4.12.23 NPC

by Rob Taylor Jr.

Courier Staff Writer

Finding a Black police chief in small towns and rural areas is like finding a needle in a haystack.

But in larger cities, Black police chiefs are easier to find.

Like in Philadelphia, where Danielle Outlaw is the chief. Or Troy Finner, chief of police in Houston. Until a few weeks ago, David Brown was the lead man for the Chicago Police Department, and Wayne Drummond is the chief of police two hours away from Pittsburgh, in Cleveland.

The City of Pittsburgh hasn’t seen a full-time Black chief of police since Nate Harper from 2008 to 2013. Earl Buford was a Black police chief in Pittsburgh prior to Harper, from 1992 to 1996.

And it appears that the next permanent chief of police in Pittsburgh won’t be Black, either.

Multiple local news outlets have reported that Mayor Ed Gainey and his administration have nar-

rowed the national search for Pittsburgh’s next police chief to three—Jason Lando, Larry Scirotto and Ryan Lee—none of whom are African American. Pittsburgh currently has a Black mayor and fire chief, Darryl Jones.

In open-forum style meetings that Mayor Gainey and his staff hosted late in 2022, some residents expressed that they would like to see an African American as the next chief of police, given the disproportionate number of homicides in the city that are being committed by and against African Americans. They said a police chief who is Black may be better equipped to understand how to tackle the issues plaguing some African American communities in the city. When the Courier interviewed Lisa Frank, chief operating and administrative officer for the City of Pittsburgh, at one of the public meetings on Oct. 26, 2022, she said those in attendance said they wanted a chief who was,

by Ethan George

For New Pittsburgh Courier

La’Keita Snyder was in the third grade when she first attended The Pittsburgh Project on the city’s North Side on North Charles Street. “I’m an only child, so being here where it’s so family oriented, I felt like I had a bunch of new siblings,” Snyder said.

It was such a family-oriented place that she decided to stay.

Today, Snyder works as one of The Pittsburgh Project’s youth and families assistants for K-5, a position she accepted after finishing the high school program, attending the Project’s Leaders in Training (or LIT) camp and working as a summer camp overseer before becoming an after-school teacher.

The Pittsburgh Project began in the 1980s, when city residents got together to form a program to buy and renovate houses on the North Side. In re -

cent years, the nonprofit transitioned over to a new model, one focused on education and empowerment. These days, the program is an afterschool and summer camp that encourages kids to pursue their artistic and creative interests.

“I do notice myself, like, saying the things my teachers said to me and it’s weird because I’m watching them go through the same things as me,” said Snyder, about what makes working for the project so rewarding.

On a recent afternoon that was warm for February, the students and staff made good use of the early spring temperatures as the youth played in the park across the street from the old elementary school that is now The Pittsburgh Project headquarters. As Snyder talks about the family camarade -

this spirit is

council votes to return Justin Jones to State House

by Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

In a unanimous vote and a rebuke of Tennessee Republicans, the Nashville Metropolitan Council on Monday voted to reappoint Justin Jones to the state House of Representatives.

Jones returns as an interim representative and will again act on behalf of House District 52.

The 36-0 vote came after the council suspended its rule that disallowed an individual from being nominated and appointed to the seat in the same meeting.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he’d go along with the council if they chose to send Jones back.

He also indicated that he’d also welcome back Justin Pearson if Memphis officials voted later this week to return him to the House.

“The two governing bodies will make the decision as to who they want to appoint to these seats,” the Speaker said in a statement.

“Those two individuals will be seated as representatives as the constitution requires.”

The Shelby County commission expects to take up a motion to return Pearson on Wednesday.

The expulsion of the two Democrats, who vociferously called on their colleagues to act on gun control after the latest school shooting in Nashville that claimed the lives of three elementary school students and three adults.

The reinstatement of Jones comes on the same day a gunman in Kentucky, believed to be a disgruntled ex-employee, killed five people at a bank in Louisville.

It’s the latest in a string of mass shootings that have rocked the nation in recent years, with gun violence continuing to be a divisive and contentious issue.

Some politicians and interest groups have pushed back against calls for stricter gun control. They say that doing so would violate their rights under

This Week In Black History A Courier Staple

• APRIL 12

1787— Famous Black clergymen

Richard Allen and Absalom Jordan organized the Free Africa Society which is believed to be the first Black self-help organization or mutual aid society in America. The two, especially Allen, attempted to better life for Blacks through the organization of separate Black controlled institutions. Allen is also the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

1861—The Confederates attack Fort Sumter in the Charleston, S.C., harbor setting off the Civil War. Thinking the recent election of Abraham Lincoln would lead to the ending of slavery, the Southerners struck first in a bid to form a separate, White-controlled, slave-owning nation.

1940— Contemporary jazz composer and musician Herbie Hancock is born in Chicago, Ill.

er of unionism to Black America. He also used his position as the nation’s No. 1 Black union leader to become one of the major civil rights leaders of his era. More than anyone else, it was Randolph who organized the historic March on Washington during which Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Ironically, as a young man Randolph left Florida and moved to New York to become an actor. Instead, he became involved with the Socialist Party and helped develop a magazine known as The Messenger. The editorial slant of the magazine describes Randolph as “midway between the cautious elitism of the NAACP and the utopian populism of Marcus Garvey.” Randolph died May 16, 1979.

1922—Harold Washington , the first Black and 42nd mayor of Chicago, is born in Chicago.

the Second Amendment.

As the nation mourns the victims of the Louisville shooting and grapples with the ongoing issue of gun violence, many are left wondering when, if ever, meaningful action will be taken to address the issue.

Across the country and in Tennessee, the backlash has been palpable, and even some Republicans have expressed regret for the actions of party members and Sexton, who led the vote to oust Jones and Pearson.

“If my job, along with other members of the R.N.C., is to protect the brand of the Republican Party, this didn’t help,” Oscar Brock, a Republican National Committeeman from Tennessee, told the New York Times. “You’ve energized young voters against us. Worse than squandering support, you’ve made enemies where we didn’t need them.”

He continued:

“Even in Tennessee, we have swing districts in the State House and Senate, and if you’ve angered tens of thousands of students and presumably their parents, you could theoretically expose yourself to a united front,” Brock demanded.

Rev. Mark Thompson, the host of Make it Plain and an NNPA contributor, returned to Tennessee on Monday for the vote to reseat Jones, his longtime friend. On NNPA’s Let It Be Known, Thompson stated, “My understanding is that

the Nashville National City Council will re-seat Jones, and I believe the Memphis Council will meet later in the week to discuss Pearson.”

Thompson noted that most, if not all, flights to Nashville have been sold out, signaling the large demonstrations ahead.

“This isn’t going away,” Thompson asserted.

“This is a movement. This is going to build and grow. You can’t do this, it’s not sustainable. I’m not sure that if the two Justins are re-seated the movement will stop. This is bad for the national Republican party.”

Phyllis Qualls, who’s covering the proceedings for the Tennessee Tribune, said the G.O.P. leadership miscalculated in expelling Jones and Pearson.

“Republicans had no vision as to the aftermath of what they can do,” Qualls said. “Mom has always said, ‘what’s done in the dark will come out in the light.’ The Republicans took a major issue like gun control and reduced it to decorum. It’s almost like children in the car complaining that ‘Mom, he’s looking at me.’ The crimes doesn’t equate, and to do this during holy week, you crucified these men, and they are rising to a level that nobody expected. They have become leaders of the gun control issue, and it was the Republicans who caused that.”

Mass shooting at Louisville bank heightens gun control issue

Stacy M. Brown

In the wake of still another mass shooting in America, this time at an Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, the nation is left reeling.

At least four people were killed, and eight others were injured, two of whom are in critical condition.

The shooter, who police believe had a connection to the bank, is dead, and authorities are working to establish the motive behind the shooting.

Police responded quickly to the call this morning, arriving within three minutes of the first reports.

They encountered the shooter almost immediately and exchanged gunfire, which ultimately led to the shooter’s death.

Police are still investigating whether the shooter died from the gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed grief over losing two close friends in the shooting and having another friend injured.

The bank where the shooting occurred is also his bank, making the tragedy even more personal for him.

The mayor of Louisville, Craig Greenberg,

asked people to pray for those fighting for their lives.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, said he was heartbroken when he heard the news.

Officials apprised President Joe Biden of the shooting, and the White House has said there will be more details to share later.

The Louisville shooting is just the latest in a string of mass shootings that have rocked the nation in recent years, with gun violence continuing to be a divisive and contentious issue.

Some politicians and interest groups have pushed back against calls for stricter gun control. They say that doing so would violate their rights under the Second Amendment.

As the nation mourns the victims of the Louisville shooting and grapples with the ongoing issue of gun violence, many are left wondering when, if ever, meaningful action will be taken to address the issue.

1975—Josephine Baker dies. She was born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Mo., in 1906. Baker left the United States for France in 1925 seeking a career as a dancer. She achieved fame throughout Europe, becoming a versatile and sensational performer with her often revealing dances. During World War II she even aided the French resistance in its battle against occupation by the forces of Nazi Germany.

• APRIL 13

1873—The Colfax Massacre takes place in Grant Parish, La. Still smarting from the loss of the Civil War and enraged by the political powers being given Blacks during Reconstruction, a White paramilitary terrorist group known as the White League set out to restore White rule in Louisiana. The spark was a disputed election and a confrontation near the Colfax courthouse between a 60-member sparsely armed Black militia and nearly 300 heavily armed members of the White League. The Blacks took refuge in the courthouse and a gun battle rages for hours leaving three Whites dead. Then the Whites convinced an elderly Black man to sneak into the courthouse and set it afire. As the Blacks escaped the flames, they were either shot or arrested. But even those arrested were later killed. Before the day was over, somewhere between 60 and 100 Blacks were massacred.

1946— R&B great Al Green is born in Forest City, Ark. Many considered Green the greatest male R&B singer of the 1970s. Among his greatest hits were “Tired of Being Alone,” “I’m Still in Love with You” and “Let’s Stay Together.”

• APRIL 14

1865—President Abraham Lincoln is shot and critically wounded at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., by John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln would linger for several hours, but died at 7:22 a.m. the following day, April 15. A debate still rages among historians as to how broad based the conspiracy was to assassinate Lincoln. Regardless, it is clear that Booth was a racist who supported slavery and the South during the Civil War. Originally, he was part of a plot to kidnap Lincoln and hold him in exchange for captured Confederate soldiers. But on April 9, 1865, Confederate troops under Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. Later that day, Lincoln gave a speech suggesting that the ex-slaves be given the right to vote. The speech infuriated Booth and thus the plot to kidnap Lincoln was converted into a plot to assassinate him. Booth escaped capture for 12 days. But on April 26, 1865 he was cornered by federal forces and shot and killed during a gun battle. Four of his fellow conspirators, including one woman, were tried and hanged. The assassination of Lincoln changed the course of history for Blacks. While Lincoln was not as great a supporter of Black rights as he has often been portrayed, he was a much greater supporter than the man who replaced him in office—Vice President Andrew Johnson. Johnson actually sympathized with the Southern slave-owning aristocracy and opposed most civil and virtually all voting rights for Blacks. The pro-Black legislation of the Reconstruction period was normally passed over his objection or veto. Nevertheless, Johnson is one of the primary reasons the Reconstruction period only lasted 12 years. He helped lay the foundation for the Jim Crow period beginning around 1880 during which time Black political and civil rights were systematically taken away. This probably would not have happened if Lincoln had not been assassinated.

• APRIL 15

1899—Asa Phillip Randolph, organizer of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, was born in Crescent City, Fla. Randolph brought the pow -

• APRIL 16

1862—President Abraham Lincoln signs a bill ending slavery in Washington, D.C. Approximately nine months later he would issue the Emancipation Proclamation which had a highly emotional and symbolic impact but actually freed very few slaves when it was first pronounced. The Proclamation targeted slaves in the South. But at the time, Lincoln had virtually no control over the rebellious slave-owning Southern states.

1929— The now little known, but one of the grandest voices in African-American history is born on this day in Leesburg, Ga.— Roy Hamilton . Hamilton’s baritone voice made him a hit during the 1950s. His most memorable songs were “Unchained Melody” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

1947— Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is born Lewis Alcindor in New York City. His more than seven-foot frame would make him a dominant player in professional basketball.

2010— The National Center for Health Statistics releases a report showing that a whopping 72.3 percent of Black babies are born to unmarried women . The same report revealed that Hispanic women had the highest birthrate in the nation (98.6 births per 1,000 women) followed by Asian American women (71.4); Black women (71.2) and White women (59.6).

• APRIL 17

1872— Activist and fiery journalist William Monroe Trotter is born on this day in Boston, Mass. A close friend of W.E.B. Du Bois, Trotter was one of the most militant Black leaders of the late 1800s and early 1900s. He helped found the Niagara Movement, which led to the establishment of the NAACP but then refused to join, claiming the group was too moderate and elitist. He was also a leading opponent of the accommodating policies of Booker T. Washington. Trotter’s primary vehicle of expression was his newspaper—the Boston Guardian.

• APRIL 18

1818— Military leader Andrew Jackson (later president) leads the defeat of a force of Indians and Blacks at the Battle of Suwanee, bringing an end to the First Seminole War. The Seminoles had been the target of a government military campaign because they possessed lands, which Whites in Florida greatly desired, and because they had provided safe haven for escaped slaves. Indeed, Blacks such as John Horse would become major Seminole leaders. It would take at least two more major military campaigns before the Seminoles and their Black allies lost possession of those lands.

1977—Alex Haley , author of “Roots,” is awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

EXPELLED FOR PROTESTING--Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson protested on the House floor after the murder of three 9-year-old students and three adults at an elementary school in Nashville.

The Pittsburgh Project’s after-school program creates a family atmosphere

display: While the kids play outside before going indoors for their daily activities, a mother in an SUV pulls up to ask about her child.

“Is my son here?” She concernedly asked one of the team members, who promptly inquired who her child was and then pointed him out on the playground. “He never tells me when he’s coming here after school. Will you tell him to come straight home after?”

The whole interaction is brief, yet it demonstrates the community that has been built here. A place that is strong and trustworthy. A place where kids want to spend time even after a full day of school.

As playtime comes to an end, the staff organizes their respective classes quickly before announcing that they’re heading off to electives for the day. Students have a choice to either take some time in the Maker’s Space also called the “DREAMlab” or attend chess club.

In the DREAMlab—a space designed in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh—students can pursue creative hobbies like clothing design, drawing, painting, and sculpture building. Student artwork adorns hallways everywhere.

Paintings of Goku, Sonic the Hedgehog, and more surround other art pieces like the string-board map of Pennsylvania with a heart where Pittsburgh is located. Nearby, bulletin boards are filled with Bible verses and inspirational quotes.

On the floor, hopscotch squares fill the hallway floors.

For more than three decades, The Pittsburgh Project has been providing city youth with more than an additional family. It has also been teaching youth the “soft skills” needed at every level from elementary to high school.

Rick Mason, executive director of the program, said these skills are usually things most students don’t get taught in regular academic curriculum. Skills such as visual arts and writing, cooking, job training and swimming lessons. It is much more than mere tutoring, which is also available for students struggling academically.

“We try to teach the kids the love we see in the world and the love that Jesus shows,” said Mason, as he described on what the faith-based program models their practices. Emphasizing the point that the program is not strict with its religious beliefs, he said kids of all denominations are welcome to join. Most of the par-

ticipants are from the North Side.

Mason also explained that most of the kids in the program do begin in elementary and middle school, typically following the program all the way through their high school careers and usually returning in some capacity to help the program and its new students.

“The most fulfilling part for me, by far, (is) definitely getting to see the young people start to grow and mature; you know they make mistakes and transition into adulthood. Then also when they come back after the high school program to work for our team,” Mason told the New Pittsburgh Courier. He added that three current team members— including Snyder—graduated from the program themselves a few years prior.

Mason said he and his staff work hard to make the after-school program a fun experience for the kids as they learn and complete lessons. The students filter in each weekday from schools across the city. Some arrived by bus while others walked or were driven. The Project organizes with some public and charter schools —like Propel Northside and Pittsburgh Allegheny—to arrange transportation after their school day ends.

Natasha Thrasher, the youth family coordinator, said that creating a positive relationship with the kids is an important and rewarding part of the process—although a challenging one, as well.

“It’s a job that requires a certain type of person,” Thrasher said, adding she and the team work to fit the specific needs of each kid as they help them develop their creative abilities, interests and important life skills.

The Pittsburgh Project runs throughout the school year, transitioning from after school to summer camp as the academic year ends. Students from anywhere in the city can enroll to take part in the second family that the Project builds for students who want to receive a well-rounded learning experience.

(Editor’s note: Enrollment for the summer day camp, which costs $250, began on March 16. Kids from all over the city are permitted to enroll.

Additional information is available at https:// www.pittsburghproject. org.)

AFTER-SCHOOL FROM A1

LA’KEITA SNYDER, front row, second from left, is joined by some of The Pittsburgh Project employees on the steps of the North Side’s after-school program located on North Charles Street. Snyder said as an only child, it was the family atmosphere at The Pittsburgh Project that kept her coming back as a student. Today, she works as a youth and families assistant for students in grades K-5.

Happy 90th Birthday, Mary Elizabeth Young Crawford!

ELIZABETH

SON, ANDRE AND HIS FAMILY WITH BIRTHDAY GIRL, MARY ELIZABETH YOUNG CRAWFORD

FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH BIRTHDAY GIRL, MARY ELIZABETH YOUNG CRAWFORD (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)

Happy 107th Birthday, Corbett Beatrice Morrison!

GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER JOELISA MCDONALD, CORBETT BEATRICE MORRISON AND IN GRAY IS GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER, TIARA KING (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)

HAPPY 107th BIRTHDAY TO CORBETT BEATRICE MORRISON, BORN MARCH 30, 1916.

Language Equity

This month’s health page focuses on a critical health equity challenge: Making sure that science and healthcare include people who don’t speak or understand English well.

As we continue our “Take Charge of Your Health” theme on social determinants of health, we’re reflecting on a major healthcare barrier for people who don’t

speak or understand English well: Language equity.

How is language equity relevant to the work of the Urban League? Equity and inclusion are what we stand for at the Urban League. Pittsburgh has a growing number of people who are non-English speaking, including many diverse members of our community who are of African

CARLOS T. CARTER

ancestry. Pittsburgh is now the home to immigrants from many parts of the world and it’s our obligation to ensure they not only feel welcome, but also included and cherished. To that end, the Urban League is working with multiple community partners to strengthen our efforts at reaching out to and engaging and communicating with our non-English speaking neighbors. How do you see language equity connected to improving the health of our community?

First and foremost, each of us can value diversity and enrich our lives by learning about our neighbors’ ancestry, languages, and cultures.

Second, I think it’s critical for all of us to be more mindful about whether our organizations are doing everything we can to welcome people whose first language is not English. When we improve our communication and relationships, we build a stronger and healthier city.

Carlos T.

Carter is President and CEO of Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

Language equity improves health equity.

Including non-English speakers in research makes healthcare—and science— more just.

Language equity in medical research means that research and research institutions actively create systems, so that people who do not speak, understand, read, or write in English can participate fully in what’s being studied.

A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh shows the disparity between non-English speaking children and their representation in medical research. Dr. Maya I. Ragavan from UPMC Children’s Hospital, is hopeful the findings will serve as a call to action for researchers, funding groups, and medical journals who can work together to end this disparity.

In the study, Dr. Ragavan, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Pitt, and her colleagues, found that out of about 5,000 child health articles over the past 10 years, only 9% included non-English speaking participants.

What’s more, among the 9 percent of the articles that did include non-English speaking participants, less than one-third of them specified exactly how they communicated with the participants. This shows that simply including non-English speakers itself is not enough without systems that allow for spoken, signed, and written communication in the research participant’s language.

Disparities in research participation are similar to what we see in the healthcare system. Take telehealth for example. Re-

search shows that non-English speakers are less likely to use telehealth in part due to language inequities. (SOURCE: JAMA Network).

While telehealth uses the latest technology to bring healthcare into people’s homes, language services may not be part of it. That exclusion continues to carry on the cycle of inequality, especially for people in underserved communities.

Barriers like this can lead to lags in preventative care and services. For children, it can result in fewer visits to doctors, which can cause chronic health conditions like asthma to remain undetected and/or untreated. It can prevent children from receiving vaccines, which leaves them vulnerable to life-threatening diseases that are easily preventable.

“Leaving out non-English speakers from health research means that health disparities continue for people who already face discrimination,” says Dr. Ragavan. “If we include individuals from all language backgrounds in our medical research, we’re enhancing the quality and fairness of what we find, improving health outcomes, and affirming the beauty and richness of multilingual communities.”

Pittsburgh is a linguistically diverse city, which brings richness and joy to our area. The city is home to several community-based organizations that serve immigrant and refugee families. All these groups work tirelessly to make sure everyone has access to services in their languages.

Some examples of these organizations include the Congolese Union of Pittsburgh (CUP), the Pittsburgh chapter of APALA, Casa San Jose, the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh, the Somali Bantu Community Association of Pittsburgh, Hello Neighbor, Organization of Chinese Americans, ARYSE, Jewish Family and Community Services, the Latino Community Center, and many others.

To promote language equity, Dr. Ragavan believes non-English speakers must be part of the planning stages of the research process and not an afterthought. For example, instead of simply including a few non-English speakers in a study, researchers must think long and carefully about how that should happen.

Medical research has an impact on everyone’s health outcomes, not just the people

participating. The idea behind medical research is to examine data from a smaller group of people who represent the larger population.

When research is done mindfully and inclusively, it leads to new understanding and better treatments for disease, improves access to healthcare, and begins the process of atoning for harms and repairing trust. What can we do to promote fairness and equal treatment for people of all language backgrounds? We can raise awareness to the importance of language diversity. For example, if we see a service is only available in English, we can ask why and call attention to the need for multilingual and culturally affirming services.

We can also encourage inclusivity by organizing and attending events that celebrate multilingualism and reaching out to people who speak other languages with warmth and appreciation for their culture heritage.

Dr. Ragavan notes, “While this study is about research inclusivity, language equity is much broader and really means reimagining how all systems—healthcare, schools, legal, government—affirm and uplift linguistically diverse communities.”

Dr. Ragavan extends an invitation to attend Pitt’s virtual Linguistic Justice Conference on April 14. The event features speakers, skills-building workshops, information from community partners, brief research presentations and more. Learn more and register for free online.

Congolese Union of Pittsburgh welcomes and supports all immigrants

One of the oldest African communities to call Pittsburgh home hails from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today, approximately 40 years after the first Congolese immigrant arrived, there’s a thriving group of approximately 400 members who make up the Congolese Union of Pittsburgh (CUP.

According to Benoit Kihumbu, the organization’s president, many Congolese originally came to Pittsburgh as students and, after earning their degrees, decided to stay. “We feel a special bond with the city,” he says. “It’s becoming a melting pot like New York City. We want to help people see the beauty and value of different cultures and embrace them.”

CUP’s mission is to build and maintain a supportive community—not only for its Congolese members, but also for people of all background, beliefs and means. “We want everyone to thrive without discrimination,” explains Benoit.

That support includes improving access to specialized social services for its members and people from other countries, including offering English as a second language (ESL) classes.

Benoit notes, “After going door to door in Crafton Heights, where most of the Congolese refugees are resettled, we learned that many people had a language barrier that was causing them to lose jobs due to a lack of understanding and speaking English.” That discovery prompted Benoit and other CUP leaders to reach out to Literacy

Pittsburgh to work together to provide ESL classes, which are held twice a week in the basement of 950 Woodlow Street in Crafton Heights. The classes are open to all immigrants and people in need. “Currently, we’re teaching English to Congolese people, as well as people from Iran and Afghanistan,”

Benoit notes. In January, CUP held its annual youth event that showcases Congolese culture and promotes Congolese businesses in Pittsburgh. “Congolese Diversity and Cultural Day, offers authentic food and traditional dress, dancing, music, and drummers,” explains Benoit. “We also invite speakers who provide a brief history of the Congo, as well as how many of us migrated to Pittsburgh.”

In the summer, CUP also hosts a Congolese Diversity and Cultural Day outside in a park setting. “We invite everyone to come celebrate and learn about our culture and enjoy food, games, music and drum playing,” says Benoit.

The 2022 summer celebration included a proclamation from the Mayor of Pittsburgh recognizing the Congolese community as Pittsburgh’s largest group of refugees. “It recognizes, celebrates, and thanks the people of Congolese descent for making Pittsburgh a stronger and more diverse city,” says Benoit. “We’re proud to add to Pittsburgh’s vibrant culture.”

To learn more about CUP, visit the organization’s Facebook page.

APALA encourages Pittsburghers to take a global view and stand together for workers’ rights

Since 1992, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), has worked to advance worker, immigrant, and civil rights for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) people. The organization also serves as a bridge between the broader labor movement and the AAPI community.

The Pittsburgh chapter of APALA is active in the city defending and advocating for the civil and human rights of APPIs, immigrants and people of color.

According to Sabrina Liu, spokesperson and volunteer at Pittsburgh APALA, the organization holds free workshops in English, Mandarin and Spanish to help educate Asian and Latino restaurant workers about their legal rights.

“Employers often take advantage of immigrants who may be undocumented and who do not speak or understand English well,” Sabrina explains. “We want to provide these workers with resources about

their rights and what they can do if they’re being exploited by owners or confronted by police or government immigration agencies.”

Sabrina notes that APALA Pittsburgh stands with all workers and supports their right to form unions, including coffee shop, tech, library and museum workers, as well as graduate students.

“We support what all people want—and deserve,” she says. “Basic human rights, including healthcare, education, a good place to live, and meaningful work that pays a living wage and doesn’t take advantage of people.”

APALA Pittsburgh also stresses the important role of voting. The organization distributes information in English, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, and other languages that encourage those who are eligi-

ble to vote to understand and participate in the voting process.

Sabrina encourages all Pittsburghers to think globally when they encounter other languages and accents in their neighborhoods, churches, workplaces, and when they’re socializing.

“Regardless of what we do for a living, we live in an interconnected global world. Understanding that and valuing and including people who speak a different language will help you be more successful.”

Learn how you can stand in support with APALA Pittsburgh, including adding language and outreach capacity for Vietnamese and Vietnamese Americans. Visit the organization’s Facebook page and Instagram. You can also log on to the national APALA site and download a labor toolkit on Anti-Asian Racism.

DR. MAYA I. RAGAVAN

BENOIT KIHUMBU

SABRINA LIU

“Blessed

Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an INHERITANCE INCORRUPTIBLE, AND UNDEFILED, AND THAT FADETH NOT AWAY RESERVED IN HEAVEN FOR YOU.”

- 1Peter 1:3-4

REV. WALKER SAYS: As Children of God, we have that precious inheritance given to us by Jesus Christ, who paid our sin debt. Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Jesus is the ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN. Period.

The 60th Annual NEED Scholarship Awards Dinner

THE 2023 NEED SCHOLARS—THE EVENT WAS HELD, MARCH 16, AT THE WYNDHAM GRAND HOTEL, DOWNTOWN. (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO).

DR. QUINTIN BULLOCK—MASTER OF CEREMONIES

ROSS JOHNSON, NEED PRESIDENT AND CEO DR. MARCIA STURDIVANT, JIMMY MILLER

GAINEY, DR. MARCIA STURDIVANT, ROSS JOHNSON BOB ALLEN, ONE OF THE NEED AWARDEES

New Horizon Theater's annual event features The New Stylistics, May 6

by Genea L. Webb

For New Pittsburgh Courier

“Every day with me is music and in the back of my mind there’s always a song going on,” explained Russell Thompkins Jr., original front man of the legendary Stylistics and creator of The New Stylistics. “This is the 20th year for the New Stylistics, and I am enthusiastic about working with the group.”

That dedication to music and performing will be showcased when the group takes the Kelly Strayhorn Theater stage on Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. as the headliner for New Horizon Theater’s annual special event.

“We will be doing our repertoire and a little more conversation during this show,” Thompkins told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “We’re going to give people the songs they want to hear, and we will throw in some of the songs we recorded in the ‘80s. It’s going to be a good time. It’s a mature crowd and it’s going to be a good time.”

“The New Stylistics were here four years ago, and we decided to bring them back because everybody thought they were wonderful,” explained New Horizon Theater Inc., Chairperson Joyce Meggerson-Moore. “This is our annual fundraising event, and they are easy to work with and they are in our budget. Everybody likes the oldies because the lyrics are good and the songs are relatable.”

For over 30 years, Thompkins was the lead singer of the Stylistics. The group gained international fame with such classic hits as “You’re a Big Girl Now,” “People Make the World Go ‘Round,” “You Make me Feel Brand New,” “Betcha

many more. The original Stylistics earned seven gold albums; five gold singles; two double gold singles; eight platinum albums; one double platinum album and four platinum singles. The group also received a Grammy nomination in 1974 for “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” and a plaque on the walk of fame in Center City Philadelphia in 1994. In May 2004 Thompkins was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. He departed the group in April of 2000, releasing his first solo CD, “A Matter of Style,” in 2002. Thompkins formed The New Stylistics in 2002. “Creating the product and doing the job is the easy part. It’s the other things that come along with it once it becomes your job—the business part of it and people taking advantage of you and people not giving you the true aspect of what your accounting is and things like that,” Thompkins said. “There are a lot of other things that make you feel really bad about being in the business. Working with the people that I worked with, I became very angry at certain things and didn’t want to be there and all them affect how you feel on stage until it just came to a head after about 30-something years, and I just quit. I could not take it anymore and you start not feeling great and that affects your performance on stage.”

The New Stylistics are committed to delivering high-quality vocal performances on stage in a professional and masterful style. Thompkins’ major goal and mission is to provide his fans, friends and supporters with the same quality of music and showmanship that they’ve come to know and love.

raptured with music as a kid and has always had an affinity for all things melodic. He makes music constantly. He feels that the R&B groups of his era held a unique sound all their own.

“There were a lot of groups coming out of Philadelphia that were writing the songs and producing the songs that hit the jackpot. They hit a nerve. They hit a nerve that people all over the world were falling in love with. It wasn’t just the Stylistics, it was a lot of different groups coming out of Philadelphia during that time that the world fell in love with,” Thompkins said.

The new group consists of Thompkins, Jonathan Buckson, Raymond Johnson and musical director Kenneth Thompson. The same orchestra and band that accompanied the group during its 2019 Pittsburgh performance will be returning for the show.

New Horizon Theater has been in existence for 31 years. The company performs four mainstage plays a year plus a yearly annual fundraising event, which, this year, will include an excerpt from the company’s previous play, “American Menu,” by Don Wilson Glenn.

“Patrons at the $100 dollar level, in addition to seeing the concert, get to participate in a reception where they get autographs with the artists and nice food,” Meggerson-Moore said. “People get to mingle with the artists they just saw on stage doing the great singing. The artists don’t rush off the stage. That’s not something you get to do with these bigger theater companies.”

chased for the souvenir brochure.

Thompkins, a 72-yearold Philadelphia resident, has very deep familial ties to Pittsburgh. His father, who was also a singer but dabbled in painting and art, was born in the Hill District. He lived there until he moved to Philadelphia where he married Thompkins’ mother. Although he never saw his father perform live, Thompkins said he learned the art of singing from his father at night when his father would return home from work and nourish his son’s natural talent.

he started working at a lighting company and he worked here for over 30-something years. He never stopped singing. He was one of those guys who liked photography. But mostly he was going to work every day,” Thompkins told the Courier. “I never got the chance to see him work live with a band in a club situation. The only thing I got was him sitting me down and showing me things in the home. My grandmother told me that when she saw me on stage that I was almost exactly like him on stage.”

By Golly

Wow,” “Stone in Love With You” and many,

Thompkins became en-

Balcony tickets ($40 level and $50 level, respectively) will be available for the opening act and the musical performance only. Ads can also be pur-

“My father had a short musical career. After that

Following The New Stylistics Pittsburgh stop, the group has a full plate of

shows for the rest of the year. Thompkins also will perform solo in separate shows. One of the shows that he’s looking forward to is on July 3, at the Rochester Jazz Festival with the Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra. “I’ll be doing several concerts with them throughout the year,” Thompkins said. “Jazz is at the root of my music that my father sang. That’s one dream that came true for me. I’ve worked with them, and I’ll be doing that same jazz show. But otherwise, as the Stylistics, we’re still on the road. I’m constantly working. It’s a blessing.”

No African Americans in reported three finalists for next Pittsburgh Police Chief

“Not afraid of conflict, able to lead in a strong direction, able to take on the problems that the bureau faces.”

She added that people wanted a person “who can rebuild trust with the community…a lot of people said that the bureau should look like the City of Pittsburgh, and that would be a more diverse bureau than we have right now. And leading in that direction can often be done most effectively by someone who embodies that themselves. What I heard people saying is that they want the best chief possible, and it’s a plus if it’s a woman or a Black chief.”

Judging by the reported finalists for the job, it won’t be a woman or a Black chief.

For Tim Stevens, Black Political Empowerment Project Chairman and CEO, “Obviously I noticed that there were no African American, no female candidates in the final three,” he told the New Pittsburgh Courier exclusively, April 11, “but I’m hopeful that the

Gainey administration, which came into office with an emphasis on the need for police accountability and sensitive policing, would go out of its way to make sure that the person to be the new chief of police in Pittsburgh would be able to meet those expectations.”

Stevens said he had a “very good working relationship” with Pittsburgh’s two previous full-time police chiefs, Scott Schubert and Cameron McLay, both of whom are White. Stevens did not say the next police chief should be African American, rather: “I think a sensitive police chief with a global view of what he or she needs to do to meet the needs, aspirations and concerns of the citizenry of Pittsburgh with regard to policing can meet that objective. But it can’t be anybody, it has to be someone with a high level of sensitivity and openness, commitment to build bridges and a commitment to make the community feel taken care of, whoever that is.”

RUSSELL THOMPKINS JR. AND THE NEW STYLISTICS

MAYOR

PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST POSITIONS

Connect with your passion for the arts in Pittsburgh. Three open positions on the fundraising team at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Candidates must be strong communicators with good organizational and problem-solving skills. Detail oriented and ability to multi-task in a busy environment essential. Please visit the About section and click on employment at trustarts.org.

TECHNICAL PROGRAM MANAGER

Aurora Innovation, Inc. seeks Technical Program Manager in Pittsburgh, PA to work on complex software safety software. Email resume to jobs@aurora.tech using ref# 00273.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: CONSTRUCTION

MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

Lawrenceville United seeks an independent contractor with construction experience to support the organization’s new business line of administering home repairs for low-income homeowners in Lawrenceville. More information at bit.ly/construction15201 or contact 412-802-7220 or Dave@LUnited.org.

FIRE LIEUTENANT

MT. LEBANON, PA

The Municipality of Mt. Lebanon will accept applications for the position of fire lieutenant beginning February 13, 2023 . Deadline to submit an application, resume, certifications, and complete the on-line written exam will be May 12, 2023.

This is a lateral entry supervisory position requiring substantial fire service knowledge, skills, and background. Job responsibilities include supervision of volunteer staff, fire apparatus operation, fire suppression, fire prevention, public education, rescue operations, and hazardous material and emergency medical response. Starting salary is $76,310.00 with excellent benefits and pension. To review requirements and apply, go to https://mtlebanon.bamboohr.com/ hiring/jobs/150.

Mt. Lebanon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

UPMC Community Medicine, Inc. located at U. S. Steel Tower, 57th Floor, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, seeks an Internal Medicine Physician to provide routine medical care, treat generally healthy patients that come in as needed for management of illnesses, injuries, or long-term non-severe conditions, act as first point of contact for many patients and as a result must be able to diagnose a wide range of illnesses and injuries, and responsible for preventative care for their patients, including regular exams and blood work as indicated at 1500 5th Avenue, McKeesport PA 15132, 2774 Mosside Blvd., Pittsburgh PA 15146, and 2001 Lincoln Way, Suite 290, White Oak, PA 15131. Ability to work from home. Travel to worksites within 20 miles. Applicant must have a Medical Degree or its foreign equivalent, must have completed a residency in Internal Medicine, must be Board Certified or eligible for certification in Internal Medicine, must have a valid Pennsylvania Medical license. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 230000X0 in the “Search Keyword/Job ID” field and click Go. EOE/Disability/Veteran.

FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

UPMC Community Medicine,

Inc. located at U. S. Steel Tower, 57th Floor, 600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, seeks a Family Medicine Physician to provide comprehensive clinical care to patients with a wide range of conditions, diseases, and injuries in both inpatient and outpatient setting; provide medical services and expertise in medicine, and diagnose, treat, and manage the diseases of internal organs in adults, adolescents, and children; examine patients for symptoms to determine the presence and extent of disease, injury, or disorder, as well as establish treatment and prevention plans according to each patient; prescribe medication, order diagnostic tests, and refer patients to medical specialists, as necessary; participate in daily multidisciplinary rounds assessing patients’ clinical, psychosocial and disposition status, prepare consultative and procedural reports, and maintain all medical records at 100 Delafield Road, Suite 313, Aspinwall, PA 15215 and 815 Freeport Road, Aspinwall, PA 15215. Applicant must have a Medical degree or its foreign equivalent, must have completed an accredited residency in Family Medicine, must be Board certified in Family Medicine, must have a valid unrestricted PA medical license and DEA certification. Apply by following these steps; visit http://careers.upmc.com and enter 230000X1 in the “Search Keyword/ Job ID” field and click Go. EOE/Disability/Veteran.

ASSISTANT MANAGER OF ROAD OPERATIONS

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking a Assistant Manager of Road Operations to provide assistance and support to the Manager of Road Operations for Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). Oversee all revenue service to ensure, safety, reliability, and on-time performance. Direct and supervise the Road Operations Supervisors, Movement Directors and Bus Traffic Dispatchers ensuring that these groups have all the resources required to perform their daily job duties

Essential Functions:

• Plans, assigns, and oversees the daily activities of all Road Operations supervisors including preparing payroll, conducting picks, approving, and monitoring all daily reports, and resolving departmental employee relation issues.

• Develops and implements OnTime Performance (OTP) strategies to meet the OTP goals of the Tactical Plan.

• Attends meetings with contractors, special events coordinators, engineers, and planners to help determine service impacts. Monitors construction developments to minimize transit service delays, and as needed; coordinates with police to clear roadways for transit service.

Job requirements include:

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Bus/LRV Operator; or two (2) years of experience in one of the following positions within Bus or Road Operations: Bus Route Foreman; Bus Instructor; Traffic Dispatcher, Movement Director.

• Willingness and ability to respond to 24-hour emergency calls.

• Effective and professional communication skills.

• Thorough knowledge of PRT service area.

ASSISTANT MANAGER OF WAY

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking an Assistant Manager of Way to manage the planning and scheduling of all Way Department work and provide technical assistance to support repair and maintenance of the Pittsburgh Regional Transit Right of Ways including, but not limited to, track, bridges, parking lots, tunnels and busways and other Pittsburgh Regional Transit properties. Oversees the Way department in the absence of the Manager of Way.

Essential Functions:

• Directly responsible for maintenance of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s busways, tracks, retaining walls, bridges, parking lots, and driveways including signage. Maintains Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s landscaping, including grass cutting and weed spraying activities. Oversees the Way department in the absence of the Manager of Way.

• Maintains all operational structures at a high status of readiness and supplies immediate repair support under any emergency conditions.

• Manages the activities of the maintenance supervisors, Way maintenance supervisors and related crews.

• Develops and implements new maintenance procedures, oversees the assignment, scheduling and implementation of corrective and preventive maintenance tasks for Way Department.

Job requirements include:

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Associates Degree or Technical Degree in Engineering or directly related field from an accredited school. Experience in directly related field may be substituted for education.

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in rail/track and/or roadway maintenance.

• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience.

• Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows and Microsoft Word.

Preferred attributes:

• BA/BS degrees in a technical field from an accredited school.

• Supervisory experience in track repair/replacement or heavy highway construction.

• Project Management Experience.

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 134 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com

Deadline/Closing/Cancellation

Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

• Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows.

• Customer focused.

• Valid Commercial Driver’s Class

B License with a “P” endorsement.

• This is a Safety Sensitive position subject to all testing provisions under the Drug and Alcohol Policy, including random drug and alcohol testing. The person selected for this position may be required to be tested prior to being awarded the job.

Preferred attributes:

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field from an accredited college or university. Directly related experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

ASSISTANT MANAGER OF THE MAIN SHOP Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking an Assistant Manager of the Main Shop to be responsible for assisting the Manager of the Main Shop of Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) in planning, directing and coordinating all transmission, engine component rebuild, body and paint repair programs, vehicle overhaul, activities and work functions for PRT’s bus fleet.

Essential Functions:

· Supervises and coordinates work assignments for engine, VOH, component rebuild and body and paint repair functions performed at Manchester Shop, including overtime work scheduled.

· Coordinates parts, materials, and supplies purchased with Shop Section Supervisors and Procurement personnel.

· Assists in implementing and monitoring standardized administrative programs and maintenance activities and procedures. Works with the Manager of the Main Shop to implement goals and maintenance performance standards in support of PRT’s goals, objectives and mission.

· Prepares and analyzes maintenance performance indicators to identify deficiencies; make recommendations to improve workflow and labor utilization. Evaluate delays and organizational structure to determine and improve deficiencies.

Job requirements include:

· High School Diploma or GED.

· Associate degree in Transportation, Business Administration, Vehicle Maintenance or technical field in a related area from an accredited school. Directly related experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

· Minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience.

· Valid Commercial Driver’s License (Class B, with a P endorsement)

· Team player focused on achieving well-defined program goals and objectives.

· Professional and effective communication skills.

· Demonstrated ability in the use of Windows.

FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE CLEANUP AUTHORITY WIDE

IFB#300-14-23

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby requests bids from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s):

Emergency Response Clean Up Authority Wide

IFB#300-14-23

The documents will be available no later than April 3, 2023, and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 9:00 AM on April 25, 2023

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:

Deborah Slocum

Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 DSlocum@RidePRT.org EOE

JANET GALLA-SCHIBIK, deceased, of McKeesport, No. 7601 of 2022 . Kelly D. Galla, a/k/a Kelly Simonetta, has been appointed Executrix by Order dated November 28, 2022 Peter B. Lewis, Neighborhood Legal Services, 928 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Counsel.

Estate of AUDREY J. MILLER, deceased, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, No. 02-22-08006. Wayne T. Pifer,

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:

Joe Sekely Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527

JSekely@RidePRT.org EOE

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Interested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to:

Taylor McBride Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 TMcBride@RidePRT.org EOE

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical bids dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 9:00 AM on April 25, 2023, in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Bids may be uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the IFB. Sealed bids may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquiries should be directed to:

Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832

A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on April 13, 2023, at 9:00 AM. Please see meeting information below:

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID:870 3254 4820 Passcode: 947646 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/ RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JUST FLASH THE RING!

Ranked as the top team in WPIAL Class 1A all season, Imani Christian Academy won their first state title last month. The school is the second smallest in WPIAL boys basketball, but the team is anchored by 6’9” Virgil Hall and 6’11” Alier Maluk. Imani lost to #2 Union in the semifinals last season, but this time around realized that, “Revenge is a meal best served cold!” Union was trying to win its 3rd WPIAL championship in the past 10 months following titles in football and baseball. But Imani’s defense would have the outcome change directions. After a sluggish first half, Coach Omar Foster got up close and personal with his team and reminded them that as the #1 seed they had to get things together and right now. When the “D” arrived, Union went scoreless for nearly five minutes, and Imani capitalized with 16 consecutive points for a 64-41 championship victory. Then Imani went out and dominated in the PIAA state playoffs, culminating with an 81-64 victory

on March 23 against Berlin Brothersvalley.

“Small in size . . . mighty otherwise!” is most fitting for this smaller-by-thenumbers school tucked away in East Hills. And to connect the always-present dots that basketball gives ya, the school sits above the hoop courts that formerly hosted the nationally recognized Connie Hawkins NCAA/ Pro-Am Summer Basketball League...one of the league’s all-time great players was recognized as the Hazelwood Heat! A lightning quick left-hand guard that took no nonsense and no prisoners at a time when the world watched the “Heat in the Street” played on asphalt in every major city in America...that man was Frank Foster, the father of Coach Omar Foster! You understand now even

better than you did before you picked up your Pittsburgh Courier. It’s true what they say, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” and in this case, “Champions aren’t born, they’re made.”

The same championship spirit that delivered the ring for Frank Foster and the fellas from Hazelwood was born again through his son Omar at the Petersen Events Center AND MAN WAS THAT APPLE SWEET!!! And it transferred to the Giant Center in Hershey for the state championship!

Congratulations to Imani Christian Academy for winning the Class 1A title and the state title, but also for all that this wellloved and greatly needed institution has stood for all these years and how they continue to showcase and give back against all odds with their heads held high and unapologetic for their talent, sacrifices and determination. A slam dunk for the school, founding fathers, administration, coaching staff and player. Moving forward, words are no longer needed...just flash the ring!

Imani Christian Academy wins WPIAL and PIAA state title in boys’ basketball SNAKEBITTEN Toxic ownership killing Pirates

On May 19, 1933, the National Football League approved adding an expansion franchise in Pittsburgh to new owner Art Rooney. The Pittsburgh Professional Football Club was formed and later became the Pittsburgh Steelers. Except for a 21-0 playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in December 1947, the team was not taken very seriously for most years. Through it all, on many occasions, Art Rooney had to hang in there by the skin of his chinny-chin-chin but he didn’t abandon the city or its fans by pulling up the moving vans to Three Rivers Stadium, at the crack of dusk, moving to any new location with only the name, “greener pastures.”

With the guidance of his son, Dan Rooney, the Steelers were restructured and rejuvenated by an innovative young coach Charles Henry “Chuck” Noll as well as super scout William “Bill” Nunn who helped implement a new talent evaluation draft system that was not stuck on drafting according to position need, but choosing the best athlete available.

September 1, 1999: The NHL Board of Governors approved an application

by Mario Lemieux for ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lemieux moved into an ownership role a couple of years after he announced his retirement as a player in 1997. At that point, the Penguins owed him more than $32 million in deferred salary, and he converted much of that money into equity in the team, making him the first player in North American sports history to own the team he used to play for.

Instead of suing for the $32 million dollars that the team owed him, he invested that equity by purchasing the team. Lemieux assumes the posts of president, chairman, and CEO of the Penguins.

Now get this: on December 27, 2000, he returned as an active player assuming the role of the team’s No. 1 center, therefore reigniting his role as one of the NHL’s marquee players. Let’s now talk about the state of major league baseball in Pittsburgh. The saying usually goes; “I am saving the best for last.”

However, regarding the Pittsburgh Pirates’ current ownership, the saying has been amended to: “I have saved the worst for last.”

It hasn’t always been this bad. newspaper heir Kevin McClatchy, the former owner and CEO of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1996 to 2007, is credited by many people with keeping the Pirates franchise in Pittsburgh. McClatchy sold his shares of the Pirates in 2009 only after ensuring that the club remained in Pittsburgh.

There was a catch to that requirement that the team remained in Pittsburgh, but it was not stipulated indirectly or directly that the “players” on the team would remain in Steel City. After Bob Nutting became the majority owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the modus operandi was not to develop a championship franchise but to use the Pittsburgh fans and the Western Pennsylvania market to cheer on the “fattening up” process of young players in order for them to be auctioned and shipped off to the high-

est bidder. In 2012, the Pirates’ outfield included two-thirds of a future Hall-of- Fame outfield featuring Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte. In 2014 they added Gregory Polanco, at that point, arguably giving them one of the best, if not the best outfields in Major League Baseball. They also had pitchers Gerrit Cole, Charlie Morton, Francisco Liriano, and super reliever Tony Watson. All squandered away because the Pirates ownership was too thrifty to retain those players as building blocks for the future. There seemed to be no regard to any future, with the exception of future profits.

The Pirates ownership was not on the sneaky side; they seemed to be on the “snaky side.” The Pirates’ 2023 roster has been “snake bitten” by an injury to upcoming star shortstop Oneil Cruz. The lanky shortstop had surgery late Sunday, April 9, to repair a fractured left ankle and is out at least four months. He suffered the injury in the sixth inning of the April 9, 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Let’s hope that this latest setback won’t be another

You need a budget!

A true life lesson from the Courier’s Damon Carr on page B1.

ONEIL CRUZ

excuse for management to suck up another 90loss season. The Pirates ownership needs to take a few cues from the past ownership groups when it comes to loyalty and fiscal

responsibility.

IMANI CHRISTIAN WINS THE STATE TITLE!

Keep quality employees with quality benefits

(NewsUSA)—Small

business owners know that one of the secrets to success is hiring quality employees and keeping them. One of the best ways to keep your best employees happy is by offering a robust benefits plan.

In fact, 11 states now mandate that most small businesses offer employees a retirement plan, according to Value Point Associates (VPA), a national Employer Member Association that specializes in offering “large-company” benefits to small and medium-sized businesses.      VPA leverages the size of its membership to negotiate affordable rates on top-notch employee benefits plans. These plans can be tailored to the needs of a range of small business models.      “VPA’s association model is likely the easiest employee benefits

Edwige

arrangement in the country for small businesses,” says Michael Schifferle, director of sales and marketing for VPA.      Some of the distinctive benefits of a VPA membership plan include:

• Less stress. VPA handles the benefit package administration and design, and small businesses can choose from several programs to select the best fit.

• More money. Many small employers feel they can’t offer a 401k plan to employees because of the high cost. With VPA’s incredibly reasonable rates, small businesses can offer the retirement savings plans that employees want, which helps them compete with larger businesses for top talent.

SEE QUALITY EMPLOYEES B2

by Megan Kirk

(Michigan Chronicle)—Money makes the world go around, but not having any can pause everyday life. As money is needed for every aspect of day-to-day functionality, spending and saving habits become increasingly important as adults maneuver through life. Financial emergencies are inevitable and sometimes unavoidable. However, having the proper tools to save for a rainy day can help make these emergencies easier to deal with.

Financial education continues to be spread thin, particularly in Black communities. The widening of the wealth gap, while largely based on institutional racism, can also find some truth in the spending and saving habits as well as incurring debt. Money management is best handled when the money coming in is more than the amount being spent on household and life bills. Creating a budget is a sure-fire way to chronicle income and without it, some find themselves spending more than they can afford.

“The biggest one [mistake] is the failure to establish a monthly budget and to track their expenses and income,” said Willa Williams, co-founder of Trinity Financial Coaching, where she is a financial coach and accredited financial counselor. “When they do that, they are oftentimes not aware of how much they are spending and at times do not keep up with where their expenses are.”

SEE PAY YOURSELF B2

Robinson joins Forbes Technology Council

BlackPressUSA—Chicago, IL—Edwige Robinson, Senior Vice President of Network Engineering & Operations and Transformation of the Central Region at T-Mobile US has joined the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives. She is responsible for 23 states with a P&L of several billion dollars, leading more than 5,000 employees and contractors who design, build, and maintain a cutting-edge 5G Network. She works across the business to create strategy that enables sustainable growth, closes the digital divide and supports emerging AI products and technologies. She was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of her experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

“We are honored to welcome Edwige into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Tech -

nology Council. “Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driv -

en network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

As an accepted member of the Council, she will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Edwige will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share her expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

“I am honored to join this community of accomplished technology executives to exchange ideas that help to change our world,” Edwige Robinson, SVP of Network Engineering & Operations and Transformation. “The Forbes brand has always stood for excellence and I have excited to lend my expertise to those who look to it help then on their career journey.”

Several years ago, I wrote an article titled, “I’m talking to YOU.” In that article I wanted to be very clear who I was talking to. I was talking to YOU!

I wrote that particular article after observing people tell me, so and so can use my advice. It was their mother, father, sibling, uncle, aunt, grandparent, cousin, friend. Never themselves. Let me state for the record, no one is exempt from sound financial advice. NO ONE! When I say “You need a budget,” I’m talking to YOU.

A budget is a spending, savings and investment plan. A budget helps you:

• Prioritize your financial goals

• Manage your cash-flow (Income and expenses)

• Identify areas of overspending

• Identify areas of undersaving

• Understand your debt exposure

• Act your wage

We all tend to fall short in one area or two when it comes to managing our money, be it overspending, under-saving, or poor money management. Instead of taking a hard look at our finances to ascertain and correct what’s causing our financial woes, we turn a blind eye to it, hoping it will fix itself and praying things will work out in the end.

When it comes to money management, hope is not a financial plan. You have to “Boss-up” by being proactive, telling your money what to do—not reactive, wondering where your money went. Without a budget, money becomes a great magician. It can disappear right before your eyes in plain sight. Money isn’t everything, but when it comes to importance it ranks right up there with oxygen. The truth of the matter is money and personal finances are an important aspect of everyone’s life, for practically everything we desire in life has a price tag attached to it. Like oxygen, we need money for our very survival. The first step to sound personal finances is creating a budget. It involves moni-

toring and tracking your income and expenses. It is essential to understand your monthly cash inflow and outflow to keep a tab on your spending habits. Creating a budget helps you identify the areas where you are overspending and make necessary adjustments to your spending habits. Once you have identified the areas where you tend to overspend, it is important to prioritize your expenses. Paying off your debts should be on the top of the list —especially those high-interest rate credit cards. Keeping a low credit utilization ratio is essential for maintaining a good credit score. Credit cards can have a huge impact on your credit scores because it’s the biggest contributor to the utilization ratio. To have a good credit score it’s recommended that your utilization ratio be at 30 percent of your credit limit or lower. To have an excellent credit score, you’d want to keep the utilization ratio at 10 percent or lower. Personal finance is an important aspect of everyone’s life. It involves managing your money in a way that you can provide for your family, pay bills, and have a life all while achieving your financial goals and having a stable financial future. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your personal finances.

Budgeting

Budgeting and financial planning go hand and hand. The difference being financial planning is more comprehensive. Budgeting is a key component of personal finance that involves creating a plan for your income and expenses. It helps you keep track of your spending and ensure that you don’t overspend. Create a budget that aligns with your financial goals and

stick to it. It will help you avoid unnecessary expenses and plan for your financial future.

Saving and Investing

I’ve worked with people who have good paying jobs, high credit scores, and no savings to speak of. I’ve come to understand that money problems don’t show up in one’s ability to work hard and pay their bills on time. Money problems show up in one’s inability to consistently save and invest money. Saving and investing are vital components of personal finance that can help you achieve your financial goals. Saving involves setting aside a portion of your income for future use, while investing involves putting your money to work for you by purchasing investment vehicles such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. It’s important to research and understand your investment options before investing your money.

Managing Debt

Debt is an offspring of credit. Credit has inflated the cost of goods and services on everything to a point; we can’t imagine making purchases without financing it. Debt is hazardous to your wealth!

Knowing that people will continue using credit, I created financial guardrails to follow to help us avoid going into so much debt that our finances fall in the gutter. Debt management is a significant aspect of personal finance. Managing your debt can help you avoid financial stress and improve your credit score. If you have multiple debts, consider consolidating them or creating an aggressive, methodical repayment plan to pay them off quickly.

Building an Emergency Fund

Life is full of surprises, unexpected events and unexpected expenses, also known as emergencies. When they hap-

pen, it usually costs us money. Money we don’t have. Financial emergencies can happen at any time and having an emergency fund can provide you with a financial cushion to help you weather the storm. Although it’s recommended to create an emergency fund that can cover anywhere from at least 3 to 12 months of your living expenses, that advice isn’t practical for everyone. Set a realistic emergency fund goal for yourself, be it $500 or $1,000. Over time, work towards having a fully funded emergency fund. In the event of an emergency, you will have the financial cushion you need to deal with unexpected expenses or loss of income.

Planning for Retirement

We all dream of the day of hanging up our working shoes forever! However, there’s always one expense or another causing us to delay focusing on both saving and planning for retirement. Being that retirement is in the distant future in comparison to other financial goals, we tend to focus on it last. Bad idea! Planning for retirement is essential to ensure that you have enough money to live comfortably when you retire. Start saving for your retirement as early as possible and create a retirement plan that aligns with your financial goals. Remember, your retirement savings is your future paycheck.

In conclusion, while personal finances can be complex, managing your money well is crucial to maintaining financial stability and achieving your financial goals. By taking the time to create a budget, save, invest, manage your debt, build an emergency fund and plan for retirement, you can have a stable financial future. Start taking control of your finances today, and you will reap the rewards in the future.

(Damon Carr, Money Coach can be reached at 412-216-1013 or visit his website @ www.damonmoneycoach.com)

EDWIGE ROBINSON, Senior Vice President of Network Engineering & Operations and Transformation of the Central Region at T-Mobile U.S.

Consumer rage reaches all-time high and businesses are feeling it in the bottom line

by Stacy M. Brown

For New Pittsburgh Courier (NNPA Newswire)—Ac-

cording to a new study, second-rate customer service efforts have led to more consumer rage than ever, and patrons have become more belligerent when complaining.

Customer Care Measurement & Consulting (CCMC) and the Center for Services Leadership, a research center at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, conducted the National Consumer Rage Survey.

It found that “the alarmingly high rate of rudeness by customers was linked to things that have become normal in business settings.”

The survey found that businesses risk losing $887 billion in future sales because they handle customer complaints poorly.

That figure is up from $494 billion in 2020.

In addition to charting the trend of customer satisfaction with complaint handling over the past two decades, the study authors said the latest release of the rage survey breaks new ground by exploring the alarming incidence of customer incivility tied to what has become commonplace in everyday business settings.

“Customer rage explores the experience of complaining about a product

or service problem,” the authors wrote in a news release.

They said that customer incivility looks at the growing problem of rude, disrespectful, and violent behavior in the marketplace that comes from social and political conflicts between customers and businesses, such as disagreements about politics, sexuality, culture, and faith.

“This first foray into customer incivility reveals that unseemly customer behavior tied to clashes in values between businesses and their customers may be the new normal, as nearly one of every two Americans encountered two or more acts of customer incivility in the past year,” the authors found. According to the survey, the top customer rage highlighted in the study included:

• Seventy-four percent of customers reported experiencing a product or service problem in the past year, more than doubling since 1976.

• Product and service problems can be disappointing, costly, and distressing.

• Fifty-six percent of customers felt that the problem wasted their time (an average of one to two days of lost time), 43 percent cited a loss of money (an average loss of $1,261), and 31 percent suffered

emotional distress.

• The level of “customer rage” is holding steady—63 percent of customers experiencing a problem feel rage about the experience.

• Customers are becoming increasingly aggressive in their efforts to solve their problems with businesses.

• Forty-three percent raised their voice to show displeasure about their most serious problem, up from 35 percent in 2015. Additionally, the percentage of customers seeking revenge for their hassles has tripled since 2020. The authors found that complaining is increasingly becoming a digital phenomenon.

Digital channels such as e-mail, chat, and social

media have unseated the telephone as the primary complaint channel at 50 percent, increasing from a mere 5 percent in 2013. Complainants are also doubling down on social media shaming about their problems.

In addition to complaining directly to the company, 32 percent of complainants posted information about their most serious problem on social media sites—more than double those who posted in 2020.

Top customer incivility highlights of the study include nearly one in five Americans (17 percent) who have personally behaved uncivilly during the past year. The authors concluded that Americans see this kind of value-based ag-

gression toward businesses as a sign of bigger societal problems.

Twenty-two percent cited the moral decay of society as the primary reason customer incivility is on the rise.

The social contract about the norms for individually protesting businesses’ belief systems and values appears to be in flux.

Americans disagree with “civil” and “uncivil” behaviors for expressing their value differences with a business, the authors found.

While 50 percent of Americans view less aggressive forms of behavior (such as yelling, ranting, arguing, giving ultimatums, and social media character assassination) as uncivil, the remaining 50 percent see these behaviors as either “civil” or as “depends on the circumstances.”

Similarly, 25 percent view more hostile behaviors—like threats, humiliation, foul language, and lying—as civil or circumstantially acceptable.

“Even after 20 years of intensively researching customer rage, I remain astonished that—when sorting out ordinary product and service problems —acts of simple kindness and a sense of kinship are, all too often, in short supply,” said CCMC President and CEO Scott Broetzmann.

“The incidence and public displays of customers and companies misbehaving are commonplace, on the increase, and can be downright scary,” he noted.

Broetzmann continued:

“Perhaps of growing concern now is that customer hostility appears to be mutating like a virus. The expressions of malice and aggression triggered by differences in the value systems of companies and customers—so-called customer incivility—only fuel the fire.”

Broetzmann said defusing customer rage is not rocket science.

Thomas Hollmann, executive director of the Center for Services Leadership at ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, said many customers are looking for repairs or refunds. Still, they also hope for a sincere apology and acknowledgment of their complaints.

“These no-cost actions show that the company cares, is listening to the customer, and values them,” Hollman stated.

“It’s up to brands to communicate as humans with their customers. A sincere “I’m sorry this happened,” can turn a potential blowup into a lifelong customer.”

(Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent)

Doors are open in commercial real estate, experts say

by James Wright Jr.

The Washington Informer

When the phrase real estate comes to mind it usually deals with the residential sector, but professionals and entrepreneurs in the commercial field say there are opportunities to partake in for those who are willing to work hard and learn the industry.

“I am focusing on investing in four-unit buildings and affordable housing here in D.C. and in Baltimore,” said Anthony McDuffie, the owner of Real Estate Wealth Investors, a commercial real estate and education firm in Ward 8 in Southeast. There are a lot of opportunities in commercial real estate, but it is like anything, you must give it your best.”

The Brookings Institute in Northwest published a study, “The Devaluing of Assets in Black Neighborhoods: The Case for Commercial Property,” on July 11, 2022, that said only three percent of Black households own commercial real estate compared with eight percent of White households, and their holdings are much smaller—valued at just $3,600 on average, compared with nearly $34,000 for white households. The study said Black neighborhoods are often undervalued, denying their commercial property owners in those areas some $171 billion in aggregate wealth. The way to end the cycle, according to the study, is to diversify owners of commercial real estate and change the rules that guide investment.

Jerome Nichols serves as the president of Standard Real Estate Investments, many different ways to get into the industry,” he said.

Nichols manages two projects in the District. He is working on developing the gress Heights Metro Station in Ward 8 and has started work on re-developing the East River Park Shopping Center and ping Center in Ward McDuffie, 53, said before he became veloper, he studied ning, tax preparation al penal system. When released he secured a broker’s license in the land, worked for a real estate ment firm and

started his business. He said there are no hard educational requirements to become involved in the commercial real estate field but there must be a desire to learn and be self-motivated.

Omar McKeithan, 42, said his desire to work in commercial real estate began early in life.

“I have had a passion for commercial real estate since the 1980s when I worked for my grandfather’s clothing store on 7th and Rhode Island, Talib Discount,” he said. “We were tenants. I wanted to represent my family and my culture in the industry; I worked towards that goal.”

McKeithan said in 2007, he gained employment at the CoStar Group, the world’s largest commercial real estate research firm. From there, he moved to Scheer Partners, a biotech/medical coverage brokerage firm in Rockville where he became a broker. He joined NAI Global in 2016, where he works in Lanham, Maryland. McKeithan said self-confidence and focus are keys to success in commercial real estate.

“I have achieved extreme success and primarily credit that to those who gave me opportunities and me believing in myself,” he said. “Getting the opportunity is one thing but believing you can achieve is another. You must be fearless and undeniably believe in yourself when others do not. Learn the weaknesses of the industry and make them your strengths.”

(This story originally appeared in The Washington Informer)

Advice

on Getting Into Commercial Real Estate

Healing finances is not an overnight feat. It will take unlearning previous bad spending habits and replace them with new techniques and ways of thinking about money. With any habit, it takes effort to overcome and financial habits are no different.

“When making your first steps toward breaking unhealthy financial habits, it is important to intentionally relinquish all of your previous beliefs and limitations about money, and the relationship that you have with it. This will assist in being open and ready to receive and apply the skills that you learn,” said Brittany Harvey, a financial wellness professional. “The most beneficial step to take for yourself is to seek out people in the community who have the insight and financial

resources that you are looking to acquire. One of the biggest blunders someone can make when making this new mental paradigm adjustment is hesitating to connect with a mentor and financial professional.”

When considering a habit, many would not consider spending and saving to be listed. Habits are typically used to describe a negative practice, but for one financial professional, habits translate to all areas of life.

“According to Oxford Languages, the word ‘habit’ is defined as “a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up. With that definition in mind, invite yourself to reflect on the daily choices that you make and how these decisions are directly affecting the life that you live,” said Harvey. “A

‘bad habit’ is any repetitive act that is deterring you from accomplishing your financial goals. Is it that you have not created and followed a monthly budget? Have you neglected reviewing your financial plan with a professional? Are you spending frivolously?

It’s essential to remind ourselves that the daily habits that we choose to foster will determine the life that we manifest.”

Credit cards can be helpful in establishing and building a credit score. Alternatively, failure to use credit responsibly can have a blowback effect on overall financial wellness.

“A lot of times people will mess up credit by overspending and spending impulsively. Sometimes people look at the available amount on their credit card as cash. It isn’t cash. It’s

money which is to be borrowed, but must be paid back,” said Williams. “We have to be very careful about credit.”

Thankfully, steps can be taken to reverse the effects of negative financial habits. Enlisting the help of a financial coach can help over spenders find balance in their finances and help manage healthy ways to grow the bank account.

Allocating funds for self after each pay cycle will grow personal finances and allow for a nest egg.

“Pay yourself first. It makes so much sense because we work very hard and we want to be able to enjoy the fruit of our labor. So, set aside some money for yourself all the time so when you have the opportunity to buy the things you see you want, you can go get it,” said Williams.

• Less paperwork.

VPA also assists its members with administrative tasks and services, including benefit package administration, coordination with payroll services, audits, and Form 5500 preparation and filing.

• More security. Small business owners appreciate that VPA membership reduces personal ERISA fiduciary liability. By contrast, a larger employer offering a 401k plan serves as the plan’s sponsor itself, which increases liability.

In addition to retirement plans, VPA offers affordable options for employee health insurance. Employers can explore both traditional group insurance and non-traditional coverage that

provide the most flexibility and savings of time and money. VPA helps small businesses stay competitive on the health insurance front by offering employees

ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement), QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement), and other HRAs, as well as Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.      (Visit valuepointassociates.com for more information.)

THE SURVEY FOUND that businesses risk losing $887 billion in future sales because they handle customer complaints poorly.

QUALITY EMPLOYEES FROM B1

PAY YOURSELF FROM B1

JEROME NICHOLS is the president of Standard Real Estate Investments, LLP. (Courtesy photo)

Your vote is a superpower

An “election” is the formal process of selecting a person for public office or of accepting or rejecting a political proposition by voting. It is important to distinguish between the form and the substance of elections.

Although elections were used in ancient Athens, in Rome, and in the selection of popes and Holy Roman emperors, the origins of elections in the contemporary world lie in the gradual emergence of representative government in Europe and North America beginning in the 17th century. (Encyclopedia Britannica).

Basically, elections are the backbone of a democracy. The chief tool in this regard is the vote. In the United States there was a time when the only individuals allowed to vote were propertied White men.

Black men were granted the right to vote with the ratification of the 15th Amendment on February 3, 1870. Women were granted voting rights in August, 1920, when the 19th Amendment was ratified, after a protracted suffrage (right of women to vote) movement.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 removed barriers that had previously been erected to keep Black people from voting, especially in the South. Prior to that time, literacy tests, poll taxes and various and sundry methods were used as impediments to voting.

Today, things seem to be slipping backward, in that a number of states are enacting measures that serve as impediments that can, again, keep Black people from voting. Basically, this appears to be coming out of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) playbook, a strategy influenced by the 45th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

Though many people understand the power of the vote, it is an incredible truth that too many Blacks have not understood its value, even though it is one of the most important tools that can help impact the quality of Black life in America. It is a superpower in a democracy!

The reluctance to vote of many Blacks may be due to a collective lack of self-esteem and a certain defeatism among those who do not appreciate the gains that have come with exercising this instrument of democracy. Some are not engaged enough in the workings of government to understand incremental change that comes with holding elected officials accountable.

The truth of the matter is that the vote is the greatest tool that can help level the playing field in a democracy! Unfortunately, people think that rich people have an advantage over everyone else when it comes to voting, but actually every rich person has just one vote, just like everyone else.

The difference between the rich and non-rich is that the monied class uses its votes in tandem with others who are of like mind. They unify and pool their voting resources to get what they want. They have the money to advertise and spread their message so they can communicate their positions and gain allies.

The so-called disenfranchised groups, however, tend to operate out of a stance of defeatism and fragmentation. They think their vote is powerless, and that nothing will change because they have only one vote! They don’t get it; they don’t realize that a lack of money does not necessarily serve as a barrier to exercising their voting power.

Ingenuity is what is needed among the disenfranchised classes. Years ago, when the venerable Harold Washington became the first Black man to be elected mayor in Chicago, he used an ingenious method to spread the word. There were buttons circulating far and wide; they were EVERYWHERE. This made up for the lack of money for widespread communication and kept Harold’s name on the tongues and in the minds of voters.

Today, there is an even greater tool that can be used by candidates to get their message out, social media. It has a reach that even exceeds that of buttons.

Now, the main impediment to exercising the superpower of the vote among Black people is the lack of self-esteem that is evident under the guise of “all candidates are the same,” or that “nothing will ever change for Black people.” The low voter turnout in many areas comes from this mindset.

There are candidates who are better choices for the collective welfare of the Black community than others! Too many Black people (and their allies) have lost their lives in the quest to ensure that Black folks have the right to vote, to throw away that precious opportunity.

We must understand that if we don’t utilize what we have, it may be taken away, and you better believe there are a growing number of white supremacists just waiting to use the equivalent of political kryptonite to eradicate the superpower of the Black vote!

A Luta Continua.

(Reprinted from The Chicago Crusader)

Doss Editor & Publisher

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—I am a fervent sports fan and viewing sports brings great joy to my life.  I enjoy a good NBA game or any game played by my New Orleans Saints.  I even watch professional baseball—just with a little less enthusiasm. My viewing is not limited to professional sports nor do I exclusively view “male” sporting contests.  I have nieces who are gymnasts and whose performance in the sport suggests future greatness and acclaim.  I enjoy female sports and consider them among the vehicles which will lead to full gender equality.

On Sunday, April 2, true sports fans were glued to their televisions watching the final game of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Louisiana State University Lady Tigers.  When competitors were finally determined, it was hyped as a thriller.  Most pundits gave the advantage to Iowa.  The Hawkeyes’ strength on the court and their regular season record was no joke.  Pundits declared the Hawkeyes’ Caitlin Clark as a collegiate ‘best.’

Jasmine Carson, a Lady Tiger never known by the title “Hero,” became one by scoring 21 points in the first half with the final points in the half coming on a buzzer-beater.  Although Jasmine only scored one point during the second half, her first-half performance put the game out of reach for Iowa.

At halftime, the Lady Tigers

had a big lead, and it seemed that they would maintain that lead, but the Iowa team came back with a long scoring run.  Things got a bit tense for LSU fans before the Lady Tigers pulled away again— for good.   At the final buzzer, the Lady Tigers were victorious by the lopsided score of 102 – 85, winning their first national title.  For the first time, a women’s team broke the 100-point mark in a championship game, surpassing the previous record of 97 points.

Despite being a Louisiana native, I saw this as a contest between the best women’s teams in collegiate basketball.  Both teams played great games.  In my opinion, their performance exceeded that of the men in their final game the following night.  However, with few exceptions, one could have viewed this game believing that Black women were playing White women.  Sadly, whether implied or suggested some critics analyzed through those distorted lenses.

Despite being on the losing team, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark was named “Player of the Year.”  She (Clark) was even acknowledged by her opponents. Post-game, LSU’s star Angel Reese did a little ‘trash-

talking’ which is certainly not unusual among men players.  Some would say that scoring 15 points, pulling down 10 rebounds, having 5 assists, and 3 steals would give her ‘bragging rights.’  This was not to be.  Her post-game trash-talking, her use of the “You Can’t See Me” gesture, made famous by WWE star John Cena, and gesturing toward her ring finger during the game was determined by some to be unnecessary taunting.  The resulting outcry of support for Caitlin Clark was a bit disingenuous.  Those who feigned indignation at Angel Reese’s gestures failed to acknowledge the fact that Caitlin had directed the same “You Can’t See Me” gesture at an opposing player during Iowa’s game against Louisville.  Through the ‘wisdom’ and ‘generosity’ of DeSantis and others, we have learned that bringing discomfort to Whites is not permitted in contemporary US.

Ending on a more positive note, tickets for this year’s women’s tournament have been priced far higher than the men’s games. On the secondary market, the lowest cost for a single ticket for the final women’s game was just under $400.  Some nosebleed prices for the men’s championship game were going for lower than $50 on Ticketmaster.  Who would have thought?

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of The Dick Gregory Society and President Emerita of the National Congress of Black Women)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Rolling

Fork, Mississippi, has been virtually erased by a tornado hurling winds of up to 200 miles per hour. “It’s bad out here,” Jourdan Hartshorn told ABC News, “It’s literally devastation, Ground Zero.” Twenty-five people were killed in Mississippi and one in nearby Alabama. More storms are forecast for the coming days.

The scope and swiftness of the destruction was unprecedented. Residents only got a 20-minute warning, if that. The tornado was nearly a mile wide, and carved a path of nearly 60 miles on the ground. Houses and gas stations were swept away. Power lines down. People are wandering the streets in shock.

The population of Rolling Fork is virtually all Black. Mississippi is the poorest state in the union and Rolling Fork is one of the poorer towns in Mississippi. Now, many small farmers and small business people, workers and retirees have lost virtually everything.

Crisis triggers response. First-responders came to save those they could and care for the wounded. Police, fire, and rescue squads from the area rushed in immediately. Volunteers from churches and across the community helped those who were hit. Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency. President Biden mobilized the federal response. Once more the Federal Emergency Management Agency was deployed to supply water, food, medicine and emergency shelter.

The governor and mayor vowed to rebuild. But Rolling Fork needs to be built back better—not simply rebuilt.

The trailers that many lived in were no match for the winds. The poverty that afflicted too many left them even more vulnerable in the wake of the storm. One thing that we must know: more storms are coming, and they will be more destructive. No one storm can be attributed directly to catastrophic climate change. But this storm was virtually unprecedented in its ferocity. And the southern states have experienced 236 tornadoes in March, a number not seen since the early 1950s. Extreme weather is not a future threat. It is a present danger, as Rolling Fork can testify. If we don’t take immediate and radical action to address climate change, then Rolling Fork will be repeated—rom fires or floods or droughts or hurricanes or cyclones and more—across the country – and across the globe. We reap what we sow, and we have sown the furies.

These are people who have suffered a history of great pain.

From slavery to a violent repression of freedom after the Civil War to enforced apartheid, Mississippi’s Blacks still to this day struggle for equality. Ronald Reagan began his presidential campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the site of the torture and murder of civil rights

workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman. The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and its fight for recognition was a dramatic step in the Black struggle for political rights. No small number of Blacks came to Chicago and other northern cities in the Great Migration, seeking a better deal in the North. And now they are victims of a calamity, one of far too many that are threatening lives across this country.

In Chicago, we will organize volunteer efforts to aid those displaced by the storm. Benny Goodman, the US congressman from the Delta and the only Democrat on the Mississippi delegation, will lead the effort to drive federal assistance. While we help those in immediate distress, we must do far more to address the roots of the calamity – from poverty to extreme weather. The great bluesman Muddy Waters, who came out of Rolling Fork, once sang:

Have you ever been walking, walking down that old lonesome road?

Have you ever been walking, walking down that old lonesome road?

No place to go, whee well brown no place to room and board

Things look so lonesome, when you ain’t got a shelter over your head

Things look so lonesome, when you ain’t got a shelter over your head

When you could have been at home, whee well boy sleepin’ in a feather bed.

Let us show the generosity—and the wisdom—to ensure that even in Mississippi, there is shelter over their heads.

Dear Governor DeSantis:

Your proudly proclaimed “anti-woke” agenda resonates with many. The 4.6 million votes you received for the 2022 Florida governor’s race is testimony to your popularity.

Furthermore, I agree with you that there are elements of “wokeness” that are downright silly. (I say this at my own peril. Some people within my personal orbit define themselves as woke). Not allowing differing perspectives to be discussed on college campuses is a great affront to academic freedom. Defund the Police clearly misstates a plea to reallocate law enforcement financial resources to address core issues of community instability more effectively. Attempts to cancel comedians because they joke about specific groups is offensive and demonstrative of a shallow sense of humor.

During your inauguration earlier this year you said, “We must ensure that our institutions of higher learning are focused on academic excellence and the pursuit of truth, not the imposition of trendy ideologies,”

Sir, do you believe it is a “trendy ideology” to teach students our national history is inclusive of deep wounds and massive healing?

Sir, do you contend “all men are created equal” is truth or hyperbole?

Sir, do you believe educating students our national banking system purposefully excluded African Americans from loans to purchase homes in an unbiased housing market is not relevant? Do you believe students should understand today’s concentrations of urban poverty are not accidental?

Sir, do you assert the conscious decision to underfund schools serving African American students has not impacted their readiness for participation in today’s employment marketplace?

Sir, is it your position the disproportionate rate of incarceration of African Americans is disconnected from national law enforcement policies and practices? In Florida, Black people constituted 17 percent of state residents, but 39 percent of people in jail and 47 percent of people in prison.

Sir, is your heart and spirit obliv-

ious to the vestiges of slavery and endemic oppression that maintain theories of White racial superiority?

Sir, have Lincoln’s “better angels of our nature” been pushed aside for political expediency?

Sir, do you believe the economic malaise that impacts multiple communities of color is a choice rather than an imposition?

Sir, are you ready to accept the consequences of banning books and revising documented history?

Sir, do you envision yourself as a transformational leader with the skills to find common ground rather than slog through the partisan mud of division and recrimination?

Mr. DeSantis, it is widely reported you aspire to be president of the United States. You have a choice to make. Will you dare to take a step toward finding common ground?

Will you choose to dam the rivers of divisiveness and create a reservoir of hope and compromise?

Our great country barely survived the Civil War. The shells from a century and a half ago continue to detonate in our midst. Woke is an explosive fuse. Please be careful: the fire next time will not be easily extinguished.

We stand with the Tennessee Three

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—About one in 20 U.S. adults—roughly 16 million Americans—own at least one AR-15-style rifle, according to polling from Iposo and the Washington Post. The poll traced the popularity explosion of semiautomatic rifles from its military origins into being one of the public’s most popular and deadliest weapons. While these rifles have become the weapon of choice by many law abiding citizens, AR-15-style rifles were used in 10 of the 17 deadliest mass shootings since 2012. The deep feelings many gun owners have for their AR-15 rifles has morphed into a certain type of reverence where the weapon has become an idol. Earlier this year, U.S. Representative Barry Moore, a staunch gun-rights supporter, proposed that the AR-15 rifle should be the “National Gun of America.” If the Alabama Congressman’s proposal receives approval by the GOP-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate, the AR-15 would take its place as one of the nation’s most coveted symbols, along side the U.S. flag. There were good reasons why the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, which imposed the federal assault weapons ban, was enacted in 1994. Despite the lives saved by this legislation, it expired in 2004 and was never renewed.

‘The View,’ double standards, and concentration camp denial

Last year, ABC suspended Whoopi Goldberg from hosting The View after Goldberg insisted the Holocaust wasn’t about race. Goldberg’s television co-hosts told her that the Nazis considered Jews a different race. Goldberg replied that these were two groups of White people demonstrating man’s inhumanity to man.

ABC stated that Goldberg’s two-week suspension was due to her inaccurate comments. In Goldberg’s defense, there was a brand-new definition of racism that justified her remarks.

Before 2020, the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights group, defined racism as the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another and that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn characteristics.

Under this definition of racism, along with the Nazis’ concept of the “master race,” the Holocaust was all about race.

J. Pharoah Doss

Check It Out

Unfortunately, it took the Goldberg controversy for the Anti-Defamation League to figure out that their definition of racism after George Floyd was inadequate. So, the Anti-Defamation League changed their definition of racism again. Their post-Whoopi Goldberg definition stated, “Racism happens when people or institutions treat someone or a group better because of their race or ethnicity.”

violates human rights, and imprisons

Uyghur Muslims in concentration camps.

In response, co-host Sunny Hostin dismissed America’s greatness on account of the United States putting more Black people in jail than China incarcerates Muslims.

Hostin’s comments weren’t just wrong; they were reprehensible.

The Prison Policy Initiative’s 2023 report stated the United States has over two million people in prison. Black Americans make up 38 percent of that population, which is approximately 760,000 people, and the majority of these people are incarcerated for violent crimes.

David W. Marshall

Commentary

The recent mass shooting in Nashville along with the subsequent expulsion of two Black lawmakers from the Tennessee state legislature has given America another grim reminder of itself. The hypocrisy in regards to the protection of life and political retaliation remains in full display before the nation. The Covenant School, which is a private Christian school in Nashville, is the latest mass shooting involving a school or university in 2023. According to an update from the Metropolitan Nashville Police, the 28-year old shooter was a former student who “acted totally alone” as he stormed the school randomly killing six individuals. It was concluded that the shooter planned the attack “over a period of months” and studied other mass murderers. Three nine year old students were killed. The adult victims were identified as custodian Mike Hill, Katherine Koonce who is head of the school, and substitute teacher Cynthia Peak. Tennessee governor, Mike Lee later revealed that his wife, Maria, was friends with Peak and Koonce “for decades.”

A school building is supposed to be a safe space and an environment set aside for learning. Every child has the right to attend school without the feeling of fear or the threat of being the future victim of a mass shooting. Lawmakers play an integral part in maintaining that safety, but lawmakers will always respond differently to the violence associated with mass shootings. While these acts of violence should automatically be seen through a moral lens, for many lawmakers the killings are only viewed through a political and self-serving lens. The Covenant School shooting shows us how GOP lawmakers were unmoved that the attacker studied previous mass shootings, and his weapons of choice included two assault-style rifles. We are also reminded that having a conscience that is willing to save future innocent lives still does not exist with the GOP lawmakers even when the children at risk are from White conservative families. Any one of us can become a future victim of a mass shooting, therefore what happens in Tenessee is a concern that impacts all of us. America has been reminded that it is a nation where the AR-15 style rifle is the “National Gun of America” even if it’s not by law. It is simple, some lawmakers are devoted to their guns others, like the Tennessee Three, are devoted to children and their safety. After the Covenant School shooting, the world was introduced to Representatives Justin Jones of Nashville, Rep. Justin Pearson of Memphis and Rep, Gloria Johnson of Knoxville as being the Tennessee Three.

Leadership will arise in the midst of a crisis and sometimes it comes from unexpected places. People are tired of the empty “thoughts and prayers” and they are equally tired of mass shootings becoming normalized. The Tennessee Three became the voice which refused to remain silent. They made their House colleagues uncomfortable by exposing the hypocrisy and lack of concern for the constituents they are elected to represent and protect. They were willing to get themselves into “good trouble” as they stood with young protesters who called on Republican lawmakers to pass meaningful gun reform legislation. With their acts of courage in violating decorum rules in the House chamber, the Tennessee Three suffered political retaliation at the hands of their Republican colleagues. Representative Gloria Johnson survived an expulsion vote, but Jones and Pearson were immediately removed from office. While the Tennessee House members succeeded in the expulsion of Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, who are Black, there was no due process given. Following the vote, Johnson said she couldn’t feel good about her survival due to the expulsion of her colleagues. Johnson, a White woman and former teacher, believed Pearson and Jones were treated differently due to their race.

We need to stand with the Tennessee Three as denunciations are coming in from across the country. The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland stood in solidarity with the two Black freshman lawmakers who were expelled. In a statement, the 65-member Maryland caucus said they feared that the “unprecedented expulsion creates a chilling effect in state legislatures across the country and is a stain on American democracy. We stand ready to support our colleagues in Tennessee and protect the rights of Black legislators and our constituents across the country,” the statement concluded.

America has not heard the last from the Tennessee Three.

(David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America. He can be reached at www.davidwmarshallauthor.com.)

But after the nationwide protests in 2020 over the police killing of George Floyd, the Anti-Defamation League decided to change its definition of racism to “the marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that gives White people more power.”

Based on this post-George Floyd definition, racism only happens to people of color for the benefit of Whites. That explains why Goldberg felt one group of Whites eliminating another group of Whites had nothing to do with race. If Goldberg’s comments were based on the Anti-Defamation League’s post-George Floyd definition of racism, then her comments should have been treated as a misunderstanding, and she shouldn’t have been suspended.

After Goldberg apologized for her insensitivity, co-host Ana Navarro said, “When you have five women discussing complex topics in five-minute segments on unscripted, live TV, sometimes things come out the wrong way. We are humans and make mistakes. The difference between us and others is that we acknowledge it and try to correct it.”

Really?

The women on The View recently talked about a poll that showed only 38 percent of people thought patriotism was “very important,” compared to 70 percent at the turn of the century.

Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin thought the low number was unfortunate. She stated that the United States, “despite its flaws,” is still the “greatest nation” in the world. Griffin added that if America is not the leader of the free world, then it will be communist China, a country with a government that is deeply racist,

Since 2017, the Chinese authorities have detained Uyghur Muslims in an effort to rid them of terrorist or extremist leanings. By 2021, Amnesty International reported that more than 1 million Uyghur Muslims were held in internment camps, where they were forced to study Marxism, renounce their religion, and work in factories. The Chinese government actually stated that these “re-education” camps provide vocational training and are necessary to fight Islamic extremism.

Goldberg got suspended for saying the Holocaust had nothing to do with race, but she would have been fired if she denied the existence of concentration camps in Nazi Germany. In Hostin’s zeal to prove that America was not the greatest nation in the world, she denied what several countries have labeled a crime against humanity and genocide.

At least Goldberg could say she misspoke; Hostin blatantly promoted a falsehood, but she wasn’t suspended, nor was she called insensitive, and she didn’t have to apologize to anyone.

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—So here we go again. Once more, the country is in the grip of a Donald Trump drama, when there are so many other important issues we need to address. As the world now knows, Trump has been indicted in New York on charges related to paying hush money to an adult film performer. The charges are felonies because prosecutors intend to show that Trump hid the payouts in phony business records in order to commit yet another crime—possibly a violation of campaign finance law, or even a tax law violation.

It’s all a sad and disgusting mess. And this, like the other charges that could soon be made against Trump, reflect a fundamental truth about him: a belief that rules can be bent, broken or rewritten to accommodate his personal agenda. But Trump is not alone in this; it’s common to authoritarian types. Take another Florida man—Gov. Ron DeSantis.

While the focus has been on Trump, machinations have been under way in Florida to change the state’s resign-torun law. That law says an elected official cannot run for another elected position if its term overlaps with the term they’re currently serving. Republican legislators have come out in favor of repealing this law—which appears to be the one thing delaying DeSantis’s plunge into the presidential race.  DeSantis is certainly not in a hurry to resign as governor. The job gives him way too many opportunities for his

Svante Myrick

Commentary

culture-war theatrics. Rewriting the law would suit him just fine, though, and I am sure he has made that clear to the GOP leaders advocating for this in the state House and Senate.

While DeSantis appears likely to get election laws tailored for his benefit, a Florida elections bill just introduced in the state Senate does plenty to make it harder for people in his state to vote.

One especially disturbing provision is an obvious response to the embarrassing fallout for DeSantis after he trumpeted a crackdown on returning citizens who tried to vote. DeSantis had egg on his face when these folks were arrested even though they had been issued state voter IDs. The new Senate bill says voter ID cards should have a disclaimer printed on them saying they are “not legal verification of the eligibility to vote.” That’s just mind-boggling.  And that’s the issue with authoritarians, fascists and would-be tyrants everywhere: they’re all about rules and the sanctity of law until it comes to themselves. They want rules restricting your freedom, not their own, and if a law gets in their way they’ll ignore it or use their

power to try to override it.

I don’t know if the next GOP nominee for President will be Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis or someone else. I do know that the new anti-democratic, pro-authoritarian mood that has taken over the Republican party is real and dangerous. This is a party that doesn’t want to share power or play by the rules, that doesn’t want to investigate January 6 or Trump’s multiple offenses. It’s a party that openly worships strongmen here and abroad. Lately, the adulation has gone off the rails; Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, in New York for Trump’s arraignment, compared his arrest to that of Jesus.

We can’t accept this as the new normal. We have a right to demand accountability, honesty and ethical behavior from leaders ranging from your local school board member to President of the United States. I know there’s a lot of cynicism about politics and politicians. But as someone who has served in public office and devoted years to mentoring young elected officials, I can tell you that politicians are not all the same. For every Trump or DeSantis, there are many sincere, selfless people who want to serve their communities and their country.  If that describes you, run for office. If it describes an aspiring leader you know, support them at election time. When we all do this, the authoritarians don’t win. And they don’t get to rig the rules against you, me, and everyone we care about.      (Svante Myrick is President of People For the American Way.)

Vice President Harris’ historic trip to Africa promotes global peace, economic prosperity

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“It is your spark, your creativity, and your determination that will drive the future.  And with that then, African ideas and innovations will shape the future of the world.  And so we must invest in the African ingenuity and creativity, which will unlock incredible economic growth and opportunities, not only for the people of the 54 countries that make up this diverse continent, but for the American people and people around the world.”—Vice President Kamala Harris, address to Ghanian youth Africa is home to more than 1.4 billion people, whose median age is 19.

By 2050, one in four people on Earth will be on the continent.  Peace and stability in Africa are vital to peace and stability in the rest of the world.

That’s why I was honored to serve among the delegation that traveled to Ghana as part of Vice President Harris’ historic trip to promote democracy and economic prosperity. It was a far different Ghana than I experienced in 1980, when as a college student I accompanied my father, Ernest “Dutch” Morial—then Mayor of New Orleans—on a trade mission.  Since the presidency of the great pan-African leader Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana had been ruled by series of alternating military and ci-

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal

vilian governments, beset by economic instabilities.

Ghana now is one of the continent’s most stable democracies, and the United States’ most important partner on a range of issues in West Africa, including conflict prevention, inclusive economic growth, and climate resilience.

The trip was both a source of great pride and great opportunity for Vice President Harris and for the United States, as we engaged with young creatives, tech entrepreneurs, and other young people to highlight the dynamism on the continent and how African innovations have benefitted the entire world.

As the first Black Vice President, she represents an authentic cultural link with Africa. That link was reflected in the warm reception she received, with

Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo welcoming her “home,” and addressing her as “Abena, the Akan name for all Tuesday born females.”

The visit to Cape Coast Castle, Ghana’s former slave-trading post, was deeply personal to the Vice President.

“The horror of what happened here must always be remembered,” she said.  It cannot be denied.  It must be taught.  History must be learned.”

The trip was a great opportunity for me, as well, as I was able to meet privately with President Nana Akufo-Addo to discuss the National Urban League’s potential role in promoting inclusive economic empowerment in Ghana.

I also was deeply moved to visit the gravesite and memorial to the great civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois, who spent his final years in Ghana, and Black Star Square—also known as Independence Square or Liberation Square—built to celebrate Ghana’s independence from British colonial rule.

I was inspired and exhilarated by the energy and spirit of the industrious, hardworking, and forward-thinking Ghanian people. African ideas and innovations will shape the future of world, and I am grateful and to have been part of such a historic moment.

Authoritarians want to write their own rules. We can’t let them.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR LEAD WORK MOVING

SERVICES IFB#600-16-23

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby requests bids from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s):

Lead Work Moving Services

IFB#600-16-23

The documents will be available no later than April 3, 2023, and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 11:00 AM on April 25, 2023.

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical bids dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 11:00 AM on April, 25 2023 in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Bids may be uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the IFB. Sealed bids may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquiries should be directed to:

Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832

A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on April 13, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Please see meeting information below:

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID:840 3051 7572

Passcode: 255149 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/ RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

OFFICIAL BID NOTICE

TOWNSHIP OF UPPER ST. CLAIR

Sealed and separate bids will be received by the Township of Upper St. Clair, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania until 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2023, and the BIDS will be publicly opened and read thereafter in the Lower Level Training Room in the Township Building at the same address for the following:

2023 RAVINE PARK STREAM RESTORATION

Please refer to https://www.twpusc. org/business/bid_information.php, for details regarding specifications and Bidding requirements.

Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION STUDY

AUTHORITY WIDE

RFP#650-12-23

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Compensation and Classification Study Authority Wide

The documents will be available no later than April 10, 2023, and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until: 11:00 AM on May

2, 2023. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 11:00 AM on May 2, 2023 in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Proposals may be uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the RFP. Sealed proposals may still be mailed via USPS to the address referenced in the RFP at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org.

Questions or inquiries should be directed to:

James Harris

Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2915

A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on April 18, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Please see meeting information below:

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 839 6360 3768

Passcode: 338535 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/ RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

SONNY BOY

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) FOR LEGAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS PRACTICE AREAS

RFQ# 700-11-23

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request qualifications from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Legal Services for Various Practice Areas

The documents will be available no later than April 10, 2023, and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until: 10:00 AM on May 2, 2023. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 10:00 AM on May 2, 2023 in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Proposals may be uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the RFQ. Sealed proposals may still be mailed via USPS to the address referenced in the RFQ at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquiries should be directed to:

Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2915

A pre-submission meeting will be held via Zoom meeting; on April 18, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Please see meeting information below: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 864 3026 5667 Passcode: 232719 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/ RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR

DIRECT OPPORTUNITIES

CENTER REHABILITATION FOLLOW UP

IFB#600-08-23

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby requests bids from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Direct Opportunities Center Rehabilitation IFB#600-08-23

The documents will be available no later than April 10, 2023, and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 9:00 AM on May 2, 2023

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical bids dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 9:00 AM on May 2, 2023, in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Bids may be uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HACP website and within the IFB. Sealed bids may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org.

Questions or inquiries should be directed to:

Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832

A pre-submission meeting will be held on April 18, 2023, at 9:00 AM. Please see meeting information below: 1205 Liverpool Street Pittsburgh, PA 15233

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/ RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Meetings

PUBLIC NOTICE

ALLEGHENY COUNTY

SANITARY AUTHORITY

The Professional Services Committee of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority will hold a special meeting for general purposes on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. prevailing time, in the Trefz Board Room at its offices located at 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15233. Official action on the Committee’s recommendations will take place at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors at a later date. The public may view the meeting via livestream by visiting www.alcosan.org.

PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Pittsburgh will hold a public hearing Wednesday, April 26th at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments on community development and housing needs of the City which may be addressed through the use of one of four federal programs. The programs being discussed are: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, at least 70% of which must be used to benefit low- and moderate -income City residents; HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), which is used to improve housing options for low-income individuals and families; Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), a program focused on serving unhoused populations; and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) , which addresses housing needs of individuals with HIV/AIDS. Community input will be used to inform how the City will spend federal funds in the 2023 program year. All interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing in person or virtually and make known their views with respect to the needs to be addressed by these programs. To attend virtually, please register at the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/ meeting/register/tZckf-yprT0vHtH6u-lClZ6J6cvMb-KIsFGs. Opinions can also be shared through a survey, found at: https://engage.pittsburghpa. gov/2023-community-developmentpublic-input-meetings. Written comments may be submitted to: Kelly Russel, Office of Management and Budget, 414 Grant Street STE 501, Pittsburgh PA 15219. This meeting is accessible to individuals with disabilities and/or for persons with Limited English Proficiency. Persons requiring physical or language access accommodations to facilitate participation in the hearing may call 412 255 2667 at least 72 hours prior to the hearing.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This notice will serve as an official announcement of the MEETINGS of the Board of Trustees of the OTHER POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TRUST FUND BOARD to be held at 200 City-County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 2 p.m. and Wednesday November 8, 2023 at 2 p.m. This meeting is open to the public to attend.

Trevor Wosko Financial Analyst, Finance Department City of Pittsburgh Department of Finance 412-255-8988

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT

Separate sealed Bids for the Work as listed hereinafter will be received at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department of Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority), Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527 until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023

(Please call Cindy Denner at (412) 566-5117 prior to arriving at this location –all participants – IF UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 - must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals) and will be opened and read at 2:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams Meeting or teleconference at: (Meeting ID: 241 683 665 627 Passcode: PhEcZe or call in phone number: 412-927-0245 and conference ID 629 692 715#). Each Bidder shall be solely responsible for assuring that its Bid is both received and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before the advertised time for submission of Bids. Bidders submitting bids via FedEx, UPS, USPS or other carriers must immediately provide tracking information to the assigned contract specialist via e-mail. Upon delivery, the bidder will notify the assigned contract specialist with an e-mailed receipt. Bids received, or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of Bids shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for Award.

SECURITY SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

CONTRACT NO. SYS-23-01 E REBID

The Work of this Project includes, but is not limited to, the furnishing of security upgrades at multiple PRT facilities. Security upgrades include camera replacement, new camera installation, door access integration, and the installation of new parking lot lighting. Bid Documents will be available for public inspection and may be obtained on or after Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Authority’s offices at the following address (If you are picking up bid documents, please call Cindy Denner at (412) 566-5117 prior to arriving at this location – IF UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 - must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals):

Port Authority of Allegheny County Purchasing and Materials Management Department Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527

Bid Documents are available for purchase as follows: Bid Documents are available in an electronic form on USB Storage Drive upon payment of $15.00 per USB drive. Payment shall be by check or money order (NO CASH), payable to “Port Authority of Allegheny County” No refunds of payment will be made. Upon request, Bid Documents can be mailed upon receipt of payment in full. Should the purchaser wish to have the Bid Documents delivered via special delivery, such as UPS or Federal Express, the purchaser shall provide its appropriate account numbers for such special delivery methods.

This Project is subject to financial assistance contracts between Authority and County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Authority, in compliance with 2 C.F.R., § 200.321(b)(1)-(5), as amended, and 74 Pa.

C.S. § 303, as may be amended, implements positive affirmative action procedures to ensure that small and minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible and certified Diverse Businesses (“DBs”) have the required opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts financed, in whole or in part, with federal and state funds provided for this Project. In this regard, all Bidders shall take all necessary affirmative steps identified in 2 C.F.R. § 200.321(b)(1)-(5)to ensure that small and minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible, and in accordance with 74 Pa. C.S. § 300, to insure that DBs, have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Bidders shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of DHS-assisted contracts. It is a condition of this Contract that all Bidders shall follow the required procedures as set forth in the Bid Documents. If assistance is required to involve small and minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms and DBs in the Work, Bidders are to contact Authority’s Diverse Business Representative, Sue Broadus at (412) 566-5257

The Bidder’s attention is directed to the following contacts for Bidder’s questions:

Procedural Questions Regarding Bidding: Cindy Denner – Authority (412) 566-5117 cdenner@rideprt.org

All other questions relating to the Bid Documents must be submitted by mail or email to:

Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527

Attn: Cindy Denner email: cdenner@rideprt.org

In addition, the Bidder’s attention is directed to the following schedule of activities for preparation of its Bid:

9:00 am Pre-Bid Conference will be conducted via Microsoft April 21, 2023 Teams meeting or teleconference at: To join the pre-bid meeting through Microsoft Teams on your computer, mobile app, or room device

219 481 637 803 Passcode: B3G7cK Or call in (audio only:) 412-927-0245 Conference ID 461 703 901# (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended)

NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Notice is hereby given to the following persons, their heirs, successors or assigns, and to all persons whatsoever, that the City of Pittsburgh, by John Miller, Assistant City Solicitor, 328 City County Building has petitioned the Court of Orders quieting title to the following tax acquired real estate, pursuant to Act No. 171, approved December 11, 1984. GD –2023-002711 CITY OF PITTSBURGH Vs William Anderson; Mary Anderson; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue – Inheritance Tax; Allegheny County Court Records – Criminal Division; United States of America; Jeffrey Inverso; Midland Credit Management Inc.; Cavalry SPV I LLC; their heirs, successors, assigns and respondents 23rd Ward, Pittsburgh 38 Lot 22 x avg. 140 Iten St. bet Spring Garden av & High St. Block 24-F-47-A All roads, public or private, affecting the premises. All matters set forth on the Verina Iten Plan of Lots, recorded in the Recorder ’s office of Allegheny County in Plan Book Volume 2, page 130. SUBJECT TO ALL ADDITIONAL EASEMENTS, ENCROACHMENTS, AGREEMENTS, ETC. OF RECORD.

GD –2023-002719

CITY OF PITTSBURGH Vs Christopher Fromme; PNC Bank, National Association; their heirs, successors, assigns and respondents 26TH Ward, Pittsburgh LOT 50.11 X Average 80.33 X 50 rear PERRYSVILLE Avenue. 2 Story Brick Veneer House-3818-3820. Cement Block Garage. Block & Lot 115-H-51. SUBJECT TO ALL ADDITIONAL EASEMENTS, ENCROACHMENTS, AGREEMENTS, ETC. OF RECORD.

GD –2023-002730 CITY OF PITTSBURGH Vs Michael Phelan; their heirs, successors, assigns and respondents 25th Ward, Pittsburgh LOT 20 X 160 BRIGHTON PLACE. Block & Lot 22-H-231. SUBJECT TO ALL ADDITIONAL EASEMENTS, ENCROACHMENTS, AGREEMENTS, ETC. OF RECORD.

GD –2023-002735 CITY OF PITTSBURGH Vs J.V. Jeffries; their heirs, successors, assigns and respondents 21st Ward, Pittsburgh LOT 17.39 X 79.37 ST. IVES ST. BET. KIRKBRIDE & LAMONT ST. Block & Lot 22-G-111. SUBJECT TO ALL ADDITIONAL EASEMENTS, ENCROACHMENTS, AGREEMENTS, ETC. OF RECORD.

GD –2023-002737 CITY OF PITTSBURGH Vs Mary E. Leach; Roy Leach; Mary A. Leach; Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County; their heirs, successors, assigns and respondents 30th Ward, Pittsburgh KNOX BAUSMAN & MATTHEWS PLAN 127. LOT 37.5 X 100 JUCUNDA ST. Block & Lot 14-J-24. All roads public or private affecting promises and the rights of others therein. SUBJECT TO ALL ADDITIONAL EASEMENTS, ENCROACHMENTS, AGREEMENTS, ETC. OF RECORD.

GD –2023-003097 CITY OF PITTSBURGH Vs Joseph Matvey; Lynn Matvey; Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County; their heirs, successors, assigns and respondents 27TH Ward, Pittsburgh OXFIELD ST. 10 THRU 14 INCLUSIVE. TRI-LOT 177.46 X 115 X 112.068 OXFIELD STREET. Block & Lot 75-S-312. ALL ROADS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AFFECTING THE PREMISES AND THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS THEREIN. SUBJECT TO ALL ADDITIONAL EASEMENTS, ENCROACHMENTS, AGREEMENTS, ETC. OF RECORD.

GD –2023-003103

CITY OF PITTSBURGH Vs Zigmund W. Zalewski; their heirs, successors, assigns and respondents 21st Ward, Pittsburgh LOT 16.22 X 54 MORRISON AVE. Block & Lot 22-C-170. SUBJECT TO ALL ADDITIONAL EASEMENTS, ENCROACHMENTS, AGREEMENTS, ETC. OF RECORD.

GD –2023-003119

CITY OF PITTSBURGH Vs Raymond Rhodes; Gazelle Rhodes; their heirs, successors, assigns and respondents 25th Ward, Pittsburgh LOT 16.99 X 54 MARQUIS ST. Block & Lot 22-H-274. SUBJECT TO ALL ADDITIONAL EASEMENTS, ENCROACHMENTS, AGREEMENTS, ETC. OF RECORD.

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pre-Bid Site Tour Day 1 April 24, 2023 Contractors to initially meet at: Port Authority of Allegheny County Allegheny Station (Light Rail Transit Station) Reedsdale Street and Allegheny Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Transportation will be provided via the light rail system. Participants shall bring their own bagged lunch, if necessary. All participants must provide and wear class 2 safety vests and ap propriate footwear; all participants - IF UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 - must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals. Tours will be conducted in limited group sizes and in the order of which bidders sign-in at the site. (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.)

Pre-Bid Site Tour Day 2

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

April 25, 2023

Contractors to initially meet at:

Port Authority of Allegheny County Manchester Main Shop – Front Lobby Entrance 2235 Beaver Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Transportation will be provided via bus.

Participants shall bring their own bagged lunch, if necessary. All participants must provide and wear class 2 safety vests and appropriate foot wear; all participants - IF UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 - must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals. Tours will be conducted in limited group sizes and in the order of which bidders sign-in at the site. (Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.)

WHEREUPON the Court granted a rule on the aforesaid persons, and all persons, whatsoever, to appear and show cause within thirty days from this notice why the title of the CITY OF PITTSBURGH to the aforesaid real estate should not be adjudicated and decreed valid and indefeasible as against all mortgages, ground-rents, rights, title, interest in or claims against the aforesaid real estate, and to further show cause why the sale of the said real estate should not be made free and clear of all the aforesaid claims whatsoever. JOHN

1:30 p.m.

Bids Due May 12, 2023

Purchasing and Materials Management Department

Please call Cindy Denner at (412) 566-5117 prior to arriving at the Heinz 57 location – all participants - IF UNVACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 - must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals.

Bids submitted via Fed Ex, UPS, USPS or other carrier are subject to the notification requirements indicated above.

2:00 p.m. Bid Opening May 12, 2023 will be conducted via Microsoft Teams meeting or teleconference

CONDITIONS OF SALE

Effective with the August 3, 2020 Sheriff Sale of real estate and all such monthly public sales thereafter shall be conducted virtually through video conferencing technology or live streaming. The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office shall provide for up to twenty-five persons to participate in person with physical distancing in the Gold Room, 4th Floor Allegheny County Courthouse.

ALL PARTICIPANTS OR BIDDERS MUST BE REGISTERED AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE SALE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE (VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON) AT THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SALES OF REAL ESTATE. REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S WEBSITE:

SHERIFFALLEGHENYCOUNTY.COM. The Successful bidder will pay full amount of bid in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK OR CASHIERS CHECK at time of sale, otherwise the property will be resold at the next regular Sheriffs Sale; provided, that if the sale is made on MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023 the bidder may pay ten percent of purchasing price but not less than 75.00 in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, OR CASHIERS CHECK THE DAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SALE, e.g. TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2023, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:30AM AND 2:30PM IN THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. And the balance in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, OR CASHIERS CHECK, on or before MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 at 10:00 O’CLOCK A.M

The property will be resold at the next regular Sheriff’s Sale if the balance is not paid, and in such case all money’s paid in at the original sale shall be applied to any deficiency in the price of which property is resold, and provided further that if the successful bidder is the plaintiff in the execution the bidder shall pay full amount of bid ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH, OTHERWISE WRIT WILL BE RETURNED AND MARKED “REAL ESTATE UNSOLD” and all monies advanced by plaintiff will be applied as required by COMMON PLEAS COURT RULE 3129.2 (1) (a)

FORFEITED SALES WILL BE POSTED IN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND LISTED ON THE SHERIFF OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY WEB SITE.

AMENDMENT OF THE CODE SECOND CLASS COUNTY NEW CHAPTER 475

THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 475, ENTITLED TAXATION IS HEREBY AMENDED THROUGH THE CREATION OF A NEW ARTICLE XII, ENTITLED, “SHERIFF SALES”, AND COMPRISED AS FOLLOWS: SUBSECTION 475-60: RECORDING OF DEEDS AND NOTIFICATION OF SHERIFFS SALES TO TAXING BODIES.

A. FOR ANY REAL PROPERTY OFFERED AT SHERIFFS SALE DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF REAL ESTATE TAXES AND PURCHASED BY A THIRD PARTY THROUGH SUCH SALE, THE SHERIFF SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FILING THE DEED AND, WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF FILING OF THE SHERIFFS DEED, PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE CONVEYANCE TO THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY OFFICE OF PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS. THE WRITTEN NOTICE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION SHALL INCLUDE THE DATE OF THE SALE, IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY SOLD BY BOTH ADDRESS AND LOT AND BLOCK NUMBER, AND THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INDIVIDUALS OR OTHER ENTITY THAT PURCHASED THE PROPERTY.

B. AT THE TIME OF THE SALE THE SHERIFF SHALL COLLECT ALL REQUISITE FILING COSTS, REALTY TRANSFER TAXES AND FEES, NECESSARY TO PROPERLY RECORD THE DEED.

C. WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF RECEIPT OF WRITTEN NOTICE FROM THE SHERIFF, THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY OFFICE OF PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS SHALL FORWARD COP-

IES OF SUCH NOTICE TO ALL TAXING BODIES LEVYING REAL ESTATE TAXES ON THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE MUNICIPALITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED.

AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 14 OF ACT NO. 77 OF 1986, THE COST OF ALL DOCUMENTARY STAMPS FOR REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAXES (STATE, LOCAL, AND SCHOOL) WILL BE DEDUCTED BY THE SHERIFF FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE. Purchasers must record their deeds and pay the necessary recording fees. Pursuant to Rule 3136

P.R.C.P. NOTICE is hereby given that a schedule of distribution will be filed by the Sheriff not later than 30 days from date of sale and that distribution will be made in accordance with the schedule unless exceptions are filed thereto within 10 days thereafter. No further notice of the filing of the schedule of distribution will be given.

A Land Bank formed under 68 Pa. C.S.A. 2101 et seq. may exercise its right to bid pursuant to 68 Pa. C.S.A. 2117(d) (2) through Pa. C.S.A. 2117(d) (4) on certain properties listed for sale under the municipal claims and Tax Lien Law, 53 P.S. 7101 et seq. The Sheriff of Allegheny County will honor the terms of payment which the Land Bank has entered with any municipalities having a claim against the property. If the Land Bank tenders a bid under Pa. C.S.A. 2117(d)(3) or 2117(d)(4) the property will not be offered for sale to others and the Property will be considered sold to the Land Bank for the Upset Price as defined in P.S.7279 and no other bids will be accepted.

NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT ALL SHERIFFS DEEDS TENDERED TO PURCHASERS WILL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:

“This document may not sell, convey, transfer, include, or insure the title to the coal and right of support underneath the surface land described or referred to herein and the owner or owners of such coal may have the complete legal right to remove all of such coal, and in that connection damage may result to the surface of the land, any house, building or other structure on or in such land.”

1 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) EAST ALLEGHENY

SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TOWNSHIP OF NORTH VERSAILLES vs.

DEFENDANT(S) TRACY JACKSON AND HAROLD JACKSON, JR., AS KNOWN

HEIRS OF HAROLD JACKSON, DECEASED AND ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF HAROLD JACKSON, DECEASED AND VIOLET JACKSON, DECEASED

CASE NO. GD-21-011614

************ DEBT$ 19,577.87

*********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

CHRISTOPHER E. VINCENT

**********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 546 WENDEL ROAD, IRWIN, PA 15642

**************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 724-978-0333

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

********************

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, TOWNSHIP OF NORTH VERSAILLES:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 422

E. CARTER DRIVE, NORTH VERSAILLES, PA 15137. DEED BOOK 4009, PAGE 137. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 376-R-328

2 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) EAST ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TOWNSHIP OF NORTH VERSAILLES vs. DEFENDANT(S) ALLISON ALKER SCHMITT CASE NO. GD-21-007250 ************ DEBT $ 53,943.19 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) CHRISTOPHER E. VINCENT

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 546 WENDEL ROAD, IRWIN, PA 15642 ************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 724978-0333

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

********************

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, TOWNSHIP OF NORTH VERSAILLES:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A COMMERCIAL

STRUCTURE BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1926 LINCOLN HIGHWAY, NORTH VERSAILLES, PA 15137. DEED BOOK 15854, PAGE 289. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 750-P-036

3 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) DEER LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT vs DEFENDANT(S) AMANDA L. GLEW, ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY EDWARD SZOSS, JR., DECEASED

******************** CASE NO. GD-22-011452

************ DEBT$ 33,838.31

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

CHRISTOPHER E. VINCENT

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 546 WENDEL

ROAD, IRWIN, PA 15642

**************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE

NUMBER: 724-978-0333

********************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION:

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, TOWNSHIP OF WEST DEER:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 71

SIMON ROAD, CHESWICK, PA 15024.

DEED BOOK 9835, PAGE 405.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1360-P-369

4 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) ALLEGHENY VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT vs DEFENDANT(S) ROBERT S. BENCO AND MARY LYNN BENCO ******************** CASE NO. GD-20-006774 ************ DEBT$ 30,253.21 NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) CHRISTOPHER E. VINCENT ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 546 WENDEL ROAD, IRWIN, PA 15642 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 724-978-0333 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, TOWNSHIP OF HARMAR: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 37 BECKMAN STREET, CHESWICK,

8 MAY, 2023 MF / JUDGE FORM 56

DEFENDANT(S) Andrew Malone; Alisha Malone

************* CASE NO. MG-22-000947

******** DEBT $74,479.78

******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

MANLEY DEAS KOCHALSKI LLC

**********************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS

P. 0. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

614-220-5611

SHORT DESCRIPTION

*******************

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, City of McKeesport:

Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 2101 Bamsdale Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132. Document Number 2017-24800, Deed Book Volume 16904, Page 593. Block and Lot Number 0462-F-00025-0000-00.

9 MAY,

Columbus, OH 43216-5028

************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER 614-220-5611

SHORT DESCRIPTION In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Verona: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 432 Penn Street, Verona, PA 15147. Document Number 139603, Deed Book Volume 9040, Page 247. Block and Lot Number 0365-A00097-0000-00.

10 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S) KEITH RUJAY JONES CASE NO. MG-22-000786

DEBT $189,057.15 ********

OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C. ************************ ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************* IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF MUNHALL: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 124 EAST LARKSPUR STREET, HOMESTEAD, PA 15120. DEED BOOK 16935, PAGE 588. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 180-C-30.

DEFENDANT(S) ROBERT J. GRUBER

12 MAY, 2023

************* CASE NO. MG-22-000827

******** DEBT $89,794.00

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

************************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS

SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************* IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF WHITEHALL:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS

5153 FIELDCREST DRIVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15236. DEED BOOK 15902, PAGE 75.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 249-R-26.

13 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S) JOHN A. NEMETZ

************* CASE NO. MG-17-000058

******** DEBT $79,779.95

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

************************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS

SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************* IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF INGRAM:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 72 SAMPSON AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15205. DEED BOOK 9685, PAGE 519. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 70-R-171.

14 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S)

LISA M. SCOTT AS EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN E. SCOTT, DECEASED

************* CASE NO. MG-22-000972

DEBT $27,016.61

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(215) 627-1322

*******************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************* IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, TOWNSHIP OF WILKINS:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 624

MORTIMER AVENUE, TURTLE CREEK, PA 15145. DEED BOOK 8756, PAGE 559. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 454-N-254.

DEFENDANT(S) BRIAN ESSEK CASE NO. MG-22-000975

16 MAY, 2023

DEBT $98,963.70 ******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

************************ ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (215) 627-1322

*******************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 28TH WARD CITY OF PITTSBURGH:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLlNG BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 102 MILNOR STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15205. DEED BOOK 15770, PAGE 150. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 40-L-89.

17 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S) THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JUNE M. CIR. UCCI, BRANDON CIR.UCCI, SOLELY IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF JUNE M. CIR.UCCI, DECEASED, MARK CIRUCCI, SOLELY IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF JUNE M. CIR.UCCI, DECEASED, NATHAN CIR.UCCI, SOLELY IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF JUNE M. CIRUCCI, DECEASED, AMY MCKERNAN, SOLELY IN HER CAPACITY AS HEIR OF JUNE M. CIR. UCCI, DECEASED, CINDY MUDERS, SOLELY IN HER CAPACITY AS HEIR OF JUNE M. CIRUCCI, DECEASED CASE NO. MG-21-000037

DEBT $144,507.20

******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C. ************************ ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (215) 627-1322 SHORT DESCRIPTION IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, TOWNSHIP OF ELIZABETH: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

known and numbered as 121 Laurelwood Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Document Number 200525315, Deed Book Volume 12536, Page 266. Block and Lot Number 0613-R-00068-0000-00.

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS

424 S. 27TH STREET, STE. 210

PITTSBURGH, PA 15203

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(412) 242-4400

*******************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION

*******************

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Bellevue:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE

FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 40 KENDALL AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15202. DEED BOOK

13610, PAGE 37.BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 113-D-294.

22 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills vs DEFENDANT(S) Glenn C. Weathers and Stacy M. Weathers

CASE NO. GD 21-012130

******** DEBT $42,458.68

******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

************************ ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS 424 S. 27TH STREET, STE. 210 PITTSBURGH, PA 15203

************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (412) 242-4400

SHORT DESCRIPTION

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE

FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 249 LANSDOWNE DRIVE, VERONA, PA 15147. DEED BOOK 16389, PAGE 168. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 447-E-387.

26 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg School District and Wilkinsburg Borough vs DEFENDANT(S) CFAW HOLDINGS LLC ************* CASE NO. GD 22-006888

DEBT $11,225.82

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS 424 S. 27TH STREET, STE. 210 PITTSBURGH, PA 15203 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (412) 242-4400 ******************************* SHORT DESCRIPTION ******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Wilkinsburg:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A TWO FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 426 ROSS AVE., PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 16456, PAGE 476. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 175-R-162.

27 MAY, 2023 PLAINTIFF(S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills vs DEFENDANT(S) Zsolt Vudy ************* CASE NO. GD 21-011885 ******** DEBT $16,762.75

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS 424 S. 27TH STREET, STE. 210 PITTSBURGH, PA 15203 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (412) 242-4400 ******************************* SHORT DESCRIPTION ******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON AN OFFICE/ APARTMENTS OVER BUILDING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1924 UNIVERSAL ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15235. DEED BOOK 17261, PAGE 133. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 635-E-97.

28 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Penn Hills School District and Municipality of Penn Hills vs DEFENDANT(S) KURT MCCONNELL & LARYN MCCONNELL ************* CASE NO. GD 22-001812 ******** DEBT $20,167.21

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire ************************ ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS 424 S. 27TH STREET, STE. 210 PITTSBURGH, PA 15203 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (412) 242-4400 SHORT DESCRIPTION ******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Municipality of Penn Hills:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 304 MARSHALL DR, PITTSBURGH, PA 15235. DEED BOOK 15908, PAGE 164. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 370-H-185.

29 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) South Allegheny School District vs DEFENDANT(S) Crystal Pastories and Ralph Pastories, Ill ************* CASE NO. GD 22-005923 DEBT $11,636.51 NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS 424 S. 27TH STREET, STE. 210 PITTSBURGH, PA 15203 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (412) 242-4400 *******************************

OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

OF ATTORNEYS

S. 27TH STREET, STE. 210

37 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S) Bernadette Spinella as heir to the Estate of David C Beitle, deceased, Robert R. Beitle as heir to the Estate of David C. Beitle,deceased, and The Unknown Heirs of David C. Beitle, deceased ************* CASE NO. GD-22-008576

******** DEBT $20,236.92

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stem & Eisenberg, PC ************************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS THE SHOPS AT VALLEY SQUARE, 1581 MAIN STREET, SUITE 200, WARRINGTON, PA 18976

************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(215) 572-8111

*******************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny and Borough of Homestead:

Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 343 West 14th

Avenue, Homestead, PA 15120. Deed Book Volume 10472, Page 599. Block and Lot Number 131-F-214.

38 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S) Melissa Day Garvin

CASE NO. MG-22-000491

242-4400

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Wilkinsburg:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A TWO

FAMILY DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1107 SOUTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 10275, PAGE 279. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER

233-F-170.

25 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Elizabeth Forward School District vs DEFENDANT(S) The Unknown Heirs of Betty Zaken, a/k/a Betty J. Zaken, Deceased

************* CASE NO. GD 22-004627

******** DEBT $10,644.33

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS

424 S. 27TH STREET, STE. 210 PITTSBURGH, PA 15203

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(412) 242-4400

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of Elizabeth:

(PARCEL 1) BEING ALL THAT VACANT

LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS

ELIZABETH AVE., ELIZABETH, PA 15037.

DEED BOOK 4629, PAGE 256.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1132-L-384.

AND (PARCEL 2) BEING ALL THAT VACANT

LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS

ELIZABETH AVE., ELIZABETH, PA 15037.

DEED BOOK 4629, PAGE 256.

BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1132-G-126.

DESCRIPTION ******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Port Vue: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1348 BEVERLY ROAD, MCKEESPORT, PA 15133. DEED BOOK 13595, PAGE 62. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 383-R-251

30 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S) Keystone Oaks School District vs DEFENDANT(S) Lori Riddle ************* CASE NO. GD 22-012215 DEBT $16,959.52

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce,

numbered as 3264 Bainton Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212. Deed Book Volume 14239, Page 50, Instrument No. 2010-9652, Block and Lot Number 75-S-11.

33 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S) WILLIAM EDWARDS, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF DORIAN W.EDWARDS

************* CASE NO. GD-22-013418

******** DEBT $151,332.75

******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

NATHALIE PAUL, ESQUIRE

************************

ADDRESS

known and numbered as 6312 Waldron Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Deed Book Volume 13280, Page 250. Block and Lot Number 87-D-187.

39 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S) JEFFREY A. ROGOSZ AKA JEFFREY ROGOSZ

************* CASE NO. GD-19-017663

******** DEBT $89,974.56

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

************************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(215) 627-1322

SHORT DESCRIPTION ******************* IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, TOWNSHIP OF WEST DEER:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING

BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 626 STATE ROUTE 908 EXT, TARENTUM, PA 15084. DEED BOOK 13999, PAGE 493. BLOCK

NJ 08054 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER 855-225-6906

SHORT DESCRIPTION In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 1st Ward of the City of Clairton:

Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 426 N 3rd Street Clairton, PA 15025. Deed Book Volume 12710, Page 574. Block and Lot 0657-R00120-0000-00.

41 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S) JULIE KUROS, IN HER CAPACITY AS HEIR OF HAZEL B. PHILLIPS A/KIA

HAZEL PHILLIPS; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND ALL

PERSONS, FIRMS OR ASSOCIATIONS

CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER HAZEL B. PHILLIPS A/ KIA HAZEL PHILLIPS; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS AND ALL

PERSONS, FIRMS OR ASSOCIATIONS

CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER SHERMAN E. PHILLIPS

Ward:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A HOWE

COURT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 5931 HOWE STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15232. DEED BOOK 7312, PAGE 307. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 0084-P-00115-C008-00.

49 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny

******************** vs.

DEFENDANT(S): B R Holdings LLC

CASE NO. GD 21-005617

DEBT $8,756.46

******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire

************************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS

525 WILLIAM PENN PLACE, SUITE 3110 PITTSBURGH, PA 15219

************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(412) 281-0587

*******************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of West Mifflin Parcel #1

Being thereon vacant commercial land known as Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard, West Mifflin, PA 15122. Deed Book Volume 17047, Page 300, Block & Lot

243-M-70. Parcel #2 Being thereon vacant commercial land known as Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard, West Mifflin, PA 15122. Deed Book Volume 17047, Page 300, Block & Lot

243-M-73.

51 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny

******************** vs.

DEFENDANT(S): Mark C. Reed, Administrator of the Estate of Charles C. Reed, Jr.,

Deceased

CASE NO. GD 22-001710

********

PA 15219

house being known as 13 Las Vegas Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15239. Deed

1240-B-48.

Volume 3908, Page 606. Block & Lot

52 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S): North Hills School District

******************** vs.

DEFENDANT(S): MClinton E. Fuhr

WRIT NO.: GD 21-015134

DEBT $5,496.42

******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire

************************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS 525 WILLIAM PENN PLACE, SUITE 3110

PITTSBURGH, PA 15219

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (412) 281-0587 *******************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of Ross:

Having erected thereon a one story brick house known as 108 1st Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15229. Deed Book Volume 12807, Page 37. Block & Lot No. 351-G-67

55 MAY, 2023

PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny vs. DEFENDANT(S): Slovenian Hall Assn ************* CASE NO.: GD 21-003996

DEBT $5,364.63 ******** NAME OF

PA 15219 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER (412) 281-0587 SHORT DESCRIPTION In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, City of Pittsburgh- Ward 25: Having erected thereon a one story commercial building being known as 11 Carrie Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Deed Book Volume 5396, Page 111. Block & Lot No. 23-D-183.

57 MAY, 2023 PLAINTIFF(S): Township of North Fayette ******************** vs. DEFENDANT(S): Gregory Perock & Darcy Jo Perock *************

Clara J. Gumbert; Unknown Administrators of the Estate of Clara J. Gumbert (if any)

************* CASE NO.: MG-20-000313

******** DEBT $52,407.98

******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Manley Deas Kochalski LLC

************************ ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS

P. 0. BOX 165028 COLUMBUS, OH 43216-5028

************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

614-220-5611

SHORT DESCRIPTION

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, City of Pittsburgh, Ward 29:

Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 42 Nobles Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. Document Number 2007-36048, Deed Book Volume 13435, Page 252. Block and Lot Number 0060-B00220-0000-00

65 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S): Gabriel Rocco, as believed Heir to the Estate of Doris Jean Rocco, AKA Doris J. Rocco; August Rocco, Jr., as believed Heir to the Estate of Doris Jean Rocco, AKA Doris J. Rocco; Roberta Simak, as believed Heir to the Estate of Doris Jean Rocco, AKA Doris J. Rocco; Rosanne Regis, as believed Heir to the Estate of Doris Jean Rocco, AKA Doris J. Rocco; Paul Rocco, as believed Heir to the Estate of Doris Jean Rocco, AKA Doris J. Rocco; Michael Rocco, as believed Heir to the Estate of Doris Jean Rocco, AKA Doris J. Rocco; Unknown Heirs, to the Estate of Doris Jean Rocco, AKA Doris J. Rocco; Unknown Administrators, to the Estate of Doris Jean Rocco, AKA Doris J. Rocco

************* CASE NO.: GD-22-010984

******** DEBT $44,632.78

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Manley Deas Kochalski LLC

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS P. 0. BOX 165028 COLUMBUS, OH 43216-5028

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

614-220-5611

SHORT DESCRIPTION

*******************

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of West Mifflin: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 3902 -3904 Homestead Duquesne Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122 AKA 3902 Homestead Duquesne Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122 Document Number 38998, Deed Book Volume 4214, Page 477. Block and Lot Number 0183-R00065-0000-00.

66 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S): Robert Young, as believed Heir to the Estate of Timothy Young; Unknown Heirs, to the Estate of Timothy Young; Unknown Administrators, to the Estate of Timothy Young CASE NO.: GD-22-012071 ******** DEBT $17,527.86

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Manley Deas Kochalski LLC

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS

0. BOX 165028 COLUMBUS, OH 43216-5028

TELEPHONE NUMBER 614-220-5611 SHORT DESCRIPTION In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Verona: Having

451. Block and Lot Number 0960-F-00190-0000-00.

68 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S): Symmetry Estates, LLC

************* CASE NO.: GD-19-014872

******** DEBT $110,748.10

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jill M. Fein, Esquire; Hill Wallack LLP

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS 777 TOWNSHIP LINE ROAD, SUITE 250 YARDLEY, PA 19067

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

215-579-7700

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Brentwood:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A 1 STORY

DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 3804 SUNVIEW DRIVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15227. DEED BOOK 16191, PAGE 566. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 189-H-134

69 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S): WILLIAM J. BRYER, JR.,

ADMINISTRATOR Of THE ESTATE OF PEGGY A. WOLF, DECEASED

CASE NO.: MG-22-000557

DEBT $61,878.27

******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Jill M. Fein, Esquire. Hill Wallack LLP

************************

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS 777 TOWNSHIP LINE ROAD, SUITE 250 YARDLEY, PA 19067

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

215-579-7700

******************************* SHORT DESCRIPTION

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, RESERVE TOWNSHIP:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A ONE STORY DWELLING AND NUMBERED AS 3418 SPRING GARDEN RD PITTSBURGH PA 15212.

BLOCK & LOT NO. 117-N-165

Deed Book M 38133 page 99

70 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S): GEORGE STEPANOVICH

A/Kl A GEORGE R. STEPANOVICH

************* CASE NO.: MG-19-000714

DEBT $187,092.99

******** NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)

Jeff Calcagno, Esquire

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS BROCK & SCOTT, PLLC 2011 RENAISSANCE BOULEVARD, SUITE 100 KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19406

************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(844) 856-6646

SHORT DESCRIPTION

******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 12TH WARD OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT

Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 313 BECKMAN DR, MCKEESPORT, PA 15132. Deed Book Volume 8506, Page 64. Block and Lot Number 0463-P-000830000-00

71 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S): KATHLEEN A.

DIGIACOMO, STEVEN J. DIGIACOMO

************* CASE NO.: MG-22-001007

DEBT $42,345.66

********

NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAW GROUP, P.C.

ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106

************************

ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER

(215) 627-1322 *******************************

SHORT DESCRIPTION IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 8TH WARD CITY OF PITTSBURGH:

HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 418 EDMOND STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15224. DEED BOOK 6596, PAGE 493. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 51-A-37

72 MAY, 2023

DEFENDANT(S): HAZEL C. FISHER

*************

OF ATTORNEY(S) Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC ADDRESS OF ATTORNEYS 133 GAITHER DRIVE, SUITE F MOUNT LAUREL, NJ 08054 ************************ ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER : 855-225-6906 ******************************* SHORT DESCRIPTION ******************* In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of Elizabeth: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 1632 Scenery Drive Elizabeth, PA 15037. Deed Book Volume 13721, Page 528. Block and Lot 1416-E-00303-0000-00.

77 MAY,

SHEPPARD VICTORIA, SHEPPARD MARGARET, SHEPPARD MARY, SHEPPARD FOY, SHEPPARD REBECCA,

SHEPPARD RUTH, SHEPPARD STANLEY & SHEPPARD HARRY - 1100050B00231 00. N MATHILDA ST, SCHENLEY PLAN 443 LOT 20X106.45 MATHILDA ST

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$39,116.34

17. SCHAFER WALTER P & EST OF MARY L SCHAFER - 1100050C00047A 00. SCHENLEY AVE, 299 LOT 20X150

SCHENLEY AVE

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$22,953.30

18. WILLIAMS A D & WILLIAMS JANNIE D - 1100050C00048 00. SCHENLEY AVE, 298 LOT 20X150 SCHENLEY AVE BET

PACIFIC & COLUM BO ST

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$13,687.86

19. TURNER ALBERT & EST OF ALICE M TURNER - 1100050D00039 00. N AIKEN AVE, J WALTER HAY PLAN PTS-6-7 LOT 19.68X100

IN ALL N AIKEN AVE 1/2-2 STY BRK HSE-553

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$36,384.43

20. HICKMAN NATHAN C - 1100050E00115 00. N MATHILDA ST, PTS 24 & 25 IRREG LOT 34.5XAVG54.41X5.7 RR IN A

LL MATHILDA ST 2 STY BRK HSE 315

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$25,670.48 TWELFTH WARD

22. PH HOUSES LLC - 1120124S00089 00. 6704 ROWAN ST, BRIGGS PLAN 57 LOT 24X117.5 ROWAN NR GRAPE ST

2 STY FRA HSE 6704

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$10,726.85

24. POPE HENRY LEE - 1120125M00312 00. 6927 1/2 HAMILTON AVE, CHAS E SPEERS DALLAS PLAN PTS 84-85 LOT

16.44X1 35.12

PARTIAL CLAIM................$6,314.49

THIRTEENTH WARD

25. EST OF THEAMON E JONES & JONES KATHRYN K - 1130175C00331 00. HALE ST, MAGOFFIN REV SUBD PLAN

PT 5 LOT 24.75XAVG86.85 HALE ST

PARTIAL CLAIM................$8,304.28

26. EST OF WILLIAM ATKINSON - 1130175C00332 00. HALE ST, MAGOFFIN REV PLAN PTS 4-5 LOT 12.75XAVG87.78

IN ALL HALE ST

PARTIAL CLAIM................$4,741.43

FIFTEENTH WARD

27. GODA JOHN & EST OF ELIZABETH GODA - 1150056S00050 00. PAULEY AVE, SCHILLER VIEW PLAN 64 LOT 25X97.7

PAULEY ST BET ELIZABETH & JOHNSTON

PARTIAL CLAIM................$1,286.58

EIGHTEENTH WARD

29. 20 MILLBRIDGE LAND TRUST - 1180003N00169 00. 20 MILLBRIDGE ST, MC LAIN MAPLE PLAN OF THE SUB DIV & EXTN OF ALL ENTOWN 135 LOT 25X100 MILLBRIDGE ST 2 1/2 STY ALUM HSE 20

PARTIAL CLAIM................$3,207.81

30. BELL LEASING DEVELOPMENT CO INC - 1180014E00196 00. 616 INDUSTRY ST, T S MAPLE PLA-126-127-128-129

LOT 68X120 IN ALL INDUSTRY ST

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$46,568.87

31. EST OF FRANCES M DIXON & VORIS DIXON - 1180014E00202 00. INDUSTRY ST, I S MAPLES PLAN PTS 131-132-

133-134-135 LOT 31 X117.96 IN ALL INDUSTRY ST COR BELTZHOOVER AVE 2 STY BRK HSE 602

PARTIAL CLAIM................$7,271.92

32. DERIAN ALEXIS - 1180014E00219 00. MILLBRIDGE ST, T S MAPLE PLAN 149 LOT 25X106 MILLBRIDGE ST BET CLIMAX & INDUSTRY ST PARTIAL CLAIM..................$500.67

33. EPERTHENER SHAWN MATTHEW - 1180014E00227 00. MILLBRIDGE ST,

TREASURER’S SALE SALE BY THE TREASURER OF THE CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH OF REAL ESTATE TO SATISFY UNPAID CLAIMS FOR CITY, SCHOOL AND ALLEGHENY COUNTY TAXES TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2023

AT 10:00 A.M. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 171 of 1984, approved by the Governor October 11, 1984, of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which in part authorizes and empowers the City Treasurer of cities of the second class to sell, at public sale, lands or real estate upon which the taxes assessed and levied by the City or School District or Allegheny County are delinquent and unpaid; this Act is known as the Second Class City Treasurer’s Sale and Collection Act. The following properties in the City of Pittsburgh will be exposed to public sale in City Council Chambers, City-County Building 5th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA, on Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. and continued by adjournment to such time or times, as the City Treasurer shall designate such properties shall be sold for unpaid taxes which have been assessed against said properties. The following schedule shows (opposite each numbered property or properties) the City, School and County taxes for 2017 and prior years as well as PWSA, demolition, and other municipal charges which are unpaid but does not include advertising, posting and lien charges all of which are legally due and must be paid prior to the above date and time of sale in order to avoid sale. Names shown are those of owners, lienholders, or other known interested parties who may retain a legal interest in the property described. Said Sale will be made without prejudice to any other liens or claims of the City, School District of Pittsburgh or County of Allegheny, for any other unpaid taxes, or other municipal charges and claims, whether liened or not, against the respective property which have been inadvertently omitted and not included herein.

TERMS OF SALE: As soon as the property is struck down, the purchaser shall:

(1) Immediately pay the advertised amount by cashier/certified check or cash set forth opposite the particular property sold. Payment must be in cash, certified check or cashier’s check.

(2) Any amount bid in excess of the upset price must be received in the Department of Finance on or before 2:00 P.M. the day of sale. Funds to be paid by cash, certified check or cashier’s check.

(3) Pay any and all other City, School and County tax claims and municipal charges and claims, whether liened or not, together with any penalty and interest, advertising cost, posting cost and County Department of Court Records’ costs owed against the property purchased upon demand after the sale.

(4) Failure to comply with item 3 will result in the initial payment being forfeited and the sale being canceled. For information call the Office of the City Treasurer, City of Pittsburgh, City-County Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Phone: (412) 255-2525

Jennifer

SLOAN ST

PARTIAL CLAIM................$1,318.22

50. TIMMERSON WADE - 1200042D00230 00. SLOAN ST, E M BELL PLAN 15 LOT 25X145 SLOAN ST

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$12,699.90

51. PARKVALE SAVING ASSN - 1200042D00231 00. SLOAN ST, EMMA M BELL PLAN PT 16 LOT 25X72.50 SLOAN ST

2 STY FRA & SHG HSE

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$13,931.28

25X72.50 ESPLAN ST 2 STY FRA HSE RR 3229

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$13,779.16

00. ESPLEN ST, EMMA M BELL PLAN PT 16 LOT

57. SMITH JERRY E & SMITH THERESA - 1200071L00218 00. 1443 HASS ST, CHARLES HARRIS PLAN 44-46 LOT

75X100 CB GAR

PARTIAL CLAIM................$8,924.12

58. PAOLINE EARLENE - 1200071L00286 00. 1437 ORATOR ST, CHARTIERS CITY PLAN 28 LOT 25X100 ORATOR AVE NR

SUPERIOR ST 2 1/2 STY INSELBRIC HSE 1437

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$34,775.40

TWENTY-FIFTH WARD

59. DIXON BENNIE - 1250023G00083 00. BOYLE ST, LOT 19.50X90-BOYLE ST

PARTIAL CLAIM...............$59,005.30

TWENTY-SIXTH WARD

60. CRANKSHAW CHARLES K - 1260115C00084

Message froM

The ediTor and Publisher

The New Pittsburgh Courier is extremely proud to present the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 Under 40 “Class of 2023” and salutes these young movers and shakers for their hard work and dedication.

This year we also introduce our Trailblazer Award honoree Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Rams; Founder, Aaron Donald 99 Solutions Foundation, for his many outstanding accomplishments on and off the field.

As we celebrate these individuals that were carefully selected from a list of many nominations that were submitted by our faithful readers, we also celebrate the diversity of job descriptions and titles now open to this generation.

Not only are these stellar individuals excelling in their professions, but they are also making an impact in the communities they serve. They represent a generation committed to making “the most livable city” a better place not only for themselves, but also for those who come behind them. Through their dedi-

cated efforts, tomorrow’s African Americans have an ever-greater possibility at procuring a brighter future than ever before.

Perhaps more than anything, those on this year’s Fab 40 Under 40 list come from a generation that knows the power of collaboration across lines of race, religion and sexual orientation. They know Pittsburgh’s future is brighter when all parties work together for the greater good.

To the “Class of 2023,” we hope this honor serves as an inspiration to soar to even greater heights and to encourage others to reach their highest potential. To our readers of this special section, please share it with the youth in your area so they may be inspired to continue their lofty pursuits.

From all of us at the New Pittsburgh Courier, we applaud you. Thank you for your unwavering service.

Congratulations to the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 Under 40 “Class of 2023!”

JENNIFER C. BARNES

JUSTIN M. BINION

ABRAXIS BLACKWELL

JA’LISA L. BROWN, MBA

KECIA CHANTEL

AUDIE L. CHAPMAN, II

GARY J. COLEMAN

SHAMIAH COULVERSON

DR. ARMANI A. DAVIS

LAUREN DEDOMENIC

DEJANÉ DOZIER

DR. RIKELL S. FORD

JOHNNIE GEATHERS, MSW, LSW

STANFORD GRANDY

JESSICA GURLEY

ERRICKA HAGER

SAMANTHA HARTZMAN

IESHIA NICOLE HEARN

RYAN HOUSTON

TILO JORDAN

MONICA MALIK

THOMAS MCCLELLAN

GODFREY R. MCCRAY JR.

SOLEIL MEADE

PAIGE KENDRA MITCHELL

DR. CHANNING L. MORELAND

DELVINA L. MORROW

CYDNEY NUNN

CUE PERRY

CHARLES DAYMAR PITTS-BONNER

WELDIANNE SCALES

ANDRE L. SCOTT

CAREE STEVENS

DEANDRE TIMBERS

DR. DARLA TIMBO

CALISTA TUCKER

ANDRE TURNER

JENNIFER LYNN WHITLEY

GINA WINSTEAD

DR. SHANI YELDELL

ROD DOSS

AARON DONALD

‘CLASS OF 2023’ TRAILBLAZER AWARD HONOREE

Who knew that on May 23, 1991, a Pro Football Hall of Famer from Pittsburgh would be born.

Sure, Aaron Donald is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame yet, but that’s simply because you can’t be voted in while you’re still playing.

And Donald has lots of football left to play.

Donald is the New Pittsburgh Courier’s first recipient of the Trailblazer Award, given to an exceptional individual under the age of 40 who has risen high above the rest in his or her field of work.

From the moment he stepped on the football field at Penn Hills High School as a ninth grader, teammates and coaches alike knew there was something special about Donald. He dominated opposing offensive lines, quarterbacks and running backs. He had the agility, the quickness, to go with the sheer power. You don’t find that trifecta of skills in a big man every day.

That’s why he was recruited to play at the University of Pittsburgh, a highly respected Division I football program with nine claimed national championships. In his four seasons at Pitt, he amassed nearly 30 sacks and roughly 180 tackles, solo and assisted. Donald was the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.

The St. Louis Rams eventually moved back to Los Angeles, and as they say, everything’s bigger in L.A. Donald was getting more and more dominant, the Rams’ record was improving, and the football world soon found out that the best defensive player in the entire NFL was #99 for the Los Angeles Rams.

February 13, 2022, came the crown-

ing achievement of Donald’s pro fessional career — winning Super Bowl LVI (56), and making the game-saving play, pressuring Cin cinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow so hard that it forced Bur row to throw an incompletion.

“I wanted this so bad,” Donald said on the field after the Super Bowl. “I dreamed this, man. I dreamed this.”

Safe to say, Donald is one of the most decorated players in the NFL to day, which, in addition to being a Super Bowl champion, includes nine Pro Bowl selections, seven All-Pro selec tions, and three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. At Pitt, Donald was named an AllBig East selection and the 2013 recip ient of the NCAA’s Outland Trophy for top interior linemen. He was

also a 2013 Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy recipient and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. When he’s not on the field, Donald is a philanthropist, business owner and investor.

In 2019, Donald founded Aaron Donald 99 Solutions Foundation (AD99 Solutions), a nonprofit created to change the trajectory of Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable youth by providing necessary resources in a free, safe environment where they are empowered to excel academically, socially, and athletically. AD99 Solutions’ programs – Prep Forward and Community Engagement — aim to support youth and communities through education, advocacy, and resource allo-

As part of AD Solutions, in June 2022, Donald hosted a free

youth football camp at Highmark Stadium on the South Side. The excited youth got a chance to run some football drills with Donald and hear positive messages from Donald, as well.

You’ve probably seen Donald on billboards around Pittsburgh, pumped about “Ready Nutrition.” Well, in 2019, Donald took an ownership stake in Ready Nutrition, a company that makes protein-infused sports drinks, protein powder and snacks.

Donald and his brother, Archie Donald, are also the co-founders of Donald Group Development.

In the world of philanthropy, Aaron Donald gladly gave a seven-figure donation to the University of Pittsburgh’s Football Championship Fund in 2019. At 27, he was the youngest seven-figure donor in school history. Pitt renamed the ground floor of its practice facility the “Aaron Donald Football Performance Center.”

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey also formally recognized Donald for all of his accomplishments last year, giving him an official mayoral proclamation. With his family and closest friends present, Donald was all smiles as Mayor Gainey proclaimed March 4, 2022, as “Aaron Donald Day” in the City of Pittsburgh, about a month after Donald won the Super Bowl.

“I encourage everyone in Pittsburgh to learn more about Aaron Donald and take inspiration from him to pursue your dreams,” Mayor Gainey said on Twitter, “work hard, and always remember to give back to the community.”

MIKEY HOOD

CELEBRITY HOST

Mikey Hood is a lifestyle and entertainment host on KDKA’s morning show, “Pittsburgh Today Live.” She grew up in Lincoln-Lemington and graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School. Prior to KDKA she founded PGHSpot.com, a web show that spotlighted leaders, small business owners, and creative innovators in Pittsburgh.

In addition, she produced “Neighborhood conversations,” which were live community talks that focused on neighborhood heroes around town. She loves to be present and give back to her community.  You never know where you’ll run into her…once she moderated the City of Pittsburgh mayoral debate.

In addition, Hood fea-

tures children looking to be adopted in her weekly segment called “Waiting Child” and has witnessed children finding hope, love and their forever families. She started her career at KDKA with no previous anchoring experience and says it’s proof that even if your journey doesn’t look like everyone else’s you can still get a similar outcome.  She’s lived in oth-

er cities, but Pittsburgh is always home. She has a loving and supportive husband, Georin, and a 2-year-old high energy Labradoodle named Wilson. Her motto is to focus on the things you can change, not on what you can’t. She is a former New Pittsbugh Courier “Fab 40” and “Women of Excellence” honoree.

AARON DONALD

DARNELL BONNER

SHANDIA BOOKER

CASSANDRA BRENTLEY

RICHENA BROCKINSON

MICHELLE BROWN

CATHRYN CALHOUN

STEVEN CARTER

NATHANIEL L. CARTER JR.

DR. CAMILLE CLARKE-SMITH

RONALD COURSEY

ALONNA CUFFE

JAKIM DONALDSON

CARLTON FALCONER JR.

AMBER FARR

LEON FORD

JILLIAN GILES

JOEL GRAY

RENATA SILVA GRAY

GLENN GRAYSON JR.

RODNEY HEARD

ADRIEL A. HILTON

LASHESIA HOLLIDAY

CHARDAÉ JONES

JASON JONES

HON. SUMMER LEE

MARKESE LONG

ALYSSA P. LYON

JULE MCDANIEL

SHARISE NANCE

SIERRA PARM

BRAZITTE POOLE

LINDSAY POWELL

JULIUS RIDGLEY

TENECIA M. ROSS

ASTER TECLAY

DEBORAH M. TODD

JULLIAN TURNER

TERRI L. WHITE

KHAYREE WILSON

BRITTINI WRIGHT-BURLEY

Utopia Anderson grew up in Philadelphia, relocated to Pittsburgh and currently works as a Behavioral Health Therapist at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital Narcotic Addiction Treatment Program. She received her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California University of Pa. Upon graduating from CalU, Ander son began her work in the criminal justice system as a juvenile detention and corrections officer which then led to working with youth as a counselor. Her found love for mental health led her to pursue her master’s degree in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counsel ing from Neumann University. Before leav ing Philadelphia, Anderson had worked in mental health institutions all over the area and decided to leave Temple Univer sity Hospital to work in the mental health field in Pittsburgh.   Aside from working professional ly, Anderson is active within her community and services youth and young adults, primarily in the African American and LGBTQIA communities in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas, providing mentoring, mental health resources and free therapy services. She is an active supporter, vol unteer and facilitator with

Challenge Day, a social and emotional program for grades 7-12 where a huge gathering of students and facilitators come together to show connectedness, empathy and inclusivity.  She plans to return as a facilitator next year. Anderson was recently recognized by her alma mater, CalU, as a 40 under 40 honoree in 2020. This is an award given to alumni who have made an impact in the community and are a leader in their field. Anderson also sits on the Board of Directors for Tia’s Place, a non-profit in the Philadelphia area that services youth and young adults who have aged out of foster care and are in need of resources. She is currently working on implementing a mentorship program with Tia’s Place that will provide self-esteem building, achieve goals, and overcome barriers to their professional and personal development.

Anderson’s love for people and for helping others encourages and motivates her to keep doing more. A part of her life’s work is to open her own practice and serve the community.  She is both honored and excited to be a part of the 2023 Class of New Pittsburgh Courier 40 Fab under 40 and she congratulates all the nominees!

ANDREA BARBER

CAMERON BARNETT

OLIVER BEASLEY

LACHELLE BINION

BLAYRE BRITTON

JOEL BURSTEIN

ALONNA CARTER

MELANIE CLAXTON

GRIFFANN

COLEMAN-BREWER

ASHLEY RENAE CORUM

TORREY COULVERSON

MARTELL COVINGTON

LEANA CREIGHTON

SHARNAY HEARN DAVIS

JAMES DOYLE

ANGELIQUE DRAKEFORD

JAMILAH DUCAR

CHRISTINA

FLEWELLEN-HOWZE

MARYN L. FORMLEY

DEONNA GANDY

Charles W. Anderson III, affectionately known as Chuck, is a Pittsburgh native. At a young age, Anderson’s family relocated to Ohio where he graduated from Meadowdale High School in Dayton. While there he excelled as an athlete in football earning many awards, most notably All-City honors. Anderson then went on to study at Central State University, majoring in secondary education, with concentrations in History and English. It was at this time in college that Anderson developed his gift as a musician. In addition to his love for football, he taught himself how to play fluently the drums, bass, piano and more.

After college, his brother introduced him to the social services field while he also traveled as a budding profes-

sional musician. Anderson moved back home to Pittsburgh in 2004 and continued working in social services for companies such as Holy Family Institute, A Second Chance, Small Seeds, and East End Cooperative Ministries, where he also mentored many of the young men in those programs. He also volunteered his personal time at Fulton Elementary School and Yahweh Rise. Anderson is now the Career Services Manager at Grant Associates Inc., a workforce development corporation, where he oversees the case management staff. At the request of the Director, Anderson enrolled in and completed the Grant Associates Leadership Development Initiative, a year-long course that prepares staff for leadership. On the job, Anderson also serves as a mentor to the staff and a strong support when they are in need. At Grant, Anderson also volunteers at the Local Food Bank. Anderson has exceeded his expectations in his music endeavors having traveled to Japan, China, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, as a musician playing in shows and concerts for different local and famous artists, most notably Frank McComb and Branford Marsalis. Anderson is now the CEO of Chuck 8301 Music, LLC, which performs live music in and around Pittsburgh. Most recently, in February, Anderson was the music director for “R.E.S.P.E.C.T., a Tribute to Aretha Franklin,” held at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. During his free time, Anderson enjoys bowling and quality time with friends. Of all these great accomplishments in his life, his greatest joy is his 15-year-old daughter, Jordyn. Anderson dedicates this award in the memory of his parents, Charles W. Anderson II and Jan R. Pettis-Anderson.

AFTYN D.L. GILES

ELIADA GRIFFIN-EL

AKEMI HARRISON

AUDRYANA HATCHER

CHRISTIAN HUGHES

MUBARIK ISMAELI

DEVON MADDEN

KENYA MATTHEWS

BRITTANY MOORE, LSW, OSW-C

CANDACE OKELLO

DANIELLE PARSON-RUSH

CLAUDY M. PIERRE

MARCUS POINDEXTER

KELLI SHAKUR

ANTOINE THOMAS

AJA THOMPSON

BRIANA L. WHITE

TANESHYA WILLIAMS

NATASHA WILLIAMS

ALECIA DAWN YOUNG

CHARLES W. ANDERSON III

Career Services Manager, Grant Associates Inc.

CEO, Chuck 8301 Music, LLC.

HENDEKEA AZENE

General Manager, Industrial Coatings Americas PPG

Hendekea Azene, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, received her Chemical Engineering Degree from Tulane University. Azene began her career in the aerospace industry as a Material Science Engineer at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems in El Segundo, Calif. In this role, she led the design, integration and test -

ALYSON D. BLACKBURN Owner

Kolor-N-Kiln Pottery Studio

ing of government-funded space systems. After working many years in a technical capacity, Azene decided to further her education in business by pursuing an MBA at the University of Pennsylvania. While in graduate school, Azene focused her studies in strategic management and corporate strategy. Outside of the classroom, Azene was active in her local chapter of the National Black MBA Association and Penn’s African MBA Association. After completing graduate school, Azene joined the Dow Chemical Company, where she held a variety of commercial roles including: Commodities Trader; Corporate Strategy Director; and Global Strategic Marketing Director. In 2017, Azene joined PPG in corporate strategy where she led due diligence and integration of a key acquisition, ultimately leading a segment of this business. Currently, she serves as General Manager of Industrial Coatings Americas where she leads an organization that develops and brings to market innovative coating solutions to the industrial space. Azene has served as the sponsor of PPG’s Black Employee Network where she passionately supports initiatives like PPG’s Colorful Communities and United Way Campaigns.

Alyson Dinaé Blackburn is a Pittsburgh native, raised on the North Side, and graduated from Perry Traditional Academy in 2003.

An accomplished clas sically trained vocal ist and percussion ist, Blackbun holds a baccalaureate degree in Music Media from Norfolk State Uni versity. The former Miss Norfolk State University also has pursuits that go beyond the art of music as she is half of the ownership of Kolor-N-Kiln Pottery Studio located in The Mall at Robinson. KolorN-Kiln celebrates 11 years in business this June and specializes in art-based events and education.

Kolor-N-Kiln is one of two Blackowned businesses

in the mall and was recently featured in Travel Noire’s feature on Blackowned businesses in Pittsburgh.  Blackburn is also dedicated to serving her community on her own and as a sister of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She currently serves as 2nd Vice-President, Historian, and member of the Community Service Committee for Pittsburgh’s Delta Phi Sigma Alumnae Chapter. Blackburn is also an alumnae sister of the Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc., and a Charter Member of the Lambda Rho Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Inc.

AERION A. ABNEY

BARON BATCH

JESSICA N. BROWN

NATHANIEL M. BROWN

COREY BUCKNER

BRIAN R. BURLEY

LAKEISHA BYRD

MELISA CHIPANGILA-CAMPBELL

DON CHARLTON

JASON FLOWERS

TYRA GOOD, ED.D

TERESA RENEE HUNT

REGINA D. HUTSON

THOMAS JAMISON

WAYMAN R. JONES JR.

KEVION LATHAM

DEVON M. LYONS

KEVIN MCNAIR

KYSHIRA S. MOFFETT, MBA

KHEIR MUGWANEZA

JAMES MURPHY

NJAIMEH NJIE

RIEAN K. NORMAN

BRIGETTE BETHEA PATTERSON

CHEYENNE L. PATTERSON

OLIVIA T. PAYNE

BRANDON E. PHILLIPS

LEIGH SOLOMON PUGLIANO

REGINA L. SCOTT

YASMIN SHAHEED

LOLA SIMS

ERIC A. SMITH

M. SHERNELL SMITH

MICHELYN HOOD TINOR

SHAKITA TRIGG

DIAMONTE WALKER

THOMAS WALLACE

ANTHONY WILLIAMS

LAKEISHA WOLF

SOSSENA WOOD

DONTAE COMANS

Mayor Borough of Wilkinsburg

Dontae Comans is Network Enablement Lead at SAP and Mayor of Wilkinsburg. Comans grew up in the Lincoln/Garfield area where as a kid he played summer basketball in Lincoln and played for the Garfield Gators. Born to teenage parents, Comans defied the odds. He graduated from Schenley High School in 2003, then furthered his education at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

After college, Comans came home and worked several jobs until he found his love for sales selling cell phones. Over the years Comans was well-known as the cell phone guy.

In 2016 Comans married the love of his life, Ashley, and then switched careers, working in procurement at SAP Ariba. The tech field was a natural fit and welcomed change from selling phones and meeting quotas.

Around the same time, Comans started a podcast alongside his two good friends called, “Straight To The

League.” The podcast was picked up by The Good News Radio based in Los Angeles where it still plays today.

In the Summer of 2019, Comans became a first-time dad to his daughter, Bellamy. At the end of 2019, he was sworn in to serve on the Wilkinsburg School Board. While on the board, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the world. Comans was part of a board that responded quickly and effectively to ensure students were able to continue their learning. The Wilkinsburg school district was one of the first districts to be 1-to-1 with technology a few weeks into the pandemic. The district also provided desks and chairs to families in need of furniture to make a comfortable learning environment at home, while making sense of the new reality. Later that year in 2020, the school district continued to be fiscally responsible, and lowered the district’s taxes for the second consecutive year. In addition to lowering taxes, the board also voted to incorporate Spanish for all students from PreK to sixth grade.

In 2021, Comans was elected to be Wilkinsburg’s 11th mayor. After his first year in office, Comans has a lot

of plans in the works, all in hopes of supporting the revitalization of his community that has been overlooked for too long.

This past year the Comans expanded his family once again. Welcoming their son, Beau Rakim Comans, last spring.

Comans is a proud husband, father, and man of the people. He’s encouraged by the prospects of being able to do good work for the people.

PAUL T. ABERNATHY

KAHMEELA ADAMS

OLIVIA BENSON

LaRAE DANIELLE CULLENS

AUSTIN A. DAVIS

L. DENISE EDWARDS

DAREN ANDERSON ELLERBEE

AMBER M. EPPS

JAMES T. FREEMAN

REGINALD GOOD

DONTA A. GREEN

KRISTEN GUY

DEAVON HAMMONDS

YONA C. HARVEY

DERRIC I. HECK

Melvena S. Daniels, MA, is a passionate Director of Programs for the Center That Cares—Jeron X. Grayson Community Center nonprofit organization located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District.

CARES’ mission is to create a network of internal and external opportunities that offer step-by-step programming to prepare each child and young adult to achieve their life plans and goals in a safe, dependable, nurturing environment. Daniels is also the CEO/Chef of Beyond Blessed Catering, LLC, where their mission is to provide elegant, yet budget-friendly catering services. She’s been in both positions for five years.

Daniels attended Penn State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications. Daniels later attended Point Park University, earning her Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. She is currently continuing her education with Point Park University in

pursuit of her Doctorate in Administration and Leadership.

Daniels volunteers for several boards and organizations in the community such as: (previously) ACH Clear Pathways, (currently) the Hill District Collaborative and Zone 2 Public Safety Committee. Daniels conducts monthly community service projects at Ebenezer Towers with high school

students from the Grayson Center. Over the past four years, Daniels and her students have passed out baby and hygiene products in the community. During COVID they passed out masks and hand sanitizer along Centre Avenue. The Beyond Blessed catering team has provided holiday meals and turkeys to community members in need. They also provided 50 spaghetti dinners to the residents of Ebenezer Towers. They previously collaborated with a local business, IKEWear, to give away backpacks and school supplies.

In 2021, Daniels received a certificate from the De-

partment of Education for her excellence in leadership. In 2021 she received the Courage Award from Antoine Bailey of The Neighborhood Resilience Project. Also in 2021, she was awarded the Legacy Award from SHINE-Society of Excellence for her outstanding philanthropy and continued support and dedication to youth and the community.

In 2022, Beyond Blessed Catering was highlighted in the City Paper for their Holiday Special.

Nothing in life was handed to her; she works hard for everything she’s earned thus far. Daniels’ motto is “If you want it bad enough, go get it.” Daniels believes that all youths deserve a chance to make it out! For multiple years she taught a cooking class at the Grayson Center. She trains high school students how to cater and prep cook. Her catering team then hires the experienced youth for catering events to give them a paid entrepreneurship experience.

Daniels strongly feels that without God, none of the service she provides would be possible. She remains humble and committed to doing God’s work. There is so much more work to be done and she’s just getting started. Stay tuned!

MERECEDES J. HOWZE

BRANDON HUDSON

PRINCESS ROSE HUGHES

RUFUS O. IDRIS

LLOYDINE J. JACOBS

CHEREÉ HASWELL JOHNSON

MICHAEL A. JOHNSON

TRACI JOHNSON

MICHAEL A. KNIGHT

LaTRENDA S. LEONARD

CURTIS E. LEWIS JR.

GABRIEL McKNIGHT

JESSICA MITCHELL

JUSTIN R. NWOKEJI

TYRA OLIVER

MARINA J. OWENS

KEIHA R. PECK

TAMAIRA E. RIDGELY

RYAN S. SCOTT

DEVYN D. SWAIN

LAUREN O. WALLACE

AARON M. WHIGHAM

ELISE ‘THE DIVA CHEF’

WIMS

ANQWENIQUE L. WINGFIELD

SHEILA WOODS

MELVENA S. DANIELS

CEO & Chef, Beyond Blessed Catering, LLC Program Director, Center That Cares—Jeron X. Grayson Community Center

BRANDON DAVIS

Community Space Coordinator ACTION-Housing

Brandon G. Davis is a proud native and product of the steel city, Pittsburgh. He is the grandson of a steel worker and Army veteran, and son of a retired Children’s Hospital nurse. Davis is a Penn State University alumnus, having majored in Psychology, he covets service and uplifting the community. Currently he has the honor of serving as the inaugural Community Space Coordinator for ACTION-Housing’s MyPlace Alumni Association. In this role, Davis serves former homeless foster care youth in increasing their trajectory of success and overall

quality of life. Davis aids the alumni of the MyPlace Alumni Center in starting new businesses, acquiring education in various endeavors, and utilizing resources available to them in their time of need, all while curating a space of inclusiveness and support for alumni.

Davis has also served Pittsburgh’s mental health population for the last 10 years as a Treatment Advisor and Primary for those with mental and emotional illness. Davis has assisted consumers to establish healthy and stable practices for them to obtain a suitable place in society. He continuously aspires to critique and grow his skills as a leader. In his youth, Davis graduated twice from the Urban League’s Black Male Leadership Development Institute and had the pleasure of leading his own cohort of young men as a three-time Cluster Leader.

Serving on Auberle’s community action team, Davis received the “Striving for Success” award from Auburle and the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Currently Davis serves on the local board of the 100 Black Men of America (Western Pa. chapter) and has the pleasure of being an inaugural graduate of the national 100 Black Men Leadership Institute. During the pandemic he served on the NAACP State Conference’s health committee and aided in developing a safety plan.

Davis has an affinity for service, leadership, and uplift, and aims to use his skills to contribute to the good of the world.

ANTOINE DION CEO ADT Holdings

Some people have “careers,” others have “callings,” and from an early age Antoine Dion was submerged into the grooming industry with a drive to become a master in the hair industry.

He found out what he was good at and attacked it like his life depended on it and never had a Plan “B.” As a young adult he committed to years of comprehensive training and education and accomplished be ing a Certified Master Barber, Artist, Beauti cian, and Educator in the industry.

In his 12 years of business with build ing ADT Holdings, Dion has created an oasis of beautifying and grooming at “Hair. On Bedford Square,” “Hair. On Bedford Square II” and “Hair. On Liber ty Catering” to the most elite and leav ing all with a feeling of distinction. His commitment

has revived this dying art and he cultivates the standard of excellence. This visionary is beyond busy with  forming “The HairGang ME Scholarship Program”, which sends high-school seniors off to college with the necessary supplies, along with the annual Hair Gang backpack Back To School Drive.

You can catch Dion on the run at the state building, sports training camps, even house calls all over the U.S. and he has obtained an impressive clientele of NFL players (two-time Super Bowl Champion Ben Rothlisberger, current Super Bowl champion JuJu Smith-Schuster), and the list continues to grow.

AKITA DONALD

Executive Director

Aaron Donald 99 Solutions Foundation

SYDNEY ETHEREDGE

President & CEO

Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania

In January 2022, Sydney Etheredge became the new President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania. She brings a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for reproductive health for underserved and underrepresented populations. In her first year as President and CEO, Etheredge led the organization through the leaked decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the fall of Roe v. Wade, and a tumultuous midterm election season with high stakes for reproductive rights.

Before joining Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, Etheredge worked for Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) for nearly 10 years as the Director of the Health Care Investment Program. In this role, she provided guidance to the Federation on ways to further embed women’s health in system transformation efforts, while also assisting Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country in navigating their local health care market, focusing specifically on value-based payment, health care quality, and health equity. During her tenure at Planned Parenthood, she developed a deep understanding of the importance of health care operations in policy making and has applied those learning to both national and state-level discussions.

Etheredge is extremely committed to health equity and the elimination of health disparities for people in this country. In 2019, she completed the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Disparities Leadership Program, focusing on health outcomes in sexual and reproductive health.

Etheredge received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh. She then went on to earn her master’s degree in Public Health and Health Policy from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

After years of working inside the prison system providing mental health services to inmates, Akita Donald is passionate about intercepting the schoolto-prison pipeline. Her desire to offer preventive services led to her role as Executive Director for Aaron Donald 99 Solutions Foundation (AD99 Solutions). AD99 Solutions’ mission is to change the trajectory of Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable youth by providing necessary resources in a free, safe environment where they are empowered to excel academically, socially, and athletically.

Donald is the Founder of AD Counseling Services, a private practice, which operates as a behavioral and mental health consulting firm providing community and corporate trainings and workshops. In addition, she’s an Adjunct Professor in the Nonprofit Management, Empowerment, and Diversity Studies department and the 2022-2023 Frederick Douglas Scholar Fellow at Slippery Rock University. She teaches sociology, civic engagement, interdisciplinary studies, and cultural diversity courses.

JOEL ACIE

EMMAI ALAQUIVA

VERNARD ALEXANDER

MARISA BARTLEY

KENYA T. BOSWELL

SIOBHAN BROOKS

CARMEN BRUCE

CRYSTAL BYNUM

KEVIN CARTER

ROBERT CHAMBERS III

YOLANDA COVINGTON-WARD

BELINDA CURTAIN

EUGENE CURTAIN III

CAMILLE DAVIDSON-BAZRON

LATIKA DAVIS-JONES

BRIAN EDMONDS

TISHA GERMANY

DR. MARILYN GRIFFIN

BRANDON HOLLY II

NEAL HOLMES

REV. CORNELL JONES

NICOLE MANNS

BETHANY MILLER

MARIMBA MILLIONES

KHARI MOSLEY

VINCENT D. MOYE JR.

ALLYCE PINCHBACK

JARVIS POWERS

JESSICA BROOKE RUFFIN

LES SCALES

ORONDE SHARIF

PAUL DAVID SPRADLEY

TAMIKO STANLEY

KEZIA TAYLOR

IYANA TENNON

NATALIA THOMAS

SONYA M. TILGHMAN

MELISSA WADE

ERICKA WINGFIELD

SSG

LANCE ALTON WOODS

JAZMINE D. GRANT

Senior Counsel PNC Bank

Jazmine Grant is a Pittsburgh native and graduate of the University of Maryland, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree, and Duquesne University School of Law. Currently, Grant serves as Senior Counsel for PNC Bank, supporting Deposits and Branch Operations.

Grant has a passion for serving women in developing their career and is a member of two non-profit boards; Pennsylvania Women Work, which focuses on transforming women’s lives

through empowerment, employment and economic independence; and Bethany Community Ministries, aan organization that serves Homewood, providing essential resources such as food and clothing to those in need.

Grant serves as a mentor to young women and men whose careers are on the rise and her life philosophy is, “Learning from others is a blessing and sharing my knowledge is a gift.”

RENEE ALSBERRY

BRANDEN BALLARD

JASON BELL

KENYON BONNER

JESSICA BROOKS

ONDREA BURTON

BRIAN COOK

ROLAND COSTON-CRISWELL

KIMBERLY ELLIS

INGRID FULTON-EDWARDS

VANESSA GERMAN

DAVID HALL

RAYMAR HAMPSHIRE

LISA HOLD

BOMANI HOWZE

JEREMIAH JACKSON

CYNTHIA JAMES

WILLIAM JAMES JR.

STACY JOHNSON

CHAZ KELLEM

EPRYL KING

DR. MONICA LAMAR

NATHANIEL MITCHELL

AYISHA MORGAN-LEE

RYAN PATRICK PARKER

CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON

SABRINA SAUNDERS

VLADIMIR ST. SURIN

FRANCES TAGGERT

KIYA TOMLIN

REV. MARKS TOOKES

TAMARA TORBERT

BERNADETTE TURNER

CARLTON WATSON

EUGENE WILLIAMS III

DAWNITA WILSON

DR. BARRETT WOODS

ROYCE WOODS

NATALIE YANNOTTI

DAINNA A. GRAY, M.Ed.

College & Career Counselor

Propel Braddock Hills High School

Dainna A. Gray, M.Ed., was born to Damon and Mary Gray. Gray grew up in the East Liberty and Larimer neighborhoods. She attended Lincoln Elementary School, Milliones Middle School and graduated from Schenley High School in 2002. She then went on to Lincoln University for her freshman year of college before transferring to Temple University in Philadelphia, where she graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Telecommunications Mass Media. She has one daughter, Saniyah, who is a junior at Obama Academy.

Gray spent 10 years working in the banking industry with Wachovia Bank in Philadelphia, then moved back to Pittsburgh in 2008 where she worked for Citizens Bank and held various teller positions. After years of working in the banking world, Gray decided it was time for a change. That change led her to Pittsburgh Public Schools where she worked as a Student Data Systems Specialist for five years. During that time at Obama Academy, Gray discovered her passion for counseling. Gray decided to go back to school after 11 years and pursue a master’s degree in School Counseling. Gray enrolled into Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she began her journey of self-exploration and growth. Gray graduated in May 2021 and was offered the College and Career Counselor position at Propel Schools in June 2021. She currently works to inspire and expose our youth to college, trade school, and career opportunities. She runs a girls group with students in grades 9-12 where she works with the students to learn to love themselves and grow into their potential as young ladies.

As a College and Career Counselor, Gray has increased the number of college acceptances amongst her students by advocating for their success and

CHARONDA L. HILL

exposure to many different college and university opportunities. Gray is a tireless advocate for the empowerment of our youth and is humbled to receive this recognition as a Courier “Fab 40” honoree.

Sr. Communications Change Management Consultant, TiER1 Performance

Transformationalist, Hilled, LLC

Charonda L. Hill, a servant leader with nearly two decades of impactful work across the education, non-profit and corporate arenas, has led and secured multi-billion-dollar statewide pursuits and fostering of school, family, and community relationships to build networks that afford our city improved transportation systems and prepare our youth for successful futures. As a premier consultant, Hill designs programs and trainings for executive leadership and provides complex logistical and branding coordination for various sectors of organizations. Hill curates exclusive events that fortify deeply embedded change while synchronizing initiatives set to enact momentum to large scale inclusive thought, vision and mission.

Hill is a member of the Alumni Council at her alma mater, Penn State University, and serves as the president of the African American Alumni Organization of Pittsburgh. She has mentored countless youth from the area and is a proponent for students of color advoca-

cy as they obtain undergraduate and advanced degrees.

Hill is the founder and owner of Hilled, LLC & Wisdom Seeds. Her organization specializes in multicultural programming and building Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access & Belonging initiatives, in support of executives, leaders, and teams. Across these businesses, Hill has formulated relevant programs aligned with innovation and best business practices to suit schools, retail companies, corporations, and non-profits respectively.

Hill is a Senior Change Communications Consultant at TiER 1 Performance. TiER1 partners with regional and global Fortune 500 companies alike to activate strategy with customized solutions to fit delicate business challenges that focus on the heart of the organization, its people. In true fashion, Hill centers her life around people and works with many to create positive change in all aspects of her life.

Associate Manager of Digital Media

Samson X Horne serves on Duquesne Light Company’s (DLC) corporate communications team as associate manager of digital media. In that role, he helps shape the electric utility’s external communication strategy by engaging with and creating content for customers on social media and providing informative messaging in email newsletters and on the company’s website. He also drafts press releases, editorials/op-eds and internal/external DEI communications, and generates stories for the company’s news archives. Horne is active in both DLC’s Black/African American-focused and women-focused business employee resource groups. He is also part of the organization’s charitable giving committee.

Prior to his current role, Horne polished his storytelling ability by spending six years as a newspaper reporter. Five of those were as a general assignment reporter and night producer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, covering Pittsburgh and its eastern suburbs. The year before that, he freelanced for the New Pittsburgh Courier, Tribune-Review and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

This career path was a drastic change from his first job out of college. Horne was intrigued by the rigorous management training program at Enterprise-Rent-a-Car. He was quickly promoted and managed several branches throughout Pittsburgh’s South Hills.

DR. JULIAN HUNT

Pharmacist, CVS Health

Founder, Hunt Real Estate & Home Services

Dr. Julian Hunt is a pharmacist, preacher and musician who is on a mission to enrich people’s lives physically and spiritually.

As a staff pharmacist at CVS Health in Specialty Pharmacy, he serves as an integral member of the treatment team for patients with rare and complex medical conditions. Ensuring optimum care, he counsels and educates patients on dosage, duration, conditions, drug interactions, and parameters for their prescribed medication.

Dr. Hunt has also served local commu-

CHI ILOCHI CEO Styling By Chi

Chi Ilochi is a Nigerian American from Pittsburgh. Ilochi is the Founder of “Styling By Chi,” a fashion styling company that aims to heal, help, and inspire through style. Ilochi has styled for Dress For Success, Reebok, Point Park Universi-

nity members by educating patients on lifestyle improvements, administering immunizations, and dispensing medications for chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

As a third-generation preacher and skilled organist and pianist, Dr. Hunt is passionate about ministering the gospel in word and music. He is known to “make the organ sing” with his vibrant melodies that pierce the soul. His love for piano, and his desire to help this generation draw closer to God in worship and

Horne grew up in Fayetteville, Ga., a greater-Atlanta suburb. In high school, he lettered in four sports and earned an academic scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, where walked on the football team. He later received his bachelor’s degree in Communications & Rhetoric. Subsequently, he earned his master’s in Journalism and Mass Communications from Point Park University.

A 2009 initiate of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Horne is the communications liaison for the Pittsburgh graduate (Iota Phi) chapter of the historically Black international organization. That role leads public affairs for the chapter, including writing press releases, sponsorship requests and coordinating media interviews with chapter officers.

Horne believes in empowering Black communities through civic engagement and is proud of the work Iota Phi has done — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic — throughout Pittsburgh neighborhoods, from feeding those in need during the height of the health crisis; to virtually hosting their flagship “Omega Carter G. Woodson Academy” focused on Black History, Art and STEM curriculum for school-aged children on the weekends; and hosting a virtual Black college tour for youth interested in pursuing higher education at HBCUs. These initiatives have since returned to in-person interactions.

Horne is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Pittsburgh Black Media Federation and Vibrant Pittsburgh’s “Next Generation Council.”

He lives in Collier Township with his girlfriend, Tyra, and their children, Kairos and Yara.

prayer, inspired him to create a meditation and relaxation music ministry channel on YouTube (@DrJEHunt).

With a mission to overcome financial miseducation, build a legacy for his children, and provide quality and sustainable housing for families in our communities, he is also the founder of Hunt Real Estate & Home Services. Dr. Hunt is married to Teresa Renee Hunt, and he is the proud father of two amazing children. Most of all, He is a man who is devoted to God, his family, and his purpose.

ty and many more. Ilochi has also been published in various online magazines, print magazines, websites and social media for creatives that include but aren’t limited to; Newsweek, Glamour Magazine, Essence, and Fashion Bomb Daily. In all she does, Ilo-

chi is grateful to be used as a vessel by God to do works that help make this world a better place.

SAMSON X HORNE

Duquesne Light Company

REESHA L. JACKSON, MPM

Owner & Operator, RLJDesigns

Community Health Research Manager, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics

Reesha Jackson is the owner of RLJDesigns, a multi-faceted design business. RLJDesigns started with the simple idea of Jackson wanting her name on a cup. With the purchase of a print and cut machine, she started putting her name on everything in sight.

From there RLJDesigns was launched, designing and producing items to commemorate every milestone in someone’s life, from that “Fab 40” who needs custom shirts for her and her girl to remember the day to that new tired mom who needs that cute mug to remind her everything is going to be OK. From coffee mugs to shirts, tote bags to makeup bags, you are sure to find something you will love!

Recently RLJDesigns has shifted into offering event design and coordination. In addition to being creative, Jackson is a vibrant and passionate event manager and coordinator. With a wealth

JERMAINE D. JOHNSON Chief Executive Officer, Founder and Program Manager Minor Victories, LLC

Jermaine D. Johnson is a product of the Mon Valley, born and raised in Braddock. A graduate of both the Woodland Hills High School system and later the University of Pittsburgh, Johnson has always attempted to nurture deep roots within his community. At Pitt, while pursuing dual academic degrees in both Bioengineering and Chemistry, his work with “Investing Now” and “Pitt Impact/Excel Programs” would begin to plant the seeds of what would later become his own organization, Minor Victories. Johnson has participated in multiple extracurricular clubs such as the Engineering Student Council, Rugby Team, Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) which would later cement Johnson’s view on the importance of being active, community involvement and the drive to following your passion.

Upon graduation, Johnson would end up working for Teledyne FLIR Pittsburgh as a Research Engineer and later as a Program Manager. Teledyne FLIR Detection focuses on the development of sensor products that help identify and detect threats related to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense. This work has allowed Johnson to travel the world conducting trainings, briefings, operational exercises, and demonstrations for both

civilian and military users. While maintaining his day job, Johnson remained very active in local non-profits. Johnson has volunteered with the Light of Life Women and Children’s Program, the National Society of Black Engineers Professional Chapter, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh.

Johnson’s desire was simply to deliver math and science principles in an easily understood and accessible manner; demystifying the fields which helped him change his life. As the requests for help increased, the need grew for a more structured organization allowing other like-minded professionals to join in producing programming benefiting students who do not have access to equivalent options. Minor Victories, LLC, was incorporated in 2016. Minor Victories at its core develops programs to address the community’s needs. In 2016, Minor Victories created the Summer Scholar Academy, a free six-week summer program for K-6th grade students located in the Woodland Hills school district to address the “summer slide.” The following year, Minor Victories held the Listen Up! Pittsburgh Neighborhood Debate Classic, which was a freeform debate competition for students with no prior debate experience. The debate finals were held at the August Wilson African Amer-

of experience in the industry, Jackson excels in helping clients plan and execute events that are both unique and memorable. She values the power of coming together and creating experiences that leave a lasting impression. She is a creative problem solver who enjoys finding innovative ways to bring people together and make the most of every event. Jackson is driven by the belief that we can all make a difference by bringing communities together to celebrate, learn and grow. She is dedicated to making sure everyone involved in the event feels valued and heard. Additionally, Jackson is the Community Health Research Manager in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics. She manages and coordinates community-based, stake -

holder-engaged research and evaluation with children, adolescents, and young adults. She also trains physicians, researchers, faculty, and staff across the University of Pittsburgh on community research methods. Her areas of focus include violence prevention, community health initiatives, school-based research, and implementation and dissemination science. Jackson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., and her Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

ican Cultural Center. Since 2019, Minor Victories has partnered with Steps of Faith Tutoring and Enrichment Center to focus on providing math and science tutoring for students from sixth grade to graduate school at the Steps of Faith Learning Center located in the Monroeville Mall. In

2023, in partnership with the Urban Pathways 6-12 Charter School, Minor Victories created the Math Academy offering to tutor their ninth-grade Algebra students. Minor Victories operates on a simple belief structure: education is a right for all, every student deserves a solid foundation, and we are committed to treating our clients as humans. Through these beliefs, Minor Victories hopes to continue to provide major results through minor victories one step at a time.

TIFFANY JOHNSON, DNP, MSN.Ed., RN

Assistant Professor

Carlow University College of Health & Wellness, School of Nursing

Tiffany Johnson is an Assistant Professor at Carlow University in the undergraduate nursing program. She has been teaching for six years in the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, second-degree in nursing program, and the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Johnson is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion. She serves on several committees at the University, including the President’s Council for Equity and is a member and chair of the Assessment of Learning Committee. Johnson is a faculty advisor and one of the founders of the student-led nursing group at Carlow University called Diverse Nurses’ Association (DNA).

Johnson graduated in May 2022 with her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Carlow University; her capstone project was titled, “An Innovative Educational Strategy to Improve Cultural Competence Utilizing Diverse Standardized Patients”

Johnson will complete an oral presentation of her capstone project at the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society International Conference in Abu Dhabi this summer. Johnson graduated from Waynesburg University in 2017 with her Master of Science in Nursing Education. She attended Duquesne

University for her  Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduated in 2006.  Johnson is a member of the Pittsburgh Black Nurses in Action and the National Black Nurses Association. Johnson is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honors Society, a professional nursing organization that focuses on excellence, scholarship and leadership in nursing.

JALEN B. LEE

Intervention Support Specialist & Photographer Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School

Jalen B. Lee is a Pittsburgh native, born and raised in the Hill District. Throughout his entire life, Lee has been determined to break systematic barriers and travel the world to find new ways of introducing a collectivist style approach in his community. After graduating from Sewickley Academy, he enrolled in The College of Wooster where he received his bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and Chinese studies. Lee then decided to travel 8,000 miles to Hong Kong, China, where he would find himself teaching ESL to local Hong Kong children for two years. After falling in love with education, he realized he needed to share his love, knowledge, and experiences with his community in Pittsburgh.

After returning to Pittsburgh, Lee found sharing his life experiences would be insufficient if he wished to change the community long-term. He needed to act on a larger scale, so he decided teaching at a school in his local hometown would be his best option. This way, he would be able to communicate with local families regularly, connect those families with available resources, build stronger bonds, and increase the number of opportunities for each child and adult within that system. Urban Academy has been very supportive of Lee’s growth as

an educator and has given him the opportunity to achieve his dreams of creating a collectivist community.

Lee realized photography plays a key role in his life goals. There are many Black-owned businesses within Pittsburgh that need support or promotion; however, they find it difficult to be “seen.”

Photography has shined a light on those businesses and groups that have quality products or services yet need quality images to capture their visions and elevate themselves to a higher standard in the eyes of the community. Lee found that his purpose in life is to connect people, businesses, and organizations with resources that will allow everyone within the arrangement to thrive!

ABRIANA LOREN LEEPER-ROBINSON, Ed.D.

Acting Principal Environmental Charter High School

Dr. Abriana Leeper-Robinson is an experienced teacher, leader and advocate within the education field. With over 10 years of in-school and out-of-school teaching experience, she cultivated a strong and unyielding teaching practice rooted in culturally-sustaining, anti-racist, anti-biased (ABAR) pedagogical practices, and takes pride in providing equitable access for all students. Currently serving as Acting Principal at the Environmental Charter High School, Dr. Leeper has the pleasure of serving and leading an amazing group of staff and students.

Previously serving as a middle school Associate Director of Curriculum and Professional Development at the Environmental Charter School (ECS), she coached educators with the same research-based practices she studied and

implemented, in order to equip them with the knowledge, skills and courage to provide all students with a sustained equitable learning environment. Utilizing professional development and tools to critique curriculum and reflect daily on their own practice and its implications for the students they serve, she pushes herself and her teachers to cultivate the classroom into a place of activism.

As a servant leader, Dr. Leeper-Robinson believes in walking alongside not above those she leads, and supports them in the trenches to shift the landscape of education one day at a time. She previously worked with building administration and members from ECS Home Office to revise and implement anti-racist policies and procedures that benefit students from marginalized communities. She was

an active member of the now-inoperative Equity & Diversity team, and currently serves on ECS Middle School’s Stakeholder team, which began out of a desire to disrupt and abolish racist disciplining practices within the middle school. Dr. Leeper-Robinson creates and provides professional development within her district and outside of it for any institution willing to begin implementing a more equitable educational environment.

As a self proclaimed abolitionist educator, Dr. Leeper-Robinson’s passion is rooted in the belief that education is a right of all people. As bell hooks states: “Education is the practice of freedom,” or the daily application and move towards freedom. Dr. Leeper-Robinson teaches, leads, and serves all of her students, staff and families from a strong belief that when educators begin to move beyond the status quo and root their daily routines in the practice of freedom and advocacy, while fighting to break down all barriers daily in the classroom, that true freedom will finally be experienced by all.

Dr. Leeper-Robinson currently resides in Pittsburgh with her three children, Marley, Michael III and Moses, the true reasons she fights tirelessly for equity and freedom in education.

Originally from Homewood, Prince Matthews has been heavily involved in his home community and other communities across America for over 15 years. In the past, he has worked on presidential campaigns, a national political convention, within state government, local government, higher education, served in AmeriCorps, and for various community organizations and initiatives.

Matthews is the Founder and CEO of Viral Pyramid Marketing, a digital marketing agency that provides a variety of services to businesses, entertainers, nonprofit organizations, and social media influencers around the globe. Matthews is also the Communications Manager for the POISE Foundation and the Black Equity Coalition (BEC). In 2024, Matthews will launch a tech company and plans on donating the proceeds to fund public service initiatives and organizations around the world.

He also volunteers his time on various boards of directors including the Birmingham Foundation, an independent community-focused foundation dedicat-

ARIEL MEADOWS

Senior Credit Analyst

A Pittsburgher since birth, Ariel Meadows graduated from Schenley High School before going on to Point Park University. In undergrad, Meadows earned a B.S. in Business Management, where her focus was on entrepreneurship. Wanting to expand on this knowledge, Meadows obtained her Master of Business Administration, while also at Point Park, in 2014. Since then, she has grown her commit-

ed to grantmaking in South Pittsburgh to benefit young children and their families. He is also a member of a plethora of organizations such as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. Matthews has excelled academically for the past 25 years. He is a four-time valedictorian dating back to Belmar Elementary. In 2020, Matthews graduated Summa Cum Laude at the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of International and Public Affairs (GSPIA) with a Master of Public Administration concentrating in Public and Nonprofit Management. In 2015, he graduated Summa Cum Laude at Clarion University/Penn West University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government. Matthews is also the first Westinghouse High School alum to be accepted into the Ivy League all whilst receiving the most prestigious fellowship from Cornell University. In addition, he is also an alumnus of Dixon University Center (THIS), The Washington Center (two-time), and the Johnson Leadership Institute (LPP).

Matthews has a long record of public service, activism, and politically engaged research throughout America. His scholarly work, leadership, and activism focuses on poverty, inequality, injustice, and Black mobility. Consequently, he won the Iris Marion Young Award for Political Engagement and Social Justice in 2021.

Matthews was selected as a Regional Finalist for the White House Fellowship program. After completing his work in Washington, D.C., Matthews plans on getting his MPP (Master of Public Policy) at Princeton University and then either a Ph.D. or J.D.

ment to entrepreneurship and community development.

Meadows is currently a part of The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) Emerging Leaders Program. Meadows’ commitment to personal and professional development goes beyond TALI as a prior mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. She has also served as a speaker on the importance of higher education, at

the Harriet Tubman Guild Inc.

As a Senior Credit Analyst for Bridgeway Capital, Meadows performs a wide variety of functions, including underwriting. As an underwriter, Meadows supports small business and community development loans that help to create economic opportunities in low-to-moderate income communities throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. She is passionate about creating opportunities aimed at narrowing the racial wealth gap through community wealth building strategies. When she’s not working to improve the region, Meadows enjoys time with family and friends.

Bridgeway Capital

PRINCE MATTHEWS SR., MPA

CEO, Viral Pyramid Marketing Communications Manager, The Black Equity Coalition & POISE Foundation

MORGAN JENKINS MOODY

Morgan Moody is a Staff Attorney with KidsVoice, a nonprofit that represents nearly 3,000 children involved in the child-welfare system as part of Allegheny County’s Juvenile Court. Prior to joining the KidsVoice organization, Moody spent two years with Neighborhood Legal Services, tirelessly advocating for veterans and victims of domestic violence. Moody received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from The College of William & Mary. While pursuing her undergraduate studies, Moody volunteered with Project Phoenix, a tutoring and mentoring program dedicated to enriching the lives of middle school students with academic and social challenges.

Throughout law school, Moody positioned herself for a career in public service,

as illustrated by her advocacy supporting the University of Pittsburgh School of Law Family Law Clinic. In addition, she in-

terned with the Neighborhood Legal Services Landlord-Tenant Project, which ultimately led to her later advocacy in service to local veterans. Moody strongly believes in equitable access to justice irrespective of income or socio-economic status. Prior to joining Neighborhood Legal Services, Moody had the privilege of serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Kathleen R. Mulligan in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Family Division.

A proud Pittsburgh transplant, Morgan Moody is the youngest of four children to U.S. Army LTC (RET) Christopher E. Jenkins Sr. and Mrs. Gail V. M. Jenkins of Orangeburg, S.C. She is also the great granddaughter of former McKeesport resident, Mrs. Virginia M. Gittens, the first Black person to serve on the McKeesport Area School Board. Moody spent most of her adolescence in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, where she met her beloved husband, Steven Moody.

Moody is a member of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc,, continuing the long legacy of her maternal grandmother, mother, and two sisters, all of whom were proudly initiated into the

sorority. Moody’s proudest achievement was when she and her husband Steven welcomed their first child.

Since relocating to Pittsburgh to attend law school, Moody has established herself within the Pittsburgh legal community where she has become a well-respected contributor to and advocate for the rights and welfare of children. Over the past decade, Moody has held several leadership positions within the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA). In 2018, Moody was the recipient of the Homer S. Brown Division’s Young Leader Award in recognition of her strong commitment and continued dedication to the promotion of equality and the advancement of justice among the African American community. She currently serves on the ACBA’s Board of Governors and is the immediate past chair of the ACBA’s Homer S. Brown Division. This year, the ACBA Young Lawyers Division recognized Moody for her numerous contributions to the legal profession and the community by bestowing upon her the prestigious “Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.”

Isabella Moreland is the Marketing & Communications Manager for The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI), an organization aimed at cultivating Black executive leadership to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities across America. Assuming this role in June 2022, Moreland creates, collaborates and drives branding, marketing, and communications to support the mission of The Advanced Leadership Institute to educate, develop, connect, and position Black leaders for executive advancement.

Moreland previously served as the marketing intern for TALI from 2019-2020, where she helped maintain the organization’s social media presence and brand. While she continues to manage TALI’s social media in her current role, she also leads and develops the organization’s overarching marketing and communications strategy. Through collaboration with internal TALI teams and external partners, Moreland has created marketing collateral and PR that helps to elevate the TALI brand.

Prior to working at The Advanced Leadership Institute, Moreland worked as a Marketing Strategist for Highmark Health. In this role, she worked collaboratively with a team of seven to provide marketing and project management support to all departments under the Highmark Wholecare (formerly Gateway Health) line of business. Her team specialized in delivering content that engaged, acquired, and retained Medicare Assured and Medicaid members that Highmark Health served through their

integrated marketing strategies. One of her areas of focus was to lead projects from end to end through the creation and implementation of a project plan. This process required her to manage relationships with the internal teams and vendors to ensure that the project goals were met and approved.

Moreland is passionate about providing solid marketing strategies that will help an organization tell its story and promote its brand. Through her knowledge of digital marketing and traditional marketing landscapes—social media, digital analytics and reporting, email marketing, and print—she helps develop and execute TALI’s marketing strategy. Moreland demonstrated this passion when she received the inaugural PRSA Pitts-

burgh Black Excellence Award through the 2021 PRSA Pittsburgh Renaissance Awards. This award aims to recognize Black men and women for outstanding academic achievement, commitment to the practice of public relations and commitment to the City of Pittsburgh. Moreland graduated from John Carroll University with a BSBA in marketing

and a minor in political science. During her time as a student, she was a member of the school’s Women in Business club and the Chi Omega Fraternity Upsilon Mu Chapter where she served as Recruitment Chair from 2019-2020. Both organizations empowered her to take on leadership roles.

Staff Attorney

KidsVoice

ISABELLA MORELAND

Marketing & Communications Manager

The Advanced Leadership Institute

LASHAWN R. MURRAY

Manager of Career Advancement Per Scholas

LaShawn R. Murray is the Manager of Career Advancement at Per Scholas. This national non-profit provides tuition-free tech training focusing on traditionally underrepresented individuals, connecting them to opportunities in tech. At Per Scholas, Murray develops the knowledge and skills of adult learners through Professional Development instruction and coordinating community and corporate engagement events.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, she graduated from Penn Hills Senior High School. She attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication. While in college, Murray’s passion for helping others evolved, and she realized the importance of supporting the communities in which you’re rooted.

Murray mentored Baltimore City middle school-aged girls in various after-school programs. She held numerous executive board roles with the Morgan State University Section of The National Council of Negro Women, and in 2003, she was initiated into the Alpha Delta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Upon graduating college, Murray began her professional career as a manager trainee for Walgreens, where she quickly moved up the ranks. During her tenure at Walgreens, Murray was promoted to store manager and tasked with transforming some of the worst-performing stores in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Within six months of each location, she turned them into top-performing stores. During that time, she realized it wasn’t only about completing the tasks but more about the people you lead. That is when developing and mentoring people became the forefront of her focus; connecting with people beyond a title or role was and still is essential to her. Murray understands that everyone has

BRIAN PRUITT JR.

a story, and her life mission is to honor people’s stories while expanding mindsets and maximizing potential.

In 2018, Murray founded The Thirsty Mind Scholarship Foundation, which supports the educational endeavors of young Black women graduating from Penn Hills Senior High School to contribute to their post-secondary education. In 2019, Murray founded The Thirsty Mind Collective, a community organization that promotes the importance of self-awareness, education, and financial literacy to young Black women to positively assist them in making informed decisions to thrive academically and socially in our communities. Murray also served as the Vice President of the Penn Hills Chapter of the NAACP and currently volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of Western Pa. as a mentor in their B-Unbound career mentorship program. In 2021, she began a consulting firm called Elle Renee Agency, which specializes in social media marketing and management, project management, and business development, working closely with small businesses and non-profits.

Murray believes heavily in the power of community, connection and authenticity. She wholeheartedly believes that discovering your life’s purpose and who you are as an individual is paramount to truly living and appreciating every moment. She has come to know and understand that all we have in life are the moments, and it’s a part of her mission to live every moment to the fullest.

Special Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs Community College of Beaver County

Born and raised in Steubenville, Ohio, Brian Pruitt Jr. is a proud graduate of Steubenville High School where he earned a scholarship to play football at Robert Morris University under the guidance of the late, great Joe Walton. While at Robert Morris University, Pruitt earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Communications and Information Systems. After the completion of his master’s degree, Pruitt become a guidance counselor while coaching football and basketball at Steubenville High School for eight years. While back at his high school, Pruitt fell in love with the impact he was making on parents and students, believing that every student deserves at least a high school diploma. His love for education allowed him to seamlessly transition from secondary education into higher education.

Pruitt moved into higher education beginning at Community College of Allegheny County, where he was a Student Success Coordinator for the Braddock Hills Center in connection with CCAC’s South campus. He went on to become a Relationship Manager between Bellevue University and CCAC. CCAC provided many opportunities and networks which led him to the Community College of Beaver County, where he became the first-ever Enrollment Team Lead/Institutional Concierge. He currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Vice Presi -

dent of Student Affairs.

The flexibility of his career has led to becoming a graduate of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Group and the coordinator of the Beaver Valley Minority Student Leadership Program that is sponsored by The Heinz Endowments. This program helps African American youth become college-ready and explore the impact African Americans have made and are making in the workforce. Pruitt is looking to further his education by achieving his Doctoral degree in Instructional Management and Leadership. He has a lovely daughter, Olivia, that will be starting Kindergarten in the fall and a great family support system that has been there every step of the way.

After dropping out of college in 2007, as a new single mom, Lindsey Ramsey began working as an early childhood educator to help support her and her daughter. Shortly after embarking on her new career, she entered a Child Development Associate program sponsored through Point Park University held at Shady Lane School, and upon completion she decided that early childhood education was her calling. Ramsey earned an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a bachelor’s degree in Instructional Studies with a dual mi-

nor in Education and Psychology from Point Park University. Following her undergraduate work, Ramsey received a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and is currently a doctoral candidate in their School of Public Administration. Through her career journey, Ramsey shifted from educating young children to supporting the professionals who interact with them as a center director, which then led to her passion for advocacy. Ramsey worked in the policy realm of the early childhood field

DARIAN D. REYNOLDS, M.S.Ed.

Darian D. Reynolds, a native of Aliquippa, serves as the current Housing Operations Coordinator at Carnegie Mellon University, a role he took on in February 2020. Reynolds, a high honors graduate of the Aliquippa Junior Senior High School, Class of 2013, attended Duquesne University, where he earned degrees in Integrated Marketing Communications (Bachelor of Arts) in 2017 and Higher Education Administration (Master of Science in Education) in 2022.

Reynolds had an early start in his journey to higher education. As a tenured member of the Aliquippa Marching Band, Reynolds found a passion and played trombone, clarinet, and his primary instrument, trumpet. Reynolds had the opportunity to join the Aliquippa School District as an Assistant Band Director in 2015 and achieved the role of Band Director in 2017.

Simultaneously, as a student at Duquesne University, Reynolds was heavily involved within the student life umbrella of campus. As a student leader, he had the opportunity to serve and represent the campus as President of the Black Student Union and Residence Hall Association, and Chief of Staff for the Student Government Association. During his tenure, he has worked with the President’s Cabinet and Senior Leadership on numerous key successful changes across campus for students. This involvement, accompanied by various student support experiences, only further sparked his interest in giving back, supporting, and uplifting students with the resources, knowledge, and education he has available to him, seeking a career in Student Affairs.

He later then became a member of

the 5th largest Black Greek Lettered Fraternity, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., in April 2018. He currently serves as the Polaris (President) of the Beta Omicron Omega Chapter, chartered in Pittsburgh, in 2009, and the Director of Intake and Membership for the Atlantic Coast Region. In his time with the fraternity, he has served the Greater Pittsburgh Area through partnerships with the Ronald McDonald House, This Generation Connect Center, St. Jude’s, and All of Us, including mental health,

at a local, state, and federal level serving as the Assistant Director of Policy and Practice for Trying Together, fiercely advocating for equitable, accessible, and affordable access to high quality early childhood experiences for our most vulnerable children, as well as elevating the importance of the early childhood professionals doing the crucial work. Ramsey is driven to inform the public on the importance of investments in high-quality early learning initiatives that support educators, children, and families. Ramsey has most recently taken on the position of Executive Director at Shady Lane School, placing her in a leadership role at the very building where she discovered her initial passion for early childhood education. Through her work, Ramsey strives to discover innovative ways to in-

homeownership, financial literacy events, initiatives, and more.

Reynolds has since been a champion in his student support efforts through his work in the Division of Student Affairs at Carnegie Mellon University, specifically the Housing Services department. Within his department, he focuses on DEIB initiatives, supervises a student staff, and advises a student organization on campus, among many responsibilities. During the heightened period of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was a Lead Coordinator for CMU’s Isolation and Quarantine operations and student support efforts.

crease equitable opportunities and continue to partner with the community in supporting the village for our children.

Reynolds continues to be an advocate for the education and advancement of Black and brown, LGBTQIA+, and first-generation students. He also continues to be a leader within the community and his fraternity, providing services to local neighborhoods for residents to benefit from, and upliftment to his brotherhood. It is his goal to expand his experience and reach to one day lead a division of student affairs at an institution. Reynolds has also been recognized as a Spirit of Diversity Awardee; and a Young, Gifted & Black Awardee.

Housing Operations Coordinator, Carnegie Mellon University President, Beta Omicron Omega Pittsburgh Alumni Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.

LINDSEY RAMSEY Executive Director Shady Lane School

LATRICE ‘PHOENIX’ ROSE Executive Director Melanin Mommies PGH

Inc.

Latrice Rose started Melanin Mommies PGH, Inc., in 2014 as an online support group for expecting African American mothers. Her mission was to create a space where new mothers could build a village of support for each other.

Since then, Rose has helped Melanin Mommies PGH Inc., evolve into a full service organization that focuses on programming, resources and activities to help mothers holistically.

DARIUS SINGLETON

Sales Consultant

#1 Cochran

Darius Singleton was born and raised in McKeesport. Struggling in the projects of McKeesport taught him that hard work is required to accomplish the things you want in life. As the first-born child with nine younger siblings, he makes it a point to set the bar high for his siblings.  Family first will always be his motivation.

As a faithful member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in McKeesport, Singleton served as the youth church president and mission work has always been his passion. Whatever

way he can help, Singleton is willing to do so. Singleton graduated from McKeesport High School and then went on to get his degree from Notre Dame College.  He is currently a sales consultant at #1 Cochran Nissan in Monroeville and has been with the Cochran team a little over four years. He is a  #1 Cochran Circle of Honor Team Member, which requires 220 or more car sales in a year and having your customer surveys above the region. With just a few years in the industry, car sales are second nature to him because he

Rose holds a B.A. in Communications and Public Relations from Edinboro University, a master’s in Human Resource Management from Carlow University and currently pursuing dual MBA and MSW degrees.

Rose is a certified life coach, business consultant, multi-business mompreneur, inspirational speaker and holds various certifications including Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Mater-

nal Mental Health.

She was recognized and honored as a Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree in 2019 as well as a Martin Luther King Jr Award nominee, twice Athena Pittsburgh award nominee for 2019 and 2021 and Cribs for Kids Women of Achievement Honoree in 2023. She has been mentioned in various media outlets such as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, New Pittsburgh Courier, Local Pittsburgh, Voyage MIA magazine, Pittsburgh City Paper, and Soul Pitt.

is outgoing, motivated, and customer-oriented. He is excited to continue to do God’s work by networking and serving his community by putting dreams in driveways!

MALAYSIA SMITH

Diversion Community Engagement Coordinator

City of Pittsburgh Office of Community Health & Safety

Malaysia Smith is the LEAD Community Engagement Coordinator in the City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Community Health and Safety.

Smith formerly worked at the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, where she was a portability specialist providing case management, client interaction and advocacy for residents. She also worked as a SNAP benefits specialist at Just Harvest, where she established and hosted educational programs, stakeholder and public meetings and developed community outreach plans.

As the LEAD Community Engagement Coordinator, Smith works closel with the “CONNECT” program, as well as residents, officers and community

organizations to integrate feedback into program planning. Smith also promotes partnerships between the community and the OPffice of Community Health and Safety.

Smith will be returning back to school to receive her master’s in Social Work. Throughout her career, Smith has learned that there needs to be more Black and brown individuals in this field to address the trauma and mental health issues in African American communities.

MONIQUE S. SMITH

Manager of Faculty Diversity & Development, University of Pittsburgh

Founder, The Noir Co.

Monique Smith is a dedicated development strategist who has devoted much of her professional life to helping individuals and organizations thrive at their best. As the Manager in the Office of Faculty Diversity and Development at the University of Pittsburgh, Smith employs her planning, creativity, and project management skills to coordinate events and development initiatives that enhance faculty success. Additionally, she assists with efforts to diversify the faculty and create a more equitable and diverse environment.

Smith is an alumna of Carlow University and holds a certificate from CORO Women in Leadership. She actively serves on the Programs Committee for AD99 Solutions, was inducted into the Class of 2021 Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 under 40, and most recently was featured in the Pittsburgh Business Times as one of 20 People To Know In Higher Education.

In addition to her work at the university, Smith is the Founder and Lead Wine Consultant of The Noir Co., a boutique wine consulting firm committed to highlighting the Black wine industry. Black people make up less than two percent of winemakers and brand owners in the U.S. As an equity champion, she uses her love of wine to contribute to increasing

KIARA TALBERT

HR-Employee Relations

Pittsburgh Regional Transit

Kiara Talbert, a native of Pittsburgh, grew up in the Wilkinsburg and Swissvale neighborhoods before graduating from Woodland Hills High School in 2007. Talbert, an advocate for the underserved community, began volunteering as early as high school, consulting adults and teens on resume building and writing. Upon completion of her undergrad in Psychology, she continued to volunteer, giving time and efforts to several charities around the city including the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the Animal Rescue League. An internship in 2012 sparked her love for Human Resources as she got to experience the world of HR in the real world. Later that year she began her HR career as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 company. After receiving multiple accolades within the company and finding a great deal of fulfillment, Talbert decided that this was the career for her. She began to pursue a post-graduate degree in Human Resource Management to further her knowledge in the career field.

Talbert has always brought a level of pride, innovation and enthusiasm to the workplace, creating, implement -

this percentage and encourages her clients to “Sit Back + Sip BLACK.”

Overall, Smith is committed to making a positive impact in her community as a servant leader, both personally and professionally. Her advocacy and championship for equity and diversity exemplify what it means to be the change she wishes to see in the world.

NATASHA S. SMITH

Realtor Keller Williams Realty

Natasha S. Smith is a Realtor with Keller Williams Exclusive office, located in East Liberty. She is a devoted wife to Cassie Crum and a pet parent of three.

Smith is a Pittsburgh native, growing up in various East End neighborhoods before they were trendy (East Liberty, Bloomfield, Homewood, Lincoln-Larimer, Lawrenceville, and Friendship). She is the youngest of three, having an identical twin sister Nakia Smith (who is 14 minutes older and doesn’t let her forget!), and an older brother, Marty Smith. Natasha Smith studied Engineering while attending Taylor Allderdice High School, and graduated in 2008— the same year as Wiz Khalifa!

She later attended Edinboro University to study Political Science and graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security in 2013. Like most young people, Smith struggled to find her way in the world during her early adulthood, trying out many different jobs to see which fit her skill set, her personality and simply to make ends meet. In 2014 she was working for a local Pittsburgh bank when her passion for real estate was discovered. Shortly thereafter, she took the leap from a “safe job” and made the move to begin working in real estate as an office administrator for Keller Williams Realty. A job had never before felt this right to Smith. She greatly loved the people, the

ing, and working toward key HR Diversity and Inclusion, training and career-building incentives that would serve the work population in a constructive way.

Presently, Talbert is SHRM-CP Certified, a member of Pittsburgh’s Chapter of PHRA, a consultant for small Black owned/women-owned and POC-owned businesses in need of an HR Professional. She often speaks on podcasts discussing women and mental health in the workplace. She loves to travel, spend quality time with her family and two kids, all while continuing to advocate for diversity and good mental health in the workplace.

pace, and the atmosphere. It was an easy decision to then pursue a Real Estate License and a full-time career as a realtor. Some of her most sentimental and treasured real estate deals are for members of her immediate family. In 2019, she got to help her mother, Nicole Jackson, become a first-time homeowner, and a year later, she helped her twin sister do the same, along with many other beloved clients. Smith isn’t simply talking about building generational wealth. She is putting in the work.

DEMIA TYLER

Director of Strategic Initiatives Healthy Start Inc.

Demia Tyler is an enthusiastic strategic thinker with a passion for achieving racial equity for Black women and children. A graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School, Tyler was born and raised in Pittsburgh. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Clark Atlanta University and her Master of Public Health and a certificate in public health program evaluation from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. While in graduate school, Tyler conducted research on doula services as an intervention to address the infant mortality gap between Black and White babies in Allegheny County. During this time, Tyler also trained as a doula and lactation counselor with the goal of supporting Black families.

After finishing her graduate studies, Tyler’s commitment to achieving equity led her to her role at Healthy Start as the Director of Strategic Initiatives. Tyler has developed initiatives such as a birth doula program that provides prenatal and birth support free of charge to people birthing in Allegheny County and Healthy Babies Zone, a Wilkinsburg-based effort to achieve birth equity that includes

a walking path aimed at improving heart health outcomes among borough residents. Tyler is most proud of her contributions to structural change efforts which includes supporting the University of Pittsburgh Medical School to develop and implement anti-racist content in their curriculum. Outside of Healthy Start, Tyler is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. When Tyler is not working to achieve racial equity, she is working out with her family and friends, running her custom dessert business Parties and Pops, and most recently, she is acclimating to a new role, Mommy.

REV. GAVIN B.J. WALTON Pastor

Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church

Rev. Gavin B.J. Walton is the pastor of Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District. Reverend Walton is a native of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Duquesne University (B.A.), and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (M.Div), where he is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) program.

Since his ordination in 2017, Rev. Walton has become a fixture in the Pittsburgh Presbytery working with its younger members, developing new ministries, and sharing his skills with a host of community groups citywide. Through dynamic preaching and teaching, he seeks to spread the gospel of God’s love and justice to the Hill and beyond.

Rev. Walton is the co-organizer of an anti-racist, interfaith leaders group in the Pittsburgh area. This group was created out of the 2020 Oakland Vigil for Black Lives, which Rev. Walton also co-organized. The group consists of various clergy and non-clergy leaders who seek to support one another in the anti-racism work they do in their respective congregations and communities.

BRANDON J. WILES, MBA Manager of Employee & Labor Relations, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh CEO, Wiles Property Resource Group, LLC.

Brandon Wiles, MBA, is an entrepreneur and human resource expert. As owner and manager of B. Wiles Property Resource Group, LLC, he handles the management of business, property, and construction. An entrepreneur at heart, he is also the principal owner of BG Development, a minority-owned develop -

ment company that purchases and develops real estate assets throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.

Along with being an entrepreneur, Wiles is the Employee and Labor Relations Manager of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, which manages the seven active union contracts and

MARCUS WOODARD

Director of Product Sales Support & Analysis Comcast

Kierran C. Young is Managing Director of Chatman Consulting. Young provides incisive, no-nonsense guidance and task-oriented leadership that is focused on results. He plans campaign strategies, coordinates campaign staff and arranges meetings and events to publicize candidates or causes. He assists political candidates in communications, messaging and image management, proactively addresses negative press and secures and oversees financial planning and fundraising. Young serves as a political and public relations specialist, advising campaigns and organizations on everything from opposition research and voter polling, mail and printing, to organizing strategy and lobbying efforts. Young has worked on projects in many areas including Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland, West Virginia, New York and Arizona.

Social media has dramatically changed the way modern political campaigns are run. With younger, more tech-savvy people eligible to vote, social media platforms are key to successful campaigns. In years to

oversees all employee relation-related issues for the Agency.

Wiles holds a Master of Business Administration from Point Park University and certifications in HR Management, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution.

In 2021, Wiles established the Big Blue Door, a nonprofit focused on community and youth development, including business and entrepreneurship training, veterans housing and mental health services, and community fellowship to build relationships within the community.

As Wiles continues to be active in community development, he would like to increase his presence in other organizations surrounding community enrichment, education, public policy, and diversity.

Marcus Woodard, a native of Erie, serves as Director of Product Sales Support and Analysis at Comcast. He has been in the retail sales business for nearly two decades with a proven track record of driving high sales performance, building a culture of engagement, developing people, and creating a diverse cohort of talented professionals.

Woodard began his professional career as a retail sales consultant with AT&T, where his natural talent as a salesperson and demonstrated potential earned him six promotions in seven years. Woodard’s experience as Regional Sales Manager for Small Business Solutions covering Western Pennsylvania allowed him to utilize and develop his skills in negotiation, communication, and leadership. In 2016, Woodard was awarded the Engagement Excellence Award, which recognizes managers who inspire their team members and peers to higher performance. That same year, he was also a Summit Award Winner. This award recognizes top performers who earn the honor of representing the “Best of the Best” in the company. Woodard has been enjoying an exciting career with Comcast for the past five years. Previous roles with the company include Market Manager for the Greater Pittsburgh Area and Regional Account Executive.

Woodard contributes his time and

talents as a member of the Young Professional Network and the Black Employee Network, both at Comcast. His motivation is developing others and helping them to obtain their goals. He is honored and humbled to be a New Pittsburgh Courier “Fab 40” honoree among so many other incredible professionals. Woodard is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration from Morehouse College.

come, social media is anticipated to overtake traditional media in relative importance in political campaigns. Young has been at the forefront of using social media and other strategies in distributed organizing tactics.

Young’s work as a consultant is informed by a deep pool of experience, including his own 2019 candidacy for Pittsburgh

City Council, when he came within a few hundred votes of unseating a three-term incumbent. This personal foray is combined with his prior work on the Obama Campaign (2012), constituent services with Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto’s office (2014), grassroots lobbying efforts to pass cannabis legislation with progressive organizations such as Pittsburgh NORML and the Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Society (2015), Philadelphia Regional Field Director for the Hillary Clinton Campaign and work for For Our Action Fund in Western PA (2016). He also was

Field Director for Dwayne Woodruff for Pennsylvania Supreme Court (2017), and Field Director for Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine, as well as State Director for Mountain State Values, which is an independent expenditure committee targeting West Virginia State House and Senate races (2018).

A native of Pittsburgh, Young studied political science at West Virginia State University.

KIERRAN YOUNG Managing Director Chatman Consulting