Dr. Tammi McMillan, Ed.D., proudly walked across the stage to receive her "Women of Excellence" award from the New Pittsburgh Courier as a member of the Class of 2021. In 2023, Dr. McMillan proudly accepted an Onyx Woman Leadership Award, as the director of The Power of One Teacher Diversification Program at Carlow University. So, it's no surprise when the rumors became reality—Dr. McMillan has returned "home" of sorts, as the new Vice President and Chief Program Officer of the Hosanna House Inc., the Courier has learned. Since

Kahlil Darden is the force behind Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens. He’s a 2019 Penn Hills High School graduate, a 2024 Clark Atlanta University graduate, and tireless community voice for the youth and young adults of the region. He also received the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 under 40 award on May 9, as part of the Class of 2025. He’s just 24 years old. He’s doing a lot and going places - fast. And, just when they say there’s nothing for the kids to do in

Esther Bush. Chris Moore. Sala Udin. Tim Stevens. Talk about icons in the City of Pittsburgh. The political arena. The financial/non-profit sector. The spoken word. Collec­tively, the four aforemen­tioned African Americans have more than 150 years of service and impact in the Pittsburgh region. Collectively, they have not only spoken out against injustices involving Afri­can Americans, but they have created change for the better in the region for Black people. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, one could say, stands on the shoulders of these iconic figures. The city’s first Black may­or

Who’s got what it takes to be the next President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pitts­burgh? When Carlos Carter re­signed as the organiza­tion’s President and CEO on May 13, 2025, there was no one on the inside to immediately take over the reins. And there was no one on the outside to immediately take over the reins on a permanent ba­sis, either. It’s not a job for the weak-minded. It’s a high-profile position, most likely for a person who has that outgoing, larger-than-life persona as its

Phillip Thompson lends his collection for national viewing Phillip Thompson, known to most Pittsburghers as DJ Big Phill, wrapped up his "Collections in Black: A Celebration of Black Comic Book Culture," with a closing ceremony at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center to celebrate the Black heroes that comprised Black comic books from the past, which are now classic materials, along with celebrating Black comic creators of the here and now. PHILLIP THOMPSON WITH HIS MOTHER, ARNITA STAGGER. (PHOTOS BY JULIAN HILL) In an interview with AWAACC staff, Thompson

Project Edda Fields-Black (Photo Courtesy Carnegie Mellon University) Dr. Edda Fields-Black was just minding her own business, in the airport in Monterrey, California, preparing to board a flight on Monday, May 5, when she got the call. “It was a very pleasant shock,” Dr. Fields-Black told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “I was elated. Ab­solutely elated.” It’s not often that you get a call stating that you’ve won a Pulitzer Prize. But Dr. Fields-Black got the call. The Pulitzer Prize is considered the highest award in journalism, arts and letters. The year 2025

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that The Advanced Leader­ship Institute (TALI), an organization committed to strengthening com­panies, institutions, and communities by cultivat­ing leadership, is excited to announce the promo­tion of Isabella Moreland to Director of Marketing & Alumni Engagement. Moreland has an exten­sive history with TALI, previously serving as the Marketing & Communi­cations Manager for three years. Prior to that role, she served as TALI’s Mar­keting Intern from 2019-2020, where she helped maintain the organiza­tion’s social media pres­ence and brand. In her new position, which she assumed

  CECILE SPRINGER, SHOWN IN THIS PHOTO DURING THE 2018 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS In 2018, the New Pitts­burgh Courier proudly made Cecile Springer its legacy honoree at its “Women of Excellence” awards luncheon. But not only was she a “Woman of Excellence,” Springer’s daughter, Christina Springer, told the Courier that her mother was, a “woman of action.” There was nothing that Cecile Springer set her mind out to do that she didn’t accomplish. “She had a plan, she had a mission, she had strong core beliefs and she