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Articles by Ki Ki Brown
What's Good in Your Hood: Lance Harrell Master Builder's Association of Western Pennsylvania
Lance Harrell joins Ki Ki Brown this week to discuss the programs at the Master Builders Association of Western Pennsylvania. The MBA is a trade association organization that works with the country's top general contractors, construction managers, specialty contractors, and service and supplier companies bringing a strong influence to the city by providing more access to services, resources, and activities available on a national level.
What's Good In Your Hood Dr. Ayisha Moran Lee
The Hill Dance Academy Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization located in the Historic Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA. We were founded in 2005 by Ayisha Morgan-Lee, Ed.D. We train students ages 3 - 18 in various styles of concert dance, fitness and nutrition, and leadership skills. Our Mission: To provide professional level training in Black Dance traditions, history, culture, and aesthetics that engages and empowers students to pursue careers in Black dance. Website: www.5678hdat.org
What's Good In Your Hood: Shawna Solomon, Black Label Market
To be a black business woman in this country is still a struggle for some, from getting a business loan, purchasing property, getting the acceptance and support from the community (especially ours) is not an easy task. That's what Shawna Soloman saw and wanted for herself and her peers who are also men and women in business.
What's Good In Your Hood: Roland Ford
If you don't know Roland Ford by now, you must have been under a rock because Roland Ford is one of the most energetic and passionate men of fitness I've ever met. Roland is EVERYWHERE! From creating a line dance flash mob in Point State Park just last month for Juneteenth and Roland's two stepping all over the city bringing awareness to the Pittsburgh community. Roland joins me this week to talk about his journey as the Line Dance King and his Dance And Be Fit program.
What's Good In Your Hood: Tenille Chaffin, local film director "Little Duke Boy"
Tenille Chaffin is a Duquesne resident and lived a life of many challenges as many black men and women do living in the city of Pittsburgh, believe it or not. He wrote a book titled "Little Duke Boy"; a tale about a young boy growing up in the mid 80s and 90s when life in the urban neighborhood Duquesne was filled with gang violence, drugs, crime, and more. What was it that caused Tenille to choose the path he chose? What did he lose to gain the life he has now? What trials lead him to triumph?
What's Good In Your Hood: Weston White, Youth Places
Youth Places has done extraordinary work in the Pittsburgh community for many years and the organization hasn't slowed down at all. From summer programs, after school tutoring, sports leagues, college tours and more, Youth Places has become one Pittsburgh's top resources for youth since being established in 1997.
What's Good In Your Hood: Latisha Lewis, The Blackout Project
The BLAAC OUT Project envisions a community of young men and women that are being mentored and guided by strong community leaders and support, which allows for the next generation of young men and women to become leaders, voices, and advocates among their peers in their own communities and neighborhoods. It empowers and educates, young, creative, ethical, and socially responsible organizational leaders in "at risk" communities by creating and disseminating impactful knowledge within.
What's Good In Your Hood: Marimba Milliones, Hill District CDC
Growing up in the Hill District in the 80s and 90s, I took for granted the history this legendary neighborhood carries. From jazz clubs, grocery stores, booming businesses and family homes to becoming dilapidated vacant buildings, empty playgrounds, and a food desert for the hundreds of residents who have chosen to stay.
What's Good In Your Hood: Community Empowerment Association, Rashad Byrdsong
We're back in Homewood to shine a light on the Community Empowerment Association and the founder, Brother Rashad Byrdsong. CEA was founded in the early 90s and their mission is to restore, reclaim and transform distressed communities through strategic planning, collaboration, advocacy, education, and training. Additionally, by consistently generating jobs and economic sustainability, CEA serves as an institutional foundation for the strengthening of Black communities.
What's Good In Your Hood: Kelauni Jasmyn, Founder of Black Tech Nation
Google Kelauni Cook or Black Tech Nation! You'll find a phenomenal story about a young woman, from Chicago, graduate of Howard University, transplanted to Pittsburgh and starting a black tech movement in the Steel City! Kelauni saw a huge void that many of us ignored here. Didn't think it was that big of an issue. Why are these new companies building in our city but not giving black techs the opportunity to being included in the process? Why aren't our kids learning technology or coding?
What's Good In Your Hood: Neighborhood Community Development Fund
Rich Newell and Mark Marsterson joins me this week for the Neighborhood Community Development Fund which helps to provide residents of Pittsburgh and in the Northside community with funding towards starting a business or a home. Most banks or financial companies make it almost impossible for people to apply for loans and it's a challenge when looking for grant money to help start a business.
What's Good In Your Hood w/ Ngozi Tibbs, Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle
This week, I'm returning to the subject of motherhood and I'm going to focus on breastfeeding. Some of us still get a little uncomfortable with the topic and Ngozi Tibbs of the Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle assures me (and hopefully you) that breastfeeding is nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of.
What’s Good In Your Hood: Saloam Bey
Saloam Bey is the founder of Credit Power LLC and she’s hosted many workshops for people who don’t know about building credit, keeping a healthy and acceptable credit score, spending, investing and more! Saloam’s energy is amazing and I enjoyed our one on one! You have to hear why this conversation is so necessary to some of us who have no idea what our credit scores are or what they mean, and why it’s super important if you want to live a healthy, successful life.
What's Good In Your Hood: Jay White, Digital Media
Jay White of Jay White Digital Media joins me this week for What's Good In Ya Hood. Jay started his own digital media business because he saw a void in the entertainment industry that didn't include people of color as directors, producers, actors, cameramen, etc.
What's Good In Your Hood: Dayna Delgado, The Dragon's Den
When you talk about Homestead, what do you think about? Old factories, run down houses, crime. Sometimes you associate the Waterfront with Homestead but not really. When I travel through Homestead, I see businesses that used to be vibrant and just a small town. What I didn't know is that Homestead is a diamond in the rough. The people who live in Homestead are hard working men and women who own their homes, are business owners and work hard to protect the legacy that is Homestead.
What's Good In Your Hood: Naomi Ritter, The Finesse Institute
This week, I'm talking to Naomi Ritter, founder of The Finesse Institute, which is a branding and digital marketing and business writing firm created especially for small and mid-sized businesses, minority and women-owned businesses. Why is this so important or necessary to profile?
What's Good In Your Hood: Paul Ellis, August Wilson House
Paul Ellis joins me this week to talk about the August Wilson House located in the historic Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh. August Wilson was an Pulitzer award-winning playwright known for his stage plays "Fences", and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" which were made into Netflix movies filmed here in Pittsburgh. He wrote many plays that told the stories that depicted the fabric of African Americans and was referred to as the "theater's poet of Black America".
What's Good In Your Hood: Vince Elliott, Founder, President, Western Pennsylvania Council of HBCU Alumni
According to an online source, "today, there are 107 HBCUs with more than 228,000 students enrolled. Fifty-six institutions are under private control, and 51 are public colleges and universities." Pittsburgh, known as a city that's not very livable for African Americans, doesn't welcome the idea of HBCUs for young black students.
What's Good In Your Hood: Angela Mike PPS/CTE
Angela Mike joins me this week for What's Good In Your Hood to talk about Pittsburgh Public School's CTE program (Career and Technical Education). For parents of PPS students, this is definitely something you want to know about because this program isn't just learning the home row keys, auto work, or wood shop classes we participated in back in the day. The CTE program introduces students to OPTIONS to help them understand their gifts, talents and strengths when focusing on their future.
What's Good In Your Hood: President/CEO George Spencer of Pittsburgh MAD DADS
This week, I'm talking with President/CEO George Spencer of Pittsburgh MAD DADS! It's not an organization of a bunch of angry dads walking around telling kids to pull their pants up. It's a bunch of passionate men in the city of Pittsburgh who have dedicated their time to look after our youth and doing whatever is necessary to keep them safe.
What's Good In Your Hood: Rhonda Strozier, Manifest Success Company
Rhonda Strozier is the creator of Manifest Success Company, which is a community organization focused on impacting economic inequity through building strong Black businesses. Manifest provides FREE business resource classes, free networking mixers for Black entrepreneurs and a low-cost business accelerator for Black Women entrepreneurs.
What's Good In Your Hood: Kelli Shakur, FroGang Foundation
Kelli Shakur embraces her natural beauty...INSIDE AND OUT! She saw early on how unique she was from head to toe. Which is why she founded the FroGang Foundation, LLC which is a movement that unapologetically promotes, empowers, and encourages afros and the wear of natural hair. They promote and create positive self images for girls and women of color. Black and brown girls carry a lot of insecurities with the help of social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
What’s Good In Your Hood: Ray Nell Jones
Ray Nell Jones is the founder of the Allignment Chapter. We're not talking cars or chiropractors, we're talking COMMUNITY! She started this empire as a single mother who loved to coupon! Yup! She started her non profit by couponing. She stocked up on diapers, feminine products and anything else she could get a deal on. When Ray Nell noticed the moms in her area were lugging diaper bags,strollers, and anything else along with a crying baby (or babies), she decided to add some relief.
What's Good In Your Hood: Dionna Rojas, SNAP and Life Stabilization Department
So we're all familiar with the SNAP Program especially now during the pandemic! Folks have been BALLIN' out at the grocery store because they've been given a boost in food allowance to help continue to feed their families. Do you know about the Life Stabilization Program? The description is in the name...
What's Good In Your Hood: Keysha Gomez, Kulture Dance Academy
Kulture Dance Academy is a program that is focused on serving minority dancers, young and old, in and out of the city. They have an all black teaching staff and 70 black dancers enrolled. They'll be offering free classes throughout the summer and will provide scholarships for classes again next season. Follow Website: kulturedanceacademy.com Facebook: @KultureDanceAcademy Instagram: @kulturedanceacademy
What's Good In Your Hood: Rahmon Hart and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
When you hear Atomic Dog by George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, stand back because if you're in Pittsburgh (in the city or at a party), trust and believe someone representing Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated will be hopping through! It's definitely a thing that the Pittsburgh Ques are known for (or Ques from across the country), but it's not the ONLY thing.
What's Good In Your Hood: Vizion Eyecare Services
Jay Carter saw a need in many of the underserved communities of Pittsburgh where people were going without the proper eyewear and neglecting their optic needs by opening a mobile eyewear business. Vizion Eyecare Services even makes it a point to travel to provide the proper eyewear with vision exam services students in classrooms, community health fairs, independent living homes, nursing homes and rehab facilities.
What’s Good In Your Hood Cocoapreneur Black owned businesses
Khamil Scantling took a page from a woman who set the standard in her community to showcase black owned businesses. Years ago, there was the Black Business Directory that provided the community with various businesses in the neighborhoods like bakeries, shoe shops, grocery stores, and more. That directory stopped and for a while, the community was lost.
What's Good In Your Hood: Jamie Upshaw, Autism Urban Connections
Autism Urban Connections Inc., founded in September 2018, is the first and only African American, minority, family focused Autism 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Jamie Upshaw had questions when she saw something wasn't right with her son who at an early age, started showing signs of autism. Many of the programs that she went to, didn't give her the peace she needed as a black mother to a black son who also has autism.
What's Good In Your Hood: George Fleming, Allegheny Family Network
George Fleming is an old friend with a big heart that cares about his community; particularly young men who simply want to live LONG and HEALTHY lives. Mr. Fleming is the Executive Director for the network's Father's Involved Now program which focuses on the issues and concerns that fathers of children with mental health and emotional concerns face daily, as well as providing avenues for a nurturing connection with their children.
What's Good In Your Hood: Masters of Maternity
When you’re ever in a bind or find yourself struggling over something, you call MOM, right? Well, if you’re pregnant and a woman of color, and you’re having issues with your pregnancy and you’re afraid or you’re concerned, you can call on MOM! Masters of Maternity! Winter Clay and Aleta Herd found it necessary to provide a platform and start a non profit organization that provides the resources for women who struggle during pregnancy.
The Hey Girl Hey Podcast (May 8): America “The Racist” [VIDEO/AUDIO]
Today we discuss the hot topics: Dr. Ian Smith vs. Tamron Hall Keven Samuels vs. Dr. Umar Johnson The Dad Bod Challenge Fan Mail: “Cancel Cuddy Buddy” and “Lizzo Bout To Get You F”d Up” Plus we ask the question “Is America Racist?” VIDEO Like this: Like Loading... Related Published by Ki Ki Brown Media personality, CEO Nice 2 Media Marketing & Promotions, LLC and Forever a RadioChick that ROCKS! View more posts
What's Good In Your Hood: Muffy Mendoza, Founder Brown Mamas of Pittsburgh
Muffy Mendoza founded a movement that brings all women of color together for inspiration, encouragement, awareness and bonding. She developed this organization called the Brown Mamas of Pittsburgh and through her relationships with local health organizations like UPMC who saw her passion to help women become more aware of their bodies while carrying their children, she found there are way too many out here who struggle mentally and physically.
What's Good In Your Hood: Ciora Thomas, SisTers Pgh
Ciora Thomas stands tall and proud for the LGBTQ+ community. She honors her community so much, she founded the SisTers Pgh non profit organization to help provide resources like employment, housing and protection for her trans brothers and sisters in the Pittsburgh area. All she wants is to be understood and respected like everyone else. Treated fairly like everyone else. That's not an easy request.
What's Good In Your Hood: Chef Los 'Feed The Hood'
Chef Los or Carlos Thomas best known as the founder of the Feed The Hood initiative didn't want to just settle for passing out free hot dogs to kids in the park during the summer. He wanted to do more! So he spent his time talking to community organizations to gear up and start his non profit, Feed The Hood. Food deprivation in underserved communities, particularly in Pittsburgh was something Chef Los wanted to address.
What’s Good in Your Hood: Chef Claudy Pierre
Chef Claudy Pierre is a Pittsburgh transplant from New York and Haiti who found himself a real home here in the Steel City. He’s a beast in the culinary arts; starting his career as a chef for many well known establishments in the city. Even becoming an owner of Arnold’s Tea on the Northside. Of course, Arnolds is no longer but that hasn’t slowed Claudy down in any way. He’s taken his life lessons and made them into community blessings for the underserved.
What’s Good In Your Hood: Wan Wes
Wan Wes is a father, minister, mentor and so much more to his family and his community. Representing the East Side (East Hills, Homewood, Garfield) he caters to the men and young men through sports and of course community service. Wan started a program called the I Love Life Campaign, which is a ministry that focuses on youth development and community enrichment, leadership as well as entrepreneurship.
What’s Good In Your Hood: Robyn Greer
From hair to healing, Robyn Greer has been a public figure for black Pittsburgh for nearly 30 years. She started her career doing hair in her Market Square salon (Robyn Greer’s on the Square) then moving to the Northside. But this isn’t about a beauty salon. This is about blooming beyond! In 2007, Robyn faced tragedy of losing her oldest son, Trevor, to gun violence. A story many of us know too well today. But instead of suffering in silence and holding in her hurt, she persevered.
What’s Good In Your Hood: Isis Chatman, Founder Ruth’s Way
This week, I’m talking to my good friend Isis Chatman. She is the founder of Ruth’s Way, Incorporated. It’s been around since 2005 and it’s a non profit Achievement Consulting Agency for Adolescent Girls. It provides services and resources that empower female youth to achieve their most successful futures possible, despite their past or current situation! Their services help close to 100-200 adolescent female youth. I’ve know Isis for years and I remember when she started Ruth’s Way.
What’s Good In Your Hood: Tammy Thompson
Tammy Thompson is a big name in the African American community. She knows from personal experience about living in poverty in underserved communities. Her experiences prepared her for the challenges of today as our community continues to struggle with poverty, unemployment, racial injustice, lack of trust and support, and more. Though she's worked with many outlets in outreach, Thompson wanted to do more. So she founded the Catapult of Greater Pittsburgh.
What's Good In Your Hood: Gina McMillan, Operation Better Block
Homewood is looked at as a dangerous neighborhood with so many news stories that talk about the killings and drugs. When you look more closely, you'll see the beautiful murals on the buildings, gardens, new housing developments and you'll see change. Yeah, the problems are still there but Operation Better Block (OBB) and city council work hard to make sure residents are equipped with all the necessary resources needed for safer streets.
What’s Good In Your Hood: Shyne Awards
Orlana Darkins-Drewery is the visionary behind the Shyne Network with is a “hub” for community events and uses its platform to “shyne” a light on locals who dedicate their lives helping others and making sure there’s more positivity in Pittsburgh. The Shyne Awards is an ongoing awareness platform that showcases our youth in areas of service, arts, business and more. Each year, Pittsburgh youth are awarded for their efforts toward helping others.
What’s Good In Your Hood: Soil Sisters
This week, I’m talking with the ladies that helped me get my hands dirty (literally) along with many others in the Pittsburgh area during the pandemic. The Soil Sisters, Raynise and TaRay Kelly, Beltzhoover residents, have made a name for themselves by teaching countless, curious and clueless people who figured they should take up a new hobby during this COVID crisis.
What’s Good In Your Hood: Camo Customz
Cameron Nesbit or “Camo Customz” on social media, knows how to make a statement! Give him a brush, good lighting, make some room and watch him work! Cameron Nesbit is a muralist in Pittsburgh. A Homewood native, his artwork has many people fan and the opposite talking about his work. Recently, Camo has been in the news about his most recent project of repairing the Allegheny River Black Lives Matter Mural.
What's Good In Your Hood: Pittsburgh Public Schools
Ki Ki talks with Pittsburgh Public Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Hamlet about the progress of PPS students and how the school year could possibly end due to the second wave of the coronavirus. What are the safety measures? How are teachers planning to continue the second half of the school year? How does he encourage his staff and students during this difficult time?
What's Good In Your Hood: Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Joseph Hall
Ki Ki talks to the newly appointed Executive Director of the legendary Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Joseph Hall. Based in the heart of the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh, the Kelly Strayhorn Theater has been the landscape for memorable performances in dance, stage plays, musicals, pageants, awards and talent shows, and concerts. The theater was named after 2 amazing entertainment legends, Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn (both natives of East Liberty too, by the way).
This Chick Is In The Zone: One On One w/ Autumn Joi of 92Q Jams
She’s the newest radio personality you hear weeknights and some weekends on 92Q Jams (Baltimore, MD) who has an extensive radio history with a few top markets. Her name is Autumn Joi and I met her in passing several months ago. I had no idea who she was and after asking several people, I still didn’t know. Throughout my “quest”, I found out she’s “cool” and “talented”. I also found out she used to work for WPGC 95.5 (Washington, DC) for a while. That didn’t help me either.
What’s Good In Ya Mental: A Discussion on Mental Health During A Pandemic
Top left: Erica Givner/Bottom: Denetta Benjamin What’s Good In Ya Hood: Your Mental Health Matters Guests: Erica Givner, a licensed social worker at Vision Towards Peace Counseling Service Denetta Benjamin, Owner, and therapist of Focus on Life LLC Counseling Center and Exec. Dir. at The Sojourner House (licensed clinical social worker) w/ experience in both mental and substance use disorders.
Hey Girl Hey Podcast
Hey Girl Hey hosts (L-R): LaShawn Tipton “The Chatter Chick” Gerri Tipton “The Millennial Chick” Ki Ki Brown “The Radio Chick” I teamed up with two dynamic ladies (Gerri Tipton “The Millennial Chick” and LaShawn Tipton “The Chatter Chick”) for a podcast where we can gossip about our favorite celebrities, current events and other stuff you talk about to yourselves or to your co-workers.
Next At Nine Vote For Your Favorite Song [POLL]
Your Music, your choice take the vote on 92Q’s next at nine and let us know what are your favorite songs that you want to hear on the radio right now! ANTHONY LEWIS FEAT. TI-ITS NOT MY FAULT BRIA MARIE-TELL THE DJ KID INK FEAT. CHRIS BROWN-HOTEL DAMON BLUE FEAT. FAT TREL-KEEP IT 100
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