MANY TALENTS—Dancer, photographer, artist, teacher, businesswoman Erin Perry shows off some of her talent. Here, front, left, she performs an African Dance at the August Wilson Center. (Photos by Gail Manker)

African dancer, photographer, teaching artist, executive director, mother and fiancee are all words that describe Erin Perry.
“I’ve always recognized the need to help people be well. I’m a vessel of the Creator and I want to do his work,” said Perry, a 38-year-old mother of two sons, Zosha and Ziah. She grew up in Wilkinsburg and makes her home in Forest Hills.
Perry does the Creator’s work on various fronts.
Since 2011, she has served as executive director of the Legacy Arts Project.
Perry began her journey with the Legacy Arts Project as a dancer in 2006, and as executive director, she works to strengthen the group of seven dancers and six drummers.

“We are trying to preserve the history and traditions of African art as presented throughout the Diaspora. We provide services—African drumming, African dancing and spoken words for adults and children,” Perry said.
Perry became enamored with African dance after experiencing African drumming.
“The first time I heard the drums, I connected with it deep in my soul. I had a connection with the culture and I knew my mind was awakened,” she said.
With the help of her friend and mentor Linda “Imani” Barrett, founder and former executive director of the Legacy Project, Perry was able to break through her shyness and tap into her femininity to become the fluid, mesmerizing dancer she is today.
“It was a revelation for me because I was able to recognize my beauty and realize the artistry that comes before us gives us our own uniqueness,” she said.
When Barrett stepped down as executive director of the Legacy Project two years ago it was a natural choice for her to hand the reins to Perry.
“I have a sense of honor because I’m carrying this forward,” said Perry who stays in contact with Barrett often to make sure the organization is being run true to her vision.
Perry hopes to incorporate her love of photography into the work she does with the Legacy Arts Project.
“I’m trying to get funding to integrate photography and dance and to be able to travel oversees and study dance in Cuba or Brazil. I want to be able to bring that information back to the United States and the Legacy Arts Project,” she said.
In the meantime, Perry who recently graduated from the Katz Graduate School of Business with an MBA and focus on strategic leadership, works as a freelance photographer for the New Pittsburgh Courier and also takes pictures for the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, The August Wilson Center for African American Culture and the Ujamaa Collective.
“The Pittsburgh Black dance scene is in a good place right now and being able to document Pittsburgh Black history and dance is the best of both worlds. It’s literally a blessing,” Perry said. “I am a participant, a documentarian and an observer. With further collaborations, it’ll be possible for Pittsburgh to be a great part of the dance scene internationally.”
“My mission is to be able to travel the world and really experience the art and see the connection that we share,” she said.
(For more information on Perry and her work, visit www.erin­perry­photography.com or www.legacyartsproject.org.)

HONOREES—Beatrice Morrison, Melo Myers, Alma Speed Fox, Mary Savage and Jean Bryant (Photos by Rossano Stewart)

On March 30, at the Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) held their fourth Annual Legacy Awards Luncheon, “Women United: Activate The Legacy.” On this afternoon the Rankin/Mon Valley/Pittsburgh section of this organization honored Jean Bryant, Alma Fox, Beatrice Morrison, Melo Myers and Mary Savage, five women who have made their mark in the city of Pittsburgh. Shirley Moore Smeal, executive deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, served as guest speaker while Sabrina Saunders, director, education and youth development department, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, was the mistress of ceremonies.  

BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE

NCNW was the creation of Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935. Her goal was to bring women together with a unity of purpose and action. With the power of 38 national women’s organizations and the support of over 200 community-based sections, Mary McLeod Bethune’s vision and spirit lives on. The voices of women all around the world can be heard collectively through the National Council of Negro Women Inc. Dr. Dorothy I. Height, who hailed from Rankin, Pa., was the chair and president emerita until her passing on April 20, 2010. The NCNW Rankin/Mon Valley/Pittsburgh, Pa section is addressing issues such as diabetes awareness. Since their founding, NCNW has focused on fulfilling their mission by launching programs that provide critical services to women, children and families, such as the youth group they have formed within their section.

After the reunion finale for the Real Housewives of Atlanta I thought it was high time I penned a letter to the ladies.
Needless to say I don’t miss an episode of RHOA and typically watch each one at least twice. I have watched RHOA since the first episode back when Nene wore wigs and had a big nose. How dare she refer to Sheree as “big nose Sheree” during the reunion show, she even called Kim “Wig.” Nene have we ever seen your own hair? Even now you are wearing a weave in the front and some of your own naps in the back.  Yes I said it. Did you think we missed the episode where you had your nose fixed, breast implants and your teeth fixed? You hair looked real bad when you were in Anguilla getting that massage. Why are you so hard on everyone?

HISTORY MAKERS—From left: Esther Bush, president and CEO of Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh; Herb Douglas,91, eldest living African-American Olympian, 1948; and Tony Dorsett, Collegiate and Pro Football Hall of Famer. (Photo by Rossano P. Stewart)

The Heinz History Center honored Pittsburgh's legendary history makers with the 21st Annual History Makers Award Dinner at the Fairmont Hotel Downtown.
Five distinguished Pittsburghers were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the history of western Pennsylvania, the nation and the world.
Chaired by Donald J. Herberle, president of BNY Mellon of Pennsylvania and Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of Citizens Bank for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, the black-tie benefit honors outstanding men and women whose achievements, while rooted in western Pennsylvania, transcends geographical bounds.
This year’s honorees were Esther Bush, president and CEO, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh; Tony Dorsett, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Pittsburgh; Sigo Falk, chairman, Falk Foundation, whom Pittsburghers owe a special debt to the Falk family's generous heritage of giving in education, medicine and the arts; George C. Greer, Philanthropist and former H.J. Heinz Company executive; and David S. Shapira, executive chairman, Giant Eagle.