[MUSIC] Hello, this is Black Horizons and I'm Chris Moore.

Children are our focus on this edition of Black Horizons.

Little stars will twinkle brightly when you see the children of the Ozenham Cultural Center's Zazuki Violin class perform later on today's show.

And that Rastafarian Rascal "Rasty D" Clown joins us to show how he entertains and Educates African American kids about their history.

All of that and the Tanner calendar today on Black Horizons.

Before we have all of that fun, We need to look at one of the more serious issues facing black youngsters.

And indeed, black families today.

We all recognize that children are Precious and worthy of our protection and care.

Many children are not receiving the love That a family can give them because they Have no families.

Allegheny County Children and Youth Services has as part of its wide variety of Services, the mission of providing a safe, secure home environment for kids.

Among other things that includes providing foster care and adoption services.

Here to tell us more are Barbara Higginbotham of Children and Youth Services.

Tamaria Stevenson, a foster child.

And Tamaria's foster mother, Estella Price.

You know, I think it's almost unfair to say Foster to either one of you two because Tamaria, You've been with Ms.

Price, I guess, since You were a baby, not a year old, 18 years.

Is that right?

Mm-hmm.

What does this relationship mean to you?

It means a lot.

I feel very special to have her.

So really, she's your mom.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Because you've known no other mom, right?

Right.

Ms.

Price, you feel the same way?

I feel the same.

I really love her.

And she's been with me for 17 years.

Ever since she was 14 months old.

Ahan So she's my daughter.

Okay.

There's obviously no doubt about that.

Now, I don't want to give people the Impression that this is going to be any different than Any other mother-daughter relationship, is it?

No.

What ways are you alike and what ways are you different?

Well, we, just like any other mother, I mean, Daughter, we had different opinions on different Things, but that's natural.

Okay.

You know but we still love each other.

Tamaria?

[Laughing] Is that true?

Yeah.

Okay.

I see you're both fashion plates.

You like bright colors?

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

You have that in common at least, right?

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

You're a senior at Westinghouse, is that right?

Right.

You planning to go to school or get a job after school?

I plan to get a job, to get a modeling in school.

Uh-huh.

Well, what about that, Ms.

Price?

Is that your option that you favor, you're going to support her in that?

Well, I'll support her, I mean, that's what she wants.

You know, I want her to be happy.

And if that's what she want, I'll give her my support.

Okay!

Ms.

Higginbotham, I guess this is the Ideal outcome of a relationship that was paired 17 years ago, and it's probably what children and youth services strives for.

Hopefully, we can continue recruiting more Families for foster and adoptive care so that Children can have a home that they can grow up like Tamaria did.

Okay.

What is the problem now that black kids without parents face?

Are there not enough foster parents?

Right now, there's not enough black foster Home and adoptive homes for the children to Come through the system.

We try to return them back to their Natural parents, but sometimes that's impossible.

So there's an urgent need right now for more black homes.

Okay.

If someone's watching this program and might Be interested, need they fear having, I guess, Their whole life turned upside down by some Sort of investigation that's probably needed Because you can't just place a child in a Home without looking into it and making sure They're going to be in a secure environment, correct?

Correct.

What's the process?

What do they need to know?

What do they need to fear?

What do they need to be ready for?

There's nothing to fear.

It's just a procedure that we have to Ensure that the children are in a safe and in a proper Setting in an environment.

So we do what we call as a home study.

We go out and we check the family out and Different forms that they have to fill out And complete, especially one would be the Criminal Act and also the Child Abuse Act.

Ms.

Price, I guess you had to go through that Some time ago, both as a foster and adoptive Mother because you've adopted it too, correct?

Yes, point three.

You didn't find that too invasive or too much trouble.

Well, it's a lot to go through, but if you Really love the child, it doesn't bother you.

You don't mind the procedures that they go through with.

Mm-hmm.

And the outcome of having a daughter like Tamaria, I guess it's more than proved that It was worth it.

Right.

Okay.

What's your next step?

How will you continue to recruit these foster parents?

Hopefully I can come back on your program Again and go through the media for the television And radio programs and also through the days media.

There are a lot of things, I guess, that People need to be equipped for or need to know.

This is not just something I think I'm going To do just because I think I'd love a little baby.

There are other kids who are in need too, Kids who are a little bit along in years.

Okay.

The children that we have that come through The system that eventually have to go in a Foster or adoptive home, it ranges from the age from zero to 18.

So there's a lot of adolescents that need homes too.

Mm-hmm.

And it takes more than just love.

I guess those youngsters have developed a Mind and a heart and a will of their own and Probably maybe a hard shell too after having Gone through life without a family in fact.

True - True.

But if you really look at it, Ms.

Price may Be verified to that that they're more just The same as one of your own children.

These children have been through a lot and so they need a lot of patience.

Mm-hmm.

You're nodding your head in agreement, Ms.

Price.

It's the same as it would be your own child.

I mean you give love, you care.

It's the same.

It's really not no different.

Mm-hmm.

Tamaria, what about from your end of the perspective?

Have you been able to give that same kind of love that a daughter would give?

Yeah.

She said, "Why are you questioning me?

Yeah.

What kind of question is that?"

I just wanted to know that's all.

Okay.

And you're looking forward to modeling school?

Mm-hmm.

When you're tall and you have the figure for it and the look.

So I wish you much success.

Okay.

Thank you.

All right.

I want to thank you for coming.

If there's a phone number where people Could call Children and Youth Services and they Want to get involved in foster or adoptive Care, what would they call Ms.

HigginBotham?

They would call 355-3812.

Okay.

Would you repeat that number for all those Folks who will be calling you on Monday morning?

Make sure that they have it correctly.

I'll give them two numbers.

No, just give them this one.

Don't confuse them.

The one, don't confuse them, 355-3812.

Okay.

Well, thank you all for being here.

We appreciate it.

And we hope that on Monday morning, your phones will be flooded.

Thank you.

Okay.

Thanks again.

Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of Being the Master of Ceremonies at the Suzuki Violin Program sponsored by the Ozanam Cultural Center.

More than the beaming pride of the parents Or the outright cuteness of all the children, I enjoyed the sense of community and Accomplishment that flowed throughout the entire affair.

Today as part of our continuing segment that Highlights the arts that we call the Tanner Collection, we present the children of the Ozanam Cultural Center's Suzuki Violin Programming Program performing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and several other ditties that I'm sure You'll love.

Well, I think that's great.

Joining me now are Carol Johnson, the Executive Director of the Ozanam Cultural Center and Joe Petron, who is the Suzuki Violin Instructor for the program.

Welcome to our program.

Thank you!

The day that I was up there MCing the Program, I was just delighted to see these kids and I'm even more delighted to present them now So the public, the larger public can see them.

What was the impetus, Carol, for the program?

Well, the program is really a product of a Collaboration between Ozanam Cultural Center And the Duquesne University City Music Center.

Mm-hmm.

And Part of the Duquesne mission is community outreach.

So for them, that was an interest.

And We wanted to regenerate formal music programming at Ozanam.

Mm-hmm.

Well, you know, you've been an oasis in the Community for cultural and recreational programs.

I think this is a great idea.

Jo, how did you feel about reaching out to This community and doing this kind of thing?

Oh, I thought it was a great idea.

It's always fun to teach children, but in a Larger sense, we're teaching their parents How to be better parents and also we involve The community as a whole so that all the children That you see here, they know each other, they're friends.

We know all the parents and when we get Together just like this, it's a lot of fun.

Mm-hmm.

Well, I could hear, or you mean all that Proud applause in the background, a lot of parents And friends who we normally don't have applause in our studio.

You know, someone comes and performs, but It's so great because I can see that with All the people who are here in the studio today.

It must be a wonderful experience.

Yes!

It is.

Now I understand that there is a community Orchestra, an African-American orchestra that's Growing out of this whole movement.

Yes, one of the residual benefits has been Some of the parents that played previously, They played instruments before, decided That they would like to take their instruments Back again and they formed an orchestra and It's growing and they're looking for memberships.

So if there are people that are Interested, there's still openings for that too.

Okay, so we'll have to have the orchestra down next time.

Right, they'll be glad to come.

You'll let them know they have an open invitation here, right?

I certainly will.

Okay, and when they're ready to perform.

Now if people are interested in supporting The program in any way, should they call Ozanan?

Absolutely.

Okay, and what's that number?

It's 281-4046.

Okay, would you repeat it please for those who might be interested?

281-4046.

Joe, will you be able to take more kids into the program?

We have three other teachers other than me And we have plenty of openings, so if there Are any kids who would like to start Lessons, call Carol and we'll sign them up.

Okay, we saw some of the other teachers who Would come out and lead some of the music.

Who are they?

Their names are Paul Kikuchi and Marion Irwin and Jeff Irwin.

Okay, you all to be congratulated on the Work that you're doing and we're very proud of you.

Now coming up, we've got some of the more advanced students doing solos.

Who are they?

The first will be Cornell Davis and then we Have Jeria Ballard and finally Richard Moy.

Okay, and they're going to be performing And I guess they're growing and getting better All the time.

Yes.

Okay, well thank you very much.

We appreciate you all being here and let's Go to those students now and see exactly how Good the advanced students are.

Here they are part again of the program at Ozanan that we call the Suzuki violin program.

Here they are.

The Ozanam Cultural Center has long been an oasis in the Hill District, Providing cultural and recreational activities for our young people.

I applaud their efforts and wish them great success in the future.

It's time now for the Tanner Calendar, our weekly Listing of arts events that you'll want to know about.

The Pittsburgh Children's Museum is hosting its Sensational summer-long circus now through September 21st.

There's loads of activities, including bubble Events, craft activities, games, and origami.

Hmm, I know origami, but I wonder what those bubble events are.

Times and days differ for each event, so You might want to call for more details.

Their number is 322-5058.

Tonight is your last chance to see the Wilkinsburg Arts Theater's production of a love song for Miss Lydia.

I've seen the play, and let me tell you that it's worth the price of admission Just to see Crystal Bates's performance as Miss Lydia.

Call 241-4467 for ticket information.

The Kingsley Association's African Heritage Program presents "Bundu's, Bronze, and Other Things," An exhibition of traditional African artifacts.

The exhibition will run September 5th Through October 12th at the Kingsley Center.

If you would like to know more, call 661-8751.

Pittsburghers are invited to 'Find Your Center' at the Pittsburg Center for the Arts, September 7th and 8th.

Hey, this stuff sounds well!

There's something for the entire family.

Special events, games, creative endeavors, and an open house.

The center staff will also answer questions about classes.

But wait, there's more!

An extensive schedule of Hands-on programs for children is planned in the Skate Building.

And now that you're at the center, you may want to pop on Over to the Mellon Park for the annual fair in the park.

Now that your brain is chock full of facts, you may want to call the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts to refresh your memory.

The number is 361-0873.

Well, that's the Tanner Calendar for this week.

Remember, if you have an artsy event you wish to promote, Please write to us at the Tanner Calendar in care of Black Horizons, 4802 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

Here at Black Horizons, we believe in having fun.

We also believe in educating our young and That those two ideas are not mutually exclusive.

So let's have a little fun and see if we can Learn something from our good friend, Rasti D. Clown.

Hey, man.

How's everybody doing today, man?

Fine.

Do you know my name, man?

Rasti.

I can't hear you, man.

Rasti!

That's good stuff, man.

That's good stuff.

I'll tell you what, man.

I'll come here to teach you a little song, man.

You ready to sing it, man?

Yes.

Okay, man.

Repeat after me, man.

Real loud.

There was a party.

There was a party.

Needed a clown.

Needed a clown.

And Rasti was his name-o.

And Rasti was his name-o.

R-A-S-T-I.

R-A-S-T-I.

R-A-S-T-I.

R-A-S-T-I.

R-A-S-T-I.

R-A-S-T-I.

And Rasti was his name-o.

And Rasti was his name-o.

Man, give yourself a hand, man.

That was beautiful, man.

Everybody got to say hi to my friend, Homie.

Say hi to Homie.

Hi, Homie.

That's good, man.

Get out of here, Homie.

Okay, man.

Now we're going to talk about the first African American man.

They got a pattern for a string instrument, man.

Does anybody know what that instrument was, man?

A guitar.

Oh, man.

I can't hear you, man.

A guitar.

That's good, man.

And what instrument did you play, man?

The violin.

And what kind of instrument is that, man?

A string instrument.

Oh, man.

That means there must be something Together with the violin and the guitar, huh, man?

They both what?

A string instrument.

They what, man?

They're both string instruments.

Oh, very good, man.

What did I tell you, man?

An African American man.

He did the pattern, man.

For the guitar, his name was Fleming.

That's right, man.

March 3rd, 1886, man.

Remember that day, man.

Because, it allowed for you to do the string instrument here, man.

That's right.

They're all together.

You know what I'm talking about?

So maybe one Day, man, you can come up with a new instrument, A new string instrument for yourself, man.

You know what I'm talking about?

You know what I'm talking about?

Yes.

Okay, man.

Well, that's it for today, man.

Thank you.

Give yourself a hand.

I can't hear you, man.

I can't hear you, man.

Rasti D. Cloud, welcome to Black Arises, your first appearance here.

Thank you, man.

Hopefully not my last, though, man.

Oh, well, we'll see about that.

Okay, man.

So how's it going?

You have a business now?

Oh, everything's out here, man.

We're at the farmer's market at home with man.

You know what I'm talking about?

A good place to be?

Yeah, man.

Right in the center of Everything, man.

Right on Hamilton Avenue, man.

Okay, you're doing parties for children and things.

Yeah.

If people are interested, how could they get in contact with you?

Oh, they come down to the farmer's market at home with man.

On Hamilton Avenue, man.

Or they give me a call.

And what's the number?

242-9996, man.

Okay, Rasti, why don't you come up with This idea?

It's pretty unique.

It's colorful.

And the kids really seem to enjoy it.

Oh, thank you, man.

I was sitting there writing a poem, man, and the whole concept, man.

"Come to me, man."

The whole thing.

So I don't know where you think it come from.

Mmm.

Mmm.

Things that make it go.

Mmm.

The stuff that you carry with you, the balloons, that sort of thing.

Could you tell us a little bit about this?

Sure, man.

I'm the first one I know about, man.

Of course, I don't know everything.

But I'm the first one I know about man to put The famous African-American on the balloon, man.

You know, like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. And guess what, man?

What?

I even got a balloon with Rasti on it, man.

Yeah, man.

Everything's I did here, man.

You know what I'm talking about.

And you have t-shirts and other kinds of things.

Can I hold your balloons while you-- Of course, man.

Don't let them go, man.

Wait, I won't let them go.

They'll be in the Lights, and you probably want me to pay for them.

Your t-shirts that you have over here.

I know Rasti.

I know you guys.

You got 14 jobs.

14 jobs, man.

Everything's I did, man.

Tell me about the t-shirts that you have.

Oh, man.

We got all types of t-shirts, man.

These are just a couple of examples, man.

Oh, man.

The beautiful black woman.

Okay.

Hold it still right there, though.

Okay, man.

That's a beautiful black woman.

Yeah, man.

All right.

And the other one, you have some of our great heroes here.

Yeah, man, like Nelson Mandela.

Strong man, keep on coming.

Nelson Mandela.

Yeah, man.

Okay.

It's a black thing you must understand.

You must, man.

Okay.

But now I'm thinking about doing another shirt, man.

What's that?

It's a clown thing, man.

I might never understand.

No, man.

But you keep trying, man.

Okay.

What I'm talking about.

Okay.

So it's a good job.

It must be.

Everything is working out.

Oh, man.

You like it?

Yeah, man.

Okay.

And they go with the educational things.

Oh, yeah, man.

You know, it's like, you know, you got the medicine, man.

You need a little sugar to make it go down a little bit easier, man.

So if you can make them laugh a little bit, everything goes down easier, man.

Okay.

You know what I'm talking about?

Yeah.

Give us that number one more time, Rasti, so that people can get in touch with you.

Oh, let me think, man.

It's 2-4-2.

2-4-2, hey, man.

We have to help each other out.

Thank you, man.

It's a black thing.

It's a black thing you must understand, man.

2-4-2.

2-4-2, man.

9-9-9-6.

You can still hear me, Rasti.

Thank you, man.

I try, man.

But I got a message with me.

You do?

You know, oh, yeah, man.

Okay.

You got to know where you're coming from to know where you're going, man.

I'm going to give you your balloons.

Thank you, man.

Don't let them go, man.

All right.

Thanks for being here.

Thank you, man.

That's all for this edition of Black Horizons.

I'm Chris Moore, and I hope to see you again Next week right here on WQED 13.

Bye.