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

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

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

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

Point Park University celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Ph.D. Community Engagement and Leadership program. Seven Black women scholars who named themselves the “Heavenly Seven” from the inaugural cohort were honored for their roles in shaping the foundation of the program. “You all were designing the plane while flying it,” said Dr. Heather Starr Fiedler, the first Vice President and Managing Director, Center for Civic and Community Engagement, Point Park University. In the Alumnae Panel the Heavenly Seven’s Dr. Atiya Abdelmalik, Dr. Sheila Beasley, Dr. Danielle Davis, Dr.

by Bill Neal The Honorable Dwayne D. Woodruff was the recent recipient of the Dr. John E. Murray Jr. Meritorious Service Award, Friday, Sept. 26, at the Duquesne University 73rd Law Alumni Reunion Dinner, held at the University Power Center Ballroom. Judge Woodruff is currently a judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, presiding in the Family Court Division since 2005 and appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court as Supervising Judge of the Juvenile Section in February 2019, serving in that role through 2023. Judge Woodruff