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Pittsburgh Courier NEW
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www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 115 No. 21 Two Sections
MAY 22-28, 2024
EVERYTHING’S GOING AS PLANNED
Black-owned PAIR Charcuterie opens new shop at The Pitt Building, Downtown by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Leaders at The Greenwood Plan have a plan to make The Pitt Building, on Smithfield Street, Downtown, a Black mecca. And now that they've "bought
COURIER EXCLUSIVE the block," the New Pittsburgh Courier has learned exclusively that they've secured their first storefront tenant since they acquired the building in December 2023. PAIR Charcuterie is now open at 201 Smithfield, on the corner of Smithfield
and the Boulevard of The Allies, next to the Cricket cell phone store. Its grand opening celebration was held, Friday, May 17, and almost 150 people of pretty much all ethnicities came out for the celebration of the newest Blackowned business in Pittsburgh. But more specifically, Downtown Pittsburgh. PAIR Charcuterie will be the place one finds high-quality cured meats for sale, along with various cheeses, fresh fruits, nuts, coffee, lattes, lemonades, tea, grilled cheese, pastries and more. Current hours of operation are weekdays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. SEE PAIR CHARCUTERIE A4
DONALD BETTS AND SHAQUALA SWINTON-BETTS WITH ONE OF THEIR SONS, DONTE BETTS, AT THE NEW “PAIR CHARCUTERIE,” DOWNTOWN AT 201 SMITHFIELD STREET. (PHOTO BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
'Bus lines are life lines' Some county residents are eligible for discounted bus fares starting June 3 by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
More than 130,000 residents in Allegheny County currently receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, and starting June 3, the New Pittsburgh Courier has learned they'll all be able to ride Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses, light rail and the Mon Incline for half the fare, it was announced at a news CHERYL STEPHENS, WITH PITTSBURGHERS FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT, SUPPORTS THE MOVE TO THE DISCOUNTED FARE RATES FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS BEGINNING JUNE 3. (PHOTO BY ROB TAYLOR JR.) conference at the East
Busway's Wilkinsburg station, May 20. The announcement was cheered by members of Pittsburghers for Public Transit, which, on a hot, Monday afternoon, boasted a number of African American members, such as Cheryl Stephens, William Anderson, Teaira Collins and Sherai Richardson. The name of the program is, "Allegheny GO," a joint venture between Pittsburgh Regional
Transit (PRT), Allegheny County, and the county's Department of Human Services. After hearing from thousands of residents, including the many who are in organizations that comprise the Fair Fares Coalition, the county commissioned a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of a discounted fare program for SNAP recipients. SEE BUS LINES A8
Impactful organization Three Rivers Youth celebrates 144 years during Nellie Awards Gala by Renee P. Aldrich For New Pittsburgh Courier
The room in the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh on April 19, 2024, where Three Rivers Youth (TRY) held its 2024 Nellie Leadership Awards Gala, was an extraordinary vision in floral design, so much so that upon entry into the room you were surrounded by the aroma of flowers, giving the space an effect of being in a greenhouse. Each centerpiece on the tables was striking with approximately three-feethigh bouquets—a combination Phipps Conservatory and Hollywood, a "lights, camera, action" affair all the way. The attendees appeared to be a
part of the décor as they sprinkled around the room in classic “Derby” attire that included fascinator hats and men in various styles of bowler hats, all befitting this year’s theme, “A Triple Crown Affair at the Kentucky Derby." While the night was an ornate evening of elegance, all the display of beauty and regalia did not overshadow the purpose and the goal of the night. TRY hosts this signature fundraiser each year in order to continue carrying out its vision and mission to accelerate the recovery of children, adults SEE NELLIE GALA A7
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AWARDEES—DR. KATHI ELLIOTT, MAMAR GELAYE, DERRICK WILSON, ERIN DALTON.