Kevin McNair
Kevin McNair

When working with underserved youth at Brashear High School in Beechview as a 2013 Heinz Endowments Fellow, Kevin McNair saw an opportunity “to break a negative cycle by making a positive impact on kids.” He was inspired to launch 1Nation Mentoring, which teaches young, inner-city males how to overcome adversity and motivates them to embrace responsibility as they transition to adulthood. As co-founder and executive director of 1Nation, Kevin provides in-school mentoring, STEM-based workshops and summer programs that aim to disrupt the “school-to-prison pipeline” and provide teens with vital opportunities for academic advancement, personal development and community engagement.  Originally from Charlotte, NC, Kevin loves being a member of Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District community.

What upcoming events are you excited attend?

The YNGBLKPGH Presents The Black Panther Black Carpet Viewing Party at the SouthSide Works Cinema event on Thursday, February 15.

Best part of your job?

Being able to build with, and impact, youth and the community in the way that I do.

Kevin McNair
Kevin with students in the Brashear High School Library.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ll tackle this week?

Trying to keep our youth safe and inspired.

Write three words to describe Pittsburgh:

Community, family, sports.

Podcast you’re addicted to?

Straight To The League and The Breakfast Club.

Kevin McNair
Kevin speaking in Washington, DC after The Jefferson Awards.

Who should be the unofficial Mayor of Pittsburgh?


My uncle, Rev. Grayson.

What’s your Pittsburgh comfort food?

The entire Grandma B’s or Carmi’s menu, lol.

What’s one thing you’d place in a Pittsburgh time capsule?

Savings bonds.

Best thing about Pittsburgh or Western PA?

The people.

Fill in the blank: If I did not live in Pittsburgh, I’d probably live in …

Charlotte.

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Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.