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Voices of History Pittsburgh
Voices of History Pittsburgh is part of PA Humanities’ Voices of History: Stories from Black Pennsylvanians project, a first-of-its-kind statewide effort to collect and celebrate the stories, family histories, struggles, and triumphs of Black Pennsylvanians in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—once known as the “Steel City”—has a rich history shaped by industry, innovation, and transformation. Situated at the confluence of the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela rivers, it began as a strategic military post and evolved into a hub of American steel production.
African American history is central to Pittsburgh’s identity. From the Great Migration to the rise of vibrant Black neighborhoods like the Hill District, Homewood, and East Liberty, Black residents have shaped the cultural, political, and social fabric of the city. Pioneering figures like playwright August Wilson and photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris made Pittsburgh a focal point of Black artistic expression—but the city’s legacy is also carried forward by everyday people whose stories are equally profound.
15 stories were collected through Voices of History Pittsburgh, reflecting on racial prejudice, creative resilience, and the power of growing up in iconic Black neighborhoods. These narratives speak to a legacy of pride, perseverance, and ongoing transformation.
Voices of History Stories
”The Receipt” - Debbie Norrell
“Grandma’s Chair” - Dr. Ervin Dyer
“Acts of Service” - Wanda Wallace Pitts
”Black Credit” - Valerie Thomas Njie
“The Negro Business Directory” - Sharon Stephens
“Through Teenie’s Lens” - Renee Aldrich
“When the Hill Was Little Harlem” - Reggie Howze
“Swimming Pools” - Janis Burley
“Using Law to Help the Community” - Jay Gilmer
“East Liberty’s Italian Army” - Dr. Sheila Beasley
“Good Cop” - Eunice Nelson
“Walking a Beat in the Hill” - Brenda Tate
“School Daze” - Dr. Elayne Arrington
“Pennley Court” - Damon Young
Introducing Voices of History Pittsburgh
Project Overview
Voices of History launched in May 2024 with a special event at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh, featuring Pulitzer Prize–winning author Isabel Wilkerson (Caste, The Warmth of Other Suns). Inspired by the storytelling legacy of playwrights like August Wilson, this initiative invited community members to reflect on their personal histories through a structured process rooted in listening and connection.
Residents gathered for story circles at Everyday Café and The August Wilson House, where they shared memories centered on family, work, and migration. Over the summer, select stories were professionally recorded at the African American Cultural Center and enriched with historical photos contributed by participants and the Teenie Harris Archives. To culminate the project, PA Humanities co-hosted a public screening in December 2024 at the Cultural Center—bringing communities together once again to celebrate, reflect, and honor their shared histories.

Do you have a story to share?
PA Humanities is looking for stories in the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of The Hill, Garfield / East Liberty, and Homewood-Brushton / Wilkinsburg!
Share with us about a special memory, personal experience, or a cherished keepsake that captures the spirit of your family’s journey.
Inspired by the storytelling traditions of legendary playwrights like August Wilson, Voices of History follows a structured process:
Community Story Circles
Community Story Circles
Residents gather to share personal memories related to family, work, and migration.
Professional Video Recording
Professional Video Recording
Select stories are professionally recorded and enriched with historical photos.
Community Watch Events
Community Watch Events
Public screenings bring communities together to celebrate and discuss the shared histories.
Digital Archive
Digital Archive
Stories will be preserved in an accessible digital repository, ensuring long-term public engagement.
VOICES OF HISTORY
PA Humanities project tells the stories of Black Pennsylvania
The voices of Black Pennsylvania took center stage Wednesday at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center during an immersive storytelling experience that showcased a project by PA Humanities titled “Voices of History: Stories of Black Pennsylvania.”
VOICES OF HISTORY
August Wilson’s plays inspire the Voices of History project that records stories of Black life and community
A project highlight reel and the first video, “Pennley Court,” featuring bestselling author Damon Young, debuted late last month on the nonprofit’s website and YouTube in honor of Black History Month. The other 13 recordings will be added throughout March, featuring residents of the Hill District, Homewood and East Liberty.
VOICES OF HISTORY
Stories from trailblazing women
Hear from three trailblazing women who took on nontraditional roles and excelled despite resistance. Each video brings their stories to life in their own words, enriched by archival photos.
VOICES OF HISTORY
Stories of community
Hear remembrances and reflections on neighborhoods, and stories of impact and influence in the community. Each video brings the individual stories to life in the storytellers’ own words, enriched by archival photos.
VOICES OF HISTORY
PA Humanities Launches Voices of History Pittsburgh Video Series, Showcasing Local Black History
PA Humanities proudly announces the release of the first video, “Pennley Court,” featuring bestselling author Damon Young, from its Voices of History Pittsburgh project, debuting in honor of Black History Month. This statewide initiative to document and preserve Black history launched in Pittsburgh in 2024. The stories collected showcase a selection of residents who have shaped the city’s past and continue to inspire its future.
VOICES OF HISTORY
Pittsburgh Communities Share Untold Stories
People from Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Homewood and East Liberty neighborhoods who’d gathered for one of PA Humanities’ three Voices of History story circles spoke of vibrant neighborhoods, first jobs, home ownership, entrepreneurship, and breaking racial barriers.
VOICES OF HISTORY
Erie’s Black Heritage
At one time, Kyra Taylor said, Black-owned businesses were plentiful and thriving in Erie. But times changed, and many of those businesses have been bulldozed and paved over, leaving no physical remnants of what once was.
Partners

The August Wilson House
The August Wilson House is a site of cultural pilgrimage in Pittsburgh and the Voices Pittsburgh community partner. The house collaborated with PA Humanities on marketing and outreach, best practices for engaging the community, generously hosting the story circles, filming, and overall on the ground facilitation. Their presence in Pittsburgh and existing relationship with PA Humanities created an accessible and successful launch for Voices of History.
The Voices of History series is produced by local filmmakers, Morgan Moody, the producer, with creative direction by Terrell Robinson.
Thank you to our supporters
The Voices of History project in Pittsburgh is made possible through the generous support of The Heinz Endowments, Erie Insurance, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Thomas B. Hagen, and individual donors.This Project was financed in part by a grant through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, under the administration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority.
Share Your Voices of History Photos on Instagram
Use #VoicesOfHistory to share your photos!