Program: Launch Wilkinsburg

Impact REdevelopment

IMPACT REdevelopment is a real estate investment company whose goal is to transform transitional areas in the path of progress from vacancy to vibrancy and improve target neighborhoods, while helping people along the way and making things more beautiful for everyone. We rehabilitate residential and commercial properties to raise property values and rental rates, as well as improve business district real estate value. IMPACT manages single- and multifamily dwellings and apartment complexes, focusing on customer service and providing clean, safe and affordable living.

Impact REdevelopment repurposed the vacant 900 Wood St building into a pivotal community asset, providing resources to the small businesses and nonprofits and helping to revitalize Wilkinsburg. The second floor includes a co-working space and conference room which serves as home base for the Launch Wilkinsburg Incubator and small office tenants include the Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce and Mansmann Foundation. Plans for the first floor include a coffee and donut shop, job training center, and food retail establishment.

A Peace of Mind

A Peace of Mind is a therapeutic art, dance, and fitness studio located at 620 Wood St offering a variety of programming from hip hop aerobics and Zumba®, to yoga and Pilates, all at an affordable community space.  APOM, Inc. will soon offer a 20-hour daycare service for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age.  Their goal is to initiate collaborative community wellness with reasonable, relevant and overall enjoyable programming.  Led by Felicia Robinson, APOM, Inc. encourages community involvement and active participation in our current and future endeavors.

School of F & E

School of Finance + Entrepreneurship is developing a comprehensive curriculum from freshman to senior of high school in the discipline of financial literacy and business ownership. Founder Sherry Williams has garnered local and national interest while building a team of professionals to help youth become financially sound, develop critical soft skills such as public speaking and business etiquette, while pursuing apprenticeships in their field of their interest in preparation for business ownership. 

Contact Us today if your child is currently enrolled in High School in Western PA area. We are currently accepting applications for the next school year. Scholarships are currently available!

Center for Civic Arts

Center for Civic Arts is led by Jody Guy with a vision to inspire civic engagement through the arts and humanities. They accomplish this by valuing citizens as the creators of culture, and stewards of their environment. CCA expand opportunities for people to connect through arts education, public arts and creative placemaking. Programs include socially engaged art programs, formal and informal arts education programs, public arts, and creative place-making. Civic Arts provides a third civic space catalyzed around the arts, as a place to develop independent thinking, and new perspectives and solutions for communities.

Gizmo’s Dog Bar

Dog-lover Khalil Stanback is building a diverse community for dog parents to unwind in a safe and comfortable environment with their 4-legged friend. Gizmo’s Dog Bar plans to launch in 2018 and plans pop-ups in Wilkinsburg throughout the year.

Virginia Dere Swimwear

Virginia Dere, LLC was established because the visionary, Gabrielle Haywood, recognized that the swimwear industry was not meeting the emotional and subconscious needs of women who required a swim suit. To solve the need for more modest coverage without forfeiting style and fashion Virginia Dere created their flagship product, the “Knee-Kini”. Often times, swimsuit shopping causes such anxiety for women, that women don’t want to participate in or attend aquatic events.

We are solving that problem with the “Knee-Kini” having bright bold patterns and fashionable designs that gives more coverage below the thigh area. A proprietary fabric will provide the comfortable slenderizing fit and the modest coverage. What makes the Knee-Kini different is that it is specifically designed for women who still want a little color, fun bold patterns but want to feel comfortable and confidently fashionable in public. The Knee- Kini not only provides colorful fashionable coverage below the thigh but also provides another important factor, UPF50+ sun protection as well as chlorine resistant.

K-Theatre Dance Complex

K-Theatre Dance Complex or KTDC, is a Pre- Professional Dance Training Program.  KTDC is a dance school that emphasizes Dance Technique, Terminology, Theory and Drama in order to mold strong and captivating performers. We teach the basics of the art form that is dance, to students ages 3-17, thus building strong mental and physical foundations with-in our students. As a result, we expose them to an artistic discipline that will allow them to excel in any profession that they ultimately pursue.

Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce

Since 1893, the Greater Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce nurtures the growth, prosperity and sustainability of businesses in Wilkinsburg and surrounding communities. They accomplish this by empowering members and giving them access to networking opportunities, exposure for their businesses and resources to make informed business decisions that can impact their bottom line.

The purpose of the Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce is to:

  • Build and sustain community partnerships
  • Provide resources and network to new and expanding businesses
  • Act as a leader in the greater Wilkinsburg business community
  • Act as a catalyst for new development projects

Speak Life Poetry Community

A collective community established for the purpose of being a positive voice through various forms of communication and performance, including spoken word, rap, singing, dance and other artistic expressions. Speak Life Poetry Community brings these elements together to collaborate and unify artistically in order to engage community and break down barriers of race, sex, creed, and religion. They accomplish this through meetings and discussion, writing workshops,  performance workshops, open mics, and national and local slams. More information about the diverse backgrounds and skills of their team can be found on their website.

 

Community Forge

Mission of Organization
“To grow an inclusive Community Space dedicated to creating opportunities for Wilkinsburg by supporting small business, promoting learning, contributing to neighborhood wellbeing, and cultivating regional partnerships.”

Brief History of Community Forge
Community Forge was formed in January 2017 with the purpose of revitalizing the recently closed Johnston Elementary School in
Wilkinsburg as a community asset, incubating people, programs, and opportunities in the community. Starting with a partnership between
Pittsburgh Learning Commons and Xpogo, a group of eight young adults with roots in Pittsburgh and backgrounds ranging from Ph.D.
Scientists to Educators to Extreme Sports Athletes purchased the building from the Wilkinsburg school board in July 2017. We have since
brought community members onboard as board members, staff, and volunteers.

Community Forge opened doors in January 2018 and is now home to artists, educators, and entrepreneurs looking to grow their efforts,
run community events, and provide new and unique programs to the Wilkinsburg community. As an organization, we are building programs
and creating inclusive, locally-oriented opportunity geared toward Wilkinsburg residents and the East Pittsburgh region. Our primary focus areas include youth enrichment, community well being, and small business support.

Read more in the Community Forge 2018 Impact Report

Moose Mosaic Fundraiser

Community art and public symbols matter… they can help set the tone for revival and inspire residents and visitors alike. As New Sun Rising transforms the Millvale Moose into a welcoming space for growth and innovation we’ve collected visitors’ thoughts and images about what vibrancy means to them. This vision inspired glass mosaic artist Daviea Davis to create a stunning piece of artwork for this fundraiser.

BECOME A PART OF THE ART

Sponsor blocks of the Millvale Moose Mosaic and have your support recognized in various ways. Sponsorship packages (click to see options) are varied to include:

  • Your name on the mosaic and/or donor plaque
  • VIP invitation to the Moose Grand Opening + Mosaic Unveiling Party (Summer 2018)
  • Sponsor recognition at the NSR Vibrancy Awards (Fall 2018)

AMPLIFY OUR IMPACT, DONATE TODAY!

67% of the center mosaic panel is already sponsored (see image on left for updates)

Moose Mosaic Campaign

$3,028 of $15,000 raised
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Donation Total: $100 One Time

SUPPORT CULTURE, SUSTAINABILITY, + OPPORTUNITY

When you donate to New Sun Rising, you are supporting hundreds of social businesses and nonprofits who make our region more vibrant. Consider it your investment in the mutual fund of community goodness.

  • Exploring and celebrating culture
  • Building resiliency and sustainable practices
  • Creating economies with equitable opportunity

Launch Wilkinsburg

Launch Wilkinsburg is a civic innovation lab, supporting the development of a vibrant community through social businesses, nonprofit projects, and community engagement.

Meet the Projects

 

Vibrant Communities Focus

Launch Wilkinsburg is committed to equitable community development and implemented in partnership with the Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce.   In order to determine which areas of impact are top priority, we reviewed community planning documents, surveyed stakeholders through our Vibrancy Index, and held an interactive public forum. This local stakeholder insight and discussions identified community values and priorities for development including:

  1. Community Awareness + Engagement
  2. Arts + Culture
  3. Vacant Properties + Lots
  4. Main Street Business Development
  5. Education
  6. Safety + Crime Reduction
  7. Environmental Sustainability
  8. Public Spaces

Additionally, the Ignite Wilkinsburg workshop connected over 30 startup leaders and mentors to further their plans, strategic connections, and identify resources.

Media coverage

Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article

KDKA Sunday Business Page

Pittsburgh City Paper