THE ELAINE MASSACRE

Oneof the worst race massacres in the U.S. was in Elaine, Arkansas September 30–October 2, 1919.

Black sharecroppers realized they had been cheated by local White planters. To create some form of protection for themselves and to achieve fair wages, they unionized and formed a local chapter of the Progressive Farmers and Household Union of America. The Black farmers met regularly at churches and pooled their money in hopes to rise enough to hire a lawyer who would represent them against the White land owners who kept them in debt and declined to give accounting particulars.

That dynamic, where Black sharecroppers could have gained financial independence, created a panic among White plantation owners. Rumor spread that the Blacks were planning an insurrection For days, mobs of White men slaughtered at least 200 Black farmers and their families, with assistance from about 500 troops called on by Arkansas Gov. Charles Brough. Some scholars estimate the number of dead to be closer to 800 (five White men were killed.) The violence raged for a week. During the massacre, Arkansan Leroy Johnston, who had spent nine months recovering in a hospital from injuries he suffered in the trenches of France in WWI – was pulled from a train shortly after returning home and was shot to death alongside his three brothers.

In the aftermath of the riot, 285 Black people were arrested, and the Phillips County grand jury charged 122 Black people with crimes ranging from night riding to murder. The first 12 men tried were convicted of murder and sentenced to death by electric chair.

Health Matters

National Nurses Week May 6-12 Tiffany Anderson, President of Buffalo Black Nurses, is 2023 Nurse of Distinction Nominee

"Good In The Neighborhood" Event Offers Free Health Screenings, Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, Family Fun!

"BLACK L IVES, BLACK LUNGS":Pastor George Nicholas CEO of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity led an important community conversation March 30 at Lincoln Memorial UMC about the Governor’s proposal to ban menthol cigarettes in the State. One of the most impactful issues affecting the health of African Americans he pointed out, is menthol cigarettes. It is estimated that smoking-related diseases kill 45,000 Blacks in this country every year; the primary culprit being menthol cigarettes, which 85 percent of Black smokers prefer. Pictured l- r Dontae Scisson, WUFO; Rev. Kenzier M. Pointer, Pastor Agape Fellowship Baptist Church, Rev. Nicholas pastor of Lincoln Memorial, Dr. Andrew Hyland, chair of the Department of Health Behaviors at Roswell Park and Rev. Mark E. Blue, President Buffalo NAACP. More details about the “Black Lives, Black Lungs” community conversation program can be found on the Buffalo Center for Health Equity” website at https://www.buffalohealthequity.org/

Green Thumb Beginner Gardening Workshop

The East Side Garden Walk is proud to announce the free Green Thumb Beginner Gardening Workshop! Discover how to transform your outdoor space and maintain the garden of your dreams. Saturday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. at Gerard Place, 2515 Bailey Ave. Register at GardensBuffaloNiagara.com/talk .

Tiffany Anderson, MS,RN Director of Home-Based Care Services at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a 2023 Nurse of Distinction Nominee. The prestigious designation was made during National Nurses Week, May 6-12 and appeared in "WNY Nurses," a Supplement of the Professional Nurses Association of WNY in the May 7 Sunday Buffalo News. A senior leading nurse with Roswell, the accomplished Ms. Anderson is also the President of Buffalo Black Nurses Inc. whose mission is to promote diversity in nursing careers and leadership development and educate and empower our community to reduce health care disparities. The outstanding organization's value statement reads in part: "We are committed to enhancing the underrepresented nurse experience through continued professional development, mentorship, scholarship and community service. For more information about Buffalo Black Nurses Inc. call (716) 650-0202; visit buffaloblacknurses. org or email Buffaloblacknurses@gmail.com Congratulations President Anderson!

Free Counseling

Vondolyn Salter- Lane of Mental Health and Christian Counseling offering survior support groups and FREE counseling via telehealth or in person. Contact 716 705-3889 or mhcmsvee@gmail.com

The Best Exercises for Seniors

Aging does not have to be synonymous with slowing down. Physical activity is important to not only avoid chronic health issues but boost physical and mental health. Always check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Best exercises for mobile seniors depending on their ability level:

•Walking is the best if you are able to move freely without a walker, wheelchair or cane,

• The best exercises for seniors in a wheelchair is Tai Chi. One study shows that seniors who engaged in a 12-week Tai Chi program specifically designed for those in a wheelchair saw improvements in their balance, blood pressure and mental health. Tai Chi is also excellent for seniors who can’t stand and need a chair.

•Water aerobics and swimming are great exercises to improve overall health.

•Line Dancing. “If you can walk, you can line dance.”

Line dancing is a perfect exercise for improving coordination and balance, increasing cardiovascular health and brain memory, and is seen as an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s, dementia and depression.

The Good for the Neighborhood program will be Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 701 E. Delavan Ave. The event offers free health screenings, resources and information from healthcare professionals along with fresh fruits, vegetables and family fun activities. It's organized by the Independent Health Foundation.

Elder Law Day

“Elder Law Day" is a free event hosted by the Erie County Department of Senior Services in partnership with the Center for Elder Law & Justice that provides information to assist older adults, family members and caregivers in making informed choices about their health and financial well-being. Topics include Long Term Care Planning, Medicaid, Advanced Directives, Estate Planning Basics and more!

The event will be held, Tuesday, June 13th from 8:00am-1:30pm at The Grapevine, 333 Dick Road., Depew. Register online at erie.gov/ELD

15-minute consultations available by request at registration. Morning refreshments and a box lunch available for those who pre-register online.”

“IN COMMEMORATION”

To the families and or communities affected by this senseless and tragic act of violence on May 14, 2022 we share your loss! This day will forever remain etched in our hearts and minds.

Celestine Chaney

Roberta Drury

Andre Mackniel

Katherine Massey

Margus Morrison

Heyward Patterson

Aaron Salter, Jr.

Geraldine Talley

Pearl Young

Ruth Whitfield

FAITH & FAMILY

Potter's House Church Annual Men’s Prayer Breakfast

The Potter's House Church will host their Annual Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, May 20 at 9a.m. at the Sheraton Niagara Hotel, 300 Third Street, Niagara Falls, Pastor Mark Sanders is the speaker. Tickets are $30 for adults and $35 at the door; youth tickets are $25 and $30 at the door. For additional information call 716-285-3445.

Urban Christian Ministries Fundraising Dinner

Urban Christian Ministries will host a Fund Raising Dinner, Saturday, May 20 from 4 -8p.m. at Randall Baptist Church, 6301 Main St., Williamsville. Reservations are required. Call 716-882-9472. Free-will offering will benefit Afterschool and Summer programs on Buffalo's East Side.

American Baptist Women's Ministry Spiritual Retreat

The Buffalo/Niagara County Chapter of the American Baptist Women's Ministry is hosting a spiritual retreat from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Rev. Bennett Smith Family Life Center, 833 Michigan Street. Registration is $30 and begins at 8:30 a.m. A continental breakfast and full lunch are provided

We invite the community to join us for a day of prayer and spiritual enlightenment. For further information contact mabaskervill@earthlink.net. Mrs. Geraldine Rhodes-Daniels, Chapter President.

Humboldt Parkway Baptist To Celebrate Pastoral Anniversary of Reverend and Mrs. Jason Keith

The congregation of the Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church will celebrate the Pastoral Anniversary of Reverend and Mrs. Jason C. Keith on Sunday, May 21 at 11 a.m. The morning speaker will be Reverend Michael Roberson of the Evangelistic Temple and Community Church.

Our celebration will culminate with a Grand Formal Celebration Banquet at 4 p.m. at Banchetti by Rizzo's, 550 N. French Road, Amherst.

Please join us and get your ticket which is $40 by calling Michele Palmer at 716-896-4363 or Jackie McMillan at 716-308-3121 (text/leave message).

Ticket Deadline is May 14, 2023

Do You Know Who Your Council Member Is?