INSIDE ROCHESTER
Project Ready is a college preparation program funded by the National Urban League. The Urban League of Rochester’s Project Ready Program provides intensive college preparation services to African American males in grades 8-12 who demonstrate the potential to achieve high grades and who need additional support services to help them access college.
Around Town Caribbean FilmFest Fridays
Urban League Of Rochester’s Project Ready Participants Meet With Secretary Of Education The Urban League of Rochester’s Project Ready Youth participants were selected to meet with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for a roundtable discussion on the topic of “High School and College Completion”. The discussion took place on Friday, June 17th at the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. Ten current and alumni Urban League of Rochester Project Ready youth met with Secretary Duncan and his staff to discuss the current state of education in the Rochester Community and to present recommendations on initiatives to assist students to complete high school, and to transition into and complete college. The Urban League’s Project Ready program was selected based on the students’ presentation at the “Project Ready Youth Summit” held in May 2011, as well as their participation in the “Voices in Action: National Youth Summit” held at Howard University in February 2011. President Obama has set a goal that by 2020 the United States will lead the world in college completions. The National Youth Summit brought together students from across the country to discuss the President’s goal and to help shape strategies to achieve that goal.
School’s Out For Summer..... By the time you read this, my youngest child will be sleeping in today. We are both exhausted. Somehow, I survived the last day of school. I’m running on empty and need a good month’s vacation from the end of the school year. I made it through school fundraisers, field trips, room parties, recitals, band and chorale concerts, sporting practices and events, dance recitals, musical lessons, planning special events and her Moving On Up Ceremony. Happy to report, I kept it together and came MARSHA closing to crying a few times. My daughter won an award and her best friend gave a great class speech. I’ve been a JONES room parent to my child’s class for four years and have watched them all grow up. In addition to these activities, I have kept my creativity flowing with my 4-1-1 column, outside writing projects, and volunteer work.
All films take place at 7 p.m. The Baobab Cultural Center, 728 UniverToday, I’m contemplating what my summer may be like. I get to sleep in sity Avenue. *Friday June 24: “The Price of more (I hope). There will be new house rules for summer because while they sleep, I will still be writing. My one-act play Generic Moms.Com. will be Sugar” staged the weekend of August 26-27, by Mood Makers Books for its event An *Sunday, July 3: Salute: 13th Annual Evening of Theatre & Jazz. My newest novel, Pin Pals will be out this Fall. I MAAFA: Day of Remembrance: will be fighting for computer time with my kids and I’ll spend more time in Durand Eastman Park off of Lakeshore my garden. The balmy weather doesn’t hurt either. No alarm clock to turn off. Blvd. 4 to 6 p.m.. Event is free. There No permission slips to sign and no homework to check. I hope to sit outside will be a keynote speaker, African on my front porch and read more. Have some books selected to read. I don’t drumming and dance, libation and want to think about book reports, algebra, or science for the next 30 days. much more. The event commemorates the struggles and triumphs of people of I know I’ll hit Corn Hill, Niagara Falls, the Shaw Festival, The Rochester African descent world wide. Attendees MusicFest, the Gateways Music Festival, the African American Festival, Sting are asked to wear white and bring Football games (Kudos to them! They won their season opener 16-15 against flowers and a lawn chair. Refresh- Lackawanna), Clarissa Street, Carifest, ride the Mary Jemison and the Sam ments will be served. For more info, Patch, attend a wine tasting or two, and some area beaches. There’s a lot to call 234-1641 or e-mail theMaafa@ do. The point is to get out and enjoy the weather. Yahoo.com. My daughters and I will be doing day trips, festivals, visits to the museum and the planetarium, taking boat rides, checking out theatre, reading books, watching movies, planting, listening to music and playing outside. My DVR will be running overtime. Every now and then, we’ll do nothing. That’s fine by me.
Are You Registered to VOTE?
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.
For more information, call 262-8140 or visit www.rcsdk12.org/prek /choice
CHALLENGERCN.COM • (P) 716 881-1051 (F) 716 881-1053
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HESTE OC
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Register your child today for classes beginning this September!
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.
D O LJUNE 22, 2011
Every child is a work of art. Create a masterpiece.
A rea Bri efs
Grassroots Makes First Round of Candidate Endorsements
DR. WILLIAMS
Is the Board of Ed Trying to Fire Dr. Williams?
According to reliable sources, an emergency meeting of the Board of Education has been called to fire School Superintendent Dr. James Williams today, (Wednesday June 22) despite the fact that the Board accepted his decision to retire next year. The meeting will be held at City Hall in Room 801 at noon.The community is urged to attend!
Visionary
Political Wire (Buffalo, NY) -The decision of the Nominating Committee is based on the candidate’s ability to meet the following criteria: 1- knowledge and opinion of how the municipal body they represent operates, expertise and involvement in community & constituent related activities, 2- top platform issues and if they are realistic and attainable, 3- ability to deliver resources, success, build coalitions and meet regularly with community stakeholders now and after election, 4- the candidates electability and commitment to improving the functioning and operation of the municipal body they represent and finally 5- the candidates record of supporting issues of grave concern that attribute to the growth and development of this community. After a series of meetings and in-depth discussions with several local candidates Grassroots, Inc. is proud to announce the following endorsements to date: Buffalo Common Council: Darius G. Pridgen - Ellicott District, Bonnie E. Russell -University District Demone A. Smith -Masten District The Buffalo Common Council is vested with all legislative powers for the City of Buffalo and the power to confirm the Mayor’s major administrative appointments. Council members are elected to a four year term. Buffalo City Court: Robert Russell Buffalo City Court holds the essential obligation to provide a system of civil justice that affords access to all of its citizens irrespective of income or any other potential barriers. “Equal access to justice means courts that work for everyone.” Erie County Legislature: Barbara Miller Williams The work of the legislature involves taking action on communications from the County Executive, the various county departments and agencies, other governments, the public, and the legislators themselves. Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples Stokes (141st A.D.) and Chairwoman of Grassroots said “This endorsement by Grassroots, Inc. will enhance the infrastructure currently in place so that the residents of the City of Buffalo will have improved access to resources and tools that government provides. The ability of the aforementioned to connect with small businesses, institutions of higher education, healthcare facilities and more importantly the “people” showcases an integral part of the superior public service these individuals have already displayed!!”
Creating jobs and opportunity is at the core of St. John Baptist Church and Rev. Michael Chapman’s vision for the community, as he shares an update since first revealing his expansive $500 million Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative one year ago...
I
t’s been a year since Rev. Michael Chapman, pastor of St. John Baptist Church, revealed his visionary $500 million neighborhood revitalization initiative. Creating jobs and opportunity and bringing hope to a community which has historically been neglected over the years – especially African American males who are experiencing the highest unemployment rate in the country right now, is no easy task. But a determined and faithful Rev. Chapman is methodically implementing his plan to create new jobs for people who really need them. His initiative is projected to create 15,000 jobs over the next 10 years, he said. “There’s not another project like this anywhere in the country.” In recent weeks, he has been the subject of headline articles in two major newspapers for his efforts to revitalize the Fruit Belt neighborhood. Last week he and his church were cited as a national example of Faith-based organizations that sought and used federal funds effectively at U.S Senator Kristen E. Gillibrand’s second annual faith-based legislative summit in Washington, D.C. During the conference Rev. Chapman urged the over 175 faith leaders from across the state in attendance, to develop a plan that puts community first – and them make it happen. He called St. John’s program “the most comprehensive urban development model anywhere in the country.” A senior advisor to Gillibrand confirmed Chapman and St. John’s progressive efforts, noting that the church was also an excellent example of faith based institutions which worked well with various levels of government. -Do For SelfSt. John’s is impressively progressive, with more than a dozen nonprofit corporations it is affiliated with, including a private /Christian School, a charter school, property development and maintenance organizations. St. John has Grassroots, Inc. will host a series of interviews for Candidates who are cur- set up 14 corporations to handle each aspect of its community projects. rently circulating Nominating Petitions for Supreme Court, Family Court, City Rev Chapman’s vision is a real “do for self” model in that St. John is taking Court, Buffalo Common Council, City of Buffalo Comptroller, Erie County the imitative to make positive change, then proposing to train people and put Legislature, Erie County Clerk & Erie County Executive. The Nominating them to work. Committee will meet with candidates beginning on Wednesday, June 23rd “This is not about making money. This is about putting people to work,” he from 6:00-8:00pm and continuing until the process is complete. told Business First in an extensive interview in their May 27-June 2 issue. The decision of the Nominating Committee will be based on the candidate’s “We determine who to hire,” he was quoted as saying later in the Buffalo ability to meet certain pre-established criteria that will evaluate their level of News. expertise and qualifications to meet the requirements for the job. Last summer St. John broke ground on a building for the Entrepreneurship Please call 716.245-5273 for more information and to scheudle an interview and Leadership Training Facility at Jefferson and High Streets. The building , or you can send your request via email to: grassrootsofbuffalo@gmail.com which is now leasing, presently houses the church’s corporate offices, a church . sponsored boxing team and the Fruit Belt East Side Leadership & Business Academy. A $50,000 community reinvestment grant from Plans HSBC Bank helped with the renovations. The revitalization initiative includes building new housing for 150 resiGrassroots, Inc., a leading civic and political organization is embracing efforts by Charlie King, Executive Director of the NYS Democratic Party and dents at the McCarley Gardens subsidized housing complex (built by the St. Governor Andrew Cuomo to bring unity to the local Democratic Party serving John Fruit Belt Community Development Corp.), the construction of senior Buffalo and Erie County. Erie County has the largest number of democratic residential buildings, a youth facility and an entrepreneurial business training facility. The training program will involve identifying unemployed residents voters outside of New York City and its suburbs. Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes and Chairwoman for Grassroots and putting them through five months of job training. Those who complete stated, “When Democrats are united and we stand together, our efforts to improve the program will get a job building the first townhouse projects. St. John and neighborhoods, access to good health care, schools, and good jobs are achievable.” its affiliated groups will be responsible for the costs in the development and Masten District Council Member Demone Smith, “I am ready to work closely training phaseAdditionally, there will be jobs created through the Leadership & with the local and state officials of the Democratic Party to elect candidates that Continued Page 11
Grassroots, Inc. Announces Candidate Interviews
Grassroots, Inc. Joins Effort to Unify Erie County Dems
FAMILY FISHING DAY! George Johnson of the Buffalo United Front helps a young angler during last year’s highly successful Family Fishing Day. The event takes place again this Saturday, June 25 from 7am-7pm, at Broderick Park, 1170 Niagara St. (foot of Ferry). Donations of new and used fishing reels and or equipment is still being accepted. The event is free to the children. Call 818-3410 to arrange for pickup.
JUNE 22, 2011
Continued Page 5
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NEWS UPDATE
“Coalition of Demons”
Farrakhan Blasts UN and US War on Libya & Africa
When reading is a struggle, so is life. How does low-literacy feel? Often, it’s disorienting, especially when even simple road signs are a mystery. But the Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education Division is doing something about this. We’ve been helping Western New York residents improve their levels of literacy for years, and we can help you or your loved one, too. With the ability to succeed on a daily basis comes the ability to succeed for a lifetime.
Read. Learn. Succeed.
8 8 8 -7 0 8 8
Visit www.upskill.org
Dr. James A. Williams, Ed. D., Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools
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At a press conference last Wednesday (6/15)near the United Nations headquarters in New York, Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, in a press conferene last week, expressed support for Libyan leader Muammar Al Qathafi and condemned the NATOled bombing of Libya, UN-sanctioned military strikes and operations against the North African nation. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark also addressed the press and called for an end to the strikes and the war on Libya. Minister Louis Farrakhan lambasted the U.N., the U.S., and the “coalition of demons” that he said makes up NATO. He accused them of trying to assassinate Muammar Al Qathafi, the third time they have tried to do it, he said, and promote regime change in Libya. He drew comparisons between what the Libyan people have achieved under the Al Qathafi government and the shortcomings in most of the nations now trying to oust the Libyan leader, particularly the US, Britain, France and Italy where unemployment is high and, unlike the Libyan people, many are homeless. Farrakhan said the United Nations and its 15-member Security Council, who he referred to as “the terror council,” have no legitimate right to exist for passing the resolution that has allowed NATO to take military action in Libya. The Muslim clergyman said he was at the conference to discuss the current state of affairs in Libya, and the actions taken by the UN with respect to the UN Resolution 1973. He said he was addressing his remarks to the United Nations and all those who have joined in destroying the Libyan leader, Muammar Al Qathafi and the Libyan Jamahiriyah. Requesting justification for such an action by the UN Security Council, against Al Qathafi, he asked that if the resolution was taken to protect the civilian population of Libya from the so-called evil intentions of the leader in Libya, why then is NATO, under the auspices of the Security Council forgetting about humanitarian concerns and now using Resolution 1973 as a pretext to assassinate Muammar Al Qathafi and create regime change. He went on to ask the UN why it is fostering, through NATO, armed rebellion to create civil war, knowing that in a civil war, the humanitarian concerns go out the window. He said the actions of NATO, along with the US, Qatar, Canada, Britain, France and Italy and members of the Arab League engaging in the errant behavior are creating conditions that will ultimately bring about the destruction of the UN and all those engaged in this action, blinded by arrogance and the sense of power of these nations that they can do what they will. Minister Farrakhan praised Muammar Al Qathafi’s leadership of Libya and the revolution, that was achieved in a bloodless coup 41 years ago, when he replaced the former king who was a friend of those who were sucking the blood of Libya and nationalises oil, one must ask the question of who did his actions help, and who did his actions hurt? He said this hurt those who for the first time had to pay a fair price for Libya sweet crude, the highest quality oil in the world, which meant that the people of Libya could, from the sale of their oil, better their quality of life. He encouraged the Libyan leader to resist pressure from so-called friendly states, for him to step aside. “What has Muammar Al Qathafi done to deserve what this united coalition of demons is putting on him?” Farrakhan said. “They say he has lost the moral right (to rule) because he has killed his own people. But you have never proved that charge. Check the record,” he said. A Libyan diplomat who disavowed Al Qathafi’s government earl in the days of the conflict in Libya, and who attended the conference along with others who are based at the U.N. Headquarters took issue with Farrakhan’s characterisation of the leader as blameless. He claimed that Libyan forces loyal to the Libyan leader had indeed killed unarmed protesters. Farrakhan said if only China or Russia - both veto-wielding permanent mem bers, joined the initial condemnation - had vetoed, and not were among countries abstaining when military action was authorised, “none of this would have happened.” “Has the West promised you some of what they plan to steal from Libya?” he asked of the two countries, suggesting that the developed world is interested Continued Page 14
CHALLENGERCN.COM • (P) 716 881-1051 (F) 716 881-1053
JUNE 22, 2011
HEALTH MATTERS
Black Leadership Commission on AIDS to sponsor Dialogue on African American Men BLCA of Buffalo and MOCHA Center Present Forum The Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (BLCA) of Buffalo in collaboration with The MOCHA Center will sponsor a community dialogue that focuses on African American men. The forum, “Stigma, Shame, Denial, Discrimination, inaction, Misaction,” will be held on Tuesday, June 28, at the Buffalo Science Museum Auditorium, 1120 Humboldt Parkway, Buffalo, from 5:30.-7:30 p.m. The evening’s dialogue will focus on the state of African American men in the City of Buffalo and the health and socioeconomic factors and barriers that directly impact African American men. The evening’s events include a panel discussion moderated by Superintendent Matthew Brown, Pastor of Pentecostal Temple and Chair of the BLCA of Buffalo Ecumenical Committee. Invited panelists include Stephaun Wallace (MOCHA Center); Hon. Robert Russell; Dr. L. Nathan Hare (CAO); Vernon Ray Blue (DOH); and Rev. Gerald Williams (Unity Church). The evening will be highlighted by keynote speaker, The Rev. Alicia Toby-Heath, of Newark, New Jersey. This event is free and open to the general public. Women are strongly encouraged to attend; this is our community working together! The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc.’s mission is to inform, coordinate and organize the volunteer efforts of the indigenous Black leadership, including clergy, elected officials, medical practitioners, business professionals, social policy experts, and the media to meet the challenge of fighting HIV/AIDS in their local communities. Rev. Dr. James A. Lewis, III and Rev. Dr. William Gillison are the Affiliate Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
Japan Scientist Creates Meat Who’s Infected with HIV? from Human Feces Did you know that about 33.3 milIt's being called the "poop burger." Japanese scientists have found a way to create artificial meat from sewage containing human feces....giving new defenition to the saying “you are what you eat...”
GRASSROOTS continued
share my vision for a brighter innercity of Buffalo. I strongly support this effort to bring party unity and hope to the residents of the Masten District and beyond. Ellicott District Council Member and Pastor, Rev. Darius Pridgen added, “Our community is ready for a stronger relationship with the local, state, and national Democratic Party. Together we can help bring funds to our neighborhoods for our youth, seniors, cultural organizations, and small businesses.” Hon. Barbara Miller-Williams, Chairwoman of the Erie County Legislature stated, “I am very hopeful that with a united Democratic Party that we can work together to protect services for those in need and create good paying jobs and opportunities for our residents. This is a great moment for our community, region, and the democratic party.” Grassroots, Inc. has been in existence for nearly 30 years and has played a critical role in the election of numerous candidates not only in the City of Buffalo & Erie County but has been successful in our support of candidates across the State of New York and this Country .
lion people are infected with HIV? Cases in selected regions (in millions) include: *Sub-Saharan Africa, 22.5 million; *East, South & Southeast Asia 4.9 million; *Latin America & Caribbean 1.6 *North America 1.5 million *Eastern Europe & Central Asia 1.4 million *Western & Central Europe 0.8 million
Most of USA Will Miss Lunar Eclipse The year’s first total eclipse of the moon will be seen around he globe but won’t be visible in most of the USA. The period when Earth’s shadow completely blocks the moon will last one hour and 40 minutes. The last time the moon was covered that long was in July 2000, when it lasted about 7 minutes longer
Coretta Scott King’s Sister Dies
65966_Fuel_CIPPublicNoticeAd / BW / 6” x 10” / Pub: Buffalo Challenger
NOTICE OF PUBLIC STATEMENT HEARINGS ON NATIONAL FUEL GAS DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION’S CONSERVATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold public statement hearings to hear comments or proposals from the public relating to National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation’s Conservation Incentive Program (CIP). The CIP is an established energy efficiency program that provides rebates to residential and non-residential customers who purchase and install energy efficient appliances, funds outreach and education efforts, and also offers assistance to low income customers through a Low Income Usage Reduction Program administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. In 2010, the PSC approved, with modifications, an extension of the CIP for its fourth year ending November 30, 2011. The public statement hearings will be held on Wednesday, July 6 and Thursday, July 7, 2011, before Administrative Law Judge Michelle L. Phillips, at the following locations and times:
Buffalo
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Library Auditorium* One Lafayette Square Buffalo, New York 14203 *Auditorium
entrance is on Clinton Street, at the northwest corner of the Clinton and Ellicott Street intersection.
Cheektowaga
Thursday, July 7, 2011 2:00 PM Cheektowaga Town Hall Town Council Chambers 3301 Broadway Cheektowaga, New York 14227
Amherst
Thursday, July 7, 2011 7:00 PM Amherst Municipal Building Town Council Chambers 5583 Main Street Williamsville, New York 14221
Persons will be called to speak after completing a request card that will be available at the hearing. All comments at the hearings will be transcribed and become part of the PSC’s formal record. You are not required to make an appointment in advance or present written material to speak at the hearing. Disabled persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Management Office at (518) 474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711 to reach the Department of Public Service’s Human Resource Office at the previously mentioned number. Other Ways of Commenting Writing: Those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at a public statement hearing may send comments electronically to Hon. Jaclyn A. Brilling, Secretary, at secretary@dps.state.ny.us, or by writing to Secretary Brilling at the Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York 12223-1350. Such comments should refer to Case 07-G-0141– National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation Rates – Conservation Incentive Program and Case 07-M-0548 – Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard. Toll-Free Opinion Line: You may call the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers 24 hours a day. Callers should select English or Spanish and press “1” to leave comments about National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation’s CIP. Internet: Comments may also be made by e-mail using the “PSC Comment Form” in the “Consumer Assistance” file on the Commission’s website at http://www.dps.state.ny.us or via the “Contact Us” link at http://www.AskPSC.com. Many libraries offer free Internet access. Comments should be submitted or mailed and postmarked no later than Thursday, July 21, 2011. Comments received by the Commission will be placed in the public case file and may be accessed on the PSC’s website (www.dps.state.ny.us) by searching Case 07-G-0141 or 07-M-0548. Persons interested in learning more about the CIP may download a copy of the PSC’s most recent order extending the CIP from the PSC’s website at http://documents.dps.state.ny.us/public/Common/ViewDoc. aspx?DocRefId={196298AC-7B85-4B75-8FB8-54F82DA061D4}. This matter is being heard in Case 07-G-0141 – Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules and Regulations of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation for Gas Service and in Case 07-M0548 – Proceeding on Motion of the Commission Regarding an Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard.
Edythe Scott Bagley, the older sister of Coretta Scott King died on Saturday at her home in Cheney, Pa. She was a retired professor of theater arts at Cheney University and a member of the board of directors for the Atlantabased King Center.
JACLYN A. BRILLING Secretary
JUNE 22, 2011
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6/15/11 4:34 PM
Summer Day Camp
Annual Tea
The WH&OM society Supply dept of Walls Memorial AME Zion Church, 455 Glenwood v. will have heir annual ink Tea on Sunday, June 26 at 4 pm. A presentation of Rosa Parks will be followed by a parade of fashions. Donation is only $10 for adults and children 5-10 is $5.For more in formation call the church at 886-6527. Rev. G. Michael Tydus is pastor.
Love Alive Church will be having their annual Summer Day Camp, July 11th-August 19th Mon-Fri 8am-4pm. Camp Site at 161 Germain Street in Buffalo. There will be Music, Dance, Drill, Swim, Biblical Lessons, School Review & much more. Ages 5-11 are welcome. Please contact Mareshah Bowens-Camp Director @ (716) 5414689 for more information.
Annual Auxiliaries in Ministry Conference
ATTENTION WOMEN!
Under the leadership of Jurisdictional Presiding Prelate, Bishop Glenwood H. Young, the annual Auxiliaries in Ministry Conference will be held June 20-24 at the McCoy Convention Center, 643 Clinton Street. For more information call 831-8828.
Calvary CME Celebrates 91st Anniversary! Calvary C..E. Church, located at 1007 Ellicott Street, will celebrate its 91st Church Anniversary on Sunday, June 26. The theme for this celebration is “It’s a Set Up!” (Joel 2:28-32). The guest preacher for the 10:30 am Worship Service will be Rev. Kere’ UY. (Patterson) Boyd. Rev. Boyd is the assistant Pastor at the New Beginnings CME Church in Baltimore, Maryland. At 4 p.m. Calvary will host a Tag Tem Preaching Worship Service featuring thee of Calvary’s Ministerial team: Bro. Tiggs Washington, Br. Kalif Crutcher and Rev. Brandon Williamson. Dr. Wayne A. Williams is pastor.
A.W.I.R. Gospel Group has started. Call 444-2046 If you enjoy singing gospel, call us – it’s free! All Gospel Women – This is Your time! Rehearsals Will follow.
PRAYER IN THE PARK To advertise call Ms. Jones @ (716) 881-1051 or email: advertising@thechallengernews.com
PRAYER WARRIORS
MLK PARK – BUFFALO, N.Y. SATURDAY MORNINGS 9 AM -10AM EVANGELIST WANDA STRONG HOWARD President and Founder of Ministry (716) 715-1969 BRO. RUDOLPHUS BOANS (716) 605-9500 BRO. RASHAAD Ministry of Music
In Passing... Marvin Terry Sr. died on April 15, 2011 in St. Paul, Minn. Born in Buffalo in 1943, he worked for the State of New York’s Division for Youth where he served as a youth counselor for 21 years before his retirement. He was educated at Seneca High School and Buffalo State college. He is survived by his wife, one son, three daughters, an uncle, aunt, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Vacation Bible School The Humboldt Parkway Baptist Church will have its annual Vacation Bible School June 27-July 1 from 6-9 p.m. Classes will be held for ages 3 to adult. Transportation and snack provided. For more information call Connie Spentz at 835-4843.
F AT H E R S. FROM YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL TO YOUR FIRST DAY ON THE JOB, YOUR FATHER WAS A ROLE MODEL WHO GAVE YOU ENCOURAGEMENT AND LOVE.
THIS FATHER’S DAY, HONOR HIM BY PASSING THAT SAME SUPPORT
©2003 Adfinity™
ONTO YOUR CHILDREN.
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995 Genesee St. • Buffalo, NY 14211
(716) 894-4888
CHALLENGERCN.COM • (P) 716 881-1051 (F) 716 881-1053
JUNE 22, 2011
Citizens Bring Hope to Buffalo Promise Neighborhood
A
bout 200 Buffalo residents poured into Westminster Community Charter School (WCCS) on a sunny Saturday morning in April, for the historic first public meeting of the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. The public-private community partnership is turning an eastside neighborhood into the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood, providing additional health care, early childhood education
and housing services to community residents. Above all, the project will provide renewed leadership, opportunity and hope for the future of the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. “We’re going to create opportunities on our side of Main Street. On our side,” WCCS Principal Dr. Yvonne Minor-Ragan told the enthusiastic crowd. The Westminster Foundation has already received a $500,000 grant from
the U.S. Department of Education to create a comprehensive plan for the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood in three schools; Highgate Heights Public School #80, Bennett High School and Westminster Community Charter School. Buffalo was one of only 21 communities nationwide to receive such a grant. The program is intended to help communities replicate the collaborative and successful work done in the Harlem Children’s Zone in New York City. The planning grant has been supplemented by an additional $150,000 from M&T Bank and $100,000 from the John R. Oishei Foundation. The Buffalo Promise Neighborhood is already helping new projects in the community. At the public forum, Dr. LaVonne Ansari announced she will be locating the 16,000-square-foot Buffalo Community Health Center into the former St. Francis Nursing Home building at 34 Benwood Avenue. The health center will provide medical care to all neighborhood residents, regardless of their ability to pay. The Buffalo Promise Neighborhood is now in the process of competing for a federal implementation grant to assist other new projects within the neighborhood. The purpose of the first meeting was to get residents closely involved in the planning process, so they can have a leading voice into how to improve their neighborhood. The public forum was developed in collaboration with Brenda McDuffie, President/CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, and Westminster Foundation’s Director of Community Affairs, Tanya Perrin-Johnson. Ms. Perrin-Johnson previously served as Community Services Commissioner for the City of Buffalo. During the public forum, neighborhood residents highlighted several strengths of the community including: caring and involved citizens; cultural diversity; strong block clubs; wellbuilt houses and a central location. Concerns that citizens would like to
By Tanya Perrin-Johnson
Residents participate in first public meeting of Buffalo Promise Neighborhood.
see addressed include crime, gang violence and vacant houses. Community partners working on the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood will now use the public feedback as part of the planning process. Much of the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood will focus on education and providing “cradle-to-career” services to children
living in the neighborhood, because education is key to preparing citizens for jobs can help reduce crime. Community partners in the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood project include EPIC, Buffalo Public Schools, City Continued Page 15
2011
The Year to Remember!
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All it takes is about an hour to gain peace of mind by preplanning your cemetery property needs. 1411 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, New York 14209 Page 7
entertaiment ON STAGE
Valeria Cray D. and son Hiram
Greg Barber and son Kobie
Family Talent Showcased in “Creative Legacies” Exhibit at El Museo Gallery
*George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, plus Taylor Made Jazz and the Rod Nixon Project, Thursday, July 28, Erie Canal Harbor Central Whalf (adjacent to 1 Naval Park Cove, next to the Naval Museum – new Thursday @ The Square location); free and open to the public. *”Leave Those Damn Drugs Alone!” drama/play, Saturday, June 25, 8 p.m., turner Carroll, 185 Lang Ave; tickets $25 @ Doris Records or Selbra Colbert (289-5934).
“Mr. Bones is Back!” Take Out or Eat In! 893 Jefferson Ave. open 10am-8pm daily.
*JAZZ JAM SUNDAY, 6:30 to 10pm, Cafe @ Masten & Eaton 230 Masten Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209, 716883-2311. Featuring the Tune Ups, T. Rob, Marlow Wright and James Davis. Open mike 9pm. Karaoke Tuesdays 8pm with Gordy. *Booty’s Back!: Legendary bassist Bootsy Collins is one of funk’s treasures, so seeing him live should be on evwill perform in Rochester Thursday, June 30 at the Party in the Park at 6 p.m. *LION KING, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, October 4-30, TICKETS ON SALE NOW at the Shea’s Box Office, ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-2000.
On Saturday, June 18, 2011 El Museo Art Gallery opened its firstever “Creative Legacies” exhibit that features artwork created by members of two local African American families in honor of Buffalo’s 35th Annual Juneteenth Celebration. Creative Legacies runs now until Friday, July 22. El Museo Gallery is located in Buffalo’s historic Allentown district at 91 Allen Street. “Creative Legacies” includes works by photographer, Greg Barber and his son, Kobie Barber; an oil painter, along with mixed media artist and sculptor, Hiram Lee-Cray and his mother, renowned local sculptor, Valeria CrayDihaan. The show highlights the creativity often shared among family members, but rarely, if ever, been given the opportunity to publicly and together display their unique gifts.
keep the peace!
Page 8
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JUNE 22, 2011
ON THE SCENE WITH MARNETTA MALCOLM
Hello and blessings to all… 1st Day of Summer….and the longest day of the year…. enjoy!!! *Thursday, June 23rd - “Buffalo Funk Fest Mixer with Marnetta Nadia’s Taste of Soul” 69 Allen 6-8pm NO ADMISSION,that’s Malcolm right it’s free!!… come down and sample food from Buffalo’s newest Soul Food Restaurant…we’re raffling great items - your chance to support Buffalo Funk Fest and sample delicious award winning soul food… *Saturday - Sunday June 25th & 26th …Saratoga Jazz Festival…it’s a short ride from Buffalo…If you love live jazz this is THE place to be….check it out…. http://www.spac.org/jazzfest *Thursday, June 30th Christy Smothers “Buffalo Best Kept Secret” in concert Metropolitan Entertainment Complex ticket $15 *This is the last Friday in June for the Live Jazz at the Colored Musicians Club…adm $5 *July 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Universoul Circus….UB Main Campus…. Tickets $20…Ticketmaster.com *July 9th 10th …Taste of Buffalo….LOTS of delicious! LOTS of money! *July 14th …8pm…Kem with special guest Chrisette Michelle…Kleinhans Music Hall….Tickets at Doris and Kleihans Box Office….
CONCERT REVIEW/by George Radney
Natalie Cole : An Outstanding R&B Performer Natalie Cole took to the Eastman Theater stage with style and grace last Friday evening. Wearing an elegant capped sleeve black and White sequin gown, the International Rochester Jazz Festival headliner performed several jazz standards like “The Best is Yet to Come,” “Route 66,” and “A Tiskit A Taskit” ( my favorite by Ella Fritzgerald). Ms. Cole’s seven piece band was outstanding along with her two background singers. She finished the first half of her show with a tribute to her dad, legendary singer Nat King Cole, with a slide presentation showing her at home with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fritgerald, Sarah Vaughn, and Sammy Davis Jr. Natalie’s Jazz renditions were okay (I almost fell asleep), but the second half of the show was dedicated to her R & B hits like “Mr. Melody,” “Inseparable,” and she really got down on “I got Love on My Mind.” Natalie Cole is truly an outstanding R & B performer and her vocal range is still intact. She’s a must see artist along with her fine musicians and singers.
JUNE 22, 2011
Page 9
SPEAK OUT!
Weiner’s Indecency and America’s What Happened Six Good Years for Prisoners to The 367th Black Politics of Hypocrisy Are People Too, Inc. Combat Unit? by Margaret Kimberley
“No one is ever asked to resign because they incited military aggression, or destroyed the livelihoods of millions of people through free market chicanery.”
W
hat is considered indecent behavior for an American politician? The continued coverage of the sad Congressman Anthony Weiner scandal would have one believe that the only indecency in America is caused by impulsive photography of body parts and smutty language in social media. While the press can’t get enough of the hapless politician, it ignores great immorality elsewhere in the body politic. It is indeed very telling that no one is ever asked to resign because they incited military aggression, or destroyed the livelihoods of millions of people through free market chicanery. That treatment is reserved for sexual malfeasance, or in the case of Weiner, photographic malfeasance alone. Anthony Weiner told a foolish and easily discovered lie about an alleged hacking of his Twitter account. He has told far worse lies but those falsehoods gave him the opportunity to race bait his way into the New York City Council and eventually bring him to Congress where his lies on Israel’s behalf know no bounds. In 1991 Weiner was first elected to office in a very tight race by attacking his opponents as supporters of then mayor David Dinkins and Jesse Jackson. He distributed leaflets, anonymously, attacking an opponent for being in favor of the “Dinkins-Jackson agenda.“ He didn’t admit that the leaflets were his until after the votes were counted. This story was ignored until the twitter scandal erupted and even then received far less attention. Weiner is also one of the most aggressive and outspoken advocates for the Israeli government in the United States Congress. He claimed that the West Bank is not occupied, that the massacre in Gaza which killed 2,000 people was proportionate and called the killings on the Mari Marvara appropriate and within the bounds of international law. In 2006 he introduced legislation to throw the delegation of the Palestinian Authority out of the United Nations and out of the United States altogether. For good measure he added that they should start “... packing their little Palestinian terrorist bags.” Weiner’s congressional colleagues wasted little time in telling him to step down after he admitted posting the pictures of himself on social media. Even President Obama gave a nudge when he said that he would resign if he found himself in Weiner’s shoes. The standards for having to step down have certainly fallen. There is no accusation of theft, conflicts of interest or any illegality. There is much finger wagging and sneering, but none of the elements ordinarily present which should trigger a resignation. On the same day that Barack Obama gave Weiner the not so subtle cue to disappear, the New York Times reported that the FBI will make it easier for its agents to investigate American citizens. The Obama administration will allow the FBI to go through trash, infiltrate targeted organizations, attend worship services as part of investigations and conduct database searches without providing any evidence of illegal activity. While the Obama surveillance state strengthens itself, more attention is paid to foolish photos of a congressman who should never have picked up a smart phone. None of the pundits seen on national television made mention of the FBI and the Obama administration continuing to make legal what used to be illegal. None of them spoke of the United States and NATO killing people in Tripoli, Libya. None of them pointed out that our government is not a member of the International Criminal Court while simultaneously pressuring it to make up lies about Libya using rape as a weapon of war. Powerful people can get away with terrible acts of violence without ever being called to account. They can, like Weiner, vote to authorize the use of force against Iraq, support any and all Israeli aggressions, and claim that they are helping people by killing them and destroying their countries. The corporate media bear the blame for this endless telling and retelling of nonsense. They are not interested in reporting real news and they are certainly not interested in challenging a politician like Weiner when he claims that the Continued Page 11 Page 10
-Part II-Conclusion“One young man, Francis Johnson of Chester, PA, has been out on bread and water for fifteen days because he resented the Commanding Officer’s kicking him,” the letter said. “This young man has gone on a hunger strike, hoping that his death will focus the attention of the War Department on the rotten conditions of this regiment.” (No other information exists of what happened to this poor soul). One month after the investigations were complete, some members of the 364th rioted in nearby downtown Phoenix. The details and body count of the “Phoenix Massacre” continue to be argued. In yet another aspect of a soon-to-be-repeated pattern, an initial altercation escalated when the soldiers returned to camp, armed themselves and returned to Phoenix. All that is known for sure is that the firefight lasted all night over the predominantly black section of that desert town. Soldiers, police and civilians were killed and wounded in a battle that resulted in at least 14 casualties, including three deaths. Nineteen members of the 364th were court-martialed for their roles in the disturbance. Most received 50-year prison terms; one was sentenced to death. Whatever happened to the 364th in the summer of ’43, in December the regiment’s remaining men were relocated to a far-off camp in the Aleutian Islands. It was then that their personnel roster began to show signs of hemorrhage. Records show that between 800 and 1,000 of the 3,000 men left the 364th before the war’s end. In other words, from June 1943 until Japan’s surrender, about one soldier’s name per day disappeared from the 364th’s roster. Until more witnesses to the events of 1943 step forward to speak, this dark corner of American history is unlikely to be further illuminated.-By Rick Thorne About the Author: Rick Thorne is a Staff Writer for VeteransToday.com. He’s a professional photographer. For 35 years Rick has traveled much of the U.S. recording nature and many other unique subjects along the way. His work isn’t for sale but he uses it to help others in time of depression and despair. Photography has been his life blood for many years now. Rick is on Social Security Disability and was discharged from the Navy in 1968 for a nervous breakdown. The VA is currently treating him for his mental and physical injuries. Official Rick Thorne Web Site:http:// web.mac.com/rthorne2/SITE%21/ TRUTH_REVEALED%21.html
This last year has had an abundance of ups and downs but we have continued to move forward in our quest for justice for prisoners and formerly incarcerated people. The roadblocks have been incredible as they are of long-standing and have government support. Yet, we have honored our mission to help as many as we can and we have worked hard to dismantle those rules, regulations, and laws that deny the humanity of those who have suffered incarceration. Since July of 2010, eleven monthly meetings and programs have been held, covering a variety of topics, KARIMA including: “The Realities of Reentry,” “Family Court Crisis,” AMIN and “The Psychology of Imprisonment.” Our outreach activities have involved us in several local community and statewide campaigns: “Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated People” (with the NYCLU); “Milk Not Jails” (a consumer-driven campaign, mobilizing NYS residents to support the dairy industry and not the prison industrial complex); “Seeking Justice at the Erie County Holding Center” (with the Erie County Prisoners Rights Coalition); and “Fighting for NYS Parole Reform” (with the NYS Prisoner Justice Network and the Prison Action Network). Prisoners Are People Too is also a member of the “National Fuel Gas Accountability Coalition.” This past year has seen more members of Prisoners Are People Too speak out for justice in the media, both broadcast and print, and at county legislative meetings, conferences, and forums. This year, sixteen of us went to Albany on May 3 to speak to our state senators and assembly members about our deepest concerns regarding prisoner rights issues. Finally, after many months of petitioning, we had the first of several meetings with Sheriff Timothy Howard and Undersheriff Mark Wipperman in December of 2010. Finally, after many months of advocacy, we have an Erie County Community Corrections Advisory Board, which held its first meeting on February 15. Finally after several years of doing the “peoples’ work,” Prisoners Are People Too incorporated on April 21, 2011. The following individuals comprise the board: Karima Amin, Director; George “BaBa” Eng, Program Director; Artelia “Tia” Lewis; Charles “Chuck” Culhane; and Lesley Haynes. Rev. Eugene L. Pierce will chair the Advisory Board. At this month’s meeting of Prisoners Are People Too, we will meet on June 27, at the Pratt-Willert Community Center, 422 Pratt Street in Buffalo, 6:308:30pm. This meeting will be a celebration of six years of programming. There will be an overview of our accomplishments; an update and report from Lesley Haynes regarding Legislative Awareness Day; and a brief report from our summer intern, Sahil Jain. Sahil is a student at Cornell University who is interning with Prisoners Are People Too. He will describe his work and what he has learned so far from his summer interning experience. Our documentary film that evening will be a 35-minute “rough cut” DVD produced by Rev. Eugene L. Pierce. He will highlight the mission of the Erie County Prisoners Rights Coalition. The Circle of Supporters for Reformed Offenders and Friends of BaBa Eng are the sponsors of PRP2, Inc. programs. For further information, contact Karima Amin: 716-834-8438 or karima@prisonersarepeopletoo.org. 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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JUNE 22, 2011
Buffalo, New York’s Style of The Passover Part II: Thousands Remember Ira.. “Rogue Justice” How dare we fight back, indeed, if not, then who will?
As a final part to this 3-part story which highlighted the clearly wanton 62-year sentence that was imposed upon Gavin Kirkland by a revengeful, Penny Wolfgang, a NYS Supreme Court Judge, Erie County, and which 62-year sentence the Appellate Court, itself, determined to be unwarranted and, accordingly, modified and reduced to a 20-year term (itself also excessive under the circumstances) is not only a plight of my son Gavin and his family but, more so, a Black BARBARA DENNIS ND SON GAVIN. community problem. Statistics has long shown that peopleof-color who represent only a small segment of the general population, represents approximately 85-90 percent of the prison population across the United States. Blacks and other minorities are subject to arrest, prosecution and conviction at much higher rates that are Whites. Gavin’s case is clearly demonstrative of that. He was convicted of a crime in which his guilt was not proven beyond a “reasonable doubt”, as required by the American System of Justice. Indeed, the untainted evidence and proof in the case established that Gavin, a Black man, was not implicated in the crime by anyone other than bias White police officers and an overzealous White prosecutor, Molly Jo. Musarra, who was dismissed from her job as Senior Asst. Erie County District Attorney recently after Gavin’s conviction and within 24-hours after Frank Sedita, III, took office as our newly elected District Attorney on January 3, 2009. No better was the White trial judge whose longstanding personal issues involving disagreement with a member of her own family’s involvement with black males on Buffalo’s east side cause the judge’s bias and impartiality to enter into the criminal proceeding ultimately cumulating in the judge’s imposing of the 62-year sentence against Gavin. The majority of us are thinking people. If we only ask our self why or what reason would a judge impose a 62-year sentence on a person convicted of a crime in which there was no physical harm inflicted upon any other person, it should raise a question of motive. What was the judge’s motive for imposing the 62-year sentence (essentially a life sentence) in Gavin’s case? Gavin filed a writ of habeas corpus in the U.S. District Court seeking federal review of his conviction. The case has been pending in that court for over a year. In spite of numerous requests to the court for the case status, to date, court staff has not provided any information to either Gavin or his family. The Kirkland family kindly thanks all for their supporters in their causes and struggles. Barbara Kirkland Dennis MOTIC
WEINER INDECENCY continued New York Times, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are all biased against Israel. Yet they will print “Weinergate timelines” and badger politicians into jumping on the Weiner must resign or else bandwagon. Weiner’s lies did not prevent him from raising more money than any other probable contender for the 2013 New York City mayoral race. Only foolish personal behavior will now keep him out of City Hall. The attention loving Weiner became a fixture on cable news programs in order to make himself the mayoral front runner. Because there is very little real journalism in this country, Weiner was never questioned because of his dubious actions and statements over the years. If he does resign, democracy will be no better off. The media will continue to ignore truly newsworthy information, and we can sit and wait for the next peccadillo scandal to bring a politician down. Margaret Kimberley’s Freedom Rider column appears weekly in BAR, and is widely reprinted elsewhere. She maintains a frequently updated blog as well as at http://freedomrider.blogspot.com. Ms. Kimberley lives in New York City, and can be reached via e-Mail at Margaret.Kimberley(at)BlackAgandaReport.com.
Are you registered to VOTE? JUNE 22, 2011
“I knew Ira from football. We used to do a lot together. I’ve always been there for him. We both became managers at the same time. He was at Taco Bell; I was at McDonald’s. By this happening, you really gotta think what the world is coming to. If it happened to a young man like this, it could happen to anybody. He had a 3.8 in college, and really inspired a lot of people to a lot of stuff, and changed their lives.” 21-year old Derrell Harper must have been correct in his assessment of 19-year old Ira Watkins, Jr., who was fatally shot on a Cheektowaga basketball court little more than a week earlier. His sentiment was born out by what must have been thousands in attendance at the June 10th funeral, held at the New Mt. Ararat Baptist Church on Jefferson Avenue. Hundreds were disappointed; turned away after standing in long lines, hoping to get in. At first small groups were ushered in and out, one after the other, perhaps for a viewing of the body, but at a certain point, the doors were closed to all who remained outside. Community groups were well represented. The mothers of wrongfully convicted men Darryn Gibson and Valentino Dixon were present, and an
VISIONARY continued Business Academy, where a dozen or so men between the ages of 21 and 42 have been hired as executive trainees. Their salaries begin at $25,000. In yet another initiative aimed at showing young people how to create what Rev. Chapman calls, “community wealth,” a fundraising distribution business for bottled water and toiletries, is also housed in the Jefferson and High Center. Trainees will be running weekly bingo programs, sanctioned boxing matches at the Rev. Dr. Bennett W. Smith Sr. Family Life Center, and a series of X-Box 360 Madden Football tournaments for adult video gamers. There is also a leadership development program which will focus on 100 boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 15, who will be offered a 13-year mentorship program; twice-a-month sessions which will include leadership and business training, spirituality, culinary, language and supplemental education service. “This is a succession plan” he told the Challenger; a truly visionary project designed to prepare young leaders who will take charge of the leadership and business community a decade or so from now. Rev. Chapman said they are attempting to “close the vacuum” in the community which traditionally does not train anyone to take our place in the future.
endless parade of youth who had gone to school with Bro. Ira, or played sports with him on little league, high school, or “Gusmacker” teams were on hand, obviously stricken. One look at the throngs in attendance provoked the question: how could one who had lived only 19 years have touched the lives of so many? Young people grieved nobly, r e s p e c t f u l l y, Sabirah without get- Muhammad ting frustrated or acting out because of being kept waiting outside, and eventually being turned away. They huddled together in small groups, many of them wearing t-shirts with their brother’s picture on it and their own personal phrases of endearment and remembrance. Some of them spoke of the impact that the loss of him has had. Jordan, a 20 year-old point guard who played with him at Riverside said: “We have to try to fight through it and live on. You have to try to live right, and do the right thing.” 21 year-old Ricky reflected: “Everybody knows Ira is a great guy. He didn’t deserve none of this at all. He was my best friend.” When asked how he’d remember Bro. Ira he said: “I just love him.” Brothers Desmond and Leonard Lamar sat together quietly on the concrete ledge outside the church. “It hurts, because he was young,” said Leonard, 20. He was on the right track, making sure that school was first, working hard, taking care of his daughter. It hurts that it was him.” Ashley Blakely, mother of Ira’s 1 year-old daughter described it all as tragic. “I still don’t believe he’s gone. I get mad when I go to text him, because he’s not there.” When asked how she’ll remember him, she says: “I’ll remember him through Imani.” Inside the church, a heavy, collective sorrow was palpable. The ministers who hosted the ceremony and the people in attendance were in somber accord. The obvious, unspoken consensus from the ministers’ words and the overall mood among the congregants was that enough is enough… we cannot continue to lose our children this way. It was accompanied by a strong air of foreboding, however, as stunned, grieving faces betrayed a collective confusion over just what in the world to do. After posing that question, then, to Millions More Movement Chairman of the Ministry of Defense Eric Muhammad, some light was shed on the way forward. Mr. Muhammad had gone immediately to the hospital on the night of Bro. Ira’s shooting, and was able to diffuse tension between policemen
and young people who were grieving and about to come to blows. When asked to consider all of those who have been lost senselessly and to summarize what we as a community need to do, he spoke of the communication breach that so often inhibits a just resolution in these incidents. “There is no real dialogue between law enforcement and the community. They say that a hundred people witnessed this crime, but nobody came forward to testify or point the gunmen out. On the other hand, I witnessed law enforcement officers who really didn’t care. As I was talking to some of the police (at the hospital) about talking to some of those who saw what happened while it was fresh in their minds, they were more concerned with protecting the hospital than they were with looking for the murderer. Some of those young brothers saw something, and were sharing their stories – but the cops didn’t have the respect for our youth – and our youth don’t have respect for the officers. So what you have is a “catch 22.” How do you talk to somebody, and share intimate moments or details with somebody who doesn’t care anything about you? These brothers know that if they talk, nobody’s gonna protect them.” Mr. Muhammad recounted an incident that took place right in the presence of the officers at the hospital. “One young lady punched another in the face. She turned to one of the officers, bleeding, and said, I want her to be charged with assault. The officer told her: “No, we’re not gonna do that. You all need to go.” He witnessed the woman get punched, and did nothing.” Until we address the reason people don’t come forward, they never will, because they don’t trust them (the police).” How can that kind of trust be built? (Conclusion next week)
24He who stands on tiptoe Doesn’t stand firm. He who rushes ahead Doesn’t go far. He who tires to shine Dims his own light. He who defines himself Can’t know who he really is. He who has power over others Can’t empower himself. He who clings to his work Will create nothing that endures. If you want to accord with the Tao, Just do your job, then let go. Page 11
generations UB Offers Fun and Don’t You Hear Us Knockin’?by Glenda Person Exciting Summer Tomorrow is not promised to any one of us. So I do not understand why Courses some individuals waste their time being reckless and making decisions that Commentary
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Page 12
Q: What do you like about this year’s Juneteenth? “All of the African things you can get. Everything this year is really cultural.” –Courtney “There are lots more vendors and activities than last year. And the atmosphere is peaceful.” – Taylor “It’s a celebration of culture and you do not get much of that in Buffalo.” – Lauren “You can meet up and see new and old friends as well as pretty girls. “-Josiah
will eventually affect them in negative ways. I personally believe that the group of individuals that are most likely to live such lifestyles are the youth. Simply because as youth we have the tendency to believe that we are untouchable and if we are ever caught we will get a less severe punishment because of our age and the way the laws of today’s government are written. The sad part about this whole situation is that when we are caught and punished and are set to go to trial the first person that the judge and today’s society blames are the parents. I myself don’t believe that is true. An individual can raise their children to be the most outstanding and level headed child, but what happens when a child does not have that guidance in their household. They turn towards the streets, and like an old African proverb says “it takes a village to raise a child.” If the community itself lacks a stable and strong foundation who are we (as youth) to turn to? I’m not scared to go knocking on doors to get answers. By any means in my power, we as African American youth will rise above what society expects us to become. That’s why I ask you to take this journey with me in my 3 part series “Don’t you hear us knocking?” I am on a mission to find out why so many African American youth fall victim to today’s harsh society? Why we as African American youth have to become just another person to fill a cell in today’s already over crowded correctional facilities? I want to know how to prevent this. I want to know what resources are out there to help us become better as individuals and as a community. Listen up black folks this is not just another situation, this has become a never ending epidemic. I am knockin’ on doors and I wonder whose going to answer.
Owning a home can be more than just a dream.
BI D S
“You get to see old friends and family. And there are different varieties of food and culture.” -Rayshawn “It’s a celebration of all of our African American brothers and sisters coming together.” -David Board of Education Buffalo, New York Division of Purchase 716-816-3585 **Sealed proposals will be received in Room 816 City Hall On: Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 11:00 AM for BID #11-12-001 SERVICE & EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO #2 OIL & NATRUAL GAS BURNER SYSTEM Specifications and bid forms are available in Room 816 City Hall; and on website www.buffaloschools.org/PurchaseDept.cfm Craig A. Koeppel Director of Purchase
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo is gearing up for another UBThisSummer program, filled with valuable learning for young and old, teachers, students, or somebody just looking to learn, from astrology to web 2.0. “If you and your children are looking for something interesting to talk about when someone asks you how you spent your summer vacation, this is it,” says A. Scott Weber, vice provost for undergraduate education. “Whether you’re into the sciences or the arts, international politics or sports, we have something to make your summer fun and productive.” A few samples of what’s available for adults: “Islam in Europe: France and Spain,” “Race, Ethnicity and Gender in American History” and “From Strings to Cosmos,” for all the amateur astronomers out there. Some of the courses offered to kids include “Basic Drawing for High School Students,” “Move Your Power” and “Field Ecology Adventures,” which allows kids to get up close and personal with nature. For more details, schedules and fees for these and other activities, visit http://ubthissummer.buffalo.edu/ more.html.
Board of Education Buffalo, New York Division of Purchase 716-816-3585 **Sealed proposals will be received in Room 816 City Hall
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On: Monday, June 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM for BID #10-11-109 RED HAT SOFTWARE FOR IT DEPARTMENT On: Monday, June 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM for BID #10-11-110 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS On: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM for BID #10-11-111 COSMETALOGY EQUIPMENT at 2:00 PM for BID #10-11-112 COSMETALOGY SUPPLIES Specifications and bid forms are available in Room 816 City Hall; and on website www.buffaloschools.org/PurchaseDept.cfm Craig A. Koeppel Director of Purchase
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E mployment Part-Time Instructors Needed Genesee Community College anticipates day and evening openings for part-time instructors for FALL 2011 semester at the Batavia campus and/or its campus centers (A1bion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina, and Warsaw) and Distant Learning (DL). FALL 2011 Starts: August 22.
OXF bid S O RD
FALL 2011 • American Sign Language: ASL 1 (Albion, Batavia), ASL 2 (Medina) • Art: Western Art. History 1 (Batavia, Warsaw), Western Art History 2 (Batavia) • Biology: Intro to Biology, Anatomy & Physiology (Batavia) • Business: Business Communications (Batavia) • Computer Information Systems: Intro to Computers (Arcade), Microcomputer Applications (Arcade) • Criminal Justice; Criminal Law (Albion, Arcade), Intro to Criminal Justice (Arcade) • English: Intro to Composition (Albion), College Composition (Warsaw) • History: Western Tradition 2 (Batavia) • Human Services: Human Diversity (Dansville) • Humanities: American Cinema (Dansville) • Mathematics: Algebra 1 (Batavia), Algebra 3 and Trigonometry (Albion, Dansville), Basic Math Skills (Batavia) • Office Technology: Keyboarding (Arcade), Intermediate Keyboarding (Arcade) • Psychology: Intro to Psychology (Dansville) • Public Speaking: Public Speaking (Batavia) • Sociology: Intro to Sociology (Albion) • Spanish: Elementary Spanish (Batavia)
VIL L A GE
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 2 & 3 Bedrooms
EAST SIDE APARTMENTS AVAILABLE *Two and Three Bedroom Apartments starting at $395 plus security. Apartments Section 8 Ready. Call 836-8686.
BIDS Buffalo City School District Advertisement for Bids Sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the office of Plant Services and School Planning – 403 City Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14202. On Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud for: FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUFFALO, NEW YORK Beginning Wednesday, June 22, 2011, bidding document packages may be viewed and purchased through Avalon Document Services online Planroom website at http:// www.avalonbuff-planroom.com , under “Public Jobs”, or ordered by phone at 716-995-7777. Please note that required bid bond is 10%. The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. Any questions regarding this project, please refer to Wendel Duchscherer, 716-6880766. Paul McDonnell, AIA Director of Plant Services
Tuesdays 12 NOON - 1 JUNE 22, 2011
P.M.
Master’s Degree in the subject area or a Master’s Degree in a related area with 18 graduate hours in the discipline is required. For more details and to apply online visit www.genesee.edu/employment. Please include a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references. Genesee Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering diversity in its faculty, staff, and student body, and strongly encourages applications from the entire spectrum of a diverse community.
bids
ERIE COUNTY YOUTH BUREAU 2012 REQUEST FOR FUNDING PROPOSALS: TO PROVIDE YEAR ROUND YOUTH SERVICE PROGRAMS The Erie County Youth Bureau will be releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for eligible not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organizations to provide Youth Development Delinquency Prevention (YDDP), Special Delinquency Prevention Programs (SDPP) and Runaway Homeless Youth Agencies (RHYA) for 2012. Organizations must provide services to at-risk youth ages 5-21, and provide outcome based positive youth development and juvenile delinquency prevention strategies. Due to the limited amount of funding available, programs providing services to at risk youth in the following categories will be prioritized for consideration: 1. School Based Positive Youth Development Programs 2. After School Community Based Positive Youth Development Programs; this includes programs run by a specific agency with programming offered at various sites 3. Mentoring Programs 4. Juvenile Diversion Programs 5. Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs 6. Youth Employment Programs Funded agencies must also commit to providing program performance measures based on the Results Based Accountability model. Beginning June 13th copies of the Request for Proposal (RFP) may be downloaded off the Erie County Web Site at http://www2.erie.gov/ socialservices/index.php?q=youth-bureau or by contacting Mr. David Rust, Director, at (716) 923-4065, or by e-mail at david.rust@erie.gov, or Ms. Nadia Moore, Planning Coordinator, at (716) 923-4051 or by e-mail at nadia.moore@erie.gov. Deadline for submissions of applications is July 13, 2011.
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:
SECRETARY
Immediate opportunity for a fulltime Secretary including evenings to provide clerical services to administrative and professional personnel. Receives and routes telephone calls and clients to professional staff. Collects client fees, make bank deposits, completes data entry tasks and maintains appointment schedule for staff. Inputs clients’ records, client terminations, correspondence and other materials. Copies and files records, maintains record keeping systems. The ideal candidate must possess an Associate degree in related field or equivalent, 3 years experience along with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills. Possess proficient typing, and computer program/software skills and detail oriented. Interested & qualified candidates may forward resume & cover letter with Job # 201122 to: Catholic Charities 741 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209, Attention: HR. EOE/M/F
METRO LINK OPERATORS – Job 090-11-M
Duties: Operate vans in City and Suburban areas. Qualifications: Must be twenty-one (21) years of age. Must possess a High School diploma or equivalent. Professional and outgoing NYS Commercial Driver’s License, Class B minimum with passenger and airbrake endorsements, or permit for same, with ability to obtain full license within 8 weeks of employment. Customer service orientated, professional and outgoing. To Apply: Send cover letter, resume, and NFTA-Metro employment application (available at www.nfta.com) to: NFTA-Metro Human Resources - Job 090-11-M 181 Ellicott Street Buffalo, NY 14203 Application Deadline: July 5, 2011
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Page 13
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FARRAKHAN/LIBYA & AFRICA continued
in the country’s oil as part of a plan to “recolonise Africa.” Farrakhan said Russia and China could still redeem themselves by bringing the matter back to the Security Council to halt the NATO action. He lambasted US President Obama, who he said is “surrounded by people who are Zionistcontrolled or Zionist.” He also criticised what he called the “arrogance” of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for “telling Africans what to do with Africa” when she met with regional leaders this week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and urged Al Qathafi’s few remaining allies to sever ties with him. Farrakhan said officials of the U.S., with its high rate of crime and poverty, had no right to judge whether Libya adheres to humanitarian principles. He said America’s record stinks in the nostrils of God. You who in the name of humanitarian efforts want to save the population of Libya? Save them from whom, and from what? He asked. He criticised the fact that the US has the nerve to put people in front of the International Criminal Court, and asked how many nations has the US seduced to sign a document that they will never bring an American before the ICC. He went on to ask: “Is there some racism involved in who you put before the ICC, with a record like yours, with a record like Israel’s? Why don’t any of you and the Israelis, for what they did in Gaza, for what they did in Lebanon, why don’t you bring them before the court?...because America has a veto; it will never happen.” He repeated that there appears to be racism involved in this, since all the cases that they prosecuted are all African. “Why Aren’t any of you before the ICC?” he asked once more. Minister Farrakhan When the UN was established in 1945, it said it wanted to bring peace in the world, but there have been 65 different wars since then, and now many more are arising. “Is this your work?” he asked, “Then why should we have a United Nations when you have failed to bring about what you said you would bring about in your charter. “So has the United Nations lost its legitimate right to exist? Minister Farrakhan also sent an open letter to the Libyan leader, Muammar Al Qathafi, which he read at the end of the conference. In it he also expressed his and the people of Islam’s deepest sympathy for the loss of his son and three grandchildren. Also present at the conference was former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, who also been involved in human rights issues all over the world and wherever injustice has taken place. He briefly addressed the conference, saying it was absolutely necessary for the people to stand up. He iurged the UN to put up a stop to this conflict in Libya. “It has to stop, and stop right now,” he said. Another speaker was the chairperson of the December 12 Movement, who has also been involved in human rights struggles, in America and internationally, while international activist and former Congresswoman from Georgia, USA, Cynthia McKinney talked to the conference on the phone, live from Tripoli, Libya.
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JUNE 22, 2011
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Wednesday June 22
Saturday June 25
Board of Education Meeting: Noon special emergency meeting; 5:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting, City Hall.
Business Advancement Breakfast/ Workshop: 8:30 am; Rhythms, 1380 Jefferson; guest speaker Dr. Curtis Haynes.
Saturday June 25 Family Fishing Day: 7am-7pm, Broderick park, 1170 Niagara St. (foot of Ferry); Shoreline fish Fry; a Buffalo United Front event. Gus Macker Basketball: Downtown Buffalo SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!
PROMISE
AKA Informational Tea for Students in Grades 9-12: 3-5 pm; Faith Baptist Church, 626 Humboldt Pkwy; to reserve adgivens4@aol.com “Men of Integrity” Honors Event: 6 p.m. Adam’s Mark Hotel, 120 Church St.; Honorees: Joseph M. Hanna, Thomas Beauford, Doug Ruffin, Lavon Stephens, Quinton Smith, Jeff Nixon, Dr. Gayles, Clarence Lott, Bob McRae, Andre, Demone Smith, Antoine Thompson and the family of Alvin Shepherd ; 883-2090 or 3900134 for info.
continued
Sunday June 26
of Buffalo, John R. Oishei Foundation, Buffalo Promise Neighborhood Steering Committee, Belmont Housing Resources of WNY, Catholic Charities of Buffalo, Buffalo Urban League, M&T Bank, Community Health Center of Buffalo, Bethel Head Start, Jeremiah Partnership, Read to Succeed Buffalo, University at Buffalo, United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and the Westminster Foundation. Additional events for the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood will be scheduled in the weeks and months ahead. Citizens are strongly encouraged to stay closely involved in this process because public participation is needed for success - as the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood builds on its promise of a brighter future.
Gus Macker Basketball: Downtown Buffalo
Did You Lose Anything at Juneteenth?
Items lost at the Juneteenth Festival were turned in to Police District C Station. You can also call Juneteenth headquarters at 891-8801.
Open Air Market Coming Soon! Daily “Open Air Market” at the Ink Spot. We are looking for 16-20 vendors to provide goods and services to the Ferry Jefferson Community. Contact the Ink Spot at 716)-881-7594.Hours: M-F 10am- 5pm Sat: 9am-4pm
Monday June 27 So Seductive Hair show Part 1 & 11: Jazzy’s Banquet Hall, 2227 Genesee St., 10am-3pm & 5-8pm; $40 advance Part I; $15 Part II. Tuesday June 28 BLAC of Buffalo & MOCHA Community Dialogue on Black Men & AIDS: 5:30-7:30, Buffalo Science Museum, 1120 Humboldt Pkwy.
SEE YOU AT THE
EVENTS!
Tuesdays 12 NOON - 1 P.M.
JUNE 22, 2011
Page 15
CHAMPIONS ALL! The Buffalo Track & Field Classic held at the Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium on June 11 was another tremendous success. Pictured above are scenes from the meet. Sincere thanks to co-founders Mack Luchey (of Doris Records) and the late Fred Foster and to Fred’s lovely, dedicated wife, Betty Foster and her team of v olunteers, for a job extremely well done! A highlight of the Classic was the honoring of track and field greats Ronetta Alexander, Alex Harris and Lum Smith. Challenger Photos Page 16
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JUNE 22, 2011