U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter says African-Americans should vote for him in the Democratic primary because he fully supports President Obama and his opponent has less experience and cannot beat likely Republican candidate Pat Toomey.

TOUTING EXPERIENCE —U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter tells the New Pittsburgh Courier editorial board that his history of support for civil rights and education gives him the edge over his primary election opponent, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak.

“I beat him before and I’ll beat him again,” Specter told the Courier editorial board. “I’m running to help President Obama carry out his agenda.”

In 2004, Specter—then a Republican, narrowly defeated Pat Toomey in the Republican primary after President George W. Bush campaigned for him. Last year, Specter returned to the Democratic Party after polls showed he would not win a similar primary contest, especially after he voted for the $1 trillion stimulus package. Specter said he didn’t leave the Republicans, they left him.

Will Thompkins is the recipient of the Dignity and Respect Champion award, a monthly honor recognizing people who are engaged in their communities, live by the principles of dignity and respect, and promote an environment of inclusion.

WILL THOMPKINS

Thompkins, director of community and outreach at The Pittsburgh Project, a nonprofit community development organization with a 25-year track record of developing leaders and serving the city’s most vulnerable residents, was nominated by Saleem Ghubril, executive director of the Pittsburgh Promise, a scholarship program for students in Pittsburgh Public Schools.

With March’s homicides, this year’s totals have already surpassed the total for the previous year. In 2009, there were 18 homicides and for this year so far, there are 21. The beginning of the year started out with a step in the right direction but what will it take to get our communities back on track? Maybe what we need are those community prayer walks and vigils as a reminder that violence cannot and will not be tolerated. It takes the whole community, not just one particular group.

AWARDEES—Twinet Parmer, Patricia Robertson, Michael Goh, Aretha Marbley and Michelle Mitcham.

The Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development held its annual Samuel H. Johnson Luncheon at the Westin Hotel, March 21 as part of the American Counseling Association convention at the David Lawrence Convention Center March 19-22 for councilors from around the country. There were five awardees—Twinet Parmer, Aretha Marbley, Michelle Mitcham, Patricia Robertson and Michael Goh. They also announced the opening of the first 2010 Multicultural Social Justice Leadership Development Academy in Pittsburgh.