Director of Community Engagement and Strategy for A+ Schools, Majestic Lane previously served as senior executive assistant to State Senator Jim Ferlo. A community organizer since the 10th grade, Majestic is co-founder of Juice Up 412—a social enterprise that aims to expand health and wellness access to communities that suffer from health disparities—as well as founder of GMTK Changemakers, an organization focused on improving the quality of life in under-resourced communities through education, economics and innovation.
Monday, July 6th
I start off the day at Unstuck, a meetup helmed by my good friend Kit Mueller. Unstuck started with a couple of folks last year at 720 Music, Clothing and Café in Lawrenceville and has blossomed into the premier meetup for folks looking to achieve their dreams and aspirations. It’s tough for some folks to get up that early, but I find it motivating to be around other change makers and go-getters. Later that evening, I’ll head over to Young Brother’s Bar on the Northside, a place where you can find some of the most insightful conversations in the city regarding Pittsburgh African American and community politics.
Tuesday, July 7
After work, I’m headed to the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership board meeting at the Energy Innovation Center in the Hill District. My good friend (and former boss), retired State Senator Jim Ferlo who has long pushed for normalized U.S.-Cuba relations, asked me to become involved with the organization. Although it’s still early, the board is doing great things in reaching out to our sister city and opening the lines of communication between the respective communities. After my meeting, I’m going to D’s SixPax & Dogz in Regent Square. I’m a bit of a craft beer aficionado, and D’s has one of the best selections in the region. They also have vegan Chicago dogs (of which I’m a big fan).
Wednesday, July 8
Headed to Bar Marco to discuss my upcoming live podcast, 3 Things, with my good friend Bobby Fry. He’s been a great supporter of Juice Up 412 (our social enterprise juice business) since its inception and I’m on the Food Revolution Pittsburgh Cooking Club board. I also love their food and cocktails, so after our meeting I’ll head out to their recently installed Bocce court to try my hand.
Thursday, July 9
After my morning workout at LA Fitness in Bakery Square, I’ll head to Repair the World Pittsburgh to meet Zack Block, who’s one of the hardest working social entrepreneurs in the city. The organization does great work recruiting volunteers and building capacity around food and education issues in the city. Because collaboration is the name of the game, we’re meeting to find ways for our respective organizations to work together.
Later for lunch, I’ll head over to Spak Brothers in Garfield for the best vegan cheesesteak in town. While Pittsburgh may not be New York or LA when it comes to vegan food, the options are growing. After work, I’m making a beeline over to The Hardware Store over in Allentown to record a podcast and get ready for tomorrow’s event. While on this side of town, I have to go to Leon’s Caribbean Restaurant for his Escovitch vegetables and plantains!
Friday, July 10
I’m at The Cloakroom in East Liberty doing my third live podcast alongside my brothers Knowledge Build Hudson (10 minutes of Knowledge) and Knowledge Murphy (Black Man, Green Plan). Collectively, we’re known as the Juice Crew, stemming from our time running Juice Up 412. Doing a show live injects great energy into the shows, as you never know what will happen! After the show, I’ll have a late dinner next door at The Livermore where Chef Justin Steel has raised the bar on Italian cuisine in the city.
Saturday, July 11
My morning starts with a trip to the Bloomfield Farmers Market, where SaludPgh owner Sha-King Cehum serves up amazing vegan empanadas! Next, I’m on my way to the Natural Choice Barber Shop in Oakland to visit Nate Mitchell for a shape-up and the dialogue that you can only get in a Black barbershop. Later on, I’ll visit my friend Rick Easton at Bread and Salt Bakery for garlic and potato pizza and authentic Italian beverages.
Sunday, July 12
Today’s the day for a family trip to Zenith on the South Side for their famed vegan buffet. After that, we’ll hit Frick Park for some time to unwind and get mentally ready for the next week.
