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FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

FOREVER ENTRENCHED IN COURIER HISTORY. FOREVER ENTRENCHED IN PRO FOOTBALL HISTORY.

Bill Nunn elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame Famed Courier sportswriter and editor who introduced players from Black colleges to Steelers as team scout finally elected to Hall as contributor

by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier

As I write this article, I am certain that there is a celebration going on in the afterlife.

I am sure that one of the first events that Mrs. Patricia Rooney scheduled when she recently arrived at the banquet “hall of eternity” was to put on a heavenly Hall of Fame banquet inviting many family members and friends to partake

in the festivities. Among the honored guests of the get-together were her father-in-law, Art Rooney Sr., as well as his son, her late-husband, Dan Rooney; Chuck Noll, the jockey that rode the Steelers’ horses of victory to first-place finishes in the Steelers’ legendary Super Bowl victories of the ‘70s; and last, but certainly not least, the super scout horse-trader with a keen eye for talent, Bill Nunn Jr.

With the announcement made on Saturday, Feb. 6, Nunn has now taken his seat at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “dinner table of eternity.” Bill Nunn’s induction into the Hall of Fame as a contributor has henceforth promoted and rescued him from the “kids’ ‘table.” With his induction into the Hall of Fame, Nunn is now dining on heaven’s version of a filet mignon entrée, topped off with chocolate mousse for

THE LEGENDARY BILL NUNN JR., officially elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Feb. 6, 2021. dessert and a glass of Dom Perignon, as opposed to having to stomach a kids’ meal consisting of kielbasa sandwiches, with s’mores and a cup of Kool-Aid to wash it all down.

Let’s be real here. In 1969, if it weren’t for the vision and needs of Steelers own-

er Dan Rooney, there would be no Pro Football Hall of Fame for Bill Nunn. Yet, had it not been for Nunn bringing the Steelers fresh and hungry players from historically Black colleges that helped transform the franchise from the swamp of losing, who knows...

maybe Art Rooney Sr. and son Dan, after decades of losing, would have shopped around and shipped the team on a snowy and frostfilled evening to a destination unknown...regardless of the cost.

SEE NUNN A2

HAPPY FEELINGS

REV. GLENN GRAYSON SR., center, very excited about the opening of the CARES CommuniTEA Cafe, on Centre Avenue in the Hill District, Feb. 1.

CARES CommuniTEA Café makes long-awaited grand opening in the Hill District

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

Community partnerships and collaborations between public and pri-

vate entities are vital to successful efforts of community development and the revitalization of Pittsburgh neighborhoods, says Diamonte Walker, deputy

Pittsburgh Courier NEW

To subscribe, call 412-481-8302 ext. 136

executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh.

Such an example is the Centre-Heldman Plaza in the Hill District.

In November 2019, the URA purchased the plaza for a reported $1.6 million with the goal to ensure protection from the private market and to enable some level of community input and engagement around

its next steps, its future.

Consisting of 2.57 acres, the plaza once housed the Crazy Mocha Coffee Shop, a Subway restaurant, a Farmers Insurance agency and a Shop ‘n’ Save, with a Dollar Bank branch inside the grocery store.

Those businesses are no longer part of the Centre-Heldman Plaza. But on Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month, a

huge step was taken for the plaza. The CARES CommuniTEA Cafe made its long-anticipated grand opening at 1836 Centre Ave., inside the plaza, on the former site of the Crazy Mocha shop.

The CARES CommuniTEA Café combines the expertise of Hill District professionals as a learning lab for work experience for local youth, according to a

release from the URA. The cafe will also house special events and initiatives that aim to connect the Hill District community, such as community conversations, book clubs, art displays and jazz events.

The CARES CommuniTEA Cafe is part of the Avenues of Hope initiative.

Avenues of Hope addresses SEE HILL DISTRICT A4

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FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

FOREVER ENTRENCHED IN COURIER HISTORY. FOREVER ENTRENCHED IN PRO FOOTBALL HISTORY.

Bill Nunn elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

BILL NUNN, right, played a very important role in the Steelers’ four Super Bowl wins in the ‘70s. No one knew the talented players from the Black colleges like Nunn, who became a full-time scout for the Steelers in 1969, and brought those talented players to Pittsburgh. (Photos courtesy Pittsburgh Steelers)

NUNN FROM A1

The visions and needs of Dan Rooney and Bill Nunn Jr. were permanently interwoven into a historical, armor-like fabric.

The result of that union produced an almost indestructible material that would eventually be tailored into a garment that would clothe a future dynasty that had been left for dead, naked and shivering out in the open, braving the freezing elements of ineptitude, suffering through the hypothermia of losing. The Pittsburgh Steelers now had the opportunity to come in out of the cold. They were enthusiastically welcomed into a comfortable abode: experiencing the warmth of a crackling fireplace fueled by the tinder of the prospect of winning.

The organization was now eagerly absorbing the newfound warmth and energy that success and victory provided.

Bill Nunn Jr. was born on Sept. 30, 1924, in Pittsburgh, to Maybelle and Bill Nunn Sr. Bill Nunn Jr. graduated from Westinghouse High School, and was a formidable basketball player at West Virginia State University, just outside Charleston.

Bill Nunn Jr. then returned to Pittsburgh, where he joined his father at the Pittsburgh Courier, where his father, Bill Nunn Sr., was managing editor.

During his earlier career as a sportswriter and, later, managing editor for the Courier, the wealth of information and insight possessed by Bill Nunn Jr. regarding Black players hailing out of HBCUs was welcomed by the Steelers. The Courier was known for its highlighting of Black football players from Black colleges, when many “White” colleges would overlook them. Nunn was instrumental in the Courier’s HBCU All-America team, and hosting the annual banquet in Pittsburgh for those players.

Twice did Nunn place Art Shell on his All-America team in the ‘60s. Shell was an outstanding offensive lineman at a Black college that was then called Maryland State College (now University of Maryland Eastern Shore). Shell was eventually drafted in the third round by the Oakland Raiders and went on to become a Hallof-Famer and the first Black NFL head coach in the modern era (the second overall), as head coach of the Raiders.

Nunn even highlighted Ed Tomlin, father of current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Ed Tomlin played collegiately at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in the mid-’60s.

Ed Tomlin was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1968.

“My first day on the job, Nunn wa l k s up to me and says,

BILL NUNN, left, strategizing with Steelers management. Nunn introduced a wealth of players from Black colleges to play for the Steelers organization.

‘I know you. Your dad was on my All-American team in ’67,’” Mike Tomlin said to ESPN’s The Undefeated in a 2014 article. “That shows you the impact of Bill Nunn, not only in terms of the scouting, but creating a mechanism of recognition for these players.

“These guys, THE they wanted to be on that NEW PITTSBURGH Pittsburgh COURIER Courier Black PUBLISHING COMPANY All-American team, and invited Publication No.: USPS 381940 get

to that banquet in Pittsburgh, because they knew that meant they were on the radar and they would have an opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

In 1967, Nunn filled a parttime scouting position with the Steelers and was hired full-time in 1969, the same year that Noll was hired as the team’s head coach.

It was Nunn who scouted Black collegiate standouts like receiver John Stallworth, defensive back Mel Blount, safeties Donnie Shell and Glen Edwards, and defensive linemen

L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, and brought them to Pittsburgh. You know the rest. Teaming up with those such as “Mean” Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert, the Steelers became the team of the decade, winning four Super Bowls in the ‘70s.

It would have never happened if not for Bill Nunn Jr. In 1987, Nunn “supposedly” retired but continued to scout SEE NUNN A3

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BILL NUNN was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021.

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FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

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FOREVER ENTRENCHED IN COURIER HISTORY. FOREVER ENTRENCHED IN PRO FOOTBALL HISTORY.

BILL NUNN (PHOTOS COURTESY PITTSBURGH STEELERS)

NUNN FROM A2

for the team, reverting back to his part-time status until falling ill at the Steelers’ team facilities just days before his death on May 6, 2014, from complications of a stroke. At

with-or-without-them scenario that was OK as far the NFL was concerned.

Another factor in the mix was the possible desire to limit the interaction between Blacks and Whites that would assure that the

unequal. The union between Dan Rooney and Bill Nunn Jr. represented far more than professional football. The alliance between them created gale force winds of social change that helped cast

BILL NUNN would be no “one for the thumb” and no six Lombardi trophies residing at the Steelers’ sports complex. Without Dan Rooney, there are serious doubts that the formation and ratification of the “Rooney Rule” or any other NFL racial equity standard operating procedures would be in place in the league today.

In 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame established a place in the Hall for non-player contributors to the game. Bill Nunn Jr. is the first Black “contributor” to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of

BILL NUNN, with the four Super Bowl trophies the Steelers won in the 1970s. the time of his passing, Nunn was survived by his wife, Frances; son, Bill Nunn III; and daughter, Lynell. Today, Lynell is the lone surviving member of the group. Nunn’s granddaughter, Cydney Nunn, is a public relations and marketing professional in Pittsburgh.

Let’s go back to 1967.

When Nunn filled the position of part-time scout offered by the Steelers, many of the top-tier White universities did not even accept applications from Blacks. Those actions made it impossible to even consider admitting persons of color into their institutions of learning, therefore overtly excluding the participation of Blacks as students or athletes.

Why was there even a need for a Bill Nunn Jr.?

Well, there have been theories offered by many historians (including yours truly) that the integration of the NFL was not simply based on color, but part of a complex layer comprised of economics and the marketing acumen of an NFL ownership group that was collectively focused on a Eurocentric business model and a demographic that had far more spending power and more disposable income than Blacks.

The need for Black fans was, at best, optional and possibly regarded as a necessary evil, creating and maintaining a life-

cultural worlds and socio-economic positions of the two distinctly different racial entities remained just that—separate and

to the wind the tumbleweeds of racially dividing and ethnicity-challenging issues.

Without Bill Nunn, there

MABEL BERNICE GREENE BOOKERT Mabel Bernice Greene Bookert, 98, passed away peacefully on January 20th 2021. Born in Wilmington, North Carolina on November 21st, 1922 to the late John Wesley Greene and Minnie Hill Greene. Mabel was a devoted wife to the late Dr. Charles C. Bookert, mother to Dr. Lisa M. Bookert Cross, mother-in law to Douglas K. Cross and grandmother to Kenny Cross, Neville Cross and Blair Cross. She attended Fisk University and was a graduate with a BA degree from the School of Education at The University of Pittsburgh.

Mabel married her high school sweetheart, Dr. Charles C Bookert in Clairton, Pennsylvania. In the early days, Mabel worked alongside her husband to promote and support his private Medical Practice. She was a pillar of her community in Clairton and the Pittsburgh area.

Mabel was a member of First AME Church, Clairton, PA. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Links. She was on the International Poetry Forum Advisory Board, and Women’s Auxiliary to McKeesport Academy of Medicine. Mabel served on the United Way Allocations Committee, the board of the McKeesport Cancer Society, Family and Children’s Service of Pittsburgh, The National Board for Family Service of America and was a major donor and supporter for the Black Heritage Swimming Championships. She enjoyed traveling, having lived in Germany and visited Paris, Morocco, London and Monaco. Mabel had a love for her dogs, Tobey, Pierre, Andy and Sir Jones and one cat Rachel. Mabel had a love for reading, fine arts and was an avid painter.

Her only child, Dr. Lisa M. Bookert Cross, survives her. The date of the interment is to be announced. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Versailles Cemetery, McKeesport, PA. In lieu of flowers, please keep the family in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Fame, 53 years since the category honoring contributors was created. Why did Bill Nunn Jr. have to wait so long to receive his just due? Why did he have to be posthumously recognized and honored? Why couldn’t he smell his roses while he was still alive to enjoy them?

Many contributors were alive and able to select speakers to present them and help usher them into the halls of immortality. As we ride out the COVID-19 pandemic, I represent one of the many loyal disciples of William Goldwyn Nunn Jr. God willing, I, along

with all of the others that he has mentored, will smell his roses for him.

This August, Nunn and the other members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 will be honored in Canton, Ohio. But, in all candor, there is only one way to truly honor the feats of Bill Nunn Jr.; those that follow in his footsteps must be tireless in duplicating his accomplishments and focusing on those who are often overlooked. Then, and only then, will America and Black America truly honor the great legacy of Bill Nunn Jr.

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FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

CARES CommuniTEA Café makes long-awaited Start of new ‘Avenues of Hope’ initiative and revitalization of Centre-Heldman Plaza

THE CARES COMMUNITEA CAFE, INSIDE THE CENTRE-HELDMAN PLAZA

opment and enrichment of youth in the area. The Pittsburgh’s lack of comCenter That CARES ofmunity development and fers, among other things, economic inclusion in Afafter-school enrichment, rican American commuSTEAM education and nities utilizing a holistic, career development. Rev. community-centered apGrayson told the Couriproach, the URA said. er that the collaboration between his community organization and the cafe will have positive “longterm effects” in the Hill District, which also was echoed by Walker.

“We’re incredibly excited about CARES CommuniTEA Café’s grand opening and what it means for the Hill District,” Walker said in a statement. “This is a perfect example of how a publicly-owned asset— Centre Heldman—can be leveraged to support community driven initiatives, which is a core component of Avenues of Hope.”

“We look forward to the community and city supporting our youth social enterprise endeavor as we share in the revitalization of the Hill District,” Rev. Grayson added in a statement. “Bringing this café REV. GLENN GRAYSON SR., left, founder of The Center That to fruition during this CARES. pandemic is a reflection of our city’s determination

HILL DISTRICT FROM A1

The Center That CARES is a community organization that was started

by Rev. Glenn Grayson Sr., pastor of Wesley Center AME Zion Church, in the Hill District. It’s dedicated to the devel-

and commitment to push forward and spark innovative change through collective impact.”

The youth that will work at the cafe can learn entrepreneurial skills early, Rev. Grayson said, understanding how businesses operate, how to deal with customers and learning healthy food choices.

Claudy Pierre, known around Pittsburgh as “Chef Claudy,” is the operations manager for the CARES CommuniTEA Cafe. He established a non-profit, Empowerment Awareness and Training Initiative, Inc. (EAT Initiative), which envisions a world of fed and sustainable communities.

“We achieve this vision by hosting hands-on cooking demonstrations and career development via hospitality training,” with a focus on food-vulnerable families.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto was one of the

attendees at the grand opening on Feb. 1. “This project demonstrates the mission of Avenues of Hope to help realize the community’s vision by supporting and investing in local entrepreneurs and neighborhood-based economic development initiatives,” he said in a release.

The URA has been looking for potential tenants for the vacant storefront buildings in Centre-Heldman Plaza, along with the 20,000 square-foot building that once housed the Shop ‘n’ Save grocery store. When the URA purchased the property from the cash-strapped Hill House Association, it kept other private entities from coming in and redeveloping the large space into something that may not have a benefit to the Hill District residents.

“We are in the visionary stages for the whole plaza,” Walker told the

Courier. “The short-term strategy is to try to find the appropriate retail mix with the hope to get community-serving goods and services in the neighborhood, while supporting Black and Hill District-owned business and institutions in the space.”

“I am tremendously excited about the opening of CARES Café,” said Pittsburgh Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, in a statement. His City Council district includes the Hill.

“This is a great example of leveraging the public for community good.

I know The Center That CARES has poured their hearts into ensuring this new coffee shop is second to none. They are setting the stage for the type of business we want to see continue up Centre Avenue and to be part of Avenues of Hope across the city.”

REV. GLENN GRAYSON SR.,with URA Deputy Executive Director Diamonte Walker, left, Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, second from right, and City of Pittsburgh Chief Equity Officer Majestic Lane, right.

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PITTSBURGH MAYOR BILL PEDUTO JOINED IN ON THE FUN AT CARES COMMUNITEA CAFE...

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FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

HEALTH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Take Charge Of Your Health Today. Be Informed. Be Involved.

Heart Health In this month’s Take Charge of Your Health page, we are discussing cardiovascular disease and the health disparities that come along with it. We know that poor heart health can lead to a cardiovascular event like a heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, heart health can be affected by your cholesterol, heart rate, blood pressure and blood glucose level.

For years, cardiovascular disease has been the number one cause of death within the United States, but, as these unprecedented times continue to unravel, COVID-19 has taken that number one place. Both COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease are still growing issues in this country, and both continue to affect Black and Brown communities at higher rates than other populations.

Physician and researcher Dr. Utibe Essien has begun to dig deeper to find answers to some questions about cardiovascular disease and why it affects Black and Brown communities at a higher rate. When it

comes to high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, which are commonplace in the same underserved communities, it is extremely vital to know ways to prevent these health conditions with the limited resources that are available. Some great ways to improve your cardiac health are to understand your blood pressure numbers, learn CPR, watch your salt intake and stop smoking.

We cannot discuss health disparities without addressing the social determinants of health, and we cannot address social determinants without talking about systemic issues. Access to quality health care, education, transportation, safety and healthy foods make a world of difference in people’s health. It goes without saying that a lack of access leads to a decline in quality of health.

Though many in our community continue to be uninsured, there are far more who are underinsured or do not have a primary care physician. In Pittsburgh, food deserts also continue to be a concern. Food deserts occur in communities that lack easy access to or

ESTHER BUSH are completely cut off from grocery stores.

To shop for healthy food—that often cannot be found in their corner convenience stores—people who live in food deserts and who are without transportation often must ride multiple buses. In his research, Dr. Essien suggests that the community you call home could potentially be detrimental to

your health. His findings indicate that people who live in highly polluted areas develop atrial fibrillation over time. Also, Dr. Essien found that 25% of Black patients are less likely to receive oral medications for atrial fibrillation and 37% less likely to receive newer medications that may be easier to use. These are frightening statistics. These numbers would discourage anyone away who may be looking for a solution to their health issues. But advising people simply to seek medical advice may not be enough.

Real change in health care is needed.

We have a large gap to close when it comes to health disparities that disproportionally affect Black and Brown people. Dr. Essien is working, along with many other researchers and health care providers, toward solutions that will close that gap of inequity.

One thing remains—heart health is vital and should not be overlooked.

Take Charge of Your Health.

Esther L. Bush, President and CEO Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

Cardiovascular disease and health disparities In late 2020, COVID-19 surpassed cardiovascular disease as the number one cause of death in the United States (https://bit. ly/35BbNNT). However, cardiovascular disease held that top spot for the greater part of the last century. Despite COVID19’s rampage, cardiovascular disease remains an enormous health problem in the country. Of the millions of people suffering from this disease, a disproportionate number of them are Black and Brown people.

According to a 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, African Americans were 20% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Latino/Hispanic whites. Black and Brown people also have disproportionately high rates for the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease—high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. The inevitable question is why these health disparities exist.

Researchers like Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine (Division of General Internal Medicine), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, are searching for answers to that question.

He cites three categories that drive disparities in cardiovascular disease—at the patient level, provider level and system level.

At the patient level, it is not only what patients eat or how much they exercise. It involves social determinants of health, which include patients’ environments, access to healthy foods and health care, public safety and educational and job opportunities. It is also important to know that the cause of these disparities is not biological.

“Black bodies don’t have more hypertension because of something in their genes, in their chemistry or their DNA,” says Dr. Essien. “It is these social drivers and how racism plays a role in these health dispar-

UTIBE R. ESSIEN, MD, MPH ities.”

Another driver of disparities in cardiovascular disease is seen at the provider level. Researchers have found that people of different races and ethnicities do not get the same health care. Recently, Dr. Essien and colleagues reported in JAMA Cardiology the results of a study that found Black people with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) in the United States are less likely to receive medications that would help prevent stroke. Dr. Essien found that Black patients were 25% less likely to receive any oral anticoagulant drugs compared to white and Latino/Hispanic counterparts and 37% less likely to receive newer medications that are safer and easier to use. In addition, Dr. Essien says that data show Black patients are less likely to receive pain medication or be sent for cardiac catheterizations (a common test for

chest pain to determine whether there is a clot in the heart).

“What’s going on in those conversations in the exam room?” says Dr. Essien. “What are some of the biases doctors are bringing when they see patients? How do these biases influence or affect the way patients are treated? We’ve seen time and time again that Black patients in particular, and minority patients more broadly, receive a lower quality of care.”

Disparities in cardiovascular disease are also driven at the system level. Dr. Essien points out that, even with the Affordable Care Act, millions of people lack health insurance and that many of those are people of color.

“We tell people to talk to their doctors about symptoms they have, but what if people don’t have a regular doctor?” says Dr. Essien. “With cardiovascular disease, it’s

so important to get regular blood checks, to make sure you’re at a healthy weight and that your cholesterol levels are being screened. It’s critical to have regular access to a doctor, and that access comes with having health insurance. Health insurance, in this country, usually comes with having a job.”

Disparities are tied into other systemic issues—like where people live. Do people with cardiovascular disease live in a neighborhood with easy access to healthy food?

Do they feel safe enough to go outside and exercise on their streets? Are the sidewalks in good shape so that people can go for walks or runs? Dr. Essien and colleagues recently published a study on pollution and atrial fibrillation. They found that, depending on where people live in Pittsburgh, patients who reside in more highly polluted areas are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation over time. Understanding these systemic issues as drivers of disparities, alongside patient- and provider-level factors, is essential.

Dr. Essien says that people can work on their own, also, to avoid cardiovascular disease in general by eating as healthfully as they are able to, exercise as best they can and get enough rest. And, for the millions of people who do have health insurance, they can engage in the health care system.

“The health disparities Black people face aren’t new,” says Dr. Essien. “But, if we’ve seen anything in the past year, it’s that we can engage and use our voices to make change. The same way we were able to ramp up resources around COVID-19 is the same way we need to approach health disparities as a whole to create bigger and bolder solutions.”

5 steps to help stop the rise in deaths from heart attack and stroke (BPT) - At 42, ShantaQuilette Carter-Williams never saw herself as someone who had a heart problem. She was active, paid attention to what she ate and felt healthy.

But one day, while on her usual run, she felt her heart flutter and went to the doctor. Six years later, after several trips to the emergency room and misdiagnoses, she had a heart attack and a stroke. That’s when she learned she had cardiovascular disease, which can lead to both. She also was surprised to learn that it runs in her family her mother had suffered a heart attack at a young age and hadn’t told her about it.

Carter-Williams’ story is not uncommon.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death each year in the US, and it is on the rise. Black Americans are 30% more likely to die of this disease than others, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are many reasons for these higher rates, such as family history, implicit bias within the medical community and unequal access to health care.

“Cardiovascular disease is not usually discussed in Black culture,” says Carter-Williams, “but we need to talk about these real issues - it could potentially save lives.”

Today, Carter-Williams is an advocate for women, especially Black women like herself and her mother. Her goal is to help others take charge of their cardiovascular health, so they don’t have to go through what she did.

Now is the perfect time to start this important conversation - February is both American Heart Month and Black History

Month. There are en, to learn about changes you can their family health make to help in the history and disfight against this cuss it with their deadly disease. health care teams.

Carter-Williams 3) Find the right offers the following health care team tips: for you 1) Put your health Bias can exist in first the health care sysMaking your tem, even if it’s not health a priority intended. These bican go a long way ases can affect the to curb the risk way patients with of cardiovascular cardiovascular disease. This can disease and other include getting chronic conditions regular check-ups are understood and making lifeand treated. Carstyle changes like a ter-Williams now SHANTAQUILETTE CARTER-WILLIAMS heart-healthy diet, looks for doctors daily exercise and who “look like her.” reducing stress. For “I need someone example, Carter-Williams scaled back her who understands me culturally,” she says. hours at work and made time for healthier “To relate to my doctor in that way makes habits such as exercising more and spend- a difference.” It’s important that she trusts ing more quality time with her kids. A low- her health care team and feels comfortable er-stress lifestyle gives her more opportuni- talking with them. A good relationship with ties to teach her kids how to make healthy your doctor - with regular checkups and choices and reduce their risk of cardiovascu- conversations about cardiovascular disease lar disease.

- can help you manage your risks over the 2) Talk about your family history long-term.

Lasting change starts with education.

4) Take steps to know your cholesterol Black Americans have a disproportionate- numbers and manage them ly higher risk of cardiovascular disease, in The majority of deaths from cardiovascular part due to genetic factors. Carter-Williams disease are a result of atherosclerotic cardioencourages everyone, especially Black wom- vascular disease (ASCVD), which can cause

stroke, heart attack or even death. ASCVD is caused by high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood. But there are steps you can take to manage your bad cholesterol and lower your risk. Regular testing can help detect high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. Talk to your doctor about how often you need to have your cholesterol checked and what you can do to help lower high bad cholesterol and keep it low - including following a healthy diet and adding or adjusting medication, if needed.

5) Take the pledge There are many more steps you can take to contribute to a healthier future for yourself and others. A great place to start is by taking The Legacy We Lead pledge to help lead a legacy of fewer lives lost to cardiovascular disease and signing up to receive resources that will help you turn your pledge into action.

The Legacy We Lead is a national effort led

by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation dedicated to help stop the rise of cardiovascular-related deaths. With stories and inspiration from people like Carter-Williams, the program aims to inspire individuals to make a commitment to create a healthier future.

“My heart matters and so does yours,” says Carter-Williams. “The Legacy We Lead urges everyone to take care of their own heart health and to support others.”

Join the effort to create a healthier future and take the pledge at www.thelegacywelead.com.

Permission granted by ShantaQuilette Carter-Williams.

New Pittsburgh Courier

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

BARBARA GRIFFIN MAKES HISTORY Becomes first African American, first woman to become Chair of Pa. Lawyers Fund for Client Security Board

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Black History has been made once again.

Entering into the spotlight for such a distinction this time is attorney Barbara Griffin, a Washington, Pa., native and current Squirrel Hill resident who recently became the Chair of the Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security Board.

Griffin was appointed Chair on Jan. 19 by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

She’s the first woman and first African American to hold the position.

Griffin was originally nominated for a position on the board by Pa. Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd.

The Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security was established by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1982 to reimburse clients who had suffered a loss as a result of a misappropriation of funds by their Pa. attorney, the organization’s website said.

Examples of such instances include an attorney accepting a retainer from a client, then not doing any work or returning it, or an attorney representing a client, reaching a settlement, then keeping the money rather than giving it to the client.

In the organization’s mis-

sion statement, the Pa. Lawyers Fund for Client Security strives to “preserve the integrity and protect the good name of the legal profession, and to promote public confidence in the legal system and the administration of justice” in the state.

The organization’s board members total seven, all volunteers, comprised of five lawyers and two non-lawyers. Board members hold three-year terms and can serve for a maximum of six years. Griffin was named to the board in Feb. 2018, and now holds the title as Chair.

The Pa. Lawyers Fund for Client Security is funded by members of the Pa. Bar through an annual fee which each Pa. licensed lawyer must pay in order to keep their law license active, according to the organization’s website. Of the $225 annual fee each lawyer must pay, the Pa. Lawyers Fund for Client Security is allotted $60.

In a statement, Griffin said she is “honored to do this work on behalf of the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Lawyers Fund for Client Security is crucial part of our legal system that helps protect those who have been wronged by attorneys they trusted to represent them.”

Griffin’s other high-profile position is Director of the Al-

legheny County Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Center, where she creates, manages and supports programs that provide free legal services to individuals and families classified as low-income that are facing legal issues. Many of those legal issues threaten the person’s basic human needs.

Some of the organizations that the Pro Bono Center partners with include: Christian Legal Aid of Pittsburgh; Education Law Center; Neighborhood Legal Services; Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts); Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force; and “Save Your Home” Mortgage Foreclosure Conciliation Project.

“As Director of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Center since 2007, Barbara Griffin has established an impeccable reputation for integrity and public service,” Justice Todd said, in a statement to the Courier. “This is why I was happy to nominate her in 2018 for appointment to the Pennsylvania Lawyers’ Fund for Client Security Board. Based on her outstanding commitment and performance as a member and Vice Chair of that Board, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has now appointed her as the incoming Chair. I am confident

that this important board will accomplish great things under her stewardship.”

Although she began her career in private practice at both large and small law firms, Griffin has mostly been a public interest lawyer, according to a release from the Allegheny County Bar Association. Griffin served as an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Texas, where she provided general counsel to the agency and wrote advisory opinions on a wide range of issues. She worked for the Texas House of Representatives, writing reports and summaries of legislative developments on public policy issues for state legislators.

Griffin also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Eugene Strassburger in the Civil Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

In 2018, the accomplished Griffin was named the Tanya Niemen Pro Bono Professional of the Year by the National Association of Pro Bono Professionals.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc., named Griffin winner of the 2017 Excellence Award, which recognizes exceptional individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their efforts to expand access to justice for those who have

Barbara Grffin, Esq. nowhere else to turn for help when facing critical legal problems, the ACBA said.

Griffin is a member of the ACBA, Pa. Bar Association and Pa. Civil Legal Justice Coalition. She served on the 2011 PBA Task Force on the Interbranch Juvenile Justice.

Griffin earned her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1991, where was as an Executive Editor of the Texas Law Review. She

earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Griffin, who’s married with three children, currently is an Associate Professor at Duquesne University School of Law, teaching the Civil Rights Clinic. There, she works with students on cases involving employment discrimination, criminal records expungement and pardons.

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This Week In Black History A Courier Staple

FEBRUARY 10

1854—Educator Joseph Charles Price is born on this day in Elizabeth City, N.C. Largely unknown today, Price was a world-renowned scholar who founded North Carolina’s Livingstone University. He was also a powerful preacher and orator who raised funds to advance African American education throughout the nation. His basic educational theory was “educate the whole person”—hands, head and heart.

LEONTYNE PRICE

1927—Opera singer Leontyne Price is born Mary Violet Leontyne Price in Laurel, Miss. She first achieved international fame when she was selected to play “Bess” during the European tour of the George Gershwin Broadway production of “Porgy and Bess.” She became a sensation in Europe, signing contracts to sing in just about every European language.

She made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in 1961.

FEBRUARY 14

1760—The great religious leader Richard Allen is born in slavery in Philadelphia. After being required to sit in the back of a White church, Allen would go on to help found and become the first active bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Today, the church, one of the largest predominantly Black denominations in America, has more than 1 million members in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Africa. Allen died in 1831.

RICHARD ALLEN

1989—Ron Brown was elected chairman of the Democratic Party, becoming the first African American to head one of the two major political parties.

1992—Renowned author Alex Haley dies. He was also a biographer and scriptwriter. Haley is perhaps best known for the novel “Roots,” which became a major television series, and for the “Autobiography of Malcolm X.” Haley was born Aug. 11, 1921, in Ithaca, N.Y. 1992—Heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was convicted in Indianapolis of the rape of beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington.

FEBRUARY 11

1644—Eleven Blacks confront the ruling Council of New Netherlands (later New York) with a petition demanding their freedom. This was probably the first legal protest action by Blacks in American history. The petition is granted and the Blacks are freed because they had worked off the terms of their indentured servant contracts which were usually for seven years. But these Blacks had worked for up to 18 years.

Shortly after this victory, however, no more Blacks were allowed such contracts but were instead treated as slaves for life.

1990—Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is released from prison on Robben Island after 27 years. He had been jailed for his militant activities against the then Whiteruled South African government and its system of rule known as Apartheid. Mandela would go on to become the first Black and first democratically elected president of South Africa (1994-1999). He enabled a peaceful transition to Black majority rule. Mandela was one of the most respected and admired men in the world. In South Africa, he was known as “Madiba”—an honorary title given to elders in his tribe.

NELSON MANDELA

FEBRUARY 12

1793—Congress passes the first Fugitive Slave Law. The law made it easier for a slave owner to re-take control of a slave who had escaped to freedom. Blacks and their supporters were outraged because the 1793 law only required the “word” of a White man before a magistrate to declare any Black person a runaway slave and have him or her arrested and placed in bondage. Under the law, even Blacks who had earned their freedom or had never been slaves were placed in danger.

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON

TUSKEGEE SYPHILLIS EXPERIMENT

1930—The infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment is funded. More than 400 Black men from rural parts of Georgia and Alabama are lured into the program with the promise that they would be treated for syphilis. But the program was actually designed to study the effects of untreated syphilis on the body. Thus, the men were given fake anti-syphilis medicines as their diseases advanced. The unethical “experiment” went on for 40 years as most of the men gradually died. A reporter exposed the study in 1972.

Several government agencies, including the U.S. Public Health Service and Centers for Disease Control, were involved. On behalf of the nation, in 1997 President Bill Clinton apologized to Charlie Pollard and other surviving members of the racist experiment.

1867—One of the nation’s most distinguished institutions of higher learning, Morehouse College, was founded on this day in Augusta, Ga., as the Augusta Institute. It moved to Atlanta in 1879 and became the Atlanta Baptist Seminary. It became “Morehouse” in 1913. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. graduated from Morehouse.

1936—The National Negro Congress is organized on this day at a meeting in Chicago, Ill., attended by more than 800 delegates representing nearly 500 Black organizations. A. Phillip Randolph, head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, is elected president. One of the Congress’ chief aims was to generate national support for the “New Deal” legislation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Chicago Defender described the Congress as “the most ambitious effort for bringing together members of the Race on any single issue.” Up until this time, most Black voters were Republicans. But the National Negro Congress and Roosevelt’s social betterment programs led to a massive African American switch to the Democratic Party.

FEBRUARY 15

1804—The New Jersey legislature passes a law leading to the gradual elimination of slavery in the state. However, the process was so gradual that there were still slaves in New Jersey right up to the start of the Civil War in 1860.

SHADRACH MINKINS

1851—In an extraordinary bold move for the times, a group of Black and White abolitionists invade a Boston courtroom and forcibly free a fugitive slave before he could be sent back to the South. Shadrach Minkins was hidden from slave-catchers and he later fled to Canada.

1961—A group of U.S. Blacks and African nationalists disrupt a session of the United Nations to protest the slaying of Patrice Lumumba in the Congo. Lumumba was one of Africa’s bright and shining stars. But his nationalism and socialism frightened some Western nations. It is widely believed that Belgium intelligence and America’s CIA arranged the killing of Lumumba.

1900—Legendary poet James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) writes the lyrics to the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as part of a birthday tribute to Abraham Lincoln. In time, the song would become the Black National Anthem.

1909—The NAACP is formally founded by a group of 60 progressive Blacks and Whites in New York City. The organization, originally called the National Negro Committee, was the outgrowth of the Niagara Movement, which met in Niagara, N.Y., in 1905. The NAACP would go on to become, and remains, the nation’s largest civil rights organization.

1817—This is the most likely birthdate of abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass. Douglass purchased his freedom in 1845 and went on to become the most influential Black leader of his day. He did most of his work while living in Rochester, N.Y. But after the Civil War, he moved to Washington, D.C.

NAT KING COLE

1965—Great singer and Jazz pianist Nat King Cole dies of lung cancer in Santa Monica, Calif. He was only 45. Cole was the first Black entertainer with his own radio program and later he became the first with a nationally televised TV variety show.

FEBRUARY 16

BESSIE SMITH

1923—The “Empress of the Blues” Bessie Smith makes her first recording—“Downhearted Blues”—which immediately sells more than 800,000 copies for Columbia Records and more than 2 million copies by the end of the year. Those were astounding numbers for those days.

The Chattanooga, Tenn., born Smith used her sweeping and powerful voice to sing songs of Black culture and real life such as “Nobody Knows You When You Are Down And Out,” “St. Louis Blues,” “Give Me A Pig Foot And A Bottle Of Beer” and the controversial “Give Me A Reefer And A Gang Of Gin.” She died in an automobile accident in 1937 in Clarksdale, Miss. Early reports that her death was caused by Mississippi medical personnel who refused to treat her because she was Black have never been verified.

FEBRUARY 13

1635—The nation’s first public school is established in Boston, Mass. It was called the Boston Latin School. Blacks could not attend.

WENDELL P. DABNEY

1907—Wendell P. Dabney establishes the groundbreaking Black newspaper known as The Union, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The paper’s motto was “For no people can become great without being united, for in union there is strength.”

What was the big fuss surrounding GameStop?

Read about it from the Courier’s expert on finance, Damon Carr, on page B1.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Turn to 1622 on your Comcast Xfinity cable to see ‘Black Experience’ A first-of-its-kind destination of Black entertainment, movies, TV shows, etc.

From movies such as “12 Years A Slave,” to learning about heroes in the fight for civil rights, the New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Comcast has placed it all in one place —“Black Experience on Xfinity.” It can be found by punching up 1622 on your Comcast Xfinity remote, or by saying “Black Experience” into the Voice Remote.

Curated by industry leaders, Black Experience will feature high-quality content from many of Xfinity’s existing network partners, at no additional cost, while investing millions of dollars in fostering and showcasing emerging Black content creators, according to a release obtained by the Courier. The channel is the only one of its kind endorsed by African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), the world’s largest group of Black film critics that gives annual awards for excellence in film and television.

Black Experience on Xfinity offers one-stop access to a collection of content that showcase the breadth of Black culture. Available at home on Xfinity X1 and Flex, and on-the-go with the Xfinity Stream app, the Black Experience on Xfinity will entertain, educate, and uplift, featuring Black actors, writers, producers, and directors. At home, Xfinity subscribers can visit channel 1622 or simply say “Black Experience” into the Voice Remote to instantly enjoy the ulti-

mate in Black storytelling.

“The launch of Black Experience on Xfinity is a major investment in the Black creative communi-

additional Xfinity customers. The Black Experience Channel on Xfinity will allow us to further highlight our fantastic content part-

“We are so excited for this opportunity to work with Comcast to further promote diverse content to both audiences who crave

Comcast resonates so. It truly allows AAFCA to do what we do best, but on a much grander scale,” said AAFCA President/CEO Gil

CHIWETEL EJIOFOR, from the movie, “12 Years A Slave,” one of the many offerings on Comcast’s new “Black Experience,” channel 1622. ty and one of the many ways we are leveraging the scale and reach of our platforms to amplify voices that need to be heard,” said Keesha Boyd, Executive Director, Multicultural Video & Entertainment, Xfinity Consumer Services, in the release. “In the six months leading up to this launch, we have expanded our offering of Black programming to millions of

ners, while also premiering original programming from emerging Black content creators and Blackowned production companies.”

Comcast is currently featuring curated selections, including films and TV shows that have been honored by AAFCA via its Film and TV Awards Programs, known as the AAFCA Collection.

it and those who may be completely unaware of it. As the largest organization of Black film critics in the world, we are in a very unique position to work with Comcast in their creation of this viewing platform. Unlike many other organizations, advocacy and community engagement is at the core of what AAFCA does so that’s why this relationship with

Robertson, in the release.

“In addition to presenting classic, overlooked or forgotten titles, we are super eager to endorse Comcast’s giving emerging voices and NextGen content creators a boost by spotlighting their work via our AAFCA Collection on Xfinity. Because Comcast is so multifaceted in its capabilities, there are truly no limits to the content audiences will

find in the AAFCA Collection or on the Black Experience on Xfinity at large.”

Black Experience will uniquely blend programming from across the Xfinity content catalog, spanning networks, free and ad-supported video streaming services, streaming music providers and more.

At launch, viewers will be able to choose from a selection of sample content from existing partners like TVOne, Cleo, AspireTV, REVOLT, Afro, KweliTV, The Africa Channel, BET, BET Her, Impact, Up Faith & Family and OWN, along with numerous critically acclaimed iconic classic titles such as: “Pursuit of Happyness,” “Jumping the Broom,” “Poetic Justice,” “Two Can Play that Game,” “Death at a Funeral”, “Guess Who,” “Blue Streak,” “Lakeview Terrace” and many more.

Viewers can watch these movies and more now on Xfinity. Going forward, Xfinity subscribers will have access to all-new, premiere content by new and up-and-coming Black content creators, available only to Xfinity customers included with their service.

“From music and sports, to politics and social impact—the future is being actively designed by Black creators. We are excited to take part in the launch of Black Experience on Xfinity, a platform that will give the world a better understanding of the collective Black perspective,” added Detavio Samuels, COO at REVOLT Media & TV, in the release.

Xfinity delivers the best entertainment to customers, including thousands of hours of diverse programming from more than 100 networks and streaming services, via its X1 and Flex devices. X1 provides the most comprehensive library of entertainment on one platform—aggregating live TV, On Demand, and popular streaming apps from a growing collection of networks and streaming services. Xfinity Flex is a 4K streaming device included with Xfinity Internet that extends the best features of X1 to customers who prefer only a broadband experience, giving them one integrated guide to access all of their favorite streaming video and music apps, as well as a TV interface to manage their Xfinity WiFi, mobile, security and automation services—all of which is controllable with the award-winning Xfinity voice remote.

“At AspireTV, we are proud to be a network that authentically celebrates Black culture through lifestyle programming,” said Melissa Ingram, Senior Vice President, Multicultural Networks and Strategy, UP Entertainment, in the release. “Since AspireTV’s launch, we have used our platform to highlight up-and-coming Black voices in the community and are thrilled to further amplify those efforts through the Black Experience on Xfinity.”

“Each year, Comcast Xfinity celebrates and recognizes Black History Month through the introduction of new campaigns focused on Black content and showcasing authentic Black culture,” added Boyd. “Black Experience on Xfinity and its content will align with Xfinity’s goals of paying homage to Black history and the community, amplifying Black voices and stories, and creating opportunities that empower the next generation of Black storytellers.”

Visit www.xfinity.com/ blackexperience to learn more about the Black Experience on Xfinity.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

New Pittsburgh Courier

Defunding public schools to ‘Save American History?’

J. Pharoah Doss B4

BUSINESS

Classifieds

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B5

FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

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Evan Frazier named The Advanced Leadership Institute President & CEO The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Evan Frazier, founding director of The Advanced Leadership Initiative (TALI), is taking on a new role as president and CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute, Inc., on March 8. Frazier will be leaving his current role as senior vice president of Community Affairs at Highmark Health in early March. This transition follows the receipt of a Richard King Mellon Foundation grant in December 2020 to support TALI’s expansion into an institute.

It was Frazier’s early vision as founding

director, along with guidance from TALI’s Executive Committee that launched The Advanced Leadership Initiative in 2018. During that time, TALI partnered with Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business to develop its signature program, the Executive Leadership Academy. The Advanced Leadership Institute will continue the initial efforts of the initiative and plans to announce its expanded strategic direction this summer. Over the next few months, Frazier will be focused on building the TALI team, now that it is

known as an “institute.” He will secure additional resources and develop a portfolio of opportunities to impact a larger pool of African American leaders.

“It has always been our plan to make TALI a self-sustaining institute. Now is the time to make that happen. I am excited about taking on this challenge, and I’m making a full commitment to doing what is needed to build the infrastructure to EVAN FRAZIER

SEE FRAZIER B2

Michael C. Hyter appointed President and CEO of The Executive Leadership Council WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) today announced the appointment of Michael C. Hyter as the organization’s President and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1, 2021.

The ELC is the preeminent global membership organization for Black current and former CEOs, senior executives, and board members of Fortune 1000 and equivalent companies, top-tier entrepreneurs, and global thought leaders.

At this pivotal time in society, as corporations transform their governance and leadership strategies to address longstanding structural gaps in racial and gender equity and opportunity, Mr. Hyter assumes leadership of the 35-year-old organization whose mission encompasses increasing the number of Black corporate CEOs, C-Suite executives, and board members, and building the pipeline of the next generation of Black corporate leaders.

“On behalf of our more than 800 members around the world, I am very pleased to welcome Michael Hyter as President & CEO,” said ELC Board Chair, Lloyd W. Brown II, Corporate Community Reinvestment Act Officer for

Citigroup. “Mike’s demonstrated track record of advocating for Black Excellence in Corporate America and innovating measurable D&I strategies to improve

Black investors take note: Reddit rebellion rescues GameStop stock MICHAEL C. HYTER corporate governance and performance is inspiring.”

Mr. Hyter joins The ELC from Korn Ferry, where he most recently served as Chief Diversity Officer of the global organizational consulting firm and previously served as the Managing Partner of the firm’s Washington, DC office. A recognized thought leader on diversity and inclusion-driven corporate growth strategies, for more than 25 years he has served as a trusted counselor and SEE HYTER B2

by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—The story of 10-yearold Jaydyn Carr and his mother, Nina Carr, is just one example of the impact of Wall Street’s ongoing GameStop rally.

Their financial windfall came about as a result of a trading frenzy that was never witnessed before– and one that found even some of the most astute stock market experts struggling to explain.

A band of amateur day traders that interacts with one another on the Reddit page WallStreetBets, encouraged whoever was listening to buy shares of the flailing GameStop, AMC, Macy’s and Koss stocks. The goal: counter the influence of the big investors, often hedge funds, who bet against struggling public com-

panies using a process referred to as “shorting.” Shorting a stock allows investors to bet on the degree of misfortune a stock may experience and earn billions of dollars in profits as a result.

In just one day, WallStreetBets’ actions (also known as the Reddit mob or the Reddit Army) resulted in hedge fund losses of over $14 billion. And, despite recent declines, GameStop shares continue to show gains of more than 1,584 percent.

The stock now trades at about $150.

A year ago, it was just $4.

AMC’s stock is up 200 percent and Koss is up by more than 400 percent. WallStreetBets actions have also incited jumps in BlackBerry, Macy’s and other stocks that were heavily shorted.

As a community, African Americans and other minorities have gen-

erally shown little interest in stock trading beyond mutual funds and 401Ks established by employers, but the exposure of how Wall Street works has intrigued many.

Jaydyn had been a GameStop customer when, in 2019, his mother decided to purchase 10 shares of the company’s stock for a little over $6.

Nina Carr told the New York Times that her phone blew up during the recent trading frenzy, and she noticed the stock soaring to an eye-popping $351 per share. She consulted Jaydyn on what he wanted to do since she had purchased the stock for him.

“I was trying to explain to him that this was unusual,” the Times reported her saying. “I asked him, ‘Do you want to stay or sell?’”

SEE BLACK INVESTORS B2

What was the big fuss surrounding GameStop?

I’m a little late in covering this topic, as I was late in purchasing shares in GameStop.

Actually, I wasn’t late on purchasing GameStop; I never bothered to purchase any of the stocks. What a miss! Or was it?

Once GameStop became the leading news story on all major networks and publications, my wife asked me, “Are you upset we never purchased any stocks in GameStop?”

I replied, I honestly never even thought about it. Neither the thought of purchasing GameStop stocks nor the regret of missing out on the potential windfall that could have been made from GameStop ever crossed my mind. Here’s why. Unless you dedicate serious man-hours to researching and tracking companies and their respective stocks on a daily basis, NO ONE really knew what was going on with GameStop until it became major news. Once it becomes major news —there’s a high probability, it’s at its peaking point. Even professionals who track companies and their respective stocks daily such as the hedge fund managers don’t get it right 100 percent of the time. Otherwise, they would’ve never “shorted” the stock thinking it would continue to decrease in value.

Now the question becomes, will those who caught the wave get out in time to realize their gains? Or will they maintain what is known as “Diamond Hands” and ride it out until it starts dropping and then completely crash? Those who were late to the party; are they going to purchase stocks when it’s near its peak? If so, at what point will they seek to exit the frenzy? Sounds a lot like “market timing.” I personally believe that “time in the market” is a more predictable, more stable investment strategy than timing the market.

Over the past several weeks, we observed GameStop stock soar 1,800 percent going from $17 per share to as high as $483 per year. That’s insane! Let me put this in plain

dollar language for you. If you owned 1,000 shares of GameStop stocks when it was trading at $17 per year, its total value was $17,000. $17 per share times 1,000 shares = $17,000. If you held on to the stock when it was trading for $483 per share, its total value would have been $483,000. $483 per share times 1,000 shares = $483,000!

That’s a $466,000 increase in value taking you from small change to a half-millionaire —on paper. If you didn’t sell and realize your gains hoping stock prices would soar even more, you may be upset. As I write this article, GameStop stock is currently trading at $62 per share. So that same 1,000 shares of stock is currently worth $62,000, more than the $17,000 initial value, but a far cry from the $483,000 at its peak.

What happened?

What’s all the fuss surrounding GameStop?

How did it become newsworthy?

GameStop, a gaming company that sells video games, gaming accessories and gaming systems, has been losing market share over the past several years. I have two sons. One has a PlayStation. The other has an Xbox.

They play video games every day. Interesting enough, I haven’t bought a video game from a retail store in over five years. In this digital-age environment, my sons download all of their video games. Practically all families are doing the same thing. Combine this with COVID. Nobody is going to the mall.

End result, the GameStop business model has become obsolete. They’re losing money year after year. In 2019, GameStop reported losses of $800 million. In 2020, GameStop reported losses of $500 million.

Hedge fund managers who are profes-

sional investment managers manage large investment portfolios with sophisticated investment strategies. Many of these hedge fund managers have been eyeballing stocks such as GameStop, BlackBerry, and AMC Entertainment. They believe that these stocks were overvalued. They’re betting that these stocks are going to continue to decrease in value. So they “shorted” GameStop stocks...meaning they borrowed stocks and sold them for say $17 per share. They planned on purchasing the stocks back after they dropped by a specific dollar amount per share in an effort to earn a profit.

Let’s say, they planned on purchasing stocks once it dropped to $10 per share. The difference in price per share when they borrowed the stock versus price per share when they purchased the stock is their profit—minus fees and expenses.

Let’s assume one hedge fund manager borrowed and sold 100,000 shares of GameStop at $17 per share. Let’s further assume the value of the shares dropped to $10 per share. They purchased 100,000 shares to pay back the borrowed stock. $17 per share times 100,000 shares = $1.7 million (shorted or borrowed stock) $10 per share times 100,000 shares = $1 million (purchased stock). In this example, hedge fund managers would have profited $700,000.

Only problem, the price per share didn’t go down. Price per share went up. Way up—to the tune of $483 per share, creating a short squeeze! Using the same example, in order to pay back the 100,000 shares of stock they borrowed at $17 per share for a total of $1.7 million, they would have to purchase those stocks at $483 per share for a total cost of

$48.3 million. Imaging borrowing $1.7 million but owing the investment firm $48.3 million. Ouch! Worse! Hedge fund managers’ potential loss was in the billions!

What created this frenzy? A group of layman investors on Reddit’s WallStreetBets chat room forum. Before the frenzy, there were 3.2 million members in this chat room.

It’s now over 8 million members and growing. Somehow, someway, members within this group figured out that the GameStop stocks were being shorted. They rallied together to purchase shares of GameStop stock, which created demand in the stock, causing the price to surge big time!

It was a crazy ride. In the end, the Wall Street pundits are very well connected.

The funds they manage represent pension funds, endowment funds and insurance funds, etc. When hedge fund managers lose money, it’s really the big institutional investors that lose money. Phone calls were made. The media caught wind of it. SEC regulation required Robinhood to increase their liquidity position. Long story short, we witnessed GameStop’s stock price drop 70 percent in 90 minutes allowing many of the hedge fund managers to right their position and ease their losses.

I read a few stories of everyday people who got out in a nick of time to reap huge gains.

However, I’m reading countless stories of people who didn’t time the market properly and watched their statement go from upwards of $1 million to $30,000. Then there’s one story that caught my attention. New York-based hedge fund manager Senvest Management. They never shorted GameStop. In fact, they got on board with the layman investors and rode the mania , making $700 million in the process.

(Damon Carr, Money Coach can be reached @ 412216-1013 or visit his website @ www.damonmoneycoach.com)

BUSINESS

B2 FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

Frazier named President & CEO FRAZIER FROM B1

create more sustainable opportunities for existing and emerging African American leaders in Pittsburgh and beyond,” Frazier said in a statement provided to the Courier.

“Along with other founding member organizations, Highmark Health has supported Evan’s vision for TALI from the very beginning, and I see this as the next natural evolution of the initiative. Evan has experienced the executive ranks firsthand and is passionately committed to advancing diversity and inclusion at every leadership level,” said David Holmberg, president and CEO of Highmark Health, in a statement.

“The pace at which The Advanced Leadership Initiative has grown is a testament to Evan’s vision, drive, and ability to pull together community partners and business leaders to be engaged as advisory board members and mentors that brought added value to the Initiative. We are fortunate to have Evan at the helm of The Advanced Leadership Institute in providing strategic direction, building partnerships and initiating new programs. His guiding force in the early years of TALI has set the stage for continued success in paving the way for African American leaders,” said Greg Spencer, Founding Board Co-Chair of The Advanced Leadership Initiative and president and CEO of Randall Industries, in a statement.

“Given the focus that both Pittsburgh and the nation have on the identification and development of diverse executives for C-Suite positions, TALI is well positioned to support this increasingly important and strategic outcome. The announcement of Evan as President and CEO confirms a path for growth and an ability to create more significant impact based on best practices learned over the past three years,” said Marsha Jones, Advisory Board Co-Chair and Executive Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at PNC, in a statement.

“I am honored to be a part of such an important and dynamic undertaking—the creation of The Advanced Leadership Institute. Evan’s appointment to this position, and his plans for growth, will support corporations, helping them succeed in their diversity and inclusion initiatives. TALI will become an even greater resource for the community. The future of TALI is in good hands, and we look forward to greater accomplishments under Evan’s capable leadership,” said Jerry MacCleary, Advisory Board Co-Chair and retired chairman, president and CEO of Covestro, in a statement.

Frazier has served as senior vice president of Community Affairs at Highmark Health since 2010. Prior to joining Highmark, Fra-

zier served as president and CEO of the Hill House Association for six years and has held numerous professional roles over the years. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University’s H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management.

In March 2017, he completed the Wharton Executive Development Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Over the years he also earned executive development certificates from Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management and the Program on Negotiations at Harvard Law School.

Frazier has been very active in the community, having served on more than 30 civic boards and commissions in his professional career. Frazier has received numerous national and local awards including being named a national “Luce Scholar,” which allowed him to live and work in Asia for a year. In 1989, Frazier co-founded the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) and currently serves as chair of the NSMH Legacy Fund. He was also recognized by Savoy magazine as one of 2020’s Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America.

The purpose of The Advanced Leadership Initiative is to advance African American executive leaders in the Pittsburgh region.

The mission of The Advanced Leadership Institute will be to cultivate African American executive leadership to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities across America.

Its primary focus will be to educate, develop, connect, and position African American leaders for executive advancement. TALI’s Executive Leadership Academy, in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, will be strengthened and continue to serve as a signature program and demonstration model to drive change in the region.

The Advanced Leadership Initiative has received support from major corporations and foundations in the Pittsburgh region, including Lead Contributors: BNY Mellon Foundation of SWPA, The Heinz Endowments, Hillman Family Foundations, and The Richard King Mellon Foundation. Current Presenting Sponsors: Highmark Health, PNC, and UPMC. Contributors: Buhl Foundation and The Pittsburgh Foundation. Gold Sponsors: Bank of America, BNY Mellon, Covestro, Dollar Bank, FHL Bank Pittsburgh, Gateway Health, Giant Eagle, Giant Eagle Foundation, Koppers, and PPG. Silver Sponsors: Ernst & Young (EY) and Wabtec. POISE Foundation has served as fiscal sponsor for TALI since its inception.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Don’t just know your worth...

The average net worth for millennials is less than $11,000. While that is not necessarily a small number, it pales in comparison to the figures needed to achieve most long-term financial goals. While we might think the path towards these goals is to make more money, the real solution is building wealth. The two might seem the same, but they are very different. When you’re rich, you work for and/or have a lot of money. But when you’re wealthy, your money and your assets work for you. This is a great position to strive for, as it gives you leverage and options when purchasing a home or trying to fund a new venture. A little preparation goes a long way to creating a better future. How can you prepare? These three wealth-building principles are a great start.

Managing Liabilities We all have liabilities, or bills. But we have a lot more power over controlling these liabilities than we think. Are you really using that Disney Plus subscription? $6.99/ month might not seem like a lot, but that’s roughly $84 dollars per year, and there have been plenty of success stories of people flipping $84 into $8400. You don’t need to cancel all subscriptions, but you should incorporate these words into how you approach spending: honesty, thoughtfulness, and moderation. It is possible to balance the occasional splurge or paying a premium for an exclusive gym membership with cutting back on things you don’t even use or there is a cheaper alternative. And after covering essentials, the attention should turn to balancing immediate wants with future wants.

Managing Debt

CREATE IT!

How many consumer credit cards do you have? Do you know the interest rate for each one? As well as your outstanding balances? How much student loan debt do you have? What’s the interest rate? Would it be beneficial for you to refinance your home? These are the kinds of questions you must know the answer to if you are going to manage your debt properly.

Debt is a kind of liability.

Whenever you take on debt, there are usually options for repayment and interest terms for you to choose from. What might seem like minor details could mean a difference of several thousands of dollars, so make sure to shop around for the best deal available, and know the implications of the terms you are choosing. If you don’t know what certain terms mean or how they could impact you, don’t rush into a decision.

None of this to say that all debt is bad debt. In fact, there is such a thing as good debt that you take on to finance the purchase of assets that could add value over time, such as starting a business, buying a home, or getting an

education. But bad debt, with very high interest rates and obtained for something that adds no value over time, is something you should avoid taking on whenever possible, as it is counterproductive to our goal of building wealth.

Financial advisors, like Greenpath can give you relevant, accurate information on your financial situation and help manage your debts and liabilities to improve your financial health for the longhaul.

As a trusted national nonprofit, many people have been able to understand their options in handling debt with GreenPath’s debt management program.

Managing Assets There’s no way to talk about building financial wealth without discussing investment and investment strategies.

It’s critical to pay close attention to how the value of each type of asset you own or want to obtain changes over time, as fluctuations or market forces may drive your decision to buy, sell, or liquidate (turn into cash) an asset.

This doesn’t mean all of your

money has to go into savings bonds and the S&P 500. In fact, diversifying your assets offers a way to spread out risk and reap potential rewards from other asset types that might be doing better than others.

Certain kinds of jewelry, such as watches or gold, might offer a way to treat yourself now while also investing for the future. Cryptocurrency and the Foreign exchange markets are the hottest investment strategies around right now for millennials.

Focus on accumulating legal, proven, lucrative assets that build value over time. Be sure to know your exact reason for the investment. Acting merely on a “feeling” could lead to a pretty costly investment.

These three principles, managing liabilities, debt and assets are universal tenets that will help jumpstart a financial future that has many options, a lot of great assets, and even a little debt.

Contact a GreenPath Financial Wellness expert today to map your path to financial prosperity. https://www.greenpath.com/contact-us/

Black investors take note!

BLACK INVESTORS FROM B1

Jaydyn decided to sell his shares, earning $3,200—a return of more than 5,000 percent on an investment of about $60.

The development left the most seasoned puzzled. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen admitted that she needed to understand what occurred.

As WallStreetBets group of investors purchased stock, hedge fund short sellers, who were already committed to the loans they secured to obtain their shares, had to buy additional shares to cover their now losing bids, which only caused the stock prices to rise further. The trading term to explain what happened is called a short squeeze.

But before the squeeze by the amateur traders, hedge fund giants routinely executed short sales.

A short sale is when someone borrows a share of a stock at a certain.

The borrower has a limited number of days to either pay for the stock or return the shares to the lender.

But they have already received an amount equal to the lender’s sell price from whoever purchased the stock from them. Now, if the stock’s price falls (which is what the borrower is counting on), the borrower can then buy the stock at the lower price and keep the difference.

In other words, as explained by CNBC, if you short a $7 stock and it

slides in price, and you buy it at $2, your profit is $5.

“However, if the price goes up, at some point, you still will need to finish the transaction—that is, you’d have to buy that stock to repay the brokerage. So, if that $7 stock rises, and you have to buy it at $10 to cover your short position, you’ve lost $3.”

The GameStop situation has opened eyes—including those of many Black investors.

“What this means for the African American investor is that it shows the power of unity and a united front,” Christon’ The Truth’ Jones, the 14-year-old African American wunderkind investor from Baltimore.

“Showing that it is possible to take back the power from the institutional investors, like the big banks and hedge funds. Because for years, the Wall Street investors have bet against the struggling GameStop, which has been a failing business ever since gamers began buying directly from the consoles,” Christon added.

“With the big Institutional investors on Wall Street betting against GameStop they were sure the game retailer would fail, and they would receive big payouts from betting against the retailer. All in all, it represents our ability to come together as a people and use our numbers, resources, and intellect to our advantage to break down the systems that

have been put in place to oppress us.”

Film producer Jimmy Philémond-Montout of PHILEMOND LTD said the Reddit investors democratized Wall Street and Hedge Funds’ opaque world.

“What it means is that more African American investors will appear, thanks to the slew of information that is readily available online, not just the run-of-the-mill, textbook information but the gritty and dirty,” Philémond-Montout offered.

“We see this in many different avenues, and to me, that is the beauty of online message boards and the internet in general. Thorvald McGregor or Lawrence Lewis are credited with being the first registered African American securities salesmen in 1949.

“Harvey Thomas, Forrest Tomlinson, and George King were the first three African American brokers to be hired by Merrill Lynch in 1965. Travers Bell and Willie Daniels established Daniels & Bell, Inc. in 1971, making it the first African American firm on the New York Stock Exchange.

“Now, thanks to Robinhood, Etoro, and TD, among others, everyone can be an investor. We have to read and learn to understand how it works fully, the good and the bad stuff, but we have access to the market. I think wild times are ahead in general, and that the Afro-descendant community has to take part in this.”

Hyter appointed President & CEO HYTER FROM B1

advisor to Fortune 1000 companies across multiple industries and their boards. Mr. Hyter’s most recent publication is The Power of Choice: Embracing Efficacy to Drive Your Career. He is also co-author of The Power of Inclusion: Unlock the Potential and Productivity of Your Workforce, published by Wiley.

He has published extensive articles in publications, including the Handbook of Business Strategy, Director’s Monthly, Profiles in Diversity Journal, and Inc. “As an advisor to corporations, boards, and CEOs, I have seen firsthand The ELC’s positive impact on Black executives, the Black talent pipeline, and the communities we serve,” said Mr. Hyter.

“It is an honor to begin my leadership tenure as The ELC turns 35, at a time when our purpose and impact have never been more relevant and urgent.”

Mr. Hyter was selected following a comprehensive search process during which the committee of ELC members, led by Laysha Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief External Engagement Officer for Target, and represent-

ing a diverse cross section of industries, defined the skills, competencies and experience required. Mr. Hyter is a corporate director of Dine Brands Global Inc. (NYSE:DIN), and serves on its Audit Committee. He was recognized

by Savoy Magazine in 2016 and 2018 as one of the most influential Blacks in Corporate America. He was inducted as a member of The ELC in 1994.

“The ELC’s mission is as relevant today as it was when the organization was founded nearly 35 years ago. 2020 proved this, as companies were confronted with the hard realities of racial and social unrest. Having worked with Michael Hyter for several years, I know he will elevate the impact and value of The ELC,” said Marvin Ellison, President and CEO of Lowe’s. “Mike’s technical expertise and insights provide CEOs with actionable ideas to advance diversity and inclusion, professional development, and innovation.”

“Michael Hyter is a steadfast advocate for inclusive and innovative strategic thinking, and he is ideally qualified to lead The ELC,” said Frank Bisignano, President and CEO at Fiserv, a leading global provider of payments and finan-

cial services technology. “Mike is a seasoned executive with a demonstrated track record of counseling companies and shaping environments that drive diversity, inclusion, and growth.”

Mr. Hyter succeeds Crystal E. Ashby, who served as Interim President & CEO for the past 14 months. Ms. Ashby most recently served as The ELC’s Vice Chair and stepped down from its Board to serve as Interim President and CEO in order to assist the organization at a critical time. She is an Independent Director on the Board of Texas Reliability Entity, Inc. (Texas RE), and an NACD Fellow. Ms. Ashby serves on the University of Michigan College of Engineering Dean’s Leadership Advisory Board.

“The ELC extends our immeasurable appreciation and gratitude to Crystal for her commitment to our organization during a critical time of transition,” said Mr. Brown. “Crystal’s intellect and integrity were instrumental as we navigated the global pandemic and civil unrest of 2020. The entire ELC community proudly stands with Crystal and supports her in her external board work and leadership endeavors.”

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

B3

My friend, Cicely Tyson

Guest Editorial

Fully prosecute insurrectionists A Pennsylvania woman facing charges that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the attack on the U.S. Capitol has already been released from jail.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Carlson directed that Riley June Williams be released into the custody of her mother, with travel restrictions.

“The gravity of these offenses is great,” Carlson told Williams. “It cannot be overstated.”

Williams, 22, of Harrisburg, is accused of theft, obstruction and trespassing, as well as violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

But if the “offense is great’ as the federal judge noted, why has Williams been released from jail? tic partner of Williams tipped them off that she appeared in video from the Jan. 6 riot and the tipster claimed she had hoped to sell the computer to Russian intelligence.

Video from the riot shows a woman matching Williams’ description repeatedly encouraging invaders to go upstairs during the atPresident Joe Biden’s electoral victory.

Williams surrendered to face charges. She will be on electronic monitoring to await trial.

In adding the theft-related charges, a Virginia-based FBI agent said Williams was recorded on closed-circuit cameras in the Capitol eo that was likely shot by Williams shows a man’s gloved hand lifting an HP laptop from a table, and the caption read, “they got the laptop.”

The current location of the computer has not been disclosed in court documents.

Williams was among the mob that stormed the Capitol building on Jan. 6 in a violent insurrection aimed at overturning the results of the presidential election. Five people, inmore were injured.

There are concerns that law enforcement will be lenient toward the mostly White rioters.

Williams was released to the custody of her mother, pending trial. Eric Munchel, who allegedly showed up to the Capitol with plastic handcuffs ready to take Congress members hostage, was released on bond. But Emanuel Jackson, who breached the Capitol, will be held in prison until trial. Williams and Munchel are White. Jackson is Black.

The question is whether Williams and other insurrectionists will be held accountable for their actions or treated with leniency without any real punishment. To prevent a similar mob attack on the democratic process from ever happening again, law enforcement should prosecute the insurrectionists to the fullest extent of the law.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

Founded 1910

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

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

(TriceEdneyWirecom)—I often write when I’m in pain. The night Cicely Tyson left us was such a night. Since I’m remodeling my home, I had just discussed putting a television in “her room.” I call it her room, but she could sleep where she chose. She had the Delta Room on the top floor, the twin bed in the second-floor Library Room, and the big round chair on the Ground Level.

She often walked to the first floor, stopped, and went to sleep.

She was an early riser and whenever I woke up, she was preparing breakfast. She loved my kitchen. She liked cooking and I rarely cooked!

I don’t know why she left us so soon. Several months ago, she attended the funeral of a mutual friend’s mother. After taking an early train from NY, she was so tired that, when we got to the church, I had to prop her up during the service. She was the picture of health and told me she was sleeping “under the mattress” to stay away from COVID 19! She let me persuade her to prepare her Will when no one else could. When she traveled, she would call and ask me to make changes— just in case!

We frequently collaborated on her speeches while travelling to where she was to speak. She needed little notice to know what she was going to say, but she often wanted me to put it together for her. Her favorite

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary topic was “Keep Your Hand on the Plow.” She was a stickler for grammar, but that never bothered me.

She had once been a secretary and I had been an English teacher. We worked together fine.

We shopped for healthy food. She loved going to Target. She assumed she wouldn’t be recognized and could shop undisturbed. She bought things like paper clips, staples, tablets, pretty writing paper—you know, just like we ordinary people do!

During her last visit, she had just made the cover of Time Magazine and, as expected, received numerous congratulatory calls from other celebrities. Viola Davis, Tyler Perry, and Ava DuVernay called to congratulate her. Since she called many of them from my phone, I had a chance to answer when they called back!

The Time cover was not her only cover, she made many others, including Vogue. She made Vanity Fair sitting in her late Mother’s church.

Shortly before she left us, she did

an interview with Bon Appetit Magazine. She was asked about hosting a special dinner and who would be invited. I was on her list! Each guest was to be asked to tell her a fact no one else knew. I can’t imagine how I would have responded because we had already talked about everything!

When President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, she camped out at my place, along with her hairdresser, make-up artist, dress designer and others she needed for her big day. As I walked downstairs in my red dress she exclaimed, “You can’t wear that!”

I didn’t know she planned to wear red, so I yielded and put on blue!

Diana Ross, Bill and Melinda Gates, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ellen, and others were there to receive medals—but she was the star!

We laughed a lot together. I’ll never forget a day that we were walking back home when a woman walked up. She stopped right in front of us and said, “You look just like Ms. Tyson.” Cicely said, “People often tell me that.” The woman shook her head and walked on, then came back and asked, “Is you huh?” It was so funny that we laughed all the way home. I’ll miss her so much, but I have so many wonderful memories of her that I’ll never forget.

(E. Faye Williams is President of the National Congress of Black Women)

Race and data discrimination in America (BlackPressUSA)—Today there is a welcomed breath of fresh political air in Washington, DC even amidst the unprecedented spread of the global COVID-19 pandemic throughout the United States. According to the Biden-Harris Administration the issues of racial justice and equity are now top priorities in a “whole of government” commitment to all Americans, and in particular to African Americans and other people of color communities.

Most recently the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) had a special on-the-record briefing from the White House Office of Public Engagement directed by The Honorable Cedric Richmond who is also Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden.

As we heard Richmond strongly reaffirm the Administration’s urgent push to have the U.S. Congress to enact the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that promises to respond to the nation’s pandemic and economic crisis respecting the principles of equity, I thought reflectively about all the various racial disparities, discriminations, and inequities that daily have a negative impact on Black America.

Yet, in 2021 we live in the age of data where the aggregation, control, and ownership of data continues to have enormous social and economic consequences for those who are poor and marginalized. One preexisting condition that has not gotten enough public attention and debate is the issue of the intersection of race, data discrimination, and inequity in America.

Data discrimination is a covert form of racism that is having a devastating overt impact on the quality of life of African Americans and others who continue to face systemic inequity.

It is relevant to note that the largest credit reporting agency in the U.S. is Equifax. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Equifax actually has become more profitable at the expense of millions of Americans who are struggling to survive to make ends meet. As a consequence, we must begin to raise questions about the apparent linkage of the expanding credit reporting industry to the growing financial inequities especially in African American communities.

As credit reporting booms while most Americans are experiencing

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis

Commentary financial hardship, Equifax’s “Work Number” workforce division is turning in record profits by raising costs on consumers. The Work Number is a user-paid verification of employment database that was acquired and now owned by Equifax.

This database allows credentialed verifiers to receive instantaneous electronic confirmation of an individual’s employment data and income for verification purposes.

Today Equifax’s Work Number is charging $49.95 for the cost of an Income and Employment Report that is nearly three times what the cost of the report was six years ago at ($18).

The U.S. credit reporting industry generated over $12 billion in revenue last year, according to research from IBISWorld, and the market size is expected to grow another 3.7 percent next year. The three largest agencies—Equifax ($EFX), Experian ($EXPGY) and TransUnion ($TRU) —accounted for more than 50 percent of the total revenue.

The industry’s growth is driven by a unique business model, which provides a dual revenue stream from consumer data. Businesses pay credit bureaus to collect employee information and manage verification requests, like those generated when an individual seeks to obtain a loan from a bank.

Agencies then charge requesting parties for the personal information, generally on a per-request basis, which is frequently passed onto the consumer.

Equifax, despite its 2017 data breach that impacted 147 million people, continues to be the largest player in the space. The company claims to have records on over 222 million U.S. consumers and receives weekly payroll data on a third of the U.S. population.

Equifax’s Work Number has benefited from the spike in unemployment caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. With millions of Americans out of work, demand for verification services has surged as

creditors seek to determine employment status of loan holders and potential loan candidates.

We all know that African Americans have the largest increase in unemployment before—and even more after the beginning of—the pandemic. African American-owned businesses have had the greatest financial losses amidst COVID-19.

The more unemployment in Black America, the more Equifax’s Work Number data is purchased by a wide range of financial status verifiers.

But who is monitoring or challenging the accuracy of the Equifax Work Number data especially when it is about African Americans?

According to Equifax’s quarterly financial reports, The Work Number generated nearly $377 million in revenue during the third quarter of last year, a 57 percent increase yearover-year and the second consecutive quarter of more than 50 percent growth. Between 2012 and 2020, The Work Numbers’ verification services revenue jumped nearly 400 percent.

Largely driving The Work Number’s growth is its dominance in the mortgage lending market, which accounted for 31 percent of the division’s revenue mix throughout last year.

The Work Number controls over 380 million current and historic consumer data records, including 100 million added between 2019 and 2020. That scale provides immense leverage over the mortgage lending industry.

“We have real scale in the business, which provides a competitive advantage,” Equifax CEO Mark Begor said on the company’s earnings call last October. “We’re now having a billion companies deliver data to us on a period basis. That makes this data set very, very valuable and tough to replicate. And if you’re one company, then you’re likely not going to give the data to two companies. You’re going to give it to the company that’s been in it for long time.”

I ask Mark Begor a simple but serious question: “What verifiable safeguards are in place at Equifax Inc. that prevent racial and data discrimination with respect to African Americans and other people of color?”

(Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Executive Producer/Host of The Chavis Chronicles, PBS TV Network.)

B4 FEBRUARY 10-16, 2021

FORUM

What if women Defunding public schools didn’t talk? to ‘Save American History?’

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Patriarchy baffles me as much as White supremacy does. How do the men, birthed by women, consider us inferior? When we raise our voices, we are irrational or hysterical. When we are emphatic, we are hostile.

According to former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, we talk too much in meetings when we talk. Mori offered this weak excuse when questioned about the scarcity of women on the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee, which he chairs. Later, the 83-year-old Mori apologized, citing criticism from his daughter and granddaughter.

That’s Japan, not the United States, some might say. But show me a woman who has sent in an executive, civic, or academic meeting, and I’ll show you a woman who has confronted patriarchal attitudes in meetings. Listening to men restate her point, which was ignored when she made it. Interrupted.

Encountered the passive hostility that comes when men don’t want to hear women’s voices.

But in this Black History Month, I pondered the impact of Black women’s voices and wondered what would happen if we were silent.

What if Maggie Lena Walker didn’t encourage us to turn our pennies into dollars, as she formed the Penny Sav-

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary ings Bank in Richmond, Virginia?

What would have happened if Sojourner Truth did not proclaim that “ain’t I a woman”? What would have happened if Harriet Tubman had not let hundreds out of enslavement by simply saying, “come on y’all”? What would have happened if Maxine Waters had not reclaimed her time, or if now-Vice President Kamala Harris, as a Senator, interrupted someone by saying, “I was speaking.” What would have happened if Shirley Chisholm had not proclaimed herself “unbought and unbossed,” leading the way for Congresswomen like Ayana Pressley (MA), Yvette Clarke (NY), Joyce Beatty (OH), and Cori Bush (MO) to proclaim the same?

We appreciate former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court. How many of us know, though, of Julia Baxter Bates, the first Black woman to be admitted to Douglass College, the women’s college of Rutgers. ‘Baxter Bates graduated in 1938, hoping to teach in New Jersey schools, but segregation laws prevented her from chasing her dream. She earned a master’s degree at Columbia University and taught at Dillard University in New Orleans. Then, she led the NAACP research component, working with Walter White, WEB Du Bois, and Thurgood Marshall. Many say that her research influenced the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case. Did she talk too much, or just enough? Her nephew, Kevin Fields, a New Jersey entrepreneur, says that Justice Marshall considered her “a partner.”

History belongs to she who holds the pen, and whether it is intentional or simply myopic, too many men, regardless of race, have shown resistance to Black women’s uplift. It becomes all too clear during Black History Month when too much is viewed through a patriarchal lens. For example, on February 1, folks commemorated the role four young Black men from North Carolina A&T State University played in desegregation by sitting at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter. How many know that the protest was planned at nearby Bennett College also played a role in that sit-in? Black women’s voices, women’s presence, and women’s history need to be more visible.

Our legacy civil rights organizations, the NAACP, Urban League, and Rainbow PUSH, and the National Action Network must offer an example of shared leadership by emphasizing women’s voices in their organizations.

I’m not suggesting that men “move over” for women, young people, or anyone else. I’m saying that if the CEO is the President and CEO, perhaps the Board Chair should be a woman.

Women, after all, are more likely to be dues-paying members of these organizations. Do we talk too much? Perhaps our voices are entirely proportionate to our contribution.

In any case, Olympic leader and former Japanese Prime Minister said what many men worldwide, and certainly in these United States, are thinking. Women talk too much in meetings. Really, dude? From my perspective, women don’t talk enough, and embracing women’s voices will improve our world. What if women didn’t talk?

Our world would be much worse off.

(Dr. Julinne Malveaux is a DC-based economist and author. You can reach her through julannemalveaux.com.)

Recently, Angela Burks slavery and oppresHill, a Republican state sion. This distortion J. Pharoah Doss senator in Mississippi, of American history is introduced a bill called, being taught to chil“Saving American Histodren in public school ry in Mississippi Schools classrooms via the Act.” New York Times’ 1619 The obvious question is Project.

—Save American history 2) The 1619 Project is from what? a racially divisive and At first, I thought revisionist account of neglect. In 2012, “Perspectives On Histohistory that threatens the integrity of the ry,” a magazine, published a story stating Union by denying the true principles on 88 percent of elementary school teachers which it was founded. considered teaching history a low priority.

3) The state of Mississippi has a strong inOne teacher explained, in the lower grades, terest in promoting an accurate account of the pressure is on teachers to make sure the nation’s history through public schools students pass state exams that primarily and forming young people into knowledgefocus on English and math. Teachers aren’t able and patriotic citizens. going to waste time on a subject the state Points 1 and 2 are the usual political doesn’t test. objections to the 1619 Project. The veracity My second thought was elimination. In of these objections can be debated. The August 2020, CNN reported, Illinois state problem is point 3. It states Mississippi has Rep. LaShawn K. Ford and community a strong interest in forming young people into patriotic citizens through the public leaders called for the immediate removal schools. Most American historians will of history books and suspension of history insist that history should be taught withlessons in their school districts because the out an emphasis on patriotism. Patriotism current materials produce “White privilege becomes an objective when the purpose of and a racist society.” history—to understand the origins of the Both my thoughts were wrong. present—is no longer a priority. The state The Saving American History in Mississenator’s bill is counter-activism disguised sippi Schools Act was introduced in order as academic concern. to withhold state funds (a reduction of 25 If point 3 simply stated, “Mississippi has percent) from any school that teaches from a strong interest in historical accuracy and the Pulitzer prize-winning “1619 Project.” the state will withhold funds from public The 1619 Project was a collection of essays schools that use material that promote published by the New York Times Magahistorical falsehoods,” then the bill would zine in 2019 to commemorate the 400th sound like an attempt to “save American anniversary of Africans arriving in Jameshistory” instead of sounding like a bill that town, Virginia, in 1619. The 1619 Project punishes schools for being unpatriotic. proclaimed that 1619 was the year America However, I would still question the decision was founded and not 1776. The editor of to defund the schools. According to a 2019 the 1619 Project justified this claim by explaining that the ideas in the Declaration Insider report called: “Here are the states with the best and worst public education of Independence were false because slavery systems,” Mississippi was listed as having still existed after the document was signed. the fourth-worst public educational system Historians on both sides of the political aisle refuted this claim and pointed out oth- in the nation.

A state senator that threatens to defund er inaccuracies within the 1619 Project. public schools in Mississippi is just as irreThe Saving American History in Mississponsible as activists advocating to defund sippi Schools Act specified: the police in the city with the fourth-high1) An activist movement is now gaining est crime rate in America. momentum to deny American history by claiming that America was not founded on the ideas of the Declaration but rather on

Check It Out

For a stronger America, we must protect our democracy and hold extremism accountable Inclusive democracy Ben Jealous is often met with brutal resistance. We’ve learned the hard way that we can’t “let nobody turn us ‘round.”

And right now, we need to send that message to the people we put in power in the White House and Congress.

Our democracy survived former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the election.

It survived the violent attack on Congress that Trump and his allies incited, which left five people dead and many more injured. We won great victories at the ballot box in Georgia, yet our progress—and our democracy—are still at risk.

We cannot let the forces of bigotry and backlash stop us from fixing the mess Trump left behind, giving people the help they need, and protecting our democracy itself.

Here’s what’s going on: After an election in which Black people’s votes made the difference in so many races, state legislators have already introduced more than 100 bills to interfere with voter registration, limit mailin voting, and make it harder to vote. They want to turn us around and shut us out.

That’s why we need Congress to pass the For the People Act. It would strengthen and protect voting rights. It would limit big money’s ability to corrupt our politics. And it would stop state legislators from drawing lines on the map that give unfair power to the right wing and leave Black people and progressive voters underrepresented.

The biggest barrier to passing protections for voting and democracy is the same barrier to getting relief money to hurting people, families, and small businesses: Senate Republicans and their intention to stop progress dead in its tracks.

And that’s why we need Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It would put some teeth back into the Voting Rights Act that conservatives on the Supreme Court knocked out just after former President Barack Obama’s reelection.

One reason people were so motivated to elect Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff was to keep Sen. Mitch McConnell from having the power to stop President Joe

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris from doing what they were elected to do.

When Georgia voters elected Warnock and Ossoff, it gave Democrats control of the Senate—50 votes with Vice President Harris as the tiebreaker. But McConnell refused for days to relinquish control, and it took weeks before he stopped holding up the vote to recognize the shift in power and put Democrats in charge of Senate committees.

McConnell operates in bad faith. Senate Democrats need to act quickly to do away with the filibuster rules that let him get away with it. Our country’s needs are too urgent to let McConnell and his unprincipled power plays stop us from taking action.

Don’t forget that McConnell and his Republican colleagues are also trying to sabotage the impeachment trial that would hold Trump accountable for the deadly insurrection he incited with his lies about Black voters. They don’t want us to learn more about what happened and who energized the anti-democratic forces that tried to overturn the election. So they tell us to forget about it and move on.

We know better. The history of lynching and other racial violence is clear. Active participation or complicity by law enforcement and politicians protected those who carried out the violence. And when no one was held accountable, the violence continued.

We know that the far-right forces energized by Trump’s lies about a stolen election are planning more violence. And we know that right-wing politicians are using those same lies to justify attacks on our voting rights.

Don’t believe people who say that holding Trump accountable will prevent us from focusing on the other work that needs to be done.

We can and must do both. We must hold Trump responsible for his attacks on democracy. And we must move forward with all the urgency our situation demands.

Commentary

(Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation.)

Letters to the editor for publication

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 St. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360 or via email to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal The fight against racially-motivated voter suppression continues (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“There are some politicians that are very concerned about the historic turnout that we saw in the 2020 election and are determined to put barriers in front of the ballot box to try and give themselves a job security play. There are some politicians who are trying to manipulate the rules of the game so some people can participate and some people can’t.”—Myrna Pérez, director of voting rights and elections, the Brennan Center No matter how many lies politicians tell about nonexistent voter fraud, someone always manages to blurt out the truth.

“They’ve got to change the major parts of them [voting laws] so that we at least have a shot at winning,” said Alice O’Lenick, the chair of the board of elections in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

Black Americans voted in record numbers in Georgia and other states in 2020. White politicians are hard at work to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Using “The Big Lie” of voter fraud as a pretext, state senators in Georgia this week introduced nine bills designed to make it harder for people to vote, eliminating automatic voter registration, no-excuse absentee voting, and mail ballot drop boxes, banning third-party groups from sending mail ballot applications, and prohibiting people who move to Georgia after the general election from voting in runoff elections.

Every one of these proposals would affect Black voters disproportionately.

In a bit of sad irony, the bills were introduced the very same day the news broke that voting rights advocate Stacy Abrams was nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for her work to promote nonviolent change via the ballot box.

Georgia’s avalanche of racially-motivated voter suppression legislation isn’t even close to the worst in the nation. Of the 28 states where a total of 106 voter suppression bills have been introduced, pre-filed, or carried over, Pennsylvania leads with 14.

Pennsylvania also is unique in that it is the only state where legislators are trying to reverse voting reforms they themselves brought about. A bipartisan majority in the Pennsylvania General Assembly in October 2019 overwhelmingly voted to relax registration deadlines and make voting by mail available to all voters.

In Arizona, where a majority of voters have cast ballots early in a system that has existed for more than a decade, lawmakers are pushing several bills to curtail or end early voting, including eliminating the list of voters who are automatically sent mail-in ballots, and requiring signatures on early ballots to be notarized. Other proposals would dramatically shrink the number of polling locations. The state’s largest county, Maricopa, would have only 15 instead of the 100 it had in November.

But the most breathtakingly anti-democratic bill introduced in Arizona—possibly anywhere in the country—can hardly be called voter suppression as it seeks to bypass voters entirely. Rep. Shawnna Bolick has introduced legislation that would allow the legislature to disregard the results of a presidential election and appoint electors of its own choosing to the Electoral College. Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts called the bill “the most arrogant power grab I have ever witnessed.

Fortunately, there is a way to put an end to racially-motivated voter suppression at the state level. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would require any state with a history of voting discrimination within the past 25 years to seek federal approval before making any changes to its voting procedures. Further, it would mandate that any state, regardless of its history, receive clearance from the Justice Department or a federal court in Washington, DC, before making any changes that would disproportionately burden voters of color, such as strict voter ID laws or closing polling places in areas with large numbers of voters of color.

As President Lyndon Johnson said when he signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, “Men cannot live with a lie and not be stained by it.” The Big Lie of voter fraud has stained the nation. Passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act can redeem it.

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

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Help Wanted

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AURORA INNOVATION, INC. seeks Software Eng. in Pittsburgh, PA to test autonomous vehicle software.

Mail resume to Sarah FitzGerald (HR), 280 N. Bernardo Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043.

BOYS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PHASE LEADER CLUB TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Hotspurs Soccer Club seeks a Boys Youth Development Phase Leader Club Technical Director to work in Pittsburgh, PA, to plan and implement a club technical program over the entire club as well as leading the youth development phase which involves traveling to tournaments, games and individual coach development. If interested, please send CV with cover letter, references, and salary requirements to: coachtommo@hotspurs-soccer.com OPENINGS AT LITERACY PITTSBURGH Literacy Pittsburgh has three fulltime openings: Operations Assistant, Program Coordinator and Adult Basic Education/High School Equivalency Instructor. Deadline to apply is March 3. For details and how to apply, visit http://www.literacypittsburgh.org/join-our-team.

We invite candidates to include in their cover letter a statement about how their unique background and experiences can contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff, students, volunteers, and supporters.

SOUTH FAYETTE TWP. SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking a District Technology Assistant 10 month position: Complete job description and directions on how to apply are available at: www.southfayette.org Deadline 4:00 PM February 15, 2021 EOE SOUTH FAYETTE TWP. SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking an Intermediate School Substitute Art Teacher: Complete job description and directions on how to apply are available at: www.southfayette.org Deadline 4:00 PM February 15, 2021 EOE FANNY EDEL FALK LABORATORY SCHOOL University of Pittsburgh 4060 Allequippa Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261 www.falkschool.pitt.edu Position Announcement ELEMENTARY ART TEACHER Falk School, a coeducational K-8 laboratory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is seeking a dynamic, full-time art teacher for the next academic year, beginning August 2021.

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.

Ideal candidates should have experience designing and implementing curriculum, working with diverse students with varied learning styles and levels of mastery, engaging young children in meaningful, process-oriented artmaking, and maintaining a nurturing student-centered classroom environment. Candidates should have strong oral and written communication skills, be reflective, and be able to develop collaborative relationships with students, parents, faculty, and the arts community.

Knowledge of both traditional and contemporary art, evidence of being a practicing artist, an understanding of the Reggio Approach and progressive education, and conducting dynamic, engaging distance/online learning are all a plus.

A Master’s Degree and a degree in art education or equivalent coursework are required. Broad experience is advantageous, as partnering across disciplines and grade levels are valued at our school.

Highly creative work experience in the field of elementary education is an asset.

For full consideration, please upload materials (detailed in the complete position announcements on this site) https://www.join.pitt.edu under faculty positions.

Review of applications will begin February 15, 2021, and continue through April 1, 2021, 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.

BIBLE CENTER CHURCH POSITION: ACCOUNTANT Bible Center Church (BCC) is a multigenerational urban ministry whose vision is to make earth more like heaven. We implement this vision through the initiatives of our community and economic development division—The Oasis Project (TOP).

The ideal candidate will be a passionate, mission-driven, accounting professional who will contribute to the financial planning, reporting, and decision-making to achieve our objective of making earth look more like heaven. This position will be responsible for the general accounting, budgeting, grant management, senior management reporting and financial reporting while ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and regulations.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities include but are NOT limited to the following: •Maintains general ledger and accounting records to ensure they accurately reflect the agency’s financial position.

•Helps to prepare program budgets and performance reports to ensure a stable funding of operations.

•Manages, oversees and assists the Full Charge Bookkeeper in the accounts payable function to ensure accurate and timely payment of financial commitments.

•Record all month-end closing activities including general ledger accounts, balance sheet accounts, and overhead cost allocation.

•Prepare and files monthly sales tax returns Qualifications and Requirements: •Bachelors or Masters Degree in accounting or finance •Demonstrated experience using Quickbooks •Knowledge and understanding of GAAP and nonprofit reporting.

•Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Paychex Payroll System, Quickbooks Desktop Premier and other applications related to finance and accounting.

Time Commitment: •This is a full time position.

Interested candidates should forward a cover letter and resume and any additional questions to Steve Davis at Davis and Associates – s.davis@sdavisandassociates.com or Steve Davis at HR@bcpgh.org.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION of the SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on February 23, 2021, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Service & Maintenance Contracts at Various Schools, Facilities, Facilities & Properties: -Gas and Oil Burners, Boilers and Furnaces Inspection, Service, and Repairs (REBID) Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on Monday, February 8, 2021 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 COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

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NOTICE TO PROPOSERS The Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) will receive proposals for the project identified below. The contracts for this work will be with the SEA. The Request for Proposals (RFP) may be obtained after the date identified below from Bill Williams, email: bwilliams@pgh-sea.com.

This Advertisement applies to the following RFP: Project: North Shore Riverfront Park (NSRFP) Tribute to Children (TTC) Masonry and Concrete Repairs 2021 RFP Available: February 3, 2021 Non- Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting: 3:00 p.m. February 16, 2021 Tribute to Children Time/Date/Location for Proposal Submittal: 3:00 p.m. March 9, 2021 Sports & Exhibition Authority 171 10th Street, Second Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT PUBLICATION DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2021 1.The Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh (“Authority”) shall accept sealed bids for the performance of the work described below (the “Work”) at its office at 232 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, March 12, 2021.

2.DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The Project entails the modernization of exhaust system for Oliver Parking Garage, including fan removal and replacement, duct work removal and replacement, electrical, etc.

3.The Instructions to Bidders, including the Form of Bid, Form of Agreement, General Conditions, Plans and Specifications, and Zoom meeting information will be made available after 3:00 p.m. local time on Monday, February 8, 2021, via email request to the Authority’s Project Management Department at tsowinski@pittsburghparking.com.

4.A Mandatory pre-bid conference will be held virtually via Zoom at 10:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The purpose of the pre-bid conference is to provide additional detail regarding the Work.

The information provided at the prebid conference will be essential in preparing a bid to perform the Work.

Persons or entities that intend to submit bids to perform the Work are required to join into the pre-bid conference via Zoom with at least one representative who will understand the information presented at the pre-bid conference in a manner that allows such information to be incorporated in the preparation of the bid to perform the Work. It is expected that the representative who attends the pre-bid conference will be experienced in construction matters and employed by the bidder in a supervisory capacity. Virtual Zoom Prebid attendance is mandatory, and each attendee must sign in via online form.

5.Sealed bids must be dropped off to the Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh at 232 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, no later than 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 12, 2021 bids received prior to the deadline will be publicly opened and read 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday, March 12, 2021 virtually via Zoom meeting.

6.Each bid submitted must be accompanied by a bid guaranty of ten percent (10%) of the proposed bid in the form of a bid bond, certified cashier’s or treasurer’s check payable to the Authority.

7.The Authority reserves the right to in its sole discretion, (i) change, at any time prior to the bid deadline at 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, March 12, 2021 the Contract Documents; (ii) waive any defect, irregularities, or informality in any or all submitted bids; and (iii) reject any or all submitted bids.

David G. Onorato Executive Director

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HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR AUDIO-VISUAL TRAINING AND PRODUCTION PROGRAM RFP#800-07-21 The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Audio-Visual Training and Production Program The documents will be available no later than February 8, 2021 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 9:00 AM on March 2, 2021. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 9:00 AM on March 2, 2021 in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Proposals may be uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site; the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the RFP. Sealed proposals may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org.

Questions or inquires should be directed to: Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832 A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on February 18, 2021 at 9:00 AM. Please see meeting information below: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 955 3653 9668 Passcode: 697323 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

INVITATION FOR BIDS: The Washington County Housing Authority will receive separate, and sealed bids for the following prime contract bid with the Authority: MAPLE TERRACE SITE ACCESSIBILITY ALTERATIONS MAPLE TERRACE 1100 MAPLE AVENUE WASHINGTON,PA 15301 WCHA 2021-G1 CONTRACT; A/E PROJECT # 2190 A certified check or bank draft payable to the Washington County Housing Authority, a US Government Bond or satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the Bidder and acceptable sureties in the amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the bid shall be submitted with each bid.

Bids will be received no later than 11:00 AM EST, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021 at the Washington County Housing Authority, 100 Crumrine Tower, Franklin Street, Washington, PA 15301 at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids will be held by the Housing Authority for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days prior to the contract award.

A Non-Mandatory Pre-bid Meeting will be held at 11:00 EST, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 onsite at Maple Terrace, 1100 Maple Avenue, Washington, Pa 15301.

Plans, specifications, and contract documents may be examined at these locations: Bid Documents are being distributed, with twenty-four hour prior notice of pick-up, by F. L. Haus Company, 921 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, by phone (412) 231-7700 or fax (412) 231-7709. All prime bidders are REQUIRED to buy the full set of plans and specifications.

Contact F. L. Haus Company for cost of plans and specifications.

Free examination of said documents is available at the office of Canzian/Johnston & Associates LLC and Pennsylvania Builders Exchange.

Submit all required documents in a sealed envelope clearly marked: WCHA Maple Terrace: Site Accessibility Alterations The work to be performed under this contract is a Section 3 Project under Provisions of the Housing & Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, and must, to the greatest extent feasible, provide opportunities for training and employment for lower-income residents of the project and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to business concerns which are located in, or owned by, Washington County residents.

Particular attention is directed to requirements of Executive Order 11246, 11625 and 12138, as well as Section 3 requirements, as set forth in the Specifications.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids for any reason(s) what so ever and to waive informalities in the bidding.

STEPHEN K. HALL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hearing Impaired Call TDD (724) 228-6083

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

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‘George Barbour: Journalist’ documentary to premiere, Feb. 11 Panel discussion featuring former journalists will follow In March 1965, KDKA Radio newsman and University of Pittsburgh alumnus George Barbour offered to travel to Alabama to cover one of the marches being held by non-violent protesters seeking voting rights for African Americans. With racial tensions running high, it was considered too dangerous for a news outlet to send an African American reporter to cover the 54-mile trek from Selma to the state capital of Montgomery.

But Barbour, loaded down with 30 pounds of radio and tape-recording equipment, set off on his assignment. His experience there, which included being chased by a group of angry White men, is told in “George Barbour: Jour-

nalist,” a new documentary by filmmaker Ken Love which will premiere at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11.

An online discussion will follow the film featuring these panelists: Harold Hayes, news reporter retired from KDKA-TV; Elaine Effort, formerly with KQV Radio; Nathaniel Barbour, Barbour’s grandson and a doctoral student in physics at the University of Maryland; and Pitt student Ama Germain.

Ervin Dyer, Ph.D., senior editor of Pitt Magazine and adjunct professor in the Department of Africana Studies, will moderate.

The new film outlines the career track of Barbour, who was the son of a coal miner and from a

family of 13. He graduated from Pitt in 1951 and had a successful career at several outlets, including the Pittsburgh Courier before joining KDKA Radio, where he covered many important stories, including the Selma to Montgomery march.

Love, also a Pitt alumnus, said he was struck by Barbour’s qualities.

“I was impressed with his humanity, his love of life, and how he faced adversity and overcame it,” said Love. “He is a true role model.”

To register to attend the event virtually, go to: calendar.pitt.edu/event/ barbour

REGISTER TO ATTEND VIRTUAL EVENT AT CALENDAR.PITT.EDU/EVENT/BARBOUR

Allegheny County again awarded funding in Safety and Justice Challenge MacArthur Foundation to continue building on collaborative efforts The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Court of Common Pleas President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark announced on Feb. 9 that the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has again awarded Allegheny County a $2 million grant to continue its efforts in collaboration to rethink the criminal justice system, safely reduce the county jail population, and eliminate racial inequities.

The grant is part of the Safety and Justice Challenge, a $246 million national initiative to reduce over-incarceration by changing the way America thinks about and uses jails, according to a news release from the county.

The Safety and Justice Challenge is supporting local leaders in Allegheny County and across the country determined to tackle one of the greatest drivers of over-incarceration in America —the misuse and overuse of jails.

The county was first selected to join the collaborative Safety and Justice Challenge Network in 2017 with funding for a targeted project focused on building data dashboards to monitor key indicators in the criminal justice system. Since receiving the Safety and Justice Challenge grant in 2018, the population of the Allegheny County Jail is down 36 percent, according to the news release.

“We’re grateful to the MacArthur Foundation for its ongoing support of our efforts. Its continued funding of our collaborative efforts has allowed us to continue focusing on this important issue,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, in the release. “While the pandemic slowed our progress in some areas, it also showed clearly that our collaborative efforts can be quite impactful when it comes to the overall population of the jail. We look forward to doing even more to improve our criminal justice system.”

Allegheny County was one of 15 jurisdictions selected for additional funding based on the promise and progress of work to date. This new round of funding will provide Allegheny County with continued support and expert technical assistance to strengthen and expand strategies that address the main drivers, and resulting racial inequities, of

local jail incarceration.

Building on Allegheny County’s progress to date is especially critical as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustices against Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color reinforce the need to transform how the system operates. The response in Allegheny County to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a 77 percent reduction in jail bookings and the rapid review and release of people being held in the jail, demonstrated the ability to achieve a significantly smaller jail population without compromising public safety, the news release said. People released from the jail at the start of the pandemic had lower recidivism rates than those released during the same time period in the previous year, and court filings for new criminal offenses have consistently remained below pre-pandemic levels.

“We are proud of the progress we have made in the past two years to safely reduce the Allegheny County Jail population. Incarceration should be reserved for those who have committed the most serious offenses and pose a risk to the safety of the public,” said Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, President Judge of the Fifth Judicial District, in the release. “The continued support of the MacArthur Foundation will advance our goals of eliminating unnecessary incarceration and ensuring a more fair and efficient criminal justice system for all.”

In partnership with the Courts and the District Attorney’s Office, and including departments under the executive branch, Allegheny County has developed a comprehensive plan for additional strategies and initiatives over the next two years to invest in a safer, more effective, and more equitable system. Key strategies to achieve this goal include: •Preventing unnecessary arrest and incarceration of people in crisis due to substance use, mental illness, or homelessness; •Implementing a revalidated pretrial assessment and supervision plan to reduce bookings at first appearance; •Implementing Court efficiencies to reduce length of stay in the jail; •Completing a community-informed

PRESIDENT JUDGE KIM BERKELEY CLARK redesign of the physical structure of the jail to reflect a significantly smaller census and optimize the space for rehabilitation; •Partnering with the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics on a research project to identify drivers of racial and ethnic disparities throughout the criminal justice system and implement solutions; •Engaging community members in the development of additional strategies.

Five years after its public launch, the Challenge Network has grown into a collaborative of 51 jurisdictions in 32 states modeling and inspiring reforms to create more fair, just and equitable local justice systems across the country.

“We must confront the devastating impacts of mass incarceration by a system that over-polices and over-incarcerates Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people,” said Laurie Garduque, MacArthur’s Director of Criminal Justice, in the news release provided to the Courier. “Over the past five years, the Safety and Justice Challenge has safely re-

duced the ineffective and harmful use of jails, while learning that jail population reduction alone does not undo the racial inequities perpetuated by an unjust system and our nation’s history of systemic racism. We are committed to supporting cities and counties as they reimagine a definition of safety that is inclusive of all communities and makes meaningful progress towards our goal of ending racial and ethnic disparities in jails.”

Several of the nation’s leading criminal justice organizations will continue to provide technical assistance and counsel to Allegheny County and its partners, and the other jurisdictions involved in the Challenge: the Center for Court Innovation, Everyday Democracy, Nexus Community Partners, the Institute for State and Local Governance at the City University of New York, the Justice Management Institute, Justice System Partners, the Pretrial Justice Institute, Policy Research, Inc., the Vera Institute of Justice, the W. Haywood Burns Institute, Urban Institute, and Bennett Midland.