Washington's Green Solutions

02/23/2023

Message from our Executive NaTisha Washington
To follow up my self-care post, I've realized that my small team and limited time can't handle my Black History posts anymore. I really just did it to highlight my community leaders, but now I get to do that for a living and have our highlights every Tuesday....So this is our last Black History post unfortunately.

We've enjoyed acknowledging people I know and don't know that have made some amazing and real changes in our communities for our people. I'm happy there are many people doing highlights this year which makes it even easier to let this go. So be sure to follow these organizations that are doing great Black History Highlights:
Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus
The Black Environmental Collective
Black Equity Coalition
Gwen's Girls
Pitt CEC Hill District

Sorry in advance for not having captions on this one, but please know I'm so amazed by everyone on this list. They all keep me servicing our community because they do it on such a big scale. These selfless individuals definitely deserve all the love because as we all know poverty is a root cause of many of our issues, and these individuals are trying to get black people all the resources.
Much love 🖤🖤🖤
Reggie Good
Sharnay Hearn Davis
Rochelle Shelly Jackson
Sabrina Saunders Mosby

02/14/2023

We owe yall a weeks worth of highlights, and we’re excited to share these amazing environment lovers!

Everyone on this list has been active even outside of their 9 to 5s to improve the environment around them. Whether affected personally or just empathizing with their peers, this list of changemakers is taking on the important issue that are often not well represented by the people most affected.
Starting off with a fresh face in environmental justice and a strong green advocate Jay Ting Walker

Next will be sharing some clean air and water advocates Qiyam Ansari and . Lastly we'll be highlighting 2 educators Nathaniel Broadus and Ahmed Tacumba Turner Jr. who always helping and highlight others in their spare time. They actively work to educate our youth and build better community for them in the process.

Thank you all for making our city cleaner and more beautiful!

02/07/2023

This weekend was a busy one, so we owe yall some new Black history posts today. First, we have two more art categories to share.

We will be highlighting storytellers and who have been sharing the voices of the unheard and mistreated in our city. In the next category, we will be highlighting 2 hosts and who are having real conversations with our creators, residents, and leaders in the city,

What good are our stories if no one can hear them? Having people that look like us and have experienced what we’ve experienced makes a big difference in how our stories get told. Many have even gone a step further to bravely share the stories that are not often told by those who have been silent..even if it means upsetting some editors.

So below I’m highlighting some storytellers who make it their mission to share our history with the world.

02/03/2023

Happy Black History Month everyone!!

It is time again for our Allegheny/Pittsburg Black History Series where we highlight local leaders in our community who are creating their own history in our city. Our first week will be focused on people who do Arts & Media work to spread our culture’s message.

Since this week is short we will be highlighting 2 categories today. First, we’re starting with our painters who are covering canvasses and walls with statements that are important to them.
The Coloured Section Arts
PBJ Customs

Then the next group of highlights are photographers that are using their skills to highlight and empower our communities
Khaligraphy
Life Camera Soul Photography

We will also look back on some of our previously highlighted artists
Camo Customz
Cue Perry
JY.Originals


Ray Carrington Photography
DSB Digital

Emmai Alaquiva

Thank you all for making our city more beautiful and known around the nation. Be sure to read the captions for a personal message from our chief consultant NaTisha Washington

02/01/2023

It's officially Black History Month!

For those of you that are new to this page, this is where our community highlights began. This Black History series highlights 3-4 people each day who match the category of the week.

In this year's series, we will be sharing new faces and some updates on previous people. If you missed last year's highlights, be sure to check out the video below and share.

We're excited to share this year's series entitled "Allegheny's Black Future"

01/25/2023

This month is going by so fast we forgot yesterday was Tuesday lol.

To end our crafting series we'll be sharing 3 black-owned businesses or organization that let us adults explore our creative side. Whether you want to paint, make pottery, or design some nice glass pieces, they have it all for you to enjoy. So next time you want to have a fun artsy night with friends, learn a new skill, or just have want some creative release, these spaces got you covered.

Kolor-N-Kiln Pottery Studio
Sankofa Village for the Arts
Kiln-N-Time

If you have a space you like to get creative in that we didn't feature please share them in the comments.

Next month is Black History Month so we will be starting our annual Black Pittsburgh highlights! So make sure you follow us to get our popular month-long highlights

01/18/2023

Since I covered adults last time, this time I'm covering maker spaces for youth. What's a better way for youth to explore their brains than through creating?

These 5 spaces have proven to be safe and resourceful places for youth of all ages to explore their creativity and learn STEAM skills. So check out these spaces with your kids:
Assemble

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
Remake Learning

01/10/2023

This year I ( NaTisha Washington ) have decided to move my community highlights to the Washington Green Solutions page.

To kick off this year's series we are highlighting 3 local makerspaces that are open to the public via membership. These spaces can give you the tools you need to bring your creations to reality. In addition to using the space they also host lessons and are always finding different ways to support local creators.
Be sure to tour these amazing spaces
Prototype PGH
HackPittsburgh
Protohaven

As a business focused on improving local organizations and service-related businesses, we found it was better to utilize this platform to not only highlight these businesses but to support and share resources with them. So be sure to follow this page to learn more about local non-profits, businesses, projects, and resources in Allegheny county.

03/08/2022

03/01/2022

Even though it's not February anymore. I was reminded by the lovely to end this series the same as I did last year by highlighting myself.
In just one year I started amping up my advocacy in the environmental world (mostly in the Mon Valley), started a great partnership with to launch , my contract work increased to the point of needing an assistant, and I started campaigning for the PA House Rep position for District 24 which is the beginning of a long and fruitful passion career for me.

Personally I've made better connections with friends and family who have supported me through all this..and I met some truly amazing people around the county and state. The people power we've all displayed this year has instilled a hope in me that anything can happen....I mean we elected Pittsburgh’s first Black Mayor!

This has truly been a life changing year for me and I'm excited with the path God has put in front of me. I'm excited for next year and hope you all enjoyed this year's series 🖤🖤🖤

02/28/2022

So I’m ending this series with Black Celebrations!!
Last year we had so many celebrations of black culture and experiences that it made my whole summer a lot better. Below are some celebrations that made a big presence in this city, some are newer and some have been around since before I could remember. So with the exception of my honorary post I want to forgo my personal message and instead ask that you all share your own memories at these celebrations.

Share with me the love for these amazing celebrations as we close out this year’s Black History series. Thank you all again for your love and support for this series…I look forward to doing this again next year!

💚Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival
💚Barrel & Flow Fest
💚Harambee Black Arts Festival
💚Black Family Reunion
💚WPA Juneteenth
💚Pittsburgh Summer Jam

*special shoutout to Bee Marshall for hosting many of these and more black events.

02/27/2022

Podcasts have become the radio of my generation and I enjoy many of them especially the people I've highlighted below. These hosts have been not only shedding light on issues and current events in our city but they've been having the conversations we all want to have with our city, but in a way more entertaining way. My honorary post is to a woman who's voice, interviews, and 45 year career has been shedding light to what has been going in our city and our local culture.

Thank you all for having the real conversations with real emotions and humor!
❤ 1Hood
❤ Drinking Partners
❤ House Wine
❤ Lynne Hayes-Freeland