It takes a certain level of courage to criticize a group of people who have hired you to serve as the keynote speaker at their annual celebration. Still, at the Pittsburgh Chapter, National Black MBA Association’s 2010 Scholarship and Recognition Gala, guest speaker Steve Perry, Ed.D did just that.

HARSH CRITIC—Steve Perry delights and stuns the audience with quick jokes and biting facts about Pittsburgh education. (Photo by Rossano P. Stewart) See photos on C3.

“It’s an absolute abomination that children in this city are so far behind. In this city that has such pride and purpose, what the devil is going on with your schools?” said Perry, the founder of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Conn. “You can’t continue to give scholarships to children when they are being sent to college unprepared.”

Taking time from canvassing Phila­delphia and neighboring Bucks County, Democratic senatorial candidate Joe Sestak made time to speak to the New Pittsburgh Courier.

Sestak said people should vote for him because he believes in working for race, gender and ethnic equality. He said he did it in the military as a rear admiral, and the service was better for it.

JOE SESTAK

“I’m a public servant. My priorities are job creation, education, health care, continuing financial reform and giving everyone a fair chance,” he said. “As (U.S. rep.) Mike Doyle said, ‘Joe, you’re a crummy politician, but you’re a good public servant.’ I’ll take that.

Services and vigils were held in three different locations for Jeron Grayson, who was shot to death Oct. 17. Students gathered Thurs­day night to remember Grayson who was shot at a party near the California University campus. Friends and classmates sang songs and lit candles before walking across town to Mechanic Street to the site where he was shot and killed.

A LOVED ONE LOST—The Grayson family and friends surround the casket of Jeron Grayson. (Photo by Ashley G. Woodson)

The wake was held Wed­nes­day at Wesley Center AMEZ Church from 4-8 p.m. and the line of people from all over came out to pay their respects. Hundreds of mourners stood in line for more than five hours to pay their respect to the family. City officials and Pastors from other churches were also in attendance along with students from Schenley High School, Hampton University and California State University.

This year, the NAACP state convention, held at the Monroeville Doubletree Hotel, celebrated its 76th year by featuring a number of workshops for both its regular membership and those in its youth and college divisions, to address issues critical to the state’s African-American communities.

Several sessions were chaired by local branch members such as Black Political Empowerment Project founder Tim Stevens and Imani Christian Academy headmaster Milton Raiford.

BUSINESS IN COMMON—Flanked by NAACP State Conference President J. Wyatt Mondesire and Convention Planning Co-chair Marcella Lee, Courier Editor and Publisher Rod Doss accepts the Businessman of the Year award. (Photo by Erin Perry)

Though some members arrived for the early bird reception Oct. 21, most arrived the following morning where state NAACP President Jerry Mondesire welcomed attendees and laid out the agenda for the remaining two days during the opening plenary session.