Jordan Park Nostalgic Association 2017 Black Heritage Celebration

JPPNA, Inc.  Honors   Former Residents

The Jordan Park Projects Nostalgic Association Black History Program honored six former residents of Jordan Park Projects as community trailblazers.  The program was held in the Enoch D. Davis Center auditorium on Monday, February 27, 2017 t 6:00 p.m.  Family and friends, many who were dressed in African attire came out to celebrate the honorees.

Each year as a part of the JPPNA, Inc. core values, the association selects former residents of Jordan Park Projects who have been community focused contributors.  This year six families were recognized; three each from the Old Project and the New Project.  The Old Project consisted of one and two bedroom apartments and the New Project serviced families that required three or four bedrooms. 

Being honored from the Old Project were the Bennett, Thomas and Jackson Families.    New Project families being honored were the Edwards, Waller and Williams families.  A plague from the association was given to each family with the inscription “As residents who were Trailblazers and Pioneers that our childhood values were based on. We thank you.”

Each family shared comments on their most memorable experiences of living in Jordan Park.  Some spoke of remembering the whistling sounds of children skating up and down the Mason-Dixie Line (a sidewalk that was the length of the Old Project), while others remembered having to be mindful of having to speak  to the  elders that sat on the porch who kept a watchful eye on them.  Some remembered they never locked their doors and that their friends wished they lived in the Projects. The take away echoed from the evening was as children in Jordan Park we refused to be discounted; while some counted us out, many that lived in Jordan Park went on to live successful professional lives.  Professional Football players, pastors, actors, doctors, business owners, teachers, law enforcement officers and product managers all emerged from the beige painted with brown trim Jordan Park Projects apartments. Former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Football Player, Glenn Edwards and business owner William Bennett of Dr. Frogue’s Hair Styling were among tonight’s honorees.

After the awards program, Brenda Gilstrap the Association president gave remarks.  She was also honored during the evening for her untiring service. The evening concluded with a bountiful soul food dinner coordinated by Celia Thomas and Rev. Alvin Miller

Pictures from the Event (Courtesy of Vicara and Valerie)