SUMMER 2020 INSIDE TALK STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BLACK WOMEN COMPANIES & THE CALL TO ACTION PENNSYLVANIA DEVELOPMENT COALITION AIDINSIDE TALK PUBLISHER’S NOTES On our 2020 Summer issue of Talk Magazine cover is a sign seen across the country during this awful pandemic – Sorry We're Closed. The average small minority- owned business income on an annual basis is less than $150,000. With little or no access to loans and/or credit from banks and SBA, sustaining minority-owned businesses is hard at best and then add COVID-19 it is often too late. Why will we see more closed signs on black- owned businesses is the same as we have seen before – no capital, no credit, no meaningful, employee sustaining, capacity building government or private contracts. LJS survived because when we started in 1962 there were enough black businesses and we could depend on them for advertising, grew to move on to attaining contracts from government, and private industry. We have been inspired to organize our action group TMAG, Talk Minority Action Group, a statewide group of African American and Latinx citizens and we are building our own network of planners and consumers. So, don't look for the Sorry We're Closed sign. Help us take action and build our businesses, and civic policies that grow our communities join TMAG. Contact us at contact@ talkminorityactiongroup.org or call 412.823.4007. The LJS Group / Talk Magazine / TMAG Luther J. Sewell, Jr. / Publisher Roxanne N. Sewell / President & Editor theLULAdesigns / Graphic Design & Layout Tené Croom / Photographer Fiordaliza White / Contributing Writer PO Box 143 Monroeville, PA 15146-0143 (P) 412.823.4007 info@talkmagazineonline.com www.talkmagazineonline.com 04 College News 06 Talk Across PA 08 Business News 10 Latino News 12 Health News 18 Statement by the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. SBA Loans & Members of Congress pg 20 Companies & the Call to Action pg 22 2 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2020 Summer 2020 Black-Owned Brewery pg27TMAG 2018 Pennsylvania Voter Project Check Donation Level: n $5 n $10 n $20 n $50 n $100 n $300 n $500 n Other $______________ n Yes, I will Contribute to Talk Minority Action Group Voter Project Print Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip Code _____________________ Email _____________________________________________ Telephone ____________________________________________ Make checks payable to The Pittsburgh Contingency/TMAG Mail checks to PO Box 143 ~ Monroeville, PA 15146-0143 Our Partner The Pittsburgh Contingency (TPC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit and your Contribution is tax deductible. 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 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 • SUMMER 2020 COLLEGE NEWS LINCOLN In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has granted Lin- coln University $110,000 to help students return to school and continue their education. Reflecting on the importance and poten- tial impact of this funding Lincoln University President Brenda Allen said, “For every $1,000 we can offer a student in grant aid we increase the like- lihood that they will graduate by about 20 percent.” The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated or un- covered pre-existing challenges among students. As students plan for their return to school, these one-time grants of up to $1,000 will help them alleviate barriers that jeopardize their continuous enrollment, such as their ability to pay tuition, travel to and from school, and access the internet. The Mellon grant will work in concert with the recently established The Student Emergency Fund for Critical Needs. This fund was created with the intent of providing one-time financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic or other extraordinary unplanned occurrences. Along with the establishment of this fund, the institution launched a campaign to solicit support from alumni and friends. These funds will be used to assist students with financial and technology support as they resume their education. This gift from The Andrew W. Mellon Foun- dation is a continuation of a developing partner- ship with the University. In 2018, the foundation made a three-year $500,000 investment into the University to “reinvigorate excitement about the arts and humanities on our campus.” MILLERSVILLE by Michael Gorsegner T-minus two months until some colleges begin opening up for the fall semester. In today’s Project Education, Millersville University’s plan for reopening and what college life will look like in late August. “It’s been hectic because of the uncertainty,” said Dr. Daniel Wubah, Millersville University President. While many uncertainties still surround the reopening of school, Millersville University is committing to bringing students back on campus in August. “Our campus will probably look a little bit dif- ferent,” said Janet Kacskos, Millersville University spokesperson. Each student will get a Millersville mask and classes will be a hybrid of in-person and online learning. About 50 percent of classes will be virtual while the students who do return to the classroom will see decreased capacity and increased use of outdoor spaces. “We are asking the students to act as a family unit. So, just use the common sense you were with your family members,” Kacskos said. Suite setups in residence halls will make dis- tancing easier, while dining halls will no longer serve buffet style, electing for a sleeker approach. “They are going to look a little bit different. There will be a lot of grab and go, a lot more of that will happen. But all of our dining halls are going to be open,” Kacskos said. But, the campus life will still exist. The hope is to have extracurricular activities and clubs to continue with the mission of growing the whole individual as a student and member of a thriving community. “We are hoping to be able to give that to students as much as possible while still making sure that they are safe,” said Kacskos. “We have a responsibility as a university to provide the labor force for the workforce for our community. The workforce also needs these people,” Dr. Wubah said. CALIFORNIA In partnership with the American Meteoro- logical Society (AMS), California University of Pennsylvania has received a three-year, $97,137 grant from the Office of Naval Research to continue Project Ocean, a hybrid online and in-person K-12 teacher professional development course at Cal U. Cal U has partnered with AMS on teacher professional development course offerings since 2017. The grant-supported course is part of Cal U’s exclusive post baccalaureate AMS DataStreme certificate program, where students can apply AMS partnership courses toward a nine-credit certificate. Selected AMS partnership courses, such as Project Ocean, can also be applied toward the Weather & Climatology concentration in Educa- tional Leadership master’s degree program. Cal U’s 30-credit master’s degree is the only M.Ed. program that incorporates coursework offered in partnership with the AMS. Students who enroll in the course are required to be on site in the Chesapeake Bay region in the summer for course instruction and hands-on learning activities. During the on-site portion, students benefit from the engagement and resources of its partners including the U.S. Naval Academy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Washington College, in Chestertown, MD, and the AMS. While the pandemic has altered summer plans, grant funds are also being used in the first year to modernize many of the course learning modules for an online environment. “We are working virtually this summer, especially in the modernization of ocean learning modules at a distance,” said Dr. Chad Kauffman, professor in the Department of Math and Physical Sciences and curriculum development coordinator for the AMS DataStreme program. Kauffman said work is being done via D2L, Cal U’s online learning platform, as the project’s central resource or connection point. They are also using Zoom video conferencing tools. The residency portion, in a non-pandem- ic year, is scheduled for a full week on site in the Chesapeake Bay region. There are online portions of the course prior to and after the residency. In normal years, Kauffman works on site at the workshop providing instruction. Students are taught the physical foundations of modern oceanography, conduct field work, and are required to conduct peer-training workshops after the completion of the residency portion of the course. Kauffman emphasized the important roles that Cal U students must play regarding the ocean. He also lauded faculty colleagues Dr. Mario Ma- jcen and Dr. Swarndeep Gill, as well as campus deans Dr. Brenda Fredette (Eberly College of Science and Technology) and Dr. Yugo Ikach (School of Graduate Studies and Research) for supporting the AMS partnership and welcoming much needed grant funding. “The ocean is a dynamic and critical player in the Earth’s climate system, an integral part of Earth’s global water cycle and home to a multitude of biological ecosystems,” he said. “The times in which we live call for Cal U students to be hyper-aware of global events and stewards of our critical physical systems.” TEMPLE The president of Temple University is stepping down next year. by MyChesCo Teachers participate in Project Ocean research. WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 5 COLLEGE NEWS Richard Englert announced his retirement plans. "Temple is in a terrific place as an outstanding urban research university that focuses on student success and prizes diversity, accessibility, afford- ability and quality," Englert said in a statement. "(Temple founder) Russell Conwell's mission is alive and well, and it will be up to the next president to continue the work of determining how that mission will be applied to the challenges that lie ahead." Englert, a native of Detroit, Michigan, arrived at Temple in 1976 as an assistant to the dean of the College of Education. He has served in a number of leadership roles, including: acting president; chancellor; provost and interim senior vice president for Academic Affairs; deputy provost and dean of the University College; interim dean of the Graduate School; acting provost; vice president for adminis- tration; acting director of Intercollegiate Athletics; associate vice president for Administration; execu- tive assistant to the vice president for University Administration; and Chief of Staff to the late President Peter Liacouras. At the college level, Englert has been dean of the College of Education; acting chief administrative officer of the School of Podiatric Medicine; acting dean of the College of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; associate dean for administration and manage- ment at the College of Ed- ucation; department chair for Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies; and assistant to the dean of the College of Education. Since 1985, he has served as a professor in the College of Education. This is Englert's second term as the university's chief executive officer, having served as acting presi- dent for six months in 2012. Temple's Board of Trustees appointed him to the role of chancellor at the end of 2012, a position he will once again hold after leaving the presidency. Englert, who will be 75 in December, has agreed to remain as the university's 11th presi- dent during the search for a successor. LA ROUCHE La Roche University was championed a College of Distinction for the ninth consecutive year. The designation recognizes La Roche for exhibiting excellence in the classroom and for incorporating high-impact practices in every stu- dent’s undergraduate education. The University’s student-centered programming includes: study abroad experiences included as an added value component of the La Roche Experience; novel research as part of the La Roche Honors Insti- tute; internships; service learning experiences; and project-based course assignments that serve the local community. Chief Operating Officer for Colleges of Dis- tinction Tyson Schritter said, “Colleges of Distinc- tion knows that a truly valuable education can’t be measured by rank or reputation. Students learn and thrive best when they embrace hands-on learning in a vibrant, welcoming community. That’s why it’s so encouraging to see La Roche take such an innova- tive approach with its curriculum. Its high-impact educational practices ensure that the undergraduate experience is worthwhile and unique.” La Roche also received recognition as a Catho- lic College of Distinction and a Career Develop- ment College of Distinction. Career development is integrated into the academic experience at La Roche, with credited coursework, co-curricular activities and person- alized advising sessions. From freshman year to senior year, students follow an engagement plan to master the core competencies that employ- ers expect from college graduates. The Office of Career Development empowers students to achieve professional success, offering career-read- iness programming, employer networking events, and internship/employment application support throughout the year. The new Colleges of Distinction e-guidebook highlights La Roche’s busi- ness, education and nursing programs with Fields of Study badges, which are awarded to colleges offering first-rate programs with recognized professional accreditations. Since 1995 La Roche’s business programs have been accredited by the Association of Colle- giate Business Schools and Programs. These accredited programs include manage- ment, finance, international management, accounting, marketing and management information systems. La Roche’s nursing programs are accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc. and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educa- tional Programs. La Roche recently launched an Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN) program designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and who wish to Richard Englert, Temple President continued on page 28 TRANSFERRING TO LA ROCHE WAS THE BEST THING I COULD HAVE DONE FOR MY FUTURE. THANKS TO THE DEDICATED FACULTY AND STAFF, I WAS ABLE TO EXCEL IN THE CLASSROOM WHILE PREPARING TO BE AN EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL. - KEVIN JOHNSON- KEVIN JOHNSON ’17 Finance and Management CLASSES START AUG. 17 laroche.edu/transferTALK ACROSS PA 6 | TALK MAGAZINE • SUMMER 2020 ERIE PRNewswire Community college advocates in Erie County, Pa. have secured a long-fought victory to open the first new community college in Pennsylvania in 27 years, and only the third new community college established nationwide in the last decade. The Pennsylvania State Board of Education on Wednesday approved a comprehensive commu- nity college plan developed by nonprofit advoca- cy group, Empower Erie, and sponsored by Erie County Government. The approval concludes a three-year battle to establish the state's 15th community college as a means to energize workforce development and enhance the region's economic competitiveness. The community college will provide affordable, accessible education desperately needed in a city that includes one of the nation's poorest zip codes. "We finally opened a door that had been slammed shut to underserved urban and rural communities in Erie County," said Empower Erie's co-found- er Ron DiNicola. "We envision a world-class workforce development center that will serve as an economic engine to provide socio-economic mobility and equity for everyone in our community." For decades, community college advocates have demanded the state make good on the promise of the Community College Act of 1963, which called for a community college within commuting distance of every Pennsylvanian. The closest community college to Erie is 100 miles away in Butler, Pa. Research from Em- power Erie determined that Erie is the only U.S. city of its size or larger without a free-standing community college. "For decades, the citizens of Erie County have been paying state taxes to support 14 existing com- munity colleges without reaping any of the benefits," said Erie County Councilman Carl Anderson III. "Today marks the first tangible step toward righting that wrong." Once an industrial powerhouse, as the home to the largest natural harbor on the Great Lakes, Erie is in the midst of an economic transforma- tion built around tourism, healthcare, manufac- turing, and a growing number of start-ups. Empower Erie built a diverse coalition of business and political leaders, Labor, educators, nonprofits, community advocates and faith lead- ers to mobilize against powerful political forces opposed to the effort. "Leaders of every faith community united behind the shared belief that this was the moral issue of our time in Erie County," said Empower Erie Board member Rev. Charles Mock. "Now hope of a better future is alive for everyone in our community, regardless of socio-economic status, race, or background." PITTSBURGH by Bob Bauder Pittsburgh City Council plans to amend a bill that would give the city’s Citizen Police Review Board more power to investigate police miscon- duct and civil rights complaints against officers, one of the sponsors said Wednesday during a virtual public hearing. Councilman Ricky Burgess said he is working with Mayor Bill Peduto’s administration, the police bureau and review board to craft the amendment. “I hope to present to council soon a compromise piece of legislation that all parties — the adminis- tration, the police, the review board and council as a whole — can support,” Burgess said. The bill introduced last month requires an amendment to Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter and approval by city voters. It would authorize a ballot question during the November election asking voters if they support expanding Citizen Police Review Board powers. The board is an independent agency created and funded by Pittsburgh. As it stands now, the bill would require officers and police bureau personnel to cooperate “fully” during an investigation. Refusal would be grounds for firing. It would require the police chief and public safety director to hold off on any disciplinary action against an officer being investigated by the review board until the inves- tigation is over. It would also require the city controller to conduct regular performance audits of the review board. Four of six people who testified during the 40-minute hearing said they would support the referendum. One said she was opposed, and another said he had concerns. Tim Stevens, a longtime civil rights activist, and chairman of Pittsburgh-based Black Political Empowerment Project, said he was concerned the bill could be “exerting the city’s influence where it does not currently exist.” “In this case language sounds good, but I’m concerned that maybe the result might be negative,” Stevens said. “It sounds good when you say in the legislation to expand the powers. I’m concerned about the possibility of infringing on the powers of the board versus the City of Pittsburgh.” Mary Young of Pittsburgh agreed. “I fully support the CPRB, especially its indepen- dence,” Young said. “This proposal to me actually has the potential to limit the board’s success, not enhance it. For this reason, I’m opposed to this proposal.” Council President Theresa Kail-Smith and Councilwoman Erika Strassburger questioned whether some provisions of the legislation were necessary. “It is my understanding that they already do have some of the powers that are within this legislation,” Kail-Smith said. “I also think that we should make sure that we’re sitting down with (CPRB Executive Director Beth Pittinger) because she has been doing this for a very long time.” PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney says the city will drop all code violation notices handed out to demonstrators during the protests against police brutality and racial injustice that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis while in police custody. Kenney said in a written release Wednesday that he was taking the city Law Department's recommendation and dropping the violations is- sued to protesters between May 30 and June 30. Kenney said that criminal charges filed during the protests are under the purview of the District Attorney's office and were not included in the dismissal announced Wednesday. Rev. Charles Mock André R. HortonAndré R. Horton Councilman Rev. Ricky BurgessTALK ACROSS PA WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 7 The majority of code citations were for violations of the curfew put in place nightly at the beginning of the protests and for disorderly conduct such as failing to disperse. Curfew tick- ets carry a $25 fine and failure to disperse carries a $50 fine. “My decision to waive these violations is not a statement on the validity of the individual cita- tions,” Kenney wrote in the statement. “Rather, it is a recognition of the core concerns that caused thousands to demonstrate on the streets of Phila- delphia. In waiving these notices, I recognize that those issues are vitally important, that the pain of those marching is very real, and that their message -- Black lives matter -- needs to be heard every day until systemic racism is fully eradicated from this city and nation.” City officials did not have final numbers on how many code violations were issued during that time but said through June 25 there were more than 750 including 316 curfew violations, 338 failure to disperse tickets and 80 disorderly conduct violations. City officials said if someone has already paid a code violation ticket, they can ask for a refund by calling the Office of Administrative Review's customer service line. While Kenney waived the violations in Phila- delphia, prosecutors and district attorneys across the country have been issuing similar blanket dropping of charges for misdemeanor protest charges in places like Pittsburgh, Fort Worth, Texas, Salem, Ore., and others as well as by fed- eral prosecutors related to a protest outside the White House. In Dallas, the city's police chief dropped all curfew violations handed out during protests on May 31 and June 1. HARRISBURGH Attorney General Josh Shapiro is speaking out after the Supreme Court’s decision in PA v. Trump, a case focused on broad exemptions allowing employers to dictate women’s access to contraception. The rules set forth by the Trump Administra- tion will be remanded to the lower courts for a decision on their arbitrary and capricious nature. AG Shapiro said the following: “While I am disappointed with much of the majority opinion, I am pleased the Court allowed our challenge to the Administration’s overly broad rules to proceed. We now return to the lower courts to address whether the exemptions are arbitrary and capricious. This fight is not over. Nobody should get in between a woman and her doctor. No employer should deny their employees medicine based only on the employer’s personal be- liefs. No worker should worry about how they’ll pay for their prescriptions or whether the next doctor’s visit will be covered. Our case was never about requiring religious groups to provide contraception — organizations like the Little Sisters are already exempt. Our case is about an overly broad rule that allows the per- sonal beliefs of CEOs to dictate women’s guaranteed access to contraceptive medicine. Since the day they took office, the Trump Admin- istration has been dead set on hacking away at the Affordable Care Act. So long as I serve the people of Pennsylvania, I will continue to fight for people’s right to healthcare and reproductive justice. As I said to President Trump when I filed this lawsuit two years ago, I will see you in court – that state- ment still stands and I will continue this battle on behalf of women everywhere.” ALLENTOWN The NAACP Allentown Branch is aware of an incident involving the Allentown Police and an Allentown resident of color. We found the video concerning and disturbing. The NAACP Al- lentown has been in contact with the Allentown Police Department. They have assured us that a thorough investigation is being done. Once those components of the investigation are com- pleted, we will have the opportunity to further discuss the issues with the police department. As the Allentown Police Department work through their new police policy protocols, we want them to ensure us that they are acting in a manner of integrity that shows both respect and safety for its citizens. You have the power to do amazing things. Cal U has the keys to unlock your passion. Your abilities. Your dreams. Unlock your story and build your future at Cal U. Start Your Story at calu.edu Attorney General Josh ShapiroNext >