. Taylor Hunter, a Senior from Tapestry Charter High School, daughter of Robert and Dawn Hunter.

Trinity Jackson, a Junior from Niagara Falls High School, daughter of FeKela Cox. Dominique Moore, a Junior from Hutch Tech High School and daughter of Tyrone and Tasha Moore.

Camille Pope, Senior from Health Sciences Charter School, and daughter of Alfred and Shirley Pope. Amaya Walker, Sophomore from Cleveland Hill High School, daughter of Nicole Walker, Marry Tess Wright, Junior from City at City Honors School, daughter of Tracy Thorton.

Event Co-Chair, Mrs. JoAnna Johnson notes, “This year’s theme of 'In The Garden, Stepping Into Womanhood' has been a joy to carry out through a wide variety of activities and opportunities that are like different beautiful flowers in a garden. We also celebrate the unique beauty of each young lady with whom we build special, nurturing relationships. We invite the public to attend this very special occasion!” Tickets are available through April 19 for $45 per person at JabberwockBAC@gmail.com.

Dr. Marie M. Dove, Is Returning Home To Where Her Legacy Is Being Celebrated After Thirty Five Years Of Ministry Her roots began in the city of Buffalo NY at the Coldspring COGIC Jesus (the late Bishop Leroy Jones Sr.) Her teenage years were spent at Bethesda (Pastor Billy White). Her initial sermon was at Apostolic House of Prayer (Bishop Jacqueline Foye). She received ministerial training at Greater Faith Bible Tabernacle (the late Bishop Nathan S. Halton) previously served as the Pastors and Ministers Wives President for District #10 Jurisdiction #2 while attending Cornerstone COGIC After this Dr. Dove was Ordained an Evangelist at Prayerroom Storehouse Mission (the late Pastors James and Hazel Tucker).

During the 90's she was elevated to the office of Prophet birthing out prophetic moves of God. Prophetess Marie M Dove Ministries International (PMDMI) was birthed.

Over the span of three decades her ministry and community outreach has transformed many lives.

She is coming home where it all began! Come out and celebrate with us on Thursday and Friday and Saturday, April 19, 20 and 21 when Legacy 35 will honor her.

On Thursday April 19 at 7:30 p.m. a birthday celebration in her honor will be held at The Sanctuary Church, 2327 Main Street. On Friday, April 20, a Power of a midnight praise will be held at Saints Tabernacle. COGIC, 1301 Genesee Street. And on Saturday April 21 a luncheon honoring Dr. Dove will be held at 12 noon at Salvatores Gardens Hotel, 6615 Transit Road.

Meet James

CEO & Stylist, Organic Gentlemen “My experience with the Allstate MWEE program has been nothing less than amazing. The environment is well designed for those seeking to grow their businesses.

Thanks to this class, I’m surrounded by intelligent individuals who have done nothing but add value to my business. I love having the opportunity to learn from my classmates and understand why they’ve decided to become entrepreneurs—it’s always inspiring to hear about their journeys!

At the end of the day we all want to make a profit, but our ultimate goal is to help people and provide for our loved ones.”

- James Moise, 2018 Graduate

VOICES

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

Former Felons and Parolees Are Eligible Brotherman’s Progress Report Support The Trust Fund For 10-Year-Old Gun To Vote In NYS Political Elections Violence Victim Donnell “Donny” Bibbes!

O

ne of the most persistent rumors to dispel is the one that is believed that once you commit a felony and are convicted and incarcerated, you are barred for life from voting in New York State! Although other states and municipalities may have this voting restriction, ex or former felons in NYS can re-establish their right to participate in the local and national primaries and general elections by simply filling out a new voter registration form. These forms are available at most library branches, community centers, many churches and civic organizations.

S

tudents and village stakeholders are urged to take certain action in support of now 10 year-old Donnell as well as other BPS students who are traumatized by senseless gun violence and ungodly fratricide!

Betty Jean

GRANT

The election process for former felons works this way. Once an individual is convicted and sent to incarceration, their right to vote is abolished until after the time they are released from prison, either by serving their time or being put on parole. During the time period which a person is on parole, they are not eligible to vote because they have not served their conviction time, but have been released due to good behavior or some other factor.

After this former felon has fulfilled the time frame of being on parole and is released from the parole system, they can re-register to vote by simply filling out a new voter registration form.

It must also be stated and known that the nature or severity of the crime a felon has committed or the length of time he or she has been on parole has nothing to do with whether they can register or in some cases, re-register to vote.

Another misconception is that those who were not sent to jail but granted probation also lose their voting rights. This is not true and has never been accurate. One must be convicted and sentenced to incarceration in order to lose voting privileges.

Probation is handed down to an individual convicted of a crime in lieu of jail time for anticipated good behavior. If one is on probation and did not go to prison for his crime; he may have been given a chance to do community service or some sort of restitution to the victim instead of being sentenced to a specific time to serve in jail. These individuals, who were placed on probation, their voting rights were never purged and they can vote in any election as long as they are a duly registered citizen of the United states and are 18 years old or older.

As a citizen and a community activist, it is my obligation and duty to ensure that all who are eligible to vote are given accurate information and the opportunity to cast an election ballot as an informed and engaged participant in the electoral process. If you need a voter registration to be mailed to your place of residence or mailing address, please call Betty Jean Grant @ (716) 602-5877.

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

“We wish to plead our own cause.

Too long have others spoken for us.”

- John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal.

1827 America’s 1st Black Newspaper

On the night of Aug. 25, 2016 then 8-yearold Donnell "Donny" Bibbes was shot in the head after a gunman fired about 15 bullets at the car he was in with his family, striking Donnell in the head leaving him legally blind.

Donnell also lost his 16 year-old brother Lewis Brewer (Riverside High) to homicide/ fratricide that same year . His sister DazhaBURGIN nique, also a Riverside student, had to drop out due to traumatic stress.

It’s time for our people to Wake-up! Mind-up! Measure-up!

Bro. Charles

Having endured several serious operations to his head, Donnell, who is on SSI, has visible scars from surgery, but he is one blessed child with a very happy smile and an unbelievable disposition considering the circumstances.

This child of the village must not simply become a statistic because too many of us have become desensitized to gun violence and systemic programmed fratricide (Black on Black killings). I met with attorney Hugh Russ and it was agreed that his firm would do pro bono Donnell work as to establishing a “Special Needs” Trust Fund for Donnie. That completed, the District Parent Coordinating Council Mentor Trauma & Violence Committee of BPS now seeks to galvanize public donations to Donnie’s Trust Fund.

By law this “Special Needs” trust fund is not a charity and monies donated are not tax deductible. Donations can be mailed to DPCC Mentor Trauma & Violence Committee, P.O. Box 233, Buffalo, N.Y. 14201. Checks, money orders etc. should be made out to “Donnell Bibbes Trust Fund.” This public drive for donations to Donnie’s trust fund will end May 31, 2018. This gives us plenty of time to connect with various clergy, business, government, education, civic organizations and individuals.

Concurrently, it is crucial that more be done on behalf of our BPS students and families impacted by the trauma of gun violence and the many vulnerable youth lacking any critical thinking skills, morals, knowledge of cultural identity, who are programmed into self-hating fratricide. Thus we have reserved East High School auditorium from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm on Monday May 7 for a “Take A Stand Against Gun Violence, Schools To Prison Pipeline, and Strategizing To Reduce Fratricide In The Nickel City Initiative.”

Various frontline organizations and community stakeholders will participate. My locally produced documentary “It Is Easier To Build Strong Children Than to Repair Broken Men: Mind-up Mentor-up Measure-up Help End Nickel City Fratricide” will be shown. Student voices will also be heard as to solutions and building a movement for real change! ( Brother Charles Burgin is Chair of the District Parent Coordinating Council Mentor Trauma & Violence Committee for Buffalo Public Schools.)

Challenger Community News P.O. BOX 474 Buffalo, NY 14209 advertising@thechallengernews.com

P: 716 881.1051 F: 716 881.1053

11

Black Homeownership: The More Things Change…

Dear Editor: Fifty Years ago, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (aka the Fair Housing Act), was signed into law one week after the Assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As we pause to remember Dr. King and the incomplete work for equality in America, five decades later, we see Black homeownership is 42% and the White homeownership rate is 72% in America.

Those statistics are virtually unchanged! We have lots of work to do!

Antoine Thompson National Executive Director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers

We Must Support Candidates That Care About Black People!

Dear Editor: On Friday March 30, Stephon Clark’s autopsy was released.

Clark is the young man shot to death by the Sacramento, California police. It showed that 7 of the 8 police bullets that tore through his body hit him in the back. They fired 20 bullets in all.

Sacramento police claimed Stephon was moving toward them in a “threatening” way. How is this possible if he was shot from behind 7 times, in his own backyard, with only his cellphone in his hands?

There is one person in Sacramento that can hold the officers that murdered Stephon accountable: Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert. It’s her job to charge these officers with murdering Stephon in his own backyard.

But Schubert’s record on criminal justice is shameful. For example, in 2016, Sacramento police killed Joseph Mann, a mentally-ill Black man armed with only a pocket knife. The dashboard camera footage clearly showed the officers saying “F--k this guy,” attempting to run him over twice, and then getting out to shoot him dead in the street.

Schubert decided not to prosecute the officers.

District Attorneys like Anne Marie Schubert have a history of protecting police, and denying Black families like Stephon’s justice. If she won’t do her job, then we want to find someone else who will.

At Color Of Change PAC, we’ve already made plans to support candidates that care about Black people in almost 30 races across the country. Until justice is real...

--Arisha, Jenni, Hope, Shannon, Kwesi, Bhavik, Reagan, Daniel, Scott and the Color Of Change PAC Team

dear editor

The Power of Organizing

Dear Editor: The oldest strategy known to mankind is divide and conquer; it's biblical in nature. The best counter strategy is organize and boycott behind a common goal that takes a stand to emphasize a point of view or right a wrong.

The first step is to start small and think big. An activity like recycling is a basic step with huge possibilities. The next step is a game changer. Invest the proceeds from recycling in equipment to process recycled material and in that process build an economic engine that will create jobs!!

Once groups like Block Clubs and Community Centers are organized; the strategy of purchasing power can reward supporters or punished exploiters.

It would be a tribute to honor what Dr. Matin Luther King stood for and lead to the path from poverty.

-Joseph Allen

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• Classified Deadline: Thursday 5 p.m.

We respectfully submit that the opinions expressed on the editorial pages of this newspaper are not necessairly those of Challenger Community News Corporation or its advertisers.

Advertising /News/ Information/Inquiries adver tising@thechallengernews.com

Phone: 716-881-1051 Fax: 716-881-1053

12

Email legals & classifieds to: advertising@thechallengernews.com • Deadline Fridays @ 5pm

EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED

JOB ALERT Hiring: Hospitality Positions For more information visit UnilandEmployment.com

ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR

Supervises & prepares F/S & reports for all programs; maintains GL, AR,AP,FA & depreciation. B.S. in Acctg or related field from a 4-yr Coll/ Univ & min of 5 yrs exp.. 1 yr supv exp preferred in non profit. Apply @ CAO HR Dept. 45 Jewett Ave, Bflo, NY or caohr@roadrunner.com.

JOBS

Buffalo Employment and Training Center /BETC • 716-856-5627 www.workforcebuffalo.org

Orientation Times: Mon. – Thurs.10 am or 2 pm.

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor -Part time Coordinate vocational skills, evaluations, and training for persons with disabilities. Assist with an individual's disability and maximize community participation.

Must possess a Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification plus a Master’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation. Working knowledge of computers including databases, work processing, and networks.

Resume and cover letter to WNYIL, Inc. 3108 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14214 employment@wnyil.org EEOC

Queen City Job Fair A Queen City Job Fair will be held on Thursday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin Street. The event is hosted by Senator Tim Kennedy in partnership with Gov. Andrew Como, the NYS Department of Labor, Mayor Byron Brown and Assemblywoman Crystal PeoplesStokes. Bring copies of your resume. Dress to impress.

SUPPORT SMALLBUSINESSES! LEGAL NOTICE RFP

LEGAL NOTICE Bank of America v. Lashua

Buffalo City School District Advertisement for Bids Sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the office of Plant Services, 403 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202. On Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud for: Gymnasium Ventilation at P.S. 76: Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy Bids will be opened for a single prime contract. Beginning Monday, April 16, bidding document packages may be viewed and purchased through Avalon Document Services online Planroom website at www. avalonbuff-planroom.com, under “Public Jobs,” or ordered by phone at 716-995-7777.

Owner can assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or other misinformation obtained via other bid document distribution resources.

Please note that required bid bond is 10%. The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. Bidders with questions or requests for site access should contact Daniel Keefe, AIA, 716-816-3725.

Paul McDonnell, AIA Director of Facilities Planning

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF ERIE Bank of America, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Erie County Public Administrator as Administrator for the Estate of Ralph Edward Lashua a/k/a Ralph E. Lashua, Kimberly Guerrero as heir to the Estate of Ralph Edward Lashua a/k/a Ralph E. Lashua, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 2-14-2018 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Foreclosure Alcove of the Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 on 4-25-2018 at 9:30AM, premises known as 88 Riverside Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14207. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Buffalo, County of Erie and State of New York, SECTION: 77.56, BLOCK: 1, LOT: 1. Approximate amount of judgment $91,020.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #811237/2016. Cheryl McFadden Zak, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-074666-F00 52242

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE Citimortage v. Parker/Paulk

COUNTY OF ERIE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS & PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING SERVICES Erie Community College City Campus 2018 Various ADA Upgrades & Ellicott Street Building Elevator Modernization ECDPW Project No. NT-18-03 The County of Erie Department of Public Works is seeking qualification statements and proposals from interested Architectural & Engineering firms to provide professional design services for the above mentioned project. Qualification statements and proposals for the project must be received by the County’s Commissioner of Public Works, Rath County Office Building, 95 Franklin Street, Suite 1400, Buffalo, NY 14202 until 2:00 PM EST, Thursday, May 10, 2018. RFQ/RFP submission instructions may be found at: www.erie.gov/ dpw/

LEGAL NOTICE BID

NFTA Procurement Invitation to Bid

4778 - TRACTION MOTOR OVERHAUL Download Bids from www. nfta.com LEGAL NOTICE

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF ERIE CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff -against- RAYSHAWN M. PARKER, SHANA D. PAULK, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated October 30, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Foreclosure Alcove, 1st Floor, Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY on May 2, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. premises situate in the City of Buffalo, County of Erie and State of New York, being part of Lot 89, Township 11, Range 8 of the Holland Land Company Survey and further distinguished as Subdivision Lot 45, as shown on a map filed in the Erie County Clerk's Office under Cover No. 1182. Section: 77.76 Block: 3 Lot: 16 Said premises known as 67 SAINT FLORIAN STREET, BUFFALO, NY Approximate amount of lien $78,230.47 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 813751/2014. GREGORY J. STEWART, ESQ., Referee David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 99 Powerhouse Road, First Floor, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 File# 5025.1924

BID

REQUEST FOR BID Mark Cerrone, Inc. is requesting quotes for the Taxiway “C” Reconstruction project in Batavia, NY for all scopes of work detailed in contract documents.

Optional MWBE Pre-bid meeting will be held 4/18/18 at 3:30pm at MCI Offices. Documents can be obtained by contacting rmullen@markcerrone.com, Phone 716-282-5244, Fax 716-282-5245 or iSqFt®. Quotes due electronically or in person at 2368 Maryland Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14305 by 4/20/18 at 5:00pm. Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation is strongly encouraged.

LEGAL NOTICE RFP The Erie County Department of Mental Health (ECDMH) is issuing a Request for Proposals to provide Critical Time Intervention Care Management with Integrated Housing and Community Supports for those Recovering from Substance Use Related Disorder, RFP # 1814VF. Applicants eligible to respond to this Request for Proposal are existing providers who receive NYS OMH and/ or NYS OASAS funding contracted through the Erie County Department of Mental Health. The RFP and associated forms can be obtained at: httpww://w2.erie.gov/purchasing/ index.php?q=requests-proposalsamp-construction-bids. Responses must be received on or before May 14, 2018, at 3:00 p.m., and submitted per specifications delineated within the RFP.

LEGAL NOTICE RFP REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The NFTA is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for - BNIA - Pavement Management Program Study Update, Project No. 31BA1736. Proposals are due by 2:00 PM on May 4, 2018. www.nftaengineering.com

LEGAL NOTICE BID REQUEST FOR BID Mark Cerrone, Inc. is requesting bids for the following projects for all scopes of work detailed in contract documents. Optional MWBE Pre-bid meetings will be held interested firms at MCI Office. Documents can be obtained by contacting the associated estimator, Phone 716-282-5244, Fax 716-282-5245 or iSqFt®. Bids due electronically or in person at 2368 Maryland Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14305. Certified firms for associated goals are strongly encouraged.

City Wide Mill & Overlay Project Group 923 in Buffalo, NY. Contact: cganje@markcerrone.com. Optional MWBE Meeting Available Upon Request. MBE:25%, WBE:5%. Proposals due to MCI by 4/23/18 at 2:00PM. Safety Improvements Colvin/Brighton Project in Buffalo, NY. Contact: cganje@markcerrone.com. Proposals due to MCI by 5/1/18 at 2:00PM. NPP UST Replacement – NYPA Project in Lewiston, NY. Contact: jmccune@markcerrone.com. Optional DBE Meeting 4/25/18 at 3:30pm.

MBE:10%, WBE:5%. Proposals due to MCI by 5/2/18 at 2:00PM.

LEGAL NOTICE

Finance of Americaa v. Simpson

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF ERIE Plaintiff designates ERIE as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Mortgaged Premises: 355 LONGNECKER STREET BUFFALO, NY 14206 District: Section: 112.34 Block: 2 Lot: 52 INDEX NO. 800514/2016 FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC,

Plaintiff, -against-

TONJA SIMPSON, AS PROPOSED EXECUTRIX, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ANNETTE GLOWKA; BRENDA A. MATTAR, AS PROPOSED EXECUTRIX, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ANNETTE GLOWKA; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ANNETTE GLOWKA any and all persons unknown to

plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, JEAN MARIE MOORE, "JOHN DOE #2" through "JOHN DOE #12," the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

To the above-named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff's Attorney within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until (60) days after service of the Summons; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $66,000.00 and interest, recorded on September 25, 2013, at Liber 13655 Page 1944, of the Public Records of ERIE County, New York, covering premises known as 355 LONGNECKER STREET BUFFALO, NY 14206.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. ERIE County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your

case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: March 23, 2018 RAS BORISKIN, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff BY: SELENA MARCHAN, ESQ. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 106 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675

LEGAL NOTICE

BID

COUNTY OF ERIE NOTICE TO BIDDERS COLVIN BLVD CR118 & BRIGHTON RD CR196 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJ# FA-118-196-18 PIN 5760.97 Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, seeking sealed bids for county road intersectionconstruction project. Sealed proposals received at the DPW, 95 Franklin St, Rm 1400, Buffalo, NY at10 am, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Certified check as bid deposit in the amount of $25,000.00 required.Minority Workforce goal, NYS Apprenticeship, & Davis Bacon Wage Rates required. Plans andadditional bid submittal information on the Erie County website at: http://www2.erie.gov/dpw see OnLine Bid Retrieval.

ROOMS

ROOMS FOR RENT: Delavan-Humboldt area, Bailey-Delavan. $325$480. Everything included.

(716)818-3410.

13

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

NEW BUSINESSES LLC -LEGAL NOTICENOTICE of FORMATION of a DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY VPD RJG LLC Date of filing of Articles of Organization with the NY Dept of State: November 09,2017. Office of the LLC 7954 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY, Erie County. The NYS Secretary of State has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. NYSS may mail a copy of process to the LLC at 7954 Transit Road, Williamsville,NY. Purpose of LLC: Renting and leasing real estate.

No specific duration attached to LLC March 21,28 April 4,11,18,25 -LEGAL NOTICEFIRST MOVE- WNY, LLC Orig filed Articles of Organization w/ the S.S.N.Y. on 2/22/2018. office location is the County of ERIE S.S.N.Y. Designated as agent of LLC, upon whom process against it may be served. S.S.N.Y. Shall mail a copy of any process served upon him to: 2025 Delaware ave Ste 1-E, Buffalo NY 14216- Purpose:any lawful act or activity.

March 28, April 4,11,18,25, May 2 -LEGAL NOTICEBALANCE PROPERTIES & CONSULTANTS, LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 4/3/2018. Office: Erie Co. SSNY desi. as agt. for process & shall mail to: The LLC, 192 Stevens Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215. Any lawful purpose.

April 11,18,25, May ,2,9,16 -LEGAL NOTICELEVEL UP TRANSPORTATION LLC. Arts of Org. filed with the Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/02/2018. Office: Erie County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 7954 Transit Road # 252 Williamsville, NY 14221.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose and any lawful activity. There is no specific date of dissolution.

April 18,25, May 2,9,16,23 -LEGAL NOTICERest Alive LLC filed Articles of Organization with the NY Dept. of State on 3/21/18. Location of LLC: Erie County. The NY Secretary of State is designated as the agent of this LLC upon whom process may be served. NYSS shall mail a copy of process to Rest Alive LLC at: P.O Box 34, Tonawanda NY 14223. Purpose of LLC: Any lawful activity. No date of dissolution.

April 18,25, May 2,9,16,23

Third Annual Restorative Justice Day at UB

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work and Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition, a non-profit advocating for Restorative Practices across Erie County, will be hosting the Third Annual Restorative Justice Day on April 21 from 9am to 5pm.

Located in UB South Campus’s Diefendorf Hall, Restorative Justice Day 2018 will be a free event.

“Racism, trauma, incarceration, and high rates of disproportionate suspensions contributing to the school-toprison pipeline are a few of the many issues facing our nation. But how do we begin to address them?” said Dina Thompson, Board President at Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition. For more info contact Dina Thompson at ecrjc567@gmail.com or call (716)816-8830

Free Firefighter Examination Training Classes Offered Free Firefighter exam training classes are being offered Wednesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Buffalo Employment & Training Center (BETC), 77 Goodell Street. To register email STUDY@CITY-BUFFALO. COM and include your name, phone number and dates of classes you plan to attend.

Classes are also being offered at UB Educational Opportunity Center, 555 Ellicott Street on Wednesday, April 18 from 5:308:25 p.m.; Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. -11:55 a.m.; Tuesday, April 24, from 5:30-8:25 p.m.; Thursday, April 26, 5:30 – 8:25 p.m.; and Saturday, April 28 from 9-11:55 a.m. For more information call 645-1900. Applications also available online. Visit http://www.buffalo.edu/eoc

Homicide Prevention Workshop A Homicide Prevention Workshop will be held Saturday, April 21 at 12 noon, at 940 Broadway. Partners include the P.E.A.C.E. Group, Mount Hope Community Church, Fellowship World, OIC, UCCB and UCC. Learn the “why’s” our children are dying from homicide! Learn why they are going to prison! Call 570-9573 for more information.

P.E.A.C.E.

continued from page 7 cessing her own grief, she'd lost the wherewithal to attend fully to the other children in the house and the food was a lifeline.

Teresa adds more heartfelt advice: "don't say 'he's in a better place.' At seventeen years old, dead isn't a better place." Also, she cautioned, don't ask for too many details.

It is unnecessary to ask the family to relive the tragedy for your curiosity. And don't judge the person's death with something like "'well, you know he was out here in these streets.”

A mother doesn't need to hear that," she laments.

P.E.A.C.E. volunteers offer group counseling in the stages of grief, a drop in support group, one on one support, information about other resources, and a host of services too numerous to include here.

The services are not limited to mothers and fathers. Any family member can reach out to them and expect knowledgeable and empathic help.

Visit their web site at http:// www.peace-buffalo.org or call (716) 842-8700 for more specifics.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

RISE UP RIGHT!

I

Highlights in Sports want to thank everybody for rising up right with me this week! Let's get right into the hottest sports highlights.

AAU Basketball In local sports news, the 716ers Elite semi pro AAU teams held a Lights Out Buffalo Tournament this past weekend. We thank you to thank everyone who supported the tourney and the players who played. Here are a few players who played in this tournament, Brandon Laury, Jesse Snow, Ra'ed Swift, Dan Tyson, Edwin Williams, Brian Greenwood, Marco Falzone, Shamere Farrow, Anthony Brown, and Peyton Metzger.

This 716ers team will travel to Cleveland this week as they look to bring a championship back to Buffalo. Stay Tuned for more details on 716ers AAU Basketball.

NBA Basketball The NBA is heating up like an NBA Jam basketball as the playoffs have arrived. There is a lot of hype going into this years playoff scene due to the competition arguably being at a very high level for the first time in a copious amount of years. Here are the results of Game 1's played this weekend.

In the East, the Pacers beat the Cavs 98-80 even with Lebron James getting his 20th career playoff triple double.

The Celtics push by the Bucks in double OT 113-107.

The Raptors roar to a 114-106 victory over the Wizards.

The 76ers trusted the process and destroyed the Heat 130-103.

In the West, the Warriors fight to a 113-92 over the Spurs.

The Thunder sound off as the Jazz had to take note of a 116108 OKC victory.

The Rockets were too much for the T-Wolves as Harden scores 44 in a 104-101 thriller.

The Upset Alert was upon us when the Pelicans went to Portland and pulled out a 97-95 road victory. Who will win these first round playoff matchups?

Boxing As the first punches were thrown in the NBA playoffs, the gloves were on this week as Ryota Murata defended his title against Emanuele Blandamara and its was lights out for sure as Murata retains his secondary middleweight title with his 11th career knockout. Murata is now 14-1 overall. Cinco de Mayo is coming up and Gennady Golovkin still doesn't have a fight scheduled as Gary O'Sullivan declined to take the fight with GGG. The original GGG vs Alvarez II fight was cancelled due to two positive tests for a banned substance by Alvarez. Who will GGG fight next?

On our next segment of Rise Up Right we will highlight the MLB season that just started last week and the Stanley Cup playoffs in which the Vegas Golden Knights an expansion team holds a 3-0 series lead on the LA Kings. We also will discuss on NFL offseason moves.

If you are wondering what’s next? Make sure you continue to keep up with the latest in sports here with Rise up Right.

For more highlights visit the thechallengernews.com and follow me on these social media sites: Andre Robinson and Rise up Family on Facebook therealtorch716 and riseupfamilyseven16 on Instagram For more highlights visit the thechallengernews.com The Official website is riseupfamily.com

14

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS advertising@thechallengernews.com

ATTORNEYS

ELECTRICAL

LAW OFFICE OF DARIA L. PRATCHER, PC “Everything Real Estate” 523 Main Street (716)541-8574

EMPIRE ELECTRIC (716) 634-0330

PRATCHER & ASSOCIATES Franklin Muhammad (Pratcher) Attorney 1133 Kensington Avenue (716) 838-4612

2372 Genesee St. (716) 894-3742

AUTO

MAUREEN’S Flower Market 441 Ellicott St. * 852-4600

BEN’S Downtown Tire

50 Sycamore (cor. Elm) (716) 856-1066 or 894-1483

Colston Mobil Auto Repair

716 E. Ferry (Near Fillmore)

(716) 896-3910

ART GALLERY Main Street Gallery Lodina Clyburn 515 Main Street Lodina@gmail.com

BAIL BONDS GIST BAIL BONDS

A-1 Bail Bonds 855-2514 or 854-2128

BOOKS ALIVE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE 2275 Fillmore Ave. (716) 837-1118 ZAWADI BOOKS 1382 Jefferson Ave. 716-903-6740

CONSTRUCTION SINGLETON CONSTRUCTION CONSULTLANTS INC. 110 Pearl St. Site 5B (716) 842-2197

FASHION

MON 4/9

EVE-8-2-4

EVE-4-6-4

WIN 4

MID-1-3-6-8 EVE-3-5-9-7

TAKE 5

07-11-19-27-37

MID-9-7-8

3-WAY

MID-4-8-5

TUES 4/10

MID-7-8-8

GERMA'S HAIR BRAIDING (716) 238-2862

HAIR SUPPLY MAIN HAIR & BEAUTY SUPPLY 3067 Main St. (716) 862-4247

HOME IMPROVEMENT HOMEOWNER;

Free Roof Check, Lead Test, All Home Repairs, Payment Plans, Everyone Approved 380-3459

TAILORS ANN RHOD’S Tailoring 3185 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-5633

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

DOCTORS RAPHA FAMILY MEDICINE Frances IIozue MD

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

MID-7-9-2

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04-08-32-34-37

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648

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APRIL Vibes 782-187-678-890347-036 876-069 quick money 189-809-444 886-980-422 322-522-355 800-592-390 394-833-924 127-909-418 927-313-466 124-550-098 511-005/201

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F& S Fashions

MEREA WORLD Transportation Service Specializing in Round Trip & Over Night Trips Text or call 716 939-8892

2200 Main St. (716) 200-4122

SUN 4/8

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Aquarius -496-235-165-579 Pisces - 056-362-237-694 Cancer - 482-372-895-718 Aries - 289-946-034-594 Taurus -258-231-026-695 Gemini-495-257-694-508 Leo-345-213-157-201 Virgo 385-291-431-170 Libra -247-723-179-501 Scorpio - 453-253-571-597 Sagittarius - 389-701-234-924 Capricorn:893-275-342-506

THE NUMBER BOOK

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996

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15

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

THURSDAY APRIL 19

SATURDAY APRIL 21

SATURDAY APRIL 21

Black Chamber of Commerce of WNY Business Networking Affair: 5:30 – 8 p.m. Roswell Cancer Institute Gaylord Cary Conference Room, Carlton and Elm Streets. RSVP to wnyblackchamber@yahoocom For more info (716)400-2041.

University District Community Breakfast Update: 9 a.m.

– noon, Olmsted Law School, 319 Suffolk; hosted by Council Member Wyatt. 851-6699.

Mike's Smooth Urban Ballroom Dance Classes: 11 to 1 PM, Saturdays, Delavan-Grider Community Center, 877 E. Delavan Ave. 716-380-5100 class is $5

Canisius College Afro-American Society Ball: 6 p.m., The Pearl in the Lafayette Hotel downtown Buffalo.featuring sounds of the Lyfe Band.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 25

Foxie Brown Line Dance Classes: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Schiller Senior Center, 2057 Genesee St. 444-2046.

EYES WIDE SHUT!

No More Tears presents “Eyes Wide Shut: The Dangers of Social Media” on Thursday, April 19 at Schiller Park Community Center, 20157 Genesee Street from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

State Senator Tim Kennedy and Deputy Police Commissioner Kimberly Beaty will be the special guests. This event is open to public and the community is urged to attend!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 18 Free Legal Advice Clinic: Our Lady of Hope Church corner of Lafayette and Grant from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) family support group 7 p.m. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4007 Main St. open to the public 716-226-6264 for more info.

Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing with Phyllis Caver at Gloria Parks: 3242 Main St, Buffalo. 12pm - 1pm. FREE for ages 55+ 832 -1010 The Durham Central City Baby Café . Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 pm 200 Eagle St (716)427-0566.

Urban Line Dance Classes: St. Phillips, 15 Fernhill ; 6-8 p.m.; Cheri & Darel 200-9702.

THURSDAY APRIL 19 A Queen City Job Fair will be held on Thursday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin Street.

Hosted by Sen. Tim Kennedy.

No More Tears presents “Eyes Wide Shut: The Dangers of Social Media”: Schiller Park Community Center, 20157 Genesee Street 5:30-7:30 p.m.

State Senator Tim Kennedy and Deputy Police Commissioner Kimberly Beaty special guests. Free and open to the public.

The Durham Central City Baby Café . Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 pm 200 Eagle St. (716)427-0566.

FRIDAY APRIL 20 Red Dress Dance: 7pm- 12am McCoy Convention Center, 653 Clinton $25 contact Darryl Gaiter 698-4585 (BYO) Event Presented by Emslie YMCA Seniors Chicago Steppin: Every Friday 7-8:30 p.m. The Pratt Center 422 Pratt St. Beginners/Intermediate Line Dance Classes Every Friday 6pm Bethel AME Church Hall 1525 Michigan @ E. Ferry Ernestine, Instructor

Saakumu Dance Troupe of Ghana, West Africa: 500 Seneca Street. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. show starts 6p.m. $10.

Children 12 and under free.

Mothers of Pearls: In Celebration of Master Poet Jimmie Margaret Gilliam 7pm at Main Street Gallery Suggested Donation $5.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Marketplace Juneteenth Kickoff Orientation : April 21 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. 1423 Fillmore Ave. (716) 332-3773.

Homicide Prevention Workshop: 12 noon, 940 Broadway.

Partners: PE.A.C.E. Group, Mount Hope Community Church, Fellowship World, OIC, UCCB & UCC. Learn the “why’s” our children are dying from homicide and going to prison. 570-9573.

Board of the Westminster Community Charter School Meeting: 3 p.m. M&T Bank, One M&T Plaza - 19th Floor.

Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing with Phyllis Caver at Gloria Parks: 3242 Main St, Buffalo. 12pm - 1pm. FREE for ages 55+ 832 -1010 The Durham Central City Baby Café . Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 pm 200 Eagle St (716)427-0566.

Urban Line Dance Classes: St. Phillips, 15 Fernhill ; 6-8 p.m.; Cheri & Darel 200-9702.

THURSDAY APRIL 26 FRIDAY APRIL 27 Chicago Steppin: Every Friday 7-8:30 p.m. The Pratt Center 422 Pratt St. Beginners/Intermediate Line Dance Classes Every Friday 6pm Bethel AME Church Hall 1525 Michigan @ E.Ferry Ernestine, Instructor

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 18, 2018

i l d h c i n r t u o o y t t he rhythm! e G *Pre-K programs for children who turn 3 by December 1 are also available.

Restrictions apply.

ROC into Pre-K¡ • Six-hour FREE daily program for city children who turn 4 by December 1* • Healthy breakfast and lunch • Language, social and self-help skills to be ready for school • Educational field trips • Indoor/outdoor play and naptime • Instructional program taught by certified teachers • Available at schools and community agencies in the city • Free monthly RTS bus passes for parents

rocprek.org (585) 262-8140