“Raising the Roof on the Rotunda”
A Celebration of Community and Culture
hosted by the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation
The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation’s bold vision for revitalizing the historic Rotunda took a major step forward on May 15 as more than 330 community members gathered for Raising the Roof on the Rotunda, a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and community. The event raised $94,000 to help transform the former B’nai Israel Synagogue into a new hub for creativity, youth programming, and neighborhood gathering in Pittsburgh’s East End.
Held inside the awe-inspiring Rotunda, the evening was emceed by artist and advocate DS Kinsel, who welcomed guests with energy and gratitude. “You’re standing inside a building with deep roots in this neighborhood and huge potential for what’s next,” he said, following a high-energy performance by the WACONGO Drummers and Dancers. Guests enjoyed a rich mix of live music, dance, and visual art previewing the creative programming envisioned for the space. T.J. Harris of Harris Event Group brought the event and space to life by seamlessly handling DJing, lighting, audio, and announcements, creating an atmosphere that kept the energy high and the evening flowing. Students from Urban Academy Charter School, which formerly occupied the site, performed a stirring string ensemble in a tribute to youth empowerment. BOOM Concepts artists Cue Perry and Takara Canty created live paintings flanking the stage, as the evening unfolded with performances by jazz guitarist Ken Karsh, mezzo-soprano Sara Stock Mayo, and the dynamic Steve Vance Pop Trio Violins. Food and drinks from Common Plea Catering, Leona’s Ice Cream, Third Space Bakery, Market District, Two Frays Brewery, and Trace Brewing added to the celebration. Los Sabrosos Dance Co. closed the night with a joyful participatory performance under the Rotunda’s soaring dome. The event also honored two civic leaders. Robert M. Jones Jr., President and CEO of Brothers and Sisters Emerging (B.A.S.E.), was recognized for decades of grassroots mentorship. State Senator Jay Costa was honored for his advocacy and investments in neighborhood development. Awards were presented by BGC Executive Director Rick Swartz, who reminded attendees that “this space is more than bricks and mortar. It is a promise to the future of this community.” Closing remarks by BGC board member Jarmele Fairclough thanked attendees and sponsors, including Beacon Communities LLC, Duolingo, Dollar Bank, BOOM Concepts, First National Bank, and Jendoco Construction.The Rotunda project, led by BGC, aims to create The Arts and Events Center at the Negley Rotunda, a destination for local artists, youth programs, exhibitions, and events. Thursday’s fundraiser was more than a celebration. It marked the start of a movement. Donations are still being accepted at RotundaPGH.com. Together, the community is raising the roof and building a future where art, culture, and opportunity belong to everyone.
Check out the Articles about the Event from The Jewish Chronicle and WESA
Event Chairs:
- Robert Fragasso, CFP Board Emeritus®, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fragasso Advisors
- DS Kinsel, Co-Founder BOOM Concepts & Cultural Agitator/Creative Entrepreneur
- Carla Frost, Vice President & Corporate Responsibility Officer, KeyBank
Honorees:
- Robert M. Jones Jr. – President & CEO of Brothers and Sisters Emerging, Coach of Garfield Gators Football
- Senator Jay Costa, State Senator
Host Committee:
- Adele Sufrin
- Alyson Bonavoglia
- Anqwenique Kinsel
- Autumn Young
- Brian Kubat
- Carla Frost
- Cathy Green Samuels
- Craig Kornick
- D.S Kinsel
- Elena Alves
- Ellen Kessler
- Gabriel Skamla
- Gregory Heisler
- James Wagner
- Jarmele Fairclaugh
- Jennifer Tyler
- John Axtell
- John Wright
- Julia Clemm
- Lillian Bahati Sogga
- Linda S. Simon
- Mark Peterson
- Melissa McSwigan
- Michael Polite
- Morton Stanfield
- Nina Gibbs
- Rick Swartz
- Robert Fragasso
- Sam Braver
- Sandy Simon
- Sara Stock Mayo
- Sherree Goldstein
- Thomas Agnew
- William Cornell
- Zach Restelli
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Sponsors as of May 30, 2025
The Globe Sponsors
Beacon Communities LLC
BOOM Concepts
Dollar Bank
DuoLingo
First National Bank
I.B.E.W. Local Union No. 5
JENDOCO Construction
Peter C Dozzi Family Foundation
Robert Levin & Kerry Bron
Melissa McSwigan & Robert Raczka
The Cupola Sponsors
Fragasso Financial Advisors
Linda Simon
Mistick Construction
Paula Garrick Klein
Rothschild Doyno Collaborative
The Urban Reach Foundation
William & Debra Demchak
Michael Polite
The Dome Sponsors
American General Services Corporation: Nat Cohen ESQ.
Baum Blvd Automotive
Bridgeway Capital
Caroline E. Boyce
Cathy and Mike Samuels
Cathy Reifer & Sam Braver
Children’s Home Of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center
Cierra & Brian Maloney
David and Charlotte Toal
Deborah and Alexandra Hart
Diana Ames & John Axtell
Ellen & Jack Kessler
Friendship Community Group
Keybank
Pittsburgh Glass Center
PNC Bank
Susan Berman & Doug Kress
Tasty Taquitos
Wagner Agency, Inc. Insurance
Friends of the Rotunda
Adi Rapport
Alix Paul
Alyson Bonavoglia
Andrea Solomon-Eller
Ann Roth
Atiya Jones
Betty Rich
Beverly Brinn
Brian Alderman
Brigette Bethea
Brittini Wright
Cheryl Capezzuti
Christine Solie & Karen Oosterhous
Common Plea Catering
Dana Gold
David & Jill Weiss
David Lagnese
Debbey Altman-Diamant
Debbie Berkovitz
Deborah Polk
Eileen Kaplan
Elizabeth Chodos
Esther Nathanson
Event Source- Pittsburgh
George Wittenberg
Geraldine Tessler
Giant Eagle Bakery
Grace Auden
Greg Calvimontes
Hannah Mormer
Harris Event Group
Harry Chizeck
Harry Hochheiser
Heather Spitzer
Ina Gumberg
Irene Biler
Jarmele Fairclaugh
Jennifer Tyler
Jewish Chronicle
Jody and Steve Choder
John Katz
John Wright
Joseph Hall
Joseph Reynolds
Karl Thomas
Kelsey Myers
Kim Flurry
Laura Swiss, Rick Swartz, LIza Swartz, & Reuben Swartz
Leona’s Ice Cream
Linda Simon
Louise Mayo
M Jean Clickner & Jon Pushinsky
Maggie Feinstein
Maggie Richardson
Mary Anne Mason & Mark Peterson
Michele Clarke
Miracle Jones
Nancy Bernstein
Nancy Gohring
Peggy Fiedler
Rachael Heisler
Rachel Rosenfeld
Rema Hord
Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group
Ronnie Zuhlke
Sallyann Kluz
Sandy Simon
Sara Hackett
Sara Segel
Sara Stock Mayo
Square Cafe
Susan Blackman
Taylor Dozier
Teddi & David Horvitz
Third Space Bakery
Trace Brewing
Two Frays Brewery
Urban Academy Charter School
Verity Auden-Stevens
William Cornell