Lehigh Valley Black News Network

BHALV to Host Free Workforce Procurement Training for Construction Contractors and Workers at Allentown Public Library

Free laptops, construction financing resources, PennBid assistance and upcoming contracting opportunities to be featured

ALLENTOWN, PA — August 26, 2026 — The Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley (BHALV) will host its next Workforce Procurement Pathways and Construction Trades Empowerment Initiative training on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Allentown Public Library.

The free training is designed to help local construction contractors, subcontractors, trades workers, small businesses and Section 3 participants strengthen their ability to compete for public and publicly funded construction opportunities throughout Allentown and the Lehigh Valley.
Financing, Procurement & Business Development

A representative from First Northern Bank & Trust will participate in the program to provide information about construction, business and mortgage financing opportunities.

Participants will also learn about upcoming construction and procurement opportunities and have an opportunity to register for a private PennBid account setup training with Dale Fairclough of Achieve Coaching and Consulting. The PennBid assistance is intended to help contractors become better prepared to identify and pursue public bidding opportunities.
FREE Laptops for Eligible Section 3 Contractors

As part of BHALV's efforts to address the digital divide affecting small contractors, fully Section 3-certified contractors participating in the program who have not previously received a device will be eligible to receive a FREE laptop.

The laptops are being incorporated into BHALV's contractor development efforts to give participating businesses access to the technology needed to search for opportunities, communicate with public agencies, complete online registrations and navigate electronic procurement platforms.
Lead Hazard & Healthy Homes Contracting

The August 29 training will also include follow-up information for contractors who recently participated in Lead Hazard certification training and are preparing to pursue Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard-related contracting opportunities.

BHALV will discuss next steps for contractors, certification follow-up and preparation for upcoming opportunities requiring qualified construction businesses and workers.

“Our goal is not simply to tell contractors that opportunities exist. We want to help them become prepared to actually compete for those opportunities,” said Kevin Easterling, CEO of the Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley and Section 3 Consultant and Advocate. “That means helping contractors with procurement systems, technology, certifications, financing information and the relationships they need to grow their businesses.”
Registration Is Free — Seating Is Limited

Participation in the August 29 training is FREE, but seating is being limited to approximately 20 contractors and participants.

Construction contractors and workers interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP as soon as possible.

EVENT INFORMATION

Workforce Procurement Pathways and Construction Trades Empowerment Initiative
Saturday, August 29, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Allentown Public Library
Allentown, Pennsylvania

RSVP / Information:
Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley
Phone/Text: 484-550-2506
Email: ke@lvbnn.com
Event Support

This month's Workforce Procurement Training is sponsored in part through support associated with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, Lehigh County Department of Community & Economic Development, City of Allentown Department of Community & Economic Development, and the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Connectivity Program.
About the Initiative

The BHALV Workforce Procurement Pathways and Construction Trades Empowerment Initiative works to increase the capacity of local contractors and construction workers through Section 3 certification assistance, procurement training, technical assistance, bid navigation, technology access and connections to public and publicly funded construction opportunities.

The initiative's broader goal is to expand the pool of qualified local contractors and workers who are prepared to participate in construction and economic development opportunities throughout Allentown and the Lehigh Valley.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Kevin Easterling, CEO
Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley
Section 3 Consultant and Advocate
1124 W. Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA 18101
P.O. Box 4385
Allentown, PA 18105
484-550-2506
ke@lvbnn.com

Lehigh Valley Puerto Rican Parade returns to Hamilton Street on Sunday July 19th @ 12pm; festival moves to Allentown Fairgrounds

By Jai Smith Published Friday, July 17, 2026 · 12:39 PM

2026 Juneteenth Celebration Date: Saturday, June 20 Time: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location: Cedar Beach Park, 2600 Parkway Blvd, Allentown, PA 18104

Black Heritage Association Launches the Alan & Laverne Blanks Black Book & Memorabilia Collection Fundraiser

Historic Collection of African American Literature and Memorabilia Preserves Black History and Culture for Future Generations

ALLENTOWN, PA June 16th 2026— The Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley (BHALV) is proud to announce the official launch of the Alan & Laverne Blanks Black Book & Memorabilia Collection, one of the most significant privately assembled collections of African American literature, history, and cultural memorabilia in the Lehigh Valley.

The collection, generously donated by community philanthropist Laverne Blanks, widow of the late Alan Blanks, contains thousands of books, rare publications, historical documents, and cultural artifacts spanning more than two centuries of African American history and scholarship. Many of the titles date back to the 1800s and represent the voices, struggles, achievements, and intellectual contributions of Black authors, historians, educators, activists, and leaders. The collection is believed to include more than 3,000 volumes and related memorabilia, making it one of the most extensive African American literary collections in the region.

To support the preservation, cataloging, and public accessibility of this remarkable archive, BHALV is launching a Book & Memorabilia Fundraiser. Proceeds from the fundraiser will help fund the ongoing inventory, preservation, digitization, cataloging, educational programming, and public exhibition of the collection. Read more

ODUNDE Festival Sunday June 14th 23rd & South St Philadelphia PA

The Philadelphia JUNETEENTH Family Inc National Flag Raising Ceremony June 1 2026 11:00am City Hall 1401 John F. Kennedy BLVD North Apron

Vendors Needed for Saturday , June 20th 2026 June-Teenth Celebration in Allentown PA

PUBLIC NOTICE: To All Pennsylvania Business Owners: BHALV to submit NAP Tax Credit Application: Deadline May 29th 2026

The PA Department of Community & Economic Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program, which provides tax credits to companies that invest in non-profit profits, will receive an application from the Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley for its Workforce Pathways in Construction Initiative.

There are $72 million in tax credits available statewide.

Would your Business like to donate to good cause and save up to 65% on PA State Taxes subject to the following taxes imposed by the Tax Reform Code of 1971, 72 P.S.?

Personal Income Tax *Only in eligible instances where tax credits are being passed through to shareholders
Corporate Net Income Tax
Bank Shares Tax
Title Insurance & Trust Company Shares Tax
Insurance Premiums Tax (excluding surplus lines, unauthorized, domestic/foreign marine)
Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax

Eligible Contributors:
Eligible contributors are business firms authorized to do business in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue evaluates all contributors for State Tax Compliance prior to
project approval. Applications from eligible contributors cleared for state tax compliance during the
clearance verification period will move forward in the tax credit approval process.

For more information, visit: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/neighborhood-assistance-program-nap/

Email: bhalv@lvbnn.com to set up a an intake meeting to process your contribution.

This Day in History May 25: Memorial Day Time Periods: 1865–1876

For Memorial Day, we feature an article by David Blight about the early origins of the holiday, led by African Americans in Charleston, South Carolina, after the Civil War;

The First Decoration Day By David Blight

Americans understand that Memorial Day, or “Decoration Day,” as my parents called it, has something to do with honoring the nation’s war dead. It is also a day devoted to picnics, road races, commencements, and double-headers. But where did it begin, who created it, and why?

As a nation we are at war now, but for most Americans the scale of death and suffering in this seemingly endless wartime belongs to other people far away, or to people in other neighborhoods. Collectively, we are not even allowed to see our war dead today. That was not the case in 1865.

At the end of the Civil War the dead were everywhere, some in half buried coffins and some visible only as unidentified bones strewn on the killing fields of Virginia or Georgia. Americans, north and south, faced an enormous spiritual and logistical challenge of memorialization. The dead were visible by their massive absence. Approximately 620,000 soldiers died in the war. American deaths in all other wars combined through the Korean conflict totaled 606,000. If the same number of Americans per capita had died in Vietnam as died in the Civil War, 4 million names would be on the Vietnam Memorial. The most immediate legacy of the Civil War was its slaughter and how we remember it. Continue reading.

Jerry Christian gets street named after him in Allentown

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — East Liverpool native Jerry Christian will be honored at the Clyde E. Bosket Park in Allentown PA on Saturday May 23 2026.

Allentown City Council voted in October 2025 to dedicate the 500 block of Hickory Street to the city-league basketball legend and will now be known as “Jerry Christian Way.”

Jerry was born in East Liverpool to the late William A. Christian and Thelma (Prince) Christian. He attended East Liverpool High School.

During his basketball playing years as a Potter, he made All-League, All-County, All-District, and honorable mention All-Ohio his junior year and All-League MVP, All-County, All-District and second team All-Ohio his senior year.

He received a full basketball scholarship to West Texas State University. He played four years of Division 1 college basketball. He graduated from college with a degree in Business Administration as a marketing major.

After graduation he took residence in Allentown and played for a semi-pro basketball team known as the Allentown Jets.

Christian was the founder and director of the Fountain Park Adult Basketball League in the 1980s and coached countless boys and girls throughout the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.

Christian has received various awards and recognition for community service and human relations in the Allentown and Lehigh Valley area.

He was inducted into the East Liverpool High School Athletic Hall of Fame in September 1995.

Jerry and his wife Roberta have three daughters, Kia, Erica, and Nina.

Read More in The Review Saturday May 23, 2026

Top U.S. & World Headlines — April 2, 2026

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 20, 2026 Democracy Now!

Small Actions Big Shifts: From Protest to Policy: Turning Advocacy into Action; Tuesday February 24th 6:30pm -8:00pm VIRTUAL

Get Tickets here: https://secure.everyaction.com/rAy29FBnCkSR1eU0RtZ9Jw2

PENNBID TRAINING – LIVE VENDOR SESSION #2 February 28, 2026 | 10AM–12PM @ the Allentown Public Library

LV BNN # 429, Thursday January 29th 2026

Black Excellence Exhibit: February 6th - 18th, 2026 @ Corpora Gammery at Charter Arts Featuring the work of Femi J. Johnson

Workforce Training for Section 3 Certification Saturday January 31st 2026: Bidding for Public Contract Work via Public Purchase- Lehigh County & City of Allentown