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Pittsburgh Courier NEW

www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 112 No. 10

Two Sections

MARCH 10-16, 2021

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Can Gainey overtake Peduto and become Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor?

Primary Election to be held, May 18, as Gainey continues to garner support

by Leonard Hammonds II For New Pittsburgh Courier

It is not uncommon to see State Rep. Ed Gainey’s familiar face in the community throughout various parts of Pittsburgh.

Now, Rep. Gainey seeks to challenge Mayor Bill Peduto to serve as the 61st mayor of Pittsburgh. In an exclusive interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier, Rep. Gainey affirms he will continue working across divisions and creating unity, itching to create a more equitable and livable Pittsburgh for all.

“The reason why I’m running for mayor now is because I believe we have a

great chance to turn our disparities into opportunities and actions for all of Pittsburgh,” he said.

In 2013, he first assumed office as State Representative of the 24th House District, when, months prior, he defeated incumbent Joseph Preston Jr. From there, he took off running and engaging the needs of the community. It hasn’t been a surprise that he’s continued to be re-elected—he easily got re-elected in 2014 when he won 85.7 percent of the vote. Two years later, he won nearly 81 percent of the vote. In 2018, he won 81 percent of the vote again. He ran unopSEE GAINEY A5

(Photo by J.L. Martello)

‘Buzzy’ Robinson and the Crawford Grill—Inseparable

WILLIAM ‘BUZZY’ ROBINSON, OWNER OF FAMED CRAWFORD GRILL, DIES

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Grill No. 2, with his son, Buzz, managing the club and taking it Courier Staff Writer to new heights.

“Buzz built upon ‘The Grill’s’ Everybody who was anybody frequented the famed Crawford tradition of drawing socially and racially diverse audiences from Grill.

Any and everybody knew Wil- across the country,” read part of his official obituary. liam “Buzzy” Robinson.

This article could span thouJust like Macaroni and Cheese, Salt and Pepper, and Peanut sands upon thousands of words Butter and Jelly, “Buzzy” and the if it noted each person who ever entered the Crawford Grill. But Crawford Grill are inseparable.

The son of Lydda and Joe it’s the names most people would Robinson, the latter being the recognize that show just how ilsuperlative businessman who lustrious and legendary Buzz’s partnered with William “Gus” jazz club truly was.

Let’s just start with PittsGreenlee to open Crawford Grill No. 2 in 1943, Buzz passed away burgh. Roberto Clemente. Wilon the afternoon of Feb. 1, in the lie Stargell. The Rooneys. The Kaufmanns. August Wilson.

Hill District. He was 89.

When Greenlee, famed owner of George Benson. Stanley Turrenthe Pittsburgh Crawfords, died tine. Walt Harper. Lena Horne. in 1952, Joe Robinson assumed Billy Strayhorn. Art Blakey. sole ownership of the Crawford Mary Lou Williams. Billy Eckstine.

And of NEW course, the national To subscribe, call acts made their way 412-481-8302 to the ext. 136

Pittsburgh Courier

Crawford Grill. Nat King Cole, Charles Mingus. Clifford Brown.

Maynard Ferguson. Thelonious Monk. Max Roach. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ethel Kennedy.

Dizzy Gillespie.

“Buzz Robinson will be remembered as a strong advocate for his community, Pittsburgh’s Hill District,” his obituary read, obtained by the New Pittsburgh Courier. “He was known for pushing social boundaries and being very vocal in his support of civil rights. Buzz was a great enthusiast of music, art, food and life experiences. He was a magnet for neighborhood children who referred to him as ‘Uncle Buzzy,’ and he was known for passing out candy and dollar bills to any child brave enough to approach him.”

“The Crawford Grill is where I got to meet and know THE Mal Goode, Mr. William ‘Bill’ Nunn Sr., editor of the Pittsburgh Courier, Mr. William Young, first Black to be appointed to the Governor of Pennsylvania’s cabinet as Secretary of Labor, all of the Black judges, all BLACK

WILLIAM ‘BUZZY’ ROBINSON CANDIDATES,” penned longtime Courier columnist and civil rights advocate Louis “Hop” Kendrick in a 2018 column that appeared in the Courier. “Everybody who believed he was somebody frequented the Crawford Grill. There were those persons I met, respected, learned from, listened to, and paid attention to. There were those persons who had traveled the entire country, been to the great 500 automobile race, 25 consecutive Kentucky Derbys, world championship fights, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Rob-

inson, Jack Johnson, etc. There were those who had met and known Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, and they would tell how they would use their personal funds to finance Black organizations and candidates (something we don’t do today).”

“Hop” Kendrick wouldn’t be able to count how many times he was in the Crawford Grill. It was the place to be.

“There were a number of us SEE ROBINSON A6

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METRO

MARCH 10-16, 2021

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History A Courier Staple

MARCH 10

1913—The “greatest conductor of the Underground Railroad” Harriet Tubman dies on this day in Auburn, N.Y. Born in slavery in Dorchester County, Md., in 1819 or 1820, Tubman was raised in harsh conditions including being whipped as a small child. But even as a child she was a person of strong will and principle. For example, at age 12 she received a severe blow to the head from a White overseer when she refused to help tie up a slave who had tried to escape.

Around age 30, fearing she was about to be sold into the Deep South, Tubman escaped to Canada. But she returned to Maryland on numerous occasions helping family members and more than 300 other slaves escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad. She frequently threatened to shoot any slave who became frightened and wanted to turn back.

1969—The man officially convicted of assassinating civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. pleads guilty to the crime on this day. However, James Earl Ray promptly tried to withdraw the plea suggesting that there had actually been a government (or FBI) conspiracy to assassinate King which involved the Mafia and members of the right-wing Cuban exile community in Florida. Ray admitted buying the rifle and renting the room in the Memphis, Tenn., flophouse from where the deadly shot was fired. But he maintained he gave the rifle to a mysterious man named Raoul. The House Select Committee on Assassinations would later conclude that Ray fired the shot but was probably part of a broader conspiracy.

1972—The first modern National Black Political Convention began on this day in Gary, Ind. It drew more than 3,000 delegates and 500 observers as well as participation from just about every

major Black political and civil rights organization in the nation.

However, some moderate civil rights groups, like the NAACP, withdrew after the convention adopted resolutions critical of busing and Israeli racism against the Palestinians.

2010—Researchers at the University of New Hampshire declare 2010 the “tipping point” year when for the first time in history the number of babies born to minority women outnumbered the number born to White women. They project that the nation’s population will be majority Hispanic, Black and Asian in 40 years.

MARCH 11

1874—Charles Sumner, one of the greatest White heroes of Black history, dies at age 63. Sumner was born to a prominent Boston family, graduated from Harvard and became a lawyer.

However, he gradually became involved in politics as a powerful orator against slavery. For his efforts he was brutally beaten in the Capitol Building by a South Carolina Congressman in May 1856. But he was not deterred. He made it clear that his political career was dedicated to the “destruction of the Southern slave-owning aristocracy” and, along with Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, he was a leader of the “Radical Republicans” who led the political battles to end slavery and fought for Black rights after the Civil War. It was Sumner who introduced the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery in America. He was also among those who proposed aiding the economic advancement of the former slaves by giving each Black “40 acres and a mule” through the use of government land and by seizing land from the former slave owners. Congress refused to pass that measure.

1959—Lorraine Hansberry’s play “A Raisin in the Sun” opens on Broadway at the Barrymore Theatre with Sidney

Portier and Claudia McNeil in the starring roles. With 530 performances, the play became the longest-running African American-written play in Broadway history. It was also the first Broadway hit written by an African American woman.

It became a movie in 1961. Hansberry’s promising career was cut short by cancer in 1965. She was only 34.

MARCH 12

1773—This is the most probable date when Black explorer Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable begins building the settlement which would eventually become the city of Chicago, Ill. The Haitian-born du Sable would, over time, become a man of considerable wealth owning commercial buildings, docks, trading posts and a mansion. Du Sable was the product or a French man and an African woman. He died Aug. 19, 1818.

1791—Pierre Charles L’Enfant is commissioned to design and layout the nation’s capital city—Washington, D.C. However, a dispute with President George Washington forces his departure the very next year. Thus, the final design and layout fell to Black inventor and mathematician Benjamin Banneker.

Although two White men were nominally in charge of the project, historical records show that it was Banneker’s mathematical skills and his memory of L’Enfant’s plans that enabled the project to be completed.

1955—One of the chief founders of modern Jazz, Charlie “Yardbird” Parker, dies on this day in New York City. Parker is widely considered “the greatest Jazz saxophonist of all time.”

His death at 35 was reportedly a result of pneumonia worsened by drug and alcohol abuse.

1964—Legendary Black leader Malcolm X formally separates from the Elijah Muhammad-led Nation of Islam although his initial statement of resignation was given March 8. The separation was triggered by growing differences over Islam and the proper role of religion in the Black liberation struggle as well as by Malcolm’s objections to Elijah Muhammad’s infidelities. Less than a year later, Malcolm was assassinated by men allegedly connected with a Nation of Islam mosque in New Jersey.

MARCH 13

1794—Eli Whitney patents the Cotton Gin—a device which made cotton production much more profitable by more efficiently separating the seed from the cotton. The invention had the effect of extending the life of slavery in the South.

However, there remains a historical dispute as to whether Whitney actually invented the cotton gin as most history books claim. There is some evidence that Whitney’s entire idea was based on a device developed by slaves laboring on the Georgia plantation of Catherine Green.

Whitney, a lawyer, worked briefly for Green. And it was while working for her that he allegedly invented the Cotton Gin. 1868—The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson began in the United States Senate. The ultimate failure to convict and oust Johnson from the presidency was a major setback for

the recently freed slaves. Even though he was Abraham Lincoln’s vice president, Johnson actually favored the former slave owners and the continuation of White power in the South. He was also opposed to Blacks having the right to vote. Although the impeachment and trial weakened him, his continuation as president helped pave the way for the emerging power of the Ku Klux Klan and the denial of rights to Blacks.

1932—The first Black daily newspaper begins publication. The paper was the Atlanta Daily World and it was founded by William A. Scott III.

MARCH 14

1821—The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is officially formed in New York City. However, the church had been actually operating since 1796.

A decision to officially separate from the White-controlled Methodist Church was reached in 1820. The dispute centered in part on the refusal of the Whites to allow Black ministers to preach. Among the founders were James Varnick, Abraham Thompson and June Scott.

1977—One of the unsung heroines of the Civil Rights Movement, Fannie Lou Hamer, dies on this day in 1977. Hamer, the youngest of 20 children born in Ruleville, Miss., became active in voter registration and later became Mississippi field secretary for the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee as well as head of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. She also coined the phrase, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

MARCH 15

1911—Kappa Alpha Psi, one of the nation’s leading Black fraternities, is founded on this day on the campus of Indiana University by 10 young men led by Elder W. Diggs and Byron K. Armstrong.

1942—The 93rd Infantry is activated and assigned to combat in the Pacific. It thus became the first African American division formed during World War II. 1897—The 55th Congress convenes with one Black member remaining in the legislative body—George White of North Carolina. All the Black political progress made during Reconstruction had been snatched away after the Hayes-Tilden Compromise of 1887. By 1890 states throughout the South had effectively taken away the right of Blacks to vote with schemes ranging from literacy tests to poll taxes to Whites-only primaries. As a result, Blacks were forced from elected office. When White’s term expired in 1901, there would not be another African American elected to Congress for 27 years and he would come from the North—Oscar DePriest of the Southside of Chicago (1st Congressional District of Illinois).

MARCH 16

1827—The first Black-owned and operated newspaper in America begins publishing. It was Freedom’s Journal.

It published weekly in New York City from 1827 to 1829. Editors John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish declared as their mission: “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.”

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METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MARCH 10-16, 2021 A3

Tim Stevens calls on officials to address African Americans’ lack of COVID vaccine access

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

You just can’t make this stuff up.

Since the New Pittsburgh Courier revealed in its March 3 edition that only 2,860 people identifying as Black in Allegheny County had received the full COVID-19 vaccine as of Feb. 26 according to the Pa. Department of Health, the Health Department’s latest figures as of March 5 are also nearly unbelievable.

According to the state data, from Feb. 27 to March 5, 1,010 additional African Americans had received the full vaccine in the county, totaling 3,870. But from the same time period, an additional 17,550 Whites had received the full vaccine in the county, totaling 54,379.

It’s not a matter of fact or fiction. It’s a fact that Blacks in Allegheny County are not getting access to the COVID vaccine as much as their White compadres.

Even before the latest figures from the state Health Department were released on March 5, Tim Stevens had already made his presence felt two days prior in the form of letters addressed to Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf and Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen, obtained by the Courier.

“It seems obvious to the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP)

that definitive steps must be taken immediately to ensure that those at the highest risk for COVID-19 be prioritized for the administration of the vaccines to combat this very dangerous virus,” Stevens, president and CEO of B-PEP, wrote in a public letter, directed to the governor, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, among others. “Equity in this very important matter must be a reality, and not a conversation.

We are therefore urging that local, county and statewide governmental leaders and organizations take time to develop plans, procedures, and marketing strategies to ensure that this goal is met. B-PEP stands ready to assist wherever we can to help promote such aggressive efforts. We are also willing to engage our community partners to see if they would be willing to do the same.”

In his letter to Dr. Bogen, Stevens said: “We ask that you and your staff fully investigate the possibilities that can be utilized to address this important concern so that African Americans and people of color are served in the equitable manner they deserve.

We look forward to hearing of your plans.”

On March 5, CVS Pharmacy announced it had greatly increased its COVID vaccine allotment, and is now booking appointments at

TIM STEVENS, president and CEO of the Black Political Empowerment Project. more CVS locations in the Pittsburgh area. Locations include Wilkinsburg, Swissvale, Whitehall, North Huntingdon, New Kensington, New Castle, Uniontown, Homestead, Gibsonia, Carnegie, Butler and Ambridge. CVS said even with its increased locations, appointments are filling up fast.

And what’s up with the new Johnson & Johnson

vaccine that was recently approved by the FDA and CDC, which requires only one shot to do the trick?

That vaccine is going to the state’s teachers.

Deservedly so, said Gov. Wolf, who announced on March 3 that the state would be getting 94,600 doses. The governor said it’s imperative that teachers of all ages are vaccinated so that

in-person classes can resume at schools which are remote-only, such as Pittsburgh Public Schools.

“On behalf of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, I would like to thank Governor Wolf for prioritizing vaccinations for teachers and school staff in Pittsburgh and across the state,” PFT President Nina Esposito-Visgitis said in a

statement. “The additional layer of protection that full vaccination will provide will make a meaningful and measurable difference in the lives of our educators, school staff, students and school communities.”

Pittsburgh Public Schools has a date of April 6 in which it believes schools can reopen.

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HEALTH

MARCH 10-16, 2021

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Take Charge Of Your Health Today. Be Informed. Be Involved.

Parents, children and COVID-19 This month in Take Charge of Your Health, we are discussing parents, children and COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents and children have been tested. For parents, the stress can be overwhelming—from trying to navigate education for their children to the financial strain on their family. The constant worry about everyone’s mental, emotional and physical health can, at times, be too much. Even though many families have experienced

these same feelings, each family has a different story to tell. We know families in Pittsburgh are feeling these stresses, and we must find a way to talk about it.

Topics like mental health, food access and technology overload are on everyone’s radar. Many of these issues existed before the pandemic and were only made worse during this unforeseen time. COVID-19 has exposed how we depend on each other as members of

ESTHER L. BUSH society, and the foundation of society starts with the family. COVID-19 is an equal-opportunity disease, and, unfortunately, it has a larger impact on those who have limited access to resources. COVID-19 doesn’t care what your job title is or how much money is in your bank account.

All families, Black or white, are affected, and we

must check in on families.

Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, has developed a study called Triple C (the “C” stands for “children, COVID-19 and consequences”). This study measures economic precarity. Economic precarity refers to families’ income, wealth, economic hardship, food insecurity, parental unemployment and access to health insurance and financial stability. Dr. Votruba-Drzal is gathering data on how families are managing through the pandemic. The data that are being collected may help others who are going through similar challenges. Dr. Votruba-Drzal alarmingly points out

that many of the people who are being affected by COVID-19 might not easily rebound, especially my brothers and sisters of color. My hope is that the importance of this topic will be elevated upon seeing the results of this study.

But perhaps even more important are individual community members’ involvement in these discussions. I urge everyone to engage in these types of discussions with your own health care providers or seek out researchers like Dr. Votruba-Drzal or other health care and mental health professionals to share your stories so that together we can fight to be in a better place, a better Pittsburgh.

Inequity has played a

huge role in the hardships that are continuing to unfold, not only in the City of Pittsburgh but throughout the world. With the support and research that is available within Allegheny County, many families can and will overcome these challenging times. The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh will continue to be a shoulder for you to lean on, an ear to listen to your worries and your fears and a compassionate heart in continuing to be your advocate and supporter. We will continue to weather this COVID-19 storm together.

Esther L. Bush, President and CEO Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

How socioeconomically, racially and ethnically diverse families are faring during COVID-19 As it stretches into its second year, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost everyone in some way. At its best, the pandemic has allowed loved ones to spend more time together and find communities of support; at its worst, the pandemic has caused job loss, social isolation and deaths.

University of Pittsburgh researchers are interested in describing how families are faring no matter where Pittsburghers fall on the spectrum of pandemic experiences, The Triple C study—which stands for “children, COVID-19 and its consequences”—will offer a descriptive portrayal of the economic precarity families face and of the well-being of their children during the pandemic. The term “economic precarity” is a “multidimensional concept that includes income, wealth, economic hardship, food insecurity, parental unemployment, access to health insurance and financial stability,” according to the study’s author, Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal, PhD, professor of psychology and senior scientist at the Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh’s Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. At four sites in the United States, including Pittsburgh, Dr. Votruba-Drzal and fellow researchers are compiling descriptive data about how families who are socioeconomically, racially and ethnically diverse

“Childhood is important in shaping adult health and well-being, and COVID-19 will likely have long-lasting ramifications for children facing increased familial economic uncertainty and deprivation.”

— DR. ELIZABETH VOTRUBA-DRZAL

DR. ELIZABETH VOTRUBA-DRZAL are faring.

“The study has a few aims,” says Dr. Votruba-Drzal. “The first is to describe the magnitude and scope of economic precarity that families and children are experiencing during the pandemic. The second is to look at the implications of that economic precarity for family functioning and child health and well-being. We’re collecting measures of parents’ physical and mental health, parenting stress and parent-partner relationship interactions.

We’re asking parents to report on a range of children’s outcomes, like their psychosocial development and schooling experienc-

es during the pandemic.”

Dr. Votruba-Drzal notes that there is strong evidence to suggest that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and families are being borne disproportionately by children and families from backgrounds that are racially minoritized. Therefore, a third aim of the Triple C study is to examine whether the pandemic has exacerbated racial and ethnic disparities and economic circumstances.

“Childhood is important in shaping adult health and well-being, and COVID-19 will likely have long-lasting ramifications for children facing increased familial economic uncertainty and deprivation,” says Dr. Votruba-Drzal. “These ramifications are likely particularly pronounced for Black and Latino children and children in households of lower socioeconomic status, as the virus’s health and economic effects

have been more severe for people of color.”

In the long-term, Dr. Votruba-Drzal and her colleagues hope to secure funding to follow up with parents who participated in the study at future intervals to see how they are doing. She thinks that families who were experiencing hardship or inequality before the pandemic may prove to have a harder time recovering from its negative effects. More immediately, she hopes the study data inform local and state governments’ policies and offer insights into how best to support children and families during these difficult times.

Across the country, people have seen examples of widespread economic hardship, including food and housing insecurity.

However, in many communities, people have also shown tremendous generosity and understood that the well-being of everyone in communities means better lives for everyone.

“It’s a challenging time for families,” says Dr. Votruba-Drzal. “People who care about the well-being of their communities need to be aware of the effect of the pandemic on the broader structure of inequality in this country. The pandemic’s effects on children and families may endure well beyond the end of COVID-19.”

Community Vaccine Collaborative welcomes community participation The Community Vaccine Collaborative (CVC) is an innovative community-academic partnership centered on mitigating the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black and Latinx communities, from increasing participation in vaccine trials to promoting vaccine uptake, and, more distally, improving trustworthiness of research and health care among minoritized communities.

The CVC was co-developed with four community organizations in Allegheny County (Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, the Neighborhood Resilience Project, UrbanKind Institute and Casa San Jose) as well as researchers from Pitt to address disparities in vaccine acceptance and uptake among marginalized and minoritized communities.

Core to the CVC is connection to Community Health Deputies (CHDs), trained community health workers recruited by the Neighborhood Resilience Project to provide accurate information about COVID-19. Sustained involvement of minoritized communities is needed to ensure that research and health care delivery systems address equity and increase trustworthiness.

Our longer-term vision is to use the approaches developed in this integrated program to sustain local community networks and facilitate vaccine uptake

SOME AMPOULES WITH NCOV-2019 VACCINE IN A BOX, TO FIGHT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. among individuals in southwestern Pennsylvania, increase their active participation in clinical trials, and support equitable vaccine delivery in community and clinic-based settings by nurturing trustworthiness of the

vaccines themselves, health care and research.

The Community Vaccine Collaborative members are welcoming invitations to attend community meetings such as Public Safety meetings (by in-

dividual zones), neighborhood alliances, community town halls, and congregations, among others.

Each of these community meetings is attended by at least one scientist able to speak about COVID-19 and the vaccines, one health professional who identifies as BIPOC, and one community health deputy or CVC member.

This ‘Speakers’ Bureau’ allows for personal connections with experts, an opportunity to discuss questions in a safe, nonjudgmental setting, and encourage each participant to share information learned with others in their network.

The goal is to have these community meetings occurring regularly in the most overburdened and under-resourced neighborhoods which have been the hardest hit by the medical, social and economic consequences of this pandemic.

These offer opportunity for community leaders to work alongside health and research professionals to ensure expert voices (including those of community members) are equipped to speak knowledgeably, sensitively, creatively and authoritatively about the “how’s, what’s and why’s” of COVID-19 prevention with our fellow Pittsburgh neighbors. Here’s a link to request a presentation - https://tinyurl.com/1rxcwocs

RELIGION/METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MARCH 10-16, 2021

Rep. Ed Gainey garnering support in City of Pittsburgh mayoral bid

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Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH 91 Crawford Street Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Sunday Mass 10:30 A.M. www.sbtmparishpgh.com

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posed in the 2020 election.

He’s currently in the first of his latest two-year term as a State Representative.

Rep. Gainey, though, said that he’s all in on becoming a mayor—the mayor—of the Steel City, of which he would be the first African American. He looks to garner the support of even more city residents as he lays out some of his priorities: clean and safe streets; affordable housing; partnering with Pittsburgh Public Schools; improving police-community relations; uplifting the morale of city workers and letting them know they’re valued; and having a solutions-based approach to the “Gender Equity Report.”

The conversation around racial disparities in Pittsburgh has become regular conversation, while studies like the 2019 Gender Equity Report prove that leadership in Pittsburgh caters to a certain set of Pittsburghers.

The Gender Equity Report, specifically known as “Pittsburgh’s Inequality Across Gender and Race,”

produced by the University of Pittsburgh, found “serious disparities for all women, and especially for Black women and girls.”

Junia Howell, Ph.D., a co-author of the study and Assistant Professor of Sociology at Pitt, summarized the report: “If Black residents got up today and left and moved to the majority of any other city in the U.S., automatically, by just moving, their life expectancy would go up, their income would go up, their educational opportunities for their children would go up as well as their employment.”

Rep. Gainey told the Courier he has an agenda of providing solutions regarding the Gender Equity Report. “We should never come out with a report that has no recommendation on how to become better.

To make a statement that Black people, Black women in this city live in deplorable conditions and that Pittsburgh is not a place for them, that does not create hope in people,” he told the Courier.

Various scholars identify the correlation between poverty, education and

STATE REP. ED GAINEY

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STATE REP. ED GAINEY, center, is gaining more and more support as the May 18 Primary Election approaches. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello) crime. Rep. Gainey, 50, seeks to form an even closer partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) if he becomes mayor. “Every great city has a great school district, and every great school district has a great city,” he said. “We have to work together with the school district to talk about how we can partner on activities to make that possible.”

Rep. Gainey knows a little something about PPS. He graduated as a Peabody Highlander in 1988.

Peabody is now Obama Academy, in East Liberty.

East Liberty is within his state House District, along with his neighborhood residence, Lincoln-Lemington.

Rep. Gainey is also a 1994 graduate of Morgan State University, an HBCU. Rep. Gainey, the man with the confident, larger-thanlife presence, is racking up the endorsements. This past weekend, he received the endorsement of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, making Rep. Gainey the first African American to ever get a mayoral endorsement from the committee.

In February, Rep. Gainey received the endorsement of the Service Employees International Union (Healthcare Pa.), a union that consists of nearly 45,000 health care workers and service employees in health facilities. It’s obvious that his longtime advocacy and willingness to boost the morale of city workers and express his gratitude to them over the years didn’t go unnoticed.

“Rep. Gainey has worked every day to make sure

that we have what we need to stay safe during COVID. He knows that when you lift up the people who have been excluded and ignored, you lift up everyone,” said Nila Payton, administrative assistant at UPMC Presbyterian, in a Feb. 24 statement from SEIU announcing its endorsement.

“I see Rep. Gainey in our communities all the time, hosting back-to-school events with music, food, resources for families and providing our school-aged children with backpacks and school supplies. We can build a city that works for everyone, but it takes someone willing to challenge power and do the work, not just talk the talk.

Ed Gainey is that person.”

Rep. Gainey’s first en-

dorsement from a political group, though, was from the regional activist collective One PA. Angel Gober, the organization’s Western Pa. director, called Rep. Gainey “a proven public servant who leads with humility and strength,” in a statement from the group announcing its endorsement.

Rep. Gainey holds valuable relationships with community members and local police officers.

Through his objective lens, he told the Courier that “there are, without question, police officers that I would leave my children with and know that they would grow up to be healthy and whole. That’s SEE GAINEY A6

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STATE REP. ED GAINEY

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- Jeremiah 33:3

REV. WALKER SAYS: We can talk to the Creator of all things just by our prayers. There is no cell phone bill. Jesus is listening 24/7. When have you called Him? Do it now. He is waiting for your call.

(Rev. A. Marie Walker is servant pastor of St. John Baptist Church in Wilmerding.)

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

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METRO

MARCH 10-16, 2021

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

WILLIAM ‘BUZZY’ ROBINSON, OWNER OF FAMED CRAWFORD GRILL, DIES ROBINSON FROM A1

who qualified to be regulars in the corner of the Crawford Grill,” “Hop” wrote in 2018, “but the Angel of Death has called all of them home, but myself and the son of the owner of the Crawford Grill, William ‘Buzzy’ Robinson. Buzzy is an example of what we were exposed to in the Crawford Grill, because he is a world traveler—he was able to describe to us and particularly to those who had only read and saw foreign countries in movies about some of the places and things he was able to see and participate in, and he lived for years in ‘The Big Apple.’

The town, so nice, they named it twice—New York, New York.”

Nelson E. Harrison, Ph.D., is many things—a clinical psychologist, educator, author—but his true passion is music. Dr. Harrison is a veteran of the Count Basie Orchestra (trombonist), a worldclass musician who will never forget his early days playing at Buzzy’s club, the Crawford Grill No. 2, in 1956 and beyond.

Dr. Harrison has traveled the world, playing in hundreds of venues,

CRAWFORD GRILL NO. 2, in 1975, from the McBride Sign Company Photographs, Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center. but he told the Courier in an exclusive interview, March 9, that “the Crawford Grill was my favorite stage to play on in my entire lifetime, largely due to Buzzy and the way he maintained the place. He

kept the standards high and it was always a joy to be around him and to work for and with him.”

Dr. Harrison, who is currently an Adjunct Professor of Psychology & Ethnic Studies at

Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), called Buzzy Robinson “a great personality in the community, who maintained and hosted the music community, including the fans and the

musicians, in a way that prepared us for the highest standard across the world.”

Born Sept. 8, 1931, in Pittsburgh, William P. “Buzzy” Robinson later attended West Virginia

State College (now West Virginia State University). He had a great love for his family and friends, his obituary said. The obituary recalled one of the well-known “Buzzy Stories” when Buzzy chased a “hungry grizzly bear” from his cabin while he was visiting his friend, Jim Friedman, in Alaska.

“This account was later verified by people living in the remote fishing village where it happened, and he remains local legend there to this day,” Buzzy’s obituary stated.

Buzzy Robinson is survived by his children; Joseph, Price and Courtney, and their families, including Buzzy’s grandchildren, Ava, Jovonne and Jesse.

“He had a unique relationship with all his family and will be remembered for the best of his qualities by each of them,” Buzzy’s obituary read. “Before his death, he wanted to leave a personal message for his grandson, Jesse, with whom he had a very special bond: ‘Be your own man, Jesse. You are an exceptional and rare individual. The world is waiting for you—do great things! I will be watching you.’”

Gainey garnering more and more support for mayor of Pittsburgh GAINEY FROM A5

the other side of the equation. Building a healthy police-community relationship benefits all. I have advocated and fought for that in the (Pa. General Assembly) and in the community.”

As a leader in the com-

munity, Rep. Gainey has made it a point to avoid generalizing in a world that makes it tempting to engage in generalizations.

He’s spoken on behalf of those who have been maimed and/or injured by the police. He has also awarded the good works of police officers every year

at his annual Community Police Service Award ceremony for the community service that many officers perform.

Rep. Gainey has advocated over the years for more affordable housing in Pittsburgh, better police-community relations, and other issues. The out-

spoken Pa. Representative recently co-sponsored a bill in the state House with Rep. Morgan Cephas, a Black woman representing Philadelphia, concerning those who file false police reports. Many of these false police reports involve a White person leveling unfounded claims on a Black

person; such was the case when, last spring, a White woman in New York City called the police on a Black man because he asked her to put her dog on a leash.

He and state Rep. Summer Lee, a Black woman representing the 34th House District (which includes the Mon Valley), also teamed up to sponsor a bill on Police Use of Force, stemming from the tragic death of 17-yearold Antwon Rose II, who was killed by a then-East Pittsburgh Police officer in 2018.

It’s not like Mayor Peduto is going down without a fight, however. The twotime mayor of Pittsburgh said that his record of reforming the city government is strong. And he’s attained his share of endorsements, including the endorsements of Pittsburgh City Council’s two Black members, Rev. Ricky Burgess and R. Daniel Lavelle.

“Mayor Peduto has been extremely supportive of programs that tackle affordability, the wealth gap in Black communities, and inequity,” Councilman Lavelle told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in a Feb. 11 article.

The Primary Election will be held, May 18. The win-

ner of the mayoral primary for the Democratic Party undoubtedly will secure the candidate’s position to win the General Election in November.

“We can talk about reform, but what has been done?” Rep. Gainey said, countering Mayor Peduto’s claim of city government reform on his watch. “We still have police-community relations problems, we still have a housing problem, we still have gender equity problems. We have a lot of issues. So I’m not sure where the reform has taken place. Are we talking about departmental reforms? The reform I’m talking about is running Pittsburgh altogether, moving Pittsburgh from a two-tale city to a one-forall city. From a city that is divided to a city that is united, that’s real reform.”

“We have the historic opportunity to elect a powerful voice for the people and the first Black mayor of the City of Pittsburgh,” said One Pa Board Chair, LaSaine Latimore, in a statement. “Ed has been a true ally and friend to One PA members for years, always showing up for us. We’re going to make sure that we show up for him.”

(Rob Taylor Jr. contributed to this story.)

“I’m honored to have the support of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee in this campaign. I’ve spent the past six weeks talking to committee members in every corner of our city about their priorities for our city, and it’s clear ...that we share a common vision for a brighter, more prosperous future for all Pittsburghers. I look forward to fighting alongside committee members to deliver meaningful public safety reform, making our city more affordable and welcoming for working families, and holding our largest employers accountable.”

REP. ED GAINEY Candidate for Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh

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Training antiracist math teachers?

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MARCH 10-16, 2021

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PROPERTY IS POWER

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AARP promotes Kane-Williams to Chief Diversity Officer

Increasing Black homeownership With a new administration in office there has been more chatter regarding home equity as it relates to minorities and ownership. With the array of issues, the Biden Administration is faced with, correcting the injustices and inequities is still a high priority. The housing policy is another facet in which social justice and income inequalities can be addressed.

If purchasing a home is on your radar for 2021, it’s still an obtainable goal since the time is now to revisit the gap between Black and White homeownership and what can be done to close it. This ongoing debate obviously still has challenges but there is restored hope for a brighter future.

In previous articles, it has been my goal to bring awareness and impose the importance of homeownership and how owning a home can build long-lasting generational wealth. This article aims to continue the trend.

With all of the strides made within the Black community, the disparities of homeownership within our community are still staggering. Closing the Blackwhite homeownership gap is an essential gauge of whether we are on course to be a fair, just society with equal access to everyone (Article: Urban Institute, Reducing the Racial Home Ownership Gap.) As a quick re-visit to the most recent economic and housing downturn from 2008, the Black community was hit harder than other racial groups. At the peak of the bubble, Black homebuyers disproportionately bought homes at ANTHONY O. KELLUM higher rates than their white and Asian counterparts.

In addition, they were also the victims of predators offering sub-prime loans (a loan offered above prime to people who do not qualify for a prime loan) even for people who actually qualified for prime loans.

Also, Black homeowners were aggressively sought after for unsafe refinance products which eliminated their equity and fueled the home foreclosure crises the country experienced at large… (Article: Urban Institute, Reducing the Racial Home Ownership Gap.) Fast forward to today and how we can stop the proverbial bleeding? Below are three ways to lessen the gap.

Outreach and Education: Lenders should continue to improve outreach programs, providing education on the down payment requirements and also explaining the misconceptions about the importance of down payments. Potential home buyers should seek out assistance programs ~ there are funds available that go unused because people are not aware of the programs available.

Loan Officer Diversity Inclusion: It sounds like a cliché but enhancing diversity within the lending industry. Borrowers should seek lenders with a diverse pool to choose from. Minorities are expected to be the majority by 2025 and the lending industry should reflect the changing demographic. This will also build trust and inclusivity.

Supply and Demand: Affordability and accessibility are at the forefront of creating a more equally yoked buying process. States should implement their own fair housing rules and regulations. Buyers should also do their own research to determine what programs are available and seek lenders who embrace the changing demographics.

Reforms are needed across the spectrum to ensure the millions of people who are creditworthy gain access to fair, stable, affordable, and safe homeownership opportunities.

EDNA KANE-WILLIAMS

W A S H I N G T O N — To day AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins announced the creation of a new group, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and a new executive-level position, Chief Diversity Officer. The group and role were created to heighten the organization’s focus on its social mission work and best serve Americans 50+, a rapidly diversifying demographic.

Jenkins also announced that she has promoted Edna Kane-Williams into the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer. The CDO

position reports directly to the CEO and serves on the AARP Executive Team. Kane-Williams has worked at AARP since 2006, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Multicultural Leadership.

“AARP’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion runs deep. Today’s announcement to fine tune our structure and expand our DEI work builds on our long and strong commitment to serve all Americans 50+, caregivers and families,” said AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins. “Edna Kane-Williams has an ex-

traordinary track record of championing equity and inclusion, and in her new role, she will be a key partner in helping AARP achieve its goals and lead with our values. I look forward to our expanded work together.”

As CDO, Kane-Williams is responsible for driving AARP’s enterprise Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workforce, workplace and marketplace strategies. This work includes AARP’s strategies around age discrimination, disparSEE KANE-WILLIAMS B2

Entrepreneur launches newest Black-owned luxury handbag and accessories brand FÜ Lifestyle is the newest Black woman-owned accessories brand designed by fashion designer Eva Moore for modern progressives.

With its debossed FÜ logo print, the brand’s Lifestyle bag is a bold statement for the fashion-forward and progressive-thinking alike.

“This is my response to the ubiquitous logo-covered bags we’ve all seen forever,” said Moore, admitting that the FÜ brand had tonguein-cheek origins. “You like initials? How about these?”

For Moore, a devoted animal and human rights activist, the bag is the vehicle to express her irreverence toward “pretentious” fashion norms and her disgust with the “hate-filled” and divisive politics of the outgoing administration.

Growing up, Moore aspired to a fashion career but abandoned her passion when told that her designs were too unconventional. The 2016 election and the catastrophic last year served as catalysts to launch “hell or high water, which is here and now.” The flagship, regularly $199, has been reduced to $149 to celebrate the launch and features: • Signature logo paisley lining • Laptop compartment • Water bottle pocket • Key fob • 3” dual magnification compact mirror with lan-

EVA MOORE yard Reminiscent of a pocket watch, the compact’s lanyard clips to the tote’s hardware or, if one prefers, a belt loop. It’s a modern take on a bygone de rigueur style item. Moore asserts that it’s less about vanity and more about “not showing up with kale stuck in my teeth.”

FÜ – A Multipurpose Homonym FÜ is not only the abbreviation for a familiar expletive; they are also the initials for Moore’s audacious

alter ego. Frida Überschätz is an African and German American designer with “unfortunate initials” and an “almost laughable” surname, which means “overrated” in German. Undeterred by her moniker, Frida embraces her name’s uniqueness and uses it to her advantage.

The FÜ bag is for the daring, forward-thinking, and those “willing to give an FÜ to everything wrong in this country and the world. It’s definitely not ‘you- knowwho’s’ handbag,” she quips.

5 percent of profits will go to Planned Parenthood.

Learn more at FULifestyle. com Etsy Shop: Etsy.com/shop/ FULifestyle Instagram: @fridauberschatz About FÜ Lifestyle Founded in 2014, the FÜ Lifestyle brand focuses on providing top-quality statement accessories for the bold, cheeky & unconventional who want to make a statement against injustice without saying a word.

Know your WORTH! You are not who you say you are! You are not who you want us to believe you are! Your beliefs, your customs, your moral compass, your knowledge and understanding helps to define whom you can become. It is your actions and lack thereof that really reveals your inner soul—your core being. It’s your actions that ultimately define your worth.

Your actions speak so loudly, I can’t hear what you are saying.

I recall as a young boy my first basketball coach, Mr. Arnold, having us recite Jesse Jackson’s “I’m somebody” speech. “I may be poor, but I’m somebody. I may be on welfare, but I’m somebody. I may be in jail, but I’m somebody. I may be uneducated, but I’m somebody. I’m Black, beautiful, and proud. I must be respected. I must be protected. I’m somebody!”

I didn’t understand the magnitude of those words as a child. Now that I’m an adult, I can say with great confidence, you are somebody! I’m somebody! The value you and I represent to our loved ones is immeasurable. The impact that we impart to our loved ones carry forward for generations far beyond our lifetime. Our value, in that respect, cannot be calibrated. As adults, many of us would sacrifice all of our worldly possessions just to spend five more minutes with a deceased loved one.

Your self-worth isn’t defined by your social, educational, economical, political, marital or racial status. Your self-worth isn’t your net worth. Your self-worth is defined by how you see yourself. More importantly, it is the actions that you’re willing to take to become a reality of your vision for yourself. I’m making the assumption that you see value in

yourself and you know that you can do and become whatever your heart desires. If you suffer from low self-esteem, low confidence or insecurity, I want you to understand that I know that you’re more valuable than you currently think you are. Doubt, hardship, and long-suffering are clouding your vision.

Doubt, hardship, and long-suffering are things needed to strengthen our wisdom and our resolve.

In this article, I want to expound on “Net Worth.” “Net Worth” is something that can be measured mathematically. It’s an exact science. There is no gray area. It’s a matter of fact. There’s no overly secret mathematical algorithm or complex mathematical equation used to calculate your “Net Worth” like there is to calculate your “Credit Score.” It’s suffice it to say that your net worth is far more important and far more valuable than your credit score. Yet, people happily proclaim their credit score and have no earthly idea of what their net worth is. Net worth is defined as “Assets minus Debts equals Net Worth.” In other words, what you own minus what you owe is how your “Net Worth” is determined.

Talking in terms of net worth is a language I use in my everyday life. It’s what I was trained to do. It’s the business that I’m in.

I often mistakenly think that the everyday language I use in my business is the lexicon of the general population. It’s not.

I have a few people who help me curate and create memes for my various social media platforms that I’m in the process of growing. One meme that was sent to me was titled, “America’s Racial Wealth Gap.” It was a study done by Brookings in 2016 and published in 2020. It showed the average net worth of a Black family was $17,150 in comparison to the $171,000 for a White family. Not only did I post the meme—in an effort to fact-check the meme, I located the article that was published depicting those numbers. Surprisingly, I received backlash from a few people. All of whom mistook net worth for income. One poster was very upset, stating “I’m surprised at you Damon Carr, you need to do your research because I know a lot of Blacks who was ‘making’ more than $17,150.” I responded trying to explain, the meme isn’t talking about income or a person’s earnings, it’s talking about “Net Worth.” We went back and forth. We eventually smoothed things out, although she was reluctant to admit it. She, like most, didn’t know what “Net Worth” meant.

Net worth isn’t ascribed only to the rich and famous. Realized or unrealized, we all have a net worth.

Net worth is your most important financial number. It defines your wealth position. Net worth in its most simple definition is the number of months or years that you can maintain your lifestyle and pay your

bills and expenses without a paycheck. If your accumulated savings, investments or income generated from assets you owned is sufficient to maintain your lifestyle and pay your bills and expenses for three months, you’re essentially three months wealthy.

A more robust depiction of net worth is when you accumulate and own enough assets that you’re transitioned from “earned income” to passive, portfolio, and royalty income. Earned income is money generated from the sweat of your efforts. Passive, portfolio, and royalty income is income generated from savings, investments, real estate and intellectual property, products, and businesses.

Saving, investing, and the acquisition of assets of value—not just stuff, is how you flex your money muscles. Saving and investing money is how you build financial stability, which leads to financial freedom, which leads to financial independence. This represents the asset column of net worth. The only enemy of net worth is debt. It’s hard to save money when your income is obligated to monthly debt payments. It’s hard to have a positive net worth when everything of value you own has a loan or credit card balance associated with it.

Know your worth! It’s your actions, not your words, that define who you are. Know your worth! You mean the world to somebody. Know your worth! Your self-worth is your own appraisal of yourself. Know your worth! Your assets minus your debts equal your net worth. Once you know your worth, work on growing your worth!

(Damon Carr, Money Coach can be reached at 412216-1013 or www.damonmoneycoach.com)

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MARCH 10-16, 2021

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Wells Fargo makes major investment in six Black-owned banks

by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—Wells Fargo is observing Black History Month in a meaningful way.

The banking giant has selected six African American minority depository institutions (MDIs) for equity investments.

Broadway Federal Bank in Los Angeles, Carver Federal Savings Bank in New York, Citizens Savings Bank & Trust in Nashville, Commonwealth National Bank in Mobile, Ala., M&F Bank in Durham, N.C., and Optus Bank in Columbia, S.C., are receiving critical equity capital, because of Well Fargo’s generous contribution.

The financial commitment structure means that the investments are in the form of critical equity capital, which is foundational to the MDIs’ ability to expand lending and deposit-taking capacity in their communities.

The investments, primarily non-voting positions, are designed to enable the banks to maintain their MDI status.

Wells Fargo said it is also supporting each MDI’s development through a banking relationship in the form of a single touchpoint coverage model that will help them access Wells Fargo’s expertise and pursue strategic priorities like entering new markets, expanding locations, designing new products, and hiring staff to support loan growth.

The investments are part of a March 2020 pledge

by Wells Fargo to invest as much as $50 million in Black-owned banks.

“MDIs are a viable and very important sector of the banking industry that can directly support the financial health of communities where typically

BASED IN LOS ANGELES, Broadway Federal Bank is one of the several minority depository institutions that Wells Fargo is investing in. there are gaps in banking services,” said Gigi Dixon, head of External Engagement for Wells Fargo’s Diverse Segments, Representation & Inclusion group.

“By working together with MDIs, Wells Fargo can address some of the issues where these banks are located and help reach the unbanked. These investments will complement our community development efforts while positively impacting people in many communities we serve.”

Dixon continued: “We are trying to break the cycle where these institutions and their communities have faced barriers to raising significant capital,” Dixon said. “Ideally, this is going to promote the ability of MDIs to stimulate growth in lowto middle-income communities and be more profit-

able.”

The Wells Fargo commitment is in the form of equity instead of deposits.

For example, with $1 of new deposits, an MDI can make $1 of new loans, but with $1 of new equity, an MDI can make $10 of new loans.

Wells Fargo officials said its investment goes beyond cutting a check, but the goal is to have meaningful, lasting relationships with the banks.

“We’ve spent considerable time getting to know each MDI and understanding their unique needs,” Dixon noted.

Each MDI will have a dedicated relationship team as part of Corporate & Investment Banking.

Wells Fargo will provide day-to-day relationship coverage and a central point of connectivity for MDIs to access various re-

sources.

Dixon asserted that the MDIs receiving the investment had requested non-financial resources in their business plans, and Wells Fargo will be aligning resources to those needs.

Some of the requests include technology solutions for digital transformation, leveraging Wells Fargo’s consumer footprint (ATM/ branch access), loan orig-

ination partnerships), financial education, and mentorship.

“These investments are designed to help the banks become stronger and more impactful to the minority communities they serve, which leads to economic revitalization and job opportunities,” said Bill Daley, vice chairman of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo.

“So many communities

have suffered over the past year. MDIs need capital, but they can also benefit from access to other resources, and Wells Fargo is committed to building lasting, strategic relationships with these institutions in support of their goals.”

(Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent.)

NeighborWorks America launches StopHomeScams.org to empower homeowners and renters (BlackPressUSA)—NeighborWorks America Launches StopHomeScams. org to Empower Homeowners and Renters to Combat Housing Scams Visit StopHomesScams.org to help protect consumers against foreclosure and eviction StopHomeScams.org is a national public education initiative led by NeighborWorks® America with support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, National Fair Housing Alliance, and National Foundation for Credit Counseling designed to help protect consumers by empowering them to take action and protect their home and community from scammers. The goal is for consumers to Know the signs, Get the facts, and Stop home scams.

The economic impact of COVID-19 has made housing security even more uncertain for many Americans. With a patchwork of forbearance and rental assistance programs scheduled to end and up to 21 percent of renters at risk of eviction, many families are seeking solutions and finding themselves at risk of being taken advantage of through questionable programs and unscrupulous actors, until it is too late.

“We want to emphasize how important it is for consumers to know the signs of a housing scam and quickly report any scam activities,” said Marietta Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of NeighborWorks America. “The Stop Home Scams initiative is making it easier for homeowners and renters in distress to protect themselves and help shut down scammers.”

Here are three key consumer tips for avoiding scammers—find more tips and guidance on StopHomeScams.org: • Avoid promises of success or anyone who guarantees to assist with payment or prevent foreclosure or eviction.

• Avoid companies that tell you to stop paying your rent or mortgage. Being told to stop paying is a sure sign of a scam.

• Reach out to your landlord or mortgage company when you are struggling with your monthly payments to ask any questions or share concerns about your home. Consumers and partners can ac-

cess http://www.StopHomeScams.org to find educational resources to help recognize and report a housing scam.

In addition to scam awareness tips, StopHomeScams.org provides links to state and national partner resources to support consumers and assist them in finding assistance for their individual needs.

“We believe this effort to prevent housing scams is particularly important during a time when far too many families, including people of color impacted by the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, are facing financial challenges,” said Eileen Fitzgerald, head of housing affordability philanthropy with the Wells Fargo Foundation. “Protecting people from being compromised by scam attempts is important to helping keep people housed in a safe and affordable place they can call home.”

To help spread the word, the Stop Home Scams initiative, led by NeighborWorks America and its nationwide network of nonprofits, will work to educate consumers and conduct outreach efforts to community groups and local residents. In addition to scam awareness tips, there are links to state and national resources to support consumers with finding assistance for their individual needs. StopHomeScams. org offers inclusive, consumer-friendly tools and resources.

“StopHomeScams.org is based on the belief that knowledge and action are the best defense against falling prey to scammers,” said Rodriguez. “That is why it was so important for NeighborWorks and our partners, like the Wells Fargo Foundation, to come together to help consumers, especially those most vulnerable at this time, with the tools they need to minimize their risk and stop scammers in their tracks. COVID-19 has proven to exacerbate scam activity, and consumers must empower themselves and protect their homes.”

For more information visit http:// www.StopHomeScams.org.

AARP promotes Kane-Williams KANE-WILLIAMS FROM B1

ities and multicultural audiences; the Disrupt Aging initiative; AARP’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council; and AARP’s Strategic Enterprise Employee Resource Groups.

Said Kane-Williams: “At a time of momentous change, AARP is broadening our work and deepening our commitment to our nearly 38 million members, our entire demographic, and our workforce. We are and will continue to be inclusive and equitable in how we fulfill our mission and car-

ry out our work. I look forward to helping AARP achieve success.”

Kane-Williams brings more than twenty years of experience in non-profit and for-profit organizations to her new role. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Legal Counsel for the Elderly and for the Center for Responsible Lending, and she is a founding member of the Conference Board’s Multicultural Marketing Advocacy Council. She earned a Master of Arts from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MARCH 10-16, 2021

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Black women, my sisters (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Like most the (Biden) Treasury Department people, I enjoy peace and tranquility announced that it was resuming the Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. in my life. I find that I sometimes process to put the image of Harriet experience profound frustration with Tubman on the $20 dollar bill. In adthe need for continuous social unrest dition to replacing Andrew Jackson, to move us forward. I erroneously a well-known racist and slaveholder, assumed that when Trump left, the Ms. Tubman will serve as a constant discord that followed daily in his reminder of the ‘real truth’ of this nawake would gradually vanish. To the tion and confront each holder of a $20 contrary, Trump’s numerous discibill to finally acknowledge basic flaws ples of evil maintain the type of soin the character of this nation. cial disruption I had not envisioned.

I am also pleased to see truthful deEarlier today, I was in that type of mood of frustration, pictions of the lives of brilliant Black women, which had that is until I read the subject line of an NAACP email been held in obscurity, hitting or in preparation to hit which read, “Change comes when Black women lead.” both large and small screens. I have not yet seen it, but That was enough to snatch me out of my ‘funk’ and fill singer/actress Andra Day won the Golden Globe Best me with brighter thoughts of the achievements of womActress for her portrayal of Billie Holliday. I also look en of color and the impact of Black women on the story forward to viewing both the limited television series and of this nation. the film dedicated to the life of Fannie Lou Hamer.

Without reservation or shame, I proudly acknowledge Contemporarily, we must look to our current Vice-Presthe obstacles which Black women had to overcome while ident of the United States as an exemplar. My personal providing a nurturing and protective environment in the familiarity with the obstacles in the game of politics face of hostilities intent on physical and psychological affords me some insight into the strength and perseverdestruction. The courage and fortitude of the women ance necessary to participate in a successful political I choose to emulate bring great admiration, yet at the campaign. I was a candidate in a congressional district. same time regret for the inhumane horrors they had VP Harris successfully participated in a national electo endure to maintain a sense of dignity and personal tion which was infinitely more challenging. integrity, and to set the example for those who follow.

Finally, no discussion of the strength of Black women The names of these women include my predecessors— would be complete without the inclusion of my mother.

Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and Dr. C. Delores She raised 9 children alone and gave each of us a spirit Tucker. Others are Rosa Parks, Betty Shabazz, Fannie of pride in accomplishment and the will to apply our poLou Hamer, Cicely Tyson, Sojourner Truth, Harriet tential to the maximum extent. The life that she, my sibTubman, Diane Nash, Ella Baker, Ida B. Wells-Barnett lings, and I shared was not always easy or pleasant, but, and more. through my mother’s example and strength, we learned If you are unfamiliar with the biographies and contrito face future challenges uprightly and without fear. butions of any of the aforementioned women, I strongly There’s an African Proverb which states, “It is the encourage you to take the opportunity to enrich your life women who hold the sky up.” I dare anyone to challenge with a brief examination of theirs. the truth of that!

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of the National Congress of To digress a bit, people are quite possessive and atBlack Women.) tentive to their money. That is why I was thrilled when

Commentary

Guest Editorial

Celebrate women in March for lifetime achievements March is Women’s History Month, which places the spotlight on women and celebrates their achievements. It is a time to recognize women breaking glass ceilings, beating down doors and pushing away barriers to progress. It is the month to raise awareness that women are growing in their determination not to let anything hold them back.

This month marks 30 years since Congress passed the law authorizing the establishment of Women’s History Week. It was not until 1987 that Congress voted to designate March as Women’s History Month and approved the president’s decision to proclaim it. Women did not need a designation or approval to make a difference in the U.S. or around the world. And 2020 proved to be an outstanding year of progress. Women assumed leadership roles in every sector previously denied them. Many did so despite additional barriers, including nationality, ethnicity, gender preference, age, disability, language, faith, or whatever issues others may have put in their way.

Some of these women are familiar, while others are not well known. Still, we celebrate them and name a few of them, including Kamala Harris, the first woman U.S. vice president. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender woman elected to Congress. Jennifer King, first Black woman Washington Football Team NFL coach.

Cori Bush, first Black woman representative to U.S. Congress from Missouri.

Bianca Smith, the first Black woman pro baseball coach. Dr. Namandjé Bumpus, the first Black woman department chair at Johns Hopkins Medical School. NASA Astronaut Jeanette Epps, the first Black woman to join an International Space Station Crew. Nia DaCosta, the first Black woman to direct a Marvel Universe film. Tamara Moore, the first Black woman to serve as head coach of a men’s college basketball team. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African director-general of the World Trade Organization. Rashida Jones, the first Black woman to run a major cable news network, namely MSNBC. Where women are not pursuing positions for themselves but decide to organize on behalf of others, they win. Ask President Joe Biden.

With women leading, policies impacting women are expected to change, as well. It is partly the reason for them being there.

Just as Black people don’t believe a blind eye should be given to public policy impacting Black people, women expect a gender-sensitive approach to public policies that affect women.

That’s why Women’s History Month matters.

(Reprinted from the Washington Informer)

Founded 1910

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher Allison Palm

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

Biden’s win means a civil rights lawyer will lead civil rights enforcement (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Black voters who turned out to elect President Ben Jealous Joe Biden were hoping for some real change. We’re getting it.

Kristen Clarke is one of the country’s most effective civil rights lawyers. She has tackled issues like police accountability, fair housing, educational and economic opportunity, and the school-to-prison pipeline. And Biden has nominated her to lead civil rights enforcement for the federal government.

That is a big change.

Clarke is president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a historic and important civil rights group. She has worked at the U.S. Justice Department and headed the civil rights bureau in the New York Attorney General’s office. She helped expose Trump’s sham Election Integrity Commission, which was designed to create justifications for voter suppression. And she resisted the Trump administration’s efforts to corrupt the 2020 census.

Clarke says she is inspired by Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, and Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman to argue a case at the Supreme Court and the first to serve as a federal judge.

Clarke will be the first Black woman to lead the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. At times in our history, that division has played a powerful role in protecting the constitutional principle of equal justice under law. Under former President Donald Trump, the division became a shell of its former self.

That is changing. When Biden announced the nomination of Clarke and other senior Justice Department officials, he called the Civil Rights Division “the moral center of the Justice Department.”

In her remarks accepting the nomination, Clarke pledged her commitment to the core constitutional principle of equal justice. “The clarion call of equal justice under law is what binds us together as a nation,” she said. “Now, it’s my honor to return to work alongside the dedicated career professionals who give of themselves every day to make that principle real in the lives of families like mine, in my son’s life, and in the lives of all of our sons and daughters.”

As an experienced civil rights advocate, Clarke knows

the forces that she is up against and she is not afraid to challenge them.

In January, she announced that the Lawyers’ Committee was suing the violent, extremist Proud Boys and their members for the racist attack on the historic Metropolitan AME Church after a day of pro-Trump protests in Washington, D.C. in December.

She has called out members of Congress who were promoting the “false and baseless claim that there was something wrong with the 2020 election.”

That kind of truth-telling is not always welcomed in Washington.

You will not be surprised to know that not everyone is celebrating Clarke’s nomination. Not everyone wants a strong civil rights division. Some people were just fine with the Trump administration’s hands-off approach to police accountability and civil rights enforcement. And some of them are trying to smear Clarke and other women of color Biden has appointed to top Justice Department positions.

It is not going to work.

Some Republican senators tried to use the confirmation hearing for attorney general nominee Merrick Garland to attack Clarke. Garland wouldn’t put up with it. When Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah made insinuations of anti-Semitism on the part of Clarke, Garland, who is Jewish, cut him off and defended Clarke’s integrity and commitments to equal justice. Garland told senators that he needs Clarke on his leadership team.

At the ceremony announcing her nomination—which came just a day after the deadly insurrection at the Capitol, Clarke said, “We are at a crossroads. If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, we will turn the page on hate and close the door on discrimination by enforcing our federal civil rights laws.”

Amen. That is a page that needs turning and a door that needs closing! Senators from both sides of the aisle should recognize that Clarke is a brilliant choice for this position. I am confident she will overcome whatever partisan objections are raised against her. And I look forward to watching her get to work.

Commentary

(Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation.)

Trying to rewrite the Jan. 6 coup attempt (NNPA)—There is something amazing organization called “Antifa,” for instance, going on in Republican Party circles. If and there are many organizations that Bill Fletcher Jr. I did not know better, I would assume operate under the banner of Black Lives that I was watching a television comedy.

Matter. Therefore, the right-wing asserSegments of the Republican Party are tions of an Antifa and BLM conspiracy attempting to tell us that the January would not make sense in the best of all 6th coup attempt did not actually happossible worlds. But more importantly, pen. Instead, they argue, what we SAW there is no evidence to back up such on television was allegedly orchestrated assertions!

by Antifa and the Black Lives Matter The pro-fascist element within the movement.

Republican Party is attempting several There are certain noteworthy things things at the same time. First, to lay about this argument, the most important being that it is the basis for further repression of anti-fascist and anti-racist not based on any facts. None. The second is that this line of forces. This is part of the motivation behind an increase in argument started as soon as the coup attempt had ended. anti-terrorism legislation in various states when the governRight-wingers claimed that it was a so-called false flag ment already has the authority to prosecute terrorists. operation that was conducted by the political Left in order Second, the pro-fascist element in the Republican Party is to delegitimize the political Right. There are many problems trying to obscure both the reality of January 6th but also the with this line of thinking, not the least being that many of antics of Trump. They are simply trying to deny that there the alleged perpetrators of the 1/6 coup attempt were avowed was a coup attempt where people were injured and/or lost right-wingers who conducted this operation in the full view of their lives. video.

There is a famous term for what the pro-fascist element is So, what is going on? Simply put, the pro-fascist elements doing. It comes from an iconic film. The term is “gas lighting,” in the Republican Party are attempting to convince a critical i.e., to lead people to believe that what they are actually expemass of the public that what they saw…they did not really riencing or seeing is not really happening. see. This is not even equivalent to a magician’s trick with the We cannot afford to ignore this. Precisely for these reasons, sleight of hand. They are going one step further and asserting the fascists and their collaborators need to be prosecuted to that what all of us saw on television or the web, for which the full extent of the law, thereby demonstrating the danger many people have been arrested and charged, did not happen that they pose to any democratic political system. This is no or, if it did, it was really conducted by the political Left. comedy.

(Bill Fletcher Jr. is a past president of TransAfrica Forum and a longIt is important to note that both Antifa and the Black Lives time trade unionist and writer.)

Matter movement are networks, at best. There is no one

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Black women’s organizations matter (TriceEdneyWire.com)—March is Women’s History Month, and this month is the perfect time to lift the Black women’s organizations that make such an essential difference in our lives. Last year, both the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women (NANBPW) celebrated their 85th anniversary. Thanks to COVID, neither organization had the opportunity to celebrate in the way they planned; now they are celebrating by Zoom. The differently scaled celebration does not diminish the importance that these organizations have.

When I think of NCNW, I think of the late Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, who used to say, “If I tap you with my finger, you may or may not feel it, but if I combine these five fingers into a fist, you will definitely feel it. “ Dr. Height was not a pugilistic woman, but she was a fervent believer in the power of the collective.

And NCNW, an “organization of organizations,” certainly fits that bill. Too many times, in modern history, NCNW, the collective, has been present. Many of us, for example, attended Labor Secretary Alexis Herman’s confirmation hearings, many wearing the crimson and cream colors of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Ms. Herman’s sorority (and also mine). Deltas were not the only people in the house. Other Di-

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary vine Nine sisters joined us, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho. We made an impression, and those senators prepared to grill Herman had to think twice because we were there.

Black women had a tremendous impact on this current election. I think of LaTosha Brown, a Black Votes Matter leader, and the tireless work she did to get voters out. I think of Melanie Campbell and the sisters of the Black Women’s Roundtable.

There are so many more Black women and Black Women’s organizations that made a difference in this election. President Biden has acknowledged the Black community and Black women in particular.

It is crucial, though, that our coalition continues to stay active and connected.

One Black woman, Kristen Clarke, has been nominated to serve as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Already the right-wing is going after her with their usual smear campaign tactics, taking comments out of context and blowing them up. The same coalition that worked to get the vote out now must work to support this exceptional woman.

Similarly, two other women of color are being smeared. Vanita Gupta, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, has been attacked by rabid right-wingers. Another woman of color, Neera Tanden, who leads the Center for American Progress, has been attacked for her tweets. Really? Her tweets, some say, are vicious. When have tweets adhered to a civility protocol? The coalition of Black women who have always made a difference must step up to support these women, too.

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, the founder of NCNW, was a firm believer in diversity and inclusion. She reached out to White women who shared our values and worked in coalition with them when she could, given the constraints of the time. She would approve supporting sisters Gupta and Tanden, women of color just like us. While we might not be on the same page as these sisters on everything, we have enough in common to be passionate in their defense. The smear tactics that the rabid right uses to smear these women are unacceptable. They are the same tactics that these people use against Vice President Kamala Harris.

We need to make sure they don’t work.

I often wonder what motivated Dr. Bethune to form an organization in the middle of the Great Depression, when overall unemployment rates soared to 25 percent and Black unemployment was two or three times higher. In 1935, food lines snaked around city blocks and down dusty roads in rural communities.

Too many Black folks were pushed to the back of the line or denied assistance altogether. The indignities were innumerable, but Bethune shrugged them off to build a powerful organization with unprecedented access to President Roosevelt. She walked into Roosevelt’s office with the collective strength of Black women in her fingers or her fist.

Black women’s organizations don’t get the credit they are due, so these organizations must be lifted in this Women’s History Month. What would our nation be without these organizations who get out the vote, raise money for scholarships, provide social and civic services, and do so much more? I don’t want to know the answer. All I know is that Black women’s organizations matter. We must celebrate them!

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author. She can be reached at juliannemalveaux. com.)

Training antiracist math teachers?

In 2019, the deeper. This depth J. Pharoah Doss Brookings Institute leads to greater published a report retention and called: “The Rise of greater ability to Black-Majority Cities.” apply knowledge.

It pointed out in Schleicher also 1970, there were 470 stated, students in Black-majority cities the United States and by 2010 there are often good at were 1,148. answering the first In 2015, the U.S. layer of a problem, News & World Report revealed, nationbut as soon as U.S. students have to go ally “only 18 percent of African-American deeper and answer the more complex part fourth-graders were proficient in reading of a problem, they experience difficulties. and only 19 percent scored as proficient Education experts agree teachers need in math … The eighth-grade numbers to stop expecting students to learn the were even worse, with only 16 percent of same way and at the same speed. HowevAfrican American students proficient in er, when it comes to improving the math reading and 13 percent in math … By scores of Black students, there’s another comparison the national average for profi- group of experts that believe teachers ciency among all students in fourth-grade need to be taught to reflect on their own reading was 36 percent, while it was 40 biases in order to transform their ability percent in fourth-grade math, 34 percent to teach Black students. These experts in eighth-grade reading and 33 percent in created an 80-page antiracist instruction eighth-grade math.” manual for teachers called: A Pathway to Globally, these numbers are awful.

Equitable Math Instruction, Dismantling The 2015 Program for International Stu- Racism in Mathematics Instruction. dent Assessment (PISA) ranked the U.S. This antiracist teacher’s manual states 38th out of 71 countries, and out of the 35 its purpose is to provide “critical apindustrialized nations that are members proaches to dismantling White supremacy of the Organization for Economic Cooperin math classrooms by visualizing the ation and Development (OECD), the U.S. toxic characteristics of White supremacy ranked in the bottom 15 percent at numculture with respect to math.” According ber 31. To compound matters, American to the manual, White supremacy shows students’ math scores haven’t improved. up in the math classroom in over a dozen The PISA is given every three years and ways. Here are a few examples.

American math scores have declined in 1). Focusing on getting the “right” an2012 and 2015. swer. The manual explains: The concept Normally, when Black underachieveof mathematics being purely objective is ment is discovered, the automatic unequivocally false. This upholds the idea response is to blame the disparities on there is always a right and wrong answer systemic racism. But where were the perpetuating objectivity. Therefore: Objecmost egregious examples of Black undertivity is a racist idea. performance, in White-majority cities or in 2). Independent work is valued over Black-majority cities? teamwork. The manual explains: There is Here are two headlines from 2017 and some value in students completing work 2018 featuring Black-majority cities. independently but it reinforces individual1). 13 Baltimore city high schools have ism. Therefore, “Individualism” is a racist zero students proficient in math idea.

2). Detroit schools score lowest in the 3). Teachers are teachers and students nation in reading and mathematics are students. The manual explains: If the The subtitle of the second headline student has a different approach to math, was, “Detroit students score lower than the teacher views the student as a threat 26 other urban districts.” Obviously, the to the power structure of the classroom. scores of the other 26 urban districts were This reinforces paternalism, which is nothing to brag about, but to blame it all racist. on systemic racism is a hard sell.

When Schleicher claimed the problem in However, Andreas Schleicher, the directhe United States is how math is taught, tor of education and skills at the OECD, I don’t think he meant America needs claimed the problem is with how math is to train antiracist teachers to rid mathtaught in the United States. Schleicher ematics of White supremacy in order to stated that the higher-ranking industriimprove Black test scores. alized nations teach fewer subjects but go

Check It Out

Surely the Duchess of Sussex couldn’t be surprised she’d always be a target Almost certainly all the perks and Meghan Markle had to Earl Ofari Hutchinson privileges of royalty, know the moment she while demanding a became the Jackie Robhands-off attitude inson of British royalty; from the press even she’d always be a tarwhen they allegedly get. But at first there misbehaved includseemed to be a bit of ing the issue of alnaivety if not on her legedly using royal part about the backmonies on frivolous lash of racism she’d be spending. Each time hammered with, but on Markle and Harry the part of hubby Prince Harry. screamed that they were the targets of a Two years before their 2018 marriage, relentless, well-crafted campaign of racial Harry lashed out at the perennially abuse masquerading as merely normal gossipy, muck raking British tabloids curiosity and public interest about the for what he termed the “wave of abuse doing of royalty, there was a counter. One and harassment” against his fiancé. He of the biggest is that Britain supposedly is could have saved his breath. It was the one of the most tolerant European counrare moment when there wasn’t some tries on race. And since Blacks make up a tidbit of gossipy alleged insider news relatively small percentage of the British about the royal marriage splattered over population it’s easy to make the case that a tabloid. Always lurking underneath the Britain is not a country where you’ll see a finger-point stories was the strong odor of George Floyd or massive, poverty stricken race. urban ghettoes ala the U.S. The pattern was set the instant the As for Markle, then, the critics message couple announced their wedding plans. is that she should be grateful for the colosMarkle was quickly put under the looking sal privilege of being royalty with all the glass. Every scrap of information about perks and the adulation that supposedly her family background, her career, her go with it. Markle may well have bought education, and her interests was endlessly this line, except for one thing, she was raked over the tabloid coals. It didn’t take never allowed too. Even after pretty much long for the standard racist cracks and being done with the royal family stuff, quips to kick in about her and her motives she was still hounded with yet another for crashing the royal family. She was not barrage of accusations. This time she alsimply the soon to be Duchess of Sussex. legedly bullied staff members to the point She was the Black, colored, or somewhat where they fled from service to the couple. more charitably, mixed race, bi-racial The proof of this is scant and Markle Duchess of Sussex. No matter how silent and Harry hotly denied the charge. Both the Queen Mother, Elizabeth, was or chalked it up to yet another of the by now how many terse denials were made, that standard racist attacks on them. there was no antipathy or friction toward It was inevitable that sooner or later Markle based on race, the speculation was Markle would seek as big an audience as non-stop that it was. And, that she would she could find to voice her anger and frusnever be accepted by the family as one of trations of the five-year bumpy ride she’s them. been on as the Duchess of Sussex. Or, that It was only a matter of time then before the Black, or if you prefer bi-racial, Duchthe dam burst. Harry and Markle would ess of Sussex has been on. She got that make their exit from the royal family audience with her and Harry’s interview ceremony, pomp and circumstance, ritual with Oprah. But there was one person, and so forth that surround British royalty. though, who would not watch. That was When they announced they wanted to be Queen Elizabeth who made clear she left alone and would relocate to another wouldn’t have the telly turned on for the land to escape the back biting, gossipy interview. glare of the press and the royal family, The Queen Mother may have taken a that didn’t stop the carping and backpass on them. But legions of Brits didn’t biting about her and them. They were follow her lead. No, Markle is just too combranded ingrates, spoiled, and ripped for pelling a subject of interest, and for many eternally playing the race card to hit back more Britains too compelling a target.

(Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and politiat any criticism aimed at them no matter cal analyst.) how valid that might be.

A prime knock was that they enjoyed

Commentary

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Stacy Brown

Commentary

Senate passes $1.9 trillion American rescue plan (NNPA)—President Joe Biden promised help was on the way to an America still battered by COVID-19, and after a marathon session of debate known as vote-a-rama and some dissension in the Democratic ranks —particularly Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia—the U.S. Senate finally passed the president’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan on Saturday, March 6.

“Today, the Senate passed the American Rescue Plan bringing us one step closer to delivering much-needed relief,” President Biden said from the White House shortly after the measured passed along party lines.

“When I took office, I promised help was on the way. Thanks to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senate Democrats, we’ve taken one more giant step forward in delivering on that promise. I hope the American Rescue Plan receives quick passage in the House so it can be sent to my desk to be signed,” the president continued.

Schumer (D-N.Y.) declared just prior to the vote that “we’re not going to make the same mistake we made after the last economic downtown, when Congress did too little to help the nation rebound, locking us into a long, slow, painful recovery. We are not going to be timid in the face of big challenges.”

Following the vote, Sen. Schumer spoke with the president on the telephone.

“He put together a great plan. It was just right,” the Senator remarked.

“It was strong and deep, but also very popular.”

The vote was the first significant test of the Biden Presidency.

It served as a litmus test of how united Democrats would be after four years of having debilitating Donald Trump-led legislation rammed through a favorable Senate.

During the four years of Republican control, a host of Democrat-proposed bills stalled in the upper chamber in what became known as former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s graveyard.

Sen. Manchin, who has discovered new and swingvote power, has wielded it mightily, forcing changes to the bill that was passed by the House a week earlier.

The West Virginia moderate objected to the president’s and other Democrats who fought to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. That portion of the bill was removed to facilitate the legislation getting through the reconciliation process. Sen. Manchin held up the vote for hours wanting—and receiving—a change from $400 to $300 to the federal unemployment insurance addition to the bill.

Ultimately, the bill passed along party lines 5049— one Republican Senator was absent, and therefore, Democrats didn’t need Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote.

The bill still must be returned to the House for final approval before it heads to President Biden’s desk for signature.

Once the bill becomes law, it’s believed that the IRS would quickly begin sending out a new round of stimulus payments. Single tax filers making $75,000 or less would receive $1,400, while married couples who file jointly and make less than $150,000 would receive $2,800.

Families will also receive $1,400 per child, and adult children claimed as dependents would also receive $1,400.

Unlike previous stimulus payments, single tax filers making at least $80,000, or couples earning more than $160,000, will not receive a check.

It’s also important to know that the IRS will determine eligibility based on either a 2019 or 2020 tax return.

If you have not filed your 2020 taxes, the government will use 2019 income.

Individuals who may have lost their jobs or whose incomes decreased in 2020 should file as soon as possible.

Otherwise, the IRS will use your 2019 income.

Like the previous stimulus, you are not required to pay taxes on the payments, and those owing child support or student debt to the federal government will be protected from garnishment.

However, lawmakers did not make provisions to protect anyone from garnishment who might have private debt.

The bill allows for the first $10,200 of unemployment payments tax-free, and those who receive food stamps will see a 15 percent increase in those benefits through September. Families whose children’s schools have remained closed are also in line to receive EBT benefits through the summer.

The legislation sends about $20 billion to state and local governments to help low-income households cover back rent and utility bills.

It also contains a provision that allows families with minor children to claim a larger tax credit this year.

Those who qualify would receive a child tax credit of $3,600 for each child under six.

Families will also receive $3,000 for each under age 18, up from the current credit of up to $2,000 per child under age 17.

The American Rescue Plan also provides $15 billion to the Emergency Injury Disaster Loan Program, which provides long-term, low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration.

Severely impacted small businesses with fewer than 10 workers will be given priority for some of the money.

Additionally, more people will qualify for higher premium subsidies through the Affordable Care Act. “Today’s passage of bold relief legislation is exactly what Georgians had in mind when they sent me to the Senate to help our state recover from the devastation of this once-in-a-century pandemic and corresponding economic downturn,” stated Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).

“For months, families and communities across the nation have been waiting for the substantive federal assistance they need to pay their rent, buy food and medicine, safely reopen all of our schools and keep essential workers on the job—and because of Georgia, that help is finally just around the corner.”

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RECRUITING NOW FOR OUR CONSTRUCTION AND CNA TRAINING PROGRAMS CALL TODAY !!!

Garfield Jubilee Association, Inc. YouthBuild Program 5325 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Candidates must be: •16 to 24 years of age •Meet Low Income Requirements •Live in the City of Pittsburgh or Allegheny •Need a high school diploma or have a high school diploma *Stipends/wages up to $8.50 per hour will be paid while students are in training.

For additional information contact Dion Jones, Program Coordinator At 412-665-5206 or 412-665-5200 Email address: dionjones@garfieldjubilee.org or Visit our website at www.garfieldjubilee.org *Registration is required.

Our next orientation starts Monday, March 22, 2021.

Public Information Statement Garfield Jubilee YouthBuild Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), as part of the total project cost totaling $1,521,753; $1,087,559 or 71% is financed by DOL and $434,194 or 29% is financed by non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author s and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor endorsement of DOL, ETA or the U.S. Government.

PRINCIPAL COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER Bombardier Transportation (Holdings) USA, Inc. seeks a Principal Communications Engineer to work in Pittsburgh, PA and lead network design, integration and testing activities for automatic train control (ATC) technologies and operating modes for all urban operations. Send resume to Kelly Krivijanski, Human Resources, Bombardier Transportation, 1501 Lebanon Church Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236.

PRODUCT DESIGNER/ APPLICATION SOFTWARE DESIGNER, INTERNATIONAL GROWTH Duolingo, Inc. has multiple openings for Product Designer/Application Software Designer, International Growth in Pittsburgh, PA. Duties include: Brainstorm, collaborate, & share designs w/other designers & product team members to develop innovative human-centered mocks, interfaces, & apps.; Implement product design & work with product mgrs. to develop mocks & usability studies to determine product tradeoffs; Analyze product metrics to develop short/long term strategy Design functional interfaces for applications & software to shape user exp.; Apply user research, feedback, user data metrics, interaction design principles to improve existing designs; Develop application software features by investigating user needs contributing to team product strategies from human-centered design perspective. Requirements: Master’s degree in H u m a n - C o m p u t e r Interaction or related field. Must have knowledge of following: (1) Web design or application design; (2) User Experience design; (3) Interactive prototypes; (4) Principle or Adobe After Effects or other time-based media or animation tool; & (5) Sketch or Adobe Illustrator. Email resume to jobs@duolingo.com with Job No. ProdDsgrIG2021 & title “Product Designer/Application Software Designer, IG” in subject line.

The Pittsburgh Community Benefit Organization (CBO) Collaborative FINANCE MANAGER POSITION The Pittsburgh Community Benefit Organization (CBO) Collaborative– comprised of Lawrenceville United, awrenceville Corporation, Bloomfield Development Corporation, and New Sun Rising–is seeking an e x p e r i e n c e d , highly organized professional in non-profit financial management to be our Share d Finance M anage r.

Read the full job description, salary, and benefits package HERE: http: // www.lunited.org / wp - content /uploads /2021/02 / CBO-Job-Description-2021.pdf and apply with cover letter and resume to HR@LUnited.org by 3/12/2021.

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CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER Port Authority is seeking a Chief Strategy Officer to work with the CEO charting the agency’s course for the next 25 years. This includes long range financial and capital planning across various funding scenarios; support for over 20 years of eet and facility plans stewardship of asset management policies; responsive, dynamic, and inclusive financial policies to include communityand project-focused procurement and investment; strategic planning; and ensuring that the agency s outlooks builds and boost equity as an employer, business partner, and transit agency.

This division includes Finance, Procurement/Purchasing, Strategic Planning, and Project Management.

Essential Functions: ith the CEO, C-Suite, community partners, and the Board of Directors develops the agency s long-range plans to include financial, service, and capital projections, to steer the growth of e cellent, e uitable transportation in Allegheny County.

•Develops, monitors, and sustains strategies and policies pertaining to review, adjustment, and implementation of short- and long-term plans.

Addresses strategic issues and establish direction for areas such as Procurement.

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•Plans and implements investment opportunities and financial strategies to improve ort Authority s financial stability and cash position. Establishes and effectively maintains strategic relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, investment bankers, credit analysts, commercial bankers, and other members of the financial community.

Job requirements include: Bachelor s degree in ublic Administration, Accounting, inance, Business Administration, or related field.

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Demonstrated success in strategic planning and execution.

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e offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: K&A Attn: Gregg Moser 7101 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 1210 Bethesda, MD 20814 gmoser@kapartners.com EOE

FACILITIES & OPERATIONS MANAGER SISTERS PLACE seeks full-time management level professional to support the mission of the organization. The Facilities & Operations Manager oversees and coordinates daily maintenance and work order management for residential properties and administrative buildings(s).

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SOUTH FAYETTE TWP. SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking a DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT-10 MONTH POSITION: Complete job description and directions on how to apply are available at: www.southfayette.org Deadline 4:00 PM March 15, 2021 EOE

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PRODUCT DESIGN ENGINEER, INTERNATIONAL GROWTH/ APPLICATION SOFTWARE DESIGNER Duolingo, Inc. has multiple openings for Product Design Engineer, International Growth/Application Software Designer in Pittsburgh, A. Duties include Develop application software features by investigating user needs & contribute to team product strategies by applying a user-centered approach Develop functional interfaces for applications & software to enhance user exp.; Build innovative relevant information architecture interaction patterns that center on user exp. from conception until launch; Generate & review ideas for product changes that improve key product metrics; Identify, develop, &/or employ adequate data structures, algorithms, software design patterns to prototype product initiatives; Monitor key metrics for unexpected effects on usage patterns anomalies Collaborate work cross-functionally to understand the interplay of roles responsibilities that take software product through a full life cycle.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field.

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CAMPUS POLICE OFFICER Seton Hill University has immediate full time opening. Requirements include: high school diploma or equivalent, current First Aid and CPR/AED certifications, valid driver s license, certification under PA Act 120, (MPOETC) or equivalent state certification. Candidate must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in person and by telephone. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle, handle situations that involve physical strength and agility and deal with heights. e uirements include working various shifts including weekends, emergencies, special campus events, and holidays. Submit resume and cover letter to: Director of Public Safety, Seton Hill University, 1 Seton Hill Drive 189K, Greensburg, PA 15601.

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Estate of MICHAEL LEE MCKIERNAN, Deceased of Bethel Park, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Estate No. 02-21-01480, Timothy Lee McKiernan, Executor, 1005 Harrison Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15234 or to Aubrey H. Glover, A t t y ; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Wa s h i n g t o n Av e n u e B r i d g e v i l l e , PA 1 5 0 1 7

NOTICE OF PUBLIC NEEDS HEARING FOR THE CDBG, HOME, ESG, AND HOPWA PROGRAMS CITY OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA Notice is hereby given by the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA that it will hold a virtual public needs hearing on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., prevailing time.

The public hearing virtual location will be posted at https://pittsburghpa.gov/omb/ omb-public-notices.

Please check our website at https://pittsburghpa.gov/omb/cd for more information. If special arrangements need to be made to accommodate residents in order for them to participate in the virtual public hearing, please email c o m m u n i t y. d e v e l o p m e n t @ pittsburghpa.gov.

The purpose of this public needs hearing is to gather information for the City’s Annual Action Plan for FY 2021, which the City must submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement funds, HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) funds. Additionally, the hearing will be used to solicit the views and comments of individuals and organizations concerning the housing, community and economic development, and fair housing needs in the City.

All interested residents are encouraged to attend this virtual public hearing and they will be given the opportunity to present oral or written testimony concerning the needs of the City of Pittsburgh and the use of CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA funds to address those needs over the ne t fiscal year. To provide comments, please email c o m m u n i t y. d e v e l o p m e n t @ pittsburghpa.gov. ritten comments may be addressed to the City of ittsburgh s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Community Development Division, attention Whitney Finnstrom, Senior Manager, Office of Management and Budget, Community Development (OMBCD), 414 Grant Street, Room 501, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

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FULL-TIME COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST The Global Switchboard seeks a full-time Communications Specialist for a 6 month contract beginning April 2021.

The lobal Switchboard is a nonprofit organization that stewards a diverse network of people and organizations to transform the ittsburgh region into a more globally engaged and equitable community.

Thisis a short-term, project-based position that will work in partnership with The lobal Switchboard leadership team to design, and initiate the implementation of, a comprehensive, integrated, and deliberate communications and digital presence strategy for the organization.

A successful candidate is someone who is comfortable working both independently and collaboratively and has the ability to adjust to the demands of an evolving and iterative project. For details visit theglobalswitchboard.org/ join-our-team PROGRAM MANAGER POSITION AT BROTHERS AND SISTERS EMERGING (B.A.S.E.) ocated in arfield, B.A.S.E. is a non-profit organization dedicated to strategically advocate and connect youth of promise and families to life sustaining resources. We are actively seeking a “self-starter” and team player candidate to join our team as a FT Program Manager. Job description can be found on our Facebook page at h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / BrothersandSistersEmerging.

Please send a resume and letter of interest to robjones33@msn.com.

BIKE PGH EDUCATION PROGRAM POSITION “BikePGH, a nonprofit bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization, is seeking a talented individual with a background in education to lead its Education Program. If you are passionate about biking and walking, active transportation, and engaging community through educational programs, classes, videos, and other creative resources this is your chance to make a dif ference in the lives of thousands of Pittsburghers. Visit bikepgh.org/jobs to learn more and apply.”

SOUTH FAYETTE TWP. SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking a MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: Complete job description and directions on how to apply are available at: www.southfayette.org Deadline 4:00 PM March 18, 2021 EOE

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Estate of SCHOR, MARY ALICE A/K/A SCHOR MARY A. A/K/A SCHOR MARY, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, Estate No. 01338 of 2021, E ecutrix: Trisha L. Tolmer, 2129 Pococen Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108, or to Thomas J. Dempsey, Esq. Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace 411 7th Avenue, Suite 1200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Estate of STEWART JOAN, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, Estate No. 0071 of 2021, Executor: Michael J. Stewart 792 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15243 or to Lloyd A. Welling, Esq. American Wills & Estates, 2100 Wharton Street, Suite 302, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 Estate of MOGUSH, WILLIAM A. A/K/A MOGUSH, WILLIAM, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, Estate No. 05807 of 2021, Administratrix: Doris Folco, 3512 McElroy Drive, Murrysville, PA 15668 or to Lloyd A. Welling, Esq. American Wills & Estates, 2100 Wharton Street, Suite 302, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

URBAN ACADEMY OF GREATER PITTSBURGH CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETINGS In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School will be conducting all future Board of Trustees Meetings on the ZOOM virtual meeting platform until further notice.

2020-2021 BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETINGS www.zoom.com | Meeting ID: 976 7002 1201 | Passcode: UA437437 REGULAR TRUSTEE MEETINGS 6:00 PM Call to Order & Public Comment | 7:30 PM Adjournment Requests to speak at the public hearing will be accepted beginning one week prior to the date of the hearing until noon of the day of the meeting. Call 412-361-1008 ext 207 to register. Each speaker will be limited to three minutes of uninterrupted testimony.

September 10, 2020 November 12, 2020 January 14, 2021 March 11, 2021 May 13, 2021 June 10, 2021 ** Board Meeting Retreat** February 27, 2021 - 10 AM COMMITTEE MEETINGS www.zoom.com | Meeting ID: 976 7002 1201 | Passcode: UA437437 | 9:00 AM School Performance 10:00 AM | Finance 11:00 AM | Executive September 3, 2020 November 5, 2020 January 7, 2021 March 4, 2021 May 6, 2021 June 3, 2021

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance obby, South Bellefield Avenue, ittsburgh, a., 15213, on March 16, 2021, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Service & Maintenance Contracts at Various Schools, Facilities, Facilities & Properties: -Gas and Oil Burners, Boilers and Furnaces Inspection, Service, and Repairs (REBID) Pgh. Crescent ECC Various Asphalt and Concrete Repairs General Prime Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on Monday, February 22, 2021 at Modern eproductions , 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. roject details and dates are described in each project manual.

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LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NO. 21-01 Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority) is requesting proposals for the performance of the following service (“Contract Services”): UTILITY CONSULTING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES The work under the proposed Agreement consists of the monitoring of utility bills including recommendations for cost reductions of utility services; bill approval services; assisting Port Authority in energy and telecommunications procurements; and energy management. which includes the construction and maintenance of an accurate and historical database of energy costs and usage; an inventory of meters, site addresses and phone numbers of utility providers; support of Port Authority’s staff regarding construction activities; and, at the request of Port Authority, an on-site energy audit of operating locations.

The required services will be issued on a work order basis as they are approved to proceed by Authority.

The Agreement will be for a three (3) year period with the option to extend the term of the Agreement up to two (2) additional years at the sole discretion of Authority.

A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) will be available on or after March 5, 2021 and can be obtained by registering at the Port Authority ebusiness website: http://ebusiness.portauthority.org and following the directions listed on the website. Please note that Proposers must register under the ebusiness categories of PROFESSIONAL – Professional Services and PSUC – Pro Utility Consulting for this RFP. Proposers may also register in other categories for any future RFPs issued by Port Authority. If you have specific uestions regarding this RFP, please contact Anna Marie McKibben at (412) 566-5104 or via email amckibben@PortAuthority.org.

An Information Meeting for interested parties will be held at 9:30 a.m., prevailing time, March 18, 2021 via Microsoft Teams video conference and/or conference call to answer any questions regarding this RFP. To join by Microsoft Team video conference: • http://bit.ly/RFP21-01 To join by Microsoft Teams call-in number: • 412-927-0245 United State, Pittsburgh (Toll) • Conference ID: 161 790 157# Electronic proposals must be both received, and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department through Authority’s Ebusiness website at or before 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, April 6, 2021, at http://ebusiness.portauthority.org. Proposals received or time stamped by a Purchasing and Materials Management Department representative through Authority’s Ebusiness website after the advertised time for the submission of proposals shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for award. Each Proposer shall be solely responsible for assuring that its proposal is timely received and time stamped in accordance with the requirements herein.

This Contract Services may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The proposal process and the performance of the requested services will be in accordance with guidelines and regulations of the FTA “Third Party Contracting Guidelines”, FTA Circular 4220.1F, as amended, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Port Authority of Allegheny County, in compliance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, as amended, implements positive affirmative action procedures to ensure that all Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBEs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts financed, in whole or in part, with federal funds, if any, provided under or for the proposed Agreement. In this regard, all recipients or contractors shall take all necessary and reasonable steps in accordance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, to ensure that DBEs have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services.

Port Authority of Allegheny County, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, also re uires that certified Diverse Businesses, (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontract for, the Contract Services. In this regard, all Proposers, and the Contractor, shall make good faith efforts, in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services.

Further, proposers and the Contractor shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sex, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts or subcontracts for these Contract Services Port Authority of Allegheny County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

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THE WASHINGTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY will receive separate, and sealed bids for the following prime contract single bid with the Authority: FAN-COIL COOLING / HEATING UNIT REPLACEMENTS CALIFORNIA MANOR 243 SECOND STREET CALIFORNIA, PA 15419 WCHA 2021-G2 CONTRACT; A/E COMMISSION # 3220 A certified check or bank draft payable to the Washington County Housing Authority, a US Government Bond or satisfactory Bid Bondexecuted by the Bidder and acceptable sureties in the amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the bid shall be submitted with each bid.

Bids will be received no later than 11:00 AM EDT, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021 at the Washington County Housing Authority, 100 Crumrine Tower, Franklin Street, Washington, PA 15301 at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids will be held by the Housing Authority for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days prior to the contract award.

A Non-Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at 11:00 AM EDT, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021 onsite at California Manor, 243 Second Street, California, Pa 15419. lans and Specifications may be examined at the following Plan Rooms: Builders Exchange, Cleveland, OH; Builders Exchange, Pittsburgh, PA; OVCEC, Wheeling,WV; and Construct Connect, Norcross, GA. A CD containing PDF’s of all bid documents may be obtained through the office of the Architect, Shaeffer & Madama, Inc., 57 Fourteenth Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 upon receipt of a $25.00 non-refundable payment and valid email address.

Please submit all required documents in a sealed envelope clearly marked: “WCHA FAN-COIL COOLING / HEATING UNIT REPLACEMENTS” The work to be performed under this contract is a Section 3 Project under provisions of the Housing & Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, and must, to the greatest extent feasible, provide opportunities for training and employment for lower-income residents of the project and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to business concerns which are located in, or owned by, Washington County residents. Particular attention is directed to requirements of Executive Order 11246, 11625 and 12138, as well as Section 3 requirements, as set forth in the Specifications.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids for any reason(s) what so ever and to waive informalities in the bidding.

ALLIES & ROSS MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR TAX CREDIT INVESTOR AND/ OR LIMITED PARTNER AND/ OR CONSTRUCTION LENDER FOR THE NORTHVIEW MIDRISE REBID ARMDC RFP #2021-33-REBID The Allies & Ross Management and Development Corporation (ARMDC) hereby request proposals from ualified irms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Tax Credit Investor and/or Limited Partner and/or Construction Lender for the Northview Midrise The documents will be available no later than March 1, 2021 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 9:00 A.M. on March 23, 2021. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 9:00 AM on March 23, 2021 in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Proposals may be uploaded to the ARMDC’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the RFP. Sealed proposals may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org.

Questions or inquires should be directed to: Mr. Kim Detrick – Procurement Director Chief Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 2nd Floor, Suite 200 100 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832 A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on March 15, 2021 at 9:00 A.M. Please see meeting information below: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 991 1716 1943 Passcode: 520068 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

STEPHEN K. HALL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Caster D. Binion, President & CEO

Hearing Impaired Call TDD (724) 228-6083

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To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129

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COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

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The Allies & Ross Management and Development Corporation strongly encourage certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

ARMDC has revised their website.

As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/ RFPs documentation.

ARMDC & HACP conduct business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

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