Astounded by socio-economic disparities in Pittsburgh, New York native and KST Board Chair Alyssa P. Lyon (Host) works to level the playing field. With degrees from Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, she promotes sustainable solutions for Black communities. Formerly Director of the Black Environmental Collective, Alyssa has played a crucial role in initiatives such as the Wilkinsburg TRID study, the City of Pittsburgh’s Comprehensive Plan, and collaborations with the EPA. She is a key driver of efforts to address environmental injustice and racism.

Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT), a Pittsburgh Cultural Treasure will celebrate 20 years in 2025 as Black dance arts education nonprofit organization located in the Historic Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA., HDAT was founded in 2005 by Ayisha Morgan-Lee, Ed.D. to provide children, youth, and teens, ages 3 to 18, access and opportunity to dance. HDAT trains students in various styles of concert dance, fitness and nutrition, and leadership skills. HDAT’s mission is to provide professional level training in Black Dance traditions, history, culture, and aesthetics that engages and empowers students to pursue careers in Black dance. www.5678hdat.org

Guardians of Sound’s Hip Hop Orchestra aims to inspire and nurture the creative and intellectual curiosity of today’s youth through music. The orchestra is composed of instrumentalists, singers, emcees and rappers who work with a variety of music genres, including hip hop, rock, popular, classical, and jazz. This approach not only enriches modern music-making but also builds a stronger, younger, and more diverse audience for musicians. Visit gosound.org to learn more.

Los Sabrosos Dance Company is a dance and fitness organization whose mission is to help individuals find freedom, passion, self-expression, and self-confidence through movement. They offer group and private dance classes in a variety of styles including Salsa, Bachata, Ballroom classes (Waltz, Jive, Rumba, etc), Yoga, Hip-Hop, Bellydance, Zumba, fitness classes, and many more. They also offer services for weddings, quinceañeras, sweet sixteens, bachelorette and more! For information on upcoming classes and other services visit lspgh.com.

The Kingsley Association is your hub for community connection and growth. We offer health and wellness programs, enriching after-school activities, youth and teen events, and family resources to uplift and inspire. Our newly modernized facilities serve as a vibrant space for gathering, learning, and empowerment. Together, we build meaningful relationships and create opportunities for everyone. Discover how you can engage with our mission to enhance lives at KingsleyAssociation.org.

Healthy Start Inc. supports women, children, fathers, families and communities through comprehensive community-based programming, systems coordination, advocacy, research and training. Our programming spans Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. We are part of a network of more than 100 community-based Healthy Start projects across the United States. Our goal is to make sure all families have access to affordable, quality care to improve maternal and child health outcomes and quality of life. Visit healthystartpittsburgh.org to learn more! healthystartpittsburgh.org.

Youth Initiative, led by Kirsten Raglin-Smith, empowers adolescents in Pittsburgh’s East Side through arts, STEM, and life skills programming. Partnering with local organizations, they foster creativity, mentorship, and community-building activities like cooking, sports, and intentional conversations. At KST’s annual MLK Day celebration, Youth Initiative will facilitate the Oneness Dove project, a collaborative sculpture symbolizing unity and peace. Participants can also take home a 3D-printed circle to commemorate this inspiring tribute to Dr. King’s vision!

The mission of True T is celebrating queer people of color through creative art, community health, and social activism. Mrs. Tracey Bryant leads True T‘s Unique Jewelry Workshop at KST’s MLK Day! Join us for a hands-on journey, turning raw materials into one-of-a-kind craft jewelry under Mrs. Bryant’s expert guidance. Participants will create stunning masterpieces onsite, ensuring a unique and personalized experience. Don’t miss this chance to unleash your creativity and take home a bespoke work of art. Join us at KST for a day of craft, community, and celebration this MLK Day with True T’s Unique Jewelry Workshop! truetpgh.com @truetpgh

Landforce is committed to building a just world where everyone belongs, lives in a healthy environment, and surpasses their greatest dreams. By combining employment opportunities with environmental stewardship, Landforce recruits, trains, educates, employs, and supports adults who have faced structural barriers to stable employment. Their skilled crews transform greenspaces through creative work like garden installations, trail building, and reforestation, blending environmental restoration with artistry. Visit landforcepgh.org to learn more about their upcoming projects and opportunities.

Assemble envisions a world where learning and creating are transformative experiences. We use learning to build a more equitable future for youth and learners in Pittsburgh and beyond. Through making, we build confidence, connect learners and creators, and nurture agency. We offer free programs for kids, camps, and adult programs. Visit us at 4824 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, assemblepgh.org, or @assemblepgh on social media.

Allegheny Reproductive Health Center has provided compassionate, patient-centered abortion care in Pittsburgh since 1975 and has expanded in recent years to offer gynecology and trans care. As a small but dedicated team, we are committed to supporting our community with personalized care and resources. Through educational outreach and collaborative events, we focus on advancing reproductive health and justice, ensuring accessible, informed choices for all individuals seeking comprehensive reproductive health services. alleghenyreproductive.com

Bearing Life: A Dance Play on Black Women’ Reproductive Health by Rickia Davenport:

Bearing Life: A Dance Play on Black Women’ Reproductive Health delves into the complex history of reproductive health, inspired by firsthand experiences and in response to the challenges Black women continue to face. Choreographed by Rickia Davenport and performed by past members of Alumni Theater Company, the performance blends dance, storytelling, and visual art to interweave personal stories of struggle and resilience.  

Bearing Life honors the past, addresses the present, and inspires hope for a future where Black women have full autonomy over their reproductive lives. Through its emotional depth, the piece calls for collective awareness, advocacy, and a commitment to reproductive justice as a vital aspect of social equity and community empowerment.

A native of Pittsburgh’s Hill District and South Hills neighborhoods, Rickia Davenport attended Potomac State College in West Virginia. Currently, she serves as the Arts Education director with K-Theatre Dance Complex, is a lead Dance Instructor for Propel Charter Schools and is CEO and Owner of KaiFiTT. She has also cultivated dance partnerships with Voices against Violence, Gwen’s Girls, Dance Junction, Be Healthy Be Smart Fitness, and more!