8.30.23 NPC

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Courier Staff Writer

Today, V.I.P. Styles Inc., barber shop is open for business. It’s located at 413 Smithfield Street, Downtown, complete with a can’t-miss sign that hovers above the sidewalk.

Fellow barbers at V.I.P. Styles have vowed to keep the doors open, as a tribute to the man who started the barber shop nearly 20 years ago.

Hundreds of people, including celebrities and political figures, kids who are still kids, and kids who are now fully grown, have sat in the barber chair placed squarely in the middle of the shop awaiting a crisp cut from Victor “Vic” Musgrove.

But his heart, his clippers and his talent extended beyond the shop’s walls. Countless times you’d find Musgrove cutting hair at community events, giving the young ones a haircut for free just in time for school to start.

“He was really passionate about uplifting the community, making the community a better place,” voiced Vernard Alexander

of CKV Suites, about his friend, Musgrove, who was shot while in his car on Miller Avenue in Clairton on Friday night, Aug. 25. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Musgrove was 51. He was in Clairton attending the first high school football game of the season for Westinghouse High School, as they played Clairton. It was a highly-anticipated contest. Musgrove was a member of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s “Men of Excellence Class of 2017.” In his biography provided to the Courier, it read that Musgrove “provides job opportunities for people who were previously incarcerated as well as people recovering from chemical dependency” at his barber shop, which opened in 2004. His bio also read that at the time, he owned a cleaning company and real estate.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said on social media that he woke up Saturday morning, Aug. 26, to the news that his friend of

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Courier Staff Writer

There has never been a period in the U.S. when so many young people have had such wide access to guns.

The Pittsburgh area is no exception.

Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor, Ed Gainey, talks about it constantly. How are the young people getting these guns? If a person in Pennsylvania cannot legally purchase a firearm until adult age (18), how are 14, 15, 16, 17-year-olds across the region getting guns faster than they can get a bag of candy?

The New Pittsburgh Courier spoke with Pittsburgh Chief of Police Larry Scirotto, a few weeks into his tenure as leader of the second-largest police force in the state (omitting county forces), behind Philadelphia. Scirotto was

sworn-in on June 7.

“Young-on-young (violence) would, in our youth, fistfight, but now, youngon-young have access to weapons that we didn’t have then,” Scirotto told the Courier exclusively. “So now you’re talking about a 14- or 15-yearold that has a firearm but doesn’t have the mental maturity to regulate his emotions and use the firearm as his fist. So the damage is done just by having access to the weapon.”

Scirotto, who’s had decades of experience on the streets as a Pittsburgh officer, said it’s the

March on Washington shows diversity of Black church activism

by Ebony JJ Curry Michigan Chronicle

If history has its way, the March on Washington of 1963 will forever be deemed as a singular moment in which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously stood at the Lincoln Memorial and told the world about his dream. However, to curtail this event to a single speech, or even one man, disrespects the collective work of numerous activists, leaders, and everyday citizens who made the event possible. The March was a product of collaboration and coalition-building. It wasn’t simply a “mass moment” but rather a manifestation of a “mass movement.”

Let’s be clear, Reverend King was surrounded by an array of Black clergy who were key figures in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). These men and women were critical to the fight against racial inequality. Yet, labor leaders of all races and White clergymen, also were pivotal in the planning and execution of the event. As Rev. William Barber accurately points out to the Grio, this mass mobilization can’t be watered down to just “one man, one speech.”

The role of the Black Church during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States is both profound and complex. It was a hub of political and social activity, an organizational base, and a spiritual refuge for Black Americans fighting against segregation and for broader civil rights. The Black Church’s role in civil rights didn’t end in the 1960s. Many churches were involved in struggles against systemic inequalities that persisted and persist beyond formal desegregation—such as advocating for better education, healthcare, and housing for Black communities, and more recently, against police brutality and other social injustices.

However, the Black Church, often cited as the religious cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, is far from monolithic. Back in the day, not every Black pastor advocated civil disobedience or nonviolent confrontations.

Fast-forward to today, some remain skeptical of the Black Lives Matter movement or the fight for LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights. The Black Church isn’t just one thing; it’s many things. According to theGrio, Robert Franklin, a professor at Emory University, states that some Black faith leaders are fully engaged

This Week In Black History A Courier Staple

• AUGUST 30

in social justice activism, whereas others have adopted a more conservative stance.

So, why do we persist in using this umbrella term, “Black Church,” that cannot possibly capture the ideological and theological spectrum of Black religiosity today? Even now, faith communities are rising above the limitations of their respective congregations, embracing multiracial demographics and broader social issues.

Dr. King’s former church, Ebenezer Baptist, has become one such multiracial congregation, signaling a move toward what King termed the “beloved community.”

The idea of the “beloved community” stretches beyond the boundaries of race and religion. Barber’s modern incarnation of the Poor People’s Campaign exemplifies this, drawing supporters from various faiths and racial backgrounds. If any movement today fails to address an array of intersecting issues, it does not honor the true spirit of the March on Washington.

According to theGrio, Reverend Jacqui Lewis of New York City’s Middle Collegiate Church suggests that perhaps it’s time to focus on “Black faith,” a term that can accommodate activism both inside and outside the church. The Civil Rights Movement was not confined to Black male clergy in the south. It was a sum of its parts, including women, White allies, and every single person who made the choice to stand against injustice.

As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, it is clear that the fight for justice is far from over. While historically Black denominations continue to be involved, they will stand beside organizations like the NAACP, the National Urban League, the Anti-Defamation League, and Asian Amer-

icans Advancing Justice. This eclectic group of co-chairs symbolizes the multifaceted struggle for equality and justice. We have made strides, but the journey ahead is long.

Let’s also recalibrate our understanding. Let’s pay homage not just to the icons, but also to the countless unnamed individuals who fought for a just world. The March on Washington wasn’t an event but a catalyst, one that sprung from a rich, diverse tapestry of activism.

Before and after the pivotal year of 1963, Black churches have showcased a range of priorities and political philosophies.

Early in the 20th century, leaders like Booker T. Washington pushed for Black progress through education and economic self-sufficiency, sidestepping direct confrontations against segregation. This notion of self-sufficiency was later echoed by the Nation of Islam, which added the layer of Black Nationalism.

While national organizations like the SCLC gained considerable attention, much of the Civil Rights Movement was fought on a local level, where the role of the Black Church was even more vital. Local pastors and their congregations often bore the brunt of white supremacist backlash and were crucial in organizing local boycotts, protests, and community meetings.

The Black Church has long been a cornerstone in the struggle for civil rights, providing not only spiritual guidance but also organizational support, financial resources, and a space for political discourse. The churches’ multifaceted engagement—then and now—reflects the complexity and diversity of Black America itself, a reminder that the path to equality is neither linear nor singular, but a collective journey that accommodates various approaches and philosophies.

1800— The Gabriel Prosser-led slave rebellion is stopped before it can start because of bad weather and betrayal by two slaves who told their White masters of the impending revolt. Gabriel had meticulously planned the rebellion and organized an estimated 1,000 slaves to participate in an attack on Richmond, Va. One historian described the 24-year-old, 6’3” rebel as “a fellow of courage and intellect above his rank in life.” After the betrayal, Gabriel and 15 of his co-conspirators were hanged on Oct. 10, 1800. (Note: Most history texts refer to him as Gabriel Prosser, but, although he was a slave of Tomas Prosser, there is no indication that he ever used “Prosser” as his last name.)

1838— The first African American owned magazine, Mirror of Freedom , begins publication on this day in New York City.

1966— Prominent civil rights attorney Constance Baker Motley is confirmed to the U.S. District Court in New York. She thus became the first African American female to hold a seat on the federal bench. Motley had participated in the historic Brown v. Board of Education case which led to the desegregation of the nation’s schools. She was also an advisor to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Motley died in September 2005.

• AUGUST 31

1935—Frank Robinson , the first African American to manage a major league baseball team, was born on this day in Beaumont, Texas. Robinson became player-manager of the Cleveland Indians in 1975. He kept the job for about a year. He became manager of the San Francisco Giants in 1980.

2002— Jazz great Lionel Hampton died on this day at the age of 94. Hampton gained international fame as a “big band” leader and for his amazing abilities playing the vibraphone.

• SEPTEMBER 1

1975—General Daniel “Chappie” James becomes the nation’s first Black four-star general and takes command of the North American Air Defense Command. The position made him a key player in the nation’s nuclear defense system. James was born in Pensacola, Fla., and died at the relatively young age of 57 in 1978.

1977— Legendary actress and Blues and Gospel singer Ethel Waters dies at the age of 80 in Chatsworth, Calif. Born in Chester, Pa., Waters became the second African American in history to be nominated for an Academy Award. For many Blacks, however, she was best known for her singing. The song which gained her the greatest popularity was the spiritual “His Eye is on the Sparrow…So I know He Watches Me.”

• SEPTEMBER 2

1766— Post-colonial era Black leader James Forten is born on this day in 1766. Little is known today, but during that period he was one of the most prominent Black men in America. Born free in Philadelphia, Pa., he became a fierce anti-slavery activist, an inventor and successful businessman. In fact, the sail-making company he founded made him one of the wealthiest Black men in the nation. Forten and AME Church founder Richard Allen organized the First Convention of Color in 1817. He went back and forth on the issue of “re-Africanization,” which called for the return of Blacks to Africa. He financially supported Paul Cuffee’s venture

in the West African nation of Sierra Leone, but he later turned against the American Colonization Society and its efforts to return free American Blacks to the West African nation of Liberia.

1945— As World War II comes to an end, official records show 1,154,720 Blacks were inducted into the military services including 3,902 women. The highest ranking African American women during WWII were Majors Harriet M. West and Charity E. Adams.

• SEPTEMBER 3

1838—Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore using so-called “free papers” and disguising himself as a sailor. He would go on to become the most prominent anti-slavery activist and Black leader of his day. He is perhaps best remembered for his now famous 1857 quote: “If there is no struggle there is no progress… Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” Free papers were documents normally required to be in the possession of all free Blacks. But one freedom tactic employed during slavery was for a slave to somehow borrow the papers of a free Black who fit his or her general description and use the papers to escape from slavery.

1868— In an example of how briefly true freedom for Blacks lasted after slavery ended in 1865, the lower house of the Georgia legislature on this day in 1868 expelled 28 African Americans , employing a twisted argument that because they were Black they were not eligible to serve in the legislature even if they had been duly elected. Ten days later, the Georgia Senate followed suit and expelled three elected Blacks. But the U.S. Congress stepped in by refusing to seat the Georgia delegation if the Black representatives were not allowed to return to their seats.

1919— One of the nation’s first Black-owned movie companies— Lincoln Motion Pictures —releases its first full length feature film, “A Man’s Duty.” The company was owned by Noble Johnson and Clarence Brooks.

•

SEPTEMBER 4

1781— The city of Los Angeles is founded by 44 settlers of whom 26 were Black . This little known fact of history is found in H.H. Bancroft’s authoritative “History of California,” which details the ages, races and genders of the city’s founding fathers and mothers.

1957—Nine Black students are banned from Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. , by Gov. Orval Faubus. The move makes him a folk hero among White supremacists but sets in motion a major conflict with the federal government. President Dwight Eisenhower is forced to call out 1,000 federal troops in order to force the eventual integration of the school.

1981— Popular recording star Beyoncé Knowles is born on this day in Houston, Texas.

•SEPTEMBER

5

1859— The first novel written by a Black woman is published in the United States. The woman was Harriet Wilson and the novel was entitled “Our Nig: Or Sketches from the Life of a Free Black.”

The novel was lost for years until reprinted with a critical essay by Black scholar Henry Louis Gates in 1982. The novel, which may have been a bit autobiographical, centers on the life of “Frada”—a Black indentured servant who was physically and emotionally abused by her owners.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. at the famous 1963 March on Washington. (AP Photo)

Pittsburgh’s housing authority says voucher program building firmer foundation

Complaints about the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Section 8 program have spurred new hires and outreach to landlords

by Eric Jankiewicz PublicSource

Pittsburgh’s housing authority is attempting to overhaul a Section 8 voucher program beset by problems of delayed payments and blamed for displacement of housing-insecure households.

Aiding this effort are millions in federal aid, an academic study into part of the Section 8 program, a cadre of new employees and two new board members.

While tools are in place for the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh [HACP] to address an atrophied program meant to help stabilize housing for those in need, former agency employees warn that without improved management, the Section 8 program will continue to struggle to address displacement. It has alienated landlords with slow—or no—payments.

The housing authority’s director said the agency is well on its way to completely revamping the program by the end of the year.

“Everything is going the right direction. We’re OK but we’re not there yet. We’re progressively moving toward our goal,” said HACP Executive Director Caster Binion.

Under Section 8, households with vouchers pay 30 percent of income toward rent and utilities, with the balance covered by the authority.

“People talk bad about us but we provide housing for lots of people,” Binion said. The authority provides around 5,117 households totaling 11,534 people with active rent vouchers. Another 1,428 households are on a waiting list for vouchers.

The authority, he said, has been reaching out to landlords and working on staffing problems.

Turnover has been a problem for the authority’s Section 8 department.

As of May 31, the housing authority had 34 employees in the Section 8 department, of whom seven had been hired this year, and eight the year before, including a new director. Binion said that the department was almost completely done training new staff, through a four-part system that focuses on small cohorts.

With these new employees, Binion said that since January, the authority has provided 394 households with apartments through the Section 8 program.

Target set for better service

For years housing advocates have questioned how HACP runs its voucher program. Those concerns intensified after a series of recent developments.

A former agency board member, Tammy Thompson, resigned and blew the whistle on mismanagement and disorganization in the voucher program.

A former staff member filed a complaint against the authority to the Pennsylvania Department of State, calling the authority’s handling of vouchers “gross negligence.” (The state responded that it had no jurisdiction.)

A local nonprofit housing agency, Rising Tide Partners, urged the

authority’s leadership to pay years worth of overdue Section 8 payments on behalf of their tenants in a letter addressed to HACP that was shared with PublicSource. Talks between the authority and the nonprofit are ongoing and some of the overdue payments have been made, according to Rising Tide Project Manager Nathan Van Patter.

Since then, HACP leaders have promised to use increased federal funding of $4.6 million to improve their capacity to respond to problems with the Section 8 program, with the board chair setting a target of better service for all parties involved before year’s end.

The recent increase in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] funds bring the authority’s allocation for its Housing Choice Voucher program up to $60.5 million for 2023.

“We’re going to rectify this problem. Our goal is within six months,” said Valerie McDonald-Roberts, HACP’s board chair.

In June, Mayor Ed Gainey appointed city Chief of Staff Jake Wheatley and activist Jala Rucker to the housing authority’s board of directors. Wheatley declined to comment, and Rucker did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Former employee: High caseloads bring burnout

Former HACP occupancy specialist Nina Bush remembers a twoweek period during which she was juggling 70 applications for housing assistance.

“That’s 70 families with their own extenuating circumstances, sending me personal info,” she said. “We weren’t able to give the proper care. That’s why it’s so hard to get housing applications processed. We’re overworked, and there’s only so much you can do when you’re burnt out.”

Bush worked for HACP between 2020 and 2021.

“We were understaffed, always high staff turnover,” Bush said. Her experience was echoed by 11 others who either declined to be named or wrote critiques of the agency and could not be reached for interviews.

Bush said people’s applications would often not get attention in time.

“If we had smaller caseloads, there wouldn’t be so many people slipping through cracks,” she said.

“Sometimes we would have applications that are five years old and we’re only now getting to it so their address probably changed.”

Binion responded that, at the authority, “People are enjoying their jobs. There’s always some that don’t, but that’s life.”

Landlords want to be partners, not disposable resources

A Penn State University study looking at aspects of HACP’s Section 8 voucher program may also spur change.

Selena Ortiz, an associate professor, and Andy Fenelon, an assistant professor, conducted a three-year survey, starting in 2020, and analysis into the authority’s mobility vouchers part

of Section 8. Mobility vouchers are designed to help families with Section 8 vouchers to move to neighborhoods with lower levels of poverty and, presumably, more opportunity.

Landlord interest in vouchers meant to support household mobility “is not particularly high, very similar to the low level of interest in housing choice vouchers,” Ortiz said in an interview. “Most landlords cited the difficulty in working with HACP.”

Ortiz noted that most of the landlords in the Pittsburgh rental space are small landlords that own fewer than 20 units.

“A lot of them don’t have the resources or ability to endure delays in payments and processes,” said Ortiz. “It weakens their enthusiasm in the program.”

She said landlords “don’t feel like they’re a partner. They just feel like they’re a means to an end for the housing authority.” And they heard from some landlords that they want to collaborate on addressing housing affordability issues in the city.

Ortiz and Fenelon presented some of their findings to HACP leadership, including Binion.

The authority has also

been talking directly to landlords, recently hearing from about 75 landlords through four meetings, Binion said. From those meetings, the authority has restarted an advisory council made up of landlords. The advisory council, meant to help attract and retain landlords to the voucher program, had become defunct during the pandemic-related shutdown in 2020.

John Petrack, the executive vice president of the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, said he hadn’t heard of the advisory council’s formation but lauded the effort. The

association advocates on behalf of real estate consumers and in protection of private property rights.

“I think that’s a great idea,” said Petrack, adding that landlords generally don’t have a problem with tenants using Section 8.

“The biggest issue relative to the Section 8 program was the housing authority’s leases and the restrictions they put on property owners,” he said. “And lots of times that’s why they wouldn’t accept Section 8 tenants, because of the program itself.”

Community remembers Vic Musgrove, beloved barber 'who kids could look up to'

Was a member of Courier’s ‘Men of Excellence,’ Class of 2017

40 years, Musgrove, had been killed in Clairton.

“He went to a football game,” Mayor Gainey told KDKA-TV. “You expect people to come home from a football game.”

The mayor has experienced a number of deaths involving family or friends due to gun violence. The news about Musgrove hit him hard.

“He was authentic, he was himself, he wasn’t trying to be anybody else,” the mayor said to KDKA-TV. “We had someone that the kids could look up to and say, ‘Wow, I can overcome my own challenges, my own life story.’”

So many people in Pittsburgh called Musgrove their barber, including Courier graphic designer Warren King. So many people in Pittsburgh called Mus -

grove a person who truly cared about the young people, the future generation.

“Vic was one of the kindest people that you would ever meet, a heart of gold,” said Emmett Wilson, owner of Stanley’s Lounge and Golden Triangle Distributors, in Homewood. Wilson and Musgrove were like brothers.

“He always donated to anything that had to do with the kids; football, baseball, wrestling...if it was anything to do with the youth and especially trying to get kids off the street, he was all about that.”

A lot has been made about Downtown Pittsburgh these days. A lot of businesses have given up on Downtown, closing its doors for good, with the COVID pandemic and the increase in homelessness and crime.

But Musgrove stayed put. Even when his business was hit with racial epithets in 2015, he stayed put.

“I was shocked, upset and mad, but not surprised because there’s definitely an issue with race in this city that needs to be addressed,” Musgrove told the Courier eight years ago. “I just feel like this was a cowardly act and we’re not going to be intimidated; we’re going to keep going on business as usual.”

“He was sharing with me over the last few months that next summer would have been his 20th anniversary of having a shop Downtown,” Alexander told the Courier. “It’s a testament to him and his character that a small business was still surviving Downtown.”

“Vic had tough skin,”

added Wilson. “You have to have tough skin to survive Downtown in the environment that he was in for almost 20 years, it speaks a lot to his character. He had a wonderful work ethic, a great drive, and he was just a wonderful business person.”

Alexander said Musgrove was getting married on Sept. 10 to Nakia Walls.

Allegheny County Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Musgrove’s shooting death. As of Tuesday evening, Aug. 29, no suspects have been apprehended.

“He would do anything for anyone, give you the shirt off his back,” Wilson said of Musgrove, whom he called the little brother he never had. “He just did not deserve to die this way.”

Mayor Gainey added to KDKA-TV: “There’s no reason why he should be gone. None.”

VICTOR MUSGROVE, SHOWN IN HIS BARBER SHOP, V.I.P. STYLES, IN 2015. (PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO)

MUSGROVE

VICTOR MUSGROVE CHERISHED THE KIDS.

VICTOR MUSGROVE WAS A MEMBER OF THE NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER’S “MEN OF EXCELLENCE CLASS OF 2017.”

How are young people getting such easy access to guns?

Courier goes one-on-one with new city Police Chief Larry Scirotto

borhoods. “A lot of people who are victims of gun violence or offenders of gun violence, they couldn’t go to a Dick’s Sporting Goods or a firearms store and purchase a gun,” Scirotto said.

Why? For one, they’re

tell you how many ‘theft from vehicles’ include firearms. The number is high enough that it should feel very uncomfortable; responsible gun ownership is failing in that regard, but they can go purchase another firearm (if theirs is stolen).”

Cara Cruz, public in-

What’s consistent in the region and throughout the country is that, oftentimes, those responsible for the shooting deaths of teens are usually other teens or young adults.

“You can get into the values and the way people see the world today, but sometimes when I’m talking to

not old enough, and also, many offenders of gun violence “have a criminal record that would preclude them from purchasing a firearm.”

So who are these “straw purchasers?” Scirotto said a lot of them are “chemically dependent,” or in other words, trading the guns for drugs.

Scirotto also said straw purchasers are oftentimes people from suburban areas with little to no regular gun violence.

“From just experience, you see straw purchases being the main conduit for weapons coming into the city streets,” Scirotto told the Courier exclusively.

But there’s another way young people get their hands on guns—theft from vehicles.

formation officer for the city’s public safety department, told the Courier that approximately 470 guns were reported stolen to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police in 2022. So far in 2023 through the first few weeks of August, 250 firearms were reported stolen.

Two 17-year-olds were shot and killed late Sunday night, Aug. 27, in Braddock, Rimel Lamour Williamson and Nazir Parker. Both were seniors at Woodland Hills High School. A third teenager was shot in the incident that occurred near Margaretta and Center streets; that teen is a student at Propel Schools.

It’s an unfortunate reality happening in the Pittsburgh area and across

these young people, it’s almost as if they don’t think it’s reality. They don’t see it as real,” Scirotto told the Courier. “It’s almost like this video game to them, people don’t look like humans to them in this weird way. It’s like a video game, ‘Oh it’s not that serious,’ firing a gun may not be that big of a deal,” Scirotto said some teens believe.

Also, teens don’t feel safe, Scirotto said, “and they’ve watched their friends or family get killed or injured by gun violence. The only thing they feel they are able to do is then arm themselves...lacking the emotional maturity to make decisions with this weapon.”

Scirotto is meeting with community members via a series of meetings set up by Tim Stevens of the Black Political Empowerment Project. It’s all about the Chief getting firsthand information from the public on exactly what the community wants to see in Pittsburgh policing. It’s up to the Chief to chart a course of action that, combined with the community’s input, will get the violent offenders off the streets. The first meeting was held on Aug. 21 at Bethel AME Church, in the Hill District. The second meeting will be held in early September; Stevens will make an announcement in the coming days as to the exact date, time and location.

Scirotto did tell the Courier that part of his strategy is giving people choices.

Gun sales are skyrocketing, with 60 million guns sold from 2020 to 2022, according to data from The Trace, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that tracks gun violence. And people from all walks of life and ethnicities are purchasing guns legally these days, though the percentage is still male-dominated.

With guns seemingly everywhere, Scirotto told the Courier that “legal (gun) owners are also very careless with their firearms, in that they’re leaving them in their car. Who would suggest you do such a thing? But I can’t

the country; young people dying at the hands of gun violence. Going back to just the month of May, eight young people age 18 or under have died in Allegheny County via gun violence; Dominic Sanner (16), Sir Morgan (18), Derrick Harris (15), Damien Jackson (15), Brandon Thomas (17), Andrew Smith (17), and the two aforementioned Woodland Hills seniors.

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County police have arrested a suspect in some, but not all, of the shooting deaths of the aforementioned young people.

One can either be involved in gun violence and be aggressively pursued and arrested by police, or one can choose to be connected with social services, programs and other resources “to better your life and remove yourself from that,” he said.

“For people that, services won’t work for or they refuse, it’s such a small percentage of individuals,” Scirotto added. “We can focus our law enforcement efforts on them. But for that larger group that’s involved by association, familial or geographic or neighborhood, we have to provide options so they have a choice to do something positive with their life, and that’s the strategy.”

RIMEL WILLIAMSON AND NAZIR PARKER, TWO 17-YEAR-OLDS, WERE KILLED IN BRADDOCK ON SUNDAY NIGHT, AUG. 27. THEY WERE WOODLAND HILLS HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS.

PITTSBURGH POLICE CHIEF LARRY SCIROTTO (PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO)

“WISDOM

RUTH WALKER, BLACK EXCELLENCE HONOREE ALEXIS WASHINGTON, BLACK EXCELLENCE HONOREE

DONNELL WILKINS, BLACK EXCELLENCE HONOREE

SHATIERA PORTE’E, NEW EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

CARLA RAE KNIGHT, EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

CHASE PATTERSON

DR. CHRISTINE MCCLURE, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

JASON B. ALLEN , BLACK EXCELLENCE HONOREE

JASON B. ALLEN, BLACK EXCELLENCE HONOREE

BIG BEN SAID WHAT??? Roethlisberger questions how Tomlin used starters in preseason

Over time, there have been a slew of debates throughout the realm of professional football regarding the amount of time that “first-team” players should perform during the preseason, mainly because of the possibility of an unnecessary injury. Recently, former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger voiced his opinion on the proposed length of time, if any, that top-tiered players should participate in the preseason.

Brogan Noey posted the following critique by Roethlisberger regarding the personnel utilization of players by Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin on steelernation.com: “Where [Ben Roethlisberger] began to get critical was when he started to discuss the second preseason [game of the Steelers] against the Buffalo Bills. The offense played two drives, however, the second possession only lasted one play where Kenny Pickett found Pat Freiermuth for a 25-yard touchdown. Roethlisberger said he was shocked Tomlin pulled the starters after the Freiermuth touchdown and thought they didn’t play enough situation -

al football. ‘Now I’ll say this, I was really surprised that he [Tomlin] pulled them after that. I get it, you saw what you wanted, two series and two scores, but I don’t know how many plays they had, but it couldn’t of been more than a dozen. I was just surprised because I think with only three preseason games, I would think what Mike would want to see is some situational football from his starters.’”

In my opinion, how can Roethlisberger even question Tomlin’s strategy when, for years, Roethlisberger took Wednesdays off from the Steelers’ regular season practices based on the “theory” that he was adequately versed in the Steelers system and to also prevent Roethlisberger from experiencing an unnecessary injury? For instance, in October 2021, the Steelers were struggling to get out of last place in the AFC North and most of the media considered that it was almost a privilege that Roethlisberger decided to leave the throne room and join the commoners of the practice field.

Curt Popejoy posted

this “gem” on steelerswire.usatoday.com on Oct. 27, 2021, as the Steelers were preparing to face the Cleveland Browns. “On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin told the press the team was going into the week of preparations for the Cleveland Browns healthy. On Wednesday he backed that up. [Steelers QB Ben]

just ahead of them at 4-3.”

On more than one occasion, there have been examples of Roethlisberger not just throwing his teammates under the bus, but driving the bus himself. On October 17, 2017, on 93.7

berger regardless of his actions or inactions, positive or negative.

and I’m sorry… Did I go too far after that Denver game? Probably.”

Roethlisberger typically doesn’t practice on Wednesday, so it is something of a surprise to see him out there at all. However, given the team has been off for a week, it’s good he’s getting in a little extra work. The Steelers are hoping to extend their current winning streak to three games. Pittsburgh currently sits at 3-3 and in last place in the AFC North. However, they are only a halfgame out of a playoff spot with the Browns

The Fan, former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward delivered his take on Roethlisberger’s method of criticizing his teammates and others around him. “I sometimes disagree with kind of how he comments on other people,” Hines said about Ben. “I know some guys might take that the wrong way. I know earlier in his career, he hated to be critiqued by some of the veteran guys himself.” Some would even argue that Roethlisberger’s selfish and unwarranted criticism of a play on which he fully placed the blame on Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown began the downward trajectory of the career of Brown (some would argue that it was the beginning of the end for Brown), because of the unwarranted, undeserved, and widespread devotion of the media and fans to Roethlis -

On the Complex website, it was pointed out that “Brown [had discussed his disconnect with Ben Roethlisberger] several times before, including an appearance on LeBron James podcast, ‘The Shop.’” “During Brown’s appearance on the show, he explained how Roethlisberger’s overbearing and authoritative attitude drove them apart.”

Brown specifically cited when Roethlisberger told the media that he (Brown) ran the incorrect route and that was the reason that caused Roethlisberger to throw the late-game interception that led to their Week 12 loss against the Denver Broncos.

“That’s the type of guy he is. He feels like he’s the owner,” Brown said. “Bro, you threw this s--t to the D-line. How the f--k am I going to run a better route? You need to give me a better ball.”

Roethlisberger offered a public apology. “I took some heat and deservedly so for some of the comments on that show and especially towards him,” he said. “I genuinely feel bad about that

While Roethlisberger tried to reconcile, Brown didn’t seem to accept the apology, tweeting, “Two face” on the day that Roethlisberger issued the hollow apology. “Did I go too far after that Denver game? Probably. Did I go too far after that Denver game? Probably.” Probably? Even when Roethlisberger was caught “red-handed,” ‘Big’ Ben continued to tote his Johnny Appleseed pouch looking for a “rich-dark” plot of soil to sow his “seeds of doubt” regarding Roethlisberger indirectly or directly being held accountable for all his negative actions or behavior. Oftentimes history is recorded through the eyes of the beholder. Therein lies the problem. When the narrative of the past is altered overtly or covertly, the future will be automatically altered as well.

Steelers begin regular season on Sept. 10 vs. 49ers

COURIER PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN COOK SR. CAPTURED THESE PHOTOS FROM THE STEELERS’ ONLY HOME PRESEASON GAME THIS YEAR, AUG. 19, AGAINST BUFFALO.

CELEBRATING TOUCHDOWNS WERE TIGHT ENDS PAT FREIERMUTH (88) AND CONNOR HEYWARD (83)

THE STEELERS’ MATCHUP AGAINST THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS IS AT 1 P.M. AT ACRISURE STADIUM.

PROPERTY IS POWER!

How is a FHA mortgage different from a conventional mortgage?

When it comes to purchasing a home, many prospective buyers may find themselves exploring various mortgage options available in the market. Two popular choices are Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans and conventional mortgages. Both options offer distinct advantages and cater to different financial circumstances In this article, we will delve into the key differences between FHA loans and conventional mortgages, helping you make an informed decision on which option suits your needs best.

Loan Insurer

One of the fundamental distinctions between an FHA loan and a conventional mortgage is the entity that provides insurance on the loan. FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration, a government agency under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This backing provides lenders with a certain level of protection against borrower default, making it possible for applicants with lower credit scores and limited financial resources to qualify for the loan. On the other hand, conventional mortgages are not insured or guaranteed by any government agency. Instead, they are typically offered by private lenders, such as mortgage brokers, banks and credit unions. As a result, conventional mortgages often come with stricter eligibility criteria and may require a higher down payment, making them more suitable for financially stable borrowers with stronger credit profiles.

Down Payment Requirements

Down payment requirements are aa significant aspect of any

home loan, and this is where FHA loans and conventional mortgages diverge. For an FHA loan, the minimum down payment is relatively low, typically around 3.5 percent of the home’s purchase price. This lower down payment threshold enables borrowers who might have difficulty saving for a larger down payment to enter the housing market. In contrast, conventional mortgages may require a higher down payment, usually ranging

How Black Americans can build and establish credit

by Nicole Dieker

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Why is it important to establish good credit? Because better credit equals better financial opportunities—and, in many cases, better financial outcomes.

Unfortunately, not all Americans have easy access to the resources, tools and experiences that help people build and establish good credit.

representation,” explains James Cooley, a financial counselor who works with the Financial Empowerment Centers to expand access to the credit system and create a more equitable society.

one way to get there. “Our credit system is far from perfect,” says Cooley, “but having above a 670 credit score has the potential to make life a bit easier and dreams more affordable to grasp.”

wealth gap.”

Here’s how to get started.

Becoming an authorized user

ANTHONY O. KELLUM

from 5 percent to 20 percent of the property’s purchase price. The exact percentage will depend on factors like the borrower’s creditworthiness, the lender’s policies, and the overall economic climate. Consequently, conventional mortgages may be less accessible to those with limited savings or lower credit scores.

Credit Score Requirements

Credit scores play a crucial role in determining the eligibility and interest rates for both FHA loans and conventional mortgages. FHA loans are more lenient towards applicants with lower credit scores, making them an attractive option for individuals with less-than-perfect credit histories. Borrowers with credit scores as

Notorious

I was having a nostalgic moment driving through my childhood neighborhood bumping to some Notorious B.I.G. The song “10 crack commandments” started playing. When I listen to music, most times I’m grooving to the beat. I’m not necessarily listening to the lyrics. But on this day, I listened to the words. In this song, Biggie details his step by step manual on how to successfully navigate through the drug world. He gives 10 commandments on how you can get your game on track. Not your wig pushed back. In other words, Biggie is describing how you can win with money in the drug game without being victim to the streets—be it robbed, jailed, or killed.

I’m in the business of teaching people how to win with money. We often feel robbed by low wages, high prices, high interest rates, and limited opportunities. We feel imprisoned to our lifestyle, our responsibilities, escalating expenses and mounting debt. Our dreams are often killed as we navigate through life trying to figure out how to create forward momentum and get ahead financially. When you can’t see and experience forward progress with your money, it’s akin to getting your wig pushed back. How can we survive and thrive as we navigate through life with all the ups and downs?

“One of the big factors affecting Black Americans and credit scoring is how things are scored,” explains Felicia Gopaul, a certified financial planner (CFP) who has served as a CFP Board Ambassador and currently runs Financial Control Mastery.

“Black Americans are 30 percent less likely to be homeowners, for example, but credit scoring does not include rent payments.”

Since mortgage payments benefit your credit score but rent payments do not, this puts a lot of Black Americans at a disadvantage. “I know a lot of people who pay their rent and utilities on time, but those payments are not factored into their credit,” says Gopaul. Although services like Experian Boost are working to fill this gap by helping people add their bill payment history to their credit reports, there’s still a lot of ground to cover—and a lot of history to overcome.

“Ultimately, many of the issues in our system affecting Black Americans boil down to a lack of multigenerational wealth and inadequate

10

When you have a community of people who have been historically denied access to the types of financial opportunities that create wealth, and whose everyday financial activities—such as rent and bill payments—are not represented in our current credit scoring system, you end up with not only a racial wealth gap, but also a racial credit score gap.

Fortunately, there are ways to close both of these gaps—and one way to start is by building better credit.

How Black Americans can build better credit

If you want access to better financial opportunities, establishing a good FICO credit score is

Danielle M. Burns, vice president and head of business development at CNote, agrees. “Black Americans have been left out of the credit-building conversation, which has led to a massive credit gap,” she explains. “If Black Americans understand the credit cycle and usage analysis, they can save on fees, high interest rates or other unfavorable terms.

“Being able to take those savings from potentially high interest rates and fees and then invest that money into a high-yield savings account and begin to contribute to an IRA or other investment strategy can help put them on a path to closing the racial

If you’re having trouble opening a line of credit on your own—or if you’re still too young to open your first credit card—you might want to consider becoming an authorized user on a friend or family member’s credit card.

“I have a teenager getting ready to go off to college,” Gopaul says. “One of the things we talked about is her becoming an authorized user on our accounts. This gives her access to our credit, and she can leverage that. It’s a great way to start.”

When you become an authorized user on another person’s credit card, any activity on the card has the potential to become part of your credit history and improve your credit score. “It’s incredibly lowrisk, high reward,” Cooley explains.

Unfortunately, the person who allows you onto their credit account takes on a slightly higher risk. Since they are legally responsible for all balances charged to the card, it’s important to make sure you don’t make any purchases that max out the credit card or create unwanted credit card debt.

“You have to be careful about who you add as an authorized user,” Gopaul advises, “so that they are not creating problems for you.”

Applying for a se-

Money Commandments

If Biggie, who’s often quoted saying “Mo Money, Mo problems,” can provide insight on how to win in a violent world of drugs, surely we can find wisdom in his commandments to apply and win with money. Let’s dive into his step by step manual. His lyrics are explicit and revolves around drugs. So, I’ll take creative liberty to make his words applicable here. I’ll also add some commentary.

Rule # 1: Never let anyone know how much money you have because money brings jealously— People don’t openly discuss money. But you have several people who are flashy and braggadocious. This can create unwanted attention and make you a mark for robbery. Also be smart about things you post on social media. Letting people know you’re away on vacation can make your home a target.

Rule #2: Never let them know your next move—They say bosses move in silence. If they’re not helping you achieve your next goal, there’s no need for them to know anything about what you’re doing until it’s done. There are too many dream-killers out there including close friends and family. Be mindful and very

selective of who you include in your circle of influence.

Rule #3: Never trust anybody—Do you want to see how people really are? Wait until money is involved. When it comes to money, everybody is a suspect. Money has a way of exposing the worst in people. When dealing with money, allow people to earn your trust over time by transacting small amounts first. Don’t lend money—especially to family and friends. If you have the money, can do without it, and it’s within reason—give it to the person whom you deem has a sincere need.

Rule #4: Never get high on your own success—It’s OK to be confident and proud of your accomplishments. You should always remain humble. Success is hard to come by but easy to go. Stay grounded and hold true to the principles, hard work and characteristics that launched you to success. Once you have achieved a sustained level of success, circle back and launch others on their path to success. Rule #5: Never sell a product or service without disclosing all known facts —Be honest and upfront with people you

do business with. Frustrations breed from unmet expectations. Highlight the pros and cons of the services and products being provided—thus allowing the consumer to make an informed decision with open eyes and pertinent facts.

Rule #6: Credit? Dead it! Use credit wisely? NO!! Dead it! Use credit only when absolutely necessary. If you use credit, pay it off as soon as humanly possible. Nothing separates man/woman from wealth like debt! Wealth is defined as what you own minus what you owe (debt).

Rule #7: Keep family and business separated. Money and blood don’t mix— Doing business with family can create lingering negative ramifications. It’s easy to cut off a business relationship with people you will not see at Thanksgiving Dinner. It’s hard and can be devastating to sever ties with family members because of business dealings.

Rule #8: Never keep large sums of cash on you—Money is the best magician. It can disappear in front of your eyes without you knowing. Carrying large sums of money can subject you to loss, theft, and waste.

Rule #9: Allow money to police you —We get all black and blue (bruised)

When you have a community of people who have been historically denied access to the types of financial opportunities that create wealth…you end up with not only a racial wealth gap, but also a racial credit score gap.

by Renata Sago

In cooperation with AARP

Happy Aging is a unique series focused on how to help you age well. These stories have been created in cooperation with AARP and Word In Black.

The day of your retirement arrives. You’re at the office surrounded by teary-eyed colleagues. They reminisce over the first time you all met, then ask the typical retirement day questions: “What do you have planned for your new life?” “Will you do some traveling or buckle down and finish up your memoir?” You don’t have answers to their questions and you’re okay with that. You’ve saved enough coins to be comfortable for a long time.

Retirement is more than an event. It’s a process. It can take years of intention, hard work, and serendipity – especially if you’re running a small business or working part time. According to a survey released in 2021 by the U.S. Census Bureau, around 37 percent of Black working-age people—from baby boomers to Generation Z—had at least one retirement savings account in 2020.

It’s easy to start a 401K package or pension if you work full time for an established company that offers these options. If you’re self-employed or work part-time, though, then you’ve got different options for successful retirement. Here’s how to get started:

Define What Retirement Means to You

Gone are the days when retirement had a fixed age and lifestyle. Retirement can be a decision to stop working forever.  It can also be a pivot to a new career path. If you define retirement as entering a new phase of your work life, then there’s a chance that you could retire more than once!

Decide When You’d

Like to Retire

No need to have all of the details. Just come up with an idea of when you’d like to start a new

phase of your work life. Having a rough idea will help you prepare for the unexpected. This is especially true if you’re making plans with a romantic or business partner.

Estimate How Much Savings You’ll Need Begin with the now. Take a deep breath. Write down your income versus expenses. This includes health care costs and taxes. Consider your cash flow, too (because the timing of when you receive income is important). Don’t forget about inflation. This retirement calculator will give you a good baseline estimate.

Begin to Build Up Your Savings By Opening an Account…or Two…or Three.

These techniques will help you save for retirement Build and establish credit

Identify how you’d like to start saving, then consider some of the types of accounts, here.

• Traditional 401K.

• Solo 401K

• IRA (Individual Retirement Account)

• Tax-efficient mutual fund

• High yield savings account with flexible interest rates

• SEP with flexible contributions

• Bonds

You’ll find some insight for some of the accounts, here. Consider talking to a financial advisor to figure out which approaches will benefit your lifestyle. Start with the bank where you have your checking account.

Pick Up a Job During Retirement

If you decide that you don’t want to rely solely on savings and investments during retirement, then keep working. Just go at a different pace. Instead of being the boss, be a consultant. If working parttime keeps you feeling productive and social, then go that route. If you really need to cover certain health care costs for yourself and family, then look for full-time work.  There will be some uncomfortable moments, of course. But what would the journey of life be without them?

cured credit card

Another good way to build credit quickly is by applying for a secured credit card. With a secured card, you put down a small security deposit—often around $200— and receive a small credit limit. This gives you the opportunity to practice using credit responsibly and build a positive credit history.

“I love secured cards,” says Gopaul. “You put a deposit down and are able to charge against it—and that’s a good thing.”

By making everyday purchases on your secured credit card and paying your statement balances on time, you’ll establish a history of good credit habits. At that point, your lender is likely to return your security deposit and graduate you to an unsecured credit card.

“A secured credit card that can help you build credit is often a good starting point,” says Burns. “Just make sure you pay off your balance every month!”

Taking out a starter credit card

In some cases, you may not need to become an authorized user or open a secured credit account to start building a credit history of your own. Many people with no credit history or limited credit experience are able to successfully open a starter credit card, especially if they already have a checking or savings account with a bank that issues starter lines of credit.

Starter credit cards generally have lower-than-average credit limits and may offer fewer rewards than today’s top credit cards—but a good starter card is a great way to start building credit. Cooley suggests looking for a starter card that doesn’t

Notorious Money Commandments

by money because we make money the master instead of the servant.

Money should be used to protect and serve our needs, wants, and desires. It should be used to preserve our best interest. Money used otherwise is brutality.

Rule #10: Never cosign for anyone other than your spouse— When you cosign for a person, you’re saying if they fail to make timely payments at any time, you assume full responsibility for the debt. If the bank, whose lifeline

is dependent upon their ability to lend money and earn interest off of loans, is saying this person is a credit risk, and the only way they will lend money is for them to have a cosigner, then the person in question has a high probability of default. Why would you vouch for them and risk your financial wellbeing? By following these rules, you’ll have serious money and less headaches.

(Damon

MORTGAGE FROM B1

low as 500-550 may still qualify for an FHA loan, albeit with a higher down payment requirement. Conventional mortgages on the other hand, generally demand higher credit scores to secure favorable terms and competitive interest rates. A credit score of 620-6400 or higher is often required, and borrowers with higher scores may enjoy better interest rates and loan terms. For those with excellent credit, a conventional mortgage can be a more financially advantageous choice.

charge an annual fee and recommends building credit quickly by using the card to automatically pay small bills every month.

“It’s important to pay on time,” Cooley explains. “I have seen the best successes from clients who set the credit card to pay their Netflix and pay the card in full each statement cycle.” Finding Black credit unions

Another good way to establish a positive credit history is by working with a credit union—especially if you can find a credit union designed to serve the Black community.

“They have something which is called credit builder accounts,” Gopaul explains. “You’ll typically find them in smaller community banks and credit unions.”

Credit builder accounts, sometimes called credit-building loans, work a bit like secured credit cards. “It’s the same sort of concept,” Gopaul says. “You put money down, and you can charge against it.”

If you decide to open a credit builder account with a credit union or community bank, ask whether your credit activity will be reported to the three national credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). “If you can find one that reports to all three, that’s more helpful than one that reports to just one,” Gopaul explains.

Then, all you have to do is use your credit-building loan wisely.

Tip: By making on-time payments, keeping any balances low and paying off any debt you charge, you’ll quickly establish a positive credit history.

By building a relationship with a community-based credit union, you may be able to access not only better credit options but also financial advice,

in-person classes, community-building opportunities and more.

Accessing financial resources for Black Americans

One of the best ways to build a solid financial future is by setting yourself up with a good financial education. And one of the best ways to give back to your community is by sharing what you learn.

“If you can educate people, they will often take that information back into their communities to build it back,” says Gopaul. “That has been my experience.”

Free financial resources

If you want to access free financial resources, you have plenty of options. You can use a credit-building app like CreditWise from Capital One or Discover’s Credit Scorecard to track your credit score and learn how your everyday spending habits affect your credit. You can also look for organizations designed to teach financial management skills, including how to build a good credit score.

“Many groups out there —including local governments, through services like the Financial Empowerment Centers—provide no-cost financial counseling to get folks moving in the right direction and have a focused knowledge of the system,” Cooley explains. “Counselors can work with people on establishing and building credit, accessing safe financial products, creating a budget, paying down debt and increasing savings.”

Hiring a financial professional

As your credit and finances improve, you might want to consider hiring a financial professional. “I highly encourage everyone to consider working with a certified financial planner,” Burns

says. “CFPs work in service of their clients to help them achieve their financial goals. They can help with everything from creating a personal budget, buying a house and saving for retirement to understanding how best to manage your credit based on your overall financial goals and objectives.”

Gopaul agrees. “Credit-building apps are beneficial,” she says. “But as you get more educated, sometimes these sorts of things do not help you move the lever.” By talking to a financial planner, you can get specific answers to personalized questions— like whether you can save money by improving your credit score before you buy a home. “The nice thing about CFPs is that we’ve been trained in a lot of different area,” Gopaul says.

Bottom line

“While the credit system is not perfect and has been discriminatory, it can be utilized to provide opportunities to individuals and communities that were even more limited by the old systems,” says Cooley.

Whether you’re hoping to buy a home, buy a car, rent an apartment or use a credit card to purchase your next vacation, having a good credit score will make these kinds of financial transactions easier and more affordable— and, if you have the right kind of credit card, more rewarding.

Understanding how the credit system works also gives you the opportunity to share what you learn with others, helping even more people in your community take advantage of the benefits that good credit can offer.

(Nicole Dieker is a freelance writer with a focus on personal finance and habit formation.)

his

Mortgage Insurance Mortgage insurance is another key factor that distinguishes FHA loans from conventional mortgages. FHA loans require borrowers to pay an upfront mortgage in -

surance premium (MIP) at closing, followed by annual MIP payments throughout the life of the loan. This insurance safeguards the lender against potential losses if the borrower defaults on the loan. In contrast, conventional mortgages typically require private mortgage insurance (PMI) if the down payment is less than 20 percent pf the home’s purchase price. However, once the borrower reaches 20 percent equity in the property, they can request the cancellation of PMI. This feature can save borrowers money in the long run compared to FHA loans, where mortgage insurance is required for the entire loan term. Which Loan is Right for You?

The decision between FHA loan and a con -

ventional mortgage depends on several factors, including your credit score, financial situation, and long-term homeownership goals. If you have a lower credit score and are looking a more affordable down payment option, an FHA loan might be the better choice. However, if you have a solid credit history and can afford a larger down payment, a conventional mortgage might offer more flexibility and potentially lower cost over time.

Before making a decision, it is essential to consult with a qualified mortgage broker who can help you evaluate your options and find the most suitable loan product for your unique needs. Remember that buying a home is a significant financial commitment and taking the

time to research and understand your financing options will ensure you make a well informed choice. By doing do, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your individual need and sets you on the path to homeownership, In summary, FHA loans and conventional mortgages cater to different financial situations and have their distinct set of benefits and drawbacks. FHA loans offer more lenient eligibility requirements, lower down payment options, and are suitable for borrowers with higher credit scores, enabling them to potentially secure better interest rates and avoid long-term mortgage insurance payments.

The value of understanding value

Not too long ago it was announced that NASA is tracking an asteroid called 16 Psyche. It is made completely of metal but has enough gold to make everyone on Earth a billionaire…or collapse the gold market, destabilizing the global financial world.

This scenario more or less proves that a lot of people do not understand the meaning of “value.” One dictionary defines value thusly: 1) the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something. 2) a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life.

Notice that in the two descriptions there is no mention of money; money and value are not synonymous. A relationship between the two does exist, however. A person’s attitude toward money and its acquisition depends upon a person’s overall value system.

When it comes to the world’s economic systems, the value of certain commodities is dependent upon scarcity, upon availability, upon what is known as “supply and demand.” The more you have of something, the more it loses its perceived value.

Back to the beginning: the misplacement (and misunderstanding) of value is one of the biggest challenges we face in modern society. The notion that everyone on Earth could become “billionaires” with the money generated from the asteroid 16 Psyche is a case of thinking that is delusional, and which goes against the grain of financial logic.

Basically, if everyone became a “billionaire,” then being a billionaire would lose its value! In order for our financial system to work, there must be inequality; the haves and have-nots will always be with us.

In short, one of the problems we are experiencing in the world is the overvaluing of money and other material things and a misplacement of the meaning of value. Essentially, too many people place value on the wrong things. Consider the scenario of the value of a human life vs the value of money. In this day and age, a lot of people tend to place more value on money than on human life.

All over the world those who are economically challenged are slipping deeper into despair due to the inequity demonstrated by the global economy. The rich are definitely getting richer, while those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder are losing ground fast.

What needs to happen is a change in our attitudes about the concept of “values,” which are often a product of our upbringing and subsequent experiences.

It is frequently said that “Victims raise victims.” Though this may not be true in ALL cases, it is certainly true in some and, because of this, we need to become aware of the elements in our lives that dictate the kinds of choices we make based on what we value.

In the Black community, there are a number of things that would improve if we would change our values. For example, if we understood that White skin is not better than Black, we might be encouraged to trust each other more and thereby benefit from working on collaborative ventures.

If we change our values, we may come to the realization that so-called “nappy hair” is not inherently “bad hair”—it is merely different when compared to that of certain other races sharing the planet.

If we change our values, we will come to recognize that self-hatred generated by years of oppression is one of the factors retarding the Black community. The Black community in America generates more than a trillion dollars annually. That is more than some whole countries have at their disposal. Imagine what could be done if we would pool our resources; we would be a dominant economic global force.

The truth of the matter is we all must realize that humanity is our greatest resource! This, therefore, is where we should place our values; we must see the value in each other.

We must understand that if a famine overtakes us, we won’t be able to eat money; if we are overcome by massive catastrophes, we won’t find a ton of cash important, especially if we are experiencing hunger or thirst. Ultimately, we must learn the lesson that people are more important than dollars. If we can do that, we’ll learn the sky is the limit as to what we can accomplish together! A Luta Continua.

(Reprinted from The Chicago Crusader)

TriceEdneyWire.com—Enroute from New Jersey to Georgia to turn himself in for his arrest for all those charges, Donald Trump (now known as Inmate #PO1135809) was texting the following—even to me: “Dr. E. Faye. I hope you’ll read my personal note:

“Remarks Penned by the 45th (and Future 47thPresident of the United States)

Today, I will be going to the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia where I will be ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME.

Isn’t it interesting that I went my entire life without ever getting arrested…But suddenly out of nowhere, once I decided to run for president as a political outsider and fight for the forgotten citizens of our country, I get ARRESTED FOUR TIMES within the span of just 5 months? Not only that, a judge has ruled that today’s specific spectacle may be televised for the entire world to see. The American people know what’s going on.

This is a punishment handed down from the Deep State for daring to challenge the status quo and give a voice to the Silent Majority. The Left wants to intimidate YOU out of voting for a political outsider who puts the American people FIRST. But today, I’m walking into the lion’s den with one simple message on behalf of our entire movement: I WILL NEVER SURRENDER OUR MISSION TO SAVE AMERICA.

And if you see me on TV during my sham arrest, just remember that YOU are the source of my courage, my hope, and my resolve to save America. But if you can, please make a contribution to SAVE AMERICA during this dark chapter in our nation’s history. Thank you and God bless you.  Donald Trump” Donald then suggests you send $24 to $3,300 dollars or more for Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee! He then ends with a popup to send more by August 31st! This is a man who claims to be so rich.  He flew into Atlanta on an airplane with his name there in huge letters, followed by loads of police on motorcycles and a host of black limousines to protect him paid by you as a taxpayer who may not have a dime in your pocket now; yet, he is traveling to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport asking you to send him money! Trump’s mugshot looks into his soul, and he has the nerve to look angry.  It’s gone around the world to the embarrassment of our nation. I’m sure others see what we see—a man who

should already be incarcerated.  For the first time in his life, he’s experiencing to some extent what poor people and those who don’t enjoy a lifetime of payments as he does from taxpayers. This is the way he thanks you by asking for even more of your hard-earned money compared with what he gets. He has always experienced more than his share of special privilege! Though he admits he was treated nicely, I wonder if it occurred to him, he received special privilege while being indicted—just as he’s enjoyed all his life. I wonder if he thought about how the Central Park 5 were treated when they were indicted and convicted though innocent.

Black people have always been used as free labor in this country. Those poor people dressed in Blacks for Trump tee shirts at Trump’s arrest and campaign rallies are being used, but I know they won’t be voting for him!  They just needed a free clean shirt and maybe a hot dog and a soda because of policies like Trump’s when he was President.  I know the world noticed he never has such tee shirts for Japanese, Chinese, Koreans for Trump or other groups. He has no shame showing his disrespect for vulnerable Black people.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of the Dick Gregory Society and President Emerita of NCBW.)

Palm

Doss Editor & Publisher

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—This country faces a reckoning. The question is whether we will come together or fall apart, move forward or descend toward a moral abyss. In this time of deep discord, of partisan divide, racial tension, extreme inequality, the outcome is far from certain.

As fraught as this time is, however, it is not unique. We have faced such moments before.

When this nation was founded on the proposition that all were created equal, the Founders could not duck the question of slavery. States with large numbers of slaves wanted the slaves to be counted for purposes of representation and taxation, even though they were considered property, without any rights. To form the union, the Founders compromised in the Constitution, with slaves counted as three-fifths of a person—three-fifth human—increasing the number of representatives from the slave states while remaining in bondage. Thomas Jefferson owned 600 slaves, but publicly denounced slavery as a “moral depravity” and believed that slavery represented the greatest threat to the new nation. “I tremble for my country,” he wrote, “when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.”

In the end it took a Civil War—with the most casualties of any war in American history – to bring an end to this depravity. That triumph was driven by an abolitionist movement, by increased slave revolts, by strong leaders like Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, and by Whites and Blacks willing to risk their lives to preserve the union and eventually to save it from the moral abyss of slavery.

Then, after a period of Reconstruction when biracial majorities

transformed the South, creating the first public school systems and a new economy, a relentless reaction set in, with terrorism—lynchings, murders, beatings, intimidation—stripping the new free man of their rights and driving their allies apart. What followed was nearly a century of legal apartheid—segregation—in which Blacks were deprived of the right to vote, the right to sit on juries, access to public facilities and more. Once more, America was scarred by a moral depravity.

This time, it required a nonviolent civil rights movement with courageous Whites joining African Americans demanding their rights. The country responded when they witnessed the horrors of the Birmingham bombing, Bloody Sunday in Selma and more. That movement for justice forced politicians to react, and with strong leaders like Lyndon Johnson and Martin Luther King, they reconstituted America with the passage of the Civil Rights Bill, and the Voting Rights legislation. Once more coalitions like the Rainbow Coalition came together to exercise those rights, register people to vote, and elect new leaders to lead the way.

Now, with America growing more diverse—and yet more unequal with the wealthy few capturing almost all of the rewards of growth—a new reaction is building, driven by cynical

politicians who fan racial division for political profit. A reactionary majority in the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, repealed affirmative action, opened the floodgates to big and secret money in politics, and authorized political gerrymandering. Donald Trump, personifying that reaction, launched a multi-state, multi-layered effort to overturn his loss in a democratic election to stay in power. Once more America faces a reckoning. As history teaches us, it will take a broad coalition of concerned citizens —drawn across lines of race, region and religion—to come together to save democracy. Courageous leaders can resist the efforts to undermine democracy, as Republican officials did in Arizona and Georgia.

Courageous prosecutors like Atlanta’s Fani Willis, can seek to enforce the rule of law. In the end, however, the American people will decide if the country will continue to move forward, or if those who scorn its laws to divide us will succeed. Whether or not Donald Trump and his co-conspirators are found guilty in a court of law, the threat that they represent will only be defeated by the decision of the American people at the polls. Once more we must decide the course this country will take.

Time and time again in our history, citizen movements have saved America from a moral abyss.

Time and time again, courageous leaders have responded and molded their energies into political reforms that made America better. Now once more, the country needs that movement and that leadership to move us forward.

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—There’s a phrase you hear from business schools to boardrooms that comes from John Doerr, a legendary investor who backed Google, Amazon, and Intuit: Measure what matters.

Those words certainly jumped to mind this summer as leaders from Washington to London sent signals that protecting a safe, livable planet hardly matters because it’s not worth accounting for accurately and honestly.

On Capitol Hill, the House committee that oversees financial markets held a hearing on “how mandates like ESG distort markets and drive up costs.” ESG is an abbreviation for environmental, social, and corporate governance. The idea that performance on those factors should be part of investment decisions has been gaining momentum for more than 15 years. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is asking companies to report more about ESG, which prompted the hearing.

The event had an Alice in Wonderland feel as it happened as homeowners in places like Florida, California, and Louisiana were learning of insurers raising already high rates or leaving the states altogether because of climate-driven risks. The financial implications of climate change couldn’t have been clearer.

The House Republicans who called the hearing made no mention of studies by consulting firms like PWC and McKinsey that have found huge majorities want to do business with and work at companies that lead on ESG, or that consumer products tied to those factors are outgrowing those that don’t.

Across the Atlantic, the Reuters news service reported that global bankers want to divorce themselves from accountability for two thirds of the carbon pollution that comes from the stock and bond sales their banks underwrite. Those who profit from dirty fuels rely on those stocks and bond sales to expand. Almost half of the financing from top U.S. banks to fossil fuel companies since 2016 came from those kinds of sales and not direct loans, for example. Without those investments, carbon emissions would decline as fossil fuel production and processing was starved of that money.

This kind of shortsightedness isn’t new. Our economy always has been

built on ignoring people and places deemed disposable.

Measure what matters—people in frontline communities flooded by more intense storms, choked by industrial pollution, and scorched by wildfires have no choice. Their property loss and health problems are the metrics we use. They must take that measure all the time, and they always come out on the short end.

For his part, John Doerr has placed his bets. He’s been investing in zero carbon technologies since 2006. Last year, he and his wife gave Stanford University more than $1 billion to launch a sustainability school. Doerr’s most recent book calls itself “an action plan to solve the climate crisis.” He notes that the Greek root for the word crisis means “to choose.” The good news is we’ve never had more opportunity to make the right choices. From less costly renewable energy to the availability of affordable electric vehicles, we have options to end our addiction to fossil fuels. Making the right choices means making informed choices. We can’t permit the powerful to withhold what we need to decide what’s best for us and for the planet.

(Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra Club, the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.)

60 years after the March on Washington

(BlackPress of America)—Sixty years ago, more than 200,000 people descended upon the National Mall for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, making a stand for freedom and equality. Black people, women, and poor people had been treated like second-class citizens for too long, and it was time to demand justice.

The March led to unprecedented federal legislation addressing the systemic racism and economic injustices that had plagued Black people through slavery and the Jim Crow era. Within a year, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed, followed by the National Voting Rights Act of 1965 a year later. Sit-ins, protests, and other demonstrations set the stage for change, but the March on Washington set a new standard for civic engagement and exemplified the impact that could be accomplished when we organize broad coalitions toward a common goal. Those lessons will stand the test of time. The march remains a call to action for social justice advocates to continue the fight against discrimination, voter suppression, police brutality, and wage disparity. It is also a platform to elevate the greater narrative on racial injustice.

The cleanest whitewash of history

Following the publication of Florida’s new history standards, two sentences from the 216-page document drew criticism for distorting African American history.

Democratic critics throughout the country seized on the assertion that “slaves developed skills that, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit” and accused Florida’s Republican leaders of promoting the notion that slavery was beneficial to African Americans.

The other one, which instructed teachers to “include acts of violence perpetuated against and by African Americans” during race riots, received little attention. There were critics who denounced the new history standards for claiming there was violence on both sides.

When comparing the two statements, it is clear the Democratic critics could have bludgeoned Florida’s Republican leadership much more effectively with the second statement, but the national outrage was directed at the first.

J. Pharoah Doss Check It Out

media, who lived vicariously through the “social justice victory”, told White America that this generation of Black Americans was not like their nonviolent ancestors.

Some Black opinion writers reacted angrily to the social media commentators.

They published essays to dispel the myth that their ancestors were passive victims of racial violence and to explain that Black Americans have always fought back.

was taken out of a Freedmen’s Bureau school by “White supremacists.” Bently was badly beaten and whipped. The “White supremacists” were punishing Bently for an essay he published denouncing Democrats for random acts of violence and praising the “morals” of the Republican Party.

Tamieka Atkins

Commentary

Now, as we commemorate August 28, 1963, we understand that while progress has been made, we have so much more work to do. Our democracy is fragile, and we face new threats each day.

In Georgia, threats against democracy linger around every corner. Over the past five years alone, potential voters have faced a new wave of voter purges, the elimination of polling places, reductions in early voting options, limitations on the use of mail-in/absentee ballots, efforts to undermine poll workers and legislation that would subject citizens to a criminal investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for claimed suspicion of voting irregularity. We’ve always been a hotbed for civil rights and social justice, but recent years have shown just how far some people will go to suppress the will of the people. The needs of real people too often take a backseat to partisan jockeying, rampant mis- and disinformation, and wholesale agendas reversing decades of legal precedent promoting equity. At this moment, we cannot afford to view the March as a thing of the past. The fight for our most basic civil rights never ended. We need urgent action and consistent civic engagement.

That’s why for more than a decade, ProGeorgia has worked to help uphold the legacy of community organizing, civic engagement, and viable policy change set forth by the trailblazers behind the March on Washington. Alongside our 61 partner organizations, we continue to employ smart, robust, and innovative strategies to rebuild democracy and magnify civic engagement. While we organize for equity in our state, we also try to provide a framework for creating people-centered, positive change nationwide.

What we’ve found most effective is centering our work around three major premises: relational, rather than transactional engagement; elevating the values, views, voices and leadership of women of color; and embracing, amplifying, and mobilizing young people.

“Change happens at the speed of trust,” said Stephen M.R. Covey, and the Rev. Jennifer Bailey added that “relationships are built at the speed of trust, and social change happens at the speed of relationships.” Thus, longstanding, systemic, and generational change is built over time by creating meaningful relationships. It’s not enough to rally folks for a single election or campaign. You must give people a real reason to believe that their voice and vote matters. Even more, you must show them how to engage in the democratic process regularly, beyond election cycles, and remind them that our systems are only as strong as the people who run them. We must hold those elected and appointed officials accountable to the will of the people.

Beyond non-transactional relationships, it’s important to center and elevate the voices, values, and leadership of people guiding this work every day, many of whom are Black women and women of color. The face of civic engagement must reflect the communities being served. We need more brown, black, queer, and differently-abled people as activists, organizers, candidates, policymakers, judges, district attorneys, and lawmakers.

Even as we strive toward greater inclusivity, we must also embrace and elevate the ideals and actions of young people. At the time of the March on Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr. was 34 years old, and Georgia’s own senior statesman, John Lewis, was just 23 and a fierce advocate for justice. Young people have always been at the heart of movements for civil rights and social justice, and real progress requires that we continue to amplify their efforts. Engaging them today means speaking their language and empowering them to engage on their own terms.

So, the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington represents a commemoration and a continuation of the work that’s already been done to make America live up to her promise.

As Anna Hedgeman wrote in her memoir The Trumpet Sounds: A Memoir of Negro Leadership, “We will not rest until there is justice in our beloved country, and we know that as justice comes to all Americans, it will come in increasing measure to the rest of the world.”

(Tamieka Atkins is the executive director of ProGeorgia, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening democracy in the state. To learn more about our effort to protect Georgians’ voter rights, visit http://www.govotega.org.)

Every honest person who read the 216-page document was fully aware that the new history standards never claimed slavery was beneficial to African Americans, and the Democratic critics were grandstanding. But teaching that there was violence against and by African Americans during race riots, on the other hand, is considerably more difficult to justify, especially if Florida’s Republican leadership is accused of blaming race riots on Black victims.

Why did the Democratic critics shy away from the stronger point of attack? The reactions to the “Montgomery Riverboat Brawl” made their decision clear.

This altercation broke out after a group of White individuals attacked a Black man, and a swarm of Black people rushed to his aid. The brawl quickly went viral on social media. Since the Blacks won, several Black social media commentators have referred to it as a late social justice win for their ancestors, who were victims of racial violence. Other Blacks on social

Having said that, Democratic critics avoided focusing national attention on the issue of violence because they did not want to be corrected. Those corrections would be accompanied by a dark past that modern Democrats want buried.

The entire statement, which Democratic critics avoided, stated, “Instruction includes acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans, but is not limited to the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot, the 1919 Washington, D.C. Race Riot, the 1920 Ocoee Massacre, the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, and the 1923 Rosewood Massacre.”

Since the lesson is not limited to the incidents listed, we’ll look at the most horrific incident during Reconstruction, the 1868 Opelousas, Louisiana, Massacre.

It is vital to note that in 1868, Louisiana passed a new constitution. It granted voting rights to freed Black males while disenfranchising ex-Confederate rebels. It also established a public school system that was integrated. These were Republican initiatives inserted into the new constitution. As a result, White Democrats became intensely hostile toward the Republican Party and its Black supporters.

In September of 1868, Emerson Bently

Emerson Bently, by the way, was a young White schoolteacher who also served as the secretary of the local Republican Party. He survived the attack but skipped town in secret. Unfortunately, reports arose among the Black residents, all of whom were Republicans, that the Freedmen’s Bureau School teacher was murdered by “White supremacists,” i.e., Democratic Party members. The Black Republicans planned to retaliate and avenge the death of their schoolteacher. The White Democrats saw this as the start of a long-desired race war. According to the Black Past, “Both sides were armed and prepared for conflict as they gathered in Opelousas.  It’s unclear who initiated the battle. What’s clear is that the White Democrats had an overwhelming advantage in numbers and weapons. By the afternoon, the battle had become a massacre.”

This was a battle, and it’s not blaming the victims to teach it as one. The Modern Democratic Party doesn’t want anyone to know what transpired after the atrocity.

In Opelousas, the Republican Party was eliminated. There were no Republican votes cast in the 1868 presidential election because Democratic election officials announced that everyone who voted against the Democratic ticket would be executed within 24 hours.

Not focusing on violence against and by African Americans allowed the Democratic critics of Florida’s new history standards to avoid being corrected. Thus, pulling off one of the cleanest whitewashings of history.

Fani Willis is an American hero

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—For decades, nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan have proven to be among America’s closest allies in the stand for democracy. While our allies sometimes view Americans as arrogant, the United States is a respected leader of the free world. Recently, American leadership abroad has taken a hit and called into question because politics no longer stops at the water’s edge. What is the lasting impact on America’s standing with its allies after four years of chaos under a Trump presidency and four subsequent criminal indictments? In a 2020 poll conducted in 11 European countries by the European Council on Foreign Relations, 53 percent of respondents in Germany said they either strongly agreed or agreed that a post-Trump America couldn’t be relied upon.

The Germans were the most distrustful of the future of American political leadership. After the indictment of the former president by a Manhattan grand jury, few foreign leaders offered their initial opinions on the criminal proceeding, but El Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele wasn’t silent. “Sadly, it’ll be very hard for US foreign policy to use arguments such as “democracy” and “free and fair elections” or try to condemn “political persecution” in other countries, from now on,” Bukele said on Twitter. He added, “Imagine if this happened to a leading opposition presidential candidate here in El Salvador.”

The authoritarian president defended Trump in his comments, but he was correct in highlighting America’s credibility problem abroad. As the world watches, they are not only witnessing America destroying its democracy internally, but they are witnessing a democratic nation transform into the type of authoritarian government generally opposed by countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan.

What message would the American voters be sending to democracies around the world if an indicted and possibly convicted Trump was re-elected to the White House with no intentions of leaving? The world witnessed,

David W. Marshall

as did many Americans, a former U.S. president go to Georgia to be arrested and fingerprinted with a mugshot like every other criminal defendant processed in the Fulton County jail. If Donald Trump is the GOP’s superman, then Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is proving to be his kryptonite.

Trump was not afforded special treatment in Georgia, unlike his previous bookings in New York, Florida, and Washington, D.C. In charging Trump, the Atlanta-area district attorney used the state’s racketeering law, RICO, which ties the former president into a 19-member criminal enterprise typically reserved for mafia bosses and gang leaders. He faces up to 20 years if convicted of the most severe racketeering charge with little chance of a pardon. In Georgia, the courtroom will be televised where the nation and world can see and hear the compelling evidence as it is presented. This transparent access to justice at work may prove damaging to Trump in the court of public opinion. The MAGA world is not happy.

Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential nominee, said a second civil war is “going to happen” if state and federal authorities continue to prosecute Donald Trump. While Palin may be referring to political violence, America’s second civil war has been ongoing since Reconstruction. The second civil war is the battle between those who seek ways to deny full citizenship to people of color versus those who defend against the attack on democracy and ensure that all elements of democracy are equally applied to all citizens. It is a continuation of the first civil war, which resulted in over 600,000 deaths but left freed slaves without the benefits of

American citizenship.

Therefore, the second civil war is the never-ending fight for rightful representation in government, free and fair elections, the ability to vote without intimidation and violence, the freedom to criticize their elected officials, the right to assemble freely and to protest government actions, maintaining the rule of law, and having the right to a fair and public trial by an impartial court. Germany is telling us they see the second civil war. As a result, the United States can no longer be the dependable defender of democracy.

It has become obvious to them that far too many Americans, through arrogance, ignorance, and pride, would rather destroy American democracy in its entirety and accept an authoritarian leader (Donald Trump) who would permanently weaken all elements of citizenship and representation for people of color in what will eventually become a future majority-minority nation.

As part of the second civil war, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis charged Trump with 13 racketeering and conspiracy charges related to his attempt to overturn his defeat by Joe Biden in 2020 and was met with U.S. House Republicans launching an investigation against Willis. Georgia state lawmakers are joining the fray by also targeting Willis with a new state law that creates a state commission with the power to sanction or even oust prosecutors found to be neglecting their duties or responsible for an array of other violations (such as charging the former president). Willis is a hero and a defender of democracy in this war. The same applies to the Tennessee Three, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Special Counsel Jack Smith, and election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. Anyone resisting anti-democracy efforts intended to silence voices is a hero. Sarah Palin’s threat shows Georgia means business and is ready to fight.

(David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America. He can be reached at www.davidwmarshallauthor.com.)

March on Washington celebrates racial unity

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“It is not merely sympathy and compassion for the Black people of America that motivates us. It is above all and beyond all such sympathies and emotions a sense of complete identification and solidarity born of our own painful historic experience. … bigotry and hatred are not the most urgent problem. The most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful and the most tragic problem is silence.”—Rabbi Joachim Prinz, March on Washington, 1963

The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was organized by six Blackled civil rights organizations: National Urban League, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, NAACP, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Congress of Racial Equality, and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

The 60th anniversary observance of the March, this Saturday, has been organized by a broad coalition of civil rights and social justice organizations, reflecting a strong emphasis on multi-racial unity.  Principal organizers National Action Network and the Drum Major Institute are joined by co-chairs National Urban League, NAACP, Anti-Defamation League, Asian Americans Advancing Justice—AAJC, Human Rights Campaign, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under

Marc H. Morial To Be Equal

Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Legal Defense Fund, The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, National Conference of Negro Women, and Unidos US.  The March is supported by hundreds of community organizations, labor unions, and churches, all committed to defending democracy, dismantling systemic racism, putting an end to police brutality and gun violence, tackling climate change to save the planet, and eradicating poverty in the wealthiest nation on earth.

We all are threatened by the wave of extremism that is sweeping through statehouses and school boards and encroaches on the halls of Congress and the Oval Office.

The leading exemplar of this extremist agenda has emerged In Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis’ education department

has censored books about the Holocaust and clamped down on discussion of race, gender identity and sexual orientation. He continues working to suppress the vote and devised a plan to wipe away half of the state’s Black-dominated congressional districts, dramatically diminishing Black voting strength. He’s effectively eliminated the right of women to make decisions about their reproductive health. He’s enabling the proliferation of gun violence and hampering efforts to stop it. He fought against raising the wage for Florida’s lowest-paid workers and made it harder for workers to seek better working conditions.

The only way to defeat an agenda that threatens us all is to unite. The theme of Saturday’s march is Not A Commemoration, A Continuation. The goals for which a quarter-million Americans peacefully gathered in 1963 are not relics to be admired in a museum, but an ongoing movement. Together with our brothers and sisters of every race, faith, sexuality, gender identity, ethnicity, and national origin, we will transform the heat of oppression into an oasis of freedom and justice just as Martin Luther King Jr., foresaw 60 years ago.

CONDITIONS OF SALE

Effective with the August 3, 2020 Sheriff Sale of real estate and all such monthly public sales thereafter shall be conducted virtually through video conferencing technology or live streaming. The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office shall provide for up to twenty-five persons to participate in person with physical distancing in the Gold Room, 4th Floor Allegheny County Courthouse. ALL PARTICIPANTS OR BIDDERS MUST BE REGISTERED AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE SALE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE (VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON) AT THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SALES OF REAL ESTATE. REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S WEBSITE: SHERIFFALLEGHENYCOUNTY.COM. The Successful bidder will pay full amount of bid in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK OR CASHIERS CHECK at time of sale, otherwise the property will be resold at the next regular Sheriffs Sale; provided, that if the sale is made on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 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. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2023, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:30AM AND 2:30PM IN THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. And the balance in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, OR CASHIERS CHECK, on or before MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 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 OF A NEW 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 record their deeds and 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:

“This document may not sell, convey, transfer, include, or insure the title to the coal and right of support underneath the surface l and described or referred to herein and the owner or owners of such coal may have the complete legal right to remove all of such coal, and in that connection damage may result to the surface of the land, any house, building or other structure on or in such land.”

1 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) JASON L. KATZ and

DENISE SMITH, ********************

CASE NO. AR-22-000212

*************

DEBT$ 5,138.85

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Fred C. Jug, Jr.

*********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 310 Grant Street, Suite 1109, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

412-255-6500

********************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of South

Fayette:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A HUNTING

RIDGE NO. 6 CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED

AS 2469 BROOK LEDGE ROAD, UNIT 33A, BRIDGEVILLE,

3 SEPT 23 PLAINTIFF(S) TOWNSHIP OF STOWE vs DEFENDANT(S) MICHAEL A. FOOR AND BRANDON LEE LUECKERT ********************

NO. GD-22-012063

$6,045.50 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) CHRISTOPHER E. VINCENT ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 546 WENDEL ROAD, IRWIN, PA 15642 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 724-978-0333

/ Lot # 69-C-16

6 SEPT 23 DEFENDANT(S) CHRISTINE R. AGGAZIO AKA CHRISTINE RENEE AGGAZIO

******************** CASE NO. MG-23-000180

************* DEBT $55,570.79

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Michelle Pierro, Esq. (PA ID No. 317454)

*********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Tucker Arensberg, P.C.

1500 One PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA 15222

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

566-1212 SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Twenty-Ninth Ward, City of Pittsburgh, formerly known as Carrick: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 401 BIRMINGHAM AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15210. DEED BOOK VOLUME 10586, PAGE 307 BLOCK/LOT# 32-N-249

7 SEPT 23

PLAINTIFF(S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills vs

(412) 242-4400 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills:

PARCEL 1: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 185 COAL HOLLOW ROAD, VERONA, PA 15147.

DEED BOOK 15247, PAGE 387.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 367-N-145;

PARCEL 2: BEING ALL THAT CERTAIN VACANT LAND BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS COAL HOLLOW ROAD, VERONA, PA 15147.

DEED BOOK 15247, PAGE 387.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 367-N-161; AND

PARCEL 3: HAVING ERECTED THEREON

A COMMERCIAL BUILDING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 270 COAL HOLLOW ROAD, VERONA, PA 15147. DEED BOOK

15247, PAGE 387.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 367-N-336.

12 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF HOANG H.

DANG DECEASED, TRUC GARRY SOLELY IN HER CAPACITY AS HEIR OF HOANG H. DANG, DECEASED

******************** CASE NO. GD-22-014533

************* DEBT $194,688.03

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

**************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

******************** IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 19TH WARD CITY OF PITTSBURGH:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 743 MAYVILLE AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15226. DEED BOOK 17937, PAGE 37. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 61-B-16.

13 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) ANGEL LOU SKULOS BOULIS ******************** CASE NO. MG-19-001353

************* DEBT $988,282.77

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

***********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

******************** IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, TOWNSHIP OF COLLIER:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 4010 MUIRFIELD DRIVE, PRESTO, PA 15142. DEED BOOK 10930, PAGE 620. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 199-L-19

14 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) EDWARD WAUGH AKA EDWARD P. WAUGH

CASE NO. MG-22-000796

************* DEBT $81,913.81

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C. *********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION: IN THE COMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF PLUM:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 270 FIESTA DRIVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15239.

9000 MIDLANTIC DRIVE, STE 300, PO BOX 5054, MT LAUREL, NJ 08054 ************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (856) 810-5815 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, and 15th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh:

Parcel# 1: Having Erected thereon a Residential

Dwelling being known and numbered as 308 KAERCHER STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15207. Deed Book 11262, Page 424.

26 SEPT 23 DEFENDANT(S) MARK D. HUTCHIN, SHANTEL M. HUTCHIN CASE NO. MG-20-000401 DEBT $86,212.03

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

PA 15234. DEED BOOK 13217, PAGE 31. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 190-G-208.

27 SEPT 23 DEFENDANT(S) THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF GEORGEANN C. DONNELLY DECEASED CASE NO. MG-22-000881 DEBT $64,665.65 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C. *********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: IN THE COMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 29TH WARD CITY OF PITTSBURGH:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 413 SINTON AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15210. DEED BOOK 9729, PAGE 609. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 95-L-316.

28 SEPT 23 DEFENDANT(S) Sherry Leaf-Wittkopp, Known Heir of Merna Wittkopp, deceased, Unknown Heirs, Successors, Assigns and All Persons, Firms or Associations Claiming Right, Title or Interest from or under Merna Wittkopp, Deceased ******************** CASE NO. MG-19-001257 ************* DEBT $78,795.49

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stephen M. Hladik, Esquire ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Hladik, Onorato and Federman, LLP 298 Wissahickon Avenue, North Wales, PA 19454

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(215) 855-9521

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 9TH WARD OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT:

PARCEL NO. 1: HAVING ERECTED

THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 3421 STEELE STREET, MCKEESPORT, PA 15132. DEED BOOK VOLUME 10387, PAGE 522. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER

DEFENDANT(S) Rose M. Susa ******************** CASE NO. GD 22-000302 ************* DEBT $3,530.23

AS HEIR OF ANTHONY T. SIMS, DECEASED AND UKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS, OR ASSOCIATIONS

CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER ANTHONY T. SIMS, DECEASED CASE NO. MG-22-000678

************* DEBT $138,190.14

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph A. Sulon, Esquire, Hill Wallack LLP

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) LOGS Legal Group LLP ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 3600 Horizon Drive, Suite 150 King of Prussia, PA 19406 ************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (610) 278-6800 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, MUNICIPALITY OF PENN HILLS: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 158 BRIDGE STREET, VERONA, PA 15147. DEED BOOK VOLUME 8956, PAGE 255, BLOCK AND LOT 063 l-B-00049-0000-00.

29 SEPT 23 PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg School District and Wilkinsburg Borough VS. DEFENDANT(S) William Thompson CASE NO. GD 22-011510

DEBT $51,153.29 *********

OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire ***********************

OF ATTORNEY(S) 424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15203

TELEPHONE NUMBER: (412) 242-4400

DESCRIPTION:

************* DEBT $22,472.00

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

*********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

******************** IN THE COMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF MCKEES ROCKS:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1149 CHURCH AVENUE, MC KEES ROCKS, PA 15136. DEED BOOK 5722, PAGE 587. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 72-S-150.

the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Wilkinsburg: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A THREE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 727 HILL AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 16970, PAGE 114. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 232-J-86.

30 SEPT 23

PLAINTIFF(S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills VS. DEFENDANT(S) HARRY G. DELANCEY, WITH NOTICE TO KNOWN HEIRS AND ASSIGNS

CASE NO. GD 21-015130 ************* DEBT $11,467.76 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire *********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15203 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (412) 242-4400

SHORT DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire *********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 525 William Penn Place, Suite 3110 Pittsburgh, PA 15219

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(412) 281-0587

SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of South Fayette: Having erected thereon a one story frame house being known as 213 Bridge Street, Presto, PA 15142. Deed Book Volume 10148, Page 523. Block & Lot No. 258-C-1.

37 SEPT 23

PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny vs. DEFENDANT(S) Rick Shets a/k/a Richard Sheets, with Notice to Heirs and Assigns

******************** CASE NO. GD 23-002135

DEBT $6,513.79

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 525 William Penn Place, Suite 3110 Pittsburgh, PA 15219

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (412) 281-0587

********************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of Pine:

Having erected thereon a one story brick house being known as 100 Fawn Drive, Wexford, PA 15090. Deed Book Volume 17149, Page 231, Block & Lot No. 1824D-ll.

49 SEPT 23

PLAINTIFF(S): Hampton Township School District vs. DEFENDANT(S)

DEFENDANT(S) PATRJCIA A. WAGNER

53 SEPT 23

CASE NO. MG-22-000339

DEBT $98,911.65 *********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C. *********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 ************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 20TH WARD CITY OF PITTSBURGH: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1306 CARNAHAN ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15220. DEED BOOK 8595, PAGE 643. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 36-C-1-A.

54 SEPT 23 DEFENDANT(S) NEMETH AND SONS, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, and MARK G. NEMETH, an adult individual, and MGT MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania corporation, jointly and severally, ******************** CASE NO. GD-16-013843

DEBT $124,384.12

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jaclyn M. DiPaola, Esq ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 812 Ivy Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-802-6666

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Liberty:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A COMMERCIAL BUILDING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 2805 LIBERTY WAY, MCKEESPORT, PA 15133. DEED BOOK VOLUME 10078, PAGE 251, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 465-R-227

55 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) MICHAEL SPARGAL ******************** CASE NO. MG-23-000367 ************* DEBT $59,595.78

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 **************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF LIBERTY:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 2708 E STREET, MC KEESPORT, PA 15133. DEED BOOK 14342, PAGE 260. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 465-R-309.

56 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) GEORGETTA THALMAN AKA GEORGETTA M. THALMAN ******************** CASE NO. GD-22-000906 *************

KOLODZIEJ AND LORI A.

NO. GD 22-015453

$36,887.19

OF ATTORNEY(S)

L. Cerce, Esquire

the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Elizabeth:

1) HAVING ERECTED THEREON

A THREE FAMILY DWELLING BEING

l<NOWN AND NUMBERED AS 511

7THAVE., ELIZABETH, PA 15037. DEED

BOOK 14325, PAGE 159.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1133-S-377;

(PARCEL 2) HAVING ERECTED THEREON

A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING

KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 610 BA-

YARD ST., ELIZABETH, PA 15037. DEED

BOOK 15783, PAGE 198.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1133-R-97.

62 SEPT 23

PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg School District and Wilkinsburg Borough VS.

DEFENDANT(S)

CARL C. JORDAN

CASE NO. GD 17-003019

*************

DEBT $51,909.23

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

***********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15203

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(412) 242-4400

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Wilkinsburg:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 2042 LAKETON ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 18620, PAGE 71. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 297-B-81.

63 SEPT 23

PLAINTIFF(S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills VS.

DEFENDANT(S) Robert A Satryan, Sr CASE NO. GD 22-013346

DEBT $12,933.05

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

*********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15203

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(412) 242-4400

******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 11738 JOAN DRIVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15235. DEED BOOK 10556, PAGE 458. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 450-E-304.

65 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) DAVID D. LEE, INDIVIDUALLY, AS

ADMINISTRATOR AND HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF SHAWNTA M. MOORE A/ KIA SHAWNTA M. LEE A/KIA SHAWNTA

MOORE A/KIA SHAWNTA MARRELLE

MOORE-LEE; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS OR ASSOCIATIONS

CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST

FROM OR UNDER SHAWNTA M. MOORE A/KIA SHAWNTA M. LEE A/KIA SHAWNTA MOORE A/KIA SHAWNTA MARRELLE

MOORE-LEE ******************** CASE NO. MG-22-000413

************* DEBT $ 30,310.05

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC ***********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 133 GAITHER DRIVE, SUITE F MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 855-225-6906

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 2nd Ward of the City of Clairton: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 412 Baker Avenue Clairton, PA 15025. Deed Book Volume 13943, Page 468. Block and Lot 0879-S00230-0000-:-00.

66 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) Michelle A Shiring

CASE NO. MG-23-000127

************* DEBT $31,154.85

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

PATRICK J WESNER, ESQUIRE

***********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

9000 MIDLANTIC DRIVE, STE 300, PO BOX 5054, MT LAUREL, NJ 08054

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(856) 810-5815

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, and the Borough of arnegie HAVING currently erected thereon a single family dwelling being known as 618 6th Avenue, arnegie, PA 15106, Deed Book

12913 Page 384, Block and Lot 0103-N00140-0000-00

67 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) Jason L. O’Connell

********************

CASE NO. GD-22-015398

DEBT $84,467.78

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

PATRICK J WESNER, ESQUIRE

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

9000 MIDLANTIC DRIVE, STE 300, PO BOX 5054, MT LAUREL, NJ 08054

**************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(856) 810-5815 ********************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

********************

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, and the Municipality of Penn Hills HAYING currently erected thereon a single family dwelling being known as 1817 Loretta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235, Deed Book 12177 Page 565, Block and Lot 0632-K-00298-0000-00

68 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) Timothy E. Lewis and Karen M. Lewis

CASE NO. MG-22-000386 DEBT $121.213.84

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

PATRICK J WESNER, ESQUIRE

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 9000 MIDLANTIC DRIVE, STE 300, PO BOX 5054, MT LAUREL, NJ 08054

**************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(856) 810-5815 ********************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Peru1 ylvania, County of Allegheny, and the Municipality of Monroeville HAVING currently erected thereon a ingle family dwelling being known as 101 Edgemeade Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146, Deed Book 12977 Page 6, Block and Lot 0741-G-00023-0000-00

70 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) WILLIAM C. HUEHN

CASE NO. MG-22-000627

DEBT $138,681.98

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF CASTLE SHANNON:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 707

RIEHL DRIVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15234.

DEED BOOK 16876, PAGE 419. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 139-J-121.

64 SEPT 23 DEFENDANT(S) MATTHEW A. FRANK AfK/A MATTHEW FRANK, IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF BARBARA FRANK; GREGORY FRANK, IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF BARBARA FRANK; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS OR ASSOCIATIONS CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER BARBARA FRANK CASE NO. GD-21-012070 DEBT $ 87,704.01

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 133 GAITHER DRIVE, SUITE F MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054

DEFENDANT(S) Edward L. Wallace and Dewanda D. Wallace

********************

CASE NO. MG-23-000393

DEBT $100,431.31

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Kristine M. Anthou, Esquire

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

Grenen & Birsic, P.C.

One Gateway Center, 9th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(412) 281-7650

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of Stowe:

Parcel 1: HAVING THEREON A VACANT

LOT KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS MCKINNIE

AVE, MCKEES ROCKS, PA 15136. DBV

17433, PG 141, B/L #73-S-147.

Parcel 2: HAVING THEREON A VACANT

LOT KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS MCKINNIE

AVE, MCKEES ROCKS, PA 15136. DBV

17433, PG 141, B/L #73-S-148.

Parcel 3: HAVING THEREON A VACANT

LOT KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS MCKINNIE

AVE, MCKEES ROCKS, PA 15136. DBV

17433, PG 141, B/L#73-S-149.

Parcel 4: HAVING THEREON A VACANT

LOT KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS MCKINNIE

AVE, MCKEES ROCKS, PA 15136. DBV

17433, PG 141, B/L#73-S-150.

Parcel 5: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A

DWELLING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS

38 MCKINNIE AVE, MCKEES ROCKS, PA

15136. DBV 17433, PG 141, B/L#73-S-152.

76 SEPT 23

PLAINTIFF(S) MOON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT VS.

DEFENDANT(S) MICHAEL JOHN IVOSEVIC

********************

CASE NO.GD-23-000322

DEBT $12,235.86

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Elizabeth P. Sattler, Esquire

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

445 Fort Pitt Boulevard, Suite 503, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 **************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

412-391-0160 ********************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

********************

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, TOWNSHIP OF MOON:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING, KNOWN AS 112 SOUTH PATTON DRIVE, CORAOPOLIS, PA 15108. DEED BOOK 15078, PAGE 8. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 697- M-60.

77 SEPT 23

PLAINTIFF(S) BETHEL PARK SCHOOL

DISTRICT VS. DEFENDANT(S)

81 SEPT 23

Ronald W. Hallas,

PAGE 250. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 852- K-127.

79 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) Mark Wagner, as Believed

Heir to the Estate of Daisy E. Wagner; Unknown Heirs to the Estate of Daisy E. Wagner (if any); Unknown Administrators to the Estate of Daisy E. Wagner (if any)

CASE NO.GD-23-001033

************* DEBT $45,372.55

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Manley Deas Kochalski LLC

*********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)

0. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028

92 SEPT 23 PLAINTIFF(S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills VS. DEFENDANT(S) Davon Lee Reynolds, Jr.

******************** CASE NO. GD 22-011509

************* DEBT $17,157.37

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15203

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (412) 242-4400

DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 305 JEFFERSON ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15235. DEED BOOK 17255, PAGE 424. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 449-R-173.

93 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) ELLEN M. GLEASON, LINDA S. KELLY

CASE NO. MG-20-000163

************* DEBT $76,668.23

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP,P.C.

***********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF WILKINSBURG:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1017 OSAGE DRNE, PITTSBURGH, PA

15235. DEED BOOK 17002, PAGE 374.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER

297-L-246.

Knabe-Jones ******************** CASE NO. MG-20-000095

DEBT $61,741.88 *********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Manley Deas Kochalski LLC

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) P. 0. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 ************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 614-220-5611 ********************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, City of Pittsburgh, Ward 20:

Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 2916 Banksville Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. Document Number 2014-12123, Deed Book Volume 15599, Page 591. Block and Lot Number 0063-B-00133-0000-00.

84 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) HUNTER JACKSON HARRIS HOLDINGS INC. ******************** CASE NO. GD-23-000100

DEBT $49,212.21

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) SARAH A. ELIA ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 2000 MARKET STREET, 13m FLOOR PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 **************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 267-295-3364 ********************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION: IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF GLASSPORT:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 830-832 OHIO AVENUE, GLASSPORT, PA 15045 A/KIA 830 OHIO AVENUE, GLASSPORT, PA 15045. DEED BOOK VOLUME 18529, PAGE 577. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 558-F-3.

85 SEPT 23 DEFENDANT(S) ONE THORN RUN ASSOCIATES, A. RICHARD NERNBERG, SUSAN NERNBERG, A. RICHARD NERNBERG, AS TRUSTEE OF THE A. RICHARD NERNBERG AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOCABLE DEED OF TRUST, DATED MAY 25, 2018, AND SUSANL. NERNBERG, AS TRUSTEE OF SUSAN L. NERNBERG AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOCABLE DEED OF TRUST, DATED MAY 25, 2018 CASE NO. GD-23-006835 DEBT $9,325,286.80 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Mark G. Claypool ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Knox McLaughlin Gomall & Sennett, P.C., 120 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501 ************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (814)

AND NUMBERED AS 2712 PANGBURN

ROAD, MONONGAHELA, PA 15063. DEED BOOK 17281, PAGE 425.

AND LOT NUMBER 2088-G-41;

2) HAVING ERECTED THEREON

MOBILE HOME DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 2838 PANGBURN HOLLOW ROAD, MONONGAHELA, PA 15063. DEED BOOK 9818, PAGE 480. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1738-N-360;

(PARCEL 3) HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 8832 ROBERTS HOLLOW ROAD, ELIZABETH, PA 15037. DEED BOOK 15933, PAGE 388.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1573-B-328

91 SEPT 23

PLAINTIFF(S) Keystone Oaks School District VS. DEFENDANT(S) Jeffrey Leslie Varian CASE NO. GD 23-002408

DEBT $40,352.69

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

*********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15203 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (412) 242-4400

********************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Dormont:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY ROWHOUSE BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1329 TENNESSEE AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15216. DEED BOOK 8570, PAGE 340. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 98-D-54.

94 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) Skeeter E. Hicks, Nicole B. Hicks

CASE NO. GD-22-006424

************* DEBT $120,366.01

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) LOGS Legal Group LLP

***********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 3600 Horizon Drive, Suite 150 King of Prussia, PA 19406

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:

(610) 278-6800

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, BOROUGH OF MUNHALL:

PARCEL 1:

HAVING THEREON A VACANT LOT BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS W. MARIGOLD STREET, HOMESTEAD, PA 15120. DEED BOOK VOLUME 10776, PAGE 422, BLOCK AND LOT 0180-F-00032-0000-00.

PARCEL 2: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 220 WEST MARIGOLD STREET, HOMESTEAD, PA 15120. DEED BOOK VOLUME 10776, PAGE 422, BLOCK AND LOT 0180-F00036-0000-00.

95 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) RONALD STYCHE, III, IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF KANDY M. STYCHE; MICHAEL J. STYCHE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF KANDY M. STYCHE; TIMOTHY J. STYCHE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF KANDY M. STYCHE; JAIMIE L. STYCHE, IN HIS/HER

CAPACITY AS HEIR OF KANDY M. STYCHE; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS OR ASSOCIATIONS CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER KANDY M. STYCHE CASE NO. MG-22-000667

************* DEBT $78,777.96

********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 133 GAITHER DRIVE, SUITE F MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054

************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (610) 278-6800 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, and Township of Scott: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 441 Carothers Avenue Carnegie, PA 15106. Deed Book Volume 12886, Page 502. Block and Lot 0102-G-00097-0000-00.

96 SEPT 23

DEFENDANT(S) Steven J. Cable ******************** CASE NO. MG-21-000228

************* DEBT $100,229.32

Estate of MRS. BETTY WHITE-JEFFREY, deceased of Pittsburgh, PA-May 9th, 2023: Estate No: 022304862, Co-Administrators of the Estate, Nicole White, 123 St. Croix Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 and CAROL GREER, 709 RUSSELLWOOD AVE. PITTSBURGH, PA 15136.

Estate of MARVINE GARRETT, deceased of Wilkinsburg, Pa., Estate No. 022305646, Sandra A. Redd is the Executor or to Quinntarra Morant, Esq. 500 Regis Avenue, Unit 10946 Pittsburgh, PA 15236

Estate of MARY L. BLACK, DECEASED, of Pittsburgh PA. No. 00384 of 2019. Monique Love, Admrx. requests all persons having any claims or demands against the named decedent’s Estate to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the Decedent to make payments without delay to Irene McLaughlin Clark, Esq., 8908 Upland Terrace, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.

Estate of DOLORES W. SMITH, deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, Estate No. 04651 of 2023, Donna J. Moore, Executor, 694 Princeton Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 or to Sheila M. Ford ,Attys., 6419 Stanton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Estate of SANDY WATAZYCHYN, A/K/A SANDRA L. WATAZYCHYN, NICHOLAS CHARLES WATAZYCHYN, Administrator, filed August 25, 2023 , Case No. 5998 of 2023 Peter B. Lewis, Neighborhood Legal Services, 928 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Counsel.

Estate of JEFFERY M. BOMBARA, DONNA BOMBARA, Administratrix, filed August 25, 2023, Case No. 5997 of 2023 Peter B. Lewis, Neighborhood Legal Services, 928 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Counsel.

Estate of ROBERT E. HART, deceased of 1001 Highland Avenue, North Braddock, PA 15104, Estate No. 02-23-05747, Carolyn R. Hart, 1340 Halls Road, Colliers, WV 26035, Executrix or to William C. Price, Jr. Price & Associates, P.C. 2005 Noble Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15218

Estate of HARRY C. WELLS, JR. deceased of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, No. 02-23-05743, Linda Olechowicz, Executor, 107 Slater Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 or to TODD A. FULLER, ATTY; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC. 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Estate of DOLORES K. DAVIES, deceased of 7204 Schoyer Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218, Estate No. 02-23-05801, Lisa A. Rajakovich, 7204 Schoyer Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218, Executrix or to William C. Price, Jr. Price & Associates, P.C. 2005 Noble Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15218

Estate of PAMELA J. CARMONA, deceased of McKees Rocks, PA, Estate No. 07764 of 2023, Vito Carmona, Administrator, 26822 Arcadia Drive, #2, Fort Riley, KS 66442 or to Sheila M. Ford, Attys., 6419 Stanton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Meetings

WILKINS TOWNSHIP

NOTICE OF PUBLIC BUDGET

MEETINGS:

The Wilkins Township Board of Commissioners shall meet at 6:00 PM on September 25, 2023 and at 6:30 PM on October 30, 2023 and November 13, 2023 for the purpose of discussing and preparing the 2024 Township Budget. The meetings will be held at the Municipal Building, 110 Peffer Road, Turtle Creek, PA 15145 and can also be accessed via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/85912098445.

Sincerely,

TOWNSHIP OF WILKINS

Rebecca Vargo Manager

PUBLIC HEARING

The Wilkins Township Zoning Hearing Board shall hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. , at the Municipal Building, 110 Peffer Road, Wilkins Township, PA 15145. At that time, the Board shall hear an application for variance made by Benderson Development Company, LLC (‘the applicants’), with offices at 570 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202. The applicants seek a variance on property that is located at 3475 William Penn Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15235; Allegheny County Tax Map Lot and Block Number 542-C-250, situated in a C-1 Commercial Zoning District. If granted, the variance would permit a drive-in business entrance or exit to be closer than 250 feet to the line of a residential lot pursuant to the Wilkins Township Zoning Code §450-10(E)(15). This code provision can be viewed at the following link: https://ecode360. com/32355795. Interested parties may also attend the meeting virtually via Zoom, at the following link: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/85374827247

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

CITY OF PITTSBURGH -

PUBLIC MEETING

28TH STREET BRIDGE PROJECT

The City of Pittsburgh invites you to attend a Public Open House that will include updates on many ongoing transportation projects in the Strip District, including plans for the 28th Street Bridge Project.

The event offers an opportunity to view the new bridge configuration and bicycle and pedestrian access improvements, plans for Maintenance and Protection of Traffic during construction, and the construction schedule. The project team will also be available to answer questions. Additional project information is available at: https://engage.pittsburghpa .gov/28th-street-bridge-project

MEETING DETAILS

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

STRIP DISTRICT OPEN HOUSE Heinz History Center 1212 Smallman Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222

For more information, please contact: Erin Feichtner, PE, Project Manager City of Pittsburgh, Department of Mobility and Infrastructure Erin.Feichtner@pittsburghpa.gov

The meeting facility is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, if you or an individual with whom you are familiar does not speak English as their primary language and who has a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English desires to participate in this meeting or if you require special assistance to attend and/or participate in this meeting or need additional information please contact the number above.

PUBLIC HEARING

The Wilkins Township Zoning Hearing Board shall hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., at the Municipal Building, 110 Peffer Road, Wilkins Township, PA 15145. At that time, the Board shall hear an application for a variance made by John E. Tucker (‘the applicant’), for property located at 637 Brown Avenue, Turtle Creek, PA 15145 (‘the property’).

The property, more fully identified as Allegheny County Tax Map Lot and Block Number 372-S-80, is situated in a C-1 Commercial Zoning District. The applicant seeks a Variance to place three additional wall signs on one lot/establishment in excess of the permitted surface area. The Wilkins Township Zoning Code §450-36, Table 1 and §45042 (C) permits one wall sign per lot or establishment with a maximum surface area of 7.5% of the first two stories of building elevation. The meeting will also be available virtually on Zoom at the following link: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/85374827247

LEGAL AD

NOTICE IS HEREBY given the Emsworth Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 7 p.m., prevailing time, at the Emsworth Borough Building, 171 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15202, regarding the application from Dominic Mantella for property at 235-237 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202, seeking a Special Exception from Emsworth Borough Ord. No. 925, Section 245-47-1 to allow for the construction of a retaining wall that extends a height greater than 5 feet to less than 7 feet for approximately 42 linear feet along the east property line. All those interested in the above hearing should be present at the above time and place and you will have an opportunity to be heard.

CATHY JONES Borough Secretary

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Notice

TOWNSHIP OF WILKINS

PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT PROPOSED ORDINANCE NUMBER 1117

The Wilkins Township Board of Commissioners will consider adoption of the following ordinance at a public meeting to be held on the 11th day of September 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 110 Peffer Road, Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania. The complete text of the Ordinance is on file and may be inspected in the Office of the Township Secretary at the aforesaid Municipal Building during normal business hours.

The title and a summary of the ordinance is as follows.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE #1117

TITLE

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WILKINS, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENYAND COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA AMENDING THE CODIFIED BOOK OF ORDINANCES, PART II, CHAPTER 310 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE, TO ADD REGULATIONS PROHIBITNG NUISANCE AND DISABLING GLARE.

SUMMARY

The Ordinance prohibits nuisance and disabling glare from outdoor lighting and spotlights.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH

PUBLIC NOTICE OF FY 2024 MOVING TO WORK ANNUAL PLAN

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) , in accordance with federal law and regulation, is publishing its FY 2024 Moving to Work (MTW) Annual Plan for review and comment. The FY 2024 MTW Annual Plan is available for review and comment from Sunday, August 13, 2023 to Friday, September 15, 2023 on the HACP Web Site: www.hacp.org. Printed copies of the FY 2024 MTW Annual Plan can be obtained by contacting Amy Shaffer in the HACP Executive Office at 412456-5000 extension 3191, or Amy.Shaffer@hacp.org).

Public Hearings to receive public comments on the FY 2024 HACP MTW Annual Plan will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 9:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Zoom Meeting information can be accessed at www.hacp.org

Written comments on the FY 2024 HACP MTW Annual Plan must be addressed to: “Attention: Amy Shaffer - HACP Moving to Work Annual Plan” at the HACP Executive Office, 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 7th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or Amy.Shaffer@hacp.org, and must be received by Friday, September 15, 2023. Once approved, the final FY 2024 HACP MTW Annual Plan will be effective on the first day of the fiscal year, January 1, 2024, or after the HACP receives approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Moving to Work Office, whichever occurs later. If you are a person with disability and need an alternate means of reviewing this information, please contact the Disability Compliance Office at 412-456-5282 to discuss the options available.

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services recently issued a Request for Qualifications for Professional Report Writers.

Due Date: 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, October 5. For more details and submission information, visit: www.alleghenycounty.us/Human -Services/Resources/Doing-Business /Solicitations-(RFP/RFQ/RFI).

aspx.

Erin Dalton Director

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation, a 501(c)(3) corporation, on behalf of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is requesting Technical Proposals and Price Proposals (together, Proposal packages) for obtaining consultant services to assist with the development of the “Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Climate Pollution Reduction Plan.” The selected firm or team of firms will assist SPC with developing a two-part plan consisting of a regional Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) and a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). The “Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Climate Pollution Reduction Plan” will assist the region in understanding and addressing the sources of climate pollution and emissions, and will produce an actionable plan with high-priority projects that will proactively address these issues for the region’s residents.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) was released by SPC on August 30, 2023. Copies may be downloaded from the SPC Website (www. spcregion.org) or may be obtained by e-mail request to Catherine Tulley at ctulley@spcregion.org Electronic submissions will be required via SPC’s SharePoint site. Full submission details are provided in the RFP document. Proposal packages are due on October 2, 2023

America’s Best Weekly

315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 134

E-mail:

ads@newpittsburghcourier. com

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

August 30, 2023 City of Pittsburgh – Office of Management and Budget 414 Grant Street Room 501 Pittsburgh, PA 15219

412-255-2667

This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Pittsburgh.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS (1) – PBV PROJECT

On or about September 18, 2023, the City of Pittsburgh (City) will authorize the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) 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). Project Based Voucher (PBV) program under the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 as modified by the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 will be provided to thirty-four (34) housing units (of the 34 mixed-income housing units, comprising the 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 PBV 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) Uniform 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 $1,250,000, 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. HACP will provide PBV subsidies for thirty-four (34) units for the Project. The estimated total Project cost is $18,435,242.

FINDING OF NO

SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (2) – PBV 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 Kelly.Russell@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 Kelly.Russell@pittsburghpa.gov

All comments received by Thursday, September 14, 2023, 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 anticipated 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 via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Field Office of Public Housing in Pittsburg h at PittsburghPIH.ER@hud.gov regarding MTW and PBV funds. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Field Office of Public Housing in Pittsburgh via email as given above to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Field Office of Community Planning and Development in Pittsburgh via email or phone as given above to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Ed Gainey Mayor City of Pittsburgh

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority will receive sealed bids for North Façade Metal Panel Stabilization as identified below for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The contract for this work will be with the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Inquiries regarding the bidding should be made to the Sports & Exhibition Authority 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Attention: Spencer Girman- E-mail: sgirman@pittsburghcc.com, Telephone: 412-3256137. Bid Packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu-Copy at (724) 935-7055. Additional information on the project can also be found of Accu-Copy’s website at https://accu-copy.com/plan-room

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

NOTICE TO BIDDERS EMSWORTH BOROUGH

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Sealed Proposals will be received by the Emsworth Borough 171 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 until 10:00 A.M. prevailing time on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 for the following Project:

EMSWORTH BOROUGH SALT STORAGE SHED

This project consists of the installation of a new pre-cast concrete salt storage building at the Public Works facility in Emsworth Borough. Work shall include the installation of a new pre-cast concrete block wall, a tensioned fabric roof system, asphalt paving inside the storage building and associated site work and grading.

Proposals shall be delivered in a sealed envelope, clearly marked on the outside with the words “EMSWORTH BOROUGH SALT STORAGE SHED”.

Prevailing wage rates are required to be paid on this Project.

There will be a Non-Mandatory Pre-bid meeting Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at the project site, at 10:00 AM.

All Proposals must be in the hands of Cathy Jones, Borough Secretary, Emsworth Borough, 171 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 on or before September 12, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time, where the same will be opened and read publicly immediately thereafter following all current COVID-19 protocols.

Proposals shall be delivered in a sealed envelope and clearly marked on the outside with the words “EMSWORTH BOROUGH SALT STORAGE BUILDING”.

Copies of Drawings, Specifications, Instructions to Bidders, General Conditions, Forms of Proposals and Agreement are on file and open to public inspection at the office of The Gateway Engin¬eers, Inc., 100 McMorris Road, Pittsburgh, Pa 15205 where sets of said documents may be obtained upon payment of one hundred ($100.00) dollars per set. No refund will be made for the return of any documents. A ten ($10.00) dollar mailing fee will be charged for any documents delivered by U.S. mail. Electronic copies of the Contract Documents will be made available to Bidders at no charge upon request.

Proposals to receive consideration must be accompanied by a Certified Check or Bidder’s Bond from a Surety Company authorized to do business in Pennsylvania, made to the order of the Emsworth Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in an amount equal to ten (10%) percent of the total amount of the Proposal as a guarantee that, if the Proposal is accepted, the successful Bidder will enter into an Agreement within fifteen (15) days after Notice of the Award of the Contract. Proposals must be made to Emsworth Borough and shall remain firm for a period of sixty (60) days. No Bidder may withdraw their Proposal during the sixty (60) day period without forfeiting the Bid guarantee.

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wages are required to be paid on this Project.

Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds, along with Public Liability and Property Damage Certificates of Insurance in the amounts specified, as well as Certificates of Workman’s Compensation must be filed with the executed Agreement. Bidders are advised that the Borough will award the contract to a single qualified, responsive, and responsible Bidder for each Contract based on the lowest Base Bid and any combination of Alternates chosen by the Borough at its sole discretion. However, Bidders are advised that the Borough expressly reserves the right to reject all bids, and specifically reserves the right to award to the lowest qualified, responsive, and responsible Bidder a contract for all or any portions of the work listed in the proposal, and in awarding a contract for less than the total work listed, or less than all portions of the work listed, the contract price will be determined from the total quantities for each item listed and the unit price bid for each item listed. The Borough also reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals, or any part thereof, for any reason, and reserves the right to waive any informality therein.

Cathy Jones Borough Secretary

SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

The PDP’s growing marketing team is seeking a creative and skilled Social Media Specialist! This position will help advance the PDP’s mission and goals by developing and executing effective social media campaigns that amplify the PDP’s unique portfolio of events, activities, and programming in Downtown Pittsburgh. Ideal candidates will have a demonstrated passion for social media and digital marketing and a love of Pittsburgh! Find out more at downtownpittsburgh.com/ about-pdp/staff/employment/

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT TEACHING ARTIST MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION

This part-time position assists with community engagements for the MCG Youth mobile studio. Works to implement learning experiences that engage students through the arts. Bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years experience working with youth in formal or informal settings; 2-3 years experience in an art, social service, or public-school environment and moderate proficiency in a broad range of traditional and contemporary artistic and studio practices required. Must have a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and an insurable driver’s record and be capable of driving a Sprinter. Maximum of 25 hours per week, including some evenings and weekends. Send Resume with cover letter and salary requirements to resumes@manchesterbidwell.org EOE

DONOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION

Works to develop, manage, and implement comprehensive giving strategies that build and sustain Manchester Bidwell Corporation’s base of supporters. Proactively develops relationships with current and potential donors, managing a portfolio of prospects with the goal of increasing gift level and/or frequency. Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of relevant fundraising experience required. Proficiency with MS Office applications required. Experience with fundraising CRM software preferred. Send Resume with cover letter and salary requirements to resumes@manchesterbidwell.org

EOE

AVALON BOROUGH POLICE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION NOTICE

Applications are currently being accepted for the position of full-time Police Officer. The starting base salary for a full-time Police Officer is $75,285.45 annually.

Applications are available at the Avalon Borough Police Department located in the rear of the Avalon Borough Building 640 California Avenue, Avalon, PA, 15202-2499 Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or the Borough Administration Office at the main entrance, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 412-761-0353 with further questions.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE AVALON BOROUGH ADMINSTRATION OFFICE BY 4:00

*Minimum Incomes Apply (IF APPLICABLE). Minimum incomes do not apply to households with housing assistance (Section 8, VASH)

Applications are available on May 31, 2023 through our website or in person. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2023, 5:00 PM.

To request an application be sent by e-mail contact us at castlegategreen@tcbinc.org or call (412) 770-1777 | TTY: 711.

Applications may also be picked up in person at Hillcrest Senior Residences (2848 Brownsville Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15227) for the following days:

Days Hours

Monday – Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Mailed to: Attn: Castlegate Green Management 2848 Brownsville Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15227

• Selection by chronological order of application submissions.

• Asset & Use Restrictions apply.

• Preferences Apply.

• List of Amenities

For more information, language assistance, or reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities please call (412) 770-1117 | TTY: 711 or email castlegategreen@tcbinc.org.

Visit www.Castlegategreen.com for more information about our brand-new community.

Professionally Managed by The Community Builders, Inc.

Courier’s ‘Men of Excellence’ full display of positivity in Black community

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

When a person is being honored, generally, they’re excited for the moment, full of smiles, and happy to be celebrating it with family and friends.

All of that happened at the New Pittsburgh Courier’s annual “Men of Excellence” awards gala on Aug. 10 at the Sheraton Hotel Station Square. But one of the honorees, Ray Porter Jr., told the Courier after receiving his award that he has a different perspective on winning an award.

“The award is recognizing the work, and the reward is continuing to do the work,” Porter said.

Porter isn’t stopping or slowing down his work as executive pastor at Potter’s House Ministries in Mt. Oliver. For him, a person hasn’t “made it” just for winning an award. Keep on doin’ what you’re doin’ for the people even after the recognition, he said.

The suits, neckties (there were a few bowties) and polished dress shoes were on full display on Aug. 10, for an event that has Black Pittsburgh buzzing online and on-site each time the “Men of Excellence” are proudly being recognized. WPXI-TV (Channel 11) evening anchor Lisa Sylvester took the night off from her TV anchor duties to anchor the “Men of Excellence” stage. She welcomed the 500 guests to the Sheraton and then introduced as a collective the “Men of Excellence, Class of 2023.” To music provided by DJ Brother Marlon, the 46 honorees plus the legacy honoree, Glenn Mahone, walked across the stage (three honorees were unable to make the event) to a thunderous ovation be-

fore taking their seats.

the ballroom that the time was getting closer to the honorees receiving their physically massive awards that they’ll keep

LEGACY HONOREE GLENN MAHONE (ALL PHOTOS BY DAYNA DELGADO)

HONOREE BRANDON MOSBY, WITH WIFE, SABRINA

POSITIVITY FROM PAGE 2

and cherish forever.

Courier sales director Ashley Johnson thanked the many sponsors, including Reed Smith LLP (presenting sponsor), Duquesne Light Company (award sponsor), Comcast Xfinity, McAuley Ministries and Visit Pittsburgh (benefactor sponsors), Auberle, Pittsburgh Scholar

House and Urban Media Today (patron sponsors), and Neighborhood Community Development Fund (supporting sponsor).

Real Times Media News Group president Cathy Nedd then took the stage, bringing greetings from Detroit, Mich., while also saluting Pittsburgh’s “Men of Excellence” for 2023. Real Times Media

is the parent company of the New Pittsburgh Courier. Courier editor and publisher Rod Doss then graced the stage, certifying his appreciation for the “Men of Excellence” and their accomplishments.

Then it was time for the big moment. One by one, Sylvester called on each honoree, as family members jumped to their feet

in jubilation. Doss handed the award to each honoree, while Dayna Delgado took a photo of each honoree with their award. Mahone was the legacy honoree, the retired partner at the renowned law firm Reed Smith LLP.

“What an absolute honor it is to be among these awesome Black men, being recognized for all that we do in the com-

munity, in the corporate workspace, the churches, barber shops, cleaning services,” exclaimed Brandon Mosby, one of the honorees. Mosby is funeral director for the Samuel J. Jones Funeral Home, on Wylie Avenue in the Hill District. “When you hear things on the news about shootings and crimes, that’s happening in our communities but it’s hap-

pening in all communities. But also in our community, positive things are happening. There are positive men that are raising positive families. Good things are happening in the Black community, and it’s important that we recognize it.”

AUBERLE TABLE

URBAN MEDIA TODAY TABLE

XFINITY TABLE

DUQUESNE LIGHT COMPANY TABLE

HONOREES LONNELL BECOATE, FAR LEFT, AND CARLITEZ THOMPSON, FAR RIGHT, WITH GUESTS

GLENN MAHONE WITH REED SMITH LLP GUESTS

HONOREES LEIGHTON SEAWRIGHT, DR. SIMEON SAUNDERS, JALAL BLACK SR. HONOREES SAM CLANCY, SECOND FROM LEFT, RAY PORTER JR., GEORGE C. MCCLURE

ANTOINE BAILEY

Program Manager, REACH

Behavior Health Community Organizer, Neighborhood Resilience Project

DAY BRACEY

Founder, Barrel & Flow Fest

Co-Host, Drinking Partners Podcast—Ed & Day In the Burgh

LONNELL BECOATE

Broker/ Owner

Becoate Real Estate Services, LLC

Becoate Property Management, LLC

JALAL BLACK SR.

Owner, Murphy’s Master Clean, LLC

CEO, BreatheLife Mentoring

REV. GARY L. BROCK SR.

Senior Pastor, Narrow Way International Ministries

Owner, GLB Pest Control

WADE BROWN

Paraprofessional, Mon Valley School

Head Football Coach, Monessen High School

A. BURTON III

AUBREY BRUCE CEO

Urban Pulse Network

REX

Safety Supervisor Pittsburgh Mercy

JEFF CAPEL

Men’s Basketball Head Coach University of Pittsburgh

CLASS OF 2023 New Pittsburgh Courier ‘Men of Excellence’

Field

ROSS CHAPMAN

Chief of Operations and Park Equity Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

BISHOP LEE C. CARTER JR.

Pastor and Founder King of Kings Baptist Ministries

MELVIN C. CHERRY JR., MSW

Assistant Professor University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

SAM CLANCY SR. Director of Varsity Letter Club University of Pittsburgh

HENRY ‘HANK’ COMMODORE Founder, Help the Needy Not the Greedy Supporter, The Youth Program

BRIAN A. COOK SR. Director of Communications & Marketing Central Catholic High School

NICK M. DANIELS

Founding Artistic Director

D.A.N.A. Movement Ensemble (Dancers Against Normal Actions)

ANDREW DIXON, M.Ed.

Lead Science Teacher

LIFE Male STEAM Academy

CRAIG

DAWSON

Vice President & Podcast Host

Soul Pitt Media

EMMANUEL RAMON DEANDA

Educator, Propel Schools

Owner, 808 Musicc Productions, LLC

Owner & Operator, Grind Mode Management, LLC

School-Community Liaison & Outreach Coordinator, Penn Hills School District

CHRISTOPHER FLOYD, A.S.T., BA., MCJ., PhD

CEO, Rug Lab Carpet Cleaning CEO, Recon Trucking and Logistics

Music Producer/Composer President, SOULYFE Entertainment

DION DUPREE

DWAYNE C. FULTON

ERIC HARPER Building Principal Duquesne K-8 School

MICHAEL JAMES HARPER Clinical Nurse Associate Primary Care VA Hospital, Pittsburgh

PETE HENDERSON Owner/ Chef Chace’s at Gabriella’s

BONIFACE IGBA

Spiritual Development Coordinator/ New Initiatives

Auberle

RODGER JAY

Peer Support Specialist Foundation of HOPE

GEORGE C. MCCLURE

Kidney Transplant Advocate

Member, Board of Directors—National Kidney Foundation, Serving the Alleghenies

ANTHONY MOCK

Owner/Master Jeweler, Mock & Co.

Diamond and Jewelry

Owner, Events On Ten

CLAY MOOREFIELD

CEO, G.O.A.L.S. Oriented Training, LLC

Co-Owner, SKNDP, LLC

BRANDON F. MOSBY, F.D.

Funeral Director and Owner

Samuel J. Jones Funeral Home

KHARI MOSLEY

Democratic Nominee, District 9

Pittsburgh City Council

RICHARD NEWELL

Senior Loan Manager

Neighborhood Community Development Fund

JEAN-PIERRE NSANZABERA

Senior Architect

UPMC

DR. PHILLIP D. PALMER

Assistant Dean/Affiliated Faculty

Duquesne University School of Science and Engineering

REV. RAYMOND PORTER JR.

Senior Grievance & Complaints Coordinator, Aetna, a CVS Health company

Executive Pastor, Potter’s House Ministries

RAY ROUNDTREE

Senior Vice President of Keystone Region Comcast

DR. SIMEON SAUNDERS

Assistant Dean of Humanities, Mathematics & Social Science

Community College of Allegheny County

LEIGHTON SEAWRIGHT

Director of Community Account Sales

Comcast

JAMES A. SHEALEY

Managing Partner

OMNI Associates, LLC

DR. PAUL DAVID SPRADLEY

Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Dollar Bank, FSB

BYRON STRIPLING

Principal

THOMAS

CARLITEZ THOMPSON Owner Royal Appearance Barbershop

PHILLIP LEE THOMPSON JR.

Founder & CEO 33 And A Third Media

REV. GEORGE WILLIAMS Pastor

First Baptist Church of West Mifflin

CURTIS YOUNGBLOOD

Store Leader Giant Eagle

POPS Conductor Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

R. WALKER JR. Maintenance Supervisor McCormack Baron Management