Steel Smiling

09/02/2026

08/20/2026

Last month, Steel Smiling's Managing Director, Courtney Abegunde, was featured on KDKA-TV | CBS Pittsburgh's Intersections! She talked about the mission and work of Steel Smiling over the past decade.

The interview took place on the patio of the Thelma Lovett YMCA, and Courtney was able to visit with our partners there from Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center Inc. The Elders Support Group that takes place there has been meeting for 5 years now!

Watch the segment, starting around 9:30: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/video/intersections-july-19-2026/

08/19/2026

In June, in celebration of Men's Mental Health Month and Father's Day, Steel Smiling in partnership with The Kingsley Association hosted a powerful Men's Day of Grounding in Highland Park in June.

Men from across the community came together to share a meal, build relationships, and enjoy fellowship in nature. Guided by Thomas Tyson, participants engaged in a grounding activity that encouraged them to connect with the earth beneath their feet and reflect on the elements surrounding them. From the strength of the trees to the flow of the water and the openness of the sky, men found meaningful ways to connect their own experiences to the natural world.

The day served as an important reminder that men's mental health matters. Creating spaces where men can slow down, connect, reflect, and support one another is essential to building healthier families and stronger communities.

As we celebrated fathers, father figures, and the men who continue to show up for their families and communities, we also honored the importance of caring for ourselves. Healing is not something we have to do alone. There is power in brotherhood, vulnerability, and community.

The Kings Smile Men's Group continues to grow as a space where men can find support, build authentic relationships, and prioritize their mental wellness. Through the partnership between Steel Smiling and the Kingsley Association, we are creating opportunities for men to heal, grow, and thrive together.

Strong men build strong communities. Strong communities create space for healing.

06/23/2026

You’re invited to the cookout! 🍽️

Come kick it with the Steel team at August Wilson House this Saturday June 27. The vibe is fun and full of care. Bring a friend and the kids, and help us answer the question “What places and spaces support our healing?”

RSVP appreciated, link in bio.

See you there ✨

06/03/2026

The Beams to Bridges 6 Welcome Party was full of joy, connection, and community pride. New cohort members gathered with Steel Smiling staff and BTB alumni to celebrate the start of this next chapter. Alumni poured into the room with wisdom and reflection, reminding the new cohort that they are joining a powerful community of people committed to healing, growth, and collective care.

📸: Corey Lankford

05/14/2026

Through the Community Violence Reduction Initiative (CVRI), Steel Smiling supports folks and organizations who do violence reduction and community outreach work through trainings, support groups, and fun kickback sessions to help them care for their mental health.

"A CVRI kickback, in my perspective, is intended to give this group of community violence warriors an opportunity to experience joy, connection, relaxation, and wellness. We must continue to stress the importance of how emotionally and mentally taxing the work of these individuals is.....and why laughter and humanity can be a potential remedy to some of these bigger issues." - Cheyenne Campbell, Steel Smiling Program Coordinator and CVRI kickback leader.

For our most recent kickback on May 8th, we shared a meal and engaged in fellowship together at Dave and Buster's. We also had a CVRI x Steel Smiling Music Award Show facilitated by Cheyenne and inspired by the music of Michael Jackson and new movie Michael. Each team introduced themselves (as a means for relationship building) and as a group performed a part of a Michael Jackson or Jackson 5 song (for about 20-30 seconds.) We followed the "musical performances" with the "award ceremony" where each team had the opportunity to share a positive shot out to one person on their team. Many individuals shared how this friendly competition, like their daily work, was a collective responsibility and so it was the entire TEAM they wanted to shout out. We ended the session with a community circle and somatic practice led by Ms. Robin- where she stressed the importance of unity. We even had the chance to play some games and have fun after the session!

Photography by Corey Lankford | CWL Creatives

Cure Violence East CURE Violence VIBE - Woodland Hills Allegheny County Department of Human Services Greater Valley Community Services, Inc.

03/27/2026

Did you hear? Meleak Potter, previously one of our Peer Support Fellows, is now Program Coordinator of Beams to Bridges!

Check out this Q&A with Meleak to learn more about his experience as a fellow, and what he's bringing to his new role: https://bit.ly/3PA3tI5

PLUS - cohort 6 of Beams to Bridges is getting ready to pop up in Wilkinsburg this Spring! Apply today at: https://bit.ly/3PCt7vR

Join us in welcoming Meleak to his new role as Program Coordinator of Beams to Bridges on the Steel Smiling Team! Meleak spent 2025 completing his one-year position as a […]

03/25/2026

It's time for Beams to Bridges Cohort 6! Join us in Wilkinsburg at Community Forge beginning on May 13th. Apply at https://bit.ly/4svOywZ by April 12th.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/4bNDUuH.

03/19/2026

One of the most meaningful parts of the SWAG Awards each year is seeing organizations across the region show up to support the social work profession.

Some attend to celebrate colleagues.
Some attend to uplift their teams.
Some simply come because they believe social workers deserve recognition and appreciation.

And that kind of support matters.

The work social workers do often happens quietly — behind the scenes, in difficult moments, and in spaces where impact isn’t always visible.

So when organizations make the decision to show up and support this profession, it sends a powerful message.

At the 6th Annual SWAG Awards, we were grateful to see professionals represented from organizations including:

• Healthy Start, Inc. Pittsburgh/Allegheny County
• Handinhand Counseling Services
• JFCS Pittsburgh
• TRAC Services for Families
• NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania
• Gwen's Girls
• Staunton Farm Foundation
• Village Center for Holistic Therapy
• Atlas Counseling
• University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
• Community Care Behavioral Health Organization
• Sojourner House
• UPMC Health Plan
• Assisted Living Locators Pittsburgh
• Beam Collaborative
• Allegheny County Department of Human Services
• Steel Smiling

Thank you to the organizations who continue to support and uplift the social work workforce.
Each year, more organizations across the region are choosing to show up and stand alongside the professionals doing this important work.
When social workers are supported, communities are stronger.

01/09/2026

Yesterday, we had the honor of participating in a powerful panel discussion at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. In collaboration with City Theatre, we explored how Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem speaks to the lived experiences of Black men today.

Our conversation with community members touched on the ways brotherhood, hair care, and vulnerability shape how Black men show up for themselves and for the world around them. We also discussed how intentionally checking in on one another can spark sustainable practices of self care and collective healing.

This show is going to be amazing, and we highly encourage you to experience it. Click the link below to purchase tickets for one of the upcoming Pittsburgh performances.

https://citytheatrecompany.org/production/100835/list_performances?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTY3MDY3MzQzMzUyNDI3AAGngt7DVsKchjfG242y3jknFdOO9ck3eNLmtBH_0fVmGLGcqrbOfTIVLVzPy0Q_aem_QbZKlerbQI0n8ngNUT4mCg

📸 Corey Lankford