The Gulf Coast Voice 09-21-17_3FINIAL

Iron Sharping Iron School for Boy ‘ s Page 3

Gentrification comes to Escambia County

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Volume 52 Num . 36 September 21 - September 27 , 2017 . 50 Cents

The Gathering Presents Alabama Black Judge to Speak on $ 1.2 Trillion Black Buying Power

On September 30th at 4:00pm The Gathering wareness and Book Center is presenting Alabama dge Jo Celeste Pettway , who will serve as the uest speaker on the subject of Black Buying ower having reached $ 1.2 Trillion and the need r a larger percentage of those dollars to return the Black Community . The event is being billed as an informational anquet to be held at the Englewood All In One estaurant at 1100 West Scott Street with the theme f “ Working Together for the Next Generation ” ith tickets for the event available for $ 25 . Pettway is described as the first woman of Afcan-American descent appointed or elected to e Alabama State Bench and served the people f Alabama for 32 years . The Gathering is continuing its role as a strategic dvocate for informing the local Black Commuity on issues related to economic empowerment .

Georgia and Johnny Blackmon , the owners of the Gathering , continue to create ongoing attention to issues relative to improving the lives of African-Americans in Pensacola , Escambia County , and Northwest Florida . In preparation for this article , the Gulf Coast Voice did some additional research on this issue and found that the median income for an African American household was $ 39,490 last year , according to U . S . Census Bureau data released recently . It was $ 41,363 in 2000 . ( Both figures are in 2016 dollars , so they have been adjusted for inflation ). Black Americans stand alone as the one racial group that the Census Bureau identifies that has been left behind as it documents household income . The other racial groups of White , Asian and Latino households experienced some small increases in their income since 2000 . The increases in incomes for those Americans who did experience more , helped lift the overall median U . S . household income to $ 59,039 last year . This is the highest level ever recorded by the Census Bureau . ( Median household income means half of U . S . households earn more and half earn less .) Many scholars and economists attempt to explain the lower incomes being depicted by Black families . Williams Rodgers , a chief economist at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University , is one of the researchers that co-wrote a report for the Economic Policy Institutes ’ s depiction of black-white wage gaps having increased to larger levels in 2017 than

they were in 1979 . The study noted that even when African Americans attend college and actively work to expand their skills and networks , they still earn far less than whites with a similar educational background . In fact , the wage gap has expanded the most between college-educated blacks and whites . The conclusion by Rodgers is that wage gaps are growing primarily because of discrimination . Georgia Blackmon in an interview with the Gulf Coast Voice stated , “ One of the opportunities we have with $ 1.2 Trillion in African-American income is to spend more of that financial resource with our own business community . I have five grand-children and two great-grand children and I feel we have a responsibility to leave a legacy of spending more of our income with each other ”. Tickets for this event can be purchased at the Gathering Awareness and Book Center on North DeVilliers Street or Me & Moms on North 12th Avenue .

Chariots of Pensacola Hosts 9th Annual Bike Ride

BY CJ Davis Thursday September 14 the City Council held its meeting to discuss its agendas and topics brought by the community . The most controversial topic discussed during this meeting was the removal

Editorial Education

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Community Classified National pg 4 pg 5 pg 6 of the General Robert E . Lee monument that ’ s stands in Lee Square , downtown Pensacola . The statue was erected and dedicated in 1891 . The monument specifically honors three Confederate figures as well as the “ uncrowned heroes ” of the Confederacy during that time in American History . Before 1889 , Lee Square was named Florida Square and those that are in favor of having the Lee Monument removed supported the name being returned to Florida Square . A Strong representation of both sides of the community was in attendance of the meeting . Although some of the attendees did become infuriated and lashed out while voicing their personal opinion , most opinions were heard , in spite of disruptions of one attendee resulting in being escorted from the meeting by the police . Many voiced opinions for the removal of the monument and others shared their opinions on why the “ Lee monument ” should remain in

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The City of Pensacola and The Lee Statue Debate Continues

ommunity Member Speaks at City Hall Meeting

aturday morning , motorcycle clubs throughout e area came to participate in the ninth annual ckle Cell Bike Ride-a-thon . Sponsored by the hariots , more than 100 bikers came geared up take the annual ride for the sake of Sickle Cell . ome bikers came just to give support while hers came to make a sizeable donation and just joy the comradery . The Chariots are committed to sponsoring this ent every year for the community . They do is to not only raise money for sickle cell but to ise awareness about the disease ,” said Walter allace , President of the Sickle Cell Organization . he route began at 507 North Davis Hwy ( Cycle ear ) and traveled North on Fl 291Nonto rent Lane , turning right onto he 1-10 N ramp ding up at Eagle ’ s Talon Motorcycle Accessories and back to Cycle Gear where everyone enjoyed refreshments provided by the Chariots of Pensacola . Groups and / or motorcycle clubs represented at Saturday ’ s 9th Annual Riding Out Sickle Cell Charity Event were : LifeRiders ( Saraland , Al ); Euro Knightz ( Ft Walton Bch , Fl ); Black Skulls ( Jacksonville , Fl ); and the following all of Pensacola , Fl : Kreeperz , American Legion Riders , Twisted , Zero to 100 , Wicked Rydaz , Maranatha Riders ( CMA ), and Christ Descendants Stray Dogs ( MFV ), and of course , the Chariots of Pensacola Christian M / C Club . Comradery and support between these and other clubs keeps the biker image positive in the Pensacola area . Wallace stated that the Sickle Cell Organization

is the only Sickle Cell organization authorized to raise funds . “ We have in the past , had people trying to raise funds in our name but it wasn ’ t official ,” he said . He cautions everyone to ask to see badges or authorization before giving any type of donation to anyone .

Members of the Community in audienc at City Hall Meeting place where it is . Some council members stated that they are against the slavery and racism that stands behind the monument . However , they also felt that it ’ s a piece of historical Pensacola . Rather than make a hasty decision , the council scheduled another meeting to decide what the actual fate of the statue would be .