CREATORS AND RESOURCES

1. Tashah Nicole - Event Producer + Candle Business Owner + Plant Based Blogger (insta: @tashahnicole website: here)

2. Maya Moore - WNBA Player for the Minnesota Lynx (twitter: @MooreMaya)

3. Fresh Fest Beer Fest - Supposed to be happening Aug 8, 2020, but have not seen information on whether the fest will go on due to COVID-19 restrictions. Regardless, awesome company with some cool shirts on the website. (insta: @freshfestbeerfest website: here)

1. SisTers PGH is a transLED, transgender community center, that provides supportive services, emergency shelter and housing for the trans and nonbinary communities of Pittsburgh, PA. I encourage you to visit the website and take action.

2. Jessica McDonald is a powerful forward with a proven track record of goal-scoring—she was the first NWSL player to reach 33 regular-season goals. Here is a video about her journey. (twitter: @J_Mac1422)

1. MESHWORK Press - a local print shop that has partnered with the Wilkinsburg Youth Program and Braddock Youth Program to encourage participants to explore and share their visual voices through art and design.

2. Salomée - a super talented Portland based (sorry, not a local creator) designer and activist. Using her work to reflect her experience as an immigrant and woman of color, Salomée uses bold colors and forms to illustrate the need for people of color to take up space unapologetically in our society.

1. Ujamaa Collective is a non-profit organization founded with a social mission to create spaces, opportunities, networks, education and support for Africana women to grow as entrepreneurs, artisans, and servant-leaders. 

           Instagram @ujamaa15219 --  Website www.ujamaacollective.com

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2. LEVELUP Studios is a creative arts studio that focuses on enriching the educational and artistic experiences of African American youths in the city of Pittsburgh. 

           Instagram @leveluppgh -- Website www.leveluppgh.com 

1. SHE IS THIS was created by Shae. Follow Shae on Instagram (@sheisthisdesigns) to see work that is available at this website for purchase. 

2. Obi's Lens, linked here, is full of fashion photography by Obidi Nzeribe (@obidinzeribe). The presented style "is best described as eclectic, colorful, bold and somewhat weird/edgy."

1. Azzari Jarrett: Azzari is a scrapbooker and the link takes you to an Instagram post of a NYT article that talks about the scrapbooking industry and the lack of diversity within that field. She is a talented photographer and scrapbooker, and works hard to capture/share her and her family's experiences on paper.

2. Chef Paola Velez: the founder of Bakers Against Racism - both accounts highlight the work and creations of Black Chefs/Bakers.

1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author who has won numerous prestigious awards. Check out her website here.

2. Yamiche Alcindor is a white house correspondent who has focused on civil rights. Her twitter handle is @yamiche.

The creators today are some articles/ interactive web pages that are full of other resources. Very cool. I'm hoping you explore these and find a new favorite account to follow, or something new to watch or listen to - enjoy.

https://www.thezoereport.com/p/8-black-artists-to-support-give-your-home-upgrade-while-youre-at-it-22958858

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/19/arts/african-american-art-inspiration.html

1. This website with alternatives to calling the police. The website was founded in June 2020 and is linked here.

2. Idris Habib is an artist based in New York. Find his art here.

1. https://cocoapreneur.com is a website of Black owned businesses founded by Khamil Scantling, a Black woman and Pitt alum, in and around Pittsburgh. Find your new favorite restaurant, clothing store, or barber shop.

2. Read this article to learn about Black authors from Pittsburgh. Many of these titles are available through the Carnegie Library, which is starting curbside pick up June 23 at select locations if you are interested in reading more.

1. Baron Batch is an artist based in Pittsburgh. Check out his website and Instagram (baron_batch)

2. The #Blackinastro hashtag on twitter is full of awesome Black physicists and astronomers. Peruse the hashtag to learn more about the experiences of Black people in astronomy. Here is a more specific article about Black astronomers to dive in deeper. 

1. "BLK MKT Vintage is a collection comprised of black collectibles, cast-off's and curiosities, representing the richness of black history and lived experience. Curated by founders Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart, the collection includes found items ..."

Give the Gram a follow and check out the website in the bio (@blkmktvintage).

2. Appreciate and buy the work of artist Sydney Armstrong, makes sweet prints or customized work. Instagram (@graphicswear).

1. This company is an innovative hanger design company created by Ayo Aigbe, a 22 year old engineering student. The hangers are currently sold out, but you can sign up for the restock mailing list on the website! 

2. Joy Oladokun is a singer / songwriter with a new album out now! Link is in the bio of Instagram @joyoladokun.

3. Alphonso David is the president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Appointed in 2019, he is the first civil rights lawyer and first person of color to become president of the organization. (twitter: @AlphonsoDavid)

1. MyLin & Lindsay Stokes Kennedy are two Black creatives that create beautiful art. Their art can be purchased here. Follow on instagram (@stokeskennedy) to see their journey.

2. Phenomenal is a lifestyle brand that brings awareness to causes. Learn more through the website or instagram (@phenomenal).

1. Aja Barber is a self-described writer and fashion consultant. “My expertise is in race, intersectional feminism and ... fashion (focusing mostly on sustainable and ethical fashion).“ Follow Aja on Instagram @ajabarber, or on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AjaBarber)

2. Damon Young is the Pittsburgh-native author of the book “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker” and a writer for newspapers such as GQ, New York Times, & the editor in chief of Very Smart Brothas (online newspaper).  Follow Damon on Instagram @damonyoungvsb 

1. Growing up with gal-dem podcast: This is an awesome listen and their whole show is great I strongly recommend. Apple podcast and spotify links are below.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/basma-khalifa-is-obsessed-with-telling-stories/id1509199829

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2F5BspFVr56QtdlJX4l5Th

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2. The Black Joy Experience: compilation album. I must say, this makes you feel stuff. Put it on while completing cleaning tasks, doing busy work, or when you're looking for some great beats. Spotify link below.

https://open.spotify.com/album/7wHjU6dM8vPn9fYM08UOIF

1. A'ja Wilson

2. Jewell Loyd

Both these people are incredible basketball players in the WNBA. A'ja Wilson was named MVP of the WNBA 2020 regular season and plays for the Las Vegas Aces. Jewell Loyd is one of the top shooters for her team, the Seattle Storm.

1. This Twitter thread by Michael Harriot, a senior writer at The Root. The Root is a Black oriented online magazine.

2. This article by Natalie Soord, a player at Oberlin.

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3.This article by Kenny Allen, a player at Northwestern.

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4.Deborah Archer who was recently elected the ACLU's first Black president. Read more about her and her accomplishments here.