Nearly a month after he was reported missing, authorities are still looking for Rodnell Burton, a 17-year-old Black male from Homewood. He was last seen driving a 2000 White Chrysler Sebring, when he went to drop off his girlfriend at her home in Plum Borough on March 28.

Although Burton has left home before, his mother told authorities she always had an idea of his whereabouts.

Burton is described as 5-4, 130 pounds and driving a vehicle with a Pennsylvania license plate with HJX-9029.

Anyone with information is asked to call 412-323-7141 or 911. Callers may remain anonymous.

It was routine, like any other day. Park the car in the garage, walk up the steps into the house, but then Dr. Frank Sessoms tripped.

“My leg slipped under the cast-iron railing and was caught,” he said. “I tried to hold myself up by my arm, but I couldn’t get my leg out. I had to let go, and when I fell I knew I’d broken my hip.”

DR. FRANK SESSOMS

That was March 10. On April 19, Sessoms officially closed his office. He said he plans to reopen it, but his doctors have told him he cannot bear any weight for three months.

Sessoms was initially evaluated at Allegheny General Hospital, then moved to West Penn Hospital for surgery to stabilize his hip. Though successful, Sessoms is still receiving in-patient treatment for the deep cut to his leg caused by the railing.

The number of African-Americans entering the Pittsburgh police force continues to drop at an alarming rate. From February 2007 to July 2008 there were only three Black officers out of 107 total officers in four classes. Despite several requests, the classes of 2009 and 2010 were not sent. According to sources there was only one Black out of 40 in the last class.

NOBLE OFFICERS—Reverend John Welch, who is not a member of NOBLE, with Jill Rustin, Hawthorne Conley, Maurita Bryant, Lavonnie Bickerstaff, Diane Richard, Richard Stewart Jr. and Christine Williams.

The city’s public safety administrators have pledged to increase diversity through an increase in outreach efforts. However, some officers don’t see outreach as the problem. Instead they see a flawed system where hiring is subjective and at times even racist.

The Black police officers we contacted did not wish to be identified for fear of losing their jobs so we referred to the two that were willing to talk on the record as Officer 1 and Officer 2.

Local Black women who have achieved much in their careers often cite Dorothy Height as one of their inspirations. All were saddened to hear of her death April 20 at 98.

“I was very sorry to hear that on the way to work,” said University of Pittsburgh Teachers Institute head Helen Faison.

HELEN FAISON

“I ­hadn’t seen her for a few years, but when last I did she looked great. She was everywhere, always working to better the lives of Black women, from domestics to those serving in high positions. I couldn’t afford to join a sorority in college, but I was a member of the YWCA. I would speak to her occasionally, and when I did she always had something positive to say and contribute.”