SWIN CASH

PITTSBURGH--“I’ve always been committed to coming back and helping not only kids in my community, but also where I play.”

Those words from Swin Cash, a McKeesport native, who was back in her hometown as the keynote speaker at the Pittsburgh NAACP’s 59th annual Human Rights Dinner.

The Olympian and WNBA star, born Swintayla Marie Cash, sometimes had the scores of people gathered in the ballroom of the Wyndham Grand Hotel Downtown laughing. She explained how sports were always in her really large family. Her mother had 12 siblings and she had 75 first cousins.

There was never a doubt, Cash proclaimed, that she was going to play ball.  

“Sports was always there. When we were playing football in the backyard. And whether I thought I was going to be playing for the Steelers one day,” she said.
As chuckles spread across the room to the Pittsburgh Steelers comment, she acknowledged them.

“Yeah, I really did think that,” the 33 year old Cash proclaimed with a smile.

Everyone listened to Cash with rapt attention as she talked about something very close to her heart, her charity, Cash for Kids.

“It’s so important for us to give back to our youth and keeping them engaged in not only activities with sports, but also cultural activities,” she said. “We have kids if they want to go in to learn more about the sciences and math and learn more about education or about drama or about being a hair stylist. We’re pushing them to be whatever their calling is.”

Her WNBA home is the Windy City, where she plays for the Chicago Sky. However, Cash lives in Atlanta when she’s not playing.

The 6 foot one and 162 pound powerhouse used her hands for more than dunking a basketball. She’s written a book, “Humble Journey: More Precious Than Gold,” that chronicles her amazing journey playing basketball both professionally and in the Olympics.

With all that she has accomplished at such a young age, Cash explained just what keeps her going.

“What will your legacy be? Not as the NAACP. Not as Cash for Kids. Not as every other foundation that’s in this room. What will your individual legacy be? What will people say about you? That’s what motivates me,” she said.

Receiving the Judge Homer S. Brown award were Pittsburgh Steelers legend, Mel Blount, founder of the Mel Blount Youth

'WORK OF ART'--Superintendent Linda Lane stands beside valuable piece of art. (Photo/Pittsburgh Public Schools)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A painting that Pittsburgh Public Schools officials lost for 80 years has brought $750,000 in found money to the cash-strapped school district.

CHEO TYEHIMBA TAYLOR

Complaints about the depiction of Black males in media is nothing new, it just continuous. Just listen to the hub-bub about Tyler the Creator’s Mountain Dew commercial. Instead of preaching to the choir, a group of talented Africans from across the country (and in Pittsburgh) have been confronting the issues with actions and images.

The GAME CHANGERS PROJECT is a national media fellowship program for emerging Black filmmakers in partnership with community-based organizations dedicated to improving outcomes for Black males.

The purpose of the fellowship is to catalyze "activist storytellers" across the nation who will regularly shoot, edit, and produce 4-minute "micro-documentaries" about Black men (and other underrepresented groups) in America who are "changing the game" in various areas such as education, justice, wellness, entrepreneurship, fatherhood, gender equity, etc. Fellows produce short films on the work of unheralded community heroes, social justice advocates, ex-offenders, innovators, politicians, thought leaders, celebrities, professional athletes, and individuals working to improve outcomes for African- American men and boys.

Pittsburgh’s 2012 fellows have been game changers all along. Some are familiar (Chris Ivey, “East of Liberty” and activist/rapper Jasiri X, “What if the Tea Party was Black?”), others not as well known: Haji Muya, a recent graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh who’s work includes a short piece on the Gators youth football program; and James Robinson, a CCAC graduate with who created a web-series about the African American Music Institute’s Boys’ Choir.

The Game Changers Project was sparked by a 1997 interview with the late legendary photographer Gordon Parks by GCP founder Cheo Tyehimba Taylor, who at the time was writing for VIBE magazine. Parks shared a comparison of guns and cameras.

Taylors recounts his “aha moment: "’look, you have a .45 automatic there on your lap," said Parks. “I have a 35mm camera on mine. I think my weapon is just as powerful as yours if used right.’" 

“For Parks, his camera was the ultimate ‘choice of weapons’ and he used it both to make beautiful pictures and to fight ignorance and intolerance,” says Taylor, who heads a consultancy, Forward Ever Media.

“Years later, I asked myself what would it take to re-imagine stories about misunderstood segments of society –Black men for example – and to find talented and determined filmmakers who could use their cameras to tell authentic stories that shift perceptions and help to change lives?” said Taylor. “Could their stories inspire and transform societal stereotypes? If we could produce a compelling web series of high quality, digital short films that captured the complex journeys of community change makers, who would most benefit?”

With the support of generous funders, including The Heinz Endowments, The Game Changers Project was launched in 2010 as a part of the 2025 Campaign for Black Men and Boys. It offers an alternative to the dominant, often stereotypical, narrative about Black men in mainstream media and has grown to include eight cities: Chicago, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, New York City, Los Angeles, and Oakland. Pittsburgh was added in 2012.

During a three-month fellowship, Game Changer fellows are "embedded" within local community-based organizations and produce short films to advocate the organization's mission.

According to local GCP manager, Desiree Davis Lee, the application is open to Black men (only in Pittsburgh, due to its funding provided by The Heinz Endowments African American Men and Boys Initiative - other cities allow Black women) between the ages of 18-35.

“For the class of 2013, we're looking for a cadre of serious filmmakers with a proven track-record of producing stories for social change,” says Davis Lee.

Although WQED-TV broadcast a segment on the project earlier in the year, its official debut to the community takes place on Saturday, May 11 at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theatre from 3-9 p.m. It includes youth media workshops, a reception with GCP filmmakers, a screening of “We Got Next,” an inspiring multi-part documentary film about unsung community heroes, and “We Changed the Game, a new music video, followed by a town hall discussion about what it takes to improve social outcomes for Black males in Pittsburgh. Cheo Tyehimba Taylor will be in attendance.

For more information call Desiree Davis Lee at 412-606-2321 or www.GameChangersProject.org or http://kelly-strayhorn.org.

NOT ANOTHER DEADLY SUMMER!

With 28 homicides in Allegheny County, 22 of them being Black individuals, we have already passed the numbers this time last year, which was 25 homicides, 18 of them Black individuals.
With numbers like this, it is already safe to say that we are on target for a deadlier year. With summer just around the corner, we know that as the temperatures rise; so do the homicide numbers and the shooting incidents.
We, as a community, cannot tolerate a deadly summer. We need to find activities for the children, summer camps, summer jobs, anything productive. Bad things can happen when young people get bored.
And we also need to keep an eye out for things happening in our communities. If you see something suspicious or that you know isn’t right, don’t just sit there and wait for someone else to report it. We cannot expect law enforcement to be everywhere. How will they know, if we, the community, don’t tell them.
We need to come together. United we stand, divided our communities will continue to fall.
As part of its ongoing effort to heighten awareness about the effects of murder in Black communities, the New Pittsburgh Courier will compile a list of homicides in the County each month. It is our hope that as the list of victims grows, so will a true understanding of how these lost lives effect the mental health, economic well-being and self-images of the region’s Black neighborhoods.
Out of the 28 murders, thus far, in 2013—22 were Black and 18 were Black men.
APRIL HOMICIDES (8)
APRIL 2—Dwan Jones, a 41-year-old Black male from Mount Oliver, died after being struck by a car in February at the intersection of Frankstown and Paulson Avenues. He allegedly was hit by the mother of his three children, Damona Anderson, after they had gotten into an argument. Anderson reportedly hit and drove over Jones and then took money from his pocket. Jones was taken to a local hospital, where he died a month later. Anderson is charged with homicide, aggravated assault and robbery. She is awaiting her trial.
APRIL 6—Tyrone Milton, a 50-year-old Black male from Braddock, was fatally shot in the head during a confrontation between two men at Deb’s Place, a bar in Miller Avenue in Rankin. Milton reportedly was not involved in the confrontation.  He was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he later died. An arrest warrant has been issued for Darryl Reaves. He is charged with homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and weapons violations. He is still at large.
APRIL 10—Monica Proviano, a 28-year-old Black woman from Wilkinsburg, was found shot to death on Trenton Avenue in Wilkinsburg. She allegedly had been robbed by two men when she answered a call for a jitney. The two men had reportedly planned the incident. She was robbed, shot and then her vehicle was taken. Timothy Brock Jr. and William McGraw are charged with homicide, conspiracy, robbery and robbery of a vehicle. They are awaiting their trials.
APRIL 10—Leon Wilson, a 42-year-old Black male from Homewood, was found with multiple shots to the chest, arm and head in an upstairs hallway of a home at 586 Oakwood St., in Homewood. Wilson was allegedly shot after a domestic dispute with his fiancée. His fiancée had called her daughter, who also brought her boyfriend, a Pennsylvania State Constable. Wilson was allegedly packing a bag when he fired shots at his fiancée’s son, hitting him in the shoulder. The constable ordered him to drop the weapon; Wilson allegedly fired another shot and the constable then fired multiple shots. The constable’s name was not released. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
APRIL 11—Loretta Jackson, a 65-year-old Black female from West Mifflin, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in her Patton Street home in West Mifflin. Authorities found her when they answered a call of an alarm being activated and saw a forced entry when they arrived. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
APRIL 13—Dearto Rankin, a 39-year-old Black male from Verona, was found fatally shot in the 600 block of Linden Avenue in East Pittsburgh. He was found when authorities were answering a call about a disturbance involving gunshots. According to reports, Rankin and his brother, Andre Rankin, were arguing when the gun went off. Andre Rankin is charged with homicide. He is awaiting his trial.
APRIL 27—Andrew Moore, a 31-year-old White male from Venetia, was shot in the head when he entered Armen’s House of Music on Library Road, in Bethel Park, and attacked the owners. He reportedly entered the store, left, then returned again and assaulted one of the storeowners with a club. Her husband reportedly then shot Moore. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
APRIL 28—Brandon Stokes, a 21-year-old Black male from Penn Hills, died of a gunshot wound to the chest at 8619 Westwood Rd., in Penn Hills, when a gun was fired while another man was removing money from his pocket. The bullet hit another man in the abdomen and then hit Stokes in the chest. He was taken to UPMC Shadyside Hospital; where he later died. Marijuana was reportedly involved. Ronald Riviere has been charged with homicide.
JANUARY HOMICIDES (6)
JAN. 1—Ka’Sandra Wade, a 33-year-old Black female from Larimer, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in her Lowell Street home when authorities visited her residence after receiving concerns from relatives. Wade was killed by her boyfriend, Anthony Brown, one day after authorities, who had answered a 9-1-1 call she placed, left without investigating the call when Brown came to the window and told them everything was okay. Brown later shot himself after a brief police standoff.
JAN. 10—Deondre Pace, a 16-year-old Black male from Beltzhoover, was found laying on the sidewalk with multiple shots to the torso in front of Sheffield Funeral Home near Beltzhoover Avenue and Climax Street, in Beltzhoover. He had been leaving a convenience store near his home, when two men approached him and opened fire. Pace was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, where he later died. Ashanti Montgomery has been charged with criminal homicide, firearms not carried without a license and criminal conspiracy.
JAN. 11—Jayemond Bailey, a 34-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was shot to death at Street Stars bar, on Sixth Avenue in McKeesport. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 13—Lou Auer, a 37-year-old White male from East Liberty, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the torso outside of 322 N. Negley Ave., in East Liberty. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 23—Michael Andrews, a 27-year-old Black male from East Hills, was found fatally shot during an alleged home invasion in the 5300 block of Brown Way in Garfield. A masked man knocked on the door of the home that was occupied by two men. When one of the males answered the door, he was shot in the face. After hearing the shot, the other male in the residence got a gun and exchanged shots with the masked man. Andrews was found in front of the home and was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he later died. The other men were wounded. Authorities did not clarify if Andrews lived at the house or was the intruder. The investigation is ongoing.
JAN. 28—Isaiah Dent, a 61-year-old Black male from McKees Rocks, was found beaten to death in the bathroom of his Hays Manor apartment on Locust Street in McKees Rocks. Sean Overton has been charged with criminal homicide, robbery and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. He is awaiting trial.
FEBRUARY HOMICIDES (5)
FEB. 4—Maurice Bruce, a 32-year-old Black male from Pittsburgh, was found shot to death in the bushes near the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Sterrett Street, in Homewood, by an individual walking by. He was reportedly shot after leaving a local bar earlier in the day and had been in the bushes for hours. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
FEB. 19—Constance Johnston, a 76-year-old White female from Richland Township, was stabbed to death from behind by her grandson as she sat, eating breakfast, in the kitchen of her Richland Township home in the 3900 block of Gibson Road, with her husband. Her grandson, Levi Daniel Starver, allegedly stabbed her after the archangel Michael told him to kill her while he was on the computer. Starver has been charged with criminal homicide.
FEB. 23—Brian Wright Jr., a 26-year-old Black male from Homewood, was found with a gunshot wound to the chest at the intersection of Tangent Way and Enterprise Street in Larimer. Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
FEB. 24—Andre Broadie, a 25-year-old Black male from Penn Hills, was shot in the head inside a home in the 5100 block of Columbo Street in Garfield when he and another male entered the home of a person they knew. It has been reported that Broadie was thought to be an intruder. Investigators are calling it a case of mistaken identity. It is unknown if charges will be filed. The investigation is ongoing.
FEB. 28—Tiona Jackson, a 28-year-old Black female from the Hill District, was shot to death while leaving Red’s Ringside Café near the intersection of East Warrington and Vincent Street in Beltzhoover. A male was also injured. Jackson was pronounced dead at the scene. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
MARCH HOMICIDES (9)
MARCH 3—John Sumpter, a 32-year-old Black male of Wilkinsburg, was fatally shot multiple times while sitting in his vehicle outside of Club Pink, a Munhall Strip Club in the 900 block of East Eighth Avenue, after a fight earlier that evening. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Paul Barrone is charged with homicide and is awaiting trial.
MARCH 6—Maurice Penny, a 24-year-old Black male from McKees Rocks, was found dead with multiple shots when a shootout erupted in the hallway of an apartment building in the 500 block of Penn Avenue in Friendship. Penny was a rapper also known as “Big Penny.” No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
MARCH 11—James Adams, a 29-year-old White male from Imperial, was fatally shot in the head while inside the Fort Pitt Inn bar in North Fayette after a man, who was also inside, reportedly became angry after a text message conversation with his girlfriend, walked out and came back in with three handguns. David Mazzocco is charged with homicide, attempted homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, 11 counts of reckless endangerment and weapons violations. He is awaiting trial.
 MARCH 19—Lora Hoffman, a 31-year-old White female from Sheraden, was allegedly stabbed to death by her brother in her Sheraden home in the 3600 block of Allendale Circle when they were allegedly arguing over him lying on the couch while the family was watching television. He reportedly walked into the kitchen, grabbed a knife and returned stabbing her multiple times in the head, face and neck. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Chris Hoffman is charged with homicide and is awaiting trial.
MARCH 26—Terrance Moore, a 34-year-old Black male from Clairton, died hours after being shot in his car during a gunfight outside a home on Halcomb Avenue. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital, where he later died. Others were also injured. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
MARCH 28—Bernadette Scholl, a 74-year-old White female from Munhall, died from injuries she sustained when she was allegedly shot by her son, Anthony Scholl, in her Munhall home on Longfellow Drive. She was found when officers entered her home after a standoff with her son. Anthony Scholl is charged with homicide and weapons violations. He is awaiting trial.
MARCH 29—Kellcy Thomas, an 18-year-old Black male from McKeesport, was found with gunshot wounds to the trunk in the 1400 block of Evans Avenue. He had been taken to UPMC McKeesport, where he later died. No one has been charged; the investigation is ongoing.
MARCH 30—Steven Lee Jr., a 21-year-old Black male from McKees Rocks, was fatally shot aboard a “party bus” near Chartiers Street in Sheraden after a fight reportedly broke out. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital, where he later died. A warrant has been issued for Michael Lyons on charges of criminal homicide and carrying an unlicensed firearm. He is still at large.
MARCH 30—Mark Rucker, a 21-year-old Black male from Monroeville, was found shot to death in the stairwell of a building in the Cambridge Square housing complex. He was allegedly shot in the chest and died at the scene after another man accused Rucker of sleeping with his girlfriend. Jamey McKee has been charged with homicide