After eight long years of persistence, patience, and unwavering hope, Our House Development is celebrating a major victory thanks to the leadership and commitment of Mayor Ed Gainey.

Several years ago, we were approved to purchase three city-owned lots adjacent to a property we already owned. We were instructed to purchase insurance for the lots, maintain the land, and await the call for a final signing to complete the transaction. We followed every instruction, but two years passed with no further progress.

When the long-awaited call finally came, it wasn’t the news we had been hoping for. Instead, we were told that "a mistake had been made" and the city should never have approved the sale. Understandably, suspicions were raised — why would it take two years to discover such a mistake?

Despite multiple calls and letters, clear answers remained out of reach. Though one staff member offered reimbursement for the maintenance and insurance costs, it was never about the money. It was about preserving the land for the future of our community.

Determined not to give up, I reached out to Ed Gainey while he was running for State Representative. He promised that, once he was in a stronger position, he would help. True to his word, when Ed Gainey became Mayor of Pittsburgh — the city's first African American mayor — he acted on that promise.

I reconnected with Mayor Gainey last year, and he immediately had his assistant, Pamela Collier, step in to help. After a few communication hurdles were resolved, within two weeks of submitting the complete documentation, I received confirmation from the City of Pittsburgh’s Real Estate Office: the closing paperwork for the property was finally being prepared.

Mayor Ed Gainey’s intervention exemplifies what happens when leadership is rooted in genuine care for the community. He made sure that the promise was kept, and because of his actions, the property will now be dedicated to the George & Patricia Webb Sr. Learning Institute & Museum — a tribute to two pillars of our community who have nurtured countless lives over the years.

This outcome isn’t just about one property; it’s about safeguarding our legacies. In a time when outside investors aggressively buy up land in bulk, often erasing local histories, Mayor Gainey's commitment ensures that Pittsburgh’s stories, families, and culture remain strong. His leadership stands as a shining example of putting the people first — especially those who have long fought to be heard.

Mayor Ed Gainey’s career has always centered around community, justice, and opportunity. Whether fighting for increased minimum wage, affordable housing, or fair policing practices, he has consistently shown up for Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable communities. Now, as Mayor, he continues to challenge the status quo, ensuring that the city’s growth doesn’t come at the cost of those who built it.

Today, I can say with certainty that we have a Mayor who not only listens but also acts. Thank you, Mayor Ed Gainey, and thank you to Pamela Collier, for believing in our vision and making sure our parents’ legacy lives on.

This is what true community leadership looks like.