Out & About: Pitt-Greensburg students host annual soul food feast
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The mouth-watering menu included hickory smoked pork with barbecue sauce, fried chicken wings, jambalaya, catfish, mac and cheese, collard greens and more, but the Feb. 27 Soul Food Dinner at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg was more than just good eats.
The annual dinner was an opportunity for members of the campus community to celebrate African American culture, engage students of different races and ethnicities and to hear from noted poet and spoken-word artist Ashlee Haze.
The evening also was a homecoming of sorts for Carol Calloway of Penn Hills, who founded the event 25 years ago. Everyone from students to security guards lined up to welcome the retired administrator back to Greensburg.
Atlanta resident Haze, a two-time National Poetry Slam semifinalist and host of the educational podcast Haze’s Higher Learning, has appeared on NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert” series. Her sophomore book, “Smoke,” will come out in the fall.
Her talk covered topics including social justice, choosing your own destiny, and overcoming obstacles.
The dinner is organized by the Diverse Student Coalition, including President Imani Thompson and officers Precious Jackson, Precious Nwankwo, Nadia Louis, Jamara Melvin, Matthew Matis, Kierin Sullivan, Charity Anthony and Kelssi Aguilar. Advisers are Troy Ross and Gary Hart.
Seen: Isiah Jones, Griffin Zink, Tay R., Jessica Atinkah, Jacob Myers, Brian Root, Al Thiel and Pitt-Greensburg President Robert Gregerson and his wife, Sarah Gregerson.