Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh poet’s debut collection explores Haiti past and present
In 2010, at age 19, Sony Ton-Aime was introduced to English. Born in Haiti, he’d grown up speaking Haitian Creole at home and French at school. Now he was enrolled at Kent State University, where he’d spend a semester in the English as a Second Language program.
Sixteen years later, it’s safe to say Ton-Aime is up to speed as far as English goes. He’s well into his third year as executive director of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, the region’s premiere showcase for visiting authors. And he’s just published his first book of poetry, “Konbit,” as part of the Carnegie Mellon University Press Poetry Series.
‘Your time has come’
The 93-page collection evokes the Haitian Revolution of 1791 and its contemporary echoes. Its theme is reflected in its title: “Konbit,” said Ton-Aime, is a Haitian Creole word for any project that requires the collective to achieve, whether that’s bringing in the harvest, staging a wedding, or pulling a car out of a ditch.
Many of the nearly 60 poems invoke the Bois Caiman ceremony, a religious gathering in August 1791 attended mostly by enslaved Blacks at which they resolved to overthrow French colonizers. Ton-Aime draws on both the historical record and the folklore surrounding the event to depict leaders like Dutty Boukman and Cecile Fatiman.
“Fatiman Contemplates the Knife on the Eve of the Bois Caiman Ceremony” begins, “blood-tinted blade / rusted yet never dull / prayer in waiting / always out of reach / you so many times have failed / you for far too long / have been hidden / your time has come …”
Poems in the latter portions of the book depict the Haiti of the 1990s and thereafter, when Ton-Aime grew up and came of age. Verses like “In the ’80s the U.S. Destroyed Haiti’s Rice Culture” (“a country / on its knees with promise of a full belly”) and “1994” collapse the history into a contemporary world of earthquakes, automobiles, HIV, corrupt aid workers and the effects of climate change.
But there is also joy, typically experienced in community. In the book’s title poem, Ton-Aime writes, “The children fill the holes with handfuls of corn. It is life. Men dig holes, children occupy them, and women mend the world.”
The book is replete with mothers and mother figures, a theme Ton-Aime said honors his own mother but also Haiti as “a nurturing place” and the women who looked after him as a child when his mother went off to sell secondhand clothes in the market. “She left me with the folks in the village, the women in the village,” he said. “And so many of them really took care of me and I came to see them as really mothers, in a way.”
In highlighting figures like Boukman, Fatiman and the unsung mothers of Haiti, Ton-Aime also seeks to emphasize the resourcefulness and creativity of marginalized people. He said their example can be a powerful one in troubled times.
“We have faced existential threats as well in the past, and I wanted this collection to be a way to connect them and for folks to feel a sense of optimism that our ancestors, our forefathers and foremothers, survived this,” he said. “And we can as well survive them.”
‘I can tell my own stories’
As a child, Ton-Aime loved reading and writing. At Kent State, in a practical move, he studied accounting and worked in that field back home. But the love of poetry he found in Kent State’s writing community brought him back to earn a master’s degree in poetry through the Northeast Ohio MFA Program.
A new career in arts administration led him first to the Cleveland-based nonprofit Lake Erie Ink, and then, in 2020, to New York’s famed Chautauqua Institute, where he became director of literary arts.
But even at PAL, as he was hosting authors like Zadie Smith, Percival Everett and Elizabeth Gilbert, he continued working on poetry. He especially credited as an inspiration the work of Jamaican-born American poet Shara McCallum.
“I was like, ‘Oh, I do not need to be an American to write poetry in [the] United States. I can keep my own authentic voice. I can tell my own stories that will relate to folks, right? And Shara McCallum was really the first person that gave me this permission to be my authentic self.”
Ton-Aime’s other literary projects include the Haitian Creole translation of “Olympic Hero: The Lennox Kilgour Story” and co-authoring the Haitian Creole course on Duolingo.
McCallum, who is a Penn State professor, and poet Joy Priest, who teaches in the University of Pittsburgh’s master of fine arts program, will join Ton-Aime at the “Konbit” book launch on Sun., March 15. The event, at Alphabet City, on the North Side, is free, but registration is recommended.
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh police increase presence at Jewish institutions after attack at Detroit-area synagogue
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police said it is increasing its presence outside all of the city’s Jewish institutions after Thursday’s attack on a synagogue in the Detroit area.
In a post on Facebook, police said the increased presence will continue “until further notice.” The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh told KDKA it received word immediately about the increased patrols.
“We know there’s an elevated threat, and we also would like to commend our law enforcement partners,” said Shawn Brokos, the director of community security at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “Moments after this happened, we received a call from the mayor’s office that they are increasing patrols at our Jewish organizations. And while we know there’s no direct threats at any of our Jewish organizations here in Pittsburgh, they’re doing it in abundance of caution.”
The 10.27 Healing Partnership is offering support for those who may be triggered by Thursday’s events in Michigan. In a statement, the organization said, in part:
“If you are feeling the weight of what is happening, please know that you are not alone. While our instincts are to jump into action after something like this happens, allow yourself a moment to breathe. Take care of yourselves and one another, reach out to friends and loved ones, and check in on your neighbors.”
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said it believes the increased patrols will last a few days, but that is subject to change based on threat levels.
No students or staff were injured at Temple Israel on Thursday, officials in Michigan said.
Where are the sites of the Pittsburgh 2026 NFL Draft located?
With the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh April 23-25, 2026, here is a look at the future sites of the Main Stage, Theater and the NFL Draft Experience.
As the NFL Draft sweeps into downtown Pittsburgh, there is plenty for visitors to explore beyond the football-themed attractions.
While most visitors will certainly plan to engage in football fan experiences around Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, a trip to the Steel City can include plenty of adventures. The region is home to countless experiences, with highlights in art, food, music and more that are sure to excite visitors to the downtown area.
Beyond the iconic photo opportunities at the Mount Washington overview and the busy foot traffic at the point for NFL-sponsored events, what else is there to do around the downtown Pittsburgh area throughout the week?
Explore the culture of the Strip District
A must-see for tourists is the Strip District, a cultural hub of the city that offers dining, shopping and plenty of fun activities.
The Strip is home to the original Primanti Bros. location, an iconic sandwich shop that serves fries and coleslaw on its sandwiches. Wigle Whiskey’s distillery is also located in this area, offering plenty of local spirits for visitors to sample.
Walking around the area guarantees a little bit of everything: golf, groceries, breweries, restaurants and plenty of local shopping options. This is also a popular destination for nightlife in the city, so this is likely to be the party spot of Pittsburgh during the draft.
Learn more about regional history at local museums
Located near the Strip District, the Sen. John Heinz History Center offers visitors a glimpse into the dynamic history of the Pittsburgh region.
With six floors of exhibits, visitors can learn why items such as Heinz Ketchup and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood have such strong ties to the region’s culture. And, of course, there are plenty of sports exhibits at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, recently renamed the Franco Harris Sports Museum after the iconic Steelers running back, located on the second and third floors of the history center.
The Fort Pitt Museum is also a draw for fans of the Revolutionary War and the early development of Pittsburgh. For those looking to travel even farther back in time, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History also offers plenty to see, including some colossal dinosaur exhibits.
Get a glimpse of nature without leaving Downtown
If you are looking to escape the city’s noise and see some natural beauty, a visit to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers an expansive display in Oakland. With a 14-room glasshouse and 23 gardens to wander, the gardens are perfect for colorful photos or more peaceful walks between events.
The National Aviary also offers a unique glimpse into nature, with plenty of birds calling Downtown home. The conservatory offers plenty of daily activities and accommodations, making it a great stop for families who want to interact with some feathered friends.
Experience the local art scene and interactive experiences
Pittsburgh is also home to several unique art museums, such as the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Andy Warhol Museum. Both offer a wide selection of interesting displays that capture the local art history and the current styles defining the region. These laid-back experiences can be a blast for those interested in the arts.
Looking for a more experimental experience? An interesting option can include the Mattress Factory, which showcases installation art from its international residency. Randyland also offers a unique artistic experience, with the public art installation showcasing a variety of colorful sights made from found objects. Street art fans will enjoy a trip to Color Park, which offers a great view of the downtown skyline and colorful graffiti, providing plenty of photo opportunities.
The Kamin Science Center also offers plenty of activities and unique exhibits for families to enjoy. The science center is within walking distance of Acrisure Stadium, so a quick stop to enjoy the fun can be an easy goal for draft attendees.
Venture slightly outside the city for big attractions
While most of the action of the NFL Draft will be in downtown Pittsburgh, the region also has some big attractions within driving distance. A fun stop for families slightly outside the city is the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Around seven miles from the draft action, the zoo is a must-see for animal lovers and offers plenty of unique sights.
For thrill-seekers, the NFL Draft will also coincide with the opening weekend of Kennywood Amusement Park in West Mifflin.
The increased traffic to the region will likely mean a busy time at the park, but it will certainly be a lively stop for roller coaster fans. The amusement park features a Steelers-themed section and is one of two amusement parks in the United States designated as National Historic Landmarks.
Pittsburg, PA
Head priest of Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh accused of stealing baseball cards from Walmart
PITTSBURGH — The head priest and dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh is facing charges after being accused of stealing more than $1,000 in baseball cards from a Walmart.
The Very Rev. Aidan Smith was arrested Feb. 27 by police just after leaving the Walmart in Economy Borough, just outside Pittsburgh, with 27 packs of baseball cards concealed under his clothing and in a cardboard box, according to court records.
Smith, 42, was charged with receiving stolen property and retail theft.
Police responded to a call from Walmart security, who said Smith was in the store again after having stolen from it in previous days. Police said Walmart security video shows Smith also taking baseball cards each of the four previous days and leaving without paying.
Walmart valued the stolen baseball cards at $1,099.99, police said.
In a message last week to the cathedral’s members, the Right Rev. Ketlen Solak, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, said diocese officials will investigate the situation and follow the church canons that lay out the process for handling clergy misconduct.
“I have spoken with Aidan and assured him of our prayers for him in this difficult time. Please pray for Aidan, for Melanie and their children, for the entire cathedral congregation as we grieve this news, and for everyone involved in this hard situation,” Solak wrote.
Smith had been on administrative leave since late January, Solak’s message said. The diocese did not explain why. Smith’s defense lawyer declined comment.
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