Mayor Ed Gainey continues to support race-conscious government contracting as a way to promote diversity and strengthen Pittsburgh’s economy. But threats to equity-focused efforts following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling have since been heightened by a federal administration determined to root out DEI initiatives. The city’s disparity study consultant will be paid up to $1.15 million to find the narrow path forward for “evidence-based” approaches to diverse contracting in Pittsburgh.

Our top story

Pittsburgh defends equity-based contracting vs Trump, courts

Mayor Ed Gainey, backed by Allegheny County, may pay more than $1 million to a consultant to defend race-conscious contracting.
 

Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures welcomes R.F. Kuang on Monday, April 28, for our next Ten Evenings lecture of the season at Carnegie Music Hall! Kuang will present a lecture on her incisive, satirical novel “Yellowface.” 

Tickets are available and can be purchased at pittsburghlectures.org or by phone at (412) 622-8866 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

NOT TO MISS

Join us for an unforgettable night with 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize winner Andrea Vidaurre at Women for a Healthy Environment’s annual fundraiser on May 1 at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Get your tickets today!

WANT MORE? WE’RE ON IT.

• In his first local interview since leaving office, former Mayor Bill Peduto defended his OnePGH initiative and warned this year’s primary candidates against efforts to strong arm nonprofits into contributions.
   
• Black and Hispanic enrollment is down at Pittsburgh’s two largest universities in the first year since the Supreme Court outlawed affirmative action.

GREAT READ

DOGE abruptly cut a program for teens with disabilities. This student is 'devastated'

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

OUR MISSION