WINNER—Ernest C. Jackson with Tonita L. Davidson, PBMF president, wins his auction bid for Pirates tickets to the Lexus Club. (Photo by Rossano P. Stewart)

At Roland’s Seafood Cafe located at 1904 Penn Ave. in the Strip, the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation presented a celebration of African-American sights, songs and stories. The showcase of talent and art was a college scholarship fundraiser for Pittsburgh students. Hosted by Brother Marlon of the “Morning Inspiration” show, on WAMO 100.1. The Soul Cafe entertained the packed house with a rousing cavalcade of talented musicians, poets and singers. Tonita L. Davidson, PBMF president and Malik Vincent, a member of PBMF, gave brilliant performances along with Devan Rue, Daniel L.M. Tate, spoken word; Dessie Bey, poet; Palermo Stone, hip-hop artist; and Ads Antalik, hip-hop. The featured speaker was Robert Hill, vice chancellor for the University of Pittsburgh’s Public Affairs Office. The nightcap was the enchanting voice of songstress Cherelle Unique. During the performances and the evenings’ festivities, various items and artwork were auctioned off for the college scholarship fund.
THE VOICE—Cherelle Unique

MARC MORIAL

(NNPA)—“No voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice or procedure shall be imposed or applied by any State or political subdivision to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color.”—Voting Rights Act of 1965
During recent Supreme Court oral arguments in Shelby County v. Holder, Justice Antonin Scalia called a key part of the Voting Rights Act—Section 5—a “racial entitlement.” Section 5 requires that the Justice Department or a federal court “pre-clear” any changes made to voting procedures by covered jurisdictions to ensure they do not “deny or abridge the right to vote on account of race or color.”
This act was established to fix a broken system, and it remains relevant today. As long as blatant voter suppression measures such as voter ID laws and district gerrymandering are being used to keep certain groups from the polls, the Voting Rights Act—in its entirety—remains necessary. And to clear up any confusion that Justice Scalia has or anyone who found merit in his argument: Voting “rights” are indeed that—a right guaranteed to every citizen of the United States. They are not a special privilege. They are not a gift. And they certainly don’t constitute a “racial entitlement.”

Justice Scalia’s comments are a shameful reiteration of a right-wing political interpretation of the Constitution. The Voting Rights Act was a response to an inarguably unjust and unfair system for voting in this country.
Prior to the Voting Rights Act, millions of African-Americans, primarily in the South, were forced to run a gauntlet of “voting qualifications or prerequisites,” including ludicrous literacy tests, discriminatory poll taxes, and other bureaucratic restrictions. And when those measures failed, Blacks were routinely subjected to intimidation, economic sanctions, beatings and even murder. The 1964 murders of three voting rights activists at the hands of Mississippi Klansmen and the March 7, 1965 Bloody Sunday beating of peaceful voting rights marchers in Selma  by Alabama State troopers are horrific examples.
While there has been undeniable progress since 1965, voting rights abuses are still sadly a part of the American electoral landscape. In fact, every presidential election of this new century has been plagued by voting problems—from “hanging chads,” to Tea Party-backed campaigns of Election Day intimidation to new voter ID restrictions. Cut backs in early voting even led to a Florida woman, 102-year-old Desiline Victor, having to stand in line for three hours to vote in November’s presidential election.
The Voting Rights Act, and specifically its Section 5 preclearance provisions, is still needed to protect against such abuses. While Justice Scalia is either confused or misguided in his characterization of the right to vote as a racial entitlement, Con­gress upheld this basic right in 2006 by overwhelmingly reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act for another 25 years. House Speaker, John Boehner said at the time, “The Voting Rights Act has been an effective tool in protecting a right that is fundamental to our democracy and renewing this landmark law will ensure that each and every citizen can continue to exercise their right to vote without the threat of intimidation or harassment.” We intend to hold Speaker Boehner to those words.
(Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans, is president and CEO of the National Urban League.)

Spring Conference
    APRIL 5—The Praise Team of Judah Ministries International Worship Center, 525 Market St., McKeesport, will host a Spring Conference at 7 p.m. The theme is “Go Ye!” The three-day conference will feature a different guest preacher each night. Guests will be Rev. Dr. William Glaze, Messenger Annette Carswell and Rev. Albert Stinson Sr. For more information, call 412-672-6000 or visit www.judahministries.net.
10 Commandment Teas
    APRIL 6—The Music Department of Bethel AME Church, 2720 Webster Ave., Hill District, will host its 7th Annual 10 Commandment Tea at 12 p.m. This will be an afternoon of praise and an inspiring Word of God. For more information, call 412-683-2160.
Youth Explosion 2013
    APRIL 6—Brown Chapel Church, 1400 Boyle St., North Side, will host the “Pump Up the Praise!” Youth Explosion 2013 at 4 p.m. There will be performances by Jasmine Leonard, Shiloh Mime Ministry, the Youth Arts Ministry of Destiny of Faith and more. Proceeds will benefit Daniel’s Den Cancer. For more information, call 412-471-4332.
Pastoral Anniversary Celebration
    APRIL 7—Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 90 Port Perry Rd., North Versailles, will host its Pastoral Anniversary Celebration of Rev. Barbara Gunn at 10:45 a.m. The Word will be preached by Rev. Dr. J. Van Alfred Winsett. Light refreshments will be served after the service. For more information, call 412-823-2841.
Scholarship Concert
    APRIL 13—The Center for Urban Biblical Ministries will host a Scholarship Concert by the Class of 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at East Minster Presbyterian Church, 209 N. Highland Ave., East Liberty. The evening will feature psalmist James Ziegler and Evangelist Barbara Mann. Bishop Loran Mann will be the Master of Ceremonies. For more information, call Karla Thurgood Byrd at 412-247-9010.
Seminar
    APRIL 14—Greater Works Outreach, 301 College Park Dr., Monroeville, will host the “Healing is the Children’s Bread” Seminar at 7 p.m. The three-day seminar, which runs through April 16, will feature Pastor Gary Mitrik and Apostle Reginald White as they provide Biblical instruction, personal prayer and ministry.  The seminar is free. For more information, call 724-327-6500 ext. 117.
Pastoral Anniversary
    APRIL 14—New Zion Baptist Church, 1413 Juniata St., North Side, will host its 47th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration of Rev. Dr. Samuel W. Williams Jr. The theme is “ Bearing all things for 47 years.” The celebration will run through April 20. There will also be a concert on April 20 at 4 p.m. with Rev. Elton Allen & The Voices of Zion. For more information, call 412-322-9566.

Women’s Brunch
    APRIL 27—The SHOUT (Sisters Hanging Out United in Truth) Women’s Ministry of Union Baptist Church of Swissvale, 2117 Collingwood Ave., Swissvale, will host a Women’s Brunch from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Every fourth Saturday of the month, women will come together for food, fun and fellowship to praise the Lord and hear a Word from a woman of faith. This month’s special guest will be Rev. Terri Pennybaker For more information, call Synthia Brown at 412-466-1150.
Missionary Conference
    APRIL 27—Christian Tabernacle, 2601 Centre Ave. Hill District, will host a Missionary Conference. The theme is “Where There is No Vision-The People Perish.” There will be a Prayer Breakfast at 10 a.m. and a Worship Service on April 28 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Prophetic Workshop
    APRIL 27—Restoration Wellness Ministries will host the Prophetic Worship at 7 p.m. at 238 Penn Circle, East Liberty. This is an evening with the king, and the praise of healing, restoration and refresh. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
    (To have items listed on the Church Circuit, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)

BIG WINNER-- Pedro Quezada, the winner of the Powerball jackpot, talks to the media during a news conference at the New Jersey Lottery headquarters, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

by David Porter

PATERSON, N.J. (AP) — A former bodega owner who will be pocketing $152 million in lottery winnings has coughed up $30,000 in back child support with a promise from his lawyer he will "do what's right for his children."