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Morgan Overton part of ‘Black Excellence Art Exhibit’ SEE PAGES A6-7
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 115 No. 13 Two Sections
MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2024
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Kirkpatrick St. in the Hill District renamed ‘Alma Speed Fox Way’ Fitting tribute for the ‘Mother of the Civil Rights Movement’ in Pittsburgh by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Stay true to your family’s values. Stay true to your community. Stay true to your people. That was the Alma Speed Fox way. Now and forever, when the little ones are playing in the Hill District, and they look up and see “Alma Speed Fox Way” next to the “Kirkpatrick St.” sign near the Freedom Unlimited building on Wylie Avenue, they’ll ask their parents, “Who was Alma Speed Fox?” When family members from out of town come in for the holidays, look up and see the sign that says “Alma Speed Fox Way,” they’ll ask their family members, “Who was Alma Speed Fox?” The beloved “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” in Pittsburgh, who led the Pittsburgh NAACP from 1966 to 1971, who fought tirelessly to better the lives and conditions for Blacks in this city, posthumously was honored with a street renaming ceremony on Saturday, March 23. City officials renamed Kirkpatrick Street as “Alma Speed Fox Way” during a noon-time ceremony that brought out numerous Alma Speed Fox family members, community
members, community organizations and elected officials. “When I decided to run for office, I thought it was critical that I meet with critical community leaders, those who I had the utmost respect for,” voiced Pittsburgh City Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, who is African American. “The first person was Thelma Lovette, the second person was Alma Speed Fox. Our conversation was very brief, but what I remember the most was when she said, ‘Danny, what you need to do is stay true to your family’s values, stay true to your community, and stay true to your people, and I’ve tried my best to do that. I know for a fact Alma did that, and that’s why we’re here today.” Alma Speed Fox came to Pittsburgh in 1949. The New Pittsburgh Courier reported in a 2022 story announcing her passing at age 98 that in the 1950s, Fox began getting actively involved in civil rights demonstrations throughout Pittsburgh, against companies like U.S. Steel and Duquesne Light. She told the story of how she watched other African Americans on TV at the civil rights demonstrations, and was deterSEE FOX A3
THE FAMILY OF ALMA SPEED FOX, ALONG WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, HOLD THE HONORARY ALMA SPEED FOX WAY STREET SIGN. (PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO)
‘Stay true to your family’s values. Stay true to your community. Stay true to your people.’ - ALMA SPEED FOX, as told to Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle
Pittsburgh Basketball Hall of Fame honors Class of 2023 by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier
The energy in the room was palatable as many of the region's premier basketball players were inducted into the Pittsburgh Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The event was held, Feb. 3, at the Chartiers Country Club. “I’m ecstatic to be inducted. It’s remarkable to be honored for your God-given skills. You can’t beat it," explained Donald Yates, who graduated from Uniontown High School and the Uni-
versity of Minnesota. "I am happy and pleased to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. You never know when your blessings are going to come, I’m proud to be a part of this group and make my teammates proud of me. Without my team, family and friends, I wouldn’t be here today.” Yates helped lead the Uniontown Red Raiders to a state championship in 1962. In that game, Yates scored 22 points. In all, 18 players were inducted into the 2023 class. In addition to Yates, the inductees were: Valley
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High School and Robert Morris University’s Mark McCloud; Jeannette High School and West Virginia University’s Sidney Bostick; New Brighton High School and Kansas State’s Hal Bentley; South Hills High School and Point Park University’s Larry Anderson; Aliquippa High School and DePaul’s Marvin Woods (who was not in attendance, but was represented by his sister); Clairton High School and Murray State’s James “Stew” Johnson; Avonworth High School and University of Virginia’s Don Bonner; Bishop Boyle High School and Duquesne University’s Ruben Montanez; Aliquippa High School and Iowa State’s Chad Calabria; SEE HALL OF FAME A8
LARRY ANDERSON WAS AMONG THE 18 INDUCTEES. (PHOTO BY GENEA L. WEBB)