Overcoming obstacles as not only an African-American, but as an African-American woman, is no stranger to Valerie McDonald Roberts. She has managed to turn what would be trials for others into triumphs.

Roberts was not only the first African-American woman to be elected to the Pittsburgh City Council, but more recently, she was the first African-American woman to be elected president of the Pennsylvania Recorder of Deeds Association.

VALERIE McDONALD ROBERTS

The Wilkinsburg native is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she received a B.S. in medical technology and an M.S. in forensic chemistry. But it is her political career that she is known for. She is the current Allegheny County manager of Real Estate and former county Recorder of Deeds. She began her political career in 1989 when she ran and won a seat on the Pittsburgh Public School Board.

After three hours of public comment from 50 speakers, no clear consensus emerged on the fate of the, now vacant Civic Arena during the Sports and Exhibition Authority’s public meeting. But judging by the “boos” given to several attorneys and developers, and applause given supporters of reusing the facility, there appeared to be more supporters of the latter option.

NO DEMOLITION DERBY—Eloise McDonald tells the Sports and Exhibition Authority Board that razing the Civic Arena is “asinine.”

Eloise McDonald of Oak Hill said it was “asinine” to tear it down for housing.

“People on the Hill won’t be able to afford to live there,” she said. “So how does that benefit the Hill?”

But Phyllis McClure, who watched the arena’s construction wipe out several hundred homes as a child said it has to be removed to not only physically, but also psychologically reconnect the Hill District to Downtown.

Residents from the Francis Street housing project in the Hill District brought back the annual reunion that used to take place years ago. The new committee consists of Francine Bibbens, Carol Bibbens, Calvin Bibbens, Shannon Lawthorne and Janicee Council. With the demolition and sale of the Francis Street housing project these former residents want to keep the memories alive and well for future generations.

ORGANIZERS—Francis Street committee members Francine Bibbens, Calvin Bibbens and Carol Bibbens at the Francis Street Reunion.

“Even though the Francis Street Reunion initially started 10 years ago, we wanted to get it going again because the only time we reunited with someone from Francis Street was when someone died. Instead of meeting at funeral homes, I wanted to see my old friends and neighbors on a happier occasion. Carol Murphy, Dundee Council, Alice Richardson and others started the Francis Street originally and it was a great time for everyone” said Francine Bibbens.

The Community Empowerment Association, Inc. held an Action Alert Community Meeting in response to the shootings at Homewood Field. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together residents, community organizers, city officials, concerned citizens and families not just from the community of Homewood, but from all over the Pittsburgh area. The theme for the meeting was “As human beings we must stand together and stop the insanity. No one should be shot at a family sports event and the community must come together to stop the madness.”

Rashad Byrdsong of the Community Empowerment Association, Inc. organized and chaired the meeting while members of the audience gave their opinion on how to solve the problem.