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Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 8am - 3:30pm


Conference Schedule

8am - Breakfast & Registration

8:30am - Opening Remarks

8:50am - Breakout Sessions

  • Session 1A: From Conflict to Collaboration: Strategies to Strengthen Tenant Stability
  • Session 1B: Let's Talk! Demystifying the Reasonable Accommodation Process
  • Session 1C: Racial Wealth Gap Simulation (Please note that participation in this session is limited. If you would like to attend, please make sure you select this session when you register).

10:30am - Breakout Sessions

  • Session 2A: Immigration & Housing: Navigating A Changing Landscape
  • Session 2B: Fair Housing Focus: A Lightning Round
  • Session 2C: Racial Wealth Gap Simulation (Please note that participation in this session is limited. If you would like to attend, please make sure you select this session when you register).

12:00pm - Lunch & Keynote Address: Hill Harper

1:45pm - Breakout Sessions

  • Session 3A: Working for Inclusive Communities: the connection between Civil Rights Outreach and Housing
  • Session 3B: Fundamentals of Disability-Related Housing Investigations 

3:15pm - Closing Remarks


More detailed session information coming soon!


Questions? Contact bmellinger@pa.gov.

This free conference aims to bring together leaders, housing professionals, and housing advocates throughout Pennsylvania, breaking down housing barriers, connecting change-makers, and equipping participants with the knowledge they need for advance housing justice.


Tickets are limited - reserve your spot today!

Meet our Keynote Speaker: Hill Harper

Hill Harper is a humanitarian, an award-winning actor, best-selling author, entrepreneur, and he was the first African American Democratic US Senate Candidate from Michigan in nearly three decades. Harper starred in ABC’s #1 television drama, The Good Doctor, as well as in numerous television and film projects including CSI:NY, He Got Game and Lackawanna Blues.


Harper has served as the National Spokesperson for several leading social justice 

organizations including The Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Innocence Project, One Fair Wage; and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the National Black Bank Fund and was named Honorary National Co-Chair of the Redevelopment of Black Wall Street. President Obama appointed Harper to the President's Cancer Panel, where he contributed to shaping cancer policy recommendations to the White House.


Additionally, Harper has authored four New York Times bestsellers: Letters to a Young Brother, Letters to a Young Sister, Letters to an Incarcerated Brother, The Conversation and his award-winning book, The Wealth Cure. that addresses ways to solve the racial wealth gap. Letters to a Young Brother and was named “Best Book for Young Adults” by the American Library Association. Harper has been recognized with seven NAACP Image Awards, for his writing and acting.


As an extension of his empowerment books, Harper founded the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation and has established The Pierce and Hill Harper Arts Foundation. Harper graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was named Valedictorian of his department. Harper then graduated with a J.D. 

(cum laude) from Harvard Law School, as well as with a Master’s Degree with honors from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He holds ten honorary doctoral degrees including doctorates from Howard University, Providence College, and Dillard University. Harper is a proud Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.


As an investor and business owner, Harper owns The Roasting Plant, a successful coffee franchise in downtown Detroit. He is co-founder of A-Frame Brands and is co-owner of the award-winning New Orleans hotel, International House. He sits on the Board of Directors of LOVED01, John Legend’s successful skincare brand. Harper owns several commercial and residential rental properties in Detroit, Los Angeles and Newark, NJ.


Hill Harper’s unwavering commitment to individual empowerment, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and social and economic justice has made him a highly sought-after speaker on the global stage. His passion for uplifting others and creating lasting change continues to place him at the forefront of these crucial conversations. In 2004 and 2014, People Magazine named him one of their Sexiest Men Alive…he is anxiously awaiting the call for 2025!

Venue Information


Address: 600 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222


Accessibility: The Pittsburgh Wyndham Grand Downtown is a fully wheelchair accessible venue. ASL interpretation will be provided at all sessions. If you need additional accommodations, please contact bmellinger@pa.gov.