As a typical Pittsburgh day, the morning started sunny and cool before turning rainy and overcast, but the weather didn’t take away from our picnic and great and informative conversation with Tierra Thorne, the CEO of Blanket & Board, a social worker, and Pitt Business Executive-in-Residence.

What stood out to me most was Tierra’s passion, not just for her business, but for people. She shared how she helps juvenile detention youth learn how to cook, a skill many of them were never taught. This reminded me of my aspiration to give back to my community in Western Pennsylvania, but not with food, but through a path in public service and politics. I want to prioritize funding for small businesses like hers and create opportunities for low-income families and children. I believe that there are different ways to help our communities, such as utilizing one’s talent for cooking to assist people. I will use my talent for innovative political ideas to improve my community, state, and country. But at the end of the day, we are all doing a part in helping people who need it most. 

Tierra also shared insights that connect directly to our Carrigart project. She emphasized how online ads can be a powerful tool for local businesses and talked about the seasonality of her own business. This is an issue like the economic patterns in Carrigart. As tourism booms in the Summer and there is very little travel in the Winter. The story that piqued my interest was hearing how Blanket & Board was one of 200 businesses selected to support the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. It demonstrated how, with the proper support and visibility, small businesses can take center stage. That’s what we, as the Haller Global Fellowship group, want. The same kind of potential we hope to help unlock for Carrigart.

To top it all off, the food at the picnic was fantastic. Tomorrow promises better weather as we head to the Strip District, another chance to learn and explore with some small businesses in the community.