title
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Builds Bridges is a community outreach movement that encourages diversity, inclusion, and connection within the community using simple actions, the stroke of a paint brush, dialogue, and awareness; and,
body
WHEREAS, Ebtehal Badawi began the movement after her young son endured bullying. In collaboration with another mother whose child was the victim of the same experience, the pair thought of an anti-bullying and anti-racism poster to promote inclusivity; and,
WHEREAS, along with bullying, Ebtehal quickly realized that many children and adults felt like outsiders in their community because of their race, gender, language barrier, beliefs, etc. and the poster quickly turned into the movement Pittsburgh Builds Bridges, which encompasses the greater purpose of the art piece; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Builds Bridges has curated events that have brought together over 4,000 children and adults to create murals that embody unison and harmony, which has initiated dialogues and awareness within elementary schools, middle schools and high schools, public and private. In addition, to universities, and with actors, professional sports players, managers, and city offices; and,
WHEREAS, the first annual Build Bridges Day, in partnership with P3R and 1Hoodmedia, will be held on August 12, 2023 in the parking lot of the Highmark Stadium; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend Ebtehal Badawi and Pittsburgh Builds Bridges for promoting inclusiveness by way of the Arts; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare, Saturday, August 12, 2023 to be “Build Bridges Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.