Over the past year, PolicyLink, Neighborhood Allies, and Urban Innovation21 have convened dozens of Pittsburgh community leaders to create a shared definition of equitable development and craft an agenda to make it the reality. Last Friday, September 16th, we unveiled Equitable Development: The Path to an All-In Pittsburgh, a report outlining a roadmap to ensure everyone participates in and benefits from the region’s economic transformation.

Over 100 community leaders and stakeholders joined us last Friday for the unveiling and release of the report, which was accompanied by a panel discussion with community leaders including Mayor Peduto, and moderated by Angela Glover Blackwell of PolicyLink. Presenters and panelists including Andrew McElwaine of The Heinz Endowments, Betty Cruz, Director,Change Agency; Derrick Tillman, President & CEO, Bridging the Gap; Daniel Lavelle, Pittsburgh City Councilman; Diana Bucco, President, The Buhl Foundation; Fred Brown, President & CEO, Homewood Children’s Village discussed the five-point agenda that was set to achieve an All-In Pittsburgh:

1. Raise the bar for new development—growth must happen in a way that benefits and does not displace longtime lower-income residents and neighborhood entrepreneurs.
2. Make all neighborhoods healthy communities of opportunity—the region needs a comprehensive strategy to increase housing affordability and stability and to unlock opportunity in its highest poverty neighborhoods.
3. Expand employment and ownership opportunities—connecting lower-wealth residents to good, family-sustaining jobs and asset-building opportunities is critical to ensuring they participate in and contribute to the region’s resurgence.
4. Embed racial equity throughout Pittsburgh’s institutions and businesses—To eliminate wide racial inequities and uproot bias, the region’s institutions, organizations, and businesses need to adopt racial equity-focused approaches
5. Build community power, voice, and capacity—High-capacity community-rooted organizations and multiracial, multisector coalitions are essential to advancing equitable development policies and practices over the long term.

“The time is now to drive economic prosperity for all, not just some in Pittsburgh. This five-point agenda and accompanying recommendations is the culmination of many months spent engaging local leaders. It is an intentional effort to ensure inclusive growth in our region for years to come and we look forward to pursuing its implementation. We believe that implementing this strategy will provide all residents and entrepreneurs the opportunity to contribute, benefit and thrive in the new Pittsburgh.”

-Presley Gillespie

The event also included a call-to-action for Pittsburghers to pledge their commitment to making equitable development in Pittsburgh a reality. Join us by making your pledge and sharing it using the hashtag #AllInPittsburgh.