Six months ago, McAuley Ministries established a partnership with New Pittsburgh Courier to tell the stories of Generation NEXT — African-American youth who are achieving in the classroom, volunteering in their community, up-and-coming entrepreneurs starting businesses, creating art, or advocating for social justice. We were motivated by the tragedies in Ferguson, New York City, Cleveland, Baltimore, and yes, Pittsburgh, and images of African-American youth that are often associated with violence, crime, and poverty. But we know better! We’ve met some amazing young people who have inspired us and given us the confidence that our future is in good hands.
Meet Carter Redwood who graduated cum laude from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014, won the John Arthur Kennedy Senior Acting Award, was the speaker at the drama school commencement, and recognized in a leadership ceremony for seniors who have shown outstanding presence in the broader community.
Leah Baker Fowler, an 11 year old, is owner and operator of a cupcake company—“Cupcake’s Most Wanted—it would be a crime not to eat ’em.”
Then there is Keimon Alexander Dupree, a ninth-grade honor student at Urban Pathways Charter School in Downtown Pittsburgh, who aspires to achieve a degree in mechanical engineering and is on track with a 4.0 GPA for the majority of his school years. Apart from his scholarly abilities, Keimon plays soccer and football, and is an accomplished musician on the steel pan drums, trumpet, and guitar.
Ionie Virginia Banner, a wise 16-year-old athlete and scholar, told us, “Whenever I’m faced with the temptation to be ‘normal’ instead of a straight-A student and an athlete who must stay on track for college and more, I remind myself that movies, parties, and hanging with friends will be here—but the sacrifices I make now will make all the difference later.”
Tiger Weaver, an advocate for families and children with an incarcerated parent, is a member of the Amachi Teen Leadership Program, a youth presenter at the 2015 Association of Black Foundation Executives Conference in Napa, Calif., and recently listed in the “Future Leader Spotlight” in the inaugural edition of Who’s Who in Black Pittsburgh.
Ionie Virginia Banner, a wise 16-year-old athlete and scholar, told us, “Whenever I’m faced with the temptation to be ‘normal’ instead of a straight-A student and an athlete who must stay on track for college and more, I remind myself that movies, parties, and hanging with friends will be here—but the sacrifices I make now will make all the difference later.
These young people, and many others like them, are soaring above social and political inequities. When we see young African-Americans, we see a future business owner; the physician or nurse who will care for our families; the architect, engineer, or contractor who will build our homes, roads, and bridges; the artist who will inspire us with their talent; the farmer who will grow our food.
In this season of Thanksgiving, we give thanks for Carter, Leah, Keimon, Ionie, Tiger, and Quincy, and countless young people like them, who have the intellect, confidence, and persistence to lead our communities.
Each month in New Pittsburgh Courier, McAuley Ministries, Pittsburgh Mercy’s grant-making foundation, sponsors an article highlighting the positive contributions of an African-American youth—male or female. We welcome community members to suggest a young person to feature in this monthly column.
Criteria include:
• Youth and young adults, ages 12-23
• Documented evidence of leadership or achievement in community service/volunteerism; leadership or achievement in their classroom/school; creativity as an artist, musician, dancer or filmmaker; success as an entrepreneur; leadership in advocating for social justice and equity; and/or achievement in corporate or nonprofit arenas
• A resident of Allegheny County.
Readers who would like to suggest a youth for this feature should email GENNEXT@pmhs.org.
Sr. Patricia McCann, RSM, is chairperson, McAuley Ministries Foundation
Michele Rone Cooper is executive director, McAuley Ministries Foundation
About Post Author
