Black History Blog - Center of Life

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For a time in the middle decades of the last century, Pittsburgh was one of the centers of Black life in America; musicians, athletes, writers and leaders from all walks of life put the Steel City on the map. Some of that history has been told. But every day, pieces of it are being lost, as the last living connections to those times pass on. Center of Life is going to begin collecting as many of these stories as possible before they are lost.

Episodes

  1. 04/03/2023

    Episode 4: Roger Humphries

    World-travelling jazz drummer and educator, who became a professional musician at age 14.

  2. 03/31/2023

    Episode 3: Pamela & James Johnson, Afro American Music Institute

    Jazz musicians who played with Herbie Hancock and Ahmad Jamal; founders of the Afro-American Music Institute in Homewood

  3. 03/31/2023

    Episode 2: Lamont & Mary Shields

    Lamont & Mary Shields are Gospel musicians, songwriters and producers. They were offered a chance at stardom by Berry Gordy of Motown Records, but would not compromise their music, and turned him down.

  4. 03/11/2019

    Episode 1: Christine Washington

    Christine Washington: first African-American manager at First Federal Savings & Loan in Downtown Pittsburgh.

  • 4 Episodes

About

For a time in the middle decades of the last century, Pittsburgh was one of the centers of Black life in America; musicians, athletes, writers and leaders from all walks of life put the Steel City on the map. Some of that history has been told. But every day, pieces of it are being lost, as the last living connections to those times pass on. Center of Life is going to begin collecting as many of these stories as possible before they are lost.

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