The Manchester Youth Development Center Awards Gala

The Manchester Youth Development Center (MYDC) recognized community leaders from the Manchester and greater Pittsburgh communities, who embody the MYDC mission to reach, teach and empower youth. The awards were presented in three categories – community, education and business during a gala in the Rivers Casino ballroom on Saturday, May 19, 2012.  The awards are named in honor of MYDC founders, Reverend Dr. James and Dr. Betty Robinson.

The 2012 Robinson winners for contributions to the community were The Honorable Judge Joseph K. Williams, III, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and Dr. Angela F. Ford, Executive Director, University of Pittsburgh Center for Health Equity.  For contributions in the field of education, the winners were Patricia Lee Washington, PhD, Retired Principal, Pittsburgh Public Schools and Charles E. Allie, Retired Teacher/Coach, Pittsburgh Public Schools.  And, the winner for contributions in business was Eugene Thomas, Jr.  Owner/Operator, Quik-It, Inc & Quik-It Chicken.

Since its inception, MYDC has been working to give the youth in our community a solid foundation for a productive life.  From a strong start the Training Wheels preschool program, to a commitment to academics in the afterschool program, to exploring arts, culture and athletics in the Saturday and summer programs – MYDC is helping to build future generations of leaders in education, community, business and government for Pittsburgh and beyond.  Photos by Ahmad Sandidge for the Manchester Youth Development Center.  Click here for pics

Photo Review: Macy’s Celebrates the 100th Birthday of Romare Bearden

By Sabrina Clark

The Exhibit Opener was on Thursday, February 9th at the Downtown Macy’s.  It was Sponsored by Macy’s and the Romare Bearden Foundation in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Andy Warhol Museum and the exhibit was borrowed from the August Wilson Center for African American Culture.  Savoy Restaurant served  hors d’oeuvres and beverages.  It was truly a celebration of Bearden’s life and legacy that included his artwork, food and music.   Sean Jones and  Band played while guests admired  the works of Romare Bearden engaging in conversation, enjoying the ambiance and culture surrounding them and the special treats like Gumbo & Grits and Sweet Potato Cheesecake catered by SAVOY Restaurant.   Macy’s also dedicated a window to Black History Month.  Macy’s gave out $10 gift cards upon our arrival and a 15% off shopping pass!  A book of Romare Bearden by photographer Frank Stewart  was on sale for a special price in Men’s Furnishings.  And if you spent $50 in Macy’s that evening, you received a free silk Romare Bearden scarf complete with Romare’s “The Lamp” artwork and his distinctively artistic signature.  No problem for the Soul Stylista…straight to the shoe department for some shoes to match and indeed I found some in two seconds flat!  CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

Photo Review: Fashion with Compassion GoRed Event

By Sabrina Clark

Fashion with Compassion is a Fundraiser and roaming Fashion Show that benefits the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign.  This year it was held on February 9th at Fairmont Pittsburgh in Downtown sponsored by Pittsburgh Magazine and Fifth Third Bank and music provided by The Kevin Howard Duo.   The night was all aglow with a sea of Red!  Supporters filled the ballroom in radiant fashion with many versions of red.  I even found a hot pair of Red Boots amongst the crowd!   Speaking of Fashion, models paraded the room with fashions from vendors such as Adam & Eve, Carabella, Eyetique and many more.  There was also an exciting Chinese Auction.  Women and Men from around the region enjoyed this wonderful evening for a worthy cause.  Soul Pitt Media’s Health and Wellness Editor Leslie Askerneese was there in true fashion and Fashion Editor Sabrina Clark.  CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

African-American Heritage Day Parade Review

In the middle of the rain and the cold, a significant crowd still came out to support the African-American Heritage Day parade.  Drill teams to local non-profits, car clubs to gospel groups all marched down from the old civic arena to the new August Wilson Center perfoming, giving out promotional items and in Soul Pitt’s case we gave out black and gold beads!  Yes, by the time it was over, we were drenched in rain water, freezing cold, tired and nearly expired, but it was all worth it in the end to celebrate African-American culture in our region!  Make plans for next year…and yes, it still will take place rain or shine.
PS – Hats off to the parade planning committee and others involved each year to help make this event a success!

A Monument Fit for a King Bus Trip Photo Review

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS HERE!I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Washington, DC for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication!  Being joined by Beaver County’s NAACP, Pittsburgh’s B-PEP and other community activists and organizations from Pittsburgh to as far as Ohio reminded me of a movement that was not yet born into but now have the opportunity to be a part of.  One lady on one of the two sold out buses, from the Beaver County branch NAACP actually walked with Dr. King on the March on Washington and she spoke about her experience on the bus.  Read more »

Hosanna House Summer Nights (Photo Review)


We had a ball at Summer Nights!  Great event, full of entertainment, so much wonderful food by Patrix and a beautiful setting.  Like Debbie Norrell said, “What more do you want Pittsburgh?!”  You couldn’t ask for more. 
Now check out the pics!

Sorority Greek Health Olympics – (Photo Review)

The Soul Pitt stopped by the Greek Olympics that were held at Woodland Hills HS football field this past Saturday, Aug 20, 2011.  The ladies were having a good time competing in their own style of Olympics while focusing on health.  It was nice to see all these beautiful sisters from Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Zeta Phi Beta coming together for a healthy cause!  Check out the pics and see if you can spot AKA Lynn Hayes Freeland.  Click here to check the pics!

SP Photo Pic by J.L. Martello: The Face of Faces


I call this photo ” The Face of Faces” if you look close enough you will see this cloud which is Shaped like a face is made up of other smaller faces pretty cool huh…

“Ricco” J.L.Martello, is a Pittsburgh based award winning freelance photographer.
Ricco does all kind of events, stills and video clips as well.

You may contact him by phone at 412-583-6901 or email martellogino@yahoo.com.
Visit his sites online at www.myspace.com/18ricco www.myyearbook.com/freelancer07 or www.youtube.com/18ricco

Melva & Anthony Enjoying Life!

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Melva_Anthony2   Melva_Anthony

Melva & Anthony from the Michael Baisden Jamaica Jam to Our Lucaya, Freeport Bahamas to getting ready for another Steelers Game.   ENJOYING LIFE!
Submitted by Soul Pitt Visitors Melva & Anthony

Pic: Donna “SoulSis” Visits Northview Heights Elementary

Running The Soul Pitt and Soul Pitt Media is a busy job.  Sometimes I can’t make it to everything or I just plain need a break!  However, when Northview Heights Elementary School called me to come in for Career Day early in the morning on Friday,  I couldn t turn them down.  Read more »

Pics: The Soul Train Oldies Par-Tay!


We had a ball at the Soul Train Oldies Par-Tay out at Grazie! in Monroeville.
  Bill Neal threw a great event and gave away awards to a few brothers he felt deserved it for keeping the Soul alive.  Soul Pitt thanks Bill and his crew for inviting us out to participate in this event.  Pictured are Kirsten Womack and Soul Sis enjoying themselves.  Don Patterson was in the house and the Johnsons got their groove on as well as the many other par-tay people who took us back with an old school Soul Train line. Check out the pics here>

SP Photo Pic by J.L. Martello: AWARENESS

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5518/ “AWARENESS” is what I called this photograph because I didn’t see to much about breast cancer awareness so I figured I would do something on my own to help bring Awareness to this cause. Cancer it self is serious enough but when it just mainly targets the women in the world with out racist intentions. It hits who ever, when ever, what ever part it wants. This is Breast Cancer Awareness month all of October and wearing pink or showing the color pink is in support of the cause. To find out more information just Google breast cancer or Cancer Society and see how you can get checked or show support for the rest of the month….. Yes this is my real beard and I did colored it pink this is not photoshopped this is a real photo I took myself….. Just remember that this can hit you, your mother, sister, aunt, daughter, girlfriend, or wife. Get checked and have the ladies in your life get checked as well……..1……

J.L.Martello
“Just Love”
International Independent Freelance Photographer
412-583-6901
www.myspace.com/18ricco
www.myyearbook.com/freelancer07
www.youtube.com/18ricco
http://jazzburgher.ning.com/profile/18ricco
or just google 18ricco

Gettin’ Her Lounge On

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GETTIN’ HER LOUNGE ON…Yeah, Killer knows she’s cute, and she knows you know she’s cute.  Killer, circa 1985
Submitted by C. Denise Johnson

SP Photo Pic by J.L. Martello: DA CITY

confusedyouth

I seen this kid at a protest and had to take this photo cause his eyes looked full of fear and confusion on what was happening and why he was there and why he had to have a do-rag on his face and this is why I called this photo “Confused Youth” … So many people wit so many different opinions on everything is kind of overwhelming for an adult but how does it really effect our youth and should we put them in events like this this young????

J.L.Martello
“Just Love”
International Independent Freelance Photographer
412-583-6901
www.myspace.com/18ricco
www.myyearbook.com/freelancer07
www.youtube.com/18ricco
http://jazzburgher.ning.com/profile/18ricco
or just google 18ricco

Pics: The White Party at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club

http://soulpittmedia.jalbum.net/WhiteParty_FCYC09/Photos%20taken%20by%20SP/slides/DSCN1875.JPG 

The White Party at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club turned out Great!
Five Starr Corporation, “Q” Productions & The Soul Pitt
wants to THANK everyone that came out to the White Party on Sept 3, 2009!
Even the Brothas were in the House!
What…You don’t know?  You’d Better Check the Photos & Video Above! 
SP’s Official photographer Iyana Tennon of Virtuous Visions Photography took some shots at the party and has some nice photos of some of the models in the show
Check out photos by VV here
Soul Pitt’s Soul Sis also tooks some pics of the crowds and people as they were coming in.
Check out photos by SP here

SP Photo Pic by J.L. Martello: DA CITY

I call this “DA CITY” cause this is 1 of may reasons why I Love Pittsburgh

Ricco ; )

J.L.Martello
“Just Love”
International Independent Freelance Photographer
412-583-6901
www.myspace.com/18ricco
www.myyearbook.com/freelancer07
www.youtube.com/18ricco
http://jazzburgher.ning.com/profile/18ricco
or just google 18ricco

Pics: Kim Visits Hosanna House!


Family Spotlight: Hosanna House!!!  Hosanna House!!!
By Kim Herd, The Soul Pitt
SoulPitt Readers, Hosanna House is a gold mine of support from weight reduction, diabetes workshops, free weight lifting, walking and water aerobics classes and MORE!!!  I was invited to a free water aerobics class (thanks Diane) (Yes, I said FREE!!) The Woman in the class looked like me (all shapes and size).  And we sang, (to gospel) yelled, moved and grooved nonstop for 30 minutes.  The instructors, Sharon & Sam, kept the energy going!  Hosanna House Center for Healthy Hearts and Souls (www.hosannahouse.org) is part of our community and they need our support. So, come on out and join in on the healthy activities!  I cannot wait to take the kick boxing class (it’s free too!).  Click here to check out the pics.  If you offer FREE services for family and kids, please submit your info to Kim at family@thesoulpitt.com to be considered for the Family Spotlight!

Dominique & Maya Nicole

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My daughter Dominique and her puppy Maya Nicole!
Submitted by Soul Pitt Visitor Mary Anderson

Soul Pitt CEO Donna Baxter and Susan Taylor


Here’s a photo taken by J.L. Martello of Soul Pitt CEO Donna Baxter and Susan Taylor, Founder, National CARES Mentoring Movement & Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine, at the  special evening of “Celebration and Caring” hosted by National Cares Mentoring Movement on July 30th, 2009 at Heinz Field Steelers Ballroom.  If you were there, you know that this was an exceptional event filled with exceptional people all united together for a wonderful cause.

Flirting with 50

Black Women Coming of Age in a Photo Session called, “Flirting with 50” Taken By Ahmad Sandidge for Onyx Woman Magazine.  Click photos for larger view

   

Submitted by Soul Pitt Visitor Ola Jackson