Hey, Affordable Housing in the Hill District is About You Too
I was just at my sister's and brother-in-law's apartment in Brooklyn, NY and so was in one of the most talked about places in the country when it comes to gentrification, so I will try to avoid…
Don't Call It A Comeback
Alright, let's get back in the saddle here. Hillombo has sat idle while I have taken to posting more stuff on fb, writing a blog…
Thinking of a Hill Art Plan
A couple of weeks ago, the Hill District Consensus Group (for whom my wife works, I am a supporter and the organization I work for, The Heinz Endowments, is a funder) held…
Thinking and Talking about the Danger of "THOTS"
Demonstrating the cultural center role barbershops often play, I had a thought-provoking and somewhat troubling conversation with a broad range of African American men at Big Tom's…
What I Want For Christmas? Fair Coverage from the PG
A few weeks ago, Mark Belko wrote a problematic piece in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Business section titled "Penguins plans for Civic site hit snag". As you…
Pens Meeting Goes Nowhere Fast...by Renee Aldrich
On November 21, I attended what I thought would be yet another run of the mill meeting where the Penguins come to the Hill House and make a whole lot of noise about their plans for the lower hil…
Conversation with Councilman Lavelle re: Lower Hill Negotiations
Went to Councilman Daniel Lavelle's community office hours two Mondays ago (yeah, backed up on posting) at the Hill Library and, in addition to a brief conversation on tennis courts in the Hill…
When is a Grocery Store Not Just A Grocery Store?
So, we have had a few weeks of the new Shop & Save grocery store in the Hill and the convenience of being able to run out to get something for dinner has been great…
First new writer to Hillombo!
Starting today you will begin to occasionally (at first) see new writers on the Hillombo blog. As noted in the "About" section, Hillombo takes its name from the Quilombo…
The Stories They Dare Tell–True Stories of Hill Residents by Renee Aldrich
So after too many days of living in chaos after getting a delivery of furniture, I begin the arduous process of putting things back together again. Because on the front…
Today was a good day
Snuck into the Hill District Consensus Group (HDCG) meeting yesterday having missed the update on the grocery store, but did get there in time to hear Dr. Emma Lucas Darby…
A Saturday Visit to Ujamaa's Garden and Cook-Out
This past Saturday stopped by the Ujamaa Collective's Community Cook-Out being held on Francis off of Bedford and got a chance to see longtime artists Bro. Tony Mitchell and Iya Bea Mitchell holding…
Good Night at Hill CDC Meeting. Opportunities for Public Campaign?
This past Tuesday the Hill CDC had a meeting to give "critical updates" to the community re: the issues of the Lower Hill. I was only able to make the second half of the meeting…
Run, Hill District, Run!!
This past Saturday Rep. Wheatley hosted his 2nd Uphill 5K and while running this first 5k was on the brutal side, the energy of the runners was great and it was a good time. Special shout out to…
No Agreement from Pens to Provide Specific Benefits. How About Specific Costs? Well, that's the Plan.
The Sports and Exhibition Authority's recent unsuccessful application to the Federal Department of Transportation for a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant…
The More Things Change...Penguins' 2013 Plan for the Lower Hill Brings Shades of the 1950s
I was working my way through the Sports and Exhibition Authority's TIGER application…
Happy Birthday to the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. Your Spirit Still Lives in Hill District
August 17th. Couldn't let this day pass without a recognition to the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, born this day in 1887 in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica (also where my father spent part of his…
The Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center: History as Future and Development
Recently came back from vacation in Ocean, Pines, MD (been vacationing from Hillombo as well and will do better on that front) and at my wife's suggestion the family took a day to go…
I am Trayvon Martin... and his Father
Having the goal of running in Rep. Wheatley's Fall 5K, I was jogging recently with my brother and daughter in a wealthy, what I imagine is an almost entirely white enclave in Rehoboth Beach…
Feels Like Public Process in Lower Hill is Waddling
Attended the Hill CDC meeting Monday evening and when I came in at 7 pm (meeting began at 6 p.m.) roundtables were being held looking for participants to weigh in on what appeared…