Hill District has strong presence at YWCA awards
The Hill District was in the spotlight at the 17th annual YWCA Racial Justice Awards Nov. 19. Past and present Hill District residents as well as those with a vested interest in the neighborhood swept most award categories as evidence of the area’s ongoing revitalization.
“I just want to emphasize we did this work before the Obama campaign and before it was popular to be a community organizer,” said awardee Kimberly Ellis, Ph.D. “I’m really pleased that the country has gained a new-found respect for the work we do.”
Ellis, also known by her performance name of “Dr. Goddess,” serves as chair of the Historic Hill Initiative. She received an award in the category of Community Engagement for her work to ensure that the casino currently being built on the North Shore was not built in the Hill District as was originally proposed.
This was the first year the YWCA created an award in the category of Lifetime Achievement. The winner of this award, Ralph Proctor, Ph.D., is chair of Ethnic and Diversity Studies at Community College of Allegheny County.
Proctor listed several community organizers who came before him and who passed away before being able to see the first African-American president.
“I accept this award on behalf of those people, Black and White, young and old, who labored and risked life and livelihood trying to bring justice and equality to a world full of hatred,” Proctor said.
The Hill District took another award in the category of Community Engagement for the One Hill Community Benefit Agreement Coalition. President and CEO of Hill House Association, Evan Frazier and One Hill Chair Carl Redwood accepted the award.
“We were told by the politicians they would not negotiate with us. We were told by the Penguins they would not negotiate with us,” Redwood said. “But because of you and your support we forced them to the table so they had to sit down and negotiate this agreement.”
“There is a whole community counting on favorable results based on the need for change, justice and progress,” Frazier said. “Having the opportunity to serve the community through this type of grass roots democratic community process was truly an honor.”
Marlene Ellis, who received an award in the Legal category for her work as the events director of the Allegheny County Bar Association, was raised in the Hill District. She is the coordinator of the ACBA High School Minority Summer Internship Program that primarily hires students from Pittsburgh Public schools in the inner city.
Lifelong Hill District resident Brenda Tate received the Public Safety award as a detective for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Witness Protection Unit. Tate’s service extends beyond her job with her membership to many organizations including the NAACP and the Urban League.
Another awardee tied to the Hill District was Rev. Glenn Grayson, pastor of Wesley Center AMEZ Church who won an award in the Faith category. He also founded The Center That C.A.R.E.S., a non-profit corporation that offers after school and tutorial programs.
Tamiko Stanley who received an award in the category of Government joined each awardee in expressing how honored she felt for being recognized. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Officer she launched the DiverseCity 365 Program ensure equality and diversity throughout the city all year.
“It’s really amazing to develop a particular program and have an opportunity to see it flourish and to turn into something that actually shows public change, but it’s even more amazing to actually be recognized,” Stanley said.
The University of Pittsburgh Reaching Inside your Soul for Excellence program received the award in the category of education. The RISE mentoring program pushes students to reach their college academic goals as well as become involved in a student organization.
“I have observed RISE students enter the university with great hope and promise. As a result of the academic rigors of a Division I research institution they begin to experience challenges for the first time of their young lives,” RISE director Deborah Walker said. “However, we are determined not to let these challenges stop my students, my children from succeeding.”
Jim Rooney accepted his father Dan Rooney’s award in the category of Company/Business. Of his father’s many accomplishments, Rooney pointed out the Rooney Rule, which helped to increase the number of Black coaches in the NFL.
“He always talked about his church back in the 50’s sending buses to Alabama to stand up for the racial situations and civil rights acts and that he didn’t go,” Rooney said. “He always felt like that was an opportunity that he missed. He tried to take that mistake and use it as his motivation for the Rooney Rule and for doing so many of the things he’s tried to do.”
“I just want to emphasize we did this work before the Obama campaign and before it was popular to be a community organizer,” said awardee Kimberly Ellis, Ph.D. “I’m really pleased that the country has gained a new-found respect for the work we do.”
Ellis, also known by her performance name of “Dr. Goddess,” serves as chair of the Historic Hill Initiative. She received an award in the category of Community Engagement for her work to ensure that the casino currently being built on the North Shore was not built in the Hill District as was originally proposed.
This was the first year the YWCA created an award in the category of Lifetime Achievement. The winner of this award, Ralph Proctor, Ph.D., is chair of Ethnic and Diversity Studies at Community College of Allegheny County.
Proctor listed several community organizers who came before him and who passed away before being able to see the first African-American president.
“I accept this award on behalf of those people, Black and White, young and old, who labored and risked life and livelihood trying to bring justice and equality to a world full of hatred,” Proctor said.
The Hill District took another award in the category of Community Engagement for the One Hill Community Benefit Agreement Coalition. President and CEO of Hill House Association, Evan Frazier and One Hill Chair Carl Redwood accepted the award.
“We were told by the politicians they would not negotiate with us. We were told by the Penguins they would not negotiate with us,” Redwood said. “But because of you and your support we forced them to the table so they had to sit down and negotiate this agreement.”
“There is a whole community counting on favorable results based on the need for change, justice and progress,” Frazier said. “Having the opportunity to serve the community through this type of grass roots democratic community process was truly an honor.”
Marlene Ellis, who received an award in the Legal category for her work as the events director of the Allegheny County Bar Association, was raised in the Hill District. She is the coordinator of the ACBA High School Minority Summer Internship Program that primarily hires students from Pittsburgh Public schools in the inner city.
Lifelong Hill District resident Brenda Tate received the Public Safety award as a detective for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Witness Protection Unit. Tate’s service extends beyond her job with her membership to many organizations including the NAACP and the Urban League.
Another awardee tied to the Hill District was Rev. Glenn Grayson, pastor of Wesley Center AMEZ Church who won an award in the Faith category. He also founded The Center That C.A.R.E.S., a non-profit corporation that offers after school and tutorial programs.
Tamiko Stanley who received an award in the category of Government joined each awardee in expressing how honored she felt for being recognized. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Officer she launched the DiverseCity 365 Program ensure equality and diversity throughout the city all year.
“It’s really amazing to develop a particular program and have an opportunity to see it flourish and to turn into something that actually shows public change, but it’s even more amazing to actually be recognized,” Stanley said.
The University of Pittsburgh Reaching Inside your Soul for Excellence program received the award in the category of education. The RISE mentoring program pushes students to reach their college academic goals as well as become involved in a student organization.
“I have observed RISE students enter the university with great hope and promise. As a result of the academic rigors of a Division I research institution they begin to experience challenges for the first time of their young lives,” RISE director Deborah Walker said. “However, we are determined not to let these challenges stop my students, my children from succeeding.”
Jim Rooney accepted his father Dan Rooney’s award in the category of Company/Business. Of his father’s many accomplishments, Rooney pointed out the Rooney Rule, which helped to increase the number of Black coaches in the NFL.
“He always talked about his church back in the 50’s sending buses to Alabama to stand up for the racial situations and civil rights acts and that he didn’t go,” Rooney said. “He always felt like that was an opportunity that he missed. He tried to take that mistake and use it as his motivation for the Rooney Rule and for doing so many of the things he’s tried to do.”