LASHESIA HOLLIDAY, FAR LEFT, AND KHALEENA YATES, FAR RIGHT, WERE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS AT PITTSBURGH SCHOLAR HOUSE’S HOLIDAY MIXER AND GRADUATION CELEBRATION, DEC. 10, 2025. (PHOTOS BY CHIEF IKHANA-HAL-MAKINA)
Pittsburgh Scholar House held its Holiday Mixer and Graduation Celebration on Dec. 10, 2025, at the Energy Innovation Center in the Hill District.
Pittsburgh Scholar House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to help families building a cycle of prosperity. The organization supports single parents and their children in breaking the cycle of generational poverty by providing academic support, empowering single parents to improve their economic circumstances, and offering enrichment services to strengthen family relationships. The three-pronged approach helps participating families thrive as they work to achieve their goals.
PITTSBURGH SCHOLAR HOUSE CEO DR. DAREN ELLERBEE.
The New Pittsburgh Courier reported in its Aug. 6, 2025, edition that the organization’s new CEO was Dr. Daren Ellerbee, a Courier “Woman of Excellence” recipient in 2023.
KHALEENA YATES, A SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
During the event, Pittsburgh Scholar House presented $1,000 scholarship checks to LaShesia Holliday and Khaleena Yates.
The Holiday Mixer and Graduation Celebration’s sponsors, the Courier has learned, were: Duolingo, Carlow University, Duquesne University, Duquesne Light Company, PNC Foundation, First National Bank, The Pittsburgh Foundation ,and Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Raffle donations were gifted by the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, CCAC, University of Pittsburgh and Carlow University.
AUNT CHERYL’S SWEET POTATO PIES IN THE HOUSE!
Roxanne’s Catering provided the food, Mixed Moments provided beverages.
Vendors included: Precious Chambers—Aunt Cheryl’s Cafe; Linda Vincent—#BellaJewels; Celeta Hickman—Edo Scribes & Pleasantries—“ES&P”; Candice Rice—Sheloves Collection; Courtney Williamson—#Pelliá; Dr. Griffin-El—The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore; LaShesia Holliday—Naptural Beauty Supply.
MALIA SMITH, MONIQUE SMITH
Babysitting Logistics helped keep the kids entertained, while Ezra Easley II provided photo documentation. Cue Perry provided artwork.
IT’S ALL FUN AT PITTSBURGH SCHOLAR HOUSE’S HOLIDAY MIXER AND GRADUATION CELEBRATION, DEC. 10, AT THE ENERGY INNOVATION CENTER. (PHOTOS BY CHIEF IKHANA-HAL-MAKINA)
Pittsburgh Scholar House was established in 2022, but it’s connected to Family Scholar House, a Kentucky nonprofit that opened more than 20 years ago. The organization believes that obtaining a four-year college degree is essential, because it can increase a single parent’s lifetime earnings by more than $600,000.
“That’s $600,000 that they can invest in a child’s education, a home in a safe neighborhood, or developing skills that are applicable to a career in health care, finance, technology, or another rewarding field,” the PSH website read. “As single parents increase their income, we also provide the support they need to build financial management capacity and make decisions that will benefit their children for years to come.”