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JANUARY 15-21, 2020

Overall homicides in Allegheny County decreasing, but not for Blacks Percentage of African Americans killed rose to 82 percent in 2019

Racially-motivated incident occurred at Avalon Bar

by Rob Taylor Jr.

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Courier Staff Writer

While there was a noted decrease from 2018 to 2019 in the number of overall homicides in Allegheny County (110 to 95) and the City of Pittsburgh (52 to 37), no one’s doing backflips.

The percentage of African Americans who were killed in Allegheny County actually rose from 2018 to 2019 (66 percent to 82 percent), according to statistics provided by Allegheny County’s public information office.

In 2018, 73 African Americans were killed in the county out of 110 overall homicides—in 2019, five additional African Americans were killed (78), even though the overall number of homicides in the county dropped by 15.

“We cannot be happy that the number of Black deaths has increased,” Tim Stevens, president and CEO of the Black Political Empowerment Project, told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview, Jan. 9. Stevens called the percentage of Black deaths rising as something that “cannot be acceptable. We have to be concerned about the county as a whole, and many of our city residents go between different communities. We are happy that the numbers of deaths in Pittsburgh have gone down, but we cannot be happy about the total number of Black deaths going up.”

The City of Pittsburgh has more resources, financially and from a sheer number of officers, to combat crime. Stevens said he commended the work of Pittsburgh Police and the many anti-violence organi-

White man gets prison for beating of Paul Morris

Courier Staff Writer

Paul Morris had no idea that simply walking into the Jackman Inn in Avalon to give a thank you note to a cook who catered his son’s graduation party would turn into a beating, embarrassment, and front page news.

Now, one of the Caucasian men accused

TIM STEVENS, president and CEO of the Black Political Empowerment Project, applauds the city for its efforts to reduce crime but is duly concerned about the percentage of Black homicides increasing in Allegheny County. zations, including the Greater Pittsburgh Coalition Against Violence, of which Stevens plays a vital role, that are working to fight criminal activity.

“There has been a concentrated effort in the city to deal with homicides and deal with violence, and I think some of that is beginning to take root,” Stevens said.

The city’s Group Violence Intervention, an 11-person group that helps to quell gang violence in the city, is also to be lauded, Stevens said. GVI, which is led by Cornell Jones, in late 2018 was awarded a financial boost from $150,000 to $500,000 per year to expand its anti-violence efforts.

If the number of homicides inside city

limits are trending down, why aren’t the county homicide numbers doing likewise? Fifty-eight homicides were recorded outside of Pittsburgh but inside Allegheny County in 2018 and 2019.

Wilkinsburg recorded 11 homicides in 2019; McKeesport had seven; Penn Hills had five.

Stevens believes the initial issue is that the smaller police departments in some jurisdictions just don’t have the resources and training.

“After the Antwon Rose II death occurred, even (Allegheny County) Dis-

PAUL MORRIS of attacking Morris, who is Black, has learned his fate: a prison sentence of 1 to 2 years.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Beth Lazzara on Jan. 9 levied the sentence on James Edward Kryl, 47. Lazzara

SEE HOMICIDES A5

SEE MORRIS A5

VETERANS ON ICE

The Heinz Endowments $10 Mil in funding Night of skating shows support commits Investing in a child’s well-being to veterans and their families from prenatal to age 3 is beneficial

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Rodney Turner had been to Iraq, fighting for the United States as a member of the Army.

But the 36-year-old had never gone ice skating— until last Thursday, Jan. 9.

And he did it with his fellow veterans.

Call it a “Veterans’ Night Out,” or “Veterans on Ice,” or simply a family-oriented event sponsored by local organization No Hero Left Behind, where those who have served in the Armed Forces and their relatives were able to ice skate—free of charge—at the MassMutual Pittsburgh Ice Rink at PPG Place, Downtown.

No Hero Left Behind was started by a local Black veteran, Eric Howze, who SEE VETERANS B8

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that The Heinz Endowments has committed $10 million in funding over three years to support a prenatal to age 3 well-being initiative.

“The Endowments’ commitment to prenatal to age 3 well-being is integral to our vision of a Just Pittsburgh where all have an equitable opportunity to reach their fullest potential,” said Grant Oliphant, President of the Endowments, in a statement provided to the Courier. “Informed by data from recent studies highlighting issues that can disrupt a child’s healthy development, this two-generation approach addresses the needs of both parent and child.”

The funding will support a number of grants that MEMBERS OF “NO HERO LEFT BEHIND,” an organization that assists veterans and those veter- aim to ensure all children ans who are homeless, at the ice skating rink, Downtown, Jan. 9. (Photo by J.L. Martello) in the region are equal-

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A. Peter Bailey says

ly ready when they reach kindergarten age. The Endowments said that targeted health care services for expectant mothers, inhome visitation of families of newborns, and equitable access to family planning, quality child care and early learning activities are among the initiative’s key components.

Support will also be given to service providers, parents and nonprofits to work in tandem in advocating for policy changes that address causes of poor outcomes for children and families.

“Kids show up to kindergarten at age 5, and we expect them all to be ready,” said Michelle Figlar, vice president of Learning for the Endowments, in a statement. “But the reality is that access to quality SEE HEINZ A5

Celebrating Dr. King Forum as aB6warrior, not a dreamer Forum B6

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JANUARY 15-21, 2020

INTERNATIONAL

Suleimani Assassination: Trump is leading America toward war without end in the Middle East

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History

Week of January 15-21 January 15 1908—Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Black Greek letter sorority, is founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis, Mo. The sorority gradually branched out to other campuses and became one of the leading organizational vehicles for

by Jesse Jackson college-trained Black women to make their mark on For New Pittsburgh Courier American society.

(TriceEdneyWire.com)— 1929—Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the It has come to this. An man who was to become America’s greatest civil impeached president—still rights hero, was born on this day in 1929. Actually, pending trial in the Senhis original given name was “Michael,” but it was REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ate—orders the assassinalater changed to Martin. He first rose to national tion of a leading Iranian prominence as the country’s premier civil rights leader when he successfully led the general as he is meeting 1955-1956 Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott by Blacks angered by the arrest of Rosa with the leader of Iraq, a Parks for her refusal to give up her seat on a city bus to a White man. In 1957, King supposed ally. He does so was elected to head the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which became the without consultation, much leading organization of the civil rights era. Between 1957 and 1968, he traveled more less approval, of Congress. than six million miles, gave more than 2,500 speeches, was arrested more than 20 times, and physically assaulted at least four times—all on behalf of civil rights for American Blacks. Perhaps his most famous speech was the “I Have A Dream” speech given before a crowd of 250,000 during the March on Washington Aug. 28, 1963. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and the nation now celebrates his birth as a national holiday on the third Monday of each January. But during his Besieged at home, he lashlife, King also became the target of a massive FBI operaes out abroad. tion that some feel indirectly paved the way for his assasThis president ran on the sination in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 1968. During his “I promise to end the “endHave A Dream” speech, King summarized the purpose of less wars “in the Middle the march and the Civil Rights Movement: “But 100 years East. Earlier, he ordered later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, and then wisely called off the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manabombing strikes on Iran, cles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One saying that he did not want hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of a war. Now he claims that poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. he has acted to stop a war, One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in not start one. the corners of American society and finds himself an exile He is either deliberately in his own land. And so we’ve come here today to dramaTHE SUPREMES misleading the American tize a shameful condition.” people or deluding himself.

1961—One of the original super groups—The Supremes—signed with Black record Assassination of a foreign company Motown on this day in 1961. The name was later GENERAL QASSIM SULEIMANI official is not the road to changed to Diana Ross and the Supremes and the R&B peace; violence almost insingers rocketed to international fame. wise decision not to strike evitably begets violence. He back to Trump’s perJanuary 16 verse hatred of all things Iran earlier? The only thing has acted on what his own 1901—Hiram R. Revels, the first African American achieved by former Presithat has changed is that officials call “razor-thin” elected to the United States Senate, died on this day in dent Barack Obama. One he has been impeached. evidence, shocking his Aberdeen, Miss. Revels, a politician, minister and educator of Trump’s first acts was Is he ramping up violence own military advisers. was of Black and Cherokee descent. to pull the U.S. out of the abroad to distract from the U.S. presidents now claim 1920—Zeta Phi Beta sorority was founded on the Iran nuclear pact, over the overwhelming evidence of the right—and have the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., by objections of our allies and his offenses? Is he using capability—to target and five socially conscious Black women. It became one of the his own military advisers. the U.S. military as a politi- nation’s leading Black sororities. It was founded as a sister assassinate anyone in any He ramped up sanctions cal campaign prop? place, foreigner or citizen, organization to Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

The next move is in Iran’s if they decide—on the basis on Iran, seeking to force 1950—Dancer-producer Debbie Allen is born on this day them to surrender to a hands. If the regime reacts in Houston, Texas. She is perhaps best known for her work of secret and often scanty “better deal.” The result predictably by striking intelligence—that the on the 1982 musical-drama television series “Fame,” where HIRAM REVELS person may be considering has been escalating tension back, the assassination will she portrayed dance teacher Lydia Grant, and served as and violence, as Iran has lead to escalating violence. the series’ principal choreographer. She is the younger sister of actress/director/singer an attack on U.S. allies or Eye for an eye, tooth for a soldiers or representatives demonstrated—in attacks Phylicia Rashad. tooth, and soon all are left in the future. They call this on Saudi oil facilities and January 17 on tankers in the Persian without sight and without potential threat evidence 1759—Paul Cuffee is born near Dartmouth, Mass. He was one of the most promiGulf—that it has the cateeth. Iran could—if its of an “imminent attack,” nent Blacks of the 1700s. Born of a Black father and an Indian mother, Cuffee grew pacity to strike back. Now, leaders can rise above their wealthy as a whaling captain, ship builder and merchant. He was an ardent fighter to pay mock respect to the international law that they after the assassination, the grief and their anger—use for Black rights and built the first integrated school in the state. But in his later years entire region girds itself for this moment to take an ini- he became frustrated with the slow progress for Black freedom and began to support are trampling.

General Qassim Suleima- the retaliation that has al- tiative for peace, calling on a program calling for free Blacks to return to Africa and build a nation of their own. ready been promised. This our allies to join in conven- He actually financed and helped a small group of Blacks establish a base in the West ni is portrayed as a terroring a negotiation, opening ist with American blood on is utter folly.

African nation of Sierra Leone in 1815. His program ended with his death in 1818.

Under George Bush, a path to less violence and his hands. But he was not a 1874—Armed and racist Whites violently seize control of the U.S. destabilized this greater exchange. stateless terrorist. He was the Texas state government, bringing an end to Reconstrucregion by invading Iraq.

Trump may not wish to a high official in a foreign tion and to post-Civil War Black rights and gains in the government with which we That calamity has fostered respond, but surely our state. Actually, when it became clear that President Andrew are not at war. Assassinat- escalating violence. Obama allies in Europe would Johnson was a friend of the old South and had no intention added to the mess seeking jump at the chance. Clearly ing him is an act of war. of enforcing rights for Blacks, Texas-style armed revolts took regime change in Syria Congress must assert its Ironically, Iran and the place in several Southern states in which integrated governconstitutional war powers Shiite militias in Iraq that and in Libya, spreading ments were violently and illegally driven from office. the chaos. Trump was right and limit the license of this Suliemani guided were 1927—Multi-lingual singer, dancer and actress Eartha or any president to wage leading, if unacknowledged, when he said it was time Kitt is born in a small plantation town called North, S.C. But for the U.S. to get out of the war or assassinate foreign allies in the fight against when abandoned by her mother because her second husband Middle East. leaders on a whim. It must ISIS, who are largely did not want to raise a mixed-race child, she was raised by We have no stake in the insist on public hearings Sunnis. an aunt in New York City. Kitt became a star of stage and spreading conflict between to review the basis for the Similarly, those who screen, including playing the role of Cat Woman in the BatEARTHA KITT Sunnis and Shiites. We assassination. We need attacked the U.S. on 9/11 man television series. The U.S. entertainment industry would have no desire to send the hearings on what we are were Sunnis, almost all not touch her for nearly 10 years after a 1968 White House luncheon during which she doing in the Middle East from Saudi Arabia, funded hundreds of thousands angered President Lyndon Johnson’s wife by criticizing the war in Vietnam. Kitt died of troops needed to win and how we begin to bring largely by Saudi money. in December 2008 at the age of 81. a war or enforce a peace. the troops home.

Taliban in Afghanistan 1931—Stage and screen actor James Earl Jones is born on this day in Tate County, All we are doing is squanCongress needs to pass are Sunni. The attack on Miss. Ironically, you cannot tell from his deep baritone voice today that he had a stutdering American lives and a renewed war powers Yemen was led by Saudi tering problem as a child. resources in an armed resolution instructing the Arabia, which is Sunni.

1942—Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is born on this day in Louisville, Ky. president to bring the Iran fought against ISIS in presence that simply adds January 18 to the violence without troops home, not send more Iraq and Syria. Yet, some1856—Daniel Hale Williams is born in Hollidaysburg, Pa. He became a pioneering of them to the region. If how, it has become Trump’s leading to a resolution. surgeon and is generally credited with performing the first open heart surgery. He was Why has Trump abandoned Congress cannot curb a leading target. a strong advocate of the emerging antiseptic and sterilization procedures of his day. his campaign promise? rogue president, then this The road to this escalatHe believed that many patients died or became ill in the hospital because of a lack Why did he abandon his republic is in deep trouble. of cleanliness. Williams’ open heart surgery which occurred July 10, 1893 when he ing conflict can be traced And the American people repaired a knife wound to the chest of James Cornish. The operation was a success and and its soldiers are headed Cornish lived another 20 years. deeper into wars without January 19 victory and without end.

1918—The founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, John H. Johnson, is born on this day in Arkansas City, Ark. Shortly after the death of his father, Johnson’s mother moved the family to Chicago where Johnson attended high school during the day and THE read self-help books at night, laying the intellectual NEW PITTSBURGH and motivational foundation for the eventual buildCOURIER ing of his publishing empire. Interestingly, among PUBLISHING COMPANY Johnson’s classmates at Chicago’s DuSable High School were Nate King Cole, Redd Foxx and future Publication No.: USPS 381940 businessman, William Abernathy.

1944—Boxer Joe Frazier is born in Beauford, 315 East Carson Street S.C. His fights with the legendary Muhammad Ali Pittsburgh, PA 15219 have become boxing classics.

1960—Basketball great Jacques Dominique Phone: 412-481-8302 JOE FRAZIER and MUHAMMAD ALI Wilkins is born in Paris, France.

Fax: 412-481-1360 1971—The Congressional Black Caucus is first organized on this day in 1971.

January 20 The 1900—Black North Carolina Congressman George H. White New Pittsburgh Courier introduced legislation to make lynching any American a federal crime. But opponents allowed the bill to die in committee and it is published weekly never came up for a vote. It is estimated that 105 Blacks were lynched that year.

Periodicals 1947—Josh Gibson, perhaps the most famous and outstandpaid at Pittsburgh, Pa. ing athlete to play in the old Negro Baseball League, dies on this day in 1947.

PRICE $1.00 1986—The first national holiday in honor of civil rights legend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated.

(Payable in advance) January 21 6 Months—$25 1773—Poet Phyllis Wheatley, born in 1753, was freed on this JOSH GIBSON day in 1773. Kidnapped in Africa and sold as a slave when she 1 Year—$45 was only seven years old, Wheatley would become Black America’s first poet. She grew 2 Years—$85 up in a prosperous Boston family that allowed her to learn to read. She not only mastered English but also excelled in Greek and Latin. Her first book of poetry received 9-Month School Rate $35 rave reviews in the United States and Europe.

1906—Pioneer Black aviator William Brown Chappell is born.

POSTMASTER: Send 1941—Singer and political activist Richie Havens is born. address changes to: 1950—R&B performer Billy Ocean is born.

1963—Former professional basketball great Hakeem Olajuwon is born in the West New Pittsburgh Courier African nation of Nigeria.

1971—Twelve members of the Congressional Black Caucus boycotted President 315 East Carson Street Richard Nixon’s State of the Union Address to protest his refusal to meet with them or Pittsburgh, PA 15219 address issues of concern to African Americans.

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African American or other? Selecting your race and ethnicity on the U.S. 2020 Census form

by Aldon Thomas Stiles For New PIttsburgh Courier

Kim Kardashian West will likely check “Black or African American” on the US 2020 Census form when marking the race of her children.

In several interviews with various media outlets, the famous media personality and businesswoman, who lives in the San Fernando Valley near Calabasas, has said she’s very conscious of race when it comes to her and rapper Kanye West’s four children.

Kardashian, who is half-White and half-Armenian, has said she identifies the race of her children as “Black” and says the advocacy she has recently been involved in: addressing racial inequities in the criminal justice system—is partly inspired by the race of her children.

On this year’s census form, Kardashian’s other option for checking the race box to identify her children would be to select “Other.” That’s if she chooses to count them as bi-racial or mixed race.

Race and ethnicity have often been— and continue to be—controversial and misunderstood census categories. Experts suggest that some people might be confused about the difference between the two.

On the 2020 census forms, there will be six ways people can identify their race: American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Black or African American; White; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; and Other.

Options will also be available for respondents to include an ethnic identification, too. For instance, a Trinidadian-American of African descent may select “Black or African American” under the racial category and write in “Trinidadian” under the ethnic category.’

According to the Census Bureau, “Overlap of race and Hispanic ethnicity is the main comparability issue.” For example, the U.S. Census Bureau includes Black Hispanics in both the number of Blacks and in the number of Hispanics.

Dr. Walter Hawkins, former California State University San Bernardino Director of Research and Policy Analysis, helped clear some of that confusion by detailing the numerous ways people can self-identify on US 2020 Census forms, mentioning the “100 percent count.”

“Under the Census Bureau, in order to get the 100 percent count, they have to use what’s called the ‘Hispanic exclusive method’ because a person who is Hispanic can be any race. So, if you do not take

CONSCIOUS OF RACE—Instagram photo of the 2019 that into consideration, you end up with over 100 percent,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins stated that this distinction affects the overall count for African Americans in California.

“The Black alone ‘non-Hispanic’ population in California is about 2.2 million compared to about 2.7 million if all racial and ethnic combinations are included,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins noted that much of the complication with racial self-identification originated from an old census rule called “head of household.”

“If you marked ‘Black,’ your whole house was Black. And if you marked ‘White,’ your whole house was White,” Hawkins said.

Data collected during national censuses, which the federal government conducts every 10 years, directly impacts not only

the availability but also the quality of services in communities, according to Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad, Executive Director of the Mervyn Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) at California State University Dominguez Hills.

Inaccurate census counts can lead to billions of dollars lost in government funding for states and local communities. That loss of cash can be critical for already under-served neighborhoods that rely on federal and state tax dollars for social programs, healthcare, infrastructure, schools and other local public services. Census counts also determine the number of representatives a state is allotted in the US Congress.

Kardashian West Family “Cultural identity is important to every community.

First, in understanding presence. Second, in understanding population growth,” Samad said. “Every ethnicity faces this challenge in the upcoming census, including Latinos and Asian Pacific Islanders, because demographic descriptions speak to a particular community’s service needs.”

According to Samad, African Americans have been at a disadvantage in this regard.

“For the last three censuses, there have been African American undercounts,” Samad said. “The only ethnicity with larger undercounts have been Native Americans, largely due to their populations being on sovereign lands that limit census-taker access.”

According to the Census Bureau, the population of Black or African American people who did not identify with any

other race in 2018 counted for 6.5 percent of the overall population in California.

Whereas, the population of people who identified as mixed race made up 3.9 percent of the state’s overall population.

The mixed population counts as its own category, making it unclear how many of these people have African lineage.

Samad pointed to another factor that might skew the amount of African Americans being accounted for in the Census: Fear.

“Black people have legitimate fears for sharing information with the federal government for numerous reasons,” Samad said. “However, there hasn’t been sufficient education tying the Census to the community’s welfare.”

Dr. Tecoy Porter, Sacramento President of the National Action Network, shares this concern.

“One of the reasons African Americans are undercounted are our household situations. We tend to not want to reveal all of our information or we do not trust the government,” Porter said. “We think that information could be applied against us.”

Hawkins says he understands those fears. However, he believes that they should not prevent people from wanting to be counted.

“Most of the time if a person is skeptical, they won’t fill out the form at all,” Hawkins said. “But the Census information is completely confidential.”

While some experts underscored the importance of an individual selecting a specific race on his or her census questionnaire, others pointed to the significance of participants choosing how they want to identify themselves.

Lanae Norwood, Strategic Communications Director of the California Black Census and Redistricting Hub “My Black Counts,” stated that while educating African Americans on their options when identifying themselves during the 2020 Census is their goal, individual expression is equally important to her organization.

“Our civic engagement program is about educating and encouraging the Black community to be part of the census count.

We are not telling Blacks—or anybody for that matter—how to self-identify in the census or what box to check,” Norwood said. “we recognize that Black is not a monolith and contains much racial and ethnic diversity. We trust people to select the racial or ethnic identity that most represents them.”

(Reprinted from the Los Angeles Sentinel)

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COURIER EXCLUSIVE REPORT

Overall homicides in Allegheny County decreasing, but not for Blacks HOMICIDES FROM A1

trict Attorney Stephen Zappala, at his news conference, said it was apparent that the East Pittsburgh Police Department had little or no training,” Stevens told the Courier. “They (smaller police departments) have much less resources in terms of financing or pay-

ing their police officers, and you often end up with officers who may be less professional, and some, their pay per hour is not even at the $15 per hour that we’re advocating for minimum wage in general.”

Stevens added: “With very less than professional income, sometimes you get

what you pay for.”

Stevens believes a consolidation of some police departments should be one strategy—“maybe they can combine resources, pay the officers at a more professional level, give them better training,” he said.

Stevens was able to concoct a “You and the Police”

brochure, which outlines proper procedures that both individuals and police officers should follow if a person is stopped by the police for whatever reason. That brochure has been seen as favorable by many police departments within Allegheny County, and many departments re-

quired that their officers become familiar with the brochure.

Stevens said the brochure has calmed some of the negative interaction between individuals and police officers, but overall, the homicides of African Americans—oftentimes by other African Americans—still

must be addressed.

“None of the work that any of us have done is having the powerful impact that we would like to see, but the work must continue,” Stevens said. “We cannot be discouraged… we cannot in any way cease and desist, we must continue and persist.”

White man gets prison for beating of Paul Morris Racially-motivated incident occurred at Avalon Bar

MORRIS FROM A1

also added five years probation and ordered Kryl to pay $1,000 towards Morris’ medical costs. Kryl was found guilty of the crimes in September.

Kryl was charged with ethnic intimidation, simple assault and conspiracy following the July 7, 2018, attack, in which Kryl was seen by witnesses beating and kicking Morris as he was on the ground inside the Jackman Inn. Kryl was with a group of people, all of whom were Caucasian, sporting either skinhead tattoos or other paraphernalia that suggested they belonged to a skinhead group.

A criminal complaint read that Morris was smoking a cigarette outside the establishment with the cook, Javon Jenkins, who is also Black, when the men were soon confronted by the all-White group. “At some point, words were exchanged and when Mr. Morris attempted to come back inside, he (Morris) stated he was hit and a physical fight poured into the pool room in the bar,” according to the complaint.

When Avalon police arrived, Morris, according to the complaint, told them he was “jumped by a bunch of White people in the bar.”

Morris had a swollen and bloody upper lip as he iden-

tified the group of alleged attackers. When Avalon police requested backup, Bellevue officers detained Kryl, Natasha Bowers and Jeremy Ingram from the large group. Avalon officers detained Travis Cornell, Crystal Shields, and after a search, Terrence Stockey.

Witness No. 1 in the complaint stated he was “unsure who or what initiated (the fight) but Mr. Morris was definitely getting hit and kicked hard.”

Witness No. 2 in the complaint said there was “an uneasy feeling” about the all-White group in question, “and that they were not very friendly” when she went outside on the deck to

The Heinz Endowments commits $10 Mil in funding Investing in a child’s well-being from prenatal to age 3 is beneficial

HEINZ FROM A1

health care and child care, clean air and water, and early learning opportunities can vary greatly from family to family. By working together with both the city and county, we hope to help level that playing field, and prevent the need for future interventions down the line.”

The Endowments referred to research from economist and Nobel Laureate James Heckman, in which he found that “early high-quality investment results in stronger families and multi-generational outcomes, emerging as an effective way to break the cycle of poverty.” Heckman’s research also found that investment in early learning programs builds the foundation for all future learning, behavior and health, which result in positive outcomes that include long-term savings due to reduced health-care costs, reduced student dropout rates and higher IQs that lead to greater future earnings.

“The Endowments’ initiative is built on extensive

work and our long-held commitment to prenatal care and early childhood development,” Oliphant continued in a statement.

“Supporting effective early childhood education and well-being resources that are impactful is not only fiscally wise, but represents a major step towards achieving long-term success and opportunities to thrive for all parents and children.”

Recently approved grants that cover key prenatal to age 3 areas include: Healthy environment programs—$200,000 to the Allegheny County Health Department to build capacity for health equity as a framework in addressing infant and maternal health mortality, and $250,000 to Women for a Healthy Environment to engage schools and early learning centers to identify and address environmental risks.

Multi-generational approach programs— $200,000 to Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania to provide family planning and reproductive

health services to uninsured and underinsured women, and $50,000 to NurturePA to support expansion of an innovative mentoring program that assists mothers in recovery and their newborns in leading healthy, addiction-free lives.

Early childhood education—$750,000 to Research for Action to fund a pilot research project that examines disparities in education in Allegheny County; $180,000 to Carnegie Institute for the onsite Pittsburgh Public Schools early learning classroom at the Carnegie Science Center; and $175,000 to Partner 4 Work for early childhood education apprenticeships.

Advocacy—$150,000 directed to Women and Girls Foundation to help empower women leaders of tomorrow by connecting young women to the process of government through GirlGov. A portion of the grant will go toward a public education campaign aimed at increasing understanding of the health and well-being advantages of paid family and medical leave.

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

Read us online! at... www.newpittsburghcourier.com

smoke.

In Morris’ victim impact statement from Jan. 9, he said it’s difficult to live with the attack given the upbeat reasons he entered the Jackman Inn in the first place—to salute a “good friend” (Jenkins) for catering his son’s high school graduation.

“Being jumped and beaten on the heels of this milestone event for my family, with my heart full of appreciation, has altered how I remember this important event forever,” Morris’ statement read. “Every day, I look in the mirror and can see the scars as the result of (a) completely unprovoked attack, and

relive the terror and pain that I felt.”

Morris also said he’s known in his community as a “church-going, family man” who teaches youth and those in the community to “turn the other cheek.” However, the attack on him has him “embarrased that I needed to engage in the exact violence I cautioned everyone around me from ever resorting to.”

According to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, a hate crime in Pennsylvania is termed “ethnic intimidation.”

But the term “hate crime” is more commonly used across the country to de-

scribe crimes that are committed against a certain ethnic or religious group, such as African Americans and Jews. The New Pittsburgh Courier found that Pennsylvania recorded 67 “hate crimes” or “ethnic intimidation” crimes in 2018, 78 in 2017, and 61 in 2016. Nationwide, the FBI reported 7,128 hate crimes in 2018.

“I very easily could have been killed,” Morris said in his victim impact statement from Jan. 9, “if not for my size and effort to survive. Mr. Kryl should be an example to his fellow hate group members, so they think twice before attacking someone.”

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It’s 2020!

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TIFFANY HADDISH, SALMA HAYEK, ROSE BYRNE

New movie ‘Like A Boss’ has great chemistry between Haddish, Byrne Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne are an unlikely best friend duo in the year’s first comedy, “Like A Boss.” Mel (Bryne) and Mia (Haddish) are in major debt with their cosmetic company when a makeup mogul (Salma Hayek) tries to buy them out and take over the company.

The movie overall seemed

to be missing something and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I think the promotion and marketing was grand. Maybe too grand, because I thought that the movie was going to be gut-busting hilarious. In reality, “Like A Boss” gave me a couple chuckles at most.

I was definitely expecting more.

Salma Hayek’s character, Claire Luna, was cliché, almost satire. Not only was the character not believable, but it put a huge damper in the storyline. It was a poor attempt at “Devil Wears Prada” (2006). The

burgh was in “Like A Boss.”

Pittsburgh native Billy Porter plays Mia and Mel’s spicy production assistant, Barrett. He was wonderful.

The “Kinky Boots” star almost played himself—bubbly, zesty, and quick-witted.

With all of his recent success, you can’t help but to be happy for the Pittsburgh CAPA and Allderdice graduate. From fashion icon to award-winning thespian, Billy Porter is a name synonymous with technique and flair.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Porter in 2016 when he was campaigning

Merecedes J. Williams

On Movies/TV Shows orange wig and porcelain teeth was too much.

The film’s biggest takeaway was the value of a long-lasting friendship.

What seemed like a strange pair, Haddish and Bryne actually meshed well together and brought the key messaging to life. Their chemistry was evident and rubbed off as authentic.

Haddish was over the top and loud, while Bryne was bland and reserved. The pair was an out-of-the-box balance.

A small piece of Pitts-

for Hillary Clinton. I interviewed him at his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University, and he was more than pleasant. He let the students perform for him, he signed autographs and took pictures.

Like Wiz Khalifa, Lamman Rucker, and Margot Bingham, it is always a good feeling to see a familiar face on the big screen.

Someone who has a similar upbringing, used to run these same streets, and managed to become a superstar.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

NATIONAL

JANUARY 15-21, 2020

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The Black struggle in 2019: Staying aware, facing injustice and fighting for the future

by Brian 18X Crawford, J.S. Adams and Toure Muhammad Final Call

2019 saw challenges and signs of a continual awakening of the Black community, even as racism and police killings remained a problem in the United States. Alongside the insults was a strong spirit of resistance and growing frustration with the lack of respect for and deprivation of Black lives.

Heroes continued to emerge in sports and entertainment as Black stars refused to bow to the desires of powerful figures in those industries.

Colin Kaepernick continued to be a lightning rod for discussion, even though the former NFL quarterback played his last game in 2016. He continued to challenge the NFL for essentially blackballing him and keeping him off the field.

Hip hop guru Jay-Z received criticism for entering into a business relationship with the NFL. His Roc Nation imprint was named the league’s “live music entertainment strategist,” putting the rapper’s company in charge of the Super Bowl halftime show. The rapper took heavy criticism from NFL players and many in the Black community, but others urged caution, saying time will tell what happens.

On the field, it was the year of the Black quarterback in the NFL. Players like Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans), Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) busted up the stereotype that Black athletes aren’t smart enough to play quarterback at the pro level.

And with top notch collegiate prospects like Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma), Justin Fields (Ohio State), Khalil Tate (Arizona), and Deondre Francois (Hampton), the Black quarterback talent pool was deep.

America and Black people continued to suffer from violence in 2019.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, as of December 1, 2019, there were more mass shootings in America (385) than days in a calendar year.

There was a mass shooting in this country every single day in 2019 and 29 of those 385 mass shootings were also mass murders. Some of the most devastating tragedies included the Aug. 4 mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, that killed nine people, an Aug. 13 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, where 22 people were killed, and three Dec. 1 shootings in New Orleans that left 11 people injured. The Gun Violence Archives reported the highest number of mass shootings since 2014.

There were more than 35,000 gun-related deaths in 2019, over 27,000 gun-related accidents, and still no meaningful, federally mandated gun legislation.

Elijah Al-Amin, a 17-year old from Peoria, Arizona, was shot and killed by a White man at a convenience store because he didn’t like the rap music the teen was playing. In Louisiana, Sean Barrette fatally shot and killed three people at random in New Orleans; one of his victims was Black.

Violence at the hands of police continued in 2019. According to a study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Black men’s risk of being shot and killed by police is 2.5 times higher than that of White men, and 1 in every 1,000 Black men will be shot and killed by a police officer. Black women were also victims of police violence in 2019.

In October, Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed by a police officer in Ft. Worth, Texas, while at home playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew. An officer began peering through Ms. Jefferson’s window after a neighbor called a non-emergency number to ask for a well-being check. Her front door was open. Officer Andrew Dean shot through a window killing Ms. Jefferson. The 35-year-old had only been on the force 18 months, and resigned before he could be fired. He’s been charged with murder.

The trial of Amber Guyger, a Dallas police officer who shot and killed Botham Jean in his own apartment, saying she mistook it for her own, was probably one of the most talked about stories of 2019. Ms. Guyger was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison for the killing the young Black man who was a native of St. Lucia. Both the judge, who is Black, and Mr. Jean’s brother hugged Ms. Guyger after the verdict was read. The judge even gave Ms. Guyger a Bible.

These perceived acts of kindness and forgiveness enraged many in the Black community. Lee Merritt, the attorney representing the Jean family, understood the outrage. But, he said, key elements in the Jean story as well as the case of Atatiana Jefferson were overlooked.

Some of these elements have often been used to justify police killings of Black people, said the Dallas-based attorney.

“For a long time, the conversation was about compliance. In other words, it was said the Black community wasn’t properly complying with law enforcement and giving them the respect that they deserve; and Black men, women and children were causing the brutality to happen to them,” said Atty. Merritt.

“But 2019 kind of dispelled that myth,” he told The Final Call. “You have Atatiana Jefferson who was playing video games in her home, get shot and killed by police. Botham Jean was eating a bowl of ice cream after a long day of work, being shot and killed by police in his home. These weren’t even legitimate police encounters. This was just people going through the mundane activities of their daily lives, and police brutality came to visit them at their home.”

“The problem in the Botham Jean case is that it actually represented an advancement in police brutality,” Mr. Merritt continued. “This case should be textbook in how we deal with police brutality, because a lot of things had to come together to convict a White woman, a police officer, of murdering a Black man. There was a whole new bench of primarily Black women elected in Dallas County, and one of them served on that trial—Judge Tammy Kemp.

Even though she later became a problematic figure, there would have been no conviction without her.”

Judge Kemp barred the testimony of the Texas Rangers, a respected law enforcement agency, because they were set to testify that Ms. Guyger did nothing wrong and didn’t deserve to go to jail, he said.

Mr. Merritt also credits the district attorney’s office for being aggressive in pursuing the case, and Dallas residents who showed up in droves for jury duty. The jury that found Ms. Guyger guilty was one of the most diverse ever to hear a murder trial in the city, according to Mr. Merritt. It was comprised of six Black jurors, five Hispanic jurors and only one White juror.

“The response to the jury summons was record-breaking. There were hundreds of people lined up for jury duty around the corner on the heels of Bothan Jeans’ trial,” Mr. Merritt said. “This is something that needs to be replicated. It was a lot of work for one conviction, but this is something that can be replicated throughout the country.”

Social activism and art One of the most heartbreaking events this year was when Nipsey Hussle, an up and coming rapper from Los Angeles, Calif., was gunned down March 31.

“It’s unfortunate that it has happened, because I would

KILLINGS CONTINUE—Protests raged due to police killings of Black people. say he’s an artist that was gaining steam. I have a friend of mine who I discovered was a huge Nipsey Hussle fan and was devastated when he passed away,” said Clayton Gutzmore, a 30-year-old freelance journalist who often covers Black culture and entertainment.

“In terms of his impact, I just want to say that Nipsey has been known as a giver. He invested in his community by opening up a tech space where people could learn about coding, and also a space where he could employ people, because there’s the Marathon store, and other things like that that he planted in California where people can actually benefit from him and his influence.”

Mr. Hussle died outside of his Marathon store. His work and catchphrase “The Marathon Continues” now often refers to furthering the community work he dedicated himself to. That hashtag, along with portraits of him, have circulated throughout social media. He left behind his longtime girlfriend, actress Lauren London, and two children.

His death also brought together gangs in the area for a peace walk and effort to broker peace. It also brought Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan to speak to those who convened near Nipsey’s store, and speak to attendees at his funeral service at the Staples Center.

The Netflix docuseries “When They See Us” dove deeply into the true story of the Central Park 5, which younger viewers may not have been exposed to.

Ava DuVernay, an acclaimed di-

rector, told the story of five young Black and Hispanic youths who were wrongfully accused and convicted of raping a young White woman in Central Park.

“It was traumatizing at the moment because you see these young boys who are being told certain things, and these are back in the days where it wasn’t so tech savvy or whatnot,” Mr. Gutzmore said.

“Also, more people just being more conscious of the whole judicial system and letting people be more aware of how the cops and young Black teenagers interchange.”

Melissa Hunter Davis, founder and publisher of Sugarcane Magazine, a Black arts publication, said the series brought out both the good and the bad.

“I think it was far wider than we thought,” Ms. Davis said. “I don’t think it was necessarily positive by some people. I’m not saying the film wasn’t positive. I think there were people who this touched a wrong nerve for them. They were probably supportive for these young men of being thrown in jail for the rest of their lives.”

Recently, there have been complaints of notable Black artists, including Ms. DuVernay, being “snubbed” at the Golden Globes nominations.

“We saw her being snubbed at the Golden Globes and plenty of films that depict Black people not just positively, but that are politically charged,” Ms. Davis continued. “I think Beyonce’s ‘Homecoming’ was hard for people to take. I think any time we start to speak politically and quite loudly, I think

that frightens people and keeps us from getting what we deserve.”

Many people have taken to Twitter and other social media platforms to express their dissatisfaction with Black artists not getting their proper due.

Ms. Davis said one artist who has made strides this year is Tyler Perry, with the opening of his grand, new studio.

“I’m really proud of him,” she said. “I think that the idea of anybody Black owning their own collection of sound stages is phenomenal, especially in Georgia. The state of Georgia made it really easy for him to do that with all the tax incentives they give to people, and he took advantage of it and ran with it.”

November’s Democratic presidential debate was held at Tyler Perry’s studio in Atlanta, soon after its opening in October.

“Clearly he’s done well off the bat,” she said. “It was used very quickly and it gave people a place to shoot different types of films with different locales.”

Many activists have helped to shape up this year for Blacks, through arts and social justice. “[It shows] the changes in making sure there’s positive representation of Black people in this country to commemorate the fact that we are here,” Ms. Davis said.

Both Mr. Gutzmore and Ms. Davis see a brighter future in 2020 for Black people in terms of moving the culture forward.

“Hopefully sharper and better material in both music and movies,” Mr. Gutzmore said. “Hopefully we will want to raise our stakes. Hopefully we will want to deliver better material … that can say, okay, this is actually different from the 2010s.”

Reparations became a hot topic in 2019 as Democratic presidential hopefuls seeking to run against Donald Trump in 2020 largely backed reparations or a federal bill studying reparations, promising to sign bill H.R. 40 into law if passed into law by Congress. The year ended with the small city of Evanston, Ill., announcing a plan to spend $10 million over 10 years to provide reparations to its Black population.

But money alone will never solve the problems of Black people, said Nation of Islam student ministers. “We’re not looking for a one-time check from this government,” said Min. Abdul Malik Muhammad.

“We want to be treated even better than how Israel is being treated. … Every year since 1948, right off the top, before they even balance the budget, $6 billion of the American taxpayers’ money goes to the state of Israel, not talking about the other $30-40 billion in military aid, in airplanes, in high technology that this government gives to that nation that it had nothing to do with destroying,” he said.

(The Final Call staff contributed to this report.)

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

A8

JANUARY 15-21, 2020

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report New year, new me This is not a list of resolutions; I stopped making those years ago.

Back in the day I used to make resolutions like cutting out sugar and two days into the New Year I was going through withdrawal.

This year I decided to just do the things that I have been doing but try and do them better.

Before Christmas I purchased what is referred to as a diva light. Actually, the technical name is LED ring light kit. I bought mine at Best Buy in the camera department. It was suggested by Darieth Chisolm on her Facebook page and I noticed the light rings being used on several reality shows.

I made the purchase about two months ago and let it sit in my office unopened. My fear of new things had kicked in. After the New Year I said, “This is crazy, open the box and read the directions.” Within minutes I had assembled the light kit, mounted my phone and was taking pictures of myself. This takes selfies to a whole new level and will also work well when light is needed for other shots as well. This small task and learning that one new thing told me that there are a lot of other things that I can learn; all I have to do is read and in the words of Essie Norrell, “apply yourself.” Isn’t it funny how the words of our parents stay in our heads.

I’m glad that I keep young friends around to ask questions from time to time when I need help with apps and my phone. These tech things are not really hard but sometimes it just takes a little time.

Learning new things is good for your mental health as well as visiting new places and doing new things. Now that I have free time, I am going to travel more and see things that I have not seen. These do not have to be expensive trips or even long trips but just a place where you can have a new experience like a winery or a museum.

There is nothing like a day trip where you still get to come home and sleep in your own bed.

I’ve also learned that I don’t have to attend every sale. I love a good sale but even if the price is low you can only have so much stuff. I have found that there is so much in my closet that I am not wearing due to the fact that I don’t go to work each day. It’s time to donate and sell.

How many of you have been promising yourself to write a book? That has been on my mind for decades. I’m going to get started on that book and I plan to do that “thrift fashion show” that I have been thinking about for years. The title of the show will be “A Look, Not A Label.”

Make sure that you watch for it.

Resolutions are not necessary, just a willingness to try new things, make changes and do things better.

(Email Debbbie at debbienorrell@aol.com.)

MARSHA & PAUL DORSEY (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

HAPPY ON THE DANCE FLOOR...

JOE & ADRIAN THOMAS

No party like an EMANON party

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

According to the men of EMANON (“no name” spelled backwards) “Ain’t no party like an EMANON party because an EMANON party don’t stop.”

On Dec. 8, 2019, at the Comfort Inn, Rodi Road the party was warm, welcoming and as always, fun. The night started with their infamous icebreaker where guests try to complete a list of questions by finding people who can supply the answer. Some guests tried to shy away from it but got pulled into the fun, the chance to win prizes and meet new people. Guests enjoyed dining, dancing to the Flo Wilson Band and

EMANON MEMBERS

RONALD & CAROLYN CURRY

FLO WILSON ENTERTAINS

SHARING A JOKE—Joe Thomas and Reggie Jackson

GETTING THEIR DANCE ON...

the merriment that centers on the holiday season.

The men of EMANON have been hosting holiday soirees since the late 1950s when the group rose to prominence with their annual New Year’s Eve Cabaret at the Royal Ballroom in Wilkinsburg. Reportedly it was the place to be on New Year’s Eve. The current roster of EMANON includes: Michael Beasley, Clarence Curry, Ronald Curry, Les Daniel, Dr. Larry Davis, Paul Dorsey (president), Robert Nicklos, Capt. Samuel Pinkney, Dan Robinson, Dr. Robert Smith, Joe Thomas and Dr. Theodore Towns. Alan Cousar, Christopher Hardy, Larry Harper and Steven Leonard are associate members.

NANCY & SYDNEY HILL

MICHAEL & BERNITA BEASLEY

LARRY & RUTH DAVIS

RELIGION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 15-21, 2020

A9

Praise & Worship

BETHEL AME CHURCH

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141

Operation Critical Destination Unity

Sunday Mass 10:30 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Jan. 11, 2020

www.cathedralofhope.com

Worship on Sunday: Journey Worship...........8:45 a.m.

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

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

Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello A PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE at Bethel AME Church in Monroeville’s “Operation Critical, Destination Unity” service, Jan. 11. “Operation Critical, Destination Unity” is a ministry conceived in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1984 by two sinners desperately seeking the love of Jesus Christ, according to a pamplet distributed at the service.

Curious about Quakerism?

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

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

LINDA ROSS BROWN

LINDSAY HARGROVE

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

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OLIVIA KING HOLT

Olivia King Holt, age 92, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, CA. She was born August 11, 1927 in Pittsburgh to the late Walter and Rosa (Hawks) King. She was the youngest of four siblings.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Schenley Senior High School in 1944.

As a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, she served as the accompanying pianist and secretary for the church school from 1944 through 1948. In 1948 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Education. In 1951 she received the Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Social Work and relocated to Baltimore, MD. Mrs. Holt was employed as a social worker for the Health and Welfare Federation of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, and the Young Women’s Christian Association in Baltimore MD. She was employed as an educator, administrator, guidance counselor, and assistant principal in the Baltimore, MD public school system for 28 years. She was co-director with her husband, John M. Holt, of the Camp James Weldon Johnson summer camp in Pittsburgh for 22 years. She was an active member of the Chancel Choir, Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore. Mrs. Holt retired from the Baltimore City Public Schools in 1983.

Mrs. Holt was preceded in death by her childhood sweetheart and husband of 50 years John M. Holt; her parents, Walter and Rosa King; one brother, Frank King; and two sisters, Lilas King Morton and Otelia King Morton. She is survived by her nieces, Donna J. (Henry) Allison of Inglewood, CA; Linda S. Morton and Sonja G. Newsome of Pittsburgh, PA; one nephew, Harry J. Morton of Sherman Oaks, CA; and two grand nieces, Sonja M. Newsome of Pittsburgh and Claudia L. Newsome of Atlanta, GA. Mrs. Holt’s talents were many, she was an accomplished pianist and scholar, Girl Scout leader, community volunteer, a beloved wife and aunt, and a respected member of her community.

The family will receive friends from 4 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Jones Funeral Home, 2644 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA. Services will be held at 11 am on Friday, January 17, 2020 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2001 Wylie Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. The Rev. Dr. Vincent . Campbell will officiate. Burial will be in Restland Memorial Park, Monroeville, PA.

OBITUARY LOIS BOBETTA BROWN BEST

Lois Bobetta Brown Best was born on the first day of summer, une 21st in 1947, she was the first-born child to Mr. Mrs. William Arthur Brown (Iris), at Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She would soon have three sisters and a brother, Julie, Peggy, Margie, and William (Suggy). Lois Bobetta Brown married William Mc Kinnley Best Jr. on July 19, 1965.

Lois was a lifelong learner. Her knowledge flourished while living in Hyde Park for over 52 years. She was an avid learner, she attended A. Leo Weil Elementary School, Knoxville Elementary School, Knoxville Junior high and graduated from Carrick High School in June of 1964. After graduation she worked at Lerner retail and attended Allegheny Community College. She and her husband moved to Chicago in 1967. They settled in Hyde Park, a very diverse area with excellent schools and soon had a daughter Dina Marie in 1974. Dina and Lois were inseparable. Her grandfather Theodore Coleman used to be a traveling journalist for the Courier in the early ‘40s-’70s.

At the age of 67 she began taking classes at Northwestern University. It is a testimony to her desire to read and learn all she could. She was an avid reader, which led her to study and was passionate about a variety of topics. She worked steadfast for organizations like, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, Blue Gargoyle, ACT-SO, PUSH, Hyde Park Garden Walk, Academic Games, Kozminski PTA, and one of her latest passions was the improvement of Greencastle of Kenwood. She volunteered her time to advocate for cooking classes, exercise equipment, and technology club for the senior community.

Lois loved to talk to PEOPLE. She could barely make it to her destination without seeing someone that she knew and loved. She was employed by many companies; a very hard worker, loyal, and extremely friendly. Lois enjoyed working at Illinois Bell, Sears and Roebuck, University of Chicago, Anderson Consulting, Accenture, and she had her own nanny service “Loving Tender Care by Lois.” To know her, was to love her. One of her friends described her as leaving footprints on our heart, she was kind and had a heart of gold.

She was a devout Christian and belonged to South Shore Methodist Church. She is survived by her daughter (Dina, William), 4 grandsons (William, Wesley, Warren, and Winston), 3 sisters, one brother, mother, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her father William Arthur Brown Sr. preceded her in death.

Her memorial will be at First Unitarian Church, 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL 60637 on January 18, 2020 at 2pm, with a reception to follow.

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MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. JANUARY 15-21, 2020

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—His life, his achievements Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., (Jan. 15, 1929–April 4, 1968) was a pastor, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs.

He was born Michael King, but his father changed his name in honor of the German reformer Martin Luther. A Baptist minister, King became a civil rights activist early in his career.

He led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and after the success of this campaign he decided to make the fight for civil rights his lifetime goal.

Needing an organization to work from he helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president.

With the SCLC, King led an unsuccessful struggle against segregation in Albany, Ga., in 1962, and organized nonviolent protests in Birmingham, Ala, that attracted national attention following television news coverage of the brutal police response. King also helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

On Oct. 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence. In 1965, he and the SCLC helped to organize the Selma to Montgomery marches and the following year, he took the movement north to Chicago to work on segregated housing. In the final years of his life, King expanded his focus to

THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. is welcomed with a kiss by his wife Coretta after leaving court in Montgomery, Ala., March 22, 1956. Dr. King was found guilty of conspiracy to boycott city buses in a campaign to desegregate the bus system, but a judge suspended his $500 fine pending appeal. (Associated Press Photo) include poverty and speak against the Vietnam War, alienating many of his allies with a 1967 speech titled “Beyond Vietnam.”

In 1968, King was planning a national occupation of Washington, D.C., to be called the Poor People’s Campaign, when he was assassinated on April 4 in Memphis, where he was organizing a march in support of equal pay for garbage collectors there. His death was followed by riots in many U.S. cities.

King was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a holiday in numerous cities and states beginning in 1971, and as a U.S. federal

holiday in 1986. Hundreds of streets in the U.S. have been renamed in his honor.

In addition, a county was rededicated in his honor. A memorial statue on the National Mall was opened to the public in 2011.

Growing up in Atlanta, King attended Booker T. Washington High School.

He became known for his public speaking ability and was part of the school’s debate team. King became the youngest assistant manager of a newspaper delivery station for the Atlanta Journal in 1942 at age 13. During his junior year, he won first prize in an oratorical contest sponsored by the Negro Elks Club in Dublin, Ga. Returning home to Atlanta, he and his teacher were or-

dered by the driver to stand so White passengers could sit down. King refused initially, but complied after his teacher informed him that he would be breaking the law if he did not go along with the order. He later characterized this incident as “the angriest I have ever been in my life.” A precocious student, he skipped both the ninth and the twelfth grades of high school. At age 15, King passed the exam and entered Morehouse.

The summer before his last year at Morehouse, in 1947, an eighteen-year old King made the choice to enter the ministry after he concluded the church offered the most assuring way to answer “an inner urge to serve humanity.” King’s “inner urge” had begun developing and he made peace with the Baptist Church, as he believed he would be a “rational” minister with sermons that were “a respectful force for ideas, even social protest.”

In 1948, he graduated from Morehouse with a B.A. degree in sociology, and enrolled in Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pa., from which he graduated with a B.Div. degree in 1951.

King was elected president of the student body.

King began doctoral studies in systematic theology at Boston University and received his PhD. Degree in 1955, with a dissertation on “A Comparison of the Conceptions of God in the Thinking of Paul Tillich and Henry Nelson Wieman.

King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., when he was 25 years old, in 1954. As a Christian minister, his main influence was Jesus Christ and the Christian gospels, which he would almost always quote in his religious meetings, speeches at church, and in public discourses. King’s faith was strongly based in Jesus’ commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself, loving God above all, and loving your enemies, praying for them and blessing them.

His non-violent thought was also based in the injunction to turn the other cheek in the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus’ teaching of putting the sword back into its place (Matthew 26:52). In his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail, King urged action consistent with what he describes as Jesus’ “extremist” love, and also quoted numerous other Christian pacifist authors, which was very usual for him. In another sermon, he stated: “Before I was a civil rights leader, I was a preacher of the Gospel. This was my first calling and it still remains my greatest commitment. You know, actually all that I do in civil rights I do because I consider it a part of my ministry.

I have no other ambitions in life but to achieve excellence in the Christian ministry.

THE KING FAMILY is pictured at home in Atlanta: from left, Martin Luther King III, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Dexter, 4, and Yolanda, 9. June 20, 1965. (Associated Press Photo) I don’t plan to run for any political office. I don’t plan to do anything but remain a preacher. And what I’m doing in this struggle, along with many others, grows out of my feeling that the preacher must be concerned about the whole man.”

His study of Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle in India also had a lot to do with his tactics of nonviolence as well as the general knowledge of most Black Southerners that an armed confrontation would be disastrous for Blacks.

In his speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”, he stated that he just wanted to do God’s will.

Veteran African American civil rights activist Bayard Rustin served as King’s main advisor and mentor in the late 1950s.

Mahatma Gandhi’s success with non-violent activism, King had “for a long time... wanted to take a trip to India.” With assistance from the Quaker group the American Friends Service Committee, he was able to make the journey in April 1959.

The trip to India affected King, deepening his understanding of non-violent resistance and his commitment to America’s struggle for civil rights. In a radio address made during his final evening in India, King reflected, “Since being in India, I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity.”

One-aspect scholars haven’t dealt with for the non-violent method of King is common sense and common knowledge of the South.

Just about every Southerner had a gun and could use them and had demonstrated this many times in the past when Blacks spoke out.

So if Blacks took up guns in

the South they would have in most cases been eliminated quickly, and probably would have been supported by many Whites in the north. King and other activists throughout the South understood this.

As the leader of the SCLC, King maintained a policy of not publicly endorsing a U.S. political party or candidate: “I feel someone must remain in the position of non-alignment, so that he can look objectively at both parties and be the conscience of both— not the servant or master of either.” King stated that Black Americans, as well as other disadvantaged Americans, should be compensated for historical wrongs.

In an interview conducted for Playboy in 1965, he said that granting Black Americans only equality could not realistically close the economic gap between them and Whites. King said that he did not seek a full restitution of wages lost to slavery, which he believed impossible, but proposed a government compensatory program of $50 billion over ten years to all disadvantaged groups.

He posited that “the money spent would be more than amply justified by the benefits that would accrue to the nation through a spectacular decline in school dropouts, family breakups, crime rates, illegitimacy, swollen relief rolls, rioting and other social evils”. He presented this idea as an application of the common law regarding settlement of unpaid labor, but clarified that he felt that the money should not be spent exclusively on Blacks. He stated, “It should benefit the disadvantaged of all races.”

(Information for this article was obtained from various sources, including Wikipedia, “From Slavery to Freedom,” “Before the Mayflower,” and “Biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”)

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

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JANUARY 15-21, 2020

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Events in the Pittsburgh area celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Children’s Museum about glass through hands-on local DJ group that focuses on will involve activities dealing tion will attract lots of fun-lov- Best for high school age and activities that demonstrate the Afro-Caribbean beats. When with issues of race, social jus- ing families. A diverse mix of up. of Pittsburgh

The Children’s Museum programmed a full day of activities on Jan. 20. Kids will read the inspiring words of Dr. King aloud at the podium during “King for a Day,” hosted by Saturday Light Brigade Radio. Through the Art Studio’s “Using Your Voice” event, kids will learn how to express their thoughts through media, such as signs, collages and zines. Catch the live webcast, “Streaming Justice,” originating from the SLB radio studio.

Teen hosts will feature four hours of music, listener calls and conversations. The webcast will be accessible online, on the Youth Express TuneIn app or the Simple Radio app.

Pittsburgh Glass Center

Pittsburgh Glass Center hosts a free Martin Luther King Community Celebration where kids can learn

importance of teamwork in the creative process. Mind-blowing glassblowing demonstrations will take place throughout the day. Kids can help create a glass mosaic design for the Glass Center’s new Little Free Library that will be installed this spring. Glass won’t be the only thing getting fired: Free kiln-fired pi a will be offered straight from the oven.

The Mattress Factory

The Mattress Factory—typically closed on Mondays—will hold its annual MLK Day Celebration with free admission on Jan. 20. The party will include art-making activities like creating the “I Have a Dream-scape,” a collaborative, mixed-media mural. At the Appreciation Station, kids can write a letter to someone who inspired them. Kids will burn off energy dancing to music from Wavy Bunch Sound, a

they’re ready to refuel, they tice and immigration. can head to the cookie and hot Carnegie Library chocolate bar.

locations

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host a variety of family-friendly events. On Jan. 15, “Celebrate: Martin Luther King Jr.” offers a dream party at the East Liberty branch where kids from K-5 will learn about the “I Have a Dream” speech and work on a dreamthemed project. The Homewood branch explores King’s Community Day School contributions with “Martin LuInstead of taking the day ther ing r.: A National Hero,” off, Community Day School in an afternoon of stories and Squirrel Hill will be in session activities for kids from K-5 on for its fifth observance of ML Jan. 18.

Day on Jan. 20. The community is invited to the opening Kelly Strayhorn Theater prayer service and a multiTickets are on sale for the media performance by Emmy annual East Liberty CeleAward-winning Emmai Alaqui- brates MLK Day at Kelly va. Kids will continue the day Strayhorn Theater. Priced at under the guidance of this a pay-what-makes-you-hapyear’s theme, “Nation,” which py rate, the Jan. 20th celebra-

Heritage Gospel Chorale

This year’s Heritage Gospel Chorale’s annual MLK celebration features two “Let Freedom Sing” concerts. The first is Jan. 18 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, followed by a Jan. 20 concert at Woodland Hills High School.

community partners will team up to offer exciting performances and family-friendly activities that affirm Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s example of activism. High energy performances include K Theater Dance Complex, the Funky Fly Project and the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble. The day is intended to remind kids of their power to change the world.

Poetry Unplugged

The fourth-annual Poetry Unplugged: An ML Celebration on Jan. 17 at the August Wilson Center is a night of spoken word and music featuring artists from around the country using the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr., as inspiration. Mahogany Browne hosts an evening featuring poets Jessica Care Moore and Ursula Rucker, among others.

Parental discretion is advised.

(Compiled by www.kidsburgh.org)

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PERSONAL FINANCE

Thinking about refinancing? Five things to consider (StatePoint)—Mortgage rates have recently hit near-record lows and Freddie Mac predicts rates will remain low for the foreseeable future.

If you haven’t already taken advantage of the low-rate environment to refinance your home, experts say it’s worth considering.

“There are lots of reasons to refinance your home mortgage when rates go down,” says Liz Bryant, national sales manager for Wells Fargo Home Lending.

“Lower rates can reduce your payment, shorten the overall length of your loan or provide you access to cash that you can use for home improvements or other expenses.”

Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking of taking that step: •It may make sense to refinance if your goal is to reduce your monthly payment as well as the interest you will pay over the life of the loan. A mortgage consultant or refinancing calculator can help you decide. Reducing your payment will free up money for saving, investing or spending in other ways.

•Refinancing can shorten the length of your loan, for example, by reducing your loan from a 30-year repayment period to 15 or even 10. That can allow you to pay the loan off faster and reduce the amount of interest you pay. But, depending on your individual situation, it could mean a larger monthly payment.

•Some homeowners refinance to tap into available equity. This can be useful if you’re paying for a large project like a home renovation or are making another large purchase. You should talk to a home mortgage consultant to see if a cash-out refinance fits into your long-term financial goals or whether a home equity line of credit makes more sense for this need.

•If you have built up equity in your home, you may want to consider refinancing to remove mortgage insurance.

Typically, you can request your lender to remove mortgage insurance if you show you have at least 20 percent equity in your home. However, if you have a government-backed mortgage, you will need to refinance to a conventional loan to remove your mortgage insurance, which will reduce your monthly payment. You can find more details at yourhomematters.wf.com •Finally, if you want to move out of an SEE REFINANCING B2

NEARLY TWO-THIRDS of those that reported working in the job of their dreams as part of a survey of 2,000 American adults taken by the virtual phone company, TollFreeForwarding, also said that the job lived up to the expectations they placed on it during childhood. (Photo: iStockphoto/NNPA)

Will your dream job ever become your reality?

by Stacy M. Brown

they were younger. And just a tiny fraction of us—only 10 percernt—can make that claim right now.

Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of those

never experienced working in their dream job or profession, over a third (39 percent) For New Pittsburgh Courier say they regret not pursuing their aspirations further. When asked to identify (NNPA)—A common New Year’s tradithe most significant factor tion is the list of resolutions in never achieving those for the upcoming 365 days.

For some the list will be “The survey noted that public service jobs, teach- childhood dreams, 34 percent said that they “don’t improvement-based, like losing weight or obtaining ers, doctors, and nurses were the most popular have the required skill set a new certification. Others childhood dream jobs of respondents. Those were or knowledge.”

Other significant factors may focus on different objectives, like a family vaca- followed by actors, athletes, writers, and musicians. include “financial contion or finally saving more Scientists and lawyers also made the Top 10. While straints,” (16 percent of respondents) and “I priorfor retirement. Whatever items your list contains, all those initial dreams may have changed significantly itized raising a family” (10 percent). Putting family resolutions lists share two things in common: Some by the time that we achieve our high school or col- first was significantly more of our goals are attainable, lege diploma, it’s common for Americans to wake up prevalent among women, with 14 percent selecting it others not so much.

If one of your resolutions one morning, get dressed for work, and realize that compared to just 3 percent of men. for the start of the new cal- our work leaves us unfulfilled.”

The survey also discovendar year is the pursuit ered significant differences of that ever-elusive dream in the aspirations of men job, you’re not alone. A survey of 2,000 American adults taken by that reported working in the job of their and women during childhood. Women the virtual phone company, TollFreeFor- dreams, also said that the job lived up to were much more inclined to select carewarding, revealed that only about 24 the expectations they placed on it during giving and public service-related jobs— percent of respondents will ever get to childhood.

SEE DREAM JOB B2 Of the remaining 76 percent that have become what they wanted to be when

Family of Black doctors has social media buzzing

by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—Dr. Herbert Oye is a Board Certified Endovascular and Vascular Surgeon, specializing in invasive and non-invasive treatment of vascular diseases.

Dr. Oye received his medical degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, according to his official biography.

His General Surgery residence was performed at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, an affiliate of

Albert Einstein Medical Center.

Dr. Oye completed his fellowship training in advanced vascular and endovascular surgery at the Arizona Heart Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.

Perhaps, most impressive is that each of Dr. Oye’s four children followed in their father’s footsteps.

David, Monique, Michelle, and Melissa Oye, each said they were inspired by their father and all have become doctors.

“Our dad, Dr. Herbert Oye, is a Nigerian immigrant. Upon moving to the United States, he attended medical school and

has worked tirelessly to build his own Vascular Surgery practice,” the young physicians wrote in a statement on Facebook.

“Dad has since opened a hospital back in Nigeria and splits his time between the United States and Nigeria. We are all currently in the medical field as a second, third, and fourth year medical student and a first year Internal Medicine Resident.”

Each are attending or have attended the West Virginia School of Medicine. Monique, the eldest of the family, graduated in 2018. Michelle is in her fourth year,

while Melissa is in her third year.

David, the only son of Dr. Oye, is in his second year.

Their success has social media buzzing.

“Sending congratulations to your amazing family of wonderful world citizens,” Kathryn Stollmeyer Wright, wrote on Facebook.

Another Facebook user, Patricia Combs, wrote: “Well done. Congratulations for excellence in your drive, motivation, and ability to accomplish such great and momentous feat. You all are wonderful and blessed,” Combs stated.

THE OYE FAMILY—“Our Dad, Dr. Herbert Oye (fourth from left), is a Nigerian immigrant. Upon moving to the United States, he attended medical school and has worked tirelessly to build his own Vascular Surgery practice,” the young physicians wrote in a statement on Facebook.

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JANUARY 15-21, 2020

Will your dream job ever become reality?

DREAM JOB FROM B1

with teacher, doctor/nurse, and veterinarian making up the top three.

Science and engineering are among the most male-dominated industries, and video gaming has long been stereotyped as a male-oriented profession.

“These statistics say something about the differences between men and women, and how different upbringings influence what we want to do when we grow up,” researchers concluded.

The survey noted that public service jobs, teachers, doctors, and nurses were the most popular childhood dream jobs of respondents. Those were followed by actors, athletes, writers, and musicians. Scientists and lawyers also made the top 10.

While those initial dreams may have changed significantly by the time that we achieve our high school or college diploma, it’s common for Americans to wake up one morning, get dressed for work, and realize that our work leaves us unfulfilled.

“Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work, driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, in order to get to a job that you need so you can pay for the clothes, car and the house that you leave empty all day in order to afford to live in it,” said Ellen Goodman.

For African Americans, who are often still either the first or among the very few in their family to achieve an advanced degree, the current job or career path can have nothing in common the career they envisioned when they walked across the stage to accept the diploma.

However, a few have adopted the long-held belief that doing work that we love—work that actually makes us happy—has benefits that far outweigh the financial rewards.

In the TollFreeForwarding survey, researchers noted the rise of digital technology and social media, which they said had formed a new type of celebrity. As children head for YouTube and video games such as Fortnite for entertainment, they search for idols that align with these interests, according to the researchers.

“My dream job was to work in social services with children and families,” said Karen Akpan, a content creator for TheMomTrotter. com, a website that shares budget travel tips, homeschooling life experiences,

and parenting information.

“I graduated from college with my Bachelor’s degree and couldn’t find a job to pay me over $12 an hour,” Akpan stated.

“I then decided to go back for my Master’s Degree, hoping that it would help.

Unfortunately, I still wasn’t making more than $12.50 an hour or so and, living in California, that was torture.”

Akpan decided to start writing about travel and how she and her family were able to travel on points and miles. She said that’s worked out well despite lots of student loan debt, the economy, and not getting paid the wages she believed she deserved.

“Little did I know that I was going to be able to turn my passion into profit. I absolutely love what I do know,” Akpan stated.

Robert Remak, who co-founded the men’s attire website, ArtoftheGent.com, said while in college, he dreamed of being a CEO of a Fortune 500 company. That dream became deferred when Remak said he realized that he didn’t want to become a part of an already established corporate culture filled with inequality.

“I wanted to create positive change in the overall corporate culture,” Remak stated.

“My purpose for wanting to be a CEO was to prove to the world by example that, if you truly put your employees first, you will become more profitable in the long term.

Not squeezing out as much production from each employee and measuring them against rigid key performance indicators,” he added.

“My dream job when I finished high school was going to med school. My dream job when I finished college was to be a nurse practitioner or physician assistant,” said author and public speaker, Lisa SwiftYoung.

While neither of those dreams became a reality, Swift-Young said she did marry, and she now has two adult children.

“My daughter and I run a business together, and I published a book. So, although my dream of becoming a physician didn’t come true, I feel like in a lot of ways, I was able to give back,” Swift-Young stated.

“I think we’re fairly stable. We’ve both been employed consistently with ups and downs, but we are definitely in a position where we should be able to retire before the age of retirement. So, my dream job didn’t come true, but my dream life, I’m living it.”

Thinking about refinancing?

REFINANCING FROM B1

adjustable-rate mortgage and into a fixed-rate one, refinancing may make sense. Depending on rates, your payment could be higher, but doing so will protect you against rising rates in the future.

“If you’re thinking of refinancing, take some time to do some research and talk to your mortgage lender,” says Bryant. “Refinancing may save you money over the long-term and help you achieve your financial goals.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Corruption fighter freezes bank accounts of Angola’s pampered rich (TriceEdneyWire.com/ GIN)—Some called her Princess. Others labeled her the beautiful face of the dictatorship—always beaming from the pages of Fortune, Forbes and other high-finance magazines which flattered her as Africa’s “First Woman Billionaire.” Today, the daughter of Angola’s ex-president is in a messy fight over millions siphoned from state funds, now frozen as part of the current president’s anti-corruption drive.

As Ms. Isabel dos Santos tells it, she made her first million selling eggs on the street on her way to school.

Soon, she had a share in lucrative state contracts and became head of Angola’s state-owned oil firm, thanks to her father’s generous decrees. Her assets swelled to $2 billion, the Bloomberg news service reports.

Last month, an Angolan court froze the assets of dos Santos, her husband Sindika Dokolo, and one of her executives and seized their shares in local companies, including the Unitel telecommunications firm, the BFA bank and the cement company Cimangola, according to Angola’s state news agency. The nation’s Attorney General accuses

I. DOS SANTOS, center. the three of engaging in transactions with stateowned companies that led to the government incurring losses of $1.14 billion.

Jose Filomeno, Isabel’s brother, was fired as head of Angola’s sovereign wealth fund and accused of illegally transferring $500 million from Angola’s central bank to the U.K. Their sister, Welwitschia dos Santos, recently lost her seat as a member of parliament after leaving Angola.

These moves mark another step in President Joao Lourenco’s bid to battle graft and dismantle the influence of his predecessor’s family over key industries.

Dos Santos says she will “use all the instruments of Angolan and international law at my disposal to fight this order and ensure the truth comes out.” But political analyst Paula Roque calls the arrests an indication that Angola is “finally moving in the direction of

accountability and reversing decades of impunity, nepotism, patronage and corruption.” Opposition spokesman Marcial Dachala concurs. “This confirms what we’ve been saying since 1975, that this country is a victim of kleptocracy.”

Angola is the second biggest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa. Nonetheless, 36 percent of its citizens live in extreme poverty, according to the United Nations.

Lenovo releases Diversity & Inclusion report MORRISVILLE, N.C.—The New Pittsin the Lenovo Executive Committee and 97 burgh Courier has learned that Lenovo, a percent of their business managers are naleader in innovation and developing transtive residents to the markets they work in. formative products, services and solutions, Lenovo also succeeded in achieving their recently released its 2018/2019 Diversity & goal of impacting one million people through Inclusion Report. One key highlight is Hathe benefit of philanthropy and volunteerism ben Girma, Harvard Law School’s first deafaround the world. In October 2018, Lenovo blind graduate joining the team as the first launched The Lenovo Foundation to invest in external D&I consultant helping to better STEM education programs, increase access integrate the needs of the disability commuto diverse populations and empower employnity into its products and workplace. Girees to improve their communities. As a result ma, an advocate for equal opportunities for of their commitment, The Foundation awardpeople with disabilities, is an African Amered 16 mini-grants to organizations around ican and first-generation immigrant that the world such as an organization in Kenya has earned President Obama naming her a that was outfitted with a new computer lab White House Champion of Change, the Helto serve a disconnected community. en Keller Achievement Award and a spot on In an effort to continue to progress and YOLANDA LEE CONYERS the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. advance diversity and inclusion, Lenovo The report demonstrates the company’s continued in- partnered with The Atlantic magazine to host their first vestment in their employees to foster growth and devel- ever Inclusion in the Workplace conference, bringing inopment that leads to better decisions, better products and fluencers and thought leaders in the community together better business results. “We are proud of our progress in to share insights and best practices for increasing includiversity and to be a part of recasting the model for mul- sivity in business. In addition, the company launched two tinational companies,” said Yolanda Lee Conyers, chief di- new employee resource groups in the US, with plans to versity officer and president, Lenovo Foundation. “We are further expansion that focuses on new professionals and committed to continuing our work of advancing greater early-career employees, and individuals with disabilities diversity in all its forms across our workforce and to fos- and caretakers and allies of the disability community. ter a sense of belonging with inclusive practices.”

“We have many achievements and milestones to celeThe report revealed in the last 12 months, 66 unique na- brate, and meeting our goals requires constant focus and is tionalities were hired across 61 markets, 100 different lan- a continual journey,” said Conyers. “We are taking steps to guages are spoken by Lenovo employees, five unique na- make sure our workforce reflects the best insights, creativtionalities are represented among their top 14 executives ity and experiences reflective of our customers and society.”

2020—The beginning of a great decade The state of Black Business is challenging. The political environment, international challenges Harry C. Alford & Kay DeBow and malcontent is making “Peace in the Valley” an escaping concept.

Black entrepreneurship began to evolve at a noticeable pace during the 1960’s. From a few seats on the local city councils to the Oval Office in the White House and practically all board rooms in between. When the Small Business Administration was formed Black can no longer have tolerance for poor business accounted for less than 0.2 performance.

Incompetence must percent of the federal procurement no longer be tolerated. Each election dollar. As we ended the fiscal year of should be a major focus on what posi2019, Black procurement participa- tive changes will happen in Black protion barely reaches 1.6 percent (per curement dollars. We will set the examFederal Procurement Data Systems). ple at the federal level and help guide Still, we are so far from relevance. our state and local chapters to do the Now is the time and there can be no same within their geographical areas. more hesitation. We respectfully reA great example for all of us to emquest the President Donald Trump ulate is the African American ChamAdministration to give this fact much ber of Commerce of New Jersey which focus and prepare to influence each is led by NBCC Board Member John cabinet member to get personally in- Harmon. This winner of the Chamber volved. Unemployment levels for all of the Year 2020 is a shining example ethnicities has improved greatly. Now, of what we have been preaching for it is time to shift the focus on business over 25 years. Duplicate John and procurement that translates into job his staff’s path and success will come availability and improved wealth. We to your chamber https://www.aaccnj. certainly hope that stability at the top com/meet-the-staff.html. Seek John’s management levels of this cabinet be- counsel! He will be glad to share it. comes a reality. The Small Business The legalization of marijuana is goAdministration is a good example. ing to have a major impact into our There has been no distinct Adminis- communities. An old friend of ours, trator to focus attention on small busi- Stanley Tucker, back in the 1980’s took ness development from each federal a trip from Baltimore to North Caroagency. We hope the SBA will settle lina. While in Virginia he was pulled down with consistent top-level man- over for “Driving while Black.” The agement as well as other important state troopers searched him and found Cabinet members such as Defense, VA a nickel bag ($5) of marijuana in his and HUD to name a few. pocket. For that Stanley was convictThe National Black Chamber of Com- ed of interstate drug trafficking and merce will monitor this federal activity spent the next three years in a Virginand guide our local chapters to mea- ia state prison. So, damaging and such sure the activity at the state and local a waste that was disproportionately level. Complacency must not settle in rendered onto our Black communities. and should be a focus at all levels. We America is now waking up and our

Beyond the Rhetoric

penal system will no longer be used as a mechanism to suppress certain census areas. Governors are starting to remove such harsh sentences and we must promote our Project Rebound which will encourage job training for ex-offenders and placement into jobs, entrepreneurship and viable economic stability. Our human capital must be addressed and improved.

At the same time, we must encourage our entrepreneurs to consider getting into the new, thriving Cannabis business. Illinois is a prime example with dozens of new licenses for dispensaries being approved. Governor Pritzker gave pardons to over 11,000 offenders (most of whom were minorities). It is a new day and we are looking toward NBCC Chairman Larry Ivory to provide us guidance in this area while using Illinois as a “Proving Ground.”

Under our changing economy world trade is becoming a friendlier environment with doors opening to entrepreneurs at all levels. Thus, we will increase our Trade Mission activity throughout the African Diaspora. Our subsidiary Pan African Entrepreneurs Conference (PAEC) will become more active in its outreach. We kick off with a matchmaking event in beautiful Costa Rica (hosted by their new Black female Vice President) at the end of this February. Stay tuned for this and other productive trips in search of new business partners and trade opportunities.

Our Annual Conference will probably be somewhere in the African Diaspora also. Stay tuned as this evolves.

We will also focus on the need of digital deployment far and wide as well as nearby. Telecom and energy access will also be within our “quiver” of expertise.

Jump on in! The waters of 2020 will be exciting.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 15-21, 2020

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Imagine a world...

Guest Editorial

Rep. John Lewis’ latest battle In his lifetime, Congressman and civil rights legend John Lewis of Georgia has fought and led many battles.

The former student activist was arrested at least 40 times in the civil rights era, several more times as a congressman since being elected in 1986 and only recently he has been rallying to help reunite immigrant families separated by the Trump administration.

For his lifetime of service, President Barack Obama presented a 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Lewis during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

Lewis whose skull was fractured at the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, is now facing a different kind of foe — advanced pancreatic cancer.

The 79-year-old congressman recently announced he will receive treatment for stage 4 pancreatic cancer that was detected earlier in December and confirmed in a diagnosis.

“I have never faced a fight quite like the one I have now,” said Lewis. Former President Barack Obama presented the man called the “Conscience of the U.S. Congress” with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

The congressman faces a tough battle.

The American Cancer Society estimates only 3% of patients with stage 4 pancreatic cancer are alive five years after being diagnosed.

African Americans are slightly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than whites, according to the American Cancer Society. “The reasons for this aren’t clear, but it may be due in part to having higher rates of some other risk factors for pancreatic cancer, such as diabetes, smoking and being overweight.”

Although “clear-eyed” about his disease, Lewis will continue to fight for the causes he believes in as well as his battle against cancer.

The youngest and last survivor of the Big Six civil rights activists, a group once led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis made clear that he has no plans to step aside from power while he undergoes treatment He said being elected to Congress “has been the honor of a lifetime” and that he will continue working for his constituents from Capitol Hill.

“I have been in some kind of fight — for freedom, equality, basic human rights — for nearly my entire life,” he said.

Added Lewis: “I have a fighting chance.”

We are praying for the full recovery of this courageous and committed leader who is often referred to as the “Conscience of the U.S. Congress.” He will undoubtedly fight cancer with the tenacity that he fought racial discrimination and other inequalities.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

Founded 1910

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

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—We have an impeached president in our country because he has done so much destruction to our country. He has even destroyed who others believe we are!

Many Americans have lost faith in who we once thought we were. I’ve heard Americans talk about being embarrassed to travel abroad because they have no way to defend what has happened to our country.

Now, as a result of the extreme actions taken by the man in the White House, we have the added reason of fear to travel abroad. Once we’re identified as Americans, we are fair game to those who want pay back from America for what the occupant in the White House has done without a logical explanation.

The Administration held a briefing to explain why the occupant of the White House started the ground work for a war without authorization from Congress. Even our top military officials who stood behind Trump as he tried to justify ordering the killing, it was obvious they were thinking about the Beatles’ song “Imagine A World” with another Commander-in-Chief.

Representative Sen. Mike Lee who is definitely not known as one who would likely vote for anything with which I agree, but Wednesday, he came out of the briefing meeting that was intended to justify killing Major General Qasem Soleimani at this time while in Iraq, not in Iran, speak-

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary ing in angry words and proclaiming it to be the worst military briefing he’d heard since coming to Congress!

Senator Rand Paul stood with him before Democratic Senators began their assessment.

Democratic Senators described the Administration’s explanation as “Incredibly without facts, deeply concerning, unacceptably vague, thin on facts, unacceptable and concerning, deeply dissatisfying” and the descriptions went on and on.

With that kind of criticism, I’m reminded of former Secretary of State John Kerry’s question when he asked, “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?’ So many voices today indicate that no matter how badly we think of Iran or its dead General, Secretary of Kerry said, “Trump’s unilateral actions have brought us to a point where we are at greater risk than we had before killing Iran’s General. Now there is no way at all the world and the U.S. are safer with the steps Trump has taken.”

Vice President Mike Pence’s speech on this matter was mysteriously cancelled! Now I am wondering what he would have said.

I’m a Dick Gregory disciple which says I’m anti-war. I know when you identify as anti-war, you’re called some awful names by those who I suppose would rather be “pro-war!”

I am unapologetically pro-peace.

Some of us have paid dearly for being pro-peace. In April of 1980, my good friend Dick Gregory went to Iran in an effort to protest the Iranian hostage situation. He did it while reducing his meals to water and fruit juice and vowed to do it until the hostage situation was resolved peacefully.

He returned to the United States on September 9, 1980. He never stopped protesting injustices. In September of 1968 he went to Marquette University and spoke on behalf of anti-war activists who’d seized and burned draft cards from a Selective Service office in downtown Milwaukee. In the late 60’s, he became friends with John Lennon and together Dick Gregory and he made an anti- war anthem called “Give Peace A Chance.” Trump has violated that. War is still not the answer. We are less safe as we have a President who seems determined to rule by war. We’re not safe so long as Trump is in the White House continuing to act irrationally. Let us “Imagine A World” without him.

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

Will the assassination of Iran’s Gen. Soleimani be Trump’s 1914 moment?

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“Last night, at my direction, the United States military successfully executed a flawless precision strike that killed a number one terrorist anywhere in the world, Qassem Soleimani…We took action last night to stop a war…We did not take action to start a war.” —President Donald Trump On Friday, Jan. 3, General Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s most beloved military commander and leader of its elite Quds force, was assassinated in a targeted US drone air strike outside Baghdad International Airport. Soleimani had relentlessly defended Iran and its interests in the Middle East for more than two decades.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said that General Soleimani was killed in order to disrupt an “imminent attack” against American interests in the region. “I can’t talk too much about the nature of the threats.

But the American people should know that the President’s decision to remove Soleimani from the battlefield saved American lives.”, claims Pompeo.

It is important to recognize that neither the president nor Pompeo have offered any evidence to support this irresponsible and reckless action. It was lies from the Bush 43’ administration that took America into the illegal invasion of Iraq. It appears that lies and/or false narratives are being used to rationalize this latest heinous act that may also result in another senseless war.

Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it. We know that President Trump is not well read, ignorant, not learned. Will the assassination of Gen. Soleimani become Trump’s 1914 moment?

Here’s the background on this question: On June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb nationalist during an official visit to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo sparking a chain of events that led to the start of the World War I. As it was in 1914 it remains today. In several countries, it was a growing sense of nationalism, resistance to colonial rule and imperialism along with the constant quest for markets, territory and resources that laid the groundwork for Ferdinand’s assassination to trigger WWI. One can only wonder if Trump’s latest blunder will result in a similar out-

Wilmer J. Leon III

Commentary come.

More frightening than the Trump administration’s blunder is the ahistorical context in which it is explained by many in US mainstream commercial media. One wonders if the media is engaging in a “wag-the-dog” scenario in order to defend failed ideas such as American exceptionalism.

Senator Warren, VP Biden and TV analysts say that General Soleimani’s assassination is morally justified since he “was a murderer” and had “American blood on his hands”.

However, they also argue that from a tactical perspective, it was the wrong move at the wrong time. This is ahistorical, intellectually dishonest and hypocritical. There’s not a general in world who has been on the battlefield that does not have the blood of his enemy on his/her hands. General’s Schwarzkopf, Jr., Powell and Petraeus all have Iraqi blood on their hands.

That’s what generals do.

Unlike Bush 43 and members of his administration, General Soleimani was never labeled a “war criminal” by the International Criminal Court or any other. According to Richard Clarke, former Bush 41’, 43’ and Clinton administration official, “…Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and their legal advisers…were tried in absentia in Malaysia...the five-panel tribunal unanimously delivered guilty verdicts against Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and their key legal advisors who were all convicted as war criminals for torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.”

General Soleimani was labeled a “terrorist”. The Trump administration took the unprecedented action of labeling Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of which the Quds force is a part, a “terrorist organization”, thereby giving the general the designation. This was the first time the US labelled another nation’s military as a terrorist organization.

Even more directly related to Iran, it was General’s Schwarzkopf’s father, General Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf, Sr. who along with Kermit Roosevelt implemented the 1953 coup d’état in Iran, known as Operation Ajax. This resulted in the overthrow of Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and installed the dictatorial Shah. General Schwarzkopf, Sr. also helped to train what would later become known as the SAVAK; the Shah’s secret police that tortured and executed Iranian’s on behalf of the Iranian government, the CIA and the Israeli Mossad.

Iran is a sovereign nation. As such it is justified in using lethal force in order to protect it’s clearly defined geographic territory and borders against internal and external threats.

Pompeo speaks in the context of defending American “interests”. “Where we see American interests at stake or fundamental norms around the world that need to be enforced, we’ll use all the powers that we have…” The term American interests is a very vague and ill-defined expansion of the lexicon that in the minds of Americans gives the US carte blanche to impose its will any place it sees fit. General Soleimani was defending his country and his country’s interests against the generations of threats and aggression of western imperialists. Again, to claim otherwise is ahistorical and incredibly hypocritical. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Analysts and commentators often opine that America’s relationship with Iran turned sour in 1979 with the taking of US hostages. They totally ignore the 1953 coup. They fail to explain that it was due to lies told to former President Carter, by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and David Rockefeller that the Shah was dying from cancer and the only place in the world that he could receive treatment was in New York that convinced Carter to let the Shaw into the country. This resulted in a decision that Bloomberg reports led to “the seizure of American hostages in Tehran from 1979 to 1981.”

The irresponsible decision to assassinate General Soleimani cannot be placed solely at the feet of Trump.

One must ask Speaker Pelosi and the 188 Democrats that joined the GOP about handing Trump a $738B military budget devoid of the bipartisan amendment to stop the war in Iran.

Since Soleimani’s assassination is an act of war, is it a coincidence that it occurred weeks after the NDAA was passed by the House?

This decision was dangerous, reckless, foolish and irresponsible. As Minister Farrakhan said about Bush 41’ in 1990, “…arrogance poisons one’s ability to properly assess reality…he’s your modern Pharaoh, your modern Caesar, your modern Nebuchadnezzar. He’s all wrapped up in all of those ancient sick men who got sick because they thought they were a god beside God…” So it was then; so it is today.

Let us pray that the leadership in Iran does not take the bait and recklessly respond. The world can ill afford for this to become Trump’s 1914 moment.

(Dr. Wilmer Leon is the Producer/ Host of the nationally broadcast call-in talk radio program “Inside the Issues with Leon,” on SiriusXM Satellite radio channel 126. Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email: wjl3us@yahoo.com. www.twitter.com/drwleon and Dr. Leon’s Prescription at Facebook.com) © 2020 InfoWave Communications, LLC

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JANUARY 15-21, 2020

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PHYSICIAN

MULTI IT RELATED POSITIONS

University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks a Physical Med. & Rehab.

Physician in Allegheny County, PA to enhance & restore functional ability & quality of life to those w/ physical impairments/disabilities; incl. injuries to the muscles, bones, ligaments or nervous system; document care directly administered; consult & communicate w/surgeons, patients, family members & other staff; & serve as Med. Dir., developing & overseeing clinical IP rehab. svcs for Rehab Inst/Prog. Must have M.D./D.O./foreign degree equiv.; completion of residency in Physical Med. & Rehab.; BC in Physical Med. & Rehab.; & PA license. Apply by following these steps; visit http:// careers.upmc.com and enter 19000151 in the “Search Keyword/ ob ID” field and click Go. EOE/Disability/Veteran.

SENIOR MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER

UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside seeks a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to work in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County), PA. Build novel predictive machine learning models from structured, imaging and time series healthcare data. Master’s degree or equivalent in Biomedical Informatics, Computational Biology, Information Systems Management or a related field plus six (6) months of machine learning, data science, natural language processing or related research experience using at least one of the following statistical modeling tools: R, Matlab, Weka; programming with python or R; developing machine learning and natural language processing methods; working with and manipulating datasets; and building proof of concept applications. Telecommuting permissible. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers. upmc.com and enter 2000001Q in the “Search eyword/ ob ID” field and click Go. EOE/Disability/ Veteran.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS / OEO COORDINATOR

Port Authority is seeking a Employee Relations /OEO Coordinator to perform a broad range of duties for Employee Relations and OEO. Research and prepare information for Contract Negotiations. Develop and maintain departmental databases. Generate reports, analy e, interpret Labor Relations data and provide recommendations. Administer and support processing of Unemployment Compensation Claims and Reasonable Accommodation requests.

Essential Functions: •Utilizes PeopleSoft HRMS to perform the following: •Prepare, update and maintain department reports.

•Maintain discipline and grievance records, as needed.

•Enter payroll information, as needed •Prepares quarterly and annual statistical reports of types and frequency of actions taken concerning grievance, discipline, arbitration, and related labor relations activities in order to identify problem areas.

•Receives internal OEO complaints and transcribes information received. Tracks Operation Division response to Title VI complaints and initiates closure of such complaints.

Assists OEO staff in preparing for fact-finding conferences, as needed. Maintains confidential records and files on all complaints from Federal, State, and local authorities along with internal complaints submitted to the OEO Department.

As needed, drives to locations to collect and/or return material needed for investigations and follows-up with management.

Job requirements include: •BA/BS in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Labor Relations or directly related field from an accredited school.

(Experience in the areas of workers’ compensation, employee relations, or benefits administration can be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.)

Proficient in the use of Windows, and Microsoft Word, Access, Excel and PowerPoint.

•Professional and effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

•Ability to work independently and make decisions.

•Strong organization skills.

Preferred attributes: •One (1) year experience in a unionized work environment.

General Human Resource experience.

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

National Placement out of Allegheny County, PA. Must be able to relo to multi unanticipated sites when req’d. Min of Bach’s degree w/5Yrs exp or in the alternate Mast’s w/1Yr IT related exp. All degrees must be in either Comps, Info Sys’s, Engi’g or IT related field. Any suit combo of educ, training or exp acceptable. See below for req’d skills for each job: Software Developers: Salary 103,314/yr. (HCM): Must have SAP skills in HCM and ECC. Ref# HCM 0519-GLX (HADOOP): Must have skills in Hadoop; Hive; Spark and HDFS. Ref HAD 0519-GLX (SALESFORCE): Must have skills in Salesforce; Siebel; OBIEE; SoapUI; MSSQL and Oracle. Ref# SFC– 0519-GLX (HCM BUSINESS): May also have a Degree in Business as well as above listed degrees. Must have SAP skills in HCM and ECC. Ref HCB 0519-GLX Database Administrator: Salary $92,768/yr. (SQL): May also have a Degree in Business as well as above listed degrees. Must have skills in SQL Server; SSIS/SSRS; VMWare; ERWIN. Ref# DBA– 0519-GLX All positions are FT/Perm 9-5, 40 hrs/wk. Use Ref # & send resume to HR, Galax-Esystems Corporation, One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, Suite 4300, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 orl hr@galaxesystems. com. Galax-Esystems Corporation is EOE M/F/V/D.

BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT ANALYST

Port Authority is seeking a Benefit and Retirement Analyst to assist in the coordination and administration of Port Authority’s employee benefit and retiree programs, including group life and health insurance, pension and deferred compensation plans, and other related benefit and retirement programs. Develop benefit and retirement workflow analysis for the budget. Collaborate with PeopleSoft HRIS specialist to ensure that benefit and retirement information is accurate. Create detailed historical documentation of retirement and benefit changes as a result of contract modifications.

Essential Functions: •Updates and maintains premium rate sheets for all healthcare programs. Manages the workflow analysis of monthly premiums paid to vendors to ensure accuracy.

•Reconciles service provider, BNY Mellon, transaction detail and payment compare reports to ensure that information is equivalent with the Retirement Plan Committee Minutes for both union and nonunion pension plans. Will be the main liaison to rectify reporting issues with vendor.

Prepare financial analysis, healthcare budget, retirement/benefit contribution surveys, and reports for senior management and external agencies.

•Responsible for updating the retirement pension mass update file for the deduction of retiree healthcare premiums. Assists department in answering retirement and benefit questions for employees and retirees.

Prepares GASB45, OPEB, and various other auditing reports that may be requested by Port Authority’s actuary.

Job requirements include: •BA/BS degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Finance, or directly related field from an accredited school.

•Minimum of three (3) years of professional level experience in defined benefit, defined contribution and budget experience.

•Knowledge and understanding of state and federal retirement and benefit laws and regulations.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and PeopleSoft HRIS •Professional and effective communication skills.

Preferred attributes: •Masters degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations or directly related field from an accredited school.

Certified Benefits Professional (CBP) or Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) professional designation.

•Training and experience in PeopleSoft Human Resources Management System (HRMS).

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

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RECRUITER - MAINTENANCE

CHEF’S ASSISTANT/ INVENTORY CONTROL MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION

Port Authority is seeking a Recruiter – Maintenance to coordinate all facets of the maintenance job bidding, picking and bumping system; coordinate the dissemination and proper communication of all information from the system; ensure the application of data, policies and procedures is consistently applied.

Administer employment and recruitment activities for assigned positions.

Essential Functions: •Utilizes PeopleSoft HRMS to do the following: •Create and maintain job requisitions.

•Enters Applicant Personal Data, Education, License, Membership, Competency and other information.

•Schedule and track applicants and interviews.

•Maintain applicant records.

•Track job offers and maintain appropriate documentation.

•Process and enter new employee information.

•Administers employment processes for maintenance and non represented positions, including recruitment, testing, interviewing and investigations. Extends contingent job offers and maintains appropriate documentation; ensures that required employment activities are satisfactorily processed before finalizing hiring actions.

•Prepares, coordinates and administers the annual maintenance system pick and quarterly pick. Coordinates the printing/sorting/numbering of job advertisements and job vacancy notices, bump notices and award sheets. Conducts pick, verifies education and experience, and determines if employee is qualified for the position. Awards maintenance jobs based on qualifications and seniority. Coordinates with managers, assistant managers, or supervisor of maintenance employee(s) who are to be drug tested due to safety sensitive position awarded. Updates and maintains maintenance database records and prepares various reports. Distributes the final award reports to Benefits and Compensation Services and Accounting to update PeopleSoft and to all maintenance locations. Conducts classroom instruction and practical applications training to newly hired maintenance employees; demonstrates proper procedures for bidding, bumping and picking jobs within the maintenance section Job requirements include: High School Diploma or GED. •BS/BA degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, Business Administration or related field from an accredited school. Related experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

•Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in Human Resources interviewing, recruitment, and employment process and familiarity with union contractual matters.

•Knowledge and understanding of Employment/EEO laws and regulations.

•Effective and professional communication and organizational skills.

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

Preferred attributes: •Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification from the Society for Human Resources Management.

•Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, or related field from an accredited school.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Microsoft Excel.

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

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

Assists Chefs & students in the kitchen & classroom. Responsible for inventory control; sourcing and purchasing food, equipment, instructional materials, Oversees all cleaning aspects of the kitchen in compliance with federal and county regulations. 3 yrs experience in a professional culinary capacity, AS in Culinary Arts preferred, with 2-3 years purchasing/receiving experience required. Must have ServSafe or ACHD Food certification. Possess working knowledge of MS Office applications. Must have valid driver’s license, insurable driving record and be capable of driving up to a 12-passenger van.

Send Resume with cover letter and salary requirements to hr@ manchesterbidwell.org EOE

MEETINGS

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meetings for 2020 at 10:30 a.m. @ 200 Ross Street, 1st Floor Conference Room, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, on the following dates: Thursday, January 23, 2020 Thursday, February 27, 2020 Thursday, March 26, 2020 Thursday, April 23, 2020 Thursday, May 28, 2020 Thursday, June 25, 2020 Thursday, July 23, 2020 NO BOARD MEETING IN AUGUST Thursday, September 24, 2020 Thursday, October 22, 2020 NO BOARD MEETING IN NOVEMBER Thursday, December 17, 2020 LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT and MENS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

employment positions available at the Women’s Center & Shelter (WC S) of Greater Pittsburgh.

Development Assistant—provides administrative and logistical support to both the WC&S Development Team and the Standing Firm Program.

MENS Program Intervention Specialist—provides group facilitation for men who batter, schedules & conducts intakes, returns phone calls & completes accurate and timely data entry.

•Please send cover letters & resumes by anuary 29, 2020 to careers@wcspittsburgh.org •For additional information regarding these positions, please visit our website www.wcspittsburgh.org and find these job postings under the “Who We Are” menu.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

CITY OF PITTSBURGH PUBLIC MEETING PENN AVENUE PHASE 2 RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

The City of Pittsburgh invites you to attend a public meeting being held for the Penn Avenue Phase 2 Reconstruction Project. This meeting offers an opportunity to view the Penn Avenue reconstruction details, plans for Maintenance and Protection of Traffic during construction and the construction schedule. The project team will also be available to answer questions.

MEETING DETAILS Thursday, February 6, 2020; 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Open House Public Meeting Pittsburgh Glass Center 5472 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206 For more information, please contact: Eric J. Setzler, P.E. – Chief Engineer City of Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (412) 255-2883 or eric.setzler@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.

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ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION NONPROFIT CORPORATION

Lawrence G. Paladin, r., Esq., Paladin Law Offices P.C., 15 Duff Rd., Suite 6C, Pittsburgh, PA 15235; Notice is hereby given that Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on October 8, 2019, with respect to a nonprofit corporation, The Battleground Ministry Inc, which has been incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988.

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Estate of DAVID BRUCE WOODRUFF, Deceased of Moon Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania No. 02-20-00077. Katherine Woodruff, Administrator, 327 Shady Glen Drive, Moon Township, PA 15108 or to Aubrey H. Glover, Atty; BRENLOVE FULLER, LLC, 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Doris B. Patton, deceased, Case No. 2618 of 2013: Notice is hereby given that on December 2, 2019, a Petition was filed by oseph Patton to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Doris B. Patton, deceased, in the real estate located at 856 Estella Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15210, and determine that fee simple title is in oseph Patton. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 30 days, Petitioner will seek an Order adjudging that Doris B. Patton’s title is in oseph Patton.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pa, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Coy W. Allen, r., deceased, Case No. 7076 of 2019: Notice is hereby given that on November 19, 2019, a Petition was filed by oeann Allen, to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Coy W. Allen, r,. deceased, in the real estate located at 745 Anaheim Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, and determine that fee simple title is in oeann Allen. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed within 30 days, oeann Allen will seek an Order adjudging that Decedent’s title is in herself.

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NOTICE TO BIDDERS

The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) will receive sealed bids for Wastewater Treatment Plant- Grey Water Pumps as identified below for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC). 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 SEA 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Attention: Guy DeFazio- E-mail: gdefazio@pittsburghcc.com, Telephone: 412-325-6179.

Bid Packages may be obtained after the date identified below through Accu-Copy at (724) 935-7055. Additional information on the project can also be found of Accu-Copy’s website at https://accu-copy.com/plan-room This Advertisement applies to the following Bid Package: Project: DLCC Bid Package Name: Wastewater Treatment Plant-Grey Water Pumps Bid Package Available: anuary 6, 2020 Approximate Value: $80,000 Time/Date/Location for Pre-Bid Meeting: 10:00am, Mon., an. 13, 2020, DLCC, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd, Pgh, PA 15222 Time/Date/Location for Bid: 10:00am, Fri., an. 24, 2020, DLCC, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd, Pgh, PA 15222

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INVITATION FOR BIDS

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA JANUARY 8, 2020

Sealed bids for the Slippery Rock Borough Sidewalk-curb cut Project will be received in the office of Benjamin Holland, BUTLER COUNTY CONTROLLER, FLOOR 5, COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, 124 WEST DIAMOND STREET, whose mailing address is P.O.BOX 1208, BUTLER, PA 16003, on or before 10:00am, February 11, 2020. All Bids must be plainly marked “Bid – Slippery Rock Borough Sidewalk-curb cut Project” on the outside of the envelope.

Bids will be opened immediately thereafter, on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 in the Office of the Controller, 5th floor in the Butler County Government Center, 124 West Diamond Street, Butler, PA. Documents can be purchased for the nonrefundable fee of $50.00 for one hard copy set of contract documents. All checks shall be made payable to “Gateway Engineers”.

Bidders must purchase the Contract Documents from “Gateway Engineers” to be eligible to bid this project.

Project documents can be picked up at Gateway Engineers Office located at 122 West Brady Street, Butler, PA 16001. The main contact for the project is Robert Maher who can be reached at 412-409-2334.

Each proposal shall be accompanied by a bidder’s bond, or certified check or cashier’s check, in favor of the County of Butler, in the amount of not less than ten percent. The County of Butler reserves the right to waive any informality in and to accept or reject any and all bids or any part of any bid. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days.

Prevailing wages established under the Davis-Bacon Act will apply to this contract. The contract documents contain requirements addressing prevailing labor wage rates, labor standards, nondiscrimination in hiring practices, goal for minority and female participation, MBE and WBE participation, participation by Section 3 residents and businesses and related matters.

BOARD OF BUTLER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Leslie Osche, Chairman Kim Geyer Kevin Boozel Attest: Lori Altman Director of Human Resources/ Chief Clerk

The Office of the County Controller of Allegheny County, Room 104, Court House, Pittsburgh, PA., will receive separate and sealed Bids until 11:00 A.M. prevailing local time, Wednesday, February 5, 2020, and a representative of the Department of Public Works will open and read the Proposals in the Gold Room, Room 410, Court House, Pittsburgh, PA., one-half hour later, 11:30 A.M., for the following: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS RECONSTRUCTION OF PINE CREEK BRIDGE NO. 9 WITHIN SHALER TOWNSHIP COUNTY PROJECT NO: PI09-0212 As a prospective bidder please note the following general Project information regarding Pre-Bid Information, Bidding Requirements, and Contract Conditions. See the Project Manual and Drawings for detailed information, responsibilities and instructions.

PRE-BID INFORMATION: View the Proposal, Specifications and Drawings at the Office of the Contract Manager, Room 504, County Office Building, Pittsburgh, PA. The non-refundable charge for the Proposal and a disc containing the Specifications and Drawings is $107.00 including sales tax.

The Contract Manager will accept only check or money order to the “COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY” in that amount and WILL NOT ACCEPT CASH OR EXTEND CREDIT. The Department of Public Works will hold a Pre-Bid Meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 505 County Office Building Further details of this Project, Bidding Requirements, and Contract Conditions are available on the Allegheny County Website (www.alleghenycounty.us); click Government, Public Works and Facilities Management, Public Works, Bids and Proposals.

Chelsa Wagner Controller County of Allegheny

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COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (FONSI/RROF)

This Notice is published pursuant to Federal Regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Environmental Assessment set forth at 24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.36.

January 15, 2020 City of Pittsburgh-Dept. of City Planning 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 These notices shall satisfy related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about January 31, 2020, the City of Pittsburgh (City) will authorize the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) to submit a request to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the following federal funds to undertake project known as Turnkey Development of Scattered Sites in the Middle Hill District: HACP Moving to Work funds under the 1937 Act as modified by the 1996 and 1999 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The release of the aforementioned funds is to undertake Turnkey Development of Scattered Sites in the Middle Hill District for the purposes of new construction of up to twenty-two (22) scattered units consisting of two (2) and three (3) bedroom units to be located along the 1000 Block of Cliff Street, 800 Block of Cassatt Street, 1000 Block of Bedford Avenue, 100 Block of Devilliers Street and 200 Block of Hillside Drive in the Middle Hill District neighborhoods.

The developer is Amani Christian Community Development Corporation (ACCDC). The project which will be funded by Moving to Work Funds is estimated at $6,300,000.00 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 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) on file at City of Pittsburgh 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to: Whitney Finnstrom City of Pittsburgh, 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 All comments received by January 30, 2020, will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Pittsburgh certifies to HUD that William Peduto 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 City, HACP and URA to use funding sources (a) through (f) identified under Request for Release of Funds above.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Pittsburgh’s certification for a period of fifteen 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 in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development Division The Moorhead Federal Building 1000 Liberty Ave.-10th floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

WILLIAM PEDUTO Mayor City of Pittsburgh

JANUARY 15-21, 2020

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COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (FONSI/RROF)

This Notice is published pursuant to Federal Regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Environmental Assessment set forth at 24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.36.

January 15, 2020 City of Pittsburgh-Dept. of City Planning 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 These notices shall satisfy related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, and the City of Pittsburgh.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about January 31, 2020, the City of Pittsburgh (City) will authorize the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP), the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) and the City to submit a request to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of the following federal funds to undertake project known as New Granada Square Apartments: (a) HACP Moving to Work funds under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (1937 Act) as modified by the 1996 and 1999 Consolidated Appropriations Act; (b) Low Income Housing Tax Credits under IRS Code Section 42; (c) 2018 and 2019 HOME Investment Partnership Act funds (HOME); (d) 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds; (e) Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement funds (PHARE); (f) Project Based Voucher (“PBV”) pursuant to Section 8 of 1937 Act. The release of the aforementioned funds will be for the purposes of developing New Granada Square Apartments, which includes the new construction of a 40-unit apartment building including 10 PBV units on 2029 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The developer is Hill Community Development Corporation and CHN Housing Partners. As part of this notice, the project requires the implementation of a set of development activities related to the completion of this project which may include, and is not limited to, demolition, acquisition, disposition, new construction, and remediation on the part of the City, the URA, HACP, and any other authorized parties to the project. The gap-financing cost to be funded with Moving to Work Funds is approximately $1,000,000.00. Approximately $750,000 will be funded from 2018 and 2019 HOME Investment Partnership Act funds (HOME). The total projected cost of the activity is approximately $13,471,741.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 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) on file at City of Pittsburgh 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to: Whitney Finnstrom City of Pittsburgh, 200 Ross Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-255-2211 All comments received by January 30, 2020, will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Pittsburgh certifies to HUD that William Peduto 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 City, HACP and URA to use funding sources (a) through (f) identified under Request for Release of Funds above.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Pittsburgh’s certification for a period of fifteen 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 in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development Division The Moorhead Federal Building 1000 Liberty Ave.-10th floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

WILLIAM PEDUTO Mayor City of Pittsburgh LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION of the SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

Sealed bids will be received in the Bellefield Avenue Lobby, Administration Building, 341 South Bellefield Avenue until 11:00 A.M. prevailing time January 21, 2020 and will be opened at the same hour for the purchase of the following equipment and supplies: REFUSE CONTAINER SERVICE-REBID General Information regarding bids may be obtained at the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Service Center, 1305 Muriel Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. The bid documents are available on the School District’s Purchasing web site at: www.pgh schools.org Click on Our Community; Bid Opportunities; Purchasing - under Quick Links.

The Board of Public Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or select a single item from any bid.

We are an equal rights and opportunity school district

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS

Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213, on February 4, 2020 until 2:00 P.M. local prevailing time for: Pgh. Carmalt K-8 Replace Emergency Generator General and Electrical Primes Pgh. Chartiers ECC Asphalt and Concrete Repairs General Prime Pgh. Miller K-5 Comprehensive Plaster Repair and Painting General, Mechanical, Electrical and Asbestos Abatement Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on January 6, 2020 at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is non-refundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.

INVITATION FOR BIDS

The URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY of Pittsburgh will receive bids from qualified contractors for the construction of improvements to Larimer Playground and Village Green along Larimer Avenue in the 12th Ward of the City of Pittsburgh including clearing and selective demolition, concrete sidewalks, permeable pavers, installation and fabrication of benches, ornamental fencing, tree protection, tree transplanting (6), approximately 24 new trees and shrubs, gabion walls, relocation and reinstall of a pavilion, approximately 25,000 SF of seeding, and all work incidental thereto required to complete Larimer Site Preparation Contract No. 1a (Larimer Playground and Village Green), until 11:00 a.m. prevailing time on Thursday, the sixth day of February 2020, at its office located at 412 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, on the 9th Floor in the August Wilson Conference Room, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Contract documents will be available on publicpurchase.com on January 15, 2020. Contract documents will also be made available for pick up on Compact Disk (CD) upon request. Any addenda will be posted only on publicpurchase.com.

A pre-bid meeting will be held at the URA Offices at 412 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, on the 9th Floor in the August Wilson Conference Room at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, to discuss the specifications for this project and review the bid drawings.

A certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value), or a satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the Bidder and an acceptable surety, in a dollar amount equal to 5% of the total bid for Larimer Site Preparation Contract No. 1a (Larimer Playground and Village Green) shall be submitted for each bid. The bid submittal must include the Bid, Non-collusion Affidavit of Prime Bidder, Bid Bond, Statement of Bidder’s Qualifications, Certificate of Compliance - Section 3, and the Certificate of Minority and Women’s Participation.

Wages paid on this project shall not be less than the minimum wages determined by the U.S. Department of Labor as set forth in the Contract Documents.

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

Bidders will be required to submit the package of certifications included with the contract documents relating to the Equal Employment Opportunity and the participation of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh requires that all bidders complete and submit an MBE/WBE Solicitation and Commitment Statement along with the bid.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informality in the bidding.

Bids may be held by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of the opening of Bids for the purpose of reviewing the Bids and investigation of Bidders prior to awarding the Contract.

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF PITTSBURGH Diamonte Walker Deputy Executive Director

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

B6

JANUARY 15-21, 2020

War with Iran is ill-advised and thoughtless (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“When the United States uses military force, the American people and members of the United States Armed Forces deserve a credible explanation regarding such use of military force. The War Powers Resolution requires the President to consult with Congress ‘‘in every possible instance’’ before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities. Congress has not authorized the President to use military force against Iran. Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military, unless—(1) Congress has declared war or enacted specific statutory authorization for such use of the Armed Forces; or (2) such use of the Armed Forces is necessary and appropriate to defend against an imminent armed attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its Armed Forces, consistent with the requirements of the War Powers Resolution.”—War Powers Resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, Jan. 9, 2020 The Trump Administration has said the death of Iran’s top military commander, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, was necessary to prevent American deaths the general was plotting, and the world is safer because of his death.

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal I don’t know a soul in America who feels safer now than we did before January 3rd. And that includes President Trump, who has spent the days since Suleimani’s death issuing empty threats on Twitter, some of which are clearly war crimes.

The United States has been in conflict with Iran since 1979, when students stormed the American embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for more than a year. In four decades since the Iranian Revolution, Iran has been the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. For 22 of those years, the last 40 years, Suleimani has led the Quds Force, a U.S. designated terrorist organization, which has armed and trained terrorist and paramilitary groups throughout the Middle East.

Yet Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama—and even Donald Trump, for the first three years of his term—all declined to kill or capture Suleimani, for a very good reason: such a move would be tantamount to a declaration of war, not only with Iran, but with its inestimable network of proxies around the globe—what Iran expert and Carnegie Endowment senior fellow Karim Sadjadpour has called “a Shia foreign legion.”

We don’t want this war. We don’t need this war. We cannot afford this war, neither in blood nor in treasure. Nearly half a billion lives have been lost in the conflicts in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan since 9/11, including 15,000 U.S. troops and military contractors. More than 970,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veteran disability claims have been registered with the Veterans Administration.

The United States federal government has spent or obligated $5.9 trillion dollars on the wars in the Middle East.

As a study by the Watson Institute at Brown University noted, “This total omits many other expenses, such as the macroeconomic costs to the US economy; the opportunity costs of not investing war dollars in alternative sectors; future interest on war borrowing; and local government and private war costs. The current wars have been paid for almost entirely by borrowing. This borrowing has raised the US budget deficit, increased the national debt, and had other macroeconomic effects, such as raising consumer interest rates. Unless the US immediately repays the money borrowed for war, there will also be future interest payments. We estimate that interest payments could total over $8 trillion by the 2050s.”

The Trump Administration has not articulated or advanced a strategy with respect to Iran.

President Trump cannot keep us safe with a Tweet, as he seems to believe.

The House on Thursday passed a resolution to force President Trump to come to Congress for authorization before taking further military action against Iran, but it will take the forceful involvement of Senate leadership to keep us out of another Middle East quagmire.

FORUM

Celebrating Dr. King as a warrior, not a dreamer (TriceEdneyWire. com)—At the risk A. Peter Bailey being considered repetitious, I am once again asking-no begging—Black folks to cease reducing the great historical legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to “I have a Dream.” Anyone who is still doing so, which includes most Black folks in this country, should celebrate his birthday this year by reading his last book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community. There is no way one can read that book and continue reducing Dr. King to being some kind of other-worldly dreamer. The seriousness and tone of the book is graphically revealed in the following no-nonsense statements by Dr. King.

“But the scope of the struggle is still too narrow and too restricted. We must turn more of our energies and focus on the useful things that translate into power…

We in this generation must do the work and in doing it stimulate our children to learn and acquire higher levels of skill and technique.”

“It must become a crusade so vital that civil rights organizations do not repeatedly have to make personal calls to summon support. There must be a climate of social pressure in the Negro community that scorns the Negro who will not pick up his citizenship rights and add his strength enthusiastically and voluntarily to the accumulation of power for his self and his people….”

“…Power is not the White man’s birth right; it will not be legislated for us and delivered in neat government packages. It is a social force any group can utilize by accumulating its elements in a planned, deliberate campaign to organize it under its own control.”

“Our meddlesome task is to discover how to organize our strength into compelling power.”

“A second important step that the Negro must take is to work passionately for group identity. This does not mean group isolation or group exclusivity. It means the kind of group consciousness that Negroes need in order to participate more meaningfully at all levels in the life of our nation.”

As a Malcomite I agree with 90 percent of what Dr. King is advocating in the above quotes. I never thought I would be able to say that.

Finally, it must be noted that J. Edgar Hoover knew that Dr. King was more than a dreamer. In an August 28, 2013 article on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, the Washington Post noted that following Dr. King’s speech that day, the FBI launched one of the biggest operations in its history. Hoover paid attention the rest of that speech which included the statement “Our forefathers were given a promissory note. We have come here today to cash that check.”

Commentary

Oppositional identity politics and disproportional remembrance A co-worker, a I knew my co-workWhite male in his J. Pharoah Doss er believed his gladfifties and a proud ness toward Gen. Trump supportSoleimani’s death er, asked me how I was an act of pafelt about the drone triotism, but when strike that killed he insisted that I Iran’s top military should feel the same commander General “as an American” he Qasem Soleimani. became a proselytizI told him I didn’t er of “oppositional feel anything. identity politics.” He essentialized our But he announced he was glad Gen. shared American identity as an opposiQasem Soleimani was dead. To justify tional force against a common foe and his gladness my co-worker listed a num- attempted to instill in me the proper ber of attacks the general orchestrated belief I should hold as a member of the against the United States and named identity group. Proselytizers of “opposithe terrorist organizations the general tional identity politics” insists on telling assisted over the years. As he gave me others how they should feel as a memthe rundown, I remembered two days ber of the collective, but they have no after 9/11, I was at work in Florida, and interest in what individuals think as a white van sped through the parking rational human beings. That’s the anlot honking the horn. The driver wanted tithesis of individual liberty, which is everyone to see what was spray-painted un-American. on the side of the van. It said: Bomb the After my co-worker finished, I told him ragheads. A lot of people in the parking no American was going to be glad when lot cheered as the driver sped toward they retaliate. his next destination to solicit more apHe laughed at what he believed was plause. I think my mind conjured the my ignorance and told me I haven’t been memory to prepare me for where the paying attention to the news. He told me conversation with my co-worker was the Iranians launched a dozen missiles at headed.

U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq, but they Now, I knew 10 days ago, my co-worker purposely missed the targets and caused never heard of General Qasem Soleima- no casualties. He said the Iranians wantni, but over the past 10 days my co-work- ed to show they were willing to retaliate, er became an expert by listening to right- but they can’t go to war without their top wing talk radio, and his 10-day crash military commander, and he repeated course in Middle Eastern affairs gave that’s why he was glad General Soleimahim enough confidence to tell me, “As an ni was dead.

American you should be glad General But when I said Americans won’t be glad Qasem Soleimani is dead, too.” when they retaliate, I wasn’t referring to I asked why. an immediate response. These events will He repeated the same information from radicalize a new generation of extremist the radio, just more emphatically, then against the United States because there’s added that the Iranian regime was the going to be a disproportional rememworld’s leading exporter of terror. Then brance of General Soleimani. he said, the “liberal media” and the DemMy co-worker will forget these events ocrats were encouraging the public to over the next 10 weeks, but 10 years latsympathize with the enemy by calling er the new generation of extremists who the drone strike a disproportional re- remained patient will retaliate and most sponse. This was his way of suggesting Americans won’t remember why and no that my lack of exuberance toward Gen- one will be glad.

(J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New eral Soleimani’s death revealed a degree Pittsburgh Courier.) of sympathy for the deceased.

Check It Out

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Roger Caldwell

Commentary

The Black opinion on Trump’s impeachment (FLORIDA COURIER)—As Democrats around the country protest and raise their voices to impeach and remove President Trump, the Congressional Black Caucus and other Black Caucuses’ are silent. Representatives such as Rep. Maxine Waters, and the late Rep. Elijah Cumming have been in the forefront of the impeachment inquiry. But the collective Black voice around the country has preferred to stay in the background with no major position and agenda.

In the Senate, it will take 67 senators to remove President Trump from office, and from the very beginning of the impeachment proceedings, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been in lockstep with the White House.

Where is the rage from the Black community on the impeachment of President Donald Trump?

The Black community in 2019 appears to be invisible and lethargic when it comes to politics, and as a collaborative force no one seems to care.

When the Black community is analyzed, there is an award show every month. Many of the Black stars are spending money and weeks getting the right gown or tuxedo, and the perfect hairstyle for the big night.

There is the 2019 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Award Luncheon, 2019 ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, 2019 American Black Film Festival, and the 2019 ASCAP Women behind the Music.

In every Black organization, in each of the major cities across the country there are major Black award events and dinners where the tickets are $100.00 to $300.00. There are excellent speakers, fantastic singers, and there are three and four-course meals.

But in all the hoopla, crying and praying, politics and a Black Agenda appear to be left out of the picture.

Unbothered As Democrats around the country protest and raise their voices to impeach and remove President Trump, the Congressional Black Caucus and other Black Caucuses’ are silent.

Representatives such as Rep. Maxine Waters, and the late Rep. Elijah Cumming have been in the forefront of the impeachment inquiry.

But the collective Black voice around the country has preferred to stay in the background with no major position and agenda.

Many of the Black grassroots, youth, stars, and Black churches are asking the question why we should care.

The Grio reporter Sophia Nelson stated first we have to care because we are citizens of this great Republic, and secondly, the removal of President Trump from office means the installment of Vice President, Mike Pence.

Vice President Pence’s track record as governor with Blacks and people of color has been focused on voter suppressions and a state police raid on a registration program aimed at signing up Black voters.

What’s at stake In the Senate, it will take 67 senators to remove President Trump from office, and from the very beginning of the impeachment proceedings, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been in lockstep with the White House.

The president and Republicans have put together a smear campaign and attacked loyal public servants, and high-ranking State Department diplomats.

“Senators like Graham have attacked and demeaned the FBI, calling them ‘scum’ and worse. All of this is only feeding the ‘gaslighting’ that Republicans pundits routinely engage in on national TV and that includes Attorney General William Barr. It’s dangerous,” said Nelson.

Blacks can put their heads in the sand, and say that the impeachment is too complicated, and we don’t like politics. But there is a constitutional crisis in America, I can tell all Blacks and people of color that our very democracy is at stake.

President Trump must be held accountable and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi strategically needs Black support around the country.

Sidelines no more Speaker Pelosi is fighting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell by not handing over the Articles of Impeachment until there is a fair trial there. Trump has turned American politics into a den of corruption and thieves, and the Republican Party is blind and complicit with breaking the law.

President Trump is nasty, mean, petty, and vindictive, and Blacks and people of color must speak with one voice, and be engaged.

Blacks can no longer sit on the sidelines, but we must be educated and take a political position. We need to get the youth and community-engaged.

Our message must collaborate and partner with other ally organizations and leaders, authentic, attention-grabbing, specific, and packaged for Blacks and people of color.

It is time for the Black voice to ring out loud and clear, saying we support the impeachment of President Donald Trump, and we will fight with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party.

There is power in the Black community across the country, and we must be engaged and unified.

(Roger Caldwell, a community activist, author, journalist, radio host and CEO of On Point Media Group, lives in Orlando. Contact him at jet38@bellsouth.net.

(This article originally appeared in the Florida Courier.)

SPORTS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 15-21, 2020

B7

Who’s going to the Super Bowl?

The Courier’s Alexis Sara Cobb predicts Kansas City and Green Bay AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEW NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEW Tennessee Titans vs.

Kansas City Chiefs I want you to take a moment to remember that had the Steelers won their last two games of the season, when opposing teams were resting their starters, the Steelers would be in the postseason and the Tennessee Titans would be watching from home. But that’s not the black-and-gold-tinted world we are living in, folks.

Instead, the Titans will be playing on the road against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday, Jan. 19, at 3:05 p.m. ET. Frankly, the way that Mahomes was playing against the Houston Texans in last week’s AFC Divisional Round, it is going to be difficult to stop him in his own house, with thousands of hungry fans wearing red, cheering his every move. What Mahomes has that the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens didn’t have are tight ends and receivers who are willing and able to make a play. But what the Chiefs lack is a serious running threat.

Mahomes was the leading rusher with 53 yards this past Sunday. Your quarterback should not be your leading rusher. That simply is not a sustainable recipe for success.

If the Chiefs don’t get any kind of production from their running backs, then they become one-dimensional and beatable.

As for the Titans, they actually beat the Chiefs previously this season in Week 10. Normally, I would argue that the previous win means nothing and the postseason is different. But I can’t argue that because Mahomes, while newly back from missing time, still put up 446 yards and Tennessee was able to win.

It helps give them a mental edge as well. Tennessee has been playing elimination football for basically three weeks and they are playing with the fire of a thousand suns.

They are playing fearlessly and it’s hard to pick against them. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill is nothing special but he knows how to manage a football game. Everything comes down to Derrick Henry.

He has been having historic

Commentary

Alexis Sara Cobb performances on the field. If Henry, the league’s top rusher this season, can continue his otherworldly performances, while taking up large chunks of the clock, the Titans can win.

When you isolate the teams, you have a running game in Tennessee versus a prolific arm and home field advantage in Kansas City. But I have to lean on experience.

The Chiefs are a team that knows what it feels like to lose an AFC Championship game and they aren’t facing Tom Brady; they are facing Ryan Tannehill and they will find a way to win at home. You heard it from me…I have Kansas City winning, 38-24.

Green Bay Packers vs.

San Francisco 49ers This is the game that I have been looking forward to all postseason. The Green Bay Packers are going on the road to play against the San Francisco 49ers, kickoff is 6:40 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 19.

The 49ers are fully capable of protecting their house and bludgeoning Aaron Rodgers. Jimmy Garroppolo is a quality quarterback who manages the game but he is not the key to the team’s success. The secret to the 49ers’ offense is their Pro Bowl tight end, George Kittle. If the Packers can stop Kittle, then the Packers can beat the 49ers

handily. The 49ers’ running game is nothing to write home about but it has been serviceable. If you watched the 49ers play against the Minnesota Vikings this past Sunday, then you know the 49ers’ defense was in shutdown mode. Their defense is being led by Richard Sherman and those men are playing hard-nosed football.

They are going to frustrate Rodgers, the Packers’ QB. There will be sacks, hurries, and all types of pressure on Rodgers. This will be an ugly slugfest.

Green Bay lost in glorious manner against the San Francisco 49ers in the regular season. But that’s not the same kind of game that you will see this Sunday.

Many have written off Aaron Rodgers as “old” at age 36 because he has had some questionable performances this season. Here is my take on Rodgers. The day for him to have choked or digressed was last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. But play after play, he did what was needed to help get the

next first down and win the game. You listen to me and you listen to me well. The NFC Championship is going to be a signature game for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers has been through too much and has sacrificed too much not to understand the moment. Also, the Packers have a bend-but-don’t-break defense and a solid running game with Aaron Jones.

They are the more balanced team with the more experienced quarterback.

I rarely pick against a team that is the top seed, who is playing at home, with a dominant defense. In fact, it simply defies logic to do so. However, while San Francisco has been playing well all season, this game will come down to which quarterback can take over the game with everything on the line. For me, I would rather have Aaron Rodgers fighting and throwing the ball than Jimmy Garroppolo. I have the Green Bay Packers winning a hardfought game, 28-24.

The Baltimore Ravens…Wingless

Karma came back to bite Baltimore after rubbing it in against the Steelers On Dec. 29, 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to compete against (and I say the word “compete” with baited breath) the high-flying Ravens. The Ravens had nothing to gain having already clinched the number one seed in the AFC. However, the Ravens, led by their second-tier signal-caller, Robert Griffin III, seemed to be intent on twisting the jagged dagger into the neck of the slim playoff hopes and dignity of the Steelers, soundly beating Pittsburgh, 28-10, mostly with second-stringers.

The “talking deadheads” were crowing and asking the proverbial and often-asked question: can anyone beat the Ravens in the upcoming playoffs with their “all galaxy” QB Lamar Jackson? That was the yada, yada, yada mandate established as the Steelers

cleaned out their lockers during the upcoming days.

Hark, hark, we must get back to the postgame chatter from the Ravens/ Steelers game. There were headlines such as; “Ravens embarrass undisciplined Steelers 28-10 in Week 17...”

Ya know, the team that Mike Tomlin, the Rooney Rule and the EEOC disciple coaches.

In a game played on Oct. 6, 2019, at Heinz Field, the Ravens slid by the Steelers by the score of 26-23. Their victory was only assured after Steelers wideout Juju Smith-Schuster coughed up the ball the after making a catch and fumbling after trying to gain extra yardage. If not for that blunder, there is a distinct probability that the Steelers would have won that game in overtime against the dirty birds from B-more, setting a totally different tone for

Inside Conditions

Aubrey Bruce the 2019 season.

Going back to the Week 17 contest, a story from USA Today had a sports story titled: “Despite lacking star power, Ravens beat Steelers 28-10.” Another USA Today story written

by Andy Nesbitt was titled: “John Harbaugh showed how much he doesn’t like the Steelers with this trick play.”

Mr. Nesbitt said this: “The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are bitter rivals and have been for quite some time.

If you wondered just how much they don’t like each other, then all you had to see was what Ravens coach John Harbaugh did during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s season finale.

Leading by nine points in a game that meant nothing to Baltimore but something to Pittsburgh, Harbaugh called for a fake punt on 4th and 1 from HIS OWN 11-yard line… and his team picked up the first down. I mean, that is SAVAGE.” Well, well, well, it is now

“Howdy poo-poo time,” and Mr. Harbaugh, the anointed coach of the year…oops, I meant to say “talent manager,” is now shopping for a few rolls of Charmin toilet tissue to soften the blow of playoff defeat for two years in a row because as grandma used to say, “Charmin doesn’t feel like toilet paper.”

You see, when you do the do on someone else then you better be ready for the poo-poo lala to rain on you. You even had a bunch of “media Yinzers” talking crazy about Tomlin and gushing about Harbaugh. Now after a long and undeserved bye, the Tennessee Titans came into the crabmeat capital of football with a running back disguised a Mack truck by the name of Derrick Henry. Mr. Henry stomped a mudhole in the Ravens’ you know what. Mr. Harbaugh, what

happened to the trickery and tomfoolery against the Tennessee Titans? Where is the swig and swagger, cloak and dagger at now?

The Texans took a knee in their final 2019 regular season game against the Titans, eliminating the Steelers from the 2019 postseason picture. The Ravens rested their top stars in their final Ravens/ Steelers 2019 game, anticipating their divisional round playoff matchup against the Titans. Baltimore looked as if they were still celebrating their bye week against the Titans. The top-seeded Ravens looked as if they were birdseed. All the poo-poo that the Ravens talked ended up fertilizing the Titans’ psyche.

Bye, Bye, blackbirds.

We’ll be watching Tennessee, not Baltimore, this Sunday in the AFC title game.

Pitt beats North Carolina in hoops…and for Cynthia Erivo to not win best actress as Harriet Tubman is as wrong as slavery was!! :10—Listen and listen well…This just in…Just in case you’re already under your winter rock, The New Pitt Panthers went into the famed Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and handed it to the Tar Heels in no uncertain terms. The 73–65 upset on Jan. 8 sent a message loud and clear to the ACC that this is not your grandfather’s Pitt team…

For that matter, it’s not the team you saw three years ago before the arrival of Coach Capel! (Sorry, had to

get that in!) :09—Before I get off the subject, it’s important to know a few things. It’s not that this team is loaded with superstars…and it’s not as if they have a dominant center controlling the paint…and while they’ve improved the position outside the three-point line, it’s not as though Ray Allen just joined the team!

But what they do have is a coach with an A+ pedigree, a concept that teaches the importance of team, and most importantly, a never-

CYNTHIA ERIVO

Overtime

Bill Neal say-never-nonstop-hardworking defensive mindset that says bring your lunch, boys, we’re going to be here a while! :08—“Upset City” is in full effect and it gives Steeler Nation reasons to feel better about life in general. #1. New England…Done!! #2. The Ravens…Done!!

And, quote the Ravens never more (at least not this year). #3. Buffalo…Done!

After sending us packing! #4. By now you’re seeing why Kansas City is Kansas City…makes you feel better about yourself now huh? #5. If you live by the running quarterback you die by the running quarterback.

Of course, Lamar Jackson is the truth, but no team in the NFL held him down better than us…nobody. :07—To that point, and don’t get me wrong, I applaud the superior talent of Lamar Jackson, but there must be a reason no running QB has won the Super Bowl…I am just sayin’! :06—In review—Now that Joaquin Phoenix has won

the Golden Globe for his amazing portrayal of the Joker, put on your grownup pants and go see it…it’s not real, it’s just a movie.

“1917”…Huh, what? And

for Cynthia Erivo to not win best actress as Harriet Tubman is as wrong as slavery was!!! :05—Get ready ya’ll, Champions Live Sports Talk Show…The new edition is coming your way soon. Stay Tuned!! :04—Oh, the Pittsburgh Penguins are really good.

They even win without the best player in the world…

Sidney Crosby! That’s all I got. :03—Coach Bill Cowher is going into the NFL Hall of Fame and deservingly so. It also tells me if Mike Tomlin

wins another Super Bowl, he’s a shoo-in! Two trips to the super bowl, eight playoff appearances…C’mon Man!!! :02—The Pirates got a new GM, a new manager and did this, that and the other. We’ll see… :01—OK, OK, OK, Carol, you’re the greatest of all time...G.O.A.T.—now let it go, will ya. :00—It’s getting closer to voting time. Get ready to vote this bum out. Act like your life depends on it…because it does!

GAME OVER.

Soul Take Champions Live!

With Kevin Cameron and Bill Neal!

Hear current and past episodes now at www.urbanmediatoday.com

B8

METRO

JANUARY 15-21, 2020

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

VETERANS ON ICE Night of skating shows support to veterans and their families

U.S. ARMY VETERAN CHRISTINA FLEWELLEN HOWZE, left, with Jeannine Ferguson, at the “No Hero Left Behind” ice skating event, held Jan. 9 in Downtown Pittsburgh. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello) VETERANS FROM A1

spent 10 years (2001-2011) in the Army, much of the time spent in Iraq. His wife, Christina, is an Army veteran as well, serving from 2007-2011. The organization holds quarterly events to bring veterans together for fun, food and, well, more fun.

Howze’s organization assists all veterans, but African American veterans in particular. Most of the veterans answered Howze’s challenge to think outside the box, lace up the ice skates and take to the Downtown rink. Or as Howze put it, “Helping people to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, so whether it’s an ice-skating event, a rock-climbing event, a camping trip that we’re going to be doing in April, we’re really just trying to show people that anything is possible.”

As of 2016, there were 20.4 million veterans in the U.S., according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to the Pew Research Center, Blacks accounted for 12 percent of all U.S. veterans in 2016; Whites accounted for 77 percent; Hispanics composed 7 percent; Asians held 2 percent. By 2045, it’s projected that Blacks will account for 16 percent of all U.S. veterans, Whites at 64

current situation.

Back at the rink, among those donning the ice skates were Beth Burton and her two daughters, Olivia and Olonnah. Burton volunteers with No Hero Left Behind, and is a proud supporter of veterans— her father, Geary Thomas Burton, was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“There are people that have put their lives on the line who now need our help,” Beth Burton told the Courier. “When we needed their help, they selflessly gave of themselves, and now it’s our time to support them.”

Kelly Ferri was another veteran who took part in the outdoor ice-skating festivities. She served in the Army from 2000-04, with tours in Kuwait and Iraq.

“We protect the country,” she told the Courier. “We signed up voluntarily and selflessly served this country and everybody in it regardless of age, sex, race, religion—we protect you.

“Outside forces don’t like America,” Ferri added.

“It’s crazy to me, but I like knowing that my kids can grow up in a free country because of the military that was before me…no matter what kind of training you get in the military, it never prepares you for what

Turner was in Iraq from on ice skates, no less— to his girlfriend, Josette parts of 2003-2005. He not Bankston, and her 7-year- only supports veterans, but believes everyone should. old son, Elijah.

“It’s a huge sacrifice, man,” he told the Courier before he took the ice. “And when you go to war, nobody comes

home the same. To have support and to know that it was appreciated, it makes it feel more worthwhile.”

DAVON CROSBY, JUSTICE AUSTIN

ERIC HOWZE, with son, Eric Howze Jr., ice skating at the “No Hero BETH BURTON, with her daughters.

Left Behind” event, Jan. 9.

JOSETTE BANKSTON AND VETERAN RODNEY TURNER, with Josette’s son, Elijah. percent.

Howze previously told the Courier in a 2018 story about his stints of homelessness after returning to Pittsburgh from Iraq. But the story isn’t uncommon— according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 43 percent of veterans who experienced homelessness in 2018 were people of color, of which 33 percent were African Americans.

Howze’s organization places a major focus on homeless veterans in Pittsburgh, regularly providing homeless vets with clothing, toiletries and direction on how to rise out of their

you see going to war. Nobody tells you your friends are going to die. Nobody tells you what it’s like. It’s hard. We’re humans. We come back different. Even though I’m a happy person, I’m a little bit broken from that…I now know how good this country is, after being somewhere else.”

And as for Turner, he told the Courier that he wouldn’t have been anywhere near an ice-skating rink had it not been for the Jan. 9 event sponsored by No Hero Left Behind. But it gave him a chance to show off his skating skills—even he wasn’t sure he had them