PA Humanities project tells the stories of Black Pennsylvania

The voices of Black Pennsylvania took center stage Wednesday at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center during an immersive storytelling experience that showcased a project by PA Humanities titled “Voices of History: Stories of Black Pennsylvania.”

The program was inspired by a talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, author of “Caste” and “The Warmth of Other Suns.” Pittsburgh was the first stop for the project, which will expand to Erie, Scranton, State College, York and Philadelphia. By 2026, the goal is to collect between 100 and 125 stories.

“’Voices of History’ is a statewide initiative to collect stories from Black Pennsylvanians about their lives, struggles and triumphs,” said Dawn Frisby Byers, senior director of content and engagement at PA Humanities. “These are stories that never get told.”

Frisby Byers explained that while these stories might be shared around “your grandmother’s table or in your uncle’s backyard during the Fourth of July,” they rarely receive broader recognition. She added that the project started in Pittsburgh because of the inspiration drawn from August Wilson.

“He made everyday people seem extraordinary,” she said.

The initiative began with open-call story circles, inviting individuals to share their memories. From those, 15 participants were selected to professionally record their stories.

“What I found most interesting was the breadth of stories. We asked people to share a memory or object that defines their family. What makes your family your family?” Frisby Byers said.

The stories spanned topics such as homeownership, women’s struggles in the 1960s and other major life experiences.

“This project is important documentation, sharing the stories of people of all ages in this community that can inspire others to hold onto their own stories and those of their family members,” said Janis Burley Wilson, president and CEO of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. “To document everything, talk to the seniors in your family. They can teach lessons that will guide you through life.”

Burley Wilson also emphasized that the project aligns with the mission of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

“August Wilson was a storyteller. What he taught us is that everyone’s stories matter, and everyone has a story. This tells us that we should document these stories. They might not seem significant now, but they could mean a lot to future generations,” she said.

Burley Wilson shared the story of the “Swimming Pools,” explaining how both her father and uncle helped desegregate pools at Kennywood, Homewood, Highland Park and other locations.

“I knew about the Kennywood pool being segregated, but I didn’t know about the other neighborhood pools or the concerted effort to integrate them,” said attendee Walitta Abdullah, who grew up in Pittsburgh’s St. Clair neighborhood. “This is important because there is so much that the younger generations don’t know. People died to ensure we have the privileges we do today. It’s important to tell these stories for progress.”

The conversation among the storytellers was moderated by Damon Young, journalist and author of “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker.” Young also shared a compelling story about growing up in East Liberty, frequenting David’s Shoes in 1992, and playing basketball with a particular basketball gifted by his father at Pennley Court.

Dr. Elayne Arrington, a native of Homestead, reflected on being denied the opportunity to give the valedictorian speech at Steel Valley High School despite graduating as the top student in her class. Years later, she was invited back to give the speech.

“It was nice, but I felt ambivalent. I tried to deliver the kind of message I would have given at 17,” she said.

Dr. Ervin Dyer, journalist and storyteller, told his story about growing up in Richmond, Va., and the profound influence his grandmother had on him. He described how her affirmation of his stories shaped his career in storytelling, later leading him to work with playwright August Wilson.

Many of the storytellers participating in the project discovered throughlines and connections in their narratives. Their stories and others will be available on the PA Humanities website, with most of the stories filmed at the August Wilson House in the Hill District.

Wanda Wallace Pitts was approached at Everyday Café to share her story for the project, which centered on the birth of her twin sons. As a young mother, pregnant at 16 and giving birth at 17, she was asked to leave South Hills High School.

“I chose to tell my story because I thought it was unique. I went to a school for unwed mothers and, even though I could finish high school, I felt ashamed of having a baby so young. But I was still able to accomplish so much,” Pitts said.

Njaimeh Njie, a filmmaker who grew up in Stanton Heights, attended the screening to see her mother, Valerie Njie, share her story. Valerie Njie’s narrative highlighted her grandfather, known as “Wam the TV Man,” who sold TVs and helped Black families build credit.

“It’s really important that we learn from our elders and cherish those stories,” Njaimeh said. “I understood this importance when my mom would take out a tape recorder and capture these stories.”