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VOL. 107, NO. 37

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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

Miles sells Larimer School to URA

by Christian Morrow

CUMBERLAND POSEY

Courier Staff Writer

Posey opened doors for Blacks in baseball and basketball

never would.

“I am very aware of the funeral for Rev. Eugene “Freedom” Blackwell,” he said. “And I am also aware that he spent his life building bridges and not building walls. We should all try to live a little more like him because life is fleeting. And when you get older and you have more yesterdays than tomorrows, you ought to be more upbeat and forward looking.”

After more than a decade of having his efforts trying to turn the long abandoned Larimer School into an anchor for housing, career training and economic development for the neighborhood, a frustrated Emmett Miles has finally thrown in the towel.

On Sept. 8, the Urban Redevelopment Authority board voted to purchase the massive threebuilding complex for $250,000. If he’d been able to complete any of the renovations he had planned for the 53,000 square-foot complex the price would have been higher.

But despite the building’s historic and architectural significance—and the fact that its location now makes it eligible for federal Choice Neighborhood Tax Credit financing—Miles could never get the funding needed to realize his vision. He said there is a simple explanation for that.

“If I were a shade or two lighter, this would have been done years ago,” he said. “But what do you

SEE BILL A5

SEE MILES A5

Bill stumps for Hillary

MAKING HIS POINT–Bill Clinton tells Pittsburgh area Blacks why they should vote for Hillary Clinton. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

by Jesse Washington

by Christian Morrow

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Courier Staff Writer

(Never Defeated)—Cumberland Posey caught the ball more than 20 feet from the basket, squared up and let it fly.

It was March 9, 1912. Less than three minutes remained in the contest for bragging rights as the best Black basketball team in America. Posey’s Monticello Athletic Association clung to a 20-19

Though most of the Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign workers who accompanied her husband’s visit to the Homewood Coliseum last week are too young to have heard former President Bill Clinton’s consummate rhetorical skills, many of the 400 or so who stood in the line that snaked around the block to hear him speak were not—and they were not

SEE POSEY A4

disappointed.

Always the master orator, Bill Clinton contrasted his measured, positive remarks to his introductory speakers—including state Rep. Ed Gainey, U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle and Allegheny County Councilman Dewitt Walton—and to the emotionally charged rhetoric heard nationally. He did so by noting he had just turned 70—and that another crowd was gathered just a few blocks away to celebrate the life of someone who

B-Pep, PAT promote the vote

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

As it has in past national election years, the Port Authority of Allegheny County has teamed up with the Black Political Empowerment Project to push that organizations tenet that African Americans should vote in each and every election.

In East Liberty, Sept.8, PAT and B-PEP announced that 40 buses will carry that message across Allegheny

County as they ply their daily routes between now and the Nov. 8 election.

“For the first time in our history, with financial support from the Pittsburgh Foundation sponsoring our signs and our mission,” said B-PEP Founder Tim Stevens. “We’ll be showing this message for two months starting today.

There will also be two billboards carrying the message on this busway. So now everyone who rides by, or who comes onto this busway

will be reminded every day to vote in this and every election.”

Stevens also announced that they would be distributing yard signs throughout Pittsburgh and beyond, thanks to their continued partnership with the Allegheny County Community Intensive Supervision Program. The CISP office will also again be handling transportation for B-PEP’s Roll to the Polls campaign, SEE B-PEP A4

GET OUT AND VOTE—Tim Stevens holds the sign that will be on buses, in the yards of many people and on the East Bus Way. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Fans barred from Perry opener against Westinghouse

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

NO SPECTATORS—Perry and Westinghouse had to play their game without any spectators in Cupples Stadium due to a shooting incident outside Perry High School. Some spectators watched the game from the McArdle roadway. (Photo by William McBride)

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Two traditional football powerhouses squared off in their home opener when Perry faced Westinghouse at Cupples Stadium last week. But unless you were a sports reporter or photographer, you didn’t see it—no one did.

That’s because district leadership, and administrators at Perry and its athletic department, decided that no spectators would be admitted to the Sept. 9 game due to safety concerns follow the shooting of a student outside Perry Traditional Academy the morning before.

According to police, a student was shot in the hip during a fight at the intersection of Perrysville and Baytree Street just after 7 a.m. Three juveniles were taken into custody almost immediately thereafter and a fourth was detained about 30 minutes later. The victim was treated and released from Allegheny General Hospital.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Spokesperson SEE FANS A5

Michael Coard says

Top 5 reasons why Kaepernick scored, racists fumbled Opinion A6

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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

INTERNATIONAL

Press Freedom Day: Journalists keep working despite threats

UNDER FIRE—Abdiqadir Dulyar, director for the Somali television station Horn Cable, looks at the smashed window of a car that was carrying journalists working for his station, that unidentified gunmen opened fire on last week although no one was hurt, in Mogadishu, Somalia Tuesday, May 3, 2016.

(AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)

by Abdi Guled

impunity, “intolerable and unacceptable,” and urged Associated Press Writer all countries to prosecute MOGADISHU, Somathose who threaten and lia (AP)—For Abdiqadir attack media workers.

Dulyar, simply reading More than 1,200 people, messages sent to his phone including Finland’s Prime can be chilling. minister Juha Sipila, His voice breaks as he Syrian activist Mazen reads a recent one: “Keep Darwish and journalist doing what you do, and Christiane Amanpour, we shall come to give your participated in the conwell-deserved reward: ference in Helsinki, which death.” highlighted the increasing Dulyar, the 40-year-old lack of safety for journaldirector of the Somali TV ists reporting not just on station Horn Cable, said wars but on corruption, the threats often lead him environmental damage, to avoid going home and to even soccer. stay at his office for weeks “We want to see all jourat a time. nalists, both online and He said his fear was offline, work without the heightened last week after risk of being persecuted” unidentified men opened and without fearing for fire on a car carrying jour- their and their families’ nalists from his TV station safety, Finland’s President in the capital of MogadiSauli Niinisto said at the shu. No one was hurt. ceremony to award the Somali journalists freUNESCO/Guillermo Cano quently receive threats, World Press Freedom with many being killed.

Prize to jailed Azerbaijani But police rarely investiinvestigative journalist gate them or adequately Khadija Ismayilova. protect reporters, accordIsmayilova’s mother, ing to Human Rights Elmira Ismayilova, read Watch, which on Sept. 6 a statement from her marked World Press Free- daughter saying that she dom Day by issuing a re“remains alive to fight for port on the dangers faced justice...but it is a chalby Somali journalists. lenge I cannot accomplish The deadliest country on my own” and urging for journalists in 2015 those present to work for was Syria, where 14 were “press freedom and justice. killed, followed by France Don’t be afraid, your sacriwith nine, according to fice is worth it.” the Committee to Protect In Somalia, which for Journalists. Around the years has been one of the world, 72 journalists were most dangerous counkilled in 2015 and 10 have tries for media workers, been killed so far this year. 59 journalists have been In Finland, UNESCO’s killed since 1992, soon Director General Irina after a civil war began in Bokova opened the World the Horn of Africa nation, Press Freedom Day confer- according to the CPJ. The ence by calling the killing deadliest year was 2012 of hundreds of journalwhen 18 were killed. In ists, with near complete 2015, three journalists

were killed, including Hindia Haji Mohamed, who worked for the state-run broadcaster and had been married to a journalist who also had been slain.

She died in December when her car was bombed, an attack claimed by the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab.

The killings of Somali media workers often happen in government-controlled areas that journalists generally consider safe, and reporters must be on their guard at all times. It does not help that they also might face hostility from the government, said Human Rights Watch.

There are signs the Somali government is protecting journalists better. Last month, the government executed a man convicted of assisting the killing of five journalists. A former journalist himself, the man had joined al-Shabab to work as their press liaison and was known to have threatened reporters. He was one of the few prosecuted by the government, which has been urged for years by rights groups to do more to protect journalists.

Despite relative stability in Mogadishu since the ouster of al-Shabab in 2011, journalists say they still feel unsafe from both militants and government officials. Although African Union troops have helped to push Islamist extremists out of all Somalia’s major cities, the rebels still carry out numerous attacks, hampering the government’s rebuilding efforts.

“There is the prospect of having a Somali free from oppression, but threats and intimidation against journalists continue and it is very grim—no group or government likes our work,” said Dulyar, the broadcast journalist. Despite the dangers, Dulyar said he remains committed to his job.

“No matter what, I shall keep working,” he said.

“I shall remain being a messenger for the whole world.”

(Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.)

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This Week In Black History

For the Week of September 14-20 September 14 1940—Blacks are allowed for the first time to enter all branches of the U.S. military when President Franklin D. Roosevelt, on this day, signs the Selective Service Act. 1973—Nasir Jones, known simply as Nas, was born in Queensbridge, N.Y. Nas is well known for his 1994 debut album, “Illmatic,” which many consider to be one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.

September 15 1830—The First National Negro Convention takes place in Philadelphia, Pa. Top on the agenda were the better organizing of anti-slave activities and whether or not free Blacks should return to Africa.

1881—Inventor Jan E. Matzeilger is born in Dutch NASIR “NAS” JONES Guyana. He came to the United States in 1878 and by 1880 had patented a shoe lacing machine.

1889—One of Black America’s most outstanding poets, Claude McKay, is born. He would become a leading figure during the Black Cultural Revolution known as the Harlem Renaissance.

1928—Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Julian Edwin “Cannonball” Adderley born in Tampa, Fla. Adderley is remembered for his 1966 single “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” He performed with Miles Davis, playing on the seminal Davis records “Milestones” and “Kind of Blue” before embarking on a successful solo career.

1963—In one of the most heartless terrorist attacks of the Civil Rights Movement, the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., is bombed by White supremacists and Ku Klux Klan members. Four little Black girls are killed. But instead of scaring African CANNONBALL ADDERLEY Americans into backing away from their demands, the act actually inspired the Civil Rights Movement.

September 16 1848—The French abolish slavery in all their territories. It would take a Civil War and another 17 years before slavery is abolished in America.

1921—Singer Jon Hendricks born in Newark, Ohio.

He is considered one of the originators of vocalese, which adds lyrics to existing instrumental songs and replaces many instruments with vocalists. He is also considered one of the best practitioners of scat singing.

1925—Blues great B.B. King is born Riley B. King on this day in Itta Benna, Miss. King was an American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. He won a 1970 Grammy Award for the song “The Thrill Is Gone.” His version became a hit on both the pop and R&B charts. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. King died May 14, 2015 at the age of 89.

1933—“Emperor Jones” is released on this day by B.B. KING United Artists. It starred social activist Paul Robeson as Brutus Jones. It was the first Hollywood film with a Black leading man and a White supporting cast.

September 17 1787—The United States Constitution is approved, but it includes three clauses allowing for the continuation of slavery even though it was suppose to be a document of freedom.

1861—Hampton Institute (now university) is founded. It has now become one of the nation’s leading predominately Black educational institutions.

1970—The “Flip Wilson Show” premieres on NBC television. It is the first variety show (in prime time) to star an African American male since the “Nat King Cole Show.” During its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings made it the nation’s second most watched show. Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine “FLIP WILSON SHOW” Jones, a sassy, modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer (who, when not in prison, was at the pool hall). Wilson popularized such catchphrases as “What you see is what you get” and “The Devil made me do it!”

1973—Illinois becomes the first state to honor Civil Rights Movement icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a state holiday.

September 18 1850—Congress passes the Fugitive Slave Law as part of the Compromise of 1850.

The Compromise was essentially a vain attempt to reconcile differences between the slave states of the South and the free states of the North as to whether Midwest states would be slave or free. The law basically required Free states to help slave states capture escaped slaves.

1895—Booker T. Washington delivered his famous (or infamous) “Atlanta Compromise” speech in which he promotes Black economic betterment at the expense of civil and political rights. The speech endeared him to Whites opposed to the social integration of Blacks, but it angered progressive Blacks, including scholar W.E.B. DuBois, who began to portray Washington as an “Uncle Tom.” 1980—Cuban cosmonaut Arnold Tamayo becomes the first Black person to fly on a space mission. He flew on a space craft from the then-Soviet Union.

September 19 1865—Atlanta University is founded in Atlanta, Ga. It was one of many educational institutions established during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War to educate former slaves.

1931—Soul singer Brook Benton, born Benjamin Franklin Peay, was born this day in Lugoff, S.C. He has more than 50 Billboard Hhar hits as an artist, including “A Rainy Night in Georgia,” “It’s Just A Matter Of Time” and “Endlessly.”

BROOKE BENTON 1981—An estimated 400,000 people from various labor and civil rights organizations rally in Washington, D.C., to protest the domestic policies of President Ronald Reagan. His policies were viewed by the demonstrating groups as anti-Black and opposed to the best interests of working-class people.

September 20 1664—Maryland enacts the nation’s first “Anti-Amalgamation Law.” It specifically outlawed marriages between Black men and White women. Soon, several other colonies followed the Maryland example. It would not be until the 1960s that U.S. Supreme Court in the famous Loving v. Virginia case declared all such laws un-Constitutional.

And even though it was not being enforced, it was not until 2000 that Alabama officially became the last state to strike from the books its law banning interracial marriages.

1830—The first National Negro Convention of Free Men meets in Philadelphia, Pa. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Among a wide range of items on the agenda was a resolution encouraging free Blacks to boycott the purchase of items produced by slave labor. African Methodist Episcopal Church founder Richard Allen was elected president of the convention. Despite the fact that Allen had founded the AME Church, the name of the convention also reflected an attempt by free Blacks to reduce identification with Africa. At the time, most slaves and many free Blacks tended to refer to themselves as “Africans.”

1958—A deranged woman stabs then-rapidly emerging civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. during a book signing ceremony at a Harlem, N.Y., department store. Rumors circulated that the stabbing was part of a government conspiracy against King, but no evidence was ever produced to support the theory.

1984—“The Cosby Show,” starring comedian and activist Bill Cosby, debuts on NBC Television. It becomes one of the nation’s highest rated television series and was widely praised by civil rights activists because of its generally positive portrayal of a Black middle-class family.

“THE COSBY SHOW”

NATIONAL

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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

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NABJ congratulates Lester Holt as moderator of first 2016 presidential debate

SOURCE: Marvel, U.S. Dept. Education, PHOTO CREDIT: Getty

New Marvel superheroes promote STEM education (NewsOne)—Superheroes are joining the effort to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education among students of color.

Marvel comics announced the release in November of five special covers that focus on STEAM (the “A” represents the arts) subject matters.

“With our new STEAM Variants, we plan to continue to motivate our fans to explore their passions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math and present these disciplines through some of our favorite young heroes who are doing just that–following their dreams and preparing for the challenges that await them ahead,” Marvel SVP David Gabriel said in a statement.

The STEAM issues will

include three characters of color: Riri Williams, a teenage engineering prodigy, who is the new Iron Man… Moon Girl is a preteen super genius who wants to change the world…

And Miles Morales is a biracial Black and Hispanic teen who plays Spider-Man. According to the U.S. Department of Education, students of color complete STEM degrees at a low rate, with African Americans receiving just 7.6 percent of bachelor’s degrees in the sciences and math.

The department said improving STEM education, especially among underrepresented groups in the industry, is a priority for the Obama administration.

The nation will need to add 1 million more STEM professionals to the workforce by 2022.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— NABJ congratulates Lester Holt, NABJ Journalist of the Year and anchor of “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” on being selected as the moderator for the first 2016 presidential debate.

Holt will moderate the first debate on Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. The commission also announced that Martha Raddatz of ABC and Anderson Cooper of CNN will moderate the town hall debate on Oct. 9; and Chris Wallace of Fox News will moderate the final debate on Oct. 19.

All of the 2016 moderators are first-time presidential debate moderators. CBS News correspondent Elaine Quijano will moderate the vice-presidential debate on Oct. 4.

“NABJ is pleased that the Commission on President Debates selected Lester for this important role and for ensuring that diverse voices are at the table to lead the discussion. We know that Lester will do an exemplary job as moderator, and that the public will learn

NBC ANCHOR—In this Oct. 28, 2015, file photo, NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt arrives at the 9th Annual California Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at the California Museum, in Sacramento, Calif. (Jose Luis Villegas/The Sacramento Bee via AP, Pool, File) more about the two nominees,” said NABJ President Sarah Glover.

“As an advocacy organization, we have continued to champion diversity inclusion.

Just four years ago, Black journalists and journalists of color were not selected for the moderator roles. While we celebrate Lester and Elaine Quijano’s participation, it is unfortunate that

a Latino journalist won’t be represented in a moderator position this year.”

Holt follows in the great footsteps of NABJ members Bernard Shaw, co-moderator of the 1988 presidential debate and vice presidential debate in 2000; Carole Simpson, the only Black woman to moderate a presidential debate in 1992; and Gwen Ifill, moderator of the

vice presidential debate in 2004 and 2008.

About the National Association of Black Journalists: An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.

Rep. John Lewis is a finalist for National Book Award

by Hillel Italie

Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights activist and longtime Georgia congressman, is now a National Book Award finalist.

Lewis and co-authors Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell were nominated in the young people’s literature category for the best-selling graphic memoir “March: Book Three,” the final work in a trilogy about Lewis’ years in the

civil rights movement.

Other finalists announced Sept. 12 include such acclaimed children’s writers as Kate DiCamillo, Kwame Alexander and Grace Lin. The foundation released a longlist of 10 nominated books, to be followed over the next three days by long lists for poetry, nonfiction and fiction. Judges in each category will narrow the lists to five, with the results to be announced Oct. 13. Winners will be announced at a Manhattan dinner ceremony Nov. 16.

GRAPHIC NOVEL—Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., holds the new installment of his award-winning graphic novel on civil rights and nonviolent protest, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

METRO

B-PEP, PAT join forces to promote the vote

CELESTE TAYLOR speaking about getting out to vote.

CONTINUED FROM A1

which provides rides to voting sites for those who need them.

“We will also be distributing these signs to 150 Black churches so that their members can urge their

neighbors to vote,” he said.

Stevens then introduced Celeste Taylor, who has been hired to lead B-PEP’s voter registration and election protection campaigns for the next two months.

“Sometimes Democracy is

hot, and in the streets, and its noisy because its about the people and making sure that they matter,” she said, while reminding everyone that the registration deadline is Oct. 11.

“We have to make sure those who need a ride to the polls can get one. And now you can. You can call the CISP office in the Hill District, North Side, in Manchester, in Wilkinsburg in Braddock, or in McKeesport—we’re where the people are at. And if you have any difficulty voting on election day, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1866-687-8683 and they can tell you how to address your problems.”

Stevens also said his organization is partnering with the city, the Jewish Federation and Pittsburgh Public Schools on a civic engagement program for youth in the city schools.

“In 1965 was voting rights act, meaning for the first 20 years of my life, African Americans could not vote in each and every election—they weren’t allowed,” he said.

“And what upsets us who

SUPPORTERS OF THE VOTE—Everyone who came out to the press conference. (Photos by J. L. Martello) are activists in this area, is that there are those of color who do not vote. It’s an insult to those Black and White who died for this right.”

Reverend Samuel Ware, pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Washington, Pa., thanked Stevens and said his bishop has directed that all the churches in his re-

gion help to get out the vote—so he is pleased to partner with B-PEP. “We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines in this election. And we have to vote in races at every level, every year from committeeman on up. We have to participate,” he said. “Just voting for (the) president every

four years is not enough.

Don’t just look at the big picture—look at all the parts that make up that picture.”

For more information on B-PEP’s election initiatives call 412-212-8775 or 412758-7898.

(J.L. Martello contributed to this story.)

Posey opened doors for Blacks in baseball and basketball CONTINUED FROM A1

lead over Howard University. More than a thousand well-dressed spectators surrounded the tiny court inside the Washington Park Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, cheering for the hometown Monticello squad.

The 21-year-old Posey, son of the richest Black man in town, had been a city high school champion and the first Black basketball player at Penn State. At 5foot-9 and 140 pounds, Posey was known for both a ferocious edge and wily tricks. He had set up this game against defending national champion Howard, and his Monticello club collected the gate receipts to cover the event’s expenses.

Long-range shots were discouraged in this slowpaced era, just 21 years after James Naismith invented the game. The 3point line was six decades in

the future. Jump balls took place after every score, and many games were played under Naismith’s original YMCA rules, which did not allow players to shoot off the dribble. “Scientific basketball,” as the favorite strategy of the day was called, relied on close-range shots. But Posey was one of the first players in history to embrace the long ball.

Posey’s bomb hit nothing but net, according to a story in the Pittsburgh Courier, one of the nation’s leading Black newspapers. The final score was 24-19, with Posey tallying 15 points.

Thus began his reign, in the words of legendary Courier sportswriter Wendell Smith, as “the outstanding athlete of the Negro race.”

Posey went on to battle the best Black and White basketball teams in the country, leading his Pittsburgh squads to four more Black championships. Just as im-

portantly, his business acumen was a driving force in the elevation of basketball from pastime to profession, helping build a foundation for the establishment of the National Basketball Association in 1946. Posey also played for and then owned the Homestead Grays baseball franchise, which some consider the greatest Negro League team.

Already a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Posey was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 9 alongside such modern stars as Allen Iverson and Shaquille O’Neal. That makes Posey the only person to be enshrined in both the baseball and basketball halls of fame.

“I would certainly want people to remember his achievements as an athlete and a businessman,” said Posey’s granddaughter, Nancy Boxill, a college pro-

fessor and former county commissioner in Atlanta for 23 years. “We don’t always remember those from long ago. We tend to more focus on athletes and businessmen and women in today’s time. But there’s a trajectory. It started somewhere.”

Homestead, Pennsylvania, was a flourishing, integrated steel town in the late 1800s, just across the Monongahela River from Pittsburgh.

Posey’s father, Cumberland Willis Posey Sr., lived in a huge house on East 13th Street. The son of former slaves, Posey Senior was born in Virginia in 1858 and grew up in Maryland. He began sweeping ship decks as a youngster and developed an interest in how ship engines worked. After years of studying naval construction, he became what is believed to have been the nation’s first African American licensed as a chief engineer, according to several historical records.

Posey and his wife, Angelina, a schoolteacher, moved to Homestead in 1892, where enormous fortunes were being made in steel and coal.

Posey worked at the shipyards building boats, then supervised their construction, then started his own shipbuilding company. After investing in coal businesses, the elder Posey, known as “Captain” or “Cap,” founded the Diamond Coke and Coal Co., which mined, transported and supplied raw materials to make steel. Employing about a thousand men, Posey dealt with industry barons such as Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie, and stood atop Pittsburgh’s Black social scene with leadership roles from the church to the Courier.

Cap Posey had a tough demeanor forged in his journey from the bottom levels of river life to the pinnacle of the business world, said Claude Johnson, founder of the Black Fives Foundation,

which researches and promotes the history of pre-NBA Black basketball. His only son, born in 1890, always loved sports. “Cum” Posey Jr. won that city basketball championship with Homestead High School in 1908, played two years at Penn State, then attended the University of Pittsburgh. He began playing baseball for the Homestead Grays around this time, and organized his Monticello basketball team, named after a local street.

Basketball had not yet developed into distinct leagues. “Games brought together teams from disparate settings, as semipro, collegiate, and social club quintets clashed on a match-bymatch basis, mixing most of the nation’s basketball in an interracial concoction in which the best teams played their way to the top,” wrote Rob Ruck, a University of Pittsburgh history professor, in his book Sandlot Seasons: Sports in Black Pittsburgh.

Community Calendar VA Mobile Vet Center Visits Sept. 14-17—The Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Vet Center will visit locations around Pittsburgh to help Veterans learn about the services available at the three area Vet Centers . The 40-foot Mobile Vet Center vehicle provides space for confidential counseling services and can virtually connect veterans with clinicians at VA medical centers for counseling, outreach and referral services for combat veterans and their families. On Sept.

14, the Mobile Center will stop at both the Veterans Leadership Program, 2931 Smallman Street, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and at Highmark Stadium at Station Square at 5:30 p.m. For information on other locations and times, call 412-920-1765.

African American History Presentation SEPT. 17—The Association for the Study of African American Life and History will present Pittsburgh’s African American Trailblazers, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community College of Allegheny County Forrester Student Service Center, 808 Ridge Ave. On Pittsburgh’s North Side. The event features panel presentations and discussion moderated by retired University of Pittsburgh Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Robert Hill and former CCAC Editor/Program coordinator for the Boyce Collegian. The event is free and will feature light refreshments.

MAD DADS 10th Anniversary Awards Gala SEPT. 18—MAD DADS will host its 10th anniversary gala beginning at 6 p.m. at the August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh. The event features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music by Sandra Dowe, and a program and awards ceremony. Tickets are $35 and are available at the box office or by phone at 412-456-6666.

Benefit Golf Outing SEPT. 19—Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living will host a golf outing starting at 11 a.m. at Lone Pine Country Club, 2755 Park Ave., Washington, Pa. The outing will benefit the capital campaign renovation of its new headquarters and community center. For more information contact Joann Naser at 724-2235115 or at jnaser@tripil.com.

College Fair SEPT. 24—The Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church Scholarship Ministry will sponsor a Fall College Fair, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pittsburgh Obama, 515 N. Highland Ave. Representatives from more than 11 in-state colleges and universities will be in attendance.

Day Of Prayer Event SEPT. 24—The National Day of Prayer For Our Youth will be celebrated from 12:30 to 3:30 at Freedom Corner in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. The event will include singers, dancers, and ministers from many congregations, Mayor Bill Peduto, state Rep. Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald are among the invited speakers. The National Prayer will be given by Covenant Church of Pittsburgh Bishop Joseph Garlington. For more information, contact Shirley Jones Douglas at 412-969-7299.

Police-Community Relations Forum OCT. 4—The Church of the Redeemer presents the first in a series of Great Issues Forums on Race in Pittsburgh, 7 p.m., in its sanctuary, 5700 Forbes Ave. in Oakland. The police-community relations forum will feature presentations and discussions among University of Pittsburgh Law Professor David Harris, Pittsburgh police Chief Cameron McLay, Adjunct Professor at the Pitt School of Public Health Richard Garland, and Alliance for Police Accountability President Brandi Fisher.

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METRO

Miles sells Larimer School to Urban Redevelopment Authority homes and vacant lots would extend the development with renovated or new affordable housing units whose occupants could also benefits from the service hub. Miles essentially adhered to that vision when he purchased the property in 2005, but wanted to also create a EMMETT MILES center for career and CONTINUED FROM A1 tradecraft training to addo? No one wants to see a dress Larimer’s high unemBlack man own it. I kept ployment rate, especially fighting an uphill battle among young men. that was never ending.”

The two biggest obstacles Using the school as the he faced in renovating the lynchpin for broad-based main building where asneighborhood revitalization bestos abatement and the was originally the brain- building’s roof, which had child of the late community been deteriorating since the activist Ora Lee Carroll. school was closed in 1980.

She envisioned the main As a contractor, however, building as a senior hous- Miles is certified in—and ing facility with space in can train others in—asthe other two filled by med- bestos removal. ical and human service “It’s a win, win,” he told providers. the New Pittsburgh Neighboring abandoned Courier in 2005. “I can get

SCHOOL’S STILL OUT—The Larimer School, closed for 36 years, is now owned by the URA. (Photo courtesy of KBK Enterprise) federal and state grant money to train unemployed Larimer residents to do the abatement. They learn a marketable skill they can take anywhere and we get a clean building.”

He never received a single grant for the training, and spent the next decade just trying to maintain the building. Reading the tealeaves, Miles began looking for potential development partners that funders

Bill stumps for Hillary

VALERY McDONALD ROBERTS recites the pledge of allegiance.

(Photos by J.L. Martello) CONTINUED FROM A1

He said the country needs “answers, not anger,” and that his wife is the candidate who has them, and who is looking forward, while her wall-building opponent wants to “make America great again,” like it was 50 years ago.

“I’m a White Southerner. I know exactly what he means,” said Bill Clinton, noting that for Blacks and for gays, it wasn’t all that great. “It’s like saying I’d like to be 20 again—well, actually, I would. But I wouldn’t vote for someone who said he’d make me 20 again.”

He then went on to say that Hillary has a plan for massive infrastructure rebuilding that will provide thousands of jobs; a plan to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. a plan to provide free or nearly free college education and to greatly reduce the debt burden of current college graduates, and a plan to bring broadband Internet service to every home.

“An independent review of Hillary’s plan said it would create 11 million jobs. Mr. Trump’s economic plan, it said, would cost 3 million jobs,” he said. “Now I get that people are frustrated, and Mr. Trump appeals to that frustration so they say, ‘what do I have to lose?’

What you have to lose is 14 million jobs.”

In closing, Bill Clinton again referenced Blackwell, saying he gave the world 43 good years, half spent trying to make his neighborhood better.

“He didn’t do it by ignoring the real-life, flesh-andblood challenges—and America won’t either,” he said. “I think this election is about you. We can do it. You can do it. But Hillary, to do it, has to win Pennsylvania.”

And even before the cheers subsided, the veteran of 50 years in politics was already shaking hands

DEWITT WALTON Allegheny County Council

REP ED GAINEY State Representative

and chatting with the audience, spending nearly as much time swapping stories and taking selfies with supporters as he did at the podium.

On the way out, two ladies said they were quite im-

pressed by his visit.

“Oh, he was good,” one said.

“He sounded like he was running for office. Too bad he isn’t. I’d vote for him.”

were more comfortable with.

“Kevin Acklin (URA board president) suggested that I find a partner,” said Miles.

“He has always been supportive and is a man of his word, same for Mayor (Bill) Peduto—he never steered me wrong.”

But finding partners was almost as hard as finding investors. His last stab at that—a joint development deal with Keith B. Key appeared promising given Key’s past work with the URA, and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, and his experience at finding funding major projects.

“But it didn’t work out— personalities, priorities, just one of those things,” said

Miles. “At least with this, if the URA does get it moving, I get a piece of the development. That’s part of the deal.”

Until then, Miles said he

would reinvest in the community in some fashion.

“It’s where my passion is,” he said. “I have to find a way to give these kids here something to do besides sitting around waiting to get into trouble.”

In other business, the Authority board approved up to $2.1 million in additional loans and grants for the Garden Theater and Bradberry Building renovations on the North Side, and another $438,000 in loans to rehab three homes and build two more in the Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood that will sell for $127,000 to $162,000.

The board also approved issuing requests for proposals from developers to renovate the dilapidated 33-unit townhouse development called Berg Place above the center of Carrick’s Brownsville Road business district. In his report Director Robert Rubinstein said the redevelopment of this property “will be transformative.”

Fans barred from Perry game CONTINUED FROM A1

Ebony Pugh said the decision to close the game to spectators was driven by a desire to ensure the safety of all students.

“The (barring of spectators) was put in place only for that game,” said Pugh in an email to the New Pittsburgh Courier.

“However, the school district will continue to moni-

tor the situation and if there are any new developments we will adjust accordingly. While we understand the disappointment of our student athletes, we had to make the difficult decision to adjust the time of the game to ensure the safety of all of our students.”

Westinghouse won the game 32-14.

A6

OPINION

SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Hamlet was the right choice

Guest Editorial

More young Whites are backing BLM cause A new poll shows a majority of American young adults, including White youth, support the call for more accountability for police in the deaths of African Americans.

Support for the Black Lives Matter movement has increased among young White adults, according to a GenForward poll. The survey of adults age 18 to 30 is conducted by the Black Youth Project at the University of Chicago with The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

The poll is encouraging news because it suggests a majority of White, Black, Asian and Hispanic young adults now support the call for more police accountability.

According to the survey, 51 percent of White respondents between the ages of 18 and 30 say they now strongly or somewhat support Black Lives Matter, a 10 percentage point increase since June. While on the other hand, 42 percent said they do not support the movement.

Sean Bradley, 26, of Clearwater, Fla., said watching several encounters between police and Black suspects online helped cement his support for Black Lives Matter, reported The Associated Press. As a White male, he said, he had run-ins with the police and witnessed officers trying to cover for what he considered illegal conduct by other officers.

“The fact is that the police target Blacks and they discriminate against Blacks,” Bradley said. “Because of how they’ve treated Blacks over the years, of course they [Blacks] don’t trust them [police] and I know for a fact that some of the things the police do are illegal. I would be upset as well.”

The Black Lives Matter movement and other protesters have helped increase social awareness of police shootings. Protesters, especially young people of all ethnic backgrounds, have taken to the streets demanding accountability for cops and justice for their victims.

The new movement emerged in 2012 after Florida neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman was acquitted in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager. The movement continued to grow following the deaths of other Black men at the hands of police in New York, North Charleston, S.C., Baltimore and elsewhere.

The new poll of young adults came after police in Baton Rouge, La., fatally shot Alton Sterling after pinning him to the ground, and after Philando Castile was shot and killed by a White police officer during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb.

When asked specifically about recent killings of African Americans by the police, 72 percent of African-American young people, 61 percent of Asian-Americans, 51 percent of Latinos and 40 percent of Whites said they consider those killings part of a larger pattern, rather than isolated.

The largely youth-based movement has been harshly criticized by conservatives as being anti-police and encouraging violence against police. However the poll shows there is a growing consensus among young people that police violence against civilians is intolerable and must be changed.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

Founded 1910

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

Ulish Carter

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

It was great talking to Anthony Hamlet, the new superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools at a recent Editorial Board.

It was like a breath of fresh air.

This guy is determined to figure out what is best for Black and White students in the public schools, thus making Pittsburgh one of the leaders in the country in educating Black students.

He’s not a know it all, he’s willing to listen to others views—parents, teachers, administrators, politicians, and students before he makes a decision. But the final decision has to come from him as to what is best for Pittsburgh Public School students.

And he’s working with a great board. Most are educators or have advanced educations and understand the city, the students and are just as concerned as Hamlet is to finding the key to quality education for our children, thus opening doors to the corporate world as well as industry all over this world.

He basically stated that he’s still learning from everyone before he makes any major decisions, which is a wise decision instead of coming in changing things just for the sake of change. Superintendent Linda Lane did an excellent job, primarily getting the board, teachers unions, students, parents, administrators and politicians working together.

She even got businesses, unions and local universities involved by pulling everyone together so they could work together for the betterment of the students. And it sounds like Hamlet is going to piggy back on this while taking the Pittsburgh system to the next level.

I’m glad the school board voted to keep him. I don’t think they will be sorry. *** My condolences go out to all the family and friends of the 3000 people killed in the 911 attacks on this country Sept. 11, 2001. 60 Minutes had a great tribute in memory of

Ulish Carter

Just Sayin’ the people lost and the site of the attack. The 3000 plus pictures to be put on the wall really tells a tragic story of all the people who died, Black, White, Asian, Christians, Muslims, Jews, non believers, men, women, adults, children. This was truly mass murder. But it’s not the first time. Remember we, the U.S., bombed Japan.

On Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II (1939-45), an American B-29 bomber dropped the world’s first deployed atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

The explosion wiped out 90 percent of the city and immediately killed 60,000 people; tens of thousands more would later die of radiation exposure. Three days later, a second B-29 dropped another A-bomb on Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people. Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced his country’s unconditional surrender in World War II in a radio address on Aug. 15, citing the devastating power of “a new and most cruel bomb. Yet no atomic bomb was ever dropped on Germany True. Japan attacked a military base and killed 2,500 people at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. S ome say because we were at war with Japan and Japan attacked us first we had a right to do whatever. Neither Hiroshima nor Nagasaki were military targets they simply had the most people.

It’s like bombing New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago because they have the most people. We must remember that most of these militant factions in the Middle East are at

war with the U.S. We may just call them terrorists because they can’t mount a conventional war against us, much like the early Americans in the war against England, called the Revolutionary War. We would hit and run, hit and run because we didn’t have the forces to stand and fight with the British until later in the war. They later called it guerrilla warfare.

That is what Isis, and the other Muslim radicals are doing against the U.S. and western powers. It’s a shame how God gave us this beautiful world and all we do is destroy it by finding different ways to kill each other in the name of God. *** Sticking with “60 Minutes.” They talked about how earthquakes have gone from two minor earthquakes per day to over 900 per day in Oklahoma and they know what’s causing them, man, but are doing little to stop them.

Yes it’s the oil and gas companies, but it’s not fracking. Oklahoma is the leading state in producing oil and gas. It is called disbursal wells in which they separate the gas, oil and water. The problem is the water becomes contaminated, or what they called salt water and they have to disburse it back into the ground thus disrupting different layers of the earth foundation. There have been several houses and businesses destroyed or damaged, but the worst is yet to come if something isn’t done. The government has been slow to react because the state is so dependent on the big oil companies for employment. Their whole economy is based around oil and gas companies.

So it will probably take a major earthquake that kills a lot of people and does major damage to some of the oil companies before anything major is done. No one is asking them to shut down, but just slow down.

(Ulish Carter is the managing editor of the New Pittsburgh Courier.)

Coard: Top 5 reasons why Kaepernick scored, racists fumbled

by Michael Coard To paraphrase an old cowboy saying, “Never debate a bull from the front, a horse from the back, or a racist from any direction.” Doing the first two are dangerous to your physical health resulting in broken bones and doing the third is dangerous to your intellectual health resulting in frittered brain power. In other words, don’t waste your time using facts to try to enlighten insane people. And racists are certifiably insane because they suffer from denial of reality, inability to distinguish right from wrong, and delusions of grandeur.

That’s the textbook definition of insanity.

I say all that to ask Black folks to stop arguing with racists on social media, on radio and TV, in newspapers, or in person about Colin Kaepernick’s ongoing Star-Spangled Banner protest because those arguments are a complete waste of time. Instead, use your time productively by promoting Black educational, economic, and political independence.

Instead of debating racists, enlighten your children and each other about why the San Francisco 49er star quarterback’s decision, as publicly expressed on August 26 immediately before the home preseason game at Levi Stadium against the Green Bay Packers, to sit during the playing of the national anthem is the right decision. But first point out exactly what he said about that decision: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people…. There’s a lot of things that needs to change. One specifically is police brutality. There… (are) people being murdered… and not being held accountable. Cops are getting paid leave for killing people.”

He’s right, you know.

Remember that 102 unarmed Blacks were killed by cops just last year alone. In fact, more innocent Blacks were killed by police each week in 2015 than were lynched by mobs each week from 1882-1890. But in response to his truth, racists have gone crazy- I mean crazier. Literally hundreds of thousands of them have used social media to write some of the

most vile things imaginable about maiming and killing him. However, not one of them raised a cogent factually or historically-based argument. Accordingly, here are the top five reasons why he’s right and they’re wrong.

1. The Star-Spangled Banner is a racist song written by a slave-owner.

In the third stanza of the song that was initially written as a poem in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote: No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave. And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave This stanza glorified the murder of Blacks who escaped U.S. slavery and gained freedom by enlisting as paid soldiers in Britain’s Corps of Colonial Marines during combat with America in the War of 1812 and The Battle of Fort McHenry in 1814. Key, a wealthy slave-owner and the District Attorney of D.C., advocated the wholesale extermination of those Black soldiers contrary to accepted rules of international warfare. Also, he said Black men, women, and children are an “inferior race of people.”

2. One of America’s most notoriously racist presidents made the Star-Spangled Banner famous. In 1916, which was 102 years after it was written, Woodrow Wilson- who officially segregated the federal government along racial lines shortly after being elected in 1913- signed an executive order making it the national anthem. Congress followed in 1931 by passing an act confirming Wilson’s order 3. Half of White America believes racism no longer exists. As reported in a 2015-2016 poll by the prominent

Pew Research Center, 50 percent of Whites believe Blacks are treated as equally as Whites by police, prosecutors, judges, and employers. And 60 percent of White Republicans believe it. Can you believe that BS? 4. Nearly all of the NFL owners have “blacklisted” Kaepernick for legally exercising his First Amendment right of free speech. As reported last week by larry brownsports. com, the preeminent digital sports website, a top NFL insider said “9095 percent” of the front offices have “blacklisted” Kaepernick.

And another said he can’t remember this much “collective dislike for a player since (former Carolina Panther wide receiver) Rae Carruth.”

What? They’re a c t u a l l y comparing Kaepernick to a double-murderer who’s in prison for the 1999 shooting death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend!

The only thing Kaepernick murdered was the myth of racial equality in America.

5. America is a country filled with hypocritical racists. And they’re forming a posse today to figuratively and literally lynch Kaepernick.

But in 1982, this country issued a postage stamp in honor of the man who, in his autobiography entitled “I Never Had It Made,” wrote in regard to the 1947 World Series, “The band struck up the national anthem. The flag billowed in the wind…. As I write this 20 years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a Black man in a white world….” That Black man was Jackie Robinson.

In most cases, I would advise Black folks that we must stand for something or we’ll fall for anything.

However, in this particular case, just like in the case of Rosa Parks, I’m advising us to “sit” for something or we’ll fall for anything. I’m also advising us not to debate with crazy people. Instead, let’s enlighten and support our own people. P.S. I love you and your courage, Brother Kaepernick.

(Michael Coard, Esquire can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. His “Radio Courtroom” show can be heard on WURD900AM. And his “TV Courtroom” show can be seen on PhillyCam/Verizon/ Comcast.)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

This is why we have to invest in effective teachers (NNPA)—While millions of children (and teachers) welcome the call to go back to school in August and early September, all is not well in classrooms and school districts around the country.

Even though every school district is not facing challenges, many urban school districts—where the majority of African American and Hispanic students are enrolled—face challenges that may either disrupt education in the classroom or affect the terms and conditions of work for teachers. Meanwhile, some school districts are experiencing teacher shortages and an unhealthy reliance on substitute teachers. Teachers are leaving the profession more rapidly than before.

And teachers of color, especially men of color, are woefully underrepresented in the ranks of K-12 teachers. Indeed, African American men represent just 2 percent of all teachers. Eighty-three percent of all teachers are white, despite the fact that inner-city classrooms, particularly, are overwhelmingly Black and Brown.

In Chicago, teachers have returned to school without a contract for the second year in a row, and the Chicago Teacher’s Union will take a strike vote, proposing a strike in October. Meanwhile, the CEO says that unless the CTU agrees to concessions, there will be classroom cuts.

The Chicago Public School district has already “tightened its belt” by laying off more than 500 teachers and 500 schoolbased workers. These workers may not

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary be out of jobs, as they can apply for other open jobs in the Chicago Public School district, but a massive July layoff is not the best way to approach August with a positive attitude. Chicago is not the only school district with challenges. Dozens of school districts have financial challenges, which is partly, because cities and states have implemented austerity budgets that are allocating insufficient funds to schools.

One of the major challenges for school districts and for teachers is the way that teacher pay lags behind pay in other professions. According to the Economic Policy Institute, “public school teachers’ weekly wages were 17 percent lower than those of comparable workers—compared to just 1.8 percent lower in 1994.”

Those who teach must have a passion for their profession, and for students, but passion can often be dampened by low pay. Some young people who would be great teachers choose alternative, better paying, careers. And veteran teachers, who may have experienced pay freezes, because of fiscal austerity, may choose to make mid-life career changes, because more attractive financial opportunities beckon.

Why can’t we pay teachers fairly? If the teaching profession is considered as important as any other (and some might argue that it is more important than many) why does teacher pay lag so much behind other professions? As Lawrence Mishel and Sylvia Allegretto note in their EPI study, “An effective teacher is the most important school-based determinant of education outcomes.” The teaching profession needs to offer pay at a level to attract the best and the brightest to our nation’s classrooms. Otherwise, as a recent study shows, few students aspire to be teachers—only 5 percent of college-bound students were interested in pursuing a career in education in 2014.

Is there any wonder? Nationally, teachers earn just 77 percent of what other college graduates earn.

Meanwhile, public education and public school teachers are often under attack.

Charter schools are seen as preferred alternatives; while most research shows that charter school vary in quality. The good ones are great, but the bad ones rival the worst public schools. And school bureaucracies often snuff the creativity out of the best teachers by burdening them with preparation for stifling standardized tests that do little to engage students intellectually.

There are some who believe that “anybody can teach,” which is why the Teach for America model is so troubling. Teach for America takes bright undergraduates, and after six weeks or so of training, throws them into inner-city classrooms, implicitly undermining the preparation that many take to get a degree in education. This notion that “anybody can teach” leads to the disdain that some have for classroom teachers, and the resulting low pay that they earn.

There are a myriad of challenges in K-12 education, a major challenge is that teachers are not too often paid sufficiently. Teachers deserve more public support than they get now. They need better pay and more autonomy. And they need to be unshackled from the frequency of the standardized tests that they must too-regularly administer. We need a pro-teacher movement.

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.

For more info visit www.juliannemalveaux.com)

FORUM

‘Congressman, permit me to respond to ‘Hop” Two weeks ago burgh this week, I wrote a column Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick I won’t write suggesting that about the deplorthe five elected able conditions in Black officials the Mon Valley, should exercise Clairton, McKtheir influence eesport, Braddock, with CongressDuquesne, etc. man Doyle by The Congressrecommending he man has been in debate his current office for the last opponent. I assumed that the congress- 20 years. I am compelled to ask you man subscribes to the New Pittsburgh to look at your neighborhoods and Courier and that he would respond. It witness the vacant lots, abandoned was surprising but not shocking that houses, crime, unemployment, and inthe response came from the spokesper- carceration rates. All through the city, son for the five Black officials, the Pitts- Northside, Southside, Strip District, burgh City Councilman, Rev. Ricky East liberty, Homewood and other Burgess. It was surprising because I communities you witness our tax dolwanted to believe that in 2016 those lars at work, but not to benefit your we elected had outgrown the mentality family members or yourself. It is manof “Boss allow me to respond.” It is un- datory that he visit our communities believable that there still exists those and explain to the Black bloc of voters, of us who accept the fact of Blacks op- his most dedicated bloc, when will the posing other Blacks, but absolutely are eradication of the above problems ocnot willing to accept the established cur? fact that Blacks also have the absolute The Black elected officials have called right to oppose White candidates. a series of meetings seeking support The response was essentially the and some solutions to the unbelievable same response echoed in 1970 when At- conditions of the Blacks in Allegheny torney Byrd R. Brown ran for the U.S. County on Friday, Sept.9, 2016. The Congress against a White incumbent. spokesperson for the elected Black ofThe argument was the present Con- ficials issued a statement that said gressman was a liberal, who had some our communities [14th congressional genuine concerns about the problems district] who suffer from concentrated that affect the lives of Black constitu- poverty deserve to become a priority ents. Those concerns were unemploy- of the Allegheny County. They need ment, underemployment, inadequate disproportionate resources to be transhousing, and overall discriminatory formed from isolated communities of hiring practices. The congressional dis- concentrated poverty to mixed income trict was the 14th and it included the or self-sustaining communities. largest number of Black voters in the Four Black male voters stopped me entire Western Pennsylvania. in a neighborhood store and said, “Hop The response to my column by the you are right on target, we have voted spokesperson focused on the over- for Doyle every election, but have never whelming contributions that Con- met him.”

(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the gressman Doyle had made in the city of Pittsburgh. I will only focus on Pitts- New Pittsburgh Courier.)

To Tell The Truth

Colin Kaepernick and ‘active citizenry’ In August San up in respect for Francisco 49ers the national anJ. Pharoah Doss quarterback Colin them in a public Kaepernick did place”. not stand during Now if Kaeperthe national nick sat during anthem before the national a preseason anthem because game. Afterwards he disapproved Kaepernick said of poor treatment he wasn’t going to of citizens in one stand up to show pride in a flag for a of these countries he would have been country that oppresses people of color. imprisoned. His act of civil disobediThe press immediately dubbed ence would have correctly been defined Kaepernick’s action a protest but is as a protest. that accurate?

But how did Kaepernick’s American Two months ago, before the NFL employers respond to what he really did? preseason a letter was written to the The NFL stated players are encoureditor of the Kaieter News, a daily aged, but not required to stand, and newspaper in Guyana, South America. the San Francisco 49er’s said, “The It began, Guyana has a rich heritage national anthem is a special part of and it is right to showcase it so that the pre-game ceremony. It is an opporthe children can learn to be patriotic. tunity to honor our country and reflect Then the letter pointed out “some on the great liberties we are afforded disheartening desecrations of our naas its citizens. In respecting such tion’s symbols. Our golden arrowhead American principles as freedom of is all over the place and is being tramreligion and freedom of expression, we pled. This is an insult for our flag. I recognized the right of an individual heard a group of foreigners singing to choose to participate, or not, in our the national anthem with off note celebration of the national anthem.” screaming … I felt they were insulting Based on statements from Kaeperour national anthem. Pity is that they nick, the NFL, and the 49er’s an aclive in Guyana and insult the land curate news story should have begun: they presently dwell. My question is; NFL player chooses not to participate do we have a law against people who in a voluntary ceremony that honors intentionally insult or desecrate our the country because he’s not proud of national symbols?” present conditions in the nation.

The letter sounds in favor of governAnd that’s “active citizenry” Presiment measures like India’s Prevendent Obama said in China at the G-20 tion of Insults to National Honor Act, summit when asked about Kaeperpassed in 1971. This act prohibits nick. (2014 China instituted new desecration of or insult to the counrules for its national anthem. When try’s national symbols, including the singing anthem people must dress national flag, the constitution, Indian appropriately, stand still, sing song in map, and National anthem. Whoever entirety, and enunciate every word.) intentionally prevents the singing or President Obama continued, “My suscauses disturbances to any assembly picion is, over time he’s gonna refine engaged in such singing shall be punhis thinking about it, and maybe some ished with imprisonment or a fine. of his critics will start seeing that he In 2010 the Philippines made a law has a point…and that’s how we move against off-key singing of their nationforward. Sometimes it’s messy, but… al anthem and to curb unpatriotic disthat’s the way democracy works.” plays of the Philippine Flag. Violators And American democracy works that could be handed jail time or fined over way because the greatest legal principle isn’t “Thou shall not” it’s “Congress $2,000. The bill’s sponsor said the law shall make no law”, infringing upon was necessary to preserve the respect, the liberties the San Francisco 49ers love, and patriotism for the country. said the national anthem ceremony In 2013 the Egyptian government celebrates. passed a law that criminalized disre(J. Pharoah Doss is a contributor to the New specting the national flag and not honoring the national anthem. Disrespect Pittsburgh Courier. He blogs at jpharoahdoss@ blogspot.com) was officially defined as “not standing

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.

SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

A7

Ron Daniels

Commentary

In defense of Colin Kaepernick’s ‘stand’ The uproar continues over San Francisco 49ner quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit-down, rather than stand, during the playing of the National Anthem. Kaepernick said his decision was intended to protest the continued injustices being inflicted on Black people, including police brutality and killings. Though the negative tide has turned somewhat, his protest was initially met with a torrent of criticism from various quarters.

He was called everything but a child of God for refusing to “honor America” and our men and women in the armed forces. The “love it or leave it” sentiment was very strong.

Frankly, I was infuriated by these reactions.

It made my blood boil. I was already upset and had spoken about the fact that social media exploded with criticism of African American gymnast Gabby Douglas when she inadvertently forgot to put her hand over her heart when the National Anthem was played during the Medal Ceremony at the Olympic Games in Rio. So, when I took to the airways for my weekly radio show Vantage Point on WBAI, 99.5 FM on the Pacifica Network in New York.

I unleashed a commentary which made the following points (listen to the commentary at www.ibw21.org): There is no law which states that anyone must stand during the playing of the National Anthem or the Pledge of Alliance to the Flag.

It is a strongly held “custom” and societal expectation that one stand, but no law which compels it. On the contrary, Colin Kaepernick has a Constitutional Right to express his views through protest. Freedom of speech is one of the most important cornerstones of this imperfect union. It is one of the avenues through which change can be galvanized. And, Colin Kaepernick has courageously chosen to exercise his First Amendment Right to point out longstanding, persistent injustices, “intolerable acts” that are being heaped upon African Americans who are supposed to be full citizens of this nation Most importantly, generations of African Americans have paid the price for Colin Kaepernick and any Black person to sit during the playing of a flawed Anthem replete with hypocrisy. Every time I hear the words “that our Flag was still there” in the Anthem, I’m filled with anger/outrage.

When the War of 1812 was fought some 3.5 million Africans were still enslaved and the 500,000 or so “free” Blacks could not vote and were subject to racial discrimination and violence. “Our Flag?” We didn’t have a Flag. For Black folks, singing that line and most of the Anthem is ludicrous!

That notwithstanding, Blacks have spilled blood to protect and defend America even when America refused to protect and defend Black people. From Crispus Attucks, who died in the initial skirmish of the American Revolution, to the hundreds of “freedmen” whom George Washington reluctantly armed to fight in the battles of Bunkers Hill and Breed Hill, to the thousands who took up arms to fight for our own freedom in the Civil War, Black people have fought, bled and died aspiring to be free in a nation which repeatedly rewarded our military service with a failure to protect and defend us as citizens. We have been among America’s most patient patriots.

Thousands of Black troops went off to fight Kaiser Wilhelm during the First World War to save democracy, only to return to the United States to be gunned down in the streets in their military uniforms in the “bloody red summer of 1919.” We fought against Hitler and Tojo in the Second World War to once again return to an America where we were not free. Soldiers fresh off the battlefields faced humiliation, intimidation, lynching/murders and police violence in the segregated South and “dark ghettos” in the North. Indeed, the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom and democracy abroad while being denied “freedom and justice for all” at home helped to fuel the civil rights, human rights, Black Power and Nationalists/Pan Africanists movements which have painstakingly pushed a reluctant nation toward a more perfect union. Up through the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, Black soldiers have bled and died in every America war.

We have paid the price for Colin Kaepernick to stand or sit, kneel, recognize or ignore a flawed Anthem and Pledge, particularly as his protest continues to illuminate the killing of Black men and women by the police in the streets of this country. Indeed, Frederick Douglas might well have whispered into the ear of Colin Kaepernick, “Right on Brother.

What to Black people is your Anthem and your Flag!” Or Kapernick may have been inspired by an “American icon,” Jackie Robinson who reflected in his autobiography on standing for the Flag as he carried the weight of the race on his shoulders as the first African American to play Major League Baseball: “As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know that I am a Black man in a White world.”

In many respects Jackie Robinson, a World War II veteran, was/is symbolic of all the men and women, the patient patriots, who paid the price for Colin Kaepernick to sit or kneel during the playing of the National Anthem and the salute to the Flag. Africans in America and people of conscience and goodwill should resolve to stand with and defend him in his righteous pursuit to end the oppression and injustice of Africans in America. No struggle, no progress!

(Dr. Ron Daniels is President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. Dr. Daniels can be reached via email at info@ibw21.org)

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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

NATIONAL

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

WHY IT MATTERS: Child Care and Pay Equity

by Anne Flaherty

half of mothers with an infant under age 1 have Associated Press Writer paid jobs, for example. And that number climbs to 74 WASHINGTON (AP)— percent among moms with THE ISSUE: In much of children under age 17. the U.S., families spend Yet the bureau says more on child care for two women in 2014 working kids than on housing. And full time earned 83 cents if you’re a woman, it’s on average for every dollar likely you earn less than a man makes. Why? The your male colleagues even Pew Research Center says though 1 in 4 households women are much more with kids relies on mom as likely than men to take the sole or primary breadtime off work or reduce winner. That’s according hours to care for family to the latest research that members. suggests while the U.S. But remove those factors economy has improved, and the pay gap persists. women and their famiThe American Associalies are still struggling to tion of University Women make the numbers work. found that female engiIt’s already illegal to pay neering majors earned 88 women less for the same percent of what male gradjob or deny them a raise uates did one year after because of their sex, and school. Another study, by the pay gap has narrowed the University of Califordramatically in recent nia, San Francisco, found decades. Republicans say that male nurses outtougher regulation would earned female nurses by only hurt U.S. businessCHILD CARE RALLY—In this May 6, 2015, file photo Saryah Mitchell, sits with her mother, Teisa, Gay, as much as $5,000 a year, es—costing Americans left, at a rally calling for increased child care subsidies at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/ even when taking into acjobs—while new taxpayer Rich Pedroncelli, File) count years of experience, programs would drive up location and specialty. the deficit.

Hillary Clinton calls tive damages for discrimi- income taxes? Trump’s Aggravating wage disDemocrats say it’s still campaign says lower-infor 12 weeks of governnation. parities is the steep cost too easy for employers to come workers would be ment-paid family leave Donald Trump has said of child care. Families hide or deny wage disto care for a new child or he thinks the pay gap isn’t able to exclude childcare in 2011 paid on average parities because workers expenses from half of their $143 per week for child seriously ill family meman issue. He’s called for rarely perform identical ber, which she says would allowing parents to deduct payroll taxes. jobs. And with paid leave WHY IT MATTERS be paid with higher taxes the “average” cost of child scarce and expensive, This issue isn’t going on the rich. She also backs care from their taxable women and their families legislation that would income if the parents earn away. According to the are losing out on wages Bureau of Labor Statisforce private businesses under a certain, unspecthat could be reinvested tics, women are about 57 ified amount. But what back into the economy and to disclose gender pay percent of the labor force data to the government about the 40 percent of keep struggling families for analysis; the bill would Americans who don’t earn and many are mothers of off government aid. young children. More than allow women to seek puni- enough to pay federal WHERE THEY STAND

care—up from $84 a week in 1985 (in constant 2011 dollars). According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, child care costs for two kids are higher than the median rent payment in every state. And only 12 percent of private industry workers last year had access to paid family leave, despite strong public support for it and concerns in some states that struggling parents are turning to low-quality, unlicensed daycares because they are cheaper.

For Clinton’s anti-discrimination proposals to work, she’ll need Congress and state legislatures to jump on board — no easy task politically. U.S. businesses have already staved off legislation by warning that a new law would expose them to frivolous lawsuits.

Meanwhile, Trump’s child care proposal does nothing to address the pay gap.

EDITOR’S NOTE—One in an AP series examining issues at stake in the presidential election and how they affect people.

Black Lives Matter leader in Ferguson executed, car set on fire

A major Black Lives Matter leader who helped lead the protests in Ferguson, Mo., after Michael Brown was shot and killed by police, was himself shot and killed early Sept.

6 and his car was torched.

Authorities reported they found the body of Darren Seals, 29, in a burned out car near St. Louis.

Police said Seals was shot to death before the car was set ablaze in a parking lot along the Mississippi River in a northern St. Louis suburb around 2 a.m.

One witness told TV station told KMOV-TV she woke up around 2 a.m. and saw the car fully engulfed in flames after hearing a “big, big boom.”

Seals was a key leader in the protests over the wrongful police shooting of teenager Mike Brown in Ferguson on Aug. 9, 2014.

Seals’ grandmother, Ether Seals, said she remembered him as a bright boy.

“I’m just numb,” she told the NY Daily News.

DARREN SEALS “I didn’t realize how smart he was until all those things happened in Ferguson where he was living,” she said.

Seals lived just blocks away from where 18-yearold Brown was fatally shot by former Ferguson cop Darren Wilson. Brown had refused Wilson’s orders to get out of the street.

“I’m very proud of him,” Ether Seals said.

“I didn’t realize how much he’d been doing until people started calling today. I’m going to miss him so much,” she added.

Idaho teenager pleads not guilty in locker room assault case

DIETRICH, Idaho (AP)— An 18-year-old high school student has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a Black teammate in an Idaho locker room.

Prosecutors say John R.K. Howard of Keller, Texas, and two of his football teammates sexually assaulted another student with a clothes hanger at Dietrich High School in southern Idaho, reported The Times-News.

Howard, who is White, is the only accused assailant being tried as an adult. Two others are facing charges in juvenile court for the Oct. 22 incident.

Howard pleaded not guilty Sept. 6 to a felony count of forcible sexual penetration by the use of a foreign object.

If convicted, Howard faces up to life in prison, a fine of as much as $50,000 and registration as a sex offender. A trial date has not yet been set.

An adult felony charge

against Howard’s 17-yearold co-defendant was dismissed, and his case was moved to juvenile court as part of a plea negotiation.

Lawyers are barred from talking about the case and will not say whether there are plea negotiations going on in Howard’s case.

Howard is also charged in a civil lawsuit filed against the Dietrich School District. The lawsuit says Howard racially, physically and emotionally abused the victim of the sexual-assault case and seeks $10 million in damages from the school district.

The lawsuit describes Howard as “a large and aggressive male who had been sent to live with his relatives in Idaho due to his inability to keep out of trouble in Texas.’’

Howard is out of custody on a $75,000 bond. He was living in Texas in April.

Information from: The TimesNews, http://www.magicvalley. com

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

SWAP meat for seafood B3

SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Hundreds say goodbye to Rev Blackwell B2

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Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report

What happens in Vegas What’s that phrase that everyone likes to say when going to Las Vegas? “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Well, what good is that? I like to tell what I have seen, heard and done. Isn’t that the job of a good reporter? To dish the dirt?

I hadn’t been to Vegas in about eight years and I don’t know how I stayed away so long.

I guess I have been too busy exploring other locations and working too hard. This was my sixth or seventh trip to “Sin City” and I decided to go on a holiday weekend with good friends. Each time I go, I like to stay at a different hotel. The hotels are normally part of the attraction. I’m not one of those that believe it doesn’t matter what hotel you stay in because you are hardly in the room. I like a beautiful hotel and a beautiful room. In Vegas, I want glitz and glamour.

On this trip we stayed at Planet Hollywood. I like anything Hollywood.

Each room features a Hollywood star. My room was the Jerry Maguire room and had a photo of Cuba Gooding and Tom Cruise. Under glass there was a bracelet and an earring that was worn by one of the actors and several business cards that were used in the film. The room was very comfortable, and the bathroom had double doors and a huge tub with a separate shower and a closet for the toilet. I would love to have a bathroom that large at home.

Another feature that I liked about the hotel, was that the registration desk was easy to access and did not route you through the casino. Perhaps the casinos have gotten away from that.

I never appreciated that every time I wanted to get to my room from the registration desk I had to go past all of the slot machines to get there.

Unless you plan properly, there is no way to see all that you may want to see in a few days.

On my next trip, the plan will be different. I want to experience the “High Roller” and visit the new area connected to it called, The Linq. I think this is one of the newest attractions in Las Vegas. It looks like a Ferris wheel, but each car or pod can hold about six people and is closed in. I think it takes 40 minutes to complete the ride.

Of course the city was not all fun and games. I noticed so many homeless people and one man appeared to be no longer breathing. A few people approached me for a hand out while I was at the slot machine. I thought that was pretty bold. On a lighter note, the shopping in Vegas is on fire. If you have the money you can shop forever. As a matter of fact you would be better off to shop than to gamble, at least you have something to show for your money. I’m planning my next trip right already.

(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)

TLC GUESTS—Clothia Williams, Rayneice Moon and Elaine Wharton

MEMBERS OF TLC—Shamenia Stewart, Joelene Kearney, Yolanda Pinkett and Cheryl Johnson

Church Service in the Park

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

For the first time in 30 years, The Lord’s Church (TLC) held their Sunday services in the park. On Aug. 14, members of the

TLC congregation and a lot of TLC first timers gathered in Monroeville Community Park to worship and picnic. The message of hope on that day was from “The War Room Summer Series” and focused on the

CONTEST WINNERS—Nichelle Kiger and Qaniah Givner

power to forgive and forget.

In between rain drops, Pastor Niecy Dennis-White delivered a strong message on forgiveness. Pastor Niecy said, “forgiving from the heart impacts the thoughts in the head. Forget? Yes, it’s the supernatural eraser! Not a permanent marker, but an erasable marker. In other words, it’s not that it didn’t happen but when I forgive in my heart God helps me to erase the debt as though it never happened.”

After a moving sermon, it was time to enjoy home cooked food and games.

The members and guests of TLC did not let the rain put a damper on their day.

The TLC Men of Valor escorted the guests through the buffet line, covering them with huge umbrellas so they would not get wet.

The children enjoyed the slip and slide while others participated in a hula hoop contest, face painting and organized games. There were back to school book bags for students from first grade to college and the afternoon ended with the King of Line Dance, Roland DELIVERING A POWERFUL MESSAGE—Pastor Niecy Dennis-White Ford, leading the group in a sanctified slide. The summer series continued on Aug. 21 at TLC on Haymaker Road and included a special youth prayer ceremony for back to school.

BOOK BAGS FOR ALL (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

WE ARE FAMILY—Danielle Hopkins, Orlana Darkins, Marva DeShields-Farris, Regina Sandidge and MOM & DAUGHTERS HAVING FUN—Rayneice Moon with daughMareena Darkins (Photos by Debbie Norrell) ters, Rayniya Moon and Dominique Risher.

MEN OF VALOR

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RELIGION

SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Hundreds say goodbye to Rev. Blackwell

Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 12:00 P.M. Sunday (Gospel Choir Mass) 12:00 P.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

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

SIXTH MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH 6556 Shetland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (412) 441-7839 Church School Worship Service Wednesday Night Bible Study

9:00 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

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

FAREWELL TO A COMMUNITY LEADER—Many gathered on Sept, 9 to say goodbye to Rev. Eugene “Freedom” Blackwell, 43, left photo, who died on Aug. 29 after a long battle with bone cancer. He was the founder and pastor of House of Manna, and is survived by his wife, Diane “Free” Blackwell, and five children. Pictured on the right, Diane Blackwell, along with family and friends, sing and bid farewell to the beloved Rev. Blackwell. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

Trinity Baptist celebrates 121 years

www.cathedralofhope.com

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

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

Church Picnic at Noon on Sept. 25

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128. We are looking to feature our positive youth in the church communities.

You can e-mail, fax or mail their bios and

REV. BARBARA GUNN Guest Speaker, pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church

CECELIA PRICE KNIGHT Mistress of Ceremonies

CHARLES ROBINSON Gave church heritage, tribute

50 PLUS YEARS MEMBERS—Vera Garmon, Kathleen Acie, Charles Robinson, John Aaron, Mary L. Howard and Anna Clay recently celebrated more than 50 years of membership at the 121st Church Anniversary of Trinity Baptist Church in Lawrenceville.

MALE CHOIR SINGING (Photos by Jackie McDonald)

Church Circuit September to Remember Revival

Unity Baptist Church will host its revival every Wednesday in

September at 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 14—The Rev. Hubert Hutcherson, Shiloh Community Baptist Church, Pittsburgh.

Sept 21–The Rev. Victor Grigsby, Central Baptist Church, Pittsburgh Sept 28—Rev. Dr. Jerry Carter, Calvary Baptist Church, Morristown, NJ. Rev. Dr. Richard W. Wingfield, ost Pastor. or more information call 412-646-1787.

Blood, Sweat and Tears of Victory Revival

SEPT. 16—New Jerusalem Holiness Church, 111 Auburn St., in East Liberty, will host its Revival at 7 p.m. Praise and worship to be lead by Voices for Praise from New Life Baptist Church, in Apollo, Pa.

Financial Peace

photo to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax: 412-481-1360 email: egaines@newpittsburghcourier.com

ANNE SNYDER Anniversary chair woman

REV. JAMES E. GARNON JR.

Sept. 17—The Dollars and Sense Ministry ill host their inancial Peace University Orientation and sign-up at 10 a.m. at Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church, 6111 Rodman St., East Liberty. Attendees will learn how to make a budget; how to get out of debt; how to communicate with one’s spouse about the finances ho to invest ith confidence and ho to change one’s financial future. he investment is $125; assistance is available for certain income guidelines and a deposit is required.

The actual class will start Sept.

1 . or more information email Paul Jacobs at pauljacobs424@ gmail.com or call 412-480-2480 or Richard Witherspoon at 412445-1125.

Annual Choir Day

SEPT. 18—The Nazarene Baptist Church, 7053 Hamilton Ave., in

Homewood, Annual Choir Day will feature Dr. Herbert V.R.P. Jones and the Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh in concert at 4 p.m. Rev Ricky V Burgess is the senior pastor.

Home-coming Revival

Sept.

21-2 riendship Baptist Church, 17 E. Walnut St.,Washington, Pa., will have a Home-coming revival with guest revivalist and former pastor, Rev. Stephen D. Sullivan, of Cleveland, nightly at p.m. or more information call 724-2222382. Rev. Richard D. White Jr., pastor.

Church Choir Festival

SEPT. 24—The Urban M. Garrett r. Ma or Mason amilies of McKeesport presents its Church Choir estival featuring Morning Star Baptist Church of airmont, W. a., and other local choirs and male chorus at 2:30 p.m. The host church is Bethlehem Baptist Church, 716 Walnut St., in McKeesport. Please join the celebration of greatness of the Lord in song.

Women’s Day Fellowship

Sept. 25—Zion Church of God In Christ Third Annual Women’s Day Service. The speaker will be vangelist Monica illman, irst ady of he irst Church of od In Christ Braddock. The theme is “Being A Woman of Worship” and be held at 4 p.m. at the church at 0 ranksto n Ave. or more information call 412-241-1169.

Sunday School

Fellowship

SEPT. 25—The Second Baptist Church, 108 W. 12th Ave, Homestead, Pa., 15120, Pastor Rev. Donald P. Turner, is inviting all to worship with them at the Sunday School Annual ello ship Day at 4 p.m. The theme is “Don’t Let It Be You,” Philippians 3:1-11. The guest preacher will be Rev. Louis N. Otey Jr., pastor of Ne Covenant Christian ellowship Church, in Swissvale.

Contact Church at 412-4618235.

103 Church Anniversary

Sept. 2 riendship Baptist Church, 17 E. Walnut St., Washington, Pa., will celebrate their 103rd Church Anniversary with their 10:30 a.m. guest preacher, Rev. Luther Perry of Clarksburg, W.Va. At 3:30 p.m. the “Gospel Jubilee” Mass Choir will have a reunion concert. Call 724-222-2382 for more information. Rev. Richard D. White Jr. is the pastor.

Revival

OCT. 6, 7, 8—Macedonia Baptist Church, 17 Cochran St, Duquesne will host a Revival at 8 p. m. Rev. Dr. Willie Thompson will be the guest speaker. He will speak from “2 Chronicles 7:14.

“Which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways...”

(All announcements, events and press releases must be sent 2 weeks in advance with contact phone number and email address to newsroom@ newpittsburghcourier.com.)

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

CUISINE

SWAP meat for seafood See how seafood transforms traditional dishes (FamilyFeatures)—Now more than ever, food choices matter. People want healthy, environmentally friendly foods without sacrificing flavor. Substituting the traditional protein in your favorite dishes with seafood is one deliciously smart way to satisfy these demands.

Seafood offers numerous health benefits. In fact, because seafood is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals, but low in saturated fat and calories, several health organizations recommend two servings per week.

When it comes to the environment, seafood offers an advantage as well—it’s the most environmentally friendly of all the animal proteins. In a comparison of environmental costs, wild-capture fisheries have a miniscule cost compared to foods such as beef, chicken, pork and dairy.

Changing up traditional meals to incorporate the goodness of seafood is easier than you may think. Just pick a non-seafood protein dish that you regularly enjoy, and replace the protein with one of Alaska’s many species of seafood. For example, replace veal in veal parmesan with delicious Alaska cod or the chicken in chicken Marsala with flavorful Alaska salmon.

Find more easy, meatless recipes and inspiration at wildalaskaseafood.com.

Cod Parmesan with Zucchini Noodles

Serves: 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes 2 medium zucchini (5-6 ounces each), thinly sliced 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 teaspoon olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1-1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/8 teaspoon dried basil 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano 1/8 teaspoon onion powder 4 Alaska cod fillets (4-6 ounces each) 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, divided In nonstick skillet, saute zucchini slices in butter and oil just until soft. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Keep warm.

Heat oven to broil setting. Mix grated Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, basil, oregano and onion powder together. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Divide and spread topping onto the top of each fillet.

Place fillets on foil-lined broiler pan. Broil 5-7 inches from broiler element for 3 minutes, or until top is browned and bubbly. Reduce heat to 300 F and cook 3-5 more minutes. Cook until fish is opaque throughout.

To serve, place 1/4 of zucchini on each plate. Top with cod fillet and garnish with 1/2 tablespoon shredded cheese.

Smothered Cod or Pollock Serves: 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 cup red onion 2 teaspoons garlic, chopped 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced Salt and pepper, to taste 4 tablespoons flour 2 cups chicken stock 1/2 cup tomato, seeded and chopped 2 teaspoons fresh thyme 4 wild Alaska cod or pollock fillets (4-6 ounces each) 2 cups mashed potatoes, warmed 4 fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish In hot saute pan, cook olive oil, onion and garlic for 1 minute. Add both peppers and salt and pepper, and saute 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until flour turns light brown.

Add chicken stock and stir until liquid smooths and starts to thicken. Add tomato and thyme.

Season fish with salt and pepper, to taste, and place into simmering sauce and cover. Cook 3-4 minutes, carefully turn, cover and continue to cook until done, 3-4 minutes.

To serve, place 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes on 4 serving plates. Carefully remove each piece of fish and place on top of mashed potatoes. Evenly divide sauce over each piece of fish. Garnish each plate with 1 sprig of fresh thyme, if desired.

Salmon Marsala Serves: 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes 4 Alaska salmon fillets (4-6 ounces each) salt and pepper, to taste 2 cups flour 1/2 cup olive oil 1 cup Marsala wine 2 cups mushrooms, sliced 2 cups chicken stock 2 teaspoons fresh thyme 2 tablespoons cold butter 4 fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper, to taste. On plate, season flour with salt and pepper, to taste. Dredge both sides of each salmon fillet in seasoned flour, shaking off excess.

Heat large saute pan and add olive oil then place each piece of salmon in pan. Cook for 2-4 minutes, turn fillets over and cook until almost done. Remove fillets from pan; set aside.

Off heat, add wine to pan, scraping bits off the bottom.

Return pan to heat and add mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for 1 minute. Add stock and thyme, and let liquid reduce by half.

Return salmon fillets to pan. Cook, while basting fish, until fillets are heated through. Remove fillets to 4 serving plates.

Return pan to heat, add cold butter and swirl until incorporated and sauce slightly thickens. Remove from heat and divide sauce evenly over salmon fillets.

Garnish each plate with 1 thyme sprig, if desired.

SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

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ENTERTAINER New Pittsburgh Courier

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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Sheila E., Bilal turn Pittsburgh purple ‘Elizabeth in royal tribute to Prince at the Byham and Cover To Cover

Michael’

by Terri Schlichenmeyer For New Pittsburgh Courier

Your closest friend really gets you.

You never have to explain yourself when you’re together; everything said (and unsaid) is understood.

There may be many years between you, but it doesn’t matter. There may be differences in background, but no worries. Nothing keeps you apart, and in the new book “Elizabeth and Michael” by Donald Bogle, that might be because you have everything in common.

Almost from the moment she was born, Elizabeth Taylor’s life was “like something of a fairy tale…”

She was a beautiful child who grew up to be a beautiful young woman with a mother who made it her mission to ensure that Elizabeth was a star. Sara Taylor enrolled her daughter in all the best classes and was ever on the lookout for op-

portunity; in 1939, that insistence on fame grew when the family moved to California. Two years later, as a result of two conversations her father had with influential Hollywood starmakers, Elizabeth, not quite 10 years old, was invited to try out for Lassie Come Home.

She got the part.

Her mother got her wish.

Though Elizabeth Taylor’s later life was filled with stardust, it wasn’t storybook-happy.

She would battle various issues throughout the years; so would another star born halfway across the country at about the same time Elizabeth was dealing with the death of her second husband.

Michael Jackson, the eighth of 10 children, grew up in a family that didn’t have much except themselves—and his father, Joe, insisted that it remain that way: the Jackson children were often isolated, because Joe wanted fame for his singing-dancing sons and he demanded that they rehearse nearly constantly. There was little time for anything except practice but, for Jackson, practice led to stardom.

It was another star, Katharine Hepburn, who was once surprised by Jackson’s audacity: eager to meet the favorite actors of his childhood, he asked Hepburn to introduce him to Greta Garbo. She declined.

And then Jackson asked to meet Elizabeth Taylor…

Right there, says author Bogle, is the early beginning of a friendship that many called “flatout weird,” but that really does make sense. As Bogle shows in “Elizabeth and Michael,” few others had so much in common.

Certainly, this is book is a fan’s dream, but it’s also one that pop culture followers will relish, too. And if that’s the kind of book you want now, then “Elizabeth and Michael” is what you need to get you.

by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier

The first lady of Paisley Park, Sheila E., and her opening act R&B singer Bilal tore the roof off the Byham Theater when they converged in the Steel City during the third leg of the Celebration Tour.

“The show will feature up beat, exciting and fun songs that people know and some songs they don’t know,” said Sheila E., in an Aug. 16 interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier. “We always have an exciting time and people will not walk away disappointed.”

And the Pittsburgh audience certainly didn’t.

“The goal is to light the place up purple,” said Hill District resident Jeralyn Smith. “I’m looking for her to do a great dedication to Prince. We’ve seen so much dedicated to him on television and it’s cool to have this in our own city. Sheila comes from a line of great entertainers.”

Born Sheila Cecelia Escovedo in 1957 in Oakland, Calif, Sheila E. wasn’t always the glamorous superstar we know today. From an early age, though, she knew one thing: she loved music. This love fueled her childhood and adolescent endeavors—from performing with her dad at the age of 5, to playing percussion in a local band in high school, to touring worldwide. Over the years, Sheila E. became a household name as a singer-songwriter, entertainer and icon. She became not just one of the best female drummers, but one of the best drummers of all time. For Sheila E., her career has never been about making money or becoming famous. It’s been about passion—about the butterflies she feels every time she picks up a drumstick or steps in front of a microphone. “I realized that the day the butterflies are gone is the day I’ll stop playing,” Sheila E. writes in her memoir.

A musical powerhouse, Sheila E. has worked with some of the most influential musical acts over the past five decades: Ringo Starr, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Beyoncé, Herbie Hancock, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, George Duke, and more. She’s recorded seven solo albums, acted in several films and pursued philanthropic projects that

SHEILA E. are near to her heart. These include co-founding the Elevate Hope Foundation and Elevate Oakland.

“I want to change people’s lives so they can move on with their lives and become what they were meant to become,” she said.

The Celebration Tour, which was presented by the Community Empowerment Association, and sponsored

by Savoy Restaurant and A For the People Insurance, opened with Grammy-nominated R&B singer Bilal, who performed many of his own hits including “My Type of Girl,” Soul Sista,” and an amazing cover of Prince’s “The Beautiful Ones,” which he recently performed at the 2016 BET Awards to critical acclaim and received a standing ovation from Pittsburgh concert goers.

“I didn’t know much about Bilal,” said Smith “But tonight’s performance made me want to explore him and get to know more about him.”

Bilal was born Bilal Sayeed Oliver in Philadelphia.

The 37-year-old classically trained neo-soul singer can sing opera in seven languages. His interest in music was nurtured by his father who took him to clubs throughout the Philly area. He attended New York’s New School for Jazz and Contemporary

Music where he received training in voice, Jazz and big-band arrangement.

The public first heard his voice on Grenique’s 1999 release, “Black Butterfly” on which he contributed to three songs. In 2000, Bilal appeared on rapper Common’s classic album, “Like Water for Chocolate” and Guru’s third solo effort, “Jazzmatazz.” Bilal’s first solo record, “1st Born Second” featured collaborations with Mike City, Robert Glasper and others.

One of the three singles released, “Soul Sista” peaked at the no. 18 spot on the R&B singles charts.

His second solo record, “Love for Sale,” was leaked

BILAL

online before its Interscope release, which led to him being released from the record label, but his fan following grew. Nine years passed before he released “Alright’s Revenge” on the Plug Research label. It’s song “Little One” was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2011. In 2013, he released “A Love Surreal” on eOne Records and, in 2015, he released “In Another Life,” which featured collaborations with multi-instrumentalist and producer Adrian Younge.

But it was his heart-pounding performance of Prince’s classic, “The Beautiful Ones,” at the 2016 BET Awards that made audiences sit up and take notice.

Pittsburgh had high expectations from Sheila E. who first met Prince 38 years ago during a backstage encounter. Sheila E., who was a famous percussionist in her own right, was performing and Prince came back stage to meet her. The sexy singer asked Sheila E. to lend her vocals to his raunchy “Erotic City” song, thus launching her solo career. The pair’s relationship would span three decades, include an engagement between the two and end in an amazing friendship when Prince died suddenly on April 21.

“When I met him backstage at the show, I was already famous in my own

right,” said the avid sports enthusiast who just returned from the Rio Olympic games. “I was excited to meet him. He started hanging out with me and my family and we introduced him to Latin rhythms and beats and things he hadn’t heard before and things just developed from there.”

Sheila E. paid homage to her friend in numerous ways during the Pittsburgh stop on the tour. Dressed in white pants, white coat and white shirt blazoned with Prince’s signature unpronounceable symbol, she performed many mash-ups of Prince’s hits including “Raspberry Beret,” “Baby I’m a Star,: “America” “You Got the Look” and “17 Days.”

“I’m a huge fan of Prince and Sheila E,” explained Penn Hills resident Jeanine White who attended the concert with her husband, Gerald. “I could not miss Sheila E she is the closest I could get to Prince. It was definitely worth coming out.”

Gerald White echoed his wife’s sentiments.

“We are generational old school and we like to go out and do things together,” he said. “This was a great experience and it’s good to be out and experience such good music, which brings people together.”

The Pittsburgh audience received a treat when original member of Prince’s bands the Revolution and Madhouse, Eric Leeds—who lives in Pittsburgh—was in the audience and brought on stage.

“This crowd knows Prince.

Sheila (E.) is doing some great music and doing Prince right tonight. He would be proud,” said Leeds to thunderous applause and cheers.

Like Bilal, she repeated her BET Awards performance of the haunting “Purple Rain” while wiping away tears. There wasn’t a dry eye in the audience either.

She then performed her latest single, “Girl Meets Boy,” which she gifted to the audience by telling them to go to her website, Sheilae.com to download for free.

“Girl Meets Boy” was a song that I wrote a month after Prince passed away and we were going to promote it, but we pulled production on it because I couldn’t stop crying. The morning after the BET Awards I released it so people could hear it,” she said.

‘Southside with You’ timely tribute to presidential end

by Merecedes J. Howze For New Pittsburgh Courier

The first date is never easy and the thoughts are endless. What should I wear?

Where should we go? What do we talk about? But, who knew a casual work date, on the Southside of Chicago in 1989, would lead to such success?

Singer John Legend serves as executive producer in “Southside with You,” a movie about President Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date. The couple, who met at a law firm, were on two different pages. Young junior associate Michelle Robinson wanted to keep their interaction strictly on a professional level, but second year Harvard law student Barack Obama wanted more. In 84 minutes, “Southside with You” follows every stop and conversation made on their first date in detail.

One-day movies are always interesting because the story, the plot and climax all have to be fully ex(“Elizabeth and Michael” by ecuted based off a 24-hour Donald Bogle c.2016, Atria, timeline. While this movie $26/$35 Canada, 392 pages.) pulled this off, I wanted the

In a scene from the film, “Southside with You,” PARKER SAWYERS AND TIKA SUMPTER, left, as BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA, pictured on the right and for whom the movie is based upon. rest of the Obama’s story–– their engagement, wedding, giving birth to Malia and Sasha, and his first election. The ending was hard despite knowing the outcome of the story. I just wanted more.

Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter are a fictional match made in heaven. Neither actor actually resembled their characters, but the pair performed the First Cou-

ple very well. Sawyers had President Obama’s motion and vernacular memorized.

From the cigarette smoking to the dramatic pauses in his speech, it was a delight to see Sawyers as the POTUS. Sumpter, who’s expecting a baby girl soon, is everything we see from our First Lady today; classy and poised. She was not pregnant when they filmed the movie last summer, but she’s glowing on screen

with an overall polished look.

What the two lacked in physical similarities, they made up in every other area to capture the complete essence of Barack and Michelle Obama.

If I had a relationship goal, the Obamas would be it. Their story is so attractive that a major motion picture was created just based on their first date.

On a personal not political note, the Obamas are

a beautiful couple and, for the past eight years, have been a joy to follow.

As President Obama’s two-term, eight-year presidency comes to an end, “Southside with You” reminds you of the good times the Obamas have shared with us over the years. The first date was just a drop in the bucket compared to the invasive amount of experiences they have shared.

ARTS & CULTURE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

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Legendary performer Ben Vereen thank you show for Pittsburgh fans

by Genea L. Webb

Armstrong in “Louis Armstrong—Chicago Style.” His television guest appearances include “How I Met Your Mother,” “Grey’s Anatomy” (for which he won the Prism Award), “Hot in Cleveland” (with Betty White), “NCIS,” “House of Payne,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “OZ,” “Star Trek—The Next Generation,” “The Jamie Fox Show,” and “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Vereen has also had recurring roles on “Silk Stalkings,” “Webster” and “J.J. Starbuck” and “Booker” For Nickelodeon.

He has provided voice-overs on the show “Wonder Pets!”

Additional credits include: Anne Rice’s “Feast of All Saints,” (Showtime), “Intruders They Are Among Us” (Emmy nomination), “Zoobilee Zoo,” “Faerie Tale Theatre,” “Puss N’Boots” with Gregory Hines, “The Jesse Owens Story,” “Ellis Island” (Golden Globe Nomination), “Lost in London,” salute to Liberty special.

His own network television shows are “Ben Vereen: His Roots”(Seven Emmy Awards), “Tenspeed and Brownshoe” and “You Write the Songs.” In the early 90’s, he released a number of well-received children’s Sing-Along musical videos.

He was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for his performance in the Hallmark movie “An Accidental Friendship.” He appeared in the features, “21 and a Wake-Up” starring Faye Dunaway and “Mama, I Want to Sing!” in which he co-starred opposite Ciara and Patti LaBelle. While filming “Idlewild” with the award winning group Outkast, Ben also served as the acting coach for both “Andre 3000” and “Big Boy.” In addition, Vereen has been coaching the singing sensation Usher both as an entertainer and an actor.

“I wasn’t made by myself in this career,” said Vereen humbly. “It was you who brought the tickets, you who turned on your television sets, you who follow me on my Facebook and twitter. It’s you—my thousands and thousands of fans and their families. I’ve got to deliver the work to my fans.”

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Iconic performer Ben Vereen is grateful to his fans for their years of support and loyalty to him. As a result, he is performing his one-man show, “Steppin Out with Ben Vereen” at Shady Side Academy’s Hillman Center for the Performing Arts for one night only this Saturday, Sept.

17.

“This is my gratitude show. I get the chance to say ‘thank you’ to Pittsburgh,” said Vereen who was born and raised in and still resides in New York City.

“I started out playing at the Holiday House in Pittsburgh many years ago and things have gone on from there so this is my chance to say, ‘look what we’ve done together.’”

“Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen,” which is a pre cursor to the upcoming play “Brooklyn to Broadway,” is a blend of artistry combining a tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. featuring hit songs such as “Defying Gravity,” “Mr. Bo Jangles” “For Good” from the musical “Wicked,” “Life is just a Bowl of Cherries” and “Ben Vereen Sings Broadway.” It is a contemporary and timeless journey through the triple threats Broadway songbook and each performance is mixed with heart and humor.

For more than 40 years, Vereen has showcased his versatility and creativity performing countless one-man shows in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. He was the first simultaneous winner of the Entertainer of the Year, Rising Star, and Song and Dance Star awards from the American Guild of Variety Artists. He also earned a coveted spot in the Casino Legends Hall of Fame. He also performs with symphonies around the country.

His first love and passion is and always will be the stage. On Broadway, Vereen has starred in “Wicked,”” Fosse,” “I’m Not Rappaport,” “Hair,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Pippin,” “Grind,” “Jelly’s Last Jam” and “A Christmas Carol.” His role as the Lead Player in “Pippin” garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

Vereen’s acting credits continue to give us memorable roles that stand the test of time such as the unforgettable Chicken George in “Roots”and Louis

THE LEGENDARY BEN VEREEN

De’Leon joins ‘An Inherited Life’

LUNDEN DE’LEON

(BlackNews.com)—Actress Lunden De'Leon has joined the cast of the romantic comedy “An Inherited Life” playing the role of Bianca. Filmed in South Carolina, the film is about an over worked, single mother of two who inherits her aunt's house in South Carolina. The film is directed by Charlie Vaughn and also stars Kiersten Warren and Paul Greene.

Best known for her role as Joanne Mbutu on the television series “Vital Signs,” De'Leon has starred and co-starred in over 50 movies and television shows including the New Line

Cinema blockbuster comedy “We're the Millers” with Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Ed Helms, and Emma Roberts.

De'Leon recently completed filming the investigation television series Murder Chose Me playing the reoccurring role as Rod's Mother.

The actress also co-starred in the award winning television movie “Somebody's Child” with golden Globe Award nominee Lynn Whitfield and Michael Jai White.

An Inherited Life will hit theaters in 2017.

(For more details about Lunden De'Leon, visit www.LundenDeLeon.net)

(Tickets to “steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen,” which runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept 17, can be purchased by visiting www.thehillman.org.

Prices range from $45- $60 for general admission to $115 for VIP which includes a post reception and meet and greet with Vereen.)

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ARTS & CULTURE

SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Boss Hair Studio presents Pink Carpet hair affair

by Paige K. Mitchell For New Pittsburgh Courier

Rachel Strader, owner of Boss Hair Studio recently held one of Pittsburgh’s most successful hair shows, presented “The Pink Carpet Hair Affair” Sunday August 28 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theatre from 4 to 8 p.m.

“I’ve been braiding hair since I was 8 years old,” Rachel Strader said. “I began braiding my sister’s hair until I mastered my craft.

I was inspired by my aunt, who would braid amazing designs in my hair as a child, as well as my mother who was in the modeling and beauty industry.

My mother graduated from Pittsburgh Beauty Academy years ago and still until this day gives me tips that she used back in the day.”

Strader has been a committed hair stylist within the city for many years now, and wanted to put together an event to showcase her talent, along with many others.

“This event was my opportunity to showcase my skills, but I also wanted my guest to see that I am very supportive, empowering and all about my family,” she said.

“The show in a nutshell represented everything that I’m about. I love hair, dance, great music, and positive people. I did my show alone as a way for me to resurrect my business and have the opportunity to represent myself as a boss. A boss meaning, being an entrepreneur and one who pushes others to set and achieve goals.”

There were 119 tickets sold in advance, with more tickets were purchased at the door. Special performances took place during the hair affair by artists Aariona Strader, Bon Savage, and Raekel Symone.

OWNER RACHEL STRADER “My event as a whole was amazing! I had great vendors, professional photography, live performances by local artists including my husband Aaron Strader (Bon Savage) and my daughter Aariona “Lady” Strader who performed a song written personally for her,” Strader said. “It was simply amazing. I also had a dope artist named Latia who is my personal favorite, perform two of her latest hits off of her album “LXII.” I must say these performances were by far my most memorable moments of the show. My daughter danced so well with her daddy backing her. The song touches me so much and I hope my

daughter grows up and is encouraged by my husband and I to be her own boss and recognize that her success is limitless. I will pave the way for her and her brothers.”

One of the highlights of Starder’s event was the pink carpet theme.

“First I would like to thank the Courier for taking interest in Boss Hair Studio. My hair show was a very successful hair show with a pink carpet theme.

The idea of the pink carpet came about because I am a person who likes to be different. The average person does a red carpet but I thought pink would be different. My salon colors are

RACHEL STRADER, LATIA LEE pink black and white, so I thought it would be classy and pretty,” Strader said.

She said she would like to send a special thanks to her husband for his commitment to orchestrating the pink carpet hair affair.

She says he was behind her every step of the way and even two steps ahead of her at times. She says he never lets her down. While also thanking her family Ashley Moorefield, Shawn Moorefield, Taejsha, William Miller, Sasha McBride, and niece Taujay McBride Marshall.

“I would like to empower and encourage any upcoming hair stylist by reminding

them that they can do anything they put their mind to.

If I can do it, so can they. I started on my grandmother’s porch. I had a salon in Highland Park that I closed due to poor management on my behalf. I paused only for a moment because my drive and hunger wouldn’t allow me to sulk in misery. I chose to be a home based hair salon until further notice. I have jumped through hoops and now I feel like I’m gaining my momentum. I say that to say this. I have plenty to learn and much more growing to do. But I will not give up. I thank everyone again for this opportunity,” Strader concluded.

Sept./Oct. New Works Festival kicks off 26th year of World Premier Plays

Mainstage Productions Program C (SEPT. 15–24) •“THREAD” by Evan Saunders of Pittsburgh, Pa.—presented by The Summer Company.

•“YOUR PRINCESS IS IN ANOTHER CASTLE” by Whitney Rowland of Pittsburgh, Pa.—presented

by McKeesport Little Theater.

•“KEY RING” by Steven Peterson of Chicago, Ill.—presented by The Duquesne University Red Masquers.

Program D (SEPT. 16–25) •“BROTHERHOOD” by Garry Kluger of La Crescenta, Calif.— presented by The Theatre Factory.

•“INFLUENCE” by Jennifer Tromble of North Tonawanda, N.Y.—presented by The Heritage Players.

•“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS STORE” by Stephen Engel of Pacific Palisades, Calif. presented

by Stage Right Pittsburgh. All performances will be held at Carnegie Stage (formerly Off the Wall Theater), 25 W. Main Street, in Carnegie. Mainstage performance times are 8 p.m. Th.-Sat. with additional matinees at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Single tickets start at $12 and Festival Passes are available for $40. Tickets are available via PittsburghNewWorks.org or by calling ShowClix at 888-71-TICKETS.

Sun Ra Arkestra Live

Sept. 19—Sun Ra Arkestra Live at the New HazletTheater at 7 p.m.Music in the Park. This summer music lovers can once again relax on the lawn at Highland Park to the sounds of jazz performed

by Pittsburgh’s finest musicians during the ever-popular “Reservoir of Jazz” concert series.

MCG Jazz

SEPT. 23—Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of MCG Jazz’s historic 30th annual concert series! BNY Mellon Jazz presents: Grammy-nominated Michael Feinstein to kick off our historic season with four shows over two nights, beginning Sept.

23. Please note that Bobby McFerrin will no longer be opening the season due to health issues.

Also, Brian Culbertson is currently touring for his new FUNK! album and will make a stop at MCG on Oct. 25 for two shows.

Civil Rights Exhibition

Sept. 23-Nov. 20—August Wilson Center For African American Culture This exhibition begins with pages from Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story, a little-known 1950s comic book about the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and culminates with selected works from March (2013-16), a graphic novel trilogy that recounts the life and social activism of Rep. John Lewis. It also includes political cartoons about the civil rights struggles from the 1950s to today.

The Bold & The Sanctified

SEPT. 24—Herron Enterprises presents “The Bold & The Sanctified stage play at p.m. at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St., Cultural District. The show, written and directed by Sherri Lynn, stars American Idol winner Ruben Studdard. See if two small churches, one Black and one White, who combine their congregations for financial reasons, can overcome racial conflict and tensions and make it work. There will also be a matinee performance at 3 p.m. For more information, call 412-426-5301 or visit, .boldandsanctified.net.

Tom Jones Live

SEPT. 29—Tom Jones at the Benedum Theater. Jones’ 50-year career has remarkably gone from strength to strength. Along with sustaining his popularity as a live performer and recording artist for five decades, he has garnered at the age of 76—the best reviews of his career for his most recent albums, Long Lost Suitcase, Spirit In The Room and Praise & Blame (Island/Universal). Critics across the world are unanimous in their approval and admiration for both the recorded work and the performance of it in concert.

Musician Applications

Until Oct. 7—91.3 WYEP is accepting applications from area teen musicians to participate in the 2016-17 Reimagination Recording Project. Now in its fourth year, the Reimagination Recording Project partners teen musicians with professional mentors to record and produce their own original music. Since 2013, the program has engaged with more than 70 area teen musicians, including Urban Pathways Sounds of Steel, Center of Life Youth Jazz Combo, Mt. Lebanon recording artist Daya and many more. Applications will be accepted at wyep. org/reimagine-media until midnight Oct. 7. All applications will be reviewed, and those selected to participate in the project will be notified in mid-October, ith studio sessions and workshops beginning in November 2016.

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Airbnb apologizes for racism complaints, outlines changes

by Beth J. Harpaz AP Travel Editor

NEW YORK (AP)— Airbnb on Thursday apologized for its slow response to accusations of racism and outlined new policies to combat the problem, including reducing the prominence of photos in the booking process.

The company also plans to automatically block future

SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

reservations for dates where a host has told someone that a property was unavailable.

Numerous anecdotes on social media with the hashtag AirbnbWhileBlack recounted incidents in which African-American guests were told listings were unavailable for the dates they wanted, only to see those same listings re-advertised later for the same dates.

“We have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry,’’ said Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky in a message published on the vacation rental website’s blog.

The new calendar-blocking policy, being implemented in the first half of 2017, is designed to stop hosts from discriminating against guests by falsely claiming that a property is booked,

then re-renting to others.

Airbnb did not bow to critics’ requests that they remove profile photos entirely so that hosts can’t reject guests based on appearance. The company has said that photos are an important security features so hosts can recognize guests when they check in.

But the report published on the company’s website Thursday, titled “Airbnb’s

Work To Fight Discrimination and Build Inclusion,’’ said new policies will “experiment with reducing the prominence of guest photos in the booking process.’’

Among other things, new policies will expand Airbnb’s “Instant Book’’ program, which allows hosts to offer homes without approval of specific guests, as long as they meet basic qualifications, with a

goal of 1 million listings by Jan. 1.

Users had also said their complaints of discrimination were ignored when they reported them to Airbnb. The report says the company has developed “new tools’’ to “reliably route concerns’’ to specialists.

In addition to expanding Instant Book and blocking SEE RACISM C2

Laura Murphy

Commentary

Airbnb is making real progress for travelers of color

by Laura W. Murphy For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—When I was asked by Airbnb to lead their effort to fight discrimination and bias, I was skeptical. After spending decades fighting for the protection and advancement civil rights and civil liberties, I’ve seen many companies merely pay lip service to addressing these issues.

I also wondered how one single company could have a real impact on racial discrimination. The sad truth is that bias is deeply embedded in our culture, especially in the area of housing and public accommodations. Laws designed to prevent housing discrimination are unevenly enforced, and it remains a persistent civil rights challenge in many communities.

My time serving as the District of Columbia’s first Director of Tourism left me all too familiar with the tactics used by hotels, restaurants and tour companies to ignore or even facilitate racial discrimination.

And as an African American woman, I also grew up feeling the sting of racial bias. I still remember my parents’ stories about The Negro Motorist Green Book and how Black families had to stay with other Black families when Jim Crow laws encouraged most hotels to deny accommodations to Black travelers.

Given that context, was it realistic to expect Airbnb to surpass others in the travel and lodging business and be a leader in overcoming entrenched industry practices and widespread bias?

What initially persuaded me that change is possible at Airbnb was my first conversation with Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky.

“Airbnb will never be able to fulfill its mission without seriously combating discrimination on its platform. We must solve this,” he said. I knew that only with such determination and commitment from the CEO and others at the highest levels would real institutional change be possible.

Brian was also forthright in admitting that his company was slow to address these problems. He and his cofounders, Joe Gebbia and Nate Blecharczyk, started

Pittsburgh, comprised of 90 neighborhoods is recognized for its style, character and uniqueness of each. Manchester and the Mexican War Streets located on the North Side are known for their historical architecture.

Bloomfield for its Italian cuisine and ancestry and the Hill District the home of August Wilson was once a mecca for the social life for African Americans.

Hazelwood, once a thriving community, in the 19th century housed over 200 businesses and a significant size African American population. It thrived mostly because of several steel and coke-making plants located in and around the community like the former J&L and LTV mills. In the 1980s when the steel industry started to decline like most of the other areas so did Hazelwood. Pittsburgh’s last operating steel mill, the Hazelwood Coke Works, closed in 1998.

Currently undergoing a resurgence Hazelwood, located approximately four

SEE PROGRESS C2

SEE HAZELWOOD C2

A BRIGHT FUTURE—Sonya Tilghman, executive director of the Hazelwood Initiative, stands at 5243 Gertrude Street, the future site of a homeownership incubator.(Photos by Diane I. Daniels)

Hazelwood in line to be Pittsburgh’s next big thing

by Diane I. Daniels For New Pittsburgh Courier

SUMMER MARKET VENDORS—Ray Ray’s BBQ is a taste of what is available during the summer market on Second Avenue. Owner Jere Woods her father Andre Woods, worker Ernest Smith and aunt Tannya Harris hanging out on a Friday afternoon.

CFPB wins court victory over payday lender, CashCall The fight for fair lending got a big boost on August 31 when a federal court rejected a payday loan collector’s attempt to evade consumer laws. The decision against CashCall, a California-based online payday and installment lender upheld the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s authority to investigate and fine lenders for unfair, abusive or deceptive practices.

The court ruling is a key step in a legal battle that began nearly three years ago.

In December 2013 and for the first time, CFPB sued to secure consumer refunds of illegally collected money. According to the filing, “defendants engaged in unfair, deceptive and abusive practices, including illegally debiting consumer checking accounts for loans that were void.”

CFPB charged that California-based CashCall, its subsidiary WS Funding LLC, affiliate Delbert Services Corporation, a Nevada collection agency were all the same ownership. Loans ranging from $850$10,000 were sold with upfront fees, lengthy repayment terms and interest rates as high as 343 percent. CFPB charged that these loan terms violated state laws in at least 16 states that had in place licensing requirements, interest rate caps—or both.

As early as 2009, Cash Call also partnered

That’s a good thing with Western Sky for consumers.

Financial, another Charlene Crowell Consumer advocompany, to claim cates are celebratthat tribal law ing this important rather than state victory. It is one law applied to their that upholds the loans. Readers may importance of recall a series of telestrong state laws vision ads promoting and effective enWestern Sky’s quick forcement. and easy loans.

The federal court disagreed and dismissed “This important ruling validates the right challenging arguments, finding CashCall to of states to protect their citizens from be the true lender. The relationship with predatory loans, whether they are made onWestern Sky was tantamount to a “rent-a- line or at a storefront”, noted Diane Stanbank” scheme. In part the ruling stated af- daert, director of state policy and an execufected states “have expressed a fundamen- tive vice president with the Center for Retal public policy in protecting its citizens.” sponsible Lending. “It reinforces the comCFPB’s late summer court victory is similar mon sense concept that people should not to another recent enforcement action by the be harassed for debts they do not owe. Both Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regula- states and the CFPB must continue to tion. In that state’s court, CashCall was found enact protections against unfair lending to be a lender that tried to evade state usury and collection practices.” limits by using the rent-a-bank scheme.

The court ruling also comes when the Today there are 90 million people who live deadline for public comment on payday in the District of Columbia and 14 states lending approaches. CFPB will accept comwhere excessively-priced payday loans are ments from citizens and organizations that not allowed. Collectively, these states save have concerns about payday and high-cost more than $2 billion a year that would oth- small-dollar loans. An online portal can acerwise be spent on payday loan fees. cept comments at:

Commentary

http://stoppaydaypredators.org/crl/.

The deadline for public comment is October 7. If anyone doubts how these smalldollar loans cause so much financial harm, consider these facts: §Over $3.4 billion in excessive fees are drained from payday borrowers each year. §Nearly 1 in 4 payday borrowers rely on either public assistance or retirement benefits as an income source. §Payday borrowers are more likely to experience bank penalty fees, delinquencies on other bills, and delayed medical care.

All too often across the country, payday storefronts ply their trade in Black and Latino neighborhoods. The noticeable presence of payday lenders in our communities indicate our people are being targeted to become financial victims. I would challenge anyone to identify areas dominated by high-income consumers have a comparable number of payday stores.

Starting now, choose not to become a payday victim. If there was ever a time to speak up or speak out on predatory lending, don’t miss the October 7 deadline for comments.

(Charlene Crowell is the deputy communications director for the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.)

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Hazelwood set to be next big thing CONTINUED FROM C1

miles east of Downtown, along the northern shore of the Monongahela River will soon be labeled as one of Pittsburgh’s up and coming neighborhoods.

“Hazelwood is turning around. Besides the Almono site there is a lot going on within the community,” the area’s city council representative Corey O’Connor said. Pointing out one of his concerns.

“It is important that the community is prepared for the developments occurring in and scheduled for the community,” Mentioning the Spray Park, the library and the grocery store as completed projects he identified developments in progress as the Almono site, the French Bakery and the Community Kitchen. He said nearly a $90 million investments are expected with the purchasing of the old library, anticipated new construction, rehabilitation of current structures and the Almono site. Almono letters represents the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers.

Pleased to be the executive director of the Hazelwood Initiative at this point of its existence, Sonya Tilghman is excited to work with the residents, the board and other officials and organizations to help expand it from just a community based organization to an economic and real estate development group.

Executive director since January of this year Tilghman is well acquainted with the neighborhood and prepared to assist HI in providing effective leadership and facilitation to create a healthy community through community planning, business redevelopment, affordable housing development, homeowner reinvestment, and youth programming. According to the 2010 US census records the area has an estimated population of 5,000 which is ethnically and economically mixed.

Through partnerships and collaborations projects taking place in the Greater Hazelwood area of Hazelwood, Glenwood, Glen Hazel, and Riverside which the HI serves includes strengthening the Second Avenue business district, developing the 178 acre Hazelwood Coke Works site and affordable housing developments.

Though the HI is not directly involved in the vacant brownfield land development, the former Hazelwood Coke Works site is significant to the development of the area.

A non-profit group called the ALMONO Partnership, spearheaded by the Heinz Endowments consisting of the Benedum, Richard King Mellon and the McCune foundations and managed by the Regional Industrial Development Corporation is proposing 1,200 housing units and more than 2 million square feet of office and research and development space. According to The Homepage, a publication produced by the HI, RIDC has plans to redevelop the Mill 19 building located in the middle of the site targeting technology companies and to relocate their headquarters on the site. Also Tilghman pointed out that 42 acres is targeted to be the Uber test tract.

One major development HI is involved in is the Gladstone Middle School property on Hazelwood Avenue. Their plan is to purchase the $250,000 structure and possibly redevelop it into housing, an incubator or workforce development space. The venture she says is a partnership between them, the Center of Life and the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group.

Projects are underway along Second Avenue, 4944 and 5017 working in conjunction with Action Housing as well as the LaGourmandne Bakery and the Community Kitchen developments. Tilghman also mentioned that rehab for resale, affordable housing and discount home repair projects and programs are underway. “Our goal is to provide affordable housing and help maintain the upkeep of existing housing.

Realizing that rebuilding a community is not just about bricks and mortar, this weekend the community and HI are working with the national organization KaBOOM, Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children and the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative to build a KaBOOM playground at 5113 Lytle Street.

Like the KaBOOM project, the Neighborhood Investment Fund 2016 Pilot Program is about community. Tilghman explained that the purpose of the NIF is to provide support to community organizations and small businesses seeking to positively impact the Greater Hazelwood communities of Hazelwood, Glen Hazel and Hays. The goal of the fund, she explained is to increase community cohesiveness and engagement as well as to improve economic and social equality of residents and entrepreneurs in Greater Hazelwood.

Until October and weather permitting residents, workers and the thousands of motorists traveling Second Avenue have the opportunity to take advantage of the partnership between HI and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh by patronizing Chaces Hot Dog, BBQ and Catering or Ray Ray’s BBQ. “I’ve been a part of the Summer Market for the past three years says Hazelwood native Pete Henderson owner of Chaces Hot Dog BBQ and Catering. “It has been a great experience.” Ray Ray’s BBQ is operated by Jere Woods and her family.

Established in 1994 as a nonprofit organization and existing as a membership group, HIs mission is to be a communitydriven organization, providing a shared stronger voice for Greater Hazelwood by gathering community input to build a sense of hope, harmony and promise, and by supporting human, spiritual and community development.

Tilghman, a Pittsburgher for the last 20 years has been involved in community eco-

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

BUSINESS

Your rights as a taxpayer

by Constant W. Watson III For New Pittsburgh Courier

Every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights. The “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” takes the many existing rights in the tax code and groups them into 10 categories.

You should know these rights when you interact with the IRS. Here is a summary of those rights.

The right to be informed. You have the right to know what is required to comply with the tax laws. You are entitled to clear explanations of the laws and IRS procedures on all tax forms, instructions, publications, notices and correspondence. You have the right to know about how IRS decisions are affecting your accounts and have clear explanations of the outcomes.

The right to qualify service. You have the right to receive prompt, courteous and professional assistance in your dealings with the IRS and the freedom to speak to a supervisor about inadequate service. Communications from the IRS should be clear and easy to understand.

The right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax. You have the right to pay only the amount of tax legally due, including interest and penalties. You should also expect the IRS to apply all tax payments properly.

The right to challenge the IRS’

position and be heard. You have the right to object to formal IRS actions or proposed actions and provide justification with additional documentation.

You should expect that the IRS will consider your timely objections and documentation promptly and fairly. If the IRS does not agree with your position, you should expect a response.

The right to appeal an IRS decision in an independent forum.

You are entitled to a fair and impartial administrative appeal of most IRS decisions, including certain penalties. You have the right to receive a written response regarding a decision from the Office of Appeals. You generally have the right to take your case to court.

The right to finality. You have the right to know the maximum amount of time you have to challenge and IRS position and the maximum amount of time the IRS has to audit a particular tax year or collect a tax debt. You have the right to know when the IRS concludes an audit.

The right to privacy. You have the right to expect that any IRS inquiry, examination or enforcement action will comply with the law and be no more intrusive than necessary. Yu should expect such proceedings to respect all due process rights, including search-andseizure protections. The IRS will provide, where applicable, a collec-

tion due process hearing.

The right to confidentiality. You have the right to expect that your tax information will remain confidential. The IRS will not disclose information unless authorized by you or by law. You should expect the IRS to take appropriate action against employees, return preparers and others who wrongfully use or disclose your return information.

The right to retain representation. You have the right to retain an authorized representative of you choice to represent you in your dealing with the IRS. You have the right to seek assistance from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic if you cannot afford representation.

The right to a fair and just tax system. You have the right to expect fairness from the tax system. This includes considering all facts and circumstances that might affect your underlying liabilities, ability to pay or ability to provide information timely. You have the right to receive assistance from the Taxpayer Advocate Service if you are experiencing financial difficulty.

All taxpayers have the right to representation. Unless your tax problem is small, you should not represent yourself before the IRS any more than you should go to court without a lawyer. Remember, for every tax problem there is a solution.

Apple is shifting the focus of its secret car project

by Brandon Bailey AP Technology Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Apple may not become an automaker, but it still wants to develop its own self-driving technology.

The iPhone-maker’s automotive project, long an open secret in Silicon Valley, is shifting to focus on creating the technology for an autonomous vehicle that doesn’t require a human driver.

The new direction apparently doesn’t foreclose the possibility that Apple might someday build its own car, but it opens the door to partnering with other car companies.

The new emphasis was confirmed Friday by a person with knowledge of the project, after the New York Times reported that Apple is “rethinking’’ its automotive strategy. The person

spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the project.

Apple had no official comment Friday and has consistently declined to confirm its automotive ambitions. But Elon Musk, the chief executive of electric-car maker Tesla, has said that Apple has hired hundreds of engineers, including some from Tesla, to work on an automotive project.

Local officials in the San Francisco Bay Area say Apple contacted them last year about using a former naval base that’s been converted into an automotive testing ground.

More recently, the New York Times and Bloomberg News have reported that Apple’s initial efforts to design its own car have suffered from management turnover and technical delays.

Industry experts say building a

car is an incredibly complex challenge for any company, even one with the engineering prowess of Apple. Automobile manufacture also poses more regulatory and legal issues than building an iPhone or a computer.

But the tech industry has increasingly ventured into the automotive sector, where Apple, Google and other firms are competing to develop software that can help manage—at least—the information and entertainment systems inside today’s vehicles.

Google has made no secret that it’s also working on self-driving technology, but says that it is more likely to partner with an established automaker.

Analysts say tech companies want to be involved in automobiles because they want people to keep using their products and services, even while driving.

tions, starting Oct. 1, for any guest who reports discrimination in booking a listing, having a booking canceled or in interacting with a host. The policy will apply retroactively to guests who reported discrimination in the past, and all of those guests will be given help booking their next trip.

•Provide anti-bias training by Jan. 31 to all Airbnb employees.

•Improve technology to ``root out bias’’ with a team of dedicated engineers.

The company brought in former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Laura Murphy, former head of the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, D.C., to review complaints and develop new policies.

Accusations that Airbnb has been ignoring complaints of racism have led several black entrepreneurs to create two new vacation rental websites where they say racism will not be tolerated. The new sites include Innclusive.com and Noirbnb.com.

Airbnb apologizes for racism complaints

CONTINUED FROM C1

calendars from accepting reservations for a given time period once hosts state their property is unavailable, Airbnb will: •Require all users to agree, beginning Nov. 1, to a “stronger, more detailed nondiscrimination policy.’’ Chesky said the new “Airbnb Community Commitment’’ wouldn’t just be checking a box on a long legal document, but would involve agreeing to treat others without bias.

•Find comparable accommoda-

Airbnb is making real progress CONTINUED FROM C1

Airbnb with the best of intentions, but he agreed that there was an unacceptable lack of urgency to his previous attempts to address it, and vowed that such unconsciousness will not happen again.

So I, along with key senior leaders at Airbnb began a process designed to be as rigorous, comprehensive and inclusive as possible.

In addition to Airbnb’s management team, I held conversations with employees at every level of the company. Some of them had already created informal working groups to identify possible solutions. We also held consultations with hosts and victims of discrimination. Nearly all of them wanted to use the site again, and for many, Airbnb remains an important source of supplemental income.

The thing that struck me the most was that employees recognized this as a problem they had to solve across the whole of Airbnb, rather than putting the full responsibility on users to selfpolice or raise it to their attention.

As part of this journey I brought in experts including former Attorney General Eric Holder and Harvard professor Dr. Robert Livingston to get their input, as well as over 20 civil rights organiza-

tions and leaders who have thoroughly explored the advancement of civil rights in the sharing economy. Airbnb also engaged with federal and state regulatory agencies, who encouraged them to be proactive. They worked with elected officials who have been fighting for civil rights in this country for decades, and who act as an important barometer of consumer concern when they hear from constituents about incidents of discrimination or bias.

These individuals and organizations provided invaluable input that formed the basis for my report, Airbnb’s Work to Fight Discrimination and Build Inclusion, and the aggressive policy and platform changes Airbnb will adopt.

Everyone who uses Airbnb will be subject to a more robust and stringent non-discrimination policy and will have to commit to treat fellow users with respect.

They have also hired a full-time team of engineers, designers, data scientists and more whose sole job is to work on rooting out discrimination where it happens, and preventing it from happening again.

In the meantime, Airbnb has also created a smarter, more efficient system of customer service staff who can help users who might still experience discrimina-

tion and make sure their requests are dealt with quickly and effectively. Airbnb is also introducing “Open Doors”—if a guest experiences discrimination, Airbnb will investigate the situation right away, taking appropriate action and help ensure the guest has a place to stay. In addition, Airbnb will offer new training to help hosts learn to fight bias, and as the program develops they’ll work to highlight hosts who have completed this training. These are strong and aggressive changes that will make a real difference for everyone who uses Airbnb.

Fighting bias is an ongoing task that requires constant vigilance from all of us, and the civil rights community and I intend to hold Airbnb to their commitments.

These changes are merely a first step, and Airbnb understands that no one company can eliminate racism and discrimination, but it has vowed to do its part.

I believe they will be successful, not just because of what I have witnessed over the past three months, but because solving this problem is crucial to fulfilling their mission. Airbnb is a company founded on the idea that the world is becoming a more sharing and inclusive place, and they intend to do their part in bringing more of us together.

BUSINESS BUSINESS CALENDAR CALENDAR

Business Start-up Training Event SEPT. 15—Duquesne University’s Small Business Development Center will host First Step: Business Start-up Essentials, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rockwell Hall, rm. 108, 600 Forbes Ave., uptown. Topics covered include: Business Structure, Fictitious Name Registration, Insurance, Tax Issues and more. Cost is $25. For more information, call 412-396-6233.

PowerBreakfast SEPT. 16—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pa. presents Robin Nicholson, director of The Frick, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Rivers Club, 301 Grant St. 15219 at its September PowerBreakfast meeting. Nicholson will discuss what the museum has in store, and will outline possible business opportunities with The Frick. Cost for members is $20, non-members $30.

Neighborhood Development Tax Credit Deadline SEPT. 16—The deadline for community organizations to apply for the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program is Sept. 16. The Department of Community and Economic Development has budgeted $18 million for the program which supports local development in depressed neighborhoods under five main categories. For more information, call 1-866-4663972 or visit dced.pa.gov/nap.

25th Anniversary Awards Celebration SEPT. 17—Onyx Woman Networks presents its 25th anniversary award celebration honoring 25 women who are tops in supporting business, social justice and their communities, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, 6300 Fifth Ave. in Shadyside. Evening includes awards reception, buffet, DJ and cash bar. Tickets are $49.95 before Sept. 7, $59.95 afterwards.

For more information, call 412731-5159 or visit events@onyxwoman.com.

Payroll Regulation Workshop SEPT. 23—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pa., from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 9th floor board room, the Koppers Building, 436 Seventh Ave., Downtown, welcomes attorneys Elaina Smiley and Tony Thompson of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott to discuss changes to Overtime Pay Regulations. Discussion will include the new salary threshold, effects of bonuses and commissions, and applicability to nonprofits. Cost is $10 for members $20 for non members and includes lunch.

For more information, call 412392-0610.

Consumer Protection Presentation SEPT. 30—Education and outreach staff from the Department of Banking and Securities will be meeting with senior citizens, employee and service provider groups, and members of the general public at Rep. Mike Turzai’s Senior Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Community College of Allegheny County North Campus, 8701 Perry Highway.

Awards Nomination Deadline SEPT. 30—Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is accepting nominations for its 20th Anniversary Power of Works Awards to recognize efforts by employers and/or organizations that support workforce development for individuals with special needs or barriers to employment, and also to encourage all employers to emulate the actions and achievements of the winners. Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony and luncheon on November 17 at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. Nomination forms are available at www.goodwillswpa.org, or from Ms. Lloyd at 412-632-1931.

Black Economic Empowerment Summit OCT. 1—Stop The Violence-Pittsburgh presents Pittsburgh’s Black Economic Empowerment Summit, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave. in East Liberty. The summit will feature presentations by real estate guru Jay Morrison and “the People’s Scholar” Boyce Watkins.

Areas of discussion will include: Building and Restoring Credit; Real Estate Investing, and Marketing Your Business for Success, among others. Tickets are $30, $40 for VIP. For more information, or for vendor opportunities, call 724205-9376, or online at StopTheViolencePittsburgh@yahoo.com

SPORTS New Pittsburgh Courier

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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Westinghouse preseason favorite to win city

by Smokin’ Jim Frazier For New Pittsburgh Courier

(Perry and Westinghouse had to play their game without any spectators in Cupples Stadium due to a shooting incident outside Perry High School, some spectators watched the game from the McArdle roadway.)

Westinghouse was a powerhouse in football under coach Pete Dimperio and from 1946 to 1966, the Bulldogs went to the City of Pittsburgh championship 21 years in a row and won 17 titles.

The Westinghouse high school of the late-70s was when fans saw the transition from legendary coach Dimperio to George A. “Spider” Webb and the winning tradition continued.

Coach Monte Robinson is in his eighthyear as head coach and finally has the numbers to compete for a city league championship.

Wilkinsburg school district has merged with Westinghouse and has boosted the roster from 20 players to 45 players.

Robinson and his staff spent the offseason building the toughest, deepest, most versatile defense in high school football and the team is lead by “The Fearsome Foursome” of Jamon Miyares, Alex Bryant, Genaro Coleman and Tyrease Hicks.

Transfers and defections are becoming a big part of high school football but they are crippling the Pittsburgh City League.

Two-time defending city league champi-

on Brashear Bulls lost their best player Qu’ran Powe and any hopes of winning the city when Powe decided to transfer to Keystone Oaks. Powe, is a senior with blazing 4.4 speed but has been ruled ineligible. WPIAL ruled that he transferred for athletic intent and Powe’s high school football career comes to an unexpected, unfortunate and abrupt end.

Former USO Eagles star Kenny Robinson, 6’2-200, is being recruited by Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Iowa State, Toledo and agreed to play for Imani Christian Academy. Robinson’s defection left a void too big for University Prep to fill.

Allderdice hasn’t won a City League championship since 1967 and this season will be no different and Carrick lacks a winning tradition.

Perry was one of the most dominate football programs over the last three decades but we don’t hear the Roar of the Commodores no more.

Perry is very talented on both sides of the ball and could challenge for the City title. Quarterback Doug Johnson and junior Josh Dyer are capable of lighting up the scoreboard.

WADE YURKO (6) of Westinghouse returned an interception for a touchdown and caught a touchdown Defense wins championships and West- pass to lead the Bulldogs to a 32-14 win over Perry. (Photos by William McBride) inghouse is capable of shutting out any team on their schedule and they have a ground and pound offense. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the Bulldogs.

SMOKIN’ JIM’S PRESEASON ALL CITY TEAM

OFFENSE 1. Doug Johnson, Perry , quarterback, senior 2. Tawan Westley, USO, quarterback 3. Jeremiah Doswell-Hardrick, Allderdice, running back, senior 4. Josh Dyer, Perry , running back, junior 5. Darius Langston, USO, running back, senior 6. Wade Yurko, Westinghouse, tightend, senior 7. Sam Fairley, USO, wide-receiver, junior 8. Damon Macklin, USO, wide-receiver, sophomore 9. Trevor Hazen, Carrick , offensive line, junior 10. Trejuan Murray, Brashear, offensive line, senior 11. Henzekiah Johnson, USO, offensive line, senior 12. Malik Townsend, Perry, offensive line, senior Offensive Player of the Year—Doug Johnson, Perry

DEFENSE 1. Jamon Miyares, Westinghouse, defensive tackle, senior 2. Nasir Tatum, USO, defensive end, senior 3. Alex Bryant, Westinghouse, defensive end, senior 4. Tyrease Hicks, Westinghouse, defensive end, junior 5. Anthony Carrington, Brashear, linebacker, sophomore 6. Richard Stone, Brashear, linebacker, senior 7. Rhumaud Brooks, Allderdice, linebacker, sophomore 8. Josh Dyer, Perry, linebacker, junior 9. Genaro Coleman, Westinghouse, defensive back, senior 10. Dorian Hardy, Allderdice, cornerback, senior 11. Damon Macklin, USO, cornerback, sophomore Defensive Player of the Year—Jamon Miyares, Westinghouse Coach of the Year—Monte Robinson, Westinghouse

by Bill Neal

DOUG JOHNSON (2) of Perry makes an interception in front of Genaro Coleman of Westinghouse.

Overtime

For New Pittsburgh

:10—Coming to ya live and in blue and gold at my primary football get it done spot, but as you well know… if I told you where, I’d have to kill you, but from where I sit, I can go out on a limb and tell you that Penn State got knocked out!!! (“Bye Felecia”…Same move, Friday…minus a few choice words.) So let me get back on that limb—I think it’s safe to say Pitt is back. I know we were favored and I know Penn State is not the ultimate test, but Pitt looks good. Number 2 The focus and attention to detail by this Pitt coaching staff is impressive. Number 3 You clearly get a sense that Penn State is not where they were and not where they want to get. Number 4 Most importantly, Pitt has a lot of weapons…most notably James “Larry Zonka” Conner. Glad he’s back in the saddle and hope the Blues stay behind him. Number 5 To the two idiots, one from Pitt and one from Penn State who sat in a room years ago and decided that Pitt and Penn State should not play each other and further the new two idiots that decided there would only be a short re-boot, I put a lifetime curse and a “A Root” on your ability to ever have fun! So it has been said…So it shall be done! :09—Please be reminded that Achieving Greatness Inc. will unveil its new publication “Champions Quarterly” next month. An in-depth look at Pittsburgh and Western, Pa. high school, college and pro-sports, along with community events and ac-

tivity, health-nutrition-and wellness and legends of the game. AGI is looking for talented, aggressive and intelligent writers and account executives for the magazine’s first release. Call 412-6284856 for more information. :08—Your Pittsburgh Pirates will rally and will, in fact, get the wild card spot.

And that boys and girls, you can take to the bank.

“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!” :07—That being said, it’s Steelers time baby. And nothing can make you forget about the Pirates quicker than A.B. across the middle breaking one for an 80 yard touchdown. :06—Here’s your Steelers start: Steelers vs. Skins, Monday, 9/12/16, 7:10 p.m.; Steelers vs. Bengals, Sunday 9/18/16, 1 p.m.; Steelers vs. Eagles, 9/25/16, 4:25 p.m. Now go get your gear. :05—As we plan for the 3rd Annual Pittsburgh City League All-Sports Hall of Fame Inductions Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Heinz History Center, be reminded of the greatness of a posthumously inducted member, Larry “Bird” Richardson. Quite possibly the greatest pure point guard in Pittsburgh history.

With all due respect to Ricky Coleman, Warner Maclin, Jeff “Whitemouse” Hutchinson, Jeffrey “Junkhead” Burton and Thomas “Junebug” Howard, just to name a few. :04—City League Hall of Fame Times: 2-5 p.m. —Tour the Heinz History Center Museum at no cost 5 p.m. event reception, 6 p.m. Awards Presentation. Call 412-628-4856 for more information. (Look for the release of this year’s 20 inductees in your Pittsburgh Courier next week.)

:03—Get ready Pittsburgh for the next big thing to come to “The Burgh” and this one is worth money…”G-Money” that is. Gerald “G-Money” Brooks will present the grand opening of his building…Grindware! JAMON MYARES of Westinghouse rushed for one touchdown in the Bulldogs win.

And you can be part of the grind. Saturday, Sept. 17, 6-10 p.m. at 500 Ardmore Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15221.

(In Wilkinsburg, right down the way from WTAE T.V. on tion and as we all know, field position in Ardmore.) $15 at the door by Aubrey Bruce regards to football is like real estate; vicFor New Pittsburgh Courier gets you food, music and tories and happiness generally depend VIP celebs. For more inforThere was more hype before the Pitt- upon, location, location, location. After mation, call 412-219-3767 Penn State game than a pre Donald Trump Oklahoma State pulverized their season or go to grindware@hotmail. rally/watermelon brunch. There was talk opener opponent South Eastern Louisiana com (And don’t miss the rib- about this, that and the other. Pitt won 61-7, (is SE Louisiana really a NCAA Colbon cutting ceremony, Sept. by the score of 42-39 and that score was a lege football team?)

18, 4:30-8:30 p.m.) sure indicator that alas, no one including The Cowboys lost their second game :02—Who’s G-Money you me came close to getting it right. of the season, 30-27 when they faced off ask. Some of you know If anyone says that the game was de- against Central Michigan. This weekend and some of you choose to cided through their personal methods of they face Pitt and by all preseason progforget. He’s the guy that prognostication, (otherwise known as fan- nostications, at this time Oklahoma State showed most of you that tasy football) or that they had a gut feel- expected to be sitting pretty at 3-0. In being “In the Paint” on the ing or any other feeling that the renewal the 2 games so far this season SE Louisihoop court is not where you of the rivalry between these two football ana and Central Michigan averaged over really wanted to be. Oh, programs would produce 81 points, well 515 yards against Oklahoma State but now you remember! let’s just say I would take that with not only 154 yards rushing. Now you tell me, :01—Hey Mr. D.J.…Play- one but a few grains of salt. should Pitt focus on the passing game or ing that song, “All Night Pitt had 56 rushing attempts for 359 the running game?

Long,” “This One’s for You.” yards which was a whopping 6.1 yards Now there are other factors to take into To my Brother “Larry the per carry. However, Panthers QB Nathan consideration before Pitt goes “pass hapD.J.” that blew it up at Moth- Peterman only completed 11-15 passes py.” Communication in the passing game er Carter’s 80th birthday for a miniscule 91 yards. Now hear this, is far more difficult on the road, in a hosparty. Thanks for the music, now see this, now taste this, now smell tile, loud and vociferous environment than memories and good times. this. The Pitt Panthers, the New England the peachy crowds that they play in front Mrs. Lois “Lo” Carter might Patriots or the Toronto Argonauts are not of at Heinz Field, nevertheless, its all still be celebrating.Last we going to gain 359 rushing yards against about winning on the road baby. checked, she was still get- Oklahoma State when they travel to Still- All teams performing in any sport need ting it on till the break of water, OK to face the Cowboys on Sept. 17. a few “road kills” to truly legitimize their dawn! (Well really till the The Pitt passing game had better “juice competitive spirit. There is no better feelbreak of 6 p.m.) Party on up” post haste even if they do nothing ing than seeing a home crowd, exit the venMother Carter…Party on! more than throw screen passes for almost ue after their team has suffered a crushing :00-00—Double Overtime 60 minutes. Of course Pitt is going to at- defeat, no longer in a “rabid” state of mind.

-Don’t miss the United tempt to rush the football because there For their own sake Pitt had better call the Rays Corvette Club and is a certain machismo in trying to run TSA and inform them that for the OklahoAGI Back in the Day Old the football down your opponents’ throat. ma State game, they are going to be travFashion Car Cruise and However, therein lies the danger of total eling on “Air Henderson” because they may Show at the Penn Hills Eat- demoralization when your offense doesn’t give “Mega-bus Conner” a break this week.

N-Park, 11746 Frankstown reach their own 30 yard line, time and (Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newRd. 412-242-3700 - Special time again, resulting in punt after punt pittsburghcourier.com or 412-583-6741. Follow guest, Dwayne Woodruff. giving the opponent optimum field posi- him on Twitter@ultrascribe.)

Inside Conditions…Big Cats

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

California University of Pennsylvania seeks to hire a Chief of Staff to the University President who will perform administrative work that is heavily oriented to the administration and business operations of the President’s Office. A bachelor’s degree and at least five years of e perience at the level of Executive Assistant to a Chief ecutive Officer President is required. For a detailed job description, position requirements and instructions for application, visit www.calu.edu; click on Employment, then Staff Positions.

All applicants must apply online.

Integrity, Civility and Responsibility are the official core values of California University of Pennsylvania.

Cal U is M/F/V/D/AA/EEO.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER - ALTOONA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Applications for Police Officer for the City of Altoona may be obtained from the Human Resources Department at City Hall, 1301 – 12th Street, Suite 301, Altoona, PA, weekdays between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Applicants or their designees must file completed, NOTARIZED applications with accompanying documentation NO LATER THAN NOON ON THURSDAY, October 20, 2016. Return IN PERSON OR

BY MAIL to: Human Resources Department Altoona City Hall 1301 - 12th Street, Suite 301 Altoona, PA 16601-3491 A $25.00 processing fee (check or money order) must be paid at the time the application is filed. Applications that are incomplete for any reason will not be accepted, and will be returned to the applicant. alsification, concealment or misrepresentation of material fact on the application form may result in disqualification. All previous applicants will be required to reapply and repeat the entire application process in order to be considered for employment.

REQUIREMENTS: •Must pass a physical agility test scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 8:00 A.M., in Altoona.

•Must pass a written Civil Service Test to be administered on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 8:30 A.M., in Altoona.

•Must have successfully completed a Pennsylvania Act 120 basic training program prior to the end of 2016.

•Must be 21 years of age on or before the date of employment.

•Must be a United States citizen.

•Must have graduated from an accredited high school or have a Graduate Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) acceptable to the Commission.

•Must be licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

•Must be of high moral character and free of felony or misdemeanor convictions.

Must be physically and mentally fit for the full duties of a Police Officer.

•Must submit to a Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA).

•Must agree to psychological and physical examinations if offered employment.

Starting salary: $41,047.92 The City of Altoona is an Equal Opportunity Employer

BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANALYST (MULTIPLE OPENINGS)

SDLC Management, Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA) resp for anlyss, dsign, devlopmnt & implmention of the client’s prprietry systms & datbses using Oracle, DB2, Teradata & tools, such as IBM Datastage, Toad, Advanced Query, MS Project & devlopmnt langags, incl UNIX, SQL or ASP.NET,C#. Duties incl wrkng w/ a wide array of Busnss & IT mgmt to defne busnss reqs & tech apprachs to slve complx busnss poblms; prformng strtegc busnss actvites by assistng w/ the devlopmnt & implmenttion of entrprse info systms; cndcting rsearch work in conjnction w/ varous cross fnctionl teams to id key issus & point to spcifc busnss areas; carryng out structrd analyss &/or desgn; intrfacng w/ the busnss areas, custmrs, partnrs, vendrs, tech staff & projct teams to drve value, retrn on invstmnts, & devsing innovtve soltions, incl prvding altrnatve soltions, incl vndor soltion acquistions, ma benfits hile rducing cost e.g. cost benfit anlysis, pros/cons of soltions); applyng knwldge of currnt & emrging techs; & devsing enhncmnts to exstng systms. Master’s deg in Sci, Engg or HealthCare or Bachelor’s deg in same discplins, tgethr w/ 5 yrs of prog resp work exp in the postin off’d or drectly relat’d. Mail resume to: Ms. Angie Woods, HR MGR, SDLC Management, Inc., 2790 Mosside Blvd., Ste 705, Monroeville, PA 15146.

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Brothers and Sisters Emerging is hiring for part-time positions for our Girls and Male Mentoring groups and our after-school program to assist with youth and activities in the arfield area. perience orking with youth required. PA Criminal and Child Abuse Clearances required. Send resumes and cover letter to Robert M. Jones Jr. at robertmjones33@gmail.com no later than September 30, 2016.

SR. SOFTWARE ENGINEER (MULTIPLE OPENINGS)

Lucas Systems, Inc. (Wexford, PA) resp for wrkng w/ the App Devlpmnt Team & Prject Mgrs to dlivr leadng edge slutins to cstomrs. Job duties: desgnng & devlpng entrprse mbilty soltins usng stte-of-the-art tech that oprats on mble dvics & pltfrms; wrkng w/ Prjct Mgr & cstomrs to gther reqs; crryng out fnctionl & tchncl desgn for cstomr soltins; devlpng spcifctions, prfrmng code rview, & prvidng tech docmntatn; prvidng solton instllation & custmr trainng; spportng the Cstomr Spprt Team in trbleshting & devlpng resltions for exstng client dplyments; & utlzing devlpmnt tools such as .NET 2.0/3.5/4.0, C# & SQL, XML, & Web Srvices. Master’s in Sftwre Eng, Comp Sci or drctly-reltd discplne or a Bachelor’s in one of the same discplns, tgethr w/ 5 yrs of prvios sftwre engg exp in the psiton off’d or relatd. Must know (thru acad train or wrk exp) .NET 2.0/3.5/4.0, C#, Vsual Stdio 2012, XML, MVC, FTP, Multi-threadd Srver & Moble Apps, Scket Prgrmming, Dstribted & Parllel Prgramming, IIS 7, MVC, MS SQL Srver 2008, MY SQL, prfrmnce tunng, Wirshrk or othr netwrk traffc anly ng tool, CP P P traffic analysis, GitHub, Jira, & Agile. Travl domest. 20%. Apps/resumes sbmttd to Lucas Systems, Inc. attn: HR, 11279 Perry Hwy, 4th Fl Wexford, PA 15090.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice

NOTICE

Applications are now being accepted by the Allegheny County Health Department for the Master and Journeyman Plumber licensing examinations to be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2016.

Applications are to be received in the Plumbing Office, Clack ealth Center, 3901 Penn Avenue, Building #5, Pittsburgh PA 15224-1318, by Monday, October 31, 2016.

Applicants possessing the required qualifications ill be notified by mail of the scheduled date, time, and place for the examinations.

Applications for or information about these licensing examinations may be obtained from the Plumbing Office by calling 12 - 0 6 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

MS. HELEN B. HOSTETLER, deceased of 113 Oak Lane, Pennsylvania, PA 15225, Estate No. 02-16-04632. Ms. Joy A. Weber, 284 Evans Road, Zelienople, PA 16063, Executor, c/o Max Feldman, Attorney At Law, 1322 Fifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108 Estate of SANDRA LEE TOWNSEND, a/k/a SANDRA SIENERTH, deceased of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, No. 02-16-03646 Donna J. Vandegrift, Executrix, 1566 Goldenrain Court, Reston, VA 20190 or to Robert B. Wolf, Esquire, Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, P.C., One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Estate of JOHN EDWARD WALL, deceased of Presto, Pennsylvania No. 02-16-04535 Diane Lynn Wall, Executrix, 4130 Breckenridge Drive, Presto, PA 15142 or to Todd T. Jordan, Esquire, Tener, Van Kirk, Wolf & Moore, P.C., One Oxford Centre, Suite 2100, 301 Grant Street, Pitsburgh, PA 15219 Estate of ALEXANDRA G. ROMANELLI, a/k/a ALEXANDRA ROMANELLI, deceased of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, No. 02-1603855 Rosemary L. Corsetti, Co-Executor Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, One Oxford Centre, 20th Floor, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or to Judith Waclawski, Co-Executor, 341 Edith Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211 or to Rosemary L. Corsetti, Esquire, Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, One Oxford Center, 20th Floor, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Estate of CHRISTOPHER CARDYN, deceased of Allegheny County, No. 021604892 of 2016. MARY CARPENZANO Extr., 427 Macfarlane Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15235 or to Allegheny Law Group, LLC, Attys., 816 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Estate of DOROTHY M. PETERS, deceased of Pittsburgh, PA No. 02-15-6543. Jacquelyn Jenkins Executor., 1202 Blithe Court, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 or to Bruce S. Gelman, Esq., Gelman & Reisman, Law & Finance Bldg, 429 Fourth Ave., Ste. 1701, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Estate of CYRUS, INDIA, deceased of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania No. 021604554, 2016, Eric Cyrus, Adm., 114 W. Prospect Avenue, #C1, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 Estate of MARY H. WOODS, deceased of Pittsburgh, PA, No. 04515 of 2016. Leslie V. Perkins and Sheron V. Duckett, Executrixes 1300 Hawthorne Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 and 4503 Coleridge Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 or to Thelma C. Spells, Esquire, 1533 Bidwell Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233

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LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

September 14, 2016 City of Pittsburgh-Dept. of City Planning 200 Ross Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 412-255-2211 This notice shall satisfy procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Pittsburgh.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about September 29, 2016 the City of Pittsburgh will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release federal funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended for a real estate project. Kelly Green is an eight (8) unit, scattered-site, for sale, market rate project located on Kelly Street in the West Homewood neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh.

The newly constructed units will be three-bedroom detached homes. The developer is The Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation. The federal funding source utilized on this project is 2014 CDBG program funds. The projected cost of the activity is $2,500,000.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT he City of Pittsburgh has determined that the pro ect ill have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Revie Record RR on file at 200 Ross Street, 2N loor Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mitigation Required: A combined Phase I environmental site assessment was submitted by SE Technologies, Inc. on August 14, 2015. The assessment reported no impacts to soil or ground water PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to: Mike Petrucci City of Pittsburgh, 200 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 255-2211 All comments received by September 29, 2016, will be considered by the City of Pittsburgh prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION he City of Pittsburgh certifies to that William Peduto, in his capacity as Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. ’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Urban Redevelopment Authority to use development funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Pittsburgh certification for a period of fifteen days follo ing the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the follo ing bases a the certification as not e ecuted by the Certifying Officer of the City of Pittsburgh b the City of Pittsburgh has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by regulations at 2 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a ritten finding that the pro ect is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development Division The Moorhead Federal Building 1000 Liberty Ave.-10th floor Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222 Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

William Peduto Mayor City of Pittsburgh LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

BID

Clarion University Project CL-783Steamline Project - Work consists of the replacement of underground steam, condensate and pumped discharge lines from Manholes 9 to 11 located on the campus of Clarion University in Clarion, Mandatory prebid Sept. 29th, 10 am. $65 non-refundable fee for bid package Clarion University Project CL-787Roofing Project - Work consists of removal of the e isting roofing system, flashings, accessories, insulation, etc. and the replacement ith ne PO roofing system, insulation. Aluminum copings and accessories. Prebid Sept. 27th, 10 am. $65 non-refundable fee for bid package For more information, go to www. clarion.edu/constructionbids or contact rwolfgong@clarion.edu or 814-393-2365.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

BID

Clarion University Project CL783-Steamline Project - Work consists of the replacement of underground steam, condensate and pumped discharge lines from Manholes 9 to 11 located on the campus of Clarion University in Clarion, Mandatory prebid Sept. 29th, 10 am. $65 non-refundable fee for bid package. For more information, go to www.clarion.edu/construction bids or contact rwolfgong@clarion.edu or 814-393-2365.

LEGAL AD REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Request for Proposals

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Technology Solutions to Enhance Client Feedback and Community Engagement. Proposals are due by: October 31, 2016.

For more details and submission information, visit: www.alleghenycounty.us/ Human-Services/Resources/ Doing-Business/Solicitations(RFP/RFQ/RFI).aspx.

Marc Cherna Director Allegheny County Department of Human Services COURIER CLASSIFIEDS

LEGAL AD REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Request for Proposals

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Lead Agency for the Homewood/Brushton Family Support Center. Proposals are due by: October 7, 2016.

For more details and submission information, visit: www.alleghenycounty.us/ Human-Services/Resources/ Doing-Business/Solicitations(RFP/RFQ/RFI).aspx.

Marc Cherna Director Allegheny County Department of Human Services

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 on September 30, 2016 and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, at Port Authority’s Heinz location at 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527, for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org) Bid Number Bid Name B160545AR Bus Batteries B160659A Connectcards B160864 Switch Machines B160873A Air, Oil, and Fuel Filters B160879 Prequalification for Natural Gas B160880 Prequalification for Electricity Paper Proposal – Documents are available for the following item at Port Authority’s Main Offices 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15222-2527 B160761A Copier Management Services 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, on September 14, 2016 at Port Authority’s Heinz location 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 ill 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.

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

CLASSIFIEDS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SONNY BOY

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

ADVERTISEMENT

Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 (412.237.3020) on the following items: Bid Proposal No. 982 Fortinet Maintenance Renewal Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Friday, September 23, 2016 at which time they will be publicly opened.

Any proposals received after this deadline will be considered as a “late bid” and will be returned unopened to the offerer.

The CCAC Purchasing Department is now publishing all bids via the CCAC website at https:// www.ccac.edu/Bid-RFP_Opportunities.aspx It will be each vendor’s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda. Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the final submittal may result in the rejection of your bid.

Proposals may require Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds, and Surety as dictated by the specifications.

No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.

INVITATION FOR BIDS

The URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY of Pittsburgh will receive bids from qualified contractors for installation of 200 lineal feet of stream bank protection consisting of geotextile, R-7 rock, landscaping, and all work incidental thereto required to complete Monongahela Riverbank Stabilization at the South Shore Riverfront Park, South Side Works, until 11:00 a.m. prevailing time on Thursday, the.6th day of October, 2016, at its office, 11th floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the Conference Room on the 11th floor.

Contract documents will be available on Monday, September 19, 2016, in the Engineering and Construction Department, 11th Floor, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, upon a non-refundable payment of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) made payable to the URA of Pittsburgh. CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY. Contract documents will not be mailed.

A pre-bid meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at 1:30PM at the URA in the 11th Floor Conference Room, 200 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

A certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value), or a satisfactory bid bond, executed by the Bidder and an acceptable surety in a dollar amount equal to 5% of the total bid, shall be submitted. Each bid submittal must include the Bid, Non-collusion Affidavit of Prime Bidder, Bid Bond, Statement of Bidders Qualifications, and Certification of Minority and Women’s Participation with Exhibits.

Wages paid on this project shall not be less than the minimum wages determined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry as set forth in the contract documents.

The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. The Contractor must assure that applicants and employees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, ancestry, national origin, age or sexual preference, gender identity, gender expression, political and/or union affiliation.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh requires that all bidders complete and submit Certification of Minority and Women’s Participation with Exhibits.

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

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

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF PITTSBURGH Robert Rubinstein Acting Executive Director

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

SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

Pick up your Courier at these locations WESTERN AREA: CRAFTON BEVERAGE CRAFTON/INGRAM SHOPPING CENTER GIANT EAGLE CRAFTON/INGRAM SHOPPING CENTER SHEETZ #353 5400 CAMPBELL’S RUN RD SHOP N’ SAVE #1686 2103 NOBLESTOWN RD SAFRANS SUPER MKT 429 WALNUT ST GIANT EAGLE #74 PARKWAY CENTER MALL SOUTHERN AREA: KEN’S 216 BELTZHOOVER AVE NELSON’S 92 SYLVANIA AVE GIANT EAGLE #61 2021 WHARTON AVE COGO’S 2400 EAST CARSON ST COGO’S 925 EAST CARSON ST DAILY MART 1125 ARLINGTON AVE SHOP N’ SAVE CARRICK SOUTH EASTERN AREA: SUPER STOP 403 KENMAWR AVE CARL’S CAFE 337 FIFTH AVE COMET NEWS 540 BRADDOCK AVE PUFFS DISCOUNT TOBACCO 1722 GREENSBUR AVE A-PLUS SUNOCO 7403 WASHINGTON ST COGO’S 1050 BRINTON RD COGO’S 2003 S BRADDOCK AVE EDGEWOOD EXPRESS 253 EDGEWOOD AVE BRAD EXPRESS 1101 S BRADDOCK AVE GIANT EAGLE #619 1705 S. BRADDOCK AVE CVS 7406 CHURCH ST HANINI MARKET 1105 SWISSVALE AVE DUKE’S SUNOCO 825 DUQUESNE BLVD 7-11 818 N. DUQUESNE BLVD GIANT EAGLE #6379 420 EAST WATERFRONT DR GIANT EAGLE—MCKEESPORT 3812 O’NEILL BLVD J & S FOOD MART 625 W GRANT AVE RITE AID PHARMACY 100 WILLIAM MARKS DR GIANT EAGLE 1356 HOFFMAN BLVD BP GAS STATION LYSLE & WALNUT DS FOODMART 929 UNION ST RITE AID PHARMACY 725 LYSLE BLVD CHARLIE’S CORNER STORE 500 LOCUST ST NEIGHBORHOOD DOLLAR 333 5TH AVE GIANT EAGLE #38 1901 MURRAY AVE JACK’S E 8TH AVE EASTERN AREA: WATERWORKS GIANT EAGLE #72 1005 FREEPORT RD— DIVINE HAIR STUDIO 10 DUFF RD GIANT EAGLE 9001 FRANKSTOWN RD GIANT EAGLE #78 230 RODI RD BP GAS STATION 11835 FRANKSTOWN RD THE SPOT 11675 FRANKSTOWN RD MASH MINI MART 4341 OLD WM. PENN HWY GIANT EAGLE #60

4004 MONROEVILLE BLVD GIANT EAGLE #76 AMES PLAZA, ROUTE 22 GET IT QUICK 500 GARDEN CITY DESTINY’S HAIR SALON 408 RODI RD PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 10991 FRANKSTOWN RD SHOP N SAVE 3335 WILLIAM PENN HWY SHEETZ 3457 WILLIAM PENN HWY GETGO 10525 FRANKSTOWN RD CVS PHARMACY 10600 FRANKSTOWN RD SHELL OIL 7619 BAUM BLVD KIWI SUNOCO FRANKSTOWN AVE WILLIAM PENN SMOKE SHOP II 132 NORTH HIGHLAND AVE MARATHON GAS 6680 FRANKSTOWN AVE PENN AIKEN DAIRY 5401 PENN AVE GIANT EAGLE #17 6320 SHAKESPEARE ST HOMEWOOD MARKET 7201 FRANKSTOWN AVE SALIK HARDWARE 607 NORTH HOMEWOOD AVE NEGLEY A PLUS 123 NORTH NEGLEY AVE BAKER’S 7203 HAMILTON & STERRETT AVES DORSEY’S RECORDS 7614 FRANKSTOWN AVE HOSPITAL CORNER 4201 PENN AVE PEOPLES GROCERY 5136 PENN AVE A&M MARKET 5224 PENN AVE A-PLUS MINI MART 7701 PENN AVE WOOD & PENN 902 WOOD ST AL’S FISH & CHICKEN 1000 PENN AVE SAVE A LOT 725 ROSS AVE CVS PHARMACY 520 PENN AVE GETGO 408 PENN AVE QUICK STOP LIBERTY 3349 LIBERTY AVE K-2 CONVENIENT STORE 4900 PENN AVE SHUR SAVE 4120 MAIN ST SHELL GAS 6701 FRANKSTOWN RD UNIMART 5724 ELLSWORTH AVE GIANT EAGLE #77 254 YOST BLVD PUFF’S DISCOUNT TOBACCO 234 YOST BLVD SPEEDY MART 2131 ARDMORE BLVD SQUIRREL HILL NEWS 5804 FORBES AVE MURRAY AVE. NEWS 2024 MURRAY AVE GIANT EAGLE MURRAY AVE & LORETTA ST DISCOUNT TOBACCO & NEWS 1929 MURRAY AVE UNIVERSITY OF PGH BOOKSTORE 4000 5TH AVE DANA’S BAKERY 720 N. HOMEWOOD AVE DA STORE 606 & 1/2 N. HOMEWOOD AVE BONUS TIRE SERVICE 4349 VERONA RD KANDY CAFE 4291 VERONA RD GIANT EAGLE SHADYSIDE 550 CENTRE AVE MARATHON GAS 4010 PENN AVE STANTON NEGLEY DRUG 804 N. NEGLEY AVE RON’S CORNER DRUG MT. CARMEL RD 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 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

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SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2016

PEOPLE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

DESPITE THE RAIN—Many people still came out, even in the rain, to participate in the Black Family Reunion’s activities. (Photos by J. L. Martello)

Black Family Reunion draws hundreds again

CONFUNKSHUN performing on stage.

This year's Black Family Reunion, held in August, featured three days of cultural activities––a basketball tournament, Town Hall Meeting, Block Party, and an all out celebration with vendor booths, food and live music! CEA collected donations for school supplies at each event; each person who attended was asked to bring a few items for school kids to help a child in the community. The weekend-long activies were: Friday, Aug. 12 A kick off of the Black Family Reunion included a Youth Summit and Peace in the Hood Basketball Tournament.

Youth Summmit – A youth discussion on Race, Power and Community was held, folllowed by workshops and panel discussions.

The Peace in the Hood Basketball Tournament—AYMCA Basketball Showcase & Celebrity Game wasxFull Court, Full Press. It was sponsored by Coach Anwar,

PIECES OF A DREAM performing on stage.

Julie William and Marcus Robinson.

Saturday, Aug. 13 Town Hall—A community town hall meeting was held to discuss race, power, politics and community. The unfilitered Conversation topics were Redefining Black Leadership, The Rehabilitation of Black Leadership, Organizations, Framework for Collaborative Leadership, Community Economic Development and Building Black Wealth, Warrior Conflict: Code of the Streets, & Criminal and Educational Reform.

A multi-Neighborhood Block Party, which included Art, Food, Activities and Entertainment, followed the morning’s events. Live music was provieded by Kenny Blake, Brian Woods, Imani, The Edge featuring Gemini, Friendz of Funk, and other musical guests celebrated Family and Community!

Sunday, Aug. 14 Black Family Reunion—The Big Bash—

ENJOYING THE MUSIC—People danced and cheered in front of the stage during Confunkshun’s performance as the rain stopped.

KIDS DANCING IN THE RAIN WHILE ADULTS SIT UNDER TREES AND UMBRELLAS took place at Schenley Park. A day of more live music, children's activities, vendors, plenty of food, and fun.

With the mission to build healthy families and communities by way of activation, education and mobilization, CEA—over the last decade—has tirelessly served thousands of disadvantaged and minority families throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area.

Since 2003, CEA has been hosting the Black Family Reunion as an opportunity for Allegheny County residents to come together for two days to celebrate the Black Family. It has been extremely well attended over the years and there have been no incidents

of violence reported. Thousands of people from many communities throughout Allegheny County come together, without incidence, to enjoy two days of recreation, entertainment, relaxation, education and networking. It serves as a testimony to the fact that African Americans from many different walks of life can come together and enjoy each other without violence.

In a statement, CEA said, “Aiming to build, foster, and empower individuals through jobs, education, housing, economic development, and family support services, we strive to heavily incorporate these five aspects into the two-day event.”