Julie Zeigler becomes first Black Commissioner of Crescent Township, PA
Dr. Julie Zeigler is the first Black Commissioner in Crescent Township history By day, Dr. Julie Zeigler is the Chief Financial Officer for Tadiso Inc., one of the state’s largest medication-assisted treatment facilities. But she’s also one of five Commissioners for Crescent Township. Crescent Township, it’s located near Moon Township and Sewickley in Allegheny County. She loves living there. And she enjoys her role as Commissioner, a role she’s had since January 2026. But what few people know is that Dr. Zeigler is the first Black Commissioner to ever serve in
Leon Ford, founder of The Hear Foundation to partner with Pittsburgh Public Schools
LEON FORD is co-founder of The Hear Foundation. His organization is partnering with Pittsburgh Public Schools’ CTE Division. (Photo by Rob Taylor Jr.) The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Emergency Response Technology program, one of the programs offered under the district’s Career and Technical Education Division umbrella, has a new partner. A very well-known partner. A partner that has overcome his own set of challenges. Leon Ford is in full support of the high schoolers in the EMT program. He wants them to learn, be their
Jennifer Thompkins named Urban League President and CEO
Jennifer Thompkins has been named President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, effective Feb. 2. She replaces Esther L. Bush, who, after a 27-year run as the Urban League’s president and CEO, retiring in 2021, returned to run the organization on an interim basis for the past seven months following the resignation of Carlos Carter. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to welcome Jennifer Thompkins as our new President and CEO,” said Bryan Iams, ULGP Board Chair, in a statement. “Her proven
Coach Brennan Marion is on a Meteoric Rise
Greensburg native now offensive coordinator for Deion Sanders at Colorado Brennan Marion has been named the offensive coordinator for the University of Colorado football team by Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. An offensive mastermind, Marion comes to the Buffaloes from Sacramento State, where he inherited a 3-9 Hornets team and led them to a 7-5 record his first year at the helm. According to a biography of Marion on the University of Colorado website, under Marion, Sacramento State averaged 33.8 points per game in 2025, ranking third in the Big Sky
Jennifer Thompkins named Urban League President and CEO
Jennifer Thompkins has been named President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, effective Feb. 2. She replaces Esther L. Bush, who, after a 27-year run as the Urban League’s president and CEO, retiring in 2021, returned to run the organization on an interim basis for the past seven months following the resignation of Carlos Carter. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to welcome Jennifer Thompkins as our new President and CEO,” said Bryan Iams, ULGP Board Chair, in a statement. “Her proven
Meet Roxanne Brown, the first African American and the first woman President of the United Steelworkers
In a significant moment for the labor movement, Roxanne Brown, set to become the first African American woman elected as President of the United Steelworkers (USW), North America’s largest industrial union, joins Make It Plain with Rev. Mark Thompson. With the official transition happening in March, Brown’s ascent is more than just a personal achievement; it represents a shift in the labor movement’s leadership reflecting the demographics of today’s workforce. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she moved to New York at the age of two and was raised by what
Gateway Medical Society Honors ‘Black Excellence in White Coats’
Adaoro Okigbo, second from left. (photos by Chief Ikhana-Hal-Makina) Gateway Medical Society, a not-for-profit organization with a seven-decade history as a health care advocate and health policy champion for the socio-economically challenged and underserved communities of greater Pittsburgh, held its "Black Excellence in White Coats Awards & Scholarship Gala," Oct. 25, 2025, at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, Downtown. FELICIA E. SNEAD, M.D., FASTRO This year, Felicia E. Snead, M.D., FASTRO, was the 2025 Oswald J. Nickens, M.D., Physician of the Year. Dr. Snead’s contributions to the field of radiation
Talia Kirkland Represented Black Women Powerfully and With Poise in Pittsburgh
Penn Hills native now works in Las Vegas by Naomi C. Ilochi For New Pittsburgh Courier Talia Kirkland is a multi-media reporter, wife, daughter and community advocate, shaped by her family, friends, hometown and life journey. Kirkland is a Penn Hills native, Penn Hills High School graduate (2010) and Duquesne University alumna with a degree in journalism and a Master of Science in Media Technology and Arts. She’s also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and a 2024 member of the
Meet Homestead Mayor-elect Mary Nesby … It’s about real work, not a title
Come January 2026, Mary Nesby will make history as Homestead’s first Black woman mayor. That’s admirable, Mayor-elect Nesby told the New Pittsburgh Courier, but for her, it’s not about titles. In her mind, with all she feels she’s done in the Homestead community, she feels like the mayor already. She told the Courier on Nov. 10 that she’s lived in Homestead for the past 23 years, and after being on Homestead Borough Council for the past eight years, she knows the ins and outs of not only Homestead
Ashley Cabiness is Leading Pittsburgh In Employment and Tranisition Initiatives
Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, who never minces words, had nothing but praise to offer about 2025 New Pittsburgh Courier Fab 40 honoree Ashley Cabiness. “In a world where everyone’s fighting and there’s so much anger and meanness going on, she’s one of those people that wants to bring people together,” Councilwoman Kail-Smith said. She wasn’t done. “(Cabiness) always calls people and looks for ways to work together. The things that she does for the community is amazing, and just her presence alone in the community has been such a