Black Women’s Policy Center finds new home in McKeesport

By Max Robinette
mrobinette@yourmvi.com
The Black Women’s Policy Center in McKeesport held a grand opening Wednesday for its new home at 1050 Lincoln Way.
State Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, Allegheny County Councilman Bob Macey, D-District 9, Penn State Greater Allegheny Interim Chancellor Megan Nagel and policy center Director Rochelle Jackson attended the ribbon cutting, each giving a brief speech to commemorate the ceremony.
“This is the kind of organization the McKeesport and the Mon Valley are noted for,” Brewster said following his speech. “This is an organization that will help a lot of people. And that’s what we are here — we’re people who help people.”
The center got its start through PSGA’s Mon Valley Launchbox, an Invent Penn State initiative that helps groups and individuals start small businesses and organizations.
“We help people bring their business concepts into reality,” Ewell said. “We help struggling businesses grow and we provide partnerships for businesses to expand.”
Jackson worked with Launchbox to establish the BWPC in 2020 after working 25 years as a public policy advocate.
She previously worked with the Woman and Girls Foundation in Pittsburgh and their Femisphere Initiative – a multi-million dollar effort to address poverty and economic development for women in Western Pennsylvania.
Through BWPC, Jackson and organization members plan to set up a resource and public policy center for Black women in McKeesport and the Mon Valley.
“It feels like home,” BWPC Director of Operations Brittney Jackson said.
Prior to its new location, BWPC operated out of McKeesport’s Common Ground Building. The building had served as an office space for Launchbox’s business partners, as well as Blue Roof Technologies, Lois’ Home Ministry and The 9th Street Community Kitchen.

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