The Equity | Impact Center

The Equity | Impact Center (EIC) is dedicated to transforming leaders, organizations, and ecosystems to build an equitable society and improve the overall quality of life for marginalized people. The EIC specializes in delivering sustainable solutions that are equity-centered and impact-driven through people-centered, intentionally designed strategies that are consistently responsive to the evolving needs of communities and individuals. We steward change initiatives by empowering solutions developed by diverse people with lived experience, critical skills, appropriate knowledge, expertise, and innovative perspectives. As we move forward and prepare for our next fiscal year, we are feeling renewed and encouraged to produce even more impactful programming, events, and opportunities for our community. Our team has been working to define how we engage this work and determine how our story is told. Our President & CEO, Leigh Solomon Pugliano joined by Board Chair, Laura N.K. Miller, Transformative Leader participant, Fatima Bunafoor, MPP and members of the EIC community, came together to do just that; show you who we are, what we do, and how we serve. Please take a moment to watch our new video and learn more about the mission of the Equity | Impact Center. Email us at [email protected] to find out how to collaborate with us or support our organization. Subscribe and read more about the happenings at the EIC in our monthly newsletter - bit.ly/44HTjbE #team #experience #community #people #opportunities #leaders #programming #nonprofit #pittsburgh

?? It's been a whirlwind past 4 months in the The Equity | Impact Center Social Venture Partners (SVP) Pittsburgh Full Circle Nonprofit Accelerator Program! We're so proud of our growth and participation in this program, along with City of Bridges Community Land Trust JADA House International So it's time to celebrate! Join us at the Final Pitch on December 12 at August Wilson Center ?? The Final Pitch is the culmination of the 4-month program, designed to recognize and celebrate the leaders and organizations in the Full Circle Nonprofit Accelerator program. This event provides the opportunity for the cohort to showcase their work, build their network, and gain investment to increase the organization's impact?? Join us and get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/egKPAfK9

??Join us on December 12th to support the 2024 cohort!

?? AMPLIFY: Celebrating Transformative Leaders was an amazing night of learning, sharing, community building, and celebration!?? On Saturday, November 2nd, we gathered to celebrate the 2024 Transformative Leader cohort, an exceptional group of leaders making an impact across sectors. The celebration, hosted by writer and author Damon Young, who offered engaging and thoughtful audience interaction, also included a conversation between Equity | Impact Center Founder, President & CEO Leigh Solomon Pugliano, and special guest Andre Samuel, Ph.D., Founder, President & CEO of the Citizen Science Lab. This conversation offered insight into Dr. Samuel’s journey and encouragement to current and future changemakers. Event guests included 2021 Transformative Leader awardees, current and past Equity | Impact Center program participants, and family and friends of the cohort. AMPLIFY: Celebrating Transformative Leaders also featured a VIP performance from SCALE Fellowship alumni Dejah Monae, steelpan lessons with Stella Pugliano from Barrels to Beethoven, music by DJ illeso, and beautiful closing remarks from Rachel Amanor. Congratulations again to the 2024 awardees: Nzzy Odessa | Hailee B. Roye, MPP | Brandon Bond | Jenna Baron | Jessica Estelle Huggins | Ahmed "Tacumba" Turner Jr | Medina Jackson | Rachel Hopkins | Sean Beauford Thank you to Leigh Solomon Pugliano for creating the Transformative Leader program, for your unwavering commitment to marginalized leaders, and for planning this beautiful celebration for our community. Special thanks to: Floral Design |?Blooms PGH Event Operations | David Pugliano Event Coordinator | J. Daniel Barlow Photos by?Kitoko Chargois #TransformativeLeaders?#EquitableChange?#Impact?#AMPLIFY2024

This past Saturday, AMPLIFY: Celebrating Transformative Leaders brought together community changemakers at The Carnegie Science Center to honor leaders dedicated to advancing equity and justice. Hosted by The Equity | Impact Center, the event highlighted the work of social justice and nonprofit leaders who are steering sustainable change across our communities. Through The Transformative Leader Program (TLP), The Equity | Impact Center is committed to supporting these leaders with the mentorship, training, and tools needed to navigate complex challenges and foster impactful, lasting change. It was inspiring to witness the dedication and resilience of the awardees, each of whom embodies the Center’s mission of driving equitable systems change. A special highlight was recognizing the vision and dedication of Leigh Solomon Pugliano of The Transformative Leader Program. Leigh’s leadership has shaped TLP into a powerful resource for developing the skills, connections, and resilience that today’s leaders need to transform their communities.

#TheLINEUP AMPLIFY: Celebrating Transformative Leaders will be an unforgettable night of community, inspiration, and celebration of this year’s Transformative Leader cohort, the impactful work of the Equity | Impact Center, and changemakers across our region. We’re thrilled to have these incredible voices joining us: ?? HOST Damon Young is an acclaimed Black writer, critic, and cultural commentator based in Pittsburgh, known for his incisive wit and honest exploration of race, identity, and American culture. As co-founder of Very Smart Brothas, Damon’s work uses humor and critique to address issues impacting the Black community. His memoir, What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker, combines personal storytelling with cultural critique, giving a candid, often humorous look at his experiences as a Black man in America. Damon’s voice is known for its authenticity, courage, and nuanced take on challenging topics. ?? KEYNOTE Dr. Andre Samuel is a leader in STEM education and life sciences with a mission to make science accessible to all. Founder of The Citizen Science Lab, Dr. Samuel has created a hands-on learning space for people of all ages to explore science and spark curiosity. With a background in Biology, Genomics, and Bioinformatics, he’s deeply committed to empowering the next generation of scientists through innovative and inclusive education. His work is transforming science education, creating pathways for discovery, equity, and lifelong learning. ??? PERFORMER Dejah Monea, a 2021 SCALE alumna, is a singer-songwriter known for her soulful, vintage-inspired sound. Her passion leads her to craft songs with intention, creating immersive musical experiences that inspire future voices to find their place in the industry. ?? PERFORMER David-Michael Pugliano, aka DJ Illeso, combines Caribbean rhythms and modern beats as a musician and DJ in Pittsburgh’s scene. Co-founder of Limelight Creative, he supports artists and social equity as an Equity | Impact Center advisor. Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eSpr7kVh ?

Our Equity Awards are THIS FRIDAY! ???? Join us on November 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Westin Pittsburgh to celebrate local leaders advancing race and gender equity! Tickets are on sale now at ywcapgh.org/equity-awards. ??? Thank you to our sponsors for helping to make the Equity Awards possible! Presenting Sponsor Huntington National Bank Equality Sponsors Glenmede & Peoples Natural Gas Freedom Sponsors Covestro, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Allegheny Health Network, Dollar Bank, Giant Eagle, Inc. Foundation, UPMC, & UPMC Health Plan Justice Sponsors Carnegie Mellon University - Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Ceeva, Koppers Inc., Reed Smith LLP, Simpson | McCrady, LLC, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor's Office, & Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden

The Transformative Leader Award program provides a unique experience centered around collective learning, community building, and leadership development. Engaging with a supportive and affirming community is an essential component of leadership development, especially for equity-centered leaders. This award recognizes impactful work and leadership and offers a space for learning and growth. The Transformative Leader curriculum developed by Leigh Solomon Pugliano is designed to enhance the leadership skills of socially conscious leaders following a new model of leadership development that centers people and recognizes how systemic inequities and identity impact leadership. The 2024 cohort is an exceptional group of community leaders making an impact and addressing systemic inequity across sectors and regions. Please join us on November 2nd to meet and celebrate our 2024 awardees: ? Ninel Nekay ? Hailee Bryant-Roye ? Brandon Bond ? Jenna Baron ? Jessica Estelle Huggins ? Ahmed Tacumba Turner ? Medina Jackson ? Rachel June Hopkins ? Sean Beauford Let's celebrate these leaders who are committed to transforming communities and making an impact! ?? Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eSpr7kVh #TransformativeLeaders #SocialImpact #SystemsChange #EquityInAction #CollectiveImpact #EquityImpactCenter #AMPLIFY2024

Congratulations Alison F. and Women In Tech PGH for hosting an incredible roundtable discussion as part of their Workforce Efficacy Initiative research. The conversation explored the economic impacts of Pittsburgh’s workforce gaps and discussed actionable solutions to close these gaps. The event included insights from Pariss Chandler, Founder and CEO of Black Tech Pipeline an innovative workforce leader whose work has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, Business Insider, and Entrepreneur Magazine. It has been a privilege to support the strategic growth of Women in Tech PGH through The Equity | Impact Center Institute. Congratulations to Alison and team and thank you for centering people, equity, and sustainable impact in your work. ??South Breeze Photography courtesy of Women In Tech PGH" #WorkforceDevelopment #InclusiveGrowth #EquitableAdvancement #Impact