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Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel on Monday named Jean-Claude Brizard, the superintendent of Rochester, N.Y., schools, to head the most sweeping overhaul of Chicago Public School management in 16 years.Brizard was tapped for Schools CEO MARSHA of the nation’s t h i r d - l a rg e s t school system. I got to tell you that Superintendent Jean Luc Brizard’s leaving should come as no surprise to anyone. I’ve listened to white people blame him for the troubles in the Rochester City School District (and his high salary) and I’ve listened to Black people criticize him for everything from the
JONES
student’s graduation and test result rates to why teachers should be coddled and not held responsible for student outcomes. A fight is about to ensue, Rochester. Leaving with unfinished business. You bet. The way he told the Board of Directors that he was leaving through a textmessage was tacky. (P.S. The Board did see him on TV standing next to Emmanuel as he sang your praises.) Everyone knows you don’t conduct business that way.You don’t do that in Chicago, either. Brizard is supposed to be a professional. I would recommend that he act and govern himself accordingly.
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Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard Named to Head Chicago School System, Nation’s 3rd Largest
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“Good-bye Rochester!”
Kudos to Bass-Baritone Jamal Moore from Augusta, Georgia, who is a junior vocal major at the Eastman School of Music and the latest recipient of the William Warfield Scholarship Fund. Moore’s musical history stretches mainly from the walls of his former chorus room at Davidson Fine Arts Magnet High School under the direction of Dr. James Dunaway and his voice teacher Patti Myers. In 2008, he held the title of State Champion for Boy’s Solo Region 3-AAA. Moore has received the freshman and sophomore jury award for his outstanding vocal progress 2010 and 2011. In 2009, he was invited to sing for the Gateways Music Festival in Rochester, NY and made his Eastman Opera Theatre debut as Buff in last year’s mid-winter production of Mozart’s The Impressario. This past year, Jamal appeared as the Orderly in Eastman’s Opera Theatre’s production of Hindermith’s Hin and Zuruck. He is extremely grateful for the opportunity to receive this award again and will continue to strive for excellence to preserve the legacy and honor William Warfield.
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Jamal Moore Wins Warfield INSIDE ROCHESTER Scholarship Award
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Every child is a work of art. Create a masterpiece.
Register your child today for classes beginning this September!
Because you care…Choose UPK. The Rochester City School District’s Universal Pre-K programs provide the comfort of knowing that your child is receiving a quality education, with classes that develop creativity, confidence, and the skills necessary for success. And, with programs at schools and community centers around the city, UPK provides the choice of a location that is most convenient for you and your child.
For more information, call 262-8140 or visit www.rcsdk12.org/prek /choice Page 2
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April 20, 2011
Are a B r i e f s
Young Leader!
Family History Dinner
Alia M. Brown a high achieving 7th grader at Pinnacle Charter School irecently attended the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. ( April 9-14). Alia’s leadership and academic achievements prompted her French teacher, Mr. Rudel Simon, to nominate her for this wonderful opportunity. A well rounded student, Alia plays for the PCS soccer, basketball, bowling and track teams in addition she is a seven-year member of Dancetime School of Dance in Kenmore. Alia is the daughter of proud parents Ollie and Camille Williams and the granddaughter of Marilyn Keith and Elsa Williams. Congratulations!
The 34th Annual Family History Dinner/Annual Meeting will be held Friday, May 6, 6:30 p.m. at the Emerson School of Hospitality at 86 West Chippewa St.
Talent Search Accepting Applications The Erie County Chapter of Links, Inc. is seeking for their Talent Search 2011,African American Students in grade 7 to 12.Applicants must have talent in at least one of the following areas; Instrumental,Vocal, Dance, Oratory or Visual Arts.Auditions will be held Sunday, May15 from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at Buffalo State College Band Room, Rockwell Hall, 1300 Elmwood Avenue. Talent Search will be held Friday, May 27th, 6:00 P.M. at the Buffalo Academy of Performing and Visual Arts, 450 Masten Avenue. Eunice Jackson Is President of the Erie County Chapter of Links, Inc. and Karen Stanley Fleming is the Chairperson of the Arts Committee.
Linda Capers Wheeler will be the Family History presenter. Family names researched by Mrs. Wheeler are King, Capers, Wilkerson, Biddle(s), Jordan, Chatters and Sims. Locations researched are Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Virginia. William Wells Brown Awards for the support of preservation of African American History will be presented to the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, Seneca Vaught, James (Pappy) Martin and the Jefferson Street Heritage Gallery.
PARENT POWER: Bro. Sam Radford addressed a press conference earlier this week which focused on problems in city schools.
Family Film Festival
The struggle is currently raging over the condition of education in our fair city. You may have heard that parents have organized and mobilized to reset the current mode of operations – the one where board of education members, teachers, and even janitors make decisions about what happens in schools and to our children - and inform us about it later. Currently, the graduation rate for Black and Hispanic male students and English Language Learners (ELL) is at 25%. Did you hear me? That means that 75% of those who attend high school either fail or drop out. You may have heard that parents have reached the point where we understand that it’s our responsibility to fix the current state of affairs for our children. You would be right. In a February interview, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sabirah Muhammad James A. Williams made the bold and truthful statement that public education was never designed to educate Black people, and that the system of education is structured to force children to drop out of school. It’s understandable that he must have received some heat for his stance, since he is also responsible for the positive image of the school system. He was recently asked to explain what he meant, but apparently had already gone as far as he could go. That leaves the task to us – to the parents of these lost and forlorn, who have no agenda but the reclaiming of the best and brightest children we know. If our community doesn’t understand the truth of our dilemma, we will be unprepared to take the drastic steps necessary to relieve the suffering of our children. Some parents will even fight the bold steps we’re taking in this dire state of emergency. Let’s dissect the Superintendent’s recent responses to the question: “How is the educational system set up to fail minority students?” 1. By the time our children report to school they’re already behind their peers, therefore, mandatory pre-K and kindergarten are needed. Not true. Dr. Williams himself has reported on the data that shows our children reporting to school knowing primary information, even reading already, but by the second grade having lost what they knew. Our area in particular has benefitted from the ardent labor of the CAO, (Community Action Organization), where Executive Director L. Nathan Hare heads the very competent Head Start Program. Its parents are committed and engaged, and they have consistently turned over fresh faced, eager to learn students to the schools. This is where the problems begin. 2. There is a need for vocational training. 3. True. In fact, it’s criminal that career preparation has been snatched from city schools, deliberately leaving our children at gross disadvantage. We do need technical training, but this type of instruction doesn’t take place until later years, after our children are already disillusioned, identified as learning disabled, hooked on psychotropic drugs, functionally illiterate, and unable to compute. 4. Not every student should be required to pass six regents exams. True, but shouldn’t our children be able to? Shouldn’t the builders of the mathematically magnificent pyramids, in fact, the authors of math and science be able to tackle a NYS Regents exam? 5. We need to cut employee and health care costs and use the savings for longer
Join Columnist Eva Doyle on Thursday, April 21 for a Family Film Festival at the Frank E. Merriweather library located at 1324 Jefferson Avenue. The program will be held from 3- 5: 00 p.m. Admission is free. A variety of films will be shown that are designed to educate, inform, and to entertain. The program will also feature Yo Yo the clown doing a magic show for young and old alike. Bring the children of all ages, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren for an evening of fun. One of the films that will be shown is “Be Cool About Fire Safety. While entertaining, it gives valuable information for children and families on how to prevent fires and how to plan an escape route in the event of a fire. For more information you can call 847-6010 or 533-9547.
UNITED FRONT: the Buffalo United Front opened its 291 East Delevan Avenue offices last Saturday (April 16.) A grand opening is scheduled to kick off in June. Pictured above, from left, are members: Min. Kenneth Pryor, public relations; Carlette Daniels, executive secretary; Lamone Gibson, youth leader; and Elder Larry Wiggins, vice president.
April 20, 2011
Councilmember Smith
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Parents Organize to Bring About Positive Changes in the Education of Their Children
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Continued Page 15
Scoutmaster Demone A. Smith Receives Scouts District Merit Award The Greater Niagara Frontier Council for the Boys Scouts of America has selected Assistant Scoutmaster Demone A. Smith to receive the District Merit Award. The District Merit Award is the highest volunteer award you can receive in Scouting. The Volunteer Recognition Dinner is a special evening to thank Adult Scouters receiving the Silver Beaver Award, the District Award of Merit and other special recognitions. The District/Division Award of Merit is awarded by a District or Exploring Division to volunteers and professional adults for service to youth in the District or Division. Normally, the award is presented for service to youth in excess of five years and Councilman Smith has been nominated and selected within his first two years of service. St. Martin DePorres Troop #139 is pleased to congratulate our very own Assistant Scoutmaster Demone Smith in receiving this top honor. Councilman Smith has served as a very active and essential part of our troop. Among the things he does is he serves as a merit badge counselor for Citizenship in the community, Citizenship in the city, Citizenship in the nation, and forestry. Asst. Scoutmaster Smith also takes the Scouts on trips to City Hall to observe and learn for the day, he has planted trees in MLK Park, and served as a chaperone/leader on our overnight camping trips. To fulfill his obligation to the troop, the Assistant Scoutmaster is assigned specific program duties and reports to the Scoutmaster. CONGRATULATIONS Councilmember Smith we are proud of you!! The Volunteer Recognition Dinner was held on April 14 at the Millennium Hotel – 2040 Walden Avenue.
“In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Page 3
News Update President Obama Attacked with Racist E-mail…Again! Here we go with the monkey joke again. In case you conservative, racist, republicans want to know, it’s not funny. It’s tired and juvenile at best. But, don’t take our calm disposition as a pass because it is not. And judging from the chair of the republican party’s complete intolerance to this racist e-mail from one of his colleagues, this won’t be over until they find a way to disassociate themselves from her. Orange County’s The Weekly, somehow obtained a copy of an e-mail sent by Southern California Tea Party activist and member of the central committee of the Orange County Republican Party, Marilyn Davenport. The OC Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh swiftly denounced her actions. Davenport made an attempt to apologize to those Orange County Republican elected officals who may have been offended by the e-mail. But her apologies are for her colleagues because she feels no need to apologize to President Obama or African Americans at all. She feels like this issue has been blown out of proportion…as they always do. Here’s what she said about her e-mail that has the caption “Now you know why there’s no birth certificate” printed under the picture depicting the President and his parents as monkeys: “Oh, come on! Everybody who knows me knows that I am not a racist. It was a joke. I have friends who are Black.” “You’re not going to make a big deal about this are you?” she [told The Weekly]. “It’s just an Internet joke.”
Homeless Mom Charged for Son’s False Address Use For at the least the second time in about four months, a woman was jailed for enrolling her child in a school for which he is not zoned. The latest case is in Norwalk, Connecticut, where Tonya McDowell, a 33-year-old homeless woman, was arrested for sending her six-year-old son to a school using his babysitter’s address. According to an article published on CTpost.com, McDowell, who last lived on Priscilla Street in Bridgeport, was charged recently ss with first-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit firstdegree larceny for allegedly stealing $15,686 from Norwalk schools. She was released after posting a $25,000 bond. In another case, in January, Kelley Williams-Bolar of Akron Ohio was convicted and sent to jail after she used her father’s address to enroll her two children in a suburban school district. “The message now is that they would rather incarcerate than educate,” said Dr. Boyce Watkins, a social justice advocate. “This is no different from the days when slaves were jailed for trying to learn to read.” “We should all want our children to have access to a high quality education,” he said.
BlackAgendaReport.com
Tripoli Could Be Destroyed Like Kabul in the Nineties
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan
Nigerian leader wins presidential poll amid riots
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan won the oilrich country’s election Monday as riots swept across the Muslim north and left buildings ablaze and people hiding in their homes, highlighting the religious and ethnic tensions still dividing Africa’s most populous nation. The violence cut across 13 states, hundreds wounded. Heavy gunfire echoed through cities, as shouting crowds burned tires and threw stones at security forces. Many were feared dead, though federal officials declined to offer any figures for fear of further stoking tensions. In a televised address to the nation late Monday, Jonathan called on Nigerians to “quickly move away from partisan battlegrounds and find a national common ground.” “Nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian,” he said, hours after police said an angry mob in Katsina state engineered a prison break. While Christians and Muslims have shared the same soil in the nation for centuries, the election result showing the Christian president’s more than 10 million vote lead over Muslim candidate Muhammadu Buhari spread accusations of rigging in a nation long accustomed to ballot box stuffing. Jonathan took office last year only after the country’s elected Muslim president died from a lengthy illness before his term ended, and many in the north still believe the ruling party should have put up a Muslim candidate instead in this year’s election.
White House Launches First Ever Website For Blacks Washington — The White House has launched a new website –Winning the Future: President Obama and the African American Community. The website aims to help inform the African American population of how the Obama Administration’s policies and work have benefited the African American community, from minorityowned businesses to the benefits of health reform.With the 2012 campaign season having already launched, President Obama seems to be taking no risks with the community that came out strong to the polls for him. Page 4
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The Libyan revolt against Col. Gaddafi’s government began as a “general movement from below of ordinary people,” said Vijay Prashad, director of International Studies and chair of South Asian History, Trinity College, Hartford, CT. By early March, however, the rebels came under the sway of “a different kind of leadership” that welcomed foreign powers into the conflict. “If this dynamic continues,” said Prashad, “Tripoli will become like Kabul in the 1990s, when fundamentalist rebels besieged the city, killing tens of thousands.
U.S. Leads Global War Spending The U.S. accounts for 40 to 45percent of global arms spending “and has been responsible for upwards of 90 percent of the increase in military spending over the past year,” says John Feffer, of the Institute for Policy Studies. “The United States basically drives international military spending,” according to Feffer, citing this year’s report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Africans Want Obama to Obey His Own Law The only legislation Barack Obama sponsored and passed as a U.S. Senator called for the appointment of an American Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region of African, scene of the Rwandan and Congolese genocides. Jacques Bahati, of the Africa Faith and Justice Network, believes Obama has failed to act on his solitary legislation because he is surrounded by Clintonera appointees who “do not want to revisit their policies” in the region.
No Compensation for 14 Years as an Innocent on Death Row The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that John Thompson didn’t deserve the $14 million lower courts awarded him for enduring 18 years in Louisiana’s Angola Prison – 14 of them on death row – because of prosecutorial suppression of evidence in a crime he didn’t commit. As a result, “the United States “doesn’t have a deterrent effect against misconduct by prosecutors,” says Ronald M. Gauthier who, along with Thompson, chronicled the saga in a new book, “Killing Time.”
“Nothing In The World Is More Dangerous Than Sincere Ignorance And Conscientious Stupidity...” Martin Luther King April 20, 2011
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HEALTH MATTERS
Nationwide study finds U.S. meat and poultry is widely contaminated, Multi-drug-resistant FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — April 15, 2011 — Drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria linked to a wide range of human diseases, are present in meat and poultry from U.S. grocery stores at unexpectedly high rates, according to a nationwide study by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). Nearly half of the meat and poultry samples — 47 percent — were contaminated with S. aureus, and more than half of those bacteria — 52 percent — were resistant to at least three classes of antibiotics, according to the study published today in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. This is the first national assessment of antibiotic resistant S. aureus in the U.S. food supply. And, DNA testing suggests that the food animals themselves were the major source of contamination. Although Staph should be killed with proper cooking, it may still pose a risk to consumers through improper food handling and cross-contamination in the kitchen. Researchers collected and analyzed 136 samples — covering 80 brands — of beef, chicken, pork and turkey from 26 retail grocery stores in five U.S. cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Flagstaff and Washington, D.C. “For the first time, we know how much of our meat and poultry is contaminated with antibiotic-resistant Staph, and it is substantial,” said Lance B. Price, Ph.D., senior author of the study and Director of TGen’s Center for Food Microbiology and Environmental Health. “The fact that drug-resistant S. aureus was so prevalent, and likely came from the food animals themselves, is troubling, and demands attention to how antibiotics are used in food-animal production today,” Dr. Price said. Densely-stocked industrial farms, where food animals are steadily fed low doses of antibiotics, are ideal breeding grounds for drug-resistant bacteria that move from animals to humans, the report says. “Antibiotics are the most important drugs that we have to treat Staph infections; but when Staph are resistant to three, four, five or even nine different antibiotics — like we saw in this study — that leaves physicians few options,” Dr. Price said. “The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria — including Staph — remains a major challenge in clinical medicine,” said Paul S. Keim, Ph.D., Director of TGen’s Pathogen Genomics Division and Director of the Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics at Northern Arizona University (NAU). “This study shows that much of our meat and poultry is contaminated with multidrug-resistant Staph. Now we need to determine what this means in terms of risk to the consumer,” said Dr. Keim, a co-author of the paper. The U.S. government routinely surveys retail meat and poultry for four types of drug-resistant bacteria, but S. aureus is not among them. The paper suggests that a more comprehensive inspection program is needed. S. aureus can cause a range of illnesses from minor skin infections to lifethreatening diseases, such as pneumonia, endocarditis and sepsis. The study was supported through a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts as part of The Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming.
Health and Healing Circle Open House The Health and Healing Circle will host a Spring Open House, Wednesday, April 27 from 3 – 5:30pm at the CAO, 70 Harvard Place. The open house is a great opportunity to learn more about the circle’s activities, meet new friends, share good food and music. Join us and bring a friend. For more information call 903-3290 or 881-5150.
We earn $49,128 a year and got help with our heating bill. ow! Apply N ded xten Funds e gh throu y. mid-Ma
Visit HEAPhelps.com or call 1-877-443-2743 for income guidelines to see if you qualify. Even if you didn’t qualify for help with your heating bill before, you might qualify now. That’s because there are new, higher income guidelines for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). If you need help with your heating bill, or if you know someone who does, HEAP can help. Regular HEAP grants up to $500 are available to reduce the amount of your heating bill.* A family of four earning $49,128 or less may qualify for assistance this winter. Applying for HEAP is quick, easy and convenient. Depending on your circumstances, you do not have to visit a county HEAP office to apply this year. For more information, visit HEAPhelps.com or call 1-877-443-2743.
Gross Annual Income Guidelines Household Size
Max. Annual Income
1 2 3 4 5 6
$25,548 $33,408 $41,268 $49,128 $56,988 $64,848
For income limits of larger households, please call us or visit our website. HEAP eligibility is usually determined using the last four weeks of your household income. Customers who are unemployed or seasonally employed may also be eligible for HEAP to reduce the amount of their heating bills.
* Grant amounts vary and will be provided only while HEAP funding remains available. Additional assistance may be available for those with a heating emergency. The maximum Regular HEAP grant for customers that use natural gas to heat their home is $500. HEAP grants are immediately posted to customer accounts when they are received from New York State.
HEAPhelps.com or 1-877-443-2743 April 20, 2011
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Shawn Thompson and Mya Scott 2011 Barber & Beautician of The Year!
T
he ballots are in and Master Barber Sean Thompson and stylist Mya Nicole Scott have been named the Challenger’s 2011 Barber and Beautician of the Year! The competition, based on popular vote, was launched several weeks ago. It was designed to give customers the opportunity to pay tribute to their hair care professionals by voting / recommending them for the coveted title. The winners received front page coverage in this week’s edition, which features our annual Salute to Barbers and Beautician’s and a years’ worth of free advertising in the Challenger (please see this page for the coveted list of nominees.) -Honor & a PrivilegeThe 29-year-old Ms. Scott, who has 12 years in the industry, said that she had her very first job doing hair at the age of 12 when she made $10 a week to care for her aunt’s hair. A graduate of Burguard High School where she majored in Aviation, she then went on to complete studies at The Continental School of Beauty. After becoming a licensed beautician she worked at Hair Flair 2000, Hair Concepts by Dutchess, Iconz hair Design and is currently employed at Peaches and Keys Unisex Salon at 883 Jefferson Avenue in the Greater Refuge Temple Plaza. The award winning stylist’s goal (she placed second in last August’s Talk of the Town Hair Show), is to compete professionally and become a platform artist or celebrity stylist. Going to the Bonner Brothers Hair Shows in Atlanta yearly is encouraging, she said. “Plus I’m constantly taking classes to stay up on the trends.” Mya and her husband, Jimmy Scott, have two children and “a special niece.” The daughter of Connie Webb of Buffalo and Richard Webb of Los Angeles, California, she has two sisters and two brothers. “My mom is one of my biggest fans,” she continued. “She’s always motivated me and encouraged me to keep my head up. Other people who have influenced my career include Patricia Mims, Erica Webb (aunt), Venna Staten, Harriett Black, “Grand Sal” Sally Staten (her great grandmother) and last but not least, thanks to my best friends who have always supported me.” Being a wife and full time mom, Mya said she doesn’t have any hobbies in particular. “I like to serve God and do hair.” She is a member of Greater Refuge Temple where Bishop Robert L. Sanders is the Senior Pastor. “Being named Beautician of the Year is an honor and a privilege,” said Mya. “I’d like to give thanks to God for the gift to make people beautiful and I’d like to thank all my clients and especially my family and friends. Page 6
OUTSTANDING NOMINEES A Salute to The Outstanding Nominees!
Local Salon Owner Continues her Dream of Providing a Black Beauty School in Buffalo
Merline Mobley Bell made a promise to herself 16 years ago to establish a Black owned and operated beauty school in MARCELLUS CELLY TURNER the heart Styles of Man of the comm u n i t y. KAREN WRIGHT And sevCompositions eral years ago she TRAVIS POWELL fulfilled Signature Cutz that dream when she KEVIN DAVIS opened Merline Bell Elite Hair Creations Promises School MERLINE BELL of Beauty Culture at 1414 Fillmore Promises School of Beauty Avenue. The site currently houses Promises Beauty Salon and was forTAMMY MARTIN GREEN merly called Uganda’s. It’s been an Tammy’s expensive venture so far, the renovating, architecture, furnishings and all JACKIE the state requirements but it was worth Jackie’s Shop it,” said the Mississippi native. Bell, who has bee in business as a MICHELLE DABNEY cosmetologist for over four decades Chelle’s Hair Performance says she’s merely truing to bring back the kind of self determination, pride CORN STUART and independence African Americans Styles of Man experienced in the sixties and early seventies when there were two Black KOSS owned beauty schools in Buffalo. The Akole Style Salon Lillian Dora Beauty School was located on E. Utica and Verplank and the BufNICOLE ZIEGLER falo School of Beauty was on E. Ferry Akole Style Salon Street where GiGi’s Restaurant now stands. Both schools eventually moved CHOPAFELLAZ BARBER to Jefferson Avenue. & BEAUTY SALON “Back in the day most Blacks went to one of the two Black schools right KIM NELSON here in the neighborhood,” said Bell, Studio U who graduated from the Lillian Dora School. She later earned a degree from DAMIEN JOHNSON Erie Community College and a profesNo Grease Xclusive sional teacher’s certificate from Buffalo State College. “There was more unity SHODDIE among hair dressers back then. We Xternal Xpressions used to do hair shows and support each other. We also had at lest two Black JUSTIN BARKER owned and operated beauty supply Chopafellaz stores, Ferguson’s Beauty Supply and Gayles.” WOODY WOODSON Bell plans to start out small and (Deceased) expand the beauty school after she’s in Woody’s Afro Styles business for two years, after which time the school will be eligible financial aid DENISE WEST and grants. Cosmetology school is not Studio 227 cheap, costing thousands of dollars, which is, she continued, is a far cry from tuition when she attended. “My sister-in-law told me about the Lillian Dora School’s program that was WORLD OF GIRLS: The World $5 down and $5 a week,” she recalled. of Girls Program is currently “Back then they worked with you.” accepting applications for the Bell said she wants to bring that same energy of cooperation to her school, upcoming World of Girls Divineven though things are considerably ity Pageant. Deadline is May expensive today. 30. For more information call “We’ll encourage students to open 362-1242 or go to www.worldoftheir own salons and teach them team girlsempowerment.org Watch for work, instill self esteem, motivation more information next week. and to fulfill the promise,” concluded Bell. For more information about the school call 896-7732 or 896-4585.
Without them and without God, none of this would be possible.” -Master BarberBorn and raised in Buffalo, Sean , a graduate of McKinley High School, learned how to cut hair in the dorm room while a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta. The business major even worked in a barbershop in his sophomore year, further developing his skills. He left college for personal reasons in the middle of his junior year and returned home. And in 1991 he began barbering professionally, ultimately becoming a Master Barber. Sean a nd Mya: PHOTO XAVIERS “My first job was with Mr. (Leon) Gresham at Metropolitan Styles,” he said. After that he “I feel blessed to still be relwent to Mr. J’s (George Johnson) at evant in the community andd 295 E. Delavan Avenue (where he is to be respected,” he said. “It had to currently located). And in 1999 he be a lot of love in the community that purchased the business from Johnson people would nominate me for someand opened Sean’s House of Masters. thing like this. He also owns another business that has “I know how relevant Black barnothing to do with hair. In fact his goal, bershops are, and I am aware of the he said, is to own multiple businesses need to give back to young men in the in various arenas. community,” he continued. “I believe A big promoter of education, he that ‘if you can’t get a job – create plans to eventually return to school to a job’ – so I’m about creating jobs get his degree. “It’s something I have and helping people as much as posto do,” he said. sible.” An only child, Sean is the son of For the past six years he has been Beverly Thompson of Houston, Texas an active member of Zion Dominand Alvin Hale of Buffalo and the ion where Rev. Roderick Hennings grandson of Ida Thompson, also of is pastor . Houston. “I really do feel an obligation to the Married and the father of two sons community and I want to give back – one a college student at Medaille as much as possible,” said the 2009 and the other, a High School student Black Achiever awardee. at Williamsville North – he and his “I’m thankful for the support and wife Andrea (who also works in the recognition and won’t let the comhair care industry as the owner of munity down...I’ve got much more to Sensuous Hair on Genesee Street), will do...its all about helping people and celebrate their 10th wedding anniver- saving some souls,” he said. sary in August. Congratulations Mya and Sean! Our Self motivated and confident, Sean, 2011 Beautician and Barber of The 40 years young, expressed humility Year! -a.b. and appreciation at being named Barber of the Year.
DONNA GORE Lovestein’s
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April 20, 2011
A Tribute to True Legends
Local barbers are a true inspiration as they share a combined 300 years or more in the business.... and still cutting!
Henry Boyd Jr. is still barbering at 81 years young. After 60 years in the business, Henry’s Barbershop, is a virtual historical landmark on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Broadway. At a handsome 78, Jerry Daniels still masters his craft as he cuts hair side by side with his son, Jerry Jr. at Jeff Carl BarberMr. Henry shop several blocks away. Its been 55 years and counting for this popular master barber. Leon Gresham belies his 78 years on the planet. Currently approaching his 50th year as a barber at his Metropolitan Styles Shop at 1395 Jefferson, in the same location for as
many years, he can tell you first hand what a prosperous Jefferson Avenue was like “back in the day.” Mr. Bennie (Willis) also 81, holds court regularly at his 696 Genesee Street establishment. He knows his history, keeps up with current events, and still holds a part time job. Barbering for 46 years, he is quick however to give the longevity title to his partner, Mr. Willie Tunstall, who he says has Mr. Jerry been barbering much long than himself (approximately 55 years or more) And Mr. JV (James Edward Vinson) of JV’s Barber Shop on E. Delavan , although the baby of the bunch at age 65, has been at his craft for 43 years. He started out at Metropolitan with Mr. Leon and branched out on his own in 1975. These are just several of the amazing men who serve as an inspiration to young barbers everywhere. They
The path to your first home. The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) offers first-time homebuyers: • 30- or 40- year fixed interest rates that are typically below market; • Financing up to 97%; • Flexible underwriting guidelines; • Down payment assistance (higher of $3,000 or 3% of the loan amount or up to $10,000); • No points; • No financing add ons.
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1-800-382-HOME (4663) or visit www.nyshcr.org
April 20, 2011
represent the very foundation of the barbering business locally. They are, to borrow the title from one of Big Jay (Jason Maclin of Chopefellez enterprises), true “Legends.” -ProfilesMr. Henry, originally from Alabama, came to Buffalo in 1947. He started out cutting hair in 1951 part time at Ferguson’s Beauty Supply which used to be next door to where he is currently located. “I would cut hair and Mr. Ferguson did the beauty supplies. I was his partner. And in 1953 I came out of the plant at Bethlehem Steel and started barbering full time,” said Mr. Henry. He said he charged $1.25 for his first haircut . That was around the going rate. Mr. Jerry recalls charging .50 for children and eventually $1 for men at the Tabernacle Barbershop on Jefferson near Broadway where he started out. Mr. Leon also charged $1 for his first haircut and Mr. Bennie, $1.50. JV in 1975 charged a whopping $3.50. Today haircuts range from $10-$12 and up depending on the service. But prices are not all that changed say the men. The community in which they work today is a far cry from the once vibrant business strip, for example, along Jefferson Avenue. “There were a lot more businesses,” recalled Mr. Henry. “There was a gas station on three corners and a drug store on the other ...and a theatre down the street on Jefferson and Broadway.” “Jefferson Avenue was booming back in the day,” said Mr. Leon. “There were stores everywhere – anything you wanted you could get it on Jefferson Avenue...there was entertainment and night clubs like the Pine Grill and the Revilot on the corner of Jefferson and E. Ferry.” “The area has changed tremendously,” noted Mr. Jerry. Barbering trends have also changed say the men. “Back then the ‘process’ (a chemical process to straighten the hair) was big...but I never did it. Then the bush came out, then the crew cut.” He then pointed to one of the many posters and photos around the show showing the popular cuts “back in the day.” “Haircuts have changed a lot,” noted Mr. Leon from the process to curls and now its fades.” Mr. Jerry noted how barbering has changed but essentially gone in cycles. “There was the covadis (sp) – the real short cut, then the bush came in, then the fad and the process...now we have a combination of all of them.... the bush is coming back, the Mohawk and the really low haircuts like when I first started out. It’s like the style of clothes...they come back.” Mr. Henry, who still repairs clippers and “ stoves” for beauticians,” pointed to a photo on his wall depicting the various styles “back in the day.” He
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also had fond memories of the Barbers Club and their annual balls at the old Statler Hilton. “There are just two of us living now,” he said “ myself and a female, Vonnie who’s now retired. -Wise AdviceAlmost to a word, each had the same advice for young barbers today. “Get up and come to work on time,” said Mr. Henry “And be presentable.” He noted that he is open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and still has Mr. Leon customers who’ve been with him some 50 years. “Have a good attitude towards your customers and take pride in your work,” advised Mr. Bennie (Willis). “And don’t over charge them!” “Be dependable and take care of your customers,” was Mr. JV’s advice. “Respect their time, respect them all around.” “We have to learn how to give customer service,” said Mr. Jerry, who’s longest served customer has been coming to him for 50 years. . “The better Mr. Bennie customer service you give, the better the results,” he added confidently. “If you choose barbering you really have to work at it everyday..,” said Mr. Leon. “Open early and be on time... we have some of the best customers in the world and I’d like to thank them for their support. It’s a pleasure to work with them,” he concluded. M r . Henry said that he likes to work Mr. JV solo, and is the only one in his shop. Before this writer left, his oldest female customer stopped in, a lovely silver haired Martha Newell. They joked and teased one another for a moment, then Mr. Henry got down to business giving her an edge up. “I love what I do...” he said smiling, “it’s all about the friends, the conversations and making people look good.” –a.b. Page 7
Good Friday Worship Good Friday Worship will be held at High Time, 7 p.m. at Enter In Ministries 1761 Genesee St. where Seven Women of Good will bring the Seven Last Words of Jesus: Evangelist Rochelle Drake, Elder Danielle Easley, Minister E. Foster, Elder Danetta Reed, Elder Latrina Lee, Minister Veronica Ravenell, and Minister NJeri Motley. Guest Soloists include Reba Bush and Tonya Gaines. Rosetta Swain is Servant/Pastor
Seven Last Words Greater Apostolic House of Prayer, 1455 Fillmore Avenue, will feature Seven Last Words with Seven of Buffalo’s Great First Ladies and women of the local City on Good Friday Service, April 22 at 12 Noon. Pastor and founder, Bishop-elect is Jacqueline Foye. Evangelist/Mother Gloria Mayes is the contact person.
“Enough is Enough” City-Wide Prayer
4/18/11 to 4/22/11 - For this week only, the City-Wide prayer will be on hiatus in observance of the Holy Week with a number of programs at various churches around the city. The Enough is Enough prayer will resume on 4/25/11. 4/25/11 - The “Enough is Enough” prayer will continue at St. John’s Baptist Church, 184 Goodell Street, Buffalo NY nightly from 6:00 to 7:00pm. The pastor is the Rev. Michael Chapman. Please come out and support! For questions call Elder Wiggins at (716)954-3330.
Good Friday Fish Fry The First Shiloh Baptist Laymen League will be sponsoring a Good Friday Fish Fry in the Church Fellowship Hall at 15 Pine Street on April 22, 2011 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM. Dine in or Take Out. The price of the dinner is $10 and will include your choice of Haddock, Catfish, Macaroni & Cheese, French Fries, Green Beans, Cole Slaw and desert. Beverages will also be available for purchase. You may contact the Church Office at 847-6555 for further information.
Pastors Invited To Attend Course On The Life In The Holy Spirit
Evangelistic Temple to Celebrate 89th Anniversary The Evangelistic Temple and community church Center will celebrate its 89th Church Anniversary on April 24 at the church, 92 Headley Place. The day will begin with Sunrise Service at 7 .m. The celebration will continue with a Continental breakfast. Morning worship will begin at 10:30 a.m. For more information call 8821432. The Rev. George W. DuBois is pastor.
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Worship This Week!
A 7 week course on “The Life in the Holy Spirit” taught by pastors for pastors of all denominations will be held every Tuesday evening from April 26-June 7 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Wheatfield Community Church located at 3571 Niagara Falls Boulevard in Meadowbrook Square Plaza. The free course is also open to all who long to be renewed in the fire of the Holy Spirit. Presented by A Return to the Upper Room Ministry, the series will include God’s Love taught by Bishop William A. Dockery, as well as other pastors teaching on Salvation, the New Life, Receiving God’s Gifts, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Growth in Christ, and Transformation in Christ. Seating is limited and early registration is encouraged. Contact Pastor Linda Badame, founding pastor of Wheatfield Community Church, at (716)553-3794 or Terri at (716) 2450200.
‘Mother’s Day Weekend’ Back by popular demand! ‘Follow Him Ministries’, presents the highly acclaimed, “REVELATION 24” at the Forbes Theater 512 Pearl Street on Saturday May 7 at 3 pm (doors open at 2:15pm). Ticket donations are $15 per person and our Mother’s Day Special, 2 for $25 (parking extra). Tickets are also available at the Buffalo Christian Center Bookstore. Tickets will also be sold at the door. For more information call (407) 731-1539.
HAPPY EASTER! Page 8
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April 20, 2011
90 YEARS YOUNG! Florence E. Lawson Lumpkin was celebrated with a surprise party on her 90th birthday April 9 at St. George Orthodox Parish. Isn’t she lovely? Happy birthday Mrs. Lumpkin!
God's L.A.W. presents... *The Believers Breakfast May 7th and Every 1st Saturday of the month from 10am- 12noon featuring powerful speakers, worship, fellowship and food! There will be a special opening from actor/comedian Jon Cesar. The gathering is free to attend, only pay for what you order. It will be held at Mattie’s Restaurant in the Banquet Room,1412 Fillmore Avenue For more information email www. about.me/godslaw or call Bro. Dewitt at 716-218-8852 or email at godslambs@ gmail.com
Mary B. Talbert Civic and Cultural Club
April 20, 2011
The Mary B. Talbert Civic and Cultural Club will hold their Annual Scholarship Gala on Saturday April 30 at 6 p.m. in the Creekside Banquet Facility. This annual event proceeds will benefit the college scholarship fund. A college scholarship will be presented to a graduating high school student who will enter college in the fall of 2011. In addition, the club will honor five outstanding Community Trailblazers and their contributions to our community. This year’s Honorees are the late Evangelist Velma Jones of the Cold Spring Church of God and Christ, Mary Ruth Kapsiak Educator and V.P. Buffalo School Board, Betty Brewster Neighborhood Activist, Annette Morris President of M & J Associates, Nursing Educator, Director of Education, Research and Innovation at Sheehan Health Network and Vivian Lorraine Jennings, Usher Association Member and ECMC staff member. For tickets and information, contact Priscilla Hill Chairperson, at 916-9489. Cheryl Olive is Club President. CHALLENGERCN.COM • (P) 716 881-1051 (F) 716 881-1053
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entertaiment
ON STAGE
World Premiere:The Buffalo
State Wind Ensemble will perform the world premier of a special arrangement of a work by Karl Boelter, featuring Jacek Muzyk, who is the principal horn of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Rick Fleming, associate professor of music and director of bands, will conduct the concert, which takes place Wednesday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall.Full-time students with ID will be admitted free of charge. General admission is $10.
*The Contours featuring Sylvester Potts,The Riveria Theatre, Sat. April. 30, 7:30 pm, 67 Webster St., N. Tonawanda ; tickets $25 at the Box Office or on line at www.rivieratheatre.org
*Aretha Franklin Seneca Niagara Events Center - Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $55 On sale now. All ages welcome, but under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
*Jazz Jam Sunday 6:30 to 10pm, Cafe @ Masten & Eaton 230 Masten Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209, 716-8832311. Karaoke Tuesdays 8pm with Gordy.
*JAR THE Floor” on stage, Paul Robeson Theatre, April 29 –May 22 (Mother’s Day Dinner Theatre May 8); 350 Masten Ave. 884-2013.
*Oscar Alston Plays the Music of Barry White: Sunday, May 8, Mother’s Day, The New Golden Nugget, Fillmore Ave., showtime 6 p.m.; oscaralston.com *The 10th Annual JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH (JAM) will feature the homecoming Celebration of Buffalo’s own Nasar Abadey and Supernova in concert on Saturday, April 30 at 8 p.m. at The Tralf. An LGL Production, tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door. *UB SPRING FEST April 30 WITH Wiz Khalifa, Nas and Damian, Jr. Gong Marley, Tinie Tempah, Big Sean; Tickets $50 @ UB Alumni Box Office, Starts at 5 p.m. at UB Stadium.
*“The Harriet Tubman Foundation” PRESENTS its Annual Evening of Jazz ,Rhythm @ Blues friday May 6th at Tralf, Featuring joyce carolyn, lonnie harrell, cynthia maxwell, rhythm tackies, sandra gillian@tommy smith trio and shorty long band. tickets are $30.00 Doors open at 7:00pm Showtime 8:00pm tickets on sale at tralf box office and doris records for info contact Renee’ at 936-4506or go to c.reneemc@ hotmail.com *Tank & Avant at Kleinhans Music Hall, Thursday, April l21; Official After Party at Blush, Delaware @ Delavan; Tickets at Kleinhans Box Office and Doris Records. On Stage Listings are Free. Write: The Challenger, On Stage, PO Box 474,, Bflo., NY 14208; or email:
editor@thechallengernews.com
NeNe Calls LaToya ‘Old’; Only Famous for Last Name Another Sunday, another headlinemaking “Celebrity Apprentice” – this time, a blowout between NeNe Leakes and project manager LaToya Jackson. “Don’t you try to act like you’re the reason that we won, because you are not,” the “Real Housewife” shouted. “I worked my ass off while you sat there looking like Casper the Ghost! OK? OK? Let’s be clear. Let’s be clear, Casper. You’ve fooled a lot of people with this, but you have not fooled me. Be gone! Disappear, ghost!” “The only reason you’ve gotten this far is because of your last name,” Leakes shouted, “and you’ve faked it for 50 years. You are very old, and you should act your age and not 12. You are an old lady.” Celebrity Apprentice airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on NBC
April 20, 2011
HYPED! WBLK Radio personality DT enjoy beautiful company as he prepares for a nother year of hosting the upcoming Unsigned Hype Artists Awards Show this weekend.
WBLK’s 2011 Unsigned Hype Artist Awards Show WBLK’s Unsigned Hype Music Awards Show will be held on Saturday, April 23 at Club Paradise, located at 3950 McKinley Parkway. Hosted by popular radiio personality DT, the “Coldspring Cousin,” the awards show is based on radio airplay received by young recording artists who’s commitment to making music is demonstrated by the submission, acceptance and airplay on 93.7 WBLK’s Unsigned Hype. Voting Polls closed Friday April 15 and totals tallied. 2011 Unsigned Hype Award winners will be announced at the ceremony on April 23. May the best artist win. Good luck!Take a look at this years nominees . 2011 Unsigned Hype Awards Nominees Canada- P.Reign - Six Ten - Bishop Brigante - Frankie Payne - Sense A.K.A. New Kid Upstate - Bylle Barz - Ak Reed - L-Biz - Quite Boy - Fosta - Sosh B Unsigned Hype Rnb Artist Of The Year Canada Female - Kim Davis - T.Ana Cole - Andreena Mill Male - Steve Jlin - Chris Stylez B&D Upstate Female - Rachel Palumbo - Tifani Mandie Male - Dave Stewy - Romey - Johnal Biz Aka Harmony Unsigned Hype Producer Of The Year Canada
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- TonE Mason - T-Minus - Mad Mellow, Denisinth & Lil Sosa - Rich Kidd - Nick Zervos Upstate - Dj Shay - Thugzman - L-Biz Ak Reed - Carolinah Blu - Sean Reisch Unsigned Hype Group Of The Year Canada - Angerville - E.A.S.T.S.I.D.E.U.P. A-Game Upstate - Diesel & Deniro - A-Status - Dem Dynasty Boyz Unsigned Hype Single Of The Year Canada - Chris Stylez – Fade Away - P. Reign – When I Get Her - Bishop Brigante – My Style - T.Ana Cole – Back Around - Sense – Too Late - Six Ten – Baby Love Upstate -L.D.M. – Kick Drum -Big World ft. E. Whyte – Headboard -Dem Dynasty Boyz – I bet you I can get her -L-Biz feat. Gee4 JAG & Shannon – We Rock -Mandie & Kenny James – Sexxy -Ak Reed – My City -Quite Boy – Use to Dream Unsigned Hype PEOPLE CHOICE ARTIST OF THE YEAR CANADA - P.REIGN - KIM DAVIS - CHRIS STYLEZ - BISHOP BRIGANTE SENSE Upstate - Ak Reed - Tifani - L-Biz - Big World - Mandie - Quite Boy Unsigned Hype International Artist Of The Year - E. Smith – Greenville, Nc - Toi – Fort Lauderdale, Fl - M-Bass – Raleigh, North Carolina Unsignedhypemusic.Com Video Of The Year - Azzie Ft. Bradd Marquis – This Thing Called Love Dir: Scott Azzie Whitfield - P. Reign – Call My Name Dir: Rt - Fosta – Cyfer Dir: Shooter Jd Era – You Know This Dir: Matte Black - Miz Streetz – Cold Dir: Shooter - Sosh B – No Cosign Dir: H. Imperial Page 13
EDITORIALS
BlackAgendaReport
Earth Day is for Black People “Fish Sandwich and Fries” by Margaret Kimberley
“Our planet is being killed by human activity and there can be nothing more important than insuring the survival of humanity and other species.”
April 22nd is Earth Day, and as it approaches it is important to remember how this event came about. Far from the image of tree hugging mystics, the environmental movement was born as a political one. In 1969 millions of people took to the streets and demanded that their government protect them and their environment from industrial polluters. Members of congress, the so-called “dirty dozen” were targeted for defeat in 1970 and in fact seven of the twelve did lose. Republican president Richard Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency and declared himself an environmental president. Now that the 42nd Earth Day approaches, the dangers of global climate change are worse than any calamity that was imagined in the 1960s and 1970s. New studies show that the extent of the crisis is so severe that the very notion of an Earth able to support life is in danger. The Gulf Stream, the flow of air and water which allows the United Kingdom and other northern European nations to be livable, is growing colder. Melting glaciers are sending fresh water into the ocean and lowering temperatures to such an extent that the Gulf Stream may cease to exist. The dangers caused by rising temperatures will incinerate Africa and other parts of the earth unless something is done quickly. It is important to remember that the difference in world temperature which creates an ice age is but a few degrees. The two degree rise in temperature agreed to in the climate change talks orchestrated by president Obama is enough to create havoc with millions of lives and livelihoods. The continued degradation of the world’s environment is already costing human lives. As strange as it may seem, global warming creates severe winter weather, and is responsible for the harsh European winter just passed and is a forecast of things to come. Nations such as Bangladesh with low-lying land masses are endangered by increased tropical storms and flooding. The earth will reach peak oil levels within the next ten years, and the response to this ongoing crisis is not what it should be. Instead of a planned and urgent response with increased wind and solar energy, our government tells us lies about “clean coal” and states and localities look to fossil fuels from hydro fracking and extraction from Canadian tar sands which create untold dangers to the air and water. For too long, environmental issues have been viewed as “white” and of little or no interest to black America. The facts say otherwise. Environmental racism has long been rampant with industrial pollution being disproportionately located in black communities. Individuals around the country have struggled mightily against these events but there have been insufficient efforts to make environmental racism a priority for organizing and for political discussion. Our planet is being killed by human activity and there can be nothing more important than insuring the survival of humanity and other species. Haiti’s suffering is partly a result of environmental destruction. Its residents have cut down trees for burning and the production of charcoal. While the desperation of that population is understandable, those actions have created a treeless nation even more susceptible to damage from tropical storms. Haiti’s plight is of course partly political, but one of the results is a nation that is less and less able to sustain its population. As always, we must look beyond our borders for solutions. Ecuador is an oil producing nation which is planning to leave the remainder of its vast oil reserves in the ground. This “under developed,” “third world” nation is far ahead of the supposedly advanced United States. The oil and gas industry use Congress and state legislatures to provoke even more damage, and tell us that we have no choice but to poison our water supplies in dubious efforts to get gas from fracking. Charitable contributions from multinational energy corporations do us no good if we are all dead. They will find ways to pay off politicians and black “leaders” while we continue a slow march towards destruction of ourselves and of the planet. It can be difficult to see beyond needs for employment and housing which are so immediate, but Earth Day and the priority of environmental concerns must be taken just as seriously and have to be among the issues which create the movement we so desperately need. Margaret Kimberley’s Freedom Rider column appears weekly in BlackAgendaReport.com, and is widely reprinted elsewhere. She maintains a frequently updated blog as well as at http://freedomrider.blogspot.com. Page 14
Dear Editor: On March 18th I went to a well known and popular place for a Friday Night Fish Fry. I arrived at the site about 6:50 and the place was packed and all of the tables were taken. I noticed a small table available and took a seat. After 10 minutes (about 7:00) a (young) waitress approached and had 2 young men walking behind her. As I prepared to give her my order she asked: “Don’t you want to give them (pointing to the young men) this table and take your order out?” After a brief pause, I responded “NO!” But, I would like to place my order. I placed my order for a Haddock sandwich and fries. She appeared to write the order and then walked away, looking for a place to seat the young men. Since the place was crowded I knew it might be a while for my meal. Around 7:25, I noticed a friend and my cousin taking a table near the order window and I joined them at the larger table. I stopped the waitress who had taken my order and asked her to bring my dinner to the new table. She asked what I ordered and I repeated the order: “Haddock fish sandwich and fries”. She responded you were over there pointing to the small table, I responded yes and she walked away. 7:35 a different waitress came to the table to take my friend and cousins order. I told her my order that I had placed with the other waitress and asked if she could bring it out with the rest of the table. Around 8:00 the waitress delivered my friend and cousins order to the table. She did not see my order at the station. I went to the order window and asked the kitchen manager what was going on with my order which I placed at 7:00pm. She asked me my order and I gave it to her and she stated that it should be coming up. I began to notice people who had came in after me and after my friends getting their meals. I even noticed the youngmen who the waitress asked me to give the table eating dinner. I also noticed people looking at me and whispering, because they also noticed that I had been there asking for and constantly repeating my order. 8:20pm the young waitress came to the table and again asked me my order, for the 3rd time. I asked her what was the problem and if she ever put my order in (Since I wouldn’t give her friends my table)? She responded “I’m through with you” and walked away. I went to the order window and informed the manager what happened and what the waitress said to me. She responded, “You don’t have to tell everybody our business!” I didn’t understand her stateContinued Page 15
Words, Like Friends, Must Be Chosen With Care In an article Iwrote last week, for this newspaper; I talked about how, if the right words are used, can inspire a child or adult. I also talked about how negative words can destroy the spirit of a child or an adult. Unfortunately, in my article, I used examples of negative words in the same paragraph I talked about the positive contribution of one of our assistant principal. I was informed that some of the assistant principal’s friends and relatives incorrectly assumed that I was referring to that particular administrator when I stated that some young African American boys are called derogative names by their friends, teachers or family members. Even though I was making a generalized statement that referred to no one in particular, I have been taught that if one’s words or actions offend another (even BETTY JEAN if the offense was never intended); one must apology to GRANT the person who is offended. So, to the friends and family of Mr. Benjamin Willis, Assistant Principal of East High School ; I extend my sincerest apology to you if I caused you any measure of uneasiness or discomfort. It was never my intention to imply that Mr. Willis did not have a strong Afro centric upbringing. Mr. Ben Willis informed me that his grandfather, Mr. Bennie Fred Willis, played a huge positive role in his life and that even before he attended school, he had a high level of self esteem. Mr. Willis further stated that, as a second grader, he was appreciative that Mrs. Eva Doyle ’s lessons on African American history reinforced the lessons he was already receiving at home. I should also mention that the negative remarks regarding young Black boys that I wrote about in last week’s article were statements that I had heard being made by thoughtless mothers as they brought their sons to my store over the past thirty years. These young, probably stressed out moms seemed to only direct this type of verbal abuse to their male children. It did run through my mind that these young women were probably angry at their son’s father and didn’t even realize how they were making the child the scapegoats for something that might have gone wrong in their adult relationship. When I would hear the mothers talk down to their sons in this manner, I would ask them to step aside, out of the child’s range of hearing and I would tell them that what they were doing were not in the child’s best interest. I would tell them that no child likes to be told that ‘he is dumb or ugly or is no good’. I can also truly say that in all the years of this writer admonishing these moms, not one of them told me to mind my own business. In fact, most, if not all of these women said that they were sorry and that they had not realized how unfair they were being to their children. The We Are Women Warriors Community and Family Empowerment group will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, April 20th at the Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave. Dr. William Small, the author of the book: Strengthening the Family, will be the keynote speaker. This event is free and the public is invited to attend. The We Are Women Warriors Community and Family Empowerment group will focus on assisting families and teachers in making sure that the Buffalo Public School students have a supportive and stable environment in the home as well as in their classrooms. Please call Betty Jean Grant @ 536-7323 for more information about joining the group. The Meaning of The above image/logo, part of the Challenger flag, corresponds to one of the 81 chapters in Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. This particular tetragram corresponds to number 27, defined as “The Skillful Exchange of Information.” (From R.L Wing’s book, The Tao of Power.) “The truth, always the truth--at all costs”
“What is planted cannot be uprooted.What is well embraced cannot slip away.” I CHING
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April 20, 2011
Arts in Corrections... 8 The supreme good is like water, Which nourishes all things without trying to. It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao. In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!
Our favorite person in the whole wide world, Jimmy Atkins, celebrated his 79th birthday recently at the Trinity Towers. He is pictured here with his son Omar and daughter Tracy Bonner. Happy belated and many more Mr. Atkins!
When you are content to be simply yourself And don’t compare or compete, Everybody will respect you.
PARENT POWER continued school days and a longer school year. Now there’s an idea. Let’s keep the same children in the same schools with the same teachers in the same system for a few more hours, so they can not learn that much more! Let’s do more of the same, and look for a different result. Let’s cut to the chase. What he can’t or won’t say, is that every time our children improve scores and make great academic strides, the state raises what’s called the “cut” score, in order to keep failing status for schools, and federal dollars rolling in. They send the constant message to our children that they will never progress, and won’t be allowed to even when they do. He can’t say that the teacher’s union has a stranglehold on hiring, so that we can’t bring in Black men to mentor our boys, or even the little league coaches that they’ve played with for years to continue to coach them in high school sports. The game is certification, regardless of qualification. And if you’ve already cut off our boys academically in earlier years, how many are able to be certified later? It’s a lock out. Dr. Williams won’t say that even the janitors have contracts that prevent you from moving a table in a school unless you’re in their union. He won’t say that the student body is 90% Black and Brown, and that the teaching staff is 90% White women, and that we’ve been fools to think that they would prepare our babies to grow up and compete for jobs with their own. To the extent that any of them actually want to,what does a White woman from Amherst have in common with in an inner city Black boy? The public schools are a huge money pot, bringing in mega federal and state dollars, and serving as the cash cow that feeds the surrounding suburbs. White contractors siphon billions of dollars earmarked for Black construction companies for the renovation of school buildings. Prison personnel wait anxiously, salivating over the steady stream of money provided by young Black bodies in their jails. Recently, teachers moved to codify the cultural slaughter of our children by petitioning the Board to to rescind the law that requires those who teach in the city to live here – despite the fact that the law wasn’t even enforced! Nobody asked us what we thought, or even bothered to inform us of this pending action. Stop. Nobody move. It’s time we remembered who really has the power… people do. It’s time to slay the dragon of the status quo. We haven’t seen the kind of participation from the community in years that we’re seeing now. Kudos to our mighty churches, who have stepped up in the way that only they can, and activated the most stable, ever present structure in our community. They’ll open their doors to receive our children in the event that we need to go ahead with plans to pull our children out of these schools unless we get immediate, effective change. Don’t fret for a moment over the thought of suchdrastic action. How drastic is the problem? If we provided instruction for our children, do you wecould do at least as good (or bad) a job as the schools? Thanks to the Mayor and the legislators who have come out in support of our children. Join us all on May 3rd at the Makowski School, at the corner of Jefferson and Best, where we will take the matter to task. More information to follow. April 20, 2011
FISH & FRIES continued ment and informed her that I was just letting her know what was going on. A minute later, she called out to me from the order window and informed me that the owner told her not to serve me, since I got loud in the restaurant. I was shocked and so were the people at my table and those sitting around the area. I laughed and asked “Am I being “PUNKED”? I said to my cousin and friend that I think I’m going to have to write about this in the Challenger, because this is crazy. Their waitress was standing there and I guess she told the manager what I said. 8:30 the waitress put a plastic bag down in front of me and told me the sandwich was free. I was reluctant to eat the food. But, I was starving by this time. We decided to order drinks and talk while I ate. A few minutes later, the manager asked me to come to the window to explain what had happened to the owner. I went to the window and gave the time frame and events which took place. The manager apologized and stated to the owner that the waitress should be suspended for a few days. As I turned to walk away the owner said “hey, by the way I don’t give a F_ _K if you write something in the Challenger!” “The Mother F_ _king Challenger doesn’t make us and you can write whatever the F_ _K you want!”. Believe it or not this is the short version of what she said. There were several more “F’s” than I care to write. Because I am a Black business owner, I try to support Black businesses whenever possible. But, this is one Black business that I will never again visit. -
-Willie A. Price
Across the country there are a few programs that promote the performing arts, visual arts, and literary arts in prisons. Some are fairly new and others are programs of long standing. Far too many, however, have disappeared because of little or no funding, going by the wayside due to a prevailing notion that such programs are frills and have no place in the prison environment. Since the early 1990’s, a few programs have thrived and achieved national attention as models of success. Arts programs in California, Kansas, Pennsylvania and New York have proven that there is much to be gained from programs that touch and renew the human spirit. “Rehabilitation Through the Arts” (R.T.A.), which started at Sing Sing in 1996 with theater, now includes dance, visual art, voice, and creative writing. R.T.A. has expanded to Bedford Hills, Woodbourne, Green Haven, and Fishkill. Across the nation, some arts programs are going strong while others are limping along, constantly fighting the negative view KARIMA that such programs are a waste of time and money. AMIN Being a storyteller and published author, I have a special interest in writing programs. In the early days of my introduction to NYS prisons, I was often invited to Auburn and Groveland where creative writing was prolific. The writing was powerful, insightful, and penetrating. Later, I was introduced to the essays of George BaBa Eng, which gave me a candid view of his life in prison as well as his opinions regarding the over-arching purview of the prison industrial complex, a racist system that serves the interests of government and commerce while bringing tremendous harm to Blacks and Latinos, poor people, our youth, and others. Writing is powerful. While it can be a vehicle for teaching and learning, it can also instill hope, pride, self-esteem and self-discipline and lead to a productive and redemptive life. The next meeting of Prisoners Are People Too will be on Monday, April 25, 6:30-8:30pm at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo. Our special guest speakers will be three women who were participants in a writing project several years ago at Paradise House, a halfway house for women in Buffalo. This writing project has had a lasting, positive impact for several women who found themselves in “paradise” as an alternative to incarceration. Reflecting on the project’s effectiveness, will be: Rev. Anne Paris, founder/director of Paradise House; Dr. Sharon Amos, Professor of English at the University of Buffalo’s Educational Opportunity Center; and Ms. Raquel Fairfax. The documentary film being screened will be “Freedom Road” by filmmaker Lorna Ann Johnson. This film takes a look at a highly successful writing project, “Woman is the Word,” at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women (Women Make Movies, 2004), in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of PRP2 programs. For further information, contact Karima Amin: 716-834-8438 or karima@prisonersarepeopletoo.org.
Support The MoveOn.org Activist Organization! Three members of the activist group MoveOn.org who were arrested during an an April 7 downtown anti-war protest were allowed to remain free without bail by City Judge Joseph A. Fiorella this morning after they pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges. Nate Buckley, 25, of Massachusetts Avenue, who allegedly was maced and clubbed by Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority police officers during the late afternoon rally outside the M&T Bank building, said he is considering civil action over his alleged mistreatment. About two dozen people appeared in court in court in support of the activists, including Buckley’s father John Buckley, local organizer for MoveOn.org. activist group. The judge appointed noted local attorney Paul Gordon Dell to represent Buckley. Jason A. Wilson, 24, of Summer Street, is being represented by his attorney brother, Jon Ross Wilson and the judge assigned the public defenders office to represent Elliot Zyglis, 27, of Amherst Street. All three have been charged with misdemeanor rioting, trespass and disorderly conduct charges. Fiorella scheduled further proceedings in the case for May 5. In a rally in Niagara Square after the 10 a.m. arraignments, Nate Buckley told his cheering supporters he will not abandon the fight against the U.S. government, which he called the world’s “No. 1 terrorist” organization, big businesses and the three Middle East wars now under way. Their next court date is May 5th at 2 pm in part 6 of Buffalo City court 50 delaware, please come and spread the word. Our next court date is May 5th at 2 pm in part 6 of Buffalo City court 50 delaware, please come and spread the word!
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Super Bowl Athlete Starks Among Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity New Members
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On March 26, 2011, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Theta Sigma Chapter inducted five distinguished men of purpose to its ranks. It is with esteem pleasure, that the Brothers of Theta Sigma Chapter, welcome and congratulate the Neophyte Brothers: Michael Miller employed at Attica Correctional Facility; Daryl Gaston, father of two, employed by the Rochester Police Department; James Starks employed by the Green Bay Packers; Shawn Foster, husband and father of four, employed at Lakeview Correctional Facility; and John Harris employed at the Buffalo School of the Performing Arts. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., on January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The Founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service. The founders deeply wished to create an organization that viewed itself as “a part of” the general community rather than “apart from” the general community. They believed that each potential member should be judged by his own merits rather than his family background or affluence without regard of race, nationality, skin tone or texture of hair. They wished and wanted their fraternity to exist as part of even a greater brotherhood which would be devoted to the “inclusive we” rather than the “exclusive we.” From its inception, the Founders also conceived Phi Beta Sigma as a mechanism to deliver services to the general community. Rather than gaining skills to be utilized exclusively for themselves and their immediate families, the founders of Phi Beta Sigma held a deep conviction that they should return their newly acquired skills to the communities from which they had come. This deep conviction was mirrored in the Fraternity’s motto, “Culture For Service and Service For Humanity.” Theta Sigma Chapter vigorously supports many Western New York activities including our Sigma Beta Club, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Dine Out for Life, Roswell Park, Prostate Awareness, Adopt a Highway, Juneteenth and Voter Registration drive. We also support our sister organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and their host of diverse programs. Brothers, you have shown yourselves worthy, “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity”. HAPPY EASTER!
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Dear Eve: I don’t know what to do. I’m at my wit’s end. My husband will not sweep a floor, wash a dish, change a diaper, or even vacuum for me. Shown Left to Right: Brothers Michael Miller, Darrell Gaston, James Stark, hawn Foster, John Harris, Howard Smith (Pres.)
It could be partly my fault. When we began our married life fifteen years ago, I was a clean freak, so naturally I insisted on doing all the work round the house. At the time I didn’t think anyone could clean as well as I could. Having done that, I feel like a fool now. However, all that began fifteen years ago. I was younger then, and I had more energy then.. I didn’t need the help then~ I need some help now, especially since we have three children. What can I do or at least undo to get some help from my husband? JoAnn
First row; Ron Hicks, Chigbo Ilogu, Michael Miller, Woodrow Heslip, Darrell Gaston, James Stark, Shawn Foster, John Harris, Bryan Faulkner Jamil Crews, Second Row; Donald Bass, Rev. Bruce Burton, Howard Smith (Pres), Ivor Baker II, James Baines, Ivor Baker Sr. Pete Gulley
Dear JoAnn: I sympathize with you. You are not alone. In the early stage of marriage, many of us had the tendency to do some foolish things. Why did it take you so long (fifteen years) to recognize it? You are definitely not a fool. When we were young, we didn’t realize that we couldn’t see that far down the road. Consequently there is usually an avenue left open. Why not play a game with your loving family giving each one a chore? Each person (including your husband) will demonstrate how well he/she can do the job with diligence and with love. Then at the end of the year of course, there will be a prize for the winner. Try it. It works. One of them or possibly all of them will be asking for more chores. Even if they don’t, at least everyone should be happy while keeping in mind that it’s only a game. The point is: everyone could win.
WUFO’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 23, Mt. Olive Baptist 701 East Delavan Ave.
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While all of this is going on - start praying for your husband to win the game (s-m-i-l-e). And read your bible. You may find comfort by beginning with Philippians 4:11 & 13 11. Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be Content. 13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. April 20, 2011
bidS
Employment
Board of Education Buffalo, New York Division of Purchase 716-816-3585
Director of Community Development. Lead Community Development Dept. in marketing/media & special events. Grant writing. Resumes to HR, WNYIL, 3108 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214. EOE
**Sealed proposals will be received in Room 816 City Hall
Community Leaders and Local Elected Officials Call on Verizon to Address the Digital Divide: On Monday, April 18 a coalition
discover allenhurst bid S
Affordable monthly rent based On 30%of your gross annual Wages and utility allowance Deduction. Updated 2 bedroom Townhomes. Attached garages. Private entrances. Appliances Included. Laundry hookups. Amherst School District. Metro & Bus lines. Convenient location.Sec. 8 affordable housing. 42A Oxford Avenue Amherst, NY 14226 838-5850 or 853-1548 realabrese@mjpeterson.com www.mjpeterson.com
of elected leaders (Mayor Byron Brown, NYS Senator Tim Kennedy, NYS Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, City Councilmember’s Darius Pridgen & Demone Smith) along with labor leaders (Jim Wagner -CWA , Mike Hoffert- AFL-CIO), community advocates (CEJ), justice organizations (Frank Mesiah – NAACP),, clergy members and concerned citizens stood together to request that Verizon commit to bring FiOS into the City of Buffalo. The deployment of broadband technologies is a key to economic redevelopment in the City, especially since health care and higher education, both very dependent on cutting edge technologies, are leading employers in our area. If Verizon continues to bypass Buffalo, residential consumers, children, and area businesses won’t be able to thrive in the 21st century economy. Mayor Byron Brown said “I’ve talked with Verizon officials numerous times regarding this issue and I’ve made it clear to them that our residents want FIOS in the city of Buffalo.”For more information on the Coalition and the Don’t ByPass Buffalo Campaign you can visit the website: www.DontBypassBuffalo.com.
EAST SIDE APARTMENTS AVAILABLE *Two and Three Bedroom Apartments starting at $395 plus security. Apartments Section 8 Ready. Call 836-8686.
TO ADVERTISE CALL 881-1051 FAX 881-1053 EMAIL
advertising@thechallengernews.com
Craig A. Koeppel Director of Purchase
Scrufari Construction Co.
seeking M/WBE subcontractors to quote New York Power Authority – Concrete Repair of the Structures Foundation at Niagara Switchyard. Bid Date: May 2l, 2011 EEO Employer 282-1225
INVITATION TO BID
ATTENTION FORMER COKE OVEN EMPLOYEES Coke oven emissions from Bethlehem Steel, Donner Hanna and other Western New York coke oven facilities are a potent cause of lung cancer and other cancers. If you or a family member is suffering from or died as a result of a cancer from work on coke oven batteries, you may be able to file a legal claim against the manufacturers of coke ovens and collect significant financial compensation.
ONE WESTERN NEW YORK LAW FIRM HAS EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA LIPSITZ & PONTERIO, LLC
We are Located in Downtown, Buffalo, NY
Call Us Today: 716-849-0701 www.lipsitzponterio.com
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April 20, 2011
On: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM for BID #1011-068 ADOBE SOFTWARE LICENSES FOR ADULT LEARNING CENTER On: Friday, May 6, 2011 at 2:00 PM for RFP #10-11-069 STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM Specifications and bid forms are available at www.buffaloschools.org/PurchaseDept.cfm
The NFTA is soliciting construction bids for Project No. 12BA1101, BNIA –Airside Pavement Maintenance 2011, Bid No. E-468 on May 10, 2011. www.nftaengineering.com
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:
Case Manager
Full-time Case Manager to utilize internal and external resources to assist older adults to function at an optimum level through comprehensive assessment, care planning, linkage with essential services and monitoring of service delivery outcomes. Maintains active caseload of no less than 50 and ensures all services are in compliance with contract requirements. Schedules and facilitates service plan reviews, evaluates the advances and barriers to intervention effectiveness, develop new intermediary goals and acts as an advocate for clients in dispute resolution. Incumbent will be a resource regarding services including but not limited to emergency relief, housing, eligibility/securing entitlements and caregiver support. Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, counseling, or related field and minimum 5 years directly related experience. Interested, qualified candidates may forward resume cover letter with Job # 201123 to:
Catholic Charities
741 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209, Attn: Human Resources. EOE/M/F
Tuesdays 12 NOON - 1 P.M.
advertising pays
bidS Notice of Invitation to Submit a proposal for Architectural Services HEART Foundation is seeking qualified architectural firms for design services for the re-development of a 25,000 sq building located at 642 Broadway Avenue, Buffalo, New York. The project scope will include (34) residential units and support space. Proposals shall include the following: past experience on similar projects, organization chart highlighting all key team members and resumes, proposed sub-consultants, design fee schedule. All clarifications and questions shall be submitted via e-mail to the Construction Manager. Contact: Creative Structures Services, Inc. 700 Parkside Avenue, Suite 100 Buffalo, New York 14216 (716) 882-1226 or russellk@cssconstruction.biz Proposals are due on April 29, 2011
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On-Going Events DANCE
Dance Lessons with Smooth Steppers: Urban Line Dance, smooth style Ballroom, Steppin’ and Swing; CRUCIAL Center, 230 Moselle St., Saturdays at noon; Tuesdays at 6 p.m. $3; 633-7813. *Line Dancing With Pearl Harris: 6-7 p.m. Pratt Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt St. donation $2. Wednesdays *Community Dance and African Drumming Classes: African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Avenue, 3 p.m. Saturdays and 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; $15 monthly; visit www.africancultural.org more information *Line Dancing Lessons, First Shiloh Baptist Church, 15 Pine St., 6:30 p.m. Fridays. 847-6555. Free. *Line Dance Lessons: 10 a.m.-Noon; Martha Mitchell Center, 175 Oakmont St.; 444-2046 or 833-1038, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday 6-7:30 pm; $2 *Line Dance by George Patterson: 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 896-7021, Mondays & Thursdays. *June-Teenth Afrikan Family Time Drum Dance and Song: 6-8:30 p.m.; GatewayLongview Family Resource Center, 347 Ferry Street. Fridays * Argentine Tango Every Monday with Travis Widrick 7 - 10 p.m. 1st hour beginners lesson,The Gallery @ Chow Chocolat, 731 Main St. *Salsa Night Every Wednesday with Calvin and Fanny 7 - 10 p.m .1st hour beginners lesson The Gallery @ Chow Chocolat 731 Main St. *Latin Night 1st/3rd Friday with Chun Poh, Salsa, Merengue, ChaCha, Bachata 8 p.m.- midnight, Chow Chocolat 731 Main St. *Urban Ballroom Stepping, Swing, Beginners Salsa (all classes $3, 633-7813); Tuesdays 6-7 p.m. Urban Line Dancing; 7-8 p.m. Ballroom Stepping; Saturdays 1-3 p.m. Ballroom Stepping, West Coast Swing, Beginners Salsa. *Urban Line Dance: Learn some of the latest hot line dances,Mondays Old 600 Club, Mondays 7-9 p.m.; Wednesdays 6:15-8 p.m., ,St. Philips 15 Fernhill.
POETRY
*Open Mic Poetry: 6:30-9 p.m.; EM Tea Coffee Cup Café, 80 Oakgrove St.
EXERCISE
*Senior Fitness Class: 9:45-10:45 a.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan; 896-7021; Wednesdays *Exercise for Health: 9:30-10:30; Edward A. Saunders Center, 2777 Bailey Avenue; 332-4381 Thursdays *Open Gym: 5-8 p.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan; 896-7021. Fridays *Tae-Kwan-do: 6-8 p.m.; Delavan Grider Center, 877 E. Delavan; 896-7021. Mondays & Fridays Page 18
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April 20, 2011
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Wednesday April 20
Friday April 22
Thursday April 28
Erie County Prisoners’ Rights Coalition Holding Center Demonstration: 5-6 p.m.; Strategy Meeting, 14 Allen St. 6-7 p.m.
First Shiloh Good Friday Fish Fry: 3-7 p.m., dine in or take out.847-6555 to order.
HOME 48th Anniversary Celebration: 5 p.m. cocktails; 6 p.m. program; Buffalo Niagara Convention Center;
Track and Field Fundraising Skating Party: New Skateland; 33 E. Ferry; 6-9 p.m., $5; 837-4980.
Saturday April 30
Annual Holy Week Christian Institute: St. John Baptist Church, 184 Goodell St.; 852-4504 Thursday April 21: Family Film Festival: Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson, 3-5 p.m.; 847-6010 or 5339547. Grant Writing Workshop: 9am-5 p.m., Museum of Science, 10-20 Humboldt Parkway; to register call 882-0602 or email at trlewis@city-buffalo.com
Saturday April 23 Movie Matinee Central Library: 1 p.m.; Central Library Ring of Knowledge Main Floor; 1 Lafayette Sq.; movie: Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe; free; call 858-8900.
Financial Fortitude Summit: 8:15 a.m. registration; 9 a.m.; Bennett High School, 2885 Main St.; keynote address Michelle Singletary; free; advanced registration encouraged.
Design Bookends for the Library: 2 p.m.; Central Library, 1 Lafayette Sq.; call 585-8900. Monday April 25: Prisoners Are People Too; April 25, 422 Pratt St. Wednesday April 27 Health & Healing Circle Open House: CAO. 70 Harvard Placel; 3-5:30 pm; 903-3290 or 881-5150. Board of Education Regular Board Meeting: 5:30 p.m.; City Hall Rm 801.
a promiSe for a BriGhter future Supported by President Obama, the U.S. Department of Education pledged 21 Promise Neighborhoods Planning Grants to develop a plan to
please Join us for a Community meeting
learn about the Buffalo promise neighborhood and Give us your input.
provide aid to neighborhoods across the country. Out of 339
Saturday, april 30, 2011, 10:00am – 12:30pm
applicants, the Buffalo Promise
WeStminSter Community Charter SChool 24 WeStminSter avenue, Buffalo, ny
Neighborhood was selected to be a recipient of a planning grant. This amazing opportunity requires community support as we prepare to provide academic and family/community services while focusing on three schools Westminster Community Charter School, Highgate Heights, and Bennett HS.
Continental Breakfast at 9:30am
Featured Speakers: mark Czarnecki, President, M&T Bank dr. yvonne minor-ragan, Principal, Westminster Community Charter School RSVP: Buffalo Urban League 716-250-2400 Please let us know if childcare is required
get Involved • embrace opportunIty • make a dIfference April 20, 2011
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April 20, 2011