Challenger Community News February 22, 2017

CHALLENGER

B L A C K H I S T O R Y M O N T H . H O N O R I N G T H E PA S T, I N S P I R I N G T H E F U T U R E !

February 22, 2017 • FREE SPORTS HISTORY

“The Black Fives”

PG. 13

INSIDE ROCHESTER

RACISM, LABOR PAINS Lightfoot To Run for City Council

PG. 2

Charisse Freeman

Franchelle Hart

and Buffalo’s Booming Construction Industry PG. 3

“They Want to Make An Example of Me.” Kiarre Harris: The Story and The Struggle Continues

Jackie Rushton

John Elmore

Myra Moses-Roinson

BLACK TIE FOR BLACK HISTORY Celebrate The Spirit of Nina

PG. 15

Stevo

PG. 3

Simone!

PG. 11

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INSIDE ROCHESTER

WHEN MALCOLM X SPOKE IN ROCHESTER

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n one of his final addresses, delivered at the Corn Hill Methodist Church in Rochester, N.Y., on Feb. 16, 1965, Malcolm X said that “in no time can you understand the problems between Black and White people here in Rochester or Black and White people in Mississippi or Black and White people in California, unless you understand the basic problem that exists between Black and White people — not confined to the local level, but confined to the international, global level on this earth today.”

Malcolm X was assassinated on Feb. 21, 1965 before he was able to address an OAAU audience at the Audubon Ballroom. Although his assassination had been attributed to members of the NOI, many since then believe that the federal government was behind his death in response to his uncompromising militancy and his political evolution toward revolutionary pan-Africanism and internationalism.

Lightfoot Announces Run for Legislature Former Monroe County Legislator Willie J. Lightfoot has announced his candidacy for Rochester City Council.

Lightfoot served the Monroe County Legislative District 27 located in the 19th Ward and the Dutchtown Neighborhoods until he reached term limits in 2015. He was the Democrat Assistant Minority Leader who served on the human service, public safety committees and was a ranking member of the Monroe County Legislature. He is the son of Lightfoot the late former Monroe County Legislator, the Hon. Willie W. Lightfoot.

“After 20 Years of faithful service with the Rochester Fire Department, I have decided to retire this year and run for Rochester City Council,” said Lightfoot. “I have been dedicated to serving this city for over 30 years. I look forward to continuing serving the citizens of Rochester, NY.” Lightfoot is seeking to secure a City Council at-large seat.

Black History Month Program Features Noted Soprano Noted soprano Elena O'Connor will be the featured artist in a special program of music and dance at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 26 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams Street.

Sponsored by the Rochester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Crimson Note Music Heritage Concert is presented in celebration of Black History Month.

A native of Rochester and a graduate of Penfield High School, Ms. O'Connor has appeared numerous times with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Concert tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for youth under 18. They may be purchased at Wegmans, online at the Rochester Alumnae Chapter's web site: www.racdeltasigmatheta.org, from a chapter member or at the door.

For the Many Remarkable Contributions Worldwide, We Proudly Salute

Challenger Community News •thechallengernews.com •Februar y 22, 2017

Bronze Collective Theatre Fest: A Week's Infusion of African American Theatrical Arts The Bronze Collective Theatre Fest concludes its third season of performances at 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 22, 23, 24 and 25 along with a 2 p.m. Feb. 26 matinee at the Multi-Use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC), 142 Atlantic Ave. The festival, which began on Monday, Feb. 20, coincides with Black History Month. It features drama, storytelling, dance, spoken word and more.

Schedule of remaining festival performances: *February 22/Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. The Promise, a play about black male relationships, by Karen Culley. *February 23/Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Blues for Mister Charlie, a stage reading of master playwright James Baldwin's classic and groundbreaking play as directed by Gary DeWitt Marshall. *February 24/Friday, 7:30 p.m. Descendants of the One's Who Made It, civil rights and freedom ring in this historical drama about the role of black women in the movement for equality, by Akwaaba: The Heritage Associates, Inc. *February 25/Saturday, 7:30 p.m. , True Roc Stories, an exploration of Rochester's urban stories through poetry and motion, by Lu Highsmith/Roc Bottom Slam Team and Tru Art Dance. *February 26/Sunday, 2 p.m. Let's Have Church, a gospel showcase, featuring Grammy nominated artist Michael Bruce and Ballet Afrikana.

Admission ranges from $5 to $20.For performance details or to buy tickets online through Ovations, go to http://www.muccc.org. For further information, call Mood Makers Books at (585) 271-7010 or go to http://bronzecollective.webs.com.

*FREE BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT Friday Feb. 24, Ave. D Rec. Center 200 Ave.. D Rochester 2pm-5:30pm. Spaces open for Sponsors, Vendors, Speakers, Performers. If interested call or email 716-465-5648 YouthPrisonPrevention@ gmail.com *Keyshia Cole Sat 2/25 @ 7:30pm Rochester Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY

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Challenger Community News • thechallengernews•com February 22, 2017

AREA BRIEFS Broadway Fillmore NHS Awarded $500,000 in Home Repair Funds

Mayor Brown

Brown Will Seek a Fourth Term Mayor Byron Brown on Monday announced that he will seek a fourth term in office. Brown kicked off his re-election bid with a rally at Erie Community College’s City Campus. If re-elected, he would make history as the second mayor in Buffalo history to be elected to four terms. Joining him at the podium was his wife, Michelle, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. The mayor highlighted the city’s construction downtown, improved residential areas and efforts to limit crime. Critics of Brown argue the mayor’s initiatives have not benefited Buffalo’s inner city residents.

The New York State Affordable Housing Corporation recently awarded Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood Housing Services (BFNHS) $500,000 to make home repairs for low-income homeowners.

Funds will be used to correct major systems – roof, electric, heating, plumbing and other health/safety issues.

Energy conservation work will also be included. To start the application process, you may stop by our office at 780 Fillmore Ave. and pick up an initial intake form, or you may download it from our website – www.780fillmore. org There is a preference for very low-income homeowners – below 50% of area median income (currently $33,650 for a family of 4), and for low-income seniors (over 62).

The priority service area for the funds is Best Street to the North, Koons and Babcock to the East, Seneca Street to the South and Herman and Smith Streets to the West.

For additional information, call 716-852-3130 ext.1.

Minority and Women Business Enterprise Task Force Meeting University District Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt and Chairwomen: Janique Curry will host a Minority and Women Business Enterprise Task Force Meeting on Monday February 27 at 11 a.m. in Room 1417 in Buffalo City Hall.

The purpose of the MWBE Task Force is to promote equality of economic opportunities while eliminating the barriers due to the lack of information and resources provided to minority business. This Task Force was formed to formalize the on going commitment of The Common Council to work with and create opportunities for MWBE firms in The City of Buffalo.

Membership of the Task Force includes a representative from each District of The City appointed by each councilmember, The City of Buffalo Corporation Counsel, Compliance Staff City of Buffalo, SURA, BMHA, Council Members, Business owners, and others.

This meeting is open to the public For more information call 851-4234 or 851-5105.

DID YOU KNOW..

The planet sizzled to its third straight record warm year in 2016. The last time the earth was this warm was 125,000 years ago. -USAToday

BLACK TIE FOR BLACK HISTORY!

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ix outstanding members of the community will be honored at this year’s Black Tie for Black History Extravaganza on Friday, February 24 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Metropolitan Entertainment Complex, 1670 Main Street.

The honorees are: Gospel Ambassador and Federal Agent Charisse Freeman; Franchelle Hart, founding Executive Director of Open Buffalo; political activist and retired City Council executive Jackie Rushton; attorney, author and community activist John Elmore; Roebling Avenue Block Club activist and Stop the violence Coalition member Myra Moses-Robinson; and fashion designer/stylist Stevo Johnson.

“We are constantly trying to celebrate a diverse group of people in our community who often fall under the radar but are still doing powerful things ,” said founder and organizer Marnetta Malcolm. “The Black Tie for Black History gala is an opportunity for people to know more about them and to give them their just due. These are individuals who are inspired by life and will do what they do with or without recognition….it does not stop them from ‘walking their walk.’”

Now in its 9th year, the Black Tie for Black History event, she added, is an opportunity to remind us all that “ we have to get back to ourselves...to supporting ourselves and our institutions.”

In line with that thinking, this year’s location is a departure from the usual downtown venue, she noted. “We’re trying to do everything in the community to support the community.”

Entertainment will be provided by Denzell Ward and Cool Platinum. DJ Papa Trini will DJ the affair. Tickets are $25 and available at Doris Records. Net proceeds will benefit the Stop the Violence Coalition & Peacemakers.

LP Ciminelli is the gala’s primary sponsor. Additional sponsors include Dr. Catherine Collins, CASNY, Geneva’s Auto, Camellia Foods, Three 2 Go Music Alliance, MND Accounting, Challenger Community News, WUFO, AM1400 and American Commodore Tuxedo.

Main Street Gallery Celebrates Its First Year Anniversary!

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he Main Street Gallery, located at 515 Main Street in Downtown Buffalo’s Theatre District, may well be history in the making. Manager/ owner Lodina Clyburn is still researching to verify the very real possibility that her impressive new gallery may be a first for a Black woman in this area.

A full house of supporters, entertainers, and artists filled the gallery during her First Year Anniversary celebration gala January 27. The Gallery, which opened last year, is a dream come true for Lodina who is retired from the state and county .

“I am a photojournalist,” she said. “I’ve been shooting photos since the sixties when I got my first camera. The first photo I remember taking was in front of Audry and Dell’s (record store) on A GATHERING OF ARTISTS:(L-R) Lodina Clyburn, Jefferson Avenue .”

Lorna Hill, Valeria Cray and Jessica Thorpe.

She also contributed regularly to The Challenger for many years, working under former Photo Editor Bro. Simba Mlee. A graduate of Lafayette High School, she holds a BA from the University at Buffalo as well as degrees in Paralegal and graphics.

Her inspiration to one day open her own gallery, she said, came after visiting a Black-owned gallery in Philadelphia years ago called The African American Historical and Cultural Museum; also serving as inspiration was working in the community on the Apollo Project with Beverly Gray and the 50 Women With A Vision organization.

“This first anniversary has been monumental,” she reflected, “mainly because of the other three artists who attended.” She was referring to Ujjma theatre founder and renowned actress Lorna Hill; painter and arts advocate Jessica Thorpe; and noted sculptress Valeria Cray. “ I was really proud and honored to be standing with these renowned ‘firsts’ in the arts,” she said. “And I’d like to thank the community for all its support.”

The community thanks Lodina as well for having the vision and fortitude to make the Main Street Gallery a reality.

(For more Information Lodina may be contacted at 716-578-1702.

Carter G. Woodson

CARTER G. WOODSON: FOUNDER OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched Negro History Week in 1926, chosen in the second week of February between the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, which evolved into Black History Month in 1976.

Dr. Woodson, known for writing the contributions of Black Americans into the national spotlight, received a Ph.D at Harvard University in 1912.

He founded the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in 1915 and founded the Journal of Negro History in 1916 Historian Carter G. Woodson was born to poor, yet land-owning, former slaves in New Canton, Virginia on December 19, 1875.

In the early 1900s, he taught Black youth in West Virginia.

From late 1903 until early 1907, Woodson worked in the Philippines under the auspices of the US War Department.

Woodson then traveled to Africa, Asia, and Europe and briefly attended the Sorbonne in Paris, France.

In 1933, he published The Mis-Education of the Negro. Though he wrote, coauthored, and/or edited more than twenty books, this is his most famous and enduring book. Woodson died suddenly from a heart attack in his “office home” on April 3, 1950. He never married and had no children. Deservingly dubbed “The Father of Black History,” he was, simply put, a Black history institution builder.

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Challenger Community News •thechallengernews.com •Februar y 22, 2017

Deltas Celebrate 25Th Anniversary Of HBCU Tour

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n Saturday, February 11, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Buffalo Alumnae Chapter welcomed over 750 guests to their Crimson and Crème Gala. Held at the Adams Mark Hotel, the event was a fundraiser for scholarships and public service programs.

The Buffalo Alumnae Chapter has awarded more than $275,000 in scholarships, and in recent years, about $20,000 annually. Gala Chair Sharon Sanford said, “We are thrilled our event sold out to meet our goal for scholarship proceeds while providing an exciting experience for our guests.

The gala was also a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Dr. Mattie L. Rhodes College Preparatory Program and Historically Black College and University Tour (MLR HBCU Tour). Chapter President Dr. Mattie L. Rhodes, a retired college professor, recalls, “I had a vision for our sorority that we would introduce Western New York high school students to the option of attending an HBCU. We believed that an on-campus experience would inspire our students to go on to higher education, whether they ultimately attended an

Introducing Chiquita Rodgers, Branch Manager at our Fountain Plaza location.

Stop in and say hello.

CELEBRATE! In top photo with sign, Tanika Allen, Sharon Sanford, Dr. Mattie Rhodes, Vanita Evans. Above, Dr. Rhodes with awardees.

HBCU or another institution of higher learning. I reached out to David Garnett, a Buffalo native who at that time was a Vice President at the Xerox Corporation. Xerox not only provided major underwriting, they also hosted our students at the Leesburg training center for career planning activities.”

Program chair Vanita Evans continued, “The MLRCPP and HBCU Tour is a 6 week program offering workshops

in admissions, financial aid, selecting a college and life in college. At the end of the 6 weeks, students go on a bus tour of HBCU’s in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area such as Howard, Morgan State and University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The tour is timed to coincide with a homecoming weekend on campus. We could not do this without our Continued Page 8

40-50 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo • (716) 844-3890

five-starbank.com

HEALTH MATTERS

Challenger Community News • thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

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Ancient African Medicine T

he ancient Egyptian physicians treated wounds with honey, resins (including cannabis resin) and elemental metals known to be antimicrobial. This practice is still a valid medical protocol even today.

Again, just like in this modern times, the prescriptions for laxatives included castor oil and colocynth and bulk bran and figs were used to promote regularity.

Other references show that colic was treated with hyoscyamus, which is still used today, and that cumin and coriander were used as intestinal carminatives.

Musculo-skeletal disorders were treated with rubefacients to stimulate blood flow and poultices to warm and soothe similar to the practices of modern practitioners of sports medicine .

Interestingly, certain remedies prescribed by Egyptian physicians were way ahead of modern anticipation. For instance, celery and saffron which were used for rheumatism, are currently hot topics of pharmaceutical research, and pomegranate was used to eradicate tapeworms, a remedy that remained in clinical use until 50 years ago.

Acacia is still used in cough remedies while aloes forms a basis to soothe and heal skin conditions. The knowledge and the uses of essential oils and resins were introduced to the world by the ancient Egyptians.”

The early Egyptians appear to have been the first to recognize that stress could contribute to illness. They established sanitariums where people would undergo “dream therapy” and treatments with “healing waters.

Altogether, around 50 percent of the plants used in ancient Egypt remain in clinical use today.

Many of the medical and surgical instruments such as knives and forceps have not changed their design since the ancient Africans first sent out this knowledge to the world. Today, researchers are still discovering “new” cures based on old Egyptian remedies, such as eating celery to help curb inflammation associated with arthritis.

Roswell Park Offering Eva Noles Scholarship

Roswell Park Cancer Institute is proud to announce that applications for the Eva M. Noles Scholarship will be accepted for the 2017-2018 school year March 1 through May 15, 2017.

Established in 2008, the scholarship is awarded annually to a Roswell Park employee or community member from an underrepresented group who is seeking higher education at a local college or university in the field of health care.

The $1,000 scholarship is named for Eva Noles, the first African-American woman to train and graduate as a registered nurse in Buffalo. Ms. Noles attended the E.J. Meyer Memorial Hospital School of Nursing (now Erie County Medical Center), a school that had never admitted an African-American student before accepting Ms. Noles. This launched a career that would blaze a trail for generations of women to come. She finished at the top of her class in 1940, persevering despite continued racial prejudice throughout her studies and even early in career. Ms. Noles started working at Roswell Park five years later.

Ms. Noles was a lifelong learner. She went on to earn a bachelor of science in nursing and a master of arts in education, both from the University at Buffalo. She worked at Roswell Park for more than 30 years, leading Roswell Park’s Nursing Department from 1971 until her retirement in 1974.

Eva Noles died December 2, 2015, at age 96, but her legacy lives on at Roswell Park through the scholarship that bears her name. She is memorialized in the Institute’s Scott Bieler Clinical Sciences Center, where her portrait is on display.

In 2016, Roswell Park employee Alexandra Francis received the 8th annual Eva Noles Scholarship. In her acceptance speech, Ms. Francis explained how Ms. Noles inspired her to continue her education and encouraged her to be a trailblazer while she worked to reach her personal and professional goals.

For more information about the scholarship, contact David Scott, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Roswell Park, at david.scott@roswellpark.org. The Diversity Office at Roswell Park supports the mission, vision and values of Roswell Park Cancer Institute by promoting diversity and inclusion as an integral part of the Institute’s goal to understand, prevent and cure cancer.

A n s w e r i n g y o u r q u e s t i o n s a b o u t c r e m a t i o n a n d b u r i a l . . .

“How many people can be buried in a cemetery lot?”

If you have any questions about cremation or burial, give us a call at (716) 885-1600.

Most cemeteries allow 1 or 2 burials in a single grave. At Forest Lawn, we recently changed our rules & regulations to allow up to 4 burials in a single grave, w hich can include 1 casket plus 3 urns or a total of 4 urns.

For example, if a couple chooses side-by-side casketed burial in 2 graves, there’s room for them and up 6 other members of their family. This can represent a significant cost savings for the family. But more importantly, it can make it possible for you and your dearest loved ones to remain together forever.

1411 Delaware Ave ● Buffalo, NY 14209 forest-lawn.com

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FAITH & FAMILY

Challenger Community News •thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

Zion Dominion Global Ministries Offering Friendship Baptist to Celebrate 3rd Bilingual Worship Services Anniversary of Pastor Edward and Bilingual worship services are offered every 4th SunLady Kim Jackson day at 3pm. at Zion Dominion Global Ministries, 895 North Forest Road. These services are for everyone - those that are in the Latin community or even those who would like to experience worship in the Spanish language. God bless you!

It’s A Matter Of Dominion!

Servicios de alabanza en Español para la comunidad y todos aquellos que quieren ser parte. Todo los 4th Domingo del mes a las 3pm. Cambiara tu vida!! veng hacer parte lo que hay esta pasando en Zion Dominon Global Ministries!

Dios te bendiga y Se Trata De Dominio!

Calvary CME Wraps Up Black History Month Celebration Calvary CME Church, located at 1007 Ellicott Street, will wrap up its Black History Month Celebration: on Sunday, February 26, with African Attire Day. All are welcomed to join us for our Free Community Breakfast (sponsored by Project Feed) from 8am-9am. Worship service starts at 10:30am.

After morning service there will be a Soul Food Dinner. For more information, contact Ruby Wilson at 716 228-4028 or Eula Hooker at 716-812-8878.

The Friendship Baptist Church will celebrate Pastor Edward and Lady Kim Jackson’s 3rd Anniversary February 24 thru 26, “To God Be The Glory for the Things He Has done!”

The celebration kicks off on Friday, February 24 with a revival at 7 p.m. featuring guest speaker Rev. Marvin E. Wiley from the Rock of Ages Baptist Church, Maywood, Il. On Saturday, February 25 at 6 p.m. a concert Celebration of Choirs will take place featuring The VarSon Community Choir, Joshua’s Generation Choir, The Friendship United Choir and special guest, the New Direction Choir from Chicago, IL On Sunday February 26 the 9:45a.m. guest speaker will be Rev. Alvin Love and the Lilydale First Baptist Church of Chicago, IL.

Love Alive Black History Program “Out of the Shadows” is the theme for Love Alive F.G. Baptist Church’s annual Black History program to be held on Sunday, February 26 at 4 p.m. Philip Davis Sr., Director/CoProducer of the musical “The Destiny of Rose,” will serve as theater mentor. Love Alive is located at 141 Lewis Street near William Street. Dr. Jeffery Bowens is Pastor.

Pilgrim Baptist Black History Program Pilgrim Baptist Missionary Church, located at 665 Michigan Avenue, will host its annual Black History Program on Saturday, February 25 at 4 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Princess Ball Father Daughter Dance Continuing to honor the strong bond between fathers and daughters, Studio J will be presenting its 2nd annual father daughter dance Princess Ball! The event will take place on Saturday April 8th 5-8pm at the Metropolitan Entertainment Complex, 1670 Main St. It promises to be an elegant fun-filled evening for fathers to spend with their daughters. Interactive activities, games and contests will be presented around dinner and dancing along with a photo souvenir. “Now more than ever we need to continue to show that there are fathers who are involved in their daughter’s lives”says Jayme Smith. “Events like this strengthen family ties and gives fathers the opportunity to spend time with their princess.” The event is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, Customs by Tiff and More and DJ Hassan. Tickets must be purchased by April 1st at Studio J located at 43 Kenmore Ave. For more information, call (716) 83-DANCE, e-mail: studiojbuffalo@gmail.com or visit the website atwww.studiojbuffalo.com

Challenger Community News • thechallengernews•com February 22, 2017

Michigan Street Baptist Church:Legendary Underground Railroad Station The Michigan Street Baptist Church has been a central part of the history and culture of the African American community in Buffalo for more than 150 years. It is one of the oldest properties in Buffalo Niagara continuously owned, operated and occupied by African Americans. The building was erected in 1845 by its African American congregation, and became a legendary Underground Railroad station, providing final sanctuary for hundreds of freedom seekers before they crossed the border to freedom in Canada.

It was a central meeting place for abolitionists and later for anti-lynching activists during the early 1900’s. Over the years, Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown, W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington, among other great historical figures have graced its sanctuary.

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Challenger Community News •thechallengernews.com •Februar y 22, 2017

DELTAS continued from page 4 community partners, and therefore at this 25th Anniversary milestone, we are presenting our Community Awards.”

In addition to tour founder Dr. Rhodes, the honorees were: Mr. David Garnett, retired Sr. Vice President of the Xerox Corporation, the first program underwriter. Mr. Clement Weatherspoon, AYR Transportation, who has been the tour driver for over 15 years. Mrs. Rubie Carlis-McKelvey, School Psychologist, Buffalo Public Schools, for independently sponsoring students for over 8 years.UB Office of Community Relations, Tess Morrissey, Director. The Office is recognized for years of logistical assistance for workshop space and as a bus arrival/ departure location.

Patricia Russell-McCloud, J.D

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, to Celebrate 109th International Founder’s Day

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Omega Chapter of Buffalo, will celebrate its 109th International Founders’ Day on February 25 at the Adams Mark Hotel 120 Church Street from 11 :30 to 1:30 p.m. The theme is “Launching New Dimensions of Service” and the guest speaker will be Patricia Russell-McCloud, J.D., best selling author and acclaimed orator from Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information contact Janice Y. Ferguson, Ph.D. at 982-3579.

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Challenger Community News • thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

Early History of Black Buffalo....

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lack frontiersman Joseph Hodges was one of Buffalo’s earliest non-white settlers. Local griots-oral historians – know that Underground Railroad conductor Harriet “Mother Moses” Tubman led bands of runaways through the Niagara region. Abolitionist William Wells Brown lived on Pine Street in Buffalo and helped fugitives cross the water into Canada when he worked for the Lake Erie Steamship Co. Frederick Douglass spoke to a full sanctuary at the Michigan Street Baptist Church. In 1905 W.E.B. DuBois with other black leaders, planned the Niagara Movement and Booker T. Washington address crowds in Buffalo. Mary B. Talbert campaigned for anti-lynching legislation from her home on Michigan Avenue.

Buffalo is where jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong jammed with local musicians at the Colored Musicians Club. Writer Ishmael Reed and pop R&B icon Rick James hail from Buffalo. “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin (and her sisters) sang in a Buffalo church choir where her father served as a pastor. Buffalo is where the late Grover Washington, Jr. cultivated the smooth in his sax. Cleveland Witherspoon invented the electronic car starter here. The vibrations of the African American experience are palpable in Buffalo.

Catch the rhythm and realize the whole American story is right here.

A Last Stop Before Freedom In 1816, there were 16 Black residents nine listed as slaves) included among a Buffalo population of 400. By 1828, that number had grown to a community of about 60 who, shortly thereafter, organized the Vine Street African Meth-

odist Episcopal Church and the Michigan Street Baptist Church, these churches became the cornerstones of activity dedicated to building a free life in the urban North.

At the beginning of the Civil War, the African American population in Buffalo numbered about 500; most were fugitive slaves or their de-

scendants. Proximity to Canada- and the points West – made the city an important Underground Railroad station. Buffalo was pivotal in abolitionist and turn-ofthe-century “race relations” movements. In 1843, the high point of the National Negro Convention, hosted by the Vine Street AME Church, was a debate between statesman and Rochester publisher Frederick Douglass and minister Henry Highland Garnett on whether or not the institution of slavery should be overthrown by force.

In 1854, the congregation

of the Michigan Street Baptist Church erected its own building at 511 Michigan Avenue. It still stands as the oldest property in the region built and continually owned

by African Americans. During the peak of Underground Railroad activity, the church harbored tired runaways before they crossed the border into Canada.

In 1997, The Michigan Street Baptist Church became an ofContinued Page 17

BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2017Month Black History “In recognizing2017 the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ofourselves "In recognizing the humanity our fellow the beings, we payhighest ourselves tribute.’ the highest tribute.”

—Thurgood Marshall, first African American U.S. Supreme Court member Acea Mosey for Erie County Surrogate Court Judge

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ENTERTAINMENT

Challenger Community News •thechallengernews.com •Februar y 22, 2017

An Interview With George Clinton: The Creator of Afro-Cosmic Interplanetary Funksmanship!

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By Matt Bauer

n troubled times like these we gotta have, no, we need, the Funk! And on February 26, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic will bring their Afro-Cosmic universe of musical liberation to the UB Center For The Arts. With recent legal struggles as complex and compelling as the P-Funk mob’s 50 year and counting odyssey rejuvenating the now 75 yearold Clinton, the current Mardi Gras Madness tour promises to be an epic evening of interplanetary funksmanship to end Black History Month with a bang since Clinton slyly advises,” you have to bring 2 booties with you when you come to the show.”

Q:You’ve been on a renaissance as of late¬the 2014 Funkadelic album First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate, your autobiography Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin Kinda Hard On You, collaborating with Kendrick Lamar on To Pimp A Butter-

fly, an upcoming album on the Brainfeeder label produced by Flying Lotus and a new Parliament album, not to mention you tour consistently. To what do you attribute this renewed activity?

what’s coming up. [laughs].

A:Well, most of it is I’ve been doing a documentary [due out later this year] about all of the legal stuff that I’ve been going through. All of the legal stuff took up a lot of energy and I thought the best way to deal with it was to do a documentary and let the people see the legal paperwork because it’s such a conspiracy and with all of the lobbying, the copyright office and all of the people that are making millions off all of those samples and songs I’d never be able to get the story out the way it should be.

A:I never thought about it.

Most of the time you’re out of your mind. [laughs]. You’re just making music and having fun. Trying to be whatever the trendy chemicals made you.

That’s part of rock and roll and roll and once you get past 50, you realize, ‘damn, you’re still here?’ Then you’ve got to find a way to pull s*** together because the object was to be f***ed up. You have to straighten stuff out and start all over because I’ve got my kids and grand kids all of them on stage with me to teach them and it’s all working. Six or seven years ago I realized that I had to clean up because I didn’t have that much time.

But the legal fights that I’ve had gave me energy just like the Vietnam war gave us the energy to write songs in the 1960’s.

I did the book and thought I’d just go out on the road, do what I do best, make new music and do a documentary on this. The story will be told but I’ll feel so much better not having to deal with the courts.

I just finished paying a 2 mil-

Q:When you first started out in Plainfield, NJ with The Parliaments did you think your career would have this much longevity?

lion dollar lawsuit against my own lawyer and I got my albums One Nation Under A Groove and Uncle Jam Wants You Back which are the holy grail of all of those sampled albums. I’m feeling good and that’s where I get all of the energy now. All of that old music is coming back to me so I have a lot of inspiration to do new stuff.

Q:Why do you think that funk music has not only survived but thrived with succeeding generations?

A:Because Funk is whatever it needs to be to survive.

Whatever the new funk is, the old funk can see where it’s coming from. If you just let go it’ll automatically take you to whatever is that’s coming up next. It’s like Star Wars: ‘just use the force Luke.’ Kendrick Lamar he introduced us to Thundercat, Flying Lotus and Childish Gambino and you end up working with them. We teach them how to stay around and they teach us

Q:Why has P-Funk thrived through all these decades of triumphs and challenges?

A:Because I put my interpretation on it. I realized that a long time ago back in the 1960’s, reading Billboard and watching how Motown promoted their acts, we started branding Funkadelic back in the late 1960’s to be its own thing. Dr. Funkenstein, The Mothership, it’s been a brand

Continued Page 11

11

Challenger Community News • thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

Celebrate The Spirit Of Nina Simone!

Musical Artist Drea D’Nur will honor Nina Simone’s Legacy by hosting an unforgettable Musical Tribute on Friday, February 24 at Kleinhans Music Hall.

Some 53 years since a 1964 performance by Nina Simone at Kleinhans Music Hall, the Spirit of Nina Simone will once again be celebrated through art and music in Buffalo thanks to

INTERVIEW GEORGE CLINTON

continued from page 10 that we’ve kept alive. People like that I’m still here and on stage and having fun. They’re daring me to stop funking.

Q:What comes to mind when you think of Buffalo?

A:We go all of the way back to The Pine Grill and the Revilot club ( sharing the name of the label that released The Parliaments’ hit ‘(I Wanna) Testify’ in 1967). We used to play with The O’Jays all of the time; Dyke & The Blazers. When “Testify” first came out, Buffalo’s one of the first places we ended up.

Q:Tell me about the upcoming Parliament album?

A:It’s called Medicated Frog Dogs and it’s a whole thing on the big pharmaceutical companies. One nation under sedation [laughs]. All of these medications of every kind; some people got their pets on meds. With the big pharmaceutical companies making money on getting people hooked on s*** the straight pusher’s been pushed out of business. So Sir Nose D’Voidoffunk is hanging out with the pharmaceutical people and Dr Funkenstein is trying to bop them to make them dance to get out of their nod. [laughs]

the musical artistry of DNur., a talented singer, pianist and song writer who has developed a soulful tribute to one of her musical idols Drea DNur will be accompanied by a 10-piece jazz ensemble with Creative MusicD irector Karen Saxon; Modern dance choreography by (Alvin Ailey Theatre-trained) Robin Hibbert; Select string section directed by Violinist Juliette Jones; Vocal solo by Rochester NY artist Danielle Ponder; and a Monologue by Shantinna Moore of Ujima Theater.

There will also be a special tribute to Buffalo guitarist and percussionist, Emile Latimer, who toured with Nina Sim-

z

one.

Tickets for this event can be

purchased at: WWW.OFFICIALDREADNUR.COM, Doris Records- and at Klein-

hans Music Hall kleinhansbuffalo.org/event/the-spiritof-nina-simone/. See you there!

SCREENING: THE SPIRIT OF NINA SIMONE Wednesday, February 22, 2017, 7–9 pm The Spirit of Nina Simone will be celebrated with an art exhibit and video screening of a local documentary highlighting Nina's connection to Buffalo. Drea commissioned Buffalo artists to create original Nina-inspired paintings and graphic art. The exhibit also features creative work from select students of Oracle Charter School, McKinley High School, and Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology.

The short film is produced

by Drea D'Nur & True Intent Productions.

The event is free and opened to the public.

Presented by Music Artist Drea D’Nur & Buffalo State College's EOP

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

SCREENING: THE ROMANS Thursday, February 2017, 7 pm

23,

With Q & A with director/ writer Korey Green and editor Matt Quinn The Romans is a modern day take on Julius Caesar set in Buffalo, New York that finds mobster Earl Roman running his empire with an iron fist, but a soft heart towards his people.

Unfortunately his rivals, C. Murph and the corrupt Councilman Green, threaten his domain and all that he has built. Written by Korey Green (The Forgotten City) and Larry Quinn comes a new age mobster style drama "The Romans" where in these streets the gun is more accepted than the bible.

RSVP on Facebook at www.

Facebook.com/BurchfieldPenney Free with gallery admission.

Larry Salter Soul Orchestra Black History Salute!

KOREY GREEN

The Larry Salter Soul Orchestra will host a Salute to Black History on Saturday, February 25 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Broadway Market, 999 Broadway. Admission is free to this family event!

12

Challenger Community News •thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

Delegates Welcome UNIA President General to Buffalo!

Delegates from Buffalo, NYC, Rochester, Toronto and all the way from South Carolina came to welcome The President General to our city. February 18. This marked the first time a President General has made an official visit since the Hon. Marcus Garvey in 1923. The Buffalo Black Cross Nurses, Universal African Legion #433, AHFC and Rochester PNBPP, along with Mother Laura Forbes of the Dorothy Collier Senior Center held a wonderful event. Dignitaries included the 11th President General and Administrator of the Pan-African Government of the World, Hon. Michael Duncan. Along with UNIA-ACL High Chancellor Raymond Dugue, as well as Oyotunji Village Priestess Iya Sangoma Oludoye.

The focus of Bro Dugue’s speech was “Service through sacrifice”. Focusing on the history of Hon. Marcus Garvey’s successful business ventures, and how we can apply that today.

The President General Hon. Michael Duncan’s speech was focused on the current situation our people are facing, and the solution being us pulling together and taking proper care of each other. He gave a message to the youth, reminding us all that we are “Garvey’s cubs”. He ended his speech with an excerpt of the “Look for me in the Whirlwind” speech. PG Duncan’s voice rang out through the hall, his Jamaican accent, channeling Hon. Marcus Garvey.

The Buffalo UNIA-ACL Division #433 intends on continuing its community service, with clothing drives, errand services, community clean-ups, food delivery, and assisting the elderly at the Dorothy Collier Senior Center.

For more information on UNIA-ACL Business ventures contact President Lion Blyden at lionblyden@gmail.com (Photos next week!)

Imhotep

Seeking Public Comment The Buffalo City School District is facilitating a meeting to allow for discussion of the development of New York State's required Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan.

Please join us at a public meeting on Thursday, March 9th from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at PS #95 Waterfront School, 95 Fourth St., Buffalo.

Staff from the Office of Shared Accountability will chair. A plan outline can be found at www.buffaloschools.org

Imhotep was the world’s first named physician, and the architect who built Egypt’s first pyramid. He is indisputedly the world’s first doctor, a priest, scribe, sage, poet, astrologer, a vizier and chief minister, to Djoser (reigned 2630–2611 BC), the second king of Egypt’s third dynasty.. mhotep was also the first known physician, medical professor and a prodigous writer of medical books.All of this occurred some 2,200 years before the Western Father of Medicine Hippocrates was born.

Could you be the next Buffalo Prep scholar?

Buffalo Prep is now accepting applications from 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students.

Join us at an information session to learn more!

Monday, March 6, 2017 5:30pm Tapestry Charter School 65 Great Arrow Ave., Buffalo To be considered for admission, a parent must attend an information meeting.

Saturday, April 1, 2017 11:00am* University at Buffalo South Campus John and Editha Kapoor Hall Room 190, Buffalo *Information session will be followed by an open house and tour of Buffalo Prep

IN 2016.... 100% OF GRADUATES WERE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN RECEIVED COLLEGE FRESHMEN RECEIVED For more information, call 716-829-3605, email info@buffaloprep.com, or visit ACCEPTED TO COLLEGE OVER $500K IN SCHOLARSHIPS OVER $2million IN SCHOLARSHIPS www.buffaloprep.com

Challenger Community News • thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

Winning is in our DNA: The Story of the Black Fives

D

r. James Naismith gets credit for inventing the game that many of us have grown to love and for that, we thank him. Basketball, in the African-American community, can be viewed in a sense as a vehicle. A game that has transcended lives and has provided transportation from one opportunity to the next.

What needs to be understood, is that basketball has played this role in our communities far before we were celebrating Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain for being basketball giants. Far before Julius Erving’s mythical superstar stories literally came swooping into our living rooms. Before Chuck Collins was the first Black player to be drafted into the National Basketball Association, before Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton was the first Black player to sign an NBA contract and before Earl Lloyd was the first Black player to play in an NBA regular season game, there were the Black Fives.

From 1904 – 1950, basketball, much like society, was racially segregated. During this time in history, teams were referred to as “fives” representing the five starting players on the court for each team. Due to racial segregation, fives in the African American community were called; colored fives, Negro fives, and Black fives. Black Fives basketball started out as an amateur sport. Churches, colored YMCA’s, Black businesses and newspapers sponsored teams due to racial segregation and the lack of venues and places to host an event. Coloreds, who indulged in the sport of basketball in the early 1900’s, much like today, were cultural trendsetters. Fusing style, charisma, music, and intuitiveness into something beautiful that welcomed more than just sports fans. Literally creating its own lane, basketball became a form of entertainment and an important social event in the community.

Did you know that basketball was the sport that truly began

13

By Gregory L Gamble II racial integration? Major League baseball is widely recognized for this as it became racially integrated in 1947 when Jackie Robinson began playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, but it was the sport of basketball where bBack fives were playing against White fives as early as 1910. Black Fives, although highly competitive, were not apart of a Negro League much like the baseball Negro Leagues, but operated independently on a national scale. These teams were in annual competition for the “Colored Basketball World Championship.”

The game changed in 1923, when Robert “Bob” Douglas made a deal with Harlem Real Estate Developer William Roach, the owner of the new Renaissance Ballroom and Casino to be the host venue for the first all-Black professional African-American owned basketball team, The New York Rens. With the advantage of having a permanent home court, Douglas was able to offer and provide year round professional contracts, which helped him attract the best African-American Talent nationally.

The New York Rens were simply dominant. Not just among Black teams, but amongst all of basketball. From 1924 to 1950, the New York Rens recorded an astonishing winning record of 2,588 victories and 539 losses. In 1939, a record that still stands today in professional sports, the Rens won 88 straight games en route to winning the first professional basketball championship when they beat the Oshkosh All-Stars, an all White professional basketball team.

So when you think of basketball moving forward, do not think of it as a narrow path in which a select few are chosen to be the celebrated. Think of basketball as a conduit that has provided and will provide opportunities to our community for years to come. Know that basketball is not just a game, but also a business. A business, in which our community has dominated from its origin. It is immensely important that we know our history, not just for our own enlightenment, but for those who come

THE BLACK FIVES

behind us. We are not to be used up and cast aside for the betterment of others. Instead, we are to be trailblazers. Where there is no way, we will continue to make a way. Where odds lie, we will remember. We’ve got Odds2Beat. Follow Greg @Odds2Beat on FB, Snapchat and Twitter, on Instagram @odds_2_beat or visit www.Odds2Beat.com

TO ADVERTISE: advertising@thechallengernews.com 716.881.1051

You are invited to join an open conversation about a new public art project.

Thursday, February 28, 2017 6 pm Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library 1324 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208

Michigan Street AfricanAmerican Heritage Corridor Open Buffalo Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

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ORACLE CHARTER SCHOOL

www.OracleCharterSchool.org/apply

Apply Now! Lottery Deadline: MARCH 31st!

888 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14209 716-362-3188

Challenger Community News •thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

History Students at Oracle Charter Make History!

Students Pass Regents Exam in Half the Time!

Buffalo, NY – 88% of Oracle Charter School’s Junior class passed the Regents US History exam this January after only having 5 months of instruction. 28% of these students achieved mastery, with scores of 85 or above!

Typically, students taking the Regents US History exam have 10 months of instruction before taking the “big test.” However, after rigorous and intense instruction, and a week of evening, online, group study, these hardworking stu-dents got it done.

Having taught most of these students since Freshmen year, US History teacher, Donna Nowak says she “knew the student’s abilities.” She presented the option of taking the exam early and 100% of the students voted yes! Ms. Nowak says, “this is a big deal since none of these kids have had U.S. History since 7th grade. I couldn’t be more proud of them!”

Students will be able to move on to take history courses that will position for potential college credit. Oracle Charter School is a college preparatory high school, with an 80% graduation rate and an 86% African-American male graduation rate. Oracle Charter School is now accepting applications for Fall enrollment.

Applications are due March 31, 2017, and can be found at oraclecharterschool.org or in person at 888 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY. Oracle will host an Open House on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, from 4:30-7pm.

Oracle hosted a special “Lunch with Leaders” in honor of the students successfully completing the US History Ex-am on February 17.

Oracle congratulates: Andre Favors, Eddie Vargas Breona Fluker, Ramia Lewis, Alexis Malczewski, Melvin Steele, Teaira McCloud, Zaineb Middleton, Iyonna Ridgeway, Tonmiea Stewart, Nikita Walker, Haneef Akram, Camille Buscemi, Khalil Kabia, Nick Lickers, Elmer Padilla, Evan Pimen-tel, Irrice Ridgeway, Tammi Rogers, Keziah

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY RAP

By Sharon Jordan Holley I say A B C D E F G African-American History HIJKLMNOP African- American History QRSTUV African- American History W X Y and Z This is a story all about me: A for African –American, My true identity B for Benjamin Bannaker Surveyor of Washington , D.C. C for my community a place that I call home D for all the discoveries I made just on my way home E for education We use from day to day F for all the families And the love that they portray G for all the talents and fits Of those who entertain H for the writers- Hughes and Hurston Who wrote about the people plain.

I for rhythm, blues and jazz And all our instruments J for Jesse Jackson Who ran for president.

K for Martin Luther King We honor with a holiday.

L for the cowboy, Nat Love “Deadwood Dick” they say M for Madam C. J. Walker A Black woman Millionaire N for the prophet, Nat Turner, A freedom fighter who dared O for oppression that we must fight To keep our struggle alive P for the principles some have held Q for the questions that I ask About my history

R for religion Islam to Christianity S for the seven days Of Kwanzaa T for Harriet Tubman Conductor on Freedom’s station U for the Underground Railroad A secret passageway V for the values that make me strong From unity to faith W for Woodson, Carter G. A vision he did see When he proclaimed February for Black History X for the name that Malcolm took because it means unknown.

Y for you – to be all that you can From the first day you were born.

Z for zenith, the highest point in this universe You’re reaching up When you learn An African- American history verse.

I say A B C D E F G African-American History HIJKLMNOP African- American History QRSTUV African- American History W X Y and Z This is a story all about me! c. Sharon Jordon Holley. of Buffalo first published thiss “rap” in “Talk That talk” An Anthology of African American Storytelling Edited by Linda Gross and Marian E. Barnes. Simon & Schuster 1989.

Oracle continued Shallowhorn, Bhagat Biswa, Sasita Kami, Belina Diassonma- Lingoupou, Ka-tarina Maracle, Shawn Parsons, Bonifasi Luundo, Aaron Rogers, Amari Washington, Dontae Acker, Jaamel Caar, Rashard Davis, Dalejha Drayton, Alex Hogue, Damon Johnson, Marty Mahon, Kayvonna Mason, Alexis Mitchell, Shareef Murray, Joseph Perez, Tanira Pratcher, JahZier Redfern, Angelica Robinson, Mircale Scott, Eric Smith, Jaylan Snaith, Jaliyah Snaith, Jaquan Steele, and Tatania Tart.

VOICES

Challenger Community News • thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

Kiarre Harris: The Story and The Struggle Continues...

W

By Sabirah Muhammad

hen last we met, we reviewed the harrowing story of the arrest of Kiarre Harris and the abduction of her children by Child Protective Services, all stemming from her decision to withdraw them from school and teach them at home. At that time, we had not had an opportunity to speak with Ms. Harris, in order to relay a first hand account of these events to you. It turns out that this experience was and continues to be …far more horrific than we were able to capture before speaking with her. We began by asking her to summarize the reasons that she decided to homeschool.

“It was a culmination of experiences over the years,” she said. “I tried several different schools with my children to see if we could get a better experience. The way the education system is in general, the failure rate, I was seeing that my children were not excelling. Their minds weren’t being expanded ... They were just being held back. Also, there was some instances of racism with teachers and staff; nothing direct, a lot of things were indirect… I wasn’t satisfied, and I felt the schools were failing my children, and also most of the other children that were in the school.”

Did you encourage other parents to withdraw their children, and homeschool as well?

“Yes, I did. And I was planning a homeschool meeting in the midst of all this with some parents who were already homeschooling and some who were interested in it, and some who felt they didn’t have the time and re- The Family Solution Center sponsored rally last Thursday in front of the Erie sources. I thought that along with the traditional school, aCounty Family Court Building in downI could work with those children on weekends and eve- town Buffalo to show support and call nings.” for the re-uniting of Kiarre Harris with her At this point, we turned our discussion to the intrusion two children. Kiarre, above, accuses the of Child Protective Services (CPS), after the children’s Buffalo Public Schools District and Erie former school reported their absences to the agency. Ms. County Child Protective Services of Civil Violations. She plans to file FedHarris had followed the proper, legal procedure in no- Rights eral Complaints with the U.S. Department tifying the school of her plans. How did we get from Of Education and The U.S. Justice Dean orderly and compliant withdrawal by a mother - to a partment. judge’s order to take her children?

The home schooling office of the school district, failed to notify the schools that her children were attending that the children were being home schooled. T he schools, in turn contacted NYS Child Protective Services that the children were not attending school and, therefore, Ms. Harris was subject to educational neglect charges. CPS opened an investigation, sought out Ms. Harris and the children.

When the CPS agent called Kiarre Harris to inquire about the children’s whereabouts, she insisted on coming to inspect her home. Kiarre, a self-respecting, assertive young Black woman, told her no, you may not. Instead of verifying Ms. Harris’s compliance with school procedure, she continued to insist on being allowed into the home. Sis. Kiarre continued to deny her, and from there we see all of the hallmarks of the use of state power to show “uppity Black folk” who’s boss. The CPS agent told a judge that she was being obstructed from entering a home … and the judge ordered the children taken. Ms. Harris was ordered to surrender her children by that Friday. She scheduled an outing to a local hotel to allow them to swim and spend quality time. That same day, the CPS agent called to say she was coming for the children immediately.

She tracked her to that hotel, bringing another agent and eight police officers, all White men. We asked her to describe the moment when they burst into the hotel room.

“I was terrified. My heart just stopped in my chest. All I could see was my children and their faces, and how terrified they were. They were crying hysterically, so I tried to grab them and comfort them, but then the officers immediately pulled me away from them, didn’t allow me any contact with them and they just handcuffed me, and that’s when they began to search me. They did that right in front of the children, and they carried me out. They pulled the children away one way, and took me the other way. And that was the last time that my children saw me.”

Are you telling me that these men grabbed you, and pulled down your clothes in front of ten people, eight of them men, with your children watching?

“Yes. Yes. It was like when you see the slave movies and they do these horrible things, it was like something out of a slavery movie. That’s what it felt like. I can’t really describe the emotion, I just felt so defeated and so helpless, and I know my children felt the same way. Since then they said Mom, why didn’t you protect us? Why didn’t you try to stop them? But there was nothing I could do at that point.”

(Last week’s article on these events delved into the sexual humiliation of Black folk during the

Continued Page 17

“We wish to plead our own cause.

Too long have others spoken for us.”

- John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal.

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

15

Out of Slavery: Giants!

“Up, up, you mighty race! You can accomplish what you will.” Garvey

T

By GAIL WELLS

he theme for this year’s African American History Month is “The Crisis in Black Education”. A befitting topic considering Dr. Woodson, the son of former slaves, was self-taught.

Yet with numerous obstacles and challenges, he was able to receive his PhD in history from Harvard University in 1912, where he was the second African American (after W.E.B. Du Bois) to earn a doctorate.

His family made numerous sacrifices for Dr. Woodson’s education, dispelling the commonly held myth that African Americans unlike other groups held education in low esteem. Dr. Woodson’s father moved the family from Buckingham County, Virginia to Huntington, Virginia because he heard that a high school for Blacks was being built. To this day Black families participate in lotteries, send children to live in school districts with high performing schools and fill out applications for special programs proving our desire to be educated runs deep.

Dr. Woodson’s road to Harvard had many twists and turns. He worked as a coal miner to earn a living and could only devote a few months each year to schooling. Many students today work while attending school. His tenure as a student was long. He entered High School at the age of 20.

He enrolled in college part time and earned a Bachelor of Literature degree from Berea College in Kentucky in 1903. He was 28 years old. He was 37 years old when he graduated from Harvard.

As my grandmother often repeated to me, “Just because the road ahead is long, is no reason to slow down, is no reason to get discouraged. It is a reason to get started, to grow, to find new ways, to reach within yourself and discover strength, commitment, determination, discipline.” Ralph S. Marston, Jr. But it is what Dr. Woodson accomplished with his Ivy League education that was most impressive. Woodson believed that education combined with social and professional interaction between blacks and whites could reduce racism. Woodson believed in self-reliance and racial respect, values he shared with Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican activist quoted above. Woodson’s political activism placed him at the center of a circle of many black intellectuals and activists from the 1920s to the 1940s. He corresponded with W. E. B. Du Bois, John E. Bruce, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, Hubert H. Harrison, and T. Thomas Fortune among others. His contemporaries inspired him to create the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, which ran conferences, published The Journal of Negro History, and “particularly targeted those responsible for the education of black children”. He created the Negro History Bulletin, developed for teachers in elementary and high school grades, and published continuously since 1937. He wrote numerous articles, monographs and books on Blacks. The Negro in Our History reached its eleventh edition in 1966, when it had sold more than 90,000 copies.

As we still find today, Woodson was ostracized by some because of his insistence on defining a category of history related to ethnic culture and race. Some felt that it was wrong to teach AfricanAmerican history as separate from American history. As a result, we are still fighting for the validation of Black Studies Departments which are being defunded and eliminated at institutions of Higher Education. Most of the k-12 curriculum does not provide adequate instruction regarding the history, culture and accomplishments of Africans and African Americans. Woodson’s efforts to get Black culture and history into the curricula of institutions, even historically Black colleges, were often unsuccessful and met with resistance. But he persevered, and so do we.

As we struggle to educate ourselves and our children remember our ancestors survived slavery and fought for us to be educated in order for us to accomplish what we will! We come from a mighty race of men and women who rose to become giants in science, engineering, math, music, and the arts. No matter the challenge we still rise.

(Thank you to the The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Wikipedia for their research) Learn about what makes us great by attending the events sponsored by the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor partners and stakeholders that are described below: African American Female Activism: Mary Talbert to Black Lives Matter; an intergenerational conversation featuring noted historian, Dr. Lillian Williams. Additional commentary will be given by social activists, Gail V Wells, founding member of the Black Student Union (UB) and Franchelle Hart, Executive Director of Open Buffalo.

Sunday, February 26th, 3pm , Michigan Street Baptist Church The final program for African American History Month, “Who is responsible for educating African American children?” will take place at 10am on March 4th, East High School, 820 Northampton Street. This program will feature the opinions of students, parents, teachers and community stakeholders in a facilitated conversation seeking to improve the educational outcomes of our youth. All are invited to attend! The morning will conclude with a theater performance from the students. This event is free and is co-sponsored by the MSAAHC Commission, East High School and Dr. Theresa Harris-Tiggs, elected representative for the East District, Buffalo Public Schools.

For additional program information you can find us on Twitter @MSAAHC or go to our website at www.michiganstreetbuffalo.org.

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Challenger Community News • thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017 Email legals & classifieds to: advertising@thechallengernews.com • Deadline Fridays @ 5pm

LEGAL NOTICE BID LASALLE SSP REQUEST FOR BID Mark Cerrone, Inc. is requesting bids for the LaSalle SSO Abatement Program 2017 Project in Niagara Falls, NY for all scopes of work detailed in contract documents.

MWBE Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 2/22/17 @ 3:30pm.

Documents can be obtained by contacting Estimating@markcerrone. com , Phone 716-282-5244, Fax 716-282-5245 or iSqFt®. Bids due to MCI by 2/24/17 at 5:00PM electronically or in person at 2368 Maryland Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14305.

Certified Minority, Women, and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise participation is strongly encouraged.

LEGAL NOTICE AIRSIDE PAVEMENT REQUEST FOR BID Mark Cerrone, Inc. is requesting bids for the Airside Pavement Maintenance 2017 Project in Niagara Falls, NY for all scopes of work detailed in contract documents. MWBE Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 2/22/17 @ 3:30pm.

Documents can be obtained by contacting Estimating@markcerrone.com , Phone 716-282-5244, Fax 716-282-5245 or iSqFt®. Bids due to MCI by 2/24/17 at 5:00PM electronically or in person at 2368 Maryland Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14305. Certified Minority, Women, and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise participation is strongly encouraged.

LEGAL NOTICE BNIA PAVEMENT PROJECT REQUEST FOR BID Mark Cerrone, Inc. is requesting bids for the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport Pavement Maintenance Project in Buffalo, NY for all scopes of work detailed in contract documents. MWBE Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 2/15/17 @ 3:30pm.Documents can be obtained by contacting Estimating@ markcerrone.com , Phone 716-282-5244, Fax 716-282-5245 or iSqFt®. Bids due to MCI by 2/21/17 at 5:00PM electronically or in person at 2368 Maryland Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14305. Certified Minority, Women, and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise participation is strongly encouraged.

LEGAL NOTICE

E MPLOYM ENT

JOBS

Buffalo Emoployment and Training Center / BETC

PROPERTY

MANAGER

716-856-5627

www.workforcebuffalo.org

MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTOR Nichols School anticipates hiring a mathematics instructor for the fall of 2017.

Please visit www.nicholsschool.org/careers

for complete information.

WILMIGTON .GILL

Filed: September 11, 2015 Index No. 810933/2015 Plaintiff designates ERIE County as place of trial Venue is based upon County in which premises are being situate SUMMONS WITH NOTICE ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF ERIE --------------------------------------------X WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, DOING BUSINESS AS CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR BRONZE CREEK TITLE TRUST 2013-NPL1, Plaintiff, -against- MARK S. GILL; RACHEL A. GILL; CAROL DANKERT-MAURER, COMMISSIONER OF ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #10” inclusive the names of the ten last name Defendants being fictitious, real names unknown to the Plaintiff, the parties intended being persons or corporations having an interest in, or tenants or persons in possession of, portions of the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint, Defendants.

--------------------------------------------X TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS:

Assistant Professor The Economics and Finance Department at Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Assistant Professor.

For a full job description and to apply: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

APT S F O R RE NT

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 upon the Plaintiff’s attorChallenger ney Buffalo within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive Size: (4”) x 2” of the date of service or2 within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. If you fail to so appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

DATED: Elmsford, New York

September 10, 2015 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 your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY

SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, DOING BUSINESS AS CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR BRONZE CREEK TITLE TRUST 2013-NPL1 AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Richard F. Komosinski Knuckles, Komosinski & Elliott, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 565 Taxter Road Suite 590 Elmsford, NY 10523 Phone: (914) 345-3020

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NOTICE TO OCCUPANTS: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, DOING BUSINESS AS CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR BRONZE CREEK TITLE TRUST 2013NPL1 IS FORECLOSING AGAINST THE OWNER OF THIS PREMISES. IF YOU LIVE HERE, THIS LAWSUIT MAY RESULT IN YOUR EVICTION. YOU MAY WISH TO CONTACT A LAWYER TO DISCUSS ANY RIGHTS AND POSSIBLE DEFENSES YOU MAY HAVE.TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Sum-

mons is served upon you by publication pursuant to Order the Hon Jeannette Ogden a Justice of the Supreme Court Erie County, dated Nov. 14, 2016 and filed with the complaint

and other papers in the Erie County Clerk’s Office, NY

NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above-entitled ac-

tion is to foreclose a purchase money mortgage to secure $66,482.00 plus interest, recorded in the Office of the County Clerk/City Register of the County of Erie on July 11, 2008 in Liber 13411 at Page 8498 covering the premises described as follows: 185 Ridgewood Road, Buffalo, New York 14220 a/k/a Section 133.64, Block 4, Lot 16 The relief sought in the within action is final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the mortgage described above.

The Plaintiff makes no personal claim against any Defendants in this action except Mark S. Gill and Rachel A. Gill. #90838

LEGAL NOTICE BID COUNTY OF ERIE NOTICE TO BIDDERS ELMWOOD AVE PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT PROJ# TAP-119-17 PIN 5761.03 Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, seeking sealed bids for construction of federal aid transportation alternatives project. Sealed proposals received at the DPW, 95 Franklin St, Rm 1400, Buffalo, NY at 10 am, Thursday, March 2, 2017.

Bid deposit of $35,500.00 required.

Minority Workforce goal, Apprenticeship & 11% DBE required. Plans and additional bid submittal information on the Erie County website at: http:// www2.erie.gov/dpw see On Line Bid Retrieval.

ROOMS

HISTORIC HAMLIN PARK

Rooms Available

$400-$600 per month.

Fully Furnished, Internet, Cable.

Contact Clifford E. Boone Sr. (716) 256-7383 cliffordboone@aol.com or Aisha Oliver 716-536-6099 ROOMS FOR RENT: Delavan-Humboldt area, Bailey-Delavan. $325$480. Everything included.

(716)818-3410.

JOBS

Buffalo Emoployment and Training Center / BETC 716-856-5627

www.workforcebuffalo.org The BETC is here to help with your job searching needs. We have free services to all jobseekers looking to find better paying work, an exciting new career, or wanting to upgrade skills to become more marketable. in today’s marketplace.

Orientation Times: Monday – Thursday, 10 am or 2 pm.

16 LEGAL NOTICE NATIOSTAR V. GERACE 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: 721 LA SALLE AVENUE BUFFALO, NY 14215 Section: 79.74 Block: 5 Lot: 13 INDEX NO. 811878/2015 NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff, Vs. KENNETH V. GERACE, if living, and if he be dead, 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; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, "JOHN DOE #1" 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 $55,440.00 and interest, recorded on April 16, 2004, at Liber 13155 Page 9961, of the Public Records of ERIE County, New York, covering premises known as 721 LA SALLE AVENUE BUFFALO, NY 14215. 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: December

6, 2016 RAS BORISKIN, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff BY: DANIEL GREENBAUM, ESQ. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 106 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675

Challenger Community News • thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017 Email legals & classifieds to: advertising@thechallengernews.com • Deadline Fridays @ 5pm

LEGAL NOTICE OCWEN

LOAN V. BATISTA

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 INDEX NO. 808005/2016 Mortgaged Premises: 401 WILLIAM STREET BUFFALO, NY 14204 Section: 111.15 Block: 1 Lot: 13 OCWEN LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, vs MILTON BATISTA if living, and if she/he be dead, 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; CLARIBEL BATISTA; NEW Y ORK STATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CORPORATION; BUFFALO NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION CORPORATION; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; KIM BENINTENDE; ERIE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMEN; CHRISTOPHER L. JACOBS, IN HIS CAPACITY AS ERIE COUNTY CLERK; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA “JOHN DOE #1” 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 $59,000.00 and interest, recorded on August 16, 1993, at Liber 12206 Page 824, of the Public Records of ERIE County, New York, covering premises known as 401 WILLIAM STREET BUFFALO, NY 14204.

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 RE-

SPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: December

13, 2016 RAS BORISKIN, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff SAMANTHA FLORES, ESQ. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 106 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675

LEGAL NOTICE

RFP

NOTICE Request for Proposal For One Stop System Operator Reissued and Revised February 22, 2017 as The Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board, Inc. is accepting proposals for a One-Stop System Operator to coordinate the service delivery of one-stop partners and service providers across its one-stop delivery system. The individual or entity chosen will report to its Board of Directors through the Executive Director. Proposals clearly labeled RFP for One-Stop System Operator must be delivered to 726 Exchange Street, Suite 630, Buffalo, New York 14210, no later than the close of business on March 24, 2017. Those interested in submitting a proposal may download this RFP at www.becwib.org.

Funding for this RFP is under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, 29 U.S.C. 3101 et. seq., (EEO/AAE).

LEGAL NOTICES NFTA BIDS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The NFTA is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for BNIA – Terminal Roof Replacement, Project No. 31BT1704. Proposals are due by 2 PM on March 14, 2017. www.nftaenineering.com INVITATION TO BID The NFTA is soliciting bids for Project No. 25LZ1703, LRRT-Escalator Rebuild, 2017, Bid No. E-535 on March 21, 2017. www. nftaengineering.com INVITATION TO BID The NFTA is soliciting bids for Project No. 12AW1620, Metro-Pavement Rehabilitation, Bid No. E-533 on March 16, 2017. www. nftaengineering.com

NFTA Procurement Invitation to Bid

4668 - MULTI TASKING SNOW REMOVAL UNIT 4669 - RESTAURANT AND RETAIL SPACE Download Bids from www. nfta.com

DID YOU KNOW...

According to the United States Census Bureau, there are more than 2 million businesses in the country that are owned by African Americans. That statistic dispels a lot of rumors that African Americans are not successful in business. On the contrary, Black-owned businesses are a huge asset to the U.S. economy.

LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF DEPEW VILLAGE OF DEPEW ERIE COUNTY, NEW YORK 2017 VILLAGE SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CONTRACT NO. 2017-1 Notice to Bidders All work will be in accordance with the Contract Drawings and Specifications and as directed by EN-GINEER. Separate sealed Bids will be received by the Village of Depew until 10:00 a.m. local time on March 16, 2017 at the office of the Clerk/Treasurer, Village of Depew Municipal Building, 85 Manitou Street, Depew, New York 14043, and then at that time and place be publicly opened and read aloud.

All Bids shall be made on the forms furnished and shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope marked “2017 VILLAGE SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, CONTRACT 2017-1” and directed to the Village of Depew.

2017 Village Sidewalk Improvement Project - Contract 2017-1 (Base Bid) West Section – replacement of sidewalks on Cayuga Blvd., S. Ellington Avenue and Zurbrick Road in the Village of Depew, along with associated work.

East Section – replacement of sidewalks on Warsaw Street, Bloomfield Avenue, Calumet Street, Terrace Blvd., and St. Marys Street in the Village of Depew, along with associated work.

2017 Village Sidewalk Improvement Project - Contract 2017-1 (Alternate A) West Section – replacement of sidewalks on Bigelow Place and Rutherford Place in the Village of Depew, along with associated work.

The Contract Documents may be obtained only from GHD Consulting Services Inc., 285 Delaware Avenue, Suite 500, Buffalo, New York 14202 upon deposit of the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per set. Payment shall be in the form of two (2) checks, each for one half of the total deposit ($25.00 each). Checks shall be payable to the Village of Depew. One half of the full amount of deposit for one set of Contract Documents will be refunded to any Bidder who has duly submitted a Bid accom-panied by the bid security required by this advertisement and who returns the Contract Documents complete and in good condition within thirty (30) days following the Award of Contract or the rejection of bids. If only one check for the full deposit amount is submitted, no amount of the deposit will be refunded. The full amount of deposit for one set of Contract Documents will be refunded to the Suc-cessful Bidder upon the execution of the Contract Documents.

Copies of the above described Contract Documents may be examined at no expense at the office of GHD Consulting Services Inc., 285 Delaware Avenue, Suite 500, Buffalo, New York 14202.

Upon request, the Contract Documents will be mailed after GHD Consulting Services Inc. has re-ceived the document fee plus a separate non refundable mailing and handling charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per set. The Contract Documents will be mailed, and the mailing date will be consid-ered the Bidder’s date of receipt. Checks for mailing and handling charges shall be made payable to GHD Consulting Services Inc. The Village of Depew is exempt from the payment of sales and compensating use taxes of the State of New York and of cities and counties on all materials, equipment, and supplies sold to the Village of Depew pursuant to this Contract. Also exempt from such taxes are purchases by the Contractor and his Subcontractors of materials, equipment, and supplies to be sold to the Village of Depew pursuant to this Contract, including tangible personal property to be incorporated in any structure, building, or other real property forming part of the Project. These taxes are not to be included in the Bid. Each bid shall be accompanied by cash, certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond in an amount not

less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the Base Bid including all alternates, in the form pro-vided, and subject to the conditions provided in the Information for Bidders.

The Successful Bidder will be required to furnish a performance bond and payment bond, each in an amount equal to 100 percent (100%) of the total Contract award amount.

Each Bidder’s attention is called to the General Municipal Law, which requires a Bidder’s Certificate of Non Collusion. Copies of such certifications are part of the Proposal Form, and unless completed with the Bid, will not be accepted.

This contract will be funded wholly or partially with federal funds, and as such, is subject to all federal rules and regulations pertinent thereto, including, but not limited to, federal policy of encouraging the participation of minority and women business enterprises as sources of suppliers, equipment, con-struction, and services.

The right is reserved to waive any informalities in the Bid and to reject any or all Bids.

No Bidder may withdraw his Bid within forty five (45) calendar days after the actual date of the open-ing thereof.

Date: February 22, 2017 VILLAGE OF DEPEW ENGINEER: GHD Consulting Services Inc. 285 Delaware Avenue, Suite 500 Buffalo, New York 14202

LEGAL NOTICE

RFP

17

KIARRE HARRIS continued from page 15 slave experience, but it had not yet been printed when Kiarre Harris made these comments to us, nor had we discussed it.

This reference was her unsolicited, independent account.)

She continued: “I wasn’t allowed to know where they were, my children were not allowed to speak to me or any other family member for 5 consecutive days after that. They were just placed in an institution, and they had no idea where I was, if I was even still alive, or where any other family members were, or if they would ever see them again. When I called my social worker and her supervisor, to see why I hadn’t been able to speak to my children, or why my mother or grandmother couldn’t, they said it was because of the post that I made on Facebook. That was why they wouldn’t allow the children to speak to anyone.”

In your understanding, what are the true reasons for all of the malice and cruelty?

“I definitely believe it’s related to my ideologies and my political views, and my activism for the freedom of Black people.

They want to make an example out of me.”

Indeed. On last Wednesday, February 15th, Sis. Kiarre went to see her children for the first time in weeks for the two hours the judge had allowed. Inexplicably, the visit was held at Catholic Charities, not at her mother’s home where the children live – and the agency told her the visit would be one hour, not two. Sis. Kiarre took the Challenger News with her to share the coverage of the family’s plight with them. Because she began reading the paper with her children, the woman charged with supervising the visit interrupted, and terminated the visit – before this mother could even spend five minutes with them. She also threatened her with termination of all other visits.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURAL/ ENGINEERING SERVICES

The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority requests sealed proposals to provide all professional Architectural/ Engineering Services necessary or incidental to provide site investigation, design services, preparation of plans and specifications and construction management services for the bidding and implementation of the following project: Architectural / Engineering Services to Facilitate Exterior Envelope Improvements and Interior Repairs @ Stuyvesant Apartments, BMHA Job #AE-17-02

The Request for Proposals may be obtained at the BMHA Capital Improvements Office located at 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204. Sealed proposals must be received by 3:00 PM, local time, on March 17, 2017 at the Capital Improvements Office, 320 Perry Street, Buffalo, New York 14204. Proposals received after this time will not be accepted. Perspective offerors are strongly encouraged to attend a pre-submittal meeting. The pre-submittal meeting will be held on March 8, 2017 @ 10:00 AM @ 320 Perry Street 14204.

The contract for professional services will only be awarded to a single professional firm; no joint ventures.

The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority reserves the right to waive irregularities and to reject any and/or all proposals submitted.

Date: February 22, 2017

EARLY HISTORY OF BLACK BUFFALO continued ficial historic site when New York State Governor George Pataki signed the New York Freedom Trail Program Act at the church.

In Broderick Park, on the Niagara River at the foot of Ferry Street, a plaque marks where other runaways, crossed treacherous water to salvation.

At the turn of the 20th century, black people flooded into the city from Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia, from Tennessee and the Carolinas. During this first wave of the Great Migration, they found plentiful work in the steel mills and factories and as domestics. An nearly as soon as they arrived, they founded businesses, established services and organized social groups to support their segregated communities.

Buffalo also emerged as a place where African Americans gathered to chart their collective future. In 1905, it was the site of the first meeting of the Niagara Movement.

In 1920, Dr. Theodore Kaakaza, a South African physician, Cornelius White, a window washer; Alfred Boykin, a grocer; and Arthur Lewis, publisher of the Buffalo American newspaper formed a local branch of the Universal Negro Improvement Association. During the time that UNIA Local No. 79 was active, Marcus Garvey made a number of visits.

Source: Buffalo Nniagara Afriacan Ameraican Herietage Guide

Straight talk Follow-Up Seminars The SBA & Buffalo-Niagara SCORE Chapter are holding our annual series of Straight Talk follow-up seminars at Medaille College this winter. Our events The annual Straight Talk event was held on January 21 and we would like to get the word out about our remaining follow-up sessions on a wide ar-ray of focused topics: *Federal Government Contracting, Home-Based Business & New York State Taxes Tuesday, February 21, 2017 5:45PM-8:30PM *Risk Management from the Insurance Perspective & Federal Taxes Tuesday, February 28, 2017 5:45PM-8:30PM *Marketing Your Small Business & Getting Your Small Business Online Tuesday, March 7, 2017 5:45PM-8:30PM *Social Media, Internet Marketing Secrets, Crowdfunding & How to Borrow Money Tuesday, March 14, 2017 5:45PM-8:30PM *Managing Your Credit Score & Funding Your Small Business Panel Tuesday, March 21, 2017 5:45PM-8:30PM For additional information or to fill out a registration form vis-it www.WNYStraightTalk.org

18

Challenger Community News • thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS SUN 2/12

3-WAY

TAKE 5

TUES 2/14

WED 2/15

MID-4-4-1

MID-3-6-3

EVE-4-6-4

EVE- 8-6-4

EVE-0-6-8

MID-8-8-8-0 EVE- 4-6-6-5

MID-4-0-0-5 EVE-4-1-8-5

MID- 0-5-1-4 EVE- 6-2-4-6

MID- 2-5-3-5 EVE- 0-8-6-4

02-05-06-23-39

03-06-11-19-25

08-10-11-19-36

12-19-25-31-38

EVE-7-0-4

WIN 4

MON 2/13

MID-6-1-8

LOTTO

MID-6-4-9

THURS 2/16 MID-4-0-3

FRI 2/17

SAT 2/18

MID-5-8-8

MID-6-4-6

EVE-1-5-8

EVE-6-3-3

EVE-1-7-9

MID- 4-2-1-8 EVE- 7-0-5-6

MID- 9-6-1-3 EVE- 4-3-5-9

MID- 8-4-8-0 EVE- 3-6-1-6

10-13-19-26-27

01-07-11-25-29

02-04-10-32-35

01-03-10-24-35-56 #47

HOT TIPS

4018

022

064

648

Zakiyyah’s Rundown (ZR) 562-670-106-860-103-657-748-905-198-657-648-920-907-546-986676-198-238-120-981-932-974-760-988-086-754-365-515-274-804348-029-869-269-875-634-678-796-909-175-678-809-109-645-467971-290-965-454-657-678-807-978-029-145-897-461-689-201-107456-578-646-230-856-789-086-657-651-890-219-345-476-578-768098-034-567-078-101-432-553-679-807-901-659-685 MA RUTH SPEAKS THE TRUTH! SURE HITS!

242-000-111-777989-123-125-436515-600-349-675-652

FEBRUARY-

Vibes 891-145-549-096326-437 quick money 189-809-444 886-980-422 322-522-355 800-592-390 394-833-924 127-909-418 927-313-466 124-550511-005/201

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Aquarius -496-235-165-579 Pisces - 056-362-237-694 Cancer - 482-372-895-718 Aries - 561-236-164-469 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

GAMMA’S FEBRUARY PICKS

235-409-509-666-776-123-189 FEBRUARY Best Triple- 333 FEBRUARY Special Doubles - 228-252-202COMBINATIONS

226 - NUMBER OF THE MONTH

YOUR FAITH DETERMINES YOUR FLOW. THE MORE POSITIVE YOU ARE THE GREATER YOUR FLOW OF GOOD.

09-26-28-34-36-57 #47

996

515

140

ATTORNEYS

Challenger Hits Midday

646-ZR Rundown (straight) Quick Money (bx) 518-Luckie Duckie (bx) 649-Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Number Book (bx) 563-ZR, Number Book (bx)

Evening

179-Libra (straight) 158-Luckie Duckie (bx) 068-ZR, Number Book (bx) 864-Hot Tips, Luckie Duckie (bx)

Law Office of Daria L. Pratcher, Pc “Everything Real Estate” 523 Main Street (716)541-8574

AUTO Ben’s Downtown Tire

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

Colston Enterprises 716 E. Ferry (Near Fillmore) (716) 894-3910

LUCKIE DUCKIE

133-202- 335 -2015-4444-1871-0978 134-431-143

648*123*104*820

BAIL BONDS GIST BAIL BONDS

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

980-422-809-981-989-970-990-080-

800-515-996-390-196-102-581-752-319408-378-352-126-189-444-886-514- 332522-112-432-421-423

3-Way Winning Numbers Last Year

02/29/2016 Evening 02/29/2016 Midday 02/28/2016 Evening 02/28/2016 Midday 02/27/2016 Evening 02/27/2016 Midday 02/26/2016 Evening 02/26/2016 Midday 02/25/2016 Evening 02/25/2016 Midday 02/24/2016 Evening 02/24/2016 Midday 02/23/2016 Evening 02/23/2016 Midday 02/22/2016 Evening 02/22/2016 Midday

2016

5-8-9 2-6-3 0-9-6 1-9-2 6-5-0 9-2-4 2-0-2 0-2-8 4-6-5 6-1-6 2-9-2 0-0-6 5-7-1 5-0-4 4-6-5 2-2-5

CELL PHONES Ansar Cellular Communications & Fragrance Store 1371 Fillmore @ E. Utica (716) 884-2373

CANCER SUPPORT SERVICES Jes Breathe Cancer Awarness Group (716) 510-7522

jesbreathe@yahoo.cing.com

ELECTRICIAL Empire Electric (716) 634-0330

FLORISTS Maureen’s Flower Market 441 Ellicott St. * 852-4600

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

DOG TRAINING Dogman’s K -9 Obedience Training 1963 Fillmore Avenue (716) 807-8163

To Advertise :advertising@thechallengernews.com

Challenger Community News • thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

Wednesday February 22

Thursday February 23

Hustle for Health Seniors line dance fitness class Gloria J Parks Center 3242 Main St,.

11am - 12pm 716 832 1010.

FREE

Celebrating Black History Through Spoken Word Open Mic Night: Buffalo State College, Bulger North, 1300 Elmwood, 6-8 p.m. featuring Buffalo State Alumni Oliver Colbert.

The Durham Central City Baby Café . Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 pm 200 Eagle St. 885-6348

Thursday February 23 “Mary B. Talbert to Black Lives Matter”: The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor will present “Afriacan American Activism: Mary Talbert to Black Lives Matter” featuring historian dr. Lillian Williams, Sunday, February 26 at 3 p.m. at the historic Michigan Street Baptist Church, 511 Michigan Avenue.

Social Meeting with Law Enforcement: ”Can You Hear Me Now 716”: hosted by Councilmember Ulysees O. Wingo at 6 p.m.. at Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts , 450 Masten Ave. jdunmore@city­buffalo. com or call {716) -851-5146 for more info.

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

HEAP Outreach: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Kensington-Bailey Neighborhood Housing Services, 995 Kensington Ave.; 894-0914 or 602-5877 for info; sponsored by Legislator Betty Jean Grant.

The Durham Central City Baby Café . Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 pm 200 Eagle St. 885-6348.

Saturday February 25 Larry Salter Soul Orchestra Salute to Black History: Broadway Market, 12 Noon to 3 p.m. Broadway market, 999 Broadway, Free; a family event.

Black History Program: Pilgrim Baptist Missionary Church, 665 Michigan Avenue, 4 p.m. Free.

Sunday February 26 Buffalo Urban League Youth In Action Mardi Gras Celebration: Oshun Oyster Bar, ChallengerAds_MSAAHCC_ChallengerAD_AAHistMo_3.375x5c 2/19/17 5 5 E Huron St. downtown; 5-8 p.m. $75 per person, $125 per couple. 716- 250-2446

Celebrate African American History Month 100 Years and More-Black History in Buffalo Exhibition Until Feb 28. Central Library, 1 Lafayette Square, Free

African American Female Activism: Mary Talbert to Black Lives Matter

Featuring historian, Dr. Lillian Williams.

Sunday, February 26, 3pm Michigan Street Baptist Church 511 Michigan Street For additional information visit MichiganStreetBuffalo.org or email Gailw@MichiganStreetBuffalo.org.

MICHIGAN STREET

Thank you to our sponsors: City of Buffalo, New York Power Authority, Erie County of New York State, The State of New York

CALENDAR COMMUNITYEVENTS CALENDAR

OMEGA PSI PHI TALENT HUNT: 3 to 5 p.m. Buffalo State College Rockwell Hall, 1300 Elmwood. For info call Dr. Fleming at 716-308-5596 flemster@outlook.com

Two chances a week to win $1,000 a day for life.

Drawings every Monday and Thursday.

Monday February 27 Minority and Women business Enterprise Task Force Meeting: 11a.m. Room 1417, Buffalo City Hall.

Tuesday February 28 Open Conversation About a New Public Art Project: 6 p.m. Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson; Hosted by Bethel AME, Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, Open Buffalo. See ad Pg.13.

Having An Event?

Community Room for Rent AD Phase II Community Center, located at 450 Jefferson Avenue, offers rental space in the Community Room. Capacity 225. For more information call Ms. Linda A. Jacobs at (76)9483315.

© 2017 New York Lottery. You must be 18 years or older to purchase a Lottery ticket. Please play responsibly.

For help with problem gambling, call 877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369). nylottery.ny.gov

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Challenger Community News •thechallengernews.com • February 22, 2017

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SHARING THE PRIDE! Albright Knox Public Art Curator Aaron Ott shares the pride and excitement with members of the community who came out to participate in the first of several community public meetings. People were asked to give feedback and insights on the forthcoming public art project as well as names of national and local Leaders who they feel should be included. The next Public Meeting is Tuesday Feb 28 at 6 p.m. at the Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson. All are welcome to join in this public discussion! Photo happi snaps

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