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APRIL 6-12, 2016

Cumberland Posey elected to Basketball Hall of Fame

26 of 30 homicides Black lives

by Christian Morrow

Pittsburgh deaths at record setting pace

Courier Staff Writer

More than a decade after fans and historians first moved to get Cumberland “Cum” Posey into the Basketball Hall of Fame, the effort has finally paid off.

The official announcement of his election to the hall was made at a press conference at Duquesne University April 4. Posey, recognized as the university’s first Black athlete, played at POSEY Duquesne

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

There were the same number of homicides in March as there were in February and January combined—a whopping 15, with 13 of them being Black. Even though six came at the same time, at the Wilkinsburg cookout, nine is still an extremely high number of homicides in one month. This gives Pittsburgh three consecuSTOP THE VIOLENCE—Celeste Taylor carries a sign saying “stop shooting we love you.” (Photo by J.L. Martello)

SEE POSEY A5

Homewood Prayer March draws much smaller crowd

Black community political forum addresses issues

by Michael B. Rose

by Michael B. Rose

For New Pittsburgh Courier

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Last year the Homewood Prayer March brought out hundreds of concerned citizens to finally take the community back from criminals. This year, not so much.

A crowd of just twenty people showed for the march. House of Mana Rev. Eugene “Freedom” Blackwell tried to find some positivity in it all.

“Last year there was a big crowd and everyone had their own message. Some people said no justice no peace and other things we didn’t really want. So this year at least we stayed on message, we will reevaluate ourselves and message and we will come back

For the 13th year, Talk Magazine held the Pa. Black Community Network Conference and Pa. Black Community Candidates’ Forum. Black Leaders from around the state gathered to ponder issues and hear candidates.

Montgomery County Commissioner Chair Josh Shapiro and Allegheny County District Attorney Steven Zappala, both candidates for Pennsylvania Attorney General attended the SEE FORUM A4

“I’m about action. After you do something there has to be follow up.” Among many speakers of the day at the conclusion of the march, Gamble lifted spirits and gave a seven point plan on what African Americans can do individually to change a pervasive and self-destructive culture to reshape their communities once and for all. “First, let the music and television industry know that you will not view or buy anything that promotes or glorifies negaCONTINUE TO STRUGGLE—J.E. tive stereotypes and self-destructive behavior. Two: Hold the Gamble talks after the March. shooters accountable by reporting what you see even if it is a relabigger next year.”

J.E. Gamble is a self described tive. Three: Support the people in Christian Figure in Action and an SEE MARCH A4 organizer for the march.

tive months in double digits. In January there were 11 with 10 being Black.

Pittsburgh has led the country in violence awareness marches, rallies and vigils but if the murders continue at the current pace we may have a record setting year in deaths, and most are young Black men.

March Homicides (10) March 1—Tyrell Jones, a 20yr-old Black man, was discovered by police shot multiple times near a Homestead playground.

No arrest has been made. The investigation is ongoing.

March 5—Michael Watson, a 52-year-old Black Male, was discovered by police fatally wounded in the 600 block of Chataqua Street on Pittsburgh’s North Side. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where SEE HOMICIDES A4

Bradshaw gets his rump roasted at Mel Blount’s All-Star Celebrity Roast

by Smokin’ Jim Frazier For New Pittsburgh Courier

On Saturday, the ground might have moved a bit, because the great Mel Blount was able to book “The Blonde Bomber” Terry Bradshaw to emcee his banquet and everybody had fun.

When Terry Bradshaw talks, and especially when he talks about football, people listen. But at this event Bradshaw was abused, roasted and the Steelers’ quarterback had volunteered to be verbally torn down by teammates and friends for a good cause.

His intelligence, multiple divorces and commercials about shingles and Nutrisystem weight-loss are the center of endless jokes.

Well, at least they were for about four hours on Saturday night during the 18th Annual Mel Blount Youth

ALWAYS A STEELER—Several former Pittsburgh Steelers players came out in support of the Mel Blount Celebrity Roast. Front, from left: Joe Greene, Jon Kolb, Terry Bradshaw, Gerry Mullins and Franco Harris. Back, from left: John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and Mel Blount. (Photo by Gail Manker)

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Ulish Carter says

Firing of Wendy Bell is overkill Opinion A6

Home All-Star Celebrity Roast of Terry Bradshaw.

A group of former Pittsburgh Steelers players and coaches—-including Steve Avery, John Banaszak, Greg Best, Rocky Bleier, Craig Bingham, Mel Blount, Robin Cole, Joe Greene, Reggie Garrett, Randy Grossman, Franco Harris, Tunch Ilkin, Ron Johnson, Todd Kalis, Marv Kellum, Jon Kolb, Louis Lipps, Greg Lloyd, Mike Merriweather, Gerry “Moon” Mullins, Ted Peterson, Andy Russell, Donnie Shell, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, J. T. Thomas, Mike Tomlin, Mike Wagner, Hines Ward, Craig Wolfley, Dwayne Woodruff, Dan Radakovich and Paul Uram—had jokes aplenty.

But the former Fox sports analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers player took SEE BRADSHAW A5

Kenya marks anniversary of university attack killing 148

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APRIL 6-12, 2016

by Tom Odula

Associated Press Writer

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)— Kenyans on Saturday marked the first anniversary of the Garissa University attack, when four extremist gunmen massacred 148 people, with renewed criticism of the government’s handling of the crisis.

Hundreds gathered at the site of the attack in eastern Kenya to remember the incident, one of the country’s worst-ever terrorist attacks MEMORIAL CEREMONY—Kenyans take part in the memorial cercarried out by gunmen from the al-Qaida-allied So- emony at Garissa University, Garissa, Kenya, Saturday, April 2, 2016. (Ap Photo/Kevin Midigo Credit: The Associated Press mali al-Shabab group.

The gunmen were finally killed by a police commando unit after 12 when the attack began. Together with anhours. The government has been heavily other group of students he went to invescriticized for its slow response to the attack, tigate the sounds of shots and ran into a despite there being a military base nearby. gunman who opened fire on them.

Kenya has suffered a wave of extremist One student was killed outright and the attacks since it deployed troops in October rest fled under a hail of bullets, scaling a 2011 to Somalia to support the weak govbarbed wire fence under fire. ernment there in its battle against the al“I am here to bury my past and heal myShabab militants. self,’’ said Wekesa, who said the two weeks The university reopened in January of counseling provided by the government after extensive refurbishment of the bulhas been inadequate. “I am here to show let-scarred buildings but only 150 of its respect to my three close friends Agnes, 700 students have returned to class.

Edward and Cherop — I managed to esOthers were transferred to Moi Univercape but they didn’t.’’ sity in western Kenya.

According to political commentator Aden Duale, the leader of the parliamen- Patrick Gathara, for the public there retary majority, said at the event that main many unanswered questions about Kenyan troops will remain in Somalia the government’s performance such as the until their mission of pacifying the coundelayed response, the inability to stop the try is fulfilled. attack despite intelligence warnings and Other speakers, however, reserved their the fact that no one has been prosecuted ire for the government, saying that the for the security failures. families of the victims should receive com“Kenya is a country on the edge. People pensation. don’t believe they are fundamentally safer “That is the duty of the government,’’ despite what the government is saying,’’ said Garissa County women’s representahe said. “There is no evidence the governtive, Shukran Gure. ment has learned from its failings.’’

Paul Wekesa, 24, a second-year educaA year since the attacks, Kenyan univertion student who witnessed the attack, sities are prone to panic with four stamagreed that the government should offer pedes taking place in different institusome kind of compensation to families of tions after students thought they heard the students who died and scholarships gunshots or explosions. Hundreds have for those survived. been injured and two died.

(Associated Press Writer Yassin Juma contributed He said he survived only because he had to this report from Garissa.) been up early to study and so was awake

Ex-congressman tells judge he’s not returning from Africa

MEL REYNOLDS (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

Elaine Effort

This Week In Black History

INTERNATIONAL

CHICAGO (AP)—A former Illinois congressman free on bond in a federal tax case says he won’t comply with a federal judge’s insistence that he return to Chicago from a trip to South Africa.

Mel Reynolds told the judge in an open letter Thursday that he’s staying abroad to care for his ailing daughter. He says she is suffering from curvature of the spine and may also have cervical cancer.

Reynolds also asked Judge John Darrah “to show some compassion and understand.’’

Darrah on Wednesday refused Reynolds’ request for the court to let him stay abroad longer.

Reynolds’ trial is set to start May 2.

The Illinois Democrat has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to file income tax returns.

Pittsburgh Profiles with KQV’s Elaine Effort sponsored in part by the New Pittsburgh Courier

Pittsburgh Profiles with Elaine Effort heard exclusively on Pittsburgh’s all news radio station for 30 years

KQV 1410 AM and at WWW.KQV.COM

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Week of April 6-12 April 6 1798—One of the nation’s most famous and accomplished early Black pioneers, James Beckwourth, is born. The product of a White slave owner and a Black slave mother, Beckwourth acquired his freedom and became a successful fur trader. He would later become a scout for the Rocky Mount Fur Company. However, in 1824, he joined the Crow Indian nation and married a Crow woman. He would later move west where he discovered an important passageway through the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The passage was named “Beckwourth Pass,” after him.

1846—Dred Scott and his wife, Harriet, first file suit claiming their freedom. The case would eventually lead to Supreme Court Justice Roger B. DRED SCOTT Taney’s infamous “Dred Scott Decision” in 1857.

Scott had basically argued that by being taken from the slave state of Missouri and living in free states or territories for seven years he was in effect a free man. The case finally reached the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 7 to 2 decision written by 80-year-old Chief Justice Taney, himself a former slaver owner, Scott’s argument was rejected. In one of the most racist Supreme Court decisions ever issued, Justice Taney ruled that neither Blacks nor their descendants could be U.S. citizens and thus had no right to sue for their freedom in U.S. courts. Taney capped off the ruling by saying, “A Negro had no rights a White man was bound [required] to respect.”

April 7 1712—The New York City slave rebellion occurs. A group of 27 slaves began setting fires in the city and shooting Whites. At least a dozen Whites were killed before the state militia arrived to brutally put down the rebellion. Following the revolt, slave codes were toughened, 21 Blacks were executed and six committed suicide.

1915—Billie Holiday is born. She would go on to become the greatest blues and jazz singer of her era with songs like “The Man I Love” and “God Bless the Child Whose Got His Own.” She was born to a 13-year-old BILLIE HOLIDAY mother and began her working career as a small girl helping to clean up a Baltimore, Md., whorehouse—a house in which she was also raped. Holiday made money from her performances despite the fact that she never received any royalties from any of the 200 songs she recorded. Drug use was a factor in her premature death at 44.

April 8 1974—Hammering Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves breaks the homerun record of the legendary Babe Ruth when he hit his 715th homer during a game at Atlanta Stadium.

1990—Scientist Percy Julian, who developed drugs to combat glaucoma HANK AARON and methods to mass produce cortisone, is admitted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

April 9 1865—Black regiments led an assault on and eventually captured a key Southern fort helping bring the Civil War to an end. The nine regiments led by Gen. John Hawkins smashed through Confederate defenses at Forth Blakely, Ala. The 68th Division of USCT (United States Colored Troops) had some of the highest casualties of the Civil War. 1898—Paul Bustill Robeson is born in Princeton, N.J. Robeson would go on to become the greatest combination of entertainer and social activist in American history. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Rutgers University while simultaneously being one of the school’s greatest football stars. After graduation he turned to entertainment—acting and singing on stage and in early movies.

However, he was also an outspoken critic of American racism and imperialism while being a strong proponent of PAUL ROBESON socialism. This made him the target of a government disruption and destruction campaign. The campaign did not truly produce results until the anti-communist hysteria of the 1950s. Concert halls were closed to Robeson, the media began to attack him unrelentingly, established Black leaders began to shun him and the government took his passport so he could not perform and earn money abroad. Nevertheless, he remained a symbol that would later inspire activist entertainers such as Ossie Davis and Harry Belafonte.

Robeson died in Philadelphia Jan. 23, 1976.

1939—Operatic star Marian Anderson performs for an estimated 65,000 people on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., after the Daughters of the American Revolution make a racist decision denying her the right to perform at Constitution Hall.

April 10 1943—Tennis great Arthur Ashe is born in Richmond, Va. Ashe’s spectacular abilities on the tennis court enabled him to become the first Black member of the American Davis Cup team; the first Black to win the U.S. Open and the first Black to win the men’s sinMARIAN ANDERSON gle’s title at Wimbledon in England. Unfortunately, Ashe would die of AIDS after receiving a contaminated blood transfusion.

April 11 1948—On this day Jackie Robinson signed a contract that would officially make him the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. Robinson became a symbol of pride for Blacks as well as a star player. However, the admitting of Blacks into Major League Baseball helped bring about the demise of the old Negro Baseball League whose teams had become major economic institutions in cities throughout the nation.

1967—The voters of Harlem, N.Y., defy Congress and reelect the outspoken and often flamboyant Adam Clayton Powell Jr. His opponents in Congress had recently expelled him. The decision of the Harlem voters was rendered legally sound when the United States Supreme Court later ruled that the congressional expulsion was unconstitutional. Powell was returned to Congress, but without his seniority. He died April 4, 1972 in Miami, Fla. April 12 1787—Famous Black clergymen Richard Allen and Absalom Jordan organized the Free Africa Society which is believed to be the first Black self-help organization or mutual aid society in America. The two, especially ADAM CLAYTON POWELL JR. Allen, attempted to better life for Blacks through the organization of separate Black controlled institutions. Allen is also the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

1861—The Confederates attack Fort Sumter in the Charleston, S.C., harbor setting off the Civil War. Thinking the recent election of Abraham Lincoln would lead to the ending of slavery, the Southerners struck first in a bid to form a separate, White-controlled, slaveowning nation.

1940—Contemporary jazz composer and musician Herbie Hancock is born in Chicago, Ill. 1975—Josephine Baker dies. She was born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Mo., in 1906. Baker left the United States for France in 1925 seeking a career as a dancer. She achieved fame throughout Europe, becoming a versatile and sensational performer with her often revealing dances. During World War II she even aided the French resistance in its battle against JOSEPHINE BAKER occupation by the forces of Nazi Germany.

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APRIL 6-12, 2016

NATIONAL

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Rihanna, Shonda Rhimes, Clinton appear at Black Girls Rock!

by Mesfin Fekadu Associated Press Writer

NEWARK, N.J. (AP)— Pop star Rihanna and TV mogul Shonda Rhimes were among the honorees at this year’s Black Girls Rock! event, where Hillary Clinton made an appearance and told the audience “my life has been changed by strong Black women leaders.”

The Friday night event was taped at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. The special aired on BET on Tuesday.

The Democratic presidential candidate earned cheers when she called Black women “change makers and pathmakers and ground shakers.”

“There are still a lot of barriers holding back African Americans and Black women in particular, so a gathering like this filled with so many powerful, strong women is a rebuke to every single one of those barriers,” Clinton said.

“All of our kids, no matter what zip code they live in, deserve a good teacher and a good school, a safe community and clean water to drink.”

Clinton spoke before introducing Beverly Bond, who founded Black Girls Rock! in 2006.

Another who earned loud applause was Rihanna, the final honoree of the night.

“Thank you so much for celebrating us in a world that doesn’t celebrate us enough,” she said onstage.

“The minute you learn to love yourself you will not want to be anybody else,” the Grammy-winning singer and fashion trendsetter added. “Role model is not the title they like to give me ... (but) I think I can inspire a lot of young women to be themselves and that is half the battle.”

The Barbados-born singer also thanked her mother and grandmother for being strong Black women and excellent role models.

“Hopefully one day I’ll be raising my own little

HONOREE—Rihanna seen at 2016 Black Girls Rock! at New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Friday, April, 1, in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Michael Zorn/Invision/AP)

Black girl who rocks,” she said.

Others did just that: Rhimes, the creator behind TV hits “Grey’s Anatomy,” ‘’Scandal” and “How to Get Away with Murder,” brought her daughter to the event “to sit in a room with you and feel the energy that’s here.”

“Because she and you are the ones who count, the ones who matter,” said Rhimes. “It’s the minute someone starts giving you awards, you are more history than future. But your slates are blank, your paths are clear and your stories are whatever you decide they’re going to be.”

Grammy-winning R&B singer Monica brought her daughter onstage at the end of her performance.

Other performers include Brandy, Andra Day, Jazmine Sullivan, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae and Imani Uzuri.

Gladys Knight, who performed a medley of her hits as the audience stood up and danced, was also honored.

“It is the best award, the greatest trophy that I’ve ever received,” she said. “More than a Grammy. More than so many other awards that I’ve gotten that I appreciate.”

Other honorees included Black Lives Matter founders Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi; “The Hunger Games” actress Amandla Stenberg, who has received praise for being vocal about cultural appropriation; and Danai Gurira, the “Walking Dead” actress and playwright behind Broadway’s “Eclipse,” starring Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, who also attended Black Girls Rock!

Debbie Allen, Kelly Rowland, Cissy Houston, Erykah Badu, Tatyana Ali and Teyonah Parris also attended.

Tracee Ellis Ross, star of ABC’s “black-ish,” hosted the event and kicked it off with a hilarious and impressive dance number, channeling Rihanna, Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson and her mother, Diana Ross.

Clinton’s frustration grows, as primary race continues

by Lisa Lerer and Ken Thomas Associated Press Writers

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP)—Hillary Clinton snapped at a Greenpeace protester. She linked Bernie Sanders and tea party Republicans. And she bristled with anger when nearly two dozen Sanders supporters marched out of an event near her home outside New York City, shouting “if she wins, we lose.”

“They don’t want to listen to anyone else,” she shot back. “We actually have to do something. Not just complain about what is happening.”

After a year of campaigning, months of debates and 35 primary elections in the Democratic presidential race, Sanders is finally getting under Clinton’s skin.

Clinton has spent weeks largely ignoring Sanders and trying to focus on Republican front-runner Donald Trump. Now, after several primary losses and with a tough fight in New York on the horizon, Clinton is showing flashes of frustration with the Vermont senator—irritation that could undermine her efforts to unite the party around her candidacy.

According to Democrats close to Hillary and former President Bill Clinton, both are frustrated by Sanders’ ability to cast himself as above politics-as-usual even while firing off what they consider to be misleading attacks. The Clintons are even more annoyed that Sanders’ approach seems to be rallying—and keeping— young voters by his side.

While Hillary Clinton’s team contends her lock on the nomination is “nearly insurmountable,” the campaign frequently grumbles that Sanders hasn’t faced the same level of scrutiny as the former secretary of state, New York senator and first lady. Her aides complain about Sanders’ rhetoric, claiming he’s broken his pledge to avoid character attacks by going after

her paid significant speeches political or and ties to financial Wall Street. pressure to They also drop out of point to the race, scenes of even if it beSanders comes clear supporters he cannot booing Clinwin the ton’s name nomination. at his ralClinton lies. stayed in Actress the 2008 Rosario contest Dawson’s against 15-minute Barack speech at a Obama until New York the bitter City rally end, though on Thursher initial SHOWING FRUSTRATION—Democratic presidential candidate advantage day, in Hillary Clinton speaks during a rally in Syracuse, N.Y., Friday, April with suwhich she 1. (AP Photo/Mike Groll) rallied the perdelecrowd by gates, who crying “shame on you, Hillary” and noted later flipped to the Illinois senator, gave that Clinton could soon face an FBI inher a stronger case for the nomination. terview over the email controversy while Unlike eight years ago, when California at the State Department, underscored Sen. Dianne Feinstein brought Clinton the growing tensions between the camand Obama together for a meeting, few paigns.

Democrats are in position to broker peace Over the weekend, the bickering was between Clinton and Sanders. For most of about a possible debate before the New his political career, Sanders identified as York primary April 19. Clinton’s campaign an independent — not a Democrat — accused Sanders’ of playing “political leaving him with far weaker ties to party games” by rejecting three specific dates; powerbrokers.

Sanders’ team volunteered dates the ClinAccording to an Associated Press analyton campaign says are unworkable. sis, Sanders must win 67 percent of the Clinton hopes big victories in New York remaining delegates and uncommitted suand five Northeastern states a week later perdelegates — party leaders and officials will allow her to wrap up the nomination who can support any candidate — by the end of the month. through June to be able to clinch the But aides acknowledge that Sanders, Democratic nomination. So far he’s only who’s raised $109 million this year and winning 37 percent. has pledged to take his campaign to the Joel Benenson, Clinton’s chief strategist, party convention in July, is unlikely to feel said: “We’re going to get to a point at the

end of April where there just isn’t enough real estate for him to overcome the lead that we’ve built.”

Still, any kind of truce is probably weeks, if not months, away.

For now, Sanders is costing Clinton significant time, money and political capital.

His victories in recent Western caucuses underscored her weaknesses among younger and white working-class voters, important elements of the Democratic coalition. He’s favored in the Wisconsin primary Tuesday.

Sanders is drawing sizable crowds in New York, attracting 18,500 to a rally in the South Bronx on Thursday. A victory in that state, which Clinton represented for two terms in the Senate, would deal a significant psychological blow to her campaign, rattling Democrats already worried about her high national disapproval ratings.

Clinton is more reliant on traditional fundraising than Sanders, who’s raised the bulk of his money online. Even as she prepares for New York’s primary, she has scheduled fundraisers before then in Denver, Virginia, Miami and Los Angeles — at the home of actor George Clooney.

She needs to continue raising primary dollars because June contests in California and New Jersey will be expensive.

Sanders faces fewer financial anxieties.

Sanders adviser Tad Devine said the senator was not encouraging his supporters to disrupt Clinton’s events and was focused on his own message. But he also said the campaign would respond when Clinton mischaracterizes Sanders’ records and positions.

Her attacks, he said, only help Sanders.

“When your attacks against your opponent feed the biggest weakness that you have, you are undermining yourself,” said Devine.

(Thomas reported from New York.)

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APRIL 6-12, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

METRO

Community Calendar

Black community political forum addresses issues

Candidates Forum

weekend gatherings along with Braddock Mayor John Fetterman running for the Pa. United States Senate seat now held by Pat Toomey along with Major supporters of the Joe Sestak and Katie McGinty campaigns for US Senate and surrogates for the presidential candidates answered questions posed by leaders of the Black community. Several hundred from around the state attended. This is the third year in a row it was held in Pittsburgh.

“The prime issue each presidential candidate wants to make to the Black community is who will be best for the Black community. For some, it doesn’t come down to who can promise more, but does the voter trust the candidate with the most impressive resume or the candidate that isn’t beholden to wealthy donors. A large reason why there was a downturn in steel manufacturing was bad trade deals,” Benjamin Jealous, a surrogate for Bernie Sanders said in relation to Black Pittsburgh.

“Hillary Clinton never

APRIL 7—The African American Chamber of Commerce will host a candidates forum for those individuals running for State Representative for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Districts 19 and 24. The Forum is scheduled from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Lawrence Welk Room, mezzanine level, at the Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place. State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-19, and his opponent Jessica Wolfe are confirmed to appear, as are State Rep. Ed Gainey, D-24, and his opponent William Anderson.

Walk for One Promise 2016 APRIL 9—Annual charity walk to generate funding support the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program. Participants choose a 5K or half-marathon to raise essential grassroots funds for the Pittsburgh Promise. The event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., at Pittsburgh King PreK-5, 50 Montgomery Place, North Side. For more information call Julia Shepard at 412-7452220 or visit www.pittsburghpromise.o rg/Walk

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PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE—Debating for the presidential candidates Hillary Clinton is Bakari Sellers, and for Bernie Sanders is Ben Jealous. (Photos by J.L. Martello) a 1 trillion dollar student loan debt.

When asked if Sanders philosophy would actually lead to higher prices, Jealous said no. “If you sat down with the president of Penn you will find he says ‘It’s like ground hog day every year when I have to go to Harrisburg to get a lot more money to go to Penn State then the state penitentiary.’”

Jealous said Sanders policies of less spending on

Autism Conference & Expo April 9—The Autism Notebook Magazine is hosting the Pittsburgh Autism Notebook Connections Conference & Expo on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Green Tree, 500 Mansfield Ave., from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This event is free for parents and caregivers of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disordersto include Aspergers.

Checkin and Vendor Fair opens at 8 am. The day will offer a Keynote Address by National Speaker and TEACCH Specialist John B. Thomas, M.Ed, and 14 breakout sessions on topics ranging from cognitive, social/emotional, early childhood, behavioral, and visual stratgies, to transition preparation, and health and wellness. For more information, contact Lori Swetoha at 412-4378285 or visit PGH@autismnotebook.co m

Steel City Codefest: Kids Creative Tech Fest; STEM Showcase, and Awards Ceremony APRIL 9—Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Carnegie Library Main Branch, 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland.

Kids will show off robots and host hands-on tech activities ahead of this year’s awards presentation ceremony. For more information, contact Alexandra Schwall at 412-578-2586.

Speaker Series April 12—The Center on Race and Social Problems presents “Achievement Gaps-and the Toxic Interaction of Race, Poverty, and Segregation-Start Before Kindergarten” by Elaine Weiss, national coordinator for the Bolder Approach to Education Campaign. The presentation is scheduled for 12 to 1:30 p.m., at 2017 Cathedral of Learning in Oakland. For more information, visit crsp@pitt.edu.

Job Fair April 25—The Community Empowerment Association and Community College of Allegheny County will host a job fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7120 Kelly Street in Homewood. Representatives from companies including PNC, Bethlehem Haven, National Insurance, McDonalds and others will attend. The event will also include sessions on how to dress for success, resume writing and job interviewing skills. For more information, call 412-371-3689.

(To have an event placed in the calendar send information at least two weeks in advance to newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com.)

Street, as well as several oil and gas companies. Sellers balked at the notion, replying there are things their campaign could be bringing up about Sen. Sanders, but have chosen to stay above the fray, and not reveal. He then proceeded to mention what the campaign isn’t talking about.

“Secretary has released her tax returns Sen. Sanders hasn’t released his tax returns, he has the worst record of any progressive on guns,” he said.

“We haven’t brought up Sierra Blanca when he voted to send toxic waste to poor minority neighborhoods. He needs to put up

or shut up at this point.”

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who attended both days and also endorsed Clinton said of her, “I think the Black community supports Clinton because she has a strong record with the African American community and she gets things done. I think she will continue the Obama legacy and the Obama Presidency.”

During the course of the debate between Jealous and Sellers, the needs of Black women came up. At that point, Mayor Fetterman stood up from the audience and interjected. “The median wealth of a Black

woman is $5. You can’t think about buying a house with that kind of money.

These issues must be addressed.”

Luther Sewell publisher of Talk magazine was the head organizer for the event along with his wife Roxanne.

“The main goal of this conference is to get together leading minds in the state to figure the best ideas for Pittsburgh, because a solution in Philadelphia might be a problem in Pittsburgh,” Sewell said.

He said they plan to endorse for president and senate on April 15. “Friday evening the house was full, and we got to mingle and network with people from all over.

“The big thing about this election is a lot of hate in it and it is beginning to show how America is changing.

When you get violent people at the head of the government can you imagine what it will be in the neighborhoods?”

Other sponsors included W. Pa Black Political Assembly, Black Political Empowerment Project, Alliance for Police Accountability, Community Empowerment Association, the African American Leadership Association, the Northside Coalition for Fair Housing, the Pittsburgh Justice Collaborative.

26 of 30 homicides Black lives CONTINUED FROM A1

LUTHER SEWELL Talk Magazine and organizer

RICK ADAMS Moderator

met a trade deal she didn’t like. Right up to the TPP, which she called the gold standard.” Jealous added that she is against it now but that it is an ominous sign of her judgment or that she is a flip flopper.

Sanders is from Burlington, Vermont which was the home to many textile factories, similar to how Pittsburgh had many steel mills.

He wants free healthcare for the 30 million that don’t have it, Jealous said, the same as in most wealthy industrialized nations.

Pushing for free college tuition for everybody in Public colleges, Jealous said that some believe that the availability of Pell grants and loans led to the rise of tuition since students could get unlimited money from the government, the schools could continue to raise prices with the students paying on the back end leading to

prisons and more on schools is the solutions.

“Bernie is seen as the antiWall Street candidate whose major case for his electability is his judgment, but the equivalent of Secretary Clinton’s disastrous 2003 vote for the war in Iraq was Sen. Sanders 2000 vote to deregulate swaps and derivatives; a move directly tied to the 2008 housing collapse and loss of millions of jobs.”

Jealous said he would be happy to reply why Sanders felt it was a good decision to vote that way after he asks him.

Bakari Sellers, a top surrogate for the Clinton campaign was also in attendance for his debate with Jealous over their candidate’s policies in relation to African Americans. Clinton’s campaign has been much maligned lately with accusations of her being in the same bed as Wall

Homewood Prayer March draws smaller crowd CONTINUED FROM A1

your community who have taken a stance against the criminals. “You might have two or three shooters talking about you better not snitch or I will kill you but if an entire neighborhood stands up to ostracize them they won’t be able to do that.”

Four: Fear no one but God. Gamble who said he mentors people at Obama Academy and Wilkinsburg high school said he loves them too much to fear them and said he never has problems with them. Five: Don’t wait on a government program or grant to do what we can collectively do ourselves. Police our community, educate our own, feed our own, protect the women children and elderly, strategically put people from our communities to positions of power and support Black owned businesses.

He used the Black-pan-

ther party when it first started out as a template.

Six: Lock arms with people who do good and consistently do good together. The crowd all grabbed hands.

Seven: Less talk more do.

Praise God without ceasing.

Give thanks to God, serve the lord and love one another.

Representative Ed Gainey appeared and also gave an impassioned speech. When asked how he felt about the turnout, Rep. Gainey also refused to be negative. “The invitations came out late.

I’m glad they had it. The fact that it wasn’t a big crowd, it still marks another year that it happened.” Martin Luther King once said darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can. The Homewood Prayer March was marching with the message that love is the light that will drive out the darkness of hate.

he died shortly afterward.

No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

March 9—Tina Shelton, 37, Shada Mahone, 26, Chanetta Powell, 25, Brittany Powell, 27, all Black females, Baby Boy Powell, 8 months, and Jerry Shelton, a 35-yearold Black male were all executed by a pair of gunmen at a during a cookout in Wilkinsburg. Despite District Attorney Steven A Zappala saying police had good leads on the shooters, no arrests have been made.

The investigation is ongoing.

March 12—Derek Price, a 26-year-old Black male was shot multiple times at the Monview Heights housing complex in West Mifflin and later died at the hospital. Hours later police arrested 22-year-old Zyaire James of Clairton and charged him with homicide. He is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial.

March 13—Taevon Harris, a 15-year-old Black male was fatally shot by 19yea-old Ryzel Barret after the two argued outside Mr. Barrett’s house in Homestead. Police said Barrett then went into the house, argued with his father, shot and wounded him shooting himself.

March 14—Walli Hardy, a 23-year-old Black male, was found shot to death in a neighbor’s kitchen in Homewood. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

March 23—Linda Katilius, a 63-year-old White female, was strangled to death by her 60-year-old husband Richard, who confessed to the crime. He is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial.

March 24—Saevon Ponder, a 21-year-old Black male, was fatally shot and dumped in Beltzhoover after being kidnapped over what police said was a drug debt. Mitchell Coles has been arrested and charged with the shooting, kidnapping and other charges. He is in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial.

March 25—Tarvus Gainer, a 28-year-old Black male, was found fatally shot on Montier Street in Wilkinsburg. No arrests have been made. The investigation continues.

March 27—Glenn Fischer, a 49-year-old White male, was discovered strangled after a disturbance in a neighbor’s home.

No charges have yet been filed.

February Homicides (4) FEB. 3—Reginald Franklin, a 27year-old Black male from Home-

wood, was fatally shot while exiting a store in the 7200 block of Frankstown Avenue in Homewood. He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian where he later died. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. On the listing provided by the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner, Franklin is identified as Reginald Frankin.

Feb. 15—Calvin Turner, 56, Gerald Johnson, 68, and Darlyn Vance, 73, all Black males died of smoke inhalation and burns after the North Lang Street house where they lived in Homewood was set on fire. Latoya Lyerly, 42, who also lived there confessed to the arson. She is in the Allegheny County Jail.

FEB. 15—Keith Woodard, a 19year-old Black male from North Side, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the 100 block of Waldorf Street in the North Side. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital where he later died. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.

FEB. 15—Amelia Roman, a 96year-old White female from North Braddock, was found dead in her North Braddock home, in the 700 block of Jones Avenue, by individuals conducting a welfare check. It has been reported that she had a heart attack during a home invasion in which she was left bound and gagged. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.

FEB. 17—Madeline Bernard, a 65year-old Black female from Brighton Heights, was found stabbed to death in her home on Verner Court in Brighton Heights. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Madeline Bernard was reportedly stabbed during a domestic altercation with her daughter, Sommer Bernard, who has been charged with criminal homicide.

January Homicides JAN. 10—Damion Graham, a 39year-old Black male from the North Side, was fatally shot during a domestic altercation at a home on Forest Avenue in Bellevue. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.

JAN. 10—Chauncey Howard, a 25year-old Black male from the North Side, was found fatally shot inside of a vehicle that had crashed into a pole in the 3100 block of Universal Street in Sheraden. He was found by officers who were responding to a call of shots fired in the 3200 block. Howard was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tremond Allston and Charles Williams have been charged with criminal homicide, criminal conspiracy, carrying a firearm without a license and more.

JAN. 15—Martell Benton-Bridgett, an 18-year-old Black male from McKees Rocks, was found at the Holiday Inn Express, in the 800 block of Greentree Road, in Greentree, with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died. It has been reported that he had been at a party at the hotel when he was shot. No one had been charged; the investigation is ongoing.

JAN. 19—Shawn Cavender, a 39year-old Black male from Pittsburgh, was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his lower extremities in a home in the 100 block of Southern Avenue in Mt. Washington. He was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital where he later died. Reportedly, he had gotten into an argument with another male who fled the scene. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.

JAN. 19—Raymond O’Neal, a 17year-old Black male from Penn Hills,

was shot and killed at a home in the 8900 block of Upland Terrace in Penn Hills. It is believed that there was a confrontation and O’Neal was shot.

No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.

JAN. 20—Dante Dawkins, a 29year-old Black male from Clairton, was shot to death in the 400 block of Windgap Avenue, in Windgap Industrial Park, which is in the Windgap/Esplen area. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Divine Barrett was also found dead at the scene; one was found in a nearby vehicle and the other was lying in the street. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing. (The Office of the Medical Examiner of Allegheny County has Dawkins’ age listed as 39, but other reports and an obituary list him as 29.)

JAN. 20—Divine Barrett, a 24year-old Black male from New Jersey, was shot to death in the 400 block of Windgap Avenue, in Windgap Industrial Park, which is in the Windgap/Esplen area. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Dante Dawkins was also found dead at the scene; one was found in a nearby vehicle and the other was lying in the street. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.

JAN. 21—Bronson Waite, a 23year-old White male from Brighton Heights, was found shot to death in the torso at a residence in the 3900 block of Vinceton Street in Perry North. He was pronounced dead at the scene. It has been reported that a robbery and the shooting may have taken place the previous day. Daron Clark has been charged with criminal homicide, burglary, robbery, criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm with an altered manufacture number.

JAN. 22—Janese Jackson Talton, a 29-year-old Black female from Penn Hills, was found fatally shot outside of Cliff’s Bar, located at North Lang Avenue in Homewood, by officers who were responding to a ShotSpotter notification. She was pronounced dead at the scene. According to reports, Talton was allegedly shot by Charles McKinney after rejecting his advances. McKinney is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license, fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession with intent to deliver, recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving.

JAN. 30—Eric Johnson, a 24-yearold Black male from McKeesport, was fatally shot in the area of Fern Alley, in McKeesport, while sitting in a vehicle with another male. Johnson died at the scene; the other male was taken to a local hospital. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.

JAN. 31—Bruce Kelley Jr., a 37year-old Black male from Pittsburgh, was shot and killed by Port Authority Police after an altercation. According to reports, Kelley and his father were found drinking alcohol at a Wilkinsburg shelter near the East Busway when officers initially encountered them. An altercation broke out and the two got away. After finding the two again and Kelley allegedly refusing orders to put down a knife, officers Tased him. When that did not work, they released their K-9, Aren, and Kelley stabbed him. Officers then shot and killed Kelley. He died of multiple gunshot wounds to the trunk and extremities. Aren also died. The investigation is ongoing.

(Ulish Carter contributed to this article.)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

APRIL 6-12, 2016 A5

METRO

Bradshaw gets rump roasted at Blount’s All-Star Celebrity Roast CONTINUED FROM A1

the needling with stride, bending over with laughter, slapping his knee and trying not to fall out of his wheel chair.

“I want to thank Mel Blount and TiAnda for inviting me and my wife Tammy,” said Bradshaw. “I want to thank Mel for getting me here and they spared no expense. But, it was a long Uber ride here from Oklahoma.”

Bradshaw is the best remembered and most popular of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the ‘70s. That’s when the Steelers were the NFL’s Team of the Decade, when they won four Super Bowls in six years.

Bradshaw had several goals when he was playing for the Steelers. He wanted to help the Black & Gold win the Super Bowl and he wanted to play in the Pro Bowl and be regarded as the best quarterback in the pro ranks. He has realized all those goals.

“Joe Greene was one of the

TERRY BRADSHAW

KOLB FAMILY—Jon Kolb and family at painting: Pictured: Caleb Kolb, son; TiAnda Blount, Mel Blount; Jon Kolb; Deborah Kolb, wife; Katie Kolb, daughter-in-law; and Tanner Kolb, son. (Photos by Gail Manker)

MULLINS FAMILY—Gerry “Moon” Mullins stands with his family at painting. Pictured are Chris Shaffer, Scott Shaffer, sons; Joan Mullins, wife; Gerry “Moon” Mullins; Evan Shaffer, son; and artist August Vernon.

Cum Posey elected to hoops Hall of Fame

EVAN BAKER great-nephew speaking about his great uncle.

CLAUDE JOHNSON founder of the Black Fives Foundation speaks.

CONTINUED FROM A1

“It wasn’t because he was Black, the Holy Ghost fathers integrated the school well before 1900,” he said. “It was because he was playing for these professional teams— Monticello, the Loendi Big Five, The Monarch Elks Five—making money playing against White clubs in barnstorming exhibitions. It was because he was a ‘ringer.’”

Rob Ruck, who wrote “Sandlot Seasons,” which first introduced Posey’s sports legacy to Johnson and a host of others, also attended the press announcement. He said Posey, now the only person inducted into both the National Baseball and Basketball Halls of Fame should be celebrated as a Pittsburgh Sports hero. ““His teams beat all comers, White and Black. They did so with athletic skill, with intelligence and dignity,” said Ruck. “Pittsburgh became ‘Titletown, USA.’ And nobody was more integral to that story than Cum Posey. His teams won more championships in two different sports than the Steelers and Pirates combined.”

Posey’s great nephew, UPMC Pathologist Dr. Evan Baker had been following the effort to draft Posey into the Basketball Hall of Fame said he was elated to see it happen.

“For me to go through this a second time is beyond words,” he said.

from 1916-18, and is the first Duke to achieve basketball’s highest honor.

The Pittsburgh native, who later gained fame as a player and owner of the vaunted Homestead Grays baseball team of the old Negro Leagues, led the Dukes in scoring for three seasons and is considered to have been instrumental in introducing basketball to the African American community in the early 1900s.

“Today, we honor a man who could be called Pittsburgh’s forgotten champion,” said Duquesne president Charles Dougherty.

And according to Black Fives Foundation founder Claude Johnson, he could have been forgotten even at Duquesne because he enrolled and played there under the name Charles Cumbert.

There are two main reasons why he could have done that, said Johnson. Some think it was so he could “pass for white’” and play against other colleges that at the time were anything but integrated.

But Johnson told the New Pittsburgh Courier two years ago as he was preparing a museum exhibit on Posey and other Black players of the time, that’s not the reason. At the time he was a star athlete at Duquesne, captain of its baseball, basketball and golf teams.

few early in my career that defended me,” said Bradshaw. “We both made commercials. “Mean” Joe made millions and millions on his famous Coke commercial and I made two dollars on my dewormer commercial.”

His signature is the most costly and prized of the players from the Chuck Noll’s championship teams.

He makes more money a year now signing his name than he did in his early seasons with the Steelers.

Sometimes his autographed can be negotiated.

“Coach Dan ‘Bad Rad’ Radakovich had some book that was valued at $32 dollars,” said Bradshaw. “He said that he would give me the book for free if I signed three footballs for him. So I only made 10 dollars on those autographs.”

Terry Bradshaw retired from Fox NFL Sunday after 21 years and is ready to take the next step in his life. He just isn’t sure what that step will be.

“I’m sitting here in a wheel chair because my right foot is in a cast because I recently got my foot fused, my right knee has been replaced and next week I am getting my left wrist fused,” said Bradshaw. “I’m bigger than all my lineman today. Jon Kolb and “Moon” Mullins are the reason why I had to get my knee replaced.”

The Mel Blount Youth Home 18th Annual All-Star Celebrity Roast was about giving back, raising funds for what Steelers Hall of Famer Mel Blount and his wife TiAnda have committed their lives to.

“This is a huge part of our budget and we are honored to have Bradshaw here.

Terry has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into this program over the years,” said Mel Blount.

“We need these funds to continue to provide services for the kids we work with and take care of the responsibilities of running the program. We are in it every day and my name is on the door,

DWAYNE AND JOY WOODRUFF so we want to make sure we provide the best we can.”

During the annual 18th Annual Mel Blount Youth Home Celebrity Roast, Blount honored “Mean” Joe Greene, Jon Kolb and Gerry “Moon” Mullins.

“Terry Bradshaw told me that ‘You can lose with me, but you can’t win without me,’” said “Mean” Joe Greene. “I was Mel Blount’s roommate and you could tell he was a man of God. Mel was the youngest of eleven and had to fight to eat. He came from a very spiritual family and I’m proud of the work he has done with his Youth Home.”

John Banaszak, who was part of the famed Steel Curtain defense of the ‘70s, is now the head football coach at Robert Morris University.

“I knew John Banaszak would be a great coach one day,” said Bradshaw. “In two years as Robert Morris coach Banaszak was 1-10 and 3-6 and only the Cleveland Browns consider that a winning record.”

Theodore Roosevelt once

said: “It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who know the great enthusiasms and the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails at least fails while daring greatle…so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither defeat or victory.”

This best describes Mel Blount.

Banquet Proceeds will be used for capital improvements, repairs, and maintenance, program needs, farm and equestrian programs and debt reduction as determined by Mel Blount Youth Home Board of Directors.

A6

APRIL 6-12, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

OPINION

Firing of Wendy Bell is overkill

Guest Editorial

Pennsylvanians lose in state budget Governor Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill that passed along with the state budget, citing several concerns including how it divides money for schools.

Wolf said the legislation has a school funding distribution formula he considers one of the most unfair in the country and that bond borrowing would be expanded without addressing the state’s structural deficit.

House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin said no decision has been made about whether to seek to override Wolf’s veto.

The governor’s veto follows his decision last week to allow a House-passed version of this year’s state budget to become law without his signature.

Wolf was forced to allow a disappointing and shortsighted budget to pass after a state-record nine-month budget impasse that threatened to close public schools.

In the end, Wolf had to succumb to Republican obstruction in Harrisburg similar to what President Barack Obama faces in Washington. The governor was also abandoned by fellow Democrats in the legislature who were willing to pass an inadequate budget rather than go toward the end of the fiscal year with no budget at all.

The budget has been described as a win for Republicans in the state legislature but it is really a disappointment and loss for Pennsylvanians.

The budget plan proposed by Wolf would have significantly boosted education funding in a state that had suffered deep cuts in state education funding under the previous Corbett administration.

While far from perfect the governor’s plan would have expanded the state’s role in funding schools to 50 percent. This is the first time in four decades that the state’s share of school funding would have exceeded 50 percent. The current share is about a third.

Wolf’s plan would have also eased the burden on local taxpayers who had to pick up the slack when state funding to local school districts declined under former Gov. Tom Corbett. The governor was seeking to restore the funding cuts made by the previous administration by adding more than $1 billion in new funding and reforms for early childhood, K-12 schools and higher education. Wolf’s plan would have also increased funding for basic and special education to school districts by $506.7 million— about 7.6 percent—to a record $7.2 billion.

The proposal includes another $3.8 billion for school districts to cut homeowners’ taxes by more than 50 percent. The plan would provide greater relief to high-tax, high-poverty districts. The budget proposal includes $160 million in savings to school districts by adjusting the calculation of tuition charges that fund cyber schools.

The governor also proposed $15 million in additional funding for community colleges—a 7 percent increase that would restore 75 percent of cuts enacted since 2011. This would have helped to make college more affordable for many students.

Wolf’s budget proposal was ambitious and there was not a way that it would pass in its entirety in a Republican-controlled legislature opposed to any new state taxes.

Perhaps Wolf could have been a better negotiator and consensus builder for his ideas. But Wolf was seeking for the first time in years to seriously address the issue of fairly funding education in Pennsylvania.

Wolf may need to revise his strategy, but he must continue the fight in upcoming budget battles.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

Pittsburgh Courier NEW

Founded 1910

Rod Doss

Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher

Allison Palm

Eric Gaines

Office Manager

Advertising Manager

Ulish Carter

Ashley Johnson Associate Editor

Managing Editor

Jeff Marion Circulation Consultant

John H. Sengstacke Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

The recent firing of TV personality Wendy Bell over her statements about the possible killers in the massacre in Wilkinsburg was overkill.

The murder of three women, two men and an unborn baby was one of the worst massacres in this area’s history, yet there weren’t any massive protests or rallies to end the violence.

Even an annual march in Homewood only drew 20 people compared to 200 the previous year. Yet, some people got mighty upset with TV news anchor Wendy Bell when she voiced her opinion and feelings about the shooting victims and the shooters that apparently led to her firing.

When I first read her account of the massacre and her feeling about it, it brought tears to my eyes. Here’s a White female TV personality expressing her outrage over this incident.

Maybe I missed the statements from Black TV personalities or Black groups.

But instead of being encouraged and supported for her outcry and rage of the massive slaughter of innocent people, there were some, Black and White, who were upset over the fact that she described the possible killers as young Black men, with mothers who work multiple jobs and children with multiple fathers. Stereotype.

This appears to have more people outraged than the actual murders, because people who didn’t say a thing about the murders and the many murders before this, in urban cities all over this country, by Black people killing Black people.

One of my major concerns in life, and one of the major reasons I’ve devoted most of my adult life to fighting for Black people, is Black on Black and White on Black violence. If these people who are so concerned over Bell’s statements would just take a few minutes to look at the homicide

Ulish Carter

Just Sayin’

breath are saying “as long as those n… are killing each other.” *** Congratulations go out to Maurita Bryant who will be retiring from the police department May 9 after serving 39 years. Bryant was one of the many Blacks who was hired on the Pittsburgh police force after the consent decree during the 1970s which forced the city to hire one Black male, one Black female, and one White female for every White male hired to the force, until the percentage equaled the their percentage in the city.

That never happened because the forces that kept Blacks off the force in the first place screamed “Reverse Discrimination” to defeat Affirmative Action and things eventually went back to the way it was--few to no Blacks. But during a short span while it was in force several outstanding Blacks were accepted onto the force. One was Maurita Bryant who moved from a young recruit, as she stated, with very little support from her family, with the exception of her mother, very little support from the Black community, and probably none from the almost all White police force. It’s odd how many qualified Blacks were found during this short time period compared to the number after. She rose from being criticized for being Black, and female to being one of the most respected officers on the force. She never gave up. It was felt that there was no place for her or people like her on the White male police force, by not only the police, but by the Black community as well. She stood her ground and became the first Black female Assistant Chief in Pittsburgh history. She has blown the doors wide open for the other sisters to follow her not only as officers but eventually…Chief.

list posted by the Courier every month they would find that almost all the killings of Blacks are done by other Blacks, generally young Black males.

And this isn’t just in Pittsburgh; this is all over the country. With cities like Chicago, Detroit, D.C., Los Angeles, St. Louis, East St. Louis, Philadelphia and New York City leading the way.

We are losing thousands of our young men every year yet few people seem alarmed but let a White person speak out about her compassion for the slaughtered victims and people start howling racism, racism. Stereotyping.

The real racism came from those of us who said nothing. As I stated in a previous column where is the outrage over the massive slaughter of our young Black males not just by police but also by our own?

I will be shocked and surprised if the murderers aren’t young Black males.

Why? Because history tells me so. If you investigated the thousands of murders and shootings over the past 20 or more years in urban cities you would find that the vast majority, 90 percent or more, of the murders have been by other Blacks, and generally under age 30.

Bell is a newscaster…this isn’t something she just pulled from the air.

Pittsburgh needs more newscasters who really feel sorry for the victims, and their family, who are willing to express their feelings instead of those (Ulish Carter is the managing editor of the who could care less and under their New Pittsburgh Courier.)

What if Donald Trump’s campaign manager was Black?

by Julianne Malveaux (NNPA)—It is probably not especially politically correct to bring more race matters into the debacle that is also known as the Donald Trump quest for the Presidency. He has called out and targeted racial and ethnic groups, as well as targeted individual women because of their appearance (or more, but we won’t go there). He has supported basic thuggery, offering to pay the legal fees for a man who sucker-punched an African American protester, and egging on others who beat up a protester. The latest goes from the amusing to the amazing. Although there is a video showing his campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski putting his hands on former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields, he and Trump have said that eyes can lie. Even in the face of video evidence, he denied touching Fields. He and Trump tried to dismiss her as “delusional,” essentially “blaming the victim.”

Imagine that Corey Lewandowski was an African American man. Imagine that he nearly knocked down a White woman reporter. Can you hear the outrage? Can you hear the demands? Were Lewandowski African American, would he have been caricatured as a hoodlum or thug, pandering to the stereotypes? Or would Mr. Trump have had Black Lewandowski’s back as firmly?

I am not surprised that Mr. Trump has condoned Lewandowski’s violence, nor am I surprised that he’s taken the “wuss” role by suggesting the reporter, who was attempting to get his attention, had “touched” him (and that maybe he should press charges). It is

entirely consistent with his other campaign behavior. He has suggested that his supporters might “riot” if he does not get the Republican nomination. His amazing incivility adds to the vaudevillian atmosphere of this bizarre campaign. How different would it be if Corey Lewandowski were Black?

A Black man could not have put his hand on a White woman with impunity. If he did, he probably would not have had to wait more than a week to be charged for his transgression. He might have apologized, whether he were asked to do so or not, both from civility and from cultural conditioning. Trump and Lewandowski assumed that Michelle Fields, a White woman, could be thrown under the bus by two powerful, White men who called her a liar, delusional, and any other slur they could get away with. A Black man would not have had the luxury—he would have had to rush into rapid CYA (cover your hind parts) mode.

Those women who are supporting Trump need to be well aware of his propensity to disregard and disrespect women. Loyalty notwithstanding, Lewandowski’s untoward behavior deserves some reaction—maybe not a firing, but some form of suspension, or something that suggests that a “hands on” campaign need not be literally hands on, or that the “ground game” that Lewandowski is often praised for does not mean that he should knock reporters down to the ground.

Those African Americans (and there are a few), who are supporting Donald Trump need to ask themselves what the reaction would be if Corey

Lewandowski were Black. Would Trump be as supportive? Would others? And just for the record, who are the senior African Americans on the Trump team? Just asking. Not complaining, if there aren’t any.

I am of the generation that used to play “what if” all the time. Knowing, but determined to imagine and speculate, what would happen if you flip the script.

What if the White McKinney, Texas police corporal Eric Casebolt had pulled a blonde White girl by the hair instead of pulling the braids of the Black Dajerra Becton? Or, what if a Black officer, not Casebolt, had pulled a White girl by her blonde locks? The very muted outrage that we heard when Becton was assaulted would have turned into a crescendo had a Black police officer had the temerity to assault a White teen.

Similarly, if a car full of Black plainclothes NYPD police officers had chosen to hassle a White mailman because he hollered at them, would there have been the same arrest and cover-up that has taken place in the White police officers in Crown Heights arrested Glen Grays and forced him to abandon his mail truck?

I am not sure why I play “what if” or “just imagine.” We know that race still matters, and that matters still aren’t fair. Still, as I watch Mr. Trump circle the wagon around Corey Lewandowski, I just have to wonder how different his reaction (and the public reaction) might be if Lewandowski were Black. Just wondering.

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based in Washington, DC.)

Black voices missing from discussion on Western Sahara

by Bill Fletcher Jr. (NNPA)—I was thrilled to hear that there would be a hearing on Capitol Hill regarding the human rights situation in the Western Sahara. The “Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission,” co-chaired by Congressman Joseph Pitts and Congressman James McGovern, along with Commission member Congressman John Conyers, hosted the discussion March 23. This was quite important in light of the pathetic media coverage of the on-going and illegal Moroccan occupation of the Western Sahara and the human rights abuses carried out by the occupying forces. Morocco has occupied most of the Western Sahara, since it invaded the territory shortly after the Spanish withdrew in 1975.

There were two things quite noticeable about the hearing, despite its many strengths.

There were four presenters, each of who gave compelling testimony emphasizing the illegality of the occupation and the abuse of the indigenous— Sahrawi—population by the Moroccans. Yet the presenters—Kerry Kennedy, the president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights group,

Francesco Bastagli, the former Special representative of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara of the United Nations, Eric Goldstein, the deputy director MENA Division of Human Rights Watch, and Erik Hagen, the chair of the Western Sahara Resource Watch—were all White. Don’t get me wrong. The presentations were all compelling and warranted.

Yet, I found myself wondering why there were no Africans or African Americans making the case in addition to these White specialists.

The second noticeable feature of the meeting was that the meeting itself, with certain noticeable exceptions, e.g., Congressman John Conyers some representatives and supporters of the Sahrawi liberation movement (Polisario), were very White. Perhaps I should put it another way. There were very few African Americans present in the room.

I kept looking for other members of the Congressional Black Caucus to stick their heads into the room as an expression of solidarity, but that did not happen. Perhaps they sent their staff? Perhaps there was something else transpiring? In either case, the lack of an African American presence

was more than noticeable, at least to me.

Throughout the history of people of African descent in North America, there has always been a constituency that has concerned itself with developments in Africa. Sometimes such individuals (and groups) have been inspired by religion, while at other times by politics and economics. In the more recent past TransAfrica emerged in the late 1970s as an institution launched through the work of the Congressional Black Caucus as a means of bringing national attention to matters facing Africa and the African Diaspora. Similar organizations, such as those that would in the early 2000s constitute Africa Action, followed a similar path.

Today, the weakness and/or non-existence of such organizations is evident in the void found in hearings such as the March 23rd examination of the situation in the Western Sahara. This is a void that needs to be filled and it needs to be filled by progressive Black organizations and individuals lest it is filled by those who— even in wearing a black skin—have nefarious objectives on the Continent.

(Bill Fletcher Jr. is the former president of TransAfrica Forum.)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

President Obama and the elephant in the room (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—It’s been whispered for years so let’s deal with the elephant in the room: Many African Americans have privately complained that President Obama has catered to the needs of immigrants more than those of Blacks.

The fact that neither group fits in a separate and unique block notwithstanding, an examination of government figures shows that in at least two areas—deportations and presidential pardons— that’s not true.

Let’s first address immigration.

“Since coming to office in 2009, Obama’s government has deported more than 2.5 million people— up 23 percent from the George W. Bush years,” Fusion observed. “More shockingly, Obama is now on pace to deport more people than the sum of all 19 presidents who governed the United States from 1892-2000, according to government data. “...And he’s not done yet. With the clock ticking down his final months in office, Obama appears to be running up the score in an effort to protect his title as deporter-in-chief from future presidents.

To pad the numbers, Homeland Security is now going after the lowest-hanging fruit: women and children who are seeking asylum from violence in Central America. “‘This is the only time I remember enforcement raids on families of women and children who are fleeing some of the most violent places on the planet,’ says Royce Bernstein Murray, director of policy for the National Immigrant Justice Center.

‘The families came to the U.S. looking for a hand, but they got the boot.’”

Under the headline, “Barack Obama, deporterin-chief,” the Economist magazine declared, “America is expelling illegal immigrants at nine times the rate of 20 years ago (see article); nearly 2m so far under Barack Obama, easily outpacing any previous president. Border patrol agents no longer just patrol the border; they scour the country for illegals to eject. The deportation machine

George E. Curry

Commentary costs more than all other areas of federal criminal law-enforcement combined.”

Also troubling are accusations of racial profiling.

In February, Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center filed a federal lawsuit demanding that the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement release data about the use of racial profiling in the controversial program known as the Priority Enforcement Program, formerly Secure Communities.

Despite the soaring deportations under Obama, Republicans accuse Obama of being soft on immigration. Meanwhile, progressives give Obama little credit for advances he has made trying to reform the criminal justice system.

“Today, the President announced 61 new grants of commutation to individuals serving years in prison under outdated and unduly harsh sentencing laws. More than one-third of them were serving life sentences. To date, the President has now commuted the sentences of 248 individuals—more than the previous six Presidents combined. And, in total, he has commuted 92 life sentences, the White House said in a statement March 30.

While Obama has commuted the sentences of 248 people, Ford commuted 22, Jimmy Carter 29, Ronald Reagan 13, George H.W. Bush 3, Bill Clinton 61, and George W. Bush 43.

A prisoner’s commutation of sentence involves the reduction of time being served. Unlike a pardon, it does not remove the conviction from that person’s record. Clemency reduces the penalty but also does not remove the conviction.

Obama met last week with commutation recipients from both his administration and those granted by Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to discuss how the process can be strengthened.

Following lunch, Obama said, “But we’re not done, and we’re going to keep on working on this until I leave. It’s something that I’m going to keep on working on even after I leave the presidency, because—some of you know we had an Easter Prayer Breakfast with ministers, pastors from all around the country of all denominations in which we read Scripture and were reminded of Jesus’s teachings.

“And at the heart of my faith, and what I believe is at the heart of the American ideal is, is that we’re all imperfect. We all make mistakes. We have to own those mistakes. We have to take responsibility and learn from those mistakes. But we as a society have to make sure that people who do take responsibility and own and learn from those mistakes are able to continue to be part of the American family. It’s the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do.”

The president’s embrace of Kemba Smith, who was given a 24.5 year mandatory sentence at the age of 24 and pardoned in 2000 by Bill Clinton, was posted as photograph of the day on the White House website.

The White House statement, issued by White House Counsel Neil Eggleston, said, “Despite the progress we have made, it is important to remember that clemency is nearly always a tool of last resort that can help specific individuals, but does nothing to make our criminal justice system on the whole more fair and just.

Clemency of individual cases alone cannot fix decades of overly punitive sentencing policies. So while we continue to work to resolve as many clemency applications as possible—and make no mistake, we are working hard at this—only broader criminal justice reform can truly bring justice to the many thousands of people behind bars serving unduly harsh and outdated sentences.”

Obama has additional work to do on both criminal justice and immigration reform.

(George E. Curry is President and CEO of George Curry Media, LLC. He is the former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA. He can be reached through his Web site, georgecurry.com.)

FORUM

Thanks to you who seek public office We all know did not need a full well who Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick Black man in “they” are.

Washington, D.C. “They” had laws to represent us bein place that cause the White would not allow congressman was us to register, so a liberal. we definitely The third Black could not run person to run for for public office. the 14th CongresHowever there sional position was came a period in history that one of the a Black female and the forces that were most brilliant legal minds in history, at- so detrimental in the defeat of the two torney and then U.S. Supreme Court Black men were still active and the sisjustice the Honorable Thurgood Mar- ter met the same fate that the two shal through the courts “they” were brothers, Algia and Byrd, who both are compelled to cease preventing Blacks deceased.

The sister that was defeated is alive the right to register. There now was the opportunity for Blacks to become active and well and is a candidate in this curin a political system that “they” had es- rent primary. Her name is Dr. Janis C. Brooks. Dr. Brooks is the epitome of tablished and controlled.

Yes now we are able to run for local of- what I have written about the last 20 fices, which most have become Black po- odd years: competency, courage and comsitions. For a number of years Blacks mitment. Dr. Brooks presented me with have been critical of other Blacks for a book she had published and the title is failure to seek elected offices. But when right on target for those of us who will be there are those who do seek public office voting in the 14th Congressional Diswe often find fault with them. There are trict, the title is Domestic Apartheid. two young Black men Todd Koger and Every one of us should be familiar with William Anderson running for the Pa. apartheid in South Africa; it resulted House of Representatives, and I con- into the creation of the most prestigious gratulate both of them for having the and powerful man in my lifetime, the courage and commitment. It is an estab- great Nelson Mandela. However Domeslished fact you can’t win if you fail to tic Apartheid, which has existed run. I am personally acquainted with throughout Allegheny County throughboth of these young men and it is my ab- out the course of our lives has the opposolute conviction that both of them truly site affect on us as a people, it has made believe if they are elected that they too many of us unconcerned, indifferent, could and would make a difference. cowards, and sellouts saying, “I must The presidential campaign receives 98 protect my job,” “I might get a job” or “I percent of all press coverage and the have a grant pending.”

In my first winning election, many, majority of us don’t realize that there are other important positions such as many years ago a group of us brought U.S. Senate and the U.S. Congress. A thousands of small hand mirrors and perfect example is the current 14th inscribed on them “on election day be Congressional District, it has more sure to vote for the person that looks Black citizens than any congressional like the one in the mirror.” We did not district in western Pennsylvania and stress in those years the adjective qualthere has never been a Black man or ification. I will always remember that woman elected. In fact, only three night when the polls closed, the vote Blacks have ever run for the 14th Con- was counted and Black Pride overgressional position. In 1968 the Al- whelmingly won the election.

In the upcoming election I am asking legheny County Republican Party endorsed a Black man, Algia Gary. Those you to look in the mirror of life and to colored committee persons and those vote for a Black mother, educator, Chriscolored persons who had political jobs tian, Rev. Dr. Janis C. Brooks. Her platcampaigned against the Black man by form is Family Sustainability. I read a telling those they ran into that Algia bookmarker and it described the sister was no good because he was a Republi- well. Willing to help like Harriet Tubman, inspire like Maya Angelou, strong can and they defeated him.

In 1972 Attorney Byrd R. Brown, “Mr. like Rosa Parks, speaks out like FrederN.A.A.C.P” was a candidate for the 14th ick Douglas and believes like President Congressional district and the same Barack Obama.

I retired from poll work, but I will be persons who worked day and night to defeat Algia worked day and night to unretired on Election Day. (Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the defeat Attorney Byrd R. Brown and used the weak flawed argument that we New Pittsburgh Courier.)

To Tell The Truth

Gang photo still missing I waited a few volved in a gang weeks and the J. Pharoah Doss lifestyle and sufgang photo is still fered an unspeakmissing. able loss with the Last November execution of his son.

I wrote an op-ed But this wasn’t the titled “The Missact of a bereaved faing Gang Photo.” ther it was a retalI described a iatory response by a photograph of gang member inrival gang memsulted by the very bers posing with members of the Nation notion of disrespect. of Islam during the Baltimore riots. It And once again there was no gang was promoted as a “gang truce,” some photo just a picture of the gunman with captions even read: Gang unity to provide a caption that stated the boy “was capsafety and prevent looting. (A few months tured and killed by a monster.” With after the riot the murders in Baltimore the gang photo missing only the rose to levels not seen in decades. The mayor’s “not a human being” statement Black mayor fired the Black police chief. echoes from Chicago to other mayors The mayor said, “Too many continue to and police departments. die on our streets. We need a change.”)

Back in Baltimore another father (43) Then I discussed the killing of a 9- and son (18) were recently shot and year-old boy in Chicago. killed by the police. The two were beGang members lured the boy into an lieved to be affiliated with the Black alley and shot him several times. He Guerrilla Family gang. The men were was targeted because he was a rival armed with a pistol and semi-automatic gang member’s son. rifle; they were in position to shoot a A local priest said the murder was a group across the street. “new low…A baby was assassinated.”

Baltimore’s Police Commissioner said, And the father of the boy told the press “If not for the Baltimore Police Depart“He wanted to see justice” after he ment we could have had a mass shootmade it emphatically clear that he will ing.” The father and son didn’t fire upon not cooperate with the police. the police. The officers were commended I suggested that the neighborhood for stopping them from shooting. The wanted to see a historic gang photo de- Commissioner added, “We don’t run picting young men departing from gang from bad guys with guns. We engage culture because targeting a child dis- them…We fired 56 rounds…Until this played a depth of depravity they couldn’t threat was eliminated.” muster, but the photo op was missed.

Sounds proactive until they make a Instead there were photos of Chicago’s mistake and one of the “bad guys” are mayor, Rahm Emanuel, at a press con- killed but they’re unarmed, making a ference where he announced, “Whoever martyr out of a “monster”.

Then here come the protesters, the killed this boy is not a human being.”

There were three involved in the mur- burning buildings, and the National der, the police have two in custody, and Guard. And a picture will surface in the featuring gang members, last month they arrested the slain boy’s press protesters, and community leaders posfather.

After Cook county prosecutors re- ing with protest signs, peace signs, gang vealed in court that the person accused signs, and black fist in the air underneath of killing the father’s son considered headlines that promote unity and solitorturing the boy by cutting off his ears darity, but months later when the vioand fingers the father shot the girl- lence returns with a vengeance it will be friend of the accused and two others. because the gang photo is still missing.

(J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New (These victims sustained non-lifethreatening injuries.) Chicago police Pittsburgh Courier. He blogs at jpharoahspokesman stated the father was in- doss@blogspot.com)

Commentary

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

APRIL 6-12, 2016

A7

Lee A. Daniels

Commentary

The terror attacks and people like us (GEORGE CURRY MEDIA)—Who are these people?

That’s always my first thought when humanity has been again shaken by another act of terror somewhere around the globe: Who are these individuals and groups who think that killing innocent people is an-forgive the use of this word-effective way to wage war, or just make a point, about this or that ideology they claim to hold or this or that personal grievance?

I’ve contemplated that awful mystery ever since growing up during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s led me to wonder why human beings could be so cruel to other human beings.

It was easy then to be overwhelmed by those examples of the worst human beings can do. And so it is now, when it often seems as if the world - in Brussels; in Grand Bassam, the Ivory Coast; in Paris; in Istanbul, Turkey; in Iskandariya, Iraq; in Lahore, Pakistan; in Colorado Springs, Colorado; in San Bernardino, California - is awash in the blood of innocent lives taken simply for terror’s sake.

I confess I tried during this last round of terror attacks to not read the brief obituaries of the victims — to avoid thinking of the devastating human toll.

I tried to focus on just the “hard stuff” of government officials’ reconstruction of the conspiracy and the hunt for the killers and others in the terrorist network.

But invariably a headline description of one of the innocents would catch my eye and I’d click to open the story to find that one victim, a young Belgian woman was “all smiles and bubbly enthusiasm” and “intent on using her law degree for the public good.” Another story told of a young, Congolese-born Belgian immigrant, multilingual and rising up the corporate ladder at a European energy company, but who was most proud, he said, of being “a husband and father first.” “Happiness is making happy the beloved ones,” he wrote, according to a New York Times report, beside a picture of his children playing on the beach. “Love is priceless.”

And, I read in another article that from his hospital bed in Lahore, a young, grief-stricken husband said of his now-dead pregnant wife, “I can’t figure out what happened! Within minutes, I lost my wife. I couldn’t save her.”

Elsewhere in the city, a father whose son and two of his son’s friends had died, said, “They were innocent! I can only pray that they find peace wherever they are now.”

These wrenching stories always take me back to that bright, sunny, cloudless day in early September 2001when, having caught one of the last subway trains traveling from Brooklyn into Manhattan, I arrived at my Wall Street office an hour or so before the first World Trade Center tower collapsed. In the days and weeks that followed, the city’s newspapers - and building walls, storefront windows, lamp posts, and public bulletin boards were filled with “missing person” notices that, in effect, themselves became brief obituaries of the victims. Sadness lay like a shroud over New York.

Like many, I gradually understood why I was obsessed with these items: They showed that before the dead became victims of the whirlwind, they were people with interesting personal stories, or jobs, or personalities. People you often rubbed shoulders with in this metropolis, while grabbing a cup of coffee, or waiting in line for the bus, or sharing a table at a business luncheon or charity dinner. They were people like the people in my family, in my neighborhood, in my circle of friends. I made the same “discovery” last year in reading about the nine members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. murdered because they were kind to a stranger who seemed in need of help.

In other words, I realized that reading about the lives of the victims turned my attention from considering the evil among us to considering the good. I realized it was the lives the dead had lived and the legacy of goodness they had left that redeemed their deaths.

It was a lesson, I remembered, I first learned contemplating the tragedies that shadowed the Civil Rights Movement. Those who do evil are but dust in the wind. They have no existence beyond the moment of their crime. It is always the victims of the evil who live on.

They live on by being remembered by the decent people of the world as people like us.

(Lee A. Daniels, a former reporter for The Washington Post and the New York Times, is also a former editor of The National Urban League’s The State of Black America. He can be reached at leedanielsjournalist@gmail.com)

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APRIL 6-12, 2016

PEOPLE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Generation NEXT: Ahmir Allen writes way to more equitable and sustainable world

by Renee P. Aldrich For New Pittsburgh Courier

It is a combination of scholarship, genuine compassion for others, keen intellect, and social consciousness that come together to make Ahmir Allen not only a head above the crowd, but also a real champion for the next generation.

A tall figure with thoughtful eyes that appear to reflect his soul, Ahmir surprises the casual observer with a gentle spirit that emanates when he speaks. He freely discusses why he feels first impressions are important and why he strives hard to make sure he leaves a good and lasting one.

“I try to treat people nice and with respect immediately,” Ahmir says. “It’s easier and it’s a good way for people to remember you for special opportunities.”

The Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) High School senior, a self-proclaimed feminist, already holds an abiding appreciation for the intangibles of the world.

“I belong to the Feminist Student Union at my school because I’m opposed to gender inequality that is so prevalent in this society,” he says, with a level of maturity that far exceeds his 17 years. “Within the group, we work to fight against sexism, gender norms and gender stereotypes, especially in our school. I feel it is an important fight because sexism is still very strong in our society.”

Ahmir loves writing. His gift was discovered when he was an elementary student at Pittsburgh Minadeo K-5 in Squirrel Hill.

“At Minadeo, by the time he was about to switch to Pittsburgh Sterrett for the sixth grade, his fourth-grade reading teacher pulled me aside and told me then that he was ‘something special’ and we should be looking at Rogers Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts and CAPA,” recalls his mother, Olivia Crocker, 45, who runs her own catering business. “He was placed in the

“I worked at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for one year,” Ahmir says.

“I really got into horticulture and sustainability while there and found how it appealed to me.”

Because the Phipps program was only for one year, he was able to pursue the World Affairs Council opportunity when his 11thgrade teacher recommended him.

“I felt amazing being there,” Ahmir says. “It was an awesome learning experience. Costa Rica uses nature preservation and protection of biodiversity as a way to promote sustainability. About one-fourth of the country is considered protected land, and its rainforests are home to a huge number of different species.

The government works with people in agriculture to promote sustainable farming as well.”

Those who meet Ahmir, interact with him or have influence in his life have outstanding opinions of him.

“Watching him develop over the last seven years has been a privilege,” says his English teacher, Mara Cragen, who’s known him since he was in sixth grade. “He is a light for the next generation of youth in so many dynamic ways. As a gentle soul who has sought a path of kindness and compassion in all of his dealings, he uses his writing as a means to make connections to the world at large.”

Ahmir is looking forward to graduating this spring. His plan is to enter Chatham University to pursue writing with a focus on poetry and short fiction. That makes his mother proud.

“I tried to be consistent in my efforts, to always encourage his talents and interests and to instill within him the value of diversity,” Crocker says of her parenting approach. “I gave him a love of music and culture, and mostly told him it is OK to step outside the box. Outside of the normal caring and nurturing we do, these things I feel were the imAHMIR ALLEN uses his writing to make connections to the world at large. (Photo by Jacqueline portant contributions to who he is now, and McDonald) the man I hope he becomes.” gifted program, and then he entered Rogers. He just soared after that.”

Ahmir’s writing has been cultivated over the years through his participation in a variety of competitive writing programs—winning honorable mention in some—and three years in the University of Pittsburgh’s Young Writers Institutes. These were real boosts to his confidence, Crocker says.

“The Young Writers Program was extremely instrumental in developing his writing, the highlight of which was that they actually created a chapbook (a small book of creative work), so he has been published,” his mother adds.

Ahmir is philosophically immersed in the concept of sustainability, the importance of reuse and protecting the ecosystem. Named a 2015 World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh Global Travel Scholar, he spent several weeks last summer in Costa Rica. Each Global Travel Scholar program has a different mission and Ahmir choose sustainability.

Each month in the New Pittsburgh Courier, McAuley Ministries will sponsor an article highlighting the positive contributions of an African American youth—male or female. We welcome community members to suggest a young person to feature in this monthly column.

Criteria include: • Youth and young adults, ages 12-23 • Documented evidence of leadership or achievement in community service/volunteerism; leadership or achievement in their classroom/school; creativity as an artist, musician, dancer or filmmaker; success as an entrepreneur; leadership in advocating for social justice and equity; and/or achievement in corporate or nonprofit arenas • A resident of Allegheny County.

Readers who would like to suggest a youth for this feature should email GenNext@pmhs.org.

New Pittsburgh Courier

when you go to a Black barbershop B3

7 things happen

LIFESTYLES

& the Cross B6

Three Preachers

APRIL 6-12, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

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Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report

First in March On Easter Sunday evening I went to see Disgraced, the current offering at the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

Including myself there were four of us. Those of you who are theatergoers should see this play before it closes on April 10.

Let me tell you a little about it. Amir is a hotshot corporate lawyer in Manhattan He’s also a Pakistani-American whose White wife is an artist interested in Islamic forms. When Amir is mistakenly linked to a Muslim leader, his world begins to unravel. Matters come to a head when he and his wife host a dinner party for another power couple, a Black female attorney and her Jewish husband.

Sounds interesting doesn’t it? We all enjoyed it. This 80-minute thrill ride won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. All I can tell you is this play was very interesting. It was the type of play that I would like to go and see again if I had the time. I love live theater.

After the play we went next door to Meat and Potato. This was a first for sister as well as my brother and me in law.

Our goal was to have a drink and an appetizer.

It was a little late for dinner and the restaurant was not overly crowded. In order to order our drinks at a table instead of the bar the greeter had to get approval from her manager. Was this really that big of a deal? Our waitress was nice as was the atmosphere. From our vantage point we were able to see what other people were ordering. The meal that caught our eye was the Meat and Potatoes for two it looked like something from the Flintstones. It was a huge piece of meat, actually a 34-ounce rib eye with steak fries and mushrooms. I understand that if you want the meat to be well done you might have a two-hour wait. I can’t imagine ordering a piece of meat that large.

I would have to share that with four people instead of two. I think I will go back and when I am in the mood for a full meal instead of an appetizer. Then I can give you my real opinion.

I can’t believe it is already April. This means I only have nine more months of things I have not done and places I have not been. I spotted a few things on line that look real interesting and some of them look like good photo opportunities as well. Using Groupon or Living Social is a good way to go places that you have not been; both programs offer a discount so if the place turns out to be a bust you don’t feel so bad because you saved money on the ticket or the meal.

Here is a note to all of the new groups that are having their first event.

Don’t be afraid to ask for coverage. Send me an email at least two weeks before your event. I’m looking for new and interesting.

(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)

WELCOME—Exalted Ruler Joseph Horton (Photos

by Debbie Norrell)

MR. ELK—Daughter Rose Jones, Brother William “Bill” Sanders and Paul Cabell

WELCOME—Theresa Mickle, Vice Daughter Ruler

Bon Ami Temple #49 Annual Honoring Awards Dance and Banquet

by Debbie Norrell Courier Staff Writer

On March 19, the theme was Unity for Bon Ami Temple #49 at their Annual Honoring Awards Dance Banquet at the Comfort Inn Hotel in Penn Hills. Nearly 200 gathered to witness the

2016 awards presentations.

This year’s honorees included Erica Upshaw Givner, who received the Entrepreneur Award. Her business Vision Towards Peace LLC began years ago with a quest for generational wellness when founder Erica Upshaw-

MS. ELK—Daughter Ruler Andi Williams, Barbara McGill, PSP, and Marge Wright Eubanks, Past Grand Daughter Ruler

Givner took her first Social Work class at the Community College of Allegheny County. Her commitment to combat the stereotypical stigma attached to African American’s seeking mental health wellness has remained undeterred. Her goal has always been to serve the community in which she was raised.

Renee Aldridge read her profile and the award was presented by Daughter Gwendolyn Starr.

Brother Melvin Hubbard El received the Humanitarian Award. The Honorable Ed Gainey read his profile and the award was presented by Daughter Marah Connor. Gainey said that El has exhibited nothing short of the ultimate humanitarian. “He has tirelessly given one hundred percent to the communities that I serve and to the entire Pittsburgh community.”

Each honoree also received a proclamation from Allegheny County Councilman Tom Baker. William “Bill” Saunders was presented the Mr. Elk Award, Paul Cabell read his profile and the award was presented by Daughter Rose Jones. Barbara J. McGill was presented the Ms. Elk Award, Daughter Ruler

ENTREPRENEUR AWARD HONOREE—Daughter Gwendolyn Starr, Erica UpshawGivner and Renee Aldrich

MEMBERS OF BON AMI TEMPLE #49

Andi Williams read her profile and the award was presented by Marge Wright Eubanks.

The final awards of the evening, the Good Daugh-

ter and Good Brother Award are always a surprise. This year’s Good Daughter was Jeanette Steel and the Good Brother Howard Les Carpenter.

AWARDEES WITH COUNTY COUNCILMAN—Brother Melvin Hubbard El, Erica Upshaw-Givner and the Hon. Tom Baker

HUMANITARIAN AWARD HONOREE—Daughter Marah Connor, Brother Melvin Hubbard El and The Honorable Ed Gainey

GOOD DAUGHTER—Daughter Jeanette Steel and Marge Wright Eubanks, PGDR

ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier

B2

APRIL 6-12, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Cover To Cover

‘My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me’

by Terri Schlichenmeyer For New Pittsburgh Courier

You’ve heard the stories.

Great-Grandpa made hooch in the basement during Prohibition. Grandma was arrested for protesting back in the '60s.

Your great-grandma once chased a man off with a gun.

Scandalous then, maybe, but quaint family stories now. You cherish those rebel-rousing ancestors of yours—but in “My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me” by Jennifer Teege and Nikola Sellmair, some tales may lie buried.

At 38 years old, Jennifer Teege had everything she wanted: a degree, success, a husband, two healthy sons, and a bright future.

And then, while idly browsing in a nearby library, she says, “I found the book.”

Photos inside it seemed familiar—then recognizable. They were pictures of her birth mother and the grandmother Teege loved.

And between the pictures was a story that was “the key to my family history, to my life”: the mother who gave Teege up for adoption was the child of one of Germany’s most notorious Nazis.

The grandmother who cared for Teege as a child was the mistress of Amon Goeth, commandant of Plaszów concentration camp.

Did her adoptive parents know the truth? Teege had contact with her mother until she was 7 years old and she knew her father was Nigerian; why didn’t anyone say anything about the bigger secret of their lives? And how could Teege ever reconcile the gentle grandma she loved with the woman who surely knew what was going on at the camp, but who chose to ignore it in favor of a life of comfort?

Though it felt like picking at a painful scab, Teege needed to know everything about her grandfather, a man she understood would have been outraged at her very existence. She toured his home near Plaszów, and visited sites of former concentration camps. She looked hard at old photos, and contacted her birth parents to find closure.

“I want to walk upright, to live a normal life,” she says. “There is no such thing as inherited guilt.

Everybody has the right to their own life story.”

Think that’s impactful?

Just wait…

Half of “My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me” is what you just learned— which is so powerful, so striking a tale that it’s impossible to tear yourself away. (“My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me” by Jennifer Teege and Nikola Sellmair, c.2015, The Experiment $14.9 /$22.95 Canada, 240 pages.)

Spike Lee at Carnegie Mellon Speaks on Black on Black violence

by Kevin Amos For Nee Pittsburgh Courier

We live in a world of conflict and it has produced devastating effects. Political discourse, racial and gender inequality, religious oppression and violence are some of the topics covered in the Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival. for 2016.

The “Faces of Conflict” presentation features 18 works and a short film competition over 19 days.

Spike Lee’s latest release “Chi-Raq” was one of the featured films and Lee was on the CMU campus to discuss the film and other topics.

His current film is an adaptation of a work written by famed Greek playwright Aristophanes in 411 B.C. called “Lysistrata,” set in modern day Chicago. Lee talked about how this country has a love affair with violence and how through the influence of video imagery we dominate the world.

Here is the storyline: Rapper Chi-Raq (Nick Cannon) and Lysistrata, his girlfriend (Teyonah Parris) barely make it through a shootout at the club. As they start to celebrate, her apartment is firebombed by ChiRaq’s enemy, Trojan ruler Cyclops (Wesley Snipes).

In the film, gang hits are ongoing and an 11-year-old girl has just been killed in a drive-by misfire. Fed up with what Dolmedes (Samuel L. Jackson) calls their city’s “pain, misery and strife,” Lysistrata recruits the area’s females, including those from battling gangs, to withhold sex to stop their men’s gun and violence obsession. Other standout players include

SPIKE LEE Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, John Cusack and Dave Chappelle. The film is a satire which brings sad events and humor in tandem.

One of the issues Lee has with his critics he states, “Most of them have not seen the movie. How can you address something you have not seen?”

Lee continued. “We have many examples in not just Chicago but anywhere in the US where we have this violence and it needs to stop.”

When asked about the state of affairs in Hollywood Lee called those in control, “Gatekeepers.”

“The board rooms control.”

Lee didn’t have an answer to how African American can create their own institutions within the current Hollywood system. He later gave the example of his “Kickstarter” campaign.

Lee was asked about how he approaches gender in his films and how he defends the sexual imagery of Black women in his films.

“In all of my films I feature strong Black women,” he replied. “Now would you like to see an ugly Black woman? I can do that but you wouldn’t like that, now would you? I would also like you to know that for the longest time, my wife has read every script first.”

In the packed McConomy Auditorium, Spike Lee talked about the importance of education and how his family encouraged him.

“I was lucky. I had parents and grandparents to guide

me. A lot of young people don’t have that support these days. Education is so very important but half of our young Black men don’t finish high school and end up in the prison system.”

His advice to those pursuing writing and directing careers is to ”Try to do something original. Tell your story and learn how to be consistent at it. Write everyday.”

(For information on the “Faces of Conflict” film festival go to: www.cmu.edu/faces.)

Forbes breathing new life into community TV

by Michael B. Rose For New Pittsburgh Courier.

Danielle Forbes is breathing new life into community access television. She airs on Ch. 35 for Comcast and 14 for Verizon and does 2 to 3 shows a month.

She was the first woman journalist featured in Women of Distinction Magazine and April 30 in Miami, will unveil Forbes Original clothing line.

As a child, the Aliquippa native said she and her mother travelled like gypsies, but they always ended up back in Aliquippa. Travelling stayed in her spirit as she went on to spend most of her adult life as a flight attendant, which she was content to do for the rest of her life until a conversation on a movie set changed everything.

“I was in a movie 2 years ago called “The Door Kept Shut.” I played a reporter.

A guy approached me and said I am starting a show called the employment channel. Maybe you can be a commentator. I said I will give it a try. He gave me some words to read and I was like this is kind of fun.”

A whole new door was opened in her mind and spirit. “I never knew that I had an interest in being a talk show host. I didn’t even know I could stand up in front of people and say more than two words. As a flight attendant I could stand and do a demo but not have a conversation.”

Afterwards she joked that maybe she could have my own show someday.

“He called me that night and said I thought about what you said and that joke turned into the Danielle Forbes show.”

He was going to sue me and the other guy that worked with me because he saw the show had a lot of potential.

He wanted parts.”

Not content to give up any part of her dream. Danielle took a leap of faith. “I got my own equipment, microphones, and computer. I said it’s God’s will. He will send me the people, it’s going to happen,” she said.

She reached out to community access television in Moon, Pa. “I took some classes so I could use the equipment in the studio. I had to have 4 people with me. I prayed and said Lord send me the people. My first guest was Charlie Batch, really down to earth guy,” She said she would call this show “A Big Fish In a Small Pond.” Why? Because Pittsburgh is a small city and there are big people doing big things here in Pittsburgh.”

Now Forbes has control over her vision but said she wants to do more than just interview local celebrities.

“I want to have regular people on my show that have gone through things good and bad. I want to provide the platform for everyday people doing great things.”

March was Women’s History Month. Danielle said to women of all ages.

“Never give up on your dreams, never let anyone tell you are too old or too young or don’t have what DANIELLE FORBES (Photo by J.L. Martello) it takes because that has to be your motivation. The She started on Dec. 2013 with a baseball bat and left for about a year while she only thing worse than havwith Internet radio every her for dead. Afterwards went back to being a flight ing a dream and not having Wednesday and Sunday. Forbes did shows with sim- attendant. it come true is not having a Her first guest was her ilar topics such as “Do we “I fired the two men that I dream at all.” mom’s friend who had a know who our daughters was working with. One guy (All potential applicants to be book about a domestic vi- are dating.” Eventually she was really good but the oth- on The Danielle Forbes Show olence story. Her husband said the show lost momen- er guy felt like he created should email thedanielleforbesstried to beat her to death tum and she took a break the Danielle Forbes Show. how@gmail.com with their story.)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

April friday 8 John Dorsey Dance-Theater Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is proud to present Sean Dorsey Dance in The Missing Generation, a poignant work of dance-theater that weaves lush movement, eloquent gestures and recorded histories to reveal the remarkable lives— and document the massive loss—of gay and transgender people during the early AIDS crisis. Performances take place at 8 p.m. at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater.

Tickets are Pay What Makes You Happy, allowing audiences to pay any price for a ticket. Purchases can be made online at www.kellystrayhorn.org, by phone at 412-363-3000 or at the

thursday 14 CCAC presents ‘Becoming Memories’ Community College of Allegheny County South Campus Theatre students will perform “Becoming Memories,” a poignant look at the history of families across the generations, at 7 p.m. on April 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Matinee performances of Acts I and II will take place at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively, on Friday, April 15. A drama with comedic elements, the play creates a rich portrait of small town America as it follows the stories of five immigrant families through three generations in the early 20th century. The play, which was created by Arthur Giron with members of the Illusion Theatre of Minneapolis, won the 1984 Drama-Logue Critics Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre.

South Campus Theatre students originally performed the play 26 years ago under the direction of George Jaber, CCAC Theatre professor and department head.

Several members of the first cast will return to view the play on April 15, following an alumni reception outside the theatre at 5:30 p.m. The reception, which is open to all CCAC alumni and friends, will include hors d’oeuvres and an informal meet-and-greet with the current cast and crew, as well as an introduction to the show by Jaber. For more information, call 412469-6219. The CCAC South Campus Theatre is located at 1750 Clairton Rd., West Mifflin, Pa.

wednesday 20 Ben Opie Ben Opie’s Concerto for Orkestra is a symphonic suite in ten movements for jazz orchestra, inspired in part by the suites of Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus. The 15 piece ensemble collects much of Pittsburgh’s best jazz talent, all of whom are featured in this concertlength work at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. For more information call 412-3533000

friday 22 Last MCG Jazz concert The last concert of the 2015-2016 MCG Jazz season. Don’t miss it! The SFJazz Collective with David Sanchez, Miguel Zenón, Robin Eubanks, Warren Wolf, Edward Simon, Matt Penmaan, Obed Calvaire & Sean Jones round off the 2015-16 season by performing renditions of Michael Jackson’s music, along with their own original compositions. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here or by calling Nick in the Box Office at 412-322-0800!

Show times are 7p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Adults - $52.50, Students- $29, Seniors- $45.

saturday 7 The Dramatics The New Horizon Theater presents The Dramatics at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., Pgh., Pa. 5206, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 to $100. For more information call 412- 4310773 or newhorizantheater@yahoo.com

APRIL 6-12, 2016

ARTS & CULTURE

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‘Saints & Sinners’ breaks record for viewership on Bounce TV ATLANTA, /PRNewswire/ — The second episode premiere telecasts of Bounce TV’s new original drama series Saints & Sinners on March 13 combined to deliver the most-viewers in the network’s history, reaching 1.5 million unduplicated viewers, an increase of 15 percent over last week’s series debut.

Bounce TV premiered the music video of the show’s theme song “Sinners (Saved By Grace)” performed by two superstars joining forces: Gospel phenom Deitrick Haddon and Big Boi from the enormously-popular hip-hop duo Outkast. The song is featured on the forthcoming Saints & Sinners: Original Soundtrack From Season 1 out via all digital retailers.

Haddon then guest stars in an all-new Saints & Sinners. In the episode,

ulterior motives come into focus as ruthless ambition and secret alliances continue to blur the line between who is a saint and who is a sinner.

Saints & Sinners centers around the pursuit of power, intertwined with greed, deception, corruption and murder—all set against the backdrop of a large south-

ern church. With the return of a prodigal son and a shocking crime that rattles the core of the community, long-kept secrets, deceit, jealousy and compromising sexual affairs threaten to destroy the heart of the church and shatter the lives of those within it.

Saints & Sinners stars Vanessa Bell Calloway

(Shameless, Coming to America); Christian Keyes (Mistresses, Let’s Stay Together), Keith Robinson (Dreamgirls, This Christmas), Clifton Powell (Ray, Murder in the First) Gloria Reuben (Mr. Robot, ER), J.D. Williams (The Wire, The Good Wife), Jasmine Burke (The Vampire Diaries, Army Wives), Afemo Omilami (Hunger

Games: Catching Fire, Forrest Gump) and Richard Lawson (Numb3rs, Wag the Dog).

Bounce TV is the fastestgrowing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. Visit BounceTV.com for more information.

7 things happens when you go to a Black barbershop cluding socks, incense, and DVDs. The entrepreneur could also be a barber who is always looking for good real estate investments.

3. There’s always a sports broadcaster He would have been better than Stuart Scott–at least that’s what he claims. Anyway, he remembers NBA and NFL sports statistics, especially when it comes to the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena.

4. And you’ll hear music from the “WouldBe Rapper” This barber knows all things hip-hop. He might even spit rhymes while giving you a trim.

5. Prepare to receive

by Lynette Holloway For New Pittsburgh Courier

For decades, barbershops have long been known as the gathering place for Black men to catch up on the latest sports news, gossip, and yes, talk about the ladies.

So rich are the characters that emerge

from barbershops, that films like “Barbershop: The Next Cut” (release date April 15) capitalized on scenes that feature mainstays who can be spotted in most shops across the nation.

Here are 7 things that are bound to happen when you go to a Black barbershop 1. You’ll try to avoid the newbie in the first

chair For starters, you do not want this man anywhere near your scalp unless you’re getting your head shaved. The first chair is always reserved for beginners.

2. You’ll certainly meet an entrepreneur You know this dude.

He strolls into the shop with suitcases to peddle his wares, in-

unsolicited advice from the Mayor Of The Barbershop He could run for office with all of his knowledge about local and national politics.

He is open to all conspiracy theories.

6. And the female barber will cut hair the best She commands respect and has a huge clientele because she can handle her clippers.

She is also good at helping to calm wary young clients.

7. There’s always a patriarch He’s an old-timer who remembers when Michael Jordan was the man, not a young gun like Steph Curry. And he’s happy to tell you about it.

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APRIL 6-12, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

HEALTH

Confronting the myths about organ donation

Take charge of your health today. Be informed. Be involved.

This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on organ donation and the importance of becoming an organ donor. Vianca Masucci, health advocate at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, exchanged ideas on this topic.

VM: Good afternoon, Ms. Bush. Are you as excited as I am to advocate for organ donation?

EB: I am, Vianca. Folks may be surprised to know that there are great racial and ethnic disparities in organ transplantation. Simply put, people of color, which includes African Americans, Asians, Native Americans and Latinos, are more likely to need an organ transplant than their White counterparts. But only a small percentage of organ donors are people of color. This has caused a national shortage of organs for people of color. Iʼm glad weʼre talking about this.

VM: This is, indeed, a problem. I donʼt think people realize the consequence of checking “no” next to the organ donor question at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

ESTHER BUSH

The conversations that folks have in the community about organ donation are shadowed by myths, superstition and even urban legend. Weʼve all heard the story about the guy waking up in a tub full of ice with his kidney missing.

EB: Of course we all have. But what we

need to be hearing about is the 120,000 people waiting for organ transplants. We need to be hearing about the 22 people who die every day waiting for the organs that couldʼve kept them alive. We need to be confronting these myths that scare people away from donating and present them with the facts.

VM: Great idea, Ms. Bush. Why donʼt we do that now? The first one we can bust is this idea that organ donors get worse health care because doctors want them to die so that they can take their organs. When you go to doctors, they are focused on helping you. Health care professionals have very clear ethical guidelines they must follow.

Doctors will never take your organs before you die. In fact, organ donors actually undergo more tests than nondonors to make sure that they have died.

EB: Yes, and these tests come at no charge to the donor. In fact, the donor will never be charged for any medical services related to organ donation. So you donʼt have to worry about your family being stuck with a huge medical bill in addition to funeral

costs.

VM: Speaking of funeral services, a lot of folks are concerned about organ donation interfering with an open-casket funeral. It does not. Clothes will cover any of the scars created by organ donation.

EB: Thank you for saying that so openly, Vianca. One of the things that makes organ donation so hard to talk about is addressing death. It can be hard to think about your own death and imagine what will happen to your body after you pass away. But that shouldnʼt be the focus. When I think about organ donation, I donʼt think about death. I think of the many lives that I could save by donating my organs. I think of leaving a legacy of caring behind to the persons I love and families I save.

VM: What a great legacy it would be!

Thanks for taking time to talk with me about such an important issue, Ms. Bush. I look forward to hearing your thoughts next month as we discuss chronic disease prevention and healthy aging.

For more information about this monthʼs topic, e-mail partners@hs.pitt.edu.

Understanding the organ donation process

When an organ stops working correctly because of injury or illness, it needs to be replaced. Doctors are able to replace many organs in the body using organs from living or deceased donors. Organ transplantation sounds like a straightforward process. But the wait for a compatible donor can be long, and many myths persist and keep people from becoming organ donors.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), about 79 people receive organ transplants every day. However, an average of 22 people die every day because of a shortage in available organs. Every 10 minutes, another person is added to the national transplant waiting list. One organ donor may be able to save eight lives.

All of these statistics add up to the fact that the number of people who need an organ transplant is much greater than the number of people signed up to be organ donors.

Many myths about organ donation still exist and affect peopleʼs decision to become donors. Understanding the organ donation process can help overcome some of the anxiety surrounding donations and transplants, according to Abhinav Humar, MD, Thomas E. Starzl Professor of Transplantation Surgery and chair of transplant surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and clinical director of the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute.

To dispel the myth that people receive worse medical care once they consent to be organ donors, Dr. Humar says that there are safeguards against this. “First, doctors act in the best interests of their patients. Second,

ABHINAV HUMAR, MD

the process for organ donation isnʼt even started until itʼs determined that the donor has met or will most likely meet the criteria for being brain dead. Third, the team that removes the organs and gets consent from the donors or their families is separate from the team thatʼs looking after the patient.

Thereʼs a separation of the two teams so that thereʼs no conflict of interest. The doctor whoʼs looking after the patient has no vested interest or benefit from that person being a donor,” he says.

“People should know that we see no downside for a deceased person to be an organ donor,” says Dr. Humar.

The other way for someone to be a donor is through the live donation process. A live donation is when someone is donating one organ or part of one. “Commonly itʼs done with kidneys,” says Dr. Humar. “We have two kidneys, and most people can do fine

with just one kidney. People can also donate part of their livers because the liver is an organ that can regrow.”

There are racial and ethnic disparities with regard to organ donation and transplantation. HHS research shows that “African Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders and Hispanics/Latinos are three times more likely than [Whites] to suffer from end-stage kidney disease, often as the result of high blood pressure and other conditions that can damage the kidneys. Almost 34 percent of the more than 101,000 people on the national waiting list for a kidney transplant are African American. African Americans are the largest group of minorities in need of an organ transplant.”

Organs from donors are not specifically matched by race or ethnicity to recipients.

But HHS reports, “Compatible blood types and tissue markers—critical qualities for donor/recipient matching—are more likely to be found among members of the same ethnicity.”

If people think about the great need for organ donations and decide they want to become donors, Dr. Humar encourages people to discuss their wishes with their families. “If people feel strongly about being a donor, they should let their families know.

Itʼs always easier to talk about it up front.

We also often find that people are reluctant to ask others to be a living donor for them.

Weʼd like to have people feel more comfortable doing that.”

--

PA DOT Donor Registration

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT) works with the Gift of Life, CORE and the Department of Health to increase awareness of organ and tissue donation in Pennsylvania. If you are older than 18 and are interested in becoming an organ donor, you can sign up in person at your local DOT office or register online at www.dmv.org/pa-pennsylvania/ organ-donor.php.

For more facts about organ donation, visit http://www.organdonor.gov/whydonate/facts.html or https://www.core.org/ understanding-donation/dispelling-themyths/.

Pittsburgh man receives ‘the gift of life’

The lives of people on the organ transplant waiting list can be difficult. Most patients spend years hoping for the gift of life while carrying on with their daily lives as normally as possible.

While serving in the National Guard, Moses Hart discovered that he had an enlarged heart and that it was probably caused by a virus. In 2000, Hart was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which means his heart doesnʼt pump enough blood. The disease weakens the heart muscle and often leads to heart failure.

Because his heart didnʼt pump enough blood, doctors inserted a ventricular assist device into Hart to help him stay alive. The device is attached to the heart. He carried the pump and power source outside of his body in a fanny pack. He even slept with it.

In January 2015, Hart received his first call from the transplant center. Unfortunately, the heart that was available wasnʼt suitable for him. In the meantime, he volunteered at the Center for Organ Recovery & Education

(CORE) and Allegheny General Hospital. In January 2016, Hart received his heart. He waited approximately four years for his gift of life but will tell you that it was certainly worth the wait.

As one of 58 federally designated not-for-

MOSES HART

profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs), CORE works closely with donor families and designated health care professionals to deliver the gift of hope by coordi-

nating the surgical recovery of organs, tissues and corneas for transplantation.

As a Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) site, CORE features programming for minorities to help bridge the gap between potential donors and the national transplant waiting list.

MOTTEPʼs mission is to decrease the number and rate of ethnic minority Americans needing transplants. CORE supports MOTTEP in its goal to facilitate a national information and education campaign that emphasizes both prevention and intervention strategies.

According to Donate Life America, there are currently 77,633 patients from minority backgrounds waiting for transplants in the United States. In Pennsylvania, there are more than 4,000 minorities on the waiting list.

For more facts about donation, visit www.core.org or www.unos.org. To register as an organ, tissue and cornea donor, please visit www.core.org/register.

Renewed life: Father meets son’s organ recipients

by Kaylan Thompson

PADUCAH, Ky. (AP)—Despite hushed whispers, the tapping of nervous feet, the clicking of iPhone cameras, all was silent for West Kentucky Community & Technical Collegeʼs menʼs basketball coach Michael Chumbler on Feb. 27 as he stood to meet two complete strangers in the campus gymnasium.

The three men were already connected, however, by one common factor, the life of 20-year-old Kam Chumbler, Michaelʼs son who passed away last May. Michael was meeting for the first time the men who are living because of his sonʼs organ donations.

“I can feel Kam here,” Michael Chumbler said, looking toward Paul Mattingly, the recipient of Kamʼs lungs. “When I stood to hug him, his lungs were breathing, in and out. I could feel them.”

A few weeks ago, Chumbler mailed personally written letters to each transplant re-

cipient, asking them to attend a basketball game being played in Kamʼs honor so he could see the lives his son saved.

“I couldnʼt not come. It has all come full circle,” Mattingly said. “We lost our son, an organ donor, in 2008, so on the way down to the hospital to get the transplant I knew what someone was going through. It just eats your heart when you lose someone. So for Kamʼs sake, I block that out and grab life a lot harder.”

Mattingly, from Louisville, had suffered from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a sort of cancer on the lungs, for over three years.

When he received a double-lung transplant, he knew it was a gift, a second chance, from a stranger.

“That weighed heavy on me, knowing that someone elseʼs lungs were in me to help me keep going. I had to come meet Michael today, knowing that I received Kamʼs lungs,” he said, looking toward Michael.

“Thank you, from the bottom of my lungs.”

Mattinglyʼs wife, Julie, said she is thankful for Kamʼs brave decision to become a donor. Because of that choice, her husband has a renewed life.

“There are so many emotions following a transplant, and heʼs been feeling depressed the past few months, but as soon as that letter came with videos of Kam, it has given him new motivation,” she said.

“I just wish I could thank him for making that one simple choice.”

Kamʼs donations saved the life of another Louisville resident, Ed Ice, who received a liver transplant after combatting ulcerative colitis for over 40 years. Because of the transplant, he was able to live to see the birth of his grandson in July.

“For me, it is surreal,” Ice said. “It was tough for me to make a decision to have a transplant. I thought that these were the parts I came in with, and these were the

parts I needed to come out with, but finally I decided to do it. It still messes with your head a bit because the only reason Iʼm here is because of Michaelʼs son.”

For Chumbler, meeting with the recipients of his sonʼs donation was a vital step toward healing.

“I wasnʼt ready to meet them before,” he said. “I needed some time, but Iʼm grateful to them for coming. It never stops hurting, but this will help heal. Nothing will ever make the pain completely better, but this is a step in the right direction, for sure.”

For Mattingly and Ice, being the recipient of an organ donation makes them mindful and thankful each day.

“It really affects you when you think that, for us to live, somebody else died,” Ice said.

“So every morning when I get up, I thank God, and I thank Kam.” Information from: The Paducah Sun, http://www.paducahsun.com

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

APRIL 6-12, 2016

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RELIGION

APRIL 6-12, 2016 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Praise & Worship HILLCREST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 2340 Wylie Ave., Pgh., PA 15219 412-391-4334 412-566-8787

“Be Encouraged”

Three Preachers & The Cross presented at Mt. Ararat

Elder Christopher C. Thompson Power Hour Sabbath...............8:15 A.M. Sabbath School........................9:00 A.M. Divine Worship......................11:00 A.M. AYS One Hour Before Sunset Prayer Meeting Wednesday......7:30 P.M.

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) Noon www.stbtmchurch.org

Interfaith gathering

METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH 22 Sampsonia Street, Northside Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-231-2554 FAX 412-231-6395 Rev. Lacy F. Richardson, Ph.D., Pastor Church School.................................9:30 A.M. Worship Service.................8:00 & 10:45 A.M. Bible Study/ Prayer Wednesday...................6:30/7:30 P.M. www.metropolitanbaptistchurch.com metropolitanbaptist2224@gmail.com

JOY AND JUBILATION PERFORMED BY MT. ARARAT DANCERS

6556 Shetland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (412) 441-7839 9:00 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

APRIL 10—Antioch Baptist Church, 332 Elizabeth Street, Sewickley, will hold its annual Usher and Missionary Day with friends and family on Sunday April 10th at10:45am. Pastor Travis C.Coon will bring forth the word.

The theme this year is “Serve Him” taken from 1st Samuel 12:24. All are welcome to join us as we celebrate the service of our ushers and missionaries and their dedication to God’s work. Dinner will be served immediately following service.

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

www.cathedralofhope.com

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

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

Anniversary

BEGINNING OF HOLY WEEK—Holy week began at Mount Ararat Baptist Church at 271Paulson Avenue, East Liberty. The presentation of “Three Preachers & The Cross,” was a festive display of joy and spirit through lessons of the Bible. The Mount Ararat Dance Ensemble, (M.A.D.E.) along with the church staff, presented a fine tale of the message delivered by the Apostle Paul 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4. Above Pastor John Knight with the cast of Three Preachers & The Cross. (Photos by Rossano P. Stewart)

Macedonia Baptist Church 95th Anniversary

For rate information, call 412-4818302, ext. 128. We are looking to feature

MIME PERFORMED BY ANOINTED CHILDREN OF GOD

our positive youth in the church communities. You can e-mail, fax or mail their bios and photo to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax: 412-481-1360 email: egaines@newpittsburghcourier.com

APRIL 10—The North Hills Anti-Racism Coalition is sponsoring the 19th Annual North Hills Interfaith Gathering on at 3:00 p.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2210 Reis Run Road Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Representatives from nine different faiths will explain what their faith teaches about service and how living it out in their daily lives, inspires them to be engaged with the world we all share. Faiths participating will be Baha’i, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints (Mormon), Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Unitarian Universalism, and Zoroastrianism.

Attendees will be able to choose three breakout sessions to hear three different faith presentations and to ask questions of the presenters providing the opportunity to find out about other faiths.

Usher Day

East Liberty Presbyterian Church

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community

APRIL 10—Antioch Baptist Church, 332 Elizabeth Street, Sewickley, will hold its annual Usher and Missionary Day with friends and family on Sunday April 10 at 10:45 a.m. Pastor Travis C.Coon will bring forth the word. The theme this year is “Serve Him” taken from 1st Samuel 12:24. All are welcome to join us as we celebrate the service of our ushers and missionaries and their dedication to God’s work. Dinner will be served immediately following service.

April 10—Christian Chapel AME, 7311 Ridgeview Ave, Penn Hills, at 3:30 p.m. is holding its sixth annual candlelight service entitled “God Is Our Rock, Our Salvation.”

All is invited. Rev. Prodence Harris is the pastor. For more information call: 412-708-2509.

Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & Noon

Church School Worship Service Wednesday Night Bible Study

Usher and Missionary Day

Candlelight Service

Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141

SIXTH MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

Church Circuit

CELEBRATION—Macedonia Baptist Church located at 17 Cochran St., Duquesne, Pa., celebrated their 95th Anniversary on March 20. The celebration was gloriously lifted by its’ community and parishioners. First Lady Rev. Carolyn Perrin blessed and anointed many who answered the altar call. A spirit filled mime was performed by The Anointed Children of God. The sermon of the day was delivered by guest pastor Rev. Samuel Chambers. Above photos left: Rev. Samuel Chambers whose sermon was on “ It’s Time To Take Back What The Devil Has Stolen” “Acts 12:1-12” and right: Rev. Carolyn Perrin.

(Photos by Rossano P. Stewart)

APRIL 10-17—New Zion Baptist Church, 1431 Juniata St., Pittsburgh, will celebrate Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Williams Jr. 50th anniversary. The complete schedule: Sunday, April 10–Youth Kick-off at 3:00 p.m.; Monday, April 11– Rev. Lee Ralph, Pastor of Seed & Harvest Ministries, North Versailles, Pa.; Tuesday, April 12– Rev. Richard Wingfield, Pastor of Unity Baptist Church, Braddock, Pa.; Wednesday, April 13, Rev. Roy Sims, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Bellevue, Pa.; Thursday, April 14–Rev. Dr. William C. Calloway, Pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Clairton, Pa.; Friday, April 15, at 7 p.m. concert–concert choir from from Rockford, Ill.; Saturday, April 16 at 4 p.m. Rev. Dr. J. Van Alfred Winsett, emeritus of Ebenezer Baptist Church will be the Guest Preacher; Sunday, April 17 at 11 a.m. Rev. Elton Allen of Bread of Life Missionary Baptist Church, Rockford, Ill.; Sunday, April 17 at 3 p.m., Rev. Lowell T. Williams., Pastor of Zionhill Baptist Church, Youngstown, Ohio (Pastor’s Son) will climax the 50th Anniversary.

(To have items listed on the Church Circuit, email information at least two weeks in advance to newsroom@ newpittsburghcourtier.com.)

New Pittsburgh Courier

Inside Conditions C3

BUSINESS APRIL 6-12, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing C4, C5

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C

WHAT A COMMITTEE—Pleased with the afternoon of events SHARE 2016 committee members include; Joel Acie, UPMC; Ruth Byrd Smith, Allegheny County MBEWBE; April Thorpe, Rivers Casino; Lynne Hayes Freeland, LHF Communications; Tabitha Stanislaw, Women’s Business Enterprise Council PA-DE-sNJ; Brad Douglas, PNC; Toni Sylva and Rob DeMichiei of UPMC; Robert James, Highmark Health; Rahmon Hart, Rivers Casino; Alexander Nichols, Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council and Doris Carson Williams of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania. (Photos by Diane I. Daniels)

Small business owners seek opportunities with big business

by Diane I. Daniels

prise Council PA-DE-sNJ, Dr. Rahmon Hart, Director of Community Relations at Rivers Casino and Rob DeMichiei, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial OffiSmall business owners from as far away as South Carcer at UPMC. olina ans as close as Homewood-Brushton gathered at the As a former business owner, Fitzgerald--relating to Rivers Casino Thursday, March 31 in efforts to gain busiwhat business owners go through in their efforts to earn ness opportunities from some of the region’s major corpobusiness--tied into the theme of the event, stating that it rations. is about communication, collaboration and commerce. “It’s “I always find value in these type of events,” said Darrell about working together and working hard.” He said he and Dixon, vice president of Sales for South Coast Paper.

Mayor Peduto want to make sure that within the region His business is an independently owned paper convertthat everybody is moving forward together and reaping ing and sales and marketing company offering a diverse the benefits and the improvements economically that’s line of high quality paper products. happening across the spectrum and that there is a diverse “Today has been very beneficial,” said Justin Strong after supplier chain and workforce. He also mentioned that the his meeting with representatives from the Rivers Casino. region is fortunate to have a lot of progressive corporations As chief operations manager of Strong ll Dry Cleaners he and institutions that reach out and value the fact of doing says his goal is to draw clients to the commercial side of business with a variety of businesses. He said the County the business. “Most people recognize us as a residential faalone is not only meeting their numbers but exceeding cility but as a full service fabric care business we also do their goals and credited the MBEWBE Department commercial, government and wholesale cleaning,” he headed by Ruth Byrd Smith for reaching out and assisting pointed out. companies.

Dixon and Strong were more than 80 diverse potential Encouraged that the numbers of corporate particicustomers and suppliers that participated in the second pants in SHARE 2016 were up to 33 compared to 22 annual SHARE event. SHARE 2016 gathered Pittsburgh’s from last year, DeMichiei said he is still concerned betop economic engines and employment organizations for WITH DEEP UNDERSTANDING—Allegheny County Executive Rich cause 134 companies were invited. He commended the what the planners consider a one-of-a-kind collaborative Fitzgerald addresses an audience of MBEWBE’s and corporate ex- companies that showed up for their participation and networking opportunity. Customers and suppliers with ecutives before a business matchmaking event. commitment. On a positive note, he indicated that acmutual interests were matched with companies or institucording to surveys from participants at last year’s event, tions during brief, pre-arranged meetings $9 million in business was solicited at the invitation-only event. SHARE orgathrough requests for proposals and renizers reported that the businesses were quests for information with a 33 percent matched by 27 organizations throughout hit rat--meaning $2.5 million in actual the afternoon. new business and opportunity occurred.

“We are pleased that the Pittsburgh busiQuestioning if the increase in corporate ness community came together again this participation or the $2.5 million in sales year in a huge way to support this event. indicates that the glass is half full or half Through communication, collaboration and empty DeMichiei challenged the corporacommerce, the region is working to improve tions to let this year’s event end with the the economic development of diverse busiMBEWBE suppliers leaving with real nesses. What a monumental and powerful commitments and purchase orders to do initiative. The ultimate goal is to make business with them.

SHARE an annual, legacy event for WestThe SHARE event created by UPMC, ern Pa,” said Toni Y. Silva, director, supplier grew out of a 2013 effort to increase ecorelations at UPMC. nomic opportunities for minorities by the Kicked off by KDKA’s Lynne Hayes-FreeCorporate Equity and Inclusion land and owner of LHF Communications Roundtable, led by Fitzgerald and Tim who served as emcee, other program particStevens, president of the Black Political ipants included Allegheny County ExecuEmpowerment Project. In 2014, UPMC foltive Rich Fitzgerald, Robert James, Prolowed with its own attempt to match its gram Manager for Supplier Diversity at MWDBE vendors to other regional corporaHighmark Health, Brad Douglas, a Supply tions that might need their services. The Chain Executive at PNC, Tabitha Stanis- TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS—Justin Strong, chief operations manager of Strong ll Dry Cleaners loSEE SMALL C2 law, Chair of the Women’s Business Enter- cated in Homewood and downtown meets with officials from the Rivers Casino.

For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—When it comes to consumer concerns, debt collection remains the top complaint most often reported to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Two newly-released CFPB reports reveal which consumers are most at risk and the businesses most often identified in debt collection issues.

As of March 1, CFPB found that California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas account for more than 40 percent of all complaints received since July 2011. Further, in Florida, nearly 60 percent of the state’s entire complaints came from just three metro areas — Miami, Orlando and Tampa Bay. Still, military members and their families remain the most at-risk in debt collections, even when compared to the general population. Among all complaints received from the military community, debt collection represents almost half—46 percent—of all military complaints filed. By comparison, all debt collection complaints CFPB received during the reporting period amounted to approximately 26 percent.

Mortgage complaints from military families was the second ranked lending issue at 15 percent. Service members returning home from deployment or to temporary duty stations also frequently reported fraudulent activity on their credit report and/or identity theft.

San Diego-based Encore Capital Group and Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRA) Group based in Virginia, are two of the largest debt collectors in the country have

firm. In addition, SNAAC was also assessed a $1 million penalty, and ordered in a separate district court action to stop using aggressive tactics to coerce service members into making payments.

Though fewer in number but perhaps with higher financial stakes, mortgage complaints by veterans and military members are another major concern. Disabled veterans, for example, have been charged a funding fee associated with the Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan program—even though they are exempted from paying the fee that can range from 1.25 percent to over 3 percent of the total home loan.

Once such disabled veterans wrote CFPB, “As a 100 percent disabled US combat veteran, I am informed by VA that the terms of my VA mortgage entitle me to a refund of the funding fee the mortgage provider received when I took out the loan… Now [company], despite numerous phone calls and requests for update, as well as an inperson meeting and referrals to VA contacts, has not returned this funding fee to me. I need help with [this company’ which [is] in my view taking money from veterans in order to further their own gains.”

Anyone needing assistance to resolve problems with a financial service or product, can file an online complaint with CFPB at: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/.

Veterans and military families most at-risk for deceptive debt collectors

been identified the reer. Because of this, most often in Charlene Crowell we encourage all CFPB’s complaints. service members to Each firm averaged diligently check over 100 complaints their credit reports per month to the and proactively proBureau from Octotect their credit files ber through Decemwhile they are away ber 2015. from home.”

Last fall, CFPB The Consumer Fialso took respective nancial Protection enforcement actions against the firms for Act of 2010 makes it illegal for businesses their deceptive tactics involving both debt to: buying and debt collection. PRA was asContact service members’ commanding ofsessed an $8 million fine, ordered to refund ficers regarding unpaid debt; $19 million to consumers and to stop collecDisclose service members’ debts to comtion efforts on other debts valued at $3 mil- manding officers; or lion. Similarly, Encore Capital was ordered Characterize debt delinquencies as milito stop collection efforts on $125 million in tary violations subject to service members’ debts, refund consumers $19 million and disciplinary actions. pay a $10 million fine.

Despite these legal protections, egregious Commenting on the disproportionate problems persist. CFPB has brought acnumber of military complaints with debt tions over the past year against businesses collections, Holly Petraeus, Assistant Direc- that continue to violate its rules. For examtor for CFPB’s Office of Service Member Af- ple, the Ohio-based auto lender, Security fairs said, “While this could be due to a va- National Automotive Acceptance Company (Charlene Crowell is a communications manager riety of factors, one issue which we have (SNAAC) was ordered in 2015 to refund or highlighted in the past is the concern that credit $2.28 million to service members and with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be unpaid debts can threaten a military ca- other consumers who were harmed by the reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.)

Commentary

C2 APRIL 6-12, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

BUSINESS

What if you haven’t filed taxes in years?

$15 minimum-wage movement sets sights on more states

by Jennifer Peltz and David Klepper

by Constant Watson

Associated Press

For New Pittsburgh Courier

NEW YORK (AP)—California and New York—where almost 1 in 5 Americans live—are on their way to raising their minimum wage to $15 an hour, and the activists who spearheaded those efforts are now setting their sights on other similarly liberal, Democratic-led states.

Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington are among the states with active “Fight for $15’’ efforts, and even economic experts who oppose the increased rate see it gaining momentum. ``There is lots of pressure to do this,’’ said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a former Congressional Budget Office director who is now president of the conservative American Action Forum, which says big minimum-wage increases cost jobs.

The idea faces headwinds in more conservative and rural states in the South and the Midwest. But activists believe the movement is picking up steam, even if their two big victories so far were achieved in two highly receptive places: trend-setting, liberal, labor-friendly states with a high cost of living and yawning gaps between rich and poor, especially in New York City and Silicon Valley.

“In the beginning, it looked impossible,’’ said Alvin Major, a fast-food worker and leader of the Fight for $15 campaign. But now, “what happened in New York, in California, it’s going to spread around the country.’’

Since the $15-an-hour movement planted roots with a 2012 New York City fast food workers strike, it has gained ground amid the broader debate over income inequality.

Cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco have recently agreed to go to $15 in the coming years, and Oregon’s minimum wage is headed to $14.75 in Portland.

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has been pushing for a $15-an-hour standard nationally, while President Barack Obama has called more generally for raising the minimum wage.

The federal minimum is currently $7.25; 29 states and Washington, D.C., have set theirs higher.

Sanders’ primary opponent and a former New York senator, Hillary Clinton, has supported raising the federal minimum wage to $12. Her campaign website says she also believes “we should go further than the federal minimum through state and local efforts, and by workers organizing and bargaining for higher wages, such as the Fight for 15...”

New York and California are now on track to have the highest. California Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, is set Monday to sign a measure boosting the current $10 rate to $15 by 2022.

In New York, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders have agreed on a more complex plan. The $9 minimum would gradually rise to $15 in New York City by the end of 2018 and then in some prosperous suburbs by the end of 2021, but only to $12.50 in 2020 in the rest of the state, with further increases to $15 tied to inflation and other economic indicators.

The measure headed to Cuomo’s desk after passing the Legislature on Friday.

New York’s graduated approach stemmed from negotiations with Republicans who worried such a sharp increase would devastate businesses, particularly in the more fragile economy outside the New York metropolitan area.

Similar dynamics may play out in other parts of the country. While $15 may seem reasonable in high-paying areas, “it’s a much harder lift in low-wage areas,’’ said

Most people that have IRS problems haven’t filed in a few years. It’s a common problem. You are not alone. Don’t be embarrassed. Nearly 10 million people have delinquent tax returns.

In all my years of practicing before the IRS, I’ve seen people that had a rough patch in their life that kept them from filing and paying their taxes. IRS problems happen to good people. Someone gets sick and they can’t work, someone loses their job. It’s terrible.

There’s no money to pay the taxes one year so they don’t file, and the person is afraid to file after that. They don’t want to get caught and they certainly don’t want to end up in jail. But worse than not paying your taxes is not filing your return—it’s against the law.

You may be asking, “Is there anything I can do to get my life back?” Yes there is! You can get your life back.

First you have to decide that you want your life back. You have to decide that you aren’t going to take this anymore and that you want to fix it.

Once you make the decision that you want help, and you no longer want to live in fear, or hid from those dreaded IRS notices, phone calls and visits, you will have taken the biggest step in getting your life back on track.

Don’t let the IRS bully you into hiding under a rock, in the closet, or under your blankets. There are many options and ways to get your life back and even better yet, there’s a way to protect your savings and your paycheck, a way for you to keep your car!

The laws have changed over the years and there are laws to protect taxpayers nowadays. Years ago you were just at the mercy of the IRS. But now you have a chance to get your life back.

You could opt to represent yourself before the IRS. There is the offer-incompromise program. Some people do go that route. But representing yourself before the IRS is like going to court without a lawyer. I wouldn’t recommend that.

Or, you can hire someone that knows all the ins-and-outs and navigates the IRS maze on a daily basis. You can hire someone who knows how to protect you and your rights.

Once you take that first big step and decide you are done with sleepless nights, you need to make the second biggest decision—finding a competent professional who cares about you and is an expert at taking on the IRS. There are new laws that gone into effect to help financially strapped taxpayers today. The IRS announced their “Fresh Start Initiative,” which allows more taxpayers than ever before to settle up with the agency.

Now is the time to take advantage of these less-stringent, more flexible programs before the IRS changes its mind again. Remember that for every tax problem, there is a solution.

(Constant W. Watson III, CPA, CTRS, is Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist. He is one of only three Certified Tax Resolution Specialist in the State of Illinois who is certified by the American Society of Tax Problem Solvers. For a free consultation, call 708-206-9900 or visit www.constantwatsoncpa.com.)

Jared Bernstein, senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and former adviser to Vice President Joe Biden.

Also, California and New York have politically influential unions, strong community organizing activity and Democratic politicians eager to translate the movement into legislation.

“That’s not going to happen in some states, particularly in the South and maybe some of the Midwest,’’ said Peter Dreier, a politics professor at Occidental College.

Idaho lawmakers, for example, recently passed a measure barring local governments from raising the statewide minimum of $7.25, and Republicans in Arizona are trying to do the same.

The income gap has been widening in every state for at least 30 years but is particularly pronounced in states with large financial or information technology industries, according to economists Mark Price of the Keystone Research Center and Estelle Sommeiller of the Institute for Research in Economics and Social Sciences in France.

The top 1 percent of New York taxpayers, for instance, earned 40 times the average income of the state’s remaining 99 percent in 2011, according to research from University of California at Berkeley economist Emmanuel Saez.

Nationally, the top 1 percent made 24 times that of everyone else; in California, the top earned 26 times

more.

Economists have long debated the impact of raising the minimum wage, and some recent research has found that modest increases seldom cost many jobs. But the jumps to $15 are larger than those economists have tested in the past, and there are fears of widespread job losses in some places.

In New York City, Joseph Sferrazza worries that paying $15 will cost him his bakery, La Bella Ferrera.

The rate is nearly double what he now pays his employees, mostly students working part time.

“The rent is so high, the profit margin is already so low, I don’t see how we can make it work,’’ he said. “You can only charge so much for a cookie.’’

But $15 an hour would be a 50 percent raise for Maria Velez, 29, who makes $10 an hour working at a children’s program and helps support her parents and grandparents.

“This city is crazy expensive and only getting worse,’’ she said. If the boost took effect immediately, “it would make my life and my family’s life better—but in five years? I can’t say.’’

(This story has been revised to correct the schedule for minimum wage increases in New York state.)

(Klepper reported from Albany.

Associated Press writers Colleen Long in New York; Paul Wiseman and Christopher Rugaber in Washington; and Jonathan Cooper and Alison Noon in Sacramento, California, contributed to this report.)

Small business owners seek opportunities CONTINUED FROM C1

event was so successful that a collaborative planning committee, comprised of major corporations and organizations in the community, was formed to further promote the economic growth and development of MWDBE suppliers in the region.

SHARE 2016 was planned by representatives from UPMC, PNC, Highmark Health the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council, Allegheny County MWDBE Department, Rivers Casino, Women’s Business Enterprise Council and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, which secured participation from the Pittsburgh busi-

ness community.

The matchmaking component of the program was organized by Possible Missions, LLC, a professional matchmaking company.

Based in Harrisburg, Mozelle Daniels, Diversity Director and Special Council to the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said she participated in the event because it is important for her to see the diverse companies that are available to do business with the 12 casinos throughout the state. “This is an important part of my job and I wanted to see what’s happening in Pittsburgh,” said Daniels adding that the SHARE event is a really nice affair.

Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles files bankruptcy after losing $3.2 mil discrimination suit to Black employee LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles, one of LA’s oldest and most popular Black-owned restaurant chains, has just filed for bankruptcy after losing a racial discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit last year in the amount of $3.2 million dollars. In filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in California, East Coast Foods, which owns the restaurant chain, estimated that it has debts between $10 million and $50 million. Its assets, on the other hand, total less than $50,000.

According to CBS News, the lawsuit was filed by an African American employee named Daniel Beasley who says he was a victim of different forms of racial discrimination by Hispanic employees who manage the restaurant chain’s Pico Blvd location. He accused

the company of giving Latino employees preferential treatment over black workers, including better schedules and shifts Beasley’s claims against the 40-year family-owned business included unfair

treatment/ discrimination in the workplace, issues with shift scheduling, and wrongful termination after he complained to the HR Department and the owners. And it turned out that he was right! A Los Angeles county jury not only

sided with Beasley, but also awarded him with more than $3 million ($1.7 million, and $1.5 million in attorney’s fees.)

Beasley’s attorney, Scott Cummings, says that he has already hired another lawyer to start the process

of collecting on the judgment, which Roscoe’s is reportedly appealing.

Cummings says he is worried that the bankruptcy filing is an attempt to avoid paying what is owed to his client.

Meanwhile, loyal customers and tourists are wondering if the restaurant chain will be able to stay afloat. Founded in 1975 by entrepreneur Herb Hudson, a Harlem, NY native, the chain has 7 locations in Southern California, including Hollywood, Long Beach, Pasadena, West LA, Inglewood, Los Angeles and Anaheim.

They are known for serving several popular soul food dishes including fried chicken and waffles, chicken sausauges, cheesy omelettes, grits, biscuits, french fries, and sandwiches.

(By BlackNews.com)

BUSINESS CALENDAR

Resume Assistance

by Appointment APRIL 6—The Carnegie Library, main branch, 4400 Forbes Ave. In Oakland will have qualified volunteers & staff available in its Job & Career Education Center to help individuals develop the strong résumé and cover letter needed to land that all important interview.

Appointments are free, but space is limited. Call 412-622-3133 to schedule a half-hour appointment

First Steps Business Start-up Essentials APRIL 6—Workshop for start-ups and entrepreneurs without previous business experience. Topics include: Business Structure and Formation, Fictitious Name Registration Employee Issues, Insurance, Government Procurement, Environmental Concerns, Financing Options, Taxation Requirements, and Major Components of the Business Plan. The workshop runs from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., in Room 108 Rockwell hall, at Duquesne University.

MONEYMATTERSPGH APRIL 7—Last in a series of financial education seminars sponsored by Pittsburgh Councilwoman Darlene Harris at 6 p.m. at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Allegheny Branch, 1230 Federal St. This meeting will feature presentations on fraud protection by the Financial Crimes Task Force, and on taxes by City of Pittsburgh Finance Director Paul Leger. For more information call 412-2552135.

Intellectual Property Workshop: Copyright Seminar April 7—The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh presents a seminar on the basics of copyright law given by representatives from the U.S. Patent Office, in its International Poetry Room, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., 2nd floor, main branch, 4400 Forbes Avenue in Oakland. The event in free but registration is required. A limited number of one-on-one appointments with intellectual property lawyers are available from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. For more information call Irene Yelovich at 412-622-3133.

Allegheny County Financing APRIL 13—Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) will be offering a free seminar on the numerous financing options available for manufacturers who have the ability to influence Allegheny County’s economic development.

ACED, in partnership with the PA Department of Community & Economic Development, Manufacturer’s Economic Development. The seminar will focus on tax-exempt financing, optimal ways to finance and/or refinance projects; the various loan programs available to manufacturing companies, the benefits of partnering with ACED. The session runs from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the ACED board room, One Chatham Center, Suite 900, 112 Washington Pl, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Tax Lab April 14—Complete your taxes with two hours of uninterrupted computer time using an online software platform from the IRS Website. The event is free and will be held at the Downtown & Business Branch, 612 Smithfield Street. For more information, call 412-2817141.

(To have information on Business Calendar, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: newsroom@newpittsburghcourier.com.)

New Pittsburgh Courier

SPORTS

C3

APRIL6-12, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Villanova tops Carolina on Jenkins’ buzzer-beater above—Keith Smart, Lorenzo Charles, Christian Laettner and evFor New Pittsburgh Courier eryone else who ever made a late game-winner to win a big one in HOUSTON (AP)—Kris Jenkins is March Madness. one of those players who believes Paige finished with 21 and Joel every shot is going in.

Berry II had 20 for the Heels (33-7), Sometimes, it feels so right to be the only No. 1 seed to make the right.

Final Four. They came one agonizThe Villanova junior answered a ing shot short of giving Williams his double-clutch, game-tying 3-pointer third national title.

by North Carolina’s Marcus Paige Not surprisingly, the tears flowed with a buzzer-beating 3 of his own from the 65-year-old coach who, Monday night to lift the Wildcats to some speculate, could have worked a 77-74 victory and the national his last game on the sideline; the enchampionship. tire sports program at Chapel Hill is One good shot deserved another. under NCAA scrutiny and awaiting And Jenkins wasn’t about to be possible penalties for a long-runoutdone. ning academic-fraud case.

“I think every shot’s going in,” he “I’m not very good because I can’t said, “and this one was no differtake away the hurt,” Williams said. ent.”

“I told them I loved them. I told The shot came on a play Villanova them I wish I could have helped works on every day in practice: them more.”

Jenkins inbounds the ball to Ryan His thought when he saw the last Arcidiacono, he works it up court shot fly: “It was helpless. It was not and forward Daniel Ochefu sets a a good feeling.” pick near halfcourt to clutter things Even MJ felt the pain. In the up, then Arcidiacono creates. stands with the thousands of CarThis time, the senior point guard olina Blue-wearing fans, Michael made an underhanded flip to JenkJordan simply nodded, smiled, ins, who spotted up a pace or two belooked at his buddy Ahmad Rashad hind the arc and swished it with Carand said, “Good shot, good shot.” olina’s Isaiah Hicks running at him.

High praise from the Great One. Or, as Jenkins put it: “One, two step, And what a night for Villanova — a shoot ‘em up, sleep in the streets.” second-seeded team full of scrappers, Jenkins had to come up big after VILLANOVA CELEBRATES AFTER THE SHOT BY KRIS JENKINS (AP Photo) grinders and also-rans, who proved Paige collected a pass on the top you don’t have to have a roster full of right side of the arc and, with ArNBA-bound one-and-doners to win a cidiacono running at him, double title. More people in the ESPN clutched and pumped it in to tie the bracket contest picked ‘Nova to lose to game at 74 with 4.7 seconds left. a No. 15 seed in the first round than to It completed a Carolina comeback win the whole thing. This team from six points down with 1:52 left. flamed out early in the last two tourCoach Jay Wright called timeout naments despite big expectations. and called the play the Wildcats Not this time.

(33-5) have worked on all season.

Before Jenkins did his thing, it “I didn’t have to say anything in was unheralded sophomore Phil the huddle,” he said. “We have a Booth—who isn’t unheralded on name for it, that’s what we’re going that Villanova squad?pouring in a to do. Just put everybody in their career high 20 points to give the spots.”

Cats their late six-point lead.

He knew the shot was going in, Booth forced a turnaround jumper too. with the shot-clock blaring to give “Bang,” Wright said as he watched ‘Nova a 69-64 lead at the 3:03 mark. it fall, then calmly walked to shake With 1:52 left, a free throw from Carolina coach Roy Williams’ hand.

Josh Hart pushed the lead to six.

Confetti flew. The refs looked at the But Carolina never quits. Paige replay to make sure the shot got off sandwiched a 3-pointer and a putin time. It did. The points went up back around a bucket from Brice on the scoreboard. Celebration on.

Johnson (14 points, eight rebounds) Jenkins finished with 14 points— to help the Tar Heels stay within the last three as memorable as any striking range. Then, he took a that have been scored in the history bounce pass, scooted by the diving of this tournament.

Ochefu, twisted past Arcidiacono After being thrown to the floor by his teammates, Jenkins got up, THE SHOT—Kris Jenkins look at ball as it goes through basket. Villanova watch with joy and amazement while North and hit his double-clutch.

Carolina fans went wild, and it leaped over press row, hugged his Carolina is shocked. looked like overtime. birth mom—a college basketball Only, it wasn’t.

Oh yes, they could. hand Monday night, coaxed a miracle out coach who helped him hone his shot—and “If I could get a shot, I was going to shoot This adds to the title Villanova won in of his eighth-seeded underdogs for a vicshouted, “They said we couldn’t, they said it,” said Arcidiacono, who finished with 16 1985, when Rollie Massimino, who was on tory over star-studded Georgetown. we couldn’t, they said we couldn’t.” points and two assists, one more memoHard to top this one, though.

Jenkins, who was adopted by the family rable than the other. “But I heard someone of North Carolina guard Nate Britt when screaming in the back of my head. It was his mother moved to take a coaching job, Kris. I just gave it to him and he let it go now has a spot alongside—and probably with confidence.”

by Eddie Pells

Inside Conditions…Deep ‘Freese’

by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier

Sunday April 3, was opening day for the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, with a 1 p.m. start and a game time temperature of 39 degrees at PNC Park, the 2016 MLB season opener pitted the Pirates against one of their staunch NL Central rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals.

The contest could have easily been confused for a late October, early November Pittsburgh Steelers battle against one of their NFL, AFC North combatants taking place at neighboring Heinz Field.

With the temperature being just a few degrees north of freezing, I was initially concerned with the players on both squads maybe pulling groins, as well as pitchers straining their arms and a host of other “pulled” muscle related injuries that often happen in cold weather, especially in light of returning to Pittsburgh after preparing for the current campaign at their balmy preseason home Bradenton, Fla. as well as playing away games at other parts of the “Sunshine State” Boys and girls hold your horses. When Pittsburgh Pirates ace lefty Francisco Liriano took to the mound to face Cardinals star Adam Wainwright, Liriano appeared as if he was throwing from the “forge” of one of the few Steel mills continuing to operate and produce steel Pittsburgh, allowing just three hits and allowing just five bases on balls be-

AUBREY BRUCE fore he was relieved in the top of the seventh inning; The Pirates beat the Cards 4-1 while Liriano also helped his own cause by driving in a run in the bottom of the second inning.

While sparks were flying from the arm of Liriano, former Cardinal infielder David Freese who was the 2011 World Series MVP for St. Louis punched out a couple of hits against the “Redbirds” while theoretically subbing for Pirates third baseman/infielder Jung Ho Kang who was injured in 2015 and was out for the remainder of 2015 with a knee injury after a “questionable“ and what many consider a “dirty slide”. In mid-September 2015, Kang suffered a tibial plateau fracture with a lateral meniscal repair after attempting to complete the throw from second to first base in the midst of an “overzealous” slide by the Cubs Chris Coghlan while Kang was trying to turn a double

play in the first inning of a 9-6 loss to the Cubs at PNC Park.

As far as offense goes, Freese has a career B.A of .276 with 68 homers and 348 RBI’s and possesses more power than the average infielder. He may also be the answer to increased production from the number 3 spot in the Pirates batting order, possibly taking away some of the constant pressure heaped upon Pirates All-Star centerfielder Andrew McCutchen to constantly perform flawlessly both offensively and defensively.

The Pirates were far more blessed than lucky to acquire the skills, experience, and veteran leadership of David Freese.

When you have not only been part of a winning and storied franchise like the St. Louis Cardinals, but a World Series MVP for your ball club, winning becomes mandatory in the clubhouse and obligatory for your fan base, winning becomes a part of the culture.

The Pirates and their “Nation” should not hope to win, they should expect to win; not just merely a wildcard game or a divisional series or a National League Championship series. The one and only goal for the Pittsburgh Pirates should have been, should now be, and should forever remain to just simply win the MLB World Series.

(The sources for this article were espn.com and mlb.com) (Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412-583-6741. Follow him on Twitter @ultrascribe.)

Overtime

by Bill Neal For New Pittsburgh Courier

:10—In case you missed it last week in your NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER the magnificent photo of the Pittsburgh City League Legends was taken by Photographers Jason Cohn of Pittsburgh. Credit given where credit due. :09—Yep you keep saying to yourself, Neal don’t know what he’s talkin’ about.

Neal don’t know “A Black Bear from a Bare-Foot Blackman!” Well you’re wrong again Snockie. When the Celtics beat the Warriors at home it sent a clear message. Your run is done son!!!!!! Spurs win the West! :08—You really have to see Lavaughn “Meatball” Johnson in action to truly understand the effort of being in the sun too long.

Or something. (And I don’t care how you spell his name!) But know this.

“The Ball” AKA “The Donald” sat down…or stood up with the other legends of the game. Sir Eddie Jefferies, Roland Slade, John “Ringo” Saunders, Zik, Mike Rooker, Debbie Coleman and yours truly to celebrate the “40 Year” anniversary of the famous Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League. And to select the All Time Connie Hawkins League Teams, final selection coming to you next week. And don’t

BILL NEAL start that whining and complaining about who’s who cause I gave you a chance to speak your piece and you didn’t, now SHUT UP!!! :07—No little Johnny. To this day we don’t know what a “Ringo” is. Or for that matter what a “Bunny YES” is. And if there’s a Bunny YES is their a Bunny NO????

People want to know! :06—The Pirates home opener sent a clear message to the world that the Pittsburgh Pirates are serious with the 4-1 win over St Louis. Let’s go Buc’s!!!! :05—The Penguins win again. That’s all you need to know is I told ya to relax they would make the Playoffs. :04—So the talk now is would the Bulls and Michael at their Best beat today’s Golden State Warriors? Yes, like they stole something! Who’s stopping

M.J.? Nobody, then or now.

Who you putting on Scottie? No answer, all their perimeter players fall into the too short, to slow, not “long” enough category.

They have no center big enough to watch Luke Longley or Bill Cartwright. No they weren’t Super talents but they were big, big, big.

Bulls win in four. :03—Oh and for the record, I have no problem with Steve Kerr going 3 for 3 against Curry. He may not win but he’ll be in the game. And has anybody given any thought what so ever as to what, who, or how you’re going to handle Dennis “The Worm” Rodman?

C’mon man! :02—While you’re at it: Magic and Showtime” win in four, the Celtics and Birdman win in four. And Isiah and the “Bad Boys” might beat ‘em down so bad they might win in three…they may not want to play four. I’m just sayin’! :01—Do yourself a favor and lock yourself in for the 15th annual Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Public Service Awards Monday April 11, 6 p.m. at the Fabulous Savoy restaurant.

Food, drinks, celebrities, VIPs and awards going to our public servants, those who protect and serve, heroes make the sunrise in the morning…heroes make the moonshine bright at night!” :00—Game Over

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

WILKINSBURG BOROUGH MANAGER

Wilkinsburg, a dynamic and historic first-ring suburb of Pittsburgh, with both major highway and busway access, seeks an experienced full time manager to help direct our continued forward momentum. With a population of just under 16,000 in just over 2 square miles, Wilkinsburg possesses a unique architectural inventory, a vibrant downtown, a diverse growing population and a positive outlook.

Reporting to a Council of nine, the Manager is responsible for the day to day operations of the Borough including oversight of an 11 million dollar annual budget and supervision of department heads. The ideal candidate will be creative and accountable, while championing strong communication and team building. A proven track record in community and economic development, grant writing and financial management is highly desired.

Salary: Shall be commensurate with experience, with an attractive benefit package.

Minimum Education Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science; Master’s in Public Policy or Master of Business Administration preferred.

Experience: The qualified candidate shall have a minimum of five years’ experience in governmental management and at least three years with direct staff supervision.

Prospective candidates shall mail a resume with cover letter, three references, and two writing samples including one funding proposal in an envelope marked “Borough Manager Position” to: Hiring Committee, Borough of Wilkinsburg, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221, or email same to: HR@wilkinsburgpa.gov EOE

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Full time w/a Pgh nonprofit. BA in Communications, PR, or related; 3-5 yrs experience preferably in academic or nonprofit setting; experience overseeing creation, design, and production of print materials and publications; expert PC and Mac skills; print publishing software and basic video editing software; social media aggregator (HootSuite or similar); InDesign, WordPress CMS and basic HTML; strong project management and analytical skills. Interviewees will need to bring portfolio of related work. Send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to: hr@manchesterbidwell.org EOE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION OPENING AT PUCS

Pittsburgh Urban Christian School, located near downtown Wilkinsburg, is a small and loving K-8 community of great ethnic and economic diversity. We seek an executive director to help us build on our strong foundation of integrated, outward-focused learning and to help us expand our financial base. Applications received by April 15 are assured of full consideration. See http://pucs.org/files/Executive_ Director_Job_Description_ Final_1.pdf for more details.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Help Wanted

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Finance

PORTFOLIO ANALYTICS & STRATEGY ANALYST SENIOR (MULTIPLE OPENINGS)

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. has multiple openings for Portfolio Analytics & Strategy Analyst Senior in Pittsburgh, PA. Responsible for participating in the Decision Analytics team supporting strategy initiatives and execution. Specific duties include: (i) identify opportunities to improve strategies and processes through sound data- based analyses; (ii) design and implement initiatives utilizing segmentation strategies based on customer behavior and transactional profile analysis; (iii) provide analytics for transactional fraud authorization decisioning and optimization to mitigate fraud losses; (iv) conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis and deliver presentations with sound recommendations and insights to business partners and management team; (v) conduct research projects relating to fraud trends and customer impacts, including project design, data collection, analysis, summary of finding and presentation of results; (vi) assess strategy P&L to establish appropriate profit and loss trade-offs and maximize business benefits by analyzing impact on revenue, spending and risk; and (vii) establish and maintain effective fraud mitigation strategy development and performance tracking to ensure that strategies are performing as expected.

Master’s degree in Economics/ Applied Economics, Engineering, Statistics, Mathemathics or Finance plus 1 year of experience conducting data analysis for the financial services industry is required. Experience must include: (i) handling, manipulation and analysis of datasets greater than 1 million records; (ii) credit risk or fraud risk analysis; (iii) statistical data analysis and statistical decision tree; (iv) assessing P&L for credit strategies and credit policies; (v) utilizing data query tools including SQL and SAS to manipulate, analyze and interpret credit bureau and other financial databases; (vi) writing and implementing SAS programs and macros for reporting, automation and data analysis for portfolio performance monitoring; and (vii) advanced database management (writing complex SQL queries, performing UNIX commands), advanced tools and software including SQL, UNIX, SAS Enterprise Miner, advanced Excel (pivot tables) and PowerPoint.

40 hours/week, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Interested individuals apply online at www.pnc.com using keyword 236149BR. PNC provides equal opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Help Wanted

Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

PROPOSALS

LAUNCH PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY COORDINATOR - PART TIME

Position Summary The Program Eligibility Coordinator will assist the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in securing student benefits related to Bank on Greater Pittsburgh (BOGP). The Program Eligibility Coordinator is responsible for recruitment, reviewing information that impacts recipient benefits; processing eligibility transactions and coordinating with the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and CCAC Student Services operations.

Requirements High School Diploma or GED, CCAC affiliated individual or student with at least 30 credits and a QPA of 3.0 or above. Previous work history, Act 33/34 and FBI clearances required.

This is a grant-funded position.

Continued funding is contingent upon program performance and funding availability.

Interested candidates may apply by sending (faxing or emailing) a cover letter and a resume to the attention of: Richard L. Morris, Director of Housing Urban league of Greater Pittsburgh 610 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2222 Email: rmorris@ulpgh.org Fax: 412.471.6199 LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Estate Trust Estate of BRASLEY, HERBERT, deceased of Pittsburgh, Pa. No. 02-16-01440, Lillian Tanowitz, Executrix and Trustee under Irrevocable Trust Agreement of Herbert Brasley c/o Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, PC, One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or to Nancy L. Rackoff, Esquire, Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, PC, One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Help Wanted

Estate of VARGA, JOHN, deceased of Allegheny County, No. 02-11-1132. Jeanne Marie Marquette, Administrator or to Marquette Law Office, LLC, Jeannne M. Marquette, Esq., 1102 S. Braddock Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15218.

Estate of REDDING, DORIS E., deceased of Pittsburgh, PA. Estate No. 02-16-00989.

Barbara Crosby, Extr., 73 Arlor Drive, Pgh, PA 15214 or to Sheila M. Ford 6419 Stanton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

Estate and of SAUNDERS, MR. MARTIN J., Deceased, of 110 Treeview Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108. Estate No. 02-16-01682. Ms. Kimberly Nolder, 110 Treeview Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108, Executor, c/o Max Feldman, Attorney At Law, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE APPLICATION LOTTERY FOR INCOME RESTRICTED APARTMENTS

Within the guidelines of Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code Beginning April 11, 2016 ad ending April 15, 2016, the lottery selection will commence for applications to Larimer/East Liberty Phase I Apartments.

There will be a maximum income restriction set at 60% of the Area Median Income. The table is listed below.

MAXIMUM Total Household Members ALLOWABLE

INCOME Maximum Income at 60% of the Area Median Income

1 $29,220

2 $33,360

3 $37,560

4 $41,700

5 $45,060

6 $48,420 The ranking of pre-applications will be done by computer, based on the applicant’s social security number or alien registration number. The random order in which this number is posted by the computer will determine the applicant’s place on the Lottery List.

The resident screening criteria will be available for review to all applicants at time of formal application.

Distribution of pre-application forms will close at 5:00 PM on Friday, April 15, 2016. Requests for special consideration for the disabled will be taken by phone during the week of April 11, 2016 to April 15, 2016 at 412-404-2404.

The Lottery Selection Method The selection of the pre-applications will be by lottery. Placement on the waiting list will not be based of date and time of pre-application.

This means that: •Applicants do not have to spend the night outside the pre-application form distribution sites; •Applicants do not need to stand in long lines; •Everyone who wants to submit a pre-application form before the deadline may do so; and •The lottery will determine the applicant’s place on the waiting list giving each applicant a chance, providing it was submitted before the deadline listed on the pre-application form.

PRE-APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTION SITES FROM APRIL 11 TO APRIL 15, 2016: The Kingsley Center 6435 Frankstown Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-661-8751 Vintage 401 N. Highland Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-361-5003

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COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

The Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh (“Authority”) is soliciting Proposals from qualified respondents to provide Artistic Restoration/Renovation Services of an existing Public Parklet located in the Central Business District (CBD) in downtown Pittsburgh as more fully described in the RFP document.

RFP Packets will be available Thursday, March 31, 2016 after 3:00 pm on the Authority website at www.pittsburghparking.com and also at the Authority main office located at 232 Boulevard of the Allies, Pgh, PA 15222.

Prospective bidders are required to submit three (3) copies of the proposal and one (1) electronic copy of the proposal, in a clearly marked and sealed envelope by 3:00 p.m.

EST on Monday, April 18, 2016

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

Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Room 251, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on April 26, 2016, until 2:00 p.m., local prevailing time for: Pgh. Banksville K-5 Brookline PreK-8 Asphalt and Concrete Paving Repairs General Prime Pgh. Westinghouse Academy 6-12 New Water Coolers General, Plumbing and Electrical Primes Pgh. Manchester PreK-8 New Water Coolers General Prime – Rebid Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on April 4, 2016 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 nonrefundable.

Project details and dates are described in each project manual.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE CONTRACT NO. 1653

Sealed Bids for the following Contract 1653 – FURNISH AND INSTALL PRIMARY INFLUENT GATE ACTUATORS shall be received at the office of the Department of Engineering and Construction, Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 until 11:00 A.M., Prevailing Time Thursday, April 21, 2016 and then publicly opened and read aloud.

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

Contract Documents may be examined and obtained at the office of the Authority for $50.00 (nonrefundable). Bid Security shall be furnished by Certified Check or Bid Bond in the amount of 10% of the Bid Price.

A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held at the Authority’s plant on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 2:00 P.M., Prevailing Time. Bidders are encouraged to attend.

Any questions regarding the Contract Documents should be directed to Jeffrey S. Mazza, P.E., Mechanical Engineer at (412) 734-8359 or (412) 734-8716 (fax) or email at jeffrey.mazza@alcosan.org.

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

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY David W. Borneman, P.E. Director, Engineering and Construction

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

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CLASSIFIEDS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Notice

Public Notice

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org).

Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM EDT on April 27, 2016 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527, for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org) B160210 Nimble Solid State Drive Hardware & Support B160212A Lamps B160215A Pantograph Carbon Collector Strips B160217 Coach Replacement Parts—Catalytic Converters and Mufflers B160218 Coach Replacement Parts—Transmission B160219A On-Calll HVAC Maintenance Services Paper Proposal – Documents are available for the following item at Port Authority’s Main Offices 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15222-2527 Q150165RR Mon Incline Windows No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on each of the above items at 10:00am EDT April 13, 2016 at 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA. Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within 48 hours of the scheduled bid opening.

These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.

Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing.

Port Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

The Board of Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

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INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids for the Marion Township Water Supply Project, will be received in the office of Benjamin Holland, BUTLER COUNTY CONTROLLER, FLOOR 5, COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, 124 WEST DIAMOND STREET, whose mailing address is P.O.BOX 1208, BUTLER, PA 16003, on or before 2:00pm, May 3, 2016. All Bids must be plainly marked Bid – Marion Township Water Supply Project.

A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the project site located at 130 McQueeney Drive, Boyers, PA 16020.

All bids will be publicly opened and read at the Public Agenda Setting Meeting of the Butler County Board of Commissioners on May 4, 2016 at 9:30am, in the Commissioner Public Meeting Room located on Floor 1 of the County Government Center, Butler, PA 16003.

Bids will be received for the following: Marion Township Water Supply System upgrades according to the specifications in the bid package.

Bids must be submitted on the forms furnished herein. Bid documents are available through Nittany Engineering & Associates, LLC located at 2836 Earlystown Road, Suite 1 Centre Hall, PA 16828, Tel: 814-364-2262 upon payment of $50 for hard copy, $25 digital CD, email or download, including shipping and handling via U.S.P.S. (All overnights are additional costs) All payments are non-refundable.

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

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

BOARD OF BUTLER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Leslie Osche, Chairman Kim Geyer Kevin Boozel Attest: Gerald Patterson Director of Administration/ Chief Clerk

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PUBLIC NOTICE ALLEGHENY COUNTY FY 2016 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

Notice is hereby given that Allegheny County, Pennsylvania will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at 10:00 AM, in the Allegheny County Economic Development’s (ACED) 9th floor Conference Room located at One Chatham Center, Suite 900, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, regarding the County’s Annual Action Plan for FY 2016. One Chatham Center and the ACED 9th Floor Conference Room are accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If special arrangements, including physical accommodations or limited English proficiency (LEP) accommodations, need to be made in order for citizens to participate in the public hearing, please call Mr. Bud Schubel, Manager of Operations, at (412) 350-1044 to make those arrangements.

The purpose of this public hearing is to present the FY 2016 Allegheny County Annual Action Plan. The FY 2016 Annual Action Plan lists the proposed projects for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funds. Allegheny County has been notified by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that it will receive 2016 Federal allocations of CDBG funds in the amount of $12,507,166, HOME funds in the amount of $2,273,174, and ESG funds in the amount of $1,129,509.

The FY 2016 Annual Action Plan is to be submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on or before May 13, 2016.

In order to obtain the views of citizens, public agencies and other interested parties, Allegheny County will place the FY 2016 Annual Action Plan on display beginning April 6, 2016, at the following locations in Allegheny County: •Allegheny County Economic Development, One Chatham Center, Suite 900, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 •Allegheny County Manager’s Office, County Courthouse, 436 Grant Street, Room 119, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 •Allegheny County Housing Authority Offices, 625 Stanwix Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA. 15222 •Allegheny Valley North COG, 185 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh PA 15238 •Char-West COG, One Veteran’s Way, Carnegie, PA 15106 •North Hills COG, 300 Wetzel Road, Suite 201, Glenshaw PA 15116 •Quaker Valley COG, 8306 Ohio River Boulevard, Pittsburgh PA 15202 •South Hills Area COG, 2600 Old Greentree Road, 2nd Floor, Carnegie, PA 15106 •Steel Rivers COG, 1705 Maple Street, Homestead PA 15120 •Turtle Creek Valley COG, 2700 Monroeville Boulevard, Monroeville, PA 15146 This document will be available to the public during normal hours of operation for a period of thirty (30) days until May 6, 2016, after which time the FY 2016 Annual Action Plan will be submitted to HUD on or before May 13, 2016, for approval.

The FY 2016 Annual Action Plan was prepared after conducting stakeholder outreach, surveys, and public hearings on community development, housing, human services, and economic development needs at ACED, the COG offices and other locations.

The FY 2016 Annual Action Plan is on public display on the County’s website. To view the CDBG, HOME, and ESG projects, go to http://economic. alleghenycounty.us/resources/five_year.aspx.

All interested citizens are encouraged to attend this public hearing and they will be given the opportunity to present oral or written testimony concerning the proposed use of CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds under the FY 2016 Annual Action Plan. For any problems encountered at One Chatham Center with accessing the ACED Office to attend the May 3, 2016 public hearing, please call (412) 350-1000 for assistance. Written comments may also be addressed to Mr. Bud Schubel, Manager of Operations, One Chatham Center, Suite 900, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or by email at howard.schubel@alleghenycounty.us. Oral comments may be made by calling (412) 350-1044.

Bud Schubel ACED, Manager of Operations

APRIL 6-12, 2016

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

OFFICIAL BID NOTICE TOWNSHIP OF UPPER ST. CLAIR

Sealed Bids will be received by the Township of Upper St. Clair, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania until 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2016 for the following projects: The Upper St. Clair Municipal Administration Building Renovations – Phase 4 The Upper St. Clair Library Sloped Glazing Renovations The Upper St. Clair Brush Run Pump Station – Generator Installation Please refer to the Township’s website at www.twpusc.org for details and requirements. /s/ Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM DEVELOPER

The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and the Stadium Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will receive proposals for Photovoltaic System Developer services as identified below.

The agreements for this work will be with the Sports & Exhibition Authority and the Stadium Authority.

The Request for Proposals may be obtained after the date identified below from Ms. Christina Lynch, Sustainability Coordinator and copied to Taylor Blice, Facilities Director.

E-mail: clynch@pgh-sea.com, and tblice@pgh-sea.com.

RFP Available: March 30, 2016 Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting: 4:00 PM, Tuesday, April 12, 2016, Sports & Exhibition Authority Offices 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Date/Location for Proposals: 10:00 AM, Friday, May 6, 2016 Sports & Exhibition Authority, Attn: Christina Lynch, Sustainability Coordinator, 171 10th Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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Pick up your Courier at these locations 500 GARDEN CITY JT RIB SHACK CRAFTON BEVERAGE 1 RAQUET LANE DESTINY’S HAIR CRAFTON/INGRAM SALON SHOPPING CENTER 408 RODI RD GIANT EAGLE PUFF’S DISCOUNT CRAFTON/INGRAM TOBACCO SHOPPING CENTER 10991 FRANKSTOWN RD SHEETZ #353 MIKE’S SPOT 5400 CAMPBELL’S RUN 815 UNIVERSAL RD RD CREAMY CREATIONS SHOP N’ SAVE #1686 2103 NOBLESTOWN RD 144B JEFFERSON RD SHOP N SAVE SAFRANS SUPER MKT 3335 WILLIAM PENN 429 WALNUT ST HWY GIANT EAGLE #74 SHEETZ PARKWAY CENTER 3457 WILLIAM PENN MALL HWY GETGO SOUTHERN AREA: 10525 FRANKSTOWN RD CVS PHARMACY KEN’S 216 BELTZHOOVER AVE 10600 FRANKSTOWN RD SHELL OIL NELSON’S 7619 BAUM BLVD 92 SYLVANIA AVE KIWI SUNOCO GIANT EAGLE #61 FRANKSTOWN AVE 2021 WHARTON AVE WILLIAM PENN COGO’S SMOKE SHOP II 2400 EAST CARSON ST 132 NORTH HIGHLAND COGO’S AVE 925 EAST CARSON ST MARATHON GAS DAILY MART 6680 FRANKSTOWN AVE 1125 ARLINGTON AVE PENN AIKEN DAIRY SHOP N’ SAVE 5401 PENN AVE CARRICK GIANT EAGLE #17 6320 SHAKESPEARE ST SOUTH EASTERN HOMEWOOD MARKET AREA: 7201 FRANKSTOWN AVE SALIK HARDWARE SUPER STOP 607 NORTH HOME403 KENMAWR AVE CARL’S CAFE WOOD AVE 337 FIFTH AVE NEGLEY A PLUS COMET NEWS 123 NORTH NEGLEY 540 BRADDOCK AVE AVE PUFFS DISCOUNT BAKER’S TOBACCO 7203 HAMILTON & 1722 GREENSBUR AVE STERRETT AVES A-PLUS SUNOCO DORSEY’S RECORDS 7403 WASHINGTON ST 7614 FRANKSTOWN AVE COGO’S HOSPITAL CORNER 1050 BRINTON RD 4201 PENN AVE COGO’S PEOPLES GROCERY 2003 S BRADDOCK AVE 5136 PENN AVE EDGEWOOD EXPRESS A&M MARKET 253 EDGEWOOD AVE 5224 PENN AVE BRAD EXPRESS A-PLUS MINI MART 1101 S BRADDOCK AVE 7701 PENN AVE GIANT EAGLE #619 WOOD & PENN 1705 S. BRADDOCK AVE 902 WOOD ST CVS AL’S FISH & CHICKEN 7406 CHURCH ST 1000 PENN AVE HANINI MARKET SAVE A LOT 1105 SWISSVALE AVE 725 ROSS AVE DUKE’S SUNOCO CVS PHARMACY 825 DUQUESNE BLVD 520 PENN AVE 7-11 GETGO 818 N. DUQUESNE BLVD 408 PENN AVE GIANT EAGLE #6379 QUICK STOP LIBERTY 3349 LIBERTY AVE 420 EAST WATERFRONT K-2 CONVENIENT DR STORE GIANT EAGLE— 4900 PENN AVE MCKEESPORT SHUR SAVE 3812 O’NEILL BLVD 4120 MAIN ST J & S FOOD MART SHELL GAS 625 W GRANT AVE 6701 FRANKSTOWN RD RITE AID PHARMACY 100 WILLIAM MARKS DR UNIMART 5724 ELLSWORTH AVE GIANT EAGLE GIANT EAGLE #77 1356 HOFFMAN BLVD 254 YOST BLVD BP GAS STATION PUFF’S DISCOUNT LYSLE & WALNUT TOBACCO DS FOODMART 234 YOST BLVD 929 UNION ST SPEEDY MART RITE AID PHARMACY 2131 ARDMORE BLVD 725 LYSLE BLVD SQUIRREL HILL NEWS CHARLIE’S CORNER 5804 FORBES AVE STORE MURRAY AVE. NEWS 500 LOCUST ST 2024 MURRAY AVE NEIGHBORHOOD GIANT EAGLE DOLLAR MURRAY AVE & 333 5TH AVE LORETTA ST GIANT EAGLE #38 DISCOUNT TOBACCO 1901 MURRAY AVE & NEWS JACK’S 1929 MURRAY AVE E 8TH AVE UNIVERSITY OF PGH BOOKSTORE EASTERN AREA: 4000 5TH AVE DANA’S BAKERY WATERWORKS 720 N. HOMEWOOD AVE GIANT EAGLE #72 DA STORE 1005 FREEPORT RD— DIVINE HAIR STUDIO 606 & 1/2 N. HOME10 DUFF RD WOOD AVE GIANT EAGLE FLOSSYS HAIR DE9001 FRANKSTOWN RD SIGNS GIANT EAGLE #78 5927 PENN AVE 230 RODI RD BONUS TIRE SERVICE BP GAS STATION 4349 VERONA RD 11835 FRANKSTOWN RD KANDY CAFE THE SPOT 4291 VERONA RD 11675 FRANKSTOWN RD GIANT EAGLE MASH MINI MART SHADYSIDE 4341 OLD WM. PENN 550 CENTRE AVE HWY MARATHON GAS GIANT EAGLE #60 4010 PENN AVE 4004 MONROEVILLE STANTON NEGLEY BLVD DRUG GIANT EAGLE #76 804 N. NEGLEY AVE AMES PLAZA, ROUTE 22 RON’S CORNER DRUG GET IT QUICK MT. CARMEL RD WESTERN AREA:

CENTRAL AREA: GET GO #64 4924 BAUM BLVD SCHWARTZ MARKET 1901 5TH AVE SMOKER FRIENDLY 906 5TH AVE HILL DISTRICT: WONG’S MARKET 2170 CENTRE AVE ANN’S MARKET 2316 WEBSTER AVE A-PLUS MINI MART 2350 CENTRE AVE UJAMMA BOUTIQUE 1901 CENTRE AVE K LEROY IRVIS TOWERS 715 MERCER ST SHOP & SAVE SUPERMARKET 1850 CENTRE AVE ABE’S MARKET 1860 CENTRE AVE WYLIE TOBACCO 2152 WYLIE AVE DOWNTOWN: KWIK-E-MART 212-10TH ST 7-11 #167 643 LIBERTY AVE 7-11 #165 SIXTH & PENN AVE 7-11 #170 429 WOOD ST ESTER’S SNAX FEDERAL BUILDING, 2ND FL SMITHFIELD NEWS 115 SMITHFIELD ST CITY NEWS & ARCADE 422 WOOD ST FABER COE & GREGG 500 GRANT ST FABER COE & GREGG FIFTH AVE. PLACE FABER COE & GREGG 600 GRANT ST NIELSEN’S STORES #09 301 GRANT ST— ONE OXFORD CENTER NIELSEN’S STORES #13 437 SEVENTH AVE— KOPPERS BUILDING 9TH & PENN NEWS-NUMBERS 136 PENN AVE EXTRA EXTRA NEWS 413 SEVENTH AVE NEAL NEWS 400 CHERRY WAY CVS PHARMACY #4120 610-612 WOOD ST C&C NEWS 2 PPG PLACE NEWSTAND SIXTH & WOOD ONE STOP 300 SIXTH & WOOD EDDIE’S SNACKS 262 5TH AVE BIG DADDY 465 FORBES AVE 711 SMITHFIELD 420 SMITHFIELD ST NORTHERN AREA: W. N. GROCERY 1018 NORTH AVE. NORTH SIDE BEER & BEVERAGE 1304 FEDERAL ST ALLEGHENY GIFT SHOP—AGH HOSPITAL 320 EAST NORTH AVE GIANT EAGLE #652 318 CEDAR AVE 7-11 #158 1001 WESTERN AVE RICHEY’S BARBER SHOP 1207 N. FRANKLIN ST QUIK-IT 820 PENNSYLVANIA AVE RITE AID #3459 802 PENNSYLVANIA AVE MARSHALL SHELL 1500 SPRING GARDEN AVE SWINKO’S MARKET 2535 PERYSVILLE AVE MERCY STREET EXPRESS 6 MERCY ST HARV’S EXXON 2501 BRIGHTON RD QUICK SCHWARTZ 3235 BRIGHTON RD HANINI MARKET 3245 BRIGHTON RD

C6

APRIL 6-12, 2016

PEOPLE

MARK BRENTLEY Award Recipient

JUDGE J. WARREN WATSON Award Recipient

VICTOR GRIGSBY Award Recipient

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

VALERIE McDONALD ROBERTS Award Recipient

Stop The Violence Pgh. honors top achievers

ROGER HUMPHRIES Award Recipient

LAWRENCE GLASCO Presenter

Stop The Violence Pittsburgh recently presented Pittsburgh’s 2016 Bicentennial Celebration, Symposium and Gala at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.

The event, directed by CEO William Marshall and staff, showcased and acknowledged the accomplishments of 8 of the area’s Black Legacy Leaders who were all presented Awards.

The contributions of distinguished African Americans in the history of the

Pittsburgh community were emphasized by an array of accomplished historians, doctors, pastors, local news anchors, city, county and state officials who participated in the Symposium.

Gospel singer Travis Malloy, James Johnson and the African American Music Institute Boys Choir, Shailen Abram & Soul Raydio, The Kevin Howard Band, Jordan G Welch and Teresa Hawthorne were the night’s entertainment.

PROCLAIMATION PRESENTER—Khadijah T Diggs, deputy regional director for Gov. Tom Wolf.

IN ATTENDANCE—Patricia Jackson, Pastor Steven Jackson, Doris Carson Williams, and John L Ford.

PITTSBURGH BLACK LEGACY STAFF—William Marshall is centered in black knit cap. (Photos by Jackie McDonald)

LORAN MANN Award Recipient

LYNN HAYES-FREELAND Presenter

RALPH PROCTOR Award Recipient

RICH FITZGERALD County Executive

ANDREW STOCKEY Presenter

TRAVIS MALLOW Singer