As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy as a civil rights activist on the country’s 39th MLK Day holiday, we are also thrilled to announce that the historic FROGS club, the first African American men’s club in Pittsburgh, has been chosen as one of two primary Social Impact Design projects for 2025!
Celebrating its 115th anniversary in May of this year, the FROGS (Friendly Rivalry Often Generates Success) Club has been a community staple since 1910. Founded on the primary goal of having fun, the group has provided community-building opportunities for Black men from all across the Pittsburgh region for decades. FROGS’ tenant to engage in activities that will benefit FROGS members and society guides them in their overall programmatic goals. Annually they host an essay contest, a formal, a community cook out and other gatherings in support of community growth. Now residing in Larimer, the group is looking to improve their facility and grounds in order to better serve the neighborhood they’ve operated in for over 30 years.










“Larimer is more like a village than a neighborhood. The FROGS Club has been a stalwart and committed asset in the community. Our members are services-driven, professional Black men who complete hundreds of community services hours annually.”
-K. Chase Patterson, Chairman of Larimer Consensus Group and FROGS Club member
Neighborhood Allies’ Social Impact Design (SID) Program translates community visions and objectives into architectural design packages that ensure design and development projects are focused on what the community wants and needs. By collaborating with FROGS Club members and other local residents through a co-design process that centers community engagement, our SID team will create final design drawings and renders that highlight what an updated, welcoming, and accessible clubhouse could look like.
Current design goals include upgrades such as an outdoor gathering space, an updated and efficient catering kitchen, an open concept space to allow for community meetings and events, a second-floor patio, and improvements to make the clubhouse ADA accessible.
“This project will ensure FROGS remains a vital resource and cultural anchor in Larimer,” said Tamara, Senior Program Manager for Social Impact Design.