Football, Family, and Westinghouse
A graduate of Westinghouse, class of 1994, Kahlil Morris sees the school as an integral part of who he is. “Westinghouse has been everything for me,” he says. Knowledge, values, but above all — pride. All were instilled through his time at Westinghouse.
“‘We want you here, and we need you here.'”
Morris recalls fond memories of sports, art, and a well-rounded education at Westinghouse. The school, and especially football, “was tradition” — never more the case than for his family. Morris’s father, Richard Morris, was also a graduate of Westinghouse, a football quarterback, and a dedicated activist and community servant. Kahlil Morris followed in those footsteps.
People were just as, if not more, important than activities. Mr. Young was the principal of Westinghouse during Morris’s time as a student. For Morris, Mr. Young exemplified the spirit of Westinghouse and the Homewood community. He “kept with what was going-on on the streets” and worked to create a school environment where all were treated equally. No matter a student’s background or activities, Mr. Young would tell students: “’We want you here, and we need you here.’” Morris has never forgotten it.
Community and Challenges
A continued and lifelong resident of Homewood, Morris acknowledges community difficulties. In high school, he “came through some the worst violence in the city, especially in African American communities.” Today, those challenges remain.
Never ignoring the challenges, however, Morris wants people to remember that “[Westinghouse’s] Wall of Fame is stacked…[the] secrets are just locked.” Homewood holds a special place. Never backing away from a challenge, Morris has put them in view and faced them.
Strategize, Organize, Mobilize
“We as Homewood residents need to take back the streets in this community.”
These are the guideposts of Morris’s current work. Never forgetting his family or the Westinghouse experience, organizing came naturally. And, Morris notes, “once I got it, I ran with it.”
As of 2014, Morris served as President of Homewood Community Sports. Among their projects was revitalizing the little league program in the Homewood neighborhood — something Morris takes great pride in. Recalling run-down fields and worn-out uniforms, Morris took significant action. All with the support of the community. Now, “the little league program means to [Homewood] what the Steelers mean to Pittsburgh,” he says.
Morris was also a community organizer with Operation Better Block. In this position, Morris ran the boys’ group among other activities. He wishes to be seen as a mentor — someone to show young people that great things can still come from Homewood.
“Despite what you see on the news, Homewood is a great place,” Morris emphasizes. “We as Homewood residents need to take back the streets in this community.”
From familial experiences, to Westinghouse, and the greater Homewood community Kahlil Morris shows that passion, dedication, and community spirit still remains. It never left.
