Lifestyle Contributor Anji captures the love and passion for lifestyle-related topics like parenting, money, travel, relationships and food!

August Wilson’s national renown and profile have reached new heights in recent years, as celebrities like Denzel Washington have brough the Century Cycle to the big screen. However, his legacy achieved a new milestone last year when “Jitney” made its debut in Vicenza, Italy.

The effort was the first-ever Italian translation and stage performance of Wilson’s 1982 work and spearheaded by award-winning Italian director Renzo Carbonera. On Oct. 30, the filmmaker visited the University Library System (ULS) to discuss what it took to bring the project to life.

The event featured recorded excerpts from the Italian production, which illuminated contemporary social and cultural commentary on challenges like increased immigration and subsequent racism in Italy. Carbonera also participated in a Q&A with Chris Rawson, a retired Pitt English professor, theater critic and early champion of Wilson’s work.

Lina Insana, Pitt’s director of Italian graduate studies and lead organizer of Pittsburgh’s Italian Film Festival USA, has long been familiar with Rawson and his efforts to amplify Wilson’s work. She also first introduced Carbonera to the famed Pittsburgh playwright in 2019 when she invited Carbonera to be the film festival’s closing night director. Upon returning to Italy, Carbonera was committed to honoring Wilson and worked with the Teatro Astra in Vicenza to make “Jitney” his first play production.

The next step was translation. That’s where Insana — and her translation students — came in. The students spent part of the semester reviewing Carbonera’s translation and offering input during Zoom calls with the director.

“My American students know Italian, about August Wilson and the cultural context of Pittsburgh,” said Insana. “They did a great job giving input on many translation choices the translator in Italy made as she tried to evoke August Wilson’s ‘Jitney,’ set in Pittsburgh in the ’70s, for an Italian audience.”

The production was significant for Wilson’s legacy and Pitt, as much as it was for Italian theater, given the cast was composed entirely of Italian actors of African origin. Film and media studies professor Carl Kurlander, students and team members from University Communications and Marketing, traveled to Italy to document the experience and Pitt's involvement.

“As far as anyone in Vicenza could tell, and I know they did a lot of digging to figure this out, it’s the first all-Black cast in contemporary Italian theater,” she said.

And it won’t be the last. The Wilson Project — launched by Pitt, Italian theater company La Piccionaia Centro Produzione, the August Wilson Legacy LLC and the University of Padua’s Department of Linguistic and Literary Studies — was created after the Vicenza production to promote knowledge and understanding of Wilson and his work and present “Jitney” on more Italian stages.

Insana described the progress that has already occurred as incredible and essential.

“Something I teach in my classes at Pitt is the very complicated legacy of Italian colonialism,” she said. “Many Black Italians do not have citizenship. There is racism. … Renzo knew that when he became interested in Wilson. He understood that if he could put excellent Black actors on stage telling a story about everyday lives, that this could be an important pivot point for the Italian arts and the way Black Italians are seen in Italian society.”

By Kara Elyse Henderson

Robin Roberts is co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Under her leadership, the broadcast has won four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program and the 2017 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Daytime TV Hosting Team.

Roberts has been honored with the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame as well as the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and named one of Glamour’s Women of the Year. She was voted the “Most Trusted Person on Television” by a Reader’s Digest poll in 2013.

Roberts founded her own production company, Rock'n Robin Productions, which creates original broadcast and digital programming for ABC and other networks, ranging from informational shows and documentaries, to live special events.

Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2007, and five years later, she was diagnosed with MDS. Roberts underwent a bone marrow transplant; her sister Sally-Ann was a perfect match. Her story triggered an outpouring of support from across the nation. She joined forces with Be the Match to inform the public about the need for more donors, and since her diagnosis, the bone marrow registry has seen a tremendous increase.

Her battle has been recognized with awards and honors from organizations around the country, including The Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program. Roberts was also honored with a George Foster Peabody Award and Gracie Award. Additionally, Roberts was recognized with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY’s in July 2013 for the strength and courage she has displayed throughout her life and career.

Roberts was named co-anchor of “Good Moring America” in May 2005. She began contributing to the morning program in June 1995, and prior to that, she was a contributor to ESPN as a host on “SportsCenter” and contributing to “NFL PrimeTime.” Roberts has worked in broadcasting for more than 30 years.

Roberts graduated cum laude from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. She was a standout performer on the women’s basketball team, ending her career as one of the school’s all-time leading scorers and rebounder. In 2012, Roberts was named an inductee to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Roberts is the author of From the Heart: 7 Rules to Live By and her memoir, “Everybody’s Got Something,” in which she tells the story of her battle against a life-threatening illness, learning life’s hardest lessons, and her inspiring return to the GMA anchor desk.

Roberts is a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and currently resides in New York City. Follow Robin on Twitter: @RobinRoberts.

As Hurricane Milton is set to hit landfall Wednesday night, PUM Lifestyle Contributor, Anji Corley, who lives in the Tampa Bay area tells us more about how she is preparing for one of the most destructive storms on record. PUM caught up with Anji as she rushes through one of the few grocery stores left open in the area to buy some much needed food and items.  She shares her thoughts on this very important historic weather moment and why she is staying put until the storm passes over. Anji is also a radio personality on 101.5 the VIBE in the Tampa Bay area where she is helping to spread the word about preparing for the looming storm. 

HOW IS IT GOING FOR YOU TODAY ANJI?

The weather is beautiful right now, blue skies and it is in the 80’s, there is a light breeze, basically you can say there is a calm before the storm that is about to hit Florida hard. When you look at all the destruction from Helene, there is a constant reminder of the storms menacing approach, look at all the destruction all over our city.  Endless families’ homes boarded up and the streets are covered in piled up belongings. Many businesses are closed, the streets are lined with debris. This is confusing, if you look over there, another neighbor’s house is still standing, and the yards look beautiful it’s confusing and it’s hard not to get emotional. I couldn’t even find a drive through restaurant opened today as I left my on-air job at 101.5 the VIBE. They are still cleaning up from Helene, that process is going to continue for years. On top of that we are just patiently concerned about what Milton will leave in its path of destruction. 

I get excited when I see a location that has not been destroyed, but it is a constant reminder that people are more important than things they own. There is a special comradery amongst neighbors to work together to support each other through these devastating storms. It’s very heartwarming to see neighbors and citizens work together, even while there is a sense of despair and hope in the air at the same time.

ARE YOU ARE GOING TO EVACUATE? 

No, I will not be evacuating. 

Thank goodness, I do not live is an evacuation zone, and with that said, it is your personal choice. I am part of the emergency team at Cox Media group, helping as an on-air personality to keep people updated on the latest information regarding Hurricane Milton. As broadcasters we are  providing critical emergency information, while also providing resources so that our audience is prepared for the path of Milton. 

WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS? 

There is a famous repeated phrase in Florida, emergency managers want us to run from the water and hide from the wind.  Basically, water becomes deadly with the storm surge, they are predicting with Hurricane Milton there can possibly be up to 18 inches of rain. Depending on where it makes landfall, this is no doubt going to be one of the most deadliest storms to hit and for many living in the danger zones they better take heed and evacuate as soon as possible. 

It is still important to make sure you are preparing, secure your important documents, boarding up your homes and for some of us deciding to stay, we are no doubt bunkering down with concern and safety plans. 

THE STORM IS 24 HOURS AWAY AND YOUR FEELINGS?

My faith is strong, thank goodness I am not living in an evacuation zone, but I defiantly have an evacuation plan. I’m going to be fine, I’m prayerfully hopeful that this storm will pass without much lost and destruction. But I will tell you, hearing the wind, is very unsettling at times, there is a loud dark whistling sound in the air. I have my emergency preparations, I have my food and supplies, I put out sandbags and I secured important items. I am thankful I will be surrounded by family, friends and neighbors as we prepare to support each other during the storm and we will gather in strong faith and prayer that this deadly storm will to pass. 

Award-winning Multimedia/TV + Travel Host, Actress, Series Host: “Oh Baby!” weekends on  

@ABC, Host: HSN Guest/Style Podcast, Brand Ambassador + Energizer Bunny!

As a University of Pittsburgh Grad, Anji feels right at home in the Burgh having spent so many years working in the region cultivating relationships and developing her talent as an actress and on air host for radio and television stations in the region. 

Anji Corley. Originally from New York and relocated to the Tampa Bay area as it show host at HSN for the last 20 years. Anji has 25 years in broadcasting and covered red carpet events, award shows, White House and daytime live in syndicated television, radio personality, special events host and a life-long committed members to mentoring.

She’s an award-winning host, radio and TV personality, global brand ambassador and a travel and fashion expert. She was the cohost of national ABC series Vacation Creation, traveling around the world to give deserving people vacations of a lifetime. She also hosted Oh Baby! with Anji Corley on ABC, talking about baby animals in an educational format for families. 

“Every day, I am excited for what’s in store. Even if I have nothing going on, I am always planting seeds and meeting people,” she says. “I love that my range is broad: brand ambassador/actress/artist/creative and party starter. It just depends on what day, what time and what Anji is doing.” 

As a fashion expert, Corley knows how to represent products. She is a full-time show host and brand ambassador on the Home Shopping Network for Naturalizer/SOUL, Rhonda Shear, Beats by Dre, Serena Williams’ line and many others. She lets her personality lead her, connecting with everyone she meets. 

“One thing I learned a long time ago was that I can’t be anyone but me,” Corley says. “Sometimes, my energy might be too much. But at the end of a shoot, before they yell, ‘This is the martini shot,’ which means it’s the last shot of the day, you’d love to have my energy on staff. It’s infectious, and it brings people together.”

Corley’s first job in radio was promotions director of a radio station in Pittsburgh. She says, “I used to adore when TV networks, news shows or a movie premiere would give us merch. I made no money, but I had 50,000 – and still do – T-shirts and pens. Some of my favorite items are a Martin TV show jacket, a Nickelodeon denim jacket and New York Undercover merch. These are now classics, and I’ve still kept them. I have some things that don’t even work anymore that I love. I was a lover of promotional products since college.”

Whether you’re visiting a destination for the first time or moving to a new country to start an exciting new chapter of your life, the friendliness of the people you meet can make such a difference to your experience and leave a lasting impression on your time there.
 

If you’re moving to a new country for a new job or to study, finding like-minded, open, and welcoming people to make friends with is a great way to help you feel more settled within the local community, and less lonely—should you be missing home.
 

With this in mind, we wanted to find out which nations are considered to be the ‘friendliest’ and most welcoming, so we asked over 3,000 participants from around the globe to answer a series of questions from the ‘agreeableness’ section of the Big 5 Personality Test.

• South Africa tops our list of the friendliest nations, scoring an impressive 34.63 out of 40 on the ‘agreeableness’ trait of the Big 5 Personality Test. 
• Greeks were found to be the second-friendliest people in the world, scoring 33.71 on the test.
• The UK ranked as the 18th friendliest nation in our study but is perceived as the second friendliest by residents of other nations.

Discover More about the Study and the Worlds Friendliest Nations

The 11th restaurant in the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group portfolio.

Pittsburgh, PA [September 9, 2024] We are excited to announce the grand opening of Golden Gai, an Izakaya-inspired restaurant in the vibrant Bakery Square, on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024. Golden Gai offers a unique culinary journey that blends the rich traditions of Japanese dining with a modern twist. The carefully curated menu features a variety of small plates, sushi, signature cocktails, and an extensive sake selection.

At the helm is Executive Chef Michael Taylor, a master of Japanese cuisine renowned for his innovative approach to flavor and presentation. With a background honed at the esteemed Gi-Jin, Chef Taylor brings his passion for culinary excellence to every dish, infusing each bite with creativity and precision.

Reservations are now available via Open Table, offering guests the chance to secure their spot ahead of time. The restaurant provides full-service indoor dining, where patrons can enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere and a menu inspired by a traditional Japanese Izakaya.

Hours of operation will be: 

Tuesday-Thursday: 5 PM – 9 PM
Saturday-Sunday: 5 PM – 10 PM

About Golden Gai:

Golden Gai is an Izakaya-inspired restaurant located in Bakery Square, PA. With a focus on traditional Japanese small plates, sushi, signature cocktails, and a diverse selection of sake, Golden Gai is committed to offering an authentic and unforgettable dining experience. For more information, visit goldengaipgh.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook, @goldengaipgh.

About Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group:

Established in 2011, the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group is owned and operated by Chef and Pittsburgh-native, Richard DeShantz. The doors of the group’s flagship restaurant, Meat & Potatoes, opened in 2011. With additional locations in Downtown to follow- täkō, Butcher and the Rye, Gi-Jin, and Sally Ann’s. Expanding outside of the immediate Downtown area, the group opened Coop de Ville in the Strip District, Poulet Belu in Lawrenceville, Fish nor Fowl in Garfield/ East Liberty, and Tako Torta in Bakery Square. 

---------------------

While there will not be a dedicated press day, we warmly invite everyone to make a reservation online via Open Table and experience Golden Gai for themselves. Chef Taylor will be available on a limited basis for comment while he facilitates his transition from Gi-Jin to Golden Gai. 

One of the biggest perks of traveling the world and experiencing new cultures is the ability to try new things, namely new cuisines. Foodies travel far and wide across the globe to find some of the world’s best food internationally. 

From fried tarantulas in Cambodia to cheesy wood fired pizza in Italy to chili-covered grasshoppers in Mexico to spicy curries in Morocco, local foods can be both delicious and unusual.

Traveling to Morocco? Here are 5 Essential Tips to Survive the Souks of Marrakech

Of course, food is always subject to the taster’s preferences, but below is a brief list of some of the world’s best foods.

These are just some of the most exquisite foods from around the world and their countries of origin. 

You should definitely taste all of these at your first opportunity—your taste buds will definitely thank you.‍

Go ahead and DARE yourself to Travel the Globe to Taste Some of the Worlds Best Food, find out what makes these foods the BEST in the world from Nomad Yoga. Read More...