EZCB and Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. Partner to Examine EastShore Area

(02/01/2021) - The Enterprise Zone Corp. of Braddock (EZCB) and Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. have agreed to work together to have young professionals examine the EastShore communities of Braddock, North Braddock, Rankin and Swissvale and make recommendations on how to improve these towns. Under Leadership Pittsburgh's direction in cooperation with EZCB, 60 high-potential young professionals will review historic and demographic information, interview local residents, business and government leaders and report on their findings.

The Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) program is an 8-month long program for professionals in their 20's and 30's. This creative and innovative leadership training program has served as a model for several others around the country. Leadership Pittsburgh's faculty utilizes data-driven training models and provides access to experts who share their experiences as our community grooms the talented professionals who will lead this region in the coming years. LDI strengthens the bonds of this highly mobile talent pool with others in their cohort and with the region and serves as a retention and engagement tool for our area's businesses and non-profits.

The 2020-21 LDI class kicked off in November with interviews with 16 local people from Braddock, North Braddock, Rankin and Swissvale and EZCB representatives. In January monthly meetings with EZCB representatives began and will continue through May as the LDI class continues to become familiar with the area. The group is focusing on the EastShore Initiative to promote the area.

According to EZCB President William J. Pfoff, "We're tremendously excited to be working with Leadership Pittsburgh and their Leadership Development Initiative program. Many communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania have benefitted from this program. For a long time the Mon Valley has been left out of the revival taking place in the Pittsburgh area. Beginning in 2017, through our EastShore Initiative, we've been looking for ways to promote the good things happening in our towns and the development opportunities that we offer. We're reimagining who we are...a great place to live, work and play. We're very appreciative to Leadership Pittsburgh President and Chief Executive Officer Aradhna Oliphant and her staff for selecting our group for their 2020-21 LDI class".

The following is information on Leadership Pittsburgh from their website:

Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. (LPI) is the foremost multi-disciplinary leadership identification, enrichment and networking organization in Southwestern Pennsylvania dedicated to developing a robust pipeline of diverse civic leaders to serve the region. The impact of our programs is felt in all areas of the community and serve as a benchmark across the country. Our graduates and participants are not afraid to tackle difficult issues or take unpopular stands in order to act as catalysts for positive change in our region. As a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, we are committed to helping the broader Pittsburgh region embrace creativity in its thinking and build bridges of understanding across segments.