TRUTHSayers Dr. Andre M. Perry

Join us for an evening with Dr. Andre M. Perry, author of Black Power Scorecard and Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities. Dr. Perry is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Director of its Center for Community Uplift, and a Professor of Practice of Economics at Washington University in St. Louis. He brings a bold and data-driven perspective on racial equity, economic power, and the future of Black communities in America.

Historically, the pursuit of power for Black Americans has been framed as a quest for civil rights. But real power in America extends beyond basic democratic freedoms. It’s rooted in economic ownership and influence. In Black Power Scorecard, Dr. Perry quantifies the state of Black power across key areas: wealth, property, education, health, and social mobility. His research identifies critical areas for investment that could close the racial wealth gap and strengthen communities nationwide.

Following his talk, Dr. Perry will be joined by a panel of community members and thought leaders for a “kitchen table” conversation on social justice, economic empowerment, and urban development. Come prepared to listen, learn, and participate in an intimate dialogue that challenges the status quo and spotlights actionable solutions.

Each ticket holder will receive a complimentary copy of Black Power Scorecard while supplies last.

This series is an ongoing program bringing today’s preeminent speakers and artists to the Center to reflect on current events and share unique and thought-provoking material in hopes of inspiring racial awareness and understanding between people.

Learn more

Thank you to our partners at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for curating this reading and listening list to complement Dr. Perry’s talk.

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Panelists

Marimba Milliones
President & CEO
Hill Development Corporation

Marimba Milliones is president and CEO of the Hill Community Development Corporation (Hill CDC) in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania’s historic Hill District neighborhood. She is a practitioner of and national thought leader in equitable development. Her work is focused on assuring equity in urban-core redevelopment involving low-moderate income residents, communities of color and cities. Milliones advocates for and utilizes intentional planning and development practices that honor people, place, culture and the market. She believes in win-win models. To this end, Milliones led negotiations of a community benefits agreement with the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins to assure equitable development for a historic tract of land in the heart of fast-growing Pittsburgh. The establishment of a city-wide affordable housing task force, and the largest tax financing district in the history of the City of Pittsburgh were sealed as a part of the negotiations.

Milliones’ policy advocacy over the years has resulted in a more equitable approach to development throughout the City. She has designed processes that assure that marginalized communities can be self-determinative in real estate development including community-level review and approval of projects requiring public subsidy. Her organization has pipelined and is preparing over 400 renters for homeownership; and recently launched a residential and commercial community land trust. Most notable is Milliones’ work towards building a Black cultural and commercial neighborhood district anchored by the restoration of the historic New Granada Theater, new office space and storefronts, and 40 units of artist-preference affordable housing. The $55M+ mixed-use development effort will be an iconic example of how culture is a surefire economic development tool.

Milliones has received numerous recognitions and has served on numerous boards including the transition team for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s Department of Community and Economic Development. A graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and a Master of Science from Duquesne University in Multimedia (Interactive) Technology, she is a passionate communicator who utilizes her educational background to deepen conversations and dismantle complex concepts for everyday people, especially Hill District residents. She is a member of Leadership Pittsburgh Class XXXI and LeadNow Pgh II. Milliones is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and brings a strengths-based approach to organizational and community development. She has been recognized by the New Pittsburgh Courier, YMCA, Onyx Woman, Talk Magazine and others. In 2015, she was recognized by Pittsburgh Magazine as one of Pittsburgh’s 15 Future Powerbrokers. She was recently listed in Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2020 List of the Top 20 people to know in Construction in the Pittsburgh Region.

 

Shad Henderson
Director of Equity and Inclusion
Neighborhood Allies

Shad Henderson (he/him/his) As the Director of Equity and Inclusion at Neighborhood Allies, Shad leads the development and implementation of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion efforts across the organization’s administrative and programmatic capacities. In this role, the goal is to assure that Pittsburgh’s lower-wealth residents, communities of color, immigrants and others at risk of being left behind live in healthy, safe, opportunity-rich neighborhoods that reflect their culture and are not displaced from them; connect to economic and ownership opportunities and have voice and influence in the decisions that shape their neighborhoods. Additionally, Shad works to form strategic partnerships, identify policy priorities and community development systems-change opportunities to produce measurable equity advancements throughout the Pittsburgh region. Before joining the Neighborhood Allies team, Shad served as an Educator of 4-H Youth Development at the Penn State Center in Pittsburgh. There he piloted a leadership initiative for young Black males of the East End of Pittsburgh so they could become more actively involved in local neighborhood improvement projects. He has also worked as a Senior Executive Assistant to former state Senator Jim Ferlo where he conducted community outreach activities throughout the 38th PA Senate District to serve as a conduit between constituents, the Senator and other state resources. Shad is a life-long resident of Pittsburgh and is very passionate about serving neighborhoods that are rising out of economic decline by working with the community’s most valuable asset- its people. His deep-seated desire for community development rose while growing up in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood of Pittsburgh and experiencing its rapid decline during the 1990’s while simultaneously recognizing the resiliency and power of residents to lead the revitalization of their community. Since then, Shad has worked to help transform places of concentrated poverty into communities of promise and prosperity. Shad holds a master’s degree of Public Administration from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He also holds a Human Resources certification from the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University. Shad currently resides in Penn Hills PA with his wife Chareese and their two daughters Briahna and Edyn.

 

Fred Brown
President & CEO
Forbes Fund

Fred Brown was appointed President & CEO of The Forbes Funds on January 8, 2018. Prior to that time Mr. Brown served as the President & CEO of the Homewood Children’s Village. Mr. Brown has worked in the non-profit arena and in the public education sector for over 30 years; he has served in a variety of leadership capacities, including the roles as an Executive Director, Associate Director, supervisor, social worker, executive coach, consultant, conflict resolution and mediation specialist, coach and mentor roles. Mr. Brown has continued to invest his time, energies, and expertise in assisting a variety of communities and organizations to develop new and innovative programs that seek to empower at-risk populations. In addition to working in the aforementioned areas, Mr. Brown is actively involved in other aspects of professional development including Dean of students, school teacher, adjunct professor, and project manager. A specific focus of Mr. Brown’s work includes working with African American males to reduce minority dropout rates in post-secondary environments and bridging the divide between minority communities and their knowledge regarding energy reduction planning, carbon footprint analysis, and environmental justice leadership.

A frequent public speaker, Mr. Brown has taught courses and delivered presentations at local and statewide conferences and workshops. Mr. Brown has a Bachelors of Science in Education and Masters Degree in Social Work. He is supported by his wife; Rashaa Brown, and their six children.

 

Billie Vaughn
Founder & CEO
Common-Unity PGH

Billie Vaughn is a mother, a leader, and a bold, resilient force for change, using her life experiences to navigate and conquer challenges. As the founder of Common-Unity Pgh., she has dedicated her work to empowering communities through sustainability, vacant property education, and environmental justice. Her personal journey, shaped by displacement and resilience, led her to develop the Value the Vacant workshop, which has helped community members gain ownership of blighted properties and revitalize neighborhoods.

With a passion for thrifting and sustainability, Billie teaches others how to create economic opportunities through reuse and recycling. Her advocacy extends to environmental justice, where she has worked to improve water quality access in Pittsburgh Public Schools. Through education and action, she equips individuals with the tools to build generational wealth, strengthen communities, and drive meaningful change.

 

Leon Ford
Co-Founder and Director of External Affairs
The Hear Foundation

A native of Pittsburgh, Leon Ford is a celebrated author, social entrepreneur, impact investor, international speaker, and changemaker dedicated to driving positive change in his community and beyond. As a respected activist and mental health ambassador, Ford passionately addresses disparities by focusing on holistic wellness. His inspiring approach emphasizes the importance of resilience, transforming personal challenges into purpose, and creating a lasting societal impact.

In 2012, Leon was tragically shot five times by a police officer during a traffic stop, leaving him physically paralyzed. Nevertheless, he has continued to positively impact his community, working with police officers on cultural competency and legislators on drafting policies to modify the use of force laws. In 2022, Leon joined forces with former Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Chief Scott Schubert to co-found The Hear Foundation. This trailblazing nonprofit seeks to bridge the gap between residents, community leaders, and law enforcement in order to cultivate a safe and thriving community for all. In 2024, Leon became the organization’s director of external affairs, giving him the opportunity to focus full-time on fostering safety through police and community collaboration in Pittsburgh.

In recognition of its innovative approach, the foundation received the prestigious McNulty Catalyst Prize in 2023. Ford has also joined 150+ other leaders as a Founding Partner of Starts With Us – a movement to end the culture wars by fostering curiosity, compassion, and courage as daily habits.

Leon was recently named to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Pennsylvania Citizen Law Enforcement Advisory and Review (CLEAR) Commission to bring state law enforcement experts and criminal justice reform advocates together to support public safety and ensure accountability for state law enforcement agencies.

In 2023, he completed a year-long national and international book tour to launch “An Unspeakable Hope: Brutality, Forgiveness, and Building a Better Future for My Son,” and in late 2023 was named recipient of the prestigious Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award.

As an influential figure in social justice and mental health, Ford inspires others through speaking engagements, mentorship, and fostering open dialogue. Through his work, he cultivates leaders, organizers, and social entrepreneurs, ensuring his vision for a compassionate and just society endures for future generations. Ford’s accomplishments include executive producing the Cannes Film Festival award-winning documentary Leon (2019) and Breaking Bread: A Conversation on Race in America (2021), which won a Shorty Award; President Obama’s Volunteer Service Award (2017); The Root 100 (2018); Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40 (2019); Forbes 30 Under 30 (2023); and National Urban League Community Service Award (20230.

As a member of The Aspen Institute’s Inaugural Civil Society Fellowship, Ford is devoted to nurturing the next generation of leaders and activists. He serves as an entrepreneur in residence for Bronze Investments, is co-founder of the Leon Ford Legacy Fund, and holds board positions with multiple organizations.

In addition to his activism, Ford has authored valuable resources for overcoming adversity and promoting well-being, including his memoir, An Unspeakable Hope (May 2023); Untold: Testimony and Guide to Overcoming Adversity (2017); and The Leon Self-Care Handbook: From Surviving to Thriving, offering practical tools for healing and personal growth.

 

John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
Senior Pastor, Bible Center Church
Vice Provost, Faculty Diversity and Development
David E. Epperson Endowed Chair and Professor
University of Pittsburgh

John M. Wallace, Jr., Ph.D. serves as the Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Development at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Wallace holds the David E. Epperson Endowed Chair and is a full professor at the University of Pittsburgh, with appointments in Pitt’s School of Social Work, the Katz Graduate School of Business and the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Wallace is also the senior pastor of Bible Center Church, located in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood.

Over the past 30 years Dr. Wallace has focused his work on the well-being of African American children, youth, and communities. His research has been published in numerous professional journals, books, and monographs. In 2017, he was ranked #5 for scholarly productivity among African American faculty at the top 25 Schools of Social Work. His research has been funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, The Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and numerous other sources.

Dr. Wallace integrates his faith and work through the ministries of Bible Center and through his research, teaching and service at Pitt. He is passionate about what he calls, “holistic faith-based development,” with a particular focus on education, employment, entrepreneurship, and “withintrification”—the physical transformation of communities from the inside out, that builds upon their existing human, social, and physical assets, and seeks to preserve their cultural heritage and history for the people who currently live there.

In 2006 he launched the “Comm-Univer-City” of Pittsburgh Project. The Comm-Univer-City of Pittsburgh is a community/university partnership that integrates Pitt’s research, teaching, and service missions to investigate and ameliorate social problems, with a particular focus on Homewood—one of Pittsburgh’s most challenged, yet most promising, neighborhoods.

A direct outcome of this community/university partnership was the founding of the Homewood Children’s Village (HCV). The mission of the Homewood Children’s Village is to simultaneously improve the lives of Homewood’s children and to reweave the fabric of the community in which they live. In partnership the Wallace’s Pitt-Assisted Communities and Schools Project, and the Pittsburgh Public Schools, the HCV launched the city’s first Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) model, with a focus on the three schools that serve children who live, learn and play in the Westinghouse feeder pattern (i.e., Westinghouse 6-12, Faison K-5, and Lincoln K-5).

In addition to being the co-founder and board president of the Homewood Children’s Village, Dr. Wallace is also the board president of Homewood’s leading community organizing entity, Operation Better Block, and the founder of The Oasis Project—the community and economic development division of Bible Center Church.
The Oasis Project includes a variety of social enterprises—The Maker’s Clubhouse Early Learning Center and Out of School-Time Program, Oasis Farm and Fishery, Oasis Community Kitchen, Everyday Café, Oasis Transportation Services, Own Our Own Entrepreneurship Center, and the CHAPEL (Community Health Assistance, Programming and Engagement Leadership) Project, a congregation-based informal mental health support training program.

Dr. Wallace’s honors and awards include his induction into the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, the Martin Luther King Distinguished Individual Leadership Award from Coro Pittsburgh, the Racial Justice Award from the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, the Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award from the University of Pittsburgh, and the Marilyn J. Gittell Activist Scholar Award from the Urban Affairs Association.

Dr. Wallace was born in Pittsburgh, PA and is a proud graduate of Head Start. He earned his AB in sociology from the University of Chicago and his MA and PhD, also in sociology, from the University of Michigan. Prior to his return to his to Pittsburgh, he earned tenure at the University of Michigan and was a faculty associate at the Institute for Social Research.

In addition to being a professor, pastor, and social entrepreneur, Dr. Wallace is also a husband and a father. He has been married to his wife, Dr. Cynthia Wallace, for over thirty-seven years and together they have four adult children.