Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Presents the “The Color Purple,” July 17 to August 4th 2024

https://pashakespeare.org/shows/the-color-purple/

July 17 to August 4 | Main Stage

The epic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker comes to life in an emotional tour de force musical infused with a soul-stirring score of jazz, gospel, ragtime, and blues. Set against the backdrop of the American South in the early 20th century, the story follows the transformative journey of Celie, a young African American woman who courageously navigates a life marked by abuse, separation, and discrimination to discover the strength to break free from oppression and find her own voice. From the hauntingly beautiful “I’m Here” to the exuberant celebration of “The Color Purple,” this sensational Tony Award-winning musical is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love. · Ages 13+

Running Time: 2 hours and 35 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission

Content advisory and trigger warning: contains violence, abuse, strong language, mature themes and situations.  

To win 2 Free Tickets to The Color Purple at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival send an email to info@lvbnn.com In the subject heading write 'I need 2 tickets to for The Color Purple.'

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Black Wall Street Networking Dinner Wednesday July 17th @ 6:30pm

 

Introducing our evening speaker,

Nichole Tillman is Executive Vice President of the communications department at the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), the fourth-largest housing authority in the country, Nichole Tillman is the main strategic force behind the internal and external media and communication initiatives. As the agency spokesperson, she navigates complex landscapes, ensuring that PHA’s messaging resonates with employees, residents, stakeholders and the media. Register here

Juneteenth: Teaching Outside the Textbook: June 11, 2024 Zinn Education Project- Teaching People's History

 

Background on Juneteenth

Here are key points from scholars Greg Carr, Christopher Wilson, and Clint Smith on the history beyond the traditional textbook narrative about Juneteenth.

Black Troops Spreading the Word with Every Marching Foot

By Howard University professor Greg Carr, transcribed from a Teach the Black Freedom Struggle Online Class

While General Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation off that veranda in Galveston, there were at least nine regiments of the United States Colored Troops marking their way through Texas, the last of the 10 states in the Confederacy to give up. Black troops, some of those same Black troops that have captured Richmond, those Black troops were now in Texas. So while Granger makes the formal announcement on June 19th, and a year later to the day, Black folks start celebrating Juneteenth formally, those Black troops are spreading the word with every marching foot as they come across the South.

June 19th is the official day marking these emancipation celebrations as it formally comes into the African awareness in Texas. But the dates are usually linked to whenever people found out they were free, which is why in Mississippi, in Alabama, in Arkansas, in Oklahoma, you might see an August date or July date. This is described in O Freedom: Afro-American Emancipation Celebrations by William Wiggins. What we see in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, is also connected to the Caribbean, described in Howard University professor Jeffrey Kerr-Ritchie’s book on Emancipation Day celebrations called Rites of August First: Emancipation Day in the Black Atlantic World. There is also Decoration Day. 

We think about the roots of what become Memorial Day, the idea of honoring our ancestors who made the ultimate sacrifice, by placing flowers on their graves and you see that coming out of South Carolina. There’s a very good book called Conjuring Freedom that talks about that South Carolina regiment of Colored Troops and the beautiful Ed Dwight monument on the South Carolina State House grounds.

Read more

City of Allentown PA Juneteenth Block Party: Wednesday June 19, 2024 (03:00pm 7:00pm)

Celebrate 19 Days of Juneteenth in Allentown!

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

City of Allentown 19 Days of JuneTeenth 2024

 

The City of Allentown is still accepting Food, Merchandise, Art and Resource Vendors. Visit the City of Allentown JuneTeenth Celebration 2024

The City of Allentown is still accepting Food, Merchandise, 

Art and Resource Vendors.

To register as a vendor, please visit the City of Allentown JuneTeenth 2024 Celebration page here:

https://lnkd.in/ekEHpAng

Or Call Ryan Griffiths @ 610-437-7750

Free Health Screenings Event: Satuday June 22, 2024 9am-4pm @ St Pauls Baptist Church 925 E. Goepp St Bethlehem PA 18017

 

Allentown PA, 2nd Annual Juneteenth Black Excellence Gala, Friday June 7th 6:00pm-12:00am

 

Ed Dwight, America's first Black astronaut candidate, finally goes to space 60 years later

 

For all of your insurance needs, please reach out to Moise (mo iz)!

 

Invitation to Bid Vacant Unit Cleaning for the Housing Authority of the City of Allentown, PA

The Housing Authority of the City of Allentown, PA, by virtue of its contract with the United States of America, acting through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, pursuant to the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, 

is hereby requesting bids to provide Vacant Unit Cleaning at various properties located within the City of Allentown, specified in Bid No. 2024-003-000-50-4430027. 

 The Authority is permitted to use a secure electronic bidding platform, such as The PennBid Program. Interested firms may obtain contract specification documents containing detailed submission requirements by accessing The PennBid Program at https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com/.

A pre-bid conference will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, beginning at 9:00 AM, prevailing time, in the Administrative Offices at Gross Towers, 1339 W. Allen Street, Allentown PA 18102.

All prospective bidders are encouraged to attend. Questions may be submitted via the “Vendor Discussions tab” within Messages on the left side of the pennbid.bonfirehub.com webpage before Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST. 

Responses will be provided to all bidders no later than Friday, May 24, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST. Interested bidders are requested to respond by bid submission (satisfying the requirements of this Invitation) on or before 3:00 PM, prevailing time, Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Documents arriving after this time will be not be considered. Complete bid documents shall be submitted electronically via https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com/projects.

The Allentown Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities in bidding, and to withhold award for a period of sixty (60) days.


Allentown Housing Authority Fred Bañuelos, Chairman

Julio Guridy, Executive Director

Request for Proposals for Audit Services for the Allentown Housing Authority extended to Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 3:00 PM EST

Request for Proposals for Audit Services for the Allentown Housing Authority have been extended to Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 3:00 PM EST.

The Allentown Housing Authority (AHA), by virtue of its contract with the United States of America, acting through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, pursuant to the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, is hereby requesting proposals for the audit of its books and records pertinent to its operations as specified in RFP No. 2024-004-900-50-4171000.

The audit of the accounts and records of the Allentown Housing Authority will be for the twelve (12) month periods ending June 30, 2024, June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2026. The audit will involve the operation of 936 low-rent housing units consisting of 10 AMPS, 1,740 units under the Housing Choice Voucher(HCV) Program and 73 units under the Neighborhood Strategic Area (NSA) properties.

The audit will also involve the operation of the Capital Fund Program. In addition, the AHA has three discretely presented component units that receive outside audits as of 10/31 and 12/31 annually. These audits are typically relied upon for reporting the balances on the FDS. The books of account and financial records to be audited are maintained at the Administrative Office of the Authority at John Gross Towers, 1339 W. Allen Street, Allentown, PA 18102 and the Resident files are maintained at the respective site offices. Attention is called to all respondents that all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for federally assisted contracts must be complied with. This includes strict compliance with Executive Order 11246, as amended (establishing a goal of 6.9% for female employment and 1.3% minority percentage by craft); Nondiscrimination; Executive Order 11625, Minority Business Enterprises; Executive Order 12138, Women Business Enterprise; Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968; Civil Rights Act of 1964; and Minority Business Participation. Also, pursuant to 62 PA.C.S. Sec 4601-4604, the Authority is permitted to use a secure electronic bidding platform, such as The PennBid Program. Interested firms may obtain contract specification documents containing detailed submission requirements by accessing The PennBid Program at https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com/.

Interested bidders are requested to respond by proposal submission (satisfying the requirements of this Invitation) on or before Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 3:00 PM EST. Documents arriving after this time will be not be considered. Complete Proposals shall be submitted electronically via https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com/projects. Questions may be submitted via the “Vendor Discussions tab” within Messages on the left side of the pennbid.bonfirehub.com webpage before Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST. Responses will be provided to all bidders no later than Monday, May 13, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST.

The Allentown Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities in bidding, and to withhold award for a period of sixty (60) days. Allentown Housing Authority Fred Bañuelos, Chairman Julio Guridy, Executive Director

It's a Jazz Vibe; with Gerry Pegues, Monday May 6th, 7:00pm @ the HUB at CIVIC, 514 N 19th Street Allentown PA, 18104 (BYOB)

 

Bill Introduced in Pennsylvania House Mirroring Federal ACP

A Pennsylvania bill seeks to emulate the federal Affordable Connectivity Program by providing a $30 per month subsidy for internet costs.

 by Jericho Casper   Apr 12, 2024 — 2 min read

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2024 – A bill that would establish a statewide internet subsidy program, mirroring the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, was introduced to the Pennsylvania House on Monday.

House Bill 2195 aims to make broadband internet more affordable for households facing financial challenges by offering a $30 per month subsidy to assist with monthly internet subscription costs. 

Read more here

DaVinci Career Fair Monday March 25th 10:00am-1:00pm @ Butz Corporate Center 840 W. Hamilton Street Allenton PA 18101

 

Loans for Minority -Owned Businesses from AEDC

 

Got MEDICARE Questions? Call Derrick @ MEDICARE LIFE 484-221-9200

 

View my website here:

Open Enrollment Period
January 1st- March 31st 2024

My MEDICARE LIFE gives you a second chance to make sure that you have a plan that fits your health and budget needs.

Call me for a free no obligation review.

Derrick Brickhouse 484-221-9200 

Investigation of Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk: Council votes to score bid investigation contract - WFMZ.com

WFMZ ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Allentown City Council voted Wednesday night to adopt a resolution that will prevent any members of city administration from being part of the scoring process to select a service that will conduct an investigation into the administration.

The resolution states: "Outside of the purchasing agent (from the city), neither the director of finance nor anyone from the administration should participate in the scoring process or be present during the process to select a response to the request for proposals for selecting investigatory services."

City Council voted on Sept. 20, 2023, to adopt an ordinance to authorize an investigation by an outside agency for the purpose of examining procedures related to the hiring, terminations and discipline of employees. Read more

Rising Sun Initiative Black History Month Celebration @ Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum Saturday February 24th @ 1:00pm

 

New Bearden print will be focus of Conversation Saturday, February 24, beginning at 2 p.m. @ The Allentown Art Museum

 

In celebration of the Allentown Art Museum’s recent acquisition of The Piano Lesson by Romare Bearden, author and scholar Robert O’Meally will lead a Dynamic Conversation about the layers of history and culture represented in this artwork. The talk will take place on Saturday, February 24, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Museum’s auditorium. Admission to the Museum and to the Conversation is free, but please take a moment to let us know you are coming by REGISTERING HERE Members, you are invited to attend a special meet and greet with Robert O’Meally before the event, REGISTER HERE Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Romare Bearden grew up in New York City and Pittsburgh. He began his artistic career creating scenes of the American South and is probably best known for his photomontage compositions made from torn images from popular magazines and assembled into visually powerful statements on African American life. Read more about the event here