The Community Empowerment Association Inc. headed by founder T. Rashad Byrdsong, held an important meeting for the youth of Pittsburgh’s urban communities to counter act the continued gun violence within our neighborhoods.

Several young people, from areas such as, Braddock, the Hill District, Lincoln, Wilkinsburg, Rankin, Homewood, East Liberty and the North Side communities, gathered at the CEA headquarters at 7143 Fluery Way, in Homewood to express their feelings about the violence in their neighborhoods.

TO THE YOUTH—Lee Davis of CEA speaks to youth in attendance. (Photo by Rossano P. Stewart)

“What we are trying to do during these meetings is to listen to the youth and hear some of their stories of survival and not talk down to them,” Byrdsong said.

There was nothing like it before and hasn’t been in the 50 years since.

“This is totally unique,” said Oyler.

The owners, the Sports and Exhibition Authority, were among those listening as Oyler and a series of architects, historians and preservationists made the case that the civic arena deserves to be designated a historic landmark.

One in four college educated adults is currently working in a field unrelated to their college degree. Approximately 10 percent of those under the age of 25 are working in retail or the food service industry.

In light of the ever-suffering economy, the days when a college degree guaranteed a job might be gone forever. Still, when choosing a college or university to attend many students are concerned with what job placement services these schools offer.

JANET HARRIS (Photo by J.L. Martello)

At the National College Fair, hosted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, college administrators and recruiters listed similar catalogs of career services all designed to help students find a job upon graduation.

“We are proposing the creation of a Hill District Improvement Fund, and we suggest it be funded by taking $1 per car from the Penguins parking revenue at their Civic Arena and Melody Tent parking lots,” he said. “The Pittsburgh Penguins have received public subsidies and the gift of public land. As the residents of the Hill District are in closest proximity, they should receive social and economic benefits from the public’s investment.”