Arlington K-8 Honors Longtime HACP Tenant Council Representative With Black History Month Difference Maker Award

Ms. Janice Taylor, longtime HACP Scattered Sites South TC representative, was recently honored with a Black History Month Difference Maker Award from the 4th-grade class she volunteers in at Arlington Pre-K-8.

Ms. Janice Taylor is a difference maker - a dedicated volunteer and community leader who strives to enrich and impact the lives of others, who motivates and inspires them to progress and embrace change.

The longtime Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) Scattered Sites South Tenant Council representative has impacted the lives of students at Pittsburgh Public Schools Arlington Pre-K-8 for the last 17 years. She volunteers three days a week through the Foster Grandparent Programas a classroom grandparent and helps the students improve their math skills.

She and another classroom grandma, Grandma Solomon, were honored during a February 2026 ceremony.

"Today, as we celebrate Black History Month, we are honored to recognize two very special members of our school community - our classroom grandmas," a speech from Mrs. Keller's 4th-grade class reads. "Grandma Solomon and Ms. Taylor share their time, love, and wisdom with our students. They support our classrooms, encourage our children, and help make our school a place where students feel cared for and valued."

Students also shared their gratitude to Ms. Taylor and Grandma Solomon.

"Ms. Taylor, thank you for helping us with math whenever we need it and showing us different ways to solve a problem. We love having you in Ms. Keller's classroom! You are super nice and a math genius," writes Camauri.

Unique writes, "You both make us want to be and do our best! Our school day would not be the same without either of you. Thank you again for all of your love and support."

Ms. Taylor said she had the time and thought it would be fun to help students reach their potential.

"Seeing the kids learn and understand math is the best part," she added. "Math is important. These are skills that they will need for the rest of their lives, and their phones and tablets aren't always going to work. They need to learn these skills without electronics."

She said she was humbled to be honored with the award.

"It was wonderful because it made me realize that they appreciate someone coming in and helping them learn," she said.

Ms. Janice Taylor is pictured in the 1970s while serving with the U.S. Air Force.

Originally from Philadelphia, Ms. Taylor joined the U.S. Air Force in service to her country. There, she worked in inventory management from 1971-1979.

She met her former husband, a Marine from Pittsburgh, on the Air Force base. They moved to Pittsburgh, and had three children - Lamont, Keshell, and Brandi.

Later in life, Ms. Taylor studied social studies at CCAC Northside and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Carlow College (now University) in 2000. She worked at the former Lord & Taylor Downtown before deciding to become involved in the Wesley Family Services Foster Grandparent Program.

She has been an HACP resident and Tenant Council representative for at least 20 years.

"I wanted to join the Tenant Council because, just like at the school, I wanted to represent my area, try to accomplish things, and make our neighborhood better," she said.

"Ms. Janice Taylor has been a driving force on our Resident Advisory Board," Michelle Sandidge, HACP Chief Community Affairs Officer, said. "She keeps us accountable and is a positive support for HACP creativity and change. Her embrace of residents and staff with a willingness to help solve problems represents the essence of what TC reps should do. We are certainly better because of her."

In her spare time, Ms. Taylor is active in her church, spends time with her family (including her six grandchildren), and belongs to a book club.

"My faith in the Lord is what has helped keep me going and enabled me to do all of these things," she added.

Ms. Taylor encourages anyone aged 55 or older who has the time to volunteer with the Foster Grandparent Program. She said foster grandparents volunteer in classrooms, at daycares, and during after-school programs.

"It will be a worthwhile thing to help someone else out and make a difference."

If any HACP resident is interested in serving on their respective community's Tenant Council, they can contact HACP Community Program Liaison Josh Pusateri at: 412-456-5000, Ext. 3328.

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