Three Rivers Community Foundation

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A year ago today, we, along with the rest of the world, watched in abject horror as George Floyd was murdered by a police officer in broad daylight. If the money used for law enforcement was instead distributed to organizations working on anti-poverty measures, drug decriminalization, and other issues, we'd barely need officers. We appreciate seeing that National Organization for Women (NOW) shares our sentiments, and thank them for this great graphic. #DefundThePolice #AbolishThePolice

We'd like to take a moment to remind you to VOTE tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18, if you haven't already voted by mail. Even if you are NOT a registered Democrat or Republican, and you're used to sitting out our primaries, you CAN vote on the ballot measures! If you're in the City of Pittsburgh, you have SIX. If you're in Allegheny County, there are FIVE. You can look over at BallotPedia to get an idea of what your ballot will look like:... https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup See more

Are you considering graduate work in media? Then check out this opportunity through our friends at Point Park University Center for Media Innovation! You'd get free tuition and a stipend. https://www.pointpark.edu//grad/gacenterformediainnovation

#BlackHistoryMonth #SWPABlackHistory On March 24, 1912, Dorothy Height was born in Richmond, Virginia, moving shortly thereafter to Rankin (passed away April 20, 2010). Her first brush with activism came when she was just 11 years old - she worked to integrate the Rankin Christian Center's swimming pool. She helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. She was a longtime president of the National Council of Negro Women (1957-1997), and helped found the National Women's Political Caucus. She attempted to attend Barnard College, but they refused her, as they had met their quota of two Black women. She was known for saying, If the time is not ripe, we have to ripen the time.

Have you seen our latest news?

From grantee Film Pittsburgh: THE SUBJECT follows a white documentary filmmaker named Phil (played by Orange Is the New Black’s Jason Biggs) whose most recent documentary about the life (and premature death) of a young Black teen won him both critical acclaim and financial success. While he films a new doc series for a major network, someone secretly turns the camera onto him, making him the subject and threatening his idyllic life. Directed by Lanie Zipoy, THE SUBJECT featu...res astounding performances and has won numerous awards throughout its festival run. THE SUBJECT interrogates the white savior complex, white supremacy, and the ethics and responsibilities of artists' portrayals of social justice issuesall increasingly timely topics during the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Spotlight+ tickets are $15 and THE SUBJECT will be available for streaming Feb. 15 through Feb. 22. And trust us, you won't want to miss this one https://filmpgh.secure.force.com/ticket/#/

Congratulations, Monessen! https://www.pghcitypaper.com//monessen-passes-lgb/Content

Are you thinking of applying for a 2021 grant from us? Do you have questions? Don't forget that we're hosting a Grant Information Session tomorrow night to walk you through everything! https://www.facebook.com/events/1373595802989479/

#BlackHistoryMonth #SWPABlackHistory On March 16, 2006, K. Leroy Irvis passed away (born December 27, 1919). Irvis was the first African American to serve as Speaker of the House in any state legislature in the United States. He assumed the position in 1977, holding it until 1988. Early in his political career, Irvis became the first Black assistant district attorney of Allegheny County. Elected to the PA House of Representatives in 1958, he sponsored more than 1,600 bills du...ring his career, many dealing with civil rights, fair housing, education, public health, consumer protection, and prison reform. He was reelected for 15 consecutive terms. He assisted in creating the PA Human Relations Commission, PA Higher Education Assistance Agency, Equal Opportunity Program, the state’s community college system, Minority Business Development Authority, and PA Council on the Arts. In 1947, while secretary for the Urban League of Pittsburgh, Irvis organized the first demonstration in the US against downtown department stores for their discriminatory hiring practices. See more

We have words about what happened yesterday in DC (and other state capitals), but they're probably unpublishable. So instead, we're going to remind you that advocating for progressive social change goes on under ALL administrations at ALL levels of government, and that we have funds available for those of you who are doing progressive social change work in Southwestern PA! http://www.trcfwpa.org/grants

We are hosting a Grant Information Session about this year's requirements! We especially welcome youth activists and people new to grantwriting. Get your questions answered!

#BlackHistoryMonth #SWPABlackHistory On March 16, 2004, New Voices Pittsburgh: Women of Color for Reproductive Justice formed (now known as New Voices for Reproductive Justice, as it has spread to Philadelphia and Ohio). NVP is the only human rights and social justice activist organization for, led by, and about women of color in the greater Pittsburgh area. (Photo: NVP)

Kudos to Public Source for digging deep into this horrific practice at the Allegheny County Jail. https://www.publicsource.org/restraint-chair-allegheny-cou/

#BlackHistoryMonth #SWPABlackHistory On March 10, 1965, Daisy Lampkin passed away (born in 1883). She had moved to Pittsburgh in 1909. An advocate for women’s and civil rights, she was a tireless fundraiser for the NAACP and the Urban League, and held her first women’s rights tea in 1912. She also recruited Thurgood Marshall to the NAACP’s legal team. At various times, she served as chair of the Allegheny County Negro Women's Republican League, vice chair of the Negro Voters League of Pennsylvania, vice chair of Colored Voters Division of the Republican National Committee, first field secretary of the NAACP, and vice president of The Pittsburgh Courier. (Photo: Library of Congress)