CALENDAR 2020 MAYORS AFRICAN AMERICAN AMERICAN AFRICAN PENNSYLVANIA The LJS Group/Talk Magazine PO Box 143 Monroeville, PA 15146-0143 (P) 412.823.4007 (E) [email protected] www.talkmagazineonline.com PA_AFRICAN_AM_MAYORS_2020_CALENDAR.indd 1 12/23/19 6:19 PM Luther Sewell, a pioneer in the region and the publishing industry, founded The LJS Group 1962 and for 57 years, he has produced publications and hosted events that promote community participation in local and state politics and community development. In 2008, he welcomed his new business partner Roxanne Sewell as president of The LJS Group. Working 30 years for major corporations in the Pittsburgh region, Roxanne has been able to transform her career many times and looked forward to working with Luther, a trailblazer in Western Pennsylvania. Talk Magazine, the company’s cornerstone product, covers encouraging and critical life issues, as well as pos- itive stories and Images about the African American community. In addition to publishing, The LJS Group provides consulting services reaching and marketing to the minority community. We have worked as consultants, analysts, organizers, planners, and mediators for organizations with an interest in effectively Luther J. Sewell, Jr. reaching special markets. In addition, we successfully create advertising, public relations, and community Founder and Publisher outreach programs. Talk Magazine convenes the annual Black History Month Celebration, Pennsylvania African-American Network Convention and the African American/Latino Roundtable. These events feature expert presenters in areas that impact effective inclusion and progress of minority communities across Pennsylvania. The LJS Group is committed to educating and empowering underserved communities and continues to grow their statewide network through events, publications and their online presence. Luther and Roxanne enjoy their blended family with four adult children and five grandchildren, are members of the Trinity AME Church family, in Pittsburgh, and believe in service to God and humanity through their work across Pennsylvania. Roxanne N. Sewell President and Editor PO Box 143 • Monroeville, PA 15146-0143 | Phone: 412.823.4007 Email: [email protected] | www.talkmagazineonline.com PA_AFRICAN_AM_MAYORS_2020_CALENDAR.indd 2 12/23/19 6:19 PM Luther Sewell, a pioneer in the region and the publishing industry, founded The LJS Group 1962 and for 57 years, he has produced publications and hosted events that promote community participation in local and state politics and community development. In 2008, he welcomed his new business partner Roxanne Sewell as president of The LJS Group. Working 30 years for major corporations in the Pittsburgh region, Roxanne has been able to transform her career many times and looked forward to working with Luther, a trailblazer in Western Pennsylvania. Talk Magazine, the company’s cornerstone product, covers encouraging and critical life issues, as well as pos- itive stories and Images about the African American community. In addition to publishing, The LJS Group provides consulting services reaching and marketing to the minority community. We have worked as consultants, analysts, organizers, planners, and mediators for organizations with an interest in effectively Luther J. Sewell, Jr. reaching special markets. In addition, we successfully create advertising, public relations, and community Founder and Publisher outreach programs. Talk Magazine convenes the annual Black History Month Celebration, Pennsylvania African-American Network Convention and the African American/Latino Roundtable. These events feature expert presenters in areas that impact effective inclusion and progress of minority communities across Pennsylvania. The LJS Group is committed to educating and empowering underserved communities and continues to grow their statewide network through events, publications and their online presence. Luther and Roxanne enjoy their blended family with four adult children and five grandchildren, are members of the Trinity AME Church family, in Pittsburgh, and believe in service to God and humanity through their work across Pennsylvania. Roxanne N. Sewell President and Editor PO Box 143 • Monroeville, PA 15146-0143 | Phone: 412.823.4007 Email: [email protected] | www.talkmagazineonline.com PA_AFRICAN_AM_MAYORS_2020_CALENDAR.indd 2 12/23/19 6:19 PM Mark Barbee, 29, was born in Rapid City, South Dakota. Mark and his younger brother Michael were raised by their mother Wanda, a single parent and Master Sergeant in the Air Force for 23 years. In 2010, Mark moved into his first apartment in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. Mark would serve four years on borough council before being elected to the Office of Mayor of Bridgeport in 2017. Mark is the first African-American LGBTQ elected official in the state of Pennsylvania. He was the first democrat to serve as Mayor in over three decades and the youngest, first African-American LGBTQ Mayor in the borough’s history. While on council, Bridgeport adopted a curbside recycling program. As Mayor, Mark proposed an Anti-Discrimination ordinance, a Clean Energy ordinance & the removal of an “anti-immigration” ordinance. Despite the racially charged opposition that even the US World Report has recognized, Mark continues his work in public service. BRIDGEPORT Mayor Mark Barbee January 2020 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 New Years Day 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Lunar New Year 26 27 28 29 30 31 www.talkmagazineonline.com PA_AFRICAN_AM_MAYORS_2020_CALENDAR.indd 3 12/23/19 6:19 PM Mark Barbee, 29, was born in Rapid City, South Dakota. Mark and his younger brother Michael were raised by their mother Wanda, a single parent and Master Sergeant in the Air Force for 23 years. In 2010, Mark moved into his first apartment in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. Mark would serve four years on borough council before being elected to the Office of Mayor of Bridgeport in 2017. Mark is the first African-American LGBTQ elected official in the state of Pennsylvania. He was the first democrat to serve as Mayor in over three decades and the youngest, first African-American LGBTQ Mayor in the borough’s history. While on council, Bridgeport adopted a curbside recycling program. As Mayor, Mark proposed an Anti-Discrimination ordinance, a Clean Energy ordinance & the removal of an “anti-immigration” ordinance. Despite the racially charged opposition that even the US World Report has recognized, Mark continues his work in public service. BRIDGEPORT Mayor Mark Barbee January 2020 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 New Years Day 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Lunar New Year 26 27 28 29 30 31 www.talkmagazineonline.com PA_AFRICAN_AM_MAYORS_2020_CALENDAR.indd 3 12/23/19 6:19 PM Betty L. Copeland was sworn in as the Mayor of Bridgeville, PA, on January 2, 2018 as the first African American and first woman mayor in the history of Bridgeville. Betty’s volunteer life is centered on the theme of “servant leader” and she is dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s concept of the “Beloved Community.” The election victory was the direct result of building a long-term record of community service with many of the Borough’s major civic and public institutions. Including St. Clair Hospital, PTA President, the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, Chartiers Mental Health Center, Bridgeville Civic League, the Chartiers Valley Commission on Human Relations, the Bridgeville Historical Society and as a founding member of the Friends of the Bridgeville Public Library. In many instances she was the first minority to serve on these groups. Her dedication and quality of work gained notice and she has won multiple Community Service awards from the Rotary, Mayview, the Chartiers Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center, the Chamber of Commerce and Deaconess at First Baptist Church among others. Her entire body of volunteer service was honored by a declaration on her birthday in 2014 by the previous mayor making it “Betty Copeland Day” in Bridgeville. Mayor Copeland was born in Boston, MA, in 1934, married to Curtis D. Copeland, Sr. for 64 years and shared his commitment with Betty, which influenced her BRIDGEVILLE service pledge. She is a mother to three children and four grandchildren. As Mayor, Betty will focus on encouraging Bridgeville citizens to become more involved in Mayor Betty L. Copeland community service to help strengthen the quality of life for the most vulnerable among us. These ads are going on 2 separate pages. February 2020 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Groundhog Day 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Valentine’s Day 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 President’s Day 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 www.talkmagazineonline.com PA_AFRICAN_AM_MAYORS_2020_CALENDAR.indd 4 12/23/19 6:19 PM Betty L. Copeland was sworn in as the Mayor of Bridgeville, PA, on January 2, 2018 as the first African American and first woman mayor in the history of Bridgeville. Betty’s volunteer life is centered on the theme of “servant leader” and she is dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s concept of the “Beloved Community.” The election victory was the direct result of building a long-term record of community service with many of the Borough’s major civic and public institutions. Including St. Clair Hospital, PTA President, the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, Chartiers Mental Health Center, Bridgeville Civic League, the Chartiers Valley Commission on Human Relations, the Bridgeville Historical Society and as a founding member of the Friends of the Bridgeville Public Library. In many instances she was the first minority to serve on these groups. Her dedication and quality of work gained notice and she has won multiple Community Service awards from the Rotary, Mayview, the Chartiers Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center, the Chamber of Commerce and Deaconess at First Baptist Church among others.