America’s best weekly Bonnie McLain celebrates birthday No. 80! See Page A7
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 115 No. 26 Two Sections
JUNE 26-JULY 2, 2024
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Juneteenth brings out the stars
THE STOP THE VIOLENCE PITTSBURGH JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION TOOK OVER POINT STATE PARK AND MARKET SQUARE, JUNE 14-16. FEATURED ARTISTS INCLUDED ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, PICTURED AT RIGHT, AND PICTURED AT LEFT, IT’S THE GROUP BROWNSTONE AND KEKE WYATT. (PHOTOS BY GAIL MANKER AND ROB TAYLOR JR.)
B. Marshall says upwards of 70,000 attended three-day festival by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
A short rainfall occurred on Friday afternoon, June 14, just when William B. Marshall's Juneteenth festivities were set to begin at Point State Park, Downtown. But just as the television meteorolo-
gists predicted, the rain would soon go away, making way for a weekend that was rain-free and full of African American music, culture and unity in Downtown Pittsburgh. The annual Stop The Violence Pittsburgh Juneteenth Celebration went off without a hitch, from
Friday, June 14, to Sunday evening, June 16, both at Point State Park and Market Square. But seriously, who could miss the super-large Juneteenth stage at the Point, a sight you do not see everyday in that area. Usually, the Point is just a place to walk with friends
to the fountain, cool off, maybe chill in the grass, and then eventually walk back to your car. Not Juneteenth weekend. The June 14 performers on the Point stage included Hip-Hop artists Freeway, Beanie Sigel and Arrested Development.
Arrested Development has been in the game for over 30 years, and closed out the Friday festivities with songs like "Ease My Mind," "People Everyday" and "Tennessee." On Saturday, June 15, the Grand Jubilee Parade marched down Fifth Avenue, Down-
town, from its starting point at Freedom Corner in the Hill District. In addition to B. Marshall, there were other dignitaries in the parade like Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, CongresswomSEE JUNETEENTH A4
Shining light on the dark aspects of Alzheimer’s Third annual African American Summit on Dementia held, June 25 by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier
Alzheimer's and dementia affect the lives of nearly seven million Americans. By the year 2050, that number is expected to escalate to nearly 13 million. Alzheimer’s was the fifth leading cause of death among people aged 65 and older in 2021. But it’s not just a global issue. Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in Allegheny County. There is no cure for the disease. Alarming statistics like these are why the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pa. Chapter, held its third annual African American Summit on Dementia on Tuesday, June 25, at Commonwealth Charter Academy, at the Waterfront in Homestead. “Alzheimer’s and demen-
tia are public health crises impacting millions of people and there are health disparities. While older Black Americans are twice as likely as older Whites to have Alzheimer’s or another dementia, they are less likely to be diagnosed,” explained Janey Cink, manager, program outreach, with the local Alzheimer’s Association. “Black Americans are less likely to trust the health care system and seek diagnosis or treatment for Alzheimer’s disease than other groups.” Among Black Americans ages 70 and older, 21.3 percent are living with Alzheimer’s. Although research has yet to pinpoint a cause, it is believed that higher rates of cardiovasSEE ALZHEIMER’S A6 NEW
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MELITA TERRY, SENIOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RESEARCH CENTER, GIVES A PRESENTATION AT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SUMMIT ON DEMENTIA, JUNE 25, IN HOMESTEAD. (PHOTO BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)