February 15, 2012

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com2 INSIDE ROCHESTER411

MARSHA

JONES

Black Heritage MonthIn recognition of Black Heri-tage Month the Rochester Po-lice Department in collabora-tion with the Rochester Area Minority Police, will host several events in February. All events will be held at the Public Safety Building, 185 Exchange Blvd.*Thursday, Feb. 16: 10am-noon, “Game On,” students from School #20 play the RPD in board games.*Saturday Feb. 25: 4-6 pm, concert performances by youth and adult choirs.*Monday Feb. 27: 10am- noon ROC City Talent Show.

*Wednesday, February 22Wearing the Mask at Work & The Effects It Has On Your Life, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Strong Me-morial Hospital , Free and open to public.Sponsored by the Af-rican American Network at the University of Rochester.

BILLS UPDATEGeorge Radneyaround town

In honor of James Mamba McCuller,the Maafa Cel-ebration Committee presents “Mamba Speaks!” a video program of his words, wis-dom, and wit on Monday February 27 from 6 to 7:45 pm. at the Bausch and Lomb Library Building, Kate Glea-son Auditorium 115 South Avenue in Rochester. A com-munity dialogue will follow the presentation. Join us and hear Mamba speak for him-self! For moe information contact us at : (585) 748-7727 or [email protected] or Facebook: “Maafa Roches-ter.”

*“Mamba Speaks”

Reflections on The Death of Whitney Houston Stunned. The news caught most of Black America asleep. Superstar Whitney Houston. Singer. Actress. Icon. Dead at age 48. I don’t know what you were doing the night you heard. A

small part of my heart was relieved. I felt sorry for her mother and daughter, Bobbi Christina. The Grammys went on. Adele won six and none for Lady Ga Ga. A small part of me likes to believe that she is fi-nally at peace. For the last few years of her life, Whit-ney had been in a downward spiral nose spin. Her voice. That precious gift God gave her is gone. It was not what it used to be. Cancelled concerts. Money back and others making fun of the Whitney of old. Yes, she had demons. Whitney had ad-dictions. She didn’t always use her best judgement, but she

made us proud for a while. Ms. Houston won Grammys, world-wide respect, graced a stage, and opened hermouth and LAWD, her talent showed. The talent came out in another ways: mostly singing. She sung like no one we heard before. Or since. Whitney’s interpretation of a song was like no one.Whitney graced the stage at a young age and possessed such class and style. It’s like these two things needed each other.People complained she wasn’t black enough: she was too stiff. I begged Black America to leave her alone because every black person doesn’t have rhythm. Nor does everyone like fried chicken. Whitney finally left her ex- Bobby Brown. She was putting her life back together. She seemed happy.She was battling her demons and wanted her old life back. She was working hard after years of drinking and drugs. usage of these things drugs had taken its toll on her. Whitney’s voice wasn’t the same but she kept on fighting. Don’t think of Whitney’s death as a loss. Consider it a homecoming. God is taking care of her now and we get to hear her music for a while. Most people have a favorite Whitney memory. The sad part about her death is she’s left us. That hurts. It hurts a lot. It gives me great comfort knowing that Whitney’s not in pain, she is in God’s House making music with and for him. She leaves her family and a whole bunch of fanWhitney went back home this weekend. I am glad her pain is gone.

Labors Local Recruiting for Apprenticeship ProgramROCHESTER LABORER’S LOCAL 435 will be conduct-ing recruitment for its appren-ticeship program. Apprentice-ship Program Applications will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to noon at offices, 20-22 Fourth Street - Rochester, NY 14609 on the our follow-ing Thursdays of each month starting March 1st ending Au-gust 2nd, 2012:

* March 1, 2012 * April 5, 2012 * May 3, 2012 * June 7, 2012 * July 5, 2012 * August 2, 2012 The minimum requirements for the Apprenticeship Pro-gram are as follows: * Must be at least 18 years of age * Must be in good health * Must be able to consistently lift 50 lbs * Must possess a high school diploma or GED * Must be able to legally work in the U.S. * Must submit to and pass a non-DOT drug test Please contact Carolyn Silas, Apprenticeship Program Co-ordinator - (585) 546-8460 ext. 308 with questions

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Super Bowl Gospel Celebration Review

Fantasia turned out the 2012 Super Bowl Celebration with a stirring performance and testimonial. Fantasia, dressed in a white ruffled blouse, black sequin slacks and high heel

shoes said, “This is my therapy, some people do yoga, some people go sit by the water. My thing is putting my feelings into my music and sharing that with people who are going through some of the same things.” She also said, “I feel like your life is your testimony, that’s what you’re supposed to speak about to help your next door neighbor or whoever maybe listening. You help them by speaking the truth. You have to follow your heart, and most of the time when you do that, you win.”Fantasia’s testimony to the sold out live audience (the event was taped for a later broadcast on BET) was for everyone to pray for her, because of the many things that are currently going on in her life.The hosts Rev. Run and Ce Ce Winans did an outstanding job except for the Rev. forgetting his lines (Rev. Run replaced Wayne Brady as co-host at the last minute).The NFL players’ choice performance by Wess Morgan gave a stirring rendition of his hit song “I choose to Worship”; he puts me in the mind of r&b crooner Robin Thick. He was followed by Christian singer/songwriter Natalie Grant with a nice mel-low opera type gospel performance. Bishop Hezekiah Walker and legendary three-time Grammy winner Donnie McClurkin put on a very rich and powerful sounding performance to close out the 2012 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. The Buffalo Bills own Bryan Scott had a lead segment during the NFL Players Gospel Choir performance along with former Bill Michael Gaines, who told us he is now officially retired from the NFL. I would like to give a special thanks to the founder of the event Melanie Few-Harrison of Results Marketing & Media Inc., for withstanding the test of time to continue to put on a very valu-able event for the 13th year. It’s the only event of color sanc-tioned by the NFL and looks like it will finally get additional monies from the NFL and corporate sponsors! (SUPER BOWL PHOTOS/FOLL0WUP UP NEXT WEEK)

Mighty Oba and Fantasia at Superbowl Gospel Celebration.

February 17, 24Gospel FridaysHosted by Black Heritage Committee City Hall Atri-um, 30 Church Street Info: 428-9857

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com 3• FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

WNY AREA BRIEFS

Celebrate BLACKHISTORY

Mayor Brown’s 2012 State Of The City Address Mayor Byron W. Brown is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the City luncheon address on Wednesday, February 15, at 12:45 p.m. at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. The annual speech allows Mayor Brown to share the city’s current and future plans with Buffalo residents. This year’s speech will also highlight the need to improve Buffalo’s employment picture, as the city continues to reinvent and transform into the economic engine of the region.

On Thursday, February, 16 in the Erie County Legislature Chambers, the Democratic Caucus will introduce-and approve- the first Minority Business Enter-prise and Women Business Enter-prise (MBE/WBE) Committee in the history of Erie County. Erie County Legislature Chairwoman, Betty Jean Grant, is the sponsor of the Resolution creating this his-toric committee. The Chairwoman’s Democratic legislative colleagues, who consti-tute the majority in the legislature, have all signed on as co-sponsors. Community Activist Charley H. Fisher lll, a former Buffalo Councilmember-at-Large and the lead sponsor of the City of Buffalo’s Local Law on minority and women hiring goals, has been hired by Chairwoman Grant to ‘clerk’ this highly-needed and important committee. The public is invited to come out and support this historic event. Old County Hall is located 92 Franklin Street, 4th Floor. The Legislaive session begins promptly at 2 p.m.-Background- Erie County currently has three Local Laws on the books that deal with the disparity in minority and women owned business-es getting a fair share of county contracts in Purchasing, Profes-sional Servicies and in General Construction Contracting. In 1987, a group of courageous Erie County lawmakers, led

by Legislators Minnie Gillette, Mary Lou Rath and Joan Bozer, decided that they were going to do something about the lack of diversity, especially among minorities and women, when it came to the award-ing of county contracts. They got together and drafted what is now known as Local Law #1. This local was passed by the Erie County Legislature in 1987. I do not know whether the law was passed with the full support of the entire legislative body; but

even that is not important now because the legislation passed with enough votes to be approved and become a law. This law was followed by Local Law #2 that was mainly drafted to deal with Professional Services and other opportuni-ties in the county’s Purchasing Department. While Local Law # 1 seems to address issues in the county’s awarding of contracts that reflected the ‘Lowest Responsible Bidder”; Local Law # 2 addressed the awarding of contract that could be utilized by what is called a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. In the RFP process, three proposals are considered and the proposal that is awarded the contract does not necessarily have to be the lowest quote or Request for Quote (RFQ). Local Law # 2 was followed by Local Law # 3 that was sponsored by then County Legislator Tim Kennedy. This law was passed by the Legislature in 2005. Local Law # 3 dealt with establishing an Apprenticeship Pro-gram, a program that was supported by most of the organized unions and was panned by more than a few independent general and subcontractors in the area. This law has a component in it that was supposed to provide opportunities for the training of underskilled workers. However, many individuals in the Afri-can American community believed that the law ‘had no teeth’ because few Black youths were members of organized unions or even had an opportunity to join one. Now, let’s fast forward to the previous four years under the Collins Administration. Due to the bad-or worse than bad-rela-tionship between County Executive Chris Collins and the the Democratic Caucus that was in the majority in the Legislature, there was almost no opportunity to address whether minority and women contractors were being utilized in the numbers that the laws stipulated. The legislators were faced with a situation in which Erie County’s Equal Employment Opportunity officer and his department staff were not addressing the many requests for information and numbers that would verify that the county was, in fact, in compliance with the miniority hiring goals of the three local laws.

Chairwoman Grant

Mr. Fisher

Holding Center is Topic of Community Forum A community forum on the topic, “What’s Going On At The Erie County Holding Center?” will be held Wednesday, Febru-ary 15 from 5:30-7:30 P.M. at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave. at East Utica Street. Panelists will include representatives from the Department Of Justice, Erie County Jail Management, and County Government. Want more info? Call 716-834-8438 or email [email protected] The forum is being sponsored by Prisoners Are People Too, Inc, Erie County Prisoners Rights Coalition, and We Are Women Warriors.

Eva Doyle is Erie County’s First “Citizen of the Month” On Thursday, February 16 at 2 p.m., the Erie County Legis-lature will bestow its first Citizen Of The Month award to Mrs. Eva M. Doyle, a local, retired Buffalo Public School teacher, newspaper columnist and historian. The Citizen of The Month awards will be given monthly by an Erie County Legislator and the brief ceremony will take place in the Legislature’s Cham-bers on the first Thursday session of the month. All 11 County Legislators will be able to honor an outstanding individual in their respective districts in the succeeding months.All friends of Mrs. Doyle and the general public are invited to attend the Legislature session to congratulate Mrs. Eva Doyle for this well deserved recognition and honor. The Citizen Of The Month award was created by 2nd District Legislator and Legislature Chairwoman, Betty Jean Grant. The award ceremony will be incorporated into the formal legislative agenda.The Erie County legislature is located in Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, 4th. Floor

HONORED: Valeria Cray-Dihaan and Denye Wajed (Amon Ra Imhotep), two of the city’s most talented artists, received long overdue recognition recently when they were honored at the Collective Buffalo’s “Uplifting Artist” awards presentation at the Metropolitan Entertainment Complex on Main Street. Valeria, the only African American female modern artists with a sculpture in the permanent collection of the Albright Knox Art Gallery, is also the owner of East Wind Creative Effects Hair Salon on Jefferson Avenue. Wajed, a renowned jewelry, special-izes in highly praised designs based on an African Nubian and African American motif. For more information about Collective Buffalo call 884-2013.PHOTO PRINCESS PHOTOGRAPHY

Black Tie for Black His-tory, one of the premier Black History Month

events in the City of Buffalo, will take place for the fourth consecutive year next Friday, February 24 at the Tralf, 622 Main Street from 7 to 10 p.m. This will be the largest venue to date, and founder/organizer Marnetta Malcolm is urging the community to come out in support of one of the city’s most important cul-tural events – Juneteeth. This year’s honorees, as in year’s past, represent some our most outstanding citizens: Satoria and Kevin Donovan, founders of Urban Profes-sionals; George Johnson, lo-cal businessman, Enough is Enough Prayer Facilitator and President of the Buffalo United Front; Pastor Darius Pridgen, Pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church and Ellicott District Councilmember; Ter-rence Amir McKelvey, Branch Manager, Key Bank Universi-ty Plaza; Eva Doyle, historian, retired teacher, columnist and author; Demone Smith, Mas-ten District Councilmember and Detra Trueheart, founder of the Young Miss Buffalo Pageant.Juneteenth of Buf-falo will also be making sev-eral seperate presentations this year. “The fundraisers so far have been pretty successful,” said Ms. Malcolm. “We want to make this year the best ever. This is the largest venue we’ve ever had to raise funds for a more than deserving in-stitution – Juneteenth of Buf-falo. They struggle to make it happen every year. As a com-munity we enjoy the celebra-tion. It has received national recognition as being one the largest in the country and its free, but we should support it more....this is just our small part to try to help.”

“BLACK TIE FOR BLACK HISORY” OUTSTANDING HONOREES:Top L-R: Satoria Donovan, Terrence Amir McKelvey, Detra True-heart, Kevin Donovan. Above L-R: Demone Smith, George John-son, Pastor Darius Pridgen, Eva Doyle. PHOTOS XAVIER

February 13th thru 17thHopewell Baptist Church1301 Fillmore Ave.Pastor Dennis Lee, JR.

February 20th thru 24thTemple of Christ Church, INC.1230 Genesee St.Pastor Reginald E. Kerr

February 27th thru March 2ndDurham Memorial AME Zion Church174 E. Eagle St.Pastor George Woodruff

March 5th thru March 9thGod's Tabernacle of Praise1787 Genesee St.Pastor Lee A. Collins

Entertainment will be pro-vided by the Old School B Boys, The All Star Band and DJ Papa Trini. Tickets are $25 and are available at Ticket-master, the Tralf Box Office and Doris Records. There will be an after party at The Oakk Room, 1435 Main Street. This year’s sponsors in-clude: LP Ciminelli, HSBC African Heritage Committee, Continental School of Beauty, OTB, Black WNY.Com, Yel-low Tail, Doctor Birds, Came-lia Foods, Ann Rhod’s Tailor-ing, Challenger Community News; WUFO, AM 1400, On The Rox Liquor, Mandella Market, LaRussa Fashion, and MND Accounting. See you there!

City Wide Prayer Continues...

Chairwomen Grant Creates First Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise Committee in the History of Erie County

Black Tie for Black History

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com4 FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.comNATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

National Occupy Day in Support of Prisoners Monday, February 20 2012 (President’s Day) a demonstration will be held at San Quentin Prison to END MASS INCAR-CERATION *Abolish Inhumane Conditions and Torture *Abol-ish Unjust Sentences including the Death Penalty, Life Without Possibility of Parole, Three Strikes *Solidarity with Prisoner Movements for Human Rights *Free Political Prisoners *End Repression of Activists *Development of People Not Pris-ons Join us in listening to the voices of people in prisons and those who have had first-hand experiences within the prison in-dustry.

U.S. Pursues War, Chaos in Middle East and North Africa“If there is a substantial mili-tary strike on Iran, it is going to create mayhem in the re-gion,” said Dr. Vijay Preshad, director of International Stud-ies at Trinity College, in Hart-ford, Connecticut. “And that is precisely what the Gulf Arabs and the United States would like to see. The last thing they want is a proper Arab Spring germinate into new, demo-cratic regimes in North Africa and Est Asia.”

McKinney: America Guilty of “Sociocide”The U.S. is engaged in “socio-cide” - the “wholesale destruc-tion of entire societies,” said Cynthia McKinney, the for-mer Georgia congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate. “One can honestly say that sociocide has oc-curred in Iraq and Libya,” she said. “This is purposeful be-havior, to go into these coun-tries and destroy all aspects of the infrastructure.” Stop Stop-and-Frisk“Spying on communities has got to go, stop-and-frisk has got to go,” shouted Kalfani

Mandela’s Image Now on All South African Bank Notes*Nelson Mandela’s face will appear on all South Africa’s bank notes to honor the former president’s role in fighting apartheid, President Jacob Zuma said Saturday.The announcement, reports Reuters, coincides with the 22nd anniversary of Mandela’s release from prison after serving 27 years in jail for his opposition to white-only rule.“It is a befitting tribute to a man who became a symbol of this country’s struggle for freedom, human rights and democracy,” Zuma said. “With this humble gesture, we are expressing our deep gratitude as the South African people, to a life spent in service of the people of this country and in the cause of human-ity worldwide.”The new notes featuring Mandela, who became South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994, will be in circula-tion by the end of the year.The frail 93-year-old has not been seen in public since the clos-ing ceremony of the Soccer World Cup in Johannesburg in July 2010.

The funeral for pop super-star Whitney Houston will be held Saturday

at her childhood New Jersey church where she learned how to sing according to the owner of the funeral home handling the arragements. There will be no public cer-emony and a priavate burial is being planned. The service is set for noon at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, ac-cording to Carolyn Whigham of Whigham Funeral Home.A hearse escorted by police from Teterboro Airport to Whigham Funeral Home ar-rived in Newark from the West Coast late Monday carrying the body of pop Icon Whit-ney Houston as a large crowd gathered. Whitney’s body was transported to the East Coast

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Family Plans to Lay Singer to Reston Tyler Perry’s private jet, according to reports. Cissy Houston, the singer’s mother, was waiting inside the funeral home, police said. Cissy Houston is “over-whelmed but strong. Her faith is getting her through this,” a clse friend of the family who was also at the funeral home said Tuesday. The friend asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the situation.Whitney Houston, 48, was found dead Saturday in her suite at the upscale Beverly Hilton, just hours before she was scheduled to attend a pre-Grammy bash at the hotel.And as Houston’s grieving family members prepared for her funeral, the exact cause of her death remained a mystery.Despite widespread media speculation, a Los Angeles County coroner official Mon-day downplayed the suspicion that drugs played a major role. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said that “not many prescription bottles” were found in the singer’s room af-ter her death. The amount of medications recovered by in-vestigators was less than what is usually present in deaths at-tributed to overdoses, Winter said. “I know there are reports that she maybe was drowned or did she overdose, but we won’t make a final determina-tion until all the tests are in,” he said. Winter ruled out foul play and said there were no in-juries to Houston’s body. The singer’s soaring voice and impressive talent had tak-en a back seat in recent years to her struggles with drug addic-tion. However, said the close family friend, Houston was “no longer an addict,” mean-ing she was no longer using “hard drugs.” The friend said

Houston was taking medica-tion for a throat infection and Xanax for anxiety, as well as medication to help her sleep. It wasn’t uncommon for her to have a drink when she went out, he said.He said he had seen Houston about two weeks ago in New Jersey, and she told him, “I’m at a comfortable place in my life.” The friend said Houston had been “clean” from hard drugs for three years and had not used cocaine or marijuana, and added that her family is upset by media coverage fo-cusing on her history of drug problems. Whitney Houston: A mother, a daughter, a friend Houston’s body was released to her family Monday after an autopsy was conducted in Los Angeles Sunday.Authorities have not released a cause of death pending toxi-cology tests, which should be available in six to eight weeks. “ Bobbi Kristina Brown was treated for stress and anxiety twice following her mother’s death, a source close to the family said. She was taken to Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Saturday night and again on Sunday.Kim Burrell, a gospel singer and Houston’s friend, said she was with the teenager late Saturday and said the girl had felt “overwhelmed.” But Bur-rell expressed confidence that “she’ll pull through.”

BlackAgendaReport

Nkrumah, leading the chants at a Bronx, New York, dem-onstration by Stop Stop-and-Frisk. “If our elected officials refuse to stand up for us, then they have to go to, too.”In the Spirit of Lmumba

The election of Patrice Lu-mumba as prime minister of newly independent Congo, in 1960, was that country’s first and last free election, said Lu-wezi Kinshasa, secretary gen-eral of the African Socialist International and a Congolese. In the spirit of Lumumba, Af-ricans must “struggle to over-turn all compromises made with imperialism,” and take ownership of the continent’s resources.Lynn Stewart’s AppealOn February 29, imprisoned movement lawyer Lynn Stewart appeals her 10 year sentence on charges of aiding “terrorists” - in her defense of “blind sheik” Obama Abdel Rahman, con-victed in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com 5HEALTH MATTERS

Voices in Victory to Celebrate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Voices In Victory, a Mini Concert for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, will be held on Thursday, Feb-ruary 16 at 6 p.m. at the Frank Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue. Featured will be the New Beginnings Choral Ensemble, poet James Hall, the East High School Panthers Chorale Ensemble and author Jasmine Morgan. Sponsored by GROUP Min-istries, Inc. and the MOCHA Center, this event is free and open to the public. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Black Americans are 13% of the U.S. population, but make up 40% of the 944,306 AIDS cases diagnosed since the start of the epidemic and more than 50% of all new cases of HIV and AIDS. That represents an infection rate 10 times higher than the white population. Among women, the numbers are even more shocking: 70% of all new infections among American women are Black women, and a Black woman’s risk of dying of AIDS is 23 times greater than that of a White woman from the U.S.

The Taoist Tai Chi Soci-ety Will Offer Classes For Beginners Starting

Tuesday, February 14 from 6-7 p.m. at The new Commu-

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Tai Chi Classes for Beginners at the New Community Health Centernity Health Center of Buffalo, 34 Benwood Ave., off Main Street.The Taoist Tai Chi Society® internal arts of health incorpo-

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6 • FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News •ChallengerCN.com

worship this week

Book Signing and Guest Poetry Pastor Rosetta Swain will host a book signing and guest po-etry reading Wednesday Feb. 22 from 6-8 pm at the Code Blu Juice Bar, 23 Allen St. All are welcome.

2012 Black History Month Celebration of a Trailblazer During this Black History Season there will be a celebration and a commemoration of the life and legacy of the incomparable Rev. W. L. Jones. Affectionately known as “Rev W.L”, he was a pillar and a stalwart in this city and community. His achievements are too numerous to men-tion. However, he is the establishmentarian and visionary of the Mount Ararat Baptist Church, the God City senior Citizens Project and the Father to numerous of spiritual sons and daughters in the nation. The celebration will take place at the New Mount Ararat Temple of Prayer, 971 Jefferson Av-enue, on Saturday, February 18th, 2012 @6pm, where Bishop Dwight Brown is the Pastor. This occasion will culminate a life that has impacted thousands from one end of this country to the other. Anyone who has encountered Rev Jones departed believing that life is worth living and all things were possible. He loved and embraced the least, the left out, and the disenfranchised. He gave them a sense of dignity and honor. The legacy of this man is too voluminous for words. However, the Mount Ararat family will gather, both past and present as a faith community to re-member Our Father in the ministry, and to say thank you Rev. Jones for hearing and obeying the voice of our Heavenly Father. If there are any questions please contact the following. Dr. Jeffery Bowens, (716-541-4689) Bishop Larry Boyd (895-8755) Bishop Dwight Brown (716-885-7755) for further information.

Retreat on Praying with Scripture The public is invited to a spiritual retreat entitled, “Journey with Jesus through Prayer,” Sunday February 19 at noon at The Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Boulevard, one block north of Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda.

Rev. Jones

7• FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

When Dane Smith decided to go into concert promotions

in 1995 a lot of people said he wouldn’t last. That was 17 years ago. Today Dane and his Godfa-ther Promotions is still going strong. “What made me decide to go into promotions was the fact that I enjoy entertainment, and I thought it would be nice to control the kind of entertain-ment I wanted to see,” he said during a recent interview. But even before that, he recalled he gave dances at the Plaid-locks Club on E. Ferry back in the mid seventies. “That’s really where it all started,” he continued. Godfather promo-tions originally consisted of Dane and his partner Jimmy Coble. Ricky Ricks was the productions manager. They eventually went their separate ways. And why the name Godfa-ther? “I read the book and there was a statement the main character made to the effect that he would give someone a deal they could not refuse. That’s what I try to do with my show...I give people the maximum amount for their money.” One of the things that sets Godfather Promotions apart is the fact that he promotes local talent heavily along with his national acts. His upcoming production will feature the legendary Sugerfoot and his Ohio Play-ers for what he calls an “Old School Musical Players Af-fair.” The show, which will take place on Saturday, April 7 for two shows at 7 and 10:30 p.m. at the Tralf, will also fea-ture Western New York’s own Fabulous Old School B-Boys – always a crowd favorite,

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ProfileDane Smith: Godfather Promotions

and the glamorous singing sensation Mrs. Dee Paris. The show will be hosted by the new singing MC Miss Doro-thy Wagstaff. Tickets are $37 in advance and $42 the day of the show. “A lot of people may love the Ohio Players, but they love the Old School B-Boys jus as much,” he noted. Dane also incorporates as many area businesses and institutions as he can in his productions. For example, for the upcoming April 7 show, Venris Brooks owner of Brooks Brothers Cleaners in the Central Park is a major sponsor and he is encouraging concert goers to go to Brooks Cleaners and get their reserved loft VIP tickets for the second show – at no service charge! The cleaners is conveniently open until 6 p. m daily. Born with a birth defect (Dane is legally deaf ), he has never let that stop him. Grow-ing up on Brunswick Blvd., he attended Lafayette High School and ECC where he majored in business adminis-tration. He has been employed at Niagara LaSalle Field Corp. for the past 22 years. The son of Isaiah and Creola Smith of Buffalo, he is the father of two grown children. He holds a special excite-ment about the upcoming Ohio Players performance. This will be the first that Sug-ar Foot has played in Buffalo since 1995 (at the Tralf – and Smith was there), and, said Dane he has a lot of family and personal friends here. “I’m really happy to be the person who’s bringing him back...It’s going to be like a reunion of sorts.” Although it’s a lot harder to promote that it was years sago due to a sluggish economy and Inflation, Dane still loves

the business. “You just have to work a little harder and smarter,” he said. “I’m hoping that everyone will come out and be prepared for another major announce-ment at this show for a Moth-er’s Day production.” Acknowledging and thank-ing those who have helped him along the way, he had special thanks to the following people “who help make all this possi-ble”: Lee Swindel, the chief of staff at Godfather Promotions; Joyce O’Riley, his marketing and sales director; Raymond Harper, technical assistant; and the owners of the Ink Spot, Tim and Darnell. He also acknowledged his sisters “Sugar” (Helen), a ca-terer and his treasurer and his youngest sister Jayme, who bakes all the deserts for his concerts. He has a sister Mar-va in California and his oldest sister lives in Knoxville, Ten-nessee. Remember there are two shows at 7 and 10:30 p.m.,” said Dane, ever the promoter. “Doors open 30 minutes be-

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fore the show and tickets are $37 in advance and $42 the day of the show.....I hope to see everybody there. It’s going to be a great performance!”

Dane (right) and Mr. Brooks. Stop in Brooks Cleaners today for your no-service-charge VIP second show Loft tickets!

If you’re interested in enrolling your child now or for the 2012-2013 school year, contact us online or call

COMMUNITY Charter School today!

404 Edison AvenueBuffalo, NY 14215

716-833-5967www.commcharter.org

K-6 Openings Now!

CCS815 challenger ad.indd 1 1/30/12 3:23:06 PM

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com8 ENTERTAINMENTon stage

*Ujima Theatre Presents FOR COLORED GIRLS Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Was Enuf by Ntozake Shange, February 17 thru March 11at TheatreLoft, 545 Elmwood Ave. Box office 883-0380. Starring: Shanntina Moore, Kunjane Lyons-Latimer, Fredrica Germany, Dayatra Hassan, Aitina Fareed, Zoë Scruggs, Saron Ephraim, & India Moss.A breakthrough portrayal of Black women’s experiences in America, the story combines music, poetry and dance to cel-ebrate their unique culture while painting a poignant portrait of their terrible struggles.

*Wednesday, Feb. 15 DL Hughley at The Tralf, hosted by Talent, two shows each day. VIP available tickets & times info at tralfmusichall.com

*The Soweto Gospel Choir, 4 p.m., Feb. 26, Riviera The-atre, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda, 692-2413. Tick-ets $40-$50. www.rivierath-eatre.org

*A Raisin In The Sun, The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., 3rd Floor, now Thru Feb. 25, tickets $20 & $15, by Subversive Theatre, no Sunday performances; for info 408-0499 or www.sub-versivetheatre.org

*70’s Soul Jam, 8 p.m., March 10, Shea’s, $45-$50-$55.50, Box Office, Ticketmaster.

WNY Black Film Festival Celebrates 10 Years Of Showcasing The African American Experience Festival to Feature Award Winning Films and Highlight Buffalo Filmmakers

On Saturday, February 18th and Sunday, Febru-ary 26th, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Buffalo Alumnae Chapter and Masten District Councilmem-ber Demone Smith will host the 10th Annual WNY

Black Film Festival at the Market Arcade Film and Arts Centre. Tickets are $5 per show and can be purchased in advance at the Mar-ket Arcade Film and Arts Centre. Major support is provided by The African American Cultural Center. It all starts on Saturday, Feb-ruary 18, 2012 at 5:30 pm with the thought provoking film, “The Tested”, followed by a post screen-ing discussion and grand opening reception. “The Tested”, written and directed by Russell Costanzo, unfolds on the streets of New York City where three characters strug-gle to cope in the aftermath of a shooting that has taken the life of

an African-American teenager. The teen’s mother is brilliantly played by Aunjanue Ellis, who recently starred in the hit movie “The Help.” Ms. Ellis will provide opening remarks and par-ticipate in the post Continuing their outreach to a younger audience, the festival committee has again sponsored the WNY Black Film Festival Essay Contest for students in grades 9-12,. Winners will be an-nounced during the opening night on Saturday, February 18. The festival will conclude on Sunday, February 26th at 3 pm showcasing 10 short films. The featured films include: Bathroom Vanities – A “don’t judge a book by its cover” com-edy about one woman’s unforgettable experience in a public restroom. Mission Mom-Possible – under the cover of night, one mom faces one of the riskiest tasks of all mankind. The Interview – When Ty Bedford meets Wallace Landry, he is in for a treat when the interview takes one wrong turn after another. The film juxtaposes innocence and ignorance and the prejudices that underlie both.Dandelion – a romantic drama written and produced by Dorchell Harris. Ms. Harris is a 1997 graduate of the University of Buf-falo and 2010 graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. The Raw – Keith, a young man living in Hunters Point, a violent neighborhood in San Francisco, hopes to move and change his life, but is challenged to stay and protect his friend.

Aunjanue Ellis

“EVERY TONGUE CON-FESS” SPEAKS TRUTH TO EVERY GENERATION, on the PRT stage through Sun-day, March 4. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Friday and Sat-urday, and 4 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $27.50; $25 for seniors and students with a valid I.D., and $20

for children ages five to 13. Group rates are available. For more information about the African American Cultural Center and its programs, call 716-884-2013.

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com 9• FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

Game Time Experience & B.O.B.’s Groom Zone Barbershop

AREA’S NEWEST BUSINESS OFFERS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR

THE YOUNG AT HEART!It is Black History Month, and

what better way to celebrate than with the emergence of

Black owned business on the East Side of Buffalo. The iconic corner of Broadway and Lathrop, once home to the Hank Nowak Post, or more commonly referred to as “the Bingo Hall,” has been totally transformed and captures the at-tention of a brand new spotlight – the young at heart - thanks to the visionary efforts of Progression Unlimited. Located at 1210 Broadway, the ambitious project features the all new B.O.B.’s Groom Zone Barbershop on one side of the spacious building, and the Game Time Experience on the oth-er – a unique combination of a much needed facility for youth and a business that provides both a service and opportunity for young people who want to work and a career. “Overall it our goal to help as many youth as possible find meaning in his/her daily activities” a statement from the orga-

nization reads. “There is a great need for change in our community. As the ‘Know Thyself’ campaign echoes on WBLK 93.7 radio, here is the opportunity to be that change we so often speak of.” -What Time is It? Game Time!- The Game Time Experience of-fers a safe, fun filled alternative to the streets for kids of all ages. It’s also the perfect spot for private

birthday parties , school field trips and tournaments. Described as a “Super Duper Play Station,” Game Time Experience has more than 20 stations for youth to challenge themselves and others to their favorite games.-Entertain to Educate- But beyond “fun time” at Game Time, is the reality that our youth face tremendous challenges, from a disproportionate school drop out epidemic to the lack of effective coping skills and the ability to manage ordinary responsibility that come with school, social life and family relationships. “Research shows that the average a child will seek ways to fit in with their peers and the outcome is disastrous,” the statement continues. “Friday and Saturday as usually a time when more violence or trouble occurs. It is our mission to bridge this gap.” Instilling the incentive to do better and to stay in school and improve grades is paramount. A pilot project encourages busi-nesses as well as individuals to “Sponsor a Child” to take part in a Rewards Program to encourage them to achieve better grades in school, foster healthy lifestyle changes, and develop better behavior pa tterns overall in exchange for “Game Time Rewards.” The proj-ect is also designed to motivate youth to attend school regularly and be on time. There will be rewards for the Most Improved Grade for marking pe-riods, etc. Noticeable transformations results in the child being rewarded, including but not limited to, free play time at Game Time Experience. The intent is to challenge not jut one child, but an entire class to realize their po-tential for accountability. -Inside the Groom Zone- B.O.B.’s Groom Zone Barbershop seeks to change the barbershop expe-rience. “We encourage our youth and aid in their ability to build positive relationships through our adult mentoring program at Bob’s Groom Zone Barbershop,” the Progression Unlim-ited statement points out. The adult mentoring program basi-

Amyla and Malachi Jackson and Avery Parker.

Antwain Bradley, Percision Hair Stylist, working his magic in the Groom Zone.

Continued Page 10

10• FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

Dressing Up for Black History Contest Columnist Eva M. Doyle would like to invite students in grades 4 - 12 to enter the Second Annual Dressing Up for Black History Contest. Students must select their favorite person in Black His-tory and do an oral presentation describing their achievements. Students have a choice to select someone from the past or they can choose an individual who they feel currently is making a difference in our country or community. The contest will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at the Frank E. Merriweather li-brary from 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. Students should call Mrs. Doyle at 847-6010 or 533-9547 to register in advance for the contest. Winners will receive a cash prize, t-shirt and a book on African American History

Black History Month Celebrations & Events

McKinley High School is pleased to announce its Tenth Annual African andA-frican-American History and American Diversity Celebra-tion beginning the week of February 13, 2012. Sponsored by McKinley High School, the National Consortium For The Preser-vation And Teaching OfAfrican And African Ameri-can History and the Buffalo State Liberty Partnership Program, The theme is: "His-tory Helps Us All." As a part of its celebration of Black History, McKinley will host a number of ac-tivities. The Annual "Afri-can American History Quiz Bowl" will be held on Febru-ary 15-16, 2012. Eight teams will be competing from the following schools: Lafayette H.S., Olmsted, McKinley H.S. and School of Math & Science Technology. "A Teachable Moment in Af-rican American History" will be held on February 17, 2012 when prominent members of our community and school district will report to McKinley High School to join the school's faculty and teach a class in African or African American History or teach a lesson us-ing the works of African or African American Authors. Some of the "conference teachers" include: Buffalo Board of Education Presi-dent, Louis Petrucci; Chief of Oncology at Buf-falo General Hospital and Professor of Surgery at State

House Music and Dance Exhibition A House Music and Dance Exhibition will take place on Sat-urday, Feb. 18 from 8 p.m to midnight at Artspace, 1219 Main Street. Admisison is $10l/Pre-Event Schedule:*4:30 - 5:45 Dance Workshop with Rasheed Jones*6:00 - 7:15 Dance Workshop with Jarvis Garret*8pm - Program start*8:20pm - Lecture/Video Presentation '"Roots & Rhythms of House Music"* Food Vendors: Kafe' InterNational and...William Nate Smith (selling Fish Nuggets). Local vendors as well. Call 948-3583 for $10 Tickets. Pre-sale tickets get 1 free ticket into 50/50 split

Winning Essays From Annual Carter G. Woodson Essay Contest To Be Read At Merriweather Library Winning essays from the annual Carter G. Woodson Essay Contest will be read by the participants at the African American History Program at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue on Saturday, February 18 at 1:00 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded in three categories: Grades 4-6; Grades 7-9; Grades 10-12. First prize - $50; Second prize - $3; and Third prize - $25. Additional prizes may also be given to win-ners of the essay contest. Essays will also be printed in His-torically Speaking, April 2012. The event is sponsored by the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library ñ Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Branch, Buffalo Branch NAACP ñ ACT-SO, Buffalo Public Schools ñ Dept. of Social Studies and others.

presents

We Can’t Wait

Hill HarperAward winning actor, bestselling author and philanthropist

Thursday, February 16 8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Zion Dominion Global Ministries 895 North Forest Road Williamsville, New York 14221

Free and open to the public

This event is presented by the Canisius College Academic Talent Search Program in honor of Black History Month. For more information, contact Elizabeth P. Caffee, Coordinator/Counselor for Talent Search, at 716-888-3280.

Education, Economic and Health Empowerment Summit

Buffalo Filmmaker ‘s Work Accepted into Pan African Film Festival Addison Henderson of Buffalo and Knuckle City Produc-tions is proud to announce that the company’s feature docu-mentary, “The Experience,” was accepted into the 2012 Pan Af-rican Film Festival in Los Angeles! Shot in Ghana, West Africa, The Experience is a global story about understanding who we really are. This personal story follows five individuals in search of the buried history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Watch the trailer for The Experience at www.knowyouridentity.org Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/myidentitytourLike us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Know-Your-Identity/261105726554

cally helps youth build positive relationships as well as master the art of barbering. Onsite experienced barbers will introduce New Age Barbering with Old Age Appeal. “Our team of ex-perts is taking it beyond the clippers and scissors! We are taking it back to basics to improve the old barbershop practice. The Groom Zone is committed to reinforcing traditional standards of grooming and the mentoring Program will teach the methods that are necessary to cultivate personal client relationships. “All our services are based on respect and understanding your client; the young, the old and all those in between. Skills taught will include the art of listening, knowing your clientele and being able to communicate effectively.-The Zone to Experience- Schools, foundations, businesses or individuals in-terested in more information about Game Time Experience Birthday Parties or School Field Trips, or the Adult Mentoring Program or if you would like to “Sponsor a Child,” please call 716.939-3149. “Our objective is simply to provide a new outlet for our youth to engage in the activity they like the most,” reads the statement from Progression Unlimited. “We will use that opportunity as a vehicle to implement the concept of “Entertain to Educate” in order to do our share, to save our children.

McKinley High School to Host Tenth Annual African andAfrican-American History and American Diversity Celebration

University of New York at Buffalo, Dr. John Gibbs; Af-rican American Educator/Historian, Eva Doyle; Buffalo Board of Education Member and Educator Dr. Barbara Nevergold; Educator, Dr. The-resa Harris-Tigg; Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs @ Hilbert College, Dr. Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah; Director of Elementary Education, Dr. Ann Fitzgerald; Supervisor of Science Education, Kelly Baudo; Professor of Social Sciences at Erie County Com-munity College, Dr. Bruce Cosby; Principal, Thomas Vi-tale; School Counselor, Harold Harden; Local Historian and retired Principal, Lum Smith; School Counselor, Marck Abraham; Canisius College student, Lacey Johnson; WNY Chapter NBMBAA President, Thomas Beauford; Manag-ing Consultant, Key Success, Karen Stanley- Fleming; Di-rector of Social Studies, W. C. Brandy; Buffalo African American Museum Commit-tee Members: Menkaure A. Griffin, Peggy Heath, Debra M. Johnson; President, Prom-ise Neighborhood, Dr. Yvonne Minor-Ragan; Chief Aca-demic Officer BPS, Frances Wilson; Adjunct Professor (InformationTechnology and business), Bryant and Strat-ton, Sandra Talley; Director of Multicultural and Internation-al Student Affairs at Niagara University, David Blackburn; Anthony Williams, African American Studies Student at State University of New York at Buffalo and others. The "moment" is set from 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. A Health Fair will be held on Friday, February 17, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., which will include a variety of healthcare vendors such as: UB Dental School, Catholic Health Systems, Sisters Hos-pital/ Bone Density Screen-ing, Erie County Department of Health Immunization Edu-cation, Alcohol Anonymous, Buffalo Public Schools Adult Edu. and others. The school will also open its African American History Exhibit to the public February 27-29, 2012 from 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. All activities will be held at McKinley High School 1500 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York. Please call 716-816-4480 for more information.

GROOM ZONE / GAME TIMEcontinued

Black Inventors Exhibit The Buffalo African American Museum Committee is hosting an exhibit of inventions by African American inven-tors at The Lutheran Church of our Savior 26 Brunswick Ave. at 1 p.m. February 19. Everyone is invited to see this comprehensive collection compiled by Roberts Gainer and Charlene Atwood. For more information call Clifford Bell at 884-42333.

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com11

“We wish to plead our own cause.Too long have others spoken for us.”

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EDITORIAL

SabirahMuhammad

The Afrikan Orgin of Egyptian Civilization By Ronald R. Draffin Part II Conclusion

The “calendar circle” was constructed on the Tropic of Cancer with stones depicting the three stars of Orion’s belt (Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka) which would have

been directly above the stones at spring and autumn equinox sunrise. Using sky map-ping technology archeo-as-tronomers have determined the “calendar circle” must have been built prior to 11,000 B.C. and probably (going back another pre-cessional cycle) as far back as 36,000 B.C. The megalithic structures at Nabta Playa (pictured) have yet to be fully excavated but for me the implications of what is now known are Earth shatter-ing! The evidence points to Sub-Saharan Afrikans beginning the counting of time itself! Which leads to the Zodiac, calendars, maps, astronomy, mathematics, science, etc… And with the fo-cal point (anchor) being Sirius and Orion which megalithic sites all over the world seem to have copied, then implies those same Sub-Saharan Afrikans are the direct source for all megalithic sites oriented to the stars. Scholars for centuries have been baf-fled by the fact that the further they go back in Egyptian history the more perfect the civilization as if it had no beginning. The discovery of Nabta Playa shows the long preparations made by our Sub-Saharan ancestors, when monsoon rains still filled the playa basin, to meticulously design their future Egypt to accu-rately reflect what they viewed of the heavens giving birth to the Hermetic axiom “As Above, So Below.”

That was how Chief Su-preme Court Justice Roger B. Taney clarified

the historic status of Blacks in America as he and the other eight jus-tices ren-dered the f a m o u s D r e d S c o t t Decision in 1857. The travesty

of the Neal Mack civil trial is only the most recent local ex-ample of this firmly entrenched mindset, not just among judg-es and police, but among the general population that makes up America’s juries. In the Mack case, 5 white jurors out voted 1 black one to declare that police should not be held accountable for what a judge had already determined was a false arrest and prosecution. Many of us in the community witnessed the aftermath of the repeated violent beatings Mack received, as well as the suffering and persecution of his son, who is his namesake. We’ll never forget the help-less desperation in the painful testimony of Wesley Mack, 22 at the time: “Everyone was hitting my father. I asked my brother to call the police - but they were the police. There was no one else to call.” In 1995, side-by-side vi-suals of whites’ and blacks’ reactions to the OJ Simpson verdict underscored the two completely different Ameri-cas that we live in. This week, Dateline NBC aired a special on the conviction of JJ Ve-lazquez, sentenced to 25 years to life for murder, without any physical evidence, just ques-tionable eye-witness testi-mony. At the time of this writ-ing, Howard Morgan, a Black man, is on trial in Chicago for attempted murder and ag-gravated battery. Morgan is a former Chicago policeman and was a senior railroad pa-trolman in 2005, licensed to carry a firearm. Reportedly,

“Beings of an Inferior Order…With No Rights a White Man is Bound to Respect.”

police stopped Mr. Morgan on his way home from work be-cause his headlights weren’t on. If you’re black, you already have chills up your spine, be-cause you know how the no-torious “traffic stop” for black men often ends up with them arrested, beaten mercilessly or in the morgue. You already know how often the proverbi-al “traffic stop” is a fabricated ruse for prosecuting the crime of “Driving While Black.” If you’re black, you know that a white motorist would have been admonished courteously that his lights were out, and all parties would have gone home to dinner. Not Howard Morgan, and not many more of our broth-ers before or since. Howard Morgan ended up being shot 28 times by 4 white police-men, who claimed he fired on them with his weapon, though none of them was shot. The officers charged him with at-tempted murder, despite the fact that 21 of their bullets hit him in the back. When Mor-gan survived the shooting, he was handcuffed to his hospital bed for six months while he suffered from his horrific in-juries. How many more? How many more on the endless list with Neal Mack, Cariol Horne, Valentino Dixon, John Walker, Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo, Abner Louima, Rod-ney King, Mumia Abu Jamal, and JJ Valezquez? What will it take for us as a family to re-alize that in 2012 in America, we are regarded as “beings of an inferior order…with no rights a white man is bound to respect?” What will it take for us to unite to stop the suf-fering? Let’s consider some cold, hard facts about the reality of being black in America. Police organizations began as slave patrols. They still are. White men who hunted blacks once delivered them to plantations, and now they deliver them to prisons, where the vast majority of incarcer-ated are black and brown. Af-

ter the 2009 shooting of a 73 year old black man in Homer Louisiana, the Vice President of the town’s NAACP stated: “People here are afraid of the police. They harass black people, they stop people for no reason and rough them up without charging them with anything.” The response of Russell Mills, the white police chief? “ That is how it should be. If I see three or four young black men walking down the street, I have to stop them and check their names. I want them to be afraid every time they see the police that they might get arrested.” (Will the real terrorists please stand up)? The conspiracy to feed the new plantations is vast, en-compassing our first breaths to our last. From the mysterious “Vitamin K” shot in the new-born’s heel, to the poison we call “infant formula,” to the chemical lobotomies known as vaccines, to the occupied public schools (the killing fields), where 3rd grade read-ing scores are used to deter-mine future prison space, our enemies have us from the cradle to the grave. There is no status, no fi-nancial standing, or intellec-tual positioning that spares us from the mind of white supremacy. Howard Morgan was a law enforcement of-ficial. “Skip” Gates is a re-nowned college professor, and Barack Obama is the president of the country. Do you know what racist whites call black people who are supremely skilled, educationally astute, markedly accomplished, emi-nently qualified, and beauti-fully refined and cultured? Niggas. Whether 1857 or 2012, to a substantial amount of Americans, Morgan was a nigger cop, Gates is a nigger professor, and Obama is a nig-ger president…something that was underscored when he pro-duced his nigger papers. When advertising the Date-line special, commentators quoted the oft- repeated com-pany line (in the usual mock-ing tone) that everybody in

prison claims to be innocent. Why do we regard that claim with such mocking disbelief? Why do we act as if the Neal Macks and the John Walkers and the Valentino Dixons are anomalies- rare cases where a miscarriage of justice has taken place? Statisticians say that at least 10,000 people are wrongfully convicted every year. That’s 100,000 people every 10 years! The next time an incarcerated soul tells you he or she is innocent, you should be just as likely to be-lieve them as to disbelieve them. Once there, the innocent are subjected to the same loss of human dignity, and high in-cidences of repeated physical assaults, rapes and murders as the “guilty,” while most of us look the other way. What will it take to stop the mass incar-cerations? Unity. What will it take to stop the killing? Unity. What will it take to stop the killers? Unity. In October of 1995, nearly two million black men joined hands on the Washington Mall, formally accepting their own responsibility for our families and broader community. In 2005, the Honorable Louis Farrakhan called for Millions More in order to keep the promise, understanding that our unity is more powerful than an atomic bomb. The Millions More Movement is here. We meet at the Pratt-Willert Community Center (422 Pratt Street) every Thurs-day evening at 7pm. You are invited to join us. The brothers of WBLK’s Griot Nation have got it right. Love of self begins with a knowledge of self. –But there are two more essential ingre-dients lacking in our collective consciousness: a knowledge of “other than self,” (our open enemy), and a knowledge of the time…our time…which has come. Up you mighty na-tion! You may contact the Mil-lions More Movement at (716) 819-6732.

Often in the limelight, low percentage graduation rates are concerning. But, thankfully, they are not quite as dismal when the additional students who are graduating outside

the customary 4-year timeframe are accounted for. The delay is significantly due to the weight of escalating mandatory Regents subjects. Also, some students are receiving GED’s. There are State-mandated plans, in the works, to address the Buffalo public schools that are designated as consistently low performing. Remedy solutions include moving half of the teach-ers and having selected private entities (i.e., colleges, business-es) assume the superintendent’s role.

Unfortunately, the Teflon-coated Board of Regents and its com-missioner appear proficient in producing orders but they are de-ficient in providing clarity and guidance for the implementation. With all of the experts they consulted for raising test scores, it seems they should have a reference tool or go-to guru to as-sist struggling school districts in their turn-around efforts. (Of course, it’s understood the school districts, rightfully, have to make decisions individually tailored for their students.)

Perhaps I missed the information. I haven’t heard anything in the uplift movements recommending reinstatement of the “local diploma,” as an alternative to the Regents diploma.

Reflecltion on the Status of Education...By Kat Massey

Continued Page 12

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com12 FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

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*Two and Three Bedroom Apartments starting at $395 plus security. Apartments Sec-tion 8 Ready. Call 836-8686.

In 2009, Dr. Williams (for-mer superintendent) urged the public to lobby for the re-turn of the long-time system in which students could earn either one. He said its termi-nation is partly responsible for the depressed graduation rates.

REFLECTION ON EDUCATIONcontinued

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COUNTY OF ERIENOTICE TO BIDDERS

PAINTING OF SIX COUNTY BRIDGES PROJECT NO. FA-PAINTING-12

LOCALLY ADMINISTERED FEDERAL AID PROJECT 5759.60

The Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, is seeking sealed bids for painting six steel bridges. Sealed proposals will be received at the DPW-Division of High-ways Conference Room 1419, 95 Franklin Street, 14th floor, Buffalo, NY at 10:00 a.m., March 1, 2012. Bid deposit of $40,000.00 required. Plans will be available for purchase at $100./set from February 9, 2012 through bid date. Pre-let meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 22, 2012 10:00 a.m. at the DPW-Division of Highways Conference Room 1419, 95 Franklin Street, 14th floor, Buffalo, NY. Bid submittal details are on the Erie County website at: www.erie.gov/bidproposals.asp

Dietetics and NutritionLecturer

Buffalo State College, Lecturer, Dietetics and Nutrition Department, tobegin fall 2012. Excellent professional environment and fringe benefits.Competitive salary.Responsibilities: Instruction of a variety of undergraduate courses inthe didactic and coordinated programs in dietetics including clinicalinstruction; participation in department and college activities such ascommittee work and student advisement; participation in ongoingcurriculum development and evaluation; participation in scholarly,creative, and community activities. Note: Appointment is contingent onbudget availability. Required Qualifications: Master's degree in nutrition or related field,RD, three (3) years or more of experience in clinical dietetics practiceincluding practice in acute care, intensive care, and nutrition support,ability to communicate effectively for the essential job functions of theposition. CDN required upon appointment. Preferred Qualifications: Ability to work collaboratively with others,college teaching experience, and clinical preceptor experience. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue untilposition is filled. We encourage qualified applicants to apply for this jobposting online at https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

Buffalo ChallengerSize: 2 (4”) x 4.5”Issue: 2/16D/L: 2/9Price: $171.00

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(conclusion next week)

Buffalo City School DistrictAdvertisement for Bids

Sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the office of the Board of Education – 403 City Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14202. On Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 10:30A.M., proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud for:

PROJECT 080-0041 P.S. 80 HIGHGATE HEIGHTSEXTERIOR RECONSTRUCTION AND RELATED WORKROOF REPLACEMENT600 HIGHGATE AVENUEBUFFALO, NEW YORK 14215

Also sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the office of the Board of Education – 403 City Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14202. On Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 11:00A.M., proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud for:

PROJECT 080-0042 P.S. 80 HIGHGATE HEIGHTSEXTERIOR RECONSTRUCTION AND RELATED WORKWINDOWS, MASONRY, AND PLASTER REPAIR600 HIGHGATE AVENUEBUFFALO, NEW YORK 14215

Beginning Monday, February 13, 2012, bidding document packages may be viewed and purchased through Avalon Document Services online Planroom website at http://www.avalonbuff-planroom.com , under “Public Jobs”, or ordered by phone at 716-995-7777.

There will be a mandatory pre-bid conference walkthrough for both projects at the school on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 10:00 A.M.

Please note that required bid bond is 10%. The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity require-ments. Any questions regarding this project, please refer to Brian Swartz, 716-816-3659.

Paul McDonnell, AIADirector of Facilities

ADVERTISING DATE: 2/13/12

Buffalo City School DistrictAdvertisement for Bids

Sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the office of the Plant Services and School Planning – 403 City Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14202. On Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud for:

Project: 12-01 Vinyl Wall Covering and Related WorkBuffalo Public School #12Central Registration Center33 Ash StreetBuffalo, New York 14204 Beginning Tuesday, February 14, 2012, bidding document pack-ages may be viewed and purchased through Avalon Document Services online Planroom website at http://www.avalonbuff-planroom.com , under “Public Jobs”, or ordered by phone at 716-995-7777.

Please note that required bid bond is 10%. The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. Any questions regarding this project, please refer to Deborah A. Den-nis-Young, 716-816-3525.

A mandatory pre-bid walk thru will be held at P.S. #12 on Mon-day, February 27, 2012 at 3:00 P.M.

Paul McDonnell, AIA, Director of Facilities

BIDS

Buffalo City School DistrictAdvertisement for Bids

Sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the office of the Plant Services and School Planning – 403 City Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14202. On Thursday, MARCH 1, 2012 at 10:00 AM, propos-als will be publicly opened and read aloud for: PROJECT 11045 Elevator ReconstructionP.S. 304 – Hutchinson Tech High School256 South Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14201

Beginning Monday, FEB-RUARY 13, 2012, bidding document packages may be viewed and purchased through Avalon Document Services online Planroom website at http://www.avalonbuff-planroom.com , under “Public Jobs”, or or-dered by phone at 716-995-7777.

Please note that required bid bond is 10%. The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. Any ques-tions regarding this project, please refer to Trautman As-sociates, 716-883-4400.

A mandatory pre-bid walk-through and conference will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, FEBRUARY 22, 2012. The Architect will be present. All bidders will assemble at the rear entrance to P.S. 304 – Hutchinson Tech High School.

Paul McDonnell, AIADirector of Facilities

ADVERTISING DATE: Monday, February 13, 2012

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com 13BEAUTY/IMAGERobin Gibson, Consultant

(716) 444-6773www.ardysslife.com/robin

CAFE’SEM Tea Coffee Cup * 884-1444

2nd Cup * 840-0048

CLOTHINGLevel’s Apparel & Footwear

1455 Kensington(716) 832-0284

CHILD CARE Home Away From Home

84 Courtland Ave.(716) 238-1455

My Precious Angels2946 Baley Ave. (716) 896-3800

COFFEE SHOPSGolden Cup Coffee

883 Jefferson(716) 883-7770

DELI / VARIETY STORES

Grant’s Variety Shop1055 E. Ferry St.

893-0704

DJ’SDJ Kenny Kutz

(716) 400-7358

DOG TRAININGDogman JoeDog Trainer

1963 Fillmore * 807-8163

EATERIESAJ Jamaican Kitchen

209 Massachusetts Ave.886-9555

Loretta’s Soulful Dining479 Genesee * (716) 381-

9308

Matties Restaurant1412 Fillmore

(716) 597-0755

Mr. Bones893 JeFFerson

(716) 464-6794

Nette’s Fried Chicken3118 Main St. * 715-9592

EATERIESThe Corner Store

Deli & Grill1733 Genesee * 895-2009

West African Int. Market & Take Out3125 Bailey

(716) 507-2329

Tomatoes1393 Kensington(716) 835-3663

FINANCIALAlbert C. Erni, CRPC

Merrill Lynch * 716-849-2009

HAIR SALONSAlthea / Hair to Go Natural

727 Main St.(716) 883-2000

CompositionsProfessional Hair143 Kenmore Ave.(715) 995-3450

Excellence Hair Design59 Kenmore Ave. 835-2036

Everything BeautySalon & Spa

156 Elmwood Ave. 939-3355

Hair Changers1787 Hertel Ave.(716) 602-6561

Hersha / Hair to Go Natural727 Main St.

(716) 563-1734

Queen of New York2868 Bailey

(716) 602-8662

Lacy’s/Kymmy’s179 Parkridge * 578-2880

Majestic Eloquence20941/2 Eggert Rd.

308-4873

Miracle Tranition 23339 Genesee * 481-1321

Miss JacQuis ExQuizit Beauty

BUSINESS DIRECTORY2250 Main St.

(716) 833-2250

More Hair Care Clinic72 Allen St.

(716) 886-7960

Peaches & Keys Unisex883 Jefferson * 603-6506

Promise Hair Studio87 W. Cleveland Dr.

(716) 835-0250

Serenity Hair Boutique221 Jefferson Ave.

(716) 812-0663

Studio U Hair Loft894-8737

HAIR SUPPLYGlamorous Beauty1281 E. Delavan(716) 892-5821

Main Hair & Beauty Supply3067 Main St.

(716) 862-4247

HEATING & COOLING

Don “The Furnace Guy”(716) 465-2411

Zenner & Ritter3404 Bailey * (716) 833-

2463

HOME IMPROVEMENTFranklins Interior / Exterior

Concepts105 Commonwealth

(716) 235-8818

Jones Hardwood FlooringAlton Jones* (716) 903-

5320

INSURANCEAble Insurance

Jeff Moore/Broker1798 Main St. * 883-5212

Geico 1330 Niagara Falls Blvd.

(716) 832-3253

Hopkins Insurance1193 Jefferson(716)-886-8880

LIQUORS & WINES

Bellamy’s Liquor Store405 E. Ferry * (716) 884-4066

One Mo Shot Liquors2612 Bailey * (716) 464-3299

MEDICALMain Pediatrics 2800 Main St.

(716) 837-0995

Rapha Family Medicine2200 Main St.

(716) 200-4122

PHONE SERVICE

Boost Mobile1286 E. Delavan(716) 551-0304

PHOTOGRAPHYPrincess Photography

(716) 563-0994

Love Well Lifestyle [email protected]

430-8645

REAL ESTATE

Modeste Real EstateJosephine Latifa(716) 704-0685

TAILORSF&S Tailors

2930 Genesee St.(716) 894-3742

F&S Tailors & Fashions(716) 894-3742

wwwfandsfashions.com

Ann Rhod’s Tailoring3185 Bailey Ave.(716) 838-5633

TAX SERVICEL. Sessum Income Tax Service

1650 Fillmore(716) 894-4904

TOWINGRon’s Towing & Recovery

(716) 892-2282

APPLIANCESFuture Cool Reconditioned

Appliances357 Vermont St.

240-2881 * 912-2966

ATTORNEYSJames P. Davis181 Franklin St.(716) 847-2606

Samuel P. Davis534 Delaware Ave. #108

855-7611

Terrence D. McKelvey181 Franklin St.(716) 847-2606

Home Office (716) 839-3905

Pratcher & Associates1133 Kensington(716) 838-4612

Daria L. Pratcher136 Broadway(716) 541-8574

AUTOMOTIVEAutomotive Battery & Tire

3218 Bailey Ave.(816) 838-0263

Colslton Mobile Auto Repair720 E. Ferry * 896-3910

First Klass Muffler & Brake779 Genesee St.(716) 362-0450

BANKSCitizens Bank NA

414 Main St.Chiquita Rodgers

855-2532

Key Bank/South CampusTerrence A. McKelvey, CFP3586 Main St. * 871-4260

BARBER SHOPSKLASSIC KUTS

1471 Kensington 836-3260

MASTER TOUCH1283 E. Delavan

570-7234 / 846-5956

PRECISION CUTZ87 Cleveland Dr. 603-1477

THE BARBERSHOP2516 Bailey

(716) 464-SHOP

BEAUTY/IMAGEHazel Harris

(716) 573-5240 [email protected]

ADD YOUR

LISTING TODAY!View the entire Business Directory online 24/7 at ChallengerCN.com

14• FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.comFEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com

NUMBERS

WIN 4TAKE 5

LOTTO HOT TIPS

quick money $$$$189-809-444886-980-422322-522-355800-592-390394-833-924127-909-418927-313-466124-550-525583-269-508

THE NUMBER BOOK

LUCKIE DUCKIE

12-13-19-22-47-48#49 2-18-29-38-46-59#49

980-422-809981-989-970-990-080-800390-196-102-581-752-319-

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443 123 202 588 335 888 435

562-670-106-860-103-657-748-905-198-657-648-920-907-546-986-676-198

BUFFALO BETTyIF yOU WERE BORN IN...

January - 571 * February - 103 * March - 155

April - 267 * May - 931 * June - 817 * July - 720

Augus - 315 * September - 521 * October - 600

November - 729 * December - 508

grandma’s Febuary pixs

235-409-509-776-123-189

SUN 2/5 MON 2/6 TUES 2/7 WED 2/8 THURS 2/9 FRI 2/10 SAT 2/11 MID-438 MID- 834 MID-193 MID- 474 MID-282 MID-443 MID-983 EVE-653 EVE-556 EVE- 857 EVE-137 EVE-580 EVE-641 EVE-936 MID - 1864 MID- 5003 MID-2362 MID-1922 MID- 5939 MID-1670 MID-5420 EVE- 0241 EVE- 0608 EVE-1868 EVE-0539 EVE- 8647 EVE-4180 EVE-3648 4-11-14-19-31 1-2-14-15-31 22-28-31-33-38 10-16-21-32-34 4-5-14-22-30 14-15-20-36-34 1-14-22-25-33

MA RUTH Winter998-012-213

443-514-910-102-648-515-907

February Monthly Vibrations333-891-145-549-096-326-437-228-252-202-

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS

Billy Bye Bye Sez:If you dream of your MOTHER Your number should be 562. If you dream of MONEY PLAY 365; TRAMP 615; Rabbit

301; turkey 221 and preacher 330!

Zakiyyah’s Run Down

Grandma’s 4-Way MyWay6789-1917-5468-9558-6657-5611

Dance2nd Cup 36 Broadway St. 840-0048 7p.m. Wed. “Salsa night with Calvin and Fanny.” Beginner salsa lesson and social dance. salsacalvinfanny@hotmail.

African American Cultural Center 350 Masten Ave. 884-2013 3 p.m. Sat. @5 p.m. Tues. Thurs. “Community Dance and Drumming Classes.” Visit www.africanamericancultural.org.

El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera 91 Allen St. 884-9693.wwwfolkloric.org. Mon through Wed: “Dance Classes with Folkloric Productions Dance Co.” Includes meditation and yoga 912-8754.

First Shioh Baptist Church. 15 Pine St. 6:30 p.m. Fri. “Line dancing lessons.” 847-6555. Free.

Gateway Longview Family Resource Center. 347 E. Ferry St. 6 p.m. Tues. “ Dance lessons with the Smooth Steppers.” Classes in urban Ballroom, Chicago Steppin’ and swing. 633-7813.

Kenan Center 433 Locust St.; Level Breakdancing class. Also 7:30 p.m. Mon. Wed. “B-Girl class.” Beginners welcome. $10; $15; Also 6 p.m. Tues; 4 p.m. Thurs. Open practice.” $5.

Comedy 2nd Cup 36 Broadway 840-0048. 7p.m. Thurs. “A2nd Cup of Comedy Show. Every second and fourth

FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News • ChallengerCN.com 15

SUN 2/5 MON 2/6 TUES 2/7 WED 2/8 THURS 2/9 FRI 2/10 SAT 2/11 MID-438 MID- 834 MID-193 MID- 474 MID-282 MID-443 MID-983 EVE-653 EVE-556 EVE- 857 EVE-137 EVE-580 EVE-641 EVE-936 MID - 1864 MID- 5003 MID-2362 MID-1922 MID- 5939 MID-1670 MID-5420 EVE- 0241 EVE- 0608 EVE-1868 EVE-0539 EVE- 8647 EVE-4180 EVE-3648 4-11-14-19-31 1-2-14-15-31 22-28-31-33-38 10-16-21-32-34 4-5-14-22-30 14-15-20-36-34 1-14-22-25-33

Events Calendar

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

Wednesday February 15

Mayor Brown’s 2012 State of the City Address: 12:45 p.m.; Buffalo Convention Center

Flowers & Plants of the Bible Their Meaning and Their Symbolism: 12 noon; First Presbyterian Church, One Symphony Circle; cost $7; for more info call 929-5759.

What’s Going on at the Holding Center: 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Frank E. Merri-weather Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson; call 834-8438 or email [email protected].

Film Screening “A Good Day to Die:” 7 p.m.; Burn-ing Books, 420 Connecticut St.; $5 suggested donation.

Thursday February 16

Voices in Victory Mini Concert for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2012: 6 p.m.; Frank E. Mer-riweather Library, 1324 Jefferson; free and open to the public.

Friday February 17

Celebrating Diversity Songs of African-American Com-posers: 7:30 p.m.; Westmin-ster Presbyterian Church, 724 Delaware Ave.; tickets $10; for more info call 882-1692

Saturday February 18

House Music and Dance Exhibition: 8 p.m.-midnight; Artspace, 1219 Main St.; tickets $10; call 948-3583 for more info.

Muhammad Mosque #23 Presents: Saviors’ Day Pio-neer Tribute Celebration: 6 p.m.; Elim Fellowship Hall, 70 Chalmers, Central Park Plaza. Monday February 20

Images of Belize: an AVP project: 7-9 p.m.; Network of Religious Communities, 1272 Delaware Ave.; for more info www.lascwyn.org or www.wnypeace.org

Thursday February 23

Just Buffalo Literary Center: Literary Legacy Awards Dinner Ausbury Hall: 6:30 p.m. hors d’oeuvers; 7 p.m.; dinner; 341 Delaware Ave.; for tickets or more info call 832-5400.

Friday February 24

Black Tie for Black History: 7-10 p.m.; The Tralf; tickets $25 @ Ticketmaster, Tralf Box office, Doris Records.

see you at the EVENTS

ALL THAT JAZZ: Residents of Trinity Towers on Linwood Av-enue were treated to the annual Jazz Concert Feb. 4, featuring Pappy Martin and the Love Supreme. Don Williams a resident there, has been organizing the concert for the last five years. Among those pictured above, Judy Ales, secretary of Trinity Towers Assn., Don and his wife Rose and daughter Dalisha Wil-liams, Dave Costner, president of the Trinity Towers Assn., Pap-py Martin on bass, Greg Tredwell on keyboard, and the golden voice of Craig Brown of Niagara Falls on vocals. A good time was had by all.

Fosdick Masten Graduates Sought

Attention Readers. Fosdick Mas-ten graduates from 1962 to 1966 are being sought for a September 2012 class reunion. Please call 832-3517 if interested.

American Legion Post Looking for Youth to JoinMa-jorette Team Jesse Clipper Post 430 is look-ing for youth between the ages of 5-15yrs old to participate on our Majorette Team. The youth will be professionally trained to march with our Post in Parades and other events in the area. Registration will be held 6-7pm every Thurs-day at the Pratt-Willert Center, 422 Pratt Street between Genesee and Sycamore Streets. Please contact Commander Janet Smith at (716)578-7933 if you need further information or have any questions.

Gospel Concert/ Chinese AuctionA Gospel Concert and Chi-nese Auction to benefit for the late Zenobia Hamilton Williams will be held Feb. 17 at the Doris Jones Family Resource Center, 3001 9th St. Niagara Falls, NY. From 6-9 p.m. The donation is $10 and $12 @ door. There will be refreshments, 50/50 entertainment. Zenobia was killed in hit and run accident. Funds are to help increase the thousand dollar reward. Donations can be sent to key bank c/o Reward for Zenobia Williams.

16 • FEBRUARY 15, 2012 Challenger Community News •ChallengerCN.com

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