Across the country, educators and school administrators are working to find innovative solutions to problems in urban school districts. Charter schools and other private institutions have taken the lead in restructuring their schools with longer school days and school years, an idea that is slowly gaining prominence with public schools also.

On Jan. 26, the school board will vote on a recommendation by the East End Region Advisory Committee to establish a trimester calendar schedule at the two 6-12 single-gender academies soon to be created at Westinghouse High School.

“Moving to a trimester provides students fewer classes per term, allowing students to focus on core academic subjects,” said Assistant Superintendent Derrick Lopez. “The new calendar also is more representative of what our students can expect at a college or university.”

Last week’s controversy between McKeesport Mayor Regis McLaughlin and McKeesport City Council overshadowed an important milestone for the city’s government. On Jan. 4 Councilwoman Loretta Diggs was elected as the first African-American vice president of McKeesport City Council.

“I got unanimous votes and I couldn’t believe it. It feels good. Whenever I ran for council I was the first Black ever endorsed in this town,” Diggs said. “I’m not a ‘yes’ person. I had a lot of problems because I was so aggressive. I worked very hard for this and evidently it paid off.”

MILESTONE—After 40 years in politics, Loretta Diggs became the first African-American woman to serve as vice president of McKeesport city council. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Council elected Diggs, 77, to the position of vice president by a 7-0 vote. As she begins her third term on council, Diggs said her newly appointed position would give her greater power to affect change for her district and the city of McKeesport.

For the past 100 years, the Courier, once the country’s largest Black newspaper, has been setting the tone on major issues impacting the African-American community. On Feb. 19 its history and accomplishments will be celebrated at “The New Pittsburgh Courier: 100 Years of Influence Centennial Gala” at Stage AE from 6-11 p.m.

CARRIE LUCAS

The event will not only celebrate the rich history of the New Pittsburgh Courier, but also pay homage to the Pittsburgh Courier, its predecessor. The evening will include a VIP cocktail reception, a dinner, a legacy awards program, a dessert reception and a concert by Carrie Lucas, the head diva of LA’s Solar Records.

During a December protest against Target for not including more local labor on construction for its building in East Liberty, Community Empowerment Association founder Rashad Byrdsong also charged the huge retailer would drive local merchants, including African-Americans from the area.

However, many of the businesses nearby the Target location on Penn Avenue—the Visionary Performance Academy, Best Nail Designs, Best Nail, and Yan’s Chinese Buffet—serve niche markets or provide distinctive products and services the big box retailer does not.

UNIQUE BUSINESS—Laptop Etc. owner Al Temo, with sons Junior, left, and George, said Target’s electronic sales will not compete with his sale and servicing of used computers and phones. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Donald Jamil Brookins, whose Jamil’s Emporium has African textiles, art, drums, essential oils and natural healing products on Penn Avenue for 16 years, said his clientele includes customers from as far away as New York and Costa Rica.