Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
In 2018, the New Pittsburgh Courier proudly made Cecile Springer its legacy honoree at its "Women of Excellence" awards luncheon.
But not only was she a "Woman of Excellence," Springer's daughter, Christina Springer, told the Courier that her mother was, a "woman of action."
There was nothing that Cecile Springer set her mind out to do that she didn't accomplish.
"She had a plan, she had a mission, she had strong core beliefs and she had a plan to make it happen," Christina Springer told the Courier on March 28. Her conversation with the Courier was four days after the passing of her mother, Cecile Springer.
She died quietly in her sleep on March 24, according to her daughter.
Cecile Springer, who lived in Oakland, most recently was spending time at an assisted living facility in Allison Park.
Cecile Springer was 94.
Cecile Springer, who was born on Nov. 19, 1930, and raised in New York City, earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., and a master's degree in chemistry from Wellesley College. She came to Pittsburgh in 1959, and soon thereafter, the famed Courier photographer Teenie Harris snapped plenty of photos of Cecile Springer, in her days as a research chemist, whether she worked for Bristol Myers Laboratory and Schering Pharmaceuticals, or as manager of product development
for the Advanced Energy Systems Division for Westinghouse Electric Co. She also earned a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Pittsburgh following her move to the Steel City.
From 1978-1989, Cecile Springer served as director of Contributions and Community Affairs and as president of the Westinghouse Foundation, managing its global contributions portfolio. Her ascent to president of the Westinghouse Foundation made Cecile Springer the first Black woman in the Pittsburgh region to lead a major philanthropic institution.
For all that Cecile Springer accomplished professionally, it was her
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
The thought of closing 10 school buildings and 14 schools overall within the Pittsburgh Public Schools system, especially the thought of closing Conroy, a school that helps students with special needs, and moving it to another location, had more than a hundred people steaming at a PPS Board public hearing, Monday, March 24. But two days later, when it was time for the PPS Board of Directors to vote on “opening the state-re-
quired public comment period related to proposed school closures,” PPS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters held up the STOP sign. He asked the board on Wednesday, March 26, to postpone its vote, allowing more time for further analysis and to "incorporate information requested by the board into the district's Feasibility Report," according to a press release from PPS, March 26. In layman terms, the SEE WALTERS A4
Trump orders purge of Black History from Smithsonian, targets African American museum
by Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior
National Correspondent
Even the most cynical observers knew this day would come. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, the dog whistle has become a bullhorn. The whitewashing of American history is no longer implied—it’s spelled out in ink, signed into law, and backed by a government that is now openly in the grip of White supremacist power. In his latest executive order, President Trump has targeted the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, calling for the erasure of what he deems “divisive race-centered ideology.”
He has directed Vice President JD Vance to eliminate these so-called “divisive” elements from the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, educational and research centers, and even the National Zoo. The executive order is chillingly titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” It declares that the Smithsonian, once a symbol of “American excellence,” has become tainted by narratives that portray “American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.” “Museums in our Nation’s capital should be places where individuals go to learn—not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history,” the order states.
The directive goes further, instructing Vance, along with Vince Haley, Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and Lindsey Halligan, Special Assistant to the President, to work with Congress to block all federal
appropriations for Smithsonian exhibitions or programs that “degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.” The order also aims at the American Women’s History Museum, demanding that no future appropriations “recognize men as women in any respect,” and calls for new citizen members to be appointed to the Smithsonian Board of Regents—individuals committed to enforcing the president’s vision. This is not an isolated move. Since returning to office, Trump has issued a barrage of executive orders aimed at dismantling every vestige of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the federal government. He terminated all DEI programs, calling them “illegal and immoral discrimination.” The National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America initiative—long dedicated to uplifting historically underserved communities—has been gutted. The Pentagon’s website erased the stories of Navajo Code Talkers. A “Black Lives Matter” mural in the heart of Washington, D.C., was demolished. Perhaps most brazenly, the Department of Defense Education Activity banned Black History Month observances at military base schools and ordered the removal of any book or material that mentions slavery, the civil rights movement, or the treatment of Native Americans.
Now, the National Museum of African American History and Culture—which opened to national fanfare in 2016— is in the crosshairs. “In an almost surprising fashion, the Smithsonian has been outside of the bounds of political wrangling,” said Samuel Redman, a histo-
This Week In Black History A Courier Staple
• APRIL 2
1855—John Mercer Langston becomes the first African American elected to public office when he wins the position of clerk of Brownhelm Township, in Ohio. Though not well known today, Langston was one of the foremost Black leaders of the 1800s. With the aid of his two brothers, he organized anti-slavery societies throughout Ohio. The Oberlin College graduate also became a lawyer and statesman for Black rights. After the Civil War, he organized the law department at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The town of Langston, Okla., is named in his honor. He died in 1897.
came critical of him after he delivered the so-called “Atlanta Compromise” speech of 1895 in which he appeared to offer an acceptance and accommodation to American racism in exchange of greater vocational training of African Americans.
ry professor and director of the public history program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. “It’s not as though there hasn’t been political influence … but just in terms of overall funding and support for the Smithsonian, it’s been remarkably consistent.” That consistency has now been shattered. Trump’s executive order doesn’t just attack the museum—it hints at restoring what many hoped America had buried: Confederate monuments, White supremacist names on federal buildings, and the reinstallation of statues that were taken down during the country’s reckoning after the murder of George Floyd. What the president calls “shared American values” is beginning to resemble a national doctrine rooted in erasure and oppression. The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex—was founded on increasing and diffusing knowledge. Established by Congress with funds left by James Smithson, a British scientist, the institution spans 21 museums and the National Zoo, with 11 of the museums located along the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Now, it faces its greatest threat yet—not from budget cuts or neglect, but from a government determined to rewrite history at the expense of truth.
The stakes have never been clearer as the country watches these moves unfold. The battle over American history isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now, in plain sight, with executive orders, political enforcers, and the full weight of the federal government behind it.
“This is about power,” said a Smithsonian staffer who asked not to be named out of fear of retribution. “They’re not hiding it anymore.”
1932—World famous Black cowboy William “Bill” Picket dies on this day in Ponca, Okla., after being kicked in the head by a horse. He was 70. But during his heyday Picket was perhaps the best known and most celebrated cowboy in the world traveling with various “wild west” shows including the Millers Brothers’ Fabulous 101 Ranch. He invented the rodeo sport of bulldogging. Picket was of Black and Indian descent.
1939—Marvin Gaye is born on this day in Washington, D.C. He signs with Detroit’s Motown Records in 1962 and goes on to become one of the leading R&B male vocalists of the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, with hits ranging from the socially conscious “What’s Going On” to the sexy “Let’s Get It On.” Gaye was shot to death by his father during an argument in 1984.
• APRIL 3
1930—Ras Tafari is proclaimed Emperor of Ethiopia—one of the only African nations to successfully resist European colonization. He is renamed Haile Selassie. Blacks in many parts of the world view him as a god-like figure. Indeed, Jamaicans form a religion in his honor. They call themselves Rastafarians. Selassie could trace his ancestry as far back as the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of the Christian Bible.
1950—Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month, dies at age 74 in Washington, D.C.
1961—Comedian-actor Eddie Murphy is born in Brooklyn, N.Y.
1968—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his powerful and prophetic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech in Memphis, Tenn. Many felt he used the speech to predict his own death. He was assassinated the very next day—at 6:01 p.m., April 4, 1968.
• APRIL 4
1915—Muddy Waters is born McKinley Morganfield in Rolling Fork, Miss. Walters would go on to become one of the primary shapers of that genre of music known as the blues. Indeed, he was easily one of the most influential musicians of the first half of the 20th century.
1928—Poet Maya Angelou is born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Mo. Angelou now ranks as one of the greatest poets in America. But her talents have also been expressed as a playwright, author, producer, historian and civil rights activist.
1967—Civil rights legend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. formally announces his opposition to America’s war in Vietnam during a speech before the Overseas Press Club in New York City. The speech brought King even greater opposition from the federal government, especially then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. It also alienated some Black leaders who felt it was a mistake to mix domestic civil rights issues with foreign policy issues. But King charged that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
1968—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated while standing on a hotel balcony in Memphis, Tenn., as he had embarked on a campaign to focus the Civil Rights Movement on economic and financial betterment issues for Blacks. Riots or urban rebellions broke out in over 100 U.S. cities. At least 50 people are killed as over 20,000 federal troops and 34,000 National Guardsmen are mobilized to put down the disturbances. The official finding was that a lone White gunman, James Earl Ray, was responsible for the assassination. However, suspicions remain until this day that the FBI, led by arch-conservative J. Edgar Hoover, was somehow involved in the killing.
• APRIL 5
1856—Booker T. Washington is born a slave in Hale’s Ford, Va. He would become one of the three or four most influential leaders in all of African American history. He was one of the nation’s greatest educators, having founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. However, more progressive Black leaders be-
1976—The infamous COINTELPRO documents are released. In response to an accidental discovery at a warehouse and a freedom of information lawsuit, the FBI is forced to release documents detailing an intensive and extensive campaign to disrupt and destroy civil rights and anti-war organizations and their leaders. Among the documents released was a letter dated Aug. 25, 1967 which made clear that one of the campaign’s chief aims was “to expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit or otherwise neutralize the activities of Black nationalists …” But the FBI’s definition of “Black nationalist” was so broad that even moderate civil rights organizations and their leaders were targeted to be neutralized. For example, the letter characterized the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) as one of the organizations having “radical and violence prone leaders…” The leader of the SCLC was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
1990—Jazz great Sarah Vaughn dies. Vaughn was born in Newark, N.J., in 1924 and went on to become what many considered “the world’s greatest singing talent.” She was known as the “incomparable Sarah Vaughn.”
• APRIL 6
1798—One of the nation’s most famous and accomplished early Black pioneers, James Beckwourth, is born. The product of a White slave owner and a Black slave mother, Beckwourth acquired his freedom and became a successful fur trader. He would later become a scout for the Rocky Mount Fur Company. However, in 1824, he joined the Crow Indian nation and married a Crow woman. He would later move west where he discovered an important passageway through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The passage was named “Beckwourth Pass,” after him. 1846—Dred Scott and his wife, Harriet, first file suit claiming their freedom. The case would eventually lead to Supreme Court Justice Roger B. Taney’s infamous “Dred Scott Decision” in 1857. Scott had basically argued that by being taken from the slave state of Missouri and living in free states or territories for seven years he was in effect a free man. The case finally reached the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 7 to 2 decision written by 80-year-old Chief Justice Taney, himself a former slaver owner, Scott’s argument was rejected. In one of the most racist Supreme Court decisions ever issued, Justice Taney ruled that neither Blacks nor their descendants could be U.S. citizens and thus had no right to sue for their freedom in U.S. courts. Taney capped off the ruling by saying, “A Negro had no rights a White man was bound [required] to respect.”
• APRIL 7
1712—The New York City slave rebellion occurs. A group of 27 slaves began setting fires in the city and shooting Whites. At least a dozen Whites were killed before the state militia arrived to brutally put down the rebellion. Following the revolt, slave codes were toughened, 21 Blacks were executed and six committed suicide.
1915—Billie Holiday is born. She would go on to become the greatest blues and jazz singer of her era with songs like “The Man I Love” and “God Bless the Child Whose Got His Own.” She was born to a 13-year-old mother and began her working career as a small girl helping to clean up a Baltimore, Md., whorehouse—a house in which she was also raped. Holiday made money from her performances despite the fact that she never received any royalties from any of the 200 songs she recorded. Drug use was a factor in her premature death at 44.
• APRIL 8
1974—Hammering Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves breaks the homerun record of the legendary Babe Ruth when he hit his 715th homer during a game at Atlanta Stadium.
1990—Scientist Percy Julian, who developed drugs to combat glaucoma and methods to mass produce cortisone, is admitted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Friday, May 9, 2025 • 6-9 p.m.
Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square 300 W. Station Square, Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
AUSTIN DAVIS
Lieutenant Governor Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Trailblazer Award Recipient
Courtney Abegunde
Operations Director, Steel Smiling Program
Neighborhood Allies
Blessy Bellamy
Customer Experience Strategy Consultant
Highmark Health
Dr. Jimyse Lyn Brown
Executive Director Moonshot Museum
Ashley Cabiness
Program Manager, South Pittsburgh ACTES; Co-Founder, Westside CARES
Tiaona Cade
Associate Director, Mary Beth and Miles Reidy Career Center
Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College of Information Systems & Public Policy
Christopher Carter, J.D.
Pitt Athletics Reporter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette;
Sports Host/Guest, WPXI-TV
Jeremy Castrodad
Senior Distribution Technician Duquesne Light Company
Savionne Chambers
Instructor and Choreographer, Kulture Dance Academy; Dancer, Firewall Dance Theater
Melessie Clark
Actress
Nelson Cooper IV
Vice President, Relationship Manager-Corporate Banking, PNC;
Executive Director, Pittsburgh Hardball Academy
Jamillia Kamara Covington
Senior Program Officer for Education, The Pittsburgh Foundation; Principal, JINC&Co
Shea Craig
Chief Accountant and Treasurer Halco Mining Inc.
Kahlil G. Darden Jr.
CEO & Founder
Young Black Motivated Kings & Queens
Courtney Davenport
Vice President of Belonging & Inclusion BNY
Lesa DeGennaro
Coordinator, Member Engagement
UPMC Health Plan
Kelcei J. Edmonds-Tindal
Educator
Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship
Deainna Fitzgerald
CEO
Revealed Wellness Spa and Dee’s Beauty Bar
Glenn O. Ford
Director, Woodland Hills Impact Center
Councilmember, Borough of Rankin
Kashif Henderson
Executive Director
Neighborhood Learning Alliance
Kimberly Diana Jacobs Curator and Exhibition Manager
August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Dr. Shenay Jeffrey
Community Relationships Manager
UPMC
Ashanté Josey
Visual Artist & Artist Advocate
AJosey Art
Dr. Anthony Kane Jr.
Assistant Vice President & Dean of Students
Saint Vincent College
Tyler Ray Kendrick
Actor, Comedian, and Educator
George W. Little Jr.
Assistant Principal, Logan Elementary School K-6 East Allegheny School District
Keith T. Marrow
Recruiter
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Farren Mason Jr.
Owner, Generation Realty;
Supervisor for Permits License & Inspection, City of Pittsburgh
Derrick l. Maultsby Jr., Esq.
Attorney
Frost Brown Todd LLP
Trey McCune
Executive Director Homewood-Brushton YMCA
Dr. Brittany McDonald-Pierce
Executive Director
Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh
Chidozie Christian Oparanozie
Manager of School Partnerships
Urban Impact Foundation
Shannon Prentiss
Dean of Student Affairs
The Neighborhood Academy
Fred Quinn III
Alumni Network Coordinator, Penn State University; Councilmember, Borough of Swissvale
Dr. MiIsha Reid
Program Director & Assistant Professor of Special Education Carlow University
Teona Ringgold
Director of JEDAI & Community Engagement
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Dr. Jaleah N. Robinson
Clinical Assistant Professor of Special Education, Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership Duquesne University
Jonathan Royster
Assistant Vice President, McKees Rocks Branch
KeyBank
Khirsten L. Scott, PhD
Assistant Professor of Language, Literacy, and Culture & Director of the Western PA Writing Program University of Pittsburgh
Nissa’a Stallworth-Hewitt
Commercial Kitchen Manager
Catapult of Greater Pittsburgh
Anthony R. Walls Jr.
Senior National Sales Manager-ASM
Global Management
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
To purchase tickets, visit www.newpittsburghcourier.com/FAB2025 or call Allison Palm at 412-481-8302 ext. 134. Tickets $125 • Deadline to Purchase Tickets: Friday, May 2, 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities are available! For more information, contact ajohnson@newpittsburghcourier.com or call 412-481-8302 ext. 128.
PPS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters delays
parents, students and teachers who wanted the vote to be tabled until further notice won out.
Some parents who spoke at the March 24 meeting disparaged Dr. Walters for, in their eyes, rushing the idea of school closures to the board for a vote, without properly explaining to some parents all of the parameters involved. Some parents just don't like the idea of closing so many schools altogether, especially Conroy. Under Dr. Walters' plan, Conroy, which is in Manchester, would close and the students would move to the vacated South Brook building in Brookline. No, no, no, no, said people like Conroy school nurse Regan Konesky, Conroy parent Taran Alford, and Conroy parent Shareena Johnson.
So many people spoke at the March 24 meeting in opposition to Dr. Walters' plan, that the Board of Directors could have had dinner and a late night snack at the Board of Education Building in Oakland.
In a press release, Dr. Walters said that the plan to close the schools had added to the already-broken trust between the district and its constituents.
"We cannot ignore the impact that the erosion of trust has had on our relationship with members of the Pittsburgh Public Schools community. While this breakdown has a long history, I fully accept the responsibility of helping to restore it,” Dr. Walters said. “Removing this item from the agenda reflects our commitment to being both responsive and accountable—to the board and to the public.”
If the board would have voted on the issue on Wednesday, March 26, how would the vote have turned out? There are nine board directors (members are referred to as directors), and the Courier, through interviews with some of the board directors, has learned that it would have been a close vote. The Courier has learned exclusively that there would have been at least four "no" votes, meaning not to start the "process" of closing schools (known legally as opening the state-required public comment period). Sala Udin, the longtime Pittsburgh community stalwart who is also a PPS Board Director, kept his vote choice close to the vest. He possibly could have been the fifth "no" vote or the fifth "yes" vote. Five votes for "yes" or "no" are all that's needed. The national consulting firm Education Resource Strategies gave recommendations to PPS regarding the district's use of facilities. PPS said the recommendations were the result of six months of research and extensive community engagement. After the recommenda-
tions were reviewed by PPS leadership, Dr. Walters, in late February, took the steps to get the ball rolling on the recommendations to close 14 schools and change the grade configurations to the more traditional K-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
Some of the schools that were on the chopping block included King PreK-8, Spring Hill K-5, Allegheny 6-8, Manchester PreK-8, Schiller 6-8, Morrow PreK-8 and Miller PreK-5.
The problem that PPS faces is dire. There are less than 20,000 students in the district, a district designed to serve 40,000. There are five schools that currently have less than 150 students, and 16 schools total with less than 250 students, "enrollment levels that make it challenging to provide comprehensive academic and extracurricular learning," said a PPS press release, March 26.
Still, "closing community schools without a solid plan will have a devastating effect on our children," said Noel Webb with the organization 412 Justice. She said that statement directly to the superintendent and board directors on March 24.
She then spoke to the New Pittsburgh Courier.
"You're closing schools without having a full plan that is transparent to everyone," she said of the district. "You're closing a lot of the community schools. I grew up in a neighborhood (Hill District) where I had six choices of neighborhood schools. That same neighborhood is down to one for elementary and one for middle school...and a lot of the schools that they're changing, we don't know what the feeder school's going to be, so a lot of these parents are stuck."
“I understand the challenge of developing a
plan that brings comfort to everyone, and I recognize that we likely will not reach a final version that satisfies all perspectives,” said Dr. Walters in the March 26 press release sent to the Courier.
“While I cannot promise that every voice will agree with the outcome, I can promise that I will always put students first. For me, that means ensuring every student, no matter their zip code, has access to the high-quality education they deserve.”
PITTSBURGH RESIDENT NOEL WEBB is against Pittsburgh Public Schools closing any schools without the district unveiling a fully detailed plan. She spoke to the superintendent and board directors at the March 24 public hearing. (Photo by Rob Taylor Jr.)
PPS SUPERINTENDENT DR. WAYNE WALTERS
Cecile Springer, a ‘woman of action’
Noted chemist, community
dedication to the community that secured her place in Pittsburgh as a household name, a staple, a pillar. Cecile Springer held leadership roles with the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and the Alumni Association at Pitt, where she served as president. She was an Emerita member of the Board of Trustees of Penn State University and served on the Boards of Trustees of Carlow University and Slippery Rock University. She also served on the Boards of Directors of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. In 2003, Cecile Springer co-founded the Women and Girls Foundation to empower women to address community issues with their resources. Today, the organization flourishes in its Lawrenceville location with Camila Rivera-Tinsley as its CEO and a team of staff and board members that total more than 15 women. Christina Springer told the Courier that her mother and father, the late Eric W. Springer, Esq., were a perfect match. They were "each other's best teammate as it related to... organizing community around them," Christina Springer said. The awards and honors Cecile Springer received were practically endless. In addition to the legacy award from the Courier,
she was named a Carlow University "Woman of Spirit," received the Racial Justice Award in 2011 from the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, was named a "Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania" by former Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp, and won the 2012 Nellie Leadership Award in Civic Engagement from Three Rivers Youth (Eric W. Springer, Esq., was also awarded).
All the honors and awards paled in comparison to Cecile Springer's primary job; mother. In addition to Christina Springer, Cecile Springer was the mother to the late Brian Springer. She was grandmother to Nia Springer Norris, Maryn Springer, Winston Nunley, Daja Springer, and Brian Springer Jr., and great-grandmother to Kristin, Bethany, and Eric.
When Cecile Springer's daughter, Christina, was 6 or 7 years old, she realized that the price of candy was going up, from 5 cents to 10 cents at the candy store. Christina Springer told her mother that she needed another nickel from now on. But Cecile Springer had other plans. "She said, 'well, you need to make a budget because I'm not going to just give you more money because you say you need more money,'" Christina Springer recalled to the Courier. "So I learned how to write a budget, one of the best skills one could ever
learn as a child. I needed to make a budget for why that 5 cents increase was important to me."
Cecile Springer, who also received an honorary doctorate from Seton Hill College, in Greensburg, surprised her daughter with another life lesson as soon as her daughter graduated from Antioch College, in Ohio. "She sat me down and had me write a five-year
plan for my life, and then she had me write a 10year plan for my life, on what I wanted to achieve, how I thought I was going to achieve it, and had me do a strategic plan for my life," Christina Springer told the Courier. "I achieved a majority of my goals by the age of 30 because my mother taught me to think that way."
Hmm, setting out to achieve goals, and then achieving them. Like mother, like daughter. "It's one thing to dream, but it's an entirely different thing to have a plan to make that dream happen," Christina Springer added. "Mom believed in dreaming big and having an idea of how you're going to get there."
(Editor's Note: The funeral service for
was held, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at St.
Oakland.)
Cecile Springer
Paul Cathedral,
CECILE SPRINGER, SHOWN IN THIS PHOTO DURING THE 2018 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER “WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE” AWARDS.
THE LATE ERIC W. SPRINGER, ESQ., AND CECILE SPRINGER.
CECILE SPRINGER RECEIVES HER LEGACY AWARD DURING THE 2018 COURIER “WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE” AWARDS CEREMONY. ALSO PICTURED ARE WPXI’S LISA SYLVESTER AND COURIER EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ROD DOSS.
29th Annual Ronald H. Brown Leadership Awards Gala
FAMILY OF CARLOS CARTER, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER PITTSBURGH.
ALL THE AWARDEES AT THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER PITTSBURGH’S 2025 RON BROWN AWARDS, MARCH 21, AT THE WESTIN.
CARLOS CARTER, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER PITTSBURGH.
AWARDEE DONTA GREEN
AWARDEE LATRENDA L. SHERRILL
AWARDEE MARIMBA MILLIONES
AWARDEES CHARLIE AND LATASHA BATCH
Happy 100th Birthday, James Brown!
A COLLAGE OF PHOTOS, OVER THE YEARS, AS JAMES BROWN’S 100TH BIRTHDAY WAS CELEBRATED ON MARCH 21. (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)
THE MAN OF THE HOUR, JAMES BROWN.
THE GRANDCHILDREN WITH JAMES BROWN.
sponsors Courier’s expanded Church Directory
The New Pittsburgh Courier has started its new expanded Church Directory, where, for a nominal fee, churches can include their information such as website, address, worship times, and a photo of the church pastor.
“Brother Marlon” Martin is a longtime WAMO 107.3 Sunday morning Gospel show host. He’s also a freelance photographer with the Courier
COURIER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS WAMO’s Brother Marlon
and DJs its events. Martin decided to financially sponsor up to 10 churches to be placed in the Church Directory for the month of April. Martin called his sponsorship a “no-brainer,” due to his extensive relationships with pastors and churches throughout the region. Also, he recently found out that his late aunt, Lucille Johnson, was an employee at the Couri-
er. “I-Praise with Brother Marlon” airs Sunday mornings from 7 to 11 on WAMO 107.3.
MT. CARMEL BAPTIST ANNIVERSARY REVIVAL
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church celebrates 40 years of preaching, 35 years pastoring and 25 years at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with an Anniversary Revival on Friday, April 4, and Morning Worship on Sunday, April
6. The church will hold an Anniversary Banquet on Sunday evening, April 6. Guest speakers include: Rev. Dr. Alyn Waller, Philadelphia; Dr. Michael A. Owens, San Bernadino, Calif.; and Rev. Dr. Charles Mock. Services will be
209 Bridge St. Wilmerding, Pa., 15148 412-829-8925
held at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 90 Port Perry Rd., North Versailles.
Reverend A. Marie Walker’s Weekly Inspiration
“Recompense to no man EVIL FOR EVIL. Provide things HONEST in the sight of ALL MEN. If it possible, as much as lieth in YOU, live PEACEABLY with ALL MEN. Dearly Beloved, Avenge not yourself, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD.”
– Romans 12:16-18
REV. WALKER SAYS: The Battle is not Ours, it’s the LORD. Release it and give it to Jesus.
Do you have a church announcement? Tell us at the Courier so we can let thousands of others know about it, too! Anniversaries, installations, events, banquets, good news about church members, etc. Also, would you like to be part of our Church Directory? Email: religion@newpittsburghcourier.com or via mail: New Pittsburgh Courier, 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219.
COURIER CHURCH DIRECTORY
MT. CARMEL BAPTIST CHURCH
Website: mtcarmelbaptistnv.org
Wednesday Bible Study: 7p.m.
Sunday Worship Service: 11 a.m.
90 Port Perry Rd. North Versailles, Pa., 15148 412-823-2841
Pastor—Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Gunn
ROCK HOUSE OF PRAISE WITHOUT WALLS MINISTRIES Thursday Bible Study: 7 p.m.
CECILE SPRINGER
Cecile Springer, a noted community leader, passed away on March 24, 2025; beloved wife of the late Eric W. Springer Esq.; mother of Christina Springer (Norman Nunley, Jr.), and the late Brian Springer; grand mother of Nia Springer Norris, Maryn Springer, Winston Nunley, Daja Springer, and Brian Springer, Jr.; great-grandmother of Kristin, Bethany, and Eric.
Mrs. Springer was committed to education, having graduated from Hunter College High School, New York City. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York; a master’s degree in chemistry from Wellesley College; and a master’s in urban and regional planning from the University of Pittsburgh. She also received an honorary doctorate from Seton Hill College in Greensburg, PA.
Early in her career, Mrs. Springer was a research chemist for Bristol Myers Laboratory and Schering Pharmaceuticals, focusing on product development and invention of new pharmaceuticals. In 1974, she joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation as manager of product development for the Advanced Energy Systems Division. From 1978 to 1989, she served as director of Contributions and Community Affairs and as president of the Westinghouse Foundation, managing its global contributions portfolio. Devoted to community development, Mrs. Springer co-founded the Women and Girls Foundation to empower women to address community issues with their resources. To promote inclusivity, she collaborated with leaders from the University of Pittsburgh and St. Paul Cathedral to establish the Race and Reconciliation Dialogue Group.
Mrs. Springer held leadership roles in the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and the Alumni Association of the University of Pittsburgh, serving as President in 1991. She was an Emerita member of the Board of Trustees of Pennsylvania State University and served on the Boards of Trustees of Carlow University and Slippery Rock University. In 1990, she was elected President of the Alumni Association of the University of Pittsburgh. She also served on the Boards of Directors of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. In the course of her many involvements, she has been recognized by awards: Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania awarded by Governor Milton Shapp; Carlow University ‘Woman of Spirit’; Legacy Laureate of the University of Pittsburgh in 2002; ARCS Light Award in 2010; the Inaugural Red Ribbon Award in 2009; Racial Justice Award in 2011 from the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh by the Center for Race and Gender Equity for Community Engagement; Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice awarded to Cecile and Eric Springer; the 2012 Nellie Leadership Award in Civic Engagement from Three Rivers Youth to Cecile and Eric Springer; the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of PIttsburgh African American Alumni Council for distinguished advancement of education for African American students; and the 2017 Woman of Achievement Spirit of the 19th Amendment Award from Celebrate and Share whose mission is, in part, to highlight the history and achievements of women. In 2018, she was recognized by the Metro-Urban Institute of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary as a Urban Community Partner honoree and by the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the 2018 National Philanthropy Day Awardee. Friends will be received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street on Tuesday April 1, 2025 from 5-8pm. Funeral Wednesday April 2, 2025, Mass of Christian Burial St. Paul Cathedral 10:00AM. www.freyvogelfuneralhome.com
eve. prayer line 313-209-8800, passcode 05277
School: 9:15 a.m. Worship Service: 11 a.m.
Sunday Worship Service: 11:30 a.m. Worship Service: 10 a.m.
Website: clark1889.org
Website: www.cbcpgh.org
“A Church with a vision, A people with a prayer, worshipping God with a praise”
BAPTIST CHURCH 2200 Wylie Ave. Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 412-566-1437
Pastor—Rev. Courtney D. Meadows
WHITE LILY BAPTIST CHURCH
“Word Fed, Spirit Led” Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 11:15 a.m.
3621 Chartiers Ave. Pittsburgh, Pa., 15204 412-771-2533
Website: wlbaptist.org
MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH
Website: www.mtobaptist.org
Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service: 10:30 a.m.
1201 Hiland Ave. Coraopolis, Pa., 15108 412-264-3125
SIXTH MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH
Website: www.smzbcpgh.org
6556 Shetland Ave. Pittsburgh, Pa., 15206 412-441-7839
Sunday Worship Service: 10:15 a.m Pastor Rev. John Welch
Pastor—Rev. June Jeffries
Burwell
Pastor— Robin Horton
Pastor—Rev. Brian Carswell Flanagan Sr.
Pastor Antawn D. Coleman Sr.
CLARK MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH
Where can you purchase the Courier?
The Courier can be purchased at 13 Giant Eagle locations, as well as 4 GETGO locations.
EAST HILLS – 9001
Frankstown Rd.
PENN HILLS – 230 Rodi Rd.
SOUTH SIDE – 2021
Wharton Ave.
SHADYSIDE – 550 Centre Ave.
MONROEVILLE –4010 Monroeville Blvd.
NORTH SIDE – 318 Cedar Ave.
MCKEESPORT –3812 O’Neill Blvd.
WEST MIFFLIN –1356 Hoffman Blvd.
SQUIRREL HILL –1901 Murray Ave.
GREENFIELD –4250 Murray Ave.
BRADDOCK HILLS – 254 Yost Blvd.
HOMESTEAD – 420 East Waterfront Dr.
EDGEWOOD
TOWNE CENTER –1705 S. Braddock Ave.
GETGO — 10525 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills
GETGO — 4924 Baum Blvd., Shadyside
GETGO — 408 Penn Ave., Wilkinsburg
GETGO — 2411 5th Ave., McKeesport
The Courier can also be purchased at 2 Shop N’ Save locations...
Shop N’ Save, 3335
William Penn Hwy, 5 min. from Monroeville Mall
Shop ‘N Save, 1119 Brownsville Rd., Carrick (South Side)
OTHER LOCATIONS INCLUDE...
EAST SIDE LOCATIONS
In and Out Convenience Store, 4900 Penn Ave., Garfield Peoples Grocery, 5136 Penn Ave., Garfield
7-11, 4779 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield
Stanton-Negley
Drug, 804 N. Negley
Ave., Highland Park
Shell, 5735 Baum
Blvd., East Liberty
William Penn
Smoke Shop, 132 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty
Sunoco, 6481 Frankstown Ave., Larimer Sunoco, 6701 Frankstown Ave., Homewood
Dorsey’s Records, 7614 Frankstown Ave., Homewood
Dana’s Bakery, 720 N. Homewood Ave., Homewood
A-Plus, 7701 Penn Ave., Wilkinsburg
Save A Lot, 725 Ross Ave., Wilkinsburg
Puff’s Discount Tobacco, 10752 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills
BP, 11835 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills
CVS, 10600 Frankstown Rd., Penn Hills
CARES Communi -
TEA Cafe, 1836 Centre Ave., Hill District
Ann’s Market, 2316 Webster Ave., Hill Dis -
trict
Oak Hill Market, 504 Oak Hill Dr., Hill District
Abe’s Market, 1860 Centre Ave., Hill District
Centre Ave. Market, 2228 Centre Ave., Hill District
Schenley Heights Market & Deli, 900 Bryn Mawr Rd., Hill District
Quick Schwartz Market, 1901 Fifth Ave., Uptown
A-Plus, 2350 Centre Ave., Hill District
CVS, 4610 Centre Ave., Oakland
DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS
7-11, 601 Penn Ave. 7-11, 643 Liberty Ave.
Smithfield St. News, 115 Smithfield St. Neal News, 400 Cherry Way
Eddie’s Snacks, 262 Fifth Ave., Downtown
NORTH SIDE LOCATIONS
Kuhn’s Market, 1130
Highwood St. 7-11, 1001 Western Ave.
Valero, 820 Pennsylvania Ave. Rite Aid, 802 Pennsylvania Ave.
MON VALLEY LOCATIONS
CVS, 7406 Church St., Swissvale Come & Go, 2003 S. Braddock Ave., Swissvale
Valero, 2000 S. Braddock Ave., Swissvale NM Mart, 2100 Noble St., Swissvale Puff’s Discount Tobacco, 234 Yost Blvd., Braddock Hills
Braddock Hills Mart, 1050 Brinton Rd., Braddock Hills BP, 4731 Buttermilk Hollow Rd., West Mif -
flin
R&M, 1739 Pennsylvania Ave., West Mifflin Sunoco, 4600 Homestead Duquesne Rd., West Mifflin
Bob’s Gulf, 1408 River Rd., Homestead
Lizzie’s, 106 Whitaker St., Homestead/ Whitaker
Rite Aid, 100 William Marks Dr., Homestead DC Foodmart, 929 Union St., McKeesport
Speedy Mart, 2131 Ardmore Blvd., Forest Hills
Fuzzy’s, 426 6th St., Glassport
J&S Food Mart, 625 W. Grant Ave., Duquesne
7/11, 423 James St., Turtle Creek
Puff’s Discount Tobacco, 1722 Greensburg Ave., North Versailles Super Stop, 430 Kenmawr Ave., Braddock
Too much drooling over Rodgers
by Aubrey Bruce
For New Pittsburgh Courier
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I interrupt your relationships with your iPhones and your Androids for a few minutes? I am going to begin this article with an excerpt from an article posted by Analis Bailey on usatoday.com on August 26, 2020. Ms. Bailey wrote the following.
“Before Colin Kaepernick kneeled, he sat. And this quiet action of protest was largely unnoticed until Aug. 26, 2016. Colin Kaepernick had been sitting during the national anthem prior to the 49ers’ preseason games in the 2016 season, but no one noticed until San Francisco beat writer Jennifer Lee Chan captured the infamous photo that started it all. Kaepernick can be seen in the photo sitting on a sideline bench during the national anthem ceremony. ‘I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color,’ he told NFL Media in an interview after the game. ‘To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.’”
Because of his actions attempting to address the racial, social and economic atrocities that people of color have been forced to endure since they landed at Jamestown in 1619, Kaepernick has been punished and there have only been sporadic and inconsistent efforts to realistically address and remedy some of these centuries-old issues.
Professional football has mostly provided lip service to gloss over these issues and jitney service to transport them to unknown locations with welcoming carpets to sweep those issues under.
Colin Kaepernick has been forever exiled to the “place for political malcontents” joining fellow res-
idents Jackie Robinson, Curt Flood, Jim Brown and others. Every aspect of Colin Kaepernick’s life has been ostracized, criticized, castrated and any other negative “ed” that can and will probably almost be part of any definition when his name is spoken, only because of his effort to “level the playing field” in the world of sports and society. The opera ain’t over ‘til the fat man eats. Please consider this as a warning. I’m in line at Wendy’s waiting to place my order. Fast forward to 2025, pleassssse. Recently, the golden child of the NFL, Aaron Rodgers, showed the world that he was also a political pundit when he appeared on an edition of the Tucker Carlson Show. Rodgers took that appearance to “spin” his imagery of ultra-patriotism and love for the MAGA version of the USA. Was Rodgers possibly acting as a campaign surrogate for Vladmir Putin? Yes that’s right, the same great, beautiful and “bigly” leader of the heart and soul of the USSR, Russia or whatever name that country goes by these days?
Rodgers told Carson that: “I’d love to see Joe Biden give an interview where he can speak on the history of the United States in the same way that Putin talked about the history of his country.”
Excuse me, Aaron, while I make a beeline to the bathroom to re-gift today’s lunch to the commode of eternity. Hey Aaron, did you do your homework, or no work at all before you decided to become a professor of political science?
Did you go by an established syllabus, or did you create your own “silly-bus”? Biden was initially “elected” to the United States Senate in 19732009. Mr. Biden served as the Vice-President of the United States from 20092017. From 2021-2025, he sat in the first chair as President of the United States. Vladmir Putin is 72 years old. For years
before he “elected himself” as the leader of the “Soviet Bloc,” his primary role as a Russian espionage operator (spy) with the KGB was to extract as much secret information about the United States government to help Russia win the battle of world supremacy. Had a nuclear war occurred, how proud would Aaron Rodgers have been of Vladmir Putin’s view of the Kremlin at that point in world history? Would we have been sending our tithes to Lord Putin and making pilgrimages to the Kremlin?
Colin Kaepernick at 37 has not been offered a contract to play in the NFL and has been covertly blacklisted from ever performing again just because he was seeking justice, not just for NFL athletes, but for all people of color.
The 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers self-identified himself as an admirer of an avowed enemy of the United States and what happens? Teams were standing in line not to just sign him, but just to talk to him. The Pittsburgh Steelers recently signed D.K. Metcalf, a $150-million receiver. It has also been recently reported that even before the 2025 NFL Draft, OTAs, minicamp, or any other formal Steelers team activity has happened, Metcalf is working out with Aaron Rodgers privately. What if Metcalf is injured during one of these “informal” workouts with Rodgers, who remains unsigned with the Steelers? Are these private workouts being held to benefit Metcalf or Rodgers? Rodgers remains unsigned possibly because of financial differences. Kaepernick can’t get a job because of political differences. The fat man finally got a chance to order his “vittles.” I’ll have two singles, a vanilla frosty, and a small order of fries. I cut out drinking soda. I’m on a diet, so I’ll just have a medium-sized water. Now that I’m full, I feel like doing a little bit of crooning.
Property is Power
In today’s world, power isn’t just about how much money you make it’s about what you own. For too long, we’ve been conditioned to spend rather than invest, to consume rather than build, to rent rather than own. But the tide is turning. More people are waking up to the truth: ownership is the new flex. When you own property, you’re not just buying a home you’re making a statement. You’re saying, “I belong here. I’m building something. I’m not just surviving; I’m creating a legacy.”
The Shift: From Consumer to Owner We’ve been sold a dream that often comes with debt, not equity. New cars, designer brands, and luxury apartments might look good on social media but they don’t build wealth. Property does. Owning property changes the way you think. You begin making decisions for the long term. You budget differently. You invest differently. You see every dollar as a seed, not just a splurge. Ownership breeds discipline and discipline
breeds generational wealth. The Legacy Play We’re not just talking about having a roof over your head, we’re talking about creating something that lasts beyond your lifetime. That’s legacy. That’s power.
• Your home can become your child’s college fund.
• Your duplex can become your retirement plan.
• Your land can become your leverage. When you own, you’re no longer waiting on someone to hand you a seat at the table you’re building your own table. And when you’re gone, your children and grandchildren will still be eating from it. The Real Flex? Equity Over Image. Real power isn’t flashy… it’s foundational. It’s having options. It’s being able to stay in your community, instead of being priced out of it. It’s knowing your rent won’t go up because you are the landlord.
This isn’t just about buying property. It’s about shifting our mindset, taking back control, and rewriting the narrative that says wealth isn’t for us. Because it is.
Bottom Line: Property is Power. It’s time to stop asking for permission and start claiming our piece of the American dream. Ownership is how we fight back. Ownership is how
BUSINESS
5 ways to increase your home’s value
by Marcia Griffin For New Pittsburgh Courier
There are many rewards to homeownership. You have a place to call your own, you can leave a legacy to your family and you have a vehicle for building wealth.
However, you may decide that you don’t want to stay in your current house forever. You may choose to move to a bigger house, you may want to relocate to a different city or state or you may simply want to sell your house for a profit.
If you do decide to sell, you want to get as much money for your house as you can. While you can’t control the real estate market, here are some steps you can take to increase the odds that your house will increase in value over time.
Keep the outside looking good. While you may be focused on your kitchen or your family room, the way your home looks on the outside to those who are passing by can affect your house’s worth. Many people are willing to pay more for a house that is attractive to the eye. That also goes for the houses of your neighbors. Houses in neighborhoods where the grass is cut, bushes are trimmed and yards are neat are likely to command a higher sales price than houses that are unkept and appear to be neglected. By taking the time to beautify your outdoor surroundings, you can increase your home’s overall value. Get rid of inside clutter. Not only can it help to make the outside look appealing, but it can make a dif-
Pre-TCJA (2017 and earlier):
ference in your home’s value if you pay attention to how it looks inside as well. If you’re trying to sell your house, potential buyers could be turned off if they’re walking through and see closets stuffed with bags, clothes and other objects. Some potential buyers may not even realize why they’re turned off; they simply may feel like your house is not the one for them. When your house is free from clutter and your belongings are stored neatly, your home feels more comfortable. For a potential buyer, that extra comfort could be the one thing that drives them toward sealing the deal. Advocate for stores, restaurants and leisure activities. Homeowners can benefit from Living near a lot of amenities. People like to have things to do. If your neighborhood has restaurants, stores and other places of leisure, you’re likely to attract buyers that would be willing to pay more money for your home. Neighborhoods near transportation hubs are also likely to attract more buyers. If you already own your home, pay attention to efforts to bring new amenities into your community and support them. Make renovations that make sense. You may be dreaming about renovating your kitchen, but there is another reason to make the effort: Some renovations can increase the value of your house because potential buyers might be willing to pay more because you made those renovations. Some renovations are more valuable than others. For example, credit scoring company Experian points
out that renovating the kitchen and adding hardwood floors are among the changes that can make a big difference. Make your home energy-efficient. One thing that many buyers take into consideration when choosing a house is energy efficiency. If a house uses energy more efficiently that can translate into lower heating, cooling and maintenance costs for the buyer. There are a number of changes you can make to increase your home’s energy efficiency:
• You can upgrade to a smart thermostat that lets you adjust the temperature from anywhere.
• You can replace any windows where you notice drafts of air coming in.
• You can add insulation to your house.
Not only will you enjoy a more comfortable environment by making these changes, you may also be able to get more for your house when it comes time to sell.
Buying your home is only the first part of the journey. You want to make sure your home is kept up so that you can protect your investment and make it grow. If you’re unsure of steps you can take to ensure your house retains and increases value, contact a Homeownership Advisor.
Your home is a key component to your long-term plan for wealth.
(Marcia Griffin is the CEO and founder of HomeFree-USA.)
(This post was originally published on The Washington Informer.)
As the year progresses, significant tax changes loom, impacting individuals, businesses, and the IRS itself. Nobody likes talking about taxes. But like it or not, Uncle Sam STILL wants his cut! Whether you’re clockin’ in at the 9 to 5, grindin’ side hustles on the weekend, or just tryna stretch that Social Security check, tax talk is money talk. And with some major changes coming down the pipeline, this ain’t the year to tune out. This is the year to pay attention. Let’s break it all down—real quick, real clear, real direct.
Trump’s Tax Cuts?
They’re Set to Expire. You remember those tax cuts passed back in 2017 under the Trump administration? The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. They have an expiration date—December 31, 2025. Unless Congress steps in to extend those tax cuts or make them permanent, many Americans might see a bigger tax bill come 2026. Here’s what’s at risk:
Standard deductions might shrink. Translation: Less of your income will be tax-free. The doubled standard deduction under TCJA will revert to pre-2018 levels, increasing taxable income for many filers.
• Single: $6,350
• Married Jointly: $12,700
• Head of Household: $9,350
Post-TCJA (2018–2025):
• Single: $12,000
• Married Jointly: $24,000
• Head of Household: $18,000 If TCJA expires, standard deductions will revert to pre-TCJA levels, adjusted for inflation, potentially increasing taxable income for many filers.
Child Tax Credit could drop. Families who’ve been relying on those boosted credits...Get ready. The credit will drop from $2,000 per child to $1,000. Income tax brackets may shift. That means you could get pushed into a higher bracket and owe more without even making more money. Marginal rates will increase across most brackets, with the top rate rising from 37 percent to 39.6 percent.
Bottom line: Unless something changes in D.C., taxes are going up for a lot of folks. Without intervention, over 62 percent of filers could owe more taxes starting in 2026. Policymakers face pressure to extend these provisions, but funding remains a challenge. Time to act accordingly. That might mean updating your withholdings, stashing more in savings, or just being ready so you’re not blindsided. Trump’s New Tax Proposals? Let’s talk about it.
Trump is out here pushing a new wave of tax promises. Some sound good. Some got questions. Let’s break down a few: No tax on tips or overtime: Sounds sweet if you’re in the service industry. This could benefit workers in hospitality and hourly industries. Could mean more take-home for hard workers. But will jobs abuse this by cutting base pay? Deduct interest on U.S.-made cars: While patriotic in intent, proving a vehicle is entirely American-made may be
complex. Good luck proving your ride is 100 percent American-made in today’s global market. Most cars made in America have parts that are made overseas. No tax on Social Security: Seniors love it—but the government could lose up to $1.5 trillion over 10 years. Here’s a trillion dollar question. What will get cut to make up the difference? Inquiring minds want to know!
Tariffs = Hidden taxes. Trump’s talking about more tariffs on imports, but guess who pays when prices go up? You do. Tariffs act as hidden taxes by increasing the cost of imported goods, which businesses often pass on to consumers through higher prices. This indirect cost can make everyday products more expensive. It all sounds bold. But bold doesn’t always mean better. Tax cuts without a plan to replace lost revenue is a setup for disaster. These reforms aim to reduce tax burdens but could significantly increase deficits, potentially exceeding $11 trillion over the next decade. IRS Hit with Layoffs: What It Means for You The IRS just laid off over 12,000 work-
ANTHONY O. KELLUM
Yanez/Pexels)
‘Black Amazon app’ created by Black woman to support Black business
The Black Nile is an app developed by a Black woman that allows users to purchase from Blackowned companies and services on a single platform. It is a Black version of Amazon. Due to the reversal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and activities by large corporations and merchants, such as Amazon, Target, Walmart, and others, customers are seeking
methods to support Blackowned and small businesses. Using her experience in technology, UI, and web design Dacia Petrie created the Black Nile to meet this demand and make it more simpler for consumers to purchase Blackowned products. Currently, the app lists 3,000 Black-owned companies in more than 40 categories, including as skincare, hotels, restaurants,
grocery shops, luxury clothes, purses, weddings, kitchen and home items, plus-size apparel, infants and children, and more.
Petrie remarked, “I saw somebody in the comments saying that they’re looking for a Black Amazon. Sista, I’m a hold your hand when I say this. This ain’t Amazon. It’s Black Nile.”
Petrie included Google Maps into the app to quickly find local busi-
nesses and get instruc-
tions. Customers who visit or use the company or service they have chosen may also post evaluations on the app.
“I created this with the intention to make shopping with Black-owned businesses as easy as possible,” the Black Nile inventor stated.
Petrie further explained,
“I am a UI designer and web designer, and I noticed that there are a lot
of Black-owned directories, but many of them aren’t as user-friendly or optimized for our mobile devices. I saw someone in the comments saying that they were looking for something that’s a little
bit more techy and something a little bit more user-friendly, and this is perfect.”
Change the wealth gap, change the mindset
Recent data from credible reports reveal alarming wealth gaps between African American and White populations in the United States. These statistics indicate that:
• for every $13 of wealth that Whites have, African Americans have $1;
• the median wealth of African American households, is $11,400; $141,000 for Whites;
• 48 percent of African Americans own a home, compared to 75 percent of Whites;
• the largest portion of African American wealth is in residential real estate;
• African Americans are conservative investors, investing a higher portion of funds in insurance, savings bonds and certificates of deposit;
• African Americans have higher debt loads, including car loans, credit card debt, and student loans;
• Lower credit scores than other groups;
• Lower savings for emergencies;
• Greater utilization of alternative credit, i.e. payday lending and title loans; and
• Lower retirement savings participation to employer/employee contribution plans (401k and 403(b)), and more frequent withdrawals from these accounts.
These factors have a tremendous impact on the ability to creation wealth. We must change our financial decision-making to close the wealth gap. This can only happen by becoming financially literate. Financial liter-
# 1267030 NMLS #1567030 O: 313-263-6388 W: www.KelluMortgage. com. Property is Power! is a movement to promote home and community ownership. Studies indicate homeownership leads to higher graduation rates, family wealth, and community involvement PROPERTY
acy helps individuals to make informed and sound financial decisions regarding: the use of credit, establishing and accomplishing financial goals, saving and investing, risk management (insurance) retirement and tax plan-
ning. Mismanagement of credit leads to a drainage of individual or household incomes, and limits saving and investing.
Moreover, leading financial studies indicate that individuals and households whose level of fi-
maybe not for fairness.
ers. That’s major. Here’s what it means for the average taxpayer: • Fewer audits. Especially for high earners and corporations. That’s a win for the rich, but
• Longer phone wait times. Good luck getting someone on the line when you have a question.
• Less enforcement. Less staff means fewer eyes on tax cheats.
Refunds are still coming through. In fact, the average refund this year is $3,324. So if you filed already and didn’t see that number, maybe it’s time to holla at your tax pro.
Side Hustlers & Gig Work-
nancial literacy is highest have the greatest amount of wealth and economic security. Additionally, increasing the financial literacy of African Americans could also help eliminate socioeconomic problems negatively impacting communities.
African Americans generate billions of dollars through income each year. Much of this income is used for consumer consumption that limits the ability to save. Data shows that the African American population is culturally programmed to spend a greater portion of their income on consumer items and invest less than other demographic groups. Moreover, a large portion of this money is also lost by participating in non-traditional borrowing and entering into transactions without un-
ers: You’re on the Tax Radar! Freelancers and gig workers should be vigilant about new reporting requirements. If you’re getting paid on Venmo, Paypal, Cash App, Zelle, or any of them digital platforms, listen up: • $5,000 or more in payments = 1099-K in your mailbox. That’s right—Uncle Sam wants his cut of your side hustle, too. Whether it’s selling T-shirts, doing hair, driving Uber, or babysitting on the weekend, the IRS is watching! Keep clean records. Track your expenses. Don’t let the IRS tax your lunch money like it’s pure profit. Keeping organized records is essential to avoid penalties or over-taxation on personal expenses. IRS Direct File IS Real. Elon Was Wrong. You might’ve seen Elon Musk say the government “deleted” the IRS Direct File program. Wrong. The new IRS Direct File system is real, free, and available
derstanding the nature of these transactions and their limited value. Unfortunately, without financial education, this pattern of spending and mismanagement of financial resources may continue from one generation to the next.
The following steps are needed to close the wealth gap:
1. Develop a personal budget that identifies all income and expenses;
2. Decrease credit limits on charge cards;
3. Establish limits on the price paid for major and non-major purchases;
4. Maintain a small cash balance in your checking account;
5. Avoid keeping large sums of cash in your pocket;
6. Establish spending limits for entertainment/ recreational activities; and
7. Avoid social pressures to buy to impress others. It is vital to engage in long-term financial planning and develop a savings plan that includes:
1. Increasing savings to 7-10 percent of your income, including contributions to your retirement plan;
2. Developing a financial safety-net for illness, emergencies or job loss;
3. Making investments that yield long-term growth of assets;
4. Purchasing a home; and
5. Starting an early savings plan for college education (529 or state college savings plans). Remember, money is a powerful tool to sustain and create wealth for you and your family. For information about SFEPD and our “Financial Success” newsletter, visit www. sfepd.org.
in 25 states. It’s online. It’s simple. It’s a legit option for folks with basic returns who don’t wanna pay for tax software or a tax professional like myself. IRS Direct File is a free service run by the IRS, allowing taxpayers with simple returns to file directly online in 25 states. It supports basic income types and deductions but excludes complex returns. Don’t sleep on your taxes. The laws are shifting. The rules are changing. The IRS is watching—even with less staff. Whether you’re an employee, entrepreneur, retiree, or somewhere in between—this is your money. Keep your eyes open. Stay organized. Handle your biz. Because
DACIA PETRIE
FINANCIAL LITERACY helps individuals to make informed and sound financial decisions.
A nation of human ostriches
An Ostrich is a bird that is often depicted in cartoons as hiding its head in the sand when faced with difficult circumstances. Considering the political situation the United States is faced with today, it is logical to see how people manifest “ostrich-like” thoughts. In other words, there are a large number of people who don’t seem to be observing current or past history in a realistic manner and are embracing lies.
This particular set of circumstances has manifested as a bifurcated nation with people who act hostile toward each other. This situation is so extreme that families have split due to the hard-headedness that is a result of bigoted thinking processes so entrenched in a position that it becomes impossible to embrace, or even SEE, a differing opinion.
The irony is that clear-thinking is one of the main concessions that must be made by people in a society that considers itself a socalled “democracy.” Democracy theoretically promises to consider all input that surrounds people. The result, especially lately, is a “cacophony.” No one hears anything except that which is coming out of his or her own mind and mouth. The biggest problem resulting from this left/right split of American society is the compartmentalization of thinking so extreme that people can’t see beyond this “us” vs. “them” barrier.
Regarding the “ostrich” theme, there has been a slew of downright lies spread throughout the recent campaign, and people can’t seem to be able to distinguish ethical behavior from unethical behavior. The result is bigotry and an isolationist viewpoint of the world that people embrace with their “heads in the sand” like human ostriches.
Where do Black people fit in this scenario?
Black people have been maligned since the beginning of their forced sojourn in America. There have been long periods of oppression and hardship. As a testament to human resilience, however, the community has not been crushed. In fact, Black people have risen to the very top of every endeavor possible. On the other hand, many White people have buried their heads in the psychological “sand” by assuming that Black people are inferior and have not contributed anything of value to the world. This is a ridiculous stance when observing that Black people have achieved on every level. Even though that is the case, there are many White people who refuse to see truth no matter what evidence to the contrary may exist.
Additionally, there are Black people who believe that other Blacks are inferior, and this has caused a number of serious problems in the Black community. This is the attitude that has sometimes resulted in a reluctance to “Buy Black” by some Black people. The foregoing identifies a few instances wherein people have their proverbial “heads in the sand” like ostriches and have embraced erroneous and misleading information. But those situations are almost eclipsed when considering the con-job that has many people hypnotized by what is known as MAGA (“Make America Great Again,” a cult-like humanity hive that currently has a hand in the deconstruction of America’s democracy). Ultimately, as can be seen, a lot of people are being deluded by a culture of lies generated by the current ruling hierarchy in the United States. The bottom line is that people who are not able to extricate themselves from the delusion generated by “sweet words” coming from the Oval Office are bound to stumble and suffer.
There are dire consequences in succumbing to the hype. The ONLY way that the American people will save our allegedly cherished democracy is that we UNIFY. We need to understand that the “Left vs Right” model only serves the puppeteers manipulating the strings of power. RESIST…and understand that the ONLY way that our country can be made whole is by people removing their heads from the psychological sand that deludes them in order to see the truth of unification. If the Black community would strive for this goal, many of the obstacles that have been traditionally faced will disappear. The feathers of “ostrich-hood” must be thrown off. Aluta continua.
(Reprinted from the Chicago Crusader)
Founded 1910
Rod Doss Editor & Publisher
A. Broadus
the Publisher
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—After he won the Nevada Republican caucuses in 2016, the current President crowed his victory. “We won with young. We won with old. We won with highly educated. We won with poorly educated. I love the poorly educated.” Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) reflected on this comment as he asked Republicans to join Democrats in preserving the Department of Education.
The 47th President loves the poorly educated because he knows how to manipulate them, and because the less you know the more you can be persuaded by false rhetoric. The cuts in education, including cuts in educational services for the differently abled, both physically and intellectual, will likely have a longterm deleterious effect on the condition of education in our country.
The President’s reason for cutting the Department of Education is poor test scores, but the first phase of cuts, separating at least 1300 workers from their jobs, will also likely reduce the amount of educational data that is available. So, we may not learn, from the Survey if Doctorate Recipients (SDR), which academic areas we need to boost. We are not able to follow graduates over time to analyze career trends. Fewer employees collecting data may impact data accuracy. Given this President’s anti-DEI stance, we may not measure achievement gaps appropriately. Many of my researcher colleagues are concerned that this anti-detail-oriented President and his motley crew of incompetents, prefer aggregate numbers to disaggregated ones. That means they may continue to report an overall un-
Julianne Malveaux
Commentary
employment rate, but fail to report changes in Black, Latino, and Asian unemployment. Data collection costs money, and the President’s aim is to cut budgets. That includes more than $600 million in grants, many which go to benefit the “least and the left out”.
Further, many are concerned that the Office of Civil Rights has reduced effectiveness because of staff cuts. The Office of Civil Rights lost at least 240 employees, including 180 staff attorneys. Regional offices have been closed, making it more difficult for people to file civil rights complaints.
People aren’t taking this action lying down. The National Education Association (NEA), the NAACP, and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are all suing the Department of Education to prevent its closure. According to the NEA “If the Education Department is broken apart, the rights of students, particularly our most vulnerable —to an education that imparts academic lessons, civil rights protections, and prepares them for their future, will be undercut”.
In addition, with fewer worker protections, and an indifference to safety net supports, people will be forced into low wage work instead of workforce development activities that will better prepare them for
good jobs in the future. This president loves the poorly educated because they are most easily exploited. We are headed into a dystopian nightmare unless Democrats are willing to take some action. This President and his allies, assisted by a woman who used to lead Worldwide Wrestling (great preparation to lead the Department of Education) will reorganize or eliminate many critical functions of the Department of Education. Our young people will be the ones to pay. This year 3.9 million young people are slated to graduate from high school. About 62 percent of them will enroll in either two- or fouryear colleges. What will be the atmosphere on campuses this fall? Unless some of the lawsuits are successful, lower-income students, differently abled students, and those in need of extra services will be sidelined. DEI programs that offered counseling and solace to some students are likely to be dismantled. Tens of thousands of students, if not millions, will be disadvantaged by the way the Department of Education is being transformed to the Department of MisEducation. This is the era of the MisEducation of the Marginalized. Scrubbing our history books of reference to Black, Brown, and other patriots is just a first step to dismantling any notion of critical thinking. This current President and his minions are dedicated to ignorance, and indeed they love the “poorly educated”. What does this mean for our nation’s future?
(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and author. Juliannemalveaux.com)
Politics aside, universities must continue to advocate for students
He appeared to many to be the typical college student. A promising work-study student, for much of his college time he had solid grades and maintained a GPA well above the requirement of his academic scholarships. However, there had been a noticeable change in his attendance over a few recent weeks and his academic performance had started to slip. His grades took a plunge downward, and his GPA declined as a result, which jeopardized his academic scholarships.
As many of our faculty and staff do, they build relationships with our students and make lifelong connections. This particular day, it was an administrative assistant in the office where he did his work-study assignment who noticed something was not quite right with the student.
When the administrative assistant sat down with him to inquire about what was happening, she received a shocking story. The student had lost his mother a few years ago, and his father had died several years prior, essentially this student was alone with no family. Although determined to stay in college, the impact of his loss had taken its toll. He was, aside from his dorm room, homeless, and without financial support.
Emotionally devastated, he was living in his car during school breaks, trying to make ends meet with lowwage jobs. His health was suffering because his mother’s death also ended his health insurance coverage. He was quiet, broken, alone, and hurting. If it had not been for the care and concern shown by a staff member dedicated to the tent of our mission of providing a nurturing holistic learning environment, this student may have never received the assistance needed to overcome his challenges or break down barriers he was facing.
This story and so many others are the stories of our student scholars that have circumstances that cause them to be hidden within our campuses. Homelessness among college students is a growing challenge, affecting thousands of students across the United States. Nearly 10 percent of undergraduates experience homelessness.
Many students struggle with housing insecurity due to rising tuition costs, limited financial aid, and high
by April Ryan
“I hope by getting busted and the only reason they were busted is because they were stupid enough to include a journalist in the text chat that they won’t do this again,” says a “concerned” former National Security Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice on Signal-gate. The vice president and high-ranking Trump administration cabinet members, including the Secretary of Defense, CIA chief, and the head of DNI, used the phone app Signal to discuss an attack on the Houthis that occurred on March 20th.
Rice spoke exclusively with Black Press USA, explaining why she thinks they did what they did. Rice believes the use of the phone app by the Trump officials is a matter
Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr.
Commentary
living expenses. In 2023, a study by the National Center for Education Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education found that nearly a quarter (23 percent) of undergraduate students on college campuses face food insecurity. That’s more than 4 million students across the nation. For our communities. Students struggling with poverty are more than twice as likely to drop out of school and 65 percent more likely to struggle with mental health issues and contemplations of suicide. The mental health issues can have a snowball effect, leading to physical health issues, higher dropout rates and homelessness.
Too often, it seems, we find ourselves wrapped up in the things that are swirling around us, like the recent freeze on federal aid that was placed on federal funding by the new administration in Washington D.C. Now, don’t get me wrong, we must pay attention to all that is taking place which may negatively impact our institution, but as we fight those battles remembering those that are hidden on are campuses. Our commitment to the work and purpose of higher education should be fueled constantly by those that hide among us. They should be a constant reminder of why we do this work.
While we are accustomed to the daily normalcy of university life and promoting stories of successes and bright futures that maintain the positive image and reputations of our institutions, we often forget that hiding among those smiling faces and brochure cover expectations are students enduring and surviving some of life’s worst obstacles. Unfortunately, homeless students are more likely to struggle academically due to stress, lack of sleep, and difficulty accessing resources, as many eventually drop out, and we never know the cause because these students often experience mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.
of thwarting laws to provide information about the attack, which they were traditionally supposed to communicate in a secure location.
“In Project 2025, which recommended that US National Security and other officials use commercial applications so that they don’t have to make them presidential records.”
Rice added, “These deliberations, by law, as any in any presidential administration, have to be preserved provided to the national archives and retained to not retain these conversations as a violation of the Federal Records Act.” Traditionally, in past administrations, there was an attempt to “preserve presidential records.”
It is unknown how often the National Security Council held discussions involving national security officials, cabinet members, or
The causes behind these problems are as diverse as the student body itself. But these are topics rarely discussed among political leaders, and these are problems rarely addressed in budgetary debate. Our institution houses many students who are left suffering in silence. In many instances, the refuge we provide within the hallowed walls of our institutions is their only hope and safe-place. While these issues are not caused by universities, we must resolve to be the catalyst that changes them. It must start with simply remembering why we are in our positions and what our mission is – being more aware, learning to spot the signs, being brave enough to start the conversations and ask the right questions and being caring enough to chart a path forward. Although many of our institutions lack the means to fully assist with these issues, we must continuously work to find the resources to assist. While these issues occur on campuses all over the nation, the availability of resources hits different on our campuses.
In addition, despite the frustrations of the moment and things that might draw our attention at a national level, we must continue to advocate for our students and for our universities.
That is not DEI, that’s HSIN: Helping Students In Need!
In the case of the young man on our campus, I am happy to report that through the work of our staff and the use of resources that Alabama State University has in place to aid students, and along with his incredible work ethic and determination, he is back on track. His GPA is back in the safe range. His living situation has been secured. And his future is bright. It gives me great pause to consider what might have been had we not discovered his plight in time to make these changes. It keeps me up at night thinking of the students who haven’t been so lucky—both on our campus and across the country. We must fight even harder to educate people and remind them about our true reasons for existing. We simply do not know the stories of those hiding among us … until we ask.
(Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr., 15th President Alabama State University)
any other executive branch officials using the Signal messaging service or any other application not approved for transmitting classified information. However, Rice emphasizes that the United States has created a chasm with its foreign allies, “not just how they fail to conduct proper deliberations, but how they recklessly and negligently treat classified information.” Rice offers a drastic shift in our foreign posture.
“It’s that they’re radically realigning the United States away from our historical traditional allies in Europe, in Asia, and Canada, turning us into adversaries with our traditional allies and getting in bed with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, of China and Russia,” says the intelligence expert.
Our fight against oligarchy
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—You are either against President Trump or you are for him. In the same vein, you are either for authoritarians running the federal government, or you are against it. You cannot be both. Unfortunately, most institutions are proving to be weak in the face of authoritarianism. The Republican Party with their long history of promoting patriotism, family values and national security was the first institution to accept authoritarianism by anointing Donald Trump as their leader. We can no longer trust that any resemblance of the old Republican Party still exists to form any amount of political or moral resistance. As the livelihoods of everyday Americans are under constant threat, many of those who will be hurt by this authoritarian take over still support the president’s efforts.
At a ceremony in the White House’s East Room, the president recently signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education while surrounded by over a dozen children seated at school desks. Before sitting down, the president asked the group of assembled children if he should sign the order. The request was greeted by enthusiastic nods.
The Department of Education oversees approximately 100,000 public and 34,000 private schools across the nation. It funds special education programs for 7 million students with disabilities, provide Pell Grants and student loans for college and career training, protects
David W. Marshall
Anthony Mackie’s success story?
False options plague public debate, leading to pointless discussions. A Fox News anchor recently questioned the border czar about whether illegal entry into the country was considered a “crime or misdemeanor.” The border czar knew the anchor meant to say “misdemeanor or civil infraction,” so it was easy for him to overlook the false option to avoid a pointless discussion. However, during actor Anthony Mackie’s recent interview on The Pivot Podcast, he made a statement about success that presented a false option that could not be overlooked.
Mackie said, “We’re lying to our kids, and that’s a big problem in our community … We tell our kids that if they do right, make good grades, and go to the programs, they will become successful if they work hard enough.
Your work will be paid off, and that’s not true, right?
Success is given. It’s not earned. Because you can be the most brilliant, [but] if one person doesn’t tap you, each one of you [Mackie was talking to ex-NFL players], there were people who could hit harder, who could catch better, and run faster, but somebody said you’re the one, and the other 50 behind you fell off.”
Those who agreed with Mackie believed that his words validated the saying, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” Those who listened to what Mackie actually said thought that the notion was seriously flawed.
Mackie accused parents of “lying” to
students’ civil rights while supporting lower-income students in rural, suburban and urban communities.
Trump said he wants Linda McMahon, the billionaire education secretary, put herself out of a job. “Hopefully, you won’t be there too long,” he said. Many of Trump’s supporters, young and old, are like those young children who applauded and nodded their approval but are blindly being used for political purposes. While the young children sat while they were used as props, they were clueless to the long-term harm that is being done to their generation.
That is not the case with the Republican governors and state education commissioners who were in attendance. Our institutions need to be reformed, but not by destruction in this way. Many people who support this move are either blind for various reasons or they simply do not care that we are now a country governed by a small group of billionaires.
The fight against oligarchy has put billionaire insiders such as Elon Musk and Linda McMahon against the “forgotten man”. President Franklin Roosevelt used the phrase “forgotten man” to describe those who are at the bottom of the economic scale whom Roosevelt believed needed help through his New Deal programs. Today’s version of the “forgotten man” is not limited to just the poor.
If you are not considered part of Trump’s billionaire circle of influence, then you are considered an “forgotten man” in their eyes. This transcends economic class, red state / blue state identity, religion, profession, gender and level of education. It includes those who are blinded by their own bad choices and decisions when thinking the Trump administration actually has their back. While Republican governors Ron DeSantis of Florida, Greg Abbott of Texas, Mike Braun of Indiana, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Jeff Landry of Louisiana and Mike DeWine of Ohio were among the state leaders witnessing the president gut the Department of Education, we have to wonder which of the state executives will be the next Mike Pence who was determined to be no longer needed by Trump. The former vice president quickly became a forgotten man in a different sense when Trump’s form of loyalty had an expiration date.
People of both parties are now angry. Republican lawmakers are facing fury during town halls because the Elon Musk cuts are not just hurting blue states. Democratic lawmakers are facing anger at town halls by being seen as a weak opposition party in response to the president’s actions. Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego were told to “fight dirtier and “get in the mud” with Republicans. Sen. Bernie Sanders has always spoke out in exposing the intentions of the one percent billionaires during his campaigns for president.
He is continuing to do so, but the stakes are much higher now. Now that the destruction plans of the government is becoming clear, Sanders speaking directly to red America may be how we stop the authoritarianism. With his “Fighting Oligarchy Tour, Sanders has begun holding a series of rallies in GOP-represented swing districts to bring attention to his anti-billionaire, pro-democracy message. He is now joined by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The anti-oligarchy mass rallies have brought out record-breaking numbers showing that a widespread desire to resist Elon Musk and Donald Trump exist. Can the “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” become the organized mass movement that would be needed to keep us from becoming a total autocratic nation? Some form of major opposition has to be done, because passivity will not work. Cracks in the MAGA machine will continue once they realize their social security payments could be in serious jeopardy. If this becomes the organized movement that builds resistance to the takeover, then I’m on board. One day those schoolchildren will be old enough to truly understand why the movement was needed.
(David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God
J. Pharoah
Doss Check It Out
their children by assuring them that hard work will pay off, but parents aren’t deceiving their children. The majority of parents are convinced that hard work pays off because they are living examples of it. Of course, the rebuttal will be, “Just because a parent is convinced that something is true doesn’t make it a fact,” and Mackie was simply stating the harsh realities of the world. Let us assume Mackie is correct and there is no link between hard work and success. Should a parent teach that harsh reality or instill a “noble lie”?
A “noble lie” is a myth that is told because it is more advantageous to believe than the alternative. For instance, people often refer to religion as the “noble lie” that shields humanity from nihilism. Telling a child that hard work leads to success is preferable to telling them otherwise. Even if hard work doesn’t result in success, it would have helped to shape character.
Mackie’s premise that “success is given; it’s not earned” contradicts the basic definition of success, which is the
accomplishment of a goal or purpose. The Cambridge Dictionary defines accomplishment as the completion of a task after a significant amount of work or effort.
If Mackie defines success in Hollywood as getting chosen for a role over more deserving individuals who may have spent more time developing their craft, then his point is: hard work does not guarantee success. Everyone would agree with that, yet the majority would also agree that failure is guaranteed without hard work.
Then again, Mackie could have made an error during the interview.
When Mackie told the podcast hosts that there were other players who were better than them but weren’t chosen, it sounds like he meant to say, “Opportunity is given; it’s not earned.” That makes more sense than “success is given; it’s not earned.”
Regrettably, Mackie’s interview sparked a nonsensical debate over whether success is “given” or “earned.” Sadly, many people agreed not just with the fallacious notion that “success is given” but also that parents should stop lying to their children about hard work.
One writer reported on Mackie’s remarks about success, but the headline read, “Hard Work vs. Luck: The Harsh Truth About Success According to Anthony Mackie.” Hard work vs. luck?
Here we go again, with another false option leading to another pointless discussion.
Trump is trying his best to alienate the world against the United States
The United States population accounts for around 4 percent of the total world population. Donald Trump’s “Executive Orders” and public statements are alienating a whole lot of the other 96 percent of the world against the United States. Mexico and Canada are the United States’ closest neighbors and reportedly its largest trading partners. Trump has launched a trade war with Mexico. Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has replied diplomatically but directly that Mexico will respond in kind to any U.S. tariffs.
Trump has launched a trade war against Canada. He has made public statements about making Canada the 51st U.S. state. Mark Carney, the new prime minister of Canada, broke with tradition and did not make the United States his first official visit to a foreign country. Instead, he went to Western Europe to strengthen ties with Canada’s traditional North Atlantic allies. U.S. hockey teams have been booed in Canada since Trump announced his tariff war.
Can you blame Carney for avoiding the Trump White House? After Trump’s February 28 slapsticks meeting at the White House with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky, what world leader with any sense at all would accept an invitation from the White House, not knowing what to expect from Trump, another episode of “The Apprentice?” That’s what the February 28 White House meeting looked like to the world.
Trump is building a brick-and-mortar wall between the United States and Mexico. His trade war is building a political wall between the United States and Canada. He is just as intent on building walls, material or political, up and down the east and west coasts of the United States. He is fencing the USA in.
Trump’s tariff wars are God-sent gifts to accelerate global economic strategies like
Dorothy Gibbs chanted “save our parks” from her wheelchair while holding a sign that read “97 years old, still fighting for public lands!”
She was among an estimated 900 protesters who turned out at Rocky Mountain National Park on March 1 to protest the Trump administration’s mass firings of National Park Service staff last month, conducted through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk. Those 900 were among thousands of Americans who joined protests across the country that day at hundreds of national parks and monuments that day.
Gibbs, perhaps the oldest protester out that day, said for her “it’s personal.” She has volunteered with the National Park Service for 22 years and says her grandfather Charles F. Scott built Rocket Mountain National Park’s oldest remaining cabin. And she—like millions of others across the country—is concerned about the public’s ability to access our national parks.
That access is every American’s birthright. These sanctuaries offer more than breathtaking landscapes; they provide a refuge for the soul, a place where individuals from all walks of life can find solace, inspiration, and a connection to something greater than themselves in nature.
However, the recent mass firings within the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have cast a shadow over these treasured lands. One of the opening salvos of the DOGE-led assault on our public lands was to terminate approximately 1,000 NPS employees and 3,400 Forest Service workers. This decision threatens not only the livelihoods of dedicated public servants but also the very essence of our national parks. The importance of our national parks cannot be overstated. They serve as liv-
China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and The African Continental Free Trade project. This is where the majority of the world’s people are. This is tomorrow.
The European Union vows to retaliate against Trump’s trade wars. Trump brags about the United States taking possessions of Greenland. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said recently that Western European must rely on itself for its defenses. The German parliament recently voted to increase its national defense spending.
We must not forget that a primary reason, if not the primary reason, why Washington had been willing to largely foot the bill for NATO is to prevent post-1945 Germany from rearming to its maximum potential.
The two 20th-century European Civil Wars, often erroneously called World War I and World War II, with over 100 million war-related causalities, were between Western European countries for the title of the “World Heavyweight Champion” of White Power, of White Supremacy. Hitler said that up front. Britain, France, the United States and company lied and said that they were fighting for “Freedom” and “Democracy.”
Where and when in Africa, Asia, or Central and South America has the United States, France, Britain, and company supported “Freedom” and “Democracy” since 1945, the end of so-called World War Two? Where and when have they supported the
ing classrooms, offering educational programs that enlighten visitors about ecology, history, and conservation. They are economic engines, attracting millions of tourists annually, and supporting local communities—not to mention providing a vital revenue source for the government. Most importantly, they are democratic spaces where every American, regardless of background, can experience the healing power of nature.
In fact, diversity in our national parks is a tradition as old as the parks themselves. It was the famed African American Buffalo Soldiers who served as the first rangers for America’s early national parks like Yosemite and Sequoia.
The writer and historian Wallace Stegner said, “The national parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.”
Our national parks stand as a testament to America’s commitment to preserving the natural splendor and cultural heritage that define our nation. The rangers and staff who steward these lands are the backbone of the park experience. Their knowledge, passion, and commitment ensure that visitors can safely and meaningfully engage with these natural wonders. The recent layoffs have led to concerns about maintenance, operating hours, and public safety within the parks. Reduced staffing means fewer educational programs, delayed mainte-
inhuman exploitation and oppression of the masses of people across the world? Who are Trump’s allies? Russia’s Vladimir Putin? Putin has not resigned from BRICS, or denounced BRICS, the expanding group of countries around the world that seek to replace the U.S. dollar as the dominant currency of international commerce. Russia is a founding member, and its name is one of the letters in the BRICS acronym for Brazil Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Trump’s bullying accelerates the BRICS movement. Also extremely important; American citizens, who have been planning to travel abroad and bask in the post-1945 influence that the United States had long enjoyed in many parts of the world, must now stay home in the United States, because of the outrage Trump is generating around the world. Their long-time dreams of shopping in London, dining in Paris, and sightseeing in Berlin are on hold! Trump doesn’t care about what anyone in the whole world thinks of him. Pro or con, he relishes in it. And what countries can Trump visit without stirring up the wrath of the people in the streets? Trump is persona non grata around the world. Around the world, Trump personifies the lyrics in Duke Ellington’s monumental Black Brown and Beige Suite: Trump is “(just) like a man who ain’t got a friend, who ain’t never been nowhere where he is welcome back again.”
It looks like in less than three months Trump has made a whole lot of progress alienating a whole lot of the world’s 96 percent population against the United States with around some 4 percent of the world’s people. Does it look like that to you?
nance, and diminished visitor services, all of which undermine the foundational purpose of the NPS.
In response to these alarming developments, a national day of action on March 1 saw protests at hundreds of national park sites. At Yosemite National Park, demonstrators expressed their dismay over the staff reductions, emphasizing the critical role rangers play in preserving the park’s integrity. Similarly, at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, hundreds braved harsh weather to support NPS and Forest Service employees, highlighting the deep connection communities have with these public lands.
Troy Riling-Anderson is an ecologist whose job offer at North Cascades National Park in Washington State was rescinded before the mass firings in February, two days after President Trump’s inauguration. He expressed concern that this is about a land grab by corporations.
“The public lands are an American value, and they’re trying to get rid of that value by getting rid of the offices and the people,” said Riling-Anderson. “If that value doesn’t exist, there’s not really any way to stop them from selling off land.”
The Sierra Club and other groups are suing DOGE over these illegal mass firings, in an effort to protect not only our treasured public lands and the stewards of those lands, but Americans’ access to the great outdoors.
Let us remember that the preservation of our natural and cultural heritage is not a partisan issue but a patriotic one. It is our collective responsibility to ensure our national parks and forests endure for generations to come.
(Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.)
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Help Wanted
SAFETY OFFICER – RAIL
OPERATIONS & FACILITIES
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking a Safety Officer – Rail Operations & Facilities to provide technical and field support to the Deputy Chief Safety Officer, and all Division Management as needed.
Essential Functions:
• Assists Division Directors and Deputy Chief Safety Officer and other Safety Officers in identification and resolution of employee and operations safety issues.
• Provide safety support during all construction projects including design/specification review, site inspections and regulatory reviews.
• Conduct periodic reviews of work zones along the rail alignment to ensure compliance with Rail SOP’s.
• Assists the DCSO and other Safety Officers with regulatory compliance issues, developing and implementing accident and injury prevention policy, procedures, and programs.
• Assist with security assessments of divisions and other infrastructure in response to Homeland Security initiatives.
• Assist with development of internal and multi-agency response drills and tabletop exercises.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of State Oversight Rule 49CFR 672, 673, 674.
Job requirements include:
• BA/BS in Safety Science, Occupational Safety and Health, Environment Health and safety or related field from an accredited school. Related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in occupational safety or related field.
• Ability to obtain the FTA required TSSP-Rail and PTSCTP certifications within 3 years of hire.
• Effective and professional communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
Preferred attributes:
• Qualified accident and injury prevention provider as defined by Pennsylvania Worker’s Compensation Regulations.
• Prior work in union environment.
• Certified safety professional or associate safety professional designation.
• Heavy machinery/construction experience.
• Mass/rail transit safety experience.
• Investigative and/or police work experience.
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:
Taylor McBride Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527
TMcBride@RidePRT.org EOE
Hitachi Rail STS USA, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, seeks a Commissioning Manager to work in Pittsburgh, PA, and unanticipated locations throughout the U.S. The employee will have to relocate, but travel is not required from any particular location. The Commissioning Manager will be responsible for the commissioning and hand over of a turnkey project in accordance with the contract requirements to the operator for commercial operation. Apply at: https://careers.hitachi.com.
PPG Industries, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, has work-athome IT Business Specialist, Oracle COE position (w/ability to telecommute w/approp. telecommuting sys.; remote worksite must be w/in commuting distance of Pittsburgh, PA for weekly trips to corp. office) responsible for providing functional direction of Oracle Cost Mgmt, Oracle General Ledger, Oracle Accounts Payable, & Oracle Purchasing as well as prep’ing designs for bus. process & app. changes. Apply online at careers.ppg.com.
PPG Industries, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh PA, has work-athome SAP EHS-GLM Consultant position (w/ability to telecommute w/approp. telecommuting sys.) to support Global SAP Centre of Excellence by designing & implmntng technical SAP ntwrk solutions based on bus. unit & user req’ts. Must be willing & able to travel domestically & internationally up to 25% to various PPG locations. Apply online at careers.ppg.com.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES Help Wanted
EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN
(Multiple openings) – University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks Emergency Medicine Physicians in Allegheny County, Lawrence County, Mercer County, Butler County, Somerset County, Washington County, and Greene County, PA to treat patients in the Emergency Room to ensure proper injury care and disease diagnosis, effectively providing immediate treatment of any medical or surgical emergency. Must have a medical degree or equivalent; completion of 3 years of postgraduate residency training in Emergency Medicine; must hold a valid PA medical license or eligibility. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 250000O1 in the “Search Keyword/ Job ID” field and click Go. EOE.
ATHLETIC TRAINER (Multiple Openings) – UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside seeks multiple Athletic Trainers in Pittsburgh, PA to a part of the UPMC Orthopedics Sports Medicine team, led by world-renowned sports medicine experts, to deliver athletic training services to professional, college, and high school organizations throughout Pennsylvania. Provide evaluations, establish plan of care, and select appropriate treatment and rehabilitation interventions for musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses in accordance with the rules and regulations. Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, or related field; PA licensure or eligibility as an athletic trainer; May work at various unanticipated locations in Pennsylvania. May travel to unanticipated event locations throughout Pennsylvania. Locations and frequency depend on athletic schedules, sports and level of athletics. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 250000O0 in the “Search Keyword/Job ID” field and click Go. EOE/Disability/Veteran.
RoadRunner Recycling, Inc.
seeks a Software Engineer II in Pittsburgh, PA to code and test complex modules and applications for RoadRunner’s business needs.
Reqs. BS + 2yrs exp. Salary range for position: $105,000.00$110,000.00. 100% telecommuting role. Reports to company headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA. Can work remotely or telecommute. To apply, mail resume to RoadRunner Recycling, Inc., Attn: HR, 105 40th Street, Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. Please reference job title: Software Engineer II & Job Code: 000006.
LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
Estate of CHRISTOPHER JAMES BARTON SMYTH, Deceased of Leetsdale, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, No. 02-25-00919, Laura Smyth Freese, Executor, 26332 Paseo Toscana, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 or to TODD A. FULLER, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC., 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017
Estate of DONNA L. GUYKER A/K/A DONNA LEE GUYKER, Deceased of Pleasant Hills, PA, Estate No. 01063 of 2025, Donna Lynn Groom Extr., 605 Friendship Road, Darlington, PA 16115 or to Robert A. Banks, 345 Commerce Street, Second Floor, Beaver, PA 15009
Estate of MARK C. KLINK, Deceased of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, No.: 02-25-1208, Scharie Arbogast, Administrator or to Robert S. Bootay III, Atty, 6 Clairton Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15236
Estate of THOMAS JEFFREY VANDERGRIFT Deceased of Wexford, No.: 01106 of 2025, JoAnn P. Vandergrift, Administrator or to Claire Johnson Saenz, Esq, Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky, Attys., 444 Liberty Avenue, Ste. 2200 Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Estate of TONY DANIEL SKEES, Deceased of Hampton, No.: 01281 of 2025, Devin Hallett Snyder, Administrator or to Devin Hallett Snyder, Esq, Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky, Attys., 444 Liberty Avenue, Ste. 2200 Pittsburgh, PA 15222
ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings
NOTICETOWNSHIP OF KILBUCK
The Board of Supervisors of Kilbuck Township will hold a public hearing and public meeting to consider an amendment to the Township Zoning Ordinance to reduce the front yard setback for certain signs, said hearing and meeting to be held on April 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kilbuck Township Municipal Building, 343 Eicher Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
TITLE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF KILBUCK, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE TOWNSHIP OF KILBUCK CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 215, ZONING, ARTICLE IV, SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS, SECTION 215-41, SIGNS, TO MODIFY THE FRONT YARD SETBACK REQUIREMENT FOR COMMERCIAL SIGNS, NOT INCLUDING FREESTANDING POLE SIGNS.
SUMMARY
The proposed Ordinance would reduce the front yard setback for commercial signs, not including freestanding pole signs, to 5 feet from the front lot line of the premises, so long as the sign’s location permits full, unobstructed sight distance in all directions. A copy of the proposed ordinance may be examined in the office of the Township Secretary, without charge, during regular business hours.
TOWNSHIP OF KILBUCK
Andrew Wright, Township Secretary
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Public Notice
PUBLIC NOTICE AVALON-BELLEVUE-BEN AVON JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
The Avalon-Bellevue-Ben Avon Joint Planning Commission will meet on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 7:00 pm prevailing time at the Avalon Borough Council Chambers, 640 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 to consider and vote on the subdivision plan submitted by Let’s Wager. The Planning Commission will also discuss matters related to the Avalon-Bellevue-Ben AvonBen Avon Heights Joint Comprehensive Plan update, including, but not limited to evaluating potential consultants.
Respectfully submitted, LORRAINE MAKATURA Borough Secretary Borough of Avalon
PUBLIC NOTICE
ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY
The Professional Services Committee of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority will hold a special meeting for general purposes on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. prevailing time, in the Trefz Board Room at its offices located at 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15233. Official action on the Committee’s recommendations will take place at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors at a later date. The public may view the meeting via livestream by visiting www.alcosan.org.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Urban Design/Planning – Regional community development and historic preservation organization requests Qualifications relative to the following: 1) urban design, 2) mapping and graphics, 3) land use integration 4) public space and public transit related improvements, 5) individuals available for assignment, 6) working with multiple stakeholders and the public and building consensus, 7) minority and women-owned businesses participation, and 8) method and/or rates of compensation. Within thirty days of first publication of this notice, firms/individuals should send Qualifications as outlined above to: Young Preservationists Association, 700 River Avenue, Suite 318, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Final Due Date: Friday May 2, 2025.
9
PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY
Electronic Proposals will be received online at PRT’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org). Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on April 11, 2025, and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conferencing, for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org)
BID NUMBER BID NAME
B25-03-16 Pest Control Services
B25-03-17 InSight Passenger Seat Inserts
B25-03-18 Raildroad Cross Ties
B25-03-19 Bus Stop Shelters
B25-03-20 Hoist Inspection and Maintenance Services
B25-03-21 Janitorial Supplies - General
To join the bid opening through Microsoft Teams meeting on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 215 953 502 730 Passcode: ta6Wd22m Or call in (audio only)
412-927-0245 Phone Conference ID: 753 375 470#
No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on each of the above items at 10:00 AM on March 27, 2025, through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conferencing.
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device Meeting ID: 292 685 461 994
Passcode: n2A85UG7
Or call in (audio only)
412-927-0245
Phone Conference ID: 786 357 908#
Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the PRT within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening. These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County d.b.a. PRT and the United States Department 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 delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing.
Port Authority of Allegheny County d.b.a. PRT 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 PRT reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (SEA) and the Stadium Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (SA) will receive sealed bids for Gold 1 Garage (G1G), West General Robinson Street Garage (WGRSG), North Shore Garage (NSG) and Tribute to Children (TTC) 2025 Concrete and Joint Repairs (trade package) as identified below. The contract for this work will be with the SA for G1G and WGRSG and with the SEA for the NSG and TTC. Inquiries regarding the bidding should be made to the SEA, 171 10th St, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Attention: Hillary Frisbie - E-mail: procurement@pgh-sea.com. Bid Packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu-Copy at (724) 935-7055. Additional information on the project can also be found of Accu-Copy’s website at https://accu-copy.com/plan-room
This Advertisement applies to the following Bid Package:
Project: 2025 - North Shore Concrete Repairs
Bid Package Available: Thursday | April 3, 2025
Approximate Value: $300,000
Time/Date/Location for Bid: Tuesday | April 22, 2025 at 11:00am SEA Admin Offices 171 10th Street 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222
NOTICE TO PROPOSERS
The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will receive proposals for Engineering/Design Services for Loading Dock Security Enhancement as identified below for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The agreement for this work will be with the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The Request for Proposals may be obtained after the date identified below from Lucas Kistler, Facilities Director, Email: procurement@pgh-sea.com, Telephone: 412.325.6179.
This Advertisement applies to the following Request for Proposal:
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Business Corporation
Cozza Law Group, PLLC Phone 412-924-8444 Emma Howard, Esq. Attorney(s) 400 Holiday Drive, Suite 210, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Notice is hereby given that Articles of Incorporation
[were/will be] filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for a business corporation which [has been/ is to be] incorporated under the provisions of the Business Corporation Law of 1988. The name of the corporation is The Imara Arts Collective. LEGAL ADVERTISING Articles of Incorporation
Project: Engineering/Design Services for Loading Dock Security Enhancement RFP Available: Wednesday | March 26, 2025 Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting: 10:00 AM | Wednesday, April 2, 2025 DLCC East Lobby 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Time/Date/Location for Proposals: 2:00 PM | Friday, April 18, 2025 David Lawrence Convention Center
Attn: Lucas Kistler 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Procurement@pgh-sea.com
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR DRYER VENTILATION SYSTEM
CLEANING AUTHORITY-WIDE
IFB #250-16-25
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby requests bids from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s):
DRYER VENTILATION SYSTEM
CLEANING AUTHORITY-WIDE
The documents will be available no later than March 31, 2025, and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on May 1, 2025
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only accept physical bids dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 10:00 a.m. on May 1, 2025, in the lobby of One Stop Shop at 412 Boulevard of the Allies. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Bids may be uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the IFB. Sealed bids may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 6th Floor Procurement, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.hacp.org.
Questions or inquiries should be directed to:
Ms. Dereen Neice, Sr. Director of Procurement//Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh 412 Boulevard of the Allies 6th Floor - Procurement Department Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2800
A pre-bid meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on April 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Please see the meeting information below: Join Zoom Meeting https://hacp-org.zoom.
us/j/81595534091
Meeting ID: 815 9553 4091
Passcode: 011822
Dial in: +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.
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 VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes
ADVERTISEMENT
Bid 1139 – Doors, Hardware, and Access Control Phase 1Homewood Brushton Center
A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Meet at the front entrance to Homewood Brushton Center, 701 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Due date: 2:00 P.M. Prevailing
Time on Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Any bid or proposals received after this deadline will be considered as a “late bid” and will be returned unopened to the offerer.
Proposals may require Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds, and Surety as dictated by the specifications.
No bidder may withdraw his bid or proposal for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids.
The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses. For more information, contact Michael Cvetic at mcvetic@ccac.edu.
Community College of Allegheny County Purchasing Department
800 Allegheny Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15233
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR FIRE AND SECURITY ALARM
MONITORING AUTHORITY-WIDE REBID
IFB #300-06-25 REBID
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby requests bids from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Fire and Security Alarm Monitoring Authority-Wide Rebid
The documents will be available no later than March 31, 2025, and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 11:00 a.m. on May 1, 2025.
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical bids dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 11:00 a.m. on May 1, 2025, in the lobby of One Stop Shop at 412 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Bids may uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the IFB. Sealed bids may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 6th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.hacp.org.
Questions or inquiries should be directed to:
Mr. Brandon Havranek, Associate Director of Procurement/ Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department, 6th Floor 412 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2890
A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting on April 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Please see the meeting information below:
Join Zoom Meeting https://hacp-org.zoom.us/ j/84338091568?pwd=MnnXbTh jIs510olBiHjta21ZOP9cvR.1
Meeting ID: 843 3809 1568 Passcode: 147242 Dial in: +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.
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 VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is accepting bids for the Valley Refuge Shelter Improvement Project. Electronic bids must be received by April 22,2022 at 2PM EST. For the complete Invitation to Bid visit https://pittsburghparks.org/ about/consulting-opportunities/ Bid submissions must be made in accordance with the instructions, terms, and conditions described in the complete Invitation to Bid and Bid Package. The Bid Package (Project Manual and Drawings) will be available on April 1, 2025 from Accu-Copy Reprographics at https://planroom.accu-copy.com /public.php and by appointment at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy office. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at the project site in Riverview Park on April 8, 2025 at 1PM.
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR ARMED AND UNARMED SECURITY FOR HIGH-RISES AND NORTHVIEW HEIGHTS WELCOME BOOTHS
RFP #350-05-25
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Armed and Unarmed Security for High-rises and Northview Heights Welcome Booths
The documents will be available no later than March 31, 2025, and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 11:00 a.m. on April 22, 2025. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only accept physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 11:00 a.m. on April 22, 2025, in the lobby of One Stop Shop at 412 Boulevard of the Allies. 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 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 6th Floor - Procurement, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquiries should be directed to: Mr. Brandon Havranek, Associate Director of Procurement /Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh 412 Boulevard of the Allies 6th Floor - Procurement Department Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-2890
A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on April 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Please see the meeting information below: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 883 4158 3834 Passcode: 884892 +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.
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 VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR UNARMED SECURITY SERVICES FOR HIGH-RISES
RFP #350-04-25
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s):
UNARMED SECURITY SERVICES FOR HIGH-RISES
The documents will be available no later than March 31, 2025, and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on April 22, 2025. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only accept physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 10:00 a.m. on April 22, 2025, in the lobby of One Stop Shop at 412 Boulevard of the Allies. 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 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 6th Floor - Procurement, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org.
Questions or inquiries should be directed to:
Mr. Brandon Havranek, Associate Director of Procurement/ Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh 412 Boulevard of the Allies 6th Floor - Procurement Department Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-2890
A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on April 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Please see the meeting information below:
Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 891 9094 1027 Passcode: 234657 +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.
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 VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.
Sealed Bids for
NO. 1812 –
SEWER INSPECTION & CLEANING CONTRACT shall be received at the Engineering Department office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233, until 11:00 A.M., Prevailing Time, Friday, April 25, 2025 and then shall be publicly opened and read. A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held In Person on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:00 A.M., Prevailing Time. Prospective Bidders attendance is mandatory.
ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities and women to submit bids on Authority Contracts or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to successful Bidders. Successful Bidders are to use minority and women’s businesses to the fullest extent possible. Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the Engineering office of the Authority. A nonrefundable fee of One hundred dollars ($100) (no cash or credit cards will be accepted) will be charged for each set of Contract Documents received. Bid Security in the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) is required. The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a Performance Bond equal to the Bid Price. Contract documents must be purchased directly from ALCOSAN to qualify as an eligible bidder.
Any questions regarding the Technical Specification in the Contract Bidding Documents should be directed to Darnetta D. Craig, P.E., ALCOSAN, via email to Darnetta.Craig@ alcosan.org. Any questions regarding the Purchase of Contract Bidding Documents should be directed to Judith Bonner, ALCOSAN, via email to contract.clerks@alcosan.org. The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality in any bid and to accept any bid should it be deemed in the interest of the Authority to do so. ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY Michael Lichte, P.E. Director of Regional Conveyance
