CHALLENGER COMMUNITY NEWS

INSIDE ROCHESTER

Buffalo Bills 2023 NFL Draft in Review

The Buffalo Bills 2023 NFL Draft was a much needed shot in the arm for a team that has lost quality players during the off season. The Bills first round draft pick Dalton Kincaid out of Utah has the similar background of future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates and HOF Tony Gonzalez. Kincaid was a basketball star in high School and really just started playing football in his Senior year and played four years in college. He has speed and agility that’s needed in order to get open down field.

The Bills second round pick was my favorite choiceO’Cyrus Torrance out of University Florida; a massive lineman that did not give up a sack in his entire College career. Bills General Manager Brandon Beane finally made a wise decision by stretching the most important part of your team - the offensive line.

RPO NAMES NEW ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR

Jherrard Hardeman Brings His Passion for Community to Rochester. Maestro Hardeman also named Music Director of the RPYO

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has named Jherrard Hardeman its new Assistant Conductor. Hardeman will also serve as Music Director of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO).

A rising star in the symphonic-and chamber-music worlds, the 25-year-old Hardeman will support the missions of RPO Music Director Andreas Delfs and RPO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik to raise awareness and impact of the orchestra’s work within the Rochester community, as well as to boost the RPO’s profile on the global music stage.

“I’m the sort of conductor who will be in the lobby immediately after performances to connect with audiences and talk about what they’ve just experienced, and also to find out what they want from their orchestra,” said Hardeman.

Hardeman, who was named Assistant Conductor of the Chicago Sinfonietta in September 2022, will lead the RPO’s signature OrKIDStra family series, education concerts at Kodak Hall. These concerts are for the community and beyond the July summer series, and a Mozart and Dvořák program on the Sunday Matinee series March 24, 2024 – all in addition to his responsibilities as music director of the RPYO.

A Detroit native, Hardeman was a child prodigy and, by his mid-teens, was already attracting national attention as a classical conductor, composer and violinist. He studied orchestral conducting under internationally renowned conductor David Robertson at The Juilliard School.

Hardeman has appeared with the Seattle Symphony, Grosse Pointe Symphony, Juilliard Orchestra, Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory Symphony Orchestra and the Longy Conservatory Orchestra. An innate leader, he has also formed and/or conducted orchestras at such prestigious institutions as the New England Conservatory of Music, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and the AVANTI Summer MusicFest.

Hardeman says he is excited to begin work with the RPO in late summer, as the orchestra kicks off its centennial season.

“This is something that many organizations never get to ever experience: being around for a whole century,” he explains. “I see the season as a celebration of both the orchestra and its audiences. The only reason we're here is because of the people who supported us. My goal is to make sure that community is at the forefront of everything that we do. Service to the community is the key to our future.”

Penning Our Story: Introducing National Black Authors Day and Celebrating Black Representation

Rochester Writer Creates National Holiday

By Nyasia Almestica

Dion Dawkins was the last early round lineman drafted. The Bills should always draft high quality linemen each year. I would move Ryan Bates to Center, O’Cyrus next to Dion Dawkins and find the best guard and tackle for the right side.

The Bills have Conner McGovern, DaDavid Edwards and a host of others fighting it out in training Camp for the starting positions. Spencer Brown has shown he can’t do the job and should be released before training camp.

The Bills Third Round pick was hard tackling Dorian Williams from Tulane University. I did get to see a few of the green wave football games and Dorian stood out and contributed on many key plays for his team. He will be a welcome edition to the defensive unit, bringing much needed speed and bone crushing tackles to a unit that needs more physicality.

The Bills still need a standout Middle linebacker to go with various outside linebackers already drafted from last year. I could possibly move Matt Milano to the middle linebacker position because he played it very well last season when given the opportunity.

The Bills fifth round pick wide receiver Justin Shorter from University of Florida could be the Gabe Davis of this draft class for the team. He’s not the fastest guy but knows how to get open and a two time All SEC Honor Roll student. His father is a school Principal and both of his parents value education.

Justin Shorter plays hard with very good hands along with being a possession receiver with a big body type that the Bills have been missing in the past few years.

The first of Bills two seventh round draft picks are Nick Broeker, an offensive lineman out of Ole Miss. Nick will compete at Guard position and was a very good run blocker who could give the team depth on the offensive line.

The Bills last pick of draft in the 7th round was Alex Austin who seems to be a smaller cornerback, but who can make plays in the secondary and give the Bills another body to put onto the field.

I give the Bills a B+ overall grade with this year’s draft class. We will see in two to four years how this class really measures up.

Continued Page 16

May 4th marks the first National Black Authors Day, commemorating and honoring Black authors and their undeniable contributions to the literary world. The holiday, created by Rochester native CaTyra Polland, founder & CEO of Love for Words, said it’s an opportunity to reflect on the works of Black writers of both the past and present and highlight how they are often underrepresented and overlooked in the publishing industry.

"We want to acknowledge the obstacles that Black authors have faced throughout history and continue to face, including systemic racism, discrimination, and exclusionary practices within the publishing industry," says Polland. "Despite these challenges, Black authors have persisted, sharing their unique perspectives and experiences with the world and producing ground breaking works that challenge societal norms."

Polland is speaking about the often racist publishing industry, which continues to be a White-dominated space. In 2019, Lee & Low Books published a blog post about their Diversity Baseline Survey, revealing that 76% of publishing is White. A 2019 survey by Publishers Weekly showed that the publishing industry consists of 84% of White people and only 1% of Black people. Black representation was barely nudged in their 2022 survey, as Black people only comprised 3% of the publishing industry.

In the aftermath of George Floyd's murder and Black Lives Matter protests, books about racism skyrocketed among The New York Times and Amazon best-seller lists. Though Floyd's death and subsequent aftermath sparked a meaningful

Continued Page 16

CaTyra Polland

AREA BRIEFS

Common Council Schedules Budget Hearings and Public Hearing on Mayor’s Proposed City Budget

The Buffalo Common Council has announced the schedule for the budget hearings, budget workshops, and public hearing on the Mayor's proposed 2023-24 City of Buffalo budget, which the Mayor announced Monday ((May 1).

•Budget Hearings

Thursday, May 4, starting at 10:00 AM in Buffalo Common Council Chambers

•Budget Workshops

Monday, May 15 starting at 10:00 AM in Buffalo Common Council Conference Room 1417

•Public hearing on the Mayor's Proposed Budget Tuesday, May 16 at 5:00 PM in Buffalo Common Council Chambers

In addition to attending the meetings, constituents can also submit their comments on the budget by filling out the Council Budget Survey: https://forms.gle/yLFUtKWE7GKD93Tm6

For more information on the budget hearings, workshops, and public hearing, please contact the Buffalo Common Council office at 716-851-5105 or via email at councilstaff@buffalony.gov.

Additionally, the Buffalo Common Council has a Budget Resources page under the Council’s site where you can find the budget schedule, the Citizen's Guide to Understanding the City Budget book, and more: https:// www.buffalony.gov/1498/ Budget-Resources

Beyond the June Primary: Holman Sets His Sights on November Election

Murray Holman is certainly no stranger to the Eastside community.

The co-founder and Executive Director of the Stop The Violence Coalition and a member of the Peacemakers Organization, he is a veteran who also serves as a Public School Crossing Guard, works with the youth and serves as a Sheriff Reserve.

Adding to that list, he recently announced his candidacy for the Masten District Council seat.

However he is not on the ballot in the upcoming June 27 Democratic Primary where Zeneta Everhart and India Walton will face each other. Holman has been endorsed by the Conservative Party and will be on the ballot on the Conservative line in the General Election in November.

A man of faith, he said God first guided him in his decision to enter the race as well as to go for the Conservative Party endorsement because of what Holman called “the tricks that went down with the Democratic Party endorsements. They endorsed without even hearing all the candidates.”

Even though the possibility of winning on the Conservative line in this heavily Democratic City is a long shot, he feels his impact on the race will be positive. Being a 25-year resident of the Masten District he pointed out, more than qualifies him to run and to represent the community.

He acknowledged that he was a busy man and said he’s learned to effectively juggle his many responsibilities.

“If I get in office that door will never be closed,” he said.

“The people’s issues and concerns will be dealt with. I’m open and have learned to humble myself and to listen to the elders and to our youth.”

Holding open community forums once weekly to hear from residents is also in his plans.

He said he will continue to work to stop the violence. His platform would also include connecting communities. Masten is changing and the population is becoming more diverse, he acknowledged. He said he also wants to build a community center in the district as well as open a supermarket.

He and his wife Nona have been married for 27 years and have nine children. His mother, Willie Mae Holman and his brother Herman Johnson were among those on hand in front of the Merriweather Library a few weeks ago when Holman announced his candidacy.

Franco Is Officially On The Ballot In The Democratic Primary For The University District Race

Kathryn Franco is officially on the ballot in the Democratic Primary for the University District race this June 27. She first ran for the seat in 2019, receiving a third of the vote.

When asked why she is throwing her hat in the ring for a second time, Franco said that not much has changed and that she’s tired of “reactive leadership “ and not seeing herself represented in local government both in identity and values.

Franco’s petitions were challenged for validity, but on Thursday, April 27, it was determined that she collected more than enough signatures to secure her name on the ballot in the upcoming primary election.

A social worker and advocate, she has a decade of experience in Buffalo's non-profit arena, working directly with people affected by HIV/AIDS, with youth as a substitute teacher for Buffalo Public Schools, for LGBTQ+ communities of color, and most recently as a data analyst working to hold banks accountable to redlined communities. She holds a graduate dual degree in social work and public health from UB.

Wyatt Addresses Impending Evictions Crisis in Buffalo

University District Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt recently urged Governor Kathy Hochul to take a comprehensive approach to the impending eviction crisis in Buffalo. In a recent letter to the Governor, Wyatt expressed concern over the rise in eviction warrants issued in the city, particularly in the 14215 zip code, and called for funding to be allocated to support both tenants and landlords. “I am deeply concerned about the impending eviction crisis in Buffalo,” said Council Member Wyatt. “We need a solution that protects both tenants and landlords and prevents the crisis from escalating further; a comprehensive approach that benefits all parties involved.”

Additionally, he urged the state to consider programs such as the rent allowance for public assistance and to encourage counties to apply for supplement programs that help targeted populations with greater needs pay their rent.

Do

Know Who Your Council Member

Marchers attacked in Selma, Alabama during a voting rights march to Montgomery in 1965.

Intimidation of Black Voters

During Reconstruction, White Mobs intent on restoring White supremacy after the abolition of slavery threatened, attacked and killed Black people who dared to vote. Massacres terrorized Black people in the South from Colfax, Louisiana, to Eufaula, Alabama.

Black voters and political leaders were also targeted outside the South. On election day in 1871, Octavius Catto, Isaac Chase, and Jacob Gordon were killed in Philadelphia by White mobs seeking to suppress the Black vote.

This violence continued into the 20th century as Black activists courageously advocated for racial equality. In 1940 after local NAACP leader Elbert Williams organized a voter registration drive in Brownsville, Tennessee, a group of White men that included the sheriff abducted him from his home. His beaten corpse was found in the Hatchie River days later. No one was ever prosecuted. In Mississippi, the list of murdered voting rights activists includes Rev. George Lee (1955), Medgar Evers (1963), Louis Allen (1964) and Vernon Dahmer (1966).

After the Voting Rights Act passed in 1965, opponents of racial equality used the rhetoric of “voter fraud” to target activists and restrict voting rights in ways that most heavily burdened poor and nonwhite Americans. In 1985, then-Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions prosecuted three Black voting rights activists in Alabama, on false charges of tampering with absentee ballots. -Equal Justice Initiative

Kathryn Franco

Murray Holman (right) stands with his mother Willie Mae Holman and brother Herman Johnson.

HEALTH MATTERS Echinacea

HERB OF THE WEEK

Echinacea, has been used for centuries to help keep the immune system active and healthy. It protects healthy cells from viruses and bacteria that are trying to invade them. Echinacea is particularly beneficial in helping the body heal quickly from colds, flu, sore throat, sinus infections, sinusitis, hay fever, bronchitis, canker sores, enlarged lymph glands, ear infections, gingivitis, enlarged prostate, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections. Echinacea is also a blood purifier and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Concerned About Falling?

AMatter of Balance sessions can help improve your strength and balance.

The meetings are held every Friday now thru June 2 at Friends to The Elderly Senior Center, 118 E. Utica from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Presented by MaineHealth and the County of Erie, you can learn to manage concerns about falling through various topics like: Identifying home hazards; medications and how they relate to falls; proper footwear, eye exams, personal emergency response systems, exercise and strength building nutrition and how it effects falls.

Call (716)882-0602to register.

Avoid Foods With These Additives!

New York and California has proposed bills to ban five chemicals found in baked goods, candy and soda. They are: Red Dye No. 3, Brominated Vegetable Oil, Potassium Bromate, Titanium Dioxide and Propylparaben. Almost totally banned in Europe, these additives are all linked to cancer, neurodevelopmental issues and hormone dysfunction. Other chemicals/preservatives to avoid include BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and meat with bovine growth hormone.

Yoga With SJ Series

SPRING 2023

Martha Mitchell Center

175 Oakmont Ave, 14215

Free •Thursdays 2-4 PM

Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church

665 Michigan Ave, 14203

($5 - half proceeds to church)

Saturdays 9-10 AM

Jefferson Ave. Location 14208

Please email SJ for details. SJG.GEM@gmail.com

Rest and Relax with slow movement and deep breathing. Lean how to cope with stress and connect with your mind-body-spirit. Come as you are, practice as you wish...

Did You Know: Smelling a green apple can help with claustrophobia and relieve the stress associated with confined spaces, according to research from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.

Strong Small Businesses Build Strong Communities

Robert Cornelius, CEO of RC Enterprises, has created a vehicle to honor and showcase local small businesses. Buff City Awards is one of a kind. On Saturday, May 6 the celebration will be held at The Handley Room 241 Lombard Street. Doors open at 5 p.m.

RC Enterprises provides aspiring entrepreneurs with direction in crucial business development. This event highlights successful minority-led small businesses across Buffalo and their contributions to various industries.

UB Department of Music presents

Free Gift

to the Community Concert on May 9th

UB faculty and recent graduates will join with musicians from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Jaman Dunn, and Gospel musicians from Buffalo’s African American church community, to present a special Gift to the Community Concert on May 9, at 7:30 in Lippes Concert Hall located in Slee Hall on the University at Buffalo’s North Campus. Admission is free.

CASINO BUS TRIP

Foxwoods

Saturday,

Call

The Buff City Award honorees includes Shai Arnold of M&T Bank, Michelle Baron of The Dress Code, Thearthur Duncan Attorney at Law, Montrice Goins hair stylist, Raquel Hall Pretty Girls on the Rocks, Darnell Haywood Bank on Buffalo, Nekia Kemp P.A.L, Deuce King CEO of Deuce King Publishing, Desiree Parker DLP Consulting, Dolly Randall CASNY, Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney Deputy Mayor, Stephanie Spearman Cater2u Kitchen, Adriana Viverette WBLK, Felicia Williamson Precious Angels Day Care, and Jamil Crews of Crews Control Media. The event will be hosted by Kyria Stephens and Solar. The keynote speaker is Dennis Wilson; music by DJ King Shad; and entertainment provided by Monique Pridgen, Nia Badger and Kenyada Davis. For more info and tickets call Robert Cornelius at (716)247-1817.

Professor and Chair of the Department of Music, Eric Huebner, says: “The concert is a musical coming together to commemorate the vitality and diversity of music making in Buffalo one year after a racist attack in the heart of our city sought to divide our community and create fear and apprehension among its residents.”

The program features conductor Jaman Dunn, former assistant conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and currently music director of the Buffalo Master Chorale and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Mr. Dunn will open with a set of songs by Harry T. Burleigh and Magaret Bonds and then conduct a performance of Ollie Wilson’s landmark work for chamber ensemble: A City Called Heaven featuring UB faculty members Michael Tumiel, Leanne Darling, Jonathan Golove, Tom Kolor, joining BPO musicians Xiaofan Liu, Linda Greene, and guest Steve Solook.

The second half of the program will feature UB Professors, violinist Melissa White and pianist Eric Huebner performing William Grant Still’s Suite for violin and piano. Concluding the program will be a set of Gospel music led by recent UB graduate, pianist Marcus Lolo, and featuring vocalists Karen Saxon and Elise M. Russell with Ron Bonner, keyboards, Timothy James Dowdell, organ, Anthony “Tone” Cummings, bass, and Preston Brown, drums.

Jaman Dunn

FAITH & FAMILY

Urban Christian Ministries To Host A 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. A Free-will offering will benefit Afterschool and Summer programs on Buffalo's East Side. Reservations required by calling UCM at 716882-9472.

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 11:00 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 call-

Free Community Birthday Celebration for Rev. Nash

Free Community Birthday Celebration for Rev. Nash

Saturday, May 6, Durham Memorial Outreach Center, 6 p.m. at 200 East Eagle St. Guest speaker Hakim J. Lucas President and CEO of Virginia Union University, the alma mater of Rev. Nash. Light reception to follow.

are you

DID YOU KNOW...The Nash House Museum has a new

Canisius College Welcomes

Rev. Massingale!

Canisius College will welcome Rev. Bryan N. Massingale, STD, to campus on Saturday, May 13, , at 7 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center. Renowned as the world’s leading Catholic social ethicist, Father Massingale is the James and Nancy Buckman Chair in Applied Christian Ethics at Fordham University and Senior Fellow at the institution’s Center for Ethics Education. His talk is free and open to the public.

The event is presented as part of the city’s “5/14 Remembrance Weekend: Reflection, Healing & Hope,” to honor and memorialize the lives lost, and support and pray for all those impacted by the racially motivated shooting at the Tops Friendly Markets. The title of Father Massingale’s talk is "Lament, Dreams, and the Work of Justice."

Earlier on Saturday, May 13, “Turning Trauma into Triumph,” coordinated by Canisius alumna Zeneta Everhart and a member of the 5/14 Remembrance Committee, will be held on the Canisius campus. The day-long event includes conference sessions, a reading by Poet Jillian Hanesworth, a musical performance by Drea D'nur, African drummers and more.

Father Massingale, a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, teaches courses at Fordham University. His professional passion is advancing a Black approach to Catholic theological ethics.

Father Massingale is the author of two books and more than 170 articles, book chapters and book reviews.

A leading voice among Catholic thought leaders, Father Massingale is a past consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He has also provided theological consulting for the National Black Catholic Congress, Catholic Charities USA and others and advocates for the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in society and the faith community.

Father Massingale received his doctorate degree in moral theology from the Academia Alphonsianum (Rome).

Niagara Falls Juneteenth Community Fair & Arts Festival

Niagara Arts & Cultural Center 1201 Pine Avenue will host a Juneteenth Community Fair & Arts Festival

Saturday June 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be music, DJs fashion show, BBQ, dancing and more. To sign up to be a vendor, artist or musician go to Info@theNACC.org or call (716)282-7530

GIRLS CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

TC Ministries Total Commitment Girls Circle of Friends Thursday and Saturday Evenings at Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson from 5-6:30pm. questions call 716 5446160.

HONOR AND CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY

365 Days A Year.

MAY

•East Side Bike Ride, Kicks Off Sat. May 6 MLK Park@ THE MLK Head, Meet: 9:30 a.m.- Ride 10 a.m. JOIN US EVERY SATURDAY !

•Slow Roll Buffalo Every Monday from now through October. Meet 6p.m. Ride 6:30pm To see schedule, register and ride this season visit slowrollbuffalo.org

•Spring Service Days The Tool Library and Norfolk Ave Block Club #1 - Spring Service Days 2023. William L. Gaiter Parkway Spring Cleanup and Tree Stewardship, Saturday, May 20th. Meet at 10am @ the corner of Norfolk Ave and E. Delavan Ave. (1016 E. Delavan). For info call: 716-510-1745 or visit https://thetoollibrary.org/service/

•Mother’s Day Gala sponsored by Friends of Jerry Livingston. Saturday, May 14 2:30 pm at Buffalo Airport Hotel, 4600 Genesee Street . Contact Diane Livingston for tickets at 716 2703244.

JUNE

•Jefferson Avenue Friday Night Live, EVERY FRIDAY EVENING starting June 2 and continuing until August 25 from 5;30 to 9 p.m. Jefferson & E.Utica Street Shopping Plaza. FREE! DJ's, food trucks, family entertainment, dancing and more (Vendors & food trucks will sell food and goods). To become a sponsor or for more info on how to participate go to the Buffalo Funk Fest Foundation facebook page.

•The University United Festival Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 Now accepting vendor applications. Deadline May 22. (716) 245-8332 or via email at mread@buffalony.gov

•Juneteenth Festival all day Saturday June 17 & Sunday June 18, MLK Park www.juneteenthofbuffalo.com, (716)891-891.FREE

•Family Fishing Day June 24 & 25, 10 a.m.-3p.m. Broderick Park, Foot of Ferry Underground Railroad)

•NAACP 2023 Medger Evers Awards Dinner, Saturday , June 24, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Awards nomination deadline Friday April 28 via email. For more information email naacp@buffalonaacp.org or call (716)884-7242.

•Niagara Falls Juneteenth Community Fair & Arts Festival, 1201 Pine Avenue Saturday June 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Info@theNACC.org or call (716)282-7530.

JULY

•HEALING BY THE WATER Broderick Park Summer Freedom Celebration Music, Food, Vendors July 7-September 7, Foot of Ferry near Niagara St. FREE

• 28th Annual Pappy Martin Legacy- Masten Jazz Festival, July 23 and July 30 from 2pm - 8pm, MLK Park (Buffalo Museum of Science – Side Lawn) 1001 Humboldt Parkway Sunday, July 23: 6pm: Headliner: Buster Williams Quartet / Opener: Various Acts Monday, July 24: 1pm: Musicians' Masterclass Workshop led by Nasar Abadey

AUGUST

•Westy’s Sycamore Family & Friends Annual Reunion August 4 Meet & Greet, 419 Monroe 6-9pm; August 5 Reunion Cookout MLK Park Noon-8PM For Info: (716)783-0099; (716)602-8119; (716)892-8311; (716)247-0258 FREE

•Pan Afrikan Festival Saturday, August 5, hosted by A.B.O.V.E. @ Highland Bowl, 1137 South Ave. Rochester, 11am - 8 p.m. Visit PANAFFESTIVAL.ORG

•35th Annual Taking it to the Streets FREE August 19th & 20th, 11am-park closing MLK Park. For shelters/participate/vend/sponsor call 716-507-1931/716-400-6749.

SEPTEMBER

• “Honoring Our African American Military Heroes and Sheroes” Parade ” & Mini Stand Down, Saturday, September 2 hosted by Debbera M. Ransom and The African American Veterans Arts and Culture Corporation, kickoff 2 p.m. Jefferson between Riley and Dodge For more info email: aavaccbuffalo21@gmail.com or call 716-563-2536.

To List Your Upcoming event email editorial@thechallengernews.com

To List Your Upcoming event email editorial@thechallengernews.com

Rev. Bryan N. Massingale

Local Artist Lowdown

Backpack Mafia: Elevating Buffalo's Beatmakers

Buffalo’s current hip-hop renaissance has grown a need for original sound. As the city’s sonic profile continues to mature and diversify, it is more apparent than ever that rappers are in dire need of beatmakers. But where do they go to find one? Possibly shopping “typebeats” on YouTube? Or direct messaging a high-profile producer on social media with a wish they’ll respond back? Maybe. Perhaps before.

What has grown significantly in the last year are events focused on hip-hop production- popping up in the peripheries of the genre’s local music explosion. It’s not rare to hear occasional producer meetups and listening parties at Black Dots Record Shop or Bridge Studios holding beat auctions at local bars.

Possibly the most exciting producer-focused event in Buffalo is Backpack Mafia. The show, popularly held at Milkies Lounge aims to network and give exposure to beatmakers across the region. Seasoned lyricists/producers Grand Phee and L-Biz created the Backpack Mafia in 2018, but has gained notoriety in the last few years specifically for the competitive nature of the show. The event, which takes place a few times each year, brings a handful of both notable and emerging producers to battle against each other for bragging rights and the title as a Backpack Mafia champion - a win only achieved by the response of the crowd.

At their recent event in April the four battle winning producers included the crowd moving talents of Babiegurl, Freeman the Spook, Carrera and Donut x Slinger all who delivered original body- rocking music to an enthusiastic crowd.

“I started this event to bridge the gap between age, generation, and genre”, Grand Phee explained. “To have a cultural meeting amongst the creators while giving producers the light to show their talents on a main stage.”

Gaining specifically the attention of younger beatmakers and producers outside of Buffalo recently, BPM’s network of creatives are gradually reaching outside disciplines and the region. Their last two shows included talents from Rochester and partnerships with visual artists in the Queen City.

“It’s like speed dating for sound creators and artists. In one night, you can meet so many well-known, little known, and unknown talents,” L-Biz mentioned.

Forming this new cultural epicenter for producers, the duo ultimately want to bring back the community focus and collaborative spirit of hip-hop

“We’re manifesting the kind of energy the culture was built on,” Grand Phee concluded.

You can follow Backpack Mafia on instagram: @backpackmafia716. Look out for details on their next show this July.

WAKANDA ALLIANCE PROGRAM PRESENTS BLACK BUSINESS BAZAAR AND FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

East Side Bike Club Starts a New Season of Rides on Saturday, May 6 in MLK Park!

On Saturday, May 6 at 10a.m. (meet at 9:30 a.m.) the East Side Bike Club begins a new season of bike rides. Each Saturday, riders meet at the Martin Luther King Statue in MLK Park and take a 10-12 mile bike ride through different parts of the area. Riders of any ability are welcome. The rides have no charge associated with them.

The club rides at a pace suitable for all participants so all riders can enjoy the ride, the company and see more of the city. Rides continue each Saturday through mid-October and all are open to everyone and we encourage everyone to join us!

-About East Side Bike Club-

The East Side Bike Club is a grassroots bicycle organization working to expand access and awareness of biking in communities of color through weekly bike rides, open workshop hours, and pop-up events throughout the city to engage with residents and stakeholders. ESBC is a program of Buffalo United Front, a coalition of front line organizations and individuals working to reduce violence. For more information about the East Side Bike Club and its upcoming events, please visit: www.esbcbuffalo. com. Follow us on Facebook.

Slow Roll Celebrating a Decade of Free Community Bike Rides Every Monday!

Celebrating their inclusive community experiences that connect people places and causes by bicycle, Slow Roll kicked off their season on May 1 and continues every Monday in Buffalo through October. The ride is guided by a safety squad of volunteers and has doubled in size since forming.

The 10mile round trip rides have meet ups at 6p.m. and ride at 6:30 p.m. with two stops to regroup and learn about different parts of the city as well as a party at the finish line. "Over the past decade, Slow Roll has shown in countless ways that we’re much more than a bike ride,” said Slow Roll Buffalo president Janelle Brooks, who was raised and still resides in Cold Springs. “We’re excited to celebrate our tenth year of connecting communities by bike, and we invite everyone to get involved and join us.”

Visit slowrollbuffalo.org for annual registration and all scheduled ride details.

On Saturday May 6 at the Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan from 11am- 1:30pm, the Wakanda Alliance Program celebrates their 4 year anniversary during their annual Black Business Bazaar and Free Comic Book Day event. Black Business Bazaar is designed to promote Black-Owned Busi nesses providing a platform for entrepreneurs to sell their products and services and celebrate Afrofuturism and entre preneurship. Free Comic Book Day will also be underway. It's an annual day for free comics and activities for all! There will be jewelers, wellness, food, art clothing and services during the and a special performance! For more info go to thegalactictribe.org

CLASSICAL JAZZ

On Friday May 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Regina Csrter returns to the BPOfor an exciting program that marries a classical masterpiece with two works rooted in the jazz world. Masterful violinist Carter performs Schiff’s Concerto, which pays homage to Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan, who changed our musical landscape. Duke Ellington’s masterpiece is a jazz-fueled walk through Black and African-American history. Finally, Tchaikovsky’s jovial Second Symphony is said to have been his favorite. For tickets (716) 885-5000.

Pictured at their most recent event: Backpack Mafia creators l/r Grand Phee and L-Biz . ( image by inFocus Photography)

SUPPORT THE ARTS

UJIMA Closes Season with "Cullud Wattahh" a Sharply Written Drama Tackling the Issue & Impact of Environmental Injustice

Fighting

for the truth can be harrowing. It's been nine years since the Flint, Michigan water crisis was first reported to the public. That local report ultimately became an internationally recognized water disaster … with the fallout from the man-made emergency continuing even today, in 2023.

Ujima Company closes its critically acclaimed 44th theater season with the thoughtful, serious and moving production of Cullud Wattah, written by Erika Dickerson-Despenza and directed by Ujima Company’s Curtis Lovell. This play addresses Flint’s toxic water crisis in real time, telling the story of threegenerations of Black women living together and trying to survive. The plot stirs around the effect that these toxins have on the family, both internally and externally, and it is tempered by the palpable heat of simmering family conflict.

Dickerson-Despenza’s play introduces us to Marion, played by Shanntina Moore, a third generation GM employee, consumed by plant layoffs. Her sister, Ainee, Dayatra Hassan, seeks justice and restitution for lead poisoning, forcing their family to confront the personal cost of survival. As lead seeps into their home and into their bodies, corrosive memories and secrets rise among them. Will this family ever be able to filter out the truth?

Rounding out the rest of the ensemble will be veteran Buffalo theater actress Verniece Turner as Big Ma, with Brooklynn Walker as Reesee and Janàe Leonard as Plum. Cullud Wattah opens Friday May 12th and runs for three weekends. For the first two weekends the show will run Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 4:00 pm. The third week of performance will feature a “pay what you can” ticket on Thursday May 25th only, with the final two performances being Friday May 26th and closing on Saturday, May 27 at 7:30 pm. Visit ujimacoinc.org for tickets.

All performances for Ujima Theater Company take place in the newly renovated state of the art, Lorna C. Hill Theater, 429 Plymouth Avenue, inside former School #77, named after Ujima’s visionary founder and long-time Artistic Director.

Tao Te Ching

-43-

The gentlest thing in the world Overcomes the hardest thing in the world. That which has no substance Enters where there is no space. This shows the value of nonaction Teaching without words, Performing without actions: That is the Master’s way.

Mother’s Day R&B Extravaganza Featuring D’Mott Sunday, May 14

On Sunday, May 14 a Mother’s Day R&B Extravaganza featuring D’Mott with special guests Kenyada Nikile and LaQuincia Motley-Allen and hosted by comedian Terre King will be held at Babeville, 341 Delaware Avenue at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6p.m. General Admission seated tickets are $55 and can be purchased on TixR.com or in person at the Babeville Box Office Mon.-Fri. 11a.m.5p.m.

D‘Mott has been surrounded by music his entire life, whether it was playing drums or singing in church or watching his father as a lead singer of a quartet gospel group, lift the spirits of church members. One thing stuck in his mind. That music is powerful, intentional and life changing.

D’Mott has shared the stage with talents such as Lyfe Jennings, Chrisette Michele, Dougie Fresh, Next, LaDonna Mole, H-Town, Lenny Williams, Kem, Earth Wind & Fire, Shawn McQuiller of Kool & the Gang, Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, Dru Hill, Shirley Murdock, Divine Nature, UNEEK, Christopher Williams, Men of Standard, Tye Tribbet, Da Truth, Ben Tankard, The Canton Spirituals, Darwin Hobbs and many more just to name a few. The Mother's Day event promises to be a great show!

Strawberries & Cream Annual Mother’s Day Gala

MVP (Most valuable Parents) will host a celebration honoring Mother’s, Sunday May 14, at 3p.m. at the AcQua Banquet Hall 2192 Niagara St. RSVP by calling Donna Bryant 716-602-7378. Tickets are $75 per person. Cashapp: $Queeneagle1

SUPPELEMTANL SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Erie County. U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, -against- JAMAL DALLAS, AS POSSIBLE HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ELAINE DALLAS; UNKNOWN HEIRS-AT-LAW OF THE ESTATE OF ELAINE DALLAS, DECEASED, NEXTOF-KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO IS DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE, AND INTEREST IN AND TO THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT; COMMUNITY ACTION ORGANIZATION OF ERIE COUNTY, INC.; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (WESTERN DISTRICT); MARIE A. CANNON, COMMISSIONER OF ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; "JOHN DOE" AND "JANE DOE" SAID NAMES BEING FICTITIOUS, IT BEING THE INTENTION OF PLAINTIFF TO DESIGNATE ANY AND ALL OCCUPANTS OF THE PREMISES BEING FORECLOSED HEREIN, Defendants. Index No. 809131/2020. Mortgaged Premises: 41 Deerfield Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 Section: 90.70 Block: 5 Lot: 34.

To The Above Named Defendant(s): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. If you fail to appear or to answer within the aforementioned time frame, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT. THE OBJECTIVE of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a Mortgage to secure $52,087.00 and interest, recorded in the Erie County Clerk’s Office on June 18, 2007 in Book 13356, Page 375, Control Number 2007130079, covering the premises known as 41 Deerfield Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14215. The relief sought herein is a final judgment directing sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Erie County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located.. 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. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, New York 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

May 4, 11, 18, 25

LEGAL NOTICE BID

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

ERIE COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT NO. 3

ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION AND PLANT-WIDE GENERATOR EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT FOR THE SOUTHTOWNS ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY PROCUREMENT CONTRACT 74P-R

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (ECDEP) on behalf of Erie County Sewer District No.

3 (Buyer) is requesting Bids for the procurement of the above refenced contract. Bids will be received by the Commissioner of the ECDEP on May 25, 2023, at 10:00 am local time located at 95 Franklin Street, Room 1034, Buffalo, New York, 14202, at which time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud in Room 1004.

The Project includes furnishing Goods and Special Services associated with electrical substation and plant-wide generator equipment. Installation of the Goods is not part of this Contract. Bids are requested for the following Contract: Electrical Substation and Plant-Wide Generator Equipment Procurement Contract 74P-R.

Additional information and bid documents can be found at: http://www3. erie.gov/dsm.

BY ORDER

OF:

Joseph Fiegl, P.E., BCEE

Deputy Commissioner, ECDEP

Dated: April 26, 2023

Published: May 4, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

PROBATE CITATION

File Number: 2021-4227

SURROGATES COURT-ERIE COUNTY CITATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

By the grace of God, Free and Independent

TO: EISHAWN CAMP, MORIAH CAMP, if they be living, and if they dead to their heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributes, if any such there be, all of whom and all whose names, ages, and places of residence and post office addresses are unknown to the Petitioner(s) and cannot after due diligence be ascertained, and HON. LETITIA

JAMES, Attorney General of the State of New York, and to JENNIFER G. FLANNERY, Erie County Public Administrator.

A Petition having been filed by IRMA CAMP, who is domiciled at 25 CAMBRIDGE AVENUE, BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14215.

YOU ARE HEREBY CITED to SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Erie County, at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 on June 6, 2023 at 930 o'clock in the fore noon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Ferron Marshall Camp, Sr. lately domiciled at 271 Northampton Street, Buffalo, New York 14208 admitting to probate a will dated June 8, 2016 (a codicil dated n/a) a copy of which is attached, as the Will of Ferron Marshall Camp Sr. deceased, relating to real and personal property and directing that:

Letters Testamentary to Irma Camp

Dated, Attested, and Sealed April 29, 2023

Hon. Acea Mosey- Surrogate Linda C Novotny - Chief Clerk

Rashied H McDuffie, Esq.

Attorney for Petitioner 594 Winslow Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14211

May 4, 11, 18, 25

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF ERIE WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE TO FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1, V.

TIMOTHY JAMES AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT JAMES, JR, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated June 10, 2022, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Erie, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE TO FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1 is the Plaintiff and TIMOTHY JAMES AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT JAMES, JR, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the “CLOSING ROOM” OF THE ERIE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE, LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF 92 FRANKLIN STREET, CITY OF BUFFALO, STATE OF NEW YORK 14202, on May 12, 2023 at 10:00AM, premises known as 100 BAKOS BOULEVARD, BUFFALO, NY 14211: Section 101.16, Block 1, Lot 34: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO, COUNTY OF ERIE AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 806180/2018. Jennifer Ann Runfola, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

April 13, 20, 27 May 4

LEGAL NOTICE BID

NFTA PROCUREMENT

INVITATION TO BID 230013 – REPLACEMENT OF PRE-CONDITIONED AIR UNITS (PCA) FOR BNIA JETBRIDGES 230036 – CORNICE REPAIR AT 1404 MAIN STREET

Download documents at https:// www.nfta.com/departments/procurement

LLC

LEGAL NOTICE

PROBATE CITATION File No. 2022-433

SURROGATE'S COURT - ERIE COUNTY CITATION

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

By the Grace of God Free and Independent

TO: REGINALD D. GIBBS, CHERYL GIBBS, KEVIN LAMONT GIBBS, WILLIE DEVON GIBBS, ROBERT WHITING, JENNIFER G. FLANNERY - Erie County Public Administrator and to any and all persons who are or claim to be heirs at law, next of kin, distributees of decedent named below, 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, HON. LETITIA JAMES – Attorney General of the State of New York.

A petition having been duly filed by DARIEN D. LIST, who is domiciled at 76 Clonmore Drive, Scarborough, Ontario Canada M1N 1X8.

YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate's Court, Erie County, at 92 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, New York, on May 23, 2023, at 9:30 o'clock in the fore- noon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of WILLIE GIBBS JR. lately domiciled at 154 Smallwood Dr., Amherst New York 14226, admitting to probate a Will dated May 8, 2020 (a Codicil dated none) a copy of which is attached as the Will of WILLIE GIBBS JR. , deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that Letters Testamentary issue to: DARIEN D. LIST.

Hon. Judge Acea M. Mosey Surrogate

Dated, Attested and Sealed:

April 7, 2023

Linda M. Wiedrick

Chief Clerk

Attorney for Petitioner:

Daria L Pratcher, Esq. Law Office of Daria L. Pratcher

Address and Telephone No. of Attorney:

37 Franklin Street, Suite 1000, Buffalo, New York 14202 (716)541-8574

Attorney Email Address: dlpratcher@dlpratcherlawoffice.com

[NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.]

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Erie County Executive, Mark C. Poloncarz, will hold a public hearing on May 9th, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. concerning:

Interested in Law Enforcement? Take the Upcoming Buffalo Police Officer Entry Exam

Exam is scheduled for Saturday, June 17

Registration deadline is Monday, May 22

Mayor Byron W. Brown and Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia today encouraged those individuals who are interested in a career in law enforcement to take the 2023 Buffalo Police Entry Exam. From now until, Monday, May 22, 2023, the city is accepting applications for the June 17th police exam — the first in four years. This year, the city is reaching out to interested candidates in communities across the region and state, with a focus on those from communities of colors.

The deadline for exam registration is Monday, May 22, 2023. The exam will be given on Saturday, June 17, 2023. To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:

•Must be between the ages of 19 and 34 on exam date

•Any New York State resident can apply to take the exam, however, all candidates who pass the exam must be a City of Buffalo resident 90 days prior to being canvassed for appointment

•High School Diploma, GED or Equivalency Diploma For more information about the application process, go to www.buffalony.org. or go to Room 1001 City Hall or call 716-851-9614.

The Buffalo Police Department offers excellent benefits to becoming an officer. Salaries range from $49,588.00$82,646. Benefit packages include health, dental and optical coverage, vacation/sick pay, retirement plan and a continued education stipend.

LEGAL NOTICE

Pike Construction Services, Inc. an EEO employer, is currently seeking certified NYS M/WBE/SDVOB subcontractors/vendors who can provide a commercially useful function to bid on the Buffalo Bills Stadium Concrete Package located in Buffalo, NY.

This project has a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Scopes of Work include: Redi Mix Supply, Rebar Install and or Supply, Concrete Foundations, Concrete Flatwork, Waterproofing, Joint Sealants and Shotcrete.

Goals: 15% MBE, 15% WBE, 6%

Project Bid Date: May 18th at noon We ask that you send your bid 24 hours prior so that we have time to assemble the bid form to the client. To receive an invitation to bid or for any questions please contact bids@ pikecs.com

LEGAL BID

INVITATION TO BID

The NFTA is soliciting bids for Project No. 15MG2112, METROBUS GARAGE SPRINKLER VALVE REPLACEMENT, due on 5/23/2023 at 2:00pm. Website for information www.nftaengineering.com

AFRICAN PROVERB

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

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITYCOMPANY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITYCOMPANY

Fijas Fitness LLC. Date of filing of Articles of Organization with the NY Dept. of State: 1/26/2023. Office of the LLC: 636 W Delavan Ave. Buffalo, NY 14222 Erie County. The NY Secretary of State has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. NYSS may mail a copy of process to the LLC at 636 W Delavan Ave. Buffalo, NY 14222.

Purpose of LLC: Provide coaching for runners and fitness plans. No specific duration attached to LLC.

April 20,27,May 4, 11, 18,25

A LOCAL LAW Intro 1-2-2023 a Local Law providing for 10% property tax exemptions for Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance workers in Erie County. The hearing will be held in the 14th Floor Conference Room located at 95 Franklin Street, 14th Floor in the City of Buffalo, New York. On April 27, 2023, the Erie County Legislature adopted Erie County Local Law Intro. No. 1-2-2023. Copies of the proposed local law are available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Erie County Legislature, on the 4th Floor of 92 Franklin Street, in the City of Buffalo, New York.

MARK C. POLONCARZ Erie County Executive

Soul Natured, LLC filed Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State New York (SSNY) on 3/30/2023. Office is in Erie County. SSNY is the designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail any copy of process to 48 Christian Dr, Buffalo, NY 14225.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

April 20,27,May 4, 11, 18,25

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITYCOMPANY

Designs at Noon by Shelanise LLC filed Articles of Organization with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 2/21/23. Office location: Erie County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 331 Jersey St Apt 9, Buffalo, NY 14201. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

April 20,27,May 4, 11, 18,25

REMEMBRANCE...Forever In Our Hearts

In addition to the City of Buffalo's "5/14 Remembrance Weekend: Reflection, Healing & Hope" events, a number of other commemorative activities have already taken place or are being planned. A two-day "Pursuit of Ruth" Conference was hosted by the Whitfield Family in honor of their beloved mother, Ruth Whitfield and the nine other victims in the racist-fueled May14 massacre. Held at Buffalo State College April 20-22, it attracted a host of national leaders. And last Saturday the family of Pearl Young held a Food & Soup Giveaway , feeding some 300 people in her memory.

FRIDAY MAY 5

Back To Basics Ministries

"Community Healing Response, free food and health check-ups, 2-5 p.m., Johnnie B. Wiley Pavilion

FRIDAY, MAY 12

Educational Day of Healing & Restoration

The Buffalo Public School District in conjunction with BOCES and Buffalo Toronto Public Media are hosting an “Educational Day of Healing & Restoration” for school age students. The event will feature a Virtual Healing Circle, book readings, uplifting messages from special guests.

Beyond Hate: A Panel Discussion 9 a.m. until Noon a Hall at Roswell Park Cancer Center featuring A Conversation with New York Times Bestselling author, professor, and anti-racism activist Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Panelists: The Most Reverend Michael Curry Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States; Dr. Helene Gayle, President of Spelman College; John B. King Jr. Chancellor of the State University of New York; and Mayor Byron W. Brown. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Seating is limited. Reserve a spot via Eventbrite.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Community Gathering for Reflection Healing and Hope Noon to 4 p.m. at the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion. Free and will feature prayer, healing related activities, community resources, expressionists, food, and vendors.

Embracing Buffalo – Healing Moments, with Music and the Arts” hosted by the WNY Peace Center’Saturday,May 13, 7 -9p.m. at the 1272 Dela-

The First Grammy for Best Spoken Word Poetry

Album Includes Powerful Tribute to Victims of May 14th Racist Fueled Massacre in Buffalo

For decades, the Grammys' spoken-word awards have gone to audio books.

This year, poets had their own category : Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.

And although The Grammys was big news in February we heard very little if anything about this newly created category or its prolific consciously-rooted winner, poet J. Ivy .

Chicago born Ivy has the distinction of not only being the first winner of the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album, but thanks to his lead, the category was created. J. Ivy's winning entry, The Poet Who Sat By The Door, was released in 2022. The title is a nod to Sam Greenlee's 1969 novel The Spook Who Sat by the Door, a classic in the Black Power movement that was also made into a film in 1973.

Ivy's album is a collection of his poems, which he performs over beats and interpolates with singing by Sir The Baptist, Slick Rick and his wife Tarrey Torae among others. The lyrics are about defiance, endurance, love, passion, oppression, faith, healing and redemption.

One of the most poignant selections, “Buffalo Soldier," is a powerful tribute to the May 14th Tops supermarket massacre of 10 innocent Black people in Buffalo last year.

In Loving Memory. From Top, Geraldine Talley age 62 & Celestine Chaney age 65 ; Middle , Heyward Patterson age 67 , Ruth Whitfield age 86, & Roberta A. Drury age 32; Above, Andre Mackneil age 53, Pearl Young age 77; Aaron Salter age 55, Katherine Massey age 72, and Margus D. Morrison age 52; ware Ave. Carriage House Featured honored guests will include:

• Dr. Sabrina N’Diaye , a social worker, storyteller, peacebuilder, and activist

• Dena Adler, Art Therapist, who will facilitate individual and collective healing.

• Dr. Carol Penn, MD, dancer/choreographer (formerly with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater), of Movement is My Medicine (tentatively scheduled).

All three are faculty at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, a worldwide center for helping communities and individuals develop the tools they need to heal from population-wide trauma, and build resilience.For details go to linktr.ee/wnypeace

Canisius College features Rev. Bryan N. Massingale, Saturday, May 13 , at 7 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center. Free and open to the public. Presented as part of the city’s “5/14 Remembrance Weekend (See Page 7) Earlier on Saturday, May 13, “Turning Trauma into Triumph,” The day-long event includes conference sessions, a reading by Poet Jillian Hanesworth, a musical performance by Drea D'nur, African drummers and more.

5K Run and Marathon sponsored by Lt. Aaron Salter Memorial Scholarship Foundation at 8 a.m. @ Canisius College ending at Delaware Park. 5K run/walk begins at

9:30 a.m. in the Park. $35 for the 5K, $80 for half marathon, $320 for 4-member relay team. To register or volunteer go to bflo5145k.com

SUNDAY, MAY 14 Moment of Remembrance

2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue. The moment of remembrance will be led by Mayor Brown and followed by church bells chiming at 2:28 p.m.

Memorial Service for Healing and Hope. A memorial church service featuring Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia. The worship service will take place at 6 p.m. at Elim Christian Fellowship 70 Chalmers Avenue, Buffalo.

Commemorating May 14, 2022 and Honoring Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective's Annual Betty Carter Birthday Celebration True Bethel Baptist Church 907 E. Ferry Street, Buffalo.

Turn Your Lights On...

Columnist Eva M. Doyle is asking people to join her on the weekend leading up to the First Anniversary of the Tops Massacre by turning on their porch lights in Memory of the Victims who were murdered last May 14th. Dr. Doyle would like to encourage everyone to turn on their porch lights in the evening of May 12th, 13th and 14th.

The prolific, griot/historian/poet, delivers one of the few messages that places the tragedy in honest historical context; illuminating the endless chain of violence perpetrated upon Africans in America for the last several hundred years. Ivy speaks passionately to us in part:

Once again, the evil ensues

Protrudes from the heart of man

Upstate

Rifle in hand

A terrorist who’s free to roam this Land

Here he is yet again

Firing

Yet again

Killing again

The innocent

Who were guilty for nothing more

Than being draped in the color of Their skin

When will the insanity end

When will this news no longer cycle

When will this horror no longer trend…

Buffalo Soldier Why they come for you again

Come for you again?

Buffalo Soldier Why they shot you down again Shot you down again

Shot you down…

They called her Sweet Pearl

For so many she was the bit of peace

They needed to get through this cruel World

While you were busy being addicted

To the pain inflicted

She was busy gifting the less Fortunate

It’s unfortunate she won’t be here to Feed the village the love she served Up This sweet old lady who dedicated Her life to a lifetime of service

Got her family planning a premature Service

It wasn’t her time

She was just walking the aisles of the Store before she got in line Groceries in her hand

The people on her mind

Didn’t know she would be caught in The storm of America’s favorite Pastime

She was just on her knees watching George Floyd

Praying this would be the last time

Sweet Pearl is just one of many fallen soldiers I pray this is the last time…

Be sure to add this album to your collection. It’s available on Amazon Music.com, Apple Music, Spotify and other platforms.

Poet J. Ivy

The People’s Voice is Heard

By BaBa Omowale Eng

On April 27 at 10 a.m. Prisoners Are People Too Inc. along with Partnership for The Public Good, Black Love Resists in The Rust, H.A.L.T and a host of community activists appeared before the Erie County Legislature to protest Sheriff Garcia’s attempt to take our community’s money and build a new jail. His attempt to hoodwink and bamboozle our community in order to take 2.5. million dollars of our community's money to look for and design a new County Jail failed because the Legislature heard the community’s cry and put a pause on the funding for a new jail where the same old practices that were responsible for the deaths of so many of our loved ones during the tenure of the old Sheriff, Tim Howard, can continue.

The brutalization, oppression and even allowing our young and old people to be tortured and even murdered was put on the floor by the eloquent talk presented by Community Activist Jerome Wright. His heartfelt words moved all members of that auspicious body, opening their minds and hearts to a different possibility for how we, as a society of caring people, respond to those of us who find ourselves in situations where we make ourselves vulnerable to arrest and detention at The Erie County Holding Center.

Mr. Wright and members of the community made it clear that a shiny new jail does not make us safer nor provide the kinds of programming and intervention services that our people in such circumstances need. We were able to make it abundantly clear that it is the culture of racism and white supremacist ideology that puts us all at risk and that is the same culture that would be transferred to any new facility if we do not continue to make inroads in changing that culture by painting a different picture of the reality of Black, Brown and Poor White people who find themselves in trying circumstances because of untreated addictions and mental health issues.

We believe, by The Grace of God, The Honorable Erie County Legislators heard us and instead of giving the new Sheriff the 2.5 million dollars he was touting to start the process where he would ultimately ask for 200 million dollars of tax payer money to build his new jail, the Legislators allocated $750,000 for a needs assessment study that includes input from our community, county wide, east side and west side, that looks at mental health programming, substance abuse treatment programming and meaningful wrap around re-entry services that will keep people from getting entrapped in the revolving door of recidivism.

We thank God for a beautiful day and a wonderful group of caring concerned citizens, Black, Brown, White and Indigenous folk who came together for a just cause and had our voices heard.

"Whose Grant? Not Black Businesses Grant!"

Please tell me know when or if Braymiller Market gets that half million dollars, I am sorry, $562,557.57 grant (not a loan), they are asking for. That store is privately owned, just like Grant's Variety Shoppe and other struggling, pandemic-affected businesses, especially on the Eastside of Buffalo. The money is supposedly left over from the federal pandemic grant awarded to the City of Buffalo. Excuse me, how is money left over when the Eastside still looks as if it has been bombed and no minority businesses east of East Ferry and Jefferson Avenue received any grant monies from the city even though they applied for loans and grants.

So, if my Councilmember Rasheed NC Wyatt or the Councilmember where my store is located, ( Mitch Nowakowski ) votes to approve this free gift to a private business, I am putting my business hand out, too.

There are too many long-time businesses who have paid taxes for decades and who have applied for a low interest loan, never mind a 'don't pay back' free grant, and never received a dime from the city of Buffalo! Stores on the Eastside of Buffalo, especially those Eastside stores not located in the Jefferson Ave. or Broadway-Fillmore corridors are neglected and overlooked when monies are designated or allocated to help struggling or minority or women owned businesses.

When one considers the level of resources Braymiller Market has already received through tax abatement, sales taxes exemptions and other incentives allocated to it by using monies designated to help poor people and to relieve poverty and blight, one would think the elected leaders would consider the partial, 'can of worms' they are opening by assisting this particular business and not offering that same level of help to other businesses in the same financial boat.

I shall reserve my very vocal and written direct criticism of the initiative until If and when, this same opportunity to get financial support from the City of Buffalo, via an economic grant, is not offered to all businesses that qualify.

Braymiller Market is located in downtown Buffalo, on Ellicott St. However, it still can be called an Eastside business because it is east of Main St. I just wish other Eastside businesses to be given the same level of financial assistance and opportunities of inclusion if any public money is given to any private business in this city.

On a stretch of East Ferry St. between Jefferson Ave and Moselle St., there are more than a dozen, minority owned businesses that have maintained being in operation for decades: Colston Auto Repair - 40 plus years; Littleton Construction- 20 years; Bus Stop Deli, Barber Shop and Liquor Stores- over 30 years; Green Genie- 2 years, Mr. B Auto- over 30 years; Broadway Cab- 50 years; Grant's Variety Shoppe 43 years; East Ferry Laundromat over 30 years; Jeoni Restaurant - 10 years, T&A T- Shirts 15 years. These African American business owners have paid a lot of money in taxes, user fees, permits, licensing and other operational fees. It is time the City of Buffalo do right by us by considering our businesses first if any city hall money is going to be doled out! There are more Black businesses on East Ferry St. than there are on any other street in Buffalo but our current politicians are only focusing on Jefferson, Fillmore, Bailey and Broadway Avenues. Why is that and when are other businesses, just as worthy, but who chose to open in areas not on the politicians' or the City of Buffalo's selected List of Favorites be treated as fairly as we should be?

For years, homeowners in Buffalo have been told that they could not be given or sold the city- owned,vacant lot adjacent to their houses because that would be a 'gift of public funds.' Even though those homeowners have been maintaining those lots for years, the city charges them thousands of dollars when a few of the city owned lots are put out to sell. But now, as we know, the Buffalo Common Council is considering giving a $500,000.00 grant to a privately owned food market connected to a structure with income producing, rental housing units!

So, the next time you heard the cry and refrain from the community activist group, Buffalo City Action, "Whose City? Our City!", you can correctly answer, " Nope!"

“ Feeling Outraged!”

Dear Editor:

Look at what is being done to us right under our nose.

Right before our summer festivals begin.

Who authorized this ? Did the common council ? Did the mayor ? Did Olmsted ?

Who ???

Does the city own the park? If not then who?

Either way I‘m sure we tax payers are assisting in some kind of way to help maintain it.

Our neighborhood has been forgotten for many years. Now ( they ) say it’s our turn for ( them ) to ( attempt ) to make us whole again by (covering ) the 33 expressway and bring back the ( grassy ) knoll.

Now if that’s what you want us to believe then why must you take our one and only neighborhood park and destroy it ? Caging us in with stones and block us out with stones, making it look like a war zone!

This is not the way to show you want something different for us.

Please tell us where do we park for the Pine Grill Reunion ?

They already messed up Fillmore avenue with those extended sidewalks that have taken up valuable parking space.

Also, are our seniors to walk blocks to the park after finding a place to park?

Was this action done because we park on the grass ? The grass has always come back after ( 65 ) plus years of the Pine Grill Reunion, Juneteenth parade and festivities, Memorial Day, private family gatherings...

If this is (their ) reason, then please go to Home Depot buy some really good grass seeds and fertilizer and keep it moving !

How can you explain to your young child what’s the reason for the many, many stones ? How about the safety of the children playing ?

The only person that benefited from this is the person that owns the company that made all the stones !So if you are not feeling this please spread the word. Share this article with someone and share it on your facebook page.

We must do something! We must stand up or fall for everything !

I have no problem in helping to circulate a petition to undo this travesty ! Michelle Davis

A Concerned Citizen

Michelle Davis

PHOTO EUGENE PIERCE

FREE!

Green Thumb Beginner Gardening Class

Saturday, May 20, 10 am | Gerard Place, 2515 Bailey Ave, Buffalo

The event is free, space is limited. Reservations are required. To register, visit EastSideGardenWalk.com or email info@GardensBuffaloNiagara.com.

SIGN UP

Deadline

Garden Walk

Saturday & Sunday, July 22 & 23 EastSideGardenWalk.com

Green Thumb Beginner Gardening Workshop

New gardeners and anyone wanting to up their gardening savvy and learn new tricks.

TheEast Side Garden Walk is proud to announce the Green Thumb Beginner Gardening Workshop! This FREE gardening class will feature Phyllis Lobbins, East Side Garden Walk participant and Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, with Sally Cunningham, an internationally celebrated writer, horticultural consultant, organic gardener, and lecturer.

Together, Phyllis and Sally will provide a workshop where you can learn about food, flowers, landscapes, and personal, community, and pollinator-friendly gardens. Discover how to transform your outdoor space and maintain the garden of your dreams.

WHAT: Green Thumb Beginner Gardening Class

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Gerard Place, 2515 Bailey Ave, Buffalo, NY

Learn more and register at www.GardensBuffaloNiagara.com/talk East Side Garden Walk is an event produced by Gardens Buffalo Niagara (GBN) whose mission is to create more vibrant and beautiful communities by sharing our gardens. Other GBN events include Garden Walk Buffalo, Tours of Open Gardens on Thursdays and Fridays in July, The Buffalo Style Garden Art Sale, and Urban Farm Day.

PENNING OUR STORY Continued from page 2 conversation about racism in the publishing industry, more work must be done to make effective change. If the publishing industry truly wishes to serve Black authors and readers, it must be rebuilt from the ground up, not just respond to a major injustice.

Celebrating Black authors shouldn't be a once-a-year affair. There are several ways to celebrate Black Authors Day and take concrete steps to acknowledge the contributions of Black authors and cultivate a more equitable and just publishing industry:

•Need an easy place to start? Read a book by a Black author.

•Share a quote from a Black author using the hashtag: #BlackAuthorsMatter.

•Support Black-owned bookstores.

•Donate a book by a Black author to your local library or find a BetterWorldBooks Dropbox location near you.

•Create a video expressing your love and inspiration for your favorite Black author(s).

•Donate to literacy programs that serve underprivileged Black communities like The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative (B.L.A.C).

As Black writers continue bringing their revolutionary perspectives to the literary world, let’s commit to amplifying their voices and supporting their work every day, especially on National Black Authors Day!

from page 2

-Malcolm and the Amerks-

The Rochester Amerks defeated Syracuse Crunch 4-0 and tied up the playoff series at two games apiece with game five coming up on Saturday night in Syracuse. Malcolm Subban stopped all 31 shots he faced to record his first AHL shutout. Subban becomes first Amerk goalie to post a playoff shutout since Ryan Miller did it against Hamilton on May 5, 2004. This series has been very physical, reminding me of Buffalo Sabres versus Philadelphia “Broad Street Bullies” Flyer’s series of 1975. If Amerks goalie Malcolm Subban continues to give his team outstanding goaltending than the Amerks should win this series. Malcolm Subban is the younger brother of former NHL star defensemen P.K. Subban, and International Hockey player Jordan Subban.

GARDEN COLUMNIST Sally Cunningham

MASTER GARDENER Phyllis Lobbins

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-Tao Te Ching

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

THURS. MAY 4

The Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier 44th Annual Family History Dinner 6 p.m. Emerson School of Hospitality 86 West Chippewa St. Barbara Nevergold, guest speaker.

SAT. MAY 6

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS , Red Carpet

5 p.m., Show Begins 7 p.m., Montante Cultural Center, 2001 Main St. (CanisiusCollege), friendsforabetterbuffalo.com (See ad this page)

Buff City Awards, The Handley Room 241 Lombard Street, doors open at 5 p.m. For more info and tickets call Robert Cornelius at (716)247-1817

Free Community Birthday Celebration for Rev. Nash Durham Memorial Outreach Center, 6 p.m. at 200 East Eagle St. Guest speaker Hakim J. Lucas President and CEO of Virginia Union University, the alma mater of Rev. Nash. Light reception to follow. (See Ad This Page)

SUN. MAY 7

Nazarene Messianic Party Lectures Merriweather Library , Jefferson @ Utica on “The Historical Jesus: Early Christians Revolutionary Liberation Movement for the Oppressed.” 2:30-4;30 p.m.

TUES. MAY 9

UB Department of Music FREE Gift to the Community Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Jaman Dunn, and Gospel musicians from Buffalo’s African American church community, 7:30 P.M. Slee Hall on UB North Campus.

WED. MAY 10

Line Dance Fitness, 11 a.m. Gloria Parks Center, 3242 Main St.; Seniors 55+ Free (716)832-1010 or hustleforhealth.com

SAT. MAY 13

Volunteers Needed to Help Beautify HISTORIC BRODERICK PARK @ THE FOOT OF WEST FERRY 10 a.m. For more info email info@visionniagara.org

SUN. MAY 14

Nazarene Messianic Party Lectures Merriweather Library , Jefferson @ Utica on “The Historical Jesus: Early Christians Revolutionary Liberation Movement for the Oppressed.” 2:30-4;30 p.m.

FREE DANCE CLASSES!

Hustle for Health Line Dancing with Jazzy T 12pm at Delavan Grider Community Center 877 E Delavan Ave, EVERY MONDAY

Line Dance Class, Dorothy Collier Community Center, 118 E. Utica, BEGINNER 11a.m.-12p.m.; ADVANCED 12-1 p.m. (716)882-0602. EVERY TUESDAY

Line Dance Fitness, 11 a.m. Gloria Parks Center, 3242 Main St.; Seniors 55+ Free (716)832-1010 or hustleforhealth.com

EVERY WEDNESDAY

African Consciousness Workshop

Every Monday 4-6 p.m., Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave. “Where we learn About Our Glorious Past & Present African Family.” (716)400-8644 Bro. Shango or kmtflix@gmail.com

RG&E is Rochester

RG&E has been at Rochester’s service for 175 years. Rochester is in our name, and our more than 800 local employees are proud to power our communities every day.

Powering our communities goes beyond reliable electric and natural gas service –we’ve invested more than $11 million in local businesses through economic development grants while supporting community organizations and assisting customers in need.

RG&E is here for Rochester – today, and in the future.

We’re building the clean energy workforce of the future. To join us, visit avangrid.com/careers