A book, and a youth movement
“Rewriting our future, one letter at a time.”
This is the first line you will read in the newly-released book, “Young Black Pittsburgh” (#YNGBLKPGH).
“Young Black Pittsburgh” is a book, a youth movement and social justice campaign. The idea for creating the book came from Brian Burley, and it stemmed from a mentoring program that he partakes in. Burley, an MBA graduate from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business, currently spends his time as a mentor, mentee, speaker, author and entrepreneur. The CEO of Burley + Company Enterprises, Burley was named as a 2015 BMe Community Leader for the work he does within Pittsburgh to promote more positive imagery to the future generations of Black Pittsburgh.
“This was an idea started for our youth in this city more than anything else,” Burley said. “I have been mentoring and teaching young people through the blessings of the 100 Black Men of Western Pennsylvania for the last seven years. I have changed jobs a few times, I have gone back to school and graduated, I have gotten married. But one thing (if any, aside from family) has remained static, and that was my commitment to being at CCAC every Saturday during the school year to work with my kids.”
Burley said that “over the years, I have seen some kids who were seniors when I first started, and now see them and they still tell me of the life lessons we spoke about over the years. And of the young, shy middle schoolers who are now juniors and seniors in high school who I cannot get to stop talking. However, proud I am of them and their growth in both knowledge of real-world applications, such as financial acumen and how to dress for an interview and self-confidence, I was also alarmed by a statement that one of my young women made that completely inspired this book.”
One of Brian’s students approached him with questions about if there are more stories of people of color who accomplished their goals and are doing positive things, while also wanting to know why these individuals are not highlighted in mainstream media. What seemed to be a normal conversation was the official start of the #YNGBLKPGH movement.
“Through working with the kids, one of the things they often told me was that they didn’t see enough successful people that looked like them,” Burley explained. “They wanted to see brown faces that achieved the positive things that they wanted to do. So ‘Young Black Pittsburgh’ is a book of over 125 stories of proof. Proof of showing them that there are people that are from where they’re from, that achieved amazing things, and to show them how these individuals got there and how they can be even better,” Burley said.
“Young Black Pittsburgh” was officially celebrated and released April 29 at the August Wilson Center. Over 400 people attended the event, including those who were featured in the book. The panelists included Leon Ford, Marisa Williams, Carmen Berkley, and Burley, and was hosted by Cydney Cooper, a West Virginia television reporter (WDTV) and Pittsburgh native. All panelists were among the over 125 featured in the book.
“This highly-anticipated book has received so much love and support already,” Lauren Lola Sims said. “I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I can say that I am already in love with it because of the passion that has gone into it. This book has provided me with a breath of fresh air, and pride. I’m proud to be from Pittsburgh, and this book is an example of why.”
“The best way to describe this event is, Black Excellence!” attendee Melissa Hunter said. “I came to support my niece who was featured in the book, but I am truly overwhelmed by how sophisticated and stunning these young people are.”
Burley added, “First and foremost, I would like to thank God for moving mountains in my life and making my mission more clear and guiding me towards my purpose. My ambassadors, who believed in me enough to do the type of work required to be involved in this project with just understanding my vision. My ‘A’ Team, Ms. Mecca Gamble, who believed in my vision enough to commit herself to this project, and Ms. Lindsay Hayes for building out our video marketing campaign and bringing this project to life…My family as a whole for believing and pushing me in this process and my wife Brittini and my son, Jackson, for keeping me inspired.”
(For more information or to purchase the book, visit www.yngblkpgh.com.)
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
