SPRING 2020 INSIDE TALK HARRISBURG CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE CORONAVIRUS CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWN REVEALS INEQUALITY COVID-19 WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR US?Use ART to make a DIFFERENCE In Your Life • In Our World B.A. in Art Therapy M.A. in Art Therapy with a Specialization in Counseling Learn more at setonhill.edu/arttherapyAHN.org/Cancer From you have cancer to you had cancer. Roxann had an aggressive form of breast cancer. But Roxann had the AHN Cancer Institute. And with her team of oncology experts and an innovative treatment plan, Roxann’s cancer went from untreatable to beatable. Outsmarting cancer on all fronts is #LivingProof. If you have cancer, you have us.INSIDE TALK PUBLISHER’S NOTES Who would have thought that a worldwide virus would aff ect the corner store, barber shops and beauty shops, bar-b-que restaurants? We have been in business for just about 58 years and support for our publication, Talk Magazine, has continued to receive reliability of our advertisers, dedication from our readers and we are grateful to you all. Competition for dollars spent by black and brown communities is intense and statistics demonstrate minority communities spend millions of dollars every year but not in our own neighborhoods. We can help small and minority businesses overcome the ravages of this virus by making our everyday purchases in our community stores. Let us try to make a diff erence and help these businesses stay alive and help to keep their employees working. Th e Talk Magazine and TMAG family are pleading with you to follow the CDC (Center for Disease and Control Prevention) health care guidelines as well as the Pennsylvania State Governor and Secretary of Health to protect our communities that already of health care disparities. Please Stay Home and Stay Safe! To find comfort in this stressful time, please read 2 Chronicles, 7:14 and pray. Th ank you! Th e LJS Group / Talk Magazine / TMAG Luther J. Sewell, Jr. / Publisher Roxanne N. 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P 412.823.4007 ~ E contact@talkminorityactiongroup.org ~ www.talkminorityactiongroup.org GUIDE TO CITIZENSHIP & RESPONSIBILITY EDUCATING & EMPOWERING DISCUSSION GUIDE TMAG VOTER PROJECT Voter Registration Set Up Registration Booths At Community Block/Street Fairs, Churches, Schools Targeting Pennsylvania’s African American/Latino Populations INCLUDING Classes and events using our Citizens’ guide booklet reviewing Voters’ rights, responsibilities of elected officials H Your Family H Your Church Voter Turnout Walk to the polls Ride to the polls Door to door on election Voter Education Please help with your DONATION 20204 | TALK MAGAZINE • SPRING 2020 COLLEGE NEWS MILLERSVILLE by Alex Geli "I'm expecting a refund, but we'll see what happens," junior Lindsey Turunc, of Brookhaven, said as she was moving out of her dorm Friday. "We pay a lot to live in these dorms. I'm sure I'm paying more in housing than I am in tuition." Dave Pidgeon, spokesman for the state system, said officials are "urgently" working on a relief plan. "What I can say about that is while we we're doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of our campus communities and help students successfully complete the current semester," he said, "we're also urgently working on solutions to other challenges that are so important to students like reimbursements." DePasquale said housing plans across the state system range from $3,144 to $11,380 per year, and board plans range from $1,780 to $4,924 per year. Prorated refunds, he said, could add up to thousands of dollars. The auditor general isn't the only state official encouraging universities to issue refunds. State Senator Scott Martin said he's intro- ducing a bill requiring all Pennsylvania colleges and universities who have closed because of COVID-19 to refund a prorated portion of all unused prepaid fees. "For students and families who have already paid for housing, meal plans and other fees through the end of the semester, this is money they may des- perately need right now," Martin said. "The lives of students and their families have already been turned upside-down as the state and the nation continues to fight this virus. Getting this money back as soon as possible would be a big step toward a return to some sense of normalcy for them." While most Millersville students have already moved out, the university hit a bump in the road, as the governor made another major an- nouncement: All "non-life sustaining" businesses, including colleges and universities, are orders to close. As a result, Millersville canceled its planned move out. A university spokeswoman said there remains at least 40 students who were expected to move out on campus. Those who stay, the college has said, will continue to receive essential services such as food and shelter. BLOOMSBURG With schools closed across the common- wealth, some university professors are sharing how best to keep kids learning online. All of the instruction at Bloomsburg Uni- versity is now being done online. Experts have some tips to make sure the process goes smooth- ly. For students, if you have a camera, make sure there is nothing strange going on behind you, as well as knowing how to mute your sound. As for teachers, try to make the lessons engaging and interesting and not just a talking head. However, don’t go overboard with the les- sons. Remember, it’s an adjustment for everyone. “Don’t try to create the Ferrari of online learn- ing. Just go ahead and create the basic model to get through this crisis. If you had time you could create something that would be awesome and incredible but we don’t. We have to band-aid what we’ve got,” Bloomsburg University instructional technology professor Karl Kapp said. Kapp also says Bloomsburg University is doing everything it can to get people acclimated and to help students get through the semester. CACC Eleven Community College of Allegheny County students were honored by the Penn- sylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) as members of the 26th Annual All-Pennsylvania Academic Team. The honor recognizes an exceptional group of community college students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities. The 2020 awardees include 47 outstanding community college transfer scholars and eight exceptional workforce pathway scholars from across the commonwealth. Transfer students must have completed at least 36 credits at a com- munity college and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to be considered for this award. Workforce students must have a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours at a community college and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. “The Commission applauds these outstanding student scholars on their terrific academic achieve- ments,” said Elizabeth Bolden, president and CEO of PACCC. “By enrolling in high-quality educational or workforce programs at a community college, these students are building a foundation for a successful career while furthering their postsec- ondary study.” Pennsylvania’s community colleges partner with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities, which provide scholarships covering two years’ tuition at any PASSHE school to eligible All-PA Transfer Team members. “Our communities and the entire com- monwealth are depending on students like these exceptional scholars to graduate and lead us toward a better future,” State System Chancellor Dan Greenstein said. “Workforce needs in Pennsylvania remain high and will likely be even higher in the months and years ahead. These students with their knowledge, skills, diligence and humanity can help propel Pennsylvania toward a brighter future, and we’re grateful they chose the State System to be such a critical part of their journey.” Among Pennsylvania’s outstanding commu- nity college scholars are CCAC students Ashley Butela, Ashley Evans, Nicole Haas, Raja (RJ) Krishnaswamy, Megan Partin, Kimberly Reed, Carianne Savage, Courtney Seiler, Sjon Walters, Craig Wolfley and Qingqing Zhao, who was named a Coca-Cola Silver Scholar. The students receiving the highest All-USA Community College Team application scores in each state are named Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Scholar and Coca-Cola New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar. The transfer honor comes with a $2,250 scholarship from the Co- ca-Cola Educational Foundation; the workforce honor comes with a $1,250 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Educational Foundation. LOCKHAVEN The American Lung Association awarded Lock Haven University's Health Science Club a $3,000 grant to implement the acclaimed, evidence-based Freedom From Smoking (FFS) program. The in-person, seven-week program will run from March 16 through May 1, 2020. Each session is designed to help tobacco users quit smoking by gaining control over their behavior. While the program is typically used to help smokers, the American Lung Association is also interested in using it to help those who wish to quit vaping. Sarah Kozlowski, president of the Health Science Club, with the direction of Dr. Jennifer Rudella, club co-advisor and assistant professor in the health science department, secured the grant funding to implement the FFS program and train LHU students Kayla Mushala, treasur- er, and Nadia Romanchock, club member. The training was completed in early March. A study on the prevalence of college students using Juul electronic cigarettes recently published in the Journal of American College Lindsey Turunc, with help from her father, Mehmet, moves out of dorm at Millersville University (L-R) Nadia Romanchock, Dr. Jennifer Rudella, Angelic Hardy, Dr. Beth McMahon, Erica Saylor and Kayla MushalaWWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 5 COLLEGE NEWS Health (2019) found that 91 percent of partici- pants reported first use within the past year and one in five participants reported using Juul in the past 30 days. Vaping presents a new challenge. Monitor- ing the Future (MTF) first asked about vaping in 2015 with an expansion of questions in 2017. Between 2017-18, vaping nicotine increased dramatically. Several age groups were surveyed, but the increase was most dramatic for college students, increasing two-and-a-half times from 6.1 to 15.5 percent in one year, among the great- est one-year increases evident for any substance over the past 40 years. Th e 2018 prevalence levels are greater than those for any other tobacco product including cigarettes among secondary and college stu- dents. Th is increasing trend in nicotine vaping, especially for secondary school students, has the potential for a resurgence of teen and young nicotine addiction, especially given that vaping among youth who have never smoked signifi- cantly predicts future smoking. Th is was a collaborative eff ort among cur- rent and alumni LHU representatives. “Th is evidenced-based program will provide a great opportunity to serve LHU students, faculty and staff ,” Rudella said. “It has been an enriching experience working with Erica and I graciously appreciate her support.” Kozlowski, Mushala, and Romanchock are health science undergraduates at LHU. “I am excited for the opportunity to lead the younger generation into leading a tobacco-free lifestyle,” Ro- manchock said. Mushala also is looking forward to the opportunity to help people improve their quality of life. Emeriti professor, Dr. Beth McMahon, serves as an American Lung Association consul- tant and has been instrumental throughout the process of securing the grant. Angelic Hardy, interim director of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, was trained alongside the LHU students. “I’m very excited to be able to off er the Freedom from Smoking cessation program as a community and workforce training opportunity at LHU,” Hardy said. Erica M. Saylor is a LHU alumna who serves as a specialist of health promotion for Pennsylvania Advocacy with the American Lung Association. DREXEL by Harold Brubaker On the front lines of the Philadelphia region’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no greater worry than the shortage of masks, respirators, and other protective equip- ment for doctors and nurses. Hearing of the desperate pleas for safety, Drexel University design professor Genevieve Dion sprang into action last week, shifting 3D knitting machines from a Department of Defense project to the challenge of rapidly devel- oping masks and respirators. “Th is is an opportunity to show what ad- vanced manufacturing can do and rapid prototyp- ing can do,” said Dion, who also directs Drexel’s Center for Functional Fabrics. It houses the Pennsylvania Fabric Discovery Center, which aims to revive the region’s textile and garment manufacturing industries. Th e immediate goal is to develop surgical masks that can be washed, sized, and even be made of anti-bacterial and anti-viral material, said Charles Cairns, dean of the Drexel School of Medicine, who is helping Dion get her samples Drexel University Health & Sustainability Business & Communications Arts & Sciences Explore more at www.chatham.edu “When I interviewed at medical schools, interviewers often said that mine was the most impressive letter of recommendation they’ve ever read, because my professors know me personally. I don’t think that would have been possible without relationships like I had at Chatham.” — Maggie McGovney ’17, Bachelor of Science in Biology A brighter, healthier tomorrow continued on page 28TALK ACROSS PA 6 | TALK MAGAZINE • SPRING 2020 HARRISBURG Gov. Tom Wolf says the state labor department has started sending out expanded federal unemployment compensation payments provided by the coronavirus relief package ap- proved by Congress. Th e measure temporarily provides an addi- tional $600 per week and makes self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits. It also extends unemployment com- pensation benefits for an additional 13 weeks. Th e federal benefits are in addition to Pennsyl- vania’s regular unemployment benefit, which is about half of a person’s full-time weekly income up to $572 per week for 26 weeks. Th e Pennsylvania Department of Labor & In- dustry issued the first $600 payments Friday, and officials said eligible people who filed biweekly claims for the week ending April 4 and who received their regular unemployment compensa- tion payment should expect to see the additional money either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. A measure signed by the governor last month waives the one-week waiting period for filing for unemployment compensation as well as the job search and work registra- tion requirements. ERIE by Elspeth Mizner Truck driver who was transported to AHN Saint Vincent is headed home after battling Coronavirus. Th e County Executive had some good news on a question we've been asking about for a couple of weeks now. She had updated informa- tion on the person passing through Erie who became sick with COVID-19. He had quarantined the local Microtel and on March 27th was transported by ambulance with respiratory precautions, to AHN Saint Vincent. Th e person was a truck driver on a route through Erie when he was stricken with the virus. He has now recovered, has been released from the hospital and is on the way home. Kathy Dahlkemper, the Erie County Executive said, "that truck driver has now been released and thankfully is back in their truck and headed home healthy. I can't thank enough Erie County com- munity who did everything possible to support this person who was in Erie County, knowing no one at probably one of the most difficult times of their life." In other positive news the County Executive said that most of Erie County's positive cases are due to travel or direct contact with other cases. She hopes in spite of the Easter holiday tomor- row, people continue to practice all the measures she's preached in recent weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. HARRISBURG by John Luciew Continued faith in social distancing this Easter and Passover will protect the vulnerable, stop the spread and save lives, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine urged Saturday. Holding a COVID-19 update on Easter and Passover weekend, Levine off ered a hopeful image of a Pennsylvania separated on these major religious holidays -- yet united like never before. “While we are unable to come together with our families, we have come together as a state and nation to reinforce that the only way through this is with each other, even though we are physically apart,” Levine said at her press briefing. “We will get through this because of each other and we will be stronger for it.” With both Christians and Jews celebrating the highest of holy days this week, Levine acknowl- edged the pull to attend church or synagogue will be strong. But the strongest thing to do for everyone is to remain with immediate family only, so as to protect all during the coro- navirus, she said. In short, by praying apart this Easter, Pennsylvanians will actually be coming to- gether, according to Levine. “I understand that people, especially in these troubled times, will turn to their faith,” Levine said. “But it is dangerous to be out … congregating with other people. My recommendation is to celebrate the holiday with your close family who are in our household.” In fact, Levine indicated that by praying apart, Pennsylvanians were actually demonstrating their faith’s love of neighbor, providing the proven protection of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Do the right thing to ,” she said. Th e only way through this is with each other. We will get through this because of each other, and we will be stronger So, too, will the faith of the faithful, even though COVID-19 is preventing them from joining as a phys- ical congregation on this Easter and Passover, like no Stay calm, stay home, Dr. Rachel Levine TO REGISTER: Go to laroche.edu/openhouse Or stop in the Zappala Campus Center anytime from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 844-838-4578 | 412-536-1272 admissions@laroche.edu | laroche.edu ADMISSIONS Open House • Explore more than 50 career-focused majors with our faculty •Tour campus and see the multimillion-dollar renovation of our Science Center • Learn about study abroad opportunities included in your tuition • Enjoy light morning refreshments and a complimentary lunch SSaattuurrddaayy,, JJuullyy 1111 • 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.TALK ACROSS PA WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 7 stay safe,” Levine said, noting that this simple advice is powerful enough to bend Pennsylvania’s coronavirus curve – protecting the vulnerable, stopping the spread and saving lives. PHILADELPHIA by Afea Tucker The Philadelphia Association of Black Jour- nalists (PABJ) recently recognized Philadelphia Sunday SUN publisher Catherine Hicks and Scoop USA publisher Sherri Horsey Darden in honor of Women’s History Month. On the second Tuesday of each month PABJ members convene for their general body meeting in Philadelphia. In light of Women’s History Month, the group decided to change things up a bit and dedicated the second hour of their usual time to congregate to thank and acknowledge the city’s only African American female newspaper publishers. Hicks and Horsey Darden were saluted by the organization and awarded with City citations following a one on one conversation about the hurdles and success that comes with owning and publishing a newspaper. The program began with remarks from Deidre Chil- dress Hopkins, who is a long time PABJ member and the director of public relations at Visit Philadelphia. “It’s always a pleasure working with fellow members of PABJ and especially for a discussion with journal- ists and media influencers focused on the contributions of legendary women in Philadelphia,” said Childress Hopkins. “Last month, I gave members an overview of how Philadel- phia renamed itself the City of Sisterly Love for 2020. It was a partnership with Council- woman Katherine Gilmore Richardson and supported by Visit Philadelphia as a tribute in the Year of the Woman,” she added. The city’s nickname change happened in January, just in time for Women’s History Month in March. It was a prelude to campaigns and affairs, including PABJ’s own Women’s History Month recognition, which promotes the empowerment of women in society. “What an honor and priv- ilege it was for me to present citations from Philadelphia City Council to the only two African American female publishers in the city of Philadelphia. Their work does not go unnoticed and is vital to the stories we read and see in the African American communi- ty in Philadelphia,” Gilmore Richardson said. “One word that expresses my feelings about this recognition is grateful, "Horsey Darden said as she accepted her citation, "I’m so thankful that PABJ is attentive and recognized the sacrifice, hard work and dedication that Cathy and I have for the community and our papers. Oftentimes, I face financial constraints to make it to press, and don’t think people really know what it takes. So, their honor let me know that while you may not know all that goes into publishing a weekly newspaper, people recognize the product and the impact that we have on our community.” “In addition to honoring us, PABJ also took a moment to listen, and that was just as valuable as the citations. They gave us a chance to forgo all false beliefs and/or opinions and share our truth. And that is something you cannot put a price on,” she added. “My note to women is that life is one great challenge and we have to always work harder, be smarter and prove to ourselves and others that we have it. Remember always that you have that “it” inside you and whatever your purpose is, when the time is right, all the stars will align and you will do and show the world who you are and what you are made of. Never give up or give in,” she concluded. CLARION by Andrea Howe Is your head spinning? K-12 schools in Indiana are closed through May 1. Restaurant dining rooms are closed. Local courts are extremely restricted. People can’t find toilet paper and Clorox Wipes are an endangered retail species. Public gatherings are limited in an attempt to curb the COVID-19 pandemic effect here. It would be easy in the world we’re living in, to be caught up in the whirlwind of abrupt changes to our daily routines. But I’m healthy and producing newspaper content from home. I’m not home-bound, but our county is in a declared state of local emergency, so I’m one of many people tackling my job outside the office in Gibson County. My son, a college student, is wondering how he’s going to return his rental books to school since he’s going to finish this semester in online study. Wednesday was his birthday. We couldn’t take him out to a restaurant to celebrate, but we did order take-out from the restaurant across the street from our home. We continued on page 28 Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson (l), reads a citation to be presented to Sherri Horsey Darden (c), publisher of SCOOP USA and Catherine Hicks, publisher of the Philadelphia Sunday SUN in honor of Women’s History Month. (Photo courtesy PABJ)Next >