Questions for the ‘Connecting King’
Vernard Alexander has been named director of Pitt’s Community Engagement Center (CEC) in Homewood. Hailed by businesspeople and local residents as the “Connecting King’’ or the ‘‘Network King,” Alexander will ensure the 6-year-old center — part of the University’s commitment to nearby neighborhoods — continues to thrive. In his new role, the longtime Pittsburgh resident becomes the go-to source for convening students, researchers, community groups and small businesses with the goal of advancing learning, career inclusion and neighborhood empowerment in Homewood.
“I see the staff of the CEC as being like a point guard of a basketball game,” says Alexander. “We're the connector between Pitt and the Homewood community and greater opportunity.”
Pitt Magazine asked the Network King about his background and his plans for the Homewood CEC.
Do you have a personal connection to Homewood?
I grew up in the Hill District until I was 16 or 17 and, a year before the pandemic, I moved to Homewood and lived two blocks from the CEC. In Homewood, I founded CKV Suites, a small social space that we use to bring in events to help revitalize a place that has seen so much disinvestment for so many years.
What are some current initiatives of the Homewood CEC?
Our areas of focus are health, education and wellness. We have a relationship with the Pitt School of Education, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Social Work and the Small Business Development Center. I have been working with these departments to get additional faculty members to run programs at the CEC.
What are your plans for the future?
To have a different entrepreneur organization here every day so that community members can come and get free assistance with credit counseling, entrepreneurial planning and more.