vaccine when made public

FIGHTING FOR BARBERS: Council VP Lighfoot is also President of the United Professional Barbers and Cosmetologists Association in Rochester. Lightfoot Submits Over 1000 Signatures to Reopen Barber Rochester Shops

Council Vice President Willie J. Lightfoot, who also serves as the President of the United Professional Barbers and Cosmetologists Association (UPBCA), submitted 1,022 signatures to Governor Cuomo asking that barber shops and other businesses in the appearance enhancement industry be reopened. This list of signatories is comprised of industry workers, their clients, and other business owners impacted by the shut-down. “We wish to ensure that all New Yorkers are safe, but we must recognize that viral spread has not been linked to appearance enhancement industry establishments. Many businesses are following guidance issued by the State and exercising extreme caution when working with customers, “ said Lightfoot. “We also must recognize that a disproportionate number of businesses that have been shut down are minority owned and located in the City. We must do everything we can to help them and ensure that workers and customers remain safe.” The petition, signed by over 1,000, included 288 Appearance Enhancement Business Owners and those who rent booths in businesses. Black Physicians Network to Host Black Doctors for Black Lives Virtual Gala The Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester will host its "Black Doctors for Black Lives" virtual gala Friday, December 11 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. View on 13WHAMABC. “Just 5% of America’s physicians are Black,” a statement from the organization points out. “This lack of diversity results in increased health disparities. We need more Black doctors. Please join us for our virtual gala and help us affect change in our community.” Police Accountability Board Meetings Held Virtually The last two Police Accountability Board regular Board Meetings for month will take place December 10 and 17. All Board meetings will be held virtually via Zoom in light of the state and local rules regarding the pandemic. These meetings can be watched live on the Board’s YouTube page, which can be accessed at this link: https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCbTkxcH8SQYccMC5DxTrKCw/. •Thursday, December 10 6:30 PM - Regularly scheduled Board Meeting streamed live on YouTube. •Thursday, December 17 6:30 PM - Regularly scheduled Board Meeting streamed live on YouTube. A full list of the City’s public meetings can be found at https://www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmeetings/ Around the NFL You are now starting to see the cream rise to the top of the NFL Divisions. The New Orleans Saints continue to impress with a surprisingly strong defense that’s not allowing over 20 points per game. The offense is not as potent without Drew Bree, but Taysom Hill is adequate enough to continue on a nine-game win streak. The Saints finally have a legitimate Super Bowl caliber defense and quality backups on their roster. If anyone noticed New England Patriots are now 6-6, and coming off a serious beatdown of LA Chargers. Chargers QB Justin Herbert looked just as confused as Josh Allen continues to look against the Patriots. It’s lucky for Herbert that he does not have to face the Patriots twice a year. The LA Rams are starting to come on strong with a physical running game. Rams QB Jared Goff must be a game manager and not turn the ball over and make timely throws to his talented wide receivers. The Tampa Bat buccaneers and Tom Brady will have a say in who represents the NFC at Super Bowl LV. I think Tom Brady and his crew are a year away from being a Super Bowl representative. They might be able to make the proper adjustments during their bye week and start advancing in their last four regular season games to put up a serious fight in the playoffs. I see the LA Rams v. New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game. These two teams are on a collision course for representing the NFC at Super Bowl LV. Bills Rout 49ers 34 – 24 in The Desert

The Bills came out with an offensive display that put the 49ers on their heels and Josh Allen completed 32/40 for 375 yards and passed for 4 Touchdowns. Yes, the Bills offensive line was outstanding in pass protection as Buffalo flooded the field with receivers getting open at will against a hapless secondary. Cole Beasley had 9 receptions for 130 yards while Stefon Diggs contributed 10 catches for 92 yards. This was a very big game for Josh Allen, who did not panic and was able to make plays throughout the night. The Bills defense seems to be finding their stride by continuing to put pressure on opposing QB’s with a variety of Blitz packages. The Bills have the luxury of veteran players knowing their assignments and not getting beat down the field. Bills safety Micah Hyde had 12 tackles with six of them being solo while cornerback Levi Wallace had ten tackles and seven of them solo. That’s the best game I’ve ever seen Levi Wallace play and he was involved in some critical defensive stops. There was no bigger stop than the fourth and one at the goal line. Bills defensive tackle Vernon Butler, Jr. was a dominant force with many pressures on 49ers QB Nick Mullens. The Bills defensive front must continue to step up their game in stopping the run. Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott :“It’s a credit to our players and coaching

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AREA BRIEFS

APPOINTED: Thomas Beauford Jr. has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Visit Buffalo Niagara (VBN), the official destination marketing organization for Erie County. Mr. Beauford currently serves as president and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League.

Brandy Loveland Brandy Loveland Joins WNY Women’s Foundation Brandy Loveland has joined the WNY Women’s Foundation as their new Achievement Coach for the organization’s Mobility Hub, funded by a prestigious grant from the Women’s Funding Network. An experienced social worker and social justice advocate, Brandy is the former Director of Community Engagement at Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition. She previously worked at Baker Victory Services, the YWCA, and the Salvation Army. Brandy also serves as a board member for the WNY Peacemakers and YK716. She holds a BA in Social Work from Syracuse University and MA from the University at Buffalo. She was part of the 2020 cohort for the Oishei Fellowship for Leaders of Color. Extension for Driver Licenses and Permits

The Governor has extended the expiration dates on all New York State driver licenses and permits amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Motorists will now have until January 1, 2021 to renew.Anyone needing to renew their driver license or permit may do so by scheduling an in-person appointment at www.erie.gov/clerk/ autobureau.

COVID, Evictions, Slumlords and the PUSH for Justice

In midst of worsening COVID-19 public health crisis, local family is illegally evicted by California-based landlord. Family and community leaders speak out; call for tenant protections and a Buffalo Tenant Bill of Rights

Community leaders and housing advocates gathered and spoke out in solidarity with Cheryl Williams and her family outside Ms. Williams’ former residence at 10 Humason Ave. Tuesday to expose the unjust and illegal treatment she experienced at the hands of Californiabased landlord Farhad Raiszadeh of Premier Heritage Homes, LLC and Prime Heritage Homes, LLC. In November, Ms. Williams and her family were illegally and immorally evicted and harassed by Mr. Raiszadeh following a fire at the property. In clear violation of PUSH! Supporters, including members OF PUSH Buffalo, participated in Tuesday's press conference. Challenger Photo New York State law, the landlord locked the Williams family out of the property on two occasions and removed their belongings from their home and placed them into garage. Despite having paid rent through the end of November and not having access to the property, the landlord demanded $1,000 from Ms. Williams to turn the water back on, demanded rental payment, and then proceeded to rent her family’s home to new tenants while increasing the rent. Ms. Williams notified local officials more than once and no action was taken against the landlord. “The landlord has robbed me blind and he has kicked me out of my home. He doesn’t care about people. He only cares about profits. But he picked the wrong woman because I’m gonna keep going until I secure justice for myself and the other people that he’s done this to,” said Cheryl Williams. According to City of Buffalo records, Mr. Raiszadeh, through his real estate holding companies Premier Heritage Homes, LLC and Prime Heritage Homes, LLC, owns approximately 70 rental properties in Buffalo with a majority on New York State’s Section 8 housing list. According to prior tenants who wish to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, Mr. Raiszadeh has allegedly subjected other renters to unjust, deceptive, and potentially illicit treatment, such as allowing tenants without their knowledge to move into housing that lacked heat and hot water equipment or water service, and charging higher rent than what was agreed to by tenants in the original lease. Continued Page10

Falls Group Seeks to Re-Name Schools After Notable Blacks

A community Group known as Men Standing Strong Together, has brought the idea of renaming five area schools after notable African Americans. Hugh Leftwich, president of the group, said that such a move would make a positive impact on young people and give them hope. Name changes must be reviewed by a special 10-member committee, but that may be delayed due to the pandemic. Currently the city schools are named after streets. Some of the proposed suggested names include Bloneva P. Bond Elementary School, Theodore Williamson Elementary School, for two outstanding local community leaders, and national historic figures Dr. Charles Richard Drew. Mary McLeod Bethune and a school after Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. Police Advisory Board Seeking To Fill Vacancies

Applications can be submitted to policeadvisoryboard@gmail.com by end of day December 16th, 2020.

The Buffalo Police Advisory Board is looking for City of Buffalo residents who are passionate and involved individuals interested in improving community-police relations in Buffalo. We currently need to fill several vacancies, and we need highly engaged, civic-minded individuals to join us.

The "Hidden Queen"

Nyabinghi, the "hidden queen" fought to free Africans from English slavery and rule. Also called Queen Muhmusa or Tahtahme, she inspired the Nyabinghi underpinnings of Rastafarianism.

Nanny of the Maroons was born in Ghana, and folk history says that she came to Jamaica with the express purpose of becoming a high priestess and leader of her people, never having been a slave. She led the eastern Maroons based in Moreton, and forged an alliance with another group led by Cudjoe. (The name Maroons comes from the Spanish cimarron,meaning "gone back to the wild.")

The Jamaican Maroons were the first people to force the English to sign a treaty with their subjects, on March 1, 1738. The lands conceded in this treaty formed a base for the Maroon's independent survival. One of these communities was named Nannytown after the female Ghanaian leader. Maroon country was so feared by the English that it became known as the "Land of Look-Behind."

4 BUILDING COMMUNITY AMID

Positive Examples of Working Together Within Our Communities To Support Ourselves And Our Neighbors During The Covid-19 Crisis

COMMUNITY FRIDGE: George "JJ" Johnson, community organizer, stops by to leave fresh fruit and pastries at the "Community Fridge" in front of the former GiGi's Restaurant on E.Ferry near Jefferson. It's location is fitting. Gigi's was the "soul food hub" and Blondine Harvin, it's beloved owner, fed her share of hungry folks - whether they had money or not - over the years. Described as "simply a fridge filled with free food for the community by the community," stop by and leave a donation any time! Let's keep the Fridge full! For more information, go to @buffalocommunityfridge or email buffalocommunityfridge@gmail.com challenger photos

Come One! Come All! The First Fruits Food Pantry Is Open!

Offering Healthy Food Options Free To The Community NEW TIME! Tuesdays 4-6 PM & Saturdays From 10 A.M. To 12 NOON

Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church, 641 Masten @ Northland

No Forms To Fill Out, No Proof Of Income Or Residency Etc. Just The Blessing Of Good Food! While You’re There Check Out The Lincoln Memorial. Clothes Closet!

“Fighting Food Insecurity & Meeting the Needs of The People.”

Rev. George Nicholas, Pastor, Lincoln Memorial UMC group according to Pew, which found that just 42% of African Americans said they would get the vaccine when made publicly available compared to 83% of English-speaking Asian Americans, 63% of White Many Blacks are mistrustsult of centuries of racially country. It did not start with months, but they lasted 40 Prevention. J. Marion Sims , who per-

But will that make a significant difference? It’s hard to say. Consider that racial disparities in vaccinations are common, including for the flu shot. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that just 39% of Black adults were vaccinated during the 2018-19 flu season, compared with 49% of White adults. And a poll by the Undefeated/Kaiser Family Foundation found Black Americans continue to stand out as less inclined to get vac- that even among Black cinated for COVID than other racial and ethnic groups according to a recent survey, which found that just 42% of African Americans said adults who normally get a flu shot, one-third say they probably or definitely will they would get the vaccine when made public. not get a coronavirus vacTo Take the Vaccine or Not to Take the Vaccine. That is the Question. NPR recently reported that 71% of Black respondents to a survey by the Pew Research Center told researchers they knew someone who has died or been hospitalized due to the Covid-19 virus, nearly 20 points higher than Americans overall (54%). Yet Black Americans continue to stand out as less inclined to get vaccinated than other racial and ethnic formed horrific experiments on Black female slaves without anesthesia. Today, the Covid-19 vaccine is proving to be such a hard sell, that the Black Coalition Against Covid, a group of Black doctors and nurses, has begun a national dialogue about Covid-19; starting with a “love Letter” about Covid-19 urging Blacks to continue practicing safety guidelines until a vaccine is proven safe and effective - and then to take it. Even President Obama, during an interview last week with SiriusXM's The Joe Madison Show, said that he'd be willing to get vaccinated in front of cameras when it becomes available. He said he may even end up taking it on TV or having it filmed “just so people know I trust the science.” Former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have also said they are willing to get the vaccine in front of a camera. Following is some general information about the status of the vaccine development. How many vaccines are there? What are the side effects? Are they being developed too quickly? The Vaccines •There are three drugmakers that have moved at record speed to come up with a Coronavirus vaccine - Pfizer, Moderna and AsraZeneca. •According to the Washington Post, Pfizer and Moderna continued Page 15 and 61% of Latinx respondents who say they would MENTAL HEALTH: take the vaccine. -An Issue of History. A WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! Question of Trust- Sponsored by ful when it comes to the medical profession as a reThe Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. tinged experience in this DATE: Thursday, December 17th the Tuskegee experiment, TIME: Noon-1 pm but it is perhaps one of the best known examples. Zoom Training During that notorious ex- Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social periment of the 1930s, researchers lied to hundreds of well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with Black men, telling them they life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to were conducting research on others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every treatments for "bad blood." In reality the scientists stage of life. were allowing the Black men to die of untreated $10 Target Gift Card for Attending syphilis. Those experiments Spots Limited were slated to go on for six For more information, please contact: years, according to the Cen- slamwaka@chcb.net ters for Disease Control and 986-9199, EXT 4051 Then there was The “faBe sure to like us on Facebook or visit our website at: ther of modern gynecology” www.chcb.net cine.

Stay safe at home with these exciting new books...just in time for the holiday. Zawadi Books also has a selection of Black Christmas and Kwanzaa cards, Black calendars and the full Kwanzaa sets. Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 12-4. Extending hours on the week of December 14 from 12-5. •Glory: Magical Visions of Black Beauty by Kahram and Regis Bethencart •Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America by Michael Eric Dyson •A Promised Land by Barack Obama

•The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food

by Marcus Samuelsson •Rise Up: Confronting a Country at the Crossroads by Rev. Al Sharpton

•Say I'm Dead: A Family Memoir of Race, Secrets and

Love by E. Dolores Johnson •Travesty Generator by Lillian Yvonne Bertram •Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho •We're Better Than This by Elijah Cummings

(Zawadi Books is located at 1382 Jefferson Ave. 716-9036740 Sharon & Kenny Holly Proprietors)

Water Authority Offers Water Amnesty

Program to City of Buffalo Residents Program announced by the City of Buffalo earlier this year to help ease the economic burdens caused by the pandemic. Residents must apply by Dec. 31, 2020

The Buffalo Water Authority, in partnership with the City of Buffalo, is continuing to offer its Water Amnesty Program to eligible residents in the City of Buffalo. The program waives any late fees or interest for individuals who have had their service turned off due to delinquent payments. Enrollment must take place prior to December 31, 2020 in order to be considered for assistance. “Since the Water Amnesty Program was announced in June by Mayor Byron W. Brown, we have been able to restore water services for hundreds of residents. The pandemic has brought on additional financial hardships for many residents, and if we can ease the burden just a little bit, to continue providing affordable water services, we will. We hope those who have not yet applied do so by December 31, so we can assist anyone in need,” said Oluwole A. (OJ) McFoy, Board Chairman, Buffalo Water. In addition to the Water Bill Amnesty program, the Buffalo Water Authority is encouraging City of Buffalo residents to enroll in its Pathways to Affordable Water, which can help residents access different levels of assistance to help lower their water bills by 20 to 60 percent per year. Residents can find more information and enroll by visiting online at: getwaterwisebuffalo.org or by calling (716) 847-1065. 5 Erie County Stay Fit Meals for Seniors

Erie County “Stay Fit Meals For Seniors” age 60 and up are being offered at the Dorothy J. Collier Community Center. For more information call 882-0602. There is a $3 suggested donation however no one in need will be turned away.

Celebrating 10th Year Anniversmy As A Health Voice For Our Community. Women's Health With Dr Catherine Collins Now Heard Every Saturday 9-9:30A.M. On 1400 AM & 107.3 FM. She Can Also Be Heard On Think Twice Radio. Go To Thinktwiceradio.Com For Date And Airing Time.

WE MAY BE APART, BUT WE’RE NOT ALONE

SOMEONE WHO CARES IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY.

If you or someone you love is feeling isolated or anxious in these challenging times, hearing a friendly voice on the phone may help. That’s why we created the AARP Friendly Voice program – a trained, caring group of volunteers standing by ready to chat, listen, or just say hello.

It’s easy. Request a call by dialing AARP at 1-888-281-0145, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time.