02/07/2026
Honoring the Legacy of August Wilson
🌅 April 27, 1945 – 🌇 October 2, 2005
Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of August Wilson — a literary giant born and raised in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. Through his powerful storytelling, Wilson captured the depth, resilience, and beauty of Black life in America, preserving the voices of a community that shaped him.
His groundbreaking Pittsburgh Cycle — ten plays including Fences, The Piano Lesson, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom — chronicled the struggles and triumphs of everyday people. With nine of the ten plays set in the Hill District, Wilson ensured that the stories of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods would never be erased. His work earned two Pulitzer Prizes, a Tony Award, and worldwide acclaim.
At NeighborWorks Western PA, we understand the importance of preserving and strengthening the communities that shape us. Just as August Wilson honored the Hill District through storytelling, we remain committed to supporting stable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and opportunities that allow families and communities to thrive.
His legacy reminds us that neighborhoods matter. Stories matter. And community matters.