Taking time from canvassing Phila­delphia and neighboring Bucks County, Democratic senatorial candidate Joe Sestak made time to speak to the New Pittsburgh Courier.

Sestak said people should vote for him because he believes in working for race, gender and ethnic equality. He said he did it in the military as a rear admiral, and the service was better for it.

JOE SESTAK

“I’m a public servant. My priorities are job creation, education, health care, continuing financial reform and giving everyone a fair chance,” he said. “As (U.S. rep.) Mike Doyle said, ‘Joe, you’re a crummy politician, but you’re a good public servant.’ I’ll take that.

On Oct. 30, former sitcom star, TV trailblazer and best-selling author Bill Cosby will come to Pittsburgh for a comedic performance at Heinz Hall. Well known for his controversial critiques of the African-American community, Cosby’s performance will throw seriousness aside for a night of laughs.

NIGHT OF A THOUSAND LAUGHS—On Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m., Bill Cosby will take the stage at Heinz Hall. (Photo by Erinn Chalene Cosby)

“What value is a Black human being in his or her own neighborhood? People say ‘don’t say that; that’s dirty laundry,’ but we’re trying to save beautiful Black lives. We’re talking about your children, your beautiful Black children,” said Cosby in an exclusive interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier. “Of course, I’m not going to talk about that at Heinz Hall. We’re going to laugh. We’re going to close the doors and we’re going to laugh. We’re going to have a good time.”

This year, the NAACP state convention, held at the Monroeville Doubletree Hotel, celebrated its 76th year by featuring a number of workshops for both its regular membership and those in its youth and college divisions, to address issues critical to the state’s African-American communities.

Several sessions were chaired by local branch members such as Black Political Empowerment Project founder Tim Stevens and Imani Christian Academy headmaster Milton Raiford.

BUSINESS IN COMMON—Flanked by NAACP State Conference President J. Wyatt Mondesire and Convention Planning Co-chair Marcella Lee, Courier Editor and Publisher Rod Doss accepts the Businessman of the Year award. (Photo by Erin Perry)

Though some members arrived for the early bird reception Oct. 21, most arrived the following morning where state NAACP President Jerry Mondesire welcomed attendees and laid out the agenda for the remaining two days during the opening plenary session.

In the 1940s, the Pittsburgh Courier reached the height of its circulation. At its peak, the newspaper’s reach extended to 14 cities nationwide, employing more than 400 people.

Russell Washington had a front row seat in the glory days of the Courier. In his position on the business side of the company, working with the newspaper’s finances, he had a behind-the-scenes view of the paper’s rise and temporary demise.

A PIECE OF HISTORY—Russell Washington reflects on the 26 years he worked for the Pittsburgh Courier. (Photo by Rossano P. Stewart.)

“We had offices in Washington, D.C., Phila­delphia and New York City. We had contacts in other places around the country,” Washington said. “Everything was printed in Pittsburgh. We did all the printing. All of that was done by our own people.”