Social Justice InnovationEntrepreneurs, designers focused on making PGH inclusive

Social Justice Innovation Weekend

More than 100 entrepreneurs, designers and computer programmers came together for a four-day event to pitch ideas for making Pittsburgh a more equitable, inclusive community.

March 2, 2018, 9:08 am 0 Edit

Participants Sarah Calahan, center, and Jahlise Chard, left, talk with a mentor about their idea, Raise the Bar, an accreditation program for bars, restaurants and other establishments working to make themselves a safe and inclusive space for all. Team Raise the Bar came in second place. (Photo courtesy of Repair the World: Pittsburgh)

In February, more than 100 entrepreneurs, designers and computer programmers from the Pittsburgh area came together for a four-day event, Social Justice Innovation Weekend, to pitch ideas for making Pittsburgh a more equitable, inclusive community. Participants worked for two days developing a product and pitch with mentors from various backgrounds, culminating in the Social Justice Innovation Weekend Showcase to compete for prizes. The event was held at Repair the World: Pittsburgh and Alpha Lab Gear, in East Liberty.

(Photo courtesy of Repair the World: Pittsburgh)

Pictured above, from left: The current cohort of Repair the World Fellows, Tara Allentuck, a Food Justice Fellow serving with 412 Food Rescue and Grow Pittsburgh; Max Hill, a Food Justice Team Leader serving with Grow Pittsburgh; Annie Linden, a Food Justice Fellow serving with 412 Food Rescue and Just Harvest; Rachel Bukowitz, a Food Justice Fellow serving with 412 Food Rescue, Circles East Liberty and Just Harvest; Naomi Morris, an Education Justice Fellow serving with School2Career, Circles East Liberty and Just Harvest; and Sara Tyberg, an Education Justice Fellow serving with Higher Achievement and Assemble.

Groups worked with mentors during the Saturday morning session on business plans and project development at the Repair the World Workshop on the first full day of the Social Justice Innovation Weekend. (Photo courtesy of Repair the World: Pittsburgh)