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JANUARY 22-28, 2020

Multiple calls for West Mifflin officers to be fired Video shows one officer pulling hair of 15-year-old Black girl

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

A video showing two West Mifflin police officers involved in a physical confrontation with a 15-yearold Black female student, of which one of the officers is seen pulling the girl’s braids, jolting her head backward, has local councilors calling for charges to be filed, and a local organization calling for the officers to be immediately terminated.

The cellphone video from Dec. 18, 2019, posted to the social media platform Instagram by the unnamed girl’s attorney, Paul Jubas, shows the two officers restraining the girl on a West Mifflin school bus, follow-

the two officers, “and that the Allegheny County DA (Stephen A. Zappala) file charges against the officers for excessive force.”

The statement also read: “If this was a parent, or teacher, they would be fired or placed in jail. These are children who are now traumatized by the very people who are supposed to keep them safe…this is a 15-year-old petite child who has never been in trouble with the law. She takes college-level courses at West Mifflin High School, THESE SCREENSHOT PHOTOS show a West Mifflin police officer pulling the hair of a 15-year-old Black female West Mifflin High School studies Culinary Arts, is a budding entrepreneur student, followed by an additional officer attempting to restrain the girl. The incident occurred Dec. 18, 2019. and works at a fast food ing reports of a fight on the ward, which was followed The video is about 15 sec- Jan. 17 statement sent to restaurant…Black women bus. One of the officers then by a strong verbal reaction onds in length. the New Pittsburgh Couri- have survived the trauma pulls her braids, prompting by the other students on Advocacy group Take Ac- er that they “demand the SEE WEST MIFFLIN A7 the girl’s head to jolt back- the bus toward the officers. tion Mon Valley said in a immediate termination” of

‘Let me make this perfectly clear’

Dr. Regina Holley celebrated for her commitment to PPS students

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Nobody ever had to ask Dr. Regina Holley to repeat or clarify her words.

“Let me make this perfectly clear,” said Pittsburgh Public Schools board member Cynthia Falls, imitating Dr. Holley and her phrase that’s become synonymous with the decades-long educator. “Thank you for all that you have done, and you definitely will be missed.”

Dr. Holley was celebrated by Pittsburgh Public Schools on Nov. 20, 2019, during her last official legislative meeting after eight years on the school board, including

multiple terms as board president. Her last official day as a District 2 board member was Dec. 2, 2019.

“You have worked tirelessly for the students, the parents, staff and communities in this wonderful district in the City of Pittsburgh,” Falls continued during the Nov. 20 meeting. “Your knowledge and your leadership will forever be felt.”

Throughout the decades, Dr. Holley built a reputation that every educator would dream of having—compassionate but tough, sweet but unwavering, with a record of success for students.

A Pittsburgh native, Dr. Holley graduated from Oliver High School, then earned

her undergraduate degree from Slippery Rock University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pitts- DR. REGINA HOLLEY’S last day as a PPS School Board member was Dec. 2, 2019. She spent eight years on the board. (Photo by J.L. Martello) burgh.

She joined Pittsburgh Public Schools as a teacher at became vice principal of A. Leo Weil EleCarmault Elementary School, where she mentary School in the Hill District, before stayed for 13 years. Dr. Holley then be- becoming principal of Lincoln Elementary. came a supervisor for school improvement, SEE HOLLEY A5 followed by a reading supervisor. She then

Pitt creates task force ‘AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS’ to eliminate bias in Nearly 150 guns turned in during Holy Cross MLK gun buyback event municipal algorithms

by Rob Taylor Jr.

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Fifty guns was a reasonable expectation. Seventy-five would be exceeding expectations. One hundred? Now that’s downright awesome.

So, you could imagine the reaction of Pastor Torrey O. Johnson and the rest of the members of The Church of the Holy Cross in Homewood when upwards of 150 guns were taken off the streets during the church’s gun buyback event, held on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 20.

Even before the doors to the church opened at 10 a.m., a line had formed outside with people seeking to turn in their guns. The PASTOR TORREY O. JOHNSON of The Church of the Holy Cross church was offering people in Homewood.

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up to $100 per gun, as officials from the Pittsburgh Police Department handled the confiscation of the guns.

By 10:45 a.m., the roughly $5,000 budgeted to give out to people for their guns was gone.

Many people undeterred, they still turned in guns without the need for compensation—others, such as state Rep. Ed Gainey, made financial donations to the church during the event, with the money going to those who turned in guns.

Church officials told the New Pittsburgh Courier that a total of 148 guns were turned in.

Of the 148 guns, 44 were SEE BUYBACK A4

Courier Staff Writer

A new task force has been created in Pittsburgh, and it’s going after possible bias in something that’s seldom seen or heard—computer algorithms.

In Allegheny County, algorithms are used to determine risk assessments for child welfare services and where to deploy police officers, according to a release from the University of Pittsburgh.

That’s all fine and dandy, provided that, in the university’s eyes, the algorithms aren’t spewing out biased results that could negatively affect African Americans, other minorities, or those who are classified as low-income.

Enter the Pittsburgh Task Force on Public Algorithms, sponsored by

Fred Logan says

Pitt’s Institute for Cyber Law, Policy and Security, commonly known as Pitt Cyber. The university announced today, Jan. 22, the creation of the 22-member task force, which is composed of researchers, educators and community advocates. Some of the African Americans on the task force include Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh President and CEO Esther L. Bush, A Second Chance Inc., Founder, President and CEO Sharon McDaniel, former Deputy Chief (Education) for the City of Pittsburgh mayor’s office LaTrenda Sherrill, and Pitt Professor and Senior Pastor of Bible Center Church John Wallace.

The task force is also served by a Government SEE PITT A4

Spread the word! Feb. Forum 7 isB6PPS Report Card Day! Opinion B3

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JANUARY 22-28, 2020

INTERNATIONAL

Guilty of corruption, Sudan’s ex-president sent to reform center (TriceEdneyWire.com/ GIN)—From a cell inside the court in Khartoum, Sudan’s former President Omar al-Bashir heard the judgement against him— two years in detention for money laundering and corruption.

It was a dramatic fall for the former regional power broker who rose through the ranks from paratroop officer to colonel in the Sudanese Army, from chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation to finally all the posts of chief of state, prime minister, chief of the armed forces, and minister of defense.

He served as president of Sudan for 30 years.

As a brigadier in the Sudanese Army, he led a group of officers in a military coup that ousted the democratically elected government of prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi.

He ruled with an iron fist —his 30-year dictatorship was marked by oppression, genocide, and human rights abuses.

In the Darfur region, he fought a war against south

Al Bashir was finally done in by corruption.

Millions of dollars were discovered stuffed in suitcases and a large hoard of foreign currency was found at his home.

As Mr. Bashir is over 70, he will serve his 2-year sentence in a state-run reform center. An appeal is being mounted, say his OMAR AL-BASHIR lawyers who called the Sudanese that resulted verdict ‘political.’ in death tolls estimated Still, many are unsatisbetween 200,000 and fied with the short sen400,000, according to the tence. “It’s just a slap on U.N., from either combat, the wrist,” said a spokesstarvation or disease. This woman for the Sudanese produced an arrest warProfessionals Association. rant in 2010 for the crime “Bashir needs to answer of genocide but it was for his role in the 1989 dismissed by the Sudanese coup, torture and killings government and opposed including crimes against by the African Union, humanity in Darfur.”

League of Arab States and Jehanne Henry of a the Non-Aligned Movement Human Rights Watch who as well as the governments focuses on Sudan, added” of Russia and China.

“The trial for these charges Eight years later, price of financial crimes does not increases in fuel and bread address the human rights set off angry protests and violations that so many finally a demand for Mr. Sudanese have experiBashir’s removal from pow- enced. So the sentence will er. After months of unrest, not likely satisfy the many Sudan’s military stepped in thousands of victims of and toppled Mr Bashir on abuses under al-Bashir’s April 11, 2019.

30-year rule.”

Art World’s ‘Season Africa 2020’ recalls beloved Nigerian curator (TriceEdneyWire.com/ GIN)—One of the more ambitious exhibits of African art to showcase French-speaking, English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking Africa, including North Africa, is scheduled to open June 2020 and run for 6 months.

The occasion will also mark the passing this year of Bisi Silva, an adventurous curator who, with her own money, founded a nonprofit art gallery and education center in Lagos, Nigeria, that has nurtured the growth and recognition of contemporary African artists. Silva died on Feb. 12 in a hospital there. She was 56.

Ms. Silva started the Center for Contemporary Art, Lagos in 2007 and made it a hub for bold and experimental sculpture, painting, photography and video and performance art that could ignite local and global interest.

She also curated exhibitions of African art around the world. One, in Helsinki, Finland, in 2011, featured the Nigerian photographer J. D. Okhai Ojeikere’s images of African women’s exotic hairstyles. (She turned that show into a book.) Others showed the work of the Ghanaian-born sculptor El Anatsui in Amsterdam and Johannesburg.

“To say that I am devastated is an understatement,” said N’Gone Fall, curator, art critic and current General Commissioner of the Season Africa 2020. “I lost a comrade, a sister.”

“One day we will have to

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N’GONE FALL honor her invaluable contribution.”

On the website of the Institute Francais, Season Africa 2020 is announced as “an invitation to observe and understand the world from an African perspective from 54 states of the African continent—more than 1.2 billion people and a diaspora of more than 60 million.

This is not a “cross-season”: there will be no French

programming in Africa. The program will not be a quick collection of branded projects.

Africa2020 will be the sounding board for the changemakers who are impacting contemporary societies.

Columbia University Professor Mamadou Diouf is also on the program as a “sectoral expert” heading up the literature and the debate of ideas.

Nigerian novelist’s passing grieved by writing community (TriceEdneyWire.com/ GIN)—Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike, novelist extraordinaire, passed this month into eternity, writes Nigerian author Okey Ndibe.

Born April 28, 1931, he had a rich life as an academic, bureaucrat, father to an only son, Osita Ike (who preceded him in death), husband (to Adebimpe Olurinsola Ike, nee Abimbolu, who survives him), and traditional leader of his community, Ndikelionwu.

Chukwuemeka Ike was known for a mixture of lampoon, humor and satire. He owed a bit of his style to his Igbo cultural upbringing.

As an educator, Ike contributed to the intellectual and cultural development of Africa in important administrative positions at Nigerian universities and at UNESCO and as professor at the University of Jos. In 2008 he was awarded the Fonlon-Nichols Award at the African Literature Association meeting in Illinois, according to the African Book Collective.

His novels include “Toads for Supper” (1965), which is set in a university and deals with love and the inherent problems that married couples from different ethnic backgrounds encounter; “The Naked Gods” (1970), also set in a university, which highlights the corrupt practices in the appointment of a new vice-chancellor at Songhai University; and “Expo ‘77” (1980), in which secondary school students trying to gain admission to the university cheat in examinations.

More recently, “Our Chil-

VINCENT CHUKWUEMEKA IKE dren Are Coming” (1990) deals with the problem of youth unrest and student revolt in colleges and universities in Nigeria. “The Search” (1991) is the story of the feverish patriotism of a detribalized intellectual, Ola, and his search for Nigerian unity.

“Ike’s works, laced with humor, satire, parodies and engaging dialogue, are deep interrogations of life in post-independence Nigeria. In many ways, his fiction held up a mirror to society, reflecting both the desirable and the worst in us and leaving us with something to really ponder about,” writes author Sylva Nze Ifedigbo.

“He seemed passionate about changing society and used his fiction to consistently remind us of the increasing inadequacies of society which our fleeting sensibilities ignore as we carry on with the daily scramble for material accumulation.

“His death is a big loss to the community of writers, but his formidable body of work will keep him in the hearts and memory of readers everywhere for a long time.”

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This Week In Black History

Week of January 22-28 January 22 1822—“From slavery to wealth” is the phrase that best describes the story of Barney L. Ford, who was born into slavery on this day in 1822 in Stafford Court, Va.— the product of a Black woman and a plantation owner.

He was raised on a plantation in South Carolina but with the aid of the “Underground Railroad” he escaped and headed west through Chicago (where he met his wife) to the gold fields of California where he was denied the right to stake a claim because he was Black. After being cheated by a shady lawyer, he headed to the Denver, Colo., area and in time built a barbershop, a restaurant and then a fine hotel. He also built a hotel in the Central BARNEY L. FORD American nation of Nicaragua. Despite obstacles and setbacks such as racists bombing his hotel, Ford kept bouncing back and over time became one of the wealthiest and most influential men in Denver. After 1860, he used his influence to fight for Black rights in Colorado.

1931—Sam Cooke is born in Clarksdale, Miss. He is considered by many as “The Father of Soul Music.” The son of a minister, Cooke began his career with a gospel group known as the Singing Children. He then became a member of the famous Soul Stirrers. When he switched to secular music, he combined gospel and the blues to produce soul. Among his best known hits were “You Send Me,” “Everybody Loves the Cha Cha Cha,” and “Twisting the Night Away.” He was shot and killed as a result of a misunderstanding involving a woman at a Los Angeles motel in 1964.

SAM COOKE 1948—Two-time heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman is born on this day in Marshall, Texas.

2006—Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers scores 81 points in a 122 to 104 victory over the Toronto Raptors. The score was the second highest by a single player in the history of the National Basketball Association.

January 23 1821—Minister Lott Cary leaves the United States with a group of freed slaves to establish a colony on the West African coast. In so doing, the group lays the foundation for the establishment of the nation of Liberia. Cary became acting governor of the settlement in August 1828, but died accidentally in November 1828. Nevertheless the colony survived even though it had to KOBE BRYANT fight off attacks from native Africans and slave traders. Liberia became an independent republic in 1847. In 2006, it elected its first female president.

1891—Pioneering Black surgeon, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, helped found Provident Hospital in Chicago, Ill. The hospital became one of the main teaching and training facilities for Black doctors and nurses who had frequently been denied entrance to White-owned medical facilities. It was also at Provident in 1893 that Williams achieved international fame by becoming the first American surgeon to perform open heart surgery.

1964—The 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified. It abolished the poll tax, which had been used in many Southern states to prevent Blacks from voting. Interestingly, the Republican-controlled legislature in Georgia in 2006 passed a voter identification law that many Blacks complained was no more than a poll tax in disguise.

1976—Paul Robeson, perhaps the greatest combination of actor, singer, athlete and political activist ever produced

by Black America, died on this day in Philadelphia, Pa. During his life Robeson not only achieved a brilliant career on stage and in early movies but was also an ardent fighter for Black rights and socialist causes. As a result he was the target of a massive government campaign of disruption and PAUL ROBESON character assassination.

1977—The highly acclaimed television mini-series “Roots” begins airing on ABC. “Roots” received 37 Emmy Award nominations and won nine. It received unprecedented Nielsen ratings for the finale, which still holds a record as the third-highest-rated U.S. television program. The series introduced LeVar Burton in the role of Kunta Kinte and was based on a novel by Alex Haley who also wrote the “Autobiography of Malcolm X.” LEVAR BURTON IN “ROOTS” January 24 1874—Arthur Schomburg is born Arturo Alfonso Schomburg in Puerto Rico. After moving to New York City in April 1891, he became known over time as the “Sherlock Holmes” of Black history because of his relentless digging for Black historical truths and accomplishments. Reportedly, his drive to discover Black history was sparked by a fifth grade teacher who told him “Black people have no history, no heroes, no great moments.”

1885—Martin R. Delaney (1812-1885) dies on this day in Xenia, Ohio. Delaney was perhaps the leading Black nationalist of the 1800s. After fighting in the Civil War to end slavery and becoming the first Black field officer in the U.S. Army, Delaney became disillusioned with America. He began to advocate Black separatism and/or a return to Africa. He was a journalist and a physician who wrote several books including one detailing how ancient Egypt and Ethiopia were the first great civilizations long before ancient Greece.

Although relatively unknown today, Delaney was also brilliant. Abraham Lincoln once told his Edwin Stanton, secretary of war, about Delaney, saying, “Do not fail to meet this most extraordinary and intelligent Black man.”

1993—The first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall died on this day. Unlike current justice Clarence Thomas, Marshall was a true progressive and fighter for Black rights, having spent years with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund waging ongoing battles with the legal establishment to protect and expand rights and opportunities for THURGOOD MARSHALL African-Americans.

January 26 1893—“Queen Bess,” Bessie Coleman, the nation’s first Black female aviator, was born in the small town of Atlanta, Texas. Coleman was also the first African-American (male or female) to earn an international pilot’s license. Because of the racism and sexism in America, she had to travel to France to earn the license.

She traveled the U.S. encouraging other Blacks to become pilots.

Queen Bess died in plane accident in 1926.

1944—Political activist Angela Davis is born in Birmingham, Ala. She was a brilliant scholar and philosopher who made the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list because of her suspected involvement BESSIE COLEMAN in the violent Aug. 7, 1970 courthouse attempt to free jailed Black revolutionary inmate George Jackson. She was also associated with the Black Panther Party. However, shortly after the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she joined the Communist Party. She later became a tenured professor at the University of California Santa Cruz although then governor and later U.S. President Ronald Reagan had vowed to block her from teaching.

January 27 1953—One of Black America’s most gifted novelists, Ralph Ellison, wins the prestigious National Book Award with his powerful novel “The Invisible Man.” The novel helped him achieve international fame. The main character constantly escapes one disaster after another. The disasters are brought on by a combination virulent racism and the character’s own naiveté. Ellison was born in Oklahoma City, Okla.

1961—Opera diva Leontyne Price makes her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

1972—Mahalia Jackson, generally considered the greatest gospel singer that ever lived, dies of heart failure on this day near Chicago, Ill. She was born in New Orleans, La. She settled in Chicago where she briefly studied beauty culture under the nation’s first Black millionaire, Madame C.J. Walker. Among her greatest and most frequently requested songs were “Did It Rain,” “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho, “ “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” January 28 1938—Crystal Byrd Fauset becomes the first Black woman elected to a state legislature when she wins a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

1944—Matthew Henson receives a medal from the U.S. Congress for being co-discoverer of the North Pole along with Robert Peary. The medal, however, came 35 years after the historic feat because Peary, a White man and Henson’s boss, received all the credit for decades. However, records show that Henson, leading a party of four Inuits (EskiDARKIE mos) actually reached the North Pole 45 minutes before Peary.

TOOTHPASTE 1989—After 62 years and numerous protests, the Colgate-Palmolive Co. ends the sale of “Darkie Toothpaste.” The toothpaste, which was only sold in Asia, was renamed “Darlie” and the Sambo-style character on the tube was dropped.

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JANUARY 22-28, 2020

Name a better comedy duo than Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. I’ll wait.

‘Bad Boys for Life’ delivers After 17 years, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence finally grace us with the third installment of the “Bad Boys” series. The infamous Mike Lowery (Smith) and

hand, there are great movie series like “Fast and Furious” and “Friday” where the third time really was a charm.

As for “Bad Boys for Life,”

Merecedes J. Williams

On Movies/TV Shows Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) are still chasing bad guys and causing trouble when an old case resurfaces in “Bad Boys for Life.”

I thought Martin Lawrence’s weight gain and Will Smith’s age were going to be a distraction. And clearly, moviemakers were thinking the same thing. However, instead of covering up their flaws with great makeup and advanced technology, they made it part of the storyline. Genius!

Each “Bad Boys” installment has been consistent with the right balance of comedy, action, and drama.

That’s a testament to the on-screen chemistry Smith and Lawrence have built over the years. In my opinion, there’s no better comedy duo in any film series.

The third installment of a film series is difficult to overcome. It establishes whether a movie has longevity and success over an extended time span. A good example of how you can royally destroy a film series is “Home Alone 3” (1997). If Macaulay Culkin, who was 17 at the time, no longer fit the little kid mold, then just let it go. On the other

it truly delivers in this latest chapter. It is a guaranteed ticket of nostalgia and good entertainment. Many of the stars from the original cast, like Joe Pantoliano and Theresa Randle, have returned, making it that much more enjoyable. WILL SMITH AND MARTIN LAWRENCE star in the new movie, “Bad Boys for Life.”

It’s no secret that I am not a fan of two-hour films, but “Bad Boys for Life’s” extended arrangement is well-received. And as for Smith and Lawrence, they both needed this movie.

Smith’s most recent box office attempt, “Gemini Man” (2019), was like every other Will Smith movie.

Lawrence’s last time in the theater was his long-awaited sequel for “Big Momma’s House.”

Long overdue and heart-warming, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence fans needed “Bad Boys for Life,” too.

The film ends with a cliffhanger to suggest that maybe we won’t have to wait another 17 years for Bad Boys 4. All in all, the movie met every expectation. Father time and a couple extra packed on pounds didn’t take away from this charming film series.

Pittsburgh’s ‘Movie Scene Queen,’ Merecedes J. Williams, celebrates seven years in business

MERECEDES J. WILLIAMS, with husband, Keith Williams.

The New Pittsburgh Courier’s film critic, Merecedes J. Williams, will celebrate seven years in business by being a guest bartender at Stanley’s Lounge in Homewood, 7403 Frankstown Ave., on Jan. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. She will be joined by WAMO 100.1 FM’s Portia Foxx. All tips will directly benefit Williams’ Single Parent Project, an initiative that provides free movies, concessions and transportation to single-parent families, families with incar-

cerated parents, and foster families.

State Rep. Ed Gainey will present Williams with a state proclamation at Stanley’s Lounge to celebrate the business milestone and the corresponding community-based work.

In 2019, Williams distributed more than 4,200 free movie tickets, raised over $2,000 to send local high school students to see the movie “Harriet,” and sent 144 families to the movies via the Single Parent Project.

We lead the way.

Others follow us.

Subscribe to the Courier by calling 412-481-8302, ext. 134!

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‘AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS’

Nearly 150 guns turned in during Holy Cross MLK gun buyback event BUYBACK FROM A1

classified as “long guns,” including both an AK-47 and AR-15 assault-style weapon.

“We planned this gun buyback assuming that we would get a certain amount of number of guns, and we overextended that plan in less than 40 minutes,” Rev. Johnson told assembled media at the event.

“This is God at work,” Minister Guy Brown of the Episcopal Lutheran Alliance told WPXI-TV. “This is God telling us we’re doing the right thing.”

A Courier analysis of data from Allegheny County homicide statistics shows that in 2018 and 2019, a total of 205 individuals were killed.

Of those 205, 151 (74 percent) were African Americans. The vast majority of the African Americans killed were due to gun violence. But officials at The Church of the Holy Cross wanted to hold the

gun buyback event on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day because of Dr. King’s aversion to violence.

“Dr. King said it’s non-violence or non-existence,” Rev. Johnson told the assembled media. “Either we go up together or we go down together, and part of what we’re doing is to try to make this community safer.”

On Nov. 13, 2019, 26-yearold Kierra Eddisha Harris and 29-year-old Lavon Sizemore were killed in a double homicide just feet from the church, at Kelly and Collier streets. A memorial still can be seen where the two people were shot, diagonally across from the church.

“People need to know that it’s OK for us as a whole to start loving one another,” Minister Brown told the Courier. “People are tired of hate, people are tired of violence, so if you’re thinking that you gotta be strong, no…

be strong and be loving.

That’s strength.”

Homewood resident Kenneth brought in multiple weapons. He told the Courier he had a bunch of hunting weapons, but he rarely hunts these days. “I think it’s a great thing (the event),” he said. “Get these guns off the streets and cut down some of this madness out here.”

Kenneth said guns are getting in the wrong hands—young people. “You have a lot of little young folks that never shot, don’t know anything about a gun, and you put a gun in their hands and their whole attitude turns different,” he said.

Sylvia Wilson, senior warden of The Church of the Holy Cross and Pittsburgh Public Schools Board president, called the event “an overwhelming success…in Virginia today, they’re marching, wanting people to keep their guns on Martin Lu-

“It sends a message that we are tired of people’s lives being taken for granted. A life has worth. We just want to stop senseless killing for dumb reasons. We’re not at war with our own people. Our lives are precious.”

SYLVIA WILSON Senior Warden, The Church of the Holy Cross Pittsburgh Public Schools Board President ther King Day. This is the antithesis.”

Wilson told the Courier about an older woman who came to the event and turned in a gun.

“She said, ‘I might die and I don’t want anyone to come in my house and find this gun and then use it against somebody else,

so I want to bring this gun in now.’”

Wilson noticed the people who seemed not to care about getting compensation for their guns. Yes, compensation for guns was helpful, but overall, Wilson said she could feel the people turning in guns were doing it for a higher mean-

ing.

“It sends a message that we are tired of people’s lives being taken for granted,” Wilson told the Courier. “A life has worth. We just want to stop senseless killing for dumb reasons.

We’re not at war with our own people. Our lives are precious.”

Pitt creates task force to eliminate bias in municipal algorithms PITT FROM A1

Advisory Panel, featuring, among others, County Chief Public Defender Matthew Dugan, city police crime analysis manager Heath Johnson, and Pittsburgh community affairs assistant director Shatara Murphy.

Algorithms are created to make swift and “neutral” decisions that are more informed and consistent than those of humans. But if an algorithm’s code reflects the biases of its human creator, or built using data from biased practices, it can, in effect, produce biased results, the Pitt release said.

Currently, Allegheny

County has been both praised and denounced for its use of algorithms for the “Allegheny Family Screening Tool,” which aims to help county child protection staff make better decisions on who the most at-risk children are.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the computer tool uses more than 100 variables, such as previous child welfare involvement and previous criminal justice system involvement, to generate a score from one to 20. Twenty is the highest risk that predicts the likelihood of a re-referral or home removal for a child.

And nationally, more

computer-based risk assessment tools are being utilized in the criminal justice system to predict recidivism and bail violations, as reported in The Seattle Times. “These predictions are used by judges to inform sentencing. But these tools are often based on fundamentally flawed assumptions, such as equating arrest patterns to crime patterns, that bail violations indicate flight risk rather than access to transportation or other socioeconomic challenges.

Moreover, these tools have been seen to be deployed without independent external review, without community involvement

and sometimes even without rigorous evidence that their predictions are accurate,” The Seattle Times article from Feb. 2019 reported.

The task force’s primary goal is to establish best practices and practical guidelines for the use of municipal algorithms.

“Increasingly, algorithms are being used to facilitate efficient government. We need to ensure that historical discrimination and existing inequities are not reinforced,” said Pitt Cyber Founding Director and Task Force Chair David Hickton, in a statement to the Courier. “Pittsburgh should lead the way in effective and fair

oversight of these systems.

We can be a national model, ensuring algorithmic accountability and equity for all residents.”

Pitt said the task force will seek area residents’ thoughts on the use of municipal algorithms via public meetings to be held March 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Library’s Homewood branch, and March 19 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in collaboration with the Beltzhoover Consensus Group’s meeting, at 900 Delmont Ave. The task force will produce a full report, including research findings and recommendations from the community, in the summer of 2021.

“Particularly as governments expand the use of these powerful tools, with so much at stake for our liberty, the fight for algorithmic fairness and accountability is another frontier in the struggle for civil rights,” Bush, a task force member, said in a statement provid-

ed to the Courier.

Sherrill, another task force member, said in a statement that it’s “critical for the task force to hear from residents whose lives are being impacted by decision-making algorithms.

That feedback will help us to draft recommendations for oversight that directly address issues that have been deemed priorities.”

The Heinz Endowments is supporting the work of the task force. Its Chief Equity Officer, Carmen Anderson, said in a statement that with Pittsburgh developing into a leader of research and computer technology, “it is imperative that we simultaneously develop a set of ethics, policies and procedures informed by people who will be impacted by these technologies. It’s particularly crucial as algorithms are used by complex systems with histories of racism and bias such as the criminal justice system.”

It’s “critical for the task force to hear from residents whose lives are being impacted by decision-making algorithms. That feedback will help us to draft recommendations for oversight that directly address issues that have been deemed priorities.”

LATRENDA SHERRILL Member of Pitt Cyber’s new task force aimed at eliminating bias in municipal algorithms

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‘Let me make this perfectly clear’

DR. REGINA HOLLEY, who, as a member of the Pittsburgh Public Schools Board, was instrumental DR. REGINA HOLLEY, with Dr. Russell Patterson, the current principal of Pittsburgh Faison in Homein the hiring of Anthony Hamlet, Ed.D., left, as Superintendent of Schools for PPS in 2016. (Photos by wood. Dr. Holley hired Dr. Patterson as a full-time teacher in 2002, while Dr. Holley was a principal at Courier photographer J.L. Martello) Pittsburgh Lincoln.

Dr. Regina Holley celebrated for her commitment to PPS students HOLLEY FROM A1

She was principal at Lincoln for 16 years, ending in 2010.

The following year, Dr. Holley took the leap to the school board, “to go to the next level in terms of looking at policy,” she told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview, Nov. 20. “I was able to teach, I was able to manage a building and now I wanted to see what I could do in terms of writing policy to change the trajectory for our children.”

Not surprisingly, she was elected to the board given her record of success. Lincoln Elementary, Dr. Holley said, was the second-poorest school in the district from a financial perspective of the students and their parents. But, “we were one of the highest achieving schools in the district,” Dr. Holley said.

Dr. Holley acknowledged it wasn’t just her—she said she inherited a group of teachers and staff that all had one thing in common—“we wanted to see the children do well.”

Thus, Dr. Holley led the strategy in helping the majority-African American students at the school increase their test scores, reading and math proficiency, and their overall feelings of achievement.

“I had a really good parent component there, as well,” Dr. Holley told the Courier.

“The community was very

good to the children at Lincoln.

“Poverty does not keep you from making gains, and these children were able to do that,” Dr. Holley added.

One of Dr. Holley’s former teachers at Lincoln was Dr. Russell Patterson.

In describing his former principal, he said: “Dr. Holley didn’t play. She went hard for the kids.

She was an advocate for kids; her courage to stand up and say what people were thinking or what needed to be said to support the kids in an effort to improve achievement (was palpable).”

Dr. Patterson did his math internship at Lincoln while a student at the University of Pittsburgh, then was hired as a full-time teacher

by Dr. Holley in 2002.

“She always holds people accountable for the work that needs to be done for kids,” Dr. Patterson said.

Dr. Patterson is now principal of Pittsburgh Faison in Homewood.

Reflecting on her time on the school board, she told the Courier that most, if not all, of the policies she introduced or supported were affirmed, especially the district’s equity policy, referred to as “On Track to Equity: Integrating Equity Throughout PPS.” “We are one of only two districts in the state of Pennsylvania that has an equity policy, and we were

able to get our policy to the Council of Urban Boards of Education, and they’re using that as a blueprint as to how other districts across the country can write equity policies to support children,” Dr. Holley told the Courier.

“Equal doesn’t always mean equitable,” she added. “There are some children that need more than others, and it’s about the child’s needs, not what other people think should happen.”

Though she’s no longer a board member, Dr. Holley is adamant about the current board members making sure the plan for the equity policy is implemented by district administrators.

As school board president, Dr. Holley was at the helm when the district hired current superintendent Anthony Hamlet, Ed.D., in 2016.

“She fought to make sure I came on board, because the board knew, based on the interview process, that they wanted change, and I talked about transformative change, and they believed in me,” Dr. Hamlet told the Courier. “She’s been a supporter, a champion for me since I arrived, but she is also focused, and is on me to get the work done, as well.”

Dr. Hamlet added that Dr. Holley is “always making sure she’s pushing the district to get better for our children.”

In a feature story on Dr. Holley by the district in February 2018, Dr. Holley was credited with raising two children, Ramon Creighton Sr. and Sade Creighton.

Ramon Creighton Sr. graduated from Langley High School in 1996, and Sade Creighton from Perry Traditional Academy in 2003.

Though she decided to

officially leave the school board, Dr. Holley said she’ll continue to mentor fellow educators and push Dr. Hamlet and other school administrators to effect positive change for students in Pittsburgh Public Schools.

“My biggest thing that I would like for people to remember me for is my advo-

cacy work for all children, especially those who are marginalized, which would be our special needs students and students of poverty and students of color,” Dr. Holley told the Courier. “I wanted to make sure that I worked on all of the policies in the district that would definitely service those children.”

RELIGION

A6 JANUARY 22-28, 2020

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

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Allegheny County Bar Association

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

www.cathedralofhope.com

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

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

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

Curious about Quakerism?

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

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

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

Homer S. Brown Division 21st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast and Program

THE HONOREES—The Drum Major for Justice honorees for 2020, Judge Dwayne Woodruff and wife, Joy Maxberry Woodruff, at the ACBA Homer S. Brown Division’s annual Dr. King Prayer Breakfast and Program, Jan. 20, at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

(Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

THE HONOREES—Judge Dwayne Woodruff and wife, Joy Maxberry Woodruff, address the crowd.

BETHANY E. MILLER, ESQ.

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

Send info to:

REV. DR. VINCENT K. CAMPBELL, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

ELIZABETH HUGHES

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

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

LYNNE HAYES-FREELAND of KDKA Radio and TV.

METRO

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JANUARY 22-28, 2020

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Multiple calls for West Mifflin officers to be fired Video shows one officer pulling hair of 15-year-old Black girl

WEST MIFFLIN FROM A1

and violence that comes with being a Black woman in this county…however, we will continue to reject this notion that such violence is normal…we will advocate to assure that this young lady gets justice and to send the message that we do protect Black women and girls in Allegheny County.”

Allegheny County Councilors Olivia Bennett and Bethany Hallam, in a Jan. 17 statement, are also calling on Zappala, the county DA, to file charges against the officers. “This brutal treatment of a young Black girl by officers who are sup-

posed to protect and serve is inexcusable,” their joint statement read. “Incidents like these show us how much work we still have to do to end the school-to-prison pipeline. The attack of this young lady is further evidence of the work that still needs to be done…we stand with the family…and will do everything in our power to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.”

Paul Jubas, the family’s attorney, also wants the officers to be fired immediately. He later said in a statement that he provided the videos of the incident to Zappala, and “we ask the

District Attorney to review the eyewitness videos to determine whether one or both of the West Mifflin Police Officers should be criminally charged.”

But as of Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 21, no charges have been filed against either officer by the DA’s office, and neither officer has been fired by the West Mifflin Police Department.

West Mifflin solicitor, attorney Phil DiLucente, told WPXI-TV in a Jan. 2 report that the girl in the video was charged with assaulting a police officer, and that the West Mifflin Borough police officers “acted properly at all times.”

“If this was a parent, or teacher, they would be fired or placed in jail.

These are children who are now traumatized by the very people who are supposed to keep them safe.”

FAWN WALKER-MONTGOMERY Take Action Mon Valley co-founder and director of organizing

It’s 2020!

And the Courier is celebrating the new year with another great deal for you, our dedicated Courier readers and supporters!

Get a six-month subscription of the Courier right now for just $20!

During these winter months, don’t worry about heading out to pick up your latest Courier edition, when we’ll just mail it to you each week!

Call our own Brenda Hill at 412-481-8302, ext. 134, and enjoy six months of the Courier for just $20!

If you’re a current subscriber, we’ll extend your subscription by six months for $20, as well.

Once again, we thank you for supporting the New Pittsburgh Courier, The Voice of Black Pittsburgh.

Promotion ends Feb. 1, 2020

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BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

Iowa debate: Lack of diversity or candidates of color J. Pharoah Doss B5

Classifieds

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B4

JANUARY 22-28, 2020

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Fulfilling Dr. King’s Dream

CYNTHIA BALDWIN

Justice Cynthia Baldwin elected vice chair of the Fulbright Association The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that The Honorable Cynthia A. Baldwin was elected Vice Chair of the Fulbright Association in Washington, D.C. for 2020. She served as secretary of the Fulbright Association Board from 2017 to 2019. Established on Feb. 27, 1977, the Fulbright Association is the official U.S. alumni organization of the Fulbright Program, representing 140,000 U.S. alumni, 70 years of Fulbrighters since the program’s inception, and friends of international education. Through the 54 local chapters, the Fulbright Association hosts more than 230 regional and national programs each year for visiting Fulbrighters and alumni throughout the United States. The mission of the Fulbright Association is to advocate for the Fulbright Program and promote international education. The vision is a world where international exchange is widely recognized as a force for peace. Fulbright alumni have occupied key roles in government, academia, and industry. Of the 325,000 plus alumni, 86 have received the Pulitzer Prize,75 have been MacArthur Fellows, 60 have received a Nobel Prize, 37 have served as head of state or government, 10 have been elected to U.S. Congress, and 1 has served as secretary general of the United Nations.

The Honorable Cynthia A. Baldwin was the first African American woman elected to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and only the third African American and the second African-American woman to serve on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. She retired from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2008. After her retirement from the Court, she became a partner with Duane Morris and also served as the first General Counsel for the Pennsylvania State University. She was a Fulbright Scholarship Lecturer on the Law Faculty of the University of Zimbabwe. She has chaired the boards of the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities (AGB) and the Pennsylvania State University as well as serving on the board of Duquesne University. A Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania, she recently retired from the corporate board of Koppers, Inc. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University. Among her many awards are the ATHENA Award, the Heinz History Center History Maker Award and the HistoryMakers Award.

Justice Baldwin has also been featured in the following Marquis’ publications: Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in American Politics, Who’s Who in the East, Who’s Who of American Women, and Who’s Who in Emerging Leaders in America and is currently featured on Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievers website. She is also the recipient of several honorary doctorates from prestigious universities.

CATHY HUGHES

40 years of Cathy Hughes’ leadership at Urban One

by Keith L. Alexander For New Pittsburgh C1ourier

(NNPA)—OXON HILL, Md.—Inside the illuminated MGM National Harbor towering over the Potomac River, the 3,000-seat theater slowly fills with African Americans donned in tuxedos and gowns as Hollywood’s and New York’s top entertainers mix with some of Washington, D.C.’s bourgeoisie including politicians and business leaders. All have gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of

Urban One Inc., the nation’s largest distributor of news and entertainment aimed solely at Black consumers, which also includes the largest African American owned TV network.

The media company that for decades was known as Radio One Inc. for its stable of radio stations across the country, changed its name in 2017 to Urban One, a new name that reflects, its owners believed, its channeled mission of providing media content to urban audiences via all

CHRIS TUCKER AND CATHY HUGHES (Photo courtesy of Urban One Inc.)

forms of media through its divisions including radio, television programming with its TV One cable network and now the Internet.

Still at the helm of Urban One is the legendary woman with the mic, camera and now computer keyboard is the company’s founder and chairwoman, Cathy Hughes. On this recent night, the 72-year-old energetic and spirited Hughes is also serving as co-host for the 40th anniversary Urban One Honors awards show with comedian Chris Tucker, which is scheduled to air Hughes’s TV One network Jan. 20.

The show, however, is already running late before it even began. Taping was supposed to begin 20 minutes or so ago. But people are still slowly filling their seats. Then, to a round of staccato applause and without an introduction, Hughes, with her broad smile, walked onto the stage.

She apologized for the late start.

The staffing at the entrances of the MGM, she said, have been slow in allowing audience members through the doors. “But I’ll take care of this,” she said while putting a finger in the air.

Hughes disappears backstage. And within 10 minutes, as if a dam burst, audience members began rushing into the theater to their seats. Minutes later, the orchestra begins playing and Hughes and Tucker walk on SEE HUGHES B2

THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY—THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT Ten years ago, no one would have thought that Cannabis, aka Marijuana, would be entering into the legal marketplace throughout the United States. People, the fact is it is happening in various parts of the United States and at the current pace it is going to be legal in most states. Even as federal laws remain unchanged, most states have legalized some form of medical cannabis, and eleven states and the District of Columbia have changed their laws to regulate adultuse cannabis. Legally purchased Cannabis cannot be taken across state lines.

Cannabis comes in many forms, you probably remember getting high from joints, brownies and cookies, but it also comes in gummies, balms, and teas. Medically, it is used for anxiety and PTSD. Pain relief, such as for migraines, is a common use as well. Cannabinoids (CBD), provide many of the medical benefits, and have also been used as an aid in the treatment of cancer.

After all the incarceration of people affiliated with the use and the distribution of the drug it is so ironic. There has been a big waste of human capital and a destruction of careers and futures of some of the brightest talent we have put on this earth.

Time changes things and things are certainly changing with these times.

The explosion in cannabis popularity has meant an explosion in cannabis products this decade. Because THC and CBD can

enter the body in The subject was so many ways— Harry C. Alford & Kay DeBow given much attensmoking, vaping, tion at our last aningesting, through nual conference in skin—the numAtlanta last sumber of products mer. The people that can be made leading the charge with it are, if not in this effort are endless, certainly indeed professionbountiful. Certain al and seasoned. products, though, They know where seem to be more the whole thing is prominent, or at least on the rise, than going and are sure to be there when the others. moment arrives. However, there are With all the excitement we are natu- naysayers and doubters who are quick rally wondering where do we, as Black to criticize and shout DISCRIMINApeople, fit in. Is it going to blow right by TION! us or are we going to be just consumers Pretty soon it is going to be “Showwith no hint of entrepreneurship and time” in Illinois, and we want to make ownership? For those of you who worry sure that this rollout will run smoothly about this option let us assure you: We and perhaps become a national model. are going to be “knee deep” in the Can- Last fall Governor Pritzker pardoned nabis industry. Many of us ponder about over 11,000 ex-offenders who had been the opportunities of the past where they arrested for the use and/or sale of Marcame and somehow went around us ijuana. Then, effective January 1, 2020 without any positive impact on our com- dozens of establishments that had almunities. Yes, there are many examples ready been licensed to sell Cannabis for of blown opportunities and our worries medical use were also licensed to sell can be somewhat justified. However, it for recreational purposes. It was a let us assure you that we are laying the smooth transition. groundwork to assure diversity will be a However, none of these medical carriers reality in the up and coming Cannabis were Black and that led to paranoia by industry. onlookers. They claimed outright bigot-

Beyond the Rhetoric

ry! Local elected officials were sharply criticized for this misunderstanding.

However, come this June another round of licensing will take place and that will become an excellent opportunity for Black inclusion.

As the saying goes, “We can diversify in the boardroom or else we can do it in the courthouse.” There will be diversity without exception. Discrimination in this arena will not be tolerated. Besides, the Governor and the mayors of the major cities within the state of Illinois have come too far in removing the racial barriers to let it return to the bad old days.

If you live outside of Illinois, you should contact our office and we can connect you with some of the principles of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce and perhaps a partnership can evolve and compete for the upcoming licenses. It will be expensive to get into the business, but the revenue and profit appear to be immense and without limit. There will be major players in the arena, but they will be instructed to partner with sources that will add to the diversity of the industry—SOCIAL EQUITY. (Harry Alford is the co-founder, president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce ®.

Kay DeBow is the co-founder, executive vice president of the Chamber.)

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JANUARY 22-28, 2020

BUSINESS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Is Dr. King’s dream being denied or deferred?

Once again, the only federal holiday honoring a person of color will be celebrated across the nation. The 38-year span of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life continues to be remembered and revered.

Since his tragic death, time has shown he was also prophetic.

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle,” said Dr. King. “And so, we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.”

From voting rights to desegregation in public accommodations, transportation and employment, Dr. King’s Baptist cadence resonated with a generation to champion what was wrong, and to also speak up for what is right. In that noble pursuit, he came in 1964, the youngest person to become a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Yet in 2020, much of the hard-won rights championed by Dr. King championed are under attack by the very governments charged to enforce both laws and regulations. Especially for Black America, rollbacks of much-needed programs jeopardize access to basic life needs such as nutrition, safe water, legal justice, and housing itself.

The irony is that the enactment of the historic 1968 Fair Housing Act followed less than a week after Dr. King’s assassination in Memphis. Hence, as we honor Dr. King, we are also called to continue progressive efforts to better include all of the Americans whom historically have been locked out or left out when it comes to housing: people of color, women, families, people with different physically challenged and all who still suffer the insidious nature of housing discrimination As the number of homeless Americans now number more than 560,000, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chair of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) has added homelessness and homeless prevention to her committee’s 2020 priorities.

“Homelessness affects the very fabric of our communities,” noted Ms. Waters.

“When I speak to families in my district who are dealing with homelessness, I see the toll this housing insecurity is taking on them, including their children, who

can’t concentrate spective homein school because buyer earning the Charlene Crowell they’re sleeping national median in a car at night... income to save a We need to do 10 percent down more if we are payment for a megoing to address dian-priced home. the rental housing But for Black and and homelessness Latino housecrisis: we need holds earning the to preserve the median income, affordable housing the number of that we have, and we need to increase saving years expands to 21 and 17 years investments in programs that develop respectively to amass a 10 percent down new housing or provide rental aid. We payment on that same-priced home. know what the solutions are to this prob “When the president asks, what do lem; we just need the political will and African Americans and minorities have to resources.” lose? How about affordable, quality housWhile lawmakers debate the appropriing and a shot at the American dream,” ate federal commitment to affordable queried Congressman Emanuel Cleaver housing, consumers are increasingly in a Jan. 9 Politico article. financially challenged to keep a roof over Ample research documents how far the their heads. nation has yet to travel when it comes For the past 30 years, the National Low to housing, homeownership, and the Income Housing Coalition has annually still-widening racial wealth gap. published Out of Reach, that tracks the A new report released days before cost of rental housing across the nathe 2020 King holiday, States with the tion. According to its 2019, report, the Most Racial Progress (January 2020) by average monthly fair market rent for WalletHub.com names and ranks states a two-bedroom or one-bedroom rental with the best and worst disparities in home is $1,194 and $970 for a one-bedhousing segregation, as well as wealth room unit. and employment. This research found “[L]ow wages, wage inequality, racial that D.C. (District of Columbia), Illinois, inequities and a severe shortage of Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, affordable rental homes leave too many and Wisconsin were each among the 10 vulnerable people unable to afford their states with the worst housing segregahousing,” states the report. An average tion. When wealth and employment were renter must work 52 hours per week to ranked by state, these same states along afford a modest two-bedroom apartment with Minnesota were also among the Consumers seeking to transition from worst ranks of the nation. renters to homeowners face another “Volumes of research have shown that daunting challenge. According to the when people from diverse backgrounds National Association of Realtors in Deare together in school, neighborhoods, or cember 2019, the median existing-home workplaces everybody wins,” said Meera price for all housing types in October was E. Deo, a law professor with Thomas $271,300, up 5.4 percent from NovemJefferson School of Law and one of the ber 2018 ($257,400), as prices rose in all report’s authors. “Making the unfamiliar regions. That means a 10 percent down more familiar means everybody wins.” payment for a median-priced home would “An obvious advantage of living in an require $27,130. Moreover, a 20 percent ethnically diverse city is increased indown payment, which would remove the tergroup contact,” added co-author Kelln added cost of private mortgage insurance Li, a Ph.D. and assistant professor of would be double in cost—$54,260. sociology at California State University’s According to calculations by the Center Dominguez Hills campus. “Such interfor Responsible Lending (CRL), nationaction might happen at various layers wide it would take 14 years for a proof the city: among students in school, or

Commentary

neighbors living on the same street.”

“Thanks to this opportunity to get to know people who are unlike us, research has shown reduced prejudice, stereotypes, or negative attitudes across people of different ethnic or cultural background,” concluded Dr. Li. Comments by the St. Louis Fed Center for Household Financial Stability would appear to have reached similar conclusions through its independent findings as well.

“We find that families who are thriving tend to be White, college-educated and/ or older,” said the St. Louis Fed. “We find that families who are struggling tend to have one or more of these characteristics: Black or Hispanic; no four-year college degree; and/or younger. We also find that many families across the board are striving for more economic security.”

For these reasons and others, it does not make sense for the Trump Administration to suspend rules and data mapping tools that alert communities to potential fair housing violations. Yet on Jan. 6 HUD proposed suspending its Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule that provides HUD program participants with a planning framework and data tools to enable them to take meaningful actions to overcome historic patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from discrimination.

This year, it would be prudent to ask, ‘What happened to the Dream Dr. King had to make America’s promises of freedom, justice, and equality—true for all peoples?’ And its corollary, ‘What are we prepared to do about it?’

“Discrimination in housing is not a thing of the past, it is ongoing and real,” observed Nikitra Bailey, an EVP with the Center for Responsible Lending.

“Low-income communities and communities of color now more than ever need the government to provide them with critical tools to combat discrimination in housing and the insidious harms that result.

Instead we have seen HUD, under the current Administration, do the opposite.”

(Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s communications deputy director.

She can be reached at charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.)

40 years of Cathy Hughes’ leadership at Urban One HUGHES FROM B1

stage arm in arm to begin the two-hour show.

No one messes with Cathy Hughes, especially when she is their boss. That’s right, in addition to the various entertainment companies, Urban One also owns nearly 7 percent of the $1.4 billion, MGM casino, hotel and resort, a purchase the company made when the resort opened three years ago.

As the nation celebrates the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month, those who knew King well, say Hughes and Urban One are the epitome of King’s dream. Dr. Benjamin Chavis, who worked as a youth leader for King in the 1960’s, said Hughes was able to break through the historically, White male controlled world of media ownership and create her own media company that she uses to not only to reach millions of people around the world to ensure that the voices of African Americans continue to be shared and visible.

“Urban One continues to fulfill Dr. King’s dream,” Chavis said. “The best way to celebrate Black history is to make more history. Cathy Hughes continues to make Black history.” Chavis is now head of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, made up of more than 200 Blackowned newspapers across the country.

The Hughes media story is well known.

She began her career in 1969 at an AM radio station in her native Omaha, but left for Washington, D.C. when she was offered a job as a lecturer at Howard University. In 1973, Hughes was named general sales manager of WHUR, Howard’s FM radio station. Two years later, Hughes was promoted to general manager. There she created the late night, slow-jam formatted staple called “The Quiet Storm” a signature sound that expanded to radio stations around the country. In that short time, Hughes had taken annual revenues at the station from $250,000 to more than $3.5 million.

In 1979, Hughes and then-husband Dewey Hughes sought financing to purchase their own radio station and were rejected by 32 banks until 1980 when they secured lending to buy WOL-AM, a tiny Washington, D.C. station located in Northeast Washington. That first station led to the acquisitions of dozens of radio stations around the country. Then in 2004, with her son Alfred C. Liggins III, a Wharton School of Business MBA graduate as chief executive officer his mother’s company, Radio One branched into television by creating TV One, a cable network reaching more than 40 million African American TV households.

In 2017, TV One changed its name to Urban One after it acquired a collection of Internet media websites, now known as iOne Digital, that focus on news, sports and entertainment stories about and for Black audiences.

Today, Urban One is worth, according to Wall Street estimates based on stock price of about $98 million. The company boasts of reaching 59 million households, 22 mil-

ded awards at the MGM, the influence that Hughes has garnered over the four decades was repeatedly echoed by those who took the stage.

Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott surrounded on stage by other rap legends Lil Kim and Da Brat, became emotional during her acceptance speech. She described Hughes as “bold, fierce, strong, innovative (and) a visionary.” Elliott said a “big” part of her success was due to Urban One. “We are all chosen, but there are certain people chosen to be a vessel,” Elliott said of Hughes.

During his acceptance speech, actor and singer Jamie Foxx spoke of when he and director and writer Quentin Tarantino were making the 2012 “Django Unchained,” they were concerned about the use of the N-word in the film and how audiences would receive the racist word.

Foxx told the audience that he told Tarantino “the only person who could help them” ensure audiences would not be put off by the repeated use of the racist word would be Hughes. So, the two asked Hughes to come to the movie set so she could see the filming and hear the vision behind it. Foxx said they needed Hughes’s “blessing” knowing that her influence with audiences could ultimately make or break the film.

When he took the stage, Broadway, film and TV performer Billy Porter described how being celebrated by a Black media company in front of a predominately black audience, was unusual for out, gay Black entertainers. “As a Black, queer man in CLARANCE AVANT, CATHY HUGHES AND ALFRED LIGGINS AT URBAN ONE HONORS (Photo courte- the world, this is such a special day for sy of Urban One Inc.) me. I never felt welcomed. Today in this space, for the first time in my life, I feel lion listeners, 40 million video streams, 20 serving our audience that is evidenced be- like I am a part of this community,” Pormillion unique Web visitors. It owns 57 yond just the mission of making money. It ter said grabbing Hughes’s hand as she broadcast stations in 15 urban markets, is to build an organization that represents joined him on stage. two cable networks and some 80 websites. the needs and interests of a communiDuring his acceptance speech, Chance Hughes works closely with her son who ty that for the majority of this country’s the Rapper described Hughes – or Miss H. she credits with diversifying Urban One history, hasn’t had a voice to fight for it,” as he calls her - as a “trailblazer” and a Liggins, 54, said recently. beyond radio and TV. “maverick” who, he said, “built an entire Throughout the night at the star-stud- industry, for us.”

“This company has a commitment to Hughes says she plans to continue to build and rebuild the media industry as the technology changes how black households receive their information and entertainment.

“Today, we reach 92 percent of Black households,” Hughes added. “We plan to get to 100 percent.”

“If the Black audience that we serve decides that they want to receive our messages via carrier pigeon, then I’m getting ready to go into the bird business. I don’t know what it will take in the future in order to reach that goal. That will depend on what advances occur in technology.”

Urban One’s plan, Hughes says, is to ensure the company will be at the center, the premiere go-to media outlet for Black households.

“It’s important for us to have Black owned and controlled, particularly in the media, business ventures, nobody is going to tell our stories from our perspective, except us,” she said. “Nobody is going to do that for us. Why should they or would REV. AL SHARPTON AND CHANCE THE RAPPER (Photo courtesy of Urban One Inc.) they? It’s our responsibility to do that.”

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JANUARY 22-28, 2020

B3

MLK’s legacy even more relevant as hate crimes continue to rise

Guest Editorial

Senate must uphold its duty on Trump trial Last Wednesday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi named House prosecutors for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial ahead of votes to send the charges to the Senate.

The seven-member prosecution team is being led by the chairmen of the House impeachment proceedings, Reps. Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee and Jerry Nadler of the Judiciary Committee, two of Pelosi’s top lieutenants for only the third presidential impeachment in the nation’s history.

The managers are a diverse group with legal, law enforcement and military courtroom experience, including Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Sylvia Garcia of Texas, Val Demings of Florida, Jason Crow of Colorado and Zoe Lofgren of California. Both Jeffries and Demings are African American.

The House then voted to approve the team and transmit the articles of impeachment.

“Today is an important day,” said Pelosi, flanked by the team. “This is about the Constitution of the United States.”

Pelosi is right. This is an important moment in U.S. history.

Trump’s trial will be only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history, and it comes at a time with a politically divided nation in an election year.

Senators should uphold their oath of office and put country before the party by calling witnesses and seriously reviewing the evidence.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would be derelict in his duty if he continues to try to dismiss the charges as partisan and not look at all the evidence.

There is new information about the president’s Ukraine efforts, which has intensified pressure for more witnesses.

Schiff released new records from Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, about the Ukraine strategy including an exchange with another man about surveilling later-fired Ambassador Maria Yovanovitch.

Schiff is correct in saying the new evidence should bring more pressure on McConnell, who is reluctant to allow witnesses to testify.

“If McConnell makes this the first trial in history without witnesses, it will be exposed for what it is and that is an effort to cover up for the president,” Schiff said.

Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden as Trump withheld aid from the country.

Trump was also charged with obstructing Congress’ ensuing probe.

The Senate will transform into an impeachment court and begin significant proceedings this week after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The Constitution calls for the chief justice to preside over senators, who serve as jurors and swear an oath to deliver “impartial justice.’’

Republicans control the chamber, 53-47, and are all but certain to acquit Trump without seriously looking at the evidence if voters do not hold them accountable.

The nation will be watching to see if the GOP-controlled Senate, which has been deferential to Trump, can deliver impartial justice.

Founded 1910

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher

Allison Palm

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal increasingly become the kindling for violent behavior.”

In the wake of the shooting and stabbing attacks on Orthodox Jews in New York and New Jersey, farright trolls hoping to exacerbate racial tensions have been posing online as Jews to post racist screeds against African Americans.

Online sleuths who traced the racist plot back to the website 4chan—a site that author Elad Nehorai called “a radical breeding ground:—found slur-ridden comments like “You are throwing high-quality octane fuel” on the “fire” of Jewish-Black relations, “Let’s see some riots,” and “If you break the Black-Jewish alliance, it’s all over for the Jews.”

It’s instructive to note that the goal of White nationalists is to drive a wedge between marginalized groups.

And vital that we actively and forcefully resist these efforts.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Dr. King wrote in Letter from a Birmingham Jail.

“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

The National Urban League, as one of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Racial Equity Anchor Institutions, is proud to celebrate the fifth annual National Day of Racial Healing on Tuesday, the day after Martin Luther King Jr., Day. he day is a call to action to mobilize communities, organizations, and individuals across the United States in support of truth, racial healing and transformation.

More than 70 events around the nation are scheduled, and you can follow the conversation on social media using the hashtag #HowWeHeal.

As one of the Anchor Institutions, we stand side-by-side with racial justice and organizations representing Latinos, Asian-Americans, Native Americans and other ethnic and religious communities—tied together, as Dr. King said, in a single garment of destiny.

As disheartened as we may be by the rising level of hate crimes, and as disgusted as we may be to read the words of online trolls, we must guard against meeting hate with hate. Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.”

The monster of racism feeds on hatred. The only way to kill it is to starve it.

Sure glad to be Black!

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—When you think about the harsh treatment Black people have experienced, and still experience in this country, when you think of 400 years of Black people being enslaved, having gone through Jim Crow, segregation, lynching and every indignity you can think about, don’t you at least say to yourself, “I’m sure glad I’m Black?”

I say that because I watch the news religiously, and I listen to all sides of this Trump thing. I look at everybody involved, and none of the crooks or accused crooks look like you or me! I know some of our ancestors suffered severe and outrageous beatings and other sinful indignities, but we’ve never heard of any of them engaged in conduct like that attributed to Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Rudy Giuliani, William Barr, Robert Hyde, Devin Nunes, and all of those unsavory characters who meet at the Trump Hotel Bar! You can take note that none of them look like you or me!

Despite a few bad apples among us from time to time, none of them are major players in this plot to get dirt on the Bidens or subvert national interests.

Rachel Maddow interviewed Lev Parnas who described what can only be called a serious mob operation! If just one half of what Parnas has shared with us is true, we are living in a very dangerous country, and I’m

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary

Yellow, too because we’ve never committed any act remotely close to the current crimes we’re seeing. All White people aren’t involved, and I congratulate them; but think about their new, uncomfortable feeling every time they turn on their televisions observing only White people, many with whom they identify and support, mixed up in this corruption. Those of us who are fortunate enough to be Black know well what daily recriminating, negative news feels like. Imagine how it feels to those whites whose new reality is that our current national disgrace is not shared.

Imagine having these accusations directed at you or those who reflect your values. The leader of this mob has been impeached, but, unlike typical consequences for those of us who are non-white, for all the witness verified, condemnable acts, unless there is a miracle of justice, 45 won’t even be convicted. Many of the Senators elected to represent all of us have already indicated that they will turn a blind eye to the voluminous evidence that would change the mind of a normal, objective person.

At least for the next few days nonwhite people can watch and live without the fear or threat of being maligned and condemned for involvement in this national travesty.

sure glad to be Black!

I read about Darryl Scott (one of us) and others trying to pull a fast one down at Virginia Union University in Richmond by trying to entice people to be present to honor Donald Trump and Jared Kushner on the sacred day America observes Dr. Martin Luther King Day! The hook was to offer money—lots of it to unsuspecting Black people who didn’t know the real purpose of the event! Yes, I admit that was a bad act, but even that does not rise to the level of what Black people (Red, Yellow and Brown people, too) have seen on the news every night. I know Darryl is friends with Trump and his supporters—but what he tried to do is small time compared with what Trump’s friends from another mother have done and are now trying to cover up.

Black people, for once, can be glad to be Black. I know I am. I pray that (Dr. E. Faye Williams is national president my good White friends are wishing they could be Black, Brown, Red or of the National Congress of Black Women.)

Spread the word! Feb. 7 is PPS Report Card Day! The next report card day for Pittsburgh Public Schools students is Friday, Feb. 7. Spread the word loud, clear, and long. Shout it in the streets.

Put it online. Anywhere you can, at church, in the tavern, around the dinner table, on PAT buses, at card games, at motor bike clubs, at social service agencies—everywhere you can spread the word.

Put a sign in your yard that is “Courtesy of” you. Put a poster in your window “Courtesy of” you. Put a banner in your business, religious or social institution “Courtesy of” your institution.

Pay for it out of your pockets. You don’t’ need a bank loan, or a foundation grant. It won’t put you in debt.

Make each and every PPS Report Card Day a major event in Lincoln-Lemington, East Hills and across the city.

Friday, April 17 and Tuesday June 23 are the remaining Report Card Days for the PPS 2019-2020 school year.

Let the African American students at Westinghouse in Homewood, at Weil in the Hill, and at every public school in Pittsburgh know that the Black community is on the case. Put the Pittsburgh School Board and the

Fred Logan

Commentary district administration on notice. Put the Pittsburgh powers-that-be on notice. Most important, put the Black community on notice.

From report period to report period, scrutinize to see if the aggregate Grade Point Average of Black students in every grade level is rising, falling, or stagnant. And, in mass, demand answers in plain everyday language, not in bewildering academic jargon that even the people who talk it each and every day really do not understand.

This alone will not increase the aggregate GPA of PPS Black students.

Black Pittsburgh still must do all that is doing to fight for public education in Pittsburgh, and it must do all that is not doing.

This will be an important step in the struggle, if, and only if, it comes

from the masses of Black folk, from you and your family, friends, church members, club members, and from Black motorbike clubs, and Blackowned taverns—who for years have been sponsoring community activities for Black youth.

If this comes from City Hall, or the Pittsburgh school district it will, at best, ebb and flow with who, at the moment, is in City Hall or on the school board. Even then, it will be, at best, just another mainstream commercial novelty like Christmas is. The Black community must initiate it and not let “Mainstream America” Pittsburgh claim it.

Look over the last 50-some years at the African American holiday, Kwanzaa. It was created by Black people, the Los Angeles-based Us Organization, without the consent or knowledge of the U.S. ruling elite. For years, it grew and was celebrated by millions of African people worldwide before it was “discovered’ by White America. Kwanzaa is a product of the Black masses. That’s its staying power, its resilience.

When you go out and spread the word, be upbeat, confident, and bold, no matter what the naysayers say!

Letters to the editor for publication

Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.

Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.”— Martin Luther King Jr. A report that hate crimes surged in America’s five largest cities last year has broken just as we prepare to honor the nation’s best-known victim of a hate crime.

The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, found that hate crimes were at their highest level since September 11, 2001, in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, with the Jewish community being the most frequent target in all five of the cities.

“These data reflect several trends, including an escalating tribalism, where various prejudices like anti-Semitism, xenophobia and homophobia, among others, are widely shared across a diverse grouping of people,” Brian Levin, the report’s lead author, said. “Next, local demographic changes in densely populated cities means more people are coming into contact with each other right at a time when fearful stereotypes are

The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication. All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor, New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360, or via e-mail to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B4

JANUARY 22-28, 2020

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Indovina Associates Architects, LLC seeks Project Architect to work in Pittsburgh, PA, to provide architectural services in the design, coordination, & detailing of architectural projects. Apply at info@indovina.net

VISUAL DESIGNER MANCHESTER BIDWELL CORPORATION

PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGIST

University of Pittsburgh Physicians seeks a Pediatric Ophthalmologist to work in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County), PA. Specialize in conditions, injuries, and diseases affecting the eye and its related structures in children; perform examinations and tests to determine the nature of the patient’s vision problem and perform surgery if required. Management of Cortical Visual Impairment, eye movement disorders especially nystagmus, familiarity with eye movement testing data, and a broad background in pediatric neuropathy. Must have a M.D. or equivalent; completion of a minimum of three years of postgraduate training in Ophthalmology and one year of fellowship training in Pediatric Ophthalmology; must have valid PA medical license or eligibility for licensure. Apply by following these steps; visit http:// careers.upmc.com and enter 1900014Z in the “Search Keyword/ Job ID” field and click Go. EOE/ Disability/Veteran.

ASSISTANT MANAGER OF ROAD OPERATIONS

Port Authority is seeking an Assistant Manager of Road Operations to provide assistance and support to the Manager of Road Operations.

Oversees all revenue service to ensure safety, reliability, and on-time performance. Direct and supervise the Road Operations Supervisor and Bus Traffic Dispatchers ensuring that these groups have all of the resources required to perform their daily job duties.

Essential Functions: •Plans, assigns and oversees the daily activities of all Road Operations supervisors including preparing payroll, conducting picks, approving and monitoring all daily reports, and resolving departmental employee relation issues.

•Attends meeting with contractors, special events coordinators, engineers and planners to help determine service impacts. Monitors construction developments to minimize transit service delays, and as needed; coordinates with police to clear roadways for transit service.

•Oversees the restoration of service disrupted by inclement weather, disabled vehicles, accidents, constructions, and other unforeseen events and reroutes transit service disrupted by parades and other events, making the necessary adjustments to minimize service impacts.

•Responds to and investigates all major accidents and derailments.

Reviews Road Operations supervisor accident and incident reports prior to final submittal.

Job requirements include: •High School Diploma or GED. •Minimum of three (3) years experience as a Bus/LRV Operator; or two (2) years experience in one of the following positions within Bus or Road Operations: Bus Route Foreman; Bus Instructor; Traffic Dispatcher.

•Willingness and ability to respond to 24-hour emergency calls.

•Effective and professional communication skills.

•Thorough knowledge of Port Authority service area.

•Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows.

•Customer focused.

•Valid Commercial Driver’s Class B License with a “P” endorsement.

•This is a Safety Sensitive position subject to all testing provisions under the Drug and Alcohol Policy, including random drug and alcohol testing. The person selected for this position may be required to be tested prior to being awarded the job.

Preferred attributes: •Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field from an accredited college or university.

•Supervisory experience.

Performs critical role in relaying MBC’s message to various audiences through visual design.

Supports MBC & affiliates’ through graphic and video design Promotes and raises awareness of MBC’s mission and educational model.

BS in graphic design, marketing, or communications or 2 years related experience in design or marketing field required. Strong Mac, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, and high-quality graphic design skills required. Well organized, detail oriented, creative, and self-motivated with a proven ability to work independently on projects or work products that will be published to the public. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact closely as a team player.

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

FANNY EDEL FALK LABORATORY SCHOOL University of Pittsburgh 4060 Allequippa Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261 www.falkschool.pitt.edu

Falk School, a coeducational K-8 laboratory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is seeking a fulltime, dynamic kindergarten teacher for the next academic year, beginning August 2020.

Salary range is competitive and commensurate with experience.

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

To apply and to view the complete position announcement go to https://www.join.pitt.edu under faculty positions.

Review of applications will begin February 15, 2020, and continue through April 1, 2020, or until the position is filled.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the College will be held on: February 6, 2020 4:00 PM CCAC Allegheny CampusByers Hall 808 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

MEETING

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting for January 2020 on January 23, 2020 as scheduled. The board meeting location has changed.

The meeting will be held on the 9th Floor at 10:30 a.m. @ 200 Ross Street, Board Room, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

ATTENTION:

If you worked at WESTINGHOUSE ELEVATOR a/k/a SCHINDLER ELEVATOR or at OTIS ELEVATOR in Pittsburgh, PA between the mid 1960s and the mid 1980s, please contact Asbestos Investigator Sherry Day at (734) 8785236 or email sherry@SLDinvestigations.com.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

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

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

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 Joseph 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 Joseph 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 Joseph Patton.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

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

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LEGAL ADVERTISING

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Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT INVITATION FOR BIDS:

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE CONTRACT NO. 1722

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.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

FICTITIOUS NAME

Notice is hereby given pursuant to the provisions of the Fictitious Names Act of Pennsylvania that an applicatin for Registration of a fictitious name (was/will be) filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for the conduct of a business under the fictitious name of QUIQ CARRIERS LLC with its principal office or place of business at 1043 Blackadore St., Pittsburgh, PA 15221. The names and addresses, including street and number, if any, of all persons who are parties to the registration are: Ronald Thornhill, 1926 Lincoln Ave. Ext., Penn Hills, PA 15235 and Jay Smith 1043 Blackadore St., Pittsburgh, PA 15221.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

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

Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213, on February 18, 2020 until 2:00 P.M. local prevailing time for: Pgh. Brashear H.S. Various Asphalt and Concrete Repairs General Prime Pgh. Brookline PreK-8 Masonry Restoration Asbestos Abatement Prime – REBID Pgh. Carmalt PreK-8 Humidity Control and Ventilation General, Mechanical, and Electrical Primes Pgh. Dilworth PreK-5 Finish and Miscellaneous Work Asbestos Abatement Prime – REBID Pgh. Greenfield PreK-8 Restroom Renovations Asbestos Abatement Prime – REBID Pgh. Milliones 6-12 Masonry Restoration & Window Replacement Asbestos Abatement Prime – REBID Pgh. Minadeo PreK-5 Unit Ventilators and Air Conditioning Asbestos Abatement Primes Various Buildings Carbon Monoxide Detectors Phase II Mechanical, and Electrical Primes Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on January 20, 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.

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

The Allegheny County Housing Authority (ACHA) is requesting bids from qualified contractors for ROOF AND MAKE-UP AIR UNIT REPLACEMENT AT JEFFERSON MANOR and ROOF AND MAKEUP AIR UNIT REPLACEMENT AT BLAWNOX APARTMENTS. The Allegheny County Housing Authority encourages responses from small and/or certified Minority; Women; Disadvantaged and Veteran owned firms, as well as firms that have not previously performed work for the ACHA. LOCATION: JEFFERSON MANOR, 201 Jefferson Road Penn Hills, PA 15235 BLAWNOX APARTMENTS, 701 Center Avenue Blawnox, PA 15238 CONTRACT: JEFFERSON MANOR - ACHA-1624 BLAWNOX APARTMENTS – ACHA-1625 DOCUMENTS: Drawings and Specifications only, will be on file after MONDAY JANUARY 27, 2020 on the Pittsburgh Builder’s Exchange, or the McGraw-Hill websites.

Complete Contract Documents – including Bid Forms - may be obtained after MONDAY JANUARY 27, 2020 at the Allegheny County Housing Authority, 625 Stanwix Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, or by contacting the ACHA at 412402-2464 or emailing ajamrom@ achsng.com.

FEE: A non-refundable fee is required for each set of paper Contract Documents (certified check or money order) $50; $10 for CD Media; or no charge for emailed documents.

NOTE! A FedEx or UPS Number will be required for any Contract Documents requested to be delivered.

NON-MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29, AT 10:00AM in the ALLEGHENY COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD ROOM, 625 Stanwix Street 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

BIDS DUE: 2:00 PM local time on TUESDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2020 in THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD ROOM 625 Stanwix Street 12th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Frank Aggazio Executive Director Allegheny County Housing Authority

OFFICIAL BID NOTICE TOWNSHIP OF UPPER ST. CLAIR

Sealed and separate bids will be received by the Township of Upper St. Clair, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania until 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2020 for the following: 2020 ANNUAL CRACK SEALING CONTRACT 2020 ANNUAL STREET RESURFACING PROGRAM Please refer to the Township’s website at www.twpusc.org/Business/ Procurement & Bid Information for details and requirements. /s/ Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

Sealed Bids for CONTRACT NO. 1722 WA-4 PRE-ENGINEERED STORAGE BUILDING shall be received at the of Engineering Department office of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 until 2:00 P.M., Prevailing Time Monday, February 11, 2020 and then publicly opened and read aloud.

ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities and women to submit bids on Authority Contracts or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to successful Bidders. Successful Bidders are to use minority or women’s businesses to the fullest extent possible.

Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the office of the Authority for $100.00 (nonrefundable and no cash or credit cards will be accepted). Bid Security shall be furnished by Certified Check or Bid Bond in the amount of 10% of the Bid Price.

A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the ALCOSAN New O&M Auditorium, located at 3300 Preble Avenue, on Friday January 31, 2020 at 10:00 A.M., Prevailing Time. Bidders are encouraged to attend, however they are not required to have a qualified representative attend the Pre-bid meeting to be eligible to bid on this contract.

Any questions regarding the Contract Documents should be directed, in writing, to Mr. Cody Edgell, Project Engineer I, by email to Cody.Edgell@alcosan.org, or by phone to (412) 734-6260, or fax to (412) 734-8716.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality in any bid and to accept any bid should it be deemed in the interest of the Authority to do so.

Kimberly Kennedy, P.E. Director, Engineering and Construction

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

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.

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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Will a woman be In honoring King’s legacy, commit president in 2020? to the work that cost him his life (TriceEdneyWire.com)—In a most unusual endorsement, the New York Times has endorsed both Senators Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Amy Klobuchar (Mn.) for the Democratic nomination for President. Apparently, the Editorial Board of the Times disagrees with Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.), who allegedly told Warren that a woman could not win the Presidency. I’d love to see the right woman in the White House, but I’ve been among the many who have wondered openly if, in a polarized and sexist United States, a woman can win both the nomination and the Presidency.

Though polls are not a definitive measure of who will win an election, Warren and Klobuchar tend to poll more weakly than the men in the race—Vice President Biden, Sanders, and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Have we come such a long way since 2016 that a woman is electable? Can so-called progressive men who want to get 45 out of the White House overcome their gender bias to vote for a woman?

Clearly, the Times not only thinks a woman can win, but in endorsing two women for the Democratic nomination, they are saying that women are the best of the Democrats in the race. And, in the past two years, we’ve seen signs that women are gaining politically. The women’s sweep of the 2018 elections certainly bodes well for women. At the same time, is gender a sufficient qualification for the Presidency?

Three years after the first flawed but overwhelmingly successful Women’s March in 2017, the realignment of the March “movement” has illustrated cracks in the founda-

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary tions of feminism.

These flaws perhaps go back to the scuffle over who should get the vote first between our nation’s first feminists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and civil rights activists like Frederick Douglass. In resenting the fact that Black men got the vote before White women, those early feminists used extremely disparaging language against Black men, using terms like “savage” to suggest these men did not deserve to vote.

Can anybody say “intersectionality”? Or to make it more clear, use the words of Sojourner Truth and say, “Ain’t I A Woman.” The women’s march movement fell apart because women were not on the same page.

Accusations against Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour, two of the co-chairs of the March caused much discussion and rancor, so much so that the second Women’s March attracted a fraction of the people who showed up to the first one. And the third March was operated on s different model. It did not equal the excitement or momentum of the first March, although there were many more local marches and other activities associated with the marches.

Women can’t “come together” unless they acknowledge our differences, as well as our similarities. Thanks to Tarana Burke and folks like Professor Kimberly Crenshaw, some Black women are openly addressing issues of race and class in feminism. But I’ve heard few White women, either politicians or intellectuals, deal with issues of racism in the women’s movement. Is there really “a women’s movement”? There are women’s issues, and women’s marches, and an exhilarating display of anti-Trump sentiment three years ago (don’t forget that 53 percent of white women voted for that man), but when do women come together?

In other words, gender is not a qualification for higher office. And if the women endorsed by the New York Times do not fully explore the concept of intersectionality and speak on it, they will likely sideline some votes, even though many others would vote for Bubba the Fool to get rid of 45. Both Warren and Klobuchar are exciting candidates. Warren’s progressive ideas endear her to the left, and Klobuchar’s more moderate approach to social and economic challenges appearls to others. The Times did a good job of contrasting the two women.

But can either win the President? When then one-term Senator Barack Obama ran for President, l liked him very much but didn’t think a Black man could succeed in this racist nation. Thankfully, I was wrong. Can a woman win in 2020?

I’m hoping the best candidate will win, and the best candidate may well be a woman.

by Nina Turner

only way out of this public health crisis is through a Medicare for All system that provides every single person with access to the kind of care that the rich take for granted as their birthright.

We are 25 percent less likely to graduate from college yet have more student debt than anyone else. Black women like myself are the most indebted of all.

I have served as a City Councilwoman and a State Senator and like millions of others still have monthly student loan payments. Free public higher education and the cancellation of student debt would enable millions of African Americans to get the education they want but currently cannot afford.

We are twice as likely to be unemployed, and the jobs we do have are more likely to pay starvation wages.

This is the reason why the poverty rate among African Americans is so much higher than the national average. There is no better anti-poverty program than a federal jobs guarantee and labor laws that make it easier to unionize.

A Green New Deal would make desperately needed investments in our communities and go a long way towards addressing the environmental racism African Americans in urban and rural areas alike endure. A national housing program would benefit African Americans who, because of the history of redlining and segregation, are disproportionately renters, living month to month at the whims of predatory landlords and forces of gentrification.

The list goes on and on.

Those who benefit from the status quo will tell us that these are radical ideas that the American people will never accept. But we should remember that the abolition of slavery was a radical idea until it was not. Social Security and Medicare were radical ideas until they were not. The integration of public schools was a radical idea until it was not. For people in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, public goods that alleviate the stress caused by economic insecurity are not pie in the sky proposals. They are much deserved and long overdue.

More than 50 years after Reverend King’s death, we have yet to achieve the basic level of economic security for all that he understood to be a precondition for true racial justice. But as the great civil rights leader Ella Baker put it, “We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.” This year, we have an opportunity to take a step in that direction. So, in the months to come let us dedicate ourselves to bringing people together around a vision that works for all of us. If we do, we can finally create the foundation for a truly just and free society.

(NNPA)—Two years before his death, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King wrote that “there is no way merely to find work, or adequate housing, or quality-integrated schools for Negroes alone.” We could only achieve these goals, he said, by pursuing them for all people—regardless of their race, gender, class or creed.

Dr. King’s belief in universal programs as the key to our nation’s shared prosperity has long been central to the African American tradition. For centuries, Black men and women have struggled to guarantee human rights and economic security--not just for themselves, but for everyone. Their perseverance in this universal cause has resulted in the greatest strides towards progress that this country has ever made.

For example, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished chattel slavery, established equal protection under the law, and protected the right to vote, benefited people of all races. Reconstruction, which created public schools in the South and advanced the interests of poor farmers, benefited people of all races. And the Civil Rights Movement, which brought an end to the Jim Crow era, benefited people of all races.

Even accomplishments that we do not associate exclusively with civil rights and racial justice would not have been realized without Black leadership and struggle. Social Security and Medicare, key pillars of our safety net, were won by working-class movements in which African Americans played a central role. Millions upon millions of elderly people have been rescued from poverty thanks to their efforts.

The elites who would rather see us divided have tried to limit these victories every step of the way. At times, like during the early Jim Crow years, they resorted to open violence, hoping to terrorize us into submission. More recently they have relied on the less visible but no less real violence of budget cuts and austerity. But because of the overwhelming popularity of policies in which everyone has a stake, they have not been able to do away with these hard-earned achievements for good.

This history provides a lesson: rather than adopting a narrow focus on the differences between us, the best way to advance the age-old struggle for racial justice and freedom is through universality.

African Americans are 50 percent more likely than our white sisters and brothers to be uninsured. This together with the stresses of economic hardship leaves us with worse health outcomes (Nina Turner is a former Ohio state senator by almost any measure. We suffer from higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and the national co-chair of Vermont Sen. Berasthma, and maternal mortality. The nie Sanders’ presidential campaign.)

Iowa debate: Lack of diversity or candidates of color?

The Democratic didates of color.

Party began their J. Pharoah Doss Once again, the presidential priWhite candidates mary season with were diverse in over two dozen seage, gender, sexurious candidates al orientation, ethseeking the nomnicity, faith, and political experiination. The 2020 ence, but that type field was promotof diversity still ed as the largest didn’t count. The and most diverse group of candidates in American his- candidates of color stated the debate tory. There were four White women, stage needed to be a reflection of the three Blacks, a Latino, an Asian, a diversity of America, and the lack of Samoan-American, and an openly gay diversity proved the DNC’s rules were man. During these early stages being structured against minorities. Tom Peanything other than a straight White rez, the DNC chairman, dismissed the claims of racism, and stated the DNC male diversified the field.

But in fairness to the concept of diver- set forth a clear set of transparent and sity, if you looked beyond color, gender, inclusive rules, the rules were set out and sexual orientation you’d also dis- in advance, the voters were responsicover diversity amongst the straight ble for who appeared on stage, and the White males. These candidates were lack of diversity was the voters fault diverse in age, ethnicity, faith, educa- not the rules.

Now, during the actual Iowa debate, tional attainment, career achievement, socio-economic status, military experi- Pete Buttigieg, who previously diverence, political offices held, and policy sified the field as a gay man but was proposals. But those categories don’t now a problematic White male, was contribute to the Democratic Party’s confronted by a moderator concerning his lack of Black support. The modersuperficial notion of diversity.

Now, the Democrats had more can- ator said, “Mayor Buttigieg, you say didates than a national television au- you’ve had trouble earning the supdience could handle. Since the DNC port of Black voters because you’re undidn’t want their televised presidential known. But you’ve been campaigning debates to resemble the overcrowded for a year now and polling shows you Republican presidential primary of with next to no Black support, support 2016, the DNC made their candidates that you’ll need in order to beat Donmeet poll and donor thresholds in or- ald Trump. Is it possible that Black der to qualify for the debates, but the voters have gotten to know you and threshold increased with each debate have simply decided to choose another round making it harder to earn a spot candidate?” (Notice the moderator only asked Buttigieg about Black support on the debate stage.

All candidates were aware of the de- because it’s needed to defeat Trump.)

After the candidates of color combate rules before round one and no candidate questioned the fairness of the plained about the lack of diversity “weed out” process. (Mind you, these and the DNC’s rules, they should have rules were to qualify for a television been confronted in the same manner debate, not qualifying didn’t cancel a as Buttigieg: You’ve been campaigning presidential campaign.) As the thresh- for a year now and polls show you have old increased after each debate the little support. Is it possible the voters non-qualifying candidates started to got to know you and chose other canend their bids for the presidency. A lot didates?

Candidates of color don’t have a moof the straight White males were the first to drop out; eventually the candi- nopoly on diversity, and these candidates of color didn’t qualify either, and dates lacked support because Demothe last debate in Iowa featured the cratic primary voters have prioritized six qualifying candidates who all hap- electability over superficial reflections of America. pened to be White.

(J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New Suddenly there was controversy. The debate had no diversity, meaning can- Pittsburgh Courier.)

Check It Out

JANUARY 22-28, 2020

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Raynard Jackson

Commentary King’s dream has turned into a nightmare As we celebrate the national birthday holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I can’t help but to ponder what he would say about the current state of Black America specifically, and America in general.

I am sure he would be livid at how White liberal’s handpicked Black “leaders” have been bought and paid for by them and their radical agendas; like the radical homosexual and transgendered movements, the promotion of foreigners and illegals taking jobs from Americans, and the total mismanagement and political liberalization of our HBCUs. HBCUs are fastly being taken over by the radical homosexual and transgendered movements and other radical liberal doctrines like feminism.

King, a Morehouse graduate, would disown his alma mater if he were here today.

Let me refer you to a column I wrote back in 2005 titled, “Letter to Dr. King.” This is one of my best pieces of writing in my more than twenty years of being a columnist.

Unfortunately, things for Blacks have gotten worse since the death of Dr. King.

I don’t get into arguments on whether Dr. King was Republican or not; I think it is totally irrelevant. I focus only on what we know, his public record.

And what we know is Dr. King didn’t take a bullet to his head for the media appointed Black leaders to be bought off by White liberals and White feminists.

Dr. King didn’t give up his life to promote the radical liberal homosexual and transgendered agenda.

Dr. King fought for Blacks in America, not “people of color.” He wasn’t asking for special treatment; he was asking for equal treatment.

The U.S. Constitution had already guaranteed Blacks equal rights; the laws simply were not being enforced. Blacks were not asking to have special rights created for them, like the homosexuals; they were saying, enforce the law.

I find it astonishing that the Democrat candidates for president have been allowed by liberal Blacks to conflate the radical liberal homosexual agenda, amnesty for illegals, and feminism into a modern-day Civil Rights agenda.

These candidates have not once discussed the breakdown of the Black family because of liberal social engineering, i.e. welfare from the sixties; there has been no discussion of Black entrepreneurship; or not one word uttered about the state of HBCUs. But let one illegal kid die in ICE’s custody and the whole liberal world loses its collective mind; but when twenty babies are killed in one weekend of violence in places like Chicago or Baltimore, these same liberals get a severe case of laryngitis.

These White liberals have forced their sycophant Black followers to aggressively promote their radical homosexual, transgender, and feminist agenda; despite the fact that Black homosexuals, transgenders, and feminists face more racism within these radical groups than they do in mainstream society.

Liberals are by far the most racist group in the entire U.S.; just look at liberal Hollywood as exhibit A. King was singularly focused on equal opportunity for Blacks based on the Constitution; not equal outcome.

King did not have a problem with segregation or segregated neighborhoods. He had a problem with Blacks being denied the opportunity to move to a White neighborhood solely based on their skin color.

King would not be concerned with how few Blacks are coaching in professional sports like the NFL or NBA; or how few Blacks were in their league offices; or how few Blacks own franchises.

He would be more concerned about why Blacks continue to financially support entities like this and why Blacks continue to work under these conditions knowing that they have the real power in this relationship.

Blacks make up about 70 percent of all players in both the NFL and NBA. But yet these players have said and done nothing to effectuate change regarding the lack of diversity within management and ownership. Colin Kaepernick has laryngitis when it comes to this issue and his knees seem incapable of bending for an issue like this.

As I say, weak people take strong positions on weak issues!!!

Other groups stay singularly focused on the issues that affect their respective communities. When do you hear Asians or Hispanics talking about people of color?

Blacks are the only group that make other people’s issues their issues, with absolutely no reciprocity.

King would be appalled at this behavior by these quasi Black leaders.

King was not a global leader, but rather, he was a Black leader in America who had a global impact.

There is a big difference between being a global leader and a leader that impacts the globe!

You have cities like Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit that have been run by liberal Democrats for generations uninterrupted and Blacks have been devasted by these liberal policies.

Where are the holy cries of righteous indignation from Black leaders?

Blacks are being told that Susie has two mommies and Johnny has two daddies; and we wonder why Black on Black crime is off the charts?

Black women are being told by White feminists that they don’t need a man to help raise their children; even though they needed a man to make those same children.

You only dream when you are sleep. It’s high time for Blacks to wake up and rekindle the dream; and that dream has to start with getting back to our conservative values in the Black community and to once and for all reject the insidious radical liberalism that has nearly destroyed the Black community.

Conservatives, herein lies your opportunity to engage with the Black community!

(Raynard Jackson is a Pulitzer Award nominated columnist and founder and chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future (BAFBF).

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JANUARY 22-28, 2020

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