This morning’s tour of Pittsburgh’s Hill District with Terri Baltimore was more than a walk—it was an experience that told a story of a community that persevered.
We began at the James F. Henry Hill House Center. For decades, it served as a community anchor, offering everything from job training to dental care. This is where we met Terri Baltimore, who has worked in the community for over 30 years, and shared stories about the Hill House and the community that survived with it. Like the ones who faced the food desert (lack of a grocery store nearby), yet chose to go to one further away when a new one opened in the neighborhood. As we walked, Terri pointed out the Hill District Federal Credit Union, one of only two Black-owned financial institutions in Pennsylvania (the other located in Philadelphia!). The credit union is a testament to self-sufficiency and community trust. It remains debt-free and entirely people-powered—a rare and powerful example of economic autonomy. We stopped at a vibrant mural honoring August Wilson. His work, deeply rooted in the Hill District, reminds us that storytelling is a form of preservation—and that art can be both a mirror and a map for community identity. We were also taught about the cultural significance of barber shops in Black neighborhoods. More than grooming spaces, they are sanctuaries—places where men gather, talk freely, and find community. These informal institutions are safe spaces for dialogue, styles, and healing. We ended our walk at the Thelma Lovette YMCA, a YMCA named after a woman! The YMCA continues her legacy by offering wellness programs, youth activities, and a safe space for all. It stands on a street with many new urban renewal projects on the way!
Throughout all the stories we heard of business booming and failing, one thing that stuck with me is that the community stayed together through it all. During our tour, I lost count of the amount of people who came up to Ms. Baltimore and greeted her, and the people she greeted. The tight-knit community is definitely what keeps businesses running or successful, like the Jitneys taxi service before Ubers came along! They knew people personally and helped out everyone. Along with good ideas, business leaders need to be patient, cooperative, and willing to work without others, because without a community, business is nothing. And community, as I learned, is everything.
(and a duo birthday celebration!)