You can't miss the bright yellow sign towering over Centre Avenue in the Hill District. The sign reads "New Granada," and in a matter of weeks, the building that was once
famous for its Black-led movies, live musical performances, community events, and overall, a pillar in Pittsburgh's African American community and history, will reopen.
One by one, the calls to the New Pittsburgh Courier were coming in. Afri-
by Rob Taylor Jr.
Courier Staff Writer
Right now, more than 60 high school students in six Pittsburgh Public Schools are helping to stop potential violence in the schools before it starts, and they're getting paid for it.
The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned exclusively about a program via the initiative “Safe Passage” that is lessening potential conflicts while giving students an opportunity to learn more about themselves. "It has brought a lot of students out of their shell," said Darlene King, one of the "Safe Passage Coordinators."
Safe Passage is operated via Operation Better
Block in Homewood. Taili Thompson is director of the OBB violence prevention program. Dr. Danielle King, Darlene King's sister, is Director of the Safe Passage program. "It's giving a lot of students purpose to want to do something to want to help and be involved," Darlene King said. Darlene King is one of two "Safe Passage Coordinators," who are adults, inside Westinghouse High School. "A lot of students that are introverted, that have not been finding their own identity... They've been finding their own purpose." The program began in the 2021-22 school year,
can Americans wanted to know what was going on over there at 2007 Centre Avenue, at the corner of Centre and Devilliers. In recent months, residents were seeing the bright yellow New Granada sign go up, and construction workers feverishly work-
ing on the site.
The historic New Granada Theater, which has been closed for decades and in some ways became an eyesore in the Hill, is just a few weeks from its Phase 1 ribbon-cutting, the Courier has learned. The exact date of the rib-
bon-cutting has yet to be determined, but Marimba Milliones, President and CEO of the Hill Community Development Corporation, which owns the site, told residents during a Hill District community meeting, March 19, that the opening is coming.
The
Community Engagement Center on the third floor of the New Granada Theater building. Inside the CEC will
building's first tenant will be the University of Pittsburgh, placing its Hill District
D.C.
Black Press celebrates ties to Black Church in annual Sunday service
by Alexis Taylor
AFRO Managing Editor
Emerging on March 16, 1827, with the debut of “Freedom’s Journal,” the Black Press was started by the intellect, hard work and courage of John Russworm and Rev. Samuel Cornish. Though Russworm was born in Jamaica in 1799 and Cornish was a free man born to free parents in Delaware in 1795, the two began their endeavor with one top goal in mind.
“We wish to plead our own cause,” they proclaimed together, in the first edition of the publication. “Too long have others spoken for us. Too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations, in things which concern us dearly…”
The Black Press has sustained itself, keeping the mission alive even when faced with a variety of weapons formed against it. Early Black media professionals faced intimidation, sabotage and even death for the words and images they printed. The AFRO, for example, was founded Aug. 13, 1892, just months after The Free Speech and Headlight, a publication co-owned by teacher and activist Ida B. Wells, was burned to the ground on May 27, 1892.
In the 1940s, dozens of Black papers, including The Baltimore AFRO, were surveilled by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who desperately wanted to charge members of the Black Press with sedition or anything he could for informing and organizing Black people to make change.
Now, 199 years later, journalists, editors, publishers, photographers and media professionals at large fight daily on behalf of Black communities for justice and equality, record Black history, entertain the masses and moderate policy and social discussions focused on change. Today’s Black newspapers are working to keep up with consumer trends and integrate technology as it evolves. Though many things have changed for the Black Press, some— like government sanctioned divestment—have remained the same.
“The issues of today really have not changed. They’ve
changed in how we reported, but we are still dealing with inequities. We’re still dealing with racism. We’re still dealing with a higher proportion of certain diseases impacting our community,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO News publisher and CEO. “We’re still dealing not only with the miseducation of the Negro but the undereducation, as people seek to pull out books and other things from schools.”
“Those things are important, and it’s important to advocate,” said Draper. “The economic issues are still there. The inequities are everywhere.”
In 2026, Draper said members of the Black Press are tasked with covering local, national and international news with a Black angle that matters to the Black community.
“Black consumers have some unique interests and unique challenges that you don’t expect the mainstream press to cover— they can’t—that’s why it’s important to have Black owned press,” said Draper. Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes said those who take up the fight of the Black Press today can draw strength from those who overcame the challenges faced in the past.
“They’ve basically laid a road map for us. We just have to stay strong, committed and dedicated to make sure that we are passing the baton along to others who understand and appreciate the value that we give to our community,” said Barnes. “As long as we don’t forget the mission and we keep reflecting on our ancestors and the work that they did, I think going forward is not as heavy a burden as we feel that it might be today.”
The two publishers came together almost 199 years to the day of the Black Press’ founding for Black Press Sunday, which preceded the Black Press Week celebration held from March 16 to March 20. The service was held in Washington, D.C., on March 15 at Metropolitan AME Church. Each year, the occasion represents the strong tie between the Black Church and the publications that worked hand-in-hand with faith institutions to inform and uplift the Black community.
“There is a symbiotic relationship between the Black Press and the Black Church because everything the Black Church has done—for good or for ill—the Black Press has reported,” said Rev. William H. Lamar IV, Metropolitan AME pastor. “They have shared where we have been at our best fighting for justice, equity, inclusion, beau-
This Week In Black History A Courier Staple
• MARCH 25
1931—Ida B. Wells Barnett dies. Barnett was one of the leading Black female activists in America for over 30 years. Born in Holly Springs, Miss., she became a crusading journalist against racism and injustice with her Memphis, Tennessee-based newspaper—“The Free Speech and Headlight.” When a prominent Memphis Black man (and friend or hers) was lynched in 1892, she launched a national campaign against lynching. In 1909, she became a member of the Committee of 40 which laid the foundation for the organization which would become the NAACP. But she later sided with scholar W.E.B. DuBois when he accused the NAACP of not being militant enough. Barnett would also later join with White suffragettes in demanding that women be given the right to vote.
Music Awards. She married actor/comedian Nick Cannon in 2008. She lists Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder as her favorite singers.
• MARCH 28
ty and they have shared what we’ve been at our worst.
And all of it has to be recorded.”
“The Black Press also helped to move us ahead politically when the radical Black folks were saying ‘Y’all need to do what’s right, or we’re going to burn this down,’ and the more moderate people were saying, ‘We will play within the confines of the system.’
The Black Press held us together ideologically, politically and socially. There is no healthy Black Church without a healthy Black Press, because both are called to the vocation of truth telling.”
This year, the sermon focused on how biblical prophet Elijah prepared his successor, Elisha, to step into his shoes. Lamar encouraged Black media professionals to train up the next generation so well that they can proudly step up and carry on the Black Press no matter what comes their way.
Philip Lewis, president of the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ), said he was heartened by the message.
“I know we’re on the right path by making sure that students are doing what they need to do to become the next journalists. I’m excited about it,” said Lewis.
“WABJ is in a unique position, especially in the nation’s capital, to advocate and support our journalists and continue to grow.”
“The Black Press is just as important today as it was 199 years ago,” he continued. “And even in the most extremely fractured time … I think it’s important that we have our own spaces that can focus on stories that we care about. It’s important for us to be able to plead our own cause.”
As the Black Press Sunday festivities came to a close, Draper reflected on what her own ancestors would say if they could see the Black Press at 199 years.
“I think our ancestors, first of all, would say, ‘Wow, 199 years. That’s a long time.’ We celebrate the 1827 founding of Freedom’s Journal, and while it didn’t last but a few years or so, the impact was immeasurable,” she said. “I think the ancestors would say, ‘Look what has survived with a few resources.’
“If they could do it with a few resources, I think they would tell us, ‘Don’t complain about what you don’t have—use what you do. You might not be able to tell every story, but whatever story you tell, tell it well, make sure that it has an impact and that you’re doing something to really uplift and inform the community.’”
1931—The “Scottsboro Boys” are arrested and accused of raping two young White women—a crime which evidence suggests (then and now) never occurred. However, the saga of the nine Scottsboro Boys (young Black men aged 12 to 20) would stretch out over a period of nearly 20 years in a series of trials, convictions, reversals and retrials. The racism of the period was so thick that even when one of the young White women recanted and admitted that no rape had occurred, an all-White Alabama jury still found members of the group guilty and sentenced them to death. The convictions were overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court and more retrials and new convictions followed. Eventually, either by paroles or escapes, all the Scottsboro Boys would leave Alabama prisons. The last one died in 1989.
1942—Aretha Franklin , the “Queen of Soul” music, is born in Detroit, Mich.
1831— The founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Church, Richard Allen , dies at age 71 in Philadelphia, Pa. As its first bishop, Allen set the AME Church on the path to becoming the first Black religious denomination in America to be fully independent of White control. He, in effect, chartered a separate religious identity for African Americans. He also founded schools throughout the nation to teach Blacks. This includes Allen University in Columbia, S.C. 1944— Singer/Actress Diana Ross is born in Detroit, Mich. She headed the most popular female signing group of the 1960s—The Supremes. 1950— Singer Teddy Pendergrass is born in Philadelphia, Pa. For a period, Pendergrass was the leading sex symbol in R&B music. However, an automobile accident on March 18, 1982 left him paralyzed from the chest down. Pendergrass died Jan. 13, 2010.
• MARCH 27
1924— The sensational Jazz singer Sarah Vaughn was born on this day in Newark, N.J. 1970—Mariah Carey was born on this day in Long Island, N.Y. Her parents are of Irish/African-American/Venezuelan background. Carey came to prominence after releasing her self-titled debut studio album “Mariah Carey” in 1990; it went multiplatinum and spawned four consecutive number one singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Under the guidance of Columbia Records executive and later husband Tommy Mottola, she continued booking success with followup albums “Emotions” (1991), “Music Box” (1993), and “Merry Christmas” (1994), Carey was established as Columbia’s highest-selling act. In 1998, she was honored as the world’s best-selling recording artist of the 1990s at the World
1900— The British demand the Ashanti Golden Stool . Ironically, the Ashanti had been one of the tribes which had actually benefited from slavery by capturing and selling their fellow Africans. But when the slave trade ended, the British turned on the Ashanti in a bid to colonize the Gold Coast (now Ghana). In an apparent attempt to demoralize and humiliate the Ashanti, the British demanded that they turnover one of their greatest symbols—the Golden Stool. The demand led to war. The Ashanti were led by Queen Yaa Asantewa . Her fighters kept the British at bay for several months. But with superior fire power, the British eventually prevailed.
1972— The two surviving Soledad Brothers are found not guilty by an all White jury in the alleged killing of a White guard at the California prison. The other Soledad Brother, revolutionary writer George Jackson, had been killed during an August 1971 Marin County Courthouse escape attempt, which also led to charges against college professor and communist Angela Davis. Davis was also eventually acquitted. 1984—Dr. Benjamin Mays dies. The president of Atlanta’s Morehouse College had been one of the leading Black educational figures in America during the 20th century.
• MARCH 29
1981—Dr. Eric Williams , prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, dies in Port of Spain at the age of 79. Williams was a historian and his classic work was “Capitalism and Slavery.”
• MARCH 30
1870—The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratifie d giving Blacks the right to vote. Actually, it gave Black males the right to vote. It would take the Suffrage Movement and another 50 years before women (Black and White) had full voting rights. But even in the case of Black males, the “right” to vote only lasted briefly. With the end of Reconstruction, “Jim Crow” laws were passed throughout the South, which in effect took away the right of Blacks to vote despite the Constitutional guarantee. African Americans did not achieve full voting rights in this country until the mid-1960s.
• MARCH 31
1741—Black rebellion hysteria grips New York. A series of mysterious fires and reports of slaves plotting rebellion sweep New York. The hysteria lasts through April. Thirty-one alleged slave plotters and five White sympathizers were hanged.
1931—Cab Calloway recorded “Minnie the Moocher”—the first jazz album to sell more than one million copies.
1948— Labor leader A. Phillip Randolph issues a threat before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He declares that unless more is done to end segregation and discrimination in the military, he would launch a campaign encouraging Black youth to employ civil disobedience to resist the draft. His threat helps to bring an end to a host of discriminatory practices in the U.S. armed forces.
1980— Olympic legend Jesse Owens dies at 66 in Tucson, Ariz. Owens won four track and field gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany, embarrassing German leader Adolph Hitler and undermining his ideology of White Aryan superiority.
SPOTLIGHT
A final tribute to some history-making women
by Renee P. Aldrich
Dr. Lonise Bias was the mother to a basketball star who had his whole life before him when he died on June 19, 1986, at age 22. Her son, Len Bias, died from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose. Tragically, this occurred just two days after being drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA Draft, cutting short a promising career and shocking the nation. His mother understandably could have allowed
of them like Dr. Lonise Bias who may not have been in her season years when her journey started with the loss of her talented son, but she pressed through that journey and entering her senior years did NOT stop her.—That's one of the messages of this column.
her grief to swallow her up. But instead she hit the ground running and turned her grief into action. Regrettably, three years later she would lose her younger son to a gunshot in Hyattsville, Maryland. Again this second infusion of grief did not knock her out, it buoyed her up for her journey which continued for her remaining years. Turning her pain into power, she went about helping in the community where she lived—creating programs that supported families and specifically youth. She went from school to school talking to young boys about her son Len and how he didn’t have to die—and that there was no victory in drugs. She did this work until her death at the age of 77 on March 3, 2026. Lonise came through the fires in her life a stronger woman determined to save as many young people as possible.
As we close out two months designed to address both Black History in February and Women’s History in March, I feel it is important we recognize that women’s history over the years has been made by a mix of ages, including senior women, or those slightly outside the realm of “senior.” This column is used to not only spotlight seniors, but to advocate for them and to celebrate their capacity to shine; sometimes through adversarial situations. It also allows for the opportunity to meet some
Additionally, many history-making women were not only seniors, but some were unsung heroes, meaning there were/are no accolades, or acknowledgements; they don’t get articles written about them, they simply go about doing the work, accomplishing, making a difference for society in some way or the other. Some did so at a time before social media, and/or cell phones... they had to use those intangibles like grit, determination, and their passion. Just a couple of those we should salute today.
Dorothy Height was president of the National Council of Negro Women, for 40 years. Born in 1912, and died at the age of 98, she was also a key strategist during the Civil Rights Movement, with a focus on ending lynchings and fighting for women's equality well her 90s.
“I am just sick and tired of being sick and tired,” was the iconic phrase first quoted by Fannie Lou Hammer who was born in Montgomery County, Miss., in 1917. Her passion for the plight of her people, drove her to fight and to keep fighting even in the face of the most heinous racism. Already 44 years old when she first realized that Black people could and should register to vote, she understood it would take a fight— she never let age, nor illness, nor the relentless, never-ending pervasive flames of racism stop her. In the 15 years she gave to the cause of her people (she died at the age of 59), Fannie Lou Hammer brought change to this nation.
We are fortunate here in Pittsburgh to have some local agents for change whose work will outlast them. Tammy T. Thompson, President and CEO of Catapult Pittsburgh, is changing the game around the way social service agencies and policymakers view poverty and the folks they are supposed to be serving. Additionally she has facilitated how those in their programs see themselves. Catapult gives them hope and strength, and tools to
start businesses to purchase homes, to save money and to see themselves beyond their current situation. Thompson founded the concept, “The Psychology of Poverty,” which espouses the premise that poverty is more than the lack of money, but includes the need to heal the resulting trauma associated with years of food and housing insecurity.
She’s making history daily and it will be present long after she is gone.
Terri Shields, the founder and CEO of Jada House International, is changing the game around community service as it relates to serving women, teens, seniors and grandmothers raising their grandchildren. Sharing resource information, partnering
with organizations who bring vital information to community members of Hazelwood; Jada House programming consists of
The
parents raising grandchildren) and Seniors Going Strong.
Erica Upshaw-Givner, Founder of Vision Towards Peace Therapeutic counseling center—and co-founder of A Peace of Mind day care center, purchased several buildings on Wood Street in Wilkinsburg, gutted them, designed the spaces and re-purposed them to accommodate, serve and treat mental illness in Wilkinsburg and beyond.
Upshaw-Givner, not quite a senior, but is laying the groundwork to continue efforts when she hits her seasoned years. She saw barriers to her people seeking mental health treatment—and the goal of her work has been to break down those barri-
ers. The local history-makers all share the same elements necessary to create solutions to ongoing problems. As agents of change, they were/are not youngsters, but women of determined spirits. Not giving up their fight... are/ were shining examples of the things depicted in this column over this time period—followed their calling, willing to stick and stay, kept their eyes on the prize. They kept their clear vision in view. Every accomplishment is not some grand sweeping gesture, it can be a small contribution that results in significant outcomes. We can all be agents for change—we are already "History-makers."
Jada Gems (teens),
Kinship Program (grand-
TAMMY T. THOMPSON
ERICA UPSHAW-GIVNER
TERRI SHIELDS
The Founders' Day Weekend of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter
The Founders' Day Weekend of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter, was held, Feb. 20-22, 2026, the New Pittsburgh Courier has learned.
On Friday, Feb. 20, members of the Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter held a service project supporting the Pittsburgh Public Schools Teen Parenting Program on the South Side. The Teen ELECT program provides pregnant and parenting teens with the support needed to overcome barriers to attendance while obtaining a high school diploma or GED. During this initiative, gift cards and meals were provided to show support, ease immediate needs, and encourage students along their path to success.
On Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Rivers Club, Downtown, AAO members welcomed Pa. House Speaker Joanna McClinton to Pittsburgh for their Founders' Day Luncheon. Representative McClinton was the keynote speaker. And on Sunday, Feb. 22, AAO members joined the congregation of Petra International Ministries on the East Hills/Penn Hills border for church service. This year's theme for Founders' Day Weekend was, "Greater Together: Cultivating Our Legacy of Impactful Service."
- Rob Taylor Jr.
New Granada Theater to open soon
be a jazz studio, digital inclusion space, Center for African American Poetry and Poetics, robotics center and additional community space.
"Again, weeks, not months," Milliones told community members about the New Granada's reopening. When the ribbon is cut, that will signal the completion of "Phase 1" of the restoration of the New Granada Theater building. Phase 1 includes completion and stabilization of the building's exterior, cleanout of the first and second floor, completion of the third floor, assurances that all building safety measures are com-
pleted, and the completion of the New Granada signage.
Milliones said there is a "Phase 2," but additional fundraising is going to be needed. Phase 2 includes the second floor Savoy Ballroom event space that could hold up to 900 people, and a Black Box Theater on the first floor, where community productions or events can be held. The first floor could also have a cafe/lounge area.
Milliones told residents on March 19 that the New Granada Theater building won't have a "movie theater" as it did 70 years ago. "That would not be an economically viable solution," Milliones said. "We
would only be able to accommodate one screen."
The New Granada Theater building's original purpose was to be a social center for the Colored Knights of Pythias. It opened in 1927, as the "AD 1927" sign still reads on the Wylie Avenue side of the building, as the Pythian Temple. There, the Knights of Pythias hosted live music and community events, and in 1937, the movie theater was created (New Granada Theater). Louis Bellinger was one of only about 60 Black architects in the country in the 1930s, and he set the vision for the Pythian Temple and eventually, the New Granada Theater. Milliones wasn't alive
when the New Granada Theater was open. But she and her team at the Hill CDC have put their heart and soul into its restoration.
"This is a huge project for a small organization," Milliones said, acknowledging the work that Bret Miller, the nonprofit's senior director of operations and finance, has put into the project.
"We are preserving a very important part of architectural history," Milliones added about the original Pythian Temple and as it transformed into the New Granada Theater. "It documents a critical part of African American social life."
PA. HOUSE SPEAKER JOANNA MCCLINTON, FOURTH FROM RIGHT, WITH MEMBERS OF THE ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INC., ALPHA ALPHA OMEGA CHAPTER. ALSO PICTURED IS STATE REP. AERION ABNEY, FAR LEFT.
MEMBERS OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INC., ON THE SOUTH SIDE WITH THE PPS TEEN ELECT PROGRAM.
WTAE-TV’S CHANDI CHAPMAN, PA. HOUSE SPEAKER JOANNA MCCLINTON
Urban League 30th Annual
Ronald H. Brown Leadership Gala
THE NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER WAS THERE AS THE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER PITTSBURGH HELD ITS 30TH ANNUAL RONALD H. BROWN LEADERSHIP GALA, MARCH 20, 2026, AT THE
WESTIN HOTEL, DOWNTOWN. THE HONOREES INCLUDED KHALIL DARDEN, THE HON. CYNTHIA BALDWIN, SALA UDIN AND EVAN FRAZIER. (PHOTOS BY J.L. MARTELLO)
BRYAN IAMS, SALA UDIN, JENNIFER THOMPKINS.
THE HON. CYNTHIA BALDWIN
NEW URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER PITTSBURGH PRESIDENT AND CEO JENNIFER THOMPKINS.
Homewood Healthy Active Living Center celebrates Black History Month
LOUIE BATES AS B.B. KING, AND DEBORAH L. BROWN AS MAHALIA JACKSON, AT THE HOMEWOOD HEALTHY ACTIVE LIVING CENTER, FEB. 25, 2026. IT WAS THEIR BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT.
(PHOTOS BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
LENA DOUBT, KIM TURNER
DONALDA BOOKER AS BILLIE HOLIDAY..
‘Safe Passage’ program helps stop possible conflicts at PPS schools
thanks to a financial contribution from the Buhl Foundation. Fourteen students at Perry Traditional Academy were tasked with talking to the Safe Passage adult representatives at the school about possible conflicts.
Beginning in the 202223 school year, the program was expanded to include Allderdice, Brashear, Obama, University Prep and Westinghouse high schools.
Dr. Danielle King said a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) grant helped propel the program forward, along with the Eden Foundation and continuous support from the Buhl Foundation.
In the past months, "violence interrupters" have been getting more and more recognition across the Pittsburgh area due to the drastic
dip in homicides that the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County experienced in 2025. The City of Pittsburgh had 35 homicides in 2025, the lowest number since 1989. Allegheny County had 73 homicides, by far the lowest number in at least 15 years.
Whether it’s grants from the Allegheny
ping violence before it starts. It's happening on the South Side, the North Side, the West and the East. It's happening in the Mon Valley, too, although the Courier has learned that some of the homicide numbers in some Mon Valley communities isn't as low as the county would like to see
about potential problems. That's when the Safe Passage staff members ("Safe Passage Coordinators") get other school officials involved and at OBB to try and diffuse situations.
Each month, Safe Passage Coordinators and the director have meetings with the paid high school students. If the
Safe Passage has a safety model with four components: detect and interrupt violence, identify and treat it, change community norms and provide identities to the students. The MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Public Schools and Operation
Dr. Danielle King said Safe Passage has a safety model with four components: detect and interrupt violence, identify and treat it, change community norms and provide identities to the students.
County Department of Human Services or the actual state of Pennsylvania, funding is coming to the area to nonprofit organizations, who then hire "violence interrupters" to be on the streets or inside schools, stop -
them.
The Safe Passage program pays the high school students $150 per month not to physically stop altercations, but to report to the adult Safe Passage members assigned to that school
Brother Marlon’s
Top 5 Songs of Inspiration
Pull out your phone or computer, and listen to these five songs of inspiration, hand-picked by Brother Marlon Martin, a Courier freelance photographer, DJ for Courier events, and on-air host of “I Praise,” Sunday mornings from 7 to 11 a.m. on WAMO 107.3 FM.
1. “God’s Got a Blessing” by Bishop Norman Hutchins
2. “For The Rest of My Life” by The Victorious Army featuring Vincent Bohanon
3. “We Can’t Lose” by Wan Wes
4. “He’s in Control” by Martha Munizzi
5. “Nobody But Jesus” by Tasha Page Lockhart
COURIER CHURCH DIRECTORY
BAPTIST TEMPLE CHURCH
Sunday Worship: 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Pastor—Rev. Dr. Rodney Adam Lyde 7241 Race Street Pittsburgh, Pa., 15208
parents of the paid high school students join the meeting and show their involvement, the paid high school students receive an additional $50, meaning that the students can make up to $200 per month each in the program during the school year.
Dr. Danielle King said
Better Block is working perfectly to make this program a success, Dr. King told the Courier.
Dr. King said she has placed two adult Safe Passage Coordinators in each of the six aforementioned high schools. She speaks with them regularly to make sure the paid high school
PALM SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2026
students are operating efficiently and that conflicts are being diffused. The paid high school students are officially referred to as "Youth Safety Ambassadors."
For Dr. Danielle King, the reason the program works is that a truly holistic approach is occurring. "No one can do anything by themselves," she said. "We are holding everyone accountable; schools, parents, families and communities, and we expect to be held accountable, too."
Darlene King, who interacts with her "Youth Safety Ambassadors" each day at Westinghouse, said it's helped the high schoolers "think deeper into the future and not just in the now. They're thinking about how things are going to turn out years from now, how things are going to be for their families years from now. Things that will better our future."
Reverend A. Marie Walker’s Weekly Inspiration
“Saying, Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the Lord: peace in Heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him Master, rebuke thy Disciples. And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the STONES WOULD IMMEDIATELY CRY OUT.” St. Luke 19:38-40
REV. WALKER SAYS: Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE THE LORD!! DON’T STOP PRAISING THE LORD!!!
:10— So that you know, and truth be told, I don’t have a bracket and never, never, never—ever filled one out. With the exception of the occasional upset game, things out the gate pretty much go according to plan. I tune in for real —for real—when they get to the Sweet Sixteen and man, that time is now!
:09— Here is the setup for the 2026 Sweet 16. In the East, #1 Duke vs. #5 St. John’s, #2 UConn vs. #3 Michigan—in the West, #1 Arizona vs. #4 Arkansas, #2 Purdue vs. #11 Texas—in the South, #2 Houston vs. #3 Illinois, #4 Nebraska vs. #9 Iowa—in the Midwest, #1 Michigan vs. #4 Alabama, #2 Iowa State vs. #6 Tennessee.
:08— So, here’s “Coach Neal’s” prognostication (that’s another name for prediction for you City League grads)...c’mon man, it’s just a little basketball humor... don’t hate Penn Hills, just get here when you can! And yes, I did coach for you non-believers, New Castle Youth Center, Slippery Rock H.S., Homewood YMCA, Pitt, Point Park College, and if you don’t know, I am the fourth all-time winningest coach in Connie Hawkins League history...what, that counts for something...now put that in your hot dog bun with some “Grey Poupon” and eat it! (Again, for you city folks, that’s mustard...don’t worry, I won’t give up on ya’ll!!!)
:07— Neal, for goodness sake, will you please get back to the games? Sorry, my bad. Here’s your winners moving to the “Elite Eight,” and
this you can take to the bank. In the East Duke and UConn will collide —in the West Arizona and Purdue will do battle—in the South Houston and Nebraska will “hook up”...(get it...hook up, like hook’um horns, like cattle in Texas... oh, never mind) (yeah, I know hook’um is a Texas thing, just trying to have a little fun here)—and in the Midwest Michigan and Iowa State will get busy!
:06— Wait, wait, don’t go anywhere, here’s your Final Four to be sure. And based on my insider information, you should be ready to bet the farm. Out the East it’s Duke, out the West it - will - be - Arizona, the South will surrender Houston...I think, but it sure could be Nebraska (but how bout what I did there, “the South will surrender,” c’mon that’s good stuff) and the Midwest, it’s gonna be Iowa State???
:05— Here it is, it’s why you’re still reading this silliness. Duke roars back after the heartbreak championship loss last year to avenge the Blue Bloods and their boy Cooper Flagg and regain their rightful place as college basketball royalty.
:04— Moving on, and for what I hope will be the last time, you have
to stop looking at last year’s Aaron Rodgers and envision him with a totally healthy O-line, a quality No. 2 receiver in the offseason pickup Michael Pittman, the dismissal of Jonnu Smith...yeah I said it, a new head coach (no harm, no foul) and with that a new offensive coordinator...thank God! And new defensive coordinator with several new pieces to plug in with Cam Heyward and T. J. Watt.
:03— I meant what I said about Olympic legend Lindsey Vonn... Lindsey, I am only a phone call away. If you need me to rehab, just call! (once again, Tiger Woods, what were you thinking?)
:02— I know I am in the minority on this, but I’ll say it anyway. I think we all were hopeful that the Pirates would bring Konnor Griffin north when they broke camp. Yes, I know they’re wanting to save him, but I’d rather use every hit, throw, catch and run where it matters and not waste them in AAA. Go old school and let him learn on the job and not waste that talent where it means so much less. I am just sayin’!
:01— OK, if you need me to say it out loud, I will, but know this, it will hurt, but here you go. Winningest Connie Hawkins League coaches: #1. Rich Allen—The Force (didn’t hurt that he had Norm Nixon, I am just saying); #2. Eddie Jefferies—Rankin Gangsters (didn’t hurt that he had 10 legit NCAA Div-1 players, I am just saying!); #3. La -
vaughn “Meatball” Johnson—Cosmic Echoes (nothing I can cry about here. Them boys were the truth!); #4—Bill Neal—the Don’s (now some will challenge this account, but hey, it’s my story and I hold the pen. The last guy with the pen wins!). (For the record, did I mention that game in East Hills they stole off me? I am just saying...rest in peace
Leroy Lewis—smile) :00— As far as the Penguins go, things are what you think they are...And Coach Jeff Capel remains the Pitt’s men’s basketball coach as well he should, correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve never heard of a slow horse winning the Kentucky Derby. If Coach Capel doesn’t have the horses, he won’t win the race !!! GAME OVER.
Trump signs order to have Army-Navy game played with no competing games on TV
Stephen A. Smith says Trump needs to stay out of stuff like this
Hear ye, hear ye, emperor “Trumpulus Bullcrapus” has issued another life-draining and morality-straining decree. On this occasion, the emperor has put on a new robe as he embarks on what is strictly a public relations mission to create the superficial imagery that he has empathy for and cares about the welfare of the players and the public. He has been misled by his handlers because they have convinced him that putting emphasis on the Army-Navy game will justify sending our young men and women into harm's way to satisfy his ego. It appears at least to me that Emperor “Bullcrapus” has returned to his Mister Rogers playroom to kill time between wars: thinking that he can hone his ”General Rickshaw” skills by playing with the “trains and boats and planes,” in his oversized dollhouse, otherwise known as America. By profiling the Army-Navy game skirmish, he simply wants to create a temporary platform to showcase his military prowess or lack of. His current goal is to place the "crown of omnipotence"
on his troubled and orange-stained brow in order to fake allegiance to those that he may sacrifice in his quest for power. The time has come that we cannot comfortably watch a game, any game or sport from the comfort of our homes, without fearing that the event will be interrupted by “an invasion of the Sharpie.” Magic markers never had it so good. Brandon Conte posted a story on msn.com:
want anything competing with Army-Navy, that he wants the focus of the sports world on Army-Navy. Well, what if they don’t want that?! WHAT IF THEY DON’T WANT TO WATCH ARMY-NAVY?!”
the few sanctuaries to which we can retreat to find refuge from the madness.
He had another ploy in the can. He also attempted to force the NFL to invalidate the rights of NFL players and to fire any players that dared to protest the unequal treatment of players of color, by choosing to kneel on one knee during the singing or playing of our national anthem.
"Stephen A. Smith blows a gasket over Donald Trump’s Army-Navy executive order." Conte writes that Smith said: “Every single time I try to be fair and fair-minded to this president, he pulls some BS like this. Who the hell does he think he is?! If the Army-Navy game is on NBC, Fox and CBS should be excluded from having its own content on its networks? Because the president issued some executive order that he doesn’t
The “Emperor” and his loyal “bone spurs brigade” are now on a mission to invade every nook and cranny of our daily lives. “Big Brother” or should I say, “Little Brother” is truly watching.
The “Emperor” insists on spending billions of dollars to ensure that people who live thousands of miles away from the sacred shores of America in a country that the “Emperor” despises. Nonetheless, he insists on shedding the blood, sweat and tears of Americans to guarantee the rights of those citizens to protest. On the other hand, he will send soldiers and police to brutalize and murder his own citizens if they attempt to exercise their right to protest. He is facilitating a war to assist those whom he hates, to establish a democracy, while simultaneously attempting to create a dictatorship here at home. Don’t forget that sports is one of
The “mouth from orange” had the audacity to say the following in 2018 during the player’s protest: “You have to stand proudly for the national anthem, or you shouldn't be playing, you shouldn't be there, maybe you shouldn't be in the country.”
Why when it comes to a debate or a disagreement should people of color, no matter how many generations that they have been American citizens, continue to have to worry about being displaced from their homes and communities along with their families?
Before I leave “yinz” guys, I’d like to talk about the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft and business opportunities or the lack thereof, for
people of color. But before I go there, first, many of the construction projects are still not completed. Is Pittsburgh ready for prime time? Many local folks are eternal optimists with their decisions based solely on emotions without evidence. Their primary motivation is just to be a part of Pittsburgh history. As far as the economic impact on people of color is concerned, the planners of the 2026 NFL Draft had and continue not to have a comprehensive plan to include people of color. The NFL is 106 years old. The draft began in 1936. The previous occasion that the Draft was held in Pittsburgh was in 1947. At that time, we may safely assume that the only pathway for many people of color to capitalize on it was to perform manual labor. So, it shouldn’t be too outrageous to assume that a few of us might not be in the land of the living to propose a toast to the Steel City when and if the next Draft is held in the steel city, somewhere around the year 2126. During the past five decades, I have been forced to witness the ef -
forts to equalize the opportunities for fairness throughout the world of sports and society in general: and my mind always wanders back to the late Billy Preston song, "Will It Go Round In Circles." An excerpt from the lyrics of the song goes something like this: “I've got a song, I ain't got no melody, I'ma gonna sing it to my friends. I've got a song, I ain't got no melody. I'ma gonna sing it to my friends. Will it go round in circles? Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky? Will it go round in circles? Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?” Throughout history, some folks find themselves flying high as a kite, when a so-called “first” is accomplished by a person of color. But when the smoke from the illusion of progress clears, many people continue to run around aimlessly, singing the same song. At that point, I often ask myself the million-dollar question. Is anyone, at any time, continuing to listen?
Property is Power!
There is a conversation we have avoided for far too long, not because it lacks importance, but because it demands uncomfortable honesty. For generations, we have rightfully examined the systemic barriers that have restricted Black access to wealth, particularly in housing. Redlining, discriminatory lending and institutional exclusion are not distant history; they are lived realities with consequences that persist. But if we are to move forward with power, we must also confront another truth; not all poverty is financial. Some of it is mental. And until we address the poverty of mindset, we will never fully realize the power of ownership. Many in our community inherited more than economic disadvantages, we inherited caution, skepti -
cism and, in some cases, a justified fear of systems that historically failed us. That fear once served a purpose. It protected. It preserved but what once protected us can, if left unexamined, begin to limit us.
A mindset shaped by exclusion can unconsciously reject opportunity, even when access has expanded. We hear it in everyday language; “I don’t want that kind of debt.” “I’ll wait until the market improves.” “Homeownership just isn’t for me right now.” These are not simply statements of preference; they are signals of a deeper internal conflict between historical experience and present-day possibility. At the same time, we are witnessing measurable progress. More Black Americans are college-educated than ever before. Professional advancement is evident. Incomes, in many cases, have increased. Yet homeownership rates have not kept pace. This is the paradox. We have learned how to earn, but many have not yet fully embraced how to own.
Education was never intended to be the finish line. It was meant to be the foundation. The more pressing question is not whether we are educated, but whether we are applying that education toward asset accumulation and wealth-building. Income, while important, is temporary. Ownership, by contrast, is enduring. Renting, by design, offers flexibility and requires less immediate responsibility. It can feel safe, predictable and controlled. But over time, it conditions the mind to operate in short-term cycles. Ownership demands something different. It requires vision beyond the
BUSINESS
Black-owned businesses
face new threats
by Stacy M. Brown
The Washington Informer Black-owned businesses have experienced historic growth in recent years, but that progress is now under threat.
A sharp decline in small business optimism, coupled with sweeping anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) executive orders from the Trump administration, is creating new hurdles—particularly for Afri-
and most of those who own businesses depend on them as their primary income source. The vast majority—71 percent—have fewer than 10 employees, and they are disproportionately concentrated in sectors like health care and social assistance (26 percent), professional and technical services (14 percent), and transportation (9 percent).
However, as the Pew report shows gains, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) paints
14151 and EO 14173, effectively dismantling many federal DE initiatives.
There are two truths that apply whether you’re talking about your health or your money. They’re simple, direct, and a lot of people don’t want to hear them. You can’t outwork a bad diet. And you can’t out-earn stupid spending. Those two truisms will drag your health and your money to the same place: tired, frustrated, and broke. The First Truth: You Can’t Outwork a Bad Diet
You’ve seen it before. Somebody is in the gym 4–5 days a week. Sweating. Grinding. Putting in real work. But they still look the same year after year. Why? Because what they’re doing outside the gym is canceling out what they’re doing inside the gym. You can spend an hour on the treadmill and wipe it all out in 10 minutes at the drive-thru. Discipline in the kitchen beats hustle in the gym every single time. The problem isn’t that people don’t work hard. The problem is that their inputs don’t match their outcomes. Your body responds to consistency— not effort bursts. You don’t get in shape from what you do occasionally. You get in shape from what you do daily. Here’s the truth: your body keeps the receipts. If you feed it junk, it will eventually pay you back—with interest. High blood pressure, diabetes, joint pain, low energy. You don’t get to negotiate with those consequences. You can’t say, “But I went to the gym three times this week!” if you ate like
With small business optimism waning and federal support shifting away from equity initiatives, many Black entrepreneurs now face a chilling reality: a promising rise in business creation and growth may be undermined by policy changes designed to erase the very programs that helped level the playing field.
can American entrepreneurs who remain vastly underrepresented in the U.S. economy.
According to Pew Research Center, the number of U.S. firms with majority Black ownership surged from 124,004 in 2017 to 194,585 in 2022 Revenues also soared by 66 percent, reaching $211.8 billion. Yet Blackowned businesses still accounted for just 3 percent of all classifiable firms and only 1 percent of gross revenues that year, despite Black Americans making up 14 percent of the population.
More than one in five Black adults say owning a business is essential to their definition of financial success,
you were training for an eating contest. That’s why diet matters more than workouts. The workout is the supplement. The diet is the foundation. Now let’s bring that same logic over to your money. The Second Truth: You Can’t Out-Earn Stupid Spending This one hits people even harder. Most folks think the answer to money problems is simple: “I just need to make more money.” For a minority of people, that’s true. You simply don’t make enough. The math just doesn’t work right now. But for the vast majority… that’s not the problem. If your spending habits are out of control, more money will just create bigger problems. You don’t fix broke habits with bigger paychecks.
a far more troubling picture of the broader small business climate.
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dropped to 95.8 in April, marking the second month in a row below its 51-year average. Small business owners reported declining expectations for real sales, fewer capital investment plans, and significant difficulties finding qualified labor. Only 18 percent of owners said they plan to make capital outlays in the next six months—down from previous months and the lowest level since April 2020.
The policy environment compounds the problem for Black-owned firms. In January, President Donald Trump signed executive orders EO
The High-Income Trap
I’ve seen people making six figures living paycheck to paycheck. Nice car. Big house. Designer clothes. Vacations on credit. Subscriptions everywhere. From the outside, it looks like success. Behind the scenes? Stress. Debt. No savings. No control. That’s because they never fixed the root issue: how they manage money. Just like the gym fanatic who refuses to clean up their diet, the high-earner who refuses to clean up their spending will never see the results they’re working so hard for. If you can’t handle $50,000 responsibly, you won’t magically handle $100,000 responsibly.
Let me say that again: More income doesn’t fix bad behavior. It amplifies it. The number on your paycheck is irrelevant if your outflow exceeds your income. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If your outflow exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall.
The True Cost of Flexing
Let’s talk about what’s really driving a lot of this behavior. Flexing for strangers is the most expensive bill most people pay. How much have YOU paid for a compliment?
Overspending just to be seen is broke behavior. Compliments don’t build wealth. Stop buying approval—build freedom. Because when your decisions are driven by appearances instead of
These orders direct agency heads to align all federal programs—including contracts and grants—with so-called “merit-based opportunity,” opening the door to deprioritizing race-conscious support programs. While the administration cannot eliminate statutory set-aside programs like the SBA’s 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business designation without congressional approval, it is already moving to gut enforcement and reducing goals. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler issued a memo in February announcing her intent to reduce the 8(a) contracting goal from 15 percent to the statutory minimum of 5 percent, citing alleged disadvantages to veteran-owned businesses. The administration is also expected to cease auditing compliance with subcontracting goals for minority-owned firms, which could severely impact opportunities for small and large companies that depend on federal contracts.
purpose, you don’t build wealth—you build pressure. You’ll just upgrade your problems: Bigger car note Higher mortgage More expensive lifestyle More pressure to keep up appearances That’s not wealth. That’s financial pressure in a nicer outfit.
The Real Problem: Behavior
Both truisms point to the same disease: choosing comfort over responsibility. It’s more comfortable to eat whatever you want now and worry about your health later.
It’s more comfortable to buy whatever you want now and worry about the bills later.
A baby will sit in a dirty diaper longer than you think. They know something’s wrong. They feel and smell the mess. But it’s familiar… so they stay in it.
They’ll even run from the very person trying to clean them up. That’s how people are. You know your situation stinks—your habits, your diet, your finances, your lifestyle. But because it’s familiar, you tolerate it. You protect it. You make excuses for it. The real question is: Are you avoiding the change because you’ve gotten comfortable in your own mess?
Like an unchanged baby in a dirty
Property is Power!
Poverty of mindset
present, discipline to commit over time and the willingness to navigate complexity.
Ownership is not merely a financial transaction; it is a psychological shift. It forces individuals to think not just about where they are, but where they are going and what they intend to leave behind. There is also a cost to hesitation that rarely appears in financial projections. Every year spent waiting is a year of missed equity, rising home values, increasing rents and lost leverage. The market does not pause while we deliberate. It moves forward, with or without our participation. Those who engage, even without perfect conditions, position themselves to benefit from that movement.
Homeownership should not be viewed simply as a lifestyle decision. It is a strategic economic position. It serves as a hedge against inflation, a mechanism for disciplined saving, a platform for financial leverage and a transferable asset that can impact generations. It transforms income into influence.
In a society where economic power often shapes social and political outcomes, ownership becomes more than personal, it becomes communal. It stabilizes neighborhoods, strengthens families and creates a foundation upon which broader opportunities can be built.
The narrative must shift. The question is no longer whether this is the perfect time to buy, but how one can position themselves to enter the market responsibly and strategically. It is not solely about what could go wrong, but about what is certain to be lost by remaining inactive.
This moment calls for clarity and conviction. It calls for a transition from consumer thinking to ownership thinking, from participation to stakeholding, from earning to building. Property is Power ’s philosophy is rooted in this transformation. It is not simply about acquiring real estate; it Is about redefining one’s relationship with wealth, opportunity and responsibility.
The question before us is not whether the barriers of the past existed, they did, and their impact remains. The question is whether we will allow those barriers to dictate our level of participation today. The door to ownership is not closed. But it will not remain open indefinitely. Poverty of mindset is not a permanent condition. It is a perspective that can be challenged, reshaped and ultimately overcome. And when it is, something profound occurs. We move from seeking access to claiming position. Property is not simply something to be acquired. It is something that reflects who we are becoming.
Because in the end, Property is Power!
(Dr. Anthony O. Kellum – CEO of Kellum Mortgage, LLC Homeownership Advocate, Speaker, Author NMLS # 1267030 NMLS #1567030 O: 313-263-6388 W: www.KelluMortgage. com .) Property is Power! is a movement to promote home and community ownership. Studies indicate homeownership leads to higher graduation rates, family wealth, and community involvement.
A livable home isn’t just about square footage; it’s about how the space actually feels and functions. Kitchen updates, bathroom refreshes, outdoor spaces, and smart storage solutions are among the home improvement projects that consistently deliver the biggest quality-of-life return, whether you plan to sell or stay put for years.
According to the NAR’s Remodeling Impact Report for 2025, American homeowners spent an estimated $603 billion on remodeling their homes last year, a number that reflects how serious people are about investing in where they live. If you’ve been sitting on a project list without knowing where to start, here’s a breakdown of what actually moves the needle.
What Home Renovations Add the Most Value?
Kitchen and bathroom updates consistently top the list for both livability and return on investment for home improvement . According to the Remodeling Impact Report, homeowners can expect a 60 percent return on investment for kitchen projects, and kitchen upgrades rank as the most requested improvement realtors have seen over the past two years. New countertops, updated lighting, and cabinet refacing can shift a kitchen from dated to genuinely functional without requiring a full gut renovation. Bathrooms follow the same logic.
According to Zillow, the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report estimates a mid-range bathroom remodel returns about 35 percent of its cost at resale, a number that underscores why focusing on targeted, high-impact updates matters more than a full gut renovation. For Black homeowners who’ve historically faced appraisal gaps tied to neighborhood bias, investing in improvements with documented resale value gives you a stronger negotiating position when it matters.
Kitchen Upgrades Worth Prioritizing Refacing cabinets, swapping hardware, and installing new countertops carry significant visual impact at a fraction of full remodel costs. Energy-efficient appliances add value in both utility savings and buyer appeal.
According to U.S. News, HVAC system upgrades return an average of 103 percent of their cost , a strong investment that touches comfort, energy efficiency, and resale simultaneously.
Bathroom Updates That Go a Long Way Replacing fixtures, re-grouting tile, and updating vanity lighting make a bathroom feel newer without a full renovation. According to Zillow, buyers are willing to pay a small premium for luxury vinyl flooring. Focus on updates with
broad appeal rather than highly personalized choices that may not translate at resale.
How Can I Make My Home More Livable on a Budget?
Livability doesn’t always require a large budget; it requires intentional choices. Fresh interior paint, updated lighting fixtures, and decluttered storage areas shift how a space feels without significant expense.
According to Zillow, buyers were willing to pay nearly $6,500 more for homes with black front doors, which is proof that small, strategic exterior design changes carry real weight.
For Black families building generational wealth through homeownership, targeted improvements protect and grow that investment efficiently. Curb appeal projects, like fresh landscaping, a repainted front door, and clean siding, set a tone that carries through to every part of the home.
Outdoor spaces have become one of the most requested features in home searches. Adding a deck, patio, or defined seating area extends usable square footage without the cost of a full addition.
Interior Design as a Livability Tool
The way a space is styled and arranged matters as much as what’s in it. Professional interior styling addresses flow, lighting, proportion, and color in ways most DIY renovations overlook.
If you’re in Southern California and want intentional design applied to your home, Orange County Interior Design Services can help transform how your space functions without a full renovation.
Flooring is another upgrade that operates on both livability and value.
According to NerdWallet,
the NAR’s 2022 Remodeling Impact Report found that hardwood floor refinishing recovers 147 percent of its cost , and the average homeowner spent $3,400 on the project and gained $5,000 in home value, making it one of the highest-returning interior projects available.
What Is the Best Home Improvement for Resale Value?
Curb appeal and kitchen updates consistently deliver the strongest resale returns from home remodeling. Steel front door replacement appears in the NAR’s 2025 Remodeling Impact Report as one of the highest-ROI projects listed. Its relatively low cost and high visual impact are a practical signal to buyers that the home has been well maintained. Garage door replacements return 102 percent of their cost, according to U.S. News. Energy-efficient upgrades, such as insulation, smart thermostats, and HVAC improvements, are gaining ground as resale drivers because buyers increasingly factor utility costs into purchase decisions. These aren’t glamorous renovations, but they address what buyers actually ask about.
Finished basements are worth considering if you have the square footage. Converting an unfinished basement into a functional living space, like a guest suite, home office, or entertainment area, adds usable square footage that appraisers and buyers recognize.
Smart Home Technology Security cameras, smart thermostats, and video doorbells have shifted from luxury features to buyer expectations. These additions are affordable and signal that a home has been modernized thoughtfully.
Frequently Asked
Questions
What Home Improvement Projects Have the Highest ROI?
According to the NAR’s 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, steel front door replacement, HVAC upgrades, and minor kitchen remodels consistently return the highest percentage of their cost.
Garage door replacement returns 102 percent of its cost on average, according to U.S. News and Report. Curb appeal projects in general tend to outperform interior luxury upgrades when measured by resale return.
Does Landscaping Count as a Home Improvement?
Yes, and it’s one of the most underrated. A well-maintained lawn, defined planting beds, and clean hardscaping deliver curb appeal that photographs well and holds up in person. Is It Worth Renovating Before Selling? In most cases, yes, but selectively. The key is targeting projects with documented ROI rather than personal-preference renovations that don’t translate to buyer value.
Home Improvement Is an Investment in How You Live The best home improvement projects don’t just add value at resale; they make your home a more enjoyable place right now. Kitchen updates, bathroom refreshes, curb appeal projects, and smart interior design all contribute to a space that works for your family and holds its value.
Whether you’re renovating to stay or preparing to sell, investing in livability is rarely the wrong move. Want more home renovation content? Keep reading for more coverage of home, culture, and community that’s worth your time.
These moves are especially worrisome for Black business owners, who are already navigating disproportionate barriers to access to capital and markets. While White-owned businesses make up
diaper, when bad spending habits go unchecked, your financial situation is messy and stinky!
More money doesn’t fix bad habits. More money just gives bad habits more fuel to burn.
You’ve got to attack the
of the problem—and the root of most financial problems is behavior, not income.
The difference is not
it’s what you save, invest, and how you manage it.
84 percent of all classifiable firms and account for 92 percent of total revenue, Black-owned businesses remain a small sliver despite their rapid growth. With small business optimism waning and federal support shifting away from equity initiatives, many Black entre-
preneurs now face a chilling reality: a promising rise in business creation and growth may be undermined by policy changes designed to erase the very programs that helped level the playing field.
“Uncertainty continues to be a major impediment for small business owners,”
NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said, noting that labor shortages, declining sales expectations, and inflation remain pressing concerns.
(The post Black-Owned Businesses Face New Threats appeared first on The Washington Informer.)
THREATS FROM B1
Why Target boycott must continue
This week marks one year since the Rev. Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia called for a nationwide boycott of Target—a retailer once embraced by African American households for its support of Black-owned brands and its aura of accessible style.
For years, many in the community proudly joked about shopping at “Targé,” elevating the store to cultural icon status. But that relationship ruptured the moment Target aligned itself with President Donald Trump’s agenda to shut down any initiative that involved diversity, equity and or inclusion.
The collapse began when Target scaled back its DEI commitments—the very initiatives designed to support its Black employees and customers. The retailer ended its REACH initiative, which stood for “Racial Equity Action and Change,” and was created to uplift its Black employees and stakeholders. That decision wasn’t just a policy shift; it was a public betrayal of the communities that helped build Target’s cultural capital.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin unlawful. It bans segregation, prohibits unequal access to public spaces and protects fair treatment in education and employment. Target rolling back its DEI initiatives signals a retreat from principles. A move that effectively sides with far - right efforts to dismantle the very protections Black Americans fought and bled for.
Bryant called the boycott “the most effective and powerful boycott led by Black people since the Montgomery bus boycott 70 years ago.”
While he may be correct that both boycotts were large in scale, the bus boycott produced tangible results that endure to this day. That 381 - day movement of sustained sacrifice secured the right for Black riders to sit wherever they wished, standing as a testament to resilience, unity, and strategic pressure.
According to Bryant, the Target boycott yielded significant gains, which include: $2 billion investment back into the Black community; $100 million for organizations meeting urgent community needs; a partnership with HBCUs; and an unclear commitment to reimagine DEI.
Three out of four demands were met. The fourth, a request for Target to invest in Black banks, failed. That missing piece matters. It matters because economic power is the foundation of community security. It matters because Black banks have historically been engines of mobility when mainstream institutions shut us out. To stop short of that final commitment is to settle for symbolic wins when structural change is what’s truly needed.
Target’s new CEO Michael Fiddelke “is handling business,” as Bryant noted—but promises aren’t the same as policy, and gestures aren’t the same as guarantees. Ending a boycott prematurely risks erasing the leverage that made progress possible in the first place.
To relent now would be to signal that partial compliance is good enough. It would tell corporations that they can roll back Black-focused initiatives without consequence. It would embolden the politicians and activists currently attacking DEI, affirmative action, and protections guaranteed under the Civil Rights Act.
We cannot afford to lose ground.
The fight over DEI isn’t about corporate branding; it’s about civil rights. Far-right conservatives are actively targeting provisions of the Civil Rights Act—seeking to weaken the very infrastructure that protects marginalized communities. Target’s decision to align itself with Trump’s executive order places the company on the wrong side of history.
We have seen what happens when society is complacent. We have seen what happens when we “go back to normal.” We have seen how rights, once won, can be chipped away quietly, bureaucratically, until they are no longer rights at all.
The Montgomery boycott didn’t end when people got tired. It ended when our rights were secured.
So we should ask ourselves: Has Target restored and strengthened its DEI framework? Has it recommitted publicly and structurally to racial equity? Has it renounced policies inspired by Trump’s anti-DEI order?
Until the answer is yes, the boycott must continue.
(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)
Honoring women
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—
There are many days where we honor men, but just one week to honor women’s contributions. This Women’s History Month I’m sharing with you a bit of Mayor Johnny Ford’s mentions of some of the history of Black women that his organization, the World Conference of Mayors and he did to honor women, especially highlighting Black women. I was so pleased with this rarity that I decided to share the resolution with our readers. I pray that you will share it with your families—especially your children. I ask this since it seems to be popular to harm my sisters by our government through layoffs, firings and disrespecting us in many ways.
I share this because what some of our sisters have gone through, and some are still going through. Black women go through more hell than anybody in our nation. Some have been used and abused precisely because we are leaders. We are the highest educated and hardest working, most active in public service in our communities—often neglecting ourselves so that we have more time and resources to help others. We all know about Black women who do without food so there’s food for their children. It’s not right, but it’s real, so in case you didn’t know, let’s look at a bit of history of many things Black women are doing and have done for the world. We thank Mayor Ford and his members for honoring us. Please share this article with as many as you can to make somebody’s day by showing Black women you notice
their accomplishments, and appreciate their sacrifices.
“RESOLUTION HONORING WOMEN DURING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH BY Tuskegee’s former Mayor Johnny Ford, now Councilmember and Founder of the World Conference of Mayors who chose to honor us: “WHEREAS, March is set aside as Women’s History Month to honor numerous contributions of women to our nation and the world, as women continue to do so; WHEREAS, our nation honors and celebrates the contributions in our history, culture and society of women; WHEREAS, women’ s history is honored throughout the world, we hold special celebrations to acknowledge women here at home; WHEREAS, women’s history is a special and well-deserved opportunity to say thank you since Black women have so often not been given credit for all they do historically and continue to do to prosper our nation; WHEREAS, Fannie Lou Hamer suffered greatly to gain voting rights for Black Americans; WHEREAS Rosa Parks risked her life to gain the right for Black Americans to sit on a bus in any vacant seat; WHEREAS, Diane Nash, Co-Found-
er of SNCC, organized students to travel to the dangerous South on buses for Freedom Rides; WHEREAS, Dr. Patricia Bath, a pioneering ophthalmologist, invented a laser device for cataract treatment; WHEREAS, Dr. Gladys West, a mathematician, whose work in satellite geodesy was fundamental to the development of GPS Technology; WHEREAS, Mae Jemison was an engineer, physician and former astronaut and first African American woman to travel into space; WHEREAS, Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, and Mary Jackson were human computers at NASA when some of the greatest strides were made in space.
WHEREAS, Sojourner Truth was the first Black person to sue a White man who took her son into slavery, and she won the case; WHEREAS, Harriet Tubman was a renowned abolitionist, and armed scout for the Union Army—known as the most famous conductor on the Underground Railroad; WHEREAS, Callie House was a leader of the National Ex-slave Mutual Relief Bounty and Pension Association, one of the first organizations to campaign for reparations, WHEREAS Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman to become a Supreme Court Justice, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT we honor all women who continue to work to make America great for all! We thank Mayor Ford and want him to know we are together, and we are up to the challenge!
(Dr. E. Faye Williams, President of The Dick Gregory Society.)
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Recently, I drove from my father’s birthplace in Biddeford, Maine, to my mother’s birthplace in Petersburg, Virginia. Two different towns. Two different states. Two different regions. And yet, oddly, just different ends of the same sad street.
Most Americans now live at the same address: “We live where there used to be a factory. And when it shut down, what shot up was joblessness, hopelessness, meth, opioids, homicide and suicide.”
That is not just the story of one town. It is the story of a wounded nation.
Factories were never just factories. They gave whole towns their rhythm. They filled lunch pails and church pews. They paid the mortgage. They kept the corner store open. They let a mother or father look a child in the eye and say, “You can make it here.”
Then the factory closed. The people did not disappear.
They stayed. They stayed by the same schools, the same porches, the same churches, the same graves of the people who raised them. They stayed and watched storefronts empty, tax bases shrink and hope grow thin. Families are burying their too-young dead again and again. Meanwhile, the pundits who get rich dividing the nation keep working overtime.
The suffering caused by deindustrialization does not stop at racial lines, state lines or the old border between North and South. It reaches across most of the lines that people on television and social media work so hard to inflame. This one stokes
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—“Policy rollbacks that have removed protections and investments designed to support Black communities … is the regression, combined with economic indicators, particularly unemployment, that would qualify as recessionary if they were applied to the national economy.”—Monica Mitchell, Chief of Staff, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
The revelation that the U.S. economy shed 92,000 jobs in February and now faces its highest unemployment rate in years has rattled economists, many of whom warn that the country may be on the brink of a recession. For Black America, the recession has already arrived. Even worse, the Black recession isn’t driven natural market cycles alone. It is the predictable outcome of the deliberate policy choices of the Trump administration—choices that have aggressively dismantled the very protections meant to advance equity and stabilize communities historically shut out of opportunity. Not only did the administration take a sledgehammer to federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on Day One, it has spent the last year slashing agencies that have long served as engines of mobility for Black workers, including the federal civil service. More than 327,000 federal jobs have been eliminated, not through attrition or organizational modernization, but through deliberate cuts that have eroded pathways to the
racial resentment. That one blames immigrants. Another turns rural against urban, White against Black, native-born against newcomer. And most Americans suffer for it.
Divide and conquer has always been the surest way to blunt the ability of working families to rise together. It keeps our votes divided and canceling one another out.
Since NAFTA took effect in 1994, the United States has lost well over 65,000 manufacturing plants and factories. NAFTA was not the only reason. Automation mattered. China mattered. Corporate consolidation mattered. But NAFTA still stands as a warning bell in our history. It reminds us what happens when we confuse what is good for corporate profits with what is good for the country. Communities lose. The nation suffers.
Most Americans now live at the same address. They live in the places the economy left behind. They live where the factory closed, the jobs vanished and the pain stayed.
But there is a road to a better day. We became a great nation because we planned. We looked ahead. We decided what we needed to build, what we needed to make, what kind of work would support families and what kind of country we wanted to
become. Then we trained our people, built our strength and did the work.
We need that spirit again. We need an industrial plan county by county, state by state and for the nation as a whole. We need to know what jobs will be needed 10 and 20 years from now, where they should be and how we will prepare our people to do them. Our schools are still too often preparing young people for an economy that is already gone. They need to do a better job preparing them for the jobs of the future. And as artificial intelligence starts doing more of the work people once thought would always need a person, we need to be ready to rethink the future for every worker and every community.
A nation is not a stock chart. A nation is not a quarterly report. A nation is built on belief—belief in each other and belief in our future. And in America, we believe that if life has knocked you down, you deserve a chance to rise again.
Most Americans now live at the same address: “We live where there used to be a factory. And when it shut down, what shot up was joblessness, hopelessness, meth, opioids, homicide and suicide.”
The question is whether we will keep accepting that as normal. Or whether we will choose to love this country, our children and each other enough to make sure we all rise again. (Ben Jealous is a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania, a nationally syndicated columnist, and the former president of the NAACP.)
middle class built through generations of civil-rights gains. At the same time, the administration has abandoned federal support for disadvantaged businesses. Critical institutions—among them the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)—have been targeted for defunding or dismantling altogether. These programs have been lifelines, offering capital and technical assistance to Black entrepreneurs who face entrenched discrimination from traditional lenders. Removing them does not create a level playing field; it cements an unequal one. The consequences are measurable and immediate. After reaching an all-time low during the Biden administration, the Black unemployment rate surged to 8.3 percent by November 2025—the highest level since the pandemic—and remains more than twice the rate for White Americans. The Black homeownership rate fell to 43.9 percent in the first half of 2025, wiping out years of fragile progress and deep-
ening a racial wealth gap that already stood among the most persistent in the country.
Even before the latest dismal jobs report, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies had already declared 2025 a regression and recession” for Black Americans. In its State of the Dream 2026 report, the authors wrote, “Instead of aggressive leadership in dismantling structures of racial inequality, we are witnessing regressive leadership that is slashing government employment and agencies designed to address predatory economic practices that disproportionately harm Black communities.” The report further notes that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act entrenched permanent tax cuts for high-income households and corporations while reducing investment in poverty-alleviating programs and leaving support for working families stagnant or shrinking. Policy experts often refer to Black Americans as the canary in the coal mine”—the first to feel the impact of economic stress. If that analogy holds, the warning is clear: a broader national recession is not far behind. But acknowledging that Black America is already in recession is not merely a prediction about the future; it is a call to confront what is unfolding in the present. The question now is whether policymakers will heed that warning —or continue to ignore the communities already bearing the brunt of the nation’s economic retreat.
Iran and Iraq are the same wars
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Jason Dozier, an American hero, represents District 4 on the Atlanta City Council. After graduating from Denison University, he joined the U.S. Army, serving as a reconnaissance officer in Iraq and Afghanistan. His service as an Army officer earned him the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star. After honorably leaving the Army, Dozier returned to Georgia to help address the challenges facing transitioning military veterans and their spouses. As a proud combat veteran, Dozier is speaking out against the current war in Iran. “The lack of a clear strategy or end state only undermines U.S. credibility globally,” Dozier told the Daily Beast. “As an Iraq War veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the costs of conflicts like this, and I had hoped those lessons would guide future decisions. Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be the case.” Dozier is correct that our leaders have learned little from past mistakes, misinformation, and miscalculations by those currently occupying the White House, Congress, and Senate. According to Department of Defense statistics, the Iraq War killed 4,492 U.S. soldiers and injured 32,292 more. An estimated 200,000 Iraqi civilians died in what amounted to an “unnecessary” war. The Iraq War began in spring 2003, with a U.S.-led coalition invasion to remove Saddam Hussein. Officials in the Bush officials justified the invasion by alleging Iraq possessed “Weapons of Mass Destruction” while actively pursuing nuclear capability. The war, presented to the American public as necessary to stop Saddam Hussein, was in fact an “unnecessary” because no evidence of weapons of mass destruction existed. In a joint effort, the United States joined forces with Israel to launch an attack against Iran, echoing the flawed reasoning that led
David W. Marshall Commentary
to war in Iraq. Since the initial assault, thousands of people have died, including 13 U.S. service members. Iran has taken steps to block the Strait of Hormuz, which is a strategic and vital shipping lane for roughly 20 percent of global oil. Iran, like Iraq 23 years ago, is an unnecessary war where evidence contradicts what the public is being told. Trump has continually justified this war by saying Iran was close to producing nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles. Experts and his own administration have contradicted the president on this point. In an assessment from last year, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said it would actually take nearly a decade for Iran to produce that type of weaponry.
From Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to false claims of an imminent Iranian threat, we now find ourselves in a situation where past lessons from Iraq are being widely ignored. Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, is one notable exception in the Trump administration to speak out. In his announcement stating his immediate resignation, Kent stated his reason for stepping down was the decision to begin a war against Iran when “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.” Kent, nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate last year, posted his resignation letter on X, saying, he “cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.” “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” Kent wrote. “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.” Kent, as a high-ranking official in the Trump administration, had the courage to speak out and expose the truth to the American people despite the consequences. President Trump has criticized and threatened America’s NATO allies. He now wants those same allies to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz. “This is not our war, we have not started it,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters. As Jason Dozier mentions, given our nation’s lack of credibility, our allies should be highly concerned about both the abuse of power by the president and Congress’s failure to control him. They should be concerned that the legislative branch seems unwilling on the Republican side and unable on the Democratic side to restrain the reckless actions of the White House and the Pentagon.
The fact that the Republican-led House and Senate voted against a war powers resolution should be a major wake-up call to Americans and to our allies as well. Each member who killed the resolution felt no need to place limits on the war efforts of a president who has proven to be irrational. Each member who voted against the resolution totally ignored the misinformation surrounding the Iraq War and the claim of WMDs.
They ignored the DIA’s internal assessment and failure in its watchdog role. Our global partners are starting to suffer from Trump-fatigue, like many Americans, since the election. Our allies are starting to tell an unpredictable president “No.” The voters should do the same by voting against every Republican who killed the War Powers Resolution, starting by turning Texas blue in the upcoming Senate election. The sacrifice of every combat veteran from the Iraq War should not be in vain due to lawmakers who knowingly choose to make the same irresponsible decisions, while needlessly costing lives.
(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.)
Trump’s ending the Iranian cold war?
Last year, the United States and Israel launched a military operation that severely damaged Iran’s nuclear program. This year, the United States and Israel launched a military operation that decimated Iran’s missile capabilities and killed the top leaders of Iran’s Islamic regime, while US President Donald Trump called for the Iranian people to reclaim their nation from the radicals.
Trump critics allege the president broke his pledge of “no new wars” by starting an unnecessary war against Iran on Israel’s behalf.
Kian Tajbakhsh, a professor of international relations at New York University, recently went on CNN to address America’s current war with Iran. He argued that most of the discussion overlooks the big picture. President Trump did not start a war with Iran; he seeks to finish one that began in 1979.
In 1979, the Iranian Revolution deposed Iran’s pro-Western Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The revolutionaries overthrew the monarchy and founded the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
Historians have argued that the Iranian revolution rectified a two-decade-old injustice. After becoming Prime Minister of Iran in 1951, Mohammad Mosaddegh nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, seizing all British assets. In 1953, Britain and the United States staged a coup to depose Mosaddegh and install the pro-Western Shah of Iran, who supplied Western oil firms with half of Iranian oil.
Professor Tajbakhsh told CNN that in 2003, he worked on high-level projects with Iran’s Foreign Ministry, and an Iranian deputy foreign minister told him that the current regime believes it is at war with the United States—it’s a cold war, but a war nonetheless.
Cold wars are periods of political antagonism between nations marked by threats, propaganda, and other measures short of open warfare. Iran expanded on this concept by sponsoring terrorism, although being mired in a “cold war” was not Iran’s original objective.
In 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran declared three goals.
1). The regime pledged to wage war against the United States, even if it required enduring hardships.
2). The regime swore to destroy the state of Israel. It aided groups such as Hezbol-
Pharoah
lah and Hamas in this effort.
3). To export the Iranian revolution worldwide. The actual Cold War was a nuclear arms race between the US and the Soviet Union. By 1979, the two superpowers had agreed to limit their nuclear arsenals, but the Islamic Republic of Iran established another goal: to become a nuclear-armed nation.
The United States and its allies proclaimed that the Islamic Republic of Iran will never be able to possess nuclear weapons. It is worth noting that Iran signed the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons in the 1960s. The Non-Proliferation Treaty defined nuclear-weapon states as those that obtained them before 1967, and nations without nuclear weapons agreed to sign the treaty as non-nuclear-weapon states, promising never to acquire nuclear weapons in exchange for nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. However, the treaty was signed by a pro-Western Iranian government rather than the revolutionary regime.
The Iranian cold war experienced various phases between the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Biden/Harris administration. Iranian revolutionaries overran the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, resulting in a hostage situation that lasted more than 400 days.
In 1983, Iranian proxy Hezbollah bombed a Beirut military barracks that housed US and French troops, killing 241 US troops, 58 French military personnel, and six civilians.
The Iran-Iraq War occurred from 1980 to 1988. The Iraqi ruler wanted to prevent Iran from spreading its revolution throughout the Middle East. The United States and some of its allies supported Iraq in this preventive measure, which increased tensions between Iran and the United States.
In 1995, US President Bill Clinton placed the most severe sanctions on Iran due to their efforts to develop nuclear
weapons and their support for terrorism throughout the Middle East. In 1996, an Iranian military proxy destroyed the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, killing 19 Americans. President Bill Clinton opted for a diplomatic solution rather than a military reaction.
After 9/11, US President George W. Bush designated Iran a member of the Axis of Evil, a group of rogue nations that supported terrorism and presented a threat to the US and its allies by seeking “weapons of mass destruction.”
In 2005, US President George W. Bush froze all assets of individuals connected with Iran’s nuclear program. Beginning in 2010, Israel launched a decade-long campaign to destroy facilities and assassinate scientists affiliated with Iran’s nuclear program.
In 2015, U.S. President Barack Obama agreed to the “Iran nuclear deal.” The agreement limited Iran’s nuclear program to civilian use in exchange for sanction relief, but three years later, US President Donald Trump pulled out of it. On October 7, 2023, under the Biden/Harris administration, Iranian proxies conducted air and ground operations against Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
Israel responded by decimating all of Iran’s military proxies that encircled them. In 2024, an Israeli military operation killed numerous Iranian generals in Syria. These generals helped prepare the October 7th attack, which is widely regarded as the worst for Jews since the Holocaust. In an unprecedented response, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel. This was the first time Iran attacked from its territory.
Professor Tajbakhsh believes Trump is ending a war that began in 1979, but Iran’s orchestration of October 7th and subsequent direct attack on a sovereign nation signaled that Iran officially ended the cold war. Iran demonstrated to the US and Israel that they were willing to go on the warpath regardless of the repercussions and then declared that they would continue to strike until their revolutionary goals were met.
The US and Israel responded to the Iranian offensive by demonstrating the adage that “sometimes the best defense is a good offense.”
From Felton to Alsobrooks: The uneven rise of women in the U.S. Senate
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—In the more than two-century history of the United States Senate, Black women have been almost entirely absent. Today, for the first time, two are serving simultaneously. Angela Alsobrooks (MD) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE) now occupy seats in a chamber that, for most of its existence, excluded both women and people of color.
The Senate began operating in 1789. In more than two centuries roughly 2,000 people have served in that chamber. Only about 60 have been women—barely three percent—and only five have been Black women.
The struggle for women’s political equality has long carried its own contradictions. At the 1913 suffrage parade in Washington, Black women—including members of the newly formed Delta Sigma Theta—were asked to march at the back of the procession so as not to offend southern White supporters of the movement. Many refused to accept that relegation, insisting that the fight for women’s political rights must include Black women as well.
Proud as I am to see Alsobrooks (MD) and Blunt Rochester (DE) serving in the Senate, I cannot help reflecting on the complicated lineage they inherit. The first woman ever sworn into the United States Senate was Rebecca Latimer Felton (GA), who took the oath in 1922—just two years after women won the right to vote nationally. Felton was 87 years old and served only one day, appointed largely as a ceremonial gesture before the newly elected senator took office. Yet the first woman senator was also a defender of lynching.
In the 1890s Felton declared that if lynching were necessary to protect White womanhood from what she described as “human beasts,” then it should occur “a thousand times a week.” Her words were spoken during the decade when mob violence against Black Americans was reaching its peak.
At the very same moment, journalist and anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells was risking her life documenting the truth about mob violence after three of her friends were murdered in Memphis in 1892 for operating a successful Black-owned grocery store that competed with a White merchant. Wells’s investigation revealed that many lynchings were not responses to crimes at all but acts of terror directed at Black people who were economically successful or unwilling to submit to White dominance. She spent decades demanding federal anti-lynching legislation. Yet the Senate where Felton would briefly serve blocked such laws for more than a century, finally passing the Emmett Till Antilynching Act in 2022.
Nearly a century later a similar contradiction surfaced in Mississippi. When Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS) became the first woman elected to the Senate from that state in 2018, the milestone might have been celebrated as uncomplicated progress. Instead, her campaign was overshadowed by a remark that she would sit in the front row of a “public hanging.” Hyde-Smith (MS) had first entered the Senate earlier that year by appointment after Senator Thad Cochran resigned. She then faced voters in a special election runoff against former U.S. agriculture secretary Mike Espy, who was seeking to become Mississippi’s first Black senator since Reconstruction. Hyde-Smith won the runoff and later secured a full six-year term. Hyde-Smith stands in the political lineage of a senator who defended lynching, echoing that history when she said she would sit in the front
row of a “public hanging.” The parallel is unsettling: the expansion of political opportunity for women has not always coincided with progress on race.
That history helps explain why the election of Carol Moseley Braun (IL) in 1992 was so significant. For nearly two centuries after the founding of the Senate, no Black woman had ever served in the chamber. Moseley Braun’s victory shattered a barrier that had stood since the founding of the republic.
A generation later Kamala Harris (CA) followed that path when she was elected to the Senate in 2016 before becoming vice president of the United States. Another Black woman, Laphonza Butler (CA), served briefly after being appointed to fill a vacancy.
The Senate has diversified in other ways as well. Women of color such as Mazie Hirono (HI), Tammy Duckworth (IL), and Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) have joined the chamber in recent years—signs that an institution once dominated by White men is slowly beginning to reflect the nation it governs.
The presence of Alsobrooks (MD) and Blunt Rochester (DE) is therefore both historic and instructive. Their election reflects genuine change in an institution that long resisted it. At the same time, the path that brought them there—from Felton’s defense of lynching to the slow emergence of women and people of color in national office—reminds us that the expansion of American democracy has rarely been smooth— and almost never evenly shared.
From the Black women who insisted on marching in Washington’s suffrage parade in 1913 to the election of two Black women to the United States Senate, the arc of political inclusion has been long, uneven, and hard won.
(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and author.)
When adversity becomes opportunity
by John Warren
The war actions of President Donald Trump against Iran and the takeover of Venezuela, are having a growing impact on the American economy. Prices are up on every front. Those who are able are spending less as everything costs more. But this can be a time of change and progress for many of us in particular. The President, through his policies and actions against Black Americans in particular have resulted in pull back by corporate America, while we continue to spend as if everything is alright. Once again, here is a reminder that “We” spend over 4 trillion dollars
a year in this country and much of that is spent on what we want and not what we need. “We” should take a page out of the notes of some other ethnic groups, like the Jewish community, who in the past have suspended the use of their purchasing power with those who are not supportive of them and their causes. Recently, we have seen some of the very so called leaders in the Black community do an about face on spending with Target after the company gave monies to some Black Pastors. They were not alone in taking such dollars. Our National Newspaper Publishers Association also took monies from Target in the form of a $200,000 grant with a promise of some
future business. But “We” the people with purchasing power can change this attitude of withdrawal from doing business with us while still taking our business in the form of our purchases. This is an opportunity to walk with our dollars; to start purchasing only what we need from those who are not spending money with our businesses. This is not about DEI. Those letters just represent replacement words for the Affirmative Act and Jim Crow 2.0. We must start thinking about “us” collectively and not just “me”. Where do you stand? (John Warren is Publisher, Chairman, NNPA Board of Directors)
Julianne Malveaux
MARCH 25-31, 2026 www.newpittsburghcourier.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice
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. 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, APRIL 6, 2026 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, APRIL 7, 2026, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:30AM AND 2:30PM IN THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. Failure to pay the 10% deposit will have you banned from future Sheriff Sales. And the balance in CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, OR CASHIERS CHECK, on or before MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2026, 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 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 COPIES 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 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:
NOTICE: The undersigned, as evidenced by the signature(s) to this notice and the acceptance and recording of this deed, (is/are) fully cognizant of the fact that the undersigned may not be obtaining the right of protection against subsidence, as to the property herein conveyed, resulting from coal mining operations and that the purchased property, herein conveyed, may be protected from damage due to mine subsidence by a private contract with the owners of the economic interest in the coal. This notice is inserted herein to comply with the Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act of 1966. as amended 1980. Oct. 10, P.L 874, No. 156 §1.
“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.”
1APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Samantha Jolene Orwig
a/k/a Samantha Jolene Fogle and Kirk Vincent Orwig Sr.
******************** CASE NO. MG-23-000867
DEBT$ 140,830.76
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jared M. Greenberg, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 200 Eagle Road, Suite 120, Wayne PA 19087
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (484) 367-4191
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
Having erected thereon In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Leet Township a single family dwelling being known and numbered as 186 Oak Street, Ambridge, PA 15003 Deed Book Volume 18897, Page 355. Block and Lot Number 815-A-228
COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS! ANNOUNCEMENTS Public Notice
2APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): Baldwin Borough DEFENDANT(S) Paul Delgreco CASE NO. GD-21:.004568 ************* DEBT $5,105.33 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jeffrey D. Ries, Esquire *********************** ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 714 Lebanon Rd., West Mifflin, PA 15122 **************************
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-464-9997 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** ALL THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE COMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, AND BOROUGH OF BALDWIN. HAVING ERECTED THEREON A TWO-STORY COLONIAL STYLE DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 627 BRINWOOD AVENUE, PENNSYLVANIA 15227. DEED BOOK VOLUME 14589, PAGE 316, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 59-R-160.
To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128
To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128
Public Notice
3APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): Steel Valley School District and Borough of Munhall
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jeffrey D. Ries, Esquire ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
714 Lebanon Rd., West Mifflin, PA 15122
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-464-9997
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
******************** IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH MUNHALL: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 226 EAST 19TH AVENUE, HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA 15120, DEED BOOK VOLUME 4189, PAGE 31, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 131-H-154.
4APR26
DEFENDANT(S) BROOKE M. SPENCER; GARY L. COLLINS, III
********************
CASE NO. GD-25-003674
DEBT $209,643,47
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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, Municipality of Penn Hills:
Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 323 MORROW DR, PITTSBURGH, PA 15235. Deed Book Volume 18152, Page 154. Block and Lot Number 0450-H-00332-0000-00.
5APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Michelene N. Lyscik and Louis M. Darnley
CASE NO. MG-24-000683
*************
DEBT $113,150.83
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Danielle Johnson, Esq.
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 1628 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19103 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160, Garden City, NY 11530
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (212) 471-5100
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
********************
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, and Township of North Fayette:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 206 CHESTERSHIRE DRIVE, OAKDALE, PA 15071. DEED BOOK VOLUME 12972, PAGE 164. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 0589-G-00007-000-00.‘·
6APR26
PLAINTIFF(S) MCKEESPORT AREA
SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CITY OF MCKEESPORT Vs DEFENDANT(S) LISA M. ROMA
CASE NO. GD-23-008962
DEBT $25,804.73
*********
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, CITY OF MCKEESPORT
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 933 FAWCETT AVENUE, MCKEESPORT, PA 15132. DEED BOOK 16256, PAGE 429. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 461-B-363.
7APR26
DEFENDANT(S) DEBBIE A. GDOVIC
********************
CASE NO. MG-25-000533
*************
DEBT $104,759.24
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAWGROUP,P.C.
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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 TURTLE CREEK:
HAVING.ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 408 CHARLES STREET, TURTLE CREEK, PA 15145. DEED BOOK 16850, PAGE 85. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 455-L-307.
8APR26
DEFENDANT(S) MARY L. FORSYTHE
******************** CASE NO. MG-25-000652
************* DEBT $255,842.33
3
8 4 3 1 0 6 2 3
9APR26 DEFENDANT(S) MALLARD WILSON, CHRISTOPHER BRIAN WILSON CASE NO. MG-25-000615
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322
SHORT DESCRIPTION: IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF WILKINSBURG: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1302 COAL STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 10706, PAGE 438. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 232-P-214.
10APR26
DEFENDANT(S) ANGELA CONROY, & JAMAL CONROY SOLELY IN THEIR CAPACITY AS HEIRS OF LARRY W. CONROY AKA LAWRENCE W. CONROY, DECEASED, THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF LARRY W. CONROY AKA LAWRENCE W. CONROY, DECEASED ******************** CASE NO. MG-25-000172
DEBT $132,244.14
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAWGROUP,P.C.
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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 SHALER: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 109 ELFINWILD ROAD, ALLISON PARK, PA 15101. DEED BOOK 19996, PAGE 261. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 615-M-95.
11APR26
DEFENDANT(S) JASON RIONDA ******************** CASE NO. MG-25-000909 DEBT $182,310.57
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAWGROUP,P.C.
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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 SCOTT: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 116 KNOX STREET, BRIDGEVILLE, PA 15017. DEED BOOK 18968, PAGE 585. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 144-P-266
12APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Charles A.J. Halpin, III, Esquire, Personal Representative of the Estate of Lois A. Rusak a/k/a Lois Ann Rusak, Deceased ******************** CASE NO. GD-25-010359 ************* DEBT $81,335.23
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) The Law Office of Gregory Javardian, LLC ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 1310 Industrial Boulevard, 1st Floor, Suite 101, Southampton, PA 18966
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Emsworth:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A ONE AND ONE-HALF BRICK DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 25 HERRON AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15202. DEED”BOOK VOLUME 7899, PAGE 360. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER. 213-G187. 13APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Shawn W. McVay
CASE NO. MG-25-000942 DEBT $88,043.18 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) The Law Office of Gregory Javardian, LLC ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 1310 Industrial Boulevard, 1st Floor, Suite 101, Southampton, PA 18966 ************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 215-942-9690 ********************************
WEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, AND BOROUGH OF MUNHALL. HAVING ERECTED THEREON A TWO-STORY, OLD-STYLE FRAME DWELLING, KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1253 RAVINE STREET, HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA • 15120. DEED BOOK VOLUME 14525, PAGE 115, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 180-E-148.
16APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): Steel Valley School District and Borough of Munhall Vs. DEFENDANT(S) David W. Santiago, Known Heir of Joyce A. Santiago, Deceased ******************** CASE NO. GD-24-006829
DEBT $12,308.54
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jeffrey D. Ries, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 714 Lebanon Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-464-9997
SHORT DESCRIPTION: ALL THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, AND BOROUGH of MUNHALL.
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A TWO-STORY, COLONIAL-STYLE, BRICK DWELLING, KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 4135 DAVIS AVENUE, HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA 15120. DEED BOOK VOLUME 7145, PAGE 121, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 133-L-117.
17APR26 PLAINTIFF(S): Steel Valley School District and Borough of Munhall Vs. DEFENDANT(S) Busy Bee Enterprises CASE NO. GD-24-011874
DEBT $19,616.31 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jeffrey D. Ries, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 714 Lebanon Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-464-9997
SHORT DESCRIPTION: ALL THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, AND BOROUGH of MUNHALL.
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A TWO STORY, OLD-STYLE FRAME DWELLING, KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 700 EAST 14TH AVENUE, HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA 15120.
DEED BOOK VOLUME 12002, PAGE 347, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 130-S-256.
MG-25-000730
DEBT $142,664.45 NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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, City of Pittsburgh, 5th Ward: H1;1ving erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 7 DAVENPORT ST, PITTSBURGH, PA 15219. Deed Book Volume 10379, Page 376. Block and Lot Number 0010-N-00036-0000-00.
22APR26 DEFENDANT(S) DANELI G. ARREOLA ******************** CASE NO. MG-25-000897 ************* DEBT $185,284.75 NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) ERIC ROCHKIND, ESQUIRE
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC
TOWN-
24APR26
DUSTIN C. PIERCE ******************** CASE NO. MG-25-000549 DEBT $82,839.17
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) ERIC ROCHKIND , ESQUIRE
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) McCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC
216 HADDON AVENUE, SUITE 201 WESTMONT, NJ 08108
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (856) 858-7080
SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** IN THE COMMONWEALTH ‘OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, TOWNSHIP OF ELIZABETH:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1201 GREENOCK BUENA VISTA ROAD, MCKEESPORT, PENNSYLVANIA 15135. DEED BOOK VOLUME 14850, PAGE 23, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 0652-G00009-0000-00.
25APR26
DEFENDANT(S) JESSICA M. JOHNSON ********************
CASE NO. MG-25-000886 ************* DEBT $32,179.16
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)
ERIC ROCHKIND , ESQUIRE
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) McCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC 216 HADDON AVENUE, SUITE 201 WESTMONT, NJ 08108
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (856) 858-7080
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 27rn
WARD OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH :
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELL-
ING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 3022 WADLOW STREET, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15212’. DEED BOOK VOLUME 16397, PAGE 586, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 0076-N-00304-0000-00.
26APR26
DEFENDANT(S) CHRISTINA COSACCO, HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF ALFREDO COSACCO, DECEASED, JEFFREY COSACCO, HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF ALFREDO COSACCO, DECEASED, UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS, OR ASSOCIATIONS CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE, OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER ALFREDO COSACCO, DECEASED, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ******************** CASE NO. MG-25-000362
DEBT $233,892.07
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jill M. Fein, Esquire/ Hill Wallack LLP
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 1000 Floral Vale Boulevard, Suite 300, Yardley, PA 19067 **************************
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (856) 858-7080 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Bellevue
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A TWO AND ONE HALF STORY RESIDENTIAL
DWELLING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 238 N BALPH AVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15202, DEED BOOK VOLUME 11830, PAGE 330. BLOCK & LOT NO. 215-S-76.
27APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Lauren Harmon a/k/a Lauren Birkmeyer, known heir of Brenda Lee Juris and all of the Unknown heirs of Brenda Lee Juris ********************
CASE NO. GD-25-005054
DEBT $61,965.31 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) J. Michael Mccague, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 408 Cedar Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-803-3690
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Cheswick:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A RES-
IDENTIAL DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 616 PILLOW AVENUE, CHESWICK, PA 15024. DEED BOOK VOLUME 14715, PAGE 76, BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 530-C-164.
28APR26
PLAINTIFF(S) DEER LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT VS.
DEFENDANT(S) LINDA A. LYONS, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS SOLE REMAINING JOINT TENANT OF SANDRA L. LYONS, DECEASED
CASE NO. GD-24-012548
DEBT $13,326.13
********* 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 FRAZER:
PARCEL ONE HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING .KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 813 BAILEYS RUN ROAD, TARENTUM PA 15084. DEED BOOK 17227, PAGE222. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1221-L-365
PARCEL TWO HAVING ERECTED THEREON VACANT LAND BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 813 BAILEYS RUN ROAD, TARENTUM PA 15084. DEED BOOK 17227, PAGE 222. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 1221-L-362
29APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Thomas Joseph O’Connor a/k/a Thomas O’Connor
CASE NO. GD-25-000683
************* DEBT: $172,519.14
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Nicholas J. Kiger, Esquire
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
275 Curry Hollow Rd, Bldg.·1, Suite 280, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
412-350-1025
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
All the following described real estate
situated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, and City of Pittsburgh 17th Ward.
Having erected thereon a residential single family dwelling being known and numbered as 17 Saint Leo St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203; Deed Instrument No. 202327898; which has a Block and Lot of 13A-27.
30APR26
PLAINTIFF(S) GATEWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT VS. DEFENDANT(S) LEHRETTA J. WILSON-HALE
CASE NO. GD-25-007755 ************* DEBT: $29,251.41 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)
Megan Turnbull, Esquire
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
445 Fort Pitt Boulevard, Suite 503, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-391-0160
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, MUNICIPALITY OF MONROEVILLE: HAVING ERECTEO THEREON A DWELLING, KNOWN AS 223 SUMMERS DRIVE, MONROEVILLE, PA 15146.DEED BOOK 8162, PAGE 571. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 638-L�l 16.
31APR26
PLAINTIFF(S) UPPER ST. CLAIR SCHOOL DISTRICT VS. DEFENDANT(S) DAVID P. MITCHELL, TRUSTEE OF THE MITCHELL LIVING TRUST
CASE NO. GD-24-012930
DEBT: $31,037.86 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)
Megan Turnbull, Esquire
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 445 Fort Pitt Boulevard, Suite 503, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-391-0160
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, TOWNSHIP OF UPPER ST. ·CLAIR:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING, KNOWN AS 1713 PINETREE DRIVE, PITTSBURGH, PA 152.41. DEED BOOK 16221, PAGE 59. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 669-P-32.
32APR26
PLAINTIFF(S) BOROUGH OF MILLVALE VS. DEFENDANT(S) JEANNE MARIE PEITZ
CASE NO. GD-24-005645
*************
DEBT: $12,709.58 *********
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, BOROUGH OF MILLVALE: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 22 FRIDAY ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15209. DEED BOOK 11440, PAGE 332. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 118-L-316.
33APR26
DEFENDANT(S) PI Properties 22, LLC
******************** CASE NO. GD-25-008154
DEBT: $387,975.41
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Andrew J. Soven
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 1717 Arch St, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103 ************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 267-3018
34APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Gina M. Gerwell, as believed Heir to the Estate of Janet K. Gerwell; Unknown Heirs, to the Estate of Janet K. Gerwell; Unknown Administrators, to the Estate of Janet K. Gerwell
CASE NO. MG-25-000843
DEBT: $61,340.58
39APR26
DEFENDANT(S)
SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, City of McKeesport: Having Erected Thereon a Commercial Building Being Known and Numbered As 2725 Walnut Street, McKeesport, PA 15132. Deed Book Volume 19471, Page 478, Block and Lot Number 464-E-55.
DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Stowe Township: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 118 Euclid Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136. Document Number 2003-32790, Deed Book Volume 11792, Page 154. Block and Lot Number 0111-M-00310-0000-00.
35APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Michael E. Floris
******************** CASE NO. MG-25-000974
************* DEBT: $19,725.54
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) MDK Legal
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
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 3904 Anderson Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132 AKA 3904 Anderson Street, McKeesport, PA 15132. Document Number 2024-2802, Deed Book Volume 19567, Page 337. Block and Lot Number 0461-E-00325-0000-00.
36APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Jeanne McKivitz, AKA Jeanne M. McKivitz
CASE NO. GD-25-010632 ************* DEBT: $62,741.85
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S)
MDK Legal
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
P. 0. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 614-220-5611
SHORT DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Stowe Township: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 1119 Charles Street, McKees Rocks, PA 15136. Document Number 200813, Deed Book Volume 10348, Page 412. Block and Lot Number 0072-G-00350-0000-00.
38APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Lane Living Management Limited Liability Company, a Pennsylvania limited liability company
CASE NO. GD-25-005609
DEBT: $153,835.47 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stern & Eisenberg, PC ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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 Municipality of Penn Hills:
Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 7214
KIM
MG-22-001017 DEBT: $118,040.35 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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, Municipality of Monroeville: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 614 BRIGHTBERRY RD., MONROEVILLE, PA 15146. Deed Book Volume 16835, Pag¢418. Block and Lot Number 0637-G-000170000·-00.
41APR26
DEFENDANT(S) REBECCA
JOHN F. WORTH, JR., IN HIS CAPACITY AS HEIR OF FRANCES J. WORTH; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, AND.ALL PERSONS, FIRMS, OR ASSOCIATIONS, CLAIMING
49APR26 DEFENDANT(S) Allan Lynn Cosby, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Laurence Gilbert Cosby a/k/a Laurence G. Cosby a/k/a Laurence G. Cosby, Sr., Deceased ******************** CASE NO. MG-23-000687 *************
DEBT: $135,459.31
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) The Law Office of Gregory Javardian, LLC ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 1310 Industrial Boulevard, pt Floor, Suite 101, Southampton, PA 18966
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Shaler Township:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 221 SOUTH MAGNOLIA DRIVE, GLENSHA W, PA 15116. DEED BOOK VOLUME 14868, PAGE 443. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER. 285-B-265.
50APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Dane Riley Birks ********************
CASE NO. MG-24-000772
DEBT: $206,854.30
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) LOGS Legal Group LLP
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 985 Old Eagle School Road, Suite 514 Wayne, PA 19087 **************************
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (610) 278-6800 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: ********************
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of Leet:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 120 SHORT STREET, AMBRIDGE, PA 15003. DEED BOOK VOLUME 17925, PAGE 334, BLOCK AND LOT 0934-K00105-0000-00.
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of North Versailles:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 327 FOSTER ROAD, NORTH VERSAILLES, PA 15137. DEED BOOK VOLU:ME 18981, PAGE 360, BLOCK AND LOT 0548-H-00123-0000-00.
52APR26
DEFENDANT(S) ERIC KNOBEL
CASE NO. MG-22-000738 ************* DEBT $143,905.01 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAWGROUP,P.C. ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPIITA, PA 19106
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF BALDWIN:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 505 CALVERT AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15227. DEED BOOK 19263, PAGE 7. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 59-P-240.
53APR26
DEFENDANT(S) MICHAEL COFFEY AKA MICHAEL BOYD COFFEY
CASE NO. MG-25-000787 ************* DEBT $161,310.83 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) KML LAWGROUP,P.C. ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) SUITE 5000, 701 MARKET STREET PHILADELPIITA, PA 19106
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 627-1322
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGH;ENY, BOROUGH OF MUNHALL: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 3519 FOREST AVENUE, HOMESTEAD, PA 15120. DEED BOOK 17616, PAGE 483. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 132-P-23.
54APR26
DEFENDANT(S) ERWIN F. HAMEL, JR. ********************
CASE NO. GD-22-000343 ************* DEBT $43,230.63
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Lisa M. Burkhart, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 4068 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Suite 225, Allison Park, PA 15101 ************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-532-4110
SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** ALL THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, AND TOWNSHIP OF ROSS. HAVING ERECTED THEREON A CONDOMINIUM UNIT BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 351 HAWTHORN COURT, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15237. DEED BOOK 8634, PAGE 403. BLOCK AND LOT 0517-M-00351-0000-00.
55APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny Vs.
DEFENDANT(S) C. Edward Eckert, Jr.
CASE NO. GD 25-003694
*************
DEBT: $11,420.63
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
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, Municipality of Penn-Hills:
Having erected thereon a one-story industrial building being known as 1600Hulton Road, Verona, PA 15J47. Deed Book Volume 9863, Page 189, Block & Lot No. 533-S-225.
56APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny Vs.
DEFENDANT(S) Brandon Huggins
******************** CASE NO. GD 25-000931
DEBT: $3,643.84
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
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 Baldwin:
Having erected thereon a one-story brick house being known as 123 Reva Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236. Deed Book Volume 17163, Page 324. Block & Lot No. 135-B21.-
57APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny Vs.
DEFENDANT(S) Thomas P. Magar
CASE NO. G.D. 24-007794
DEBT: $3,432.97
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
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 North Versailles: Having erected thereon a two-story brick house being known as 1120 Jacks Run Road, North Versailles, PA_ 15137. Deed Book Volume 11244, Page 231. Block & Lot No. 645-S-97.
58APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny Vs. DEFENDANT(S) Theresa Dlugopolski
CASE NO. GD 23-011763 ************* DEBT: $3,398.50 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
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 Harrison: Having erected thereon a one-story brick house being known as 1429 Pacific Avenue, Natrona Heights, PA 15065. Deed Book Volume 17919, Page 145. Block & Lot No. 1368-B-3.
59APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny Vs. DEFENDANT(S) Mario Silipigni
********************
CASE NO. GD 25-004854
*************
DEBT: $9,939.31
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
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, Municipality of Mt. Lebanon: Having erected thereon a two-story brick house being known as 232 Sleepy Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. Deed Book Volume 16649, Page 48. Block & Lot No. 140-A-32.
60APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny Vs.
DEFENDANT(S) Traci L. Frankovich
********************
CASE NO. GD 24-012419
DEBT: $2,788.16
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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 two-story masonry frame house being known as 107 Congalton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Deed Book Volume 14848, Page·328. Block & Lot No. 353-P-93.
61APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): Borough of Carnegie Vs.
DEFENDANT(S) Mary S. Schott, Trustee of the Mary S. Schott Revocable Trust dated January 4, 2010
CASE NO. GD 25-001944
DEBT: $4,770.71 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 525 William Penn Place, Suite 3110 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 **************************
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Carnegie:
Having erected thereon a two-story frame townhouse being known as 131 Cathedral Court, Carnegie, PA 15106. Deed Book Volume 14650, Page 101. Block & Lot No. 103-E-260-0A9A.
62APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny Vs. DEFENDANT(S) Julian Thomas & Stephanie Thomas ******************** CASE NO. GD 19-004622
DEBT: $4,366.32
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 525 William Penn Place, Suite 3110 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
SHORT DESCRIPTION: ******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Port Vue:
Having erected thereon a one-story brick house being known as 1012 Bellair Road, McKeesport, PA15133. Deed Book Volume 18797, Page 263. Block & Lot No. 383-N-357.
63APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): Township of Shaler Vs. DEFENDANT(S) Mark P. Frankovich ******************** CASE NO. GD 25-003341 *************
DEBT: $2,314.12
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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 Shaler: Having erected thereon a one-story brick house being known as 239 Elbe Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15209. Deed Book Volume 14240, Page 462. Block & Lot No. 118-D52.
65APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): County of Allegheny Vs. DEFENDANT(S) Michael H. Pasko
CASE NO. GD 25-004260
DEBT: $2,471.78
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 525 William Penn Place, Suite 3110 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
SHORT DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Jefferson Hills: Having erected thereon a one-story frame house being known as 120 Reed Drive, Clairton, PA 15025. Deed Book Volume 17720, Page 548. Block & Lot No. 659-B43.
66APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): Borough of Emsworth Vs.
DEFENDANT(S) Lance Hilyard & Courtney B. Carpenter
CASE NO. GD 24-013106
*************
DEBT: $2,397.25
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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 Emsworth: Having erected thereon a one-story brick house being known as 98 Locust Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15202. Deed Book Volume 15770, Page 356, Block & Lot No. 213-B90.
68APR26
PLAINTIFF(S): Borough of Dormont Vs. DEFENDANT(S) Pgh Laundry LLC ******************** CASE NO. GD 24-014582
DEBT: $3,075.91
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Joseph W. Gramc, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 525 William Penn Place, Suite 3110 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
**************************
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER:
69APR26 PLAINTIFF(S): Borough of Crafton Vs. DEFENDANT(S) Alicia Rae McFarland ******************** CASE NO.
76APR26
Kelly L. Thompson Rebecca M. Thompson Daniel F. Thompson
$54,689.53 NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) EMMANUEL J. ARGENTIERI
OF ATTORNEY(S)
NEWTON AVENUE, P.O. BOX 456, WOODBURY, NJ 08096
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (856) 384-1515
DESCRIPTION:
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of North Braddock:
Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 1204 Ridge Avenue, Braddock, PA 15104. Deed Book Volume 8541, Page 616. Block and Lot Number 374-K-233.
77APR26 DEFENDANT(S) Estate of James E. Holzer, Sandy Stokes, known heir of James E. Holzer CASE NO.MG-24-000836
DEBT: $116,183.18
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) EMMANUEL J. ARGENTIERI ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 52 NEWTON AVENUE, P.O. BOX 456, WOODBURY, NJ 08096 **************************
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 2nd Ward of the City of Clairton:
Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 725 East Drive, Clairton, PA 15025. Deed Book Volume 13376, Page 55, Instrument# 2007-29733. Block and Lot Number• 879-R-268.
78APR26 DEFENDANT(S) Jill Hubbell and Pittsburg Luxe LLC
$132,017.16
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stephen M. Hladik, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Hladik, Onorato and Federman, LLP
Wissahickon Avenue, North Wales, PA 19454 ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 855-9521
DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, BOROUGH OF
81APR26 DEFENDANT(S) LYNNE J. BOLEY ******************** CASE NO.MG-24-000907 DEBT: $94,001.77
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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, and Moon Township:
PARCEL 1: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 834 Royal Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108. Deed Book Volume 9776; Page 420. Block and Lot Number 0418C-00203-0000-00. PARCEL 2: Being vacant land being known as Royal Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108. Deed Book V9hune 9776, Page 420. Block and Lot Number 0418-C-00207-0000-00.
82APR26
DEFENDANT(S) ROY LEE SMITH, SR. ******************** CASE NO.GD-24-008973
DEBT: $14,518.29
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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, City of Pittsburgh, 25TH Ward: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 107 E JEFFERSON STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15212. Deed Book Volume 14543, Page493. Block and Lot Number 0023-F-00182-0000-.
83APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Celeste Dewald, as administratrix and Heir of the Estate of Joshua D. Dewald, deceased ******************** CASE NO.MG-25-000947
DEBT: $189,837.73
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Lois M. Vitu
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 663 Fifth Street, Oakmont, PA 15139
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Whitehall, Having erected thereon a Dwelling being known and numbered as 3331 Reiland Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15227 Deed Book 19855, Page 109 Block & Lot 189-N-165
84APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Kevin R. Rao, a/k/a Kevin Richard Rao, ******************** CASE NO.MG-24-000743 *************
DEBT: $116,005.01.
Stephen M. Hladik, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Hladik, Onorato and Federman, LLP 298 Wissahickon Avenue, North Wales, PA 19454
**************************
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 855-9521
SHORT DESCRIPTION: ********************
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 31ST WARD OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH:
PARCEL NO. 1: BEING VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS MULDOWNEY AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15207. DEED BOOK VOLUME 15090, PAGE 497. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 184-J-220. PARCEL NO. 2: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1400 MULDOWNEY AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15207. DEED BOOK VOLUME 15090, PAGE 497. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 184-J-222. PARCEL NO. 3: BEING VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS MULDOWNEY AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15207. DEED BOOK VOLUME 15090, PAGE 497. BLOCK-AND LOT NUMBER 184-J-223.
80APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Nancy J. Marchwinski ******************** CASE NO.MG-23-000626 ************* DEBT: $69,283.06
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stephen M. Hladik, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Hladik, Onorato and Federman, LLP 298 Wissahickon Avenue, North Wales, PA 19454
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 855-9521
SHORT DESCRIPTION: In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, BOROUGH OF BALDWIN:
HAVING ERECTED THEREON A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 3053 HARMENING AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15227. DEED BOOK VOLUME 12552, PAGE 141. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 94-M-34.
DEFENDANT(S) BRIAN J. ELLIS
88APR26
CASE NO.MG-24-000112
************* DEBT: $232,758.03 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) ERIC ROCHKIND, ESQUIRE ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) McCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC 216 HADDON AVENUE, SUITE 201 WESTMONT, NJ 08108
************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (856) 858-7080 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: IN THE COMMOWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY,MUNICIPALITYOFPENNHILLS:
PARCEL 1: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 815 CHURCHILL AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15235. DEED BOOK VOLUME 16737, PAGE 441. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER
0369-N-00356-0000-00. PARCEL 2: BEING VACANT LAND BEING KNOWN AS CHURCHILL AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15235. DEED BOOK VOLUME 16737, PAGE 441. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 0369-N-00305-0000-00.
89APR26
DEFENDANT(S) ABU BEKIR B. BINALIEV CASE NO.AR-24-002646
DEBT: $8,227.21
********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Fred C. Jug, Jr. ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 310 Grant Street, Suite 1109, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412-255-6500 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION:
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, COLLIER TOWNSHIP: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A CENTENNIAL POINTE COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATION DWELLING BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS.623 FREEDOM DRIVE, CARNEGIE, PA 15106. DEED BOOK 19059, PAGE 422. BLOCK And LOT NUMBER 202-A-00085.
90APR26
DEFENDANT(S) GARRICK W REED; THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ******************** CASE NO. MG-25-000551
DEBT: $47,308.00
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Carolyn Treglia, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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, 3RD WARD OF THE BOROUGH OF HOMESTEAD
Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 336 W 11TH AVE, HOMESTEAD, PA 15120. Deed Book Volume 15912, Page 588. Block and Lot Number 0131-A00381-0000-00 AKA 0131-A-00381
92APR26
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Kristine M. Anthou, Esquire,
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) Grenen & Birsic, P.C. One Gateway Center, 9th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (412) 281-7650
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, 3rd Ward of the Borough of Avalon: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A DWELLING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 707 SYLVAN AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15202. DBV 17060, PAGE 231, 8/L #215N-11.
86APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Justin R. Moorcroft
CASE NO.MG-22-000463
DEBT: $211,091.05 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) MDK Legal
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) P. 0. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028 **************************
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Greentree: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 1156 Greenridge Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. Document Number 2018-14233, Deed Book Volume 17211, Page 394. Block and Lot Number 0037-M-000280000-00.
87APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Michael J. Selwood; The United States of America, Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service
CASE NO.MG-25-000537 ************* DEBT: $271,863.49 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) MDK Legal ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) P. 0. Box 165028 Columbus, OH 43216-5028
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 614-220-5611
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
-In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, O’Hara Township: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 124 Crofton Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Document Number 2011-4557, Deed Book Volume 14514, Page 187. Block and Lot Number 0289-M-00058-0000-00.
DEFENDANT(S) ALBERT HUMPHRIES; ESSIE HUMPHRIES; ETHEL LOUISE MITCHELL, HEIR IN HER CAPACITY TO THE ESTATE OF LEWIS R. MITCHELL, SR., DECEASED; LEWIS MITCHELL, JR., HEIR IN HIS CAPACITY TO THE ESTATE OF LEWIS R. MITCHELL, SR., DECEASED; ANTHONY MITCHELL, HEIR IN HIS CAPACITY TO THE ESTATE OF LEWIS R. MITCHELL, SR., DECEASED; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, AND ALL PERSONS, FIRMS. OR ASSOCIATIONS CLAIMING RIGHT TITLE OR INTEREST FROM OR UNDER LEWIS R. MITCHELL, SR., DECEASED ******************** CASE NO. MG-23-000523 ************* DEBT: $34,172.12
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Carolyn Treglia, Esquire ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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, 13TH WARD OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 7926 INGLENOOK PL, PITTSBURGH, PA 15208. Deed Book Volume 15773, Page 358. Block and Lot Number 0175-D-001630000-00
93APR26
DEFENDANT(S) TODD E. YURA; ELIZABETH L. YURA
CASE NO. MG-25-000767
DEBT: $87,372.55
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Carolyn Treglia, Esquire
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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, BOROUGH OF MUNHALL Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 3645 SUNSET DRIVE, HOMESTEAD, PA 15120 AIK/A 3645 SUNSET DRIVE, MUNHALL, PA 15120. Deed Book Volume 17276, Page 330. Block and Lot Number 0133-B-001220000-00 AKA 0133B00122000000
94APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Joseph B. Whiteford and Gwenn C. Whiteford
******************** CASE NO. GD-25-000506 ************* DEBT: $192,412.62
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stem & Eisenberg, PC ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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 Municipality of Penn Hills:
Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 1188 Hamil Road, Verona, PA 15147. DEED BOOK VOLUME 16913, PAGE 544. Block and Lot Number 0534-R-00239.
95APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Norma Hairston and Leiah Clifford Ogletree ******************** CASE NO. MG-22-000510 ************* DEBT: $37,894.10
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stem & Eisenberg, PC
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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 Second Ward in the City of Clairton:
Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 708 Henry Street, Clairton, PA 15025-1624. Deed Book Volume 13325, Page 515. Block and Lot Number 878-P-26.
96APR26
DEFENDANT(S) Sonja Jean Price, solely in her capacity as known heir of Morris B. Pohland, deceased
CASE NO. GD-25-010452
DEBT: $145,232.56
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Stem & Eisenberg, PC ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) The Shops at Valley Square, 1581 Main Street, Suite 200 Warrington, PA 18976
******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny and Twenty-ninth Ward of the City of Pittsburgh: Having erected thereon a dwelling being known and numbered as 2255 Almont St, Pittsburgh, PA 15210-4506. Deed Book Volume 1098, Page 427. Block and Lot Number 95-L-119.
97APR26
DEFENDANT(S) HEATHER OBRINGER, AS ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF DANIEL SHOWALTER, DECEASED ********************
CASE NO. GD-25-006231
************* DEBT: $61,100.48
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jill M. Fein, Esquire/ Hill Wallack LLP
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 1000 Floral Vale Boulevard, Suite 300, Yardley, PA 19067
******************** In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Township of Harmar HAVING ERECTED THEREON A ONE-STORY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 514 MEADOWVALE DR., CHESWICK, PA 15024. DEED BOOK VOLUME 11420, PAGE 571. BLOCK & LOT NO. 621-H-24
98APR26 PLAINTIFFS BRENTWOOD BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT and BRENTWOOD BOROUGH Vs. DEFENDANT(S) FORWARD BRENTWOOD PROPERTIES, LLC, a Pennsylvania Limited Liability Company ******************** CASE NO. GD 24-010122 ************* DEBT: $768,874.46
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) JOHN T. VOGEL, TUCKER ARENSBERG, P.C. ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) TUCKER ARENSBERG, P.C. 1500 ONE PPG PLACE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15222 ************************** ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412.594.3902 ********************************
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF BRENTWOOD: HAVING ERECTED THEREON COMMERCIAL APARTMENT BUILDINGS (A THRU G) KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 3045 PYRAMID AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15227, DEED BOOK VOLUME 12165, PAGE 292 AND DEED BOOK VOLUME 15989, PAGE 81, BLOCK AND LOT 137-G-75
99APR26 PLAINTIFFS SHALER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, Vs. DEFENDANT(S) JOSEPH KONZIER ******************** CASE NO. GD 25-008540 ************* DEBT: $28,455.50
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) JOHN T. VOGEL, TUCKER ARENSBERG, P.C. ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) TUCKER ARENSBERG, P.C. 1500 ONE PPG PLACE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15222
**************************
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 412.594.3902 ******************************** SHORT DESCRIPTION: IN THE COMMONWEAL TH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, BOROUGH OF MILLVALE HAVING ERECTED THEREON A COMMERCIAL BUILDING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 701 EVERGREEN AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15209, DEED BOOK VOLUME 17137, PAGE 206, BLOCK AND LOT 118-G-114.
100APR26 PLAINTIFFS BOROUGH OF VERONA Vs. DEFENDANT(S) 415 WEST WARRINGTON AVENUE ASSOCIATES LP CASE NO. GD-25-009814 ************* DEBT: $24,800.55 ********* NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Megan Turnbull, Esquire *********************** ADDRESS
ity
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
NAME
110APR26
PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg Borough VS. DEFENDANT(S) Sherman Street Associates
CASE NO. GD 25-011750
DEBT: $16,077.33 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 424 S. 27th Street, Ste. 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15203
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Allegheny, Borough of Wilkinsburg:
BEING VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS SHERMAN STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 11125, PAGE 200. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 232-L-52.
111APR26
PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg Borough VS. DEFENDANT(S) SWG Associates, LP 1116 ******************** CASE NO. GD 25-011772 *************
115APR26
DEFENDANT(S) FDPITT, LLC
CASE NO. MG-25-002613
DEBT: $4,847,319.31
*********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Heath Khan Raymond A. Quaglia
***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 1735 Market Street, 51st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
ATTORNEY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (215) 665-8500
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
ALL THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 22ND WARD OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH:
PARCEL ONE: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A COMMERCIAL BUILDING AND OTHER IM-
PROVEMENTS BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1215 BRIGHTON ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15233. DEED BOOK VOLUME 16926, PAGE 211. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 23-N-10. ALL THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 13TH WARD OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH:
PARCEL TWO: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A COM-
MERCIAL BUILDING AND OTHER IM-
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH
Public Notice of the Proposed FY 2026 Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) is revising the Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) has completed its revision and update of the FY 2026 Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan. The proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 HCV Program Administrative Plan is available for review and comment from Friday, March 27, 2026, to Monday, April 27, 2026, on the HACP website: www.hacp.org.
Written comments on the FY 2026
Esquire
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S)
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: BEING VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS SWISSVALE AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 6110, PAGE 935. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 232-P-99.
DEBT: $26,036.82 *********
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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:
BEING VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1116 WOOD STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 9121, PAGE 215. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 175-S-278.
112APR26
PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg Borough VS. DEFENDANT(S) Thomas Parson ********************
CASE NO. GD 25-011752 ************* DEBT: $6,782.33
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire ***********************
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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:
BEING VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 1028 HILL AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 11790; PAGE 293.BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 232-P-151.
113APR26
PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg Borough VS. DEFENDANT(S) Raymond W. Reed ********************
CASE NO. GD 25-011753 ************* DEBT: $15,454.87
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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: BEING VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED. AS 1891 FAIRLAWN STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 8343, PAGE 54. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 232-G-33.
VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS SHERMAN STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK4478, PAGE 51.BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 232-L-11. 114APR26 PLAINTIFF(S) Wilkinsburg Borough VS. DEFENDANT(S) Earl Alonzo Simmons ******************** CASE NO. GD 25-011756
DEBT: $21,674.12
NAME OF ATTORNEY(S) Jennifer L. Cerce, Esquire
ADDRESS OF ATTORNEY(S) 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:
BEING VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 810 GLENN AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK 8781, PAGE 430. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 232-J-317.
PROVEMENTS BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 8184 FRANKSTOWN AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA 15221. DEED BOOK VOLUME 16926, PAGE 216. BLOCK AND LOTNUMBER231-N-17.
ALL THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE SITUATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, 20TH WARD OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH:
PARCEL THREE: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A COM-
MERCIAL BUILDING AND OTHER IM-
PROVEMENTS BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 2928 SHERADEN BOULEVARD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15204. DEED BOOK VOLUME 16926, PAGE 220.
BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 42-R-304.
PARCEL FOUR: HAVING ERECTED THEREON A COM-
MERCIAL BUILDING AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS BEING KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 2928 SHERADEN BOU-
LEVARD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15204. DEED BOOK VOLUME 16926, PAGE 220.
BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 42-R-312.
PARCEL FIVE: BEING VACANT LAND KNOWN AND NUMBERED AS 2928 SHERADEN BOU-
LEVARD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15204. DEED BOOK VOLUME 16926, PAGE 220. BLOCK AND LOT NUMBER 42-R-314.
NOTICE
In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Docket No. CS-24-02, Petitioner Robert Hartle v. Respondent Jo Ann Tuckfelt. To Respondent, whose last known address is 700 Beatty Road, Apt 222, Monroeville, PA 15146. You are hereby notified that Petitioner has filed a Petition for the Appointment of a Conservator against you in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, at Docket No. CS-24-02, wherein Petitioner seeks to be appointed conservator over property known as 1600 Hawthorne Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, Block and Lot No. 121J-001. YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against all claims set against you, you must take action within twenty (20) days by entering a written appearance personally, or by your attorney, filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed against you and a judgment entered against you by the court without further notice for any money claimed in the complaint or for any claim or relief requested by the Petitioner. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE. Lawyer Referral Service, Allegheny County Bar Association, Koppers Building, 11th Floor, 436 7th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, (412) 2615555, www.acbalrs.org. Matthew J. Kalina, Esq., 966 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA, 15237, (412)3666629.
LEGAL ADVERTISING Articles of Incorporation
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Notice is hereby given that Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on February 12, 2026, with respect to a proposed nonprofit corporation, Greater Pittsburgh Liberation Center, which has been incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988.
LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
Estate of JOHN PHILLIS, Deceased of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, No. 02-2601260, Cynthia Z. Makovich, Executor, 109 Pebble Court, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 or to AUBREY H. GLOVER, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC., 401 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017
Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan, must be addressed to “Attention: FY 2026 Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) The Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan” at the HACP Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Department, 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 5th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, and must be received by the close of business (5:00 pm) on Monday, April 6, 2026. Public hearings to receive public comments on the proposed FY 2026 Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 9:30 am and 5:30 pm via Zoom. The Zoom meeting information is available at www.hacp.org.
For questions regarding the proposed FY 2026 Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) and the Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan, please contact Felicia Williams at 412-456-5000 extension 2260.
People with disabilities who require assistance or alternative formats, or who wish to submit comments in alternative formats, can contact the Disability Compliance Office at 412-456-5282, extension 4; TTY 412-456-5282
LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices
Estate of RAYMOND JOSEPH CALABRESE, Deceased of Pittsburgh, No. 01699 of 2026,Shawn Wanner, Adm., or to Claire Johnson Saenz, Esq., Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky, 444 Liberty Avenue, Ste. 2200, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Estate of JULIUS L. HOPSON, JR. AKA JULIUS HOPSON, JR., Deceased of Pittsburgh, No. 01499 of 2026,Jaron McKinney, Adm., Jaron Mckinney, 609 Boden Street, Turtle Creek, PA 15145, or to Marvin Abrams, Esquire, Allegheny Law Group, LLC. 1040 5th Avenue, Floor 2, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Estate of YVONNE WILLIAMS, Deceased of Verona, PA 15147, No. 01439 of 2026,Anthony Williams, Sr. extr, 1410 Forsythe Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 or to Marvin Abrams, Esquire, Allegheny Law Group, LLC. 1040 5th Avenue, Floor 2, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Estate of MS. ANTALENE PENDEL, Deceased, of 209 Bendix Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108.
Estate No. 02-26-01061, Mr. Robert J. Pendel, Executor, c/o Feldman Law Group, PLLC, 1322 5th Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108
Estate of ROBERT J. MCGURGAN Case No. 135 of 2026. Will admitted to probate without administration by Order dated January 9, 2026. Peter B. Lewis, Counsel, Neighborhood Legal Services, 928 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
NOTICE OF TRUST ADMINISTRATION.
The Trustees named below give notice of the death of JAMES THOMAS KELLY, late of Bridgeville , Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, who died on October 5, 2025. During her lifetime, the said Decedent established the James Thomas Kelly Revocable Trust under Trust Instrument dated October 26, 2016 The Trustees request all persons having claims against the Decedent to make known the same in writing to them or their attorney, and all persons indebted to the Decedent to make payment to them without delay: Michael Kelly 54 Wadsworth Road Ashland, MA O1721 and Karen Durstin 223 Portman Lane Bridgeville, PA 15017 and Kathleen Day 265 Kinney Street Torrington, CT 06790 or to: AUBREY H. GLOVER, Atty; BRENLOVE & FULLER, LLC 401 Washington Avenue Bridgeville, PA 15017
Estate of SUSAN GLIDDEN Case No. 1281 of 2025 . Paula L. McGilton appointed Administratrix by Order dated March 2, 2026. Peter B. Lewis, Counsel, Neighborhood Legal Services, 928 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Estate of VIRGINIA DERR, A/K/A VIRGINIA MARGARET DERR, Case No. 1609 of 2026. Barbara Derr appointed Administrator by Order dated March 13, 2026. Peter B. Lewis, Counsel, Neighborhood Legal Services, 928 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Estate of Diane C. Culbert, aka Diane Christine Culbert, No. 02-26-01565 Date of Death: 12/22/2025
PNC Bank, National Association Attn: Paul Palko, VP 300 Fifth Ave, FL 31 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 And/or: Linda Rhone Enion, Esquire Fox Rothchild 500 Grant Street, Suite 500 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s (HACP) regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting, previously scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, has been changed to Thursday, April 30, 2026; 10:30 a.m. EST. The hybrid meeting will be conducted via Zoom Conferencing and in-person in the Lower-Level Conference Room of 412 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. You must register to attend the in-person meeting. Registration for attending the meeting in-person and registration to provide public comment will both open on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. and posted to www.hacp.org
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.
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) will hold a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Thursday, March 26, 2026 @ 10:30 a.m. EST. The hybrid meeting will be conducted via Zoom Conferencing and in-person on the Lower Level Conference Room of 412 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. You must register to attend the in-person meeting. Registration for attending the meeting in-person and registration to provide public comment will both open on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. and posted to www.hacp.org.
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.
LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF BEAVER Beaver, Pennsylvania INVITATION TO BID The HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF BEAVER will receive sealed bids, in duplicate, until 9:00 AM (local time) on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the office of the Housing Authority of the County of Beaver, James F. Tress Administration Building, 300 State Street (Vanport), Beaver, Pennsylvania at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 9:00 AM for Asphalt Shingle Re-Roofing at Allaire Homes, Monaca, Pennsylvania. A fifteen percent (15%) bid bond is required for this project. Proposed forms of contract documents, including Plans and Specifications are being distributed, with twenty-fourhour notice of pick-up, by Ditto (www.dittoplanroom.com), 1020 Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233, phone (412) 231-7700. All bidders are REQUIRED to buy the full set of plans and specifications. Contact Ditto for cost of plans and specifications. No Documents will be distributed until payment in full plus tax and shipping (non-refundable) payable to and received by Ditto. Free examination of said documents is available at the office of Canzian/Johnston & Associates LLC and Pennsylvania Builders Exchange. Plans and specifications will be available on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Stephen Phillips Homes Community Room, Project Road, Monaca, PA 15061.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Estate of LEAH R. CARLISLE, Deceased, of Coraopolis, Estate No. 00778 of 2026
Leah Jean Erwin, Executor, or to Devin Hallett Snyder, Esq, Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky, 444 Liberty Avenue, Ste. 2200, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
The Borough of Wilkinsburg is accepting sealed proposals from qualified firms to provide rehabilitation services to the Eastridge Branch Library. The RFP scope is available for viewing at https://www.wilkinsburgpa.gov/ projects-and-initiatives/rfp/. The Borough is requiring a mandatory pre-bid meeting on April 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at 1900 Graham Blvd., Wilkinsburg, PA 15235. Respondents should submit a sealed proposal to the Borough Manager, Owen McAfee, 605 Ross Ave., Wilkinsburg, PA 15221, no later than April 13, 2026 @ 12:00 p.m. Proposals will be opened at noon, after the deadline. Wilkinsburg reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or parts thereof, and to waive any informalities or irregularities in any proposal received. COURIER
Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is requesting proposals for the performance of the following service (“Contract Services”):
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) INTERPRETATION SERVICES
The work under the proposed Agreement(s) consists of American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation Services for testimonies, speakers, audiences, and presentations; board meetings and board committee meetings; advisory council and other committee meetings; public hearings and public events; and other events deemed necessary and appropriate by PRT. While it is currently PRT’s intention to enter into agreements with a pool of three firms, this number may be adjusted up or down, at PRT’s sole discretion, based upon the number of proposals received and PRT’s evaluation of same in relation to its American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation Service needs in each of the categories.
The Agreement will be for a 3-year period with the option to extend the term of the Agreement up to 2 additional years at the sole discretion of PRT.
A copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) will be available on or after March 17, 2026 and can be obtained by registering at the PRT’s ebusiness website: http://ebusiness.ridePRT.org and following the directions listed on the website. Please note that Proposers must register under the ebusiness category(ies) of PSMCM- Professional Services – Med/Vocational Case Management and PROF – Professional Services for this RFP. Proposers may also register in other categories for any future RFPs issued by PRT.
If you have specific questions regarding this RFP, please contact Keith Bayles at (412) 566-5434 or via email kbayles@ridePRT.org.
An Information Meeting for interested parties will be held at 9:30am, prevailing time, April 1, 2026 via Microsoft Teams video conference and/ or conference call to answer any questions regarding this RFP.
• +1 412-927-0245,,583786599# United States, McKeesport
• Conference ID: 583 786 599#
The PRT call-in number has been set up and is as follows:
• Toll Free Number (Canada/US): 1-800-974-5902
• Local Dial-In Number: (416) 874-8100
• Conference ID #: 4051776
Electronic proposals must be both received, and time stamped by a representative of the Procurement Department through PRT’s Ebusiness website at or before 2:00 p.m., prevailing time, April 21, 2026 at http://ebusiness.ridePRT.org. Proposals received or time stamped by a Procurement Department representative through PRT’s Ebusiness website after the advertised time for the submission of proposals shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for award. Each Proposer shall be solely responsible for assuring that its proposal is timely received and time stamped in accordance with the requirements herein. This Contract Services may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The proposal process and the performance of the requested services will be in accordance with guidelines and regulations of the FTA “Third Party Contracting Guidelines”, FTA Circular 4220.1F, as amended, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit, in compliance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, as amended, implements positive affirmative action procedures to ensure that all Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBEs”) have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts financed, in whole or in part, with federal funds, if any, provided under or for the proposed Agreement. In this regard, all recipients or contractors shall take all necessary and reasonable steps in accordance with 49 C.F.R., Part 26, to ensure that DBEs have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services.
Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, also requires that certified Diverse Businesses, (“DBs”) have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontract for, the Contract Services. In this regard, all Proposers, and the Contractor, shall make good faith efforts, in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for, and perform contracts and subcontracts for, the Contract Services. Further, proposers and the Contractor shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sex, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts or subcontracts for these Contract Services
Port Authority of Allegheny County d/b/a Pittsburgh Regional Transit reserves the right to reject any or all proposals
DOCUMENT 00030-AA ADVERTISEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
The Allegheny County Airport Authority will be receiving scanned PDF proposals through Submittable, and a submission link will be sent to each registered plan holder. Submissions are to be submitted via Submittable by 1:00 p.m. prevailing local time on April 22, 2026, and bids will be opened by the Airport Authority and results will be emailed by end of business day of bid opening for the following project:
ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
PROJECT NUMBER 7G4-21 (GENERAL)
CLINTON ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AT PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m., on April 2, 2026, at the Allegheny County Airport Authority, 1305 Cherrington Parkway Suite 100, Moon Township, PA 15108.
Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, must be paid on these projects.
Proposals must be made on the Authority’s form and in accordance with the Plans and Specifications and the “Instructions to Bidders”’. The non-refundable charge of $150.00 for the Bid Documents and the Plans, and Specifications through the bidding platform Submittable at https://acaacapitalprograms.submittable.com.
Please note that Submittable does not support Internet Explorer 11. Submittable recommends the following browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.
This project has DBE participation goals; DBE firms must be certified with the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program) (PA UCP). Firms must be certified prior to award of contract. A searchable database of DBE firms can be found on the PA UCP web site: https://paucp.dbesystem.com/
The Airport Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids or waive any informalities in the bidding.
No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of sixty [60] days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids.
To view a complete advertisement, which is also included in the bidding documents visit www.flypittsburgh.com – ACAA Corporate – Business Opportunities or call 412-472-3677 or 412-472-5647.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy,
with the City of Pittsburgh,
accepting bids for the McKinley Park Community Grove Project. Sealed bids must be received by Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 2PM EST at the Frick Environmental Center (2005 Beechwood Boulevard 15217) where they will be publicly opened. The Bid Package will be available on Thursday, March 26, 2026. For the complete Invitation to Bid, including bid requirements and pre-bid conference dates, visit
PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY D.B.A. PRT
Electronic Proposals will be received online at PRT’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org). Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 AM on April 8, 2026, and will be read at 11:15 AM., the same day, through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conferencing, for the following:
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFBS) FOR HODGKISS AND SWEETBRIAR REHABILITATION
IFB #600-06-26
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH (“HACP”) will receive sealed bids for the Hodgkiss and Sweetbriar Rehabilitation AMP-22 & AMP-39
The construction work is estimated to begin July 2026
bid to the Borough Manager, Owen McAfee, 605 Ross Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221, no later than April 6, 2026 @ 12:00 p.m. Bids will be opened at noon, after the deadline. Wilkinsburg reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or parts thereof, and to waive any informalities or irregularities in any proposal received.
To join the bid opening through Microsoft Teams meeting on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 242 554 892 300 58
Passcode: oi6Wn3qt
Or call in (audio only)
412-927-0245
Phone Conference ID: 372 371 16#
No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids.
A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on each of the above items at 10:00 AM
March 17, 2026, through your web browser via Microsoft Teams video conferencing. Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory,but is strongly encouraged.
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 251 474 227 368 48
Passcode: sy3Cm9Am
Or call in (audio only)
412-927-0245
Phone Conference ID: 178 326 78#
Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the PRT within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening. These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County d.b.a. PRT and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing.
Port Authority of Allegheny County d.b.a. PRT hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.
The Board of PRT reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY PITTSBURGH, PA MARCH 18, 2026
The Office of the Director of the Department of Public Works for Allegheny County is soliciting Statements of Interest through Bonfire for the following:
ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Roadway Maintenance and Traffic Services – As Needed County Project No. 7A26-OPEN
Statements of Interest are due no later than April 17, 2026 and are to be submitted through the Bonfire e-Procurement website: https://alleghenycountydpw.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/225836
If not already an account holder with Bonfire, please register for a free account through Bonfire’s eProcurement website: https://gobonfire.com/ bonfire-standard-vendors/ Any inquiries into this advertisement are to be directed to Meghan Sexton, P.E., PTOE, Assistant Deputy Director, at 412-350-1284 or Meghan.Sexton@AlleghenyCounty.us
The County will preselect or short-list five firms for consideration for this Project assignment on the following evaluation criteria: Experience, Record, Size, Workload, Related Work and Sustainability Profile. By a Request for Proposal the Department of Public Works will notify the short-listed firms to submit proposals. The County will invite each of these firms to attend a Preproposal Scoping and Presentation Meeting. The County will base final selection of a firm for this assignment on the following evaluation criteria: Oral Presentation/Project Proposal, Organization, Design Ability, Experience, Special Criteria such as community involvement and other sensitive areas of Project development and Sustainability Profile. Up to three shortlisted firms may be selected to enter into contract.
The County’s minority business enterprise and women’s business enterprise goals for this Project will be 13% of the total price for MBE participation and 2% of the total price for WBE participation. Certification of MBEs and WBEs by the County is mandatory on or before proposal due date.
Firms submitting a Letter of Interest must have their MBE/WBE participants in place and noted in their letter and/or SF 330 form information in order to be considered for this project.
Stephen G. Shanley, PE, Director Department of Public Works of Allegheny County
ADVERTISEMENT
Sealed proposals will be received by the Township of Wilkins of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania through the Quest Construction Data Network (QuestCDN) at www.questcdn.com until 11:00 AM prevailing time on April 23,2026 for:
CONTRACT NO. 26-R01
2026 ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The scope of work for Contract No. 26-R01 consists of approximately 5,000 square yards of roadway milling and profiling, Superpave WMA binder course, 1.5” Superpave WMA wearing course, base repair, traffic control, line striping and all necessary appurtenances and restoration for said construction. All bidders are required to buy the Bid Documents in PDF format for a non-refundable deposit of $125.00 from QuestCDN using project number 10073225. Contact their Customer Support regarding membership registration, downloading and working with digital project information at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com. Any technical questions regarding the bid documents are to be directed to LSSE. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud via video conference. Interested parties may contact the Township for access information prior to the date and time identified herein. Pennsylvania prevailing wage rates apply. Proposals must be upon the forms furnished by the Township. The bid must be accompanied by a certified check or bid bond in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the bid, made payable to the Township of Wilkins to guarantee the bidder’s entrance into the contract if given the award. The Township reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any informalities in the bidding. No bid may be withdrawn for ninety (90) calendar days after the scheduled time for receipt of bids. Attention is directed to the fact that procurement is subject to all requirements of the Pennsylvania “Steel Products Procurement Act, Act No. 1978-3”; and for Contract value exceeding $25,000, the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act (Act of 1961 P.L. 987), and The Public Works Employment Verification Act (July 2012) apply. The Township shall (a) award the construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder therefore, or (b) reject all bids received within ninety (90) days of the date of bid opening; provided, however, that the Township may, in its sole discretion, delay such award or rejection for up to one hundred twenty (120) days from the bid opening date until the Township has received all required approvals from other governmental agencies. Bidders on this work will be required to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
TOWNSHIP OF WILKINS Rebecca Vargo, Manager
Bid Documents will be available on or about Monday, March 23, 2026 and may be obtained HACP’s webpage, www.hacp.org Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held in person on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at 447-449 Sweetbriar Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211. 10:30 a.m. at 453-455 Sweetbriar Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211 11:30 a.m. at 1233 Hodgkiss Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.
Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 6th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Brandon Havranek, Associate Director of Procurement until 10:00 a.m. May 4, 2026.
HACP will also accept online submissions for this Invitation for Bid in addition to accepting submissions at our 412 Boulevard of the Allies office. For respondents wishing to submit online, please access the instructions provided in the project manual or on HACP’s website to submit the bid digitally. In addition to the electronic submittal above, HACP will only be accepting physical bids dropped off in person from 8:30 a.m. until the closing time of 10:00 am on May 4, 2026 , in the lobby of 412 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Sealed bids may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 6th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. All bids must be received at the above address no later than May 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., regardless of the selected delivery mechanism. HACP reserves the right to waive any informality in or reject any and all bids. No bid shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent ofHACP. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for Federally Assisted Construction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sexual preference, handicap or national origin. HACP has revised its website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFP documentation. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Brandon Havranek, Associate Director of Procurement at (412) 456-5890.
Caster D. Binion, Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH HACP
bids for Refuse
and Recycling. Bids are to be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked Refuse Removal and Recycling Bid, and delivered to the attention of Bids at North
School
135 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. 15229. All bids must be received by April 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The Bids will be opened publicly and read aloud in the Board Room of the Administration Building. The clock in the Board Room will determine the Prevailing Time for the Receipt of Bids. The District invites any interested parties to attend. Bidding Documents may be obtained by contacting David Serkoch, Director of Facilities @ serkochd@nhsd.net. CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!
INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that specifications and proposal forms for furnishing all labor and materials and professional consulting and/ or construction services for the following project(s) entitled:
ELKS Lodge Phase 1a: Porch and Front Façade Restoration 400 Cedar Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
This project addresses critical exterior renovations at the historic Allegheny Elks Lodge including:
- Rehabilitation of masonry façade at main entrance and front elevation with pointing, stone cleaning, and securing and restoring key masonry points.
- Restoration of historic stone steps and installation of ADA-compliant platform lift.
- Structural front porch reinforcement and preservation of hist orically significant elements (decorative columns, light fixtures).
- Wood trim replacement, new main entry doors, windows, and flooring.
This project is required to follow compliance with GEDTF Grant Program Requirements, Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grant Program and Davis-Bacon Wage Act.
Bid documents may be obtained from Sota Construction Services, Inc. by contacting Chris Michaels at cmichaels@sotaconstruction.com or calling 412-215-2348.
ALL BIDS WILL BE RECEIVED until 2:00 PM on April 16, 2026, at the offices of Sota Construction Services, Inc., 80 Union Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15202. Bids will be privately opened there after. Bids must be on standard proposal forms in the manner therein described in the bid documents and be enclosed in a sealed envelope, bearing the name and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to the Sota Construction Services, Inc. and marked with the project name. If there are additional questions, please contact Chris Michaels, Director of PreConstruction, at Sota Construction Services, Inc. (412) 2152348.
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF BEAVER Beaver, Pennsylvania INVITATION TO BID
The HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF BEAVER will receive sealed bids, in duplicate, until 10:00 AM (local time) on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the office of the Housing Authority of the County of Beaver, 300 State Ave, Beaver, Pennsylvania at which time bids will be publicly opened and read aloud for the following: Parking Lot Patching, Sealing and Replacement Contract #1 – Morado Dwellings, Monacatootha Apartments, Harmony Dwellings, Thomas Bishop Apartments, Pulaski Homes, Rocco Bovalino Apartments, Sheffield Towers and Joseph Edwards Elderly Apartments
Contract #2 - Beaver Village, Dawes Manor, New Brighton Townhomes, College Hill Apartments and 1416 6th Ave, Beaver Falls
A fifteen percent (15 %) bid bond is required for this project.
Proposed forms of contract documents, including Plans and Specifications are being distributed by Accu-Copy Reprographics, Inc., 302 Thomson Park Drive, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066, phone (724) 935-7055. All bidders are REQUIRED to buy the full set of plans and specifications. DEPOSITS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE. Contact Accu-Copy for cost of plans and specifications. Documents will be available on March 19, 2026
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act and Section 3 Compliance are required.
A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Morado Dwellings Community Room, 4th Ave & 43rd Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
CLEAN SLATE E3 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME (OST) PROGRAMS RFP #E3-2026-01
The Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh (HACP) is issuing this Request for Proposals on behalf of our affiliated nonprofit organization, Clean Slate E3, hereby requests proposals from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s):
Out-Of-School Time (OST) Programs
The documents will be available no later than March 23, 2026, and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on April 29, 2026. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh on behalf of Clean Slate E3 will only accept physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the closing time of 10:00 a.m. on April 29, 2026, in the lobby of One Stop Shop at 412 Boulevard of the Allies. 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, at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 412 Boulevard of the Allies, 6th Floor - Procurement, 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 inquires should be directed to:
Mr. Brandon Havranek, Associate Director of Procurement/ Contracting Officer Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh 412 Boulevard of the Allies 6th Floor - Procurement Department Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-456-2890
A
7,
ANALYST Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) to be resp for ovrsng dvlpmnt & mntnc of intrnl anltcl tools; ensrng modls algn w/bsns goals, empl sound mthdlgs, justfd assmptns, prduce rsnbl reslts thru quant anls; cllbrtng w/ othr Bank dprtmnts to idntfy modl risks & enhnc prfrmnce; idntfng & measrng modl risk; engng closly w/ regltry authrts & interprtng guidlns accrtly. Mstr’s dgr in Fncl Mthmtcs or rel fld. Mst knw (thru acdmc trnng or wrk exp.) SQL Query; data wrnglng, web crawlr, XML parsng, Bloomberg API, Refinitiv API, Bloomberg Terminal; R prgrmng; VBA prgrmng; PolyPaths & Principia; data anls & vislztn; time series anls; & mchne lrnng. WFH in same MSA 2 dys pr wk. Cvr ltr & resume w/salary reqs & ref to: HR Dept, FHL Bank Pittsburgh, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-4455.
EVERYONE is on YouTube...including the Courier!
Pull out your cell phone, and with the camera, scan this QR code to the left. When the link appears, click it... It will take you directly to the Courier’s YouTube page. Click “subscribe,” and then browse through more than 150 videos pertaining to Pittsburgh’s African American community.
See the video of Rev. Cornell Jones winning an award from the South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace...
See a tribute video to longtime community activist Tim Stevens...including pics of Tim from back in the day! Only on the Courier’s YouTube page...
See videos of Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor, Ed Gainey, over his four-year tenure...
Friday, March 27, 2026 | 6-9 p.m.
Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square
300 W. Station Square, Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15219
SPONSORS
AWARD
BENEFACTOR
PATRON
SUPPORTING
MIKEY HOOD CELEBRITY HOST
Mikey Hood is a lifestyle and entertainment co-host on KDKA-TV’s Pittsburgh Today Live and Talk Pittsburgh. She grew up in the East End of Pittsburgh and graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School. She got her start in local daytime TV through a web show she created and produced called Pghspot.com.
“I’ve always wanted to highlight people from my community…the feel-good stories, the stories of victory and success,” Hood said. She is married to actor Georin Oliver and has a son named Logan. She also loves playing with her high-energy dog, a Labradoodle named Wilson. Her motto is to focus on the things you can change, not on what you can’t.
AWARD HONOREES
Brandin Adams
Senior Transit Scheduler
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Keah L. Adams
Senior Manager, Education and Community Engagement
August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Khamil Bailey
Founder & Director, Cocoapreneur Pgh, LLC; Co-Founder & Executive Director, The Greenwood Plan/ Emerald City Pittsburgh
Soraya Bey
Scholarship Manager, The Pittsburgh Promise Outreach Specialist, Black Women for a Better Education
Brittany Boyd
Communications & Social Media Coordinator, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania; Owner, Brittany Leanna Productions
Sophia J. Brooks
Senior Customer Service Specialist, Community Care Behavioral Health Organization; Consultant, G.G. Polygraph and Interview Services
Michael Lee Carroll Jr.
Founder, Charlotte’s Webb; Public Information Officer, Allegheny County Economic Development
Aaliyah Coleman
Student Support & Success Life Coach Coordinator Community College of Allegheny County
Jason Allen Deakings, Ph.D., MSPH
Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Center for Health Equity University of Pittsburgh
Director, Civic Engagement and Voter Contact Alliance for Police Accountability
Jasmine Thompson
Educator, Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship; Owner, Blis 23 Candle Co.
Patriece Thompson
Senior Leader and Director, Community & Citizenship Turner Construction Company
Felicity A. Williams, Esq.
Executive Director, Pennsylvania Policy Center; Executive Director, Pennsylvanians Together in Action
The New Pittsburgh Courier salutes the ‘Fab 40 Under 40’ Class of 2026!
The New Pittsburgh Courier is extremely proud to present the New Pittsburgh Courier’s “Fab 40 Under 40” Class of 2026! We salute these young movers and shakers for their hard work and dedication.
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 dedicated efforts, tomorrow’s African Americans have an even greater possibility of procuring a brighter future than ever before.
To the “Class of 2026,” 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.
Rod Doss Editor and Publisher
BACK ROW: COURIER GRAPHIC DESIGNER WARREN KING, COURIER SALES DIRECTOR ASHLEY JOHNSON, COURIER MANAGING EDITOR ROB TAYLOR JR. FRONT ROW: COURIER ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER STEPHAN BROADUS, COURIER EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ROD DOSS, COURIER OFFICE MANAGER ALLISON PALM.
As the New Pittsburgh Courier’s FAB 40 Under 40 continues to celebrate and honor those who are making an indelible mark on our city, it does more than recognize achievement; it perpetuates a legacy of aspiration, where determination knows no bounds, and where Black excellence shines brightly, like a diamond in the heart of the city. These are the FAB 40 we recognize today—the “Class of 2026.”
BRANDIN ADAMS
Senior Transit Scheduler
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Brandin Adams is a Senior Transit Scheduler at Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), where he plays a key role in designing and optimizing bus service that moves thousands of riders safely and reliably each day. With a background spanning public transportation, energy operations, and environmental management, Adams brings a disciplined, data-driven, and people-centered approach to public service.
In his current role, Adams oversees complex scheduling and service planning efforts, works closely with frontline operators and labor partners, and supports operational improvements that balance efficiency with rider experience. He is widely respected for his hands-on leadership style and his commitment to understanding transit from the ground up through field observations and direct engagement.
Beyond his professional responsi-
bilities, Adams is deeply involved in leadership development and industry advancement. He has presented at national American Public Transportation Association (APTA) conferences, contributes to professional mentorship and workforce development initiatives, and actively supports efforts to preserve and strengthen public transit as a cornerstone of equitable communities.
Adams holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of Maryland. Rooted in Pittsburgh, Adams remains committed to public service that values accountability, collaboration, and longterm community impact, helping ensure that public transportation continues to be a dependable backbone of opportunity and mobility for all.
Austin Davis
Courtney Abegunde
Blessy Bellamy
Dr. Jimyse Lyn Brown
Ashley Cabiness
Tiaona Cade
Christopher Carter, J.D.
Jeremy Castrodad
Savionne Chambers
Melessie Clark
Nelson Cooper IV
Jamillia Kamara
Covington
Shea Craig
Kahlil G. Darden Jr.
Courtney Davenport
Lesa DeGennaro
Kelcei J. EdmondsTindal
Deainna Fitzgerald
Glenn O. Ford
Kashif Henderson
Kimberly Diana Jacobs
Dr. Shenay Jeffrey
Ashanté Josey
Dr. Anthony Kane Jr.
Tyler Ray Kendrick
George W. Little Jr.
Keith T. Marrow
Farren Mason Jr.
Derrick L. Maultsby Jr., Esq.
Trey McCune
Dr. Brittany McDonald -Pierce
Chidozie Christian
Oparanozie
Shannon Prentiss
Fred Quinn III
Dr. MiIsha Reid
Teona Ringgold
Dr. Jaleah N. Robinson
Jonathan Royster
Dr. Khirsten L. Scott
Nissa’a Stallworth -Hewitt
Anthony R. Walls Jr.
KEAH L. ADAMS
Senior
Manager, Education and Community Engagement
August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Keah L. Adams is an arts educator and community engagement leader dedicated to using creativity as a tool for connection, healing, and cultural storytelling.
As Senior Manager of Education and Community Engagement at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, she develops innovative programming, public art initiatives, and educational experiences inspired by the legacy of playwright August Wilson; creating accessible opportunities for people of all ages to engage with African American culture.
Adams’ goal is to continue to champion Black art as a catalyst for dialogue, resilience, and community transformation.
TALIYA R. ALLEN
DANAI BATTLE
TYRELL BEST-SAVAGE
CHANTAL BRAZIEL
KHAMIL BAILEY
Founder & Director, Cocoapreneur Pgh, LLC;
Co-Founder & Executive Director, The Greenwood Plan/Emerald City Pittsburgh
LYTIA S. BROCK
NATHANIEL BROWN
FRED BUCKNER
MACKAIYA CHERRY
DANIELLE V. COLQUITT
TYLER COULVERSON
ASHLEY R. COMANS
DAYLON A. DAVIS
PASTOR MICHAEL
ANTHONY DAY
BRANDY DAYE
DEANNA D. DIAS
DORIN DICKERSON
JHASON DIXON
CAMILLE L. EDMONDS
JESSE I. EXILUS, ESQ.
SYDNI GOLDMAN
DORIEN GOODNIGHT-GIDDENS
ERIKKA B. GRAYSON
Khamil Bailey, a passionate advocate for Black businesses, is the founder of Cocoapreneur Pgh, LLC, a consultancy firm dedicated to empowering Black businesses in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
Hailing from East Orange, N.J., her experiences deeply influenced her commitment to advancing Black communities. After arriving in Pittsburgh for college in 2005, Bailey noticed the stark lack of diversity and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in the city. Over two decades, her affinity for Pittsburgh grew, inspiring her mission to bolster the city’s middle-class neighborhoods. She launched a campaign to support Black businesses in predominantly Black communities, leading to the establishment of Cocoapreneur Pgh, LLC.
Cocoapreneur serves as a vital link between the community and small Black businesses, equipping them to better serve their neighborhoods and connecting consumers with local Black businesses. Bailey’s brainchild, the Cocoapreneur Directory, organizes Pittsburgh’s Black businesses, helping consumers discover and support businesses in their communities. Beyond this, she co-founded the Greenwood Week Black Business Conference, co-founded and serves as the Executive Director of the Greenwood Plan nonprofit, and owns the vibrant Emerald City Pittsburgh co-working space. Beyond building these organizations, she raised over $100,000 through Cocoapreneur for Black business relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bailey plays an active role on the boards of the Hill District Federal Credit Union and Catapult Greater Pittsburgh, positions she holds dear to her heart. Her tireless efforts continue to drive equity and prosperity for Black entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh.
DR. SYLVESTER C. HANNER
ASRAIEL HAREWOOD
RASHAWD HATTEN
TEMPESTT HENDERSON-SUTTON
MIRACLE JONES
TALIA D. KIRKLAND
YASMEEN MANYISHA
JOAN OWHE OJO, ESQ.
DANICA PHILLIPS
BROOKE RAWLS, PH.D., LCSW
AUDIA ROBINSON, MBA, PH.D. CANDIDATE
SHANA SMITH
TIFFANY STANLEY
JOHN A. UKENYE, J.D.
LAWRENCE URADU, MD
DANIELLE COMMODORE WALKER
DARIUS WALLACE
ORLANDO WATSON
SORAYA BEY
Scholarship Manager, The Pittsburgh Promise; Outreach Specialist, Black Women for a Better
Soraya Bey is a strategist, author and community advocate whose work bridges business and lived experience to advance equity and mental wellness across Pittsburgh.
With more than 15 years of lived experience navigating a chronic health journey, she developed a leadership lens grounded in empathy, adaptability and intentionality. That perspective reshaped her professional path and strengthened her commitment to serving communities often overlooked.
Her foundation in business and strategic communications informs her ability to design equitable systems, manage cross-sector partnerships, and translate complex processes into accessible pathways for students and families.
In a region where Black women are frequently undercompensated and undervalued, Bey is grateful to collaborate with Black women–led organizations that have intentionally invested in her
BRITTANY BOYD
Education
expertise and leadership. Sisters Lifting
As We Climb (SLAWC), Black Women for a Better Education (BW4BE), Common Cause Consulting, Black Women Equity Initiative and You Good, Sis? have brought her onto their teams to strengthen strategy, engagement and program development.
Through her collaboration with SLAWC’s inaugural Black Women Check In Mental Health Cohort, she helped facilitate curriculum that included content from her independently written and published book series. She also facilitated workshops with The Center that C.A.R.E.S., working with both staff and students to promote mental wellness, self-reflection and goal-setting.
Her work with youth led to her role as a College & Career Success Coach with The Pittsburgh Promise at Pittsburgh Milliones, where she supported students in postsecondary planning and resource navigation. Beyond academic advising,
Communications & Social Media Coordinator, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania; Owner, Brittany Leanna Productions
Brittany Boyd, a proud native of the North Side and graduate of Winchester Thurston School, is a storyteller at heart and in practice. She serves as communications and social media coordinator at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, where she leads internal and external communications that connect donors, legislators, stakeholders and community members to the organization’s impact across the region. From managing 18 annual newsletters to overseeing social media strategy and content, Boyd helps elevate partner agencies, highlight key initiatives and celebrate progress throughout the community. She also serves as a DEI co-chair, co-leading efforts that foster learning, dialogue and inclusion across the organization.
For the past eight years, Boyd has owned and operated Brittany Leanna Productions, a company rooted in promoting equity through art. Through photography, videography and film, she creates space for authentic storytelling while intentionally mentoring emerging artists and film professionals, offering hands-on opportunities, industry insight and encouragement to grow in both skill and confidence. Her production credits include work as a production assistant on the Clemente film, assistant director on the short film, “House of Stones,” and producer of a documentary for True T Pittsburgh. She also wrote and produced the original web series #LWB: Living While Black. A graduate of Howard University, Boyd
she served as a mentor and trusted advocate, creating a safe and affirming space that allowed students to build confidence, seek guidance and remain engaged in their goals.
She later transitioned into the Scholarship Manager role, where she oversees the execution and integrity of The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship process. In this capacity, she manages institutional
financial aid partnerships, ensures accurate award processing, responds to student and family inquiries, and supports scholars at risk of losing eligibility, strengthening systems that expand access and sustain student success.
Bey’s career reflects a commitment to service, collaboration and community-centered leadership.
further sharpened her craft at Columbia University’s Summer of the Arts program in 2019. In 2021, she received the YWCA Equity Award for Creativity & Innovation in recognition of her work through Brittany Leanna Productions and her impact in the community.
She is deeply honored to be recognized as one of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 Under 40.
Congratulations Ian Richards
New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 Under 40 Winner
From lineworkers to underground line supervisors like Ian, to our engineers and security, IT and finance professionals - and all the teams in between, our people make a difference. Find your place at DuquesneLight.org/careers
Ian Richards Supervisor, Underground Distribution Lines
UTOPIA ANDERSON
SOPHIA J. BROOKS
Senior Customer Service Specialist, Community Care Behavioral Health Organization; Consultant, G.G. Polygraph and Interview Services
CHARLES W. ANDERSON, III
HENDEKEA AZENE
ALYSON D. BLACKBURN
DONTAE COMANS
MELVENA S. DANIELS
BRANDON DAVIS
ANTOINE DION
AARON DONALD
AKITA DONALD
SYDNEY ETHEREDGE
JAZMINE D. GRANT
DAINNA A. GRAY, M.ED
CHARONDA L. HILL
SAMSON X HORNE
DR. JULIAN HUNT
CHI ILOCHI
REESHA L. JACKSON, MPM
JERMAINE D. JOHNSON
TIFFANY JOHNSON, DNP, MSN.ED., RN
JALEN B. LEE
ABRIANA LOREN LEEPER
-ROBINSON, ED.D
PRINCE MATTHEWS SR., MPA
ARIEL MEADOWS
MORGAN JENKINS MOODY
ISABELLA MORELAND
LASHAWN R. MURRAY
BRIAN PRUITT JR.
LINDSEY RAMSEY
DARIAN D. REYNOLDS, M.S.ED.
LATRICE “PHOENIX” ROSE
DARIUS SINGLETON
MALAYSIA SMITH
MONIQUE S. SMITH
NATASHA S. SMITH
KIARA TALBERT
DEMIA TYLER
REV. GAVIN B. J. WALTON
BRANDON J. WILES, MBA
MARCUS WOODARD
KIERRAN YOUNG
Sophia Brooks is a beacon of hope and resilience, inspiring others through her powerful testimony of overcoming adversity. Her debut book, “Concealed: Finding Hope While Hiding Pain” (2018), shares her journey of perseverance, faith, and healing.
Brooks serves as a Senior Customer Service Special-
MICHAEL LEE CARROLL JR.
ist at one of Pennsylvania’s largest behavioral health insurance companies, is a consultant for a private polygraph and interviewing service and leads praise and worship at her home church. She is a proud graduate of Carlow University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology, strengthening her passion for understanding human behavior and helping others thrive.
Driven by her personal experiences, Brooks launched an annual mental health clinic in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Since its inception in 2019, the clinic has brought together nurses, counselors, social workers, physical therapists, and spiritual leaders to provide holistic community support.
Brooks is also part of a compassionate group of women serving unhoused women in the City of Pittsburgh by providing monthly comfort kits and hot meals to 20 women in need. This initiative reflects her deep commitment to dignity, care, and practical compassion.
Through her writing, advocacy, and service, Brooks continues to uplift and empower others, proving that even in life’s darkest moments, hope can rise. Her story stands as a testament to resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of faith.
Founder, Charlotte’s Webb; Public Information Officer, Allegheny County Economic Development
Michael Carroll is a creative director, marketing strategist, and public information leader whose work bridges culture, commerce, and civic impact. Based in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with a national footprint, he operates at the intersection of music, storytelling, digital media, and economic development.
As the founder of Charlotte’s Webb, a creative and marketing consultancy, Carroll has led high-impact campaigns for artists, nonprofits, brands, and public institutions, specializing in authentic storytelling, audience development, and content systems that drive measurable growth. Over his career, he has managed more than 10 artists, invested over $500,000 of personal capital into creatives, and contributed to projects that have earned Grammy recognition, label bidding wars, and international chart success. He was an early manager and investor in Tierra Whack during her breakout era with Interscope Records and helped architect the marketing strategy behind Armani White’s global hit “Billie Eilish,” which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and went 4× Platinum in Australia with over 47 billion streams.
In parallel, Carroll serves as the Public Information Officer for Allegheny County Economic Development, where he leads communications, digital strategy, and storytelling for major county initiatives, working closely with the County Executive and public agencies to translate complex policy into accessible narratives that engage communities.
A frequent collaborator across Pittsburgh’s creative, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial ecosystems, Carroll is also leading efforts to strengthen the region’s music
and arts infrastructure through events, content platforms, and coalition building. His work is driven by a core belief: authenticity, when paired with strategy, becomes a powerful engine for culture, opportunity, and economic growth.
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
AALIYAH COLEMAN
Student
Support & Success Life Coach Coordinator
Community College of Allegheny County
Aaliyah Coleman is a higher education professional, certified life coach, and founder of Wellness Warrior Coaching, committed to helping high-achieving, first-generation professionals break generational cycles and build sustainable success. With a strong foundation in biology and a background as an athlete, Coleman brings a science-informed, performance-driven lens to leadership, personal development, and mental wellness.
At the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Coleman has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, retention, and equity-focused initiatives. Through data-informed decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and student-centered programming, she has helped strengthen support systems for diverse and first-generation learners. Her work is grounded in effective communication and a people-first leadership approach that prioritizes access, belonging, and measurable outcomes.
Beyond her institutional impact, Coleman is the founder of Wellness Warrior Coaching, where she supports first-generation college graduates, women of color, and burned-out high achievers in devel -
oping emotional regulation skills, strengthening boundaries, and reconnecting with their authentic voice. Her coaching integrates practical strategy with reflective, trauma-informed practices that empower clients to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Coleman also hosts “The Inside Perspective” podcast, which explores mental health, personal growth, and the biological impact of trauma. Through storytelling and education, the podcast encourages listeners to examine inherited patterns and intentionally design healthier futures.
Driven by a passion for equity, wellness, and generational healing, Coleman continues to expand her impact through higher education leadership, coaching, and thought leadership that helps others lead and thrive on their own terms.
JASON ALLEN DEAKINGS, Ph.D., MSPH
Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Center for Health Equity
University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Jason A. Deakings is a non-traditional researcher and educator. He serves as an Assistant Professor and Associate Director for the Center for Health Equity at the University of Pittsburgh. Deakings also passionately serves as a Trustee and Financial Administrator for Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church on the North Side. He has over 15 years of experience navigating the non-profit world centering community capacity, social mobility, and support services, particularly providing actionable solutions to structural issues that have historically impacted communities. By leveraging these resources, he has helped with the development of protocol and procedures, grant funding totaling over $5 million, and capacity building for several organizations. His work has primarily focused on the interaction of Black communities within the clinical setting, specifically surrounding the uptake of services and ultimate disparate health outcomes. By introducing and resourcing mixed-method, non-traditional research, community-engagement, and healing methods to address health outcomes, he has supported Black men, women, and young adults in the areas of STI/STD stigma, the justice system, substance-abuse disorder, the built environment, and advancing health
literacy for those most impacted by policy injustices. In addition to his work being presented at national and international conferences at the United Nations and beyond, he has continued to strive to impact the quality of life and well-being of specified populations across the country by filling the gap wherever needed. His life philosophy is leading with love and to be salt of the Earth to change the life course of all those he shares space with.
Byron Dovales is a performance specialist, mentor, and entrepreneur born in Reading, Pa., who uses football as a vehicle to develop leaders across Pittsburgh and beyond.
more. He serves as Head Coach of AD 2/10ths 5v5, a national travel program sponsored by NFL All-Pro Aaron Donald, leading elite athletes in competitive development across the country. He also serves as a Coach with 2/10ths Speed & Agility, Pennsylvania’s largest violence prevention based athletic nonprofits, and as Offensive Line Coach for the College Gridiron Showcase, a nationally recognized postseason All-Star event for NFL draft-eligible prospects.
A three-time Team Captain and two-time All-American at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Dovales earned both his B.S. in Kinesiology and a Master’s in Sport Science (Cum Laude), concentrating in biomechanics and sport psychology. During his collegiate career, he played under National Championship winning coach Curt Cignetti, an experience that reinforced his commitment to discipline, structure, and championship standards.
In 2021, Dovales was named Pittsburgh City Paper’s Best Personal Trainer, and in 2022 he was inducted into the Muhlenberg High School Hall of Fame. He is a devoted husband to Morgan Hainsey and father to Byron Jr. and Dakota Dovales.
ANDREA BARBER
CAMERON BARNETT
OLIVER BEASLEY
LACHELLE BINION
NATHANIEL L. CARTER JR.
DR. CAMILLE CLARKESMITH
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
Over 13 years, Dovales has served more than 5,000 athletes, assisting hundreds in earning college scholarships. As Founder of 7Twice Academy, he develops offensive and defensive linemen through evidence-based systems integrating mobility, strength development, and mental preparation. His programs serve athletes from more than 40 communities across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland, while also reaching athletes nationwide from California to Boston, uniting diverse backgrounds through accountability and development.
Through his nonprofit The Lineman Lead Initiative, Dovales has organized national competitions, directed grassroots fundraising efforts, and coordinated college visits connecting athletes with programs such as Pitt, Penn State, UCLA, FIU, Akron, Rutgers, Toledo and
BRITTANY L. EZELL
Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Brittany Ezell is a seasoned executive support professional with nearly two decades of experience driving operational excellence, strategic alignment, and relationship-based leadership across higher education, academic medicine, healthcare administration, and philanthropy. She began her administrative career in 2006 and currently serves as Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of The Pittsburgh Foundation, one of the nation’s largest and oldest community foundations, stewarding more than $1.4 billion in assets.
In her role, Ezell is a strategic partner and trusted adviser within the C-suite, supporting the President and CEO through complex organizational priorities and executive decision-making. She serves as a key connector between senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and civic and philanthropic stakeholders, helping align governance, strategy, and community relationships in support of the foundation’s mission.
Earlier in her career, Ezell held executive-level support and leadership roles at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC,
working alongside presidents, CFOs, senior physician leaders, and world-renowned researchers in highly complex academic and healthcare environments. Her experience includes program and project management, international logistics, immigration coordination, largescale event planning, cross-functional leadership, and oversight of fellowship programs supporting early-career physicians.
A passionate advocate for the administrative profession, Ezell is deeply committed to mentorship and professional development. She serves as Co-Chair of the Administrative Learning Network for Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania, is a mentor with PA Women Work, and has led and facilitated peer learning and professional development programming for administrative professionals locally and nationally.
Ezell is a graduate of the 2025 Emerging Leaders Program through The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) and an active member of Toastmasters International, Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania, the International Association of Administrative Professionals, and the American Society of Administrative Professionals.
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
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
REV. LAPHON FLOOD-FRANCIS
Senior Pastor
Second Baptist Church of Homestead, Pa.
Called to preach with conviction and lead with courage, Rev. Laphon Flood-Francis serves with a deep commitment to faith, justice, and the transformative power of the gospel. He graduated from Morehouse College with a BA in religion and philosophy and earned a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, including a certificate in Black Church Studies.
Rev. Flood-Francis brings energy and insight to his preaching, blending traditional style with relevance for both older and younger generations. His messages aim to help believers navigate today’s social challenges through a life committed to Christ.
A lifelong resident of West Mifflin, Rev. Flood-Francis comes from a close-knit family and has deep roots in the region. After graduating with honors from West Mifflin Area High School, he excelled academically and in campus leadership at Morehouse, where he was part of the Oprah Winfrey Scholarship Program and vice president of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Assistants Program. He received multiple awards, including being named with the 2019-2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar distinction. He is also a member of The National Collegiate Scholars and
The National Society of Leadership and Success.
At Princeton Seminary, Rev. Flood-Francis served as chaplain and co-chair of the Social Justice Committee for the Association of Black Seminarians. In that role he helped lead efforts to remove a slaveholder’s name from campus worship spaces and served on a seminary task force that set naming policies.
Rev. Flood-Francis’ ministry experience includes pastoral internships in Atlanta, and Elgin, S.C., and roles in pastoral care, missions, evangelism, and social justice in Somerset, N.J.
He was officially installed at Second Baptist in November 2024, becoming the youngest pastor in the church’s history. His guiding scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6, which reflects his commitment to trusting the Lord in all things.
DONTEZ FORD
Former Professional Athlete, Detroit Lions & San Diego Fleet; Senior Clinical Specialist & Field Sales Trainer, Medtronic
Dontez Ford is a former professional athlete and current business professional whose career highlights a balance of athletic achievement, academic excellence, and community leadership. A McKees Rocks native, Ford attended Sto-Rox High School, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. As student body president and a member of the National Honor Society, Ford set the foundation for his commitment to performance and education.
At the University of Pittsburgh, Ford found success at wide receiver, leading the 2015 Panthers with 19.4 yards per reception. Ford earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing, his MBA at the Katz Graduate School of Business, and was named to the prestigious Hampshire Honor Society, recognizing academic excellence among college football players nationwide.
Professionally, Ford played in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and the Alliance of American Football with the San Diego Fleet, where he led the Fleet with 29 yards per reception. After football, he transitioned into the corporate sector, applying his education and leadership skills within the medical technology industry. Ford continues to grow professionally, building a strong reputation as
a Territory Manager, Clinical Specialist, and Sales Trainer at global MedTech company, Medtronic.
Ford has been recognized with the University of Pittsburgh’s Selfless Spirit Award, Herb Douglas Mentorship Award, and has played a role in local initiatives supporting youth development and athletics in the Pittsburgh region.
AERION A. ABNEY
BARON BATCH
JESSICA N. BROWN
NATHANIEL M. BROWN
COREY BUCKNER
BRIAN R. BURLEY
LAKEISHA BYRD
PHILIP GBEE SR.
Founder & CEO, Nabakindo Skincare; Associate Director, Center for
Professional Pathways, Washington & Jefferson College
Gbee actively serves on boards, partners with nonprofits, and mentors young leaders—modeling resilience, discipline, and purpose-driven leadership.
Philip Gbee Sr. is a visionary entrepreneur, devoted community leader, and award-winning Founder & CEO of Nabakindo Skincare, a thriving Black-owned natural skincare brand rooted in purpose, science, and heritage. Born of immigrant resilience, Gbee’s journey from West Africa to Western Pennsylvania exemplifies the American dream—where grit, cultural wisdom, and family converge to create lasting impact.
After leading Nabakindo through rapid growth and community impact, Gbee embraced a broader institutional mission as Associate Director for the Center for Professional Pathways, EMBARK Coordinator, and additional roles at Washington & Jefferson College. There, he champions career readiness, professional development, and equitable opportunity for students preparing to lead in a dynamic global economy.
PAUL T. ABERNATHY
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
Gbee co-founded Nabakindo Skincare in 2020 with his wife, Vania, as a deeply personal solution to help his daughter’s eczema-prone skin after conventional products failed. Drawing on Liberian and South-Sudanese cultural knowledge and a commitment to plant-based purity, Nabakindo’s handcrafted, chemical-free formulations have grown from a single remedy to a full skincare line carried in retail and e-commerce platforms, including a flagship storefront at the Mall at Robinson. His brand honors diversity and elevates melanin-rich skin through superior, sustainable care that truly works.
Beyond business, Gbee is deeply committed to uplifting others. He is the founder of the Brotherhood Briefing Initiative, a mentorship and empowerment platform designed to equip Black men with practical tools for personal growth, leadership, financial literacy, mental wellness, and professional advancement. Through curated discussions, accountability circles, and community partnerships, the initiative creates safe spaces for Black men to build confidence, strengthen networks, and break generational barriers.
COLE GRIFFIN
Cole Griffin is a Washington, Pa., native whose work and community involvement reflect a dedication to leadership and service. He attended The Linsly School before continuing his academic and athletic career at John Carroll University, where he studied International Business while competing as a four-year student-athlete on the university’s nationally ranked football program. In 2016, Griffin contributed to John Carroll’s run to the NCAA Division III National Semifinals.
Griffin’s leadership journey began early. From 2009 to 2014, he served as President of the Youth and College Division of the NAACP Washington County Branch, helping guide initiatives centered on civic engagement, youth empowerment, and community advocacy.
Professionally, Griffin serves as a Tax Operations Associate within the Benefit Disbursements department at BNY, where he supports complex operational processes in a global financial services environment. He also serves as BNY IMPACT Co-Chair for Connections Building, an Employee Business Resource Group focused on building partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the Pittsburgh region and mobilizing corporate volunteer engagement.
Griffin’s future plans include pursuing an MBA while continuing to advance Greater Pittsburgh’s economic and civic vitality. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, exploring local restaurants, spending time with family, and golfing, hoping to tee off at Pebble Beach again soon.
Gbee’s life work reflects entrepreneurial excellence, cultural pride, and an unwavering commitment to community transformation.
Monique Hamlett is a respected human resources and employee relations leader whose work exemplifies excellence, integrity, and community impact throughout Pittsburgh. With more than a decade of experience in highly regulated environments, she is known for sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex workplace matters while centering people, equity, and accountability.
Hamlett currently serves as an Employee Relations Investigator at PNC Financial Services. In this role, she leads complex investigations involving workplace misconduct, policy violations, and regulatory compliance, partnering closely with HR Legal and senior leaders to reduce risk and deliver consistent, defensible outcomes. Her guidance on conflict resolution, performance management, and corrective action planning strengthens organizational culture and reinforces trust across diverse teams.
Previously, Hamlett served as Director of Compliance and Human Resources at Adaptive Behavioral Services, where she oversaw HR operations during a period of organizational growth. She managed hiring, onboarding, payroll, credentialing, and HR systems while implementing process improvements that enhanced ef-
DONOVAN HARRELL
ficiency and regulatory adherence. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Compliance Specialist II at Education Management Corporation, monitoring staff nationwide on Department of Education regulations and compliance standards.
Beyond her professional achievements, Hamlett is deeply committed to community service and mentorship. She actively volunteers with Hope Academy at Hosanna House, supports early childhood education and financial literacy initiatives through PNC Grow Up Great, and participates in service efforts that uplift families and youth across the region. She is also passionate about literacy and representation, collecting and donating children’s books by Black authors featuring Black illustrations.
Hamlett is also an emerging food influencer who highlights Pittsburgh’s diverse culinary scene through authentic reviews. Her content has been reposted by Alta Via, Coast and Main, Tako Torta, Khalil’s, and other notable restaurants, amplifying local businesses and celebrating the city’s cultural richness and enduring civic leadership.
Communications Specialist, University of Pittsburgh; Writer
Donovan Harrell didn’t plan to stay in Pittsburgh. He moved from Florida in 2018 for a job, but the more time he spent with the people building and sustaining this region’s Black communities—the musicians, the farmers, the educators, the organizers—the more he found stories he needed to tell.
As a communications specialist at the University of Pittsburgh, Harrell writes about community engagement, student success, faculty achievements, research breakthroughs, and university initiatives for Pittwire and Pitt Magazine. His freelance reporting for The Heinz Endowments’ h Magazine has been deeply rooted in the region’s communities—profiling Black cultural institutions like the Afro American Music
Institute and the Kente Arts Alliance, investigating the affordable housing crisis and its displacement of Black residents, documenting the Somali Bantu community’s fight for census representation, reporting on urban farms combating food insecurity, and examining accountability in the Gainey administration. His reporting on the census and the pandemic’s impact on Pittsburgh-area schools earned three Golden Quill Awards, including the Ray Sprigle Memorial Award.
A member of the National Association of Black Journalists since college, Harrell serves as secretary of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, where he advocates for Black media professionals, pushes for fairer representation of the region’s Black communities, and works to strengthen the pipeline of Black journalists and storytellers at a time when the region’s media landscape is shrinking. Before joining Pitt, Harrell reported from newsrooms across the country, including McClatchy’s DC Bureau and POLITICO.
He graduated summa cum laude from Florida A&M University, where he served as editor-in-chief of the stu dent newspaper.
Harrell is also an
award-winning poet. His collection, “Colorful Forms” el and a poetry collection —proof that the stories he
ANDRE S. JACOBS
Personal & Professional Development Coach, Woodland Hills A.C.T.E.S.;
President, Richard L. Ferguson American Legion Post 527
At just 17 years old, Andre Jacobs enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving 10 years with multiple frontline deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his military career, he held leadership and instructional roles, including Chief Instructor for Corporals Course, Lance Corporal Seminar, and the Infantry Officer Course, as well as Drill Instructor for 3rd Battalion, India Company. His distinguished service earned him the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal and more.
JUSTIN JAMES
Major Gifts Officer
University of Pittsburgh School of Business
Justin James is a civic leader and higher education advancement professional committed to strengthening communities through scholarship, mentorship, and strategic philanthropy. He currently serves as Polemarch of the award-winning Pittsburgh Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., where he leads initiatives focused on community engagement and youth advancement across the city of Pittsburgh. His leadership includes oversight of the chapter’s Guide Right and Kappa League programs, signature youth development initiatives that provide structured mentorship, college readiness preparation, and leadership training for young men.
James also serves as Board Chair of Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens. His additional board service includes the Center for Relational Change, the PennWest California Alumni Board where he chairs the Finance and Scholarships Committee, and the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund of Western Pennsylvania. Across these roles, he contributes to organizational leadership, strengthens governance, and plays a key role in advancing their goals and initiatives.
James serves as a Major Gifts Officer at the University of Pittsburgh School of Business, where he partners with alumni and stakeholders nationwide to secure philanthropic support for student success and institutional priorities. Previously, he advanced development initiatives at his alma mater, Pennsylvania Western University–California, while mentoring and advising student organizations, including the Black Student Union and Men United.
James holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sports Management and is pursuing a Doctor of Education in
Jacobs was medically retired after sustaining a traumatic brain injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), experiences that further deepened his commitment to advocacy and healing.
In civilian life, Jacobs continues his mission of service as Second Chair of the Greater Valley Coalition for Peace & Justice, where he connects over seven Pittsburgh communities and more than 150 active members to critical resources, employment opportunities, local government engagement, policy education, networking, and healing-centered advocacy. He also serves as Board President of the Richard L. Ferguson American Legion Post 527, promoting patriotism through dedicated service to veterans and the broader community. As the Personal and Professional Development Coach for Woodland Hills Achieving Change Through Employment Services (A.C.T.E.S.), Jacobs mentors and provides counseling and cognitive behavioral intervention to high-risk participants, equipping them with tools for sustainable growth and success.
Jacobs is a devoted father to his daughter, Paisley, and godfather to Maleah. He is an active Prince Hall Freemason, contributes to more than 13 grassroots community initiatives and nonprofit efforts, and remains a passionate student of the liberal arts, with studies in public speaking, social science, and leadership theory. Through resilience, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to justice and empowerment, “AJ” Jacobs exemplifies the true spirit of community advocacy and transformational leadership.
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 DAVIDSONBAZRON
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
Educational Leadership and Administration at Slippery Rock University. He resides in Pittsburgh with his wife and fellow 2026 Courier FAB 40 Under 40 Awardee, Sarafina.
SARAFINA JAMES
Senior Public Relations Analyst-Corporate Communications
Allegheny Health Network
Sarafina James is a Senior Public Relations Analyst at Allegheny Health Network (AHN), where she leads storytelling and media strategy that elevate clinical innovation, patient care, and physician expertise across the region, with a focus on neuroscience and complex, life-changing care.
In 2026, she earned the Public Relations Society of America Renaissance Award, the organization’s top honor, for a campaign highlighting AHN’s introduction of robotic exoskeleton technology, which brought national attention to both the innovation and the patient whose life was transformed. She was also recognized as AHN’s 2025 High Performer in Corporate Communications, consistently exceeding expectations and supporting the organization’s most visible initiatives. Her work has also included support for HBO’s “The Pitt,” a series inspired by AHN’s Allegheny General Hospital. Before transitioning to healthcare communications, James built a career as an on-air reporter and anchor, working in markets including Tampa, Florida; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Pittsburgh at WPXI (Channel 11), where she worked until 2023. She covered stories of national significance, including a nightclub mass shooting, Arkansas’ plan to carry out eight executions in 10
ALEYA CRABLE JENNINGS
days, and a Florida nurse left paralyzed by COVID-19 complications. Her work has driven measurable impact. A report on the deaths of 21 institutionalized African American juveniles led to the placement of a long-overdue grave marker. Another investigative feature on firefighter exposure to hazardous materials and rising cancer diagnoses helped advance legislative change.
Beyond her professional work, James is a committed community and faith leader at North Way Christian Community Church. As a Rooted leader, she guided participants through a discipleship program and now leads and mentors a young adult Bible study.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and Mass Communications from Point Park University and resides in Pittsburgh with her husband, Justin, a fellow 2026 Courier FAB 40 Under 40 Award recipient.
Director, Corporate Sponsorships and Individual Giving
Fred Rogers Productions
Aleya Crable Jennings is a dynamic and influential leader with a rich background in corporate sponsorship, nonprofit strategy, and advertising. With nearly two decades of experience, Jennings has a proven track record of driving impactful partnerships and securing substantial funding for various philanthropic initiatives. Her expertise is in developing multi-channel advertising campaigns and building creative sponsorship models that connect purpose-driven companies with the causes that matter most.
Jennings serves as the Director of Corporate Sponsorships and Individual Giving at Fred Rogers Productions (FRP). There, she leads the charge in building mission-driven sponsorship partnerships nationwide and expanding the community of generous individual donors who support FRP’s beloved work.
Jennings’ passion for mission doesn’t stop at the office. She is the proud board president for Girls Inc. of Greater Pittsburgh, a member of the Alpha Delta Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and a volunteer with causes close to her heart.
Jennings’ standout leadership has earned her a host of accolades, including 2025 PWN Ladies Who Lead, 2021 40 Under 40 by Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP, and 2019 40 Under 40: Who’s Next Communicators by the Pittsburgh Incline. She’s also a proud recipient of the 2018 Young Professional Strong Award and the Barbara McNees Spirit of Athena Scholarship.
Jennings holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication from Roosevelt University, and a Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies from DePaul University. She’s also an alumna of The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) at Carnegie Mellon University. Jennings is a proud wife and mom who cherishes time with family and friends. When she’s not making a difference in her community, you’ll find her unwinding with pilates or sharing a laugh with loved ones.
RENEE ALSBERRY
BRANDEN BALLARD
JASON BELL
KENYON BONNER
JESSICA BROOKS
ONDREA BURTON
BRIAN COOK ROLAND
COSTON-CRISWELL
KIMBERLY ELLIS
INGRID FULTONEDWARDS
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
ROSS MARLIN JOHNSON
Vice President, Business Banking Recruiting Manager
PNC Bank
Ross Johnson is a seasoned talent leader with more than 15 years of progressive experience across the financial services industry.
He began his career at PNC Bank in Retail Lending, serving as a Loan Specialist before advancing to an Underwriter position, supporting home equity products.
Johnson transitioned his career into Human Resources and joined the Talent Acquisition team. As a Recruiter, he managed the full hiring lifecycle, built strong partnerships with business leaders, and consistently delivered high-quality talent. Over the next several years, Johnson advanced to Assistant Vice President and Senior Recruiting Advisor, leading recruitment for the Anti-Money Laundering organization, Risk Management, and Internal Audit. In 2021, he was promoted to Vice President and Talent Consultant, where he drove best practices in talent strategy, succession planning, internal mobility, and retention. His success led to supporting several of PNC’s most critical executive portfolios, including the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer, General Auditor, and General Counsel.
In 2025, Johnson expanded his leadership experience as a Talent Performance Coaching Manager, guiding a team responsible for complex employee relations and performance management matters. In early 2026, he returned to Talent Acquisition as the Recruiting Manager for Business Banking across the PNC enterprise, reconnecting with his passion for placing exceptional talent into meaningful opportunities.
Beyond his corporate work, Johnson is deeply committed to professional development and community empowerment. He frequently leads workshops on career readiness and has held leadership roles within PNC’s African American Employee Business Resource Group and multiple diversity-focused initiatives. A long-stand-
DANTÉ JOSEY
Registered Nurse, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Freelance DJ—DJ 2x
Danté Josey is a mom of three, a nurse, mentor, advocate, and freelance DJ who believes healing happens in more ways than one. Through her work in healthcare, she supports patients with compassion and advocacy, while also mentoring others as they navigate their own professional journeys.
Outside of nursing, Josey brings people together through music by DJing events that celebrate connection and joy. No matter the setting, she leads with love, and believes in creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
ing supporter of the Negro Educational Emergency Drive (NEED), Johnson currently serves as President of the Board of Directors.
Johnson is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Hampton University (B.S., Psychology) and Chatham University (MBA, Finance). He also holds certifications from the American Bankers Association and Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.
SYDNEY MARTIN
Production Coordinator
Ya Momz House, Inc.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Sydney Martin is a passionate storyteller and community advocate whose work creates impact both on and off the screen. A 2023 Cum Laude graduate of Robert Morris University, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in News and Sports Communication with a minor in Organizational Leadership. While at RMU, she served as President of the campus chapter of the Collegiate 100, reflecting her early commitment to leader-
CHRISTINA B. KENNEY
HOPE Team Clinic’s Outreach Coordinator and Behavioral Health Therapist II, Center for Children and Families UPMC
Christina B. Kenney is a dedicated mother, daughter, and mental health professional. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2011 and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2015 from California University of Pennsylvania. With over 16 years of experience, Kenney began her career as an education advocate within the Pittsburgh Public School District with the National CDF Freedom School program, which paved the way for her current role as a full-time mental health therapist and outreach coordinator.
As a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania, Kenney specializes in creative problem-solving and diversity training. Kenney actively supports adolescents and young adults in their mental and emotional development. Her work spans a variety of settings, including outpatient care, community outreach, and artistic expression.
In addition to her professional commitments, Kenney is deeply involved with Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, where she has been a member since 2004.
Kenney is an active CALU alumna who was awarded the 2024 Jennie E. Carter Adams Alumni Award for the amount of dedication and service to others. Her passion for advocacy extends to the amputee community, where she leverages her skills to foster inclusion and support.
ship, mentorship and service.
During her senior year, Martin interned with Ya Momz House Inc., contributing to the Emmy Award-winning documentary “The Ebony Canal,” which explores the HERstoric and ongoing disparities in infant mortality and maternal health affecting Black women while advancing solution-driven practices to protect Black mothers and babies. Her dedication and skill quickly led to a full-time role as Production Coordinator, where she played a key role in the film’s success. She also had the opportunity to interview actress and activist Kerry Washington on civic engagement and leveraging one’s voice to inspire meaningful change.
Beyond media, Martin is deeply committed to community service. She supports the Kids Esteem Enhancement Program, providing hygiene essentials and educational workshops to children and families in foster care, and has served as a basketball coach at ACLD Tillotson School, empowering students with disabilities to build confidence and skills through sports.
At just 24, Martin exemplifies the power of talent, education and compassion to create lasting change.
JOANN MCDANIEL-CHINN
Senior Director of Compliance, Adagio Health; Privacy Consultant, Blue Peak Advisors
JoAnn McDaniel-Chinn is Head of Compliance for Adagio Health and a Privacy Consultant for Blue Peak Advisors. She has served in many capacities throughout her career as a Compliance and Privacy Officer with 17 years of experience in Managed Care Organizations. She has implemented Privacy and Compliance programs for MD Live, a leading Florida-based telehealth provider, and she’s led regulatory, compliance, privacy, and vendor management teams.
Before joining Adagio Health, McDaniell-Chinn was the Compliance Director
JATARA MCGEE
Anchor/Investigative Reporter WPXI-TV
Jatara McGee is an award-winning news anchor and investigative reporter at WPXI-TV (Channel 11). She has built a track record as a trustworthy and fair journalist during her career, which has spanned West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Her stories have exposed misconduct, negligence and corruption and forced action from businesses, local government and state officials.
McGee has been honored with two prestigious regional Edward R. Murrow awards, including a 2022 award for a conversation with Black police officers in Cincinnati, reflecting on the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, nationwide protests and calls for police reform. After just two years working in Pittsburgh, her work has been rec-
RYAN-LOUIS MCNEIL
and Privacy Officer for Wellcove, powered by CHCS Services Inc., a third-party administrator and global private equity company. Her expertise includes streamlining privacy, contract management, vendor management, risk management, contract management and business continuity plans, as well as revamping operational processes to meet contractual requirements. McDaniel-Chinn worked for Simply Healthcare, a Medicaid payer under Elevance Health (formerly Anthem), as the Florida Medicaid Compliance Officer and Director. She oversaw the regu-
latory and compliance functions, as well as the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). She held the Medicaid Compliance Officer role for Community Care Plan, a Florida-based Medicaid payer, and led Privacy, Compliance, and SIU. McDaniel-Chinn is a member of the Health Care Compliance Association, American College of Healthcare Executives member, and an ongoing speaker for Rise Health regarding appeals, grievances, and best compliance industry practices. Currently, she is the board Vice Chair for Healthy Babies and Healthy Mothers. McDaniel-Chinn is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Ryan-Louis McNeil, known by his stage name Rian-Louis, is a Pittsburgh-based creative, podcaster, writer, and community builder dedicated to amplifying Black LGBTQ+ voices. He is the creator and host of RIANOUTLOUD!, a podcast and live event platform rooted in honest conversations, cultural commentary, and storytelling that centers joy, growth, and authenticity.
With over six seasons and thousands of listeners, McNeil has expanded his work beyond audio into live experiences, curated events, and creative collaborations that foster connection both online and offline. His work is grounded in culture, intention, and community care.
McNeil serves as the Outreach Coordinator at Amachi Pittsburgh, where he is approaching three years of leading engagement efforts that connect mentors, families, and community partners in support of youth impacted by incarcer-
ognized by the National Association of Black Journalists, Mid-Atlantic Regional EMMY awards, Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, Press Club of Western Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh Black Media Federation.
McGee is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors. She also chairs NABJ’s Investigative Task Force, which she co-launched in 2023. The task force is dedicated to increasing the number of Black investigative journalists in newsrooms across the country.
McGee was born and raised in New Kensington and graduated from Shady Side Academy. That’s where she met her husband, Reggie, who she married in
2019.
McGee graduated from the University of Maryland. She was on the university’s competitive cheerleading team that won a national championship in 2013. She also held several pageant titles, a passion that began when she was crowned Miss Princess 2005 and Miss Black Teenage 2007, the successful pageant started by the late Jean Bryant. McGee enjoys giving back, often lending her voice to give career talks at local schools, guest teach at colleges and universities, host charity events around the region and sit on panels at conferences around the country.
ation. His role reflects his commitment to advocacy, relationship-building, and meaningful community impact.
As a writer, McNeil is the author of “Flawsome,” a Black gay fiction novel focused on love, friendship, and self-discovery, and continues to develop new storytelling projects across podcasting, television, and digital media. At the heart of everything he creates is a commitment to building spaces where Black queer people feel seen, celebrated, and heard— loudly and unapologetically.
RANDI MORGAN
Foster Care Coordinator
Auberle
Randi Morgan has dedicated her career —and ultimately her heart—to children who need someone to stand in the gap.
A graduate of Duquesne University, Morgan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with double minors in Psychology and Political Science, building a strong foundation in both systems and advocacy. In February 2020, she began her journey at Auberle as a case manager, stepping into child welfare during a time of global uncertainty. While much of the world felt unsettled, her commitment to children and families remained steady.
Over the past six years, Morgan has grown into a respected foster care pro-
BRIANA NEAL
fessional known for her organization, leadership, and unwavering compassion. She navigates complex systems, supports foster families through challenging seasons, and ensures that every child she serves is seen not as a case file, but as a story still being written. Her work requires resilience, empathy, and fierce advocacy—qualities she brings to every room she enters.
But for Morgan, this calling did not stop at the office door.
Moved by the very mission she serves, she opened her own home and heart, becoming a foster mother herself. Today, she is the proud foster mom of one little boy—a role she considers her greatest
Supervisor, Community Intensive Supervision Program
Juvenile Probation of Allegheny County Family Division
Briana Neal is a proud Pittsburgh native and first-generation college graduate who has dedicated her career to advancing fairness and opportunity within the juvenile justice system. She earned her degree from Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Over the past eight years, Neal has built a distinguished career in Allegheny County juvenile probation, driven by a deep commitment to advocacy and youth development. As a member of the High Impact Probation Department, she received two Chief’s Awards (2022–2023) for consistently exceeding expectations and demonstrating exceptional leadership and service. She was also honored with the Juvenile Justice Professional of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania Association of Probation, Parole and Correction in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the criminal justice system.
Neal was recently promoted to Supervisor of the Community Intensive Supervision Program (CISP), where she continues to lead with integrity, compassion, and accountability. She is widely respected by colleagues,
BRITNAI NUNLEY
Director, Recruitment and Programming
Carnegie Mellon University Rales Fellows Program
Britnai Nunley is a leadership development specialist, certified professional coach, and higher education program director with experience across business, government, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. After pivoting from a career in law, she has dedicated her work to developing agile and effective leaders through executive coaching and immersive learning experiences that build confidence and drive impact.
privilege and responsibility.
Whether coordinating services, advocating in meetings, or comforting a child after a hard day, Morgan embodies leadership rooted in love. Her journey reflects more than professional success—it reflects courage, compassion, and a life lived in service of others.
Morgan does not just work in foster care—she stands in the gap, changes their story, and proves that true leadership begins with love.
families, and the youth she serves for her thoughtful leadership and unwavering dedication.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Neal was instrumental in chartering the Alpha Delta Lambda Omega graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, in Homestead.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends and remaining actively engaged in her community.
Neal’s long-term goal is to become an attorney, building upon her experience in juvenile justice as she continues to grow in leadership, advocacy, and service.
Nunley serves as Director of Recruitment and Programming for the CMU Rales Fellows Program, where she leads national recruitment and leadership programming to cultivate the next generation of STEM leaders and expand access to transformative graduate education. Her prior leadership roles include positions at the Tepper School of Business, Public Allies Pittsburgh, and the Coro Center for Civic Leadership, where she designed programs that strengthened leadership pipelines and community partnerships.
She is also the founder of Britnai Nicole LLC, a life, leadership, and success coaching firm that helps individuals reconnect to their purpose, maximize their impact, and lead inspired lives. In addition to her professional roles, Nunley has served as a Tartan Scholars mentor at Carnegie Mellon University, supporting high-achieving first-year stu-
dent leaders with limited-resource backgrounds. She also serves on the board of the Community Wellness Initiative of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life by removing barriers to wellness and creating pathways into health and wellness professions.
IAN RICHARDS
Underground Distribution Supervisor, Duquesne Light Company; Fire Chief, North Fayette Township VFD
Ian Richards was born in Homewood, where his early childhood was shaped by violence and instability. Even in those difficult years, he believed God was preparing him for a life of service. When his family relocated to Sewickley in search of safety, it marked the beginning of a new chapter rooted in faith, opportunity, and purpose.
After high school, Richards briefly pursued college before realizing his calling was in the utilities field —serving communities through essential infrastructure. Richards began his career with the Sewickley Water Authority, where he worked closely with local firefighters who
DESMOND D. RUSSELL
encouraged him to join the fire service in 2007. What started as an opportunity quickly became a passion and a ministry of service.
Over the past 19 years, Richards built what he calls the “utility trifecta,” serving in leadership roles across water, natural gas, and electric sectors. Richards served as a Crew Leader with Columbia Gas, a Natural Gas Instructor and Supervisor with Northwest Lineman College, and now as an Underground Distribution Supervisor with Duquesne Light Company. In every role, he viewed leadership, safety, and mentorship as stewardship responsibilities entrusted to him by
Desmond D. Russell is a Pittsburgh-based technology and quality assurance leader with nearly 12 years of experience in information technology, including more than a decade in software testing and seven years in QA leadership and management. He currently serves as a Quality Assurance Manager at EdgeCo Holdings within NewEdge Capital Group, where he leads quality strategy, testing operations, and cross-functional collaboration in support of high-impact business systems and initiatives. In this role, he has helped strengthen QA reporting, drive process improvement, and develop high-performing teams— advancing a culture of software quality, accountability, and operational transparency.
Prior to joining EdgeCo Holdings, Russell held QA and technical leadership roles at R&R Express, AlphaSights, Aderant, and Philips, building a broad
SAUNDERS
Youth Specialist
God.
In 2015, Richards joined the North Fayette Township Fire Department, where he rose through the ranks and was elected Fire Chief in 2026. Today, Richards leads approximately 50 men and women serving more than 16,000 residents, striving to lead with humility, integrity, and a servant’s heart.
Richards and his wife, Elise, were married in 2025. She is a nurse, and together they attend church in Robinson, seeking to live out their faith through service to their community.
and versatile career across logistics, financial services, legal technology, and e-commerce. His professional experience reflects a combination of hands-on technical depth and people-centered leadership, with expertise spanning test automation, performance testing, release coordination, and quality management. Across organizations, he has earned respect for his ability to bring structure to complexity, raise standards, and help teams deliver with greater consistency and confidence.
In addition to his IT leadership work, Russell is the Founder of ObsidianIQ, a Pittsburgh-based consultancy dedicated to helping organizations improve quality, reduce risk, and strengthen trust in their technology solutions. Through ObsidianIQ, he applies his expertise in software quality assurance, process improvement, and emerging technologies to support smarter, more resilient systems and op-
South Pittsburgh Peacemakers Violence Prevention Program
Rayshawn Saunders is a 20-year-old graduate of Carrick High School who has already emerged as a powerful voice for violence prevention in Allegheny County. In 2025, he participated in the Cities United Allegheny County Leading the Way Tour as a Young Leader, where he engaged in intensive learning and collaboration focused on reducing gun violence and strengthening community-based prevention efforts. His commitment and leadership quickly distinguished him among his peers. As a result of his participation, Saunders was invited to represent Allegheny County
as a speaker on the Young Leader Panel at the 2025 Cities United Convening in Louisville, where he shared insights and strategies for community-driven violence intervention.
Further demonstrating his dedication to supporting youth and creating safer neighborhoods, and because of his evident passion, integrity, and commitment to eradicating youth gun violence, Saunders was hired with South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace as a SPP/CURE Violence Youth Specialist where he focuses on youth at Carrick High School as well as the highest-risk youth in the commu-
erations. His work is grounded in clarity, precision, and practical innovation— helping teams navigate complexity while building solutions that are both effective and sustainable.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Russell has remained deeply committed to service and community impact throughout Western Pennsylvania. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Omicron Lambda
Chapter (Pittsburgh), and has contributed to a number of community-focused organizations over the years. His service includes health education programming for adjudicated youth across Western Pennsylvania, direct care work in group homes supporting daily activities, meal preparation, and medication administration, mentoring as a Big Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and volunteer leadership with the Urban League Young Professionals. Russell is an alumnus of Hampton University and Boston University, where he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees, respectively, and developed the interdisciplinary foundation that continues to shape his approach to leadership, technology, and strategy.
Outside of work and service, he enjoys concerts, theater, live sporting events, graphic and web design, and DIY home projects. He is most proud of his family: his wife, Annetta Walker-Russell; his sons, Amari Elijah Russell and Jelani Nasir Russell; and his parents, A. Kevin Russell and Denise A. Smith-Russell.
nity. In this role, he works directly with individuals in the South Hilltop community, helping to interrupt violence and connecting residents to resources and support.
Additionally, through his landscaping business, Saunders mentors young people in the community by offering employment and hands-on experience.
Saunders’ work reflects not only leadership beyond his years, but a deep personal commitment to protecting and uplifting his community.
RAYSHAWN
MARTY SMITH
Director of Sales
RS Supply, LLC
Marty Smith is a seasoned business leader, tradesman, and community advocate with more than 20 years of experience across sales, operations, and workforce leadership. He currently serves in executive leadership at RS Supply, LLC, a family-owned paper and janitorial supply company, and manages a growing real estate portfolio.
A dedicated husband and father of three, Smith takes pride in carrying forward the values of integrity, hard work, and service that define both his family
SEAN SPENCER
and his work.
Smith earned an associate’s degree in Business Management from the Community College of Allegheny County and has completed coursework in real estate management. He has also earned several advanced business certificates, including the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center’s Planning for Profit program, the NMSDC Centers of Excellence with Rutgers University and EMSDC, and Bridgeway Capital’s Project & Capital Readiness program.
Sean Spencer grew up in a single-parent household in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood after losing his father to gun violence when he was 10 years old. He would help his grandparents volunteer at food banks and community centers as a child. The values of education and work ethic were embedded in Spencer by his mother. Spencer then became a part of the Journey to Medicine mentorship program in the sixth grade, which instilled in him the principles of community service and “Each one, Teach one.” He would later work for Journey to Medicine as a coordinator after graduating from the program. He graduated from Pittsburgh Allderd-
ROSS MARCUS TEDDER
ice in 2016 and then studied Journalism at Duquesne University, graduating in 2020.
Right out of college, he worked for The Pittsburgh Promise as a Promise Coach at Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12, servicing students with emotional support, developing college and career plans, and providing a safe space for students to be themselves.
While earning his MBA, Spencer began working at the IT company Unisys and is currently in an Executive Support role.
Outside of work, Spencer is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of Future Kings Mentoring, a 501c3 nonprofit or-
Director, Civic Engagement and Voter Contact Alliance for Police Accountability
Ross Tedder is a community organizer and political consultant, active in Western Pa. since 2020. A graduate of Winchester Thurston School, Tedder attended Howard University between 2018 and 2020 before becoming the target of administrative scrutiny as a direct result of his activism in the #HUForgot campaign.
A self-described “field nerd,” Tedder got his bona fide political start in 2020 with then-state-Representative Summer Lee, serving as Organizing Director for her first re-election bid. From there, he worked as the Deputy Campaign Manager for the Alliance For Police Accountability’s (APA) 2021 ballot initiative campaign, which saw the ban of solitary confinement at the county level, and the passage of Breonna Taylor’s law across the City of Pittsburgh. As a consultant, he has advised and supported candidates such as current Magisterial District Judge Jehosha Wright, Shaler Area School Director
Beyond his professional work, Smith serves his community as Vice President of the Penn Hills Soccer Association. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to leadership, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.
Elizabeth Dunn-Taylor, former MDJ candidate Weldianne Scales and others. Additionally, he has lent his expertise to non-partisan initiatives, playing an integral role in a campaign to gather support against a would-be annexation of Wilkinsburg into the City of Pittsburgh.
Tedder’s output also includes work in 2023 with Pittsburgh based political media nonprofit 1Hood Power, helping to build out informational programming relating to countywide judicial and executive races, and the execution of a Voter Registration and GOTV program in Erie, Pa., in the fall of 2024, registering over 650 new voters over a six-week period, and overseeing a canvass team of 25 people.
In his current role as the Director of Civic Engagement and Voter Contact at APA, Tedder has created a deep organizing program focused on building relationships with, listening to and organizing infrequent voters in Allegheny
ganization. Their mission is to cultivate and develop male-identifying Black youth into realizing they are “Future Kings”—young successful leaders in their careers, communities, and in their worlds.
The mentorship program works with Black and brown males in the Pittsburgh area. It provides group mentoring with topics such as financial literacy, college and career preparation, confidence, self-esteem building and leadership skills.
County’s Black, brown and economically disinvested communities. The goal of this program is to create pathways of dialogue with people who are rarely asked about their issues, bring people together who may not have otherwise found themselves in a space focused on civic engagement, and help people understand and wield the tools at their disposal to drive change in their communities.
The son of two social workers and the grandson of sharecroppers from Virginia, Georgia and South Carolina, Tedder credits his forebears for instilling in him strong moral sensibilities, and the expectation that he be relentless in his pursuit of excellence.
The very first New Pittsburgh Courier
‘Fab 40 Under 40’! From November 16, 2003
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
The New Pittsburgh Courier had a vision to recognize African Americans in Pittsburgh under 40 who were doing big things in the region already….and so on November 16, 2003, the first Courier Fab 40 was born. Today, the Fab 40 comes with it a large celebration at a Pittsburgh hotel ballroom, complete with a reception, dinner, a DJ, hundreds of friends and family, and the plaque for each honoree. But in 2003, the Fab 40 class had a relatively small get-together at the Crawford Grill at the Square.
Here are the members of the very first Courier Fab 40 Class, in 2003.
EDDA FIELDS-BLACK Carnegie Mellon University
GREER REED Black Theatre Dance Ensemble
JANERA SOLOMON Arts Entrepreneur
ROSA
COPELAND MILLER Reed Smith
TRACEY MCCANTS-LEWIS
Chubb Group of Insurance Cos.
EDWARD GREEN Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
LESLIE LEWIS
Edgewood Police Department
ANJI CORLEY WAMO
DWIGHT A. CHAMBERS Pitt Chronicle
LAWRENCE GAINES
American Urban Radio Networks
DENISE HAYES Steel Valley Middle School
WARNER JOHNSON St. Vincent College
MICHELLE SCOTT TAYLOR University of Pittsburgh
CHRISTOPHAS WALKER Slippery Rock Univ.
EDWIN J. MONTGOMERY Automatic Websites Inc.
DANA RAMSEY Dana’s Styling Salon
COSETTE GRANT NUL Young Professionals
ERICA GRAHAM Pittsburgh Community Services Inc.
LA’TASHA MAYES Coro Fellow
EBONY MCKINNEY Kelly-Strayhorn Theater
STEPHEN BATES Sheridan Broadcasting Corp.
EVANS MOORE Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network
ALEXIS CLIPPER Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield
RONALD D. PORTER JR. Hill House Association
SHARIKA YOUNG Wee Care Learning Center
EDDIE EDWARDS JR. Pietragollo, Bosick & Gordon
LAMONT JONES JR. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
LUTHER J. DUPREE JR. Black Men Rising
CAMEIL WILLIAMS Allegheny County
JEFFREY UPPERMAN Children’s Hospital
ERRIKA FEARBRY JONES Pittsburgh Public Schools
MARIA ANDERSON Mellon Financial Corp.
JEFFREY O’NEALE Coro Center for Civic Leadership
KEVIN CHASE PATTERSON University of Pittsburgh Student
LASHAWN TIPTON Volunteer
KEITH GARDNER B.T. Woodlipp, Inc.
LILLIAN B. YOUNG YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh
CHENITS PETTIGREW Member of Liberation
JOY EPPS WEBB City of McKeesport
DEBORAH L. BEY Reed Smith
JASMINE THOMPSON
Educator, Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship; Owner, Blis 23 Candle Co.
Jasmine Thompson is a visionary leader and dynamic Black educator dedicated to empowering and inspiring youth through education, mentorship, and equity-driven leadership. Her journey is rooted in passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring every scholar feels seen, heard, and valued.
Raised in a close-knit community by a mother who instilled the values of hard work and perseverance, Thompson learned early that education is a powerful tool for breaking cycles of generational poverty and inequality. After graduating with honors from Taylor Allderdice High School, she pursued her passion for education at Slippery Rock University and the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology. She continued her academic journey by earning a Master of Teaching from Duquesne University and immediately began her career as an elementary educator.
Beyond the classroom, Thompson has expanded her impact as a mentor, business owner, coach, and community liaison. She advocates for marginalized students,
PATRIECE THOMPSON
Senior Leader and Director, Community & Citizenship Turner Construction Company
Patriece Thompson is a senior leader serving as Community and Citizenship Director at Turner Construction within the Pittsburgh business unit. In this role, she advances access and opportunity for local small businesses, including UBEs and MWBEs within the construction industry. Thompson designs and implements policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives that promote equitable business practices while delivering measurable community and economic impact.
Her work is grounded in four strategic pillars: youth engagement, workforce and professional development, regional economic development across a 10-county footprint, and community outreach and services. She leads all corporate citizenship programs, performance measurement, and continuous improvement efforts for the local business unit. Thompson collaborates closely with local, state, and federal officials, as well as community leaders and key stakeholders, to strengthen public-private partnerships and deepen client and community engagement. Throughout her career, Thompson has demonstrated success across business, economic development, and government sectors. She has developed and led high-impact programs
amplifies scholar voice, and engages in leadership work centered on equity, culturally responsive teaching, and social justice. Deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve, Thompson remains steadfast in her belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality education. Driven by a commitment to equity and continuous improvement, she continues to pursue leadership development and opportunities to influence systems beyond the classroom.
and initiatives in partnership with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Pennsylvania Economy League, and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, where she has also moderated discussions and collaborated with federal, state, and community leaders to drive regional progress.
Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Marketing from California University of Pennsylvania and later obtained her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Point Park University. She is a graduate of The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business, Leadership Pittsburgh Class XXVIII (2020), and the 2025 Harvard YALP Program.
In public service, Thompson served as a Commissioner under Governor Josh Shapiro on the African American Affairs Commission for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She currently serves as Vice Chair of LifeWorks Western PA; a governing board member of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art; a governing board and Ally member of the Three Rivers Business Alliance (LGBTQ+ Cham-
ber of Commerce); a YMKQ Board Member; and a Board Member of Reimagine Reentry, where she supports workforce access and reentry pathways for individuals returning from incarceration.
Thompson is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her honors include Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40, City & State Pennsylvania’s 40 Under 40, 2025 Woman of Impact, 2025 Woman of Influence (Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania), and numerous other distinguished recognitions. She is also an IFBB Professional Bodybuilder. Thompson’s life mission is to expand access, create pathways for upward mobility, and advance equity and inclusion for all.
FELICITY A. WILLIAMS, ESQ.
Executive Director, Pennsylvania Policy Center; Executive Director, Pennsylvanians Together in Action
Felicity A. Williams, Esq., is a public policy leader, attorney, and strategist committed to advancing racial and economic justice and building equitable systems that expand opportunity for communities across Pennsylvania. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Policy Center (PPC), a statewide research and policy organization, and Pennsylvanians Together in Action (PTIA), its advocacy partner organization, where she leads cross-sector coalitions focused on advancing fair tax policy, equitable public investment, and inclusive economic growth.
Prior to her current role, Williams served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the City of Pittsburgh, where she helped design and implement major initiatives spanning workforce equity, procurement modernization, neighborhood investment, and violence prevention funding. Her work has consistently centered on aligning public policy with community priorities and ensuring that government systems deliver measurable results for residents, particularly communities historically excluded from opportunity.
Throughout her career, Williams has been known for bringing together leaders from government, philanthropy, labor, business, and grassroots organizations to develop collabo -
rative solutions to complex policy challenges. Her leadership now focuses on advancing the “For Our Common Wealth” statewide campaign, which works to ensure that Pennsylvania’s budget and tax policies reflect the needs of working families, strengthen public education and healthcare systems, and support long-term economic opportunity across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
A proud Pittsburgh native, Williams continues to mentor emerging leaders and invest in initiatives that expand civic engagement and leadership development. She remains dedicated to building policy solutions that are community-centered, data-driven, and designed to create lasting impact for future generations.
When you have strong leaders, you have a strong community.
UPMC is proud to support the New Pittsburgh Courier and the Fab 40 Under 40 Awards. We extend our warmest congratulations to all of this year’s honorees — including our very own Dante’ Josey and Christina Kenney. Your leadership, dedication, and impact in the community inspire us all.
