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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS’ GUIDE SEE SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE
Pittsburgh Courier NEW
www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 117 No. 17 Two Sections
APRIL 29-MAY 5, 2026
thenewpittsburghcourier Published Weekly $1.00
How did Black businesses fare during the NFL Draft?
OWNER OF “BEST FISH,” DENNIS HAWKINS JR., SAID BUSINESS WAS GOOD AT THE “DRAFT BASH” SMALL BUSINESS SHOWCASE ON THE NORTH SIDE, APRIL 23-25. (PHOTO BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
Answer: All things considered, pretty good by Ashley Kelley
For New Pittsburgh Courier When the 2026 NFL Draft arrived in Pittsburgh, April 23-25, it brought hundreds of thousands of visitors, national
media attention, and the promise of economic opportunity. But for many Black business owners, the benefits of the threeday event were uneven, highlighting both the possibilities and persistent
gaps in inclusion. While the NFL’s official "Draft Experience" locations at Point State Park and the North Shore offered a platform for selected vendors and organizations, several local
entrepreneurs said the process to participate was competitive, limited, and in some cases, unclear. Kontara Morphis, a dance artist and business owner, said she initially applied to be part of the
NFL Draft Source program but was not selected. She was ultimately able to participate through a collaboration with Demetria Boccella of FashionAFRICANA, whose business was selected.
Morphis said the partnership allowed her to showcase her work and connect with new audiences, opening doors for future opportunities. SEE NFL DRAFT A3
THE 2026 NFL DRAFT IN PITTSBURGH Steelers’ first-round draft pick Max Iheanachor
Plenty of the Courier’s coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft Inside
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Photo graphic by Warren King