Celebrating Pittsburgh's Black Changemakers

February is Black History Month, and we’d love to celebrate by highlighting some of the amazing Black women in our area that are champions for positive change.

Sabrina Saunders Mosby

Sabrina Saunders Mosby currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for Vibrant Pittsburgh, a premier economic development organization that works to attract, retain, and elevate a diverse regional workforce. Sabrina has a broad background of executive leadership experience with a variety of nonprofit organizations and government offices at the local and federal level. She is deeply involved in public service, as well as political and community organizations, serving on numerous nonprofit boards and in a variety of leadership roles. Sabrina is an alumnus of both Carlow and Edinboro Universities. She is often sought out by regional and national organizations to conduct workshops and to speak on issues of advocacy, leadership, and diversity. Sabrina is a Pittsburgh native who resides in the North Hills community with her husband, Brandon and Puggle, Monroe.

Who has your support network been, and how have they encouraged you?
I’m a testament to what happens when individuals in a community take care of their neighbors. I’ve always had a supportive family and my Mom is my greatest cheerleader. I’ve also had community leaders take a vested interest in my success by being a mentor or champion of my efforts. I’m truly a product of my environment: an environment that was loving, complicated and diverse.

What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome to get where you are?
Being young“ish”, black and female has significantly impacted the way that I am viewed publicly. The intersections of my age, race and gender have never caused me to doubt my potential but they have certainly created challenges along my journey because of ignorance or general assumptions made by others.

What drives you or keeps you going?
I have a competitive spirit and an insatiable need to find solutions to any challenge I’m presented with. I also feel a sense of gratitude towards those who have sacrificed so that I could be in a position to make a difference. So yes, in some ways I’m driven by obligation but most of my drive is just a part of my DNA!

What is on the horizon for you?
I’m currently focused on raising the profile and impact of Vibrant Pittsburgh, the organization that I now lead. Improving the inclusion efforts of our local companies is vitally important to the success of our region and the wellbeing of those throughout our communities. I also just learned that I’m going to be a first time Mom after numerous fertility challenges. I’m overjoyed and can’t wait to embark on this next chapter!

Olivia Bennett

Raised in Manchester, Liv is passionate about improving social equity. She is currently a resident of Northview Heights where she has been, and continues to be, a community activist. Liv graduated Magna Cum Laude from Carlow University in May of 2018 and is currently attending graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh at GSPIA where she is studying Public Policy Management. Liv lives with her husband, Terrence, and her 19 year old son. She has three other children and three grandchildren. Liv feels both humbled and honored that the constituents of District 13 elected her to represent them as their County Council representative. She also serves as the Chair of the Public Safety Committee. She is honored to serve them in this role and seeks to represent all of the diverse folks within her district.

Who has your support network been, and how have they encouraged you?
My husband and oldest daughter have been my major supporters, but I also have support of friends, extended family and my church community. They have encouraged me through prayer, being an ear and giving guidance when needed.

What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome to get where you are?
I often think of the quote by Marianne Williamson: 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

When I think of what my greatest obstacle was to getting to where I am now I would have to say me. Once I stopped shrinking to make others feel comfortable I was able to live out my true purpose.

What drives you or keeps you going?
At my core I am an advocate/activist so it is the people who keep me going. None of us are free until we are all free.

What is on the horizon for you?
I am going to continue to strive to be the best Councilwoman for the people of my district. Specifically that means working on the creation of the Independent Police Review Board, making our County Jail better and doing the work to make Allegheny County the most livable for all.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions for us, and for all that you are doing in our communities!