HOMESTEAD MAYOR JOHN BURWELL WITH WIFE, ANGIE (PHOTO BY DAYNA DELGADO)
Homestead—A place where ‘everybody knew your name’
by Karen Harris Brooks
For New Pittsburgh Courier
“Everybody knew your name,” stated John Burwell, newly elected mayor of the Steel Valley town of Homestead.
That memory reflects a vivid remembrance of growing up in a small, close-knit community where everyone knew everyone. “It was big and small, and everybody knew what was going on,” he continued.
While some things have changed over the years, Burwell is on a mission to restore pride and transparency within the municipality. Sworn in on Monday, Jan. 3, the new leader is a catalyst for change, and it is a mission he takes very seriously.
Born and raised in the small hometown, Burwell is a man who loves challenges. A witness to the competitive nature of his late mother, Wanda, who became the first Black woman elected to the Homestead Borough Council, he developed an enthusiasm for the complex business of the administrative government.
Burwell’s desire for change fueled the spark that encouraged him to enter the political arena, challenging former mayor, Betty Esper, who held the position for decades.
“There was a need for change. We needed new blood…a freshness. Community, defined, means common. We need to find out what we have in common by going into the streets,” Burwell told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “To build self-esteem, we need to know what is affecting our residents, our property values, and our school system. We need to know what is going on in our community to understand the population and work to make life better.”
HOMESTEAD MAYOR JOHN BURWELL
Making history in his own right, Burwell, upon becoming the first African American mayor of the historical steel capital, is already moving to make changes. Transparent, honest, and outspoken, his calm demeanor outlines a determined spirit of renewal as he takes on the leadership role.
Candid and self-assured, Burwell is confident that “trust will be restored throughout the community.” High on his docket is making “policy an integral part of the police department, providing a safe place for residents and ensuring them they have a voice that is being heard. That same transparency and trust,” he adamantly said, “will touch every department that serves this community.”
His vision includes “highlighting the good things about the town by letting people know how centralized we are within the city of Pittsburgh.”
While reflecting on the rich history of the borough’s charm, character and uniqueness, Burwell has his heart set on renovations and renewal to bring Homestead back to an active business district. Through technology, renewal and new business ventures, his foresight brings inspiration to the locality. His focus on abandoned homes and blighted properties throughout Homestead will elevate the pride of lifelong residents and incoming newcomers seeking a place to call home.
Burwell’s desire to inspire progressive innovation is on the move as he reaches out to established businesses and incoming enterprises that are beginning to make gains in the commercial district. He has already instilled a roundtable meeting with the owners of local establishments, where new ideas, support and encouragement are exchanged. His vision includes the initiation of a Junior Council, training young leaders of today to become the leaders of tomorrow, thereby ensuring continuous future growth. His strategy extends to The Waterfront shopping mall, where he desires to create regular contact and encourage joint interaction with the communities that have supported the center since 1999.
Burwell is no novice to community involvement. For 13 years, he worked as a child development specialist for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh—Braddock Family Care Connection. He’s currently the community program specialist for Family Care Connection, working with communities such as Braddock, Rankin, the Hilltop, Lawrenceville, Penn Hills and Turtle Creek.
Serving as an associate minister at the Second Baptist Church of Homestead, Burwell, the talented musician, is also the church’s Minister of Music. His love for the arts extends to the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry of Pittsburgh. For the past 16 years, Burwell has worked as the Instructor of Sacred and Gospel Music at the Geneva College affiliate.
Idle time is not in the vocabulary of Burwell, who has also served as the music director of Pittsburgh’s Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (G.M.W.A.) for the past 20 years. True to himself, he possesses a vast knowledge of African American history that he willingly shares.
Burwell, who is married to Angie and is father to Tyler, Terrell and Travis, has an open-door policy, allowing a clear pathway of communication. With the energy he owns, he is ready to face the challenges, his commitment will reach the masses, and his dedication will bring about the restoration of pride within the community he loves…a place where everybody knows his name.
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