Future ACH Clear Pathways MVPs Play Major Role in HACP Citywide Tailgate Event

PHOTO BY MICHAEL HARRIS/ACH CLEAR PATHWAYS ACH Clear Pathways students, from left: Ta-Nyiah Benjamin, Ezra Harris, and Jaymir Walls are destined for great things, and hope to inspire fellow youth. They will be featured during the HACP Citywide Tailgate Event on Friday, April 24, 2026.

Three ACH Clear Pathways rising stars hope to make a big impact on fellow youth during the April 24 HACP Citywide Tailgate Event, being held from 3-7 p.m. at ACH Clear Pathways, 510 Heldman Street.

Ta-Nyiah Benjamin, 16, and Ezra "Ezzy" Harris and Jaymir "Jammer" Walls, both 14, strive to be role models for fellow young people, and they are certainly living up to their aspirations.

These future MVPs will be featured during the Citywide Tailgate Event. Ta-Nyiah has designed the giant appreciation card for former Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin that guests will sign during the event, and both Ezzy and Jammer will serve as panelists during the Youth Career Forum, set to begin at 5:15 p.m. NFL Music Supervisor Joshua Sutherland and RCA Sony Records Associate Director of Marketing Jourdan Washington will also serve as panelists during the forum.

Hosted by the HACP, its nonprofit affiliate, Clean Slate E3, and ACH Clear Pathways, the event is sponsored by Weatherspoon & Williams LLC, the Jourdan Kelli Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation and Championship Chase TV.

Other features of this FREE, family-friendly event include:

• Hands-on tech aboard our TWO W.O.W. CyberBus mobile computer labs
• A chance to sign the giant appreciation card for former Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin - designed by Ta-Niyah
• Arcade games aboard the CheatCode Gaming mobile trailer
• Free food and Pittsburgh merch
• Raffles and giveaways

Ta-Nyiah Benjamin

Ta-Nyiah, an Urban Pathways sophomore, has been attending ACH Clear Pathways since she was 4, and she credits the program for developing her love of the arts.

"We always worked with different mediums, like painting, mosaics, drawings, and sculptures," she said. "I find art as a way to express myself; I use it not only as a hobby, but an outlet for how I feel."

Ta-Nyiah Benjamin, 16, designed the giant appreciation card for former Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin that guests can sign during the HACP Citywide Tailgate Event on Friday, April 24.

Ta-Nyiah's skills and appreciation of the arts led her to be chosen to design the giant appreciation card for Coach Tomlin.

"It's a representation of the Pittsburgh spirit," she said of the card's design. "It highlights Coach Tomlin's impact on not only the Steelers, but the City of Pittsburgh."

She added she hopes Coach Tomlin appreciates and cherishes the card.

"It also represents appreciation - not only by me, but by those who will be signing it," she said. "It shows how much he is appreciated by the Pittsburgh community."

Ta-Nyiah drew the mock-ups herself and did much of the painting. She received help with shading and painting from some fellow students and ACH Clear Pathways Visual Arts Director Takara Canty.

She is excited to unveil the card during the tailgate event.

"ACH is the reason I like art and explore it as much as I do," she said. "It's grown my skills and helped get me recognized in the art world, getting me places I never thought I'd go."

Ta-Nyiah hopes to pursue her art as a hobby while embarking on a career in neonatal nursing.

"I like babies and children, and I want to help children with birth defects, help them survive."

She said her role models are her mom, Kayla Tarver, and Ms. Takara.

Ta-Nyiah hopes the Citywide Tailgate Event's Youth Career Forum will help other youth realize "there are a lot of opportunities for kids like us."

"Doors open as long as they pursue their talents and grow them," she added. "My advice for fellow youth: Pursue your hobbies and what you love to do so it can open pathways to your future. Don't rush anything; let it all play out."

Jaymir 'Jammer' Walls

Jammer said he feels the panel will be a good experience for him to inspire fellow youth to do the right thing.

"I hope the forum helps them do the right thing by getting good grades, staying out of trouble, and hanging out with the right people," he said.

Jammer, a St. Benedict the Moor School student-athlete, has been playing both football and basketball since he was 4. He plays for both the school's football team and AAU traveling basketball, and will soon bring his drive and talent to the football field for the Central Catholic Vikings.

He aspires to pursue a career with the NFL or the NBA.

"I grew up around sports. My role models are my dad, brother, and granddad. Sports have taught me responsibility, character," he said.

Jammer has been attending ACH Clear Pathways since he was about 5 years old, and developed a love of drumming with the program.

"It's like family here," he added. "We learn a lot of things like karate, drumming, and painting," noting the program has helped him to grow as a leader.

His advice for his fellow youth: "Don't ruin your chances."

Ezra 'Ezzy' Harris

Ezzy is also a student-athlete at St. Benedict the Moor School where he shines on the basketball court.

He was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. His mother, Tyian Battle, founded and serves as executive director of ACH Clear Pathways. A former HACP resident and voucher holder, Ms. Battle also started her own real estate development company, Half the Battle LLC, and successfully redeveloped property in her own Hill District community.

Ezzy runs his own snack shop, Ezzy's Snacks 'n Stuff, during the ACH Clear Pathways summer camp where he sells chips, pop, sports drinks, and chicken sandwiches to camp-goers. He also started his own clothing line, Radiant Stars, where he is beginning to explore a possible future as a fashion designer.

He said he started his businesses because he wanted to start making his own money, and stop asking his mom for hers. He added the store has taught him responsibility, how to manage money, and social skills.

Also a gifted drummer, Ezzy has been playing since he was 10 under the instruction of Javon Rushton. In February, he was able to showcase his talent during a Black History Month celebration for the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.

He plans to continue pursuing a career in business management and will start studying the field at Seton LaSalle High School in the fall.

Ezzy wants to be a role model for fellow youth because he wants to teach them to go down the right path. As an entrepreneur, Ezzy hopes to solve problems for people and make something to help others.

His advice for fellow youth: "I hope you never give up on your dreams and always try something new."

Ezzy's role models include his cousins: Jonathan Young, Jai'Noah Martin, and Andrew Burgher.

He has been at ACH since he was in the womb, and said the organization has helped him to grow.

"I've had so many people older than me watching over me and teaching me right from wrong," he said. "Send your kids to ACH. They will grow a bond with friends they never thought they could."

Don't miss a chance to cheer on these incredible youth and more during our Citywide Tailgate Event from 3-7 p.m. Friday, April 24, at ACH Clear Pathways, 510 Heldman St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Media Contacts: Michelle Sandidge, HACP Chief Community Affairs Officer, 412-456-5058, [email protected].

Tyian Battle, ACH Clear Pathways Executive Director, 412-815-0271, [email protected].