3.24.21 NPC

America’s best weekly

GENERETT KEEPS RISING

Bill Generett elevated to SVP, Civic Engagement, External Relations at Duquesne University Page A2

Pittsburgh Courier NEW

www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 112 No. 12

Two Sections

MARCH 24-30, 2021

thenewpittsburghcourier Published Weekly $1.00

PITTSBURGH’S MAYORAL RACE IS HEATING UP

Black women elected officials throw their support behind Gainey

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Have you noticed? We’re almost to April. It’s starting to heat up.

But we’re not talking about the weather.

We’re talking about the race for Pittsburgh mayor.

Incumbent Mayor Bill Peduto, though he would never admit, has to be feeling the heat from his Democratic challenger, State Rep. Ed Gainey.

Rep. Gainey, who is African American, is looking to become the first Black mayor in Pittsburgh’s 205-

year history as an incorporated city. The New Pittsburgh Courier learned March 17, one day before the City of Pittsburgh turned 205 years old, that Rep. Gainey had earned the public support and endorsements of four Black women who are or were elected officials in the region.

State Rep. Summer Lee, of the 34th House District, Allegheny County Councilwoman Olivia Bennett, Pittsburgh School Board Member Devon Taliaferro and former PPS Board President Regina Holley

collectively threw their support behind Rep. Gainey, as it’s just six weeks before the May 18 Primary Election.

“Black women know all too well that many Pittsburghers have been left behind or left out,” echoed Councilwoman Bennett, in a release obtained by the Courier. “I’m supporting Ed Gainey because we need a mayor who will take real action to end the inequities that hold our communities and our people back.”

Representative Lee, who has co-sponsored House STATE REP. ED GAINEY is seeking to become mayor of the City of Pittsburgh. To do so, he’ll have to defeat incumbent Mayor Bill Peduto in the May 18 Primary Election.

STATE REP. SUMMER LEE, left, and Allegheny County Councilwoman Olivia Bennett are two of the four local Black women elected officials (current or former) who have publicly endorsed State Rep. Ed Gainey for mayor of the City of Pittsburgh.

The Primary Election is May 18.

bills with Rep. Gainey, said that Rep. Gainey has the “courage to step up for our city,” as she believes new leadership is needed. “No matter how many ‘most livable’ lists Pittsburgh stands on, it remains an unhealthy and inequitable place for Black and working-class people.

That’s why we also lead the nation in things like income inequality, asthma rates and Black maternal death,” Rep. Lee said in the release. “We know that when people use their power to demand better and commit to working together to achieve it, we

can make a world that welcomes us all and where we all can thrive... I’m proud to back him (Gainey) and work together to truly make Pittsburgh most livable for us all.”

Pittsburgh, a city which is overwhelmingly White (67 percent, while Blacks make up 23 percent and Asian Americans, six percent), watched Mayor Peduto handily defeat a Black candidate in the past two Primary Elections.

In 2013, Mayor Peduto won 52 percent of the vote (23,650 total) to current SEE GAINEY A5

New children’s book aims to help kids understand, cope with pandemic

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

As local author Lynn S. Manley perused the Target in Harmarville this time last year, she watched in amazement as a young girl, perplexed, watched others.

The girl, maybe 4 or 5 years old, kept looking at her mother...and others—the woman walking past, the man looking at greeting cards, the college student with a pillow and bedsheet in hand.

Manley could see that the young girl couldn’t

understand why everybody was wearing a mask. Sure, she was old enough to understand that these adults weren’t born with masks, so why was everyone wearing them now?

When Manley returned to her home in Tarentum, she started writing.

She started creating her main characters.

Months later, the final product was released.

Manley’s third book, “Mama, What Is On Your Face?” is a children’s book, featuring all-Black characters, helping parents to calmly explain to

Pittsburgh Courier NEW

To subscribe, call 412-481-8302 ext. 136

their children the coronavirus pandemic that virtually no living person has ever experienced before.

“I was thinking about how she (the young girl at Target) felt, and how fearful it is for kids” during this time, Manley told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview, March 18.

“We’re fearful as adults, we didn’t know what was going on, either. But the kids were more fearful.”

When Pittsburgh Public Schools paused all inclass instruction for two weeks last March, parents were left trying to explain to their children why, all of a sudden, they couldn’t enjoy their time with their teachers and playtime with their fellow students. But no one, not even the nation’s top

infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, could have predicted that, an entire year later, PPS schools would still be closed due to COVID-19.

Sure, some area school districts have returned to in-person learning in some capacity, and Pittsburgh Public Schools is looking to re-open select schools for some students beginning April 6.

But there’s no getting around it—COVID-19 will have a lasting effect on children, primarily mentally, rather than physically.

NBC News examined a wealth of data on child welfare metrics, and in December 2020, reported that: - Emergency rooms had seen a 24 perSEE CHILDREN’S BOOK A3

PAXTON DUFFEY, 5, with author Lynn S. Manley’s new children’s book, “Mama, What Is On Your Face?”

A2

METRO

MARCH 24-30, 2021

Bill Generett’s role expanded at Duquesne University Now serves as SVP of Civic Engagement and External Relations

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History A Courier Staple MARCH 24

1837—Blacks in Canada are granted the right to vote. Most of these Blacks had escaped from slavery in America.

2002—Halle Berry becomes the first Black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress. She won for her role in the movie “Monster’s Ball.”

She won a Golden HALLE BERRY Globe for Best Actress in a TV Movie/ Mini-Series for “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” in 1999. Berry was born on Aug. 14, 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio, to an African-American father and a Caucasian mother.

MARCH 25

BILL GENERETT, J.D.

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Bill Generett, a member of the Courier’s “Men of Excellence” Class of 2009, had his role expanded at Duquesne University. Generett, the university’s first vice president for community engagement (in 2017), is now Senior Vice President of Civic Engagement and External Relations for Duquesne. The university also announced that Dave Harper was elevated to vice president of athletics.

“Bill Generett and Dave Harper have brought extensive strategic expertise and experience to the University Cabinet,” said Ken Gormley, Duquesne’s president, in a statement. “Their continued diligent efforts and commitment to Duquesne University, our mission, students and employees—especially during this unprecedented year—have significantly contributed to our leadership team’s success. They are important components to the leadership team, and I’m proud to recognize these contributions through their well-deserved promotions.”

Generett led the development of the inaugural Office of Community Engagement, which has now expanded into the new Office of Civic Engagement and External Relations (OCER).

Under Generett’s direction, the office includes the community engagement, government affairs, and corporate and foundation relations areas, according to a Duquesne release. The community engagement area encompasses the Center for Engaged Teaching and Research as well as student volunteerism, a longtime tradition at Duquesne.

In his expanded role, Generett will provide leadership and support of Duquesne’s mission of service and commitment to the City of Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and the country.

“In our coordinated and more visible efforts, we’ve been able to educate the

public and help them understand the breadth and scope of the university’s community-engagement work,” said Generett, in a statement. “This has led to helping the university secure significant funding and support for important projects such as community-based screenings of local children for uncontrolled asthma to development of the new Center for Integrative Health.”

During his time at Duquesne, Generett has helped the university strengthen its relationships with local, state and federal elected officials, which has resulted in roughly $4 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grants for the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse and the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine. Generett also worked with the Office of Research in securing a $500,000 grant for the historic renovation of the August Wilson House, in the Hill District.

Generett, who co-chairs Duquesne’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Planning Team, has been a leading advisor for Gormley and the university’s leadership team in their work to further define and advance diversity, equity and inclusion goals. During the past year, Duquesne launched a new Bias Education Response Team, and is expanding the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Generett is a 1989 graduate of Shady Side Academy (high school), and earned his bachelor’s from Morehouse College, an HBCU in Atlanta. He received his juris doctorate from Emory University’s School of Law in 1996.

Generett serves on multiple boards in Pittsburgh, including The Pittsburgh Foundation, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and is a member of The Heinz Endowments’ African American Male Advisory Committee.

1931—Ida B. Wells Barnett dies. Barnett was one of the leading Black female activists in America for more than 30 years.

Born in Holly Springs, Miss., she became a crusading journalist against IDA B. WELLS racism and injusBARNETT tice with her Memphis, Tenn.-based newspaper—“The Free Speech and Headlight.” When a prominent Memphis Black man (and friend of hers) was lynched in 1892, she launched a national campaign against lynching. In 1909, she became a member of the Committee of 40 which laid the foundation for the organization which would become the NAACP. But she later sided with scholar W.E.B. DuBois when he accused the NAACP of not being militant enough. Barnett would also later join with White suffragettes in demanding that women be given the right to vote.

1931—The “Scottsboro Boys” are arrested and accused of raping two young White women—a crime which evidence sugSCOTTSBORO BOYS gests (then and now) never occurred. However, the saga of the nine Scottsboro Boys (young Black men aged 12 to 20) would stretch out over a period of nearly 20 years in a series of trials, convictions, reversals and retrials. The racism of the period was so thick that even when one of the young White women recanted and admitted that no rape had occurred, an all-White Alabama jury still found members of the group guilty and sentenced them to death.

1942—Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul” music, is born in Detroit.

MARCH 26

THE NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER PUBLISHING COMPANY

Publication No.: USPS 381940 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-481-8302 Fax: 412-481-1360 The New Pittsburgh Courier is published weekly Periodicals paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. PRICE $1.00 (Payable in advance) 6 Months—$25 1 Year—$45 2 Years—$85 9-Month School Rate $35

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

1831—The founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Richard Allen, dies at age 71 in Philadelphia, Pa. As its first bishop, Allen set the AME Church on the path to becoming the first Black religious denomination in America to be fully independent of White control.

1944—Singer/Actress Diana Ross is born in Detroit, Mich. She headed the most popular female signing group of the 1960s—The Supremes.

1950—Singer Teddy Pendergrass is born in Philadelphia, Pa. For a period, Pendergrass was the leading sex symbol TEDDY PENDERGRASS in R&B music.

However, an automobile accident on March 18, 1982 left him paralyzed from the chest down. Pendergrass died Jan. 13, 2010.

MARCH 27

1924—The sensational Jazz singer Sarah Vaughn was born on this day in Newark, N.J. 1970—Mariah Carey was born on this day in Long Island, N.Y. Her parents are of Irish/ African-American/Venezuelan background.

MARIAH CAREY

Carey came to prominence after releasing her self-titled debut studio album “Mariah Carey” in 1990; it went multiplatinum and spawned four consecutive number one singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Under the guidance of Columbia Records executive and later husband Tommy Mottola, she continued booking success with follow-up albums “Emotions” (1991), “Music Box” (1993), and “Merry Christmas” (1994), Carey was established as Columbia’s highest-selling act. In 1998, she was honored as the world’s best-selling recording artist of the 1990s at the World Music Awards.

She married actor/comedian Nick Cannon in 2008. She lists Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder as her favorite singers.

MARCH 28

1900—The British demand the Ashanti Golden Stool. Ironically, the Ashanti had been one of the tribes which had actually benefited from slavery by capturing and selling QUEEN YAA ASANTEEWA their fellow Africans. But when the slave trade ended, the British turned on the Ashanti in a bid to colonize the Gold Coast (now Ghana). In an apparent attempt to demoralize and humiliate the Ashanti, the British demanded that they turnover one of their greatest symbols—the Golden Stool. The demand led to war. The Ashanti were led by Queen Yaa Asantewa. Her fighters kept the British at bay for several months. But with superior fire power, the British eventually prevailed.

1972—The two surviving Soledad Brothers are found not guilty by an all-White jury in the alleged killing of a White guard SOLEDAD BROTHERS at the California prison.

The other Soledad Brother, revolutionary writer George Jackson, had been killed during an August 1971 Marin County Courthouse escape attempt, which also led to charges against college professor and communist Angela Davis. Davis was also eventually acquitted.

1984—Dr. Benjamin Mays dies.

The president of Atlanta’s Morehouse College had been one of the leading Black educational figures in America during the 20th century.

MARCH 29

1981—Dr. Eric Williams, prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, dies in Port of Spain at the age of 79. Williams DR.ERIC WILLIAMS was a historian and his classic work was “Capitalism and Slavery.”

MARCH 30

1870—The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified giving Blacks the right to vote. Actually, it gave Black males the right to vote. It would take the Suffrage Movement and another 50 years before women (Black and White) had full voting rights. But even in the case of Black males, the “right” to vote only lasted briefly. With the end of Reconstruction, “Jim Crow” laws were passed throughout the South, which in effect took away the right of Blacks to vote despite the Constitutional guarantee. African Americans did not achieve full voting rights in this country until the mid-1960s.

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MARCH 24-30, 2021 A3

New children’s book aims to help kids understand, cope with pandemic CHILDREN’S BOOK FROM A1

cent increase in mental health-related visits from children ages 5 to 11 compared to 2019.

The increase among older kids was even higher—31 percent; - Food banks had been slammed with hungry families as an estimated 17 million children— many largely cut off from free school lunches—were in danger of not having enough to eat. That was an increase of more than six million hungry children compared to before the pandemic; - Schools were struggling to teach students remotely or in classrooms in which children wear masks and sit behind plastic shields.

NBC News said that one national testing organi-

zation reported the average student in grades 3-8 who took a math assessment this past fall scored 5 to 10 percentile points behind students who took the same test in 2019, with Black, Hispanic and poor students falling even further behind; - Classrooms have been unusually empty, with quarantines and sickness affecting attendance in face-to-face schools and computer issues interfering with online instruction. NBC News said some districts reported that the number of students who had missed at least 10 percent of classes, which studies show could lead to devastating lifelong consequences, had more than doubled; - An estimated three million vulnerable stu-

LYNN S. MANLEY

dents—who are homeless, in foster care, have disabilities or are learning English — appeared to not be in school at all.

Then, there’s the effect that COVID has had on children and families.

Kids have a fondness with their grandparents, especially in the Black community. But many kids had to stay away from their senior-aged grandparents, for fear of possibly bringing COVID near them. That’s precious time between kids and their loved ones that’s been lost.

Unfortunately, there are some kids whose grandparents are no longer here, due to COVID, which brings on an even tougher feeling for kids to overcome. In Allegheny County, 1,735 people had died from coronavirus as of March 18, the vast majority age 65 and over.

“Nobody has gotten hit with the mental health side of the pandemic worse than kids,” said Paul Gionfriddo, the president and CEO of Mental Health America, an organization that supports people with mental illness, in the NBC News report. “This is an ongoing traumatic event that kids have faced without the perspective of, say, 65-year-olds, who have lived through other kinds of trauma in their lives and have some perspective.”

Manley, who spent 25 years as a nanny and now works at the The

KAREN RENFRO, of Wilkins Township, shares Lynn S. Manley’s children’s book with her grandchildren, Indigo, Steven and Sage.

Leo Academy for Early Education, in Blawnox, said that kids in her neighborhood expressed that masks were “scary.”

A boy told her that he felt something bad was happening, like, “aliens.”

A girl told Manley that she’s only seen people with masks “in the hospital, who were very sick.”

Manley hopes her book, “Mama, What Is On Your Face?” will calm kids’ fears and worries about coronavirus and masks, in terms they can understand. The book is 34 pages, and is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Manley’s website, www.provoke2change 2inspired.com.

“I just wanted to have a fun way of showing them (children) and give them some understanding that everyone has to wear a mask for their protection,” Manley told the Courier. “Even when or if we don’t have to use the mask anymore, it’s definitely going to be part of our history.”

A4

MARCH 24-30, 2021

METRO/SPORTS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Carrick wins 2021 City League title in season unlike any other

THE CARRICK RAIDERS captured the 2021 City League Boys Basketball Title, March 10, with a 53-31 victory over Brashear. It was the team’s first City League title since winning back-to-back titles in 1993 and 1994. (Photos by Courier photographer William McBride)

RASHEED SAUNDERS, BRASHEAR, in the number 4 jersey, left.

VASHON HOWARD, number 0 in the white Carrick jersey, led the team with 14 points in the championship win.

AMARU CALDWELL, CARRICK

ASHTON GIANNETTI, CARRICK

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MARCH 24-30, 2021

A5

Four Black women elected officials publicly endorse Ed Gainey for mayor of Pittsburgh GAINEY FROM A1

State Rep. Jake Wheatley’s eight percent (3,508 total votes). Four years ago, it was Rev. John Welch who challenged Mayor Peduto, and while Mayor Peduto overwhelmingly won the Primary (69 percent), Rev. Welch garnered 17.5 percent of the votes (6,832), almost double Rep. Wheatley’s vote total.

In the 2013 and 2017 elections, there was always one other White Democratic candidate that received a significant vote total (Jack Wagner in 2013, Darlene Harris in 2017). Some political experts believe that more White candidates of substance can dilute the White vote and thus, boost the Black candidates’ percentages.

But this time around, it’s almost assuredly a two-man race (Tony Moreno, who is White, and Will Parker, who is Black, are also candidates, but with notably less notoriety than Mayor Peduto and Rep. Gainey).

Rep. Gainey, the Peabody High School graduate and five-time state Representative, and Mayor Peduto, the Chartiers Valley High School grad and three-time former Pittsburgh City Councilman, most likely will be eating the vast majority of the mayoral vote percentage pie on May 18.

But which candidate will come out on top?

FORMER PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD PRESIDENT REGINA HOLLEY, left, and current school board member Devon Taliaferro said that Ed Gainey is the best choice to serve as Pittsburgh mayor. The Primary Election will be held, May 18.

Mayor Peduto has forged countless relationships to bring more affordable housing to Pittsburgh’s Black communities like Larimer and East Liberty. The mayor has worked closely with the city’s two Black Councilmembers, R. Daniel Lavelle and Rev. Ricky Burgess, to institute a Housing Opportunity Fund and other initiatives that are meant to help Pittsburgh’s Black community. Councilmen Lavelle and Burgess seem to be pleased with Mayor Peduto, or at least enough for them to endorse Mayor Peduto to stay in office another

four years.

But in a matter of weeks, it will be the first Pittsburgh mayoral Primary Election in the new era of the “Black Lives Matter” movement. African Americans are breaking barriers at record paces of late, with a segment of Americans of all ethnicities demanding that Blacks are invited to seats at tables they should have been at decades prior.

If Kamala Harris can be America’s first Black vice president (and woman vice president), then the commonly-used phrase among locals of “Pitts-

burgh will never have a Black mayor” could be retired forever...before we even get to the summer. The Democratic candidate who wins Pittsburgh’s Primary Election is virtually a lock to win the November General Election.

Rep. Gainey, whose House District includes Lincoln-Lemington, East Liberty and other East End neighborhoods, is projected to get most of his support from African Americans on the East. African Americans coming out in full force on the North, South and West sections of

town are also key to a Gainey victory. He’ll also need support from Pittsburgh’s White community. While it’s difficult to project how much support Rep. Gainey will get from those not his ethnicity, the state Rep. has earned critical endorsements from: the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, making him the first African American to ever get a mayoral endorsement from the committee; the Service Employees International Union (Healthcare Pa.), a union that consists of nearly 45,000 health care workers and service

employees in health facilities, and; 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.”

“It is with great pride that I share my support of Rep. Ed Gainey for mayor of Pittsburgh!” exclaimed an excited Taliaferro, the PPS board member.

“As I began my journey as an elected official, it was Ed’s leadership that always stood out to me. I am often inspired by his presence in the community, his ties to understanding the real issues that Pittsburgh communities face, and his efforts to advocate on their behalf is admirable.”

Rep. Gainey, when he learned of the public support from the Black women officials, said he was “honored to have the support of these incredible leaders, who are trailblazers in our community. Black women have been the power behind our most important political movements, so to have this support shows that our campaign has the vision and coalition that it is going to take to unite and transform Pittsburgh.”

A6

RELIGION/METRO

MARCH 24-30, 2021

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

East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 Worship Online on Facebook/YouTube www.ELPC.church Journey Worship...........8:45 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship...........11 a.m.

Taize -Wednesdays.........7 p.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

You Are Welcome at our Meetings for Worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue www.quaker.org/pghpamm/

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412-4818302, ext. 128. We want to feature positive youth from our Pittsburgh church community. Please mail their bio and photo to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or email us: religion@newpittsburghcourier. com

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT CHURCH EVENT! We want to place your event in our Church Circuit weekly calendar!

Send info to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Or Email us! religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

CCAC’s Minnie Jones wins ‘Student of the Year’ award Transferring to Point Park soon to continue studying civil engineering Minnie Jones, a Community College of Allegheny County student who’s in her last semester, will be exiting CCAC on a high note.

A really high one, as in “Student of the Year.”

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Jones, a resident of Whitehall, recently was awarded the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Employers JoAnne Day Student of the Year Award in the associate degree category.

Jones is studying civil engineering at CCAC, and currently is an apprentice with the Pittsburgh Public Allies program, working with the organization

Vibrant Pittsburgh. After CCAC, she plans to transfer to Point Park University.

While at CCAC, Jones was secretary for the Student Government Association and the Improv, Film and Theatre Club. Jones also was a student ambassador and member of the Campus Activities Board, Women on a Mission, Campus Enhancement Committee, Stand for the Silent, Gaming Society and softball team. She also pursued her love for the theater by performing on stage and participating in marketing campaigns for the Film and Humanities departments.

The Courier learned that Jones has been a mentee and ambassador for Vibrant Pittsburgh’s Connections Accelerator Mentorship Program. The program matches underrepresented college students with mentors who are professionals in their field of study and help mentees learn about job opportunities in the field. Students experience real-life work environments, discuss their goals and gain a better understanding of careers in the Pittsburgh region.

Jones is also part of the Pathway to Professional Careers program, which is a partnership between

CCAC, Point Park University and Partner4Work, CCAC told the Courier in a release. As a participant, she was connected to Partner4Work’s Learn & Earn paid summer internship program and was selected to be a civil engineering intern by construction firm PJ Dick, Trumbull and Lindy Paving. The internship helped Jones enhance her knowledge of the engineering field, secure hands-on experience working on construction sites, learn about project management and expand her professional network.

One of the requirements of the JoAnne Day Student of the

Year Award is that the student must have completed an internship or co-op. CCAC said that Jones’ work ethic, professionalism and enthusiasm resulted in her successfully completing her internship at Partner4Work and impressing the committee members for the award.

“Minnie Jones is a very impressive student, and she has had a stellar year with all that she has been able to accomplish,” said Dean Jolin, executive director of Workforce & Job Readiness at CCAC, in a release.

“She is extremely focused and diligent while also being recep-

MINNIE JONES tive to feedback, which helped her to attain some amazing opportunities. She has been an inspiration to me and many others at CCAC and beyond.”

SHIRLEE ROSEBELLE NELSON LEWIS CARTER Shirlee RoseBelle Nelson Lewis Carter (nicknamed “Mom Carter”, “Rowie” or “Rose”) was born July 23, 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the fifth child of Robert H. Nelson Sr. and Katie Lee Nelson. She transitioned from this life on March 7, 2021, Cincinnati, Ohio.

However you knew her by name, you also knew she loved The Lord, her immediate and extended family, her friends – she did not know a stranger! So, it is no surprise that many will miss her caring words, kind spirit and ever-present smile. She is described by her supporters as “a beacon of righteousness and spirituality, deeply cherished, Auntie – with an infectious laugh”. Shirlee gave her life to Christ as a youth, taught by her itinerant-preacher father and God-fearing mother at home. She began her Christian education at Camphor Memorial Methodist Church, just up the street from her house. Shirlee graduated from Westinghouse High School in 1946, Homeroom #238. Her class members remembered her as “sweet and swell”. While growing up, there were several future influential jazz artists that would come to her parents’ house to play the piano. Billy Strayhorn and Ahmad Jamal (“Fritzie”) were two of those people, and they attended the same high school as Shirlee. At another time, a friend of her mother brought Marian Anderson by the house to visit. This encouraged Shirlee’s love of music of all types. As the fifth of thirteen siblings, Shirlee was brought into the family business early. Her father owned and managed parking garages and a tire repair shop in Pittsburgh – the first Black man to do so. She went to work for her father at his parking garage handling the books - The sons parked the cars; the daughters managed the cash register. This entrepreneurial spirit developed businesspersons who were car dealers, salon owners, and beauty consultants among the siblings. This is where she met her first true love, John Ashby Lewis (1924-1962).

John worked days at the Blood Bank and the Post Office, and nights as a musician.

He parked his car in the garage, and they had several encounters before they went on their first date. Shirlee married John on August 14, 1950. Two daughters, Linda Marie (1952) and Kathye Ellen (1955) were born to them. John died of pancreatic cancer on June 22, 1962, at age 37, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shirlee would work as a teacher’s aide at Lincoln Elementary to oversee her children’s education. She briefly studied at the University of Pittsburgh to increase her marketability. To achieve the goal for her girls to attend the colleges of their choice, she successfully secured a job as a bank teller, a Board of Elections supervisor, finally a postal clerk, retiring from the US Postal Service December 3, 1992. This is where she met her future husband, Henry John Carter (1924-2001). Shirlee married Henry on August 4, 1984, and shortly thereafter, they invited “Daughter#3”, Marilyn Christine, to be part of the family unit. Henry subsequently returned to licensed ministry work as an Associate Pastor.

Shirlee became first lady at John Wesley AME Zion and later Holiday AME Zion. As with everything she took her responsibilities seriously, including activities in the Missionary Society. After serving at John Wesley, she returned to her home church, Homewood AME Zion, with her husband. She was a dedicated Conference attendee and was a Life member of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society.

At Homewood, her involvement with the Missionary Society#1 included leadership roles as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Chaplin, and Advisor. She supported the Annual Missionary Tea fundraisers that were held at the church and invited her family and friends to join these affairs. She was inducted into the Homewood AME Zion Hall of Fame on September 13, 2003. After her husband passed away of cancer on September 18, 2001, Shirlee began to consider moving from Pittsburgh. It took several years but in 2011, she made the move to Cincinnati, Ohio to live with her daughter Kathye. She joined New Vision United Methodist Church and became a member of the United Methodist Women and the Women of Vision Ministry. She an active member, attending bible study and regular services while contributing to the church. She genuinely enjoyed the fellowship and supported the Scholarship Fund and Capital Campaign drives. Shirlee was an inspiration to many of the members at New Vision. Despite many medical challenges, she continued to persevere and profess her love of the Lord. She loved reading Scripture and was glad to serve when asked. Along with the other women in the church who were 90 years and older, she was recognized as a part of Women’s Day weekend in 2018 as a Fierce Woman in the Lord. Shirlee also supported community events and she became a favorite of many honored guests who headlined galas: Blair Underwood and Danny Glover to name a few! Shirlee was humbled to be the younger sister of Robert H. Nelson, Jr., a Tuskegee Airman and Chicago businessperson. She supported “Red Tails” activities in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. During her life, Shirlee traveled around the world, an avid tourist. As a member of the Twilighters’ Club of Pittsburgh, she cruised to Nova Scotia and went to Las Vegas. With her husband Henry, she traveled to Hong Kong, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and across the United States by rail to the Grand Canyon and Pacific Northwest. With her family, she traveled to Greece and Antigua.

Shirlee always enjoyed Birthday and Holiday road trips to New York, Cincinnati, D.C., Columbus, and other cities where she had relatives and friends. During the current Pandemic, the family decided to hold bi-weekly virtual calls due to Shirlee’s insistence that she wanted to stay in contact during the quarantine. As matriarch of the Nelson clan, along with her Sister-inlaw Juanita Nelson (who turned 100 last year), she felt it was important to maintain communication, even while living all across the country. The family continues to update the Nelson family tree and share stories through the surviving siblings, so the 5th through 8th generations can carry on the Nelson legacy. Shirlee may not have had grandchildren, but she was intentional in supporting the grandchildren of her siblings and anyone in the family who demonstrated a desire to improve educationally and professionally. Through the Negro Educational Emergency Drive (NEED), the Rev. Henry J. and Shirlee L. Carter Scholarship was created to support students advanced learning expenses after high school. She also acquired “bonus” daughters and sons, as the friends of her children needed the wisdom of motherly advice. “Mom Carter” always had an ear to hear the needs of those that needed her – and as they have shared in response to her passing: “We loved her, too!” Shirlee is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Lenore (Edward-RIH) Prout, Robert H. Nelson Jr., Wilbur (Juanita) Nelson, Carl (Geri-RIH) Nelson, Calvin (Charlotte-RIH) Nelson, Katherine Dalton (Roy) Pratt, Anthony (Donna-RIH) Nelson, C. Elayne (Frank) Washington, Gwen (Alonzo-RIH) Johnson, Mary (George) Brown. She is survived by her daughters and spouses: Linda Marie, Kathye Ellen (Greg) Norman, Marilyn Christine (Leonard) Thompson; siblings Paul (Joyce) Nelson, Horace (Vanessa-RIH) Nelson, Eddie (Marceline-RIH) Nelson, Yvonne (Lance-RIH) Smith; in-laws Juanita (Wilbur-RIH) Nelson, Frank (Elayne-RIH) Washington, and George (Mary-RIH) Brown; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews; “bonus” daughters and sons, and cherished friends. “She lived out her days praising the Lord and loving her family…”Micah 6:8 And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, To love mercy, To walk humbly with your God. Service is on March 27 at Carrone Baptist Church, 7119 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. Visitation is from 10:00am-11:30am. A live stream link for the service will be available through Spriggs-Watson Funeral Home: http://www.grievefromhome.com

PALM SUNDAY IS THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 28 JESUS’ TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM “And when they came nigh into Jerusalem, unto Bethpage and Bethany at the mount of Olives, He send forth two of His disciples, and said unto them, Go your way into the village over against you and as soon as you enter, you shall find a colt tied, where on never a man sat, loose him and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why did you do this, say you that the Lord hath need of him, and straightway He will send him back.”

- St. Mark 11:1-3 KJV REV. WALKER SAYS: Consider with me — Our relationship with the colt — The Lord has need of us, but we were tied up, not used, needed to be loosened and brought to Jesus. So if anyone asks Why, say to them, the Lord has need of me.

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

New Pittsburgh Courier

The great debate: Plessy v. Bakke J. Pharoah Doss B4

BUSINESS MARCH 24-30, 2021

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Classifieds

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B5-7

B

Tips you need to know for this tax filing season Two money smart women are offering an inside look into everything needed to file 2020 taxes. COVID-19 has introduced some unique financial circumstances and now, residents are questioning if a year’s worth of help from the state will come back to bite them this tax season.

Shawntinique Wiggins, an accountant and owner of Wiggins and Associates, and Danielle Atkins, a certified tax preparer and partner of Sunny Day Taxes, have a lot in common. Their knowledge on finances is helping people successfully file their taxes this season.

An unexpected and unprecedented health crisis plagued the country during the 2020 tax year damaging health and the economy, equally. To help, the government launched a series of national programs aimed at providing relief to individuals and business, some taxable and some not. Now, with the tax season looming, an already stressed economy may see some additional tension with the uncertainty of this filing season.

A constant fight in government, stimulus checks have been the center of controversy since the early days of the pandemic. Starting in April 2020, and once more since, stimulus relief funds have been awarded to millions of Americans, untaxed.

Now, taxpayers are worried where millions of Americans are going to get the money if required to repay.

“They’re going to get their money back. I feel like they’re going to get their money one way or another,” Wiggins says. “They’re going to boost up something.”

On the opposite end, taxpayers who did not receive one or neither stimulus payment, may apply for the Rebate Recovery credit on their taxes. Individuals who did receive a stimulus relief payment and received less than the full amount can also apply for the credit.

“If you did not receive the stimulus check either time or you received less than what you were eligible for, you will let your tax preparer know how much you received and you would basically recover the difference between what you could have received versus what you got,” Atkins says.

Unemployment benefits went out to a large number of Americans who lost their job due to the pandemic. Often causing crashes to the site, the number of applicants grew steadily with over 57 million Americans seeking financial respite from mounting bills. Opting to have taxes automatically withdrawn from benefits could save taxpayers from having to pay a penalty.

“If you did not have taxes taken out of your unemployment check, you could end up owing this year and/or getting less back,” Atkins says.

An increased number of people performing odd jobs or entrepreneurs starting new businesses have emerged during quarantine. Wanting to make ends meet, employment for food delivery services such as Uber Eats and Door Dash warrant a 1099, or a sub-contractor’s tax form. Keeping a record of business expenses can pay off during filing as some business-related expenses can be written off. Also, paying all necessary sole proprietor taxes will help to keep fees and penalties to a minimum.

“If they are self-employed, pay those quarterly taxes,” Wiggins says.

For families who have welcomed a new life, additional tax benefits may be available. Along with claiming the child, taxpayers who did not receive the child credit for the new baby on the stimulus will be able to apply for the credit with this filing year.

“If you had a baby in 2020 and didn’t receive the stimulus for that child, you can claim that child now for the stimulus,” Wiggins says.

With the help of self-service sites like Turbo Tax, individuals can e-file their own taxes from the comforts of home. However, experts are suggesting working with a financial professional for this year’s tax season because of the changes in rules and complexity of filing caused by COVID. “I honestly recommend if you can afford it and if you can help it, work with a tax preparer this year because the tax season is weird because of COVID and the pandemic,” Atkins says.

Along with these tips, the gurus advise keeping all documents on hand, ask for additional credits potentially available to help curb amounts owed and reading over all signed information.

The state has begun processing and accepting tax returns as of February 12. Individuals are urged to file early. Tax Day is April 15. Taxpayers filing after the deadline are subject to a monthly penalty topping out at 25 percent. Taxpayers who have a pre-existing balance owed will still be required to pay.

DANA W. WHITE began her professional career helping her grandfather run an African American newspaper. (Carol Larsen/Zenger)

Starting at a Black newspaper, Dana White is first Black woman to run Communications at a major automaker

by Troy Schulz

the United States. She joined the Zenger News advisory board in 2019.

Zenger News White sees herself as a cross-cultural bridge. At HyunAs Hyundai North America’s first Black chief commu- dai Motor North America, she is the Chief Communicanications officer, Dana W. White knows what it is like to tions Officer—a first for Korean automaker in the U.S. She oversees communications for Hyundai Motor North have two feet in two worlds.

“Growing up I always knew about the power of commu- America headquarters and all of Hyundai’s North Amernication, the power of words,” she said, talking about her ica Affiliates including Canada and Mexico, Hyundai childhood in Charlottesville, Virginia. “My grandfather, Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Glovis (Hyundai’s Lowho was born in 1896, founded the oldest Black news- gistics Operations), Mobis (Hyundai Parts Operations), paper in the state. I used to cut ad sheets every month Hyundai Capital and the Washington, DC Office. White and write copy and process black-and-white photos (at also has strategic oversight of Hyundai’s luxury autothe paper). The entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in me motive brand Genesis, the first SUV for the industry’s newest luxury brand. and my family.”

“When I joined Hyundai a While the weekyear ago, I knew I needed ly Black newspaper, “When you stand on the shoulders someone who understood the Charlottesville-Almaking at the highbemarle Tribune, is of slaves, there’s no slouching.” decision est levels, storytelling and gone, the family’s enhow to work across cultures trepreneurial spirit seamlessly to deliver relives on. “The environment I grew up in, my family, was that there was never sults. So, I called Dana,” said Jose Munoz, Global COO just a pot of gold waiting for me at the end of the tunnel,” of Hyundai Motor Company and Pres. & CEO of Hyunshe said. “It’s in my DNA—to make it happen for your- dai Motor North America. “It’s rare to find one person with all the skills, talents and experiences that she has. self.”

“The National Newspaper Publishers Association And she has proven track record of success. In few short salutes Hyundai for its decision to elevate an African months, Dana has already made a big difference in how American woman leader to the position of Chief Com- we operate, communicate and tell the Hyundai story.”

Ultimately for White, she said her passions are educamunications Officer. In this year where the focus is on the empowerment of all women, Dana White represents tion, excellence and empowerment. “I can still hear my and embodies the best of Black America,” a spokesman grandfather’s gruff voice saying, ‘Mouse, I want you to be a smart little girl. Learn everything you can.’ I think told Zenger News of White.

She studied hard in college, taking the toughest cours- about everything he survived, all the limits placed on his es on purpose even if they were scheduled early in the life and how if he could see me now—a man who was morning and required long walks across Chicago wind- proud to put pictures of my nursery school graduation in chilled campus. Those courses included learning to read, the paper—I know he’d say… ‘So, Mouse…what’s next?’”

“The thing about me is that I’m propelled by history write and speak Mandarin, the mostly widely used of the Chinese-language dialects. She majored in Chinese his- and obsessed with the future. I’m passionate about ideas and a mission. I want to see people move forward—know tory at the University of Chicago.

After college, she moved to Washington, D.C., without a their past and explore their future,” she said. “It’s in my job and worked as an intern and a temp to pay the bills family—this spirit of perseverance. I feel like they handed me a baton. They ran hard and ran fast. They carried while she applied for jobs on Capitol Hill.

Now Dana White runs North American communica- the baton as far as they could go. Now, it’s my turn to run tions for Hyundai Motor Company, a South Korean car faster and farther and pass the baton to the next genermaker that builds more than half of its vehicles at its ation. I say, ‘When you stand on the shoulders of slaves, plant in Alabama and employs some 25,000 people in there’s no slouching.’”

Reverse mortgages: Don’t reverse the CURSE OK, I’ll admit the title is somewhat exaggerated. My second choice was, “I would never recommend a reverse mortgage to my grandmother.” I think you know where I’m going with this article.

I’m not a fan of reverse mortgages. In fact, I despise them. Before I go into the details as to why, let me ask you a question. If you had an opportunity to get a loan and didn’t have to make a payment during your life, would you consider it? If you answered yes, you’re easy bait for a reverse mortgage.

What is a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that requires no repayment as long as you live in the home. Unlike a traditional mortgage where you make regular monthly payments, a reverse mortgage provides regular payments to you. Payments can be made to you in one of four ways—lump sum payment at closing, regular monthly payments over a specified period of time, a line of credit where you can access money when you need it up to a limit or a combination of the three. You’re not required to repay the loan until either the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home or permanently moves away.

A lender can also force you to repay the loan if you fail to pay property taxes, homeowner’s insurance or if you fail to properly maintain the home. In order to get a reverse mortgage, a few things are mandatory: •Homeowner has to be 62 years or older •The home has to be your primary res-

idence •You must have substantial equity in the home—either no debt or debt must be small enough to be paid off with loan proceeds As long as you meet those requirements, you’ll qualify for a reverse mortgage. They don’t verify your income, credit or other assets such as savings and investments.

Reverse mortgages are generally given to elderly homeowners who are struggling to make ends meet and desire to “age in place.”

In other words, they would like to live out the rest of their days in their home but for one reason (expense) or another, they’re having a hard time paying the bills, living their desired lifestyle and maintaining their home.

Why do I—a mortgage and personal finance expert—despise reverse mortgages? I’m glad you asked. For starters, reverse mortgages are extremely expensive. The interest rates on reverse mortgages are usually adjustable. As prevailing interest rates rise, you’ll realize less income from the reverse mortgage. The fees, interest rates, and mortgage insurance associated with reverse mortgages is extremely high when compared to fees, interest rates, and mortgage insurance associated with traditional mortgages.

Secondly, reverse mortgages overshadow the heart of the financial problem—living above one’s means. No one, regardless of their income, can survive long-term financially living above his or her means. At some point, you’ll be forced to live within the confines of your income. I advise you to face the music now as opposed to delaying the inevitable. Should you delay, you’ll more than likely have a similar income with a larger debt balance to pay off. Lastly, reverse mortgages destroy the wealth (equity) you’ve worked hard all of your life to build.

That’s why reverse mortgages are called rising debt, falling equity loans. As a financial advisor, I feel it’s responsible that I give ideas on how to build and preserve wealth, not erode wealth.

With reverse mortgages, your debt grows larger and larger as you continue to receive cash advances, make no payments and the interest continues to grow on the loan balance. This concept goes against all principles of building wealth and smart asset management. You want to get compounding interest working for you, not against you.

I can read your mind. You get my point but you’re still looking for viable alternatives to live on your terms during your

retirement years: Here are a few: Sale-leaseback: You can sell the house to an investor or family member and then rent it back from them under a lifetime lease. You have the advantage of taking the proceeds from the sale of your home, investing it wisely and using it to supplement your income while you remain in a comfortable, familiar surrounding.

Home-sharing arrangement: This is a fancy way of saying “get a roommate to help you with the bills.” In return, you’re able to remain independent and continue to reside in your home. As a side benefit, this arrangement can provide friendship and companionship.

Sell the house and rent in a nearby neighborhood: It’s very possible that as a senior person, the house may be difficult to maintain both financially and physically. I know that it’s difficult to leave the happy memories behind. I also know that it’s difficult to remember the happy days of the past, when you’re stressed in the present trying to financially support and physically upkeep the house. Why not sell the house, rent something nearby that’s not as expensive and doesn’t require you to mow the lawn, shovel the snow, etc. With reduced expenses and the proceeds from the sale of your home supplementing your income, you’ll be better off financially, physically, and emotionally.

(Damon Carr, Money Coach can be reached at 412-216-1013 or visit his website at www.damonmoneycoach.com)

B2

BUSINESS

MARCH 24-30, 2021

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Real Times Media accelerates digital content production with strategic hires Mark Hayes, Andre Ash Real Times Media, the parent company of the New Pittsburgh Courier, is proud to welcome Mark Hayes and Andre Ash. In a heightened commitment to digital journalism, Hayes and Ash will work to curate online content for all Real Times Media subsidiaries.

Hayes, based out of Atlanta, will lead national, high-profile content planning for the Atlanta Daily World, Atlanta Tribune, and Who’s Who In Black Atlanta. Ash will focus on news and issues primarily connected to the Michigan Chronicle, in Detroit, where Real Times Media is headquartered.

“I couldn’t be more excited to bring my talents and expertise to the Real Times Media team,” said Hayes. “At this point in our history, it’s never been more important to report and speak the truth for and to the African American community.

Real Times Media’s vision has always been one that has put that community first.”

Hayes, an Emmy Award nominee, spent nearly three decades bringing news to viewers in major cities across the country, including Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, and Baltimore. He was also a Good Day Atlanta staple

MARK HAYES, ANDRE ASH for more than 10 years.

Additionally, he received recognition from National Press Photographers Association.

“We are thrilled to now have Mark on board,” said Real Times Media CEO Hiram Jackson. “As a broadcast veteran, we are looking forward to the leadership he will provide in helping our company better share Black stories digitally. We have reached a pivotal time, especially for Black-owned press, and RTM will continue seeking innovative ways

to transform our media platform to meet the needs of our audience.”

Hayes understands the role of the Black press and embraces the responsibility that comes with it.

He says far too often, the accomplishments of the African American community have gone unnoticed and under-reported.

Now as a member of Real Times Media, he wants to work towards changing that.

“I’m looking forward to telling more of those stories more often than any-

one else and in more detail. Storytelling is what I do best and I’m looking forward to highlighting the African American pioneers and achievers in our communities all over the country that can give our young people something to strive toward,” Hayes said.

Ash will operate as a digital anchor/producer based out of Studio 1452 in Detroit. Ash will play an integral role in growing RTM’s online presence.

“I’m looking forward

to covering national stories that both profile the known and unknown, and amplifying the voices in Black America,” Ash said.

“I want to profile people in business, entertainment, politics and really bring those stories to the forefront. Also, I want to focus on how we can further reach our audience digitally through mobile apping, bringing on panels of experts for live conferences, and just better ways to engage our audience.”

Ash has covered an array of stories including presidential candidates, mayoral elections, crime, and new development in Detroit. Several media projects have earned Ash recognition from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. He directed and produced a documentary focusing on urban homelessness that received an ACT-SO NAACP award. Previously, Ash covered breaking live news at 910 AM and worked as a producer and reporter at WADL-TV. “Andre’s broadcast expertise will play a critical role in increasing video storytelling in all of our markets across the country. Real Times Media remains committed to finding innovative ways to maintain and expand our audience,” said RTM360 President Tanisha Leonard.

Studio 1452, which recently opened in February, features broadcast-production-quality cameras and livestream and podcast capabilities giving RTM and its subsidiaries the tools to create a variety of high-end media projects in-house.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MARCH 24-30, 2021

B3

Thin line

Guest Editorial

Still too few Black Fortune 500 CEOs Former Starbucks executive Rosalind “Roz” Brewer assumed her new role as CEO of Walgreens on March 15, the first African American woman CEO of the company.

Brewer’s new position is a major personal accomplishment, as well as symbolic achievement for Black women in corporate America.

Brewer has an impressive story.

The 59-year-old Detroit native is the youngest of five children born to General Motors factory workers George and Sally Gates.

The married mother of two attended Spelman College where she earned a B.S. in chemistry in 1984 before attending the advanced management program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of business and earned additional degrees from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Stanford Law School’s Directors’ College.

She spent 22 years working for paper manufacturer Kimberly-Clark, where she started as a research technician, rose up the ranks and eventually became the company’s president of manufacturing and global operations.

In 2006, Brewer left Kimberly-Clark to become a vice president at Walmart, where she again climbed the corporate ladder and was eventually named president of the Walmart U.S. East business unit, leading a team responsible for more than $100 billion in annual revenue.

In 2012, Brewer made history when she was named CEO of Sam’s Club, which is owned by Walmart, becoming the first woman and the first African American ever to lead the membership-only warehouse company.

In 2017, Starbucks tapped Brewer to become its group president and chief operating officer, leading the company’s global marketing, technology, supply chain, product innovation and store development organization functions. During her tenure, the coffeemaker expanded its already-massive global retail footprint and entered a global coffee alliance deal with Nestle to increase the global reach of its consumer packaged goods.

Brewer also helped Starbucks maximize its online retail and marketing efforts as well as its customer engagement experiences. The company expanded its delivery service in China and other east Asian countries in 2018 and opened its 30,000th global store in March 2019.

Now in March 2021 during Women’s History Month, Brewer is making history once again.

But Brewer’s appointment also puts a spotlight on the lack of Black men and women at the top of Fortune 500 companies.

Her appointment makes her the only Black woman currently serving as the head of a Fortune 500 company and just the third in history to achieve the career milestone.

Corporate America should be ashamed of the lack of diversity at the top.

Former Xerox chief executive Ursula Burns became the first Black woman at the top in 2007 before stepping down in 2017.

Today, there are only four African Americans serving as Fortune 500 CEOs, including Brewer. Kenneth Frazier has served as head of Merck since 2011. There’s also Lowe’s chief executive Marvin Ellison and TIAACREF CEO Roger Ferguson Jr., who is stepping down. JPMorgan Chase executive Thasunda Brown Duckett, a Black woman, is set to replace Ferguson on May 1.

Duckett and Brewer are among only 3.3 percent of Black senior and executive leaders presently working in corporate America, according to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission data.

Black C-suite and boardroom executives can make a difference for other Blacks in the corporate world, according to Michael C. Hyter, president and CEO of the Executive Leadership Council, a non-profit that works to increase corporate diversity.

“Diversity at the top drives diversity throughout the corporation,” Hyter told CNN Business. “There is a tendency among CEOs to groom senior executives who look like themselves, requiring intentional efforts to seed succession plans with more diverse candidates with proven track records.”

In 2021, Rosalind Brewer should not be one of only four African Americans serving as a Fortune 500 CEO. Corporate America must do better.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

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)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—I am not an outdoors-person, but I am naturally curious and pay attention to my surroundings. Being observant satisfies my curiosities and affords me better understanding of how we creatures behave and interact.

In my youth, I can remember going outside and seeing numerous shiny lines in the garden, on steps, and, sometimes, windows and doors. I, first, ignored those lines, but, eventually, asked my mother what they were. She said they were the trails left by slugs foraging through our garden, often ruining our vegetables. She explained that table salt could kill them. I did not like slugs then and I do not like them now.

Thinking abstractly, those slimy slugs have become analogous to Donald J. Trump, his acolytes, and their willingness to destroy the fabric of this nation’s democracy for self-aggrandizement and to create an environment of racial superiority. Like the slugs of our garden, their initial damage may be minimized, but left unchecked, their damage can be significant.

After January 20th, I intended to leave Trump and his administration in the dust heaps unpleasant memories, but disclosures of his gross mismanagement, disregard for the public welfare, and connection to churning of sediments of racial discord deserve comment. Moreover, emerging evidence of Trump’s attempt to replicate the permanent, autocratic strongmen he admires (Putin, Kim, and Erdogan) requires a challenge to the potential

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary destruction of our nation’s democratic principles and viability of our institutional constructs.

Although gone, Trump has left thousands of disciples willing to act seditiously to overthrow our current government in his behalf. He has opened a floodgate of racism and intolerance that will not close, and he has been the founder of “Institutional Lies,” which with his other infractions, cause suffering among those he targets.

January 6, 2021 is testament to the influence Trump has over a radical right populace willing to supplant our 250-year democracy in favor of an evolving dictatorship. One should not breathe a sigh of relief yet. January 6th failed to interrupt government process, but, among the Trump faithful, there remains a willingness to immediately reinstate him to the seat of power.

If you listen without your crazy filters, you will hear highly placed Trump loyalists present thoughts that are only to be said “quietly.” A chief example is Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin. Tone deaf and blind to the

obvious violence, Johnson expressed collaborative belief systems with January 6th terrorists in opposition to Black Lives Matter demonstrators of this past summer. I welcome anyone to explain his statements without using the lens of race.

Few need to be reminded of Trump’s lies throughout the COVID pandemic.

The number of lives lost to these lies can only be speculated, but it is doubtful that State and local governments and individual citizens would have responded as negligently without the endorsement of the president.

Despite Trump’s protestations of inaccuracy, a report from the Director of National Intelligence confirms that Russia was a principal actor in efforts to support Trump in 2016 and 2020 and discredit the Biden campaign.

Willing actors (Ex: Rudi Giuliani) were used to spread Russian, anti-Biden dis-information and promote a lack of confidence in the election process.

Too many Trump transgressions have emerged for us to believe we are done with him. Like the slug, his slime tells where he’s been, but we have no real knowledge of where he’s going, and what he plans to do. Increased voter suppression activities may give us a hint. He holds sway over too many people for us to relax.

His obvious trail of slime reminds us that, although gone, he and his acolytes are eager to leave a trail of discord and destruction for us to fall victim to.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of the National Congress of Black Women.)

#StopAsianHate: Racism, misogyny and easy access to guns are a deadly combination (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“I can’t remember ever having experienced racism separate from sexism. When I turn into a lane too slowly on the streets of Los Angeles, I am not surprised if someone rolls down the window to call me a ‘c---- b-----.’ When I reject or ignore sexual propositions from White men, some come back at me with racial slurs and even threats.

Even the perception that I will not fight back if I am attacked racially is a form of racism intersecting with sexism. This is the lived reality for too many Asian American women.”— Sociologist and author Nancy Wang Yuen This week our nation suffered another deadly shooting spree inspired by misogyny and racism, enabled by irresponsibly lax firearm regulation.

A self-described “sex addict” seeking to rid himself of “temptation” fatally shot eight people at Atlanta-area massage parlors, six of them women of Asian descent. The initial response of investigators, who downplayed the role of race in the killings, revealed a disturbing ignorance of the nation’s history of sexualized racism and violence.

Even the agency investigating the shootings appears to be steeped in anti-Asian sentiment. Not only did its spokesman express empathy for the shooter, saying he was “at the end of his rope” and was having “a really bad day,” but that same sheriff’s deputy has made anti-Asian social media posts and promoted a racist t-shirt.

The suspect purchased a gun just hours before the killings; Georgia requires no waiting period for firearms sales. The state has earned an “F” from the Giffords Law Center on its on their annual scorecard of gun laws in all 50 states. Easy access to firearms—most background checks take about 100 seconds, according to Giffords’ executive director—is especially deadly in a climate of rising hate crimes and record levels of White supremacist propaganda.

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal Just last week, Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University reported that hate crimes targeting Asian people rose by nearly 150 percent over the last year, stoked by former President Trump cynically seeking a scapegoat for his tragic mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.

White supremacist propaganda in the form of flyers, stickers, banners and graffiti doubled in 2020, reaching the highest level ever recorded by the Anti-Defamation League.

Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition addressing anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic, received nearly 3,800 reports of hate incidents over the last year, ranging from verbal harassment to workplace discrimination to physical assault.

When women are the targets, racial slurs are often accompanied by crude references to sex.

“Killing Asian American women to eliminate a man’s temptation speaks to the history of the objectification of Asian and Asian American women as variations of the Asian temptress, the dragon ladies and the lotus blossoms, whose value is only in relation to men’s fantasies and desires,” Sung Yeon Choimorrow, executive director of the nonprofit National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, said.

The National Urban League rejects the objectification, fetishization and stereotyping of women of color. Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones, including Delaina Yaun, mother of a 13-year-old boy and an 8-month-old baby girl; Paul

Andre Michels, an Army veteran and business owner; Xiaojie Yan, owner of the spa where she was shot; and Daoyou Feng. Police have not released the names of the other four victims, but our prayers are also with them and Elcias R. Hernandez-Ortiz, who was wounded.

Last month, the National Urban League and other civil rights and social justice groups outlined a comprehensive set of actions to combat anti-Asian hate and violence. These include: • Enacting comprehensive hate crime laws at both the state and local levels and ensuring that law enforcement agencies fully implement and enforce them; • Uniform Crime Reporting agencies need to standardize and include more details in their documentation of hate crimes; • Local law enforcement and state agencies should fully comply with the Hate Crimes Statistics Act, and efforts should be made to include detailed data on the Asian American and Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander communities; • A public campaign to push back on hate speech promoted by government officials and those running for office; and • Greater investment in linguistically and culturally competent community resources.

After four years of policy, rhetoric and messaging at the highest levels of government that fanned the flames of bigotry and inspired acts of violence against communities of color, the pandemic has brought us to a crossroads. It exposed America’s racial fault lines in nearly every indicator—health care, economic stability, justice, and democracy—and forced the nation to confront its legacy of White supremacy. We must seize the opportunity to create lasting change by emerging from this crisis a stronger nation determined to achieve a more perfect union for all its people.

B4

FORUM

MARCH 24-30, 2021

A very bad day (TriceEdneyWire.com)—I have bad days, even very bad days, as we all do. Example. I woke up late on a day when I had an 8 a.m. meeting.

Most days, I’m up before 6, but this day I just blew it. So I’m in a rush, and the new pair of pantyhose runs at the touch of my unmanicured nail. Gotta find a new pair. Go out to my car. No gas. Call an Uber. They late.

When I get to my appointment, a scant 5 minutes late, I am met by the assistant of an anal man who says he has to reschedule because I am too late (5 minutes!) to accommodate. So I decide to get a coffee at Starbucks and meander to my lunch meeting, a few blocks away.

But when I check my cell, I realize that my lunch meeting is canceled.

I make my way home, frustrated and annoyed. A very bad day. I don’t go buy myself a 9-millimeter gun or drive by a bunch of places where the White men who have frustrated me are employed. I don’t kill a bunch of people. I don’t tell anyone there is some sexual obsession that drove me to insanity.

Instead, I do what I often do when I am frustrated. I get some ice cream, preferably butter pecan, and take a small spoon to the big pint.

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary Maybe I have a unique cognac. Or, I call out for some bbq brisket and fried Brussel sprouts. Worst case scenario, I sit in front of my fireplace and shed a few tears for my man, recently departed, who always talked me out of frustration.

I cannot understand why Cherokee County Captain Jay Baker, the spokesperson for the law enforcement group that captured the depraved murderer, would describe his actions as “a very bad day.” Of course, he has since apologized and was removed from his spokesperson duties. And of course, his boss has described his words as the source of “much debate and anger.”

I guess Jay Baker just had “a very bad day”. But not as bad a day as Delania Ashley Young, 33, Xiaojie Tanm 49, Do you Feng, 44, Paul Michels, 54, and four others experienced. It was a White boy bad day that left eight people dead. This rude recounting of a massacre is the essence of White supremacy.

You make it all about you. Eight people are dead, six of the Asian American women.

And you had a bad day! Let me tell you about bad days. Vincent Chin, a Chinese American engineer, ran into some depraved White Chrysler employees on June 22, 1982. They blamed him, and folks like him, for the job cuts that Chrysler imposed due to Japanese imports (Chinese, Japanese, not the same thing). Chin was beaten to death, and his murderers got a $3000 fine and 3 years probation. The message – Asian lives don’t matter. Or, more intersectionally, “other” lives don’t matter.

Racist hate has racial dehumanization as its roots. You can’t lynch Black people unless you think they are something less than human.

You couldn’t do that to your mother or brother or sister. You can’t sexualize and shoot Asian American women unless you think they are less than human. Would you shoot your aunt or cousin to satisfy your sexual dysfunction?

George Floyd had a “very bad day” when Derek Chauvin killed him with a nearly 9-minute knee to the neck. Sandra Bland had a “very bad day” when a rabid Brian Encina decided to arrest her for both a minor traffic offense and for her unwillingness to bow down in front of him.

Twelve-year-old Tamir Rice had a very bad day when, just seconds after sighting him, the much-maligned Timothy Loehmann (fired from another Ohio police department) executed him.

Dylan Roof, the deranged White man who shot up Emanuel African Episcopal Church in Carolina church and killed nine people, had such a bad day that the men who arrested him took him to Burger King to get a sandwich. In other words, your bad day can result in my murder. Your sexual dysfunction becomes my problem. Your gross ignorance puts me at risk because I am a woman – Black, Brown, Asian, Native American. There is a genderized component to American racism, and this genderized component makes it okay for an intellectually vacuous law enforcement official to describe a vicious massacre as “a very bad day”. Bad for who?

The great debate: Plessy v. Bakke The book, “The Great Debate,” chronicled the J. Pharoah philosophical dispute between Thomas Paine and Edmund Burke and how their clash of ideas created the modern political left and right.

After reading the book, I wondered, what are the philosophical underpinnings that created America’s contemporary race debate?

Recently, there was great anticipation for a debate between two Black intellectuals, Coleman Hughes, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, the director of the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University. Hughes made a name for himself as an opinion writer and testifying against reparations for slavery at a congressional hearing in 2019. Dr. Kendi is a historian, best-selling author and national book award winner.

Dr. Kendi’s book—“How To Be An Antiracist”—became the point of contention between the two. Hughes wrote a book review that called the following ideas Dr. Kendi promoted—anti-intellectual.

1). Antiracism—Dr. Kendi stated, there are only “racist ideas” and “antiracist ideas.” There is no such thing as a not-racist idea. Therefore, policies that produce racial inequity are racist and policies that promote racial equity are antiracist.

2). Racial discrimination—Dr. Kendi stated racial discrimination is not inherently racist. “If discrimination is creating equity, then it is antiracist. If discrimination is creating inequity, then it is racist … The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination.

The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.”

3). Amendment to the Constitution —Dr. Kendi stated the following as a solution to racial inequity: “Americans should pass an antiracist amendment to the U.S. Constitution that enshrines two guiding antiracist principles: Racial inequity is evidence of a racist policy and the different racial groups are equal.

The amendment would make unconstitutional racial inequity over a certain threshold, as well as racist ideas by public officials … (The antiracist amendment) would establish and permanently fund the Department of Antiracism (DOA) comprised of formally trained

experts on racism and no political appointees. The DOA would be responsible for pre-clearing all local, state and federal public policy to ensure they yield racial inequity, monitor those policies, investigate private racist policies when racial inequity surfaces, and monitor public officials for expressing racist ideas. The DOA would be empowered with disciplinary tools to wield over and against policymakers and public officials who do not voluntarily change their racist policy or ideas.”

Since Hughes is currently working on a book that defends the concept of colorblindness with regards to race in America, which, most likely, is a response to Dr. Kendi’s work, Hughes wrote an open letter to Dr. Kendi requesting a debate.

Dr. Kendi declined the debate.

However, I noticed the philosophical underpinnings of the race debate were right here, and the ideological difference is as distinct as the dispute between Paine and Burke. I’ve labeled this great debate “Plessy v. Bakke,” because the warring concepts come from two famous Supreme Court decisions.

The Plessy v. Ferguson ruling (1896) legally established racial segregation.

However, Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote the lone dissenting opinion.

Harlan wrote: “There is no caste here.

Our constitution is colorblind and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect to civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful. The law regards man as man and takes no accounts of his surroundings or his color.”

The Regents of the University of California v. Bakke ruling (1978) declared affirmative action constitutional. Justice Harry Blackmun said: “In order to get beyond racism, we must first take account of race. There is no other way.

And in order to treat some persons equally, we must treat them differently.”

The outcome of Plessy v. Bakke is crucial. It will determine the fate of America for the rest of the 21st century.

Hughes and Dr. Kendi symbolize this debate is not taking place, and if it did, it wouldn’t be at the level of Paine and Burke, where it needs to be.

Doss

Check It Out

Black farmers and COVID relief (TriceEdneyWire. deal with the Ben Jealous com)—If you ever begin pandemic, mostto doubt that elections ly bypassed Black matter, think about farmers.

Black farmers.

Last fall, Sens.

The new COVID relief Cory Booker, law takes significant Elizabeth Warren steps to address decades and Kirsten Gilliof shameful discrimibrand introduced nation against Black the Justice for farmers by the federal Black Farmers government. And that Act. It was dewould not have happened without signed to address and correct the disvoters putting Joe Biden and Kamala crimination that “caused Black farmers Harris in the White House and giving to lose millions of acres of farmland Democrats a majority in the Senate. and robbed Black farmers and their The discrimination is well-documentfamilies of hundreds of billions of doled. So is its devastating impact on lars of inter-generational wealth.”

Black farming families.

And then the 2020 elections creatConsider a few statistics. One huned powerful opportunities for Black dred years ago, there were more than farmers. During the first week of the 925,000 Black-run farms. By 2017, that Biden-Harris administration, the number had dropped by more than 95 Department of Agriculture halted debt percent. Today less than two percent of collection and foreclosure for thoufarmers in the U.S. are Black, and 98 sands of farmers behind in federal loan percent of farmland is owned by White payments, many of them Black. Newly landowners. elected Sen. Raphael Warnock—thank Part of the problem is state laws that you, Georgia voters!—introduced often force the sale of inherited farmthe Emergency Relief for Farmers of land for pennies on the dollar. But this Color Act, which became part of the is not a problem confined to the ConCOVID relief legislation known as the federate states or the Jim Crow era.

American Rescue Plan.

This is largely a problem of intentional That measure, passed by Congress discrimination by employees of the and signed into law by President federal government.

Biden includes $10 billion to support Bigoted bureaucrats and discriminaagriculture. About half of that is set tory policies at the U.S. Department aside to help Black farmers through of Agriculture and its Farmers Home debt relief, education, training, and Administration lending agency abused land acquisition. The law includes $4 Black farmers for decades. Black farms billion in direct aid to get farmers out were falsely classified as unproductive. of debt. And it includes $1 billion to Farmers were unfairly denied loans create and fund a commission to deal that they were entitled to receive. The with the longstanding discrimination government stalled and buried their and inequity in USDA programs. complaints about discrimination. Land And Senator Booker has reintroduced was taken and given to White farmers. last year’s bill, which would include Senate Democrats reported recently a program for getting land into the that Black farmers in the South have hands of Black farmers, other farmers lost more than 12 million acres of of color, and other “underserved profarmland since the 1950s. ducers.”

In 1982, the U.S. Civil Rights ComThese long-overdue steps toward mission said that the Farmers Home reversing generations of wrongdoing Administration’s unresponsiveness are not just the result of a single elec“hindered the efforts of Black small tion. They are the fruit of decades of farmers to remain a viable force in organizing by Black farmers and their agriculture.” During the 1990s, many advocates to document and challenge farmers were cut out of meaningful racist discrimination and injustice. And help they should have gotten from lawto get Black people and their allies to suit settlements. vote.

Official neglect and mistreatment Organizing and elections can change of Black farmers continued into the the world. Together we are making— 21st Century: one study found that and remaking—history. Let’s keep it from 2006 to 2016, the federal governup!

(Ben Jealous serves as president of People For ment was six times as likely to forethe American Way and People For the American close on a Black farmer as on a white Way Foundation.) one. Money handed out by the Trump administration to survive the trade war he started, and to help farmers

Commentary

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Jesse Jackson Sr.

Commentary

The right to vote is the foundation of democracy (TriceEdneyWire.com)—The right to vote is the essential foundation of democracy. Yet today, across America, there is a systematic campaign by one party to curtail the right to vote, targeted particularly at minorities and the young. As the Brennan Center for Justice reports, Republicans have introduced more than 250 legislative bills in 43 states that would make voting more difficult. The campaign is propelled by the big lie spread by Donald Trump that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. Republicans claim to be intent on restoring people’s confidence in the election system. In fact, Trump’s lies were refuted by state Republican election officials, by federal courts, many presided over by Trump-appointed judges, and by Trump’s own attorney general. Republican senators and legislators and elected state officials do not question the legitimacy of their victories. Yet they are now using Trump’s big lie as the rationale for suppressing the right to vote. Many of the legislative changes are surgically targeted to impact Black and minority voters.

In Georgia, for example, Republicans are pushing legislation to limit early in-person voting days, to end no-excuse mail voting (except for voters over 65, who tend to vote Republican), and to limit the hours that mail ballot drop boxes will be open. They even seek to end Sunday in-person voting in the weeks leading up to the election, to curtail the “souls to the polls” efforts by Black churches to encourage civic participation.

Georgia election officials notoriously cut the number of polling stations, particularly in Fulton County, where Black voters are concentrated. That forced voters to wait for hours in long lines to cast a vote.

That, of course, made it more difficult for workers and those who were ailing to vote.

Now to make it even harder, Republican legislators seek to prohibit volunteers from giving water and food to those waiting in line. Lines themselves are a national disgrace. The ban on water and food is an offense against basic decency. Sadly, in America, the right to vote has always been contested.

The Founders limited the right to vote to male property owners; neither women nor, needless to say, slaves could vote. It took massive struggles—and eventually a Civil War—to end slavery and gain the right to vote for African Americans. But almost immediately, across the South, the Confederate establishment erected Jim Crow laws to enforce segregation and devised a range of tactics—from poll taxes, to rigged exams to plain violent intimidation—to keep African Americans from voting.

One of the first objectives of the civil rights movement was passage of the Voting Rights Act, mandating federal protection of the right to vote, and prior federal review of changes that would discriminate against African Americans. Today’s Republicans—the modern-day Confederates—are brazen in their efforts to ensure that only the “right” people vote. The gang of five right-wing justices on the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, opening the floodgates to discriminatory state restrictions.

The election in 2022 will be the first post-census election since the gutting of the Voting Rights Act. And Republicans are once more intent on making it harder for minorities to vote. The U.S. House of Representatives passed essential legislation—H.R. 1, the For the People Act—to provide federal standards to elections to federal office. H.R. 1 (labeled S1 in the Senate) would provide for automatic voter registration and same-day voter registration.

It would mandate a minimum of 15 days for early voting, with polls open at least 10 hours per day so that workers might have a chance to vote. It would limit purges of voting rolls.

The new law would require nonpartisan citizen commissions to do redistricting after a new census. It would require super PACs and “dark money” operations to disclose their donors. It would provide matching grants for small donations, reducing the force of big money in our elections. These are simply common-sense standards for a clean election system.

Yet Republicans furiously denounce them, and Senate Republicans promise to filibuster against the act, blocking its passage unless Democrats can unify around suspending the filibuster in order to allow the majority to pass it. Over the last years, America has become increasingly polarized politically. But democracy—and the right to vote—must be above partisanship.

There ought to be universal support for creating an election system that makes voting easy, limits big money and requires nonpartisan redistricting. It is shameful that the efforts to suppress the vote of African Americans and others that were perfected under segregation are being revived in a new guise in the 21st century. Americans must mobilize to demand that the Senate pass H.R. 1 to protect the right to vote.

And whether it passes or not, African Americans, Latinos, the young should see the efforts to suppress their vote as the insult that it is.

And we should mobilize to vote in large numbers—overcoming whatever barriers are put in our way—to reaffirm our democratic rights, and to hold accountable those who would try to trample them.

New Pittsburgh Courier

CLASSIFIED

B5

MARCH 24-30, 2021

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

PROJECT COORDINATOR/ RESEARCHER IV The Multicenter Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Clinical Coordinating Center at the University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) seeks a Project Coordinator/Researcher IV to work w/ interdisciplinary research team to conduct & implement clinical trials & observational studies. Resp. include planning, conducting, mntnng compliance for research studies & regltr & QC procedures rltd to research protocols. Tasks incl. coordination of research protocols, exctn of study prcdrs, remote & on-site clinical mntrng, adverse event monitor. & data & safety.

Master’s degree in Public Health, Clinical Research, Physical Thrp, Exercise Science or health-related field. Must know (through acad. tr a ining or work experience) research data collection standards, medical terminology; ability to interpret reports w/data. All apps & resumes must be submitted via join.pitt.edu, requisition #21001203

DBE/DB PROGRAM SPECIALIST Port Authority is seeking a DBE/ DB Program Specialist to provide staff support to the DBE/DB Program M a n a g e r i n the day-to-day implementation, administration and evaluation of Port Authority’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and Diverse Business (DB) Program in compliance with all applicable U.S. DOT 49 CFR Part 26, PennDOT, Section 303 of Title 74 and Act 89 requirements and regulations. Attend DBE public outreach functions as a representative of the department and the Authority.

Act as a representative of the DBE Program on Authority Procurements.

Essential Functions: •Assists the DBE/DB Manager with functions as a program/project liaison on DBE/DB program matters with other departments. Works with various Authority departments to monitor DBE/DB expenditures on both Federal and State funded projects.

•Maintains and manages updates in the DBE irectory of all certified DBEs. •Assists in the evaluation of all DBE certification applications for verification, including on-site reviews. Prepares recommendation reports resulting from investigation to substantiate DBE certification determination.

Travel is required throughout the state for conducting various on-site reviews of applicant firms.

Job requirements include: •BA Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or related field from an accredited school.

Relevant experience may substitute for education on a year-for year basis.

Minimum of five (5) years related experience.

•Knowledge of diverse business community, public procurement and business management.

•Working knowledge of federal and state laws, government regulations pertaining to contracts, procurement and DBE/DB Programs.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows.

•Professional and effective communication skills.

•Management skills to organize, coordinate, supervise special initiatives and projects.

•Established community contacts and networks.

•Valid PA driver’s license.

Preferred attributes: •Contract administration experience.

URBAN ACADEMY OF GREATER PITTSBURGH -Special Education Teacher -Classroom Teacher -Art Teacher -Science Co-Teacher & Enrichment: Work in collaboration with the Science Teacher to provide a highly interactive and inquiry-based learning environment for Grades K-5. He or she will lead lessons for K-1 and with 2-5. They will lead a science enrichment group and will also work very closely with the classroom teachers -Co-Teacher: Assist classroom teachers by working with students in small groups and whole groups.

He or she will work with students, both directly and indirectly, to provide academic support.

-Intervention Support Team Member: Provide academic support to students who are below grade level and to students in need of enrichment.

They will facilitate small groups throughout the day and work very closely with the Math Coach, Reading Specialist, Classroom Teachers, and Principals.

Please submit resume and ALL three Clearances and three References to jobs@urbanacademypgh.org FANNY EDEL FALK LABORATORY SCHOOL University of Pittsburgh 4060 Allequippa Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261 www.falkschool.pitt.edu Position Announcement School Counselor (K-8) Falk School, a coeducational K-8 laboratory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is seeking a dynamic, full-time School Counselor for the next academic year, beginning August 2021.

Salary range is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Falk School, which is a department in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, offers excellent benefits.

The position involves working with colleagues to co-plan and re ect on developing the K-8 wellness program. The successful candidate will have strong collaborative skills and a willingness to support educational research. Strong oral and written communication skills will be required to communicate effectively with children, teachers, and families. The ideal candidate will also serve as a liaison to community agencies, child psychologists/ therapists, and a Falk psychological consultant, which at times involves referrals to needed services.

A Master’s Degree in counseling (or related field) and Pennsylvania school counseling certification K-8 are preferred. Elementary/middle school experience is advantageous, and interesting work and/or educational experience in the field of psychology and counseling is beneficial for the position. A commitment to restorative practices as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion work are all assets.

For full consideration, please upload materials (detailed in the complete position announcement (position no. 21001654) on this site) https://www.join.pitt.edu under faculty positions.

Review of applications will begin April 1, 2021, and continue through until the position is filled.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity.

EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled.

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

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: Robyn Taylor Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 RTaylor@portauthority.org EOE ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT – ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST Port Authority is seeking an Accounting Assistant – Accounts Payable Specialist to audit and process vouchers for checks to be printed.

Essential Functions: •Utilizes PeopleSoft accounts payable, procurement and inventory systems to perform the following: Matches and audit invoices with purchase orders and receivers and settles discrepancies.

Audits and enters coded invoices and settles discrepancies Sets up new vendors. erifies vouchers with computer printout and corrects errors.

•Registers and distributes invoices for approval.

Job requirements include: •High school diploma or G.E.D., supplemented by twelve (12) credits in accounting from an accredited college or business school.

•Minimum of two (2) years accounting finance experience.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Micrsoft Word, Windows and Excel.

•Professional and effective communications skills.

•Ability to use a calculator.

Preferred attributes: Familiarity with account classification.

•Experience using PeopleSoft Financials 9.2.

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: Glenn Huetter Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 GHuetter@portauthority.org EOE

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

SONNY BOY 5 0 1

3 2 6

9 8 8

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Help Wanted

Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

CONTROLLER Catalyst Connection, an established, economic development organization focused on improving the performance of local manufacturers, is seeking a Controller to join our accounting team that supports our compliance with federal and other government contracting requirements. Your primary responsibilities will be to direct and coordinate the accounting and subrecipient monitoring functions of Catalyst Connection. This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer.

Your background must demonstrate a successful track record of government contract compliance, accurate accounting and reporting experience, experience in building electronic processes and systems to support accounting and reporting, and experience in communicating effectively at all levels. This position will support managing grant initiatives & accounting reporting including: •Develop, analyze, and interpret statistical and accounting information to report on performance and the operating soundness and effectiveness of the organization.

Perform closing functions including data entry, reconciliations, and review accuracy of recording. roficiency in Accounting and Project Management Software.

•Conduct compliance activities with government contracts, manage reporting on government portals, research and plan government contract requirements and implement systems for compliance, monitoring, and reporting. Conduct subrecipient monitoring in accordance with Uniform Guidance and company policy.

•Coordinate audit and tax functions •Propose internal control and process improvements, including new software and internet tools and provide education for meeting government compliance.

•Work in a collaborative team environment to meet deliverables and deadlines of grantors.

The ideal candidate will possess a CPA with 6+ years’ experience managing the financial function of a complex multi-grant, multi-discipline business environment, experience in a federal contracts environment (federal uniform guidance).

Include r sum , cover letter, accounting systems experience, and salary requirement to: careers@catalystconnection.org EOE

Estate of NELSON LOPINTO, Deceased of South Fayette Township,Allegheny County Pennsylvania, Estate No. 02-21-01298, Mary Jo Cannon, Executor, 1803 Atkisson Road Joppa, MD 21085 or to Robin L. Rarie, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue Bridgeville, PA 15017

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR AUTHORITY-WIDE REPROGRAPHIC SCANNING SERVICES RFP #600-17-21 The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Authority-Wide Reprographic Scanning Services The documents will be available no later than March 15, 2021 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 9:00 A.M. on April 6, 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 April 6, 2021 in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Proposals may be uploaded to the Authority’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 Doing Business section of www.hacp.org.

Questions or inquiries should be directed to: Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832 A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on March 29, 2021 at 09:00 A.M. Please see meeting information below: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 929 6612 5810 Passcode: 450987 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s 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.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Estate of J. DENNIS RYAN, Deceased of Upper St. Clair, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Estate No. 02-21-01648, Elizabeth E. Thomas, Executor, 2532 Lindenwood Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 or to Robin L. Rarie, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue Bridgeville, PA 15017 Estate of SHERRY BOYD, Deceased of Ross, Estate No. 00642 of 2021, Lisa M. Legleitner 2417 Stark Street Pittsburgh PA 15226 and Melody S. Boyd Bestic 1322 Rescue Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212, Admin, or to Michael J. Saldamarco, Attys; STE. 100, 908 Perry Hwy. Pittsburgh, PA 15229 Estate of BODEN, SR., DAVID G., Deceased, of Forward Twp, PA. Estate No. 01492 of 2021. David G. Boden, Jr., Executor, 162 Peach Tree Lane, Keyser, WV 26726.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

MARCH HACP BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING Due to the COVID-19 protective guidelines set forth by federal, state, and local governments, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting for March on March 25, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. on a remote basis. The meeting will be held remotely, with public access to be provided online. HACP will provide a direct link to a livestream of the meeting, and instruction on how to make a public comment. Details will be made available on http://www.hacp.org, in advance of the meeting.

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY The Community College of Allegheny County Board of Trustees will hold a meeting on April 1, 2021.

The meeting will be held virtually beginning at 4:00p.m. and streamed on CCAC’s YouTube page. A copy of the Board meeting agenda will be made available for review on the College’s website (www.ccac.edu) Comments regarding items scheduled for action by the Board may be submitted via email to brichardson@ccac.edu by no later than 3:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting. Comments will be read into the record, up to a maximum of three minutes each.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

Estate of GLENN E. COLE, SR. A/K/A GLENN E. COLE., Deceased of Scott Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Estate No. 02-21-01637, Executor: Bonnie Handerhan, 22 Forsythe Road Presto, PA 15412, or to Robin L. Rarie, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue Bridgeville, PA 15017 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, Executrix: 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

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) The Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation, a 501(c)(3) corporation, on behalf of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), is requesting Technical Proposals and Price Proposals (together, the Proposal package) for the preparation of a Regional Roundabout Screening Study. The selected firm or team of firms will assist SPC with completing a study that will identify potential roundabout locations in the region that will enhance safety.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released by SPC on March 24, 2021. Copies may be downloaded from the SPC Website (www.spcregion.org) or may be obtained by e-mail request to Domenic D’Andrea at ddandrea@spcregion.org.

Electronic submissions will be required via SPC’s SharePoint site.

Full submission details are provided in the RFP document. Proposal packages are due on April 23, 2021.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title II, 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.

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com

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

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

Estate of D.GRACE WYATT, Deceased of Pittsburgh,PA, Estate No. 0682 of 2021, Mc inley Lancaster III, Executor, 2 0 ipling Avenue, . ., Massillon, O or to Thelma C. Spells, Esquire, Atty; 1533 Bidwell Street, Pittburgh, PA 15233

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS…THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

B6

CLASSIFIEDS

MARCH 24-30, 2021

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY LETTERS-OF-INTEREST FOR PROFESSIONAL ON-CALL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES MARCH 22, 2021 Letters-of-Interest (LOI) with current Form SF330, for professional on-call environmental services, will be received through the platform Submittable at www.acaacapitalprograms.submittable.com. The Letter of Interest (LOI) must be uploaded to Submittable by 12:00 PM (Noon) on April 9, 2021 (late submissions will not be accepted), for the following: Professional On-Call Environmental Services: The ACAA will typically utili e a professional environmental firm on the projects listed below at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC) which requires environmental services. Specific responsibilities will include all aspects of sampling, analysis, data collection, technical report preparation, permitting, inspecting, and environmental auditing. Environmental firms will be required to provide, but not limited to, an understanding of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), and International Drinking Water rules and regulations.

1.National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) Permitting, Sampling, Analysis, and Report Preparation The selected firm will be accountable for all sampling, data collection, analysis, inspections, and reporting associated with the NPDES Permits (DEPGreenport). Additionally, the firm will be responsible for updating renewing the NPDES permits at both AGC and PIT. and other miscellaneous actions, as required.

2.Safe Drinking Water Requirements This firm will be responsible for all sampling data collection, analysis and reporting with the Drinking Water System at PIT. This will include keeping the Consecutive Water Distribution System current and amending it as needed.

3.International Drinking Water Requirements This firm will be responsible for conducting all sampling, analysis and reporting for our international aircraft.

4.PADEP Dam Inspections This firm will be responsible for conducting the annual dam inspections at PIT and repairing the needed inspection reports.

5.Miscellaneous Environmental Sampling This firm will be available 24 hours day, seven (7) days week, 365 days per year to conduct miscellaneous sampling, analysis and reporting as needed by the Allegheny County Airport Authority. This sampling includes, but is not limited to, Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM), Lead-based paint, spill response sampling, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), mold or other miscellaneous sampling that is needed.

If interested in providing any of the aforementioned services, environmental firms are required to submit a Letter-of-Interest (LOI) and current Form SF330. The ACAA encourages responses from small, minority, and women owned firms, as well as firms that have not previously worked for the ACAA. The ACAA will use Form SF330 to evaluate and prequalify firms to be part of a highly qualified short-list, which will then be requested to submit comprehensive proposals. Comprehensive proposals will include the following at a minimum: Project understanding, project experience, project team identification, organi ation chart and resumes approach to ma or tasks such as scope and schedule management, techniques for cost control, scope creep and change order management, and identification of isadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Firms with description and quantity of work they will perform to meet or exceed FAA and ACAA DBE requirements, which is currently 14%. Note: Do not include company brochures and limit the LOI to no more than three typewritten pages (8.5” x 11”, 11 pt. font) in addition to Standard Form 330. A link to obtain SF330 can be found by going to the following website: Standard Form (SF330) https://www.gsa.gov/Forms/TrackForm/32994 Submissions will be received in PDF format as one complete file only through the platform Submittable at www.acaacapitalprograms.submittable. com. Do NOT mail, email, or deliver hard copies as they will be considered rejected and will be returned to the respondent unopened. Please note that Submittable does not support Internet Explorer 11. Submittable recommends the following browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

Submissions should be made to: Mr. Kevin A. Gurchak Director, Environmental & Workplace Safety Allegheny County Airport Authority Pittsburgh International Airport Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezz.

PO Box 12370 Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370 Questions should be directed to Mr. Kevin A. Gurchak at 412-472-3575 or email to r a tt r o Final on-call environmental services selections (following short-listing, proposal evaluation, and interviews) will be based on, but not limited to, the following criteria Staff qualifications, experience and local office bench strength demonstrated interest in the pro ects organi ation, clarity, cohesiveness, quality and completeness of both the written proposal and oral presentation sensitivity to ACAA requirements indicated ability to manage projects, produce required results, meeting project schedule and controlling costs demonstrated knowledge of EPA, PADEP, ACHD, and ACAA applicable standards and requirements monitoring BE goals, mentoring DBE firms, impacts to airport operations and other areas of environmental services.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY LETTERS-OF-INTEREST FOR PROFESSIONAL ON-CALL DEICING ACTION PLANS AND FIELD SERVICES MARCH 22, 2021 Letters of Interest (LOI) with current Form SF330, for Professional On-Call Deicing Action Plan and Field services, will be received through the platform Submittable at www.acaacapitalprograms.submittable.com. The LOI must be uploaded to Submittable by 12:00 PM (Noon) on April 9, 2021 (late submissions will not be accepted), for the following: Professional On-Call Deicing Action Plan and Field Services: The Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) will utilize a professional environmental firm at ittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC). Specific responsibilities will include all aspects of sampling, analysis, data collection, data interpretation, technical report preparation, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, and inspecting of aircraft and airfield related deicing anti-icing activities at the airports. Environmental firms will be required to provide the following including, but not limited to, a clear understanding of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) rules and regulations as they pertain to aircraft and airfield deicing activities, specifically as they apply to our airports.

If interested in providing any of the aforementioned services, environmental firms are required to submit a LOI and current Form SF330. The ACAA encourages responses from small, minority, and women owned firms, as well as firms that have not previously worked for the ACAA. The ACAA will use Form SF330 to evaluate and prequalify firms to be part of a highly qualified short-list, which will then be requested to submit comprehensive proposals. Comprehensive proposals will include the following at a minimum ro ect understanding pro ect experience pro ect team identification organi ation chart and resumes approach to ma or tasks such as scope and schedule management techniques for cost control scope creep and change order management and identification of isadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Firms with description and quantity of work they will perform to meet or exceed FAA and ACAA DBE requirements, which is currently 14%. Note: Do not include company brochures and limit the LOI to no more than three typewritten pages (8.5” x 11”, 11 pt. font) in addition to Standard Form 330. A link to obtain SF330 can be found by going to the following website: Standard Form (SF330) https://www.gsa.gov/Forms/TrackForm/32994 Submissions will be received in PDF format as o e o lete file o l through the platform Submittable at www.acaacapitalprograms.submittable.com. Do NOT mail, email, or deliver hard copies as they will be considered rejected and will be returned to the respondent unopened. Please note that Submittable does not support Internet Explorer 11. Submittable recommends the following browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

Submissions should be made to: Mr. Kevin A. Gurchak Director, Environmental & Workplace Safety Allegheny County Airport Authority Pittsburgh International Airport Landside Terminal, 4th Floor Mezz.

PO Box 12370 Pittsburgh, PA 15231-0370 Questions should be directed to Mr. Kevin A. Gurchak at 412-472-3575 or email to r a tt r o Final on-call on-call deicing action plan and field services selections (following short-listing, proposal evaluation, and interviews) will be based on, but not limited to, the following criteria Staff qualifications experience and local office bench strength demonstrated interest in the pro ects organization, clarity, cohesiveness, quality and completeness of both the written proposal and oral presentation sensitivity to ACAA requirements indicated ability to manage projects, produce required results, meeting project schedule and controlling costs demonstrated knowledge of EPA, PADEP, ACHD, and ACAA applicable standards and requirements monitoring DBE goals, mentoring DBE firms, impacts to airport operations and other areas of environmental services.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SONNY BOY

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MARCH 17, 2021 e fi e o t e o t o troller o lle e o t , Room 104, Court House, Pittsburgh, PA, will receive separate and sealed Bids on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 PM and FROM 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. prevailing local time, Wednesday, April 14, 2021 and a representative of the Department of Public Works will open and read the Bids in Conference Room1, County Court House, Pittsburgh, PA, one-half hour later, 11:30 o’clock A.M., for the following: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PEARCE MILL ROAD BICYCLE and PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 1 TOWN OF MCCANDLESS COUNTY PROJECT No. 1245-0001 As a prospective bidder please note the following general Project information regarding: Pre-Bid Information, Bidding Requirements, and Contract Conditions. See the Project Manual for detailed information, responsibilities and instructions.

PRE-BID INFORMATION: urchase and or view the ro ect Manual and rawings at the Office of the Contract Manager, oom 50 , County Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA. The non-refundable charge for the Proposal and a disk containing the Specifications and rawings is $107.00 including sales tax. The Contract Manager will accept only check or money order to the “COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY” in that amount and WILL NOT ACCEPT CASH OR EXTEND CREDIT. Prospective bidders may request to have bid documents mailed. An additional fee of $16.05 including tax, for handling costs for each requested proposal must be paid in advance. The fee must be received at the Office of the Contract Manager prior to the mailing of any documents.

Interested bidders planning to purchase bid documents or attend the public bid opening are advised to follow Self-Monitoring and Social Distancing guidelines when entering the Allegheny County Courthouse or County Office Building. Interested bidders should also be aware that when entering either the Allegheny County Courthouse or County Office Building, a face mask meeting the guidelines set by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, must be worn at all times.

BIDDING REQUIREMENTS: The County requires pre-qualification of bidders, including subcontractors, as specified in Section 102.01 of Commonealt o e l a a e art e t o ra ortat o e fi at o Publication No.408, 2020 Edition, Change No. 2, Effective April 9, 2021 on this project.

Submit Proposal on the supplied form in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders and Specifications include the following documents with the Bid Form, ALONG WITH ONE COMPLETE PHOTOCOPIED SET OF THE PROPOSAL: Bid Security - certified check or surety company bond on County’s form to the order of or running to the County of Allegheny in the amount of five (5%) percent of the Bid as evidence that you, the Bidder, will accept and carry out the conditions of the Contract in case of award. The County will accept only bonds written by Surety Companies acceptable on Federal Bonds per the current Federal Register Circular 570. Federal Register Circular 570 is available for inspection in the Contract Office, oom 50 , County Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Bidder Certification of re- ualification, Classification and ork Capacity • List of Subcontractors • Statement of Joint Venture Participation • MBE And WBE Goals Attainment Certification (ONLY NECESSARY IF YOU CANNOT MEET THE SPECIFIED MBE AND WBE GOALS.) • MBE/WBE Subcontractor and Supplier Commitment and Solicitation Sheets • Work Sheet Required Amount Performed By Contractor (Non-Federal Projects) THE COUNTY WILL REJECT BIDS THAT DO NOT INCLUDE THE EXECUTED DOCUMENTS SPECIFIED ABOVE WITH THE BID FORM. You may not withdraw your bid for a period of Sixty (60) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. The County Manager reserves the right to reject any and all bids or waive any informality in the bidding.

CONTRACT CONDITIONS: In accordance with the provisions of the “Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act” of August 15, 1961, P.L. 987, as Department of Labor and Industry, the prevailing minimum wage predetermination requirements as set forth in the Attachments apply to this Project.

The anticipated notice to proceed is June 7, 2021. The project completion will be 177 consecutive calendar days the from notice to proceed.

The County of Allegheny hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this Advertisement, minority business enterprises women business enterprises [MBE/WBE] will be afforded the full opportunity to submit bids in response to this advertisement and the County will not discriminate against minority and women business enterprises on the grounds of race, sex, color or national origin in consideration for an award. It is a condition of the bidding process contract that all responsive bidders contractors shall follow the minority business enterprises and women business enterprises [MBE/WBE] procedures set forth in the pro ect manual contract documents.

For technical questions contact Ken Urbanec, P.E., Project Manager, at 412-350-1278. For contracting questions contact the Contracts Division at 412-350-5924.

Chelsa Wagner Controller Allegheny County

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA FY 2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN Notice is hereby given that Allegheny County, Pennsylvania will hold a virtual public hearing on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 11:30 AM via Microsoft Teams (Call in Number 1 267-368-7515, Conference ID: 760 652 779#) Instruction for how to join the public hearing may also be obtained by visiting the County’s Website at: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/ economic-development/index. aspx or calling the County at: 412-350-1000. Anyone requiring special accommodations or who requires a presentation in a language other than English should contact Mr. Howard Schubel at Howard.Schubel@AlleghenyCounty.US 48 hours in advance of the hearing date and time.

The purpose of this public hearing is to present the FY 2021 Allegheny County Annual Action Plan. The FY 2021 Annual Action Plan lists the proposed projects for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funds. For FY 2021, which begins July 1, 2021, Allegheny County expects to receive the following: CDBG funds in the amount of $13,878,721, HOME funds in the amount of $2,979,779, and ESG funds in the amount of $1,189,410. The FY 2021 Annual Action Plan is scheduled to be submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on or before May 15, 2021.

In order to obtain the views of citizens, public agencies and other interested parties, Allegheny County will place the FY 2021 Annual Action Plan on display beginning April 1, 2021, at the following locations in Allegheny County: •County Website: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/ economic-development/index. aspx •Allegheny County Economic Development, One Chatham Center, Suite 900, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 •Allegheny County Manager’s Office, County Courthouse, Grant Street, Room 119, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 The FY 2021 Annual Action Plan was prepared after conducting stakeholder outreach, surveys, and public hearings on community development, housing, human services, and economic development needs at ACED, the COG offices and other locations. This document will be available to the public during normal hours of operation for a period of thirty (30) days until April 30, 2021.

All interested citizens are encouraged to attend the public hearing and they will be given the opportunity to present oral or written testimony concerning the proposed use of CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds under the FY 2021 Annual Action Plan.

Written comments may also be addressed to Mr. Bud Schubel, Manager of Operations, One Chatham Center, Suite 900, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or by email at howard.schubel@alleghenycounty.us Oral comments may be made by calling (412) 350-1044. Comments received through April 30, 2021 will be considered in the Plan.

Bud Schubel ACED, Manager of Operations

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and

cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

CLASSIFIEDS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

MARCH 24-30, 2021

B7

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

DOCUMENT 00030-AA ADVERTISEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA The Allegheny County Airport Authority will be receiving scanned PDF proposals through Submittable and a submission link will be sent to each registered plan holder. Submissions are to be submitted via Submittable by 1:00 p.m. prevailing local time on April 21, 2021, and bids will be opened by the Airport Authority and results will be emailed by end of business day of bid opening for the following pro ect ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY PROJECT NUMBER 39M1-20 (MECHANICAL) PROJECT NUMBER 4M1-20 (MECHANICAL) FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM AND DOMESTIC WATER REHABILIATION PROJECT AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m., on March 31, 2021 in Conference oom E at ittsburgh InternationalAirport Landside Terminal, th Floor Me , ittsburgh, A 152 1.

Anyone attending the pre-bid conference must call 412-472-5578 for access to Conference Room E. Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages, as determined by the ennsylvania epartment of Labor and Industry, must be paid on these pro ects. roposals must be made on the Authority’s form and in accordance with the lans and Specifications and the “Instructions to Bidders”’.

The non-refundable charge of $150.00 for the Bid ocuments and the lans, and Specifications through the bidding platform Submittable at w w w. a c a a c a p i t a l p r o g r a m s . submittable.com . lease note that Submittable does not support Internet Explorer 11. Submittable recommends the following browsers Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mo illa Firefox, or Apple Safari.

This pro ect has DBE participation goals DBE firms must be certified with the ennsylvania nified Certification rogram (PA UCP). Firms must be certified prior to award of contract. A searchable database of DBE firms can be found on the PA UCP web site https://www. dotsbe.pa.gov/PAUCPWeb/paucp/ viewHome.do The Airport Authority reserves the right to re ect any and all bids or waive any informalities in the bidding. o bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of sixty [60] days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids.

To view a complete advertisement, which is also included in the bidding documents visit tt r o – ACAA Corporate – Business Opportunities or call 412-472-3677 or 412-472-3543.

REQUEST FOR MATERIAL SAMPLES FOR EVALUATION FOR THE TERMINAL MODERNIZATION PROGRAM The Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), operator of ittsburgh International (PIT) and Allegheny County Airports (AGC) in ennsylvania, is hereby soliciting MATERIAL SAMPLES FOR EVALUATION. The materials are being evaluated for consideration in the final design of the Terminal Moderni ation rogram (TMP) at PIT, a new terminal complex that will be constructed ad acent to the existing Airside Terminal. The TMP will include A new three-level, approximately 700,000-square foot terminal facility A new five-story garage connected to the Landside Terminal. The garage structure will house approximately 3,500 public parking spaces, rental car customer service area, ready return spaces, and a separate rental car uick-Turn-Around (QTA) facility efurbishment of the existing Airside Terminal concourses The products solicited under this request are identified below, and the pre-final design product specifications are available on www.PITtransformed.com: - esinous Flooring - esinous Matrix Terra o Flooring Interested suppliers will first submit a statement of product qualification, with information showing compliance with the performance criteria of the product specification. After compliance is verified by ACAA, material donations will be accepted in the quantities specified on the website. ACAA will coordinate for installation of materials in a public area of the Terminal for public use and in-place performance evaluation. For those materials that are installed, ACAA will display product and manufacturer information in a consistent format to be determined, but no other advertising will be permitted on site. articipation in this qualifications-based material evaluation is voluntary. All materials provided will be considered a donation and will become property of the ACAA. o agreement between the ACAA and the participating suppliers will be made and no costs will be paid or reimbursed. ACAA reserves the right to re ect or to install any, all, or none of the material samples provided.

The ACAA encourages responses from small firms, minority and women’s business firms, and firms that have not previously worked for the ACAA. All submittals will be received at the TM rogram Management Office at the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) for the periods of time identified on the website. lease direct product qualification statements to Allegheny County Airport Authority ittsburgh International Airport Landside Terminal, th Floor Me .

O Box 12 70 ittsburgh, A 152 1-0 70 Attn Mr. Erik arless, Architectural ro ect Manager.

Inquiries: All questions should be directed to Erik Harless at (412) 472-4819 or e arle tt r o

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR PROFESSIONAL ADA/UFAS THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATION SERVICES RFP#750-14-21 The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service s Professional ADA/UFAS Third Part ert fi at o er e The documents will be available no later than March 15, 2021 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 9:00 AM on April 6, 2021. The ousing Authority of the City of ittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 9:00 AM on April 6, 2021 in the lobby of 100 oss St. ittsburgh, A 1521 . roposals may uploaded to the Authority’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 ate Stamped at 100 oss Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, ittsburgh, A 1521 . arties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. uestions or inquires should be directed to Mr. im etrick ousing Authority of the City of ittsburgh rocurement epartment 100 oss Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 ittsburgh, A 1521 12-2 2 A pre-submission meeting will be held via oom meeting on March 29, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Please see meeting information below Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 917 8650 0599 Passcode: 652550 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) The ousing Authority of the City of ittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s 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.

INVITATION FOR BIDS Sealed Bids for the Harrisville Borough Community Park Project will be received in the office of Ben amin olland, Butler County Controller, Floor 5, County Government Center, 12 est iamond Street, whose mailing address is O Box 120 , Butler, A 1 00 -102 on or before 2:00 pm April 20, 2021. All bids must be plainly marked Bid-Harrisville Borough Community Park Project on the OUTSIDE of the envelope.

Bids will be opened at the Commissioner’s public meeting on April 21, 2021 at 10:00a.m. in the lanning Commission Conference oom, located in the Butler County Government Center Annex, at 12 . iamond St., Butler, A 1 001.

Contract s escriptions (Park is located at 220 Wick Avenue, Harrisville, PA 16038.)

Contract: Pedestrian Loop Walkway consists of the installation of ADA accessible walkways through the arrisville Borough Community ark.

Contract: Restroom consists of site preparation for the installation of the prefabricated restroom purchased and provided by the Owner through COSTARS, and the installation of water and sewer services to the prefabricated restroom and related work. ater services will be installed from the prefabricated restroom and will connect into an existing well vault. Sewer services, which will consist of a low-pressure sewer line, grinder pump, and appurtenances, will be installed from the prefabricated restroom and connect into an existing manhole within the Community ark.

The Issuing Office for the Bidding ocuments is The EADS Group, Inc. (Engineer), 15 2 oute 22, Clarion, ennsylvania 1 21 , (814) 764-5050. rospective Bidders may examine the Bidding ocuments at the Issuing Office and at the office of the Owner, arrisville Borough, located at 117 South Main Street, arrisville A 1 0 .

Contract ocuments and lans are to be purchased from The EADS Group, Inc. for the nonrefundable fee of $75.00 for one hard copy set or for the nonrefundable fee of $25.00 for the electronic format set of contract documents and plans, both of which includes 6% ennsylvania sales tax.

To access the electronic format the bidder must have a valid email address and will require an internet connection. All checks shall be made payable to “The EADS Group, Inc.” Bidders must purchase the Contract ocuments and Plans (in either format) from The EADS Group, Inc. to be eligible to bid this pro ect.

The pro ect is being funded in part with a grant from a Community Development Block Grant, administered by Butler County Planning Commission and also with a grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, and Community Conservation Partnerships Program administered by Butler County Parks & Recreation. The obligations imposed on the County of Butler and arrisville Borough by the financing agency s shall apply to and be acceptable to the successful bidder s . Bidders must comply with all State anti-bid-rigging regulations pertaining to work associated with this pro ect, and will be required to submit an executed non-collusion affidavit with the bid.

Each proposal shall be accompanied by a bidder’s bond, or certified check or cashier’s check, in favor of the County of Butler, in the amount of not less than ten percent. The County of Butler reserves the right to waive any informality in and to accept or re ect any and all bids or any part of any bid. o bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days. rior to the award of the contracts, the successful bidder s shall furnish a satisfactory erformance Bond and a Labor and Material ayment Bond to the County of Butler, in the form contained in the Contract ocuments and executed by a satisfactory circular 570 listed surety, each equal to 100% of the total contract amount. The successful bidder s will also furnish evidence of insurance coverage as required by the contract documents.

Bidders for these contracts shall have completed pro ects similar in character and scope and will be required to provide with their bid a completed Statement of Bidders ualifications and Equipment List in the forms prescribed in the Contract ocuments. revailing wages established under the avis-Bacon Act will apply to this contract. The contract documents contain requirements addressing prevailing labor wage rates, labor standards, nondiscrimination in hiring practices, goal for minority and female participation, MBE and WBE participation, participation

by Section 3 residents and businesses and related matters.

The successful bidder s will be required to complete all work within 75 consecutive calendar days from, and including, the date indicated by the County of Butler in their written otice to roceed.

A pre-bid meeting will be held at 8:30 A.M. on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at the office of arrisville Borough, located at 117 South Main Street, .O. Box , arrisville, ennsylvania 1 0 . Attendance at the pre-bid meeting is highly encouraged but is not mandatory.

BOARD OF BUTLER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Leslie Osche, Chairman Kim Beyer Kevin Boozel Attest: Lori Altman REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY PUBLIC NOTICE The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) is accepting Letters of Interest and Statements of ualifications from rofessional Companies who wish to be considered for the following Ohio River Tunnel Final Design (S-485) Interested arties shall submit an electronic copy (pdf format) emailed to suzanne.thomas@alcosan.org Attn: Suzanne Thomas, ro re e t fi er All questions should also be submitted, in writing, to Su anne Thomas.

An informational meeting will be held on-line via Microsoft Teams on April 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

(EST) All parties interested in attending the informational meeting shall send an email to Suzanne Thomas.

Once the emails are compiled, ALCOSAN will email a Microsoft Teams meeting invite. This meeting is not mandatory but all interested parties are encouraged to attend.

ALCOSAN intends to award the services to one firm to perform all of the services. All submittals must be received no later than 2:00 p.m.

May 21, 2021. It is Consultant’s responsibility to ensure the documents have been received. Late submittals will not be considered.

Additional information and instructions may be obtained by visiting https://www.alcosan.org/work-withus/planned-and-active-bids ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities, disadvantaged and women’s business enterprises to submit qualification statements or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to the selected Consultant Firm. The arty selected shall be required to utili e minority, disadvantaged, and women’s business enterprises to the fullest extent possible. The goals of the ALCOSAN’s Minority and omen Business olicy are listed on the ALCOSAN website at www.alcosan.org.

Kimberly Kennedy, PE Director, Engineering and Construction

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS ualifications will be received at the Allegheny County Airport Authority until 12:00 PM on April 23, 2021, for the following contract ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP STRATEGY AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT The Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) is soliciting Statements of ualifications from interested firms with in-depth expertise of advertising and sponsorship planning, revenue drivers, financial analysis and best practices. The selected firm will, upon award of contract, develop Advertising and Sponsorship Strategies with a core focus on creating an inventory of the space and available assets, as described in the Scope of Services, to align with ACAA’s ision, Mission and Smart lan Forward. Ob ectives of these strategies are further to 1.Leverage the assets of ittsburgh International and Allegheny County Airports. To maximi e advertising and sponsorship opportunities, while ensuring many of these assets with their respective messaging align with the mission, vision, and branding of the ACAA. 2.Maximi e non-aeronautical revenue growth at the airport through new strategies, tools, and advertising options products. .Create an Inventory of Assets for Future Advertising artners that allows the ACAA to drive revenue through completion of the Terminal Moderni ation rogram at PIT. Interested parties must register at ACAA’s online business opportunity forum, Submittable https://acaacapitalprograms. submittable.com to receive the RFQ. Interested parties will create a free account on Submittable to participate. All correspondence and submissions related to this RFQ will occur through Submittable. lease note that the email used to create the account will be the only email that can receive communication from ACAA through Submittable.

Any questions on the RFQ should be written and submitted to ACAA no later than 12:00pm on April 9, 2021 using Submittable.

ACAA will respond to all questions and provide answers to all RFQ recipients on April 16, 2021 through Submittable.

Interested firms will submit their Statement of ualifications according to the specifications to Submittable, no later than 12:00pm on April 23, 2021. esponders will be notified of results on May 14, 2021.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY Electronic roposals will be received online at the ort Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org). roposals bid submittals will be due 11:00 a.m. on April 20, 2021 and will be read at 11:15 a.m., the same day, at ort Authority’s ein location (Please contact the respective Contract Specialist for Tele-Conference dial-in information for the Bid Opening), for the following Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org) 1 2 3 4 5

Bid Number B210311 B210312A B210313A B210314A B210315

Bid Name Automatic Passenger Count (APC) System LRV Wheel Tire Kits Rug Rental & Laundering Service LRV HVAC Micro Control Cards Vehicle Air & Surface Purification Devices

Paper Proposal - Documents are available for the following item at ort t or t a fi e 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15222-2527

Bid Number B201193A B210318A

Bid Name Fastener Supply Service Printing of Public Timetables

o bidder may withdraw a submitted roposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids.

A re-Bid Conference will be held via tele-conference on each of the above items at 10:00 a.m. on April 6, 2021. lease contact the respective Contract Specialist for Tele-Conference dial-in information. Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within fi e ( ) e da o t e ed led d o e These contracts may be sub ect to a financial assistance contract between ort Authority of Allegheny County and the nited States epartment of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.

Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB del ered le ot er e e fied o t or del er o d a d insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing. ort Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

The Board of ort Authority reserves the right to re ect any or all bids.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS…THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

AC conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title II, the Fair ousing Act, Section 50 of the ehabilitation Act of 1 7 , the Americans with isabilities Act, The A uman elations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY STATEMENT-OF-INTEREST FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE CARGO 4 BUILDING INTERMODAL FREIGHT TRANSFER FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT MARCH 24, 2021 Statements-of-Interest (SOI) for Construction Management Services for the Cargo Building Intermodal Freight Transfer Facilities evelopment will be received via Submittable at www.acaacapitalprograms. submittable.com and will be received until 12:00 PM (Noon) on April 30, 2021 (late submissions will not be accepted), for the following Project Summary: The IT Cargo Building Intermodal Freight Transfer Facilities evelopment expansion will allow for the development of a 24-acre site that will house Cargo 4, ad acent to the existing Cargo 3 facility at ittsburgh International Airport. The pro ect will include construction of an Air Cargo arehouse rocessing Facility, an aircraft loading unloading parking apron, landside access roads and parking facility, related lighting, signage, and markings, site preparation and infrastructure, and all required clearances, approvals, and permits.

For the more information, including full pro ect description, proposer requirements and responsibilities, proposal requirements, and selection process, please go to https://flypittsburgh.com/ acaa-corporate/doing-business/ doingbusiness/ uestions should be directed to Mr. Jeff Bezek, P.E. via email to e e tt r o LEGAL AD REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The Allegheny County Department of Human Services recently issued a equest for roposals (RFP) for ousing Mobility Services for Families in the ousing Choice oucher rogram.

Due Date: 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 23, 2021 For more details and submission information, visit w w w . a l l e g h e n y c o u n t y. u s / H u m a n - S e r v i c e s / Resources/ Doing-Business/Solicitations-(RFP/ RFQ/RFI).aspx.

Erin Dalton Director CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

B8

NATIONAL

MARCH 24-30, 2021

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DISNEY+ JOINS A HOST OF OTHER COMPANIES that have acknowledged a racial and cultural awakening since the May 2020 death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a White police officer in Minneapolis.

Disney+ streaming service places restrictions on ‘classics’ with racist stereotypes

by Stacy M. Brown

“The crows and musical numbers pay homage to For New Pittsburgh Courier racist minstrel shows, where White perform( N N P A ) — D I S - ers with blackened facNEY+ has announced es and tattered clothing they are restricting the imitated and ridiculed viewing of “Dumbo,” “The enslaved Africans on Aristocats” and “Peter Southern plantations,” Pan” from its platform Disney officials noted because of their racist about “Dumbo” on its stereotypes. streaming platform.

The network will set its “The leader of the group app to prevent children in Dumbo is Jim Crow, under seven from watch- which shares the name of ing those shows. laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United LEGAL ADVERTISING States,” the statement continued.

Bids/Proposals As for Peter Pan, the once-beloved HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE character whom CITY OF PITTSBURGH the late Michael REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Jackson mimicked, (RFP) FOR Disney+ officials MOBILITY COUNSELING noted, “the film RFP#250-11-21 The Housing Authority of the portrays Native City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby people in a sterequest proposals from qualified reotypical manner Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service s Mobility Counseling The documents will be available no later than March 15, 2021 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 9:00 AM on April 6, 2021. The ousing Authority of the City of ittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 9:00 AM on April 6, 2021 in the lobby of 100 oss St. ittsburgh, A 1521 . roposals may uploaded to the Authority’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 ate Stamped at 100 oss Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, ittsburgh, A 1521 . arties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. uestions or inquires should be directed to Mr. im etrick ousing Authority of the City of ittsburgh rocurement epartment 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 ittsburgh, A 1521 12-2 2 A pre-submission meeting will be held via oom meeting on March 29, 2021 at 10:00 AM. Please see meeting information below Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 934 2874 6216 Passcode: 454585 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) The ousing Authority of the City of ittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s 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.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

AC conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title II, the Fair ousing Act, Section 50 of the ehabilitation Act of 1 7 , the Americans with isabilities Act, The A uman elations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

that reflects neither the diversity of Native peoples nor their authentic cultural traditions.

“It shows them speaking in an unintelligible language and repeatedly refers to them as ‘redskins,’ an offensive term.”

They added that “Peter and the Lost Boys engage in dancing, wearing headdresses and other exaggerated tropes.”

As for the Aristocrats, Disney+ officials said, “The Siamese cat Shun Gon is depicted as a racist caricature of East Asian peoples with exaggerated stereotypical traits such as slanted eyes and buck teeth.”

“He sings in poorly accented English voiced by a White actor and plays the piano with chopsticks.”

While the programming

is restricted against being shown to small children, others will still be able to watch after viewing a new disclaimer that notes that the program includes “negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.”

Disney+ officials also defended their decision not to remove the “offensive” films altogether.

“Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together,” the company wrote.

Warnings will also tag other shows like “The Lady and the Tramp,” and “Swiss Family Robinson.”

Disney+ joins a host

of other companies that have acknowledged a racial and cultural awakening since the May 2020 death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a White police officer in Minnesota.

The owners of the Dr. Seuss books announced earlier this month that it would no longer publish six of its books because of racist imagery. The company noted that the books “portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.”

New York Times columnist Charles Blow also highlighted what he viewed as the incentive Looney Tunes character “Pepe Le Pew.” Blow tweeted that the character was indicative to young boys that non-consensual behavior toward women was ok.

“Let’s see. 1. He grabs/

kisses a girl/stranger repeatedly, w/o consent and against her will. 2.

She struggles mightily to get away from him, but he won’t release her 3. He locks a door to prevent her from escaping,” Blow tweeted.

In a column preceding his tweet, Blow wrote that “racism must be exorcised from culture, including, or maybe especially, from children’s culture. Teaching a child to hate or be ashamed of themselves is a sin against their innocence and a weight against their possibilities.”

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

George Floyd family receives historic Civil Rights Wrongful Death settlement

by BlackPressUSA For New Pittsburgh Courier NNPA NEWSWIRE—Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump, Antonio Romanucci, L. Chris Stewart, Jeff Storms and other co-counsel on behalf of the family of George Floyd and officials from the City of Minneapolis have announced the settlement of a civil lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis and the four officers involved in Mr. Floyd’s death.

The $27 million settlement is the largest pre-trial settlement in a civil rights wrongful death case in U.S. history.

It includes $500,000 to be directed to enhance the 38th St. & Chicago Ave. business district where George Floyd died.

The legal team praised police reforms adopted by the city after Floyd’s death and pledged support for further reforms.

“George Floyd’s horrific death, witnessed by millions of people around the world, unleashed a deep longing and undeniable demand for justice and change,” Crump said in a news release.

“That the largest pre-trial settlement in a wrongful death case ever would be for the life of a Black man sends a powerful message that Black lives do matter and police brutality against people of color must end.”

After Floyd’s death, the City of Minneapolis adopted sweeping police reforms, including comprehensive use-of-force reporting, a requirement to keep body-worn cameras on all the time, a policy for officers to de-escalate non-threatening encounters with citizens by disengaging or walking away, and recruitment of officers based on a holistic evaluation that favors those who live in the areas they would police and who have social service experience.

“We are encouraged both by the progressive police reforms already adopted and the ambitious changes city of Minneapolis leaders still hope to create,” added Romanucci.

“After being identified with George Floyd

for tragic reasons, Minneapolis will be remembered for progressive changes that can lead the nation in how to reform and reframe the relationship between police and communities of color.”

Even as the trial against former officer Derek Chauvin moves forward and the family waits for justice in the criminal courts, the settlement imparts a measure of justice that is meaningful, important

and necessary, attorney L. Chris Stewart stated.

“It provides a path forward for our clients and ensures that George Floyd’s death will result in substantive, positive change.”

The federal lawsuit was filed July 15, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota on behalf of Minnesota plaintiff attorney Kaarin Nelson Schaffer, who was named trustee for the Floyd family.

The complaint named the city as the responsible party for the Minneapolis Police

Department, which the city uses to fulfill its policing functions.

The defendants also included Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng.

According to the news release, the lawsuit stated they were acting in their individual capacities and/or under color of state law, and within the scope of their employment.

Floyd died May 25, 2020, at approximately 8:00 p.m., at the 3700 block of South Chicago Avenue South in Minneapolis.

“He died face down in the street, handcuffed and compliant, having committed no violent crime and posing no threat to anyone. He died slowly under the weight of Minneapolis police officers Chauvin, Lane, and Kueng,” the attorneys noted.

While Floyd was unlawfully maintained in this dangerous prone position with Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck, Thao not only idly stood by and did nothing to help Floyd, but actively prevented bystanders from intervening in the unlawful death occurring before their eyes, the lawyers argued.

They said Floyd died begging for help, saying that he could not breathe, pleading for his life, and asking for his mother.

The complaint stated Mr. Floyd was deprived, under color of state law, of his clearly established rights as secured by the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.

“Our family is grateful for all those who care so deeply about George’s life and our loss, and this agreement is a necessary step for all of us to begin to get some closure,” Floyd’s brother, Rodney Floyd, stated.

“George’s legacy for those who loved him will always be his spirit of optimism that things can get better, and we hope this agreement does just that—that it makes things a little better in Minneapolis and holds up a light for communities around the country.”