ABOUT ACH CLEAR PATHWAYS

Vision

• Engage youth in and expose youth to visual and performing arts. 

• Develop and unveil talent

• Help youth invest in their future 

• Provide enriching new experiences through the arts 

• Develop partnerships with agencies that complement the mission and vision of ACH Clear Pathways. 

Tyian Battle

Executive Director

Tyian Battle, founder of ACH Clear Pathways, received her associate degree in business administration from Duff’s Business Institute in 1999, and graduated in 2009 from Point Park University with a bachelor’s degree in business science/organizational leadership.

Battle worked with the YWCA Child Care Information Service as an eligibility coordinator working with families who were in need of government funding to help pay for childcare. The majority of her clients received Tanf/Food Stamp benefits from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.

Battle also worked with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 as an administrative assistant in the speech and language department. In this role, she maintained confidential student records in the Pennsylvania Child Accounting data for more than 50 speech pathologists.

With her education and work experience, Battle registered ACH Clear Pathways as a non-profit organization with the State of Pennsylvania in 2010. In 2011, the Internal Revenue Service classified ACH Clear Pathways as a charitable organization, exempt under section501©(3). Its purpose is to enrich the lives of children and youth in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s inner-city Hill District community, and is dedicated to the memory of her son, Amon Cashmere Harris (2001-2009). The United Way of Allegheny County designated ACH Clear Pathways as a Contribution Agency in 2010.

Since then, in carrying out its mission, ACH Clear Pathways has partnered with the Hill House Association, Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Public School District, City of Pittsburgh, NHL Pittsburgh Penguins, Art Expression, Ozanam Inc., Wesley AME Church, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University, YouthWorks Inc., Bloomfield-Garfield Corp, American Red Cross, Private Industry Council, UPMC, United Way of Allegheny County, Community Empowerment Association, Phase 4 Learning Center, Neighborhood Learning Alliance and the American Heart Association. Corporate supporters also include sponsorship opportunities with Duquesne Light, Highmark, Macy’s, PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., American Beverage Corp, Lincoln Learning Solutions, FGLM Law Firm, Castle Brook Development, First National Bank, Massaro Corporation, Point Park University, Savoy, Triangle Payroll Services, Giant Eagle, SD Transit Inc. and WPXI.

Battle has been recognized and awarded with the “Simply Excellent Award” by Women for Excellence; the Baden Academy Charter School’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Dream-Makers Award;” YouthWorks “You Make a Difference Award;” and the 2016 Professional StrongAward,which celebrates women and young women committed to empowering their communities.

Battle has been chosen as one of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 2016 Women of Excellence, and selected to participate in the 2016 XXXIII Leadership Pittsburgh Inc., a highly-selective initiative geared toward established leaders, designed to examine critical community issues, enhance civic-engagement, and empower participants to impact their business and the regional agenda at a leadership level.

The City of Pittsburgh issued a proclamation honoring Battle for her commitment to enriching the lives of children who participate in ACH Clear Pathways. On July 21, 2011, the City of Pittsburgh declared “ACH Clear Pathways Day” here in our most livable City of Pittsburgh.

As the founder and executive director of ACH Clear Pathways, Battle’s plans to expand ACH Clear Pathways to other urban communities within the City of Pittsburgh to carry out its mission and “Nurture the Hearts of the Arts.” Future plans also include the development of an Arts Learning Center that will service youth, adults and senior citizens with community art programming.

It is the goal of ACH Clear Pathways to serve children and families who have not had the opportunity to thrive in the arts. ACH Clear Pathways will play an active role in the transformation of children, families and the Hill District Community.

Board Members

Chair: Alison Smith, Esq. 

PNC Bank

Vice Chair: Frank Rapp, Esq. 

Feldstein, Grinberg, Lang, McKee Law Firm

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Treasurer: Antonie Smalls

CIM Investment Management, Inc. 

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Secretary: Dr. Jessica Mann

Duquesne University

Jake Wheatley Jr.

Pa House Representative

Kimberly Slater-Wood

Alcosan Manager of Municipal Relation & Outreach

Dominique Fisher

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Case Manager

Evelyn Foster

Management Science Associates Inc. 

Melvena Daniels

University of Pittsburgh

Linnette Booker

Enterprise Data Management, PNC 

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Deanna Fracul

Duquesne University 

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Deidra Washington

Independent Consultant 

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Antoine Smalls

CIM Investment Management, Inc.