How believing in everyone who has big dreams, big pockets, and great intentions to make your community better could be detrimental to small communities. If I had a quarter for every time that I heard, “The last mayor didn’t do x, y, z,” and “You have big shoes to fill,” I would have more than…
Category: 412 Fresh
Confessions of a Millennial Mayor: The Pandemic, PA, and the Big Bad Wolf
The pandemic, the response, the local government academy classes canceled, and the mayor’s first lawsuit “We’ll flatten the curve,” those words still haunt me. The hair on my arms still raises when those words are arranged in that order. I had just gotten back from a New Orleans Mardi Gras Trip for my birthday when…
Once Upon a Black Woman: Voting, Not Voting, Consequences, and Reflection on the Election
We currently have war, high Gas Prices, high Unemployment, and inflation because people didn’t want to vote for a black woman. My grandfather got me into the habit of reading the news every morning. My mother got me into the habit of reading books because, according to her, everything that anyone would ever want to…
Confessions of an Ex-Millennial Mayor: Overseeing a Police Department
In a weak-mayor system, some municipal mayors get to oversee a police department. The first thing that I remember after being sworn in was being whisked away and handed two internal police investigations. I was curious, energized, ready to learn, and ready to lead. The mayor paid less than $100 a month, so my day…
When Democracy Feels Like a Distant Memory, We Speak Louder
I gave a speech at the 50501 No Kings Rally in Pittsburgh on Saturday, and it’s heartbreaking/frustrating to continue giving speeches on the City County Building steps because our elected officials are still so out of touch. We assumed that we would get a thousand people to speak, but was overjoyed when there were so…
Cuisine with a Cause: Café Momentum Sets Lunch Menu
Café Momentum, located in downtown Pittsburgh, is more than just food outside of Market Square. If you Google “Food Near Me,” it will show you the Momentum Menu, but delving deeper into what accelerates this restaurant makes you want to come back for seconds. Opened in March 2023, Café Momentum was started by Chad Houser…
The Failed Nippon/US Steel Deal Gives “Buddy I Hope You Find Your Dad” Vibes.
Finding out that one of the last things Biden chose to do while in office was to block the Nippon/US Steel Deal gives me “Buddy I hope you find your dad,” vibes. It may feel blindly optimistic that someone domestic will buy US Steel. Still, the intentions behind the purchase won’t make as much sense…
17 NYE Parties in Pittsburgh to Bring in 2025
Last year I made a list of awesome NYE parties in Pittsburgh and although I made it my mission to go to none of them because staying in is a much better time for me. But if you’re looking for somewhere to bring in the New Year check out these events. CAVO Pittsburgh $60 |…
OMG, It’s Delicious: My Favorite Pittsburgh Eats for 2024
“What you want to eat?” and “I’ll do the dishes,” is obviously my love language. There were no shortage of plates this year. I broke bread with old friends and new ones in some of my favorite places and new favorites. Here’s a quick rundown of my favorite memorable plates from 2024. Starting at the…
Bravery, Burnout or Both?
After almost 10 years of accidentally falling into tech, I quit! I got laid off after giving a company 9 and a half years of my life and looked at my 401k and saw the lack of sustainability when it came to a retirement plan I tried to make the new job work but it…
OMG It's Just Daé 