8 Black Women ‘Feeling Good’ in PIT Portrait Series

They are mothers, sisters and daughters, and a few are grandmothers, too. Eight Black women in all, with something else in common.

They all work at Pittsburgh International Airport.

On Feb. 26, PIT artist-in-residence Korey Edmonson gathered with the eight women who modeled for his portrait series, “Feeling Good,” to celebrate the project and their participation. Attendees at the event included airport staff, relatives of the models and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato.

Valerie Townsend, Director of Airport Security, voiced what Edmonson’s series means to her and all the women featured.

“This is something that’s never been done,” she said. “As a Black woman in our society, we don’t often get recognized in this way for feeling good and recognizing who we are. We are proud to be part of such a dynamic art project that crosses into important diversity initiatives.”

In addition to Townsend, the series features Virginia Culbreath, DBE Program Administrator; Prudina William, Manager, Administrative Services; Cara Kuczma, Director, HR Business Processes; Kandace Adams, former manager, Operations; April Laukaitis, Customer Care Agent; and Customer Service Representatives Tameka Adams and Shelly Snyder.

“As we recognize Black History Month during February, we know that our region has a long legacy of Black leaders who should be recognized, not just within the month of February, but each and every day,” Innamorato said. “This public art initiative continues in a tradition of talent and one that will inspire more generations of artists and leaders.”<