Ensuring Pittsburgh's African Americans enjoy economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights has been at the forefront of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh for 100 years.
Esther Bush, its president for nearly one-fourth of the Urban League's tenure, says the landscape of black Pittsburgh has evolved since she took the reins in 1994. The organization provides educational opportunities and pushes policy that might encourage black hiring, including on the executive level -- both huge economic roadblocks, Bush says, in creating a truly liveable city for all.
"There is always room for improvement," Bush says. "So while I am not pleased at all where we are, I can see inches of progress that all of us must continue to push. Being black in Pittsburgh is still a problem, as it is nationally."
Later in the program, Navajo speakers are working with Pittsburgh-based language-learning platform Duolingo to preserve a critical part of their culture. WESA’s Sarah Schneider explains how what's being done to save one of the oldest languages in North America.
And after months of debates, fundraising and political advertisements, it's Election Day in Pennsylvania. Hear from a panel of political reporters taking a look at some of the state and federal races:
- Chris Potter, WESA government and accountability editor
- An-Li Herring, WESA government and accountability reporter
- Katie Meyer, WESA Harrisburg Bureau Chief
- Amy Gardner, Washington Post political reporter
Follow along with WESA's live blog throughout the evening or listen live at 90.5 FM.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in weekdays at 9 a.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators join veteran journalist Kevin Gavin, taking an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here.
