Challenger Community News

By Jamie

Photo

Swygert

Mayor Evans Proclaims June Caribbean-American Heritage Month!

M

ayor Evans and Chief Diversity Officer David Scott joined community leaders last week to proclaim June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month in Rochester and Monroe County! The month will honor the rich Caribbean culture through scheduled events in the city.

"Our community's strength lies in its diversity, and events like Caribbean-American Heritage Month highlight the rich tapestry of cultures that make Rochester and Monroe County so special," Mayor Evans said.

The events kicked off June first with a reggae band at Aberdeen Square park and on June 3rd the city held a flag raising ceremony at city hall.

The remaining events scheduled for the month of June include

FRIDAY, JUNE 7:

Caribbean Link up, Livie's Jamaican Restaurant, 1583 Howard Rd, 6 pm. - 9 pm

THURSDAY, JUNE 13:

Film: Barrow: Freedom Fighter Narrated by: Eric H. Holder Jr. Caribbean movie night, Davinci of Greece, 1558 W Ridge Rd, 6pm - 8pm

SATURDAY, JUNE 15: Walk, Run, Ride and Breakfast Meeting 6:30 am at the Port of Rochester .Sign up form: https://forms.gle/BjFGsL2xmYojdoQZA

SATURDAY, JUNE 15: RWIFO Costume Making Workshop, 271 Flint St, 10:30am - 1:30pm Registration: https://rwifo.org/2024-costume-making-workshop

FRIDAY, JUNE 21:Caribbean Link up, Side Bar, 242 South Avenue, 6pm - 9pm

SATURDAY, JUNE 22: RJO/Henry Issac Golf Tournament, Morgan's Crossing, 760 Scottsville-Chili Rd. 1:30pm Registration: https://www.rochesterjamaican.org/news-andevents

FRIDAY, JUNE 28: Closing Celebration, City Hall, Awards, Caribbean Music & Food, 5:30pm - 8pm

For more info visit online rochesterjamaican.org or call 585 234-2119 you can also visit rwifo.org or call 585-234-0909 for updates.

ROC THE BLOCK Community Employment Fairs Return June 12

The Fourth Annual Roc the Block Community Employment Fairs will be held on four Wednesdays be tween June 12 and Sept. 25.

Roc the Block Community Employment Fairs are a neighborhood-based hiring initiative that brings businesses and recruiters to each of Rochester’s four quadrants throughout the summer. Set against the backdrop of a fun, local, block-party styled event, Rochester employers and residents can meet to discover employment and wrap-around resource opportunities.

The events are hosted by Councilmember Miguel Meléndez, the RASE Commission and the Department of Recreation and Human Services. To become a Roc the Block Employment Community Employment Fair vendor, email Shawn.Futch@ CityofRochester.Gov/.

Almost 80 employers and agencies have already committed to presenting at these fairs, including ACM Global Laboratories, Rochester Regional Health and Walmart. This year, the ROC the Block Community Employment Fairs will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:

•June 12, Maplewood Rose Garden, 250 Maplewood Ave. •July 10, Franklin High School, 950 Norton St. •Aug. 14, Aberdeen Square Park, 373 Aberdeen St. •Sept. 5, Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St. Employers and organizations interested in participating in ROC the Block employment fairs can email RocTheBlock@CityofRochester.Gov. Those with questions about the fair can email Workforce Development Coordinator Shawn Futch at Shawn.Futch@ CityofRochester.Gov.

Pictured: Mayor Evans (center) joined by community leaders during press conference announcement (photo City of Rochester facebook page)

Thank You From Allie H. Freeman, 90TH Birthday “Love Fest” Honoree

A 90th birthday Lifetime Achievement celebration of love was held for the lovely Allie H. Freeman on April 20 at Buffalo State University. It was hosted by her sons, James, Patrick (Mighty Oba) and Russell Freeman. Mrs. Freeman, a woman of many achievements, is the retired Assistant Professor of Psychiatric Social Work at UB, Kaleida Health and Brookhaven Memorial Hospital. An accomplished poet, she turned 90 on January 7th and has been an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for 70 years! In 1978 she and her late husband James J. Freeman MD Ph.D (he was the first Black to graduate from the University of New York at Buffalo with both a MD and Ph.D in 1974) were the first to include Mental health as part of his Medical Practice at the old 50 High Street Medical Building.

“My heartfelt thanks to those who gifted me with their presences at the Love Fest celebration for my 90th birthday celebration,” wrote Mrs. Freeman. “ I celebrated you as well for being in my life. It is folks like you that make it all worthwhile. For the many that gifted me thank you! I do not have your addresses or your social media information . Thank you again and again and may your life be as wondrous and bright as you have made mine with your love and affection.”

Congratulations Mrs. Freeman for an honor well deserved!

CAO Community Meeting

Community Action Organization of Western New York’s DART Program Expansion Community Meeting, will be held Wednesday, June 12 from 2 – 5 p.m. at corner of 1245 Main Street. CAO DART provides services to help those in recovery and hope for a lifetime. For more information, please visit www.caowny.org or call 716.881.5150.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE!

Services Set for Queen Mother Gail V. Wells

Viewing for Gail V. Wells will be Friday June 7 from 7:30pm- 9:30pm at Alan R. Core Funeral Home, 1933 Kensington Avenue. Live streaming available at: alanrcorefuneralhomeinc.com

Services will be held Saturday June 8, 2024 at True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 East Ferry St. Wake at 10am. Services at 11am. Live streaming available at https://vimeo.com/event/4359781

Gail V. Wells was larger than life. She was as comfortable receiving the highest honor from the University of Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Urban Design as she was accepting an award from the local Kwanzaa Committee or delivering free planting beds to the Black community in her crusade to educate and promote food sustainability in her community.

As beautiful as she was intelligent. As outspoken and unapologetically Black as she was universal in her thought; Gail made her mark on this journey called life, impacting countless people – especially the young - with her creativity, her Afro-centricity and her vision. A social justice advocate, she worked to eliminate food insecurity in her community. She savored sharing life giving knowledge and did all she could in her own way over the past several years to educate, expose and prepare Black people to be able to grow healthy food and sustain themselves in preparation for what she saw as an uncertain, frightening world future.

Never at a loss for words, Gail was vibrant and full of life. She loved to dance, she loved to laugh, she loved her family, and she loved nature. She was on her way to tend to her fruit trees Tuesday morning, May 28, when she suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. She was rushed to the hospital, but there was nothing doctors could do. Gail, true to form, fought the good fight. On Tuesday, June 4 one week later, our beloved took flight “like a shooting star” and transcended to the realm of the ancestors.

Two days before, she talked excitedly about her trees, and how they would change the neighborhood. She expressed happiness yet concern about the fruit they would one day bare and joked about fruit “falling all over the ground,” but assured herself it would be ok. She was also concerned about the amount of water and care the trees would need to grow. Then added, prophetically, “but I probably won’t be here to see them.”

She was 74 years young, with so much left to give. We prayed for a miracle. But God in his wisdom, and mercy, knew best.

-A Life Well Lived-

Gail, born and raised in Harlem, NY, came to Buffalo to attend UB in 1967 where she was a founding member of the Black Student Union. She also co-founded the Black Dance Workshop, School of Movement and Center for Positive Thought, and was co-owner of the Watu Sokoni "People's Market." Co-editor of Buffalo After Dark Magazine she also served on the inaugural committee that founded Juneteenth in Buffalo. She earned two degrees – a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy/Administration and a Master's degree in Urban Planning both from the University at Buffalo.

While employed at Buffalo State College she received two Presidential Awards, in addition to the Student Government's highest award in recognition of service to students. Her greatest honor was having the African American Student Organization sponsor "The Gail Wells Activism Scholarship," designed to support an entering student who had a stellar record of community service.

The International Day of Remembrance

The International Day of Remembrance, is a spiritual ceremony honoring the millions of African men, women, and children who perished during the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, “the largest forced migration in history and undeniably one of the most inhumane,” according to the United Nations. At least 2 million Africans died during the infamous "Middle Passage" across the Atlantic. The conditions for enslaved Africans crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the Middle Passage were brutal and deadly. “Slaver” ships were specifically designed for maximizing the numbers of African men, women, and children that slave-trading captains and their crews could bring to the Americas. Once on board, crewmembers segregated enslaved Africans by gender and then chained and packed them closely together in ship holds. Captives then endured up to several months of extreme temperatures, harsh weather, filthy living conditions, and contagious diseases in these ship holds as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Roughly twenty-six percent of Africans who endured the Middle Passage were classified as children; captains chained men for

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The Ark of Return

Mrs. Freeman is pictured with her sons James, Patrick and Russell Freeman.

FAITH & FAMILY

Metropolitan UM Church Annual Chiavetta’s Chicken Dinners Sale

The Metropolitan UM Church, located at 657 Best Street, Buffalo, will host its annual Chiavetta’s Chicken Dinners on Friday, June 7, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until sold out. Dinner includes half chicken, potato salad, green beans, bread, and dessert. Delivery is available for five or more dinners. The

Dr. James A. Lewis, Senior Pastor of Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church To Celebrate 33rd Pastoral Anniversary

Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church invites the community to join them as they celebrate their Overseer, Dr. James A. Lewis, III for his 33 years of service to the ministry and Kingdom of God. The celebration will be held on Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m. at the church, 406 Sycamore Street. The Gospel Messenger for the celebration is Bishop Dr. T. Anthony Bronner of the Elim Christian Fellowship. He is an anointed preacher, teacher and leader who embodies the rare balance of spiritual gifts and practical educational experiences that connect pastoral leadership and discipleship teaching with prophetic preaching and courageous social action.

New Hope Baptist Church, 1122 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, is celebrating its Annual Children’s Day on Sunday, June 9, Theme: "Children Growing the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” . Guest Speaker: Rev Joshua Hutchen from Friendship Baptist Church, Buffalo. For further New Hope Children's Day

A Supercentenarian Brunette Washington Celebrates her 110th Birthday

By Sharon Kirkland-Gordon

What is a supercentenarian?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a supercentenarian is “a person significantly older than 100 years of age, typically one who has reached the age of 110. It is estimated that there are approximately 60 supercentenarians in the United States and an estimated 200 to 300 worldwide. This unique class of esteemed elders is extremely rare.

Brunette Washington who resides in Buffalo, is among that special class. She will be celebrating her 110th birthday with family and friends on June 6, 2024.

A newly minted supercentenarian, she has shared many stories of her remarkable life over the years, filled with personal and historical experiences that span generations. These stories were captured during kitchen table conversations, interviews, and videos. It is a story worth telling.

Brunette Evans was born on June 6, 1914, in the small town of Forkland, Alabama. Forkland is in Greene County, 100 miles south of Birmingham. She is the daughter of Martha Merriweather Evans and Woodson Evans, Sr., and the second youngest of six children. Brunette, and her five siblings, Mary, Jo Willie, Mansfield, Peter, and Woodson, Jr., were raised primarily by their mother on the 80-acre farm that she inherited from her husband, Woodson Evans, Sr. after he died of complications from pneumonia. Brunette was only 2 years old when he passed away. Woodson was an accomplished man, who worked as a schoolteacher, farmer, and store owner. Another tragic loss occurred when Brunette’s youngest brother Woodson, Jr. died from a cold at the age of 5. In those days it was common for Black people to die from a variety of conditions due to lack of access and racial barriers to healthcare.

Despite these significant losses, Brunette holds fond memories of her life as a young child growing up in rural Alabama. She is especially grateful to her mother, whom she admires the most. She proudly remarked, “My mother did some of everything. She farmed the field, chopped cotton and sugarcane, and was a master seamstress who could sew anything she saw. She would just draw it out and make it.” When it came to buying her children’s shoes, she used string as a tool to measure their shoe size, and took those pieces of string to Demopolis, a city across the river to buy them shoes. Like her mother-in-law, she was also a midwife.

Brunette recalled wearing a big hat to shield her from the hot Alabama sun as she picked cotton, and emptied and refilled the sack as she hauled it over her shoulder. Her memories often bring a smile to her face, as she described hitching a mule used to plow the fields, sweeping floors with a metal broom, and cooking in a big stove fueled by firewood. She loved the taste of cake and bread cooked on that stove. On the family farm, her father and uncle owned a small store, a clean water pump, several crops, fruit trees, and a variety of farm animals.

While there were many enjoyable experiences, Brunette grew up fearing whites because of the traumatic racial encounters she would hear about from her relatives. She shared vivid recollections of her maternal grandmother, Mary Mays talking about Brunette’s great-grandfather who was sold as a slave on an auction block, even though the practice of enslaving people at the time was illegal. She was an older child when she heard about a Black man named “Henderson,” who killed a white man, by the name of “Tarver.” With a hint of uneasiness, she stated, “There was a big uproar, and the people of Forkland were terrified; afraid to leave their homes.” Seared into her memory is a crowd of White men coming to their home and the homes of other Black people in the town looking for Henderson. Her brother-in-law, Alan, was not afraid to speak up and tell the men that they had no information. It was common practice for White men to lynch, torture, or kill by other means, Black men who stood up to them.

At the age of 16, Brunette began “courting” James Washington, a childhood friend, who would become her husband. She described him as “a nice man with nice hair and brown skin.” Once they married and began a family, like millions of Black people, they decided to migrate north to escape the pain of the Jim Crow South and to seek better job opportunities. James secured a job first, and later sent for Brunette and their two daughters, Willie and Winona. She traveled by train to Lackawanna, New York with her husband’s grandparents John and Wynonie Baker, cousin Hattie Baker and her four children, and a huge box of food. As Brunette reminisced, she said, “I was so excited because it was my first train ride and I thought things would be a lot different up North.” It was not long before she realized that racism was systemic and pervasive. The reality was that in the north, a Black man could get a better job, rather than farming, but racial prejudice saw no boundaries.

One of her first experiences with the northern brand of racism occurred in Lackawanna. Her eldest daughter Willie, who was about 8 years old, was a playmate of the daughter of their white neighbor. One day Brunette agreed to allow Willie to go to the movie theater with the girl, accompanied by the girl’s mother. When the movie ended and it was time to return home, Brunette only saw the girl and her father return. They left 8 year-old Willie alone at the theater because the white father refused to bring this Black child home. After running to retrieve Willie from the theater, Brunette immediately severed the relationship between the girls.

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-ON GOING-

•MRS. NASH’S FARMER’S MARKET Michigan Street Heritage Corridor, 136 Broadway (Parking Lot) EVERY TUESDAY FROM 4:30-6:30 Thru October.

•EAST SIDE BIKE CLUB EVERY SATURDAY 9:30 a.m. @ the Head in MLK Plaza; Bike ride starts at 10 a.m. COME RIDE WITH US!

JUNE

“GIT ON DA BUS” 21st Annual Storytelling Crawl with Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of WNY; 3:30pm meet at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 1525 Michigan Ave to board the bus. Bus leaves at 4 p.m. SHARP. Donation $30 for adults, $20 for children 12 years old and younger.

ALLEN WEST ART FESTIVAL Saturday June 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday June 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Allen between Elmwood and Wadsworth Street and extending up Wadsworth Street.

ALLENTOWN ART FESTIVAL Saturday June 8th & Sunday 9th 11am to 6pm Delaware Avenue.

JUNETEENTH, MLK PARK Saturday, June 15 & Sunday June 16 MLK Park. JEFFERSON AVENUE FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE KICKS OFF, FRIDAY JUNE 28 from 5 :30-9pm. on Jefferson Avenue between East Utica and Glenwood.

FAMILY FISHING 2024 JUNE 29 & 30, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. sponsored by Buffalo United Front Inc., Freedom Park (Foot of Ferry-Underground Railroad), largest kids & family fishing day in NYS, food, fun, games, and more! A FREE EVENT

HEALTH MATTERS

Fruits and Vegetables for Healing

Here are some fruits and vegetables that we can lean towards when we need healing:

1.Garlic – It acts as a natural antibiotic and can also be used to treat acne.

2.Banana – Helps treat heartburn or indigestion and can also be used as a substitute for antacid medication.

3.Kale – Loaded with vitamin K, kale can assist in reducing the risk of cancer.

4.Carrot – Consisting of vitamin C and Beta-carotene, it helps skin glow and reduces skin inflammation.

5.Mushroom – Whether it’s a white button, portabella, or shiitake, several types of mushrooms aid in fighting cancer.

6.Broccoli – Another cancer risk-reducing vegetable that can be consumed in many creative forms!

7.Cherry – Use cherries to prevent muscle soreness.

8.Beet – This heart-healthy vegetable helps lower blood pressure.

9.Tomato – Whether you treat it as a fruit or vegetable, consuming it regularly also helps prevent cancer due to its high antioxidant level.

10.Spinach – Filled with Vitamin K, A, and C, it promotes healthy bones and also helps nerve function.

Easy Rider Wednesdays With Eastside Bike Club!

The Eastside Bike Club continues their Saturday morning rides each week and for the next few weeks on the Eastside of Buffalo in the Masten and Ellicott districts to bring awareness to the new striping and crosswalk paintings that were recently done. Staying on the bike club’s mission to get more people of color to ride and become educated about bike riding and exercise, the Eastside Bike Club has also created a team for Easy Riders Wednesdays at MLK Park from 6-7 p.m. to help encourage new riders and get familiar with their bikes and the rules of safety of riding. Join us at The Head in the MLK Park on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and every Saturday 9:30 a.m. (the ride begins at 10 a.m.) Come Ride!

Introductory Taoist Tai Chi Classes

Introductory Taoist Tai Chi sessions are being offered in June at the American Legion on 553 Amherst St. (next to Wegmans) from 10-11 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday for three months. Classes began June 3.

To pre-register for the class just go to their webpage at: https://www.taoisttaichi.org/locations/buffalocenter/

All sessions are led by instructors accredited by the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA, and participants of any physical level are welcome to join. Wear comfortable clothing and bring flat rubber soled shoes/sneakers to wear.

What's in a Name?

WATERmelon loaded with immune-boosting vitamin C and plant compounds, is often considered to be one of the most hydrating fruits, containing up to 91% water. Go get you some!

Beau Fleuve and Explore & More Children’s Museum Host “Day of Play” for Youth in the Community

Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum and Beau Fleuve Music & Arts have once again partnered to offer another recording-breaking “Day of Play”for youth in the community on Sunday, July 14, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Museum, 130 Main Street.

The goal of the partnership is to enable families - particularly on the East and West Side - to experiencing all that Explore & More has to offer. As part of the “Day of Play,” guests will enjoy Pay What You Wish! Admission of $8, $10, or the regular $13 for adults and children ages 1 & up.

Over 900 children and adults visited Explore & More during last year’s “Day of Play,” with more than half attending for the very first time.

Beau Fleuve is taking a step further in 2024. Thanks to support from presenting sponsor Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope, 400 FREE admission tickets will be available at select community centers on the East Side and West Side of the City of Buffalo. Each guest who redeems a free admission ticket will also receive a $5 food voucher . The NFTA is also providing 100 Day Passes for transportation for families to visit the museum on July 14. These passes will be distributed through the select community centers.

“One of our main goals this year was to not only provide a fun and accessible event for families to enjoy, but the opportunities to support hundreds of families through our community who might not frequent – or have ever been to – Explore & More,” said Lindsey L. Taylor, Founder of Beau Fleuve Music & Arts. “This is an intentional effort to ensure our East & West Side Communities have access to Explore & More. Through our partnership, we want to assist with every aspect.”

Men’s Empowerment Group Barbershop Talks Is Back

The Men’s Empowerment Group Summer Series is back with the theme "Reimagine: I Am The Change!" Join us for a series of transformative discussions designed to uplift and empower men in our community. All sessions will take place on the 1st Floor of the Tri Main Center, 2495 Main Street from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Food will be provided. Upcoming Events:

*Barbershop Talk: Monday, June 10th, 5:00-7:30pm

*Next Barbershop Talk: Monday, June 24th, 5:00 PM-7:30pm What's on your mind? Join us at the next Barbershop Talk and reimagine the change you can make to your mind, body, and spirit. Engage in meaningful conversations with men like yourself who need to share, be heard, and receive support and encouragement. Register :https://bit. ly/3VWxx1N

LISC-GM - Scale Up WNY Small Business Grant

Submissions due by Sunday, June 16th 11:59 p.m.

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation New York (LISC NY) and General Motors launched an exciting new partnership in 2021 to scale and advance Black-owned business growth in the 8-county Western New York region.

LISC NY and GM recognize that there are several business industries in Western New York that have a projected demand for their services, yet need capital to scale up to meet that demand. With funding support from General Motors, the ‘Scale Up WNY’ Grant will assist the growth of Black-owned and Latino/a-owned businesses that are under-capitalized, but well positioned for growth. This fund is designated to support procurement opportunities in several high-growth industries and/ or services:

•Construction

•Childcare Services & Youth Services Providers

•Energy Infrastructure & Climate Response

•Broadband, Digitization & Web Services

•Medical Suppliers & Health Services Providers

•Manufacturing, including Food & Beverage Processing

•Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultants

Funds will support innovative approaches to business growth, boosting competitiveness, and widening business service offerings and/or supplies for 10-15 businesses experiencing underinvestment. Grants range from $10,000 to $15,000.

All awardees will have to certify that they are promoting the best interests of the community.

*Please Note: If you received a LISC-GM grant in Rounds 1, 2, or 3, you won't qualify for funding in Round 4 of this grant pool.

Deadline

Submissions are due by June 16th at 11:59 PM ET and must be submitted via the online application portal. Applications submitted after the deadline will NOT be considered.

Apply at lisc.org/ny and click the Scale Up WNY grant tab.

Contact Information Questions can be sent to LISCNYinfo@lisc.org

Nina C. McCreary was recently appointed African American Employment Program Co-Manager AT The Department of Veterans Affairs. Ms. McCreary, a 15year employee of the VA Western New York Healthcare System, is dedicated to delivering safe ad high-quality care to the community. By advocating for equitable policies that provide mentorship and professional development opportunities, and promoting culturally competent training, Ms. McCreary aspires to enhance retention rates, career advancement, and overall well-being for staff members. She also strives to create a workplace where employees feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Nina C. McCreary Appointed at VA WNY Healthcare

Nina C. McCreary

RAPP REPRESENTATIVE: Donna Robinson Of Buffalo is the representative for the grassroots advocacy organization RAPP which stands for Release Aging People In Prison. There are 7 chapters across New York State working to help end mass incarceration in New York State; expand release opportunities and promote racial justice. They are calling on Gov .Hochul and New York State lawmakers to do the right thing, reunite families, improve safety and save $522 million. Get involved!

For more information go to www.rappcapaign.com.

GAIL V. WELLS

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Gail is a graduate of Leadership Buffalo and was elected President of her 1998 Class. She has been elected to several positions including but not limited to the President of the Copper Town Block Club, Vice President of the Association of Faculty and Staff of African Descent at Buffalo State, and Erie County Democratic Party Committeewoman. She has received numerous awards both locally and nationally for her innovative ideas.

After retiring from a 29 year career in higher education, she founded Buffalo Freedom Gardens in 2020. Freedom Gardens has two aims, first, to help people of color create sustainable food sources on the East Side of Buffalo through urban farming and, second, to bring the vibrancy of horticulture to urban spaces. Ms. Wells and Buffalo Freedom Gardens helped many residents start gardening – front-yard, backyard, raised bed, and container gardens – to feed their households and beautify their homes. During retirement she also completed certification as an Erie County Master Gardener and Tree Steward; served as Vice President of the WNY Land Conservancy and served on the boards of the Buffalo Green Fund, the Erie County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Trailblazing Women and Visit Buffalo Niagara. She was also a member of the Buffalo Food Equity Network.

A drummer, dancer, and avid traveler, she hosted the radio show, "Growing Health" on POWER 96.5 . A champion for change and advocate for economic development in underserved communities, Gail leaves a legacy of community impact, mentorship, and inspiration to countless individuals and organizations.

Gail's belief in the concept of "Ubuntu," I am because we are, we are because I am,” was the determining factor in her life that guided her activism.

We thank God for her, and pray that her soul rest forever in the eternal Fields of Peace.-a.b.

EMPLOYMENT

Easy Rider Wednesdays With Eastside Bike Club!

The Eastside Bike Club continues their Saturday morning rides each week and for the next few weeks on the Eastside of Buffalo in the Masten and Ellicott districts to bring awareness to the new striping and crosswalk paintings that were recently done.

Staying on the bike club’s mission get more people of color to ride and become educated about bike riding and exercise, the Eastside Bike Club has also created a team for Easy Riders Wednesdays at MLK Park from 6-7 p.m. to help encourage new riders and get familiar with their bikes and the rules of safety of riding.

Meet us at The Head in the MLK Plaza on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and every Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. (the ride begins at 10 a,m.) Come Ride With Us!

CELEBRATE FREEDOM DAY AT FREEDOM PARK! Introduction to Maafa Remembrance Will Conclude Day-Long Event

The community is invited to a day-long Celebration of Freedom at Freedom Park (formerly Broderick Park) on Wednesday, June 19 beginning at 12 noon .

In 2021 President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act making Juneteenth – June 19th – a National Holiday. The Celebration of Freedom is Buffalo’s first commemoration of the national holiday with the focus on education, history, information culture and healing.

Freedom Day at Freedom Park is truly significant because Freedom Park is sacred ground. The park’s legacy is that of a beacon of emancipation. It’s where our enslaved ancestors risked their lives to cross over into freedom in Canada .

An expert on The Underground Railroad local landmarks and history, Kevin Cotrell , and Dr. Lillian Williams, Associate Professor and former chair of the Department of African American Studies, will deliver keynote addresses.

The free, family event will include poetry, storytelling, food and merchandise vendors, activities inside the park’s Underground Railroad Museum , a “Freedom Walk” and more.

The day’s activities will end with an introduction to the annual Maafa, a spiritually moving remembrance celebration, which will also take place in Freedom Park on June 21 From 6 p.m., to dusk. This year Maafa will be dedicated to Queen Mother Gail V. Wells. Maafa, is a Kiswahili word that means “great tragedy” or “horrific tragedy, referring to our African ancestors who died during the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, “the largest forced migration in history and undeniably one of the most inhumane,” according to the United Nations. At least 2 million Africans died during the infamous "Middle Passage" across the Atlantic.

The Celebration of Freedom at Freedom Park is being sponsored by the Celebration of Freedom Committee, a united community collaboration including Marcus Brown, Juneenth Board President; Reggie and Kelly Dumas, Dumas Rise LLC; Sharon Holley, Zawadi Books & the Storytellers; George Johnson FOFP; Pastor Tommy McClain; Brenda McDuffie, Community Champion; JoAnn Peters, Junteenth Committee; vonetta rhodes, Maafa Memorial Committee; Essence Sweat, East Buffalo Development; Alnisa Banks, Challenger Community News; and Gail V. Wells, founder, Freedom Gardens.

Vendors are still being accepted for the Freedom Day Celebration. For more information please contact Belinda Humes-Johnson at belindahumes@yahoo.com or call (716)479-5180.

Goodskills Career Builder is looking to grow its outreach team in Buffalo.

Starting salary is $40K-$50K annually based on experience.

visit

Jillian

Hanesworth and Augustus Clarke Win Sports Emmy for "Still Here"

Poet Jillian Hanesworth has penned words that score a touch down with every mark she makes and breath she takes. Pairing that with local man-on-fire director/ filmmaker Augustus Clarke and co-director Trent Cooper makes it it’s all the way up from there ! Through their outstanding collaboration for the documentary “Still Here,” Hanesworth snagged her first Emmy for the Dick Schapp Outstanding Writing Award short form category at the Sports Emmy’s held in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in NYC.

"I was so shocked!" Said Jillian. I couldn’t believe it. In fact, Gus told me to write a speech to give when we win, but I didn’t because I didn’t think we would! I remember gasping when I heard 'Still Here' and hearing 'This award is being accepted by writer Jillian Hanesworth' made it feel so real. I’m a writer!"

The documentary “Still Here,” that you can watch in full on Youtube, shares the story of resilience of a community struck by tragedy on the East Side of Buffalo. From the 5/14 racist mass shooting that took 10 beloved lives, to the blizzard of 2022 that left communities stifled, immobile and with more loss, this film upholds hope. Hanesworth makes a passionate statement about her heartbroken community leaning on its beloved football team to help heal from off-field tragedy showing how sports and the Buffalo Bills play an inevitable role in uniting us.

" There were many challenges," Said Clarke. Logistically, there were hundreds of people involved so there was a ton of scheduling and waivers involved which was successfully handled by Mariah Robinson. As far as the story of the film, it was important that we mention the things that happened to and in our community while being sensitive to the fact that many people are still trying to piece their lives back together after such life altering experiences. We wanted to celebrate our resilience without glamorizing the issues. Of course, we had to weave all of that into our sports culture."

Hanesworth's soothing narration and Clarke’s meaningful visual storytelling made the film a community win long before this Emmy win.

"Honestly, with 'Still Here,' we already won," said Hanesworth. "Once we completed the project a year ago that was the biggest win because we knew what the purpose was, to uplift our city and show our city on this national platform that we didn’t forget the lives that were lost, nor the family members and friends. You know, never leaving your community behind .When the EMMY came it just amplified everything times 100 making the purpose of the film feel that much better."

“ Addressing the pain was therapeutic because I was all the way out in Los Angeles and was going through it myself just knowing that my people my mother, brother, family, and friends, and my entire community was going through, some worse than others, " said Clarke. "That pushed me to write my thoughts down and turn the thoughts into a pitch idea. Once I got the greenlight from Trent Cooper the co-director, I knew it would be special. I had been wanting to work with Jill for sometime, she was the perfect person for this feature. She knows Buffalo and that’s just what she does, ” he said. Upon accepting her award Hanesworth accompanied by Clarke took to the stage beaming with Eastside pride, style and gratitude.

" We got to show you part of our city that doesn’t always get to be shown on TV,” she told the audience while accepting her award accompanied by Augustus. “A lot of you wouldn’t know about Buffalo if it wasn’t for chicken wings or Josh Allen but we’re from a strong, amazing colorful loud city and I’m proud to tell our story. Long Live the East Side and go Bills’!" she cheered before they left the stage.

Augustus Clarke has been a filmmaker for 16 years and

Continued Page 15

Pictured proudly on Buffalo's East Side l/r filmmaker Augustus Clarke and poet Jillian Hanesworth photo by Malik Rainey

UPDATE

The Juneteenth Festival Inc. asks the community to join us in love and prayer for one of the great founding members of Buffalo Juneteenth, Queen Gail V. Wells.

“You can’t create a future if you don’t know what they had in the past, Our strength is standing on the shoulders of our ancestors. You cannot forget who paved the way. You cannot forget.”

- Gail V. Wells

Get Ready Buffalo Community.

The Biggest Fest of the Year is Back!

Less than 10 Days Away!

What’s New?

The Buffalo Juneteenth parade is growing!

The fun starts at 10am, an hour earlier this year. Get a front row seat to the livest dance crews, floats, performers and more starting near Genesee Ave. and Ivy street. The parade leads into Martin Luther King Park to kick-off Buffalo's Juneteenth Festival!

New & Improved Teen Activities!

Food & Snacks, giveaways every 5 minutes, talent show, best dressed & dance contest, DJ, Special Guest, workshops, photo booths, & airbrush tattoos, & so much more! Teenagers must bring a report card , bus pass, or school ID to enter Teen section.

Skip The Line! Head to Buffalojuneteenth.com to pre-register your child for the Juneteenth Buffalo Children's Activities.

What type of spades player are you? It’s going down at the Arts & Culture Stage area — 2024 Juneteenth Buffalo Spades Tournament! And you already know, if you don’t know how to play spades, don’t sit your butt at the spades table!

Entertainment

Artist Profile

Tanika Holmes

Tanika Holmes, a talented young actress, did not get the credit she deserved in The Challenger’s May 23 review for her role as Fanny, the “gawd “ fearing landlord/gossip in Ujima Theatre Company’s powerful production of Wedding Band.

Her character was credited, in error, to another actress and Tanika’s name was not even mentioned!

It was heart wrenching for her family and friends, as well as the accomplished thespian who has worked hard on developing her career , and we sincerely apologize.

Indeed, her portrayal of Fanny was exceptional.

Tanika’s bio is impressive and speaks volumes about her journey.

“I knew I wanted to be a performer/entertainer when my parents took me to see the WIZ in Toronto when I was about six years old,” she recalled.

She also had the celebrated actress and visionary Lorna C. Hill, founder of the Ujima Company, as a mentor at around that age when she attended Lorna’s Youth Theatre Workshop. “She was my first true experience with acting,” said Tanika. Tony award winning actor Steven Henderson, who she has known since she was 17 years of age, also served as a mentor.

In addition to having been trained with Ujima Company, Tanika has trained with notable acting and theatre companies in New York City, California and Georgia.

Her performance and choreography credits include Ujima’s In The Red and Brown Water (Artie Award nominee), El Hajj Malik, Free Fred Brown, American Son as the lead character Kendra (Artie Award recipient for Outstanding Production of A Play and recipient of Katharine Cornell Award for Outstanding Contribution By A Visiting Theater Professional), Spunk in which she played three characters,12 Mo Angry Men as Juror 3 and most recently Wedding Band.

See you next week!

-Your Juneteenth Buffalo Family

She has also worked in commercials and film, with credits that include “4 Minutes” and Daddy’s Girl Club” which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and “Love Unexpected.”

Tanika received her B.A. in Health and Human Services at the University at Buffalo where she also studied dance and acting and was a member of African Visions Theatre Group. She received a Master’s Degree in Dance in Higher Education from New York University, received her certification for training in the Lester Horton Pedagogy Workshop from Alvin Ailey School /Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and most recently received her certificate for script supervising for TV and Film. Tanika has trained, choreographed and performed with several dance companies including Buffalo City Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Company, Cayman Islands National Dance Company, Ballethnic Dance Company and Atlanta Ballet Company Outreach Program among many others. Tanika is currently an actor, acting Instructor and Coach.

“I really love my students,” she said. ”It’s rewarding to be able to help other aspiring actors. We have to play it forward.”

Buffalo To Host National Black Storytelling Conference!

Adopt-A-Teller Program Announced

The National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. is holding its 42nd Annual Festival and Conference at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Buffalo from October 23-27.

Hosted by Tradition Keepers Black Storytellers of Western New York, this exciting four-day event will include workshops, storytelling concerts, a hilarious world-renowned liar’s contest, youth storytellers, storytelling awards, a dynamic scholars’ panel and more. Upwards of 300 storytellers, folklorists and story listeners are expected to attend.

A special highlight of the conference is the organization’s week of FREE Adopt-A-Teller Program, offering performances to eligible venues beginning October 21, 2024, and a free public concert.

Queen Nur and Bunjo Butler, President and Co-President of the Adopt-A-Teller Program visited Buffalo recently to discuss how through the Adopt-A-Teller Program Schools, libraries, museums, arts councils, colleges & universities, cultural organizations, living residences, community groups and more, have an opportunity to host an experienced, dynamic, nationally renowned storyteller FREE.

The tellers have a wealth of stories that celebrate Africancentered traditions from around the world. For students, workshops, performances, residencies, and customized programs are offered. The stories and workshops help improve listening, critical thinking, and oratory skills. They also enhance self-esteem and stimulate the desire to read. For teachers, parents, librarians and community service providers, courses in storytelling and in the use of storytelling techniques as educational tools are also offered.

Use the link below to apply now for this opportunity! There are approximately 40 slots available. https://www.nabsinc.org/2024-aatp-program

-Community Support-

The local tradition Keepers Black Storytellers invite the community to join them in helping to make this event a success by making a financial donation or sponsorship; placing an ad in the Festival Program Book, having a storyteller present at your school or organization (Adopt-A-Teller); volunteering to assist at the Pre-Festival and Festival, registering for and promoting the festival.

For more information please contact Sharon Holley (716)400-2826; Marly Williams (716)982-1877; or Valerie Bostic (716)606-2577.

NEWS UPDATE

South African Voters Reject the Party once Led By Mandela That Freed Them From Apartheid

The African National Congress, the party of Nelson Mandela that freed Africans from apartheid, received less than 50 percent of the national vote for the first time since vanquishing Africa’s last White-led regime 30 years ago. With South Africans facing one of the world’s highest unemployment rates, shortages of electricity and water and rampant crime, the governing party still bested its competitors but fell far short of the nearly 58 percent of the vote it won in the last election, in 2019. Without an absolute majority, the A.N.C. can no longer handpick the country’s president, who is elected by the 400-member National Assembly.

Marilyn Mosby Baltimore’s Top Former Prosecutor Sentenced To One-Year House Arrest

On May 23, U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby sentenced Marilyn Mosby, Maryland’s former attorney, to 12 months of home confinement, 100 hours of community service, and three years of supervised release. While hugging her supporters following the anticipated sentencing, Mosby said she is “grateful.”

Since Mosby’s “crimes” did not affect taxpayer money, Griggsby shied away from sentencing her to the recommended 20 months in prison from Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Delaney.

Mosby, who gained heavy notoriety after charging six police officers in connection with the death of Freddie Gray in 2015, had heavy support from civil rights leaders in her case. The NAACP and other organizations, including the National Council of Negro Women and the National Urban League, sent a letter to President Joe Biden in support of Mosby to request her pardon. “The only thing Marilyn Mosby is guilty of is the desire to provide her family with a better life,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said.

A trailblazing American attorney who made history as the youngest chief prosecutor of any major US city at the age of 34. As the State's Attorney for Baltimore City, Mosby has been a fierce advocate for criminal justice reform and has led various initiatives to reduce crime and enhance community relations in Baltimore.

Marilyn Mosby was wrongfully convicted of two counts of perjury and one count of mortgage fraud for accessing HER OWN MONEY. After a federal witch hunt that began years prior, the government brought trumped up charges against Mosby to make her pay for standing up for the culture and not backing down from law enforcement.

Do New York’s People of African Descent Deserve Reparations? Who Else Received Reparations?

Who else received reparations? In 1891 in Louisiana eleven Italian Americans were lynched while nearly 200 of our ancestors were lynched. The Italian Government was not pleased and expressed their anger over this situation. The seated President, Benjamin Harrison, wanted to be known as the foreign affairs POTUS. He tried to convince Congress to appropriate funds for reparations for the families of these “victims!” When Congress did not do as he asked, he issued an order decreeing that each of the eleven families would receive $25,000 (valued at $125,000 today) in reparations.

It is critical to note that in this same year, approximately 200 more of our ancestors were lynched and at no time has there been any restitution to redress these same harms against our People of African Descent. President Harrison was still not pleased with his reparations package and decreed that the Italians in this country should have a national holiday therefore he gave them Christopher Columbus Day! It would be approximately 100 years before our ancestors would be honored with a National Holiday, honoring a Black person, yet our ancestral blood is permanently mixed in this country’s soil.

US Foreign Financial Aid to Israel and other foreign interests – While not described as reparations this is seemingly a guaranteed infusion of restitution and compensation therefore, I have decided to include it in this article for knowledge is the only power we have. In 2021, U.S. financial obligations to Israel amounted to $3.31 billion returning Israel to the top spot among foreign financial aid recipients that year. In 2022, the U.S. committed $12 billion to Ukraine to support its defense against Russia’s invasion, far exceeding Israel’s $3.18 billion that year. While some figures are still considered “partial,” total U.S. aid globally for 2022 currently adds up to more than $60 billion, a level not seen since 1951. At no time has anyone remarked that this is too costly or where the money comes from. Thus far Dave Horowitz has not raised any concerns about cost or if this defines these countries as beggars with their hands out.

You may recall that the Marshall Plan granted $13.3 billion to eighteen West European countries from 1948 to about 1952. Where in here are your reparations? Remember Horowitz maintains that reparations for People of African Descent are just our claims as demands for special treatment/an extravagant new handout that is only necessary because some Blacks can’t seem to locate the ladder of opportunity. You must ask, what about those eighteen West European countries, or what about Israel with a population of approximately 11 million is specific to wiping out their harms or the results of crimes against humanity?

BLACK HISTORY continued from page 3

the longest periods to prevent rebellion; and enslaved women often suffered sexual assault from crewmembers. The conditions on slaver ships were so harsh and unbearable that from thirteen to nineteen percent of Africans died in the Middle Passage.

From New York to South Carolina, and across the Atlantic to Nigeria, Remembrance ceremonies and tributes to the Ancestors are held every March 25 to honor this untold history.

According to Chandra Pittman, founder and Executive Director of The Sankofa Project in Hampton, Virginia, “For the millions who died in the dungeons, those captive in the holding cells along the Coast and drowned in the Atlantic Ocean, this ritual of Remembrance is the funeral these Africans never received.”

From 1974 to 2002 – Israel was the top recipient of U.S. aid, the longest-standing duration for a top aid recipient dating back to 1946, according to figures from ForeignAssistance.gov. Again, where are our extravagant demands for handouts in this data?

When in the history of this country have People of African Descent occupied the top recipient slot for restitution and compensation for the harms endured? Japanese Americans - No ar-

Next: US Pays Reparations Everyday Just Not to Black America

For inquires or comments email sosldierfobuffalo.com

STORYTELLERS! From left, Queen Nur, Sharon Holley and Carmen Swans Tradition Keepers and Bunjo Butler. Challenger Photo

Will Trump's Conviction Matter?

Trump is the first former President convicted of a crime...now what?

By FREDERICK JOSEPH

In this, the land that prides itself on dreams, I have come to know intimately the duality of existence. To be a Black person in America is to live in a world where there are always two of everything. Two education systems, two corporate worlds, two housing markets, two legal systems—each pair reflecting the chasm that divides white privilege from the struggle of everyone else. This duality, this relentless dichotomy, has shaped my understanding of a society that touts itself as a realm of opportunity but is actually a fortress of exclusion.

I thought about these two Americas as I listened to NPR announce that Donald Trump had become the first former president to be convicted of a crime, found guilty on 34 felony counts in the New York fraud trial against him.

While many Democrats posted memes and celebrated the verdict, all I could think of was the fact that despite now being a felon, Donald Trump would still get to run for President. A felon could potentially take back the White House in a country that doesn't even allow most felons to vote. To understand the full measure of this nation's duplicity, one must look beyond the veneer of justice served. Trump's new identity as a felon only adds another layer to an already grotesque reality. It is not merely that he is a felon; it is that he was already a man marked by his attempt to overthrow the government on January 6th, a date which now stands as a testament to the lengths to which white privilege and power can extend.

Imagine, if you will, a Black man orchestrating such an insurrection. Imagine the swift and brutal justice that would be doled out, the cries for retribution that would echo through the halls of power. Yet, here we have a former president who, despite his blatant attempt to dismantle the democratic process, is not only free but is once again seeking the highest office in America—as a convicted felon. This is the extent of white privilege: the ability to defy the very foundations of the republic and emerge unscathed, to be not only forgiven but to be celebrated by a significant portion of the populace. My hope, tenuous as it is, clings to the belief that this conviction will matter—that it might herald a shift in the conscience of a nation that ignores its own truths. Yet, as I watched Trump walk out of court to address the press with his characteristic bravado as if everything would be fine, a seething rage welled within me. It was a rage born not only from the sight of his freedom but from the painful awareness of the countless Black and Brown souls who had been disenfranchised, shackled, and discarded by a system designed to ensnare them for far less.

The man was convicted of 34 felony counts and walked out unshackled, unbowed, and likely boarded a private jet after giving his side of things to hundreds of news outlets. The luxury of his circumstance carrying him far from the grasp of accountability. As I write these words, he is perhaps soaring above the clouds, insulated by his wealth and privilege, a grotesque emblem of a system that bends and breaks for those it was designed to protect. This is the heart of our nation's duplicity, where justice is not blind but selectively sighted, where the powerful glide above the fray while the marginalized are left to grapple with the weight of their oppression. This rage is the offspring of centuries of injustice, the bitter fruit of a tree nourished by the blood and sweat of those condemned to lesser fates for far lesser mistakes. I think of the men and women ensnared in the trappings of a society that criminalizes their very existence. And then there is Trump, striding confidently out of that courtroom, unencumbered by the weight of his crimes, his privileges insulating him from the consequences that would crush others. His freedom, his ability to speak, to continue his pursuit of power, reflects the enduring power of white privilege. In this moment, my hope is both a flickering candle and a roaring fire. It is a candle, fragile and easily extinguished, representing the small, persistent belief that change is possible. It is a fire, fierce and consuming, driven by the rage that demands justice, that refuses to accept the status quo. Democrats have a right to celebrate, and celebrate they should. The conviction of Donald Trump on 34 felony counts is a momentous occasion, a rare instance where the system momentarily bows to justice, acknowledging what we have always known—that his actions are not just indefensible but criminal. Yet, this celebration must be tempered with the understanding that it is but a fleeting victory in a long, arduous struggle. Like me, Democrats must learn to be both candle and fire.

Democrats must hold onto the fragile hope, the belief that this conviction might indeed signify a turning point, a crack in the fortress of exclusion that might, just might, let in the light of true justice. As such, the fire is the necessary rage and relentless demand for change Dems must have to actually have a chance at winning.

To think that this conviction will change Trump’s chances in the political arena is to fundamentally underestimate not only him but the very essence of white power and privilege that has enabled his rise. Trump’s conviction, rather than serving as a deterrent, is likely to embolden him and his supporters, reinforcing their narrative of persecution and martyrdom. It is exactly what he and his campaign want Democrats to do—underestimate the depth of depravity in America.

In underestimating Trump, people underestimate the American psyche that allowed him to ascend to the presidency in the first place.

Trump's base is not merely loyal; it is fervent, driven by a sense of loss and resentment that he has masterfully manipulated. His conviction will be spun into a tale of defiance, a battle against a corrupt

Why Was Zipcode 14208 Left Out Of UB's Air Quality Study?

Several weeks ago, a local newspaper released a report stating that because of the higher than average incidences of Asthma, kidney disease, heart disease, COPD and other respiratory ailments on the Eastside, the University of Buffalo was awarding an almost half-million dollar grant to several local, community health groups.

The funding would be used to purchase air quality monitors and place them in strategic locations in homes and other businesses or structures on streets with zipcodes east of Main St. The zipcodes, published, included 14203, 14204, 14206, 14209, 14210, 14211, 14212 and 14215. Those are all Eastside zipcodes and it has been reported that these zipcodes contained a higher percentage than most of all health issues in the city. From the Cheektowaga/ Buffalo border near the Genesee/Broadway/ Walden areas that people have nicknamed 'Cancer Alley' to the toxin and pollutant contaminated land near the old General Motors' Chevy Plant, on East Delavan, the children and adults on our side of town have been poisoned more than enough by our unhealthy environment. And since more than enough information, regarding the infamous 33 Kensington Expressway has been made, one would think that the western side of Humboldt Parkway with its zipcode of 14208 would be among the first zipcodes to be announced and addressed in the study compiled by UB.

When I saw the report with the 14208 zipcode not included, I was flabbergasted! How can a zipcode that includes Hamlin Park and Cold Spring neighborhoods and the west side of Humboldt Parkway not be included in a study that is being conducted to see why the Eastside has so many sick people in it? Could it be that it is already known that neighborhoods near the 33 Expressway have a high amount of carbon monoxide and other pollutants coming from the many cars and other vehicles travelling through the Eastside neighborhoods? And, that the report, if it included Hamlin Park and Cold Spring, would probably go completely off the charts regarding safe air quality and it would probably validate what many of us already know: that the 33 Kensington Expressway has made Humboldt Parkway and the Hamlin Park and Cold Spring areas the most dangerous places for Eastside residents to live, go to school or work.

Finally, I am somewhat disappointed that those Eastside neighborhood and community groups did not lobby SUNYAB to include the much needed but totally left out 14208 zipcode. When a community group is selected or appointed resources to aid or benefit an initiative or a marginalized people or organization, that group must be sure to work in the best interests of the collective community and also to ensure that we hold those who have been chosen, hired or awarded a contract, accountable.

system—a system that, in truth, remains all too willing to bend to his will. That tale will likely net him a heap of donations. The celebration of his conviction must therefore be a call to vigilance, a reminder that the work is far from over.

The true measure of this moment is not in the conviction of Donald Trump, but in what America does next.

Frederick is a two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Black Friend (2020) and Patriarchy Blues (2022), Better Than We Found It (2022) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Courage to Dream (2022). His forthcoming literary works are his debut poetry collection, We Alive, Beloved, his debut novel, This Thing of Ours, and the non-fiction essay collection, Color Me Grateful. His forthcoming poetry collection, “We Alive, Beloved!” For those who haven’t, it’s available on Amazon.

Dear Editor:

It's not everyday you'll find someone/people willing to help you just on the strength of you being you, let alone when you're trying to accomplish something that will help the community, also something that has PLENTY of sweat equity, time, years, put into it. So when that day comes when you find those entities or that entity I believe thank you is in order.

There's NO WAY IN THE WORLD I could repay the Challenger Newspaper, Radio Station WUFO 1080, 96.5FM and The Public Access Station for all of their help in regards to my Community Meeting regarding Soil Sampling that took place on May 17, 2024 at the Delavan-Gridef.center. Anything from taking my flier to creating an ad to appear on the Public Access Channel, to being able to talk about Soil Sampling on two radio shows with not only TWO of the coolest radio hosts we have in Buffalo New York, but they're GOOD, community minded men I've had the pleasure of knowing for( In The Words Of Rakim). It's Been A long Time!!!! For those reading this wondering who I'm talking bout they are Ras JomoProject Access To Africa on Sundays and The Jim Anderson Show on Mondays, I'm sure these entities have had far more beautiful THANK YOU'S extended to them. This is how I'll show my appreciation for all y'all did for me and continue to do for the community. THANK U, THANK U, THANK U from the Top, Bottom, Middle, ALL of my heart - Gregory Glover & Open Buffalo One Love

In 1842, Alabama’s Wetumpka State Penitentiary received its first prisoner: a White man sentenced to 20 years for harboring a runaway slave. did you know?

Sankofa Days Schedule

THURSDAY JUNE 6

5:00 PM-7:00 PM

KeyBank Financial Wellness Series Session 1 Mortgage Workshop

Community Room C-District Police Station 693 E. Ferry St.

FRIDAY JUNE 7

12:00 PM

Pan-African Liberation Flag Raising Ceremony Niagara Square

5:00 PM-7:00 PM

Create, Heal & Feel The Arts TriMain Building 2495 Main St. Suite 441

SATURDAY JUNE 8

3:00 -7:00 PM

Dr. James Smalls Delavan Grider Community E. Delevan & Moselle

SUNDAY JUNE 9

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Concert In The Corridor

African American Heritage Corridor AHC Michigan & Broadway

MONDAY JUNE 10

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Black Consciousness Workshop Frank E. Merriweather Library 1327 Jefferson Ave.

TUESDAY JUNE 11

5:00 PM-7PM

Mental Health Workshop SEIU Office 2421 Main St. Suite 100

THURSDAY JUNE 13

9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Juneteenth @ Canisius University 2001 Main Street

5:00 PM-7:00 PM

KeyBank Financial Wellness Series Session 2 Mortgage Workshop

Community Room C-District Police Station 693 E. Ferry St.

TUESDAY

June 18, 2024 6:00PM-10PM

Juneteenth Eve Music & Poetry The Kitchen 431 Elmwood Ave

WEDNESDAY JUNE19

12 Noon- 8PM

Celebration of Freedom at Freedom Park (foot of ferry) Free family event (see page 9 for more info)

3:00 PM-9:00 PM

Master Family Reunion MLK Park, Casino Side

5:00 PM-8:00 PM

Juneteenth at Larkin Square Intersection of Seneca, Swan & Emilie Street

THURSDAY JUNE 20

5:00 PM-7:00 PM

KeyBank Financial Wellness Series Session 3

Wealth Building Workshop Community Room C-District Police Station 693 E. Ferry St.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

June 15 & 16

Juneteenth Festival MLK Park

Professor James Small To Speak at 2024 Sankofa Days

Professor Dr. James Small will speak here on Saturday, June 8 on the third day of Sankofa at the Delavan Grider Community Center, E. Delavan and Moselle, from 3-7 p.m.

Professor Small has been an activist since his teenage years. His in-depth knowledge, thoughtprovoking and calm delivery are influential elements to break the programming of mis-education. He has studied extensively with Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Yosef A. A. ben Jochannan, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, Dr. Asa Hilliard, Dr. Wade Nobles, Dr. Amos Wilson and Dr. Francis Cress Welsing, just to name a few.

For eleven years, Prof. Small served as principal bodyguard to the late Ella L. Collins, the sister of Malcolm X, the then President of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (O.A.A.U.) and was the Imam of Muslim Mosque Inc. (founded by Malcolm X). Between the years of 1966 and 1980, Prof. Small held membership in the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (S.N.C.C.), the N.A.A.C.P, and O.A.A.U. During this period Prof. Small had the opportunity to interact with such historical giants as Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Kwame Ture, H. Rap Brown, Eldridge Cleaver, Zaid Shakur, and Lumumba Shakur of the Black Panther Party. Much of his expertise is found in African-American history and culture, Malcolm X, African traditional religions and the love for his people.

Professor Small has traveled extensively lecturing throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe. He is recognized as one of the most distinguished activist scholars of our time.

“GIT ON DA BUS”

On Saturday June 8 Git On Da Bus and Join the 21st Annual Storytelling Crawl with Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of WNY; at 3:30p.m. Meet at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 1525 Michigan Ave to board the bus. Bus leaves at 4 p.m. SHARP. Donation $30 for adults, $20 for children 12 years old and younger.

Juneteenth Poetry Slam

The African American Cultural Centers Educational Directives presents Juneteenth Poetry Slam , hosted by Buffalo's first Poet Laureate Jillian Hanesworth. The Slam is scheduled for June 14th from 7p.m. -10p.m. at the African Cultural Center located 350 Masten Ave. Join them for a night of poetry, performances and youth vendors. If you are into poetry , between the ages of 14- 21 and want to participate in the slam sign up at tammyc@aaccbuffalo.org. If you are interested in being a vendor the vending fee is $25. General admission is $5 to attend.

EMMY Win Continued from Page 10

without fail always highlights the city of Buffalo in his projects.

This is his 2nd Emmy Win.

“Every neighborhood and the entire community made this special,” said Clarke. "It was just such a big collaborative effort and it came from the heart. Everyone just poured into this project from top to bottom but being able to go to the streets we frequent that are part of my childhood and Jill’s childhood and the staples in the community played a part in making it feel like ours,” he said.

Hanesworth encourages those who want to tell their story to write it down.

"Just write. There is no box, there are no parameters and there is no shortage of stories that deserve to be told. There is no limit to the amount of voices that can tell our stories," she said.

Follow these two amazing creatives. Jillian on Instagram at @poet_jillian_ hanesworth and Augustus on @iamslimgus

-L.H.

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF ERIE

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Index No. 814460/2023

M&T BANK, Plaintiff, v. ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE LATE MARY MIRON AKA MARY M. MIRON , IF LIVING, AND IF ANY BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS WHO ARE SPOUSES, WIDOWS, GRANTEES, MORTGAGEES, LIENORS, HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF SUCH OF THEM AS MAY BE DEAD, AND THEIR SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES OF RESIDENCE ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES (NHS), INC. AKA WESTSIDE NHS, INC., BUFFALO URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY AKA CITY OF BUFFALO URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, EMMETT O'NEILL, MELVIN O'NEILL, ALPHONSE O'NEILL, PATRICK M. MIRON AKA PATRICK MIRON, CHRISTOPHER SCOTT MIRON AKA CHRISTOPHER MIRON, NICHOLE A. MIRON AKA NICHOLE MIRON, THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, JOHN DOE, 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 attorneys within thirty days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, 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 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 (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of Honorable Catherine Nugent Panepinto, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, signed the 12th day of April, 2024 at Buffalo, New York.

The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage on the following property:

SBL No.: 88.67-1-65

ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND, situate in the City of Buffalo, County of Erie and State of New York, being part of Lot 153 of the Stevens Survey, and particularly described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point in the northerly line of Pooley Place distant five hundred eighty-seven and 60/100ths (587.60) feet easterly from intersection of said line with easterly line of Dewitt Street; running thence easterly along said line of Pooley Place thirty-eight (38) feet; thence northerly at right angles to said line of Pooley Place one hundred thirty and 15/100ths (130.15) feet to a line distant one hundred fifty (150) feet southerly at right angles from southerly line of Forest Avenue; running thence westerly parallel with said line of Forest Avenue thirty-eight and 5/100ths (38.05) feet to a line drawn at right angles to said line of Pooley Place from said point of beginning; and thence southerly at right angles to said line of Pooley Place one hundred twenty-eight and 26/100ths (128.26) feet to said point of beginning. Subject to easements, covenants, and restriction of record.

These premises are also known as 62-64 Pooley Place, Buffalo, NY 14213.

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 May 16, 23, June 6, 13

LEGAL NOTICE

BUFFALO BILLS NEW HIGHMARK STADIUM VENDOR MEET & GREET SESSION

RFQ - FF&E COMMODITIES

Please join The Parker Company on June 13, 2024, for a Vendor Meet & Greet Session for the Buffalo Bills New Highmark Stadium project. Attend this session to learn more about the products and services that may be required and network with the procurement services firm that will be soliciting quotations on the Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E), and Operating Supplies and Equipment (OS&E). NYS-certified minority-, women- and service-disabled veteran owned, and local businesses are encouraged to participate. Please register via the Bills Contracting Opportunities section at www.buffalobillsnewstadium.com.

*Subject to change

LEGAL NOTICE

TO: CYNTHIA D. SALTER, if she be living, and if she be dead to her heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, if any such there be, all of whom and all of whose names, ages, places of residence and post office addresses are unknown to the Petitioner(s) and cannot after due diligence used be ascertained and HON. LETITIA JAMES-Attorney General of the State of New York and JENNIFER G. FLANNERY- Erie County Public Administrator.

A petition having been duly filed by Lauren Manney, who is domiciled at 91 Colfax Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215.

YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Erie County, 92 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, New York, on July 17, 2024, at 9:30 o’clock in the fore noon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Andrew Salter Jr lately domiciled at 91 Colfax Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215 admitting to probate a Will dated October 20, 2020 (a codicil dated) a copy of which is attached, as the Will of Andrew Salter Jr deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that X Letters Testamentary issue to Lauren Manney

June 6, 13, 20, 27

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF ERIE

Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust III, Plaintiff, -againstShawn Berry, if living and if any be dead, any and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienor, heirs, devisees, distributees, or successors in interest of such of the above as may be dead, and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residences are unknown to Plaintiff, United States of America-Internal Revenue Service, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Defendants. Index No. 801437/2024

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Plaintiff designates Erie County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the Mortgage premises is situated.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED

DEFENDANT(S):

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 attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). 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 captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $12,816.69 and interest, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of ERIE on October 17, 2005, in Book 13251, Page 6308, covering premises known as 54 Prairie Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14207.

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.

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 (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: Bay Shore, New York

May 3, 2024

/s/By: Linda P. Manfredi, Esq. Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP

Attorneys for Plaintiff

53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, New York 11706

Bar #: 2863124 (631) 969-3100

Our File No.:01-098748-F01

LEGAL NOTICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The NFTA is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for LRRT - Panel Liner Rehabilitation Phase 4, Project No.31LU2304

Proposals are due by 2:00 PM on June 13, 2024. www.nftaengineering.com

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY COURT : COUNTY OF ERIE

IN THE MATTER OF FORECLOSURE OF TAX LIENS BY PROCEEDING IN REM PURSUANT TO THE IN REM PROVISIONS OF THE ERIE COUNTY TAX ACT AND THE RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF ERIE BY THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE AS SHOWN BY ITEM 4E-22 (2024) PAGES 145-146 OF THE MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF SAID LEGISLATURE FOR THE YEAR 2024 PETITION AND NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE OF TAX LIENS BY THE COUNTY OF ERIE BY ACTION IN REM

IN REM NO. 172

INDEX NO. 2024-600166

Please take notice that on the 7th day of May, 2024 the County of Erie pursuant to law, filed with the Clerk of the County of Erie a list of parcels of property affected by unpaid tax liens held and owned by the County of Erie which on such date had been due and unpaid for a period of at least two years after the date on which the unpaid tax liens were sold. Such list contains as to each such parcel (a) a brief description of the property affected by each tax lien, (b) the name of the last known owner of such property as it appears on the latest tax roll in the hands of the Director of Real Property Tax Services or a statement that the owner is unknown if such be the case, (c) a statement of such tax liens upon such parcel of property including any tax sale certificates owned by the County of Erie which shall have been due for less than two years, together with the interest and penalties due as of the list date and (d) a statement that the amount required to redeem any such parcel of property, and the amount to be recovered by the County of Erie, includes all tax sale certificates owned by the County of Erie and affecting such property, together with all interest, penalties, additions and expenses as in this act provided, and also includes an “in rem fee” of $500.00 per parcel to cover the presumptive cost to the County of Erie for reasonable and necessary attorneys’ fees, abstracts of title and other disbursements in connection with such foreclosure pursuant to law.

The above-captioned proceeding was commenced to enforce the payment of delinquent taxes which have accumulated and become liens against certain property. The parcels to which this proceeding applies were identified on the List of Delinquent Taxes which was filed in the Erie County Clerk’s Office on the 7th day of May, 2024. Take further notice that the ownership by the County of the tax sale certificates set forth on the List of Delinquent Taxes is conclusive evidence of the fact that the taxes, assessments and other legal charges represented thereby have not been paid to the County.

EFFECT OF FILING: All persons having or claiming to have an interest in the real property described in the List of Delinquent Taxes are hereby notified that the filing of said List constituted the commencement by the County of Erie of a proceeding in the County Court to foreclose each of the tax liens therein described by a foreclosure proceeding In Rem. Pursuant to Section 11-7.0 of the Erie County Tax Act, the filing of such List of Delinquent Taxes constitutes and has the same force and effect and is deemed to have given the same notice of such foreclosure proceeding as the filing and recording in the Erie County Clerk’s Office of an individual Notice of Pendency of a Tax Foreclosure Action and of the filing in the County Court of a separate and individual Complaint by the County of Erie against the owners of the real property proceeded against and described in the List of Delinquent

Taxes.

NATURE OF PROCEEDING: This proceeding is brought against the real property only and is to foreclose the tax liens described in the List of Delinquent Taxes. No personal judgment will be entered herein for such liens/taxes or other legal charges or any part thereof.

PERSONS AFFECTED: This notice is directed to all persons having or claiming to have an interest in the real property described in the List of Delinquent Taxes. Such persons are hereby notified further that a duplicate of this Petition and the List of Delinquent Taxes has been filed in the Erie County Clerk’s Office and the Office of Real Property Tax Services and will remain open for public inspection up to and including the date specified below as the last day of redemption.

RIGHT OF REDEMPTION: Any person having or claiming to have an interest in any such real property and the legal right thereto may on or before the 8th day of July, 2024 redeem the same by paying the amount of all such unpaid tax liens thereon, including all interest and penalties and other legal charges which are included in the lien against such real property, computed to and including the date of redemption.

Payments shall be made to: Director of Real Property Tax Services, Rath Building, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, New York, 14202, by CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, BANK CHECK or MONEY ORDER.

In the event that such tax liens are paid by a person other than the record owner of such real property, the person so paying shall be entitled to have the tax liens affected thereby satisfied of record or to receive an assignment of such tax liens evidenced by a proper written instrument.

LAST DAY OF REDEMPTION: The last day of redemption is hereby fixed as the 8th day of July, 2024.

SERVICE OF ANSWER: Every person having any right, title or interest in or lien upon any parcel of real property described in the List of Delinquent Taxes may serve a duly verified Answer upon the attorney for the Tax District, as set forth below, setting forth in detail the nature and amount of his or her interest, and any defense or objection to the foreclosure. Such Answer must be filed in the office of the County Clerk and served upon the attorney for the Tax District, Margaret A. Hurley, Esq., Lippes Mathias, LLP, 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1700, Buffalo, New York, 14202, (716) 884-3135, on or before the 29th day of July 2024.

FAILURE TO REDEEM OR ANSWER: In the event of failure to redeem or answer by any person having the right to redeem or answer, such person shall be forever barred and foreclosed of all his or her right, title and interest and equity of redemption in and to the parcel described in the List of Delinquent Taxes and a judgment in foreclosure may be taken by default.

DATED: May 7, 2024

ENFORCING OFFICER: SCOTT A. BYLEWSKI, ESQ. Director of Real Property Tax Services

STATE OF NEW YORK) COUNTY OF ERIE) ss: CITY OF BUFFALO)

I, SCOTT A. BYLEWSKI, ESQ., being duly sworn, depose and say: I am the Director of Real Property Tax Service for the County of Erie. I have read this Petition and Notice, which I have signed, and I am familiar with its contents. The contents of this Petition and Notice are true to the best of my knowledge, based upon the records and tax roll of the County of Erie, in the hands of the Department of Real Property Tax Services. I do not know of any errors or omissions in this Petition.

SCOTT A. BYLEWSKI, ESQ. Director of Real Property Tax Services

Sworn to before me this 7th day of May, 2024.

Notary Public: Amy Honan No. 01HO6348829

Notary Public, State of New York

Qualified in Erie County My Commission Expires Oct. 3, 2024

ATTORNEYS FOR TAX DISTRICT: Margaret A. Hurley, Esq. Lippes Mathias, LLP 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1700 Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 884-3135

MAY 23, JUNE 6, 13, 20, 27 JULY 11

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF NEW YORK

SURROGATE’S COURT: ERIE COUNTY FILE NO.: 2022-4256/A CITATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, FREE AND INDEPENDENT,

TO: Any unknown heirs to the Estate of TORRANCE TUCKER, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributes, grantees, assignees, creditors, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest, as well as the respective heirs at law, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributes, grantees, assignees, creditors, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest of the aforesaid classes of persons, if they or any of them be dead, all of whom and whose names and places residences are unknown to the petitioner;

NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, Transaction and Transfer Bureau, Estate Tax Audit-Waiver of Citation Unit, W A Harriman Campus, Albany, New York 12227; Hon. Letitita James, Attorney General of the State of New York, Main Place Tower, Suite 300A, 350 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14202; Jennifer G. Flannery, Erie County Public Administrator, Avant Building, Suite 1200, 200 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202; DCM Services, 1550 American Boulevard East, Suite 200, Bloomington, Minnesota 55425-1116; Baileigh Ann Bonita Tucker, c/o Aubrey Lynn Marshall, 4 Waterway Court, Apt. 3D, Towson, Maryland 21286; Daisy Marie Tucker, c/o Britney M. Tucker, 51 Kamper Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14210; Tobias Malik Tucker, c/o Britney M. Tucker, 51 Kamper Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14210. An amended petition having been duly filed on April 2, 2024 by Britney Tucker, Administrator of the Estate of Torrance Tucker, praying for a Decree to compromise a certain cause of action for wrongful death; YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Erie County, at 92 Franklin Street, Second Floor, Buffalo, New York 14202 on August 1, 2024 at 9:30am, why the above relief should not be granted and a decree should not be entered allowing the petitioner, Britney Tucker, to compromise the cause of action.

Dated, Attested, and Sealed May 28, 2024

Hon. Acea M. Mosey, Surrogate Linda M. Wierdrick, Chief Clerk

Attorneys for Petitioner: Kristen Elmore-Garcia

John. V. Elmore, P.C. 2969 Main Street, Suite 200 Buffalo, NY 14214

NOTE: THIS CITATION IS SERVED UPON YOU AS REQUIRED BY LAW. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO APPEAR. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR ON THE DATE SHOWN, IT WILL BE ASSUMED YOU DO NOT OBJECT TO THE RELIEF REQUESTED. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY APPEAR FOR YOU.

June 6, 13, 20, 27

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Public Hearing

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the County Legislature of the County of Erie, New York, shall be held in the Chambers of the Legislature at Old Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, 4th Floor, Buffalo, New York, in said County, on the 13th day of June 2024 at 6:00 P.M., for the purpose of conducting a public hearing to hear public comment on COMM. 7M-4 (2024), concerning the Citizens Salary Review Commission’s report.

A copy of the resolution and report is available for public inspection at the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature at Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, 4th Floor, Buffalo, New York or at: https://public.destinyhosted. com/eriecdocs/2024/CL/20240411 _31/1828%5F24COMM.%5F7M% 2D4.pdf

Buffalo, New York

May 24, 2024

BY ORDER OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF THE COUNTY OF ERIE, NEW YORK

Olivia M. Owens, Clerk Erie County Legislature

LEGAL NOTICE

COUNTY OF ERIE NOTICE TO BIDDERS

2024 OVERLAY A PROJ# CAP-290.317.573-2024

Department of Public Works, Division of Highways seeking sealed bids for highway mill & overlay in the Towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, and Akron. Sealed proposals will be received at Rath County Office Building, DPW, 95 Franklin St, Room 1419A, Buffalo, NY 14202 by, and opened at, 10:00 am local time, Thursday, June 13, 2024. Certified check in the amount of $141,000. bid deposit is required with the bid submittal. Pre-let meeting scheduled Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 10:00 am local time at Rath County Office Building, DPW, 95 Franklin St, Room 1419A, Buffalo, NY. NYSDOL Wage Rates, NYS Vendor Responsibility CCA-2 A/B/C, Local Minority, & Disadvantaged Workforce goals, NYS Apprenticeship, and MWBE/SDVOB goals may be required. Plans and additional bid submittal information on the Erie County website at: http: //www3.erie.gov/dpw see DPW Bid Retrieval.

LEGAL NOTICE BID

NFTA PROCUREMENT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS/ BIDS: RFP 240029 – ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD SAMPLING AND LABORATORY TESTING

Go to NFTA's Website to register as a supplier and for instructions to download the Procurement Document at https://www.nfta.com/departments/procurement

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed bids for Project No. 47600-E, comprising of a contract for Electrical Work, Upgrade Electrical Service, State Armory, 27 Masten Avenue, Buffalo (Erie County), NY, will be received by the Office of General Services (OGS), Design & Construction Group (D&C), Division of Contract Management, 35th Fl., Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242, on behalf of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, when they will be publicly opened and read. Each bid must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders and must be accompanied by a bid security (i.e. certified check, bank check, or bid bond in the amount of $31,100 for E).

All successful bidders will be required to furnish a Performance Bond and a Labor and Material Bond pursuant to Sections 136 and 137 of the State Finance Law, each for 100% of the amount of the Contract estimated to be between $500,000 and $1,000,000 for E.

Designated staff are Kimberly Belden, Catherine Skaczkowski, Jessica Hoffman, and Pierre Alric in the Division of Contract Management, telephone (518) 474-0203, fax (518) 473-7862.

Pursuant to Public Buildings Law § 8(6), effective January 11, 2020, for any projects where the project design commenced on or after January 1, 2020 and for any contracts over $5,000 for the work of construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, or improvement of any State building, a responsible and reliable NYS-certified Minority or Women-Owned Business Enterprise that submits a bid within ten percent of the lowest bid will be deemed the apparent low bidder provided that the bid is $1,628,283 or less, adjusted annually for inflation as of March 1, 2024. If more than one responsible and reliable MWBE firm meets these requirements, the MWBE firm with the lowest bid will be deemed the apparent low bidder.

Project commenced design before January 1, 2020. Not subject to provision.

XX Project commenced design on or after January 1, 2020. Subject to provision.

Substantial completion shall be in accordance with Section 011000 – Summary of the Work

As a condition of award, within five (5) days of receipt of the proposed Contract Agreement from the State, the apparent low bidder shall return the Contract Agreement to the State, properly executed, along with the Bonds if required by said Agreement. Low bidders who cannot meet these provisions may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture of the bid security

The only time prospective bidders will be allowed to visit the job site to take field measurements and examine existing conditions of the project area will be at 9:00 a.m. on June 20, 2024, at State Armory, 27 Masten Avenue, (park in half circle drive off Masten Avenue), Buffalo, NY. Prospective bidders are urged, but not mandated, to visit the site at this time. Prospective bidders or their representatives attending the pre-bid site visit will not be admitted on facility grounds without proper photo identification. Note that parking restrictions and security provisions will apply, and all vehicles will be subject to search. Refer to Document 002218 for any additional requirements for attendance at the pre-bid site visit.

Phone the office of Laura Yingling (716-885-0908) a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the date to provide the names of those who will attend the pre-bid site visit. Only contractors that schedule a visit at least 24 hours in advance will be allowed to participate in the pre-bid site visit.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Article 15-A and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, OGS is required to promote opportunities for the maximum feasible participation of New York State-certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (“MWBEs”) and the employment of minority group members and women in the performance of OGS contracts. All bidders are expected to cooperate in implementing this policy. OGS hereby establishes an overall goal of 30% for MWBE participation, 15% for Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (“MBE”) participation and 15% for WomenOwned Business Enterprises (“WBE”) participation (based on the current availability of qualified MBEs and WBEs). The total contract goal can be obtained by utilizing any combination of MBE and /or WBE participation for subcontracting and supplies acquired under this Contract. Trades with 0% goals are encouraged to make “good faith efforts” to promote and assist in the participation of MWBEs on the Contract for the provision of services and materials.

Article 3 of the Veteran’s Services Law provides for more meaningful participation in public procurement by certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (“SDVOBs”). Bidders are expected to consider SDVOBs in the fulfillment of the requirements of the Contract. Such participation may be as subcontractors or suppliers, as protégés, or in other partnering or supporting roles. OGS hereby establishes overall goals for SDVOBs’ participation under this contract as follows: 6% for the E trade contractor, on the current availability of qualified SDVOBs. Trades with 0% goals are encouraged to make “good faith efforts” to promote and assist in the participation of SDVOBs on the Contract for the provision of services and materials.

The Bidding and Contract Documents for this Project are available for viewing, downloading, and Electronic Bidding from OGS Design & Construction’s Electronic Bidding service, Bid Express. Registration along with viewing, downloading, and electronic bidding can be accessed at the following link: http://www.bidexpress.com

For questions about downloading of bid documents, please send an e-mail to support@bidexpress.com, or call the Bid Express toll-free number at (888) 352-2439.

For all other questions, please send an email to DCPlans@ogs.ny.gov, or call (518) 474-0203.

For additional information on this project, please use the link below and then click on the project number: https://online.ogs.ny.gov/dnc/contractorConsultant/esb/ESBPlansAvailableIndex.asp.

OGS Design & Construction Group

LEGAL NOTICE BID

LEGAL NOTICE BID

COUNTY OF ERIE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS SUNY ECC NORTH CAMPUS BELL SPORTS CENTER GYMNASIUM MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT

ECDPW PROJECT NO. 2024-956-02

Sealed bids for Mechanical Construction work for the above project will be received by the County’s Commissioner of Public Works in Suite 1400 of the Rath County Office Building, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 until 10:30 AM local time on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. NYS Vendor Responsibility Form CCA-2 A/B/C, NYSDOL wage rates, MBE/WBE/SDVOB, Apprenticeship program, and Local and Disadvantaged Workforce requirements may apply to this project. Additional information must be found at: www.erie.gov/dpw

LEGAL NOTICE BID

CONSTRUCTION BIDS ARE BE-

ING SOUGHT by Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. on behalf of Empire State Development for work at 3076 Bailey Ave. as part of the East Side Avenues initiative. The scope of work, including drawings, as well as bidding requirements are available at www.ESABids.org and from the Avalon Buffalo Planroom at avalonbuff-planroom.com beginning May 31, 2024. Bids are due June 21, 2024 at 4:00pm. A pre-bid walkthrough is scheduled for June 12, 2024 at 10:30am. Minority and women-owned business enterprises and businesses based in the KensingtonBailey project area and on the East Side of the City of Buffalo are especially encouraged to submit bids.

BRUNETTE WASHINGTON

African Proverbs

•“Examine what is said, not who is speaking.”

• “If you want to know the end, look at the beginning.”

•. “Knowledge is a garden. If it isn’t cultivated, you can’t harvest it.”

• “A roaring lion kills no game.”

•“Do not look where you fell. Look where you slipped.”

• “Restless feet might walk you into a snake pit.”

continued from page 5

James was employed at Bethlehem Steel and worked there until he retired. He was also a master barber, who owned “Jimmy’s Barber Shop” on Sycamore and Herman streets in Buffalo. During their marriage, they bought their first home on Very Street and eventually purchased two other homes on Buffalo’s east side. They were married for 70 years until his passing in 2001. Together, they raised four children, Willie, Winona, Israel and Marvis, in a household where values of love, faith, education, and hard work were instilled and practiced.

Over the course of her life, Brunette has generously served others through her family ties, church, and community affiliations. While she was a homemaker for most of her life, during World War II, she worked as a metal stamper for Michael Electric and made airplane and gun parts for Curtis Wright. Of the jobs she held, she thoroughly enjoyed working as a door-to-door salesperson for the Charis Corporation, selling women’s girdles and undergarments.

Brunette gives praise to God for all that she has accomplished. Frequently you will hear her say, “I could do nothing without him!” She is very proud of the fact that at the age of 8, she confessed “Jesus as her personal savior” and was baptized in a creek outside of the Lloyd Baptist Church in Forkland. She was among the first members of the Second Baptist Church of Lackawanna, New York, and New Hope in Depew, New York. When New Hope relocated to Buffalo it was renamed Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. For most of her adult life, Brunette has been a faithful, dedicated, and active member of the Macedonia Baptist Church, formally known as the Michigan Street Baptist Church, which is a historical site and local stop for the Underground Railroad. The church now resides on East North Street in Buffalo. Respectfully known as “Mother Washington”, she was present at church service every Sunday, attended weekly prayer and bible study, and served in many capacities in the church including, the Nurses Guild, President of the Mission Society, Sunday school teacher, and the church choir. She was also a member of the American Baptist Association and The Order of the Eastern Star.

Brunette has a generous heart and a love for helping others. She is known for ministering to the sick, poor, adolescents, young adults, and a variety of people who need an empathic and supportive ear. She regularly volunteered her time to fundraising, where she collected donations door-to-door for the American Heart Association, the Easter Seals Foundation, and the United Way. She belonged to three senior citizens centers, where she socialized and participated in arts and crafts, and other activities.

A believer that it is “never too late to achieve your dreams”, at 50 years old she learned to drive and obtained her driver’s license. As a child growing up in the segregated south, access to an education beyond the 7th grade for Black children was limited. It was her life-long dream to go back to school, so in her 60’s she enrolled in the 8th grade at a neighborhood school and continued until she graduated with her diploma from Bennett High School.

In 2016, Brunette was featured in “The Centenarians – We Have a Story to Tell,” a documentary of African American women over the age of 100 in Buffalo, NY. Her story includes voting for the first time in 1937, and she still votes faithfully in every election. She proudly spoke about voting for President Obama and prayed for him daily while he was in office. In 2015, at the age of 100, she toured the inside of the White House for the first time, which was especially memorable for her, even though she did not have an opportunity to see President Obama as she had hoped. Brunette Washington tells everyone she meets about the power and love of God. She frequently remarks, “We’ve got to love one another as He says we ought to love……and if you have anything in your heart against someone pray to God and he will remove it!” When asked what she attributes to her long life, she says, “I don’t know why he does it, but he keeps me alive and I thank him, I thank him, I thank him!”

LEGAL NOTICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The NFTA is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for LRRT – Fiber Cable and Lighting Upgrade, Project No. 31LZ2333 Proposals are due by 2:00 PM on June 18, 2024. www.nftaengineering.com

LEGAL NOTICE

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The NFTA is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for LRRT – Catenary and Insulator Replacement Phase 5, Project No. 31LZ2332 Proposals are due by 2:00 PM on June 20, 2024. www.nftaengineering.com

NFTA PROCUREMENT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS/ BIDS:

RFP 240031 – REGIONAL BICYCLE

MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Go to NFTA's Website to register as a supplier and for instructions to download the Procurement Document at https://www.nfta.com/departments/procurement

A supercentenarian, Brunette Washington is an extraordinary woman who is loved, adored, and admired by her family for her wise and wonderful teachings of love, faith, family, and the journey of life. She is the mother of four, grandmother of nine, great – grandmother of nine, great-great grandmother of ten, and the great-great-great grandmother of one. She is a blessing to everyone she meets and an example that it is never too late to achieve your dreams and goals.

Sharon Kirkland-Gordon, Grand-daughter of Brunette Washington is the daughter of renowned author/columnist/activist Ted Kirkland and the late Winona Kirkland.

Footnote: This article includes excerpts from the 2016 documentary, The Centenarians: We Have a Story To Tell.

PRATCHER & ASSOCIATES

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

BEN’S Downtown Tire

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

(716) 634-0330

MID-4-6-8-8

MID-04-08-13-32-38

07-11-23-34-38

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS

824-314-328-182-913-427-680-909-845-718-173356-891-019-671-659-800-659-831-445-787-566547-769-880-910-987-954-232-465-785-309-187095-416-576-890-109-654-432-323-545-267-890-800468-090-967-680-072-547-691-063-323-353-563-934094-305-401-078-545-788-570-982-478-544-360-184343-679-100-229-436-579-047-093-346-790-874-167768-912-354-436-734-820-039-154-524-875-579-13-076-423-568-909-096-534-546-789-358-219-765187-890-919-953-542-438-910-680-194-234-567-891-

MA RUTH SPEAKS THE TRUTH! SURE HITS!

168-985-678-198-256-890054-698-679-943-001-202147-001-865-732-855-648514-996-202

Aquarius -496-235-165-579

Pisces - 056-362-237-694

Cancer - 482-372-895-718

Aries - 289-946-034-594

Taurus -258-231-026-695

Gemini-495-257-694-508

Leo-345-213-157-201

Virgo 385-291-431-170

Libra -247-723-179-501

Scorpio - 453-253-571-597

Sagittarius389-701-234-924

Capricorn:893-275-342-506

June Lotto Luck 14-19-20-33-35-42 28-31-34-37-41-49

MIDDAY

8-2-5 TAURUS (BOX)

1-3-4 LUCKIE DUCKIE (STRAIGHT & BOX), MAY VIBES (BOX), VIRGO (BOX)

5-1-6 AQUARIUS (BOX)

8-2-3 MADAM OZLLA (BOX)

EVENING

5-0-0 QUCIK $ (BOX)

8-1-0 Z R (STRAIGHT), # BOOK (BOX)

9-8-2 ARIES (BOX) 5-7-2 MADAM OZLLA (BOX), GEMINI (BOX), CAPRICORN (BOX)

017-430-034-501483-656-491-248853-9961 134-431--143648*123*104

980-422-809- 981-989970-990-080-800-515996-390-196-102-581752-319-408-378-352126- 189-444-886-514332-522-112-432-421423-154-039-524-119616-719-593-655-097-127-111-019-200120-339-303-889-900 007-013-590-698-888

776 - 001 557 - 338 June 4-Digit Picks 5790-1968-0116 8560-0954-5654 quick money 189-809-444 886-980-422 322-522-355 800-592-390 394-833-924 127-909-418 927-313-466 124-550-098 511-005-201 584 - 049-012 360-211842 237-120-910 1102/2015

708-469-801-066

781-980-194-580 805-075-467-890

Roslyn Collins U.S. Army Reserve 25 Feb85 -25Sept92

M.O.S. 91 Alpha/Medi

are you registered to VOTE?

VISIT THE NASH HOUSE MUSEUM

The Nash House Museum has a new Facebook page! Follow Nash House Museum Buffalo to stay up to date on all the programs hosted by the historic house that was once the home of Rev. J. Edward Nash!

ON STAGE

Lionel Richie and Earth Wind & Fire at Keybank Arena On Saturday June 15

7:30 -9:30 P.M. Tickets at www.keybankcenter.com

Coming to Shea’s!

•MJ The Musical, June 1116, 2024

•Hamilton, October 15-27, 2024

•The Lion King, December 18 2024 – January 5, 2025

•The Wiz, March 4-9 2025 Visit Sheas.org for more info.