A clear-eyed view of Pittsburgh’s black history

Journalist Mark Whitaker’s exploration of his Pittsburgh roots in his new book “Smoketown” gives us a poignant opportunity to re-examine Black History Month from a ‘Burgh perspective.

Attend a great event and reflect on the influence of Pittsburgh’s African-American community:

• The Pittsburgh Courier was once the country’s most widely read African-American paper;

• Musical giants lived here (Billy Strayhorn, Billy Eckstine, Earl Hines, Mary Lou Williams, Erroll Garner);

• Sports giants played here (Josh Gibson, Roberto Clemente).

Don’t stop there. Connect the past to today by visiting the August Wilson Center for a film festival or a talk from activist Angela Davis.

-Paul Furiga, WordWrite Communications