By Jeffrey Abramowitz and TJ von Oehsen, Pennsylvania Capital-Star In Pennsylvania, far more people with disabilities have been incarcerated than are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This comes as no surprise to reentry advocates, who…
Doralee Brooks Opens Up About Poetry, Education and…
by Jody DiPerna Life-long educator and poet Doralee Brooks named new Poet Laureate for Allegheny County. Doralee Brooks, the new poet Laureate for Allegheny County, wants to highlight and spotlight poetry's intersections with other art…
A melange of history, lived experience and fable,…
With family stories leading the way, inherited photos sprinkled throughout, and cover art designed by her cousin, "Power in the Tongue" (Tolsun Books), really is a family affair. by Jody DiPerna Caitlyn Hunter is the…
Historical Context: Violence Occurring Against Black Pittsburghers Today…
by Jody DiPerna and Elaine Frantz Editor’s Note: This story originally ran at the Pittsburgh Current on September 16, 2020. This story contains descriptions of violence and photos of people of color suffering abuse at…
“After the Lights Go Out” pulls you into…
John Vercher's new novel about a struggling MMA fighter grapples with racism and loss, loyalty and trauma. by Jody DiPerna Xavier, a 30-something, down on his luck MMA fighter at the tail end of a…
“Test Drive” is a wet and wild ride…
by Jody DiPerna Pittsburgher Patrick McGinty has written a wholly original novel that stings of reality It's a few years down the road in the city of bridges as Pegs, a mechanic, spends all of…
New Book from Belt Press Asks What Does…
by Jody DiPerna In his new book, Craig Calcaterra wants you to know, you don't have to stay loyal to a team or a league in order to enjoy sports. Long-time baseball writer Craig Calcaterra…
New Book, “On the Line,” Explores Invisible Labor…
by Jody DiPerna Daisy Pitkin is a union organizer and a writer. She now lives in Pittsburgh. Her new book, "On the Line: A Story of Class, Solidarity, and Two Women's Epic Fight to Build…
Neema Avashia Expands Our Understanding of the Region…
By Jody DiPerna What if I told you that reading a book would inspire you to pair "Ghetto Supastar" (Pras) with "Islands in the Stream" (Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers) on your latest playlist? Or…