Anti-discrimination Penn Hills Advisory Council commended for 'energy and drive'
When Ronald Saunders saw an FBI report that named Western Pennsylvania as a hub for hate activity, the longtime civil rights activist knew he had to step in.
After consulting with Richard Stewart, former president of the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, he got in touch with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and set up the Penn Hills Advisory Council.
Started in 2022, the Penn Hills Advisory Council — and advisory councils across the state — operate with a mission of fighting discrimination and channeling complaints to state staff.
“That’s our primary mission: being the eyes and ears of the commission,” said Saunders, who chairs the council. “(Discrimination) is on the rise, and we need to do something to offset that.”
The Penn Hills group has since grown to 18 members and been named the 2024 Advisory Council of the Year by the Commission for its “energy and drive,” as described by Brittany Mellinger, outreach coordinator for the commission.
“Ronald’s leadership has really been key,” she said.
The council’s marquee event last year was called “Not in Our Community,” which gathered Penn Hills elected officials, law enforcement, school district leaders and various nonprofits to discuss ways to combat the climb in extremist groups.
Saunders expects to get even more done in the coming years as the council raises its profile.
“We’re just beginning to rare up and get energized,” Saunders said.
There are 17 other advisory councils in the state. Members are expected to regularly attend meetings, plan events and share civil rights information in the communities they serve. In addition to Penn Hills, Western Pennsylvania has advisory councils based in Allegheny County, the Beaver-Ohio River Valley and Indiana.
Mellinger said the commission continues to recruit people who are interested in joining an existing advisory council or starting their own.
Pennsylvania residents who feel they have experienced unlawful discrimination can file a complaint with the commission by calling 717-787-4410.
Jack Troy is a TribLive reporter covering business and health care. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in January 2024 after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. He can be reached at
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