THE BLACK ARCHIVE SPEAKER SERIES
Tahirah J. Walker, Ph.D.,
Professor, Author & Literary Advocate

THE BLACK ARCHIVE SPEAKER SERIES

THREE SPEAKERS. THREE GUIDED CONVERSATIONS. WINTER 2026.

Tahirah J. Walker, Ph.D., Professor, Author & Literary Advocate

In conversation with Courtney Abegunde, Community Mental Health Educator & Advocate

Saturday, February 7th, 2026 from 2 – 4pm

This will be a reflective and interactive session. Together, we’ll explore how personal artifacts uncover overlooked Black thriving in Pittsburgh. And we will consider how lived experience — the people, places and things that support our mental well‑being — contribute to a culture of Black archiving.

Tahirah J. Walker, Ph.D., is chair of the Department of Community Engagement and Leadership at Point Park University’s Rowland School of Business. She holds a doctorate in Communication and Rhetorical Studies.

As a writer and literary advocate, Walker is a two-time recipient of the Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh award. Her work has been published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PublicSource, Taint Taint Taint Magazine, and Management Communication Quarterly, reflecting a voice that moves fluidly between creative, public, and academic spheres. She previously served on the board of Write Pittsburgh and is currently a member of the Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures board. 

At the heart of all her work is a love of books, music, and visual art. Walker hopes her contributions shine a light on the amazing everyday lives of Black women and girls.

Courtney Abegunde is a community mental health educator and advocate whose work involves providing practical tools and activities for mental health healing and wellbeing to community members, groups, and organizations, including support groups and healing circles, discussion groups, and workshops. She serves as the Operations Director for and the forthcoming Managing Director of Steel Smiling (Feb 2026), a Pittsburgh based, Black-led nonprofit whose mission is to bridge the gap between Black folks and mental health support through education, advocacy, and awareness. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.A. in Psychology from Chatham University.

Photo captions:
Tahirah J. Walker, Ph.D., Professor, Author & Literary Advocate. Photo courtesy Tahirah J. Walker, Ph.D.
Courtney Abegunde, Community Mental Health Educator & Advocate. Photo courtesy Courtney Abegunde.

The Black Archive Speaker Series is made possible through the generous support of: