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…

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 |…

Dear College Freshmen,

Dear first-year college student,Congrats you made it to campus. Roll your sleeves up after you’re done using your sleeves to wipe your tears after saying that first goodbye to your parents. There’s so much work to be done and you will cry every time you’re dropped off to campus every year. The realization that you’re…

The Future of Municipalities is Townships

PA has 2560 municipalities and mostly all of those municipalities have their own police departments and resources. This is unsustainable and at some point, if they haven’t already, they’re going to need to band together. This is a hot take but if it was anything less why would I share it? As a former mayor,…

Pittsburgh’s Black Exodus: Where Are They Going?

Pittsburgh’s Black Exodus: Where Are They Going? If we know anything from the last census and The State of Black Pittsburgh report, we know that Pittsburgh is losing Black People. That same report told us that there was a higher infant mortality rate for Black Women in Pittsburgh. They also found that Black People face…

Top 3 Summer Travel Destinations for 2020

The roaring 20s are back and the pandemic came free of charge. A pandemic makes travel kind of iffy even for the most seasoned travelers. It seems that there will be no checked luggage kiosk fumbling, passport stamping, TSA showdowns, or luggage carousel lunges this year. Instead the safest and most relaxing places fit anyone’s…

Is Braddock the New Lawrenceville?

“I can make your neighborhood the next Lawrenceville,” this probably well-intended developer told me a year ago. I chuckled staring at this stranger and replying, “We don’t need another Lawrenceville.” Another developer called a few months later wanting to build riverfront housing where, “people can park their boats.” I also chuckled. “Some people don’t even…

What Happened to Pittsburgh’s Nightlife?

Pittsburgh may have culture and great food but the most “livable city” lacks diversity, socioeconomic opportunity, adequate public transportation, and on a lighter note, a thriving nightlife. Maybe these things are connected to why more millennials leave the 412 than the amount that stay. I don’t know when it happened but in between moving back…