An Interview with Arthur Stroyd Jr., LP VIII – Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Board Member Emeritus and 2024 Aradhna Award Winner
Arthur Stroyd Jr., LP VIII – Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Board Member Emeritus and Aradhna Award Winner poses with Pete Mendes, LP XXIV – Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Board Chair, Jenn Beer LDI XVII, YALP IV – Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. President and CEO and Evan Rosenberg, LDI VIII – Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Board Member.
“I have consistently tried to pay [my] gifts forward by devoting whatever skills, hard work, imagination and expertise that I may have for the benefit of others in the region.”
– Arthur Stroyd Jr., LP VIII – Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Board Member Emeritus and Aradhna Award Winner
Q: What does community leadership mean to you?
A: Community Leadership for me has involved being unselfish in situations in which I’m able to give back where I have received much. I’ve been consistently blessed throughout my legal career, in my personal life and with many wonderful opportunities, and I have consistently tried to pay those gifts forward by devoting whatever skills, hard work, imagination and expertise that I may have for the benefit of others in the Region.
Q: What is your proudest achievement as a community leader?
A: It is impossible for me to answer this question because I cannot begin to prioritize whatever I’ve been able to achieve; however, receiving the Aradhna Award is certainly close to my highpoint because it symbolizes contributions to Greater Pittsburgh communities that I have been proud to make. Having worked closely with Aradhna Oliphant, who personifies the traits, accomplishments and work ethic of an exceptional community leader, I continue to view her as a role model for leadership and for selfless community involvement, so this Award ranks very high on my list.
As the Aradhna Award recipient, Art selected The Neighborhood Academy as the beneficiary of the $1,100 Aradhna Award Gift. The Neighborhood Academy is a faith-based, college preparatory, independent school whose mission is to break the cycle of generational poverty by empowering youth and preparing them for college and citizenship.Learn more about the organization here.
Q: Please share a regional issue that is important to you. How can individuals help move this issue forward?
A:Reversing Pittsburgh’s downward economic spiral is the most important challenge facing us. We need to move the Region ahead by attracting more businesses and in turn more jobs; by incentivizing Expats to return, bringing their small businesses with them; by helping the black middle class and migrants feel welcome so that they can economically flourish; and by involving young people in beautifying our neighborhoods so that they feel more invested in a vibrant community.
Anyone who wants to help achieve this admittedly ambitious agenda can join me and a growing number of concerned citizens in an innovative project known as “Pittsburgh Tomorrow” by contacting us at pghtomorrow@pittsburghquarterly.com .
Q: What is your hope for the future of this region?
A: I am optimistic that the vigor of our Region can be reignited so that it becomes the place where everyone can thrive.
