Building Community: A Black History Month Spotlight with Breanna Benjamin

The URA is celebrating our Black employees during Black History Month. These employee spotlights are a small way of showing our appreciation for the important work they’ve done for the URA, the City of Pittsburgh, and beyond.

Breanna Benjamin is a Senior Housing Opportunity Fund Program Coordinator with the URA, and when you first meet Breanna, she seems quiet and reserved.

When you get to know Breanna, she’s got a big personality, and she’s willing to take some big risks. “I’d love to go skydiving and horseback riding. The thrill of it… it just seems so fun and exhilarating.”

Breanna moved to Pittsburgh to earn a Master of Social Work degree. She grew up in the panhandle of Florida, so moving out of state, so far away from home was a challenge. “At the time, my grandma was the one who pushed me to move to Pittsburgh in order to get out of my comfort zone, despite my mom not necessarily wanting me to move away from home. She thought I should experience ‘the big city.’”

Through the big changes, Breanna has let her faith keep her grounded. “Knowing everything has a plan, everything will happen when it’s supposed to happen, has helped me get through some tough times. One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11.”

And at work, Breanna says, “Alicia [Majors] and Miss Donna [Freeman] have been instrumental in being a support system and letting me know that it’s ok to be me.”

And while Pittsburgh isn’t New York, Breanna still found plenty to do and experience. “When I first moved here, I saw this giant pickle, and I was thinking, ‘what is this?’” (It was Picklesburgh.) She continued, “There are so many different community groups doing all these different events and festivals across the city. There are things about the city that could be better, but we must work with what we have and build community around the people here.”

You can get to know Breanna more in this interview:

How long have you lived in Pittsburgh?

I’ve lived here for nine years. I moved here for grad school, and I got my MSW from Pitt and concentrated in Community Organizing and Social Administration. I also got my Human Services Management Certificate. After that, I interned for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. I reviewed affirmative fair housing  marketing plans, and overall, it was a great experience. When I first started at Pitt, I was in a new city, and I wasn’t used to all the seasons. I didn’t even have a proper winter coat when I showed up. People were asking me, “Do you have a coat?” and I was like, “No, I don’t.” By the time the first winter came around, I needed a little, puffy coat, and I got a little puffy coat, which I’ve had for nine years.

What’s been the most memorable part of living here?

Finding out about the Pittsburgh Left. I was so stunned. I said to myself, “What the heck is going on?” In all seriousness, my most memorable experiences have been going to a Pirates and Penguins game along with learning and understanding the rich history of Pittsburgh. History is being made every day with the work we’re doing, and working in an environment that advocates for challenging the status quo is remarkable.

What’s an experience you’ve learned from?

Moving here, I had no idea about the public transportation system. I got on the wrong bus and ended up going all over town. You make the mistake once, you learn from it, and next time, you download the app or learn about the routes, and it gets better. It’s important to not be too hard on yourself when something like that happens. The key is to give yourself grace and have self-compassion. It’s ok to not be perfect. You’re going to make mistakes, and you’re going to learn from them.

What’s your favorite thing to do after work?

My favorite thing to do is relax and unwind, which can often be in the form of a nap. Relaxing and unwinding after the workday is the key to balance especially when one has other obligations outside of work. I have a dog, Cooper, who is such a joy. Sometimes, he’ll yawn and nap like he has a fulltime job. We’ll go on a walk, and he’ll come back to look out the window and let me know when someone is walking down the street.

What legacy do you want to leave at the URA?

Each of us brings our own individual selves to work, every day. We show up as who we are, and it brings a diverse and inclusive workforce. Building bonds and getting to know new people encourages us to not operate in a silo. Everyone has a network that you have to lean into. We’re here to be a collective and a support system, so we have to be open and collaborative, and it’s important for people to learn about each other and create a pathway for open dialogue. I want to be here to be a support for people and encourage them to not be afraid of giving themselves the same grace that they give others.