People
The Hill CDC is committed to the social and economic development of Hill District residents, many of whom have been historically disadvantaged. A variety of programs are offered for business owners, entrepreneurs, aspiring homeowners, creatives and culture workers.
Place
The Hill CDC leads the planning and redevelopment efforts for the neighborhood on behalf of residents and stakeholders of the Hill District. With over $2 Billion of development slated for the area, the Hill CDC is focused on commercial revitalization and affordable homeownership. Equitable outcomes that foster place-keeping and transformative economic investment is the cornerstone of the Hill CDC’s work.
Policy
The Hill CDC is guided by the Greater Hill District Master Plan. This community-endorsed vision establishes fundamental values and development principles that are central to positive activities and healthy neighborhood development. The Hill CDC focuses on land-use policy, social and economic equity, and centering community voice.
Social
📊 Turn data into action this summer!
Calling all 9th–12th graders: Join Pitt`s Big Data Boot Camp and learn how to use data, art, and journalism to tell powerful stories and create change in your community.
Over four interactive days, you`ll explore how big data can be used for advocacy while building valuable skills alongside peers.
📅 August 10–13
🕘 9:00–11:30 a.m.
📍 Pitt Community Engagement Center (Hill District)
💵 Earn a $150 stipend upon completion
Ready to make an impact? Scan the QR code or register here: https://tinyurl.com/4kcpv8cm
📊 Turn data into action this summer!
Calling all 9th–12th graders: Join Pitt`s Big Data Boot Camp and learn how to use data, art, and journalism to tell powerful stories and create change in your community.
Over four interactive days, you`ll explore how big data can be used for advocacy while building valuable skills alongside peers.
📅 August 10–13
🕘 9:00–11:30 a.m.
📍 Pitt Community Engagement Center (Hill District)
💵 Earn a $150 stipend upon completion
Ready to make an impact? Scan the QR code or register here: https://tinyurl.com/4kcpv8cm
🧔🏾♂️Weekly Weekend Round up Spotlight:
“The gathering was part of the Fatherhood Initiative, a partnership between the Kingsley Association and Steel Smiling, a Pittsburgh nonprofit focused on Black mental health. The program uses the National Fatherhood Initiative’s evidence-based “24/7 Dad” curriculum, designed to help fathers become more engaged and effective parents. The program is structured around the three components: healing, education and putting knowledge into practice.
Hill District resident Rakeem “Keem” Collins first connected with Steel Smiling in 2019 as a facilitator through its Beams to Bridges mental wellness program. His ability to translate complex psychological concepts into everyday language eventually led him into facilitating men’s groups and later the Fatherhood Initiative.
‘I could take ideas like Pavlov’s theory on conditioning and explain it in a way that people from our neighborhoods could immediately understand and relate to,’ he said.
He believes society conditions Black men to believe they are lesser than others and destined for incarceration. He said that kind of conditioning damages people and, without support, the men can end up in dark places. Collins, 36, sees this firsthand through his work in violence prevention.”
Read the full story here: https://newpittsburghcourier.com/2026/06/25/in-this-circle-black-fathers-dont-have-to-carry-it-alone/
👩🏾💻 Sign up for the Hill District Weekend Roundup here: https://www.hilldistrict.org/signup/
🧔🏾♂️Weekly Weekend Round up Spotlight:
“The gathering was part of the Fatherhood Initiative, a partnership between the Kingsley Association and Steel Smiling, a Pittsburgh nonprofit focused on Black mental health. The program uses the National Fatherhood Initiative’s evidence-based “24/7 Dad” curriculum, designed to help fathers become more engaged and effective parents. The program is structured around the three components: healing, education and putting knowledge into practice.
Hill District resident Rakeem “Keem” Collins first connected with Steel Smiling in 2019 as a facilitator through its Beams to Bridges mental wellness program. His ability to translate complex psychological concepts into everyday language eventually led him into facilitating men’s groups and later the Fatherhood Initiative.
‘I could take ideas like Pavlov’s theory on conditioning and explain it in a way that people from our neighborhoods could immediately understand and relate to,’ he said.
He believes society conditions Black men to believe they are lesser than others and destined for incarceration. He said that kind of conditioning damages people and, without support, the men can end up in dark places. Collins, 36, sees this firsthand through his work in violence prevention.”
Read the full story here: https://newpittsburghcourier.com/2026/06/25/in-this-circle-black-fathers-dont-have-to-carry-it-alone/
👩🏾💻 Sign up for the Hill District Weekend Roundup here: https://www.hilldistrict.org/signup/
📣 Calling all entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners!
Looking to grow your business? Join us for July Small Business Hours at the Hill CDC and connect one-on-one with experts ready to help you take your business to the next level.
Whether you need guidance on:
💼 Business operations
💰 Financial management
📈 Marketing strategies
📋 DBE certification
...or other business development resources, we`ve got you covered!
📍 Biz U Center @ Hill CDC
📅 Multiple dates throughout July
⏰ Half-hour one-on-one sessions
🔗 Reserve your spot today: hilldistrict.org/booknow
📣 Calling all entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners!
Looking to grow your business? Join us for July Small Business Hours at the Hill CDC and connect one-on-one with experts ready to help you take your business to the next level.
Whether you need guidance on:
💼 Business operations
💰 Financial management
📈 Marketing strategies
📋 DBE certification
...or other business development resources, we`ve got you covered!
📍 Biz U Center @ Hill CDC
📅 Multiple dates throughout July
⏰ Half-hour one-on-one sessions
🔗 Reserve your spot today: hilldistrict.org/booknow
📰 Here`s your weekend snapshot of the stories shaping the Hill District and beyond:
🏛️ Brent Leggs to lead the National Trust
👨🏾👧🏾 Building community for Black fathers
🏘️ Will Trump veto the housing bill?
🛟 "Violence interrupters" heading to Pittsburgh pools
⚖️ Supreme Court weakens minority voting protections
💻 Pitt CEC Big Data Boot Camp
📬 Read the latest edition and stay connected to what`s happening in the Hill. Click here: https://mailchi.mp/96d1fedd576f/weekendroundup-6-27-2026
👩🏾💻 Sign up for the Hill District Weekend Roundup here: https://www.hilldistrict.org/signup/
📰 Here`s your weekend snapshot of the stories shaping the Hill District and beyond:
🏛️ Brent Leggs to lead the National Trust
👨🏾👧🏾 Building community for Black fathers
🏘️ Will Trump veto the housing bill?
🛟 "Violence interrupters" heading to Pittsburgh pools
⚖️ Supreme Court weakens minority voting protections
💻 Pitt CEC Big Data Boot Camp
📬 Read the latest edition and stay connected to what`s happening in the Hill. Click here: https://mailchi.mp/96d1fedd576f/weekendroundup-6-27-2026
👩🏾💻 Sign up for the Hill District Weekend Roundup here: https://www.hilldistrict.org/signup/
🏡 Ready to take the next step toward homeownership?
Join us for our monthly Operation Home Homeownership Workshop, presented in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. Whether you`re just starting your homebuying journey or preparing to purchase your first home, this workshop will provide the tools and knowledge you need to move forward with confidence.
📅 Saturday, July 18
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
📍This is an online event
Participants also have access to one-on-one counseling for budgeting, credit education, and improving credit scores.
🔗 Register today at hilldistrict.org/register.
🏡 Ready to take the next step toward homeownership?
Join us for our monthly Operation Home Homeownership Workshop, presented in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. Whether you`re just starting your homebuying journey or preparing to purchase your first home, this workshop will provide the tools and knowledge you need to move forward with confidence.
📅 Saturday, July 18
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
📍This is an online event
Participants also have access to one-on-one counseling for budgeting, credit education, and improving credit scores.
🔗 Register today at hilldistrict.org/register.
🥕🍎 Free Community Food Distribution is Back!
Hill District residents are invited to join us for our monthly Community Food Distribution at Nafasi on Centre. Fresh food will be available free of charge while supplies last.
📅 Friday, July 10
🕚 11:00 a.m.
📍 Nafasi on Centre
2145 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Please remember to bring your own tote bag, cart, or carry box to help transport your groceries.
We look forward to serving our community! 💚
🥕🍎 Free Community Food Distribution is Back!
Hill District residents are invited to join us for our monthly Community Food Distribution at Nafasi on Centre. Fresh food will be available free of charge while supplies last.
📅 Friday, July 10
🕚 11:00 a.m.
📍 Nafasi on Centre
2145 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Please remember to bring your own tote bag, cart, or carry box to help transport your groceries.
We look forward to serving our community! 💚
✍🏾Weekly Weekend Round up Spotlight:
“In 1996, two successful mid-career poets launched a new venture. Cornelius Eady and Toi Derricotte gave the initiative the Latin name Cave Canem, and a mission to support Black poets, whose work they considered painfully marginalized.
‘Cave Canem has become both the premier body for cultivating and promoting Black poetic voices and has left a truly indelible mark on the broader literary landscape,’ said the National Book Critics’ Circle in 2022, in handing the group its inaugural Toni Morrison Achievement Award. ‘No institution has played such a definitive role in shaping the poetry of the 21st century.’
The group marks the anniversary this week with both its annual retreat in Greensburg and a special event and exhibit at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.”
Read the full story here: https://www.wesanews.org/arts-culture/2026-06-18/cave-canem-poetry-black-group
👩🏾💻 Sign up for the Hill District Weekend Roundup here: https://www.hilldistrict.org/signup/
✍🏾Weekly Weekend Round up Spotlight:
“In 1996, two successful mid-career poets launched a new venture. Cornelius Eady and Toi Derricotte gave the initiative the Latin name Cave Canem, and a mission to support Black poets, whose work they considered painfully marginalized.
‘Cave Canem has become both the premier body for cultivating and promoting Black poetic voices and has left a truly indelible mark on the broader literary landscape,’ said the National Book Critics’ Circle in 2022, in handing the group its inaugural Toni Morrison Achievement Award. ‘No institution has played such a definitive role in shaping the poetry of the 21st century.’
The group marks the anniversary this week with both its annual retreat in Greensburg and a special event and exhibit at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.”
Read the full story here: https://www.wesanews.org/arts-culture/2026-06-18/cave-canem-poetry-black-group
👩🏾💻 Sign up for the Hill District Weekend Roundup here: https://www.hilldistrict.org/signup/
✨ Tonight`s event is officially SOLD OUT! ✨
Thank you to everyone who reserved a spot for Sat Down Somewhere. We`re looking forward to an evening of yoga, meditation, reflection, and community!
For those attending, we`ll see you tonight at Nafasi on Centre from 7–8 PM. 💛
✨ Tonight`s event is officially SOLD OUT! ✨
Thank you to everyone who reserved a spot for Sat Down Somewhere. We`re looking forward to an evening of yoga, meditation, reflection, and community!
For those attending, we`ll see you tonight at Nafasi on Centre from 7–8 PM. 💛
News
Events
July 9, 2026 @ 10:00 am
Small Business Hours with the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entreprenurial Excellence
July 16, 2026 @ 10:00 am
