New Pittsburgh Courier recognizes 40 young Black professionals

The New Pittsburgh Courier on Friday will honor 40 local young Black professionals with its annual FAB 40 Under 40 Awards.

The awards recognize 40 Black men and women “who encourage others through their leadership, achievements and service in their communities and professional fields,” the publication said in a news release.

“The New Pittsburgh Courier believes that it is important to showcase the many talented and emerging leaders under 40 years of age as a testament to the diversity of accomplishment in a variety of different vocations, and as inspiration to our youth,” said Rod Doss, who serves as editor and publisher.

Samson Horne, 35, of Collier, one of the honorees, said it felt good to see his efforts to better his community be recognized and “to know I’ve been a part of something that’s impacted someone in a positive way.”

Horne, who formerly worked as a general assignment reporter and digital producer for the Tribune-Review, currently serves as associate manager of digital media for Duquesne Light Company.

“I’m very proud of the work we’re doing on our social media channels, which is what I lead,” Horne said, emphasizing it takes a team effort to produce the work. “We’re able to give our audiences a peek behind the utility, starting to show the initiatives we’re working on, programs that can help people in need.”

Horne also volunteers as a media liaison for Iota Phi, the local chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., an international historically Black fraternity that provides an array of community outreach initiatives, ranging from Thanksgiving dinner giveaways to scholarships for youth. He is also part of Pittsburgh’s Next Generation Council.

Horne said he has always been motivated to “contribute to the happiness of others, big or small.”

“I can’t say enough just how humbled I am in receiving this, and just how grateful I am that there are folks out there who are paying attention not only to me and what I’m doing, but the other recipients and the good works folks are doing in the community,” he said.

Wilkinsburg Mayor Dontae Comans, 38, said it felt good to be among the 40 people recognized for his efforts to improve the community he serves.

“I’m just proud to bring the community together,” he said. “We’ve brought quite a few businesses into Wilkinsburg and development’s happening.”

Comans said he is hoping to continue bringing more businesses and more homeowners into Wilkinsburg. He said he’s working to remove blighted properties and “just elevate it for whoever is going to be the next mayor after I’m gone.”

While Comans said he is grateful to the New Pittsburgh Courier and their efforts to highlight his work in the Wilkinsburg community, he urged people to improve their communities without seeking recognition.

“Keep trying, and don’t do it for the recognition,” he said. “Do it to make a change and the change will speak for itself.”

Melvena Daniels, 37, of the Hill District, said she had never really been recognized for her efforts before the New Pittsburgh Courier named her one of their FAB 40 Under 40 awardees. A chef at Beyond Blessed Catering and program director at the nonprofit Center that CARES, Daniels is working toward earning a doctorate in administration at leadership from Point Park University.

Daniels runs out-of-school programming — ranging from tutoring and academic enrichment opportunities to help with college applications and housing deposits — at the Hill District-based Center that CARES, something she does in an effort to uplift youth.

She said she was motivated to give back to those children because she grew up in that community and wanted to ensure other kids there have opportunities to thrive.

“I came up in that community, and I had a daughter very young, at 16 years old when I was a high school student,” she said. “A lot of people counted me out, and I kind of counted myself out, because I didn’t know where I would go, what I would do. When I see these children — even some who have children — I want to give them hope, be a living example. If I can do it, you can do it.”

Mikey Hood, co-host of Pittsburgh Today Live, will serve as the celebrity host during an event recognizing the awardees Friday evening at the Pittsburgh Sheraton Hotel at Station Square.