Friday, February 21, 2014

The Dr. Edna McKenzie Chapter of ASALH Presented on February 8, 2014 at the Homewood Branch of the Carnegie Library, a Community Forum Titled: The Obama Administration and Black America: Celebration and Consternation

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Pittsburgh, PA
February 21, 2014

The presenter for the ASALH Community Forum was: Dr. James B. Stewart, Professor Emeritus, Penn State University, former President of the National Council of Black Studies and the National Economic Association and the past President of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.  Commentators for the Forum were: Dr. Lawrence Glasco and Richard Adams. Moderator for the Community Forum was Chris Moore, Talk Show Host for WQED MultiMedia, KDKA Radio and PCNC-TV.  The participants and audience were welcomed by Dr. June Pickett Dowdy, president of the Dr. Edna McKenzie Chapter of ASALH.This event was well attended and scholars, lay people and activist came from all over the Tri-State area to participate in the discussion.

Dr. James B. Stewart presented a summary of his 70-page report titled: The Obama Administration and Black America: Celebration and Consternation.  Dr. Stewart gave a very comprehensive, balanced assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the Obama's Administration policies, actions or inactions in reference to Black Americans.  See the summary report below.








Dr. Larry Glasco was the next presenter and basically supported what Dr. Stewart stated in his 70 page report.  Dr. Glasco then gave an informative overview of early Black Political Development in Western Pennsylvania and the City of Pittsburgh in reference to Frederick Douglas, Martin Delaney and other Black political leaders in Western Pennsylvania and in Pittsburgh.

Rick Adams followed with a critical analysis of the Obama Administration and referred particularly to the Affordable Care Act which he maintained has the potential to impact poor Black people in a positive manner.

A vigorous question and answer and comments followed.  Many of the comments and questions were critical of the Obama Administration in its domestic and foreign policy areas as the policies relate to people of color.

Fred Logan. longtime community activist and who is the godfather of the Community Forum held on February 8th gave the following summary:
"We must use our debates over Barack Obama to "mobilize , organize, and politicize" the black community.  That's what these debates are and must be about.  We must do this persistently and constantly.  This is not a debate about Barack Obama, personally.  It is not a dry academic discussion. It's about the policies of the US government and what is in the best interests of the national black community.

This is one of the most important and sophisticated debates in all of US politics at this moment.  It is of and from black masses.  Black people in beauty shops, during church committee meetings, in taverns, at social clubs, around dinner tables, everywhere they are debating the economy, public education, US foreign policy.  That's great!

Factor out the dumb talk, this is common and inherent in US politics at large.  The debate challenges the black community to organize.  That's the crux of the debate.

At the recent Feb. 8 ASALH forum on the Obama Administration and Black America, Larry Glasco, from Pitt; Esther Bush, from the Pittsburgh Urban League; Homewood community activist Michelle Jackson; Ron Saunders of ASALH; Gail Austin from Black Voices for Peace; African Studies scholar Jim Stewart, in fact everyone who spoke asked, in different ways, what is next for the black community.

Even if it is true, as a lot of black folks argue, that Barack Obama can only do so much, this only means the black community must do more to organize itself.  Whatever restrictions--real and imagined--may be on Obama in Washington, DC, we can still and we must organize in Pittsburgh, PA and everywhere else.

The black Obama-debate is an extremely important mechanism, process, and reason for us to do just that.  Of course, it will not be, and should not, be easy.  It will be, and should be, extremely difficult.
But it can be.

Let's debate Obama's policies not just to support or to criticize the first black US president, but first and last to organize ourselves."



Above, Dr. Carter G. Woodson is pictured standing in his library, at 1538 9th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.  Dr. Woodson dedicated his life to educating the American public about the extensive and positive contributions of African Americans.  In 1926, he initiated Negro History Week to be observed during February of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.  Today Negro History Week has been expanded into Black History Month.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson is the founder of ASALH which is the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The Under-Reported and Overlooked Black History of Pittsburgh---Ronald B. Saunders Attends a Fundraiser for Elmer McClung at the Duquesne Club

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
National Black Political Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
February 18, 2014


The National Black Political Caucus gave its full support to Elmer McClung when he ran for City Council in the City of Pittsburgh.  Note the Democratic Party in Pittsburgh, PA failed to endorse one single Black candidate for the position of City Councilman which led to a movement spearheaded by the Metropolitan Crusade for Voters, The National Black Political Caucus, ACORN and other groups who lobbied very vigorously and vociferously for "By District Elections".

The Real Madoff

Black Buzz  News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
National Black Political Caucus Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
February 18, 2014


Western Union Mailgram from Ralph Neas of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and Nan Aron of the Alliance for Justice Thanking Ronald B. Saunders of the National Black Political Caucus for Assisting in Defeating the Bork Nomination to the United States Supreme Court

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
National Black Political Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
February 18, 2014


The National Black Political Caucus, led by Ronald B. Saunders, worked tirelessly to defeat the Bork nomination to the US Supreme Court.


Herron Hill Swim Team to Celebrate Milestone, September 29, 2007

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Ronald B. Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
February 18, 2014


Correction in above article: Ronald Saunders remembers "waking up early for swim practice at Herron Hill Junior High School".



Ron swimming in Torrejon, Spain as he prepares for the Berlin Games in 1969.


Ron swimming backstroke in Torrejon, Spain in 1969.



Ron swimming at the Divi Divi Beach Hotel in Aruba in 1972.


Ron swimming in the Southern Caribbean Sea in Aruba in 1972.



Thursday, February 13, 2014

Kay Boys Club History: Article From The New Pittsburgh Courier on November 20, 1971 on the "Kay Boys Club Guild Seeks Acting Talent"

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
February 13, 2014





 Pictured above is playwright, Ronald B. Saunders in 1971.

Four Lovely Ladies From the Old Pittsburgh Courier: Beatrice Saunders Robinson, Frances Williams, Mary Warrick and Esther Austin

Black Buzz News Service
Beatrice L. Saunders Robinson Project
Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
February 13, 2014


Pictured from left to right are: Esther Austin, sister of Beatrice Saunders Robinson, Mary Warrick, Frances Williams and Beatrice Saunders Robinson.

Beatrice Saunders Robinson was chairman of the Pittsburgh Courier Unit of the Pittsburgh Local of the American Newspaper Guild.  She was also treasurer of the Pittsburgh Local of the American Newspaper Guild in which she was the first African American female to serve in that capacity.

Esther Austin, in 1957, was the first Black person chosen for Miss Pittsburgh Railways Company.

First Mister African American Reunion Held on March 17, 2002 at Macedonia Baptist Church Located in Pittsburgh, PA

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
February 13, 2014









*The idea for the Mister African American Reunion originated with Ronald B. Saunders with which Jean Bryant, the founder, was in agreement.


An Adventure Base Learning Exercise In African American Ancient African History, Coordinated By Ronald B. Saunders on February 21, 1999 at Christian Tabernacle Church Located on Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
February 13, 2014








Each participant was required to perform his/her own script as well as recite orally the history of the other portrayals being performed thus giving each participant a comprehensive knowledge of the historical persons being presented.

The poems: "My History is Your History"  and "Man Could They Play That Game" were written by Ronald B. Saunders.


Ronald B. Saunders on December 23, 1998, Played the Part of Simeon in the Play: "The Twelve Voices of Christmas", Performed at Christian Tabernacle Church, Located on Centre Avenue in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA 
February 13, 2014


Picture of Ronald B. Saunders playing the part of Simeon in "The Twelve Voices of Christmas".







Obituary of Raymond Philip McDougald, Sr. on November 30, 2013 at Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Pittsburgh, PA
February 13, 2014








Thursday, February 6, 2014

Melvin Steals Family Visit to the Senator John Heinz History Center to View His Wife, Adrena's Great Grandparents Who Are William Henry Levander Wolfe and Dicey Wolfe Whose Pictures Were Displayed in the "Great Migration" Section of the Exhibit "From Slavery to Freedom"

Black Buzz News Service
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Pittsburgh, PA
February 6, 2014


Pictured from left to right are: Melvin Steals, Sr., Alanna, Adrena Steals and Breanna.  Alanna and Breanna are the great great great grandchildren of William Henry (Papa) and Dicey Wolfe.  Pictured are three generations of the descendants of Papa and Dicey Wolfe.

Pictured is Alanna Steals viewing her great great great grandparents at the Great Migration section in the "From Slavery to Freedom Exhibit at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Melvin and Adrena Steals at the Heinz History Center.

The great great great granddaughters of Papa and Dicey Wolfe--------Alanna and Breanna.


Pictured above is Melvin Steals, Jr.  Melvin is the great great grandson of Papa and Dicey Wolfe. Papa Wolfe who was born enslaved on the Wolfe Plantation in Charlotte, North Carolina, was a very learned man who in the late 1870's,  attended Biddle University/Institute (which is now Johnson C. Smith) located in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Papa Wolfe would be most proud to know that his great great grandson Melvin, Jr. is a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School of Business) and holds a Masters Degree in Business from Dartmouth College.  Melvin is currently employed as a CEO of a major corporation in the Pittsburgh area.  


* Papa Wolfe is also the great grandfather of  Thomas J. Saunders, Jr. and Ronald B. Saunders who are the second cousins of Arenda Richardson Steals.

Dicey Gady Rorie Wolfe was born in Pee Dee River, South Carolina which was at the time the home of the Pee Dee Cherokee Nation.
                                                                                                                                                        

Ronald B. Saunders As the Emcee of the Black History Month Program in 2001 at the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center

Black Buzz News
Ronald B. Saunders Project
Ronald B. Saunders Archives
Pittsburgh, PA
February 6, 2014


For many years, Ronald B. Saunders was the emcee of the Black History Month Program at the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center which inspired and educated thousands of young people about African American history and the role that Africans played in the development of world civilization.