Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Davis Highlights Youth Programs in North Side Visit

In a recent visit to the Saturday Light Brigade’s Youth Media Center in Pittsburgh’s North Side, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis engaged with local youth as they celebrated state-funded summer programs aimed at enriching education outside traditional classroom settings. The event featured a live interview with three students who explored Davis’s experiences and goals as the first Black lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.

During the interview, Davis emphasized his commitment to improving the education system. He stated, “Ultimately the legacy that I want to leave behind … making sure that we leave a better education system than we found.” The lieutenant governor highlighted the importance of initiatives like the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) program, which he chairs. This program marks Pennsylvania’s first significant investment in youth enrichment outside the typical K-12 education framework.

Davis noted that local organizations, including the Saturday Light Brigade, received nearly $192,000 to expand their summer programming. This funding is part of over $11 million in grants the state announced earlier this year. He described BOOST as a vital venture that provides safe community spaces where young people can both play and enhance their educational experiences.

The Youth Media Center’s summer programming includes a media camp where students learn skills such as broadcasting, interviewing, and audio production. During his visit, Davis interacted with participants of a ten-day summer camp called Together On The Air, designed for students entering grades nine to twelve.

High school students Liv Meyer and Uma Pathe co-hosted a music talk show titled “Turn it Up,” where they discussed their diverse musical interests and took live calls from listeners. Meyer expressed that their differing tastes in music shaped the dynamic of the show, while Pathe shared her appreciation for the opportunity to delve into radio, stating, “This camp has just been a perfect opportunity to learn about radio and create my own show.”

Larry Berger, founder and executive director of SLB, reflected on the organization’s growth since its inception in 1978. He explained that SLB has expanded beyond radio into year-round programming, including open studio sessions and intensive summer camps. Berger stated, “The idea is, we’ve got a space that’s safe that has trusted adults and gives you an opportunity to learn and grow.”

“Part of this [BOOST] effort is to sustain this and make it a way of life for kids who want it to be a way of life,”

Berger added.

The youth media center manager, Jozef Kukula, elaborated on the impact of BOOST funding. He explained that this financial support allows SLB to provide scholarships, equipment, and mentorship for approximately 60 students this summer, with expectations to double that number in the following year.

Kukula highlighted the program’s significance, particularly for students dealing with external pressures. He noted, “I do think it’s doing a lot to give them a really safe and lovely place to be,” referring to the environment fostered at SLB. “And more than that, to let that safe and lovely place also give them a chance to produce something that they’re really proud of.”

Following the Together On The Air camp, SLB initiated another summer program called Rhyme and Reason, targeting students in grades eight to twelve interested in songwriting and poetry. This program continues the organization’s mission of providing enriching opportunities for young people in the community.