SHARNAY HEARN DAVIS, SECOND FROM RIGHT, IS THE FOUNDER OF SISTERS LIFTING AS WE CLIMB NETWORK. ALSO PICTURED ARE TWANDA CARLISLE, JACKIE DIXON AND JEANINE MCCREARY. (PHOTOS BY DAYNA DELGADO)
No one can do it alone.
For Sharnay Hearn Davis, she founded the “Sisters Lifting As We Climb Network” as another avenue for Pittsburgh’s Black women to mix, mingle, learn, earn, and prosper.
“I see myself as that convener, the opportunity broker,” said Davis, the proud Hill District native, in an interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier.
FAWN WALKER-MONTGOMERY OF TAKE ACTION ADVOCACY GROUP
Started in 2015, the network has grown to an online community of 800 women, mostly from the Pittsburgh area. It’s now an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
The organization held a Power Broker Brunch at Fogo De Chao Brazilian Steakhouse, Downtown, on March 4. It brought Black women together to, in this event, specifically discuss the importance of understanding the political landscape in Western Pa. Speakers included former Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby, Allegheny County Councilwoman Olivia Bennett, and Delancey Walton, who, a few years ago at age 18, was the youngest person to ever run for Pittsburgh School Board. The event was co-sponsored by Take Action Advocacy Group and the Center for Shared Prosperity. The topic was right on time, as the region turns its focus to the upcoming Primary Election on May 16, where Black women are running for all types of positions, such as Pittsburgh School Board, Magisterial District Judges, mayoral positions and Pittsburgh City Council.
NICOLE WEBSTER, TENIKA CHAVIS (PHOTOS BY DAYNA DELGADO)
Overall, Sisters Lifting As We Climb provides “healing spaces to address underlying trauma, safe spaces for Black women to obtain support and professional connections such as sponsorship for coaching and professional development, platforms to promote businesses owned by Black women and to showcase their expertise, and providing capacity support to Black women-led organizations serving Black women,” Davis told the Courier.
The Sisters Lifting As We Climb Network has also provided over $200,000 in scholarships for professional development for Black women, Davis said, thanks to a partnership with Christy Uffelman, the CEO of Edge Leadership.
OLIVIA BENNETT, DELANCEY WALTON, NICKOLE NESBY
Supporters of the organization include Charlene Newkirk, Southeast Region President, Community College of Allegheny County, Penn Hills Mayoral Candidate Qiana Buckner, Finance/Campaign Guru Darcell Madkins, and former Director of Government Relations for Giant Eagle, Jackie Dixon.
CHARLENE NEWKIRK, SOUTHEAST REGION PRESIDENT, CCAC
“We work across the local government, corporate, nonprofit, and academic sectors to influence the creation of sustainable solutions that impact Black women and marginalized communities,” Davis, 34, a 2006 Penn Hills High School graduate, told the Courier. “We are now using our platform to call for others to ‘Invest in Black Women.’ ‘Investing in Black Women’ helps create an equitable society where everyone can access opportunity and be empowered. It means providing resources, education, and funding to Black women who are often excluded from traditional economic and social systems. This helps them develop the skills and resources to reach their full potential and create strong and vibrant communities. It also speaks to the importance of community-building, collaboration, and empathy. By investing in Black women, we truly invest in our collective future.”
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