As a student ambassador for the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, Destiny Harrison-Griffin wanted to ensure her organizational culture reflected diversity, equity and inclusion. When racial injustice and inequality became a major focus in the United States during summer 2020, Harrison-Griffin helped to create a subcommittee that made these topics a priority.

When searching for a name for the subcommittee, she was struck by a quote from former Congressman John Lewis.

“It said, ‘Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble,’ ” Harrison-Griffin said. “I really thought that ‘good trouble’ was the exact intent of this subcommittee because I wanted to make sure our organizational culture was shifted for the student ambassadors that are to come after me.”

Harrison-Griffin said her group is working with Pittsburgh Public Schools to one day host forums that create a pipeline for higher education in minority communities.

“I’m a first-generation college student and a Black woman. I didn’t really have someone to help guide me on the path to choosing my schools and helping me,” she said. “I always knew I was interested in higher education, but it was something I had to discover and figure out on my own.”

Good Trouble members also became involved with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and hosted a food drive when they learned more about food insecurity in communities of color.

“Black and brown communities across the country have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic,” she said. “Holding a food drive to help alleviate the burden of the pandemic was a small way to show that we do care about our communities.”

Harrison-Griffin said her group plans to continue involvement with the food bank and learning more about the ways systemic racism and food insecurity are intertwined.

Listen: Pitt student group works to make connections in the city’s communities of color

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