America’s best weekly Vivica A. Fox to host charity event as part of Juneteenth
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure draws thousands
Wendyʼs: Oh no they didnʼt… firing workers, hiring robots
Juneteenth B6
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Pittsburgh Courier NEW
VOL. 106, NO. 20
AURN’s new direction includes airing ‘conversation’ with presidential hopefuls Published Weekly
Three Sections
$1.00
MAY 18-24, 2016
by Christian Morrow
During a May 12 telephone conversation with AURN President for Program Operations and Affiliations Jerry Lopes, CFO Arthur Benjamin, and Access 1 Communications President Chesley Maddox Dorsey, Lopes said the August 18 forum is just one aspect of the company’s move to invest and expand its presence in the media marketplace—a move that did not happen under the previous
Courier Staff Writer
CHESLEY MADDOX DORSEY
Now that the American Urban Radio Network has severed its longtime partnership with Sheridan Broadcasting Network, it is wasting no time in making a new mark on the media landscape by bringing the Democratic and Republican Party Presidential candidates to Pittsburgh for a forum at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture.
ARTHUR BENJAMIN
SEE AURN A4
JERRY LOPES
Feed The Children donates eight tons of food in the Hill
A night of honor and prestige
by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer
PROUD MOMENT—Congratulations to the chairman from the members of the board. From left: Johnnie Miott, Connie Parker, Morton Stanfield, Gwen Young, Curtis Page and K. Chase Patterson. (Photo by Rossano P. Stewart)
Though state Reps. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill, and Mike Turzai, R-McCandless, rarely agree on anything, they agree that feeding those in need is a worthy endeavor. And on May 11, both men joined Feed the Children CEO, and former Oklahoma Congressman, J.C. Watts, Focus Pittsburgh Director Rev. Paul Abernathy, StarKist President and CEO Andrew Choe, Charlie the Tuna and dozens of vol-
unteers to distribute 16,000 pound of food to 400 needy families at the Bedford Hill Apartments in the Hill District. Watts, who joined Feed the Children three months ago, said it was a natural fit for him, given the antipoverty and anti-hunger work he did in congress for 18 years—plus, it is based in Oklahoma. “In my life, I’ve missed meals and I’ve skipped meals, but I never had to wonder where my next SEE FEED A5
NAACP celebrates 62nd Human Rights Awards Dinner by Renee P. Aldrich For New Pittsburgh Courier
With all the pomp and ceremony of a Hollywood award night, on Thursday, May 5, the Pittsburgh Unit of the NAACP held it’s annual Human Right’s Dinner in the grand ballroom of the Westin Convention Center Hotel. The theme for the evening was “Times they are a Changing and SO SHOULD WE.
The event boasted more than 500 attendees; and the special guest Mistress of Ceremonies was Bofta Yiman; Investigative and Consumer Reporter at Pittsburgh’s WTAE_TV Action News. The program commenced with opening remarks from dignitaries, such as Quintin Bullock, president of Community College of Allegheny County, one of the Corporate Chairs, and the Occasion and Welcome given by Event
Chair, K. Chase Patterson. The first outstanding highlight of the night was the presentation of a world premiere film, aptly titled “Change,” produced by award-winning film maker, Emmai Alaquiva, of Ya Momz House, Inc. Featuring local notables, such as janera Soloman of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, K. Chase Patterson, of “Social,” Harry Johnson from BMe Man-
LIVING LEGACY—Dominique Luster, who was inspired by Charles “Teenie” Harris’ photos as a theater student, is the first permanent archivist of the Harris collection at the Carnegie Museum.
Luster hired as permanent MAD DADS Expand outreach into Homewood ‘Teenie’ Harris archivist SEE NAACP A5
by Michael B Rose
by Christian Morrow
For the New Pittsburgh Courier
COVERING THE STREETS—George Spencer, president of Pittsburgh branch of MAD DADS standing on the corner of Frankstown and Homewood Avenues with police and other MAD DAD members. (Photo by J.L. Martello)
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MAD DADS (Men Against Destruction Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder) is expanding its Wilkinsburg chapter into Homewood. Over the years, Wilkinsburgers have become fond of the green clad dads who take the initiative to engage with youth on the streets to lower the crime rate through outreach and understanding. “The goal of MAD DADS is to take strong drug free men to go to neighborhood hot spots and reclaim our sons and daughters that have gotten off track. We are heartbroken fathers concerning the murder rate and impact of drug abuse.” Said George Spencer, President of MAD DADS greater Pittsburgh area. The idea in Homewood is to be boots on the SEE MAD A4
Courier Staff writer
Dominique Luster first became familiar with the photography of Charles “Teenie” Harris as an undergraduate theater major at the University of Kentucky, using it as inspiration for her lighting and set design work. Now she will work to have his photography continue to inspire others after having been named as the first permanent Teenie Harris Archivist for the Carnegie Museum of Art and will manage and oversee the re-
search, digitization, publication, and exhibition of the nearly 80,000 images shot by Harris from the 1930s to the 1970s. “The first…that’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard,” she said. “I genuinely love this collection and am dedicated to making sure it is taken care of and preserved for the community into the future.” Luster said gained an even deeper appreciation for Harris’ work after coming to Pittsburgh in 2004 to attain a Master of Library
George Curry says
Lyin’ Donald Trump is the biggest liar Forum A7
SEE LUSTER A4