say it loud i'm black and i'm proud

The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh today announced a transformational gift that will allow the organization to magnify the impact of its mission of enabling African Americans to achieve economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.

Philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott has donated $6 million to the local non-profit civil rights and social services organization, the largest single contribution in the Pittsburgh affiliate’s 104- year history.

 The District’s draft state required Future Ready Comprehensive Plan is now available for public comment at www.pghschools.org/compplan. Pennsylvania school districts must submit a plan that includes district goals and action items. Teachers, staff, administrators, students, parents and community members are invited to review the draft plan and provide feedback through December 20, 2022.    

As the Shady Side Academy Bulldogs advanced to the quarterfinals of the WPIAL 3A Championship, player Isaiah Beckham, and PUM contributor, shares an important message of  Perseverance, Determination & Commitment in the face of adversity.  "Don't let anyone define your ability, you have to be dedicated, persevere in the face of adversity and know your own worth, what you bring to the table as an athlete is more than what anyone else believes."

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus issued the following statement today calling on Penn State University President Neeli Bendapudi and university officials to recommit to and invest in the university’s racial justice efforts. “Many of us were encouraged by the university’s decision in 2020 to establish the Center for Racial Justice only to learn with great disappointment that those plans were recently sidelined due to budgetary concerns..." 

 The Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced that the winter shelter for persons experiencing homelessness will open today, November 15, 2022, at 7 PM. The seasonal, low-barrier shelter will open temporarily to provide cold weather shelter while Second Avenue Commons goes through final inspections for its occupancy permits. 

The mission of Gwen's Girls  is to empower girls and young women to have productive lives through holistic, gender-specific programs, education, and experiences.  Why Girls? It is reported that 42% girls in the United States now live in low-income families, and 1 in 5 below the poverty line (State of Girls 2013). Growing up in a low-income home increases a girl’s likelihood to encounter physical, emotional and behavioral hurdles. 

 The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is proud to present the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Hip Hop Summit — a full-day event celebrating the four elements of Hip Hop culture (Emcee, DJ, Graffiti, and Breaking). Join us for free community workshops, a graffiti gallery showcasing some of the city’s top graffiti writers, a classic Hip Hop film screening, an all-styles dance battle with prizes, and an electrifying emcee and DJ showcase. 

December 5 Concert Celebrates Black and Brown composers.    Chamber Music Pittsburgh (CMP) is honored to host the revolutionary quintet Imani Winds for a chamber music performance celebrating their one-year artist residency with the organization. This concert is part of CMP’s MainStage Live series, which explores the vibrancy and diversity of the chamber music genre. It takes place on Monday, December 5, at Pittsburgh Playhouse’s PNC Theatre in Downtown Pittsburgh.  

Lace up your skates and get ready to enjoy a fun-filled season of ice skating at the Schenley Park Skating Rink.  The City of Pittsburgh’s outdoor rink opens for the season TODAY, Monday, November 28, 2022! 

The rink operates seven days a week and offers a variety of public skating sessions and several special skating events.

Progressive Democrat Summer Lee won election to the House on Tuesday, becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania.

For Lee, it’s the second time she’s made history. Four years ago, Lee became the first African American woman from the region elected to the state House in Harrisburg.  Lee’s success marks a major win for progressives. 

La’Tasha D. Mayes won her seat for HD24. Mayes – a nationally recognized, award-winning leader in the fields of reproductive justice; human rights; and leadership development for Black women, girls, femmes and gender-expansive  folx – defeated incumbent Martell Covington in the May 2022 primary to become the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania House District 24. Mayes ran unopposed in this week’s general election. 

"I might be the first Black Lieutenant Governor-elect in our Commonwealth’s history, but it’s my responsibility to ensure I’m not the last. Together, we made history." 

Davis, who was endorsed by gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro in the primary, received 63% support among the three-candidate primary race.  

Two School of Drama alumni were recognized with nominations in the Musical Theater Category. Best Musical Theater Album nominees include "Into the Woods," featuring Patina Miller, who graduated in 2006 with a bachelor of arts degree, and "A Strange Loop," featuring Antwayn Hopper, who graduated in 2007, also with a bachelor of arts degree.

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Board Chair Richard Harshman announced Kendra Whitlock Ingram has been named the Cultural Trust’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing retiring President and CEO J. Kevin McMahon.

 Ingram will be the second female President & CEO and first person of color to be at the Cultural Trust’s helm in its 38-year history.

Mayor Ed Gainey announced his appointment of Sharon Watkins as financial empowerment manager. In this role, Watkins will launch and lead the City’s Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE). Watkins joins a cohort with four peers from cities across the country who are also launching Offices of Financial Empowerment in their respective cities.

 A new report from  the University of Pittsburgh’s Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP) is shedding light on educational barriers plaguing Black students and families in Pittsburgh and nationwide.

On Oct. 19, representatives from CRSP presented findings from “Strength for the Journeys: Lessons from African American Families on Academic Programming and Educational Involvement in Greater Pittsburgh,” a report the center has been working on since 2018. 

 Two Pitt professors have received additional funding to expand the Just Discipline Project, which aims to address disparities in suspension rates for Black and brown students in the region. 

Through evaluating and enhancing elementary school environments with tailored programming and training for students, teachers and administrators, the hands-on program seeks to eliminate traditional disciplinary practices that have created inequity in schools and caused a surge in the school-to-prison pipeline.

 The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)  announces that its URA Ventures Pilot has closed on its first cohort of Main Street investments: Hazelwood Cafe LLC, Blanket & Board LLC, and Live Fresh Cold Pressed Juice + Smoothie Bar. 

"The Ventures Pilot is the type of program we need to address the inequities in the business community when it comes to access to capital for MWBE companies," said Mayor Ed Gainey.