Challenger Community News April 25, 2018 by Challenger Community News

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April 25, 2018

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FUTURE ENTREPRENEURS!

The YEM Project Focuses On Preparing Young People To Be Future Entrepreneurs. Do You Know A Young Person Who Is Interested In Starting A Business? Page 10

LOCAL

The Amazing Viola Hill Set to Celebrate 100 Years! Page 7

LEGAL

DA Adds Diversity to Office With New Hires Page 3

HEALTH: Local Pastor Issues Call to

Eliminate Health Disparities Page 4

ROCHESTER

“Conscious Teaching and Learning” is Theme of Teacher Conference Page 2

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BUFFALO, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 164

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

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8 am to 12 pm

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Volunteers will receive: • T-shirt, Coffee, Muffins & Danish • Game Ticket vs Lehigh Valley, 1:05 pm & Voucher for Hot Dog & Drink • FREE Game Parking in Oak Street Lot

Call 311 • www.cityofrochester.gov/cleansweep ars of Dou Ye

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-Ebony Nicole Smith, co-founder of the Rochester Black Author Expo, www.EbonyNicoleSmith.com

KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL

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he Rochester Black Author Expo, heading into its 4th year, will feature over 30 authors from across NY State, the country and from Canada. Expanding its territory to other cities and countries was a vision the founder, Corey Lamar Tanksley, and co-founders, Jeanell Coleman-Crimes and Ebony Nicole Smith, had from the very first Expo that featured 12 authors from Rochester. The Expo has grown so much in attendance of readers, supporters and authors, that they have reached full capacity at the hosting location of 200 Genesee St, Rochester (The Wilson Foundation Academy). With each year being a bigger success than the year prior, the trio have set their sights on making the 5th anniversary of the Expo a huge 2 day event, which they hope to have C-Span cover. The Expo is on Saturday, May 5 from 11am to 5pm at 200 Genesee St Rochester NY. It is free and open to the public of all ages. There will be entertainment, food, raffles and giveaways. Anyone interested in becoming a publisher author, writer, or poet should attend. For more on The Rochester Black Author Expo head over to Facebook and search ' The Fourth Annual Rochester Black Author Expo.'

House Keeper Needed

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

Sunday, April 29 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.

The Young Women’s College Prep Charter School will host its first annual College Decision Day Celebration on Tuesday, May 1st, which is National College Decision Day - the deadline for students across the country to send in their commitment to the college or university that they will attend the following academic year. Young Women’s College Prep is celebrating its first senior class this year after opening its doors in 2012. The event will be held a TRIO, 3423 Winton Place, Rochester, NY 14623. Tickets are $30 each and include heavy appetizers, a complimentary drink and desserts. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/YWCPDecisionDay

The Rochester Black Author Expo

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).

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Young Women's College Prep Hosts College Decision Day Celebration

HELP WANTED

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he RTC (Rochester Teacher Center) Institute on Teaching and Learning Informed by Cultural Knowledge will host an institute on the “Conscious Teaching and Learning, Now or Never” April 24 – May 10. What does conscious teaching and learning mean for educators, parents, and community builders? •How can educators and community builders position themselves to make the changes that have the potential to strengthen learning for their students? •How can students be “connected” to their learning? •What do children really need to know, be able to do and be like, to navigate the world they have inherited? •What does it mean to educate children of color? Asante "It is imperative that we more effectively learn about and build FormerDr.UBMolefi Department Chair from the historical and cultural knowledge that has been consistently omitted from typical assessments about what works and will work for students and communities of African heritage." a release from RTC states. This year’s Institute will feature presentations by internationally respected scholars and activists, Dr. Molefi Asante, Dr. Joy DeGruy, Dr. Joyce E. King, Dr. Noma LeMoine, Dr. Hassimi Maiga, and Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji. Those already engaged in a number of forward thinking leadership and professional and community supporting activities are invited to engage with and participate in this year’s Institute as thinkers, community builders and reviewers of Teacher Center work. Included are: Parent and Community Leaders and Advocates, Black Lives Matter In School supporters, Instructional Coaches, Mentors and their Interns, Victorious Minds Academy schools and participants, Reading teachers, Self, Family, and Community K-2 curriculum teachers and other District and teacher leaders. -SessionsWednesday, April 25 • 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. • The Little Theatre, 240 East Avenue Dr. Joyce King, Benjamin E. Mays Chair of Urban Education, Georgia State University “Diaspora Literacy & Victorious Consciousness” Thursday, April 26, • 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.• School of the Arts, 45 Prince Street “Essential Knowings for Teaching Children of African/Diasporan Heritage” A Panel Presentation featuring Dr. Molefi Asante,Temle U.; Dr. Noma LeMoine, LaMoine & Associates; Dr. Hassimi Maiga, , Dept. of Education, Gao, Mali; Dr. Joycc King, Georgia State U.; and Dr. Cecelia Golden, Director of Educatio Hillside Agencies. Saturday, April 28 •9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. •Radisson Hotel•175 Jefferson Road Dr. Noma LeMoine, CEO, LeMoine & Associates , “Master Class - Teaching Reading: Language Variation, Literacy Acquisition and Teaching Children of African Ancestry” Saturday, April 28 •9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.•Radisson Hotel•175 Jefferson Road Dr. Molefi Asante and Dr. Joyce King: “Master Class – Recent Research, New Knowledge in African History and Culture” and “Memory Justice” Thursday, May 10 •6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.• The Little Theatre•240 East Avenue Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji, Dr. Susan Goodwin, Dr. Joyce King “Narratives That Heal – Narratives That Teach” Teachers should register for the Institute by sending an email to ymontalvo@rochesterteachers.com. Space is limited. Families and community should register by email or 262-8080.

AROUND TOWN

200

“Conscious Teaching and Learning, Now or Never” is Theme of Rochester Teacher Center Conference

Lovely A. Warren, Mayor Rochester City Council

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

AREA BRIEFS 2 Local Black Owned Coffee Businesses That Are Great Alternatives to Starbucks Recently, a Philadelphia Starbucks employee called the police on two Black patrons. Their crime? Waiting for a friend. The cops still arrested them. When next you feel the need for some Starbucks, consider these two excellent local Black Owned Coffee and Tea businesses instead! *GOLDEN CUP Golden Cup Coffee is located in the heart of the community at 1323 Jefferson Avenue at the intersection of Jefferson and E. Utica Street. A roaster and distributor of high-quality coffee and teas, Golden Cup provides fresh roasted coffee and high-quality beverages to consumers, restaurants, offices, churches and more. (716) 883-7770 *EMTEA COFFEE CUP CAFÉ Located in Buffalo’s historic Hamlin Park neighborhood at 80 Oakgrove Ave., EMTEA Coffee Cup Café is a quaint and quiet coffee and sandwich shop with the essence of a newsstand and candy shop thrown in for good measure. Kat Tyler is the friendly face and voice behind the front counter, a spot she has occupied since opening EM Tea Cup almost 20 years ago. (716) 884-1444

“A Radio Revolution”

The We Are Women Warriors radio show, “A Radio Revolution,” will discuss the murder of Black men and the high level of unsolved homicides in the City of Buffalo. Please tune in to WUFO RADIO 96.5 FM and 1080 AM on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. for this and other pertinent topics that impact our community as discussed by host Betty Jean Grant and her co-hosts Joan Simmons and Katrinna Martin-Bordeaux.

Bailey Avenue Clean-Up! The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., coalition of the nine largest historically African American Greek-letter fraternities and sororities, will be conducting a Bailey Avenue Clean Up community service project in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 5. Council member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt and the University District Office will assist with cleanup supplies. Volunteers are welcome. Please join us at the intersection of Bailey and Delavan. For further information, please call Clayton B. Hoyt at 851-6699 or e-mail choyt@city-buffalo.com.

Buffalo State College Hosts Annual Service Luncheon Buffalo State College recently hosted its annual “50 & 25 Year of Service Luncheon." The event is a campus tradition honoring the dedicated service of the campus’s most longstanding employees. Among the 25 year honorees was Connie F. Cook, Director of Financial Aid; Demetrice “Dee” Davis, Office Manager in the Small Business Development Center; Patrick H. Freeman, University Police Officer; Yves M. Gachette, Director of Institutional Research; Patricia D. Ghee, Academic Advisement Associate in Academic Commons; Curtis Haynes Jr., Associate Professor of Economics and Finance; and La Tisha Robinson, CDHS Procurement Administrator. Katherine S. Conway-Turner is president of Buffalo State College.

DA Flynn Adds Diversity To Office With New Hires Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that his office has hired two attorneys who will add diversity to the workplace. The new employees are Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell and Assistant District Attorney Samantha King. “The DA’s Office works for all people of Erie County and this office should reflect the population it serves,” said DA Flynn. “I am committed to having a more diverse workforce and welcome these attorneys to our office.” Justin Caldwell is a prosecutor assigned to Buffalo City Court. The Peekskill, New York native is a graduate of Hamilton College and received his Juris Doctor from Hofstra University, Maurice

Samantha King

Justin Caldwell

A. Deane School of Law. He most recently worked as Assistant Counsel for Liberty Mutual. Justin previously worked as a law clerk for the Erie County Attorney’s Office. Samantha King is a prosecutor assigned to Buffalo City Court. The Williamsville native is a graduate of Duquesne University and received her

Juris Doctor from SUNY Buffalo Law School. She most recently worked as a law clerk for the Erie County Attorney’s Office. She previously worked as a labor law clerk for Reden & Sugrue, LLP. “These attorneys bring a plethora of knowledge and experience to our office, and I look forward to adding more minorities to the ranks of the DA’s Office,” said DA Flynn.

“An Open Mic Tribute to an African King”

On Tuesday, May 8, from 6 to 8 pm, the Spoken Word community will gather to celebrate the memory of the late Lonnie B. Harrell who passed away on April 22, 2017. This is an open mic event and will be held at the Community Health Center of Buffalo, 34 Benwood Avenue. Parking is free and doors open at 5:30 pm. Poetry is a form of therapy. It is a vehicle by which the mind gives sight to fact, fiction or one’s individual reality. Spoken word transports those verse and prose from intimacy to energy, that when shared, it cleanses, soothes and incites action or emotion. Come share a love poem and say a few words honoring Buffalo’s Love Doctor of the Spoken Word - Lonnie B. Harrell. This event is free and open to the public. For more information call (716) 986-9199, Extension 6004. Refreshments will be served.

Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier Family History Dinner

The Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier Family History Dinner/Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, May 3 at 6 p.m. at Emerson School of Hospitality, 86 West Chippewa St. The guest speaker will be Dr. Michael Boston, Associate Professor at SUNY Brockport. Dr. Boston, a Buffalo native, is an author and actively teaches a range of courses for the Department of African and African American Studies. His latest book, “Blacks in Niagara Falls, 1849 to 1985” is currently under review for publication. The William Wells Brown Awards for supporting the preservation of African American History will be presented to: Charles Campbell, and the four “FreeDr. Boston dom Wall” Artists: John Baker, Julia Bottoms –Douglas, Chuck Tingley, and Edreys Wajed. The President’s Award will be presented to Georgia Burnett. Tickets for the dinner can be obtained by sending $25 to AAHANF P.O. Box, Buffalo, NY 14207. May 4 is the Deadline for NAACP Award Nominations The Buffalo Branch NAACP, a volunteer organization, is now accepting nominations for the following four 2018 awards: Medgar Evers (Civil Rights), Daniel Acker Community Service, Rufus Frasier Human Relations, and Youth. Nominations must be submitted in writing (not to exceed 2 pages) to the NAACP Awards Committee at 395 E. Ferry Street, Buffalo, N.Y. 14208, or fax to 716-884-7243. The deadline for nominations is Friday May 4. Selections will be based on the nominee's volunteer community activities/service unrelated to their employment or paid status or activities related to receiving school, college credit. Nominees must submit their name and address/contact information as well as the address/contact information of the nominee. Petitions will not be considered. Presentation of these awards will be at the NAACP Medgar Evers Award Dinner, Saturday, June 9th at the Buffalo/Niagara Convention Center.

President Donald Trump said last Saturday that he is considering granting a posthumous pardon to boxer Jack Johnson on the advice of actor Sylvester Stallone.

Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson, the first African American and first Texan to win the heavyweight boxing championship of the world, was born the second of six children to Henry and Tiny Johnson in Galveston on March 31, 1878. His parents were former slaves. To help support his family, Jack Johnson left school in the fifth grade to work on the dock in his port city hometown. In the 1890s Johnson began boxing as a teenager in "battles royal" matches where White spectators watched Black men fight and at the end of the contest tossed money at the winner. Johnson turned professional in 1897 but four years later he was arrested and jailed because boxing was at that time a criminal sport in Texas. After his release from jail he left Texas to pursue the title of “Negro” heavyweight boxing champion. Although he made a good living as a boxer, Johnson for six years sought a title fight with the White heavyweight champion, James J. Jeffries. Jeffries denied Johnson and other African American boxers a shot at his title and he retired undefeated in 1904.

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NATIONAL + WORLD

-NEWS BRIEFS-

Richard Overton

111-Year-Old Texan is Nation’s Oldest Living Veteran Texan Richard Overton, the nation’s oldest living veteran took an unexpected tour to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C in style. Overton was born a grandson of a Tennessee slave in 1906 who moved to Texas after receiving his freedom.The veteran served in World War II and retired at the age of 85 after working years at a furniture store. The 111-year-old relayed his secret to long life which includes cigars, whiskey and speaking his mind. He turns 112 next month in May. He met with former President Obama on a number of occasions. Domestic Terrorism Black people find themselves vulnerable and in crisis on various fronts, as the FBI is concerned about the divide between the police and minority communities and violence against young men of color. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice warns that domestic terrorism is on the rise, as whites become a minority. Speaking at a community college in Cleveland in 2015 in the wake of the killing of Tamir Rice - a 12-year-old and the acquittal of a White officer for his role in the shooting death of a Black couple in a hail of 137 bullets - then FBI director James Comey said there is a growing divide between the police and communities of color.

Waffle House Hero Recalls Harrowing Details of Shooting NASHVILLE, Tenn.— The man who wrestled the gun away from the Waffle House shooting suspect in Tennessee said this past Sunday said if he were going to die, the gunman would “have to work to kill me.” Police are calling James Shaw Jr. a hero for saving lives in the busy restaurant, but the 29-year-old Nashville resident said he only made a split-second decision to challenge the shooter to avoid being killed. Shaw said at a news conference he and another friend were seated at a counter when he heard gunshots, thinking at first that a stack of freshly washed plates had crashed down. Then, he said, restaurant workers scat- James Shaw: Hero tered and he turned and saw a body near the front door as the gunman burst in. It was then he realized he had heard gunshots. “I looked back and I saw a person lying on the ground right at the entrance of the door, then I jumped and slid … I went behind a push door — a swivel door,” Shaw said. “He shot through that door; I’m pretty sure he grazed my arm. At that time I made up my mind … that he was going to have to work to kill me. When the gun jammed or whatever happened, I hit him with the swivel door.” Shaw said “for a tenth of a second, something was with me to run through that door and get the gun from him.” Shaw said it was then that they began wrestling, ignoring his own pain as he grabbed the hot barrel of the AR-15 weapon. Of the gun, he added: “I grabbed it from him and threw it over the countertop and I just took him with me out the entrance.” Shaw said after getting the man out of the Waffle House, he then ran one way and saw the suspect jogging or trotting another way. “I do take pride in him helping save the lives of other people,” his father, James Shaw Sr. said. Four minorities - three Blacks and one Hispanic were killed. After the son’s release from the hospital, the family went to church together. “I’m just a regular person ,” the young hero said in a news interview. “You have to either react or you have to fold – and I choose to react.” -Suspect ApprehendedThe suspect, Travis Reinking, was apprehended Monday just after 1 p.m., in a wooded area that was within sight of the apartment complex where he lived. He immediately requested a lawyer. Reinking:Domestic State police in Illinois, where Reinking lived until last fall, subsequently revoked Terrorist his state firearms card at the request of the FBI and four guns were then taken from him, including the AR15 used in Sunday’s shooting as well as a handgun, authorities said. Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron said that his father “has now acknowledged giving them back to his son.”

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

HEALTH MATTERS

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

We Must Eliminate Health Disparities in this Region By Pastor George F. Nicholas

April 28 conference will focus on African-American Health disparities and building a movement to bring health equity to the region. The conference is free and open to the public and will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, 955 Main St.

0 years ago the world lost one of the greatest champions of justice, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was most noted for fighting for civil rights in the segregated south, but his vision for a better America was not limited there. Dr. King understood the impact structural institutional racism had on the lives of all Americans. These inequalities were evident in the health and daily quality of life for African-Americans. In fact Dr. King put health as the primary form of the brokenness of the American dream: "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman." -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sadly in spite of the gains of the civil rights movement and the elevation of some African-Americans to high ranking political position; health

disparities are still prevalent all across the nation. Western New York has not been spared the misery of race based health disparities and in fact we have some of the worst numbers in the nation. This region will only experience a true renaissance when we completely eliminate health disparities based on race. In Erie County the vast majority of African Americans live in 5 Zip Codes in the inner city of Buffalo 14204, 14206, 14211, 14212, 14215. Not surprisingly these zip codes have the worst health outcomes in the county. AfricanAmericans living in these zip codes are more likely to have serious, chronic and often preventable diseases which lead to a premature mortality rates 300% higher than Whites who live outside this area. In

addition African –American woman have a lower breast cancer rate than White woman but have a higher fatality rate. Our region mirrors the national fact that infants born to Black woman are 1.5 to 3 times more likely to die than those born to white woman. In addition African-American men are 2 times more likely to die from prostate cancer along with disproportionate amounts of hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. Since 2015 a group of concerned citizens have been meeting on how to address the social determinants of health which are the root causes for health disparities in the African-American community which ranges from infant mortality, pediatrics, adolescents, adults and geriatrics. These disparities have created a community which is sicker,

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more frequent user of services and tragically with a short life expectancy. The AfricanAmerican Health Disparities Task Force has forged an alliance with the UB to create a multi-discipline approach to attacking the root causes for these disparities with the goal to build a movement that will develop and execute a community action plan to eliminate race based health disparities. One of the inaugural steps is the “Igniting Hope: Building a Just Community with a Culture of Health and Equity.” This conference will focus on African-American Health disparities and building a movement to bring health equity to the region. The conference is free and open to the public and will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, 955 Main St. Historically initiatives targeting African-American health have focused on the behavior of African-Americans. While

behavior is a factor the overwhelming medical data indicate that the social determinants of health have a greater impact on the health of our community. The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries. Critical factors that impact the health of citizens in this region are location and race. African-Americans residing in the inner city of Buffalo have exponentially higher rates of serious and chronic diseases creating a premature mortality rate which is an alarming 300% higher than whites in other parts of the region. This

region cannot claim to be in a true renaissance with these unacceptable race based disparity rates. In order to live up to our motto of “a city of good neighbors” we must all work together to create a community where race is no longer a defining factor in a person’s health and life expectancy. This can only happen when leaders from the education, health, legal, business, government, religious and concerned citizens come together to build healthy communities for all. This conference is the first step of a call to action to eliminate health disparities and I'm excited that UB is partnering with the community to take on this challenge. So please join us on April 28 as build a coalition to bring health equity to the region.

FAITH & FAMILY

Deaconess Rededication Day The Deaconess Ministry of the Great Lakes Baptist Association will celebrate its Deaconess Rededication Day on Friday April 20 at 7:00 PM at the Hopewell Baptist Church, 1301 Fillmore where Reverend Dennis Lee Jr. is Pastor. The Theme is “Deaconess Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" Matt 25: 1-13. The Deaconesses of the GLBA wear white for this special day, and invite deaconess guests to wear white also. Church donate $20. If you are unable to attend kindly forward your donation to Debra Witherspoon 151 Kay St Buffalo, NY 14215. The speaker for the evening will be Sister Gloria Babbs, First Lady of Thankful Baptist Church. If you have any deceased Deaconesses in 2017 please bring their names for the Memorial on the program.

Prophetic Encounter Classes “Prophetic Encounter” classes will take place April 27-29 at First Holy Temple, 703 Fillmore Ave. The host is Apostle M. Daniel, Visionary. Classes will be guided by Apostle Dr. Steve Lyston and Pastor Dr. Michelle Lyston of Miami, Florida. Friday session 6 - 6:55 p.m. “End time Prophecy Encounters.” Prayer 7p.m. and Worship Service 7:30 p.m. Saturday classes 9-10:55a.m., “Tongues-Understanding Dreams,” followed by an 11:10 a.m. round table discussion and luncheon. Worship service on Sunday, April 29 10 a.m. More info contact First Holy Temple at (716)896-3896 Or email firstholytemple@verizon.net

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

New Hope Baptist Church: Come As You Hat Extravaganza Free "Breakfast Are, Christ Doesn’t Mind” Services On Saturday, May 5, at 1 at Metro" New Hope Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Herschel Chapman Jr. 2090 Genesee St. Buffalo, has begun it’s “ Come As You Are, Christ Doesn’t Mind” Services on Wednesday’s at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome, but we are reaching out to the younger population, as we want them to know, God judges the inside, not the outside of a person. A more contemporary non-structural type of service has been created to attract those who are looking for an experience that they can relate to through word, thought, and music. New Hope Baptist Church, moved into it’s new location on March 4 2018 with the vision of being a beacon of hope and a safe haven for the community. We are offering community activities for all ages, workshop’s, seminar’s along with its regularly scheduled religious practice that include: Sunday School – 8:30 – 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship – 10:00 a.m. Tuesday – Bible Study – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday – Prayer Meeting – 11:00- 11:30 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study – 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. For more information please contact the church office. Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tel 716-883-0821 PRAY FOR PEACE.

p.m., hats of every size, design and color for any occasion will be featured at the Great Lakes Baptist Association ~ Women Ministry HAT EXTRAVAGANZA luncheon at Calvary Baptist Church, 1184 Genesee St., Buffalo Free will offering. Vendors on site. Call 861-2917. Karen Peterson is chair. Rose Harmon is president. Rev, Dr. William Gillison is moderator.

Fish Fry The Metropolitan UM Church, 657 Best Street, will sponsor a “Friday Fish Fry” April 27, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets $11/dinner. For tickets contact Levern Morrow (716) 316-8639 or the church office at (716) 891-5652. Pastor Angela R. Stewart is the pastor.

A “Free Breakfast at Metro” will be held on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. - 12 noon at Metropolitan UM Church, 657 Best Street. Dana Estrada will be speaking on “Emergency Preparedness.” The goal of this educational information is to empower individuals to better serve themselves, their families, friends, and neighbors in the event of an emergency. Each adult that attends will receive a small gift. The Community is invited to join us for fellowship, good information and to see what God is doing for all believers. “Don’t spend your money going somewhere else, come on over to Metro and enjoy a free good, hot breakfast, and great fellowship.” Angela R. Stewart is Pastor. Free Event.

FAITH & FAMILY

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

Community Invited to Appreciation Celebration Program Honoring the Legendary Bessie Patterson Rev. Bruce Burton, Ascending Baptist Church, and a few of Mrs. Patterson's friends are sponsoring an appreciation program to honor her. The program will be held on Saturday May 5, at 4pm. The location is the Calvary Baptist Church, 1184 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY. Everyone is invited to come out and help celebrate one of Buffalo's legends. Mrs. Patterson is a woman of God who has made contributions to our community, to our churches, and our society. Mrs. Patterson has served diligently as The Gospel Fest coordinator, Dr. Martin L. King City Wide Event chairperson and Director of the City Wide Choir for a number of years. She has performed at the Gospel Music Workshop of America National Convention and rendered songs for the National World Day of Prayer, and many other countless programs. Mrs. Patterson has traveled to many parts of the United States to sing Songs of Zion. Mrs. Patterson has said that whatever she can do to help spread God's word she is more than happy to do. Mrs. Patterson always has a smile. That smile shows that she fully enjoys singing God's Praises. Some of the participants in the celebration honoring her include, Mrs. Daisy Nolly, Elim Christian Fellowship Choir, Oldies But Goodies, Ascending Baptist Church Choir, Antioch Holiness Church Choir, and The City Wide Choir under the direction of Mrs. Patterson. We are asking everyone to come and show your appreciation to Mrs. Patterson! Buffalo and the vicinity are very fortunate to have a resident such as Mrs. Patterson. Pastor Craig Pridgen will be the Emcee. For more information, please contact: Louisia Davis chairperson at 716-886-2573 or Sharon Patterson-White at 716-248-7013.

The Amazing Viola Hill Set to Celebrate 100!

Her Motto: “Keep Learning, Keep Moving, and Keep Doing" ! Viola Hill will turn 100 years old on April 26, God willing. But to speak with this feisty lady you would never know it. She is as sharp as a tack mentally, with a phenomenal recall. She can name dates, times, places and people like it was yesterday! And when asked how it feels to be 100 she replied with a laugh “It doesn’t feel any different…” adding that she’s fine “as long as I’m able to walk and get around and not sick.” Her secret to longevity? “The Good Lord and I tied to be helpful and never abused myself (i.e. smoking, drinking). I was busy all the time! I had to work hard and I got a lot of exercise.” Family and friends are hosting a 100th birthday celebration in her honor on Thursday, April 26 at the Adams Mark Hotel. Born in Rock Hill South Carolina on April 26, 1918, she came to Buffalo in 1922 as a little girl. -A Full LifeViola Hill spent her adult life as a community volunteer for the benefit of others. Beginning in 1945 she participated in the March of Dimes for the eradication of the dreaded disease Polio, and the Red Leather Community Church, which later became the United Way Organization. When World War II broke out she worked briefly at Curtis Wright where she worked on the C-46 air craft. Her career was cut short by an illness she contracted there. “I moved into the Willert Park six months after they put them up on January 4, 1940…and I was the last person to move out,” she recalled. Mrs. Hill has volunteered in many other community endeavors including the WELL Baby Clinic of the Willet Park Community Center, Youth Board Member at the Michigan Avenue YMCA, School 47 PTA, the Buffalo Urban League, and the Hi-Y Youth at the Michigan Avenue YMCA. She was a dedicated volunteer for many years for Deputy Speaker Arthur O. Eve as well as for The Challenger, which he founded. In the political arena she campaigned door to door as well as served as an election inspector. At one point she was the sole person who was contacted for constituent problems as well as state prison problems in Eve’s office. She worked with the popular lawmaker on the Buffalo Challenger from its inception, assisting him since 1963 with the delivery of papers to its readers every week well into her forties. She said she stayed with Eve because “he cared about the people…and I was a community person from the beginning – even as a teenager – I was always concerned about things in Buffalo.” When the CAO Program was initiated here, it was mandated to operate by neighborhood organizations. A field worker approached Mrs. Hill to start a tenant council in the Willert Park Housing community. Mrs. Hill was instrumental in getting that established. Her volunteer work included numerous associations too many to mention. Mrs. Hill, a widow, is the mother of four children. She was denied her high school education during the Depression era of the 1930's but later resumed her education completing high school in her late 40’s and, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from State University of New York at Buffalo in her early 50’s. She is a member of the Buffalo Association of Black Social Workers. Mrs. Hill attributes her character and responsibility towards others to the Christian home and church and her community that molded her . Viola Hill has enjoyed a zestful life because she kept an open mind has remained receptive to all of life around her. Her Motto : "Keep learning, keep moving, and keep doing." At 100 years young she still lives by those words! Happy Birthday to a remarkable woman! PHOTO BY PRINCESS PHOTOGRAPHY

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NIAGARA FALLS, NY – On Friday, May 4, Covenant of Grace Ministries, in conjunction with various community partners, will present the 2nd Annual Face2Face Initiative 2018. The Continuation Community experience serves as a platform to ignite conversation aimed at “Bridging the Gap Between the Communities within the Community,” focusing on four major areas that affect us all: economics, education, healthcare, and race relations. Events will take place at the Sheraton at the Falls, located at 300 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY. Following day long discussions and events. continued page 11

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

Oscar Alston’s “Back to the Community” Tribute Concert Showcased Some Serious Local Talent!

"BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!" If you missed Oscar Alston's Tribute Concet last weekend, you can catch it on May 11 for a pre-Mother's Day performance at the Varsity Theatre on Bailey Avenue (see his ad next page). It's a great show! Pictured above are scenes from the Schiller Park performance.

here are two kinds of tribute shows. One offers rote, note by note renditions of beloved favorites and at its best it is the epitome of a warm bath of nostalgia, at worst, a boring facsimile. The other sees talented Matt individuBAUER als paying homage to iconic artists of the past and adding their own idiosyncracies, giving a fresh spin on classic material. Oscar Alston’s “Back To The Community” Tribute Concert last Saturday Night at Schiller Park Community Center was an admirable example of the latter. The venerable musician, best known as Rick James’ premier bass player, led a four piece band as some seriously talented vocalists journeyed through soul and funk music’s celebrated history. From Niagara Falls, the Next Level opened the show with some seriously sumptuous Philly Soul, honoring the esteemed legacy of the Delfonics. The trio’s harmonies were on point, especially on earnest takes on “La La Means I Love You” and “Try-

ing To Make A Fool Of Me.” Thomas Hall of Buffalo’s own Northern Soul Legends The Exotics performed a set of Isley Brothers classics. Hall’s falsetto echoes Ron Isley’s yet there were some nice twists on these funky hallmarks such as a reggae breakdown towards the end of “Groove With You” while also paying respect to Notorious B.I.G as “Between The Sheets” blended into “Big Poppa.” Rocking a red sparkling jacket, the charismatic Denzel Ward’s Morris Day & The Time segment had the crowd on their feet. Posing in front of a mirror a la Day, Ward’s stage presence also evoked Rick James. “Cool” and “7779311” were polished and funky in the best of the Minneapolis tradition and “Gigolos Get Lonely Too” was a fun treat. Closing the show was Uncle Willie with a fine selection of beloved Frankie Beverly & Maze songs. Poised and clean in a white suit, Willie performed “Back In Stride” and “Before I Let Go” giving the crowd a dose of silky soul as they headed out for the evening. Overall, this was a fun show and a great appreciation of some musical legends. If you missed it don’t worry, Alston

will be doing another show “Back by Popular Demand” - at Varsity Theater on Bailey Ave, Friday May11 Mothers Day Weekend.

ON STAGE 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 anniversary 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 Sistahs, Bessie’s Blues) and William Knowles’ in 2017. The dazzling period score makes this an exciting new work on the American Theatre landscape. The ensemble cast includes: Latosha Payton, Danielle Green, Sandra Gilliam, Tifani Wofford, Ayana Williams, Augustus Donaldson Jr. and Fisher.

*An Evening of Jazz Featuring Carol McLaughlin's Big Band, Friday, April 27 @ 7 p.m., Roswell Park Cancer Center David Hohn Auditorium 665 Carlton St.; Tickets $40 and available at EventBrite.com Proceeds to benefit the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor. •Coming up at the Helium: •LaVelle Crawford - May 10May 13 •Arnez J. - May 24 - May 27 30 Mississippi St.: 853-1211 SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

"Goodne$$" Presents the 6th Annual "Two Day Inner City Poetry Marathon"

Celebrated Artist Julia Bottoms Delivered Keynote Address

This will be the 6th year in a row hosting my annual event, which was inspired by a two day poetry marathon I attended seven years ago, produced by the Urban Epiphany. It led me to organize a poetry marathon of my very own for the inner city in honor of National Poetry Month (April.) After hosting an event in February of 2013 for Express Entertainment I was asked by Mrs. Sandra Willams Bush if I would be interested in hosting events at the library and it's been ongoing ever since. So I sincerely say thank you to queen mother Sandra for opening the doors of the library to the entire community !!!!!! The following events take place at the Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Avnue and are free and open to the public. Saturday & Sunday •April 28th - 29th •Sat. April 28th from 2 - 5pm {ADULTS ONLY} Hostess; Bern A Flame •Sun. April 29th from 1 - 4pm {KID FRIENDLY/FAMILY ORIENTED} Hostess; Solar, The Communities Daughter Videographer; Toomanythings Productions Rita Fedrick Each Participant Has 2 - 3 Minutes To wOw The Crowd ! ** PROVOKE CREATIVIRY & PROMOTE LITERACY"

"Women In The Arts" Was Theme of 8th Annual Woman's Luncheon Hosted by Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes SUNSHINE & SAM! Picturd above is song stylist Avery Sunshine and Sam Herbert of Buffalo. Sam writes: "Avery Sunshine put on an awesome show at the Tralf recently. I had the opportunity to meet her and present to her a chocolate long stem rose. She was so appreciative and thanked me for thinking of her. This is my third time meeting her at her performances at the Tralf!"

Tao Te Ching 66 All streams flow to the sea Because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. If you want to govern the people, You must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, You must learn how to follow them. The Master is above the people, And no one feels oppressed. She goes ahead of the people, And no one feels manipulated. The whole world is grateful to her. Because she competes with no one, No one can compete with her.

By Nanette D. Massey he luncheon honoring women of distinction hosted annually by the political fundraising group Friends of Crystal Peoples-Stokes was held Friday, April 19th, in the elegant Terrace Room of downtown Buffalo's historic Hotel Statler building at Niagara Square. In its eight year, this year's theme was "Women In The Arts" and the honorees were a veritable Who's Who list of women on the Western New York art scene. This writer had the privilege of being seated at the front table with District 141 Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, her proud and gracious mother, and the afternoon's keynote speaker Julia Bottoms. Julia was one of the four, and the only woman, artists who worked on the Michigan Street Freedom Wall commissioned by the Albright-Knox Public Art Initiative in partnership with the NFTA. She describes being selected for the project as "one of those calls you wait your whole life to get." Her ambitions stretch all the way back to her childhood. Perusing the Western world's acclaimed painters, "I didn't see anyone that looked like me." She wants her work to be in service to people, to do more than hang on museum walls. She aims to "take the gifts I have to create positive representations against the mainstream representations" blacks are more often exposed to. Her ultimate hope is that a hundred years from now a young girl of color will be flipping through the pages of a book of hallowed art like she once did, and be able to see herself. Julia is also the owner of Buffalo Brush, Paint and Sip, an amateur art studio she says is mostly an excuse for friends to relax, have some wine, and express their personal creativity. Leslie Zemsky, Larkin Square's Director of Fun, also received a crystal statuette. She's a senior partner of The ssLarkin Development Group, which has spearheaded the Keynote Speaker artist Julia Bottoms resurgence of the Larkinville District into a place where (left) and Assemblywoman Peoplesart, business and community not only peacefully coexist, Stokes. but are vivaciously interdependent upon one another. Buffalo State College's president Katherine Conway-Turner narrates Zemsky as "a true champion of our wonderful city...one of our top advocates throughout the region and across New York State." She is on the board of Visit Buffalo Niagara, and was formerly president of the Albright-Knox's Board of Directors. Award recipient Michelle Agosto, known in some circles as "the Puerto Rican Barbara Streisand" for her commanding speaking voice, is the Supervisor of Curriculum in Art Education for Buffalo Public Schools. The theme of her short acceptance speech was gratitude. "To feel grateful is not to say that everything in life is necessarily great, but it means that we're very aware of our blessings." She is grateful to this day for the 1994 call she received from the city's art education people adding "it's very surprising and humbling to be acknowledged today. I love my work and the children I serve, their happiness is reward enough." Agnes Bain, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Center since 1979, was honored in absentia. Her award was accepted by Paulette Harris, artistic Director of the Center's Paul Robeson Theatre. "Ladies, we keep it moving," said Harris, confirming the significance of the afternoon's venue. "We are the heartbeat of art." Acknowledging Agnes Bain, Paulette proclaimed "her contribution to the Buffalo art landscape has been iconic." Peoples-Stokes relayed her satisfaction for the opportunity to host such an event. She believes it is not nearly enough to only honor women during March's Women's History Month. "We've contributed too much to this society to be relegated to one month. There are star women in our community." She added that she was happy for the diversity represented in the day's assembly. "This room looks like our city."

Generations

FUTURE ENTREPRENEURS!

The YEM Project Focuses On Preparing Young People To Be Future Entrepreneurs . Do You Know A Young Person Who Is Interested In Starting A Business?

oung people with ideas for business received a lot of inspiration during the kickoff of YEM – the Youth Entrepreneurship Marketplace – at the CAO Rafi Green Center last Saturday afternoon. The program is enthusiastically sponsored and supported by Ansar Fragrances & More, the CAOWNY, Masjid Nu’Man, the MLK Business District Association, J&W Planning Groups LLC and various businesses in the area. A free six week project, YEM is designed to teach business development to youth from ages 5 to 21. The first business workshop is on Tuesday, May 1 from 5-6 p.m. at 1423 Fillmore. Five more workshops will follow on Tuesday, May 8, Wednesday May 16, Thursday May 24, Thursday May 31 and Thursday June 7. Each workshop will have a mentor. The main idea, said Duane Madyun of Ansar Fragrances, is for the youth to “get a good, solid orientation.” The future business leaders will make their entrepreneurship debut MarQues D., Keynote Speaker when they open for business at the Juneteenth Festival Saturday June 16 in MLK Park . After the Juneteenth weekend, the Youth Entrepreneurship Marketplace will be open to the public on select Saturdays throughout June, July and August at an outdoor venue on the corner of Fillmore and French Street. Helping young people to pursue their dreams and transform their ideas into reality and financial benefit can only have a positive impact not only on the youth, but the community as a whole. -Words of EncouragementMarQues D., already a young entrepreneur at the age of 9, was a keynote speaker. MarQues told The Challenger that he stared out selling candy because he didn’t Some of the YEM participants at Saturday's kickoff. have enough money to buy the things he liked, such as toys and electronics. The owner of The MarQues Store, he sells collectables, inspiration items, special occasion items and more. MarQues’ mom, who also made brief comments, directed her message primarily to the parents and adults in attendance. She encouraged them to support their children and “don’t deny them because of your own fears.” She urged them to “push your child” to do what he or she desires, and “continue to pray and ask for guidance.” Encouragement and belief in what they can do, she said, is very important. CAO Assistant Director Patricia Elliott had some very inspirational words for the children. Praising their “pure, open and energetic” minds, she shared her personal experience as a 12 year old with her own hair braiding business. “Don’t let anything stop you from achieving whatever goal you set for yourself,” she urged them. “Be happy, excited and full of joy and know that what you are doing is about to change the world!” Additional speakers and presenters included Michael Hill, Center for Economics & Education; Kenyana David, CEO Coutureediting-Assimilation; Marshawn Quinniey, CEO MLQ Development and Sincere Lincoln, CEO, Sincere Enterprise Solutions. If you have a child, or know of a youth who is interested in starting a business, or who already has a business and wants to develop it further, contact Pamela James at YEM, 332-3773 or pamelajames654@gmail.com YEM. “Supporting The Next Generation Of Entrepreneurs!”

Student of the Month Initiative

Duncan Kirkwood and the African Heritage Economic Initiative has launched a “Student of the Month Initiative.” They are asking parents and community members to nominate students from grades K-12 who have demonstrated self determination in or out of school. The selected student will receive a $50 award and certificate of achievement. To nominate a student email duncankirkwood@gmail.com with a few sentences about the youth and how he or she has shown self determination.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

WOW! A New Orleans Teenager Got Accepted Into 83 Colleges And Was Awarded Millions Of Dollars In Scholarships! International High School of New Orleans senior Darrin Francois said he doesn’t remember applying to so many schools, but he and his family are celebrating this huge achievement, WGNO ABC reports. “I just applied, applied, applied. I didn’t know how many it was, so once they started to come through the mail, I was like oh my gosh, this many? Then, they started coming more more and more. Now, today, I have 83 now,” he said. About a dozen students at the school got into 20 colleges Darrin Francois and more, but Francois set a record at his school. His mother, Bridget, said she was very proud of her son’s accomplishment. “Eighty-three colleges? That is wonderful, that is a blessing from God. I’m very proud, a proud mother, to see my son go forward into his success and go forward into his goals,” said Bridget. Students at the school say that the amount of scholarship money they receive from each school will help sway them toward their final decision school officials incorporated applying to colleges as part of their students daily routine. “I think we got on some of their nerves to be honest with you, but we continued to hammer at them to let them know that the world is yours, if you reach out and get it,” said the director of student support services, Rufus Mcgee.

VOICES

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

JACK JOHNSON continued from pg.3

Finally, in 1908, Johnson fought a White champion Tommy Burns in Australia for $30,000, then the highest purse in boxing history. Johnson knocked out Burns in the 14th round to become the first African American heavyweight champion of the world. Johnson’s capture of the title initiated a search among White promoters for a “great White hope” to defeat the Black champion and reclaim the title for White America. They eventually lured Jim Jeffries out of retirement to face Johnson. On July 4, 1910, in what would be billed as the “Battle of the Century,” Johnson finally fought and beat Jeffries in Reno, Nevada to retain his title. Newspapers warned Johnson and his supporters against gloating over the victory. Nonetheless, scores of African Americans and some Whites died as a result of the race rioting that broke out in cities across the nation in response to Johnson's victory. In fear of more race riots, the Texas legislature banned all films showing the Black fighter’s wins over any of his White opponents. Johnson also attracted considerable condemnation because of his unabashed sexual relationships with numerous White women. In 1913, Johnson fled the United States because federal officials charged him with violating the Mann Act, which prohibited the transportation of women across state lines for prostitution, debauchery, or immoral acts. At one point he fled to Cuba only to return and face prison. Jack Johnson married three White women in succession, Etta Duryea, Lucille Cameron, and Irene Pineau, but those unions failed to produce children. On October 6, 1946, after a North Carolina diner denied him service, he stormed out of the business and soon afterwards crashed his car. Johnson died from the impact. He was 68. The Boxing Hall of Fame posthumously inducted Johnson in 1954 and he received the same honor from the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

“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

There is Hope !

Without Sanctuary…Still. Have We Had Enough Yet? Was already weary. Was already heavy hearted. Was already tired. Where can we be safe? Where can we be free? Where can we be Black?” Solange Knowles, 2015 It was in the aftermath of the brutal slaying of nine praying Black folk at the Mother Emmanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina that Beyonce’s little sis penned these agonized, desolate words. They must have come from genetic memory, updated and reiterated from our grandparents’ catch-all question and answer summation of Black life at the mercy of our enemies: “Lawd, will I ever? Naw nigga, never!” Enough said. Still, in the wake of the recent arrest of two innocent Black men at a Philadelphia Starbucks’, Jason Johnson, Politics Editor at The Root.com breaks it down anyway. In his article titled: “From Starbucks to Hashtags: We Need to Talk About Why White Americans call the Police on Black People” he writes: “This week, Black America added ‘sitting at Starbucks waiting for a White friend’ to the list of things that we cannot safely do without fear of police violence. Previous entries included sitting in your car, sitting in someone else’s car, standing on your front porch, standing on your back porch, surviving a car accident, asking for directions to school, and of course, breathing.” This shocking arrest of two men who had committed absolutely no crime happened in mid-March, but the furor over it has yet to die down. Protest demonstrations and television interviews with the two young men, with Starbucks executives and customers who filmed the arrest have prolonged the discussion, to be sure. But at its core, this event has provided an appalling demonstration of the abject peril that engulfs Black lives in every moment of every day, in the most ordinary places, in the most mundane activities, from the cradle to the grave. There’s no denying the renewed atmosphere of unmasked, unbridled racial hatred that’s come out of hiding since the presidential campaign of Donald Trump. We owe him thanks for ripping away the veil of denial about just how far we’ve come in America. Not only does his voting base remain entrenched, his approval rating is actually climbing. The role of the police as agents of White supremacy is long-standing, but the Trump era has introduced a new dynamic in the reprise of Jim Crow: the end of the pretense of last-stop refuge for Black folk in Federal government offices. No more double-talking Kennedy's or Johnson's feigning friendship while plotting with the FBI and CIA to destroy our communities. Jeff Sessions is in our face… nullifying the Ferguson report on police brutality, reinstating mandatory minimum sentences, ripping up police department consent decrees, and adding the census to the gerrymandering scheme to cut into so-called minority government representation. The Starbucks incident did more than reestablish Black folk in America as a community under siege, and without sanctuary. It brought home the sobering, even terrifying reality of the damage that the Civil Rights movement has done to us. Not only were we conditioned to take beatings peacefully and kneel before fire hoses, batons, and attack dogs, we put down the very idea that our lives are worth defending. We completely disarmed, both physically and mentally, and actually convinced ourselves that White folks would stop jailing, starving, poisoning and killing us… if we asked them to. We abandoned our own story, because our open enemy didn’t like the way that Stokely Carmichael and H. Rap Brown and Huey Newton and Elijah Muhammad were telling it. We let White folks set up “Black” organizations and tell us that a “Civil Rights” campaign for legal redress was a good solution, but that economic development wasn’t. -And in 2018, after two innocent men are led away from Starbucks in handcuffs, those in the spotlight have no idea how to seize this moment to gain leverage or momentum for our legitimate grievances as a family. On the matter of the Starbucks arrest, MSNBC’s Craig Melvin asked Theroot.com’s Jason Johnson what he thinks change looks like. He literally began a ramble with the words: “I don’t know.” When one of the men arrested was asked how he responds to the charge that rules are rules and he broke them, he said: “I understand that rules are rules, but what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong.” When the other was asked: What do you want to happen here, he said: (For people to) step up and show your greatness. You’re not judged by the color of your skin as our ancestors were…It’s not a Black thing, it’s a people thing.” God in heaven help us. This situation demonstrates clearly why the strongest and best spokesmen and women for the hurt of Black people are maligned and ostracized. It clarifies the foolishness of handing over our children to be taught by our open enemy, to be turned out docile, neutered, clueless and defenseless. Here we are, utterly incapable of capitalizing on the sheer absurdity of this event, which has exposed irrefutably just how thoroughly saturated race hatred is in the fabric of the American (and world) psyche. In this moment, those with a platform are utterly incapable of making strong and justifiable demands on this nation for land, resources, compensation, reparation, everything an aggrieved population that can articulate a legitimate case for redress should be making right now. And after emptying ourselves out, abandoning our own wisdom, our own leaders and our own agenda…forfeiting the God-given right of self-defense… and leading our own children like sheep to the slaughter, the only question that matters now is… Have we had enough yet?

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Part 2 “There is Hope” was the title of last month’s article from PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO (PRP2). We have learned that hope can be a valuable commodity but it is NOTHING without ACTION. PRP2 is an organization that inspires ACTION. We stand up, speak out, and fight for justice. In the last month, PRP2 members and supporters have made phone calls, sent e-mails and faxes, have signed petitions and tweeted in favor of parole for Herman Bell, a respected and beloved elder and political prisoner in his 70's who has served more than 40 years in prison. Last month I stated that parole had been granted. Within days, the Police Benevolent Association had pushed back, building public opinion against Mr. Bell. They even urged the NYS Parole Board to rescind its decision. After the above stated actions from prisoner justice advocates around the country, on April 20, a Judge ruled in favor of Mr. Bell’s release. Herman Bell

Good news! Last week, Governor Cuomo decreed that parolees in New York State now have the right to vote. More good news! We will be watching. It’s our job to hold the Governor accountable. Join us at the next regular monthly meeting for PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO on Monday April 30, 7p.m. – 9p.m. at the Rafi Greene Center, 1423 Fillmore Avenue @ Glenwood Avenue. For more information: Karima Amin, 716-834-8438, karima@prp2.org; BaBa Eng, 716-491-5319, g.babaeng@yahoo.com.

New Date Set For "Take A Stand Against Gun Violence" Initiative “Take A Stand Against Gun Violence, Schools To Prison Pipeline, and Strategizing To Reduce Fratricide In The Nickel City Initiative.” new date is May 21 (instead of the originally announced date of May7) The purpose is to do more 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.

Face2Face Continued from page 7 Face2Face will host its Black Tie Affair at 6 p.m. that evening at the Sheraton, where individuals who have truly made an impact on the Niagara Falls community will be honored, including: Ms. Ella “Nookey” Moore, Perseverance Award and Pastor Georgie Davey, Trailblazer Award. The affair will feature musical performances by Carlton Wilcox and the Wilcox Band and Cari Clark Redl Lotus, The Poet. Tickets can be purchased at face2faceinitiative.eventbrite. com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club. Doors open at 6 pm. Community agencies, organizations and local vendors will be participating at both events. More information, please visit face2faceinitiative.eventbrite. com, or Face2Face Initiative on Facebook.

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Technology careers that make a difference and come with great benefits. It’s an exciting time to join the University at Buffalo (UB), New York State’s most comprehensive public research university. UB is central to Western New York’s revitalization and UB Information Technology (UBIT) plays a critical role in the university’s ongoing progress. UBIT is seeking skilled team members with a passion for innovation and providing tools to make our students and faculty successful. We are committed to the well-being of our employees. UBIT encourages ambition by offering opportunities for advancement and professional growth in a diverse, supportive and creative environment. UBIT professionals enjoy competitive pay and a healthy work/life balance, with generous vacation and sick leave, comprehensive health coverage, tuition reimbursement for continued learning and an excellent retirement plan. Join our team: https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu The University at Buffalo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic university community committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. Potential applicants, who share this goal, including veterans and individuals with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Northland Workforce Training Center Information Session The UBEOC is hosting two information sessions with theNorthland Workforce Training Center this month. If you are looking for a career in Advanced Manufacturing & Energy please share this information. Anyone can attend but they must RSVP. Northland Workforce Training Center Information Session UBEOC 555 Ellicott Street, Buffalo: Thursday, April 26th at 5:00pm Learn about training and career opportunities. Interested candidates can start their application at the information session. Call 645-8875 to RSVP as seats are limited.

JOBS FROM BETC: BUFFALO EMPLOYMENT and TRAINING CENTER

NYS Department of Labor Hot Jobs for APRIL 2018 •Thermo Fisher Scientific • Aurubis • Graphic Controls •FBI Florensic Accountant

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LEGAL NOTICE RFP COUNTY OF ERIE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES 95 FRANKLIN STREET BUFFALO, NEW YORK County of Erie, New York RFP RELEASE 2019 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING The Erie County Youth Bureau (ECYB) is pleased to release its 2019 Request for Proposals (RFP) for Youth Development Programs on May 1st, 2018. Applications from eligible not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organizations & local youth bureaus will be accepted until May 29th at 5:00PM. Eligible programs will promote positive youth development to address long-term juvenile delinquency prevention within Erie County. The application may be downloaded from the ECYB website or by contacting Ben Hilligas, Youth Bureau Director, at 716-923-4051 or benjamin.hilligas@ erie.gov. An informational meeting will be held on May 15th at 10:30AM at True Bethel Baptist Church (907 E. Ferry St, Buffalo, NY 14211). All correspondence, communications and/or contact with the County in regard to any aspect of this proposal shall be with the ECDSS contact person listed on the specific RFP. Prospective proponents, or their representatives, shall not make contact with or communicate with any representatives of the County, including employees and consultants, other than the designated person in regard to any aspect of this proposal. Erie County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and waive any informality.

LEGAL NOTICE

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018 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 Prebid meetings will be held 5/2/18 at 3:30pm for 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. Scajaquada Pathway & Buffalo Riverwalk Trail Rehabs in Buffalo, NY. Contact: gbostard@markcerrone. com. MBE:15%, WBE:15%. Proposals due to MCI by 5/7/18 at 2:00PM. Roadway & Sidewalk Repairs Project at SUNY Buffalo North & South in Buffalo, NY. Contact: ttibbs@markcerrone.com. MBE:15%, WBE:15%. Proposals due to MCI by 5/10/18 at 2:00PM. Sewage Treatment Plant Replacement Project in Alden, NY. Contact: jlarcara@markcerrone.com. MWBE:20%. Proposals due to MCI by 5/11/18 at 2:00PM.

LEGAL NOTICE

BID

NFTA Procurement Invitation to Bid

4779 - NATURAL GAS 4780 - FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM MODERNIZATION MARKETING CONSULTANT Download Bids from

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 WARNER HILL ROAD CULVERT REPLACEMENT PROJ# BNY-390-1A-18 PIN 5762.22 Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, seeking sealed bids for county culvert replacement construction Bridge NY project. Sealed proposals received at the DPW, 95 Franklin St, Rm 1400, Buffalo, NY at 10 am, Thursday, May 10, 2018. Certified check as bid deposit in the amount of $17,500.00 required. Minority Workforce goal, NYS Apprenticeship, & NYS MWBE goals required. Plans and additional bid submittal information on the Erie County website at: http://www2.erie.gov/dpw see On Line Bid Retrieval.

ROOMS

ROOMS FOR RENT: Delavan-Humboldt area, Bailey-Delavan. $325$480. Everything included. (716)818-3410.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 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

Free Firefighter Examination Training Classes Offered Free Firefighter exam training classes are being offered at UB Educational Opportunity Center, 555 Ellicott Street on 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 “Knowing when to stop, you can avoid any danger.” -Tao Te Ching

20 YEARS OF SERVICE “The Fidelis Care Mission is central to every part of our work. We really care about helping those who need health insurance, and ensuring they have quality coverage. I’m proud that we’ve grown to serve more than 1.7 million members.” Nancy Cox-Reed Associate Operational Auditor

HERE TODAY. HERE TOMORROW.

HERE TO STAY.

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS SUN 4/15

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 F& S Fashions

FLORISTS

HAIR BRAIDING 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

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

RAPHA FAMILY MEDICINE Frances IIozue MD

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

2200 Main St. (716) 200-4122

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 2018

WEDNESDAY APRIL 25

SATURDAY APRIL 28

Special Board of Education Meeting; 5:30 p.m., 801 City Hall. BUILD Community School; District’s 4-year financial plan among topics.

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

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

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

H.O.P.E. : Haiti Outreach fundraiser 5-7pm Marcy Casino Delaware Park 199 Lincoln Parkway in Buffalo in providing necessary resources for Borgn, Haiti's main community library. Tickets $35.

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.

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 SATURDAY APRIL 28 Creating Legacies Showcase: Jazz Embassy Café, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Bennett Community High School. Grassroots, Inc. 23rd Annual Awards Dinner: The New Golden Nugget,2046 Fillmore Ave. Sentimental Spring: Music & Poetry, 7:30 – 9:30p.m. 300 Kensington Ave., $5. 259-5034. Join The WNY Black Chamber of Commerce: Opportunity & Info session 11am -1pm Delavan Grider Center 877 E. Delavan Special presentation on the 7-11 franchise opportunities. Info 995-0622 or 400-2041.

Young Queens Empowerment Conference : East Community. High School, 820 Northampton Street for young women age 1020 cdaniels@bestselfwny.org or (716) 816-4520. MONDY APRIL 30 Special Finance Committee Meeting: 11 a.m., Common Council City Hall; 851-6699. Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing: Gloria Parks, 3242 Main St., 12 noon – 1 p.m. Free for ages 55+ 832-1010. African Consciousness Workshop Documentary Series: Student Activism and the Making of Black Studies” : Merriweather Library, 5:50-7:50 P.M., 716883-4418. Free admission. TUESDAY MAY 1 The Charter School of Inquiry May l Board Business meeting : 4:45 p.m. at the school, 404 Edison Street public meeting. WEDNESDAY MAY 2 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 MAY 3 Mental Health Awareness Informational. Fair & Annual Flash Mob: Buffalo Central Library, 12 noon 832-2141 or 832-0021. Foxie Brown Line Dance Classes: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Schiller Senior Center, 2057 Genesee St. 444-2046. 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 MAY 4 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

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

Zumbathon for Cancer! Sweating for A Cause D'Youville College Student, Oluwakemi “Kemi” Mogaji has been raising funds to help young adults affected by cancer. On April 29 she is holding a ZUMBATHON FOR CANCER fundraising event at D’Youville College Gym 320 Porter avenue from 12-2pm. Advance Tickets are $10 and $15 at door. Kemi has set a $4,500 goal to support Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. So far she has raised $2,837 ( 60% ) and has plans to meet her goal before she and a group of college aged students set out on a 70 day, 4000+ mile bike ride from Baltimore MD to Seattle WA to raise the awareness. The Zumbathon will be a fun filled event and those who wish to help support this effort are encouraged to attend. You can find tickets on line at Eventbrite.com searchZumbathon For Cancer. You can also learn more about the ride and Kemi’s purpose on www.ulman.z2systems.com/ oluwakemimogaji Learn more about this group at www.4kforcancer.org

SUPPORTOURADVERTISERS!

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •April 25, 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.

into ROC 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