The population of young professionals in Pittsburgh has taken a dive over the past two decades. From 1990 to 2005 the population of adults age 25-34 decreased from 387,899 to 260,627.
In order to improve these numbers and attract and retain young professionals in Pittsburgh, many city leaders have begun to understand the importance of lifting up those individuals who have accomplished great success and made great contributions to the community even in the early years of adulthood. The New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 Awards highlight African-American young professionals in the region and demonstrate the city’s potential to cultivate young minority talent.
“I was honored to be added to such a distinguished and diverse list of successful young Black professionals in the Pittsburgh region,” said Sabrina Saunders, one of the first Fab 40 honorees and director of education and youth development at Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. “An acknowledgement of this kind supports the notion that young Black professionals are indeed thriving in Pittsburgh. It truly makes me proud to see the wonderful contributions my peers continue to make to this community.”
This year’s Fab 40 Awards Reception will be held March 22 at the Fairmont Hotel at 6 p.m. A networking mixer will follow from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“I think that FAB 40 is a great program to honor the achievements of young professionals as they are in the making of becoming the future leaders of the region,” said Kevin Carter, a past honoree and founder of the Adonai Center. “Many African-Americans go unrecognized for their contributions, so to have a forum that supports their success is incredible.”
The latest list of honorees includes a wide array of individuals with unique careers and passions. However, each has demonstrated a commitment to reaching back to elevate youth in the region.
“It was an honor to receive the New Pittsburgh Courier Fab 40 award. It let me know that my work within the community was being recognized by others,” said Vernard Alexander, a past honoree and CEO of the Minority Networking Exchange. “I appreciate the opportunity to help other realize their dream of entrepreneurship. Thank you New Pittsburgh Courier for showcasing and spotlighting the talented individuals within Western PA.”
For more information, contact [email protected].
2013 Fab 40 Nominees
PAUL T. ABERNATHY
KAHMEELA ADAMS
OLIVIA BENSON
LaRAE DANIELLE CULLENS
AUSTIN A. DAVIS
L. DENISE EDWARDS
DAREN ANDERSON ELLERBEE
AMBER M. EPPS
JAMES T. FREEMAN, LCSW, PhD CANDIDATE
REGINALD GOOD
DONTA A. GREEN
KRISTEN GUY
DEAVON HAMMONDS
YONA C. HARVEY
DERRIC I. HECK
MERECEDES J. HOWZE
BRANDON HUDSON
PRINCESS ROSE HUGHES
RUFUS O. IDRIS
LLOYDINE J. JACOBS, MD
CHEREE’ HASWELL JOHNSON
MICHAEL A. JOHNSON
TRACI JOHNSON
MICHAEL A. KNIGHT
LaTRENDA S. LEONARD, MBA
CURTIS E. LEWIS JR.
GABRIEL McKNIGHT
JESSICA MITCHELL
JUSTIN R. NWOKEJI
TYRA OLIVER, ESQ.
MARNA J. OWENS
KEIHA R. PECK
TAMAIRA E. RIDGELY
RYAN S. SCOTT
DEVYN D. SWAIN
LAUREN O. WALLACE
AARON M. WHIGHAM
ELISE, THE DIVA CHEF
ANQWENIQUE L. WINGFIELD
SHEILA WOODS