1990s – Westinghouse Stories

Donta Green graduated from The House in 2005. He remembered growing up in the neighborhood.

“I remember when we were young, we would go outside as soon as the sun rose and we wouldn’t want to come in until our parents made us, going over another kid’s house or playing in front of those kid’s house, roller skating, basketball, all the different activities that we used to do, it’s not the same anymore,” Green said.

When Green was at Westinghouse in the early 2000s, he became part of a family and community tradition.

“To be able to go to schools with my friends the kids that I grew up with, it was pretty cool,” he said. “Another thing too about my school is the teachers that were at Westinghouse at that time were a lot of the same teachers who taught my mom, and my entire family went to Westinghouse, my mom, my uncles, my great uncles, they all went to Westinghouse.”

Green became the head coach of the football team at his alma mater in 2019 and began building what the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called the “Green Machine” as the number of players went from 23 to 55 in a few short years. Coach Green has now led the Westinghouse Bulldogs to three City League Championships as well as the state championship game, but it’s not all about winning for him and his players.

“The goal honestly is to be as involved in the community as we can, so we’re always looking for different partnerships and different people to help us provide those opportunities for our young people. That’s everything for us,” Green said. “Winning games is fine. It’s really cool for kids that are walking in their own neighborhood and say, you know what, I did that or I cleaned this lot or I was a part of this program when I was in this part of my neighborhood. I think that creates a pride in people’s community.”

“At the end of the day, there has to be some demonstration of selfless servitude that you have to demonstrate in order to be an effective team player, and that’s something that we pay very close attention to. We like to call it a character-driven program where we focus on the character, we focus on academics and social skills, and we believe the athletic work will come on its own. It’s a tried and it’s a true method, and this year is a result of that.”

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.

Category Archives: 1990s

“To be as Involved in the Community as We Can”: Coach Green and Westinghouse Football

“Once I got it, I ran with it”: Kahlil Morris and Homewood Organizing Today

Football, Family, and Westinghouse

Community and Challenges

Strategize, Organize, Mobilize