On Friday night, Dec. 5, it was the middle of rush hour, and Pittsburgh was experiencing overwhelming traffic for various reasons. There was a continuous crush of rain, and hundreds of angry chanting protestors against the decision of the grand jury in the killing of Eric Gardner were marching from Oakland to the South Side and managed to create some traffic blockage on the Parkway West. But despite all of these potential barriers more than 500 attendees converged upon the Westin Convention Center Hotel to participate in the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh’s Annual Ronald H. Brown Leadership Awards Gala.
Seasonal decorations, along with the black tie attire of the evening helped to create a festive atmosphere as the event began with a reception that included wait staff floating through the crowd with trays of various fancy hors d’oeuvres and rhythmic jazz sounds of a combo from the Afro American Music Institute.
An invocation rendered by Rev. Dr. Harold T. Lewis, retired Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church set the stage for the importance of honoring the work of the Urban League and its honorees as well. Rose Johnson Thompson led the audience in the Negro National Anthem.
For 19 years the Gala has served as an opportunity to celebrate the work of the Urban League and to also recognize individuals and organizations who have also demonstrated outstanding service to the community and whose efforts leave a positive footprint in the landscape of the Pittsburgh region. This year’s event, whose Master of Ceremonies was Channel 4 Action News Anchor/Reporter Andrew Stockey, had a double element of celebration; along with recognizing the honorees, the board also took the time to recognize Esther Bush for being the president of the Pittsburgh Chapter for the past 20 years.
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