4.24.24

by

In 2022, one percent— that's right, just one percent of all venture capital funds in the U.S. were allotted to Black tech founders, according to a study by the information-based company Crunchbase. But at least in Pittsburgh, there is a venture capital firm that specializes in helping to fund Black and diverse tech startups—Black Tech Nation Ventures, spearheaded by Kelauni Jasmyn, David Motley and Sean Sebastian. The for-profit VC firm had about $50 million of which to invest, thanks to companies like Bank of America, Mark Cuban, Alphabet and First National Bank. And so far, the New Pittsburgh Courier has learned, some 11 startups have received funding from Black Tech Nation Ventures across the country, including its first startup it funded, BlendEd, based in Cleveland. BlendEd was founded by David Boone

and Jeff McLellan, and BlendEd's mission is to allow community colleges to have the same level of access to digitizing syllabi prep, course planning and course content as the larger universities have.

Daniela Osio, founder of Kloopify, is the only Pittsburgh-based diverse startup to receive funding from Black Tech Nation Ventures, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report in March. Funding has also been provided to startups in other cities like Hive Wealth, BrightUp, Emtech, and Goodfynd. Black Tech Nation is a separate entity from Black Tech Nation Ventures. Black Tech Nation is the non-profit organization Jasmyn founded in 2018 that brings together African Americans interested and/or involved in the technology industry. On Feb. 22, Black Tech Nation presented an economic empowerment fo-

Lee dominates

wins Primary Election

In the words of former Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster Lanny Frattare, “There was noooo doubt about it.”

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, 36, took the swings from Democratic challenger Bhavini Patel and the countless people who think the Congresswoman is too progressive, but in the end, those people struck out, and Congresswoman Lee hit another home run. The Associated Press called the highly-watched congressional race for the state’s 12th District just before 9:30 p.m. on April 23, only 90 minutes after the polls in Pennsylvania closed. Congresswoman Lee was up to 59 percent of the vote in her favor when the AP made the call, ending any speculation as to if Patel, the 30-year-old Edgewood Borough Councilwoman, would upset Rep. Lee and take the Democratic nomination.

“Our movement is stronger than every GOP billionaire that exists,” Rep. Lee said at her Election Night Watch Party at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, Downtown. “Our movement is stronger than any...opportunist, it’s stronger than everybody who wants to say that the power of the people is not stronger than the people in power. But we know how to do this in Western Pennsylvania; we’re not new to this, we are true to this.”

“Do they believe now?”

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey asked the crowd. “It’s amazing when you put people first, it’s amazing when you want to see people have a better quality of life, it’s amazing when you want affordable housing so people can have a right to live,” the mayor said about Congresswoman Lee. “It’s amazing when you have someone who didn’t miss one day of work.”

Mayor Gainey said for him, it’s not a political speech. Those were just some of the reasons that he “believes in Summer Lee,” as he repeated throughout his remarks.

“The reality is, there were a lot of people who wanted to convince us that we could not be pro-peace and win in this district,” Rep. Lee said to a thunderous applause. She was referring to her own stance to have a ceasefire between

Israel and Hamas, but was largely criticized for that stance. And with Squirrel Hill having a large Jewish community within District 12, some thought her stance would cause her to lose the election.

“They want a democracy to be reflective and they want Black people and brown folks and they want poor and they want working-class people to go to Congress, but when we get there, they want us to put our head down, and they want us to be silent and they want us to do things the same way that it’s always been done.”

The Congresswoman said that’s not how she works. She said she fights for her people, no matter what. “Here in Western Pennsylvania, we are showing what it looks like to lead with compassion,” Rep. Lee said. “We’re showing what it looks like to show up for the least of these.”

• APRIL 24

1867— The first national meeting of the Ku Klux Klan is held at the Maxwell House in Nashville, Tenn. The White supremacist organization and its various offshoots would go on to launch a wave of terror, which would result in death and injury to thousands of African Americans over the years. The Klan would remain the nation’s most powerful anti-Black terrorist organization for the next 70 years. The first chapter, however, was actually formed a year earlier in Pulaski, Tenn. Most of the early Klan members were former soldiers of the defeated Confederate Army from the Civil War. The group’s initial aim was to spread fear among Blacks and prevent them from voting. But as the organization grew, it expanded into anti-Jewish, anti-Catholic and anti-foreigner activities. The first grand wizard was Nathan Bedford Forest.

1944—The United Negro College Fund is incorporated. Over the years, the fundraising activities of the UNCF would result in thousands of college educations for African Americans.

1944— Whites only political primaries are declared unconstitutional. In a case known as Smith v. Allwright , the United States Supreme Court ruled that a “Whites only” primary law, which excluded Blacks from voting, was a violation of the 15th Amendment and was thus unconstitutional. Such laws had been common throughout the South.

• APRIL 25

1918— Jazz singing legend Ella Fitzgerald is born in Newport News, Va. Orphaned at an early age, Fitzgerald was literally living in the streets when she was discovered in Harlem, N.Y., by bandleader Chick Webb. Despite never having received formal vocal training, musical experts often compared her techniques and vocal range to that of a conservatory trained singer. One of the ultimate compliments to her abilities was given by the great song writer Ira Gershwin who said, “I didn’t realize our songs were so good until I heard Ella sing them.” Fitzgerald died at the age of 79 on June 15, 1997.

1943— Tuskegee Institute President Frederick Patterson writes his famous letter (published in the Pittsburgh Courier) urging the presidents of the nation’s predominantly Black colleges and universities to “pool their small resources and make an appeal to the national conscience” in order to produce more scholarship funds for the education of Black students. One year later the United Negro College Fund is incorporated with 27 member colleges.

• APRIL 26

1886— The “mother of the Blues” Gertrude “Ma” Rainey is born Gertrude Pridgett in Columbus, Ga. She began her career touring with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. She was the first person to sing the Blues in minstrel shows. Rainey also coached, then young Blues singer Bessie Smith who would become more famous and celebrated than Rainer. Rainey died Dec. 22, 1939.

1994— The first all race elections take place in then White ruled South Africa. The elections would bring an end to 300 years of White minority rule, known as apartheid, in the African nation as well as bring about the election of Nelson Mandela as the country’s first Black and democratically elected president. Mandela had spent 27 years in prison because of his leadership of the African National Congress which had led the struggle against apartheid.

• APRIL 27 1903—W.E.B.

“The Soul of Black Folks” is

published. The book did much to outline and summarize progressive African American thought and opposition to the accommodation policies of Booker T. Washington— then the nation’s foremost Black leader. DuBois argued that “the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line” and labeled Washington’s program as one of “industrial education, conciliation of the South, and submission and silence as to civil and political rights.” A collection of DuBois’ papers are currently being placed online by the University of Massachusetts.

1903—Maggie Lena Walker becomes the first Black woman to head a bank in America. In fact, she was the first woman of any color to head a bank when she was named president of the St. Luke Bank and Trust Company in Richmond, Va. Walker was an outstanding businesswoman who took over Richmond’s Order of St. Luke when it was nearly broke and rapidly losing membership. Within a few years the Order owned a bank, a newspaper, a printing press and a three-story department store despite the active opposition of Richmond’s White business community. Walker also helped found the Lilly Black Party in part as a slap at the segregated “Lilly White” political parties of the day. One of her mottos was “Don’t get angry, get busy.” She died Dec. 15, 1934.

• APRIL 28

1967— The World Boxing Association and the New York State Athletic Commission withdraw recognition of Muhammad Ali as world heavyweight boxing champion because of his opposition to the war in Vietnam and his resulting refusal to serve in the U.S. military. One of his famous phrases during the controversial period was, “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Vietcong.” In addition to being stripped of his title and license to box, Ali was sentenced to five years in prison for refusing to be inducted into the military. However, four years later the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the conviction and Ali was allowed to box again.

• APRIL 29

1992— This was the first day of the Los Angeles riots which were sparked when a nearly all White jury acquitted four White cops in the brutal beating of Black motorist Rodney King even though the beating had been caught on tape. Two of the cops were later convicted on federal civil rights charges. The riots left at least 50 people dead, nearly 1,000 injuries and an estimated $1 billion in property damage.

• APRIL 30

711 AD—Tarik the Moor invades Spain with force of 7,000 troops, routs the Visigoths and establishes Moor domination of Spain. While there remains some dispute over Tarik’s race, the weight of the evidence is strong that he was a Black man. He was described in accounts of the time as having “brown skin and wooly hair.” His full name was Tarik al Gibral. The

to

CONGRESSWOMAN SUMMER LEE, AT THE RENAISSANCE PITTSBURGH HOTEL, DOWNTOWN, APRIL 23. (PHOTO BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)

came out to

Jasmyn,

co-found -

also there's conversations where a lot of us don't have the education around how we can build our companies— what things we need, what access we need to build our companies and get into the tech space." Jasmyn wants to see more Black tech companies become "Black tech unicorns," which means their companies eventually will be valued at millions of dollars.

Black Tech Nation Ventures invests anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million into tech startups, and hopefully that can propel that startup to a point where it could get even larger funding from larger venture capital firms.

Black Tech Nation Ventures is one of only a "handful" of Black-led venture capital firms. A survey by the National Venture Capital Association and Deloitte found that just three percent of U.S. venture capital

Bailey, The Forbes Funds President and CEO Fred Brown and BEAM Collaborative co-founder and CEO Joel Burnstein talk all things entrepreneurship, tech and the constant fight for Blacks to achieve progress in those spaces. Congresswoman Summer Lee, who is not a "techie" but is in full support of Blacks progressing in the tech space, was a panelist as well during the event. She told the Courier the main question for her as an elected official is, "How do we ensure that Pittsburgh, as it turns a new economic corner, doesn't miss an opportunity to invest in the people that are here? We have a room full of people who are ready to go, but also are ready to multiply, to go out and bring new people, but we also have to make sure that the opportunities that exist are ready for them."

With the fact that so few Black tech startups get venture capital funding, Jasmyn makes it a point to tell local entrepreneurs not to let the figures deter them from their dreams.

"We do these events, we gather community, creating networks," she told the Courier, "and

partners were Black in 2016. Other Black-led VC firms that are interested in funding Black tech startups include Harlem Capital Partners (New York), Base Ventures (Berkeley, Calif.), Fearless Fund (Atlanta) and MaC Venture Capital (Los Angeles).

"The work that Kelauni has been doing for the last eight years, to come in here, to see a gap and to start to fill it is incredible," Congresswoman Lee said about Jasmyn, who grew up in Chicago. "It was Kelauni, just one Black wom -

an who had an idea to connect with other folks who are techies who are doing coding and things of that nature, and now she has grown to this where she's now able to be a blessing to other people who are trying to get into it."

Pittsburgh was ranked 13th in the world in 2022 in terms of emerging startup economies by the organization Startup Genome. Pittsburgh is seen as a place where one can grow its tech company without having to compete with the mighty San Francis -

cos and Bostons of the world.

"We need to innovate into the future," Jasmyn told the Courier exclusively, "and it can't look the same as it has in the past. So when we talk about economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, AI (artificial intelligence), all the future things that are happening, we (African Americans) are being left behind."

Jasmyn said African Americans must take their creativity "and make it into something viable that can be an actual resource in the future. That's innovation. Every community does that. We do it, but we don't know how to actually package it and monetize on it and use each other for innovation so that we're building together and keeping our dollars."

about the representation gap, about opportunities for Black folks who are breaking into science and technology, as we see AI and all of these industries, robotics, etc., that are coming right here to Pittsburgh, making sure that these industries aren't leaving Black folks behind as so many have."

Congresswoman Lee, who is a member of the House's Committee on Science, Space and Technology, added: "We need to be very intentional

CONGRESSWOMAN SUMMER LEE, KELAUNI JASMYN (PHOTOS BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)

PANELISTS SHARED THEIR THOUGHTS ON BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT...

KHAMIL BAILEY, SALOAM BEY, MOHINDER DICK

PEABODY HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

Bethlehem Haven undergoes renovations, has plans for an additional building

Following a $4.2 million investment and a year of preservation, extensive renovations, and facility improvements, Bethlehem Haven, Pittsburgh Mercy, ACTION-Housing, Mosites Construction Company, LGA Partners, SIGAL Development Services, Montague Design, and Anderson Interiors, on April 12 held a homecoming celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome 26 women home to Bethlehem Haven’s 1410 Fifth Avenue location in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood. The event also marked the completion of Phase I of Bethlehem Haven’s affordable housing development, which will result in 34 new units of low-income affordable housing in Uptown Pittsburgh. 1410 Fifth Avenue is a trauma-informed, therapeutic supportive service housing program that is home to women and gender non-conforming people who, due to complex physical and behavioral health challenges, poverty, and generational trauma, have experienced long-term housing instability. These individuals would not thrive in traditional community-based settings. They need comprehensive wrap-around services, whole-person supports, and care management to empower them in their journey to self-sufficiency.

Approximately half of the women who call Bethlehem Haven home are age 50 years and over. Nearly one-third of the residents have lived there for 10 years or more and consider it their home, a place of safety where they live, work, play, and thrive. At Bethlehem Haven, the women have access to physical, behavioral, and mental health services provided by Pittsburgh Mercy. Additional services include permanent housing navigation, workforce development, access to benefits, financial well-being education, life skills, and other vital wrap-around services and supports to empower them on the path to affordable permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Meals are provided, and colleagues are onsite 24/7. The completion of the 1410 Fifth Avenue renovation is significant because it marks another step in addressing the homelessness public health crisis and the completion of Phase I of the two-phase Bethlehem Haven low-income affordable housing development. To create more affordable housing in Pittsburgh and expand opportunities for individuals in their

path to self-sufficiency, Bethlehem Haven and ACTION-Housing are partnering on the co-development of Uptown Flats, 34 new units of low-income affordable, supportive housing units in Uptown Pittsburgh with a preference for households at risk of homelessness and individuals with disabilities. With an estimated cost of $22 million, that investment got under way in 2017 when Bethlehem Haven acquired the neighboring 1404 Fifth Avenue property with this future project in mind. Since then, Bethlehem Haven acquired 1402 and 1400 Fifth Avenue to establish physical space for the new building. Demolition of the existing buildings and construction of the Uptown Flats development is expected to start this summer and be completed in mid-2026. For Phase II, ACTION-Housing is the co-developer. LGA Partners is the project architect. SIGAL Development Services is the project manager. Uptown Flats is funded primarily through the federal and Pennsylvania Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which provides credits to housing developers to acquire, construct, and rehabilitate affordable housing for low-income individuals. Bethlehem Haven and ACTION Housing received a 9 percent LIHTC award in the 2022 funding round and are working with the National Equity Fund and BNY Mellon as tax credit investors. Major funding for both Phase I, the 1410 Fifth Avenue preservation and renovation project, and Phase II, the Uptown Flats low-incoming affordable housing development, was made possible in part by a $1 million grant from McAuley Ministries, Pittsburgh Mercy’s grant-making foundation, and grants from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Pittsburgh, the Eden Hall Foundation, FHLBank Pittsburgh (FHLB), the Henry L. Hillman Foundation; the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Local Share Account (PA DCED LSA), the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHFA’s PHARE) Fund, Allegheny County HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME ARP), as well as gifts from private individuals.

DJ REESE ARTIE PATERSON AND ALPHONSO SLOAN, CLASSES OF ‘89 AND ‘90

Don't leave your health to chance! Stay covered!

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MICHELLE THOMAS WENT TO SCHENLEY IN ‘88 AND SHELLEY SMITH WENT TO PEABODY ‘88 JOANNA JONES ‘99, CLIFTON WATSON ‘09

Black-owned eateries to get big exposure in ‘Wing & Mac Smackdown’

Event is Saturday, April 27, in the Hill District

tion of Black-owned eateries that may not get the publicity as their White counterparts.

In addition to Bennett, the other 13 owners/businesses participating in the competition are: Olga George, Squeaks Eats, Kim Allen (Fat Rai's), Star Williams (Vibe Bar), Tiona King, Kamahlai Stewart (House of Soul Catering, LLC), Leon McIntosh (McIntosh Eatery), Monica Johnson (Foxy Frans Catering), Stripes Williams (M&M Royal Touch), Kemi's Kitchen & Katering, Shakale Williams (KaBoozy Delights), Jay Dix, and Art & Soul Cafe by Gist Catering. A $500 cash prize will be awarded to whomever has the best wings, and also the best macaroni and cheese. A sponsorship from Catapult Greater Pittsburgh helped to make the monetary awards a reality.

Five celebrity judges will make the decisions — Mike Dean (WAMO-FM), Carleen King (Carmi Restaurant), Chef Claudy Pierre, Roxanne Easley (Roxanne's Catering), and Mikey Hood (KDKA-TV). The event's emcee will be Mister Rice, with music by DJ Hollywood.

Black-owned businesses have a hard time staying above water in the first place, but the restaurant business is even tougher. Generally, restaurants have low profit margins, and studies show it takes at least two years for a new restaurant to see a profit. Labor and food costs are what ends up making the restaurants go under. "It's definitely about supporting Black-owned businesses," White told the Courier. "Perhaps they don't have the money for marketing to be able to buy ads in papers," or they're getting overlooked by foodbased publications in the Greater Pittsburgh area. "When the restaurant list comes out, a lot of times it's not filled with a lot of Black and brown spaces," White said. Pittsburgh, unlike a Cleveland or Atlanta, isn't filled with a lot of Black, sit-down-style restaurants. You'd be lucky to count to 10 in that category. And when there are grants made available to Black-owned restaurants, Pittsburgh is often left off the list.

As an example, the U.S. Black Chambers Inc., in partnership with Grubhub and the USBC Community Economic Development Corporation,

in 2022 announced it would provide $500,000 in grants to Black-owned restaurants, but the focus was more on eateries in Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, although restaurants in any city were able to apply.

Pittsburghers are more familiar with the Heinz company, now known as

Kraft Heinz. That company donates up to $1 million annually to be distributed to roughly 60 Black-owned eateries across the country, through a partnership with the LEE Initiative and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice, called the Black Kitchen Initiative. In its first year, 2021, five Blackowned restaurants in Pittsburgh received grants, including Carmi (Carleen and Michael King), CobblerWorld (Terina Hicks), Eminent Hospitality (Chef Claudy Pierre), Roxanne's Catering (Roxanne Easley), and Wings & A Prayer. In 2022, just one Pittsburgh Black-owned eatery was awarded a grant, Everyday Cafe (John and Cynthia Wallace), in Homewood. The same in 2023, as just one grant was awarded (Wild Rise Bakery).

It's unclear if there will be grants awarded for 2024.

Overall, White said that while Black-owned eateries get support from those in Pittsburgh's Black community, eateries still "have to rise to the occasion" to keep their current clientele and attract new customers. "The food, ambience, customer service, all has to be on point," she said. Bennett told the Courier that April 27 can't get here fast enough. "I wanted to get in this competition just so I can prove to myself that I still 'have it' after battling breast cancer," she said. "I'm looking to make a name for myself." And Bennett's message to anyone else battling cancer or a life-threatening disease? "Don't give up. There's light at the other side of the tunnel."

KIM ALLEN - FAT RAI’S MONICA JOHNSON - FOXY FRANS CATERING OLGA GEORGE

LEON MCINTOSH - MCINTOSH EATERY

DAN MCKENZIE - KEMI’S KITCHEN

SHAKALE WILLIAMS (KABOOZY DELIGHTS)

SMACKDOWN FROM A1

The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston to headline New Horizon’s annual fundraising concert

by Genea L. Webb

For New Pittsburgh Courier

For 32 years, New Horizon Theater Inc., has been showcasing what many call top-notch nationwide Black talent for Pittsburgh’s African American theater community.

“We just keep moving along. We make it work. We have to make it work," said Joyce Meggerson-Moore, New Horizon Theater Inc., chairperson. "We still produce quality plays. People tell me that they haven’t seen anything they didn’t like, so that’s good. Then COVID came and we didn’t have a consistent theater space. We make adjustments as we go along and we have many multi-talented people who do more than just one thing. A lot of the theaters now have one person who does this and one person who does that and that’s good, too, but some of our main people like Herb Newsome, Eileen Morris, Layon Gray, they can write plays, direct and do programs. Even me, I write proposals and work the door, do publicity and that’s what we have to do and I think that’s what helped us out. We just keep moving along.” New Horizon Theater was founded in 1992 with the mission to bring the Greater Pittsburgh area consistent, high-quality, cultural events reflecting the Black point of view, and to provide an ongoing venue for other ethnic writers and performers to further their professional development. The theater’s major accomplishments have been to manage board

and operations with an all-volunteer core of people. Elva Branson assembled a core group of artists who had a series of discussions about the need for a venue for African American performers. An initial proposal to find a production was written around the first play, “Home,” and was cast for the play in 1992. A board of directors was put together by Branson. They all worked together to identify the mission of the theater company. The name of the company was New Horizon Theater with artistic input from other members of the former Black Horizon Theater. Branson worked with the organization until her move out of state in 1996.

In 1997, the theater applied for and received its 501(c)(3) tax exempt status under the board leadership of Meggerson-Moore and Vice Chairperson Barbara H. Naylor. Ernest McCarty served as artistic director from 1994 to 2008. In 2022, New Horizon Theater was named one of Pittsburgh’s Cultural Treasures.

For the past 26 years, the organization has been holding an annual black tie fundraising event. The event brings national recording acts to the Pittsburgh stage. Attendees are treated to an amazing night of music while raising money for the theater company and its endeavors. Past performers included Ruby Dee and Ozzie Davis, Melba Moore, Ashford and Simpson, The Delfonics, Ray, Goodman & Brown, Christopher Williams, Ruben Studdard, and The Stylistics.

This year’s event, which will take on Saturday, May 4, at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Downtown, will feature The Manhattans, featuring Gerald Alston. “We are very excited. New Horizon is a wonderful organization and Joyce is a wonderful person and it’s a wonderful group of people to work with and it’s a wonderful opportunity," Alston told the New Pittsburgh Courier. "I love working with Joyce. She does something that gives back to the people. Her audience loves the groups and the kind of music she brings in and she gives something back to the older groups by having us come in and perform. We are willing to perform and work with her and do those fundraisers for New Horizon and what they are doing. It’s just a wonderful thing." Alston has been the lead singer for The Manhattans since 1970. Alston promises Steel City concertgoers a trip down memory lane, back to a time when music told stories of love and sometimes, heartache. “We’re going to do songs from the ‘60s, ‘70s and present-day. We’re going to give Pittsburgh everything we’ve got. We’re going to put it all out there,” Alston said. “We’re looking forward to performing and signing autographs and spending time with the audience. We are not doing our fans a favor; they are doing us a favor by coming to see us sing. Performing for our fans is a joy. I believe in our fans, they are dedicated to us. They keep coming to see us. If it wasn’t

for the fans, the group wouldn’t have lasted 63 years."

The audience on May 4 will also get to experience an excerpt from "Blues is the Roots," a previous play that New Horizon Theater produced to show people the caliber of the work the theater puts out on a consistent basis.

Chris Moore, veteran TV and radio broadcaster, will serve as master of ceremonies. “I do this for New Horizon each year because I love and support my wife and I believe in New Horizon’s mission,” explained Moore.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.newhorizontheater.org, calling 412-431-0773 or visiting Dorsey’s Digital Imaging on Frankstown Avenue.

There are various parking options available to New Horizon’s patrons. They include the 350 Oliver Garage (above ground) or the Oliver Garage (below ground), Ft. Duquesne & Sixth Garage or Sixth and Penn Garage, both located within a block of the O’Reilly Theater, or the Theater Square Garage, right next door to the theater on Penn Avenue.

“We need more people like Joyce (Meggerson) Moore who are working hard to keep the theater going. We need to have theaters like New Horizon back in the schools,” Alston said. “And people need to step up and donate because New Horizon and Joyce are just wonderful and we will be there for them any time they need us.”

-

Dr. Jacqueline Wilson, the longtime CEO of TRAC Services for Families, retired in March 2024, and the New Pittsburgh Courier was there to capture all the happenings at her retirement celebration.

Since 2000, Dr. Wilson led one of the largest full service adoption and foster care agencies in the region.

Prior to joining TRAC, Dr. Wilson was Foster Care Director for Family Services of Western Pennsylvania. Dr. Wilson has been an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School

of Social Work, and she’s a founding member of the African American Strategic Partnership.

Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Wilson was a member of the Courier’s “Women of Excellence Class of 2011,” a Pittsburgh “50 Women of Influence” honoree in 2004 and was an “Angel in Adoption” by former Congressman Mike Doyle in 2005.

DR. JACQUELINE WILSON WITH BROTHER MELVIN HUBBARD EL WITH PROCLAMATION

DR. JACQUELINE WILSON WITH FAMILY

DR. JACQUELINE WILSON WITH STAFF OF TRAC SERVICES FOR FAMILIES

CYRIL WECHT AWARDS CELEBRATE A DECADE OF RECOGNITION!

The 10th Annual Dr. Cyril Wecht Western PA Humanitarian Awards reached a decade of recognizing members of the Western PA community for what they do to “HEAL THE WORLD...

AND MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE!”

The March 30 honors were presented in various categories including education, arts, sciences, entertainment, legal, military and public service.

It seems like yesterday that Achieving Greatness Inc., was fortunate enough to partner with Dr. Wecht to recognize and honor the people in our community who truly make our community a better place, not to mention extending themselves and sometimes putting

their lives on the line.

There is literally not enough time or paper to give you the bio on Dr. Wecht. The fact that he’s one of the world’s greatest medical and legal minds, which includes his investigation of the JFK assassination, the murder of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, as well as the JonBenét Ramsey killing, just to name a few. With a medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a law degree from the University of Maryland, this Fifth Ave. High School grad has authored and co-authored over 600 publications.

During his 20-plus years as the elected coroner for Allegheny County, he managed to lend his talents to multiple boards of directors and St. Francis Hospital.

While we salute this year’s honorees, we want to also take this opportunity to salute and celebrate Dr. Cyril H. Wecht... forensic science legend!

2024 Honorees

• Robert W. Chambers Jr.

• Robert Cash

• Kevin Bell

• Arnita Stagger

•

WARREN WILSON,

KEYNOTE SPEAKER, PENN HILLS MAYOR PAULINE CALABRESE WITH BILL NEAL, CEO, ACHIEVING GREATNESS INC.

PARALYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST KEVIN PARKER IS HONORED FOR HIS WORLD COMPETITION

WARREN WILSON PRESENTS AWARD TO SONYA MEADOWS, LONGTIME CIVIL SERVANT AND EDUCATOR.

WARREN WILSON PRESENTS AWARD TO ROBERT W. CHAMBERS JR., COMMUNITY LEADER AND SPIRITUAL ADVISOR.

WARREN WILSON PRESENTS AWARD TO ROBERT CASH, FORMER BASKETBALL PLAYER AND COACH. ALSO, PENN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND MENTOR.

To Purchase Tickets, visit www.NewPittsburghCourier.com/FAB40 or Call Allison Palm at 412-481-8302 Ext. 134.

Individual Tickets $125/ VIP Tables $1,500

Taliya R. Allen Program Associate, The Pittsburgh Foundation Visibility Chair, Black Transformative Arts Network

Danai Battle Program Director ACH Clear Pathways

Tyrell A. Best-Savage Deputy District Director PA Congressional District 12

Chantal Braziel

Soprano Classical Singer

Lytia S. Brock

Founder Cloaked in Favor Outreach Ministries

Nathaniel Brown Owner

Nate Brown Demolition, LLC and Brown Abatement, LLC

Fred Buckner

Senior Contract Specialist-Professional Services Pittsburgh Regional Transit

MacKaiya Cherry Communications Assistant/ Social Media Pittsburgh Steelers

Danielle V. Colquitt Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer/ General Manager Coston Funeral Homes, Inc.

Tyler Coulverson Branch Manager, Allegent Federal Credit Union Podcaster, Financial Literacy with TC!

Ashley R. Comans School Board Director-Vice President, Wilkinsburg School District Media & Government Relations Manager, Healthy Start, Inc.

Daylon A. Davis

President NAACP Pittsburgh Branch

Pastor Michael Anthony Day

Founder & Senior Pastor, Legacy International Worship Center

President, LCOP, Inc.

Brandy Daye

Principal UNITED at Twin Rivers Elementary

Deanna D. Dias

CEO Daressia Industries, LLC and Bangolz Boutique, LLC

Dorin Dickerson

Host, 93.7 The Fan Morning Show Audacy

Jhason Dixon Controller

Sports & Exhibition Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County

Camille L. Edmonds

Founder & Owner

Her Salon, LLC

Jesse I. Exilus

Deputy City Solicitor City of Pittsburgh

Sydni Goldman

Host/Producer of The Glory Hour with Sydni Goldman

Cornerstone Television Network

Dorien Goodnight-Giddens

Senior Vice

Erikka

Asraiel Harewood

Director of Enrollment Operations & Strategy

Carnegie Mellon University

Rashawd Hatten

Supervisor, IT Governance, Risk and Compliance, Duquesne Light

Head Basketball Coach, Clairton High School

Tempestt Henderson-Sutton

Assistant Executive Director, Greater Valley Community Services, Inc.

Owner, Varie-T

Miracle Jones

Director of Policy and Advocacy

1Hood Media

Talia D. Kirkland Reporter

WPXI-TV

Yasmeen Manyisha Safety Press Officer

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Joan Owhe Ojo, Esq.

Deputy Attorney General Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General

Danica Phillips

Principal and Founder, Sienna Dawn Media Integrated Marketing Agency

Assistant Director of Communications, Bridgeway Capital

Brooke Rawls, Ph.D., LCSW

CWEB Academic Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor

University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

Audia Robinson, MBA, Ph.D. Candidate

Community Investment Operations Analyst, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh

Founder/CEO, DeSylvia Investments, LLC

Shana Smith

Assistant Principal Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School

Tiffany Stanley Public & Community Relations Manager, AAA East Central

John A. Ukenye, J.D.

Advocacy and Policy Officer

Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

Lawrence Uradu, MD

Associate Chief, Division of Emergency Radiology, UPMC

Owner & CEO, Alfred Group, LLC

Danielle Commodore Walker

Assistant General Manager, M&J Wilkow

Licensed R.E. Salesperson, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Darius Wallace

Administrative and Project Coordinator, Mayor’s Office

City of Pittsburgh

Orlando Watson

Senior Director of Programming

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center

by JPMorgan Chase

Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase

Over the past decade, the financial landscape has undergone significant shifts marked by economic uncertainties, technological advancements, and global events shaping the investment world. Amidst these changes, specific resilient investment strategies have provided investors with fruitful returns. These proven investment strategies of the last decade are backed by historical performance and adaptability to a dynamic market.

What is an investment strategy?

An investment strategy is a systematic and well-thought-out plan that guides informed decisions about allocating capital to achieve specific financial goals. It involves assessing risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial objectives to create a diversified approach that may include stocks, bonds, real estate, or other investment vehicles.

A sound investment strategy typically considers market conditions, economic trends, and individual circumstances to optimize the balance between potential returns and risk mitigation. It is a roadmap for making investment decisions aligned with long-term financial objectives.

Proven Investment Strategies of the Last Decade

Diversification

The age-old adage of not putting all your eggs in one basket remains as relevant as ever. Diversification involves spreading investments across different types to reduce risk and enhance overall portfolio stability. The last decade reinforced the importance of a balanced portfolio, with global events impacting various sectors differently. A diversified portfolio helps cushion against the volatility of individual assets, providing a more stable overall return.

Allocating capital into different asset classes, industries, geographic regions, and investment types creates a balanced portfolio that can weather various market conditions. Successful investors often view diversification as a cornerstone of their strategy, providing a foundation for building and preserving wealth over time.

Passive Investing

The rise of passive investing has been a defining trend of the last decade, with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds gaining immense popularity. The passive investing strategy mitigates emotional biases, such as fear or greed, that can lead to poor investment decisions. By design, passive investors typically buy and hold a diversified portfolio of assets, avoiding the emotional rollercoaster associated with frequent trading and impulsive decisions based on shortterm market fluctuations.

Morningstar Active/Passive Barometer reported that “of the nearly 3,000 active funds included in our analysis, only 43 percent survived and outperformed their average passive peer in 2022.” Passive strategies provide investors with a reliable and consistent way to participate in overall market growth. Passive strategies also typically result in lower portfolio turnover, leading to reduced capital gains distributions and, consequently, lower tax implications for investors.

Economic Trends

Understanding and capitalizing on macro-

balance is approximately $24,000. As much as I believe in your advice, I don’t see how this $24,000 will turn into $1 million by the time I retire. I’m currently a single mom with three children. I’m 42 years old. I plan on retiring at age 65. Please explain why you think I can retire as a millionaire?

~ Marie Damon

Here: Of course I remember you. I think your story is inspiring. Thank you for trusting me enough to work with me. Thank you for reading my column and following me on social media. I’m going to be completely transparent here. It’s hard to follow sound financial advice to the letter—even for me. I’m happy that you started implementing some of my ideas. As you continue to experience success with some of my ideas, it will encourage you to imple-

by Mikal Quarles

For New Pittsburgh Courier

For many, owning a business is a symbol of the American dream. It can be exciting to imagine becoming your own boss, working for yourself and offering employment to others – all helping build financial security for your family and community.

Building a successful business requires a solid plan and lots of help along the way, however, and many budding entrepreneurs soon discover that having a great idea is just the beginning of their small business journey.

Mikal Quarles, head of community business strategies for Chase Business Banking, shares tips for setting up a small business, what to do, what not to do, and what to watch out for when starting your entrepreneurship journey.

1. Before even starting your small business, what are the top considerations for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurs run the gamut from someone with a side gig, to someone jumping into the deep end with a business acquisition. Here are a few things that I feel apply to any entrepreneur:

• Passion does not convert to currency but value does. Make sure to confirm there is a demand for what you are interested in doing and a need that hasn’t been met.

• Everyone doesn’t want to be a CEO. Some entrepreneurs like the freedom of being paid for services rendered. We need to create different swim lanes so business owners understand their journey and how to create milestones along the way.

• Your credit is the business’ credit. There is no other place else to look to gain understanding on how business responsibilities will be managed.

• There is so much support out there, don’t take this journey by yourself. Join an industry association, chamber or other resource group. Connect with

ment more of my ideas. Conversely, if you shall make a boneheaded financial decision, you’ll think to yourself, I wish I followed Damon’s advice.

Why do I believe you can retire as a millionaire? For starters, you’re frugal by nature, which allows you to live below your means. When we met for the financial planning session, I was shocked to learn that you were able to pay all of your bills with one paycheck. You had an entire paycheck remaining to do whatever you wanted to do. That’s a rarity. Quite frankly, it’s impressive! With that disposable income, I know that you didn’t have to make any major lifestyle changes. It was just a matter of showing you how to purposefully manage, save and invest your hard-earned dollars.

others having similar challenges and remember that “Iron Sharpens Iron.”

2. Where should entrepreneurs begin to make their small business idea a reality?

Deciding to start a small business can be an exciting time. Aspiring entrepreneurs should set themselves up for success by having a solid plan before taking the leap. A good business plan proves your idea is viable and helps you set important goals that reduce risks and avoid potential pitfalls. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you get started:

• Why do I want to start this business? What’s my reasoning or inspiration?

• How does my business stand out from the competition?

• What is my unique value proposition?

• Who are my target customers? How can I reach them?

• Who is already on my management team? What gaps do I need to fill?

• How can my business make a profit? How soon will it break even? When I moved my family from Chicago to Los Angeles I couldn’t get to my

inching towards that end one dollar at a time. You still have 23 years before you retire.

You mentioned that your 401(k) balance is approximately $24,000. That, too, is impressive when you consider the fact that just two years ago when we met your 401(k) balance was zero. You didn’t have one penny saved for retirement. Look at you now with a quarter of $100,000 saved. I call that progress. I’d like to emphasize a point here. I said you’d retire a millionaire. I never said you’d be a millionaire overnight. You’re

I went back and reviewed your file. I’m going to walk you through a few things to make it clear why I believe you can retire rich. But first, let me explain why I said you’re going to retire a millionaire. I’m not just talking about the balance in your 401(k) plan. I was looking at the totality of your assets and liabilities. In other words, I looked at both your current and projected net worth. Net worth is obtained by subtracting your debts from your assets. For example: Let’s say that your assets were a car worth $10,000 and a house worth $100,000. You had a car loan for $8,000 and a mortgage for $80,000. Your total assets were worth $110,000. Your to-

mailbox without turning on my GPS. Just think of your business plan as your GPS.

3. What are some pitfalls for entrepreneurs and small business owners to avoid when starting their business?

There are many pitfalls that entrepreneurs can get caught in when starting a business. The most common reasons businesses fail are due to lack of capital, lack of market impact or need, unresearched pricing (too high or low), explosive growth that drains your capital and stiff competition.

To avoid these, you should have a plan to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and a team of trusted advisors to provide expertise. All business owners should have a CPA/ bookkeeper, attorney, insurance broker and a business banker they can rely on. Lastly, pivot when you see the markets have changed.

4. How can small businesses prepare for future growth?

We have talked a lot about planning but the best way to prepare for future growth is to plan for it. Growth can happen organically, through strategic partnerships or acquisitions, or through increased marketing efforts but usually doesn’t happen by accident. You have to be intentional about your growth plans for your business and take the steps to set you and your business up properly for success. Part of planning for growth is securing the capital you need to fuel the growth when you are ready. Often that means securing financing when you don’t need it so you have access to it when you do. But don’t forget the most critical aspect of growth…your people. Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you and trust that as you expand they will prove it!

5. What are some of the resources available to help support aspiring and current small business owners with

MIKAL QUARLES, head of community Business Strategies for Chase Business Banking.

a company helping to reshape the gaming landscape nationwide, especially in Chicago.

Barker shared her journey with The Chicago Defender, from growing up in Spanish Harlem in New York to helping lead one of the top gaming and betting corporations in the world. Her early decision on a future profession was made possible thanks to her

mother, who recognized her daughter’s intellectual gifts and penchant for debate.

“There’s this saying sometimes that a bossy child makes an assertive adult. Let’s just say I grew up bossy, opinionated, and arguing every point,” Barker said. Her tendency to question and dissect everything made her mother come to a conclusion that would help shape the course of her life.

“I think she’s just going to be a lawyer,” said Barker, remembering her mother’s words.

“Thankfully, for me, with a single mom who had a deep appreciation for raising an inquisitive child who didn’t take anything at face value, I was raised in a way that supported that part of who I was.”

Driven by a keen intellect, Barker pursued her education at prestigious institutions, graduating from Yale College and New York University School of Law.

“I always thought about how I could make a difference for myself, my family, and those who come behind me, both economically and in terms of education opportunity,” Barker said. All of those things, when you put them together, led me to the direction of being a lawyer and pursuing a degree in law.”

by Atlanta Tribune

Imani Jackson faced unjust termination after wearing her natural hair at work, refusing to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards imposed by her employer. The incident occurred at American Screening LLC, a drug and medical testing company in Louisiana. It sparked outrage and shed light on the systemic biases that continue to plague corporate environments.

A federal lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) says the woman’s employer at American Screening LLC complained that she previously “‘came in with beautiful hair’ but now ‘looks like she rolls out of bed.”

Jackson, a Black woman, initially wore a wig with straight hair during her first month of work, as it was uncomfortable and time-consuming to maintain. However, she made the decision to embrace her natural hair, a move that her employer disapproved of.

Despite being instructed to wear straight hair—the wig—instead, Imani continued to come to work with her natural hair, typically styled in a neat bun.

The company owner’s discriminatory actions came to a head when Imani was fired in late October 2018, merely two months after being hired. Shockingly, she was replaced by a White employee, which led to further accusations of race discrimination by the company.

“Just as an employer may not ask an employee to change or conceal their skin color, an employer may not ask an employee to change their natural hair texture,” EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows said. “Unfortunately, this form of discrimination continues to limit employment opportunities for Black workers, even today.”

By firing her for wearing her natural hair, American Screening violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment

discrimination based on race.

The lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against American Screening highlighted the importance of respecting racial differences in hair and ensuring that grooming standards are race-neutral and nondiscriminatory.

As part of the settlement, American Screening agreed to pay Imani $50,000 in monetary relief and implement policies to prevent discrimination based on race or hair texture.

This case serves as yet another example for greater accountability and

awareness in combating racial discrimination in the workplace. It underscores the urgent need for companies to adhere to inclusive policies that celebrate diversity and embrace the authenticity of their employees, regardless of race or ethnicity.

“No one should be terminated or treated differently because of hair texture associated with their race, under the guise of what is supposedly professional or not,” Elizabeth Owen, an EEOC senior trial attorney who led the case, said in a statement.

How to start or set up your small business

their business needs?

There are a lot of resources—both in person and online—a business owner can tap into to help them understand trends and to see around corners. For example, business owners can head to Chase.com/Business to see a range of free articles, courses

and tools that gear business owners with everything they need to help start, run and grow their business. I also lead a consulting program for entrepreneurs, where business owners can receive one-on-one coaching from an experienced senior business consultant. We now offer the program in 21 U.S. cities and have mentored over 5,000 minority business owners since 2021. Launching your business can be the first step toward a bright financial future, but all entrepreneurs need a great team and a great plan to make that success possible.

for success

If you’re hoping to start your own business, start planning today, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your local financial institution to get the help you need to make it happen.

• Technology and Innovation. Investors who embraced the technological revolution of the last decade reaped significant rewards. Many companies at the forefront of innovation, particularly in tech, biotech, and renewable energy sectors, have demonstrated strong growth and performance.

• Infrastructure Investments. These investments have demonstrated resilience and growth potential, particu-

tions can provide insights into which sectors and industries are poised for growth or facing challenges. However, trying to time the market based on economic trends can be challenging, and interpreting economic data requires expertise. Markets often react in advance to anticipated trends, and attempting to enter or exit positions at the perfect moment can lead to missed opportunities or losses. Some of the most recent economic trends include:

larly in renewable energy, healthcare, and telecommunications sectors. As governments worldwide prioritize sustainable development, investments aligned with these goals have flourished.

• Global Investing. The interconnectedness of the global economy has made international diversification a key component of successful investment strategies.

While geopolitical events and currency fluctuations pose challenges, exposure to diverse markets provides growth opportunities. Investors who ventured beyond domes-

tic markets have found new avenues for returns and reduced risk through global diversification. Environmental, Social, and Governance Investing In the last decade, we have witnessed a significant shift towards sustainable and responsible investing. ESG investment strategies, which assess a company’s environmental, social, and governance practices, have become integral to investment decisions. The development of global standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainability

Accounting Standards Board, allows investors to assess and compare companies based on their ESG performance. Companies with strong ESG profiles have contributed to positive social and environmental impact and have demonstrated financial resilience and long-term viability. They are often considered more resilient and better positioned for long-term success.

The demand for ESG investments represents a paradigm shift in how investors approach their portfolios, integrating ethical considerations

alongside traditional financial metrics.

The last decade has been a roller coaster ride for investors, marked by unprecedented challenges and opportunities. These proven strategies will continue to serve as valuable guides for investors navigating the ever-evolving financial landscape. Staying informed, agile, and mindful of both risks and opportunities remains the cornerstone of successful investing in the years to come.

INVESTMENT FROM B1

(Chicago Defender)—Kim Barker, the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Bally’s Corporation, is not just a legal expert in the gaming industry; she’s a trailblazer playing a pivotal role in

KIM BARKER

(Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase)

(TriceEdneyWire com)—

There are many things in life to think about daily, but there’s one we often don’t think of that’s really important. It’s selfish not to think about it just leaving the details of what we want our families or friends to do for us when it comes to our end-of-life decisions and we become unable to make those choices. I know we don’t like to talk about it, but we should recognize we sometimes get to a point where we’re unable to make choices.

Someone has to make them for us.

April is National Minority Health Month. It’s a time when we try to bring awareness about health disparities that persist among racial and ethnic minorities.  Every group of people may experience health challenges; however, I don’t think any community experiences more than the African American community. Much of it has something to do with the lack of healthcare or a poor quality of health in our community. Even if we’re not personally impacted, our community has many challenges, and we should listen to how we improve our healthcare.

Let’s not wait every year until April that’s set aside as National Minority Health Month. Let’s bring awareness about disparities that persist in our community all the time.

National Healthcare Decisions

Day occurs every April 16th and has recently passed.  It’s not the most pleasant day to think about

for some, but I often tell people it’s necessary to talk about our end-oflife choices, and that talking about them don’t kill us!  It makes a lot of sense to educate and empower ourselves about the importance of advance care planning.

Compassion & Choices is a group I met a few years ago and one of the things I learned from the group is the importance of advance care planning. This year the group stopped by the Black Barbers Doc to discuss the importance of advance care planning! Director of Priority Populations and Faith Engagement Zeena Regis and African American Engagement Director Dr. Elisha Hall shared their thoughts on equitable end-of-life care in the “Fades, Fish Fries and Funerals” podcast available now for NationalHealthcareDecisionsDay.  I know Grandma doesn’t know anything about all this fancy technology, but if she’s your Grandma, help her to see the film or look at it and explain it to her. This is the first of four in a series called “Let’s Talk About It” where they outline the significance of advance care planning in Black communities and explain why it’s

so important to make plans for our assets and health. With the month of April being Minority Monthly Health observance, these resources are especially significant as we highlight the health disparities that persist in our community. Starkfilms is a group to be thanked for producing this episode. You’ll be able to find it and more on Spotify, and if you’re like me, not knowing much about these things, ask your grandchildren to help you get to the site to see it at https:// podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ steven-starks0.

I offer this information as an opportunity to get people to commit to taking one action that saves families and friends a lot of trouble! This can be creating a will, setting up an estate plan, naming a Healthcare Power of Attorney, etc. It’s important to make these decisions before it’s too late. Are you planning for a peaceful end of your life? Are you ready to live knowing you have a plan for what you want friends or families to do for you what you’re no longer able to do?  My family and I went through celebrating the life of our Mom, so I know the value of Advance Care Planning and if you’ve not made such plans, visit https://www. compassionandchoices.org/end-oflife-planning/learn/finish-strongtools  to Finish Strong on CompassionandChoices.org website for free information on the subject.   (Dr. E. Faye Williams, President of the Dick Gregory Society.)

same to everyone. There are actually people who believe that the earth is flat! You can have 20 people in a room and stage an activity for them to assess, and at the culmination of the activity there will be at least 20 different opinions about what happened. Chiefly, life responds to our expectations and what we see. This is a concept that is being discovered in the relatively new science known as quantum physics, and can partially be seen in a famous thought experiment known as “Schrodinger’s Cat.”

The experiment demonstrates the idea that tiny particles can be in two states at once until observed. In the case of a cat in a box, the cat is both alive and dead at the same time until you open the box and see it. Essentially, we influence reality by observing it.

How does this relate to politics? For one, it explains why so many people are planning to vote for Donald Trump during the upcoming presidential election. What they see is what they believe. The reasons vary, but people see the world very differently depending upon who they are; their perception is based on their background experiences, biases and consequent expectations. We do not all see the same thing when observing a person or event.

This is why seemingly rational human beings can look at a former president vying for a second presidential term and can embrace, believe and lionize him even though he is NOT who he appears to be. Trump is able to bend “reality” and give the impression that he is godlike.

Some people actually do believe, in spite of his obvious flaws, that he is the “second coming of Christ!” He is now selling Bibles to help his campaign even though he can’t recite a single verse, or can’t tell you what the Easter Holiday commemorates.

Moreover, Trump instigated an insurrection against the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. He has multiple indictments shadowing him. He is a serial liar, which is evident almost every time he opens his mouth. He has joked about being able to shoot someone and get away with it. He boasted about his ability to grab women in the crotch without consequences and has been accused, and found guilty, of sexual misconduct.

Donald Trump has been able to hoodwink so many people that he has seasoned politicians in the palm of his hands, even though his toxic character is on display for all to see.

Basically, Trump has mastered the power of influencing perception. He has created a world around him. He could probably sell sand to dwellers of the desert! He has people socially hypnotized.

Trump needs a wakeup call, as do his hypnotized supporters. This can only come from an informed, intelligent voting cadre that discovers and understands the perceptual tools that must be utilized to influence perception.

We need people who are confident about their ability to influence change based on what they see and expect. We need an informed electorate that believes in itself, that can “see itself” as victorious! With this said, it is definitely possible to garner the power to provide a foil for the Trump shenanigans, but this can only be done if people wake up and realize the ability they have to generate that reality.

A Luta Continua. (Reprinted from the Chicago Crusader)

As a representative deeply invested in the well-being of my constituents, I feel compelled to shed light on the harmful impact of the MAGA agenda. While its proponents claim to champion America’s greatness, the reality is far from uplifting, especially for Black Americans.

Let’s be clear: Make America Great Again (MAGA) is not a call for progress; it’s a thinly veiled attempt to turn back the clock on the hard-fought gains of marginalized communities, including Black Americans. From voting rights to healthcare to economic opportunity, the policies espoused under the guise of MAGA pose a direct threat to the advancements we’ve made in the pursuit of equality and justice. Take voting rights, for example. MAGA proponents peddle baseless claims of widespread voter fraud to justify voter suppression tactics that disproportionately target Black voters. The purpose of restrictive voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, and limiting early voting hours is to silence marginalized communities and maintain the status quo of power and privilege. Healthcare is another area where

the MAGA agenda falls short for Black Americans. The relentless attacks on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) threaten to strip millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved communities, of access to affordable healthcare. For Black Americans who already face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, the repeal of the ACA would be nothing short of disastrous.

And let’s not forget about economic opportunity. While MAGA proponents tout a booming economy, the reality is that Black Americans continue to face disproportionately high rates of unemployment, poverty, and wage stagnation. The tax cuts and deregulation championed by the MAGA agenda only exacerbate these disparities, further widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

The most insidious message of

MAGA is the underlying idea that America was somehow greater in the past—a past marred by slavery, white supremacy, segregation, and systemic racism. For Black Americans, the nostalgia of MAGA is not just misguided; it’s deeply offensive. It ignores the struggles and sacrifices of generations past who fought tirelessly for civil rights and equality.

As a nation, we cannot afford to romanticize an era of oppression and inequality. We must instead confront the injustices of the past and work towards a future where every American, regardless of race or background, can thrive. That means rejecting the divisive rhetoric of MAGA and embracing policies that promote justice, equality, and inclusion for all.

So, to my fellow Black Americans, I urge you to see through the empty promises of MAGA and recognize it for what it truly is: a dangerous regression that threatens to undo the progress we’ve made. Let’s unite in opposition to hate, white supremacy, and division and strive toward a future where all citizens can experience the full potential of America.

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Jerry Curran has been organizing to retire the Merrimack Station coal power plant in Bow, New Hampshire for 17 years. He is one of many local activists who have brought inspiring tenacity and creativity to the fight to make New England coal-free.

Last week, that goal was realized. After lengthy negotiations with the Sierra Club, The Conservation Law Foundation, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Granite Shore Power announced it will retire Merrimack and Schiller Stations’ remaining coal units by 2028 and 2025 respectively. That means the end of the last coal power plants in New England, which will now join the Pacific Northwest as the second major region in the country to be free of one of the dirtiest energy sources known to humanity.

I am personally elated. My father’s family has been in New England since 1624. I have family in New Hampshire now—the kind of outdoors enthusiasts who helped instill in me my own love of nature. We never could have gotten to this point without years of activism calling attention to the harm caused by coal.

In addition to the economics of clean energy, the incremental wins by activists along the way—including hardwon legislation and safeguards—are what ultimately made it impossible for the last coal plants to continue.

Curran has examples to share:

“Around 2008, New Hampshire ranked in the top four states in the country for childhood asthma rate. We worked with schools to encourage kids to make those paper dolls that link up and make a chain. They created 18,000 of them—representing the

18,000 children in New Hampshire living with asthma. We hung the chain of paper dolls across the statehouse in our grassroots lobbying to pass tougher pollution standards for coal plants.”

And about that same time period, activists recruited local hairdressers for an event at the state capital in which more than 100 legislators had hair samples taken to be tested for mercury. Most of the results were positive. No level of mercury poisoning is safe.

In 2008, the biggest single-point mercury polluter in the state was Merrimack Station.

Merrimack has also consistently been one of the state’s top polluting power plants, period. And it has continued spewing high levels of pollution even in its final years, when it operated only about 50 days a year. It is a socalled “peaker” plant, only supplying energy during times of peak demand for the power grid.

While Merrimack’s outsized pollution is a testament to the dangers of coal, it is also a very troubled plant. In February 2023, the New Hampshire Department of Environment Services found the coal plant’s particulate matter emissions exceeded EPA limits by 70 percent. Since then, it has operated more than 500 hours in violation of its permit, according to the state.

But this new agreement with Granite Shore Power offers the chance for a drastic change in direction. Jim An-

drews, Granite Shore’s CEO, said of Merrimack and Schiller, “I think we’re undertaking a bold step forward and making good on a promise to transition our coal fired plants to clean energy facilities. I think these facilities will pave the way for New Hampshire to be a leader in the clean energy economy.”

Those words are refreshing. And we will hold Granite Shore Power to them.

Too much is at stake for us not to.

In the last 14 years, communities across the country have mobilized to retire 381 coal plants. That has meant over 54,000 lives saved, 84,000 heart attacks prevented, and nearly 900,000 asthma attacks averted. Moving beyond coal means fewer lives lost to preventable illnesses.

We risk backtracking on this progress, however, if we replace coal plants with gas. The future is clean energy like wind, solar, and battery storage. Gas development, extraction, shipping, and burning all offer intolerable health risks for people.

Moreover, transitioning to clean energy isn’t just the moral choice for our people and our environment; it is the smart one economically. While the closure of these New Hampshire coal plants may not immediately affect energy costs in New England, the long-term benefits of clean energy are undeniable. Fossil fuels like coal and gas create an unbearably volatile landscape for energy costs. That is a burden households should not have to bear.

(Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—In March of 2018, after 25 years of doing so, I submitted my final Blackonomics column to the members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

The article was titled, “The Last Dance,” and I wrote it because I could no longer use my computer. ALS had made its way to my arms and hands preventing me from doing something else I loved doing.

Since that time, I have gotten back to writing, only now with my eyes on my eye gaze computer. You can check out my work on ALS News Today online.

But this is not about me. It’s about us, Black people. So I humbly ask the NNPA and all Black news outlets (I don’t think this will appear in the New York Times or the Washington Post)— whether print or online—to indulge me one more time because I really have to speak to my family.

While our overall political status leaves much to be desired, I want to hone in on one slice of it: The slice called DEI. Trump and others of his ilk are constantly railing against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In my opinion, it’s the new N-word. Let’s take a different look at these issues. It’s hilarious that Trump thinks DEI is bad when he uses it to boost his popularity. Diversity? Inclusion? He has insulted Hispanics by calling them rapists and criminals. He said they are poisoning the blood of this country.

He insults women in so many ways, questioning their intelligence and competency when it comes to what they think is right for their bodies. He insulted Muslims when he issued a ban against their entrance to this country.

He insulted Jews by questioning their beliefs and saying those among them who vote for Democrats are not Jewish. He insults Christians in a variety of ways, the latest of which includes hawking overpriced bibles but can’t recite one verse from it. He says he gets forgiveness by drinking a little wine and eating a cracker.

He insulted Puerto Ricans by throwing paper towels to them after they suffered one of the worst hurricanes in their history. He insulted veterans by calling their dead “suckers and losers.” He asked his general what’s in for them (soldiers and sailors).

And to think some members of all those groups want him to be their President is mind-boggling to me. Some even have bowed down before a golden image of Trump, despite what happened to the ones who did the same thing under the leadership of Moses.

Now let’s look at Black people, my people. Trump called for the death penalty for five Black teens wrongly accused of crimes. He insulted Obama by questioning his citizenship. Trump has insulted others like “my African American,” and his water boy, Tim Scott, who then insulted himself by responding, “I just love you.”

To top it all off, he insulted African countries by calling them S---hole nations, which is also an insult to our ancestors. It’s obvious Trump knows nothing about African history, but even if he did it would not change his insults. He knows nothing about the greatness of Songhai, Mali, Timbuktu, Kemet, Ethiopia, and many other African nations of then and now. He said people from Congo are diseased and a bunch of criminals. It is funny that King Leopold II of Belgium and other heads of state didn’t feel they were S - - - holes.  Leopold coveted the Congo, during which time he caused the deaths of as many as ten million Congolese and walked away with one billion dollars. He wanted the land and the free labor to work on the rubber tree plantations, but tortured the people and their children in the process. Ever heard of the Belgian Congo and Leopoldville?

What really hurts is the fact that some members of our group will also vote for the pumpkin. With black skinned folks like Clarence Thomas, Byron Donalds, Candace Owens, and Tim Scott leading the way, some pitiful Black people will follow them to the gallows. That staged event in Atlanta was certainly one for the books. Trump plants a black skinned stooge in a Chick-fil-A, who hugged and swooned over him, all of which was set up. Instead of paper towels he gave the Black folks milkshakes and chicken to get their votes.

By the way, do you know how many Black workers there are in government jobs? Trump and Steven Miller have plans to downsize when they get back in charge. Black unemployment increase?

You betcha.

Now, for all of you who say God sent Trump to deliver us, I simply say, may God’s will be done despite my feelings or complaints, which place me the company of Jeremiah, Job, and Habakkuk. His will is perfect.

Diversity and inclusion, when used as Trump does, are despicable and evil. His insults and name-calling are as diverse and inclusive as they come. Used properly, DEI is simply a tool to assist in the repair of Black people. Long overdue.

But what about Equity? Well, that simply means “The quality of being fair and impartial,” something the anti-DEI crowd would do well to learn and implement.

Brothers and sisters if you want an even more corrupt Supreme Court and Congress, if you want to see even more racists in public office, and if you don’t mind having a King and dictator rather than a President, Trump is your guy. But please don’t allow him to insult your intelligence, and please have enough pride and resolve not to insult yourself. C’mon people. Please don’t be stupid.

Independent presidential candidate

Cornel West chose fellow academic Melina Abdullah as his running mate. Abdullah teaches pan-African studies at California State University, Los Angeles, and serves on the board of directors for Black Lives Matter Grassroots. West and Abdullah’s progressive politics distinguish them from the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, but what sets them apart from the Democratic incumbents? West went on to say, “Biden and Harris are tied to vicious lies that are hiding crimes.” West cited the recent police shooting of Dexter Reed in Chicago and the Hamas-Israeli war as clear examples.

The Reed shooting occurred after plainclothes tactical police officers in unmarked cars pulled him over for not wearing a seatbelt. Reed refused to follow the officer’s directives. Reed then discharged his revolver, injuring one officer. The other police returned nearly 100 shots in under 50 seconds, killing Reed.

Police reform advocates and community activists feel the number of rounds fired at Reed was a criminal act of excessive force. West protested that the Chicago police said that the officers did not violate the law. “No, that’s a lie; it hides a crime,” West insisted. Because the White House did not officially condemn the police officers who shot Reed, West accuses Biden and Harris of covering up the officers’ excessive force.

Regarding the Hamas-Israel war, West argued that Biden’s Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, stated that there was no evidence that Israel was committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. West reiterated, “That’s a lie. We’re tired of lies. And we’re tired of crimes.”

West and Abdullah recently had their first joint interview with CNN’s Abby Phillip.

In 2015, Abdullah said that the KKK, police, and government officials were all the same. Phillip wanted to know if Abdullah had changed her mind since then, or if she remained by her remark.

Abdullah justified her statement by saying that American policing originated with slave patrols that apprehended

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—I know I am not alone when I say I never heard of Mike Johnson before he became the 56th Speaker of the House. After learning how the hardline conservative from Louisiana opposed the certification of the 2020 elections, I saw him as just another rubber stamp who is afraid to stand up to Donald Trump. As House Speaker, the staunch Trump supporter followed the example of his predecessor in becoming an enabler to the former president. In what would have been the first major overhaul of asylum and immigration law in a generation, President Biden had agreed with many of the Republican demands in the most conservative immigration bill in years. Ultimately, Speaker Johnson fell in line with Trump and his allies in the effort to kill the bipartisan border security package. Johnson stated the Senate deal would be “dead on arrival” in the House. As a result, the president was denied a win on an issue Trump plans to use in the 2024 campaign. Thanks to Johnson and other MAGA lawmakers, Trump is free to effectively center his presidential campaign around the “Biden’s border crisis”. Whether you like him or not, Trump is in control of the Republican Party. He knows exactly what he is doing. In following the examples of racial politics from George Wallace, Richard Nixon and Barry Goldwater, Trump took matters to a higher level in his remaking of the Republican Party. Trump recognized the dynamics behind the Southern Strategy from the 1960’s. He rose to power in rallying political support among White voters by exploiting their fears and prejudices toward people of color.

Despite being from New York City, the real estate mogul understands the mindset of the rural White working class voter, and how to effectively press the race button. He fed them the Birther issue which targeted the first president of color. He gave them “The Wall” to appease their anxiety against southern immigrants. Trump understands their passion for guns and the Constitution while becoming their 2nd Amendment champion. In doing so, he is selective

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—An admittedly way too small number of Black people in the USA strongly believe that we put ourselves in ongoing cultural, economic and political danger by not being more unified. Those who don’t believe in the urgent need for strong Black unity should understand that their position bears responsibility for some of the negative and hostile actions taking place today. Three recent columns in The Washington Informer newspaper will help to explain this position.

The first one, written by Marc H. Morial, is entitled “Discriminatory Laws Have Driven Black Voters From The Polls.” In it he states that “…. since 2020, at least twenty-nine states have passed nearly one hundred laws making it harder for eligible citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote.”

Another column, attributed to the National Association of Black Women

runaways. Most historians state that Boston founded the first American police force in 1838. These historians defined “police force” as a publicly sponsored entity with full-time officers. Some historians argue that the first slave patrol in the Carolina colonies in 1704 signaled the start of American policing, but that would only be true if slaves weren’t chattel. Slaves were non-human entities, akin to livestock. If a slave fled, it was no different than if a horse escaped a barn. The slave patrol is more similar to modern-day animal control than police departments.

Abdullah is aware of these historical realities, so why is she promoting the slave patrol account? The answer is in her 2020 statement about what “defunding the police” actually meant.

Abdullah stated, “Defund was our way of getting away with saying we’re abolitionists. Police, jails, and prisons are not reformable. They are irredeemable systems.” In other words, American police are irredeemable, much like chattel slavery. To persuade the public that abolishing the police was necessary, these modern-day abolitionists insist that American policing began with slave patrols.

Phillip reminded Abdullah that after Hamas’ October 7 attack, Black Lives Matter Grassroot had issued a statement defining Hamas’ actions as “a desperate act of self-defense.” Phillip wanted to know if Abdullah still stood by that statement.  Abdullah responded, “Absolutely.”

Calling Hamas’ attack “self-defense” was Abdullah’s “way of getting away with saying” Hamas’ actions were legal. International law recognizes the right of people subjected to foreign dominance to resist using all available methods,

including armed struggle.

However, the right to resist has restrictions under international law.

Noura Erakat, a Palestinian-American legal scholar, outlined how the principles of distinction govern the right to armed conflict. “Distinction” refers to the distinction between occupying combatants and civilians. As a result, armed resistance fighters must target occupation forces and infrastructure, but never civilians.

On October 7, Hamas terrorists killed more Israeli civilians than Israeli security personnel.

An Amnesty International report titled Unlawful and Deadly: Rockets and mortar attacks by Palestinian armed groups during the 2014 Gaza/Israel conflict stated, “UN experts and human rights groups have argued that the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Palestinian militant groups in Gaza is unlawful and may constitute a war crime, as the rockets cannot be accurately directed at a military target and therefore cannot distinguish between military objects and civilians.”

On October 7, Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israel.

The following day, professor Michael J. Armstrong stated in The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization, “Militants in Gaza have been firing rockets at Israel every year since 2005. I’ve been studying rocket defenses and missile combat for years, but the intensity of the Hamas attack, this time was astounding. Israel counted more than 2,200 incoming missiles on Saturday morning alone, the total exceeding 2,500 by the conclusion of the day. That’s nearly quadruple the previous single-day record of 670 rockets.”

Hamas did not launch the rockets in self-defense.

When Abdullah says that American policing began with slave patrols and that Hamas acted in self-defense, this is simply her way of “getting away with saying” one thing while meaning another.

If Cornel West is tired of “lies that hide,” why did he choose Abdullah as his running mate?

with the Constitution by rejecting the 14th Amendment which authorizes the government to punish states that abridged citizens’ right to vote. He understands how to press the pro-life button with White evangelicals by giving them their conservative judges concerning the issue of abortion.

At the same time, Trump and many of his Christian followers often reject the Biblical mandate to defend and speak up for the poor, oppressed, needy, the fatherless and the alien (immigrant). He understands the passion of the GOP establishment by giving them their tax cuts while rejecting the ideas of fiscal responsibility by means of everyone paying their fair share. By pressing the right buttons with his political base, he quickly developed a cult-like devotion from his fans. The former president once said that his supporters are so loyal that he would not lose backers even if he were to shoot someone in the middle of downtown Manhattan: “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, okay, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, okay?” Trump said this at a rally in Sioux Center, Iowa. This deep devotion from his political base of supporters has become a political weapon used by Trump to intimidate and manipulate any GOP lawmaker on the local, state and federal level who refuses to submit to his wishes. Trump knows the majority of the Republican establishment is afraid of him, and the RINO (Republican in Name Only) label he uses as “red meat” for his passionate base of supporters. The lack of political courage by Republicans, along with the willingness to keep Democrats from power at any cost, has allowed Trump to do whatever he wants despite his long trail of corruption.

In May 2022, the House passed a $40

billion emergency funding bill for Ukraine. Mike Johnson, the little-known conservative from Louisiana was one of the 57 Republicans who voted to oppose the funding. Six months later, the unlikely House Speaker had a “Mike Pence moment” by pushing through a $95 billion funding package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. In a demonstration of political courage and legislative skills, the Speaker put his own job at risk by doing the right things at the right time. It was a major rebuke to Trump who has often criticized Ukraine while he repeatedly sympathized with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Johnson also ignored the angry threats from hard-right Republicans who previously threaten his job as Speaker.

“Look, history judges us for what we do,” Johnson said. “This is a critical time right now, critical time on the world stage. I could make a selfish decision and do something that’s different, but I’m doing here what I believe to be the right thing.” Unlike so many in the House and Senate, Johnson had a moment where he followed his conscience despite the noise from the MAGA-wing. Now we see another Trump enabler who is making noise. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), in a recent interview, suggested Donald Trump’s being charged with 34 felony counts for allegedly falsifying documents to cover up payments to porn star Stormy Daniels is on par with a Black person being judged in court by the color of their skin. Scott is the Senate’s lone Black Republican and is on a shortlist of possible Trump running mates. Hopefully, the day will come where he self-reflects on his self-serving statements. It is an insult to compare the years of injustice suffered by Blacks at the hands of law enforcement and the judicial process to a wealthy former president.  In the line with other Trump enablers (Mike Pence and Mike Johnson), Scott can eventually choose to evolve and decide to be on the right side of history.

in Construction (NABWIC) noted the following: “As of last week GSA Administrator (Robin) Camahan has ignored the March 18, 2024, request for the meeting to discuss accelerated deliverables to remedy the continuous discrimination against Black American contractors in federal contracting…”

Equally notable is a column entitled, “The Battle Over Social Security” by David W. Marshall. It includes his belief that “Social security is especially

important to people of color because they are less likely than White Americans to have pensions or retirement savings. As a result social security is the sole source of retirement income for 33 percent of Blacks compared to 18 percent Whites based on a National Association of Insurance study….”

In each of the conditions above and numerous others, a unified Black people would be in a much better position to protect ourselves from the actions of hostile or paternalistic White folks. Because our refusal to become more unified, we share at least some of the responsibility for what is happening to most of us in this country today. Black unity is not an option; it is an absolute necessity if we want to be in a strong position to protect and promote our health, economic, cultural, political, educational, and technological interests.

that if the sale is made on MONDAY, MAY 6, 2024 the bidder may pay ten percent of purchasing price but not less than 75.00 in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, OR CASHIERS CHECK THE DAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SALE, e.g. TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:30AM AND 2:30PM IN THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. Failure to pay the 10% deposit will have you banned from future Sheriff Sales. And the balance in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, OR CASHIERS CHECK, on or before MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024, at 10:00 O’CLOCK A.M. The property will be resold at the next regular Sheriff’s Sale if the balance is not paid, and in such case all money’s paid in at the original sale shall be applied to any deficiency in the price of which property is resold, and provided further that if the successful bidder is the plaintiff in the execution the bidder shall pay full amount of bid ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH, OTHERWISE WRIT WILL BE RETURNED AND MARKED “REAL ESTATE UNSOLD” and all monies advanced by plaintiff will be applied as required by COMMON PLEAS COURT RULE 3129.2 (1) (a). FORFEITED SALES WILL BE POSTED IN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND LISTED ON THE SHERIFF OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY WEB SITE. AMENDMENT OF THE CODE SECOND CLASS COUNTY NEW CHAPTER 475 THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 475, ENTITLED TAXATION IS HEREBY AMENDED THROUGH THE CREATION ARTICLE XII, ENTITLED, “SHERIFF SALES”, AND COMPRISED AS FOLLOWS: SUBSECTION 475-60: RECORDING OF DEEDS AND NOTIFICATION OF SHERIFFS SALES TO TAXING BODIES.

A. FOR ANY REAL PROPERTY OFFERED AT SHERIFFS SALE DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF REAL ESTATE TAXES AND PURCHASED BY A THIRD PARTY THROUGH SUCH SALE, THE SHERIFF SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING THE DEED AND, WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF FILING OF THE SHERIFFS DEED, PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE CONVEYANCE TO THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY OFFICE OF PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS. THE WRITTEN NOTICE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION SHALL INCLUDE THE DATE OF THE SALE, IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY SOLD BY BOTH ADDRESS AND LOT AND BLOCK NUMBER, AND THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INDIVIDUALS OR OTHER ENTITY THAT PURCHASED THE PROPERTY.

B. AT THE TIME OF THE SALE THE SHERIFF SHALL COLLECT ALL REQUISITE FILING COSTS, REALTY TRANSFER TAXES AND FEES, NECESSARY TO PROPERLY RECORD THE DEED. C. WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF WRITTEN NOTICE FROM THE SHERIFF, THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY OFFICE OF PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS SHALL FORWARD COPIES OF SUCH NOTICE TO ALL TAXING BODIES LEVYING REAL ESTATE TAXES ON THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE MUNICIPALITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED. AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 14 OF ACT NO. 77 OF 1986, THE COST OF ALL DOCUMENTARY STAMPS FOR REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAXES (STATE, LOCAL, AND SCHOOL) WILL BE DEDUCTED BY THE SHERIFF FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE. Purchasers must pay the necessary recording fees. Pursuant to Rule 3136 P.R.C.P. NOTICE is hereby given that a schedule of distribution will be filed by the Sheriff not later than 30 days from date of sale and that distribution will be made in accordance with the schedule unless exceptions are filed thereto within 10 days thereafter. No further notice of the filing of the schedule of distribution will be given.

A Land Bank formed under 68 Pa. C.S.A. 2101 et seq. may exercise its right to bid pursuant to 68 Pa. C.S.A. 2117(d) (2) through Pa. C.S.A. 2117(d) (4) on certain properties listed for sale under the municipal claims and Tax Lien Law, 53 P.S. 7101 et seq. The Sheriff of Allegheny County will honor the terms of payment which the Land Bank has entered with any municipalities having a claim against the property. If the Land Bank tenders a bid under Pa. C.S.A. 2117(d)(3) or 2117(d)(4) the property will not be offered for sale to others and the Property will be considered sold to the Land Bank for the Upset Price as defined in P.S.7279 and no other bids will be accepted.

NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT ALL SHERIFFS DEEDS TENDERED TO PURCHASERS WILL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:

NOTICE: The undersigned, as evidenced by the signature(s) to this notice and the acceptance and recording of this deed, (is/are) fully cognizant of the fact that the undersigned may not be obtaining the right of protection against subsidence, as to the property herein conveyed, resulting from

On or about May 13, 2024, the City of Pittsburgh (City) will authorize the Urban Redevelopment of Pittsburgh (URA) to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release Federal funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended, to undertake the Project known as Uptown Flats located at 1400-1406 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh (Project).

The Project involves demolition of existing buildings and new construction. The proposed result will be 33,923 square feet of mixed-use community service facility space and residential housing. The ground floor will be used for office space, common areas and residential apartments, with the remaining floors as solely residential apartments. There will be thirty-four (34) affordable Project Based Voucher housing units targeted to individuals earning less than 60% of Area Media Income (AMI), with eleven (11) efficiency apartments, sixteen (16) 1-bedroom apartments and seven (7) 2-bedroom apartments. Included in those units will be six (6) U niform Federal Accessibility Standard (UFAS) units consisting of one (1) efficiency mobility unit, one (1) efficiency hearing/visual unit, two (2) 1-bedroom mobility units, one (1) 1-bedroom hearing/visual unit and one (1) 2-bedroom mobility unit. Funding for the Project will consist of URA funding of a FHLBank AHP Loan of $736,744; a PHFA Penn Homes Loan of $537,606; a PHFA PHARE Loan of $662,394; Reinvested Developer Fee of $225,00; an Allegheny Economic Development Loan of $540,000; $1,394,199 in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity, and an additional $325,000 anticipated in State Housing Tax Credit equity. The URA’s Rental Gap Program loan of $2,503,000 will be sourced with $2,500,000 in HOME-ARP funds and $3,000 in FY2021 HOME funds. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will provide PBV subsidies for thirty-four (34) units for the Project. The estimated total Project cost is $19,688,242.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (2) – HOME-ARP PROJECT

The City of Pittsburgh has determined that the Project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional Project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR). The ERR will be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to City of Pittsburgh, Office of Management and Budget, 414 Grant St, City County Building Room 501, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or by email to OMBEnvironmental@pittsburghpa.gov.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to:

Kelly Russell City of Pittsburgh, 414 Grant Street, Room 501 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 255-2667 OR OMBEnvironmental@pittsburghpa.gov

All comments received by Thursday, May 9, 2024, will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice (Request for Release of Funds 1 or Finding of No Significant Impact 2) they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Pittsburgh certifies to HUD that Ed Gainey in his capacity as Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh to use development funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Pittsburgh certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the ant icipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Pittsburgh; (b) the City of Pittsburgh has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the Project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in writing in accorda nce with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Field Office of Community Planning and Development in Pittsburgh at 1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or PGHCPDObjections@hud.gov regarding HUD HOME-ARP funds. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Field Office of Community Planning and Development in Pittsburgh in writing as given above to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Ed Gainey Mayor

and Written Election.

Summary: Codifying Police CBA to define Eligible Participants as officers hired before 1-1-2020, with 56 yrs. of age and 26 yrs. of service, and also extending the Election period for Eligible Participants. The proposed amendment may be examined at the Twp.

Information on solicitations is available on the City of Pittsburgh website: http://purchasing.pittsburghpa.gov Bid proposals are requested on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh. All bids must be submitted via the above website and all required documents must be provided or the bid proposal may be considered non-responsive.

The selected Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted construction contracts. The selected Contractor must assure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Attention is called to Executive Order 11246, to Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, 12 U.S.C. 1701U, and to the Section 3 Clause and Regulations set forth in 24 CFR, Part 135.

The selected Contractor will be required to comply with the following laws, rules and regulations:

All provisions of US Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended by US Executive Order 11375 and as supplemented in US Department of Labor Regulations (41 CFR, Part 60), and of the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the US Secretary of Labor. Contractor shall comply with all applicable standards, orders, or requirements issued of the Clean Air Act (42 USC 1857 et. seq.), Section 508 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC 1368), Executive Order 11738, and Environmental Protection Agency regulations (40 CFR, Part 15). Contractor shall comply with the Davis-Bacon Act the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 276a to 276a-7) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR part 5).

Procedures for compliance to these acts shall be as follows:

All specifications for construction contracts and subcontracts will contain the prevailing wage rates (as enclosed in this bid package) as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276-a to 276-C-5) and provision that overtime compensation will be paid in accordance with the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act Regulations (29 CFR, Parts 5 and 1926). The contract provisions shall require that these standards be met.

Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity (Executive Order 11246): Bidder’s attention is called to the “Equal Opportunity Clause” and the “Standard Federal Equal Employment Specifications” set forth in 41 CFR Public Contracts and Property Management Part 60-4.3 Equal Opportunity Clauses.

Goals for minority participation: 18%

Goals for female participation: 7%

These goals are applicable to all construction work (whether or not Federal or Federally-Assisted) performed in the “covered area.” As used in this notice, and in the contract resulting from this solicitation, the “covered area” is Pittsburgh SMSA (Allegheny, Washington, Beaver and Westmoreland counties).

The selected Contractor shall comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1988, as amended, Section 109 of the Community Development Act of 1974, with Executive Order 11625 (Minority Business Enterprise) and Executive Order 12138 (Women’s Business Enterprise).

The Proposers will be required to submit the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to Equal Employment Opportunity. Vendors submitting responses on Federally funded projects must register on SAM.gov and provide proof of registration. The City of Pittsburgh reserves the right to withhold the award of contract for a period of sixty (60) calendar days after the opening of bids. The City of Pittsburgh reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals.

the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, must be paid on these projects.

Proposals must be made on the Authority’s form and in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and the “Instructions to Bidders”’.

The non-refundable charge of $150.00 for the Bid Documents and the Plans, and Specifications through the bidding platform Submittable at https://acaacapitalprograms.submittable.com.

Please note that Submittable does not support Internet Explorer 11.

Submittable recommends the following browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

This project has DBE participation goals; DBE firms must be certified with the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program) (PA UCP). Firms must be certified prior to award of contract. A searchable database of DBE firms can be found on the PA UCP web site: https://paucp.dbesystem.com/

The Airport Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids or waive any informalities in the bidding.

No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of sixty [60] days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids.

To view a complete advertisement, which is also included in the bidding documents visit www.flypittsburgh.com – ACAA Corporate – Business Opportunities or call 412-472-3677 or 412-472-2136.

ALLEGHENY

will be due 11:00 AM on May 7, 2024, 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)

No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

ID: 237 183 335 735

Conference ID: 475 166 68

at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged.

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.

entered

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.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR EXTERIOR

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, 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. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 412 Boulevard of the Allies 6th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832

A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on May 2, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. Please see meeting information below:

PROGRAM OUTREACH

COORDINATOR

City of Asylum Pittsburgh seeks Program Outreach Coordinator in Pittsburgh, PA to promote and coordinate the activities of our social service program and community outreach organization, which provides residencies to persecuted literary writers and artists from abroad and offers free cultural programs to the community in the areas of literature, arts and humanities. Duties include: create and organize cultural and educational programs for schools and the community that feature our residents; through public talks and written communications, promote public awareness of our residency program and core mission of celebrating freedom of creative expression in order to expand our organization, including into other cities, and to solicit donations; assist resident writers in public outreach, including arranging interpreters for public talks and facilitating translation into English for publication; and recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers and staff to assist in program outreach. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in education or related field. Must have knowledge of: (i) serving as a spokesperson for a grassroots organization/committee; and (ii) communication in public relations. Travel required within the U.S., approximately 4 times per year, 2-3 days per trip for speaking engagements. This is a non-remote job. Email resume to: jobs@cityofasylum.org

Hitachi Rail STS USA, Inc. seeks a Senior Automation Testing and Commissioning Engineer in Pittsburgh, PA, to define and perform assigned Traffic Management tests (e.g., IXL ATS. on-board) for an overall T&C plan for a medium complexity (in terms of equipment and/or subsystems and/or interfaces) Automation project. Specific duties include ensuring the delivery of the software application configurations for complex and medium signaling project schemes including documentation and production check of configuration documents. Apply at: https://careers.hitachi.com/ search/jobs.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT in Pittsburgh, PA, is seeking a full-time Municipal Engagement Manager to identify barriers and find opportunities to increase tree canopy and green spaces. Outreach goals include forming authentic relationships with staff at all levels of local government, including elected officials, municipal managers, and public works staff. This work will be done in close partnership and collaboration with Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance organizations to meet grant goals. Send resumes to resumes@accdpa.org.

PPG Industries, Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA has a work-at-home General Industrial Segment Specialist 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 analysis & technical resources to General Industrial Commercial Mgr, incl. rspnsblty for Secure Launch mgmt, prdct platform design, & mrkt analytics. Apply online at careers.ppg.com.

HOUSE MANAGER

A private individual seeks

Conducts reviews of portions of extensive audit assignments, prepares work papers to document audit procedures, findings, and recommendations in accordance with recognized professional standards. Makes material contributions to the report of audit findings, including the development of recommendations for the correction of unsatisfactory conditions, improvement of operations, reduction of costs, or the increases of revenues.

Essential Functions:

• Plans and executes moderately complex audit assignments, conducts reviews of portions of extensive audit assignments, prepares work papers to document audit procedures, findings and recommendations in accordance with recognized professional standards.

• Participates in conducting reviews of assigned organizational and functional activities and contribute in interpreting and analyzing the policies and procedures of same. This may include developing recommendations for business process improvements.

• Participates in the performance of special reviews and/or matters of significant at the request of Internal Audit management, which may include, investigating and attempting to resolve matters related to the assignments.

• Assists in determining the direction and scope of the proposed audit effort, which may include exercising judgment in analyzing and determining the objectives of an audit.

Job requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field from an accredited college or university.

• Minimum one (1) year experience in auditing/accounting. No certifications or licenses required.

• Experience planning and executing moderately complex audit assignments, conducts reviews of portions of extensive audit assignments, prepares work papers to document audit procedures, findings, and recommendations in accordance with recognized professional standards.

• Must have the ability to travel to various PRT locations, out of town overnight and occasional evenings and weekends as needed to perform audits and potentially serve on Pennsylvania’s Uniform Certification Program (UCP) Appeals Committee as part of PRT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.

• Effective and professional communication skills.

Preferred attributes:

• Minimum of two (2) years internal auditing experience.

• Knowledge of Government Auditing Standards (GAS).

• CIA, CFE, CPA or other related professional certification program that would enhance the performance of their internal auditor duties.

• Experience using audit software.

• Experience with business process improvement (BPI).

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:

managerial work related to the administration of departmental policy and overseeing or coordinating agency operations. Employees engaged in overseeing or coordinating agency operations are responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, administering, and supervising the interpretation and application of agency policies, directives and procedures designed to accomplish the mission of the agency. The work of this class may involve supervising professional and technical support workers.

Essential Functions:

• Assist with the development of protocols and manages every aspect of the procurement of goods and services and notifies senior management of possible obstacles to idea efficiency. Monitoring and management of Supplier Community and registrations in ebusiness systems. Monitors and track OEM procurements affecting agency critical operations to include but not limited to Bus & Rail System aka “Rolling Stock”.

• Assess the needs of the stakeholders and develop procurement strategies to meet those needs.

• Review Rolling Stock procurements to assure compliance with DBE and FTA compliance in accordance with the ABA Model of Procurement, industry standards and Best Practices.

• Assist with the Management of the Smal Purchasing Program (P-card) and provide reporting on relative data sets relative to the Small Purchase Program monthly limits, rebates, and annual category spending reports.

Job requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration, Business Law, Finance, Purchasing, or closely related field. Work Related Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years progressively responsible experience in public purchasing, including supervisory responsibilities.

• Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) or equivalent preferred. Must obtain the CPPO within four (4) years of being placed in this position.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of business and public administration.

• Knowledge of standard office management methods.

• Knowledge of organizational structure, staffing patterns and administrative controls.

• Knowledge of Procurement and Contract Administration Activities.

• Knowledge of Supplier Management.

• Knowledge of Supply Chain Management, Inventory Management and purchasing

• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

• Ability to present recommendations clearly and concisely.

• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental policies, laws, rules, regulations, and procedures.

• Ability to develop and install program procedures.

• Ability to speak and write effectively.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, staff of other agencies and the general public. Preferred attributes:

• Professional License in related field.

• Experience in Public Sector contracting.

• Experience in contract administration software.

• Demonstrated ability in the use of PeopleSoft, Microsoft Excel, Word, and SharePoint.

Wanted

OF CUSTOMER SERVICE Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking a Supervisor of Customer Service to supervise the activities of the Customer Service/Relations staff; administration of the operation and training policies, procedures, and performance standards to the Customer Service/Relations staff; to resolve customer complaints and assist any other Supervisor of Customer Service, as needed for Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT).

Essential Functions:

• Assigns work and supervises the daily activities of assigned Customer Service/Relations staff. Ensures day-to-day activities, in support of department goals, are completed in an efficient and cost-efficient manner within established policies and procedures.

• Working knowledge of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc..

• Adheres to budget limitations, assists in supervising programs within budgetary scope and performs related administrative duties such as assisting in composing monthly board reports.

• Assists with ongoing monitoring of Customer Service information processes to ensure employees provide customers with accurate and timely information in the proper manner.

Job requirements include:

• High school diploma or GED.

• Associate degree in marketing, communications, business or directly related field from an accredited college or university.

• Minimum of (3) years of customer service experience within a call center environment or PRT customer service experience within the last five (5) concurrent years of the PRT call center.

• Effective interpersonal skills, ability to handle emotionally charged situations and to handle a demanding workload.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate internally and externally through effective written and/or verbal skills.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and complete projects and/or tasks that have been delegated within a group and/or team setting.

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

• Ability to work various shifts including weekends and holidays.

• Excellent organizational skills. Preferred attributes:

• Extensive experience in a call center environment.