TAAG Celebrates 10 Years of Advocacy

Born out of tragedy, group has widened its scope, sharpened its mission

By Vickie Babyak
The Tube City Almanac
October 01, 2024
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Fawn Walker-Montgomery, chief executive officer and co-founder of Take Action Advocacy Group, shares information about the advocacy and programs that her organization provides. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Take Action Advocacy Group marked a decade of advocacy with a celebration, a panel discussion and a vision for the future.

Founded in 2014 as Take Action Mon Valley, TAAG’s 10th anniversary celebration was held Sept. 22 in the Student Community Center’s Ostermayer Room at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

The group was sparked out of a discussion between then-McKeesport City Council Member Fawn Walker-Montgomery, community member Autumn Perkins, and Walker-Montgomery’s cousin, Mae Herriott Hudson.

Hudson had lost a son to violence, and Perkins noted that in Pittsburgh, community advocates were demanding justice for victims of homicide. We need justice, too, in the Mon Valley, Perkins said.

Courtney Thompkins of McKeesport said that she joined TAAG to fight against injustice that she, herself, had witnessed and experienced. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Walker-Montgomery and Hudson initiated community meetings in McKeesport to address gun violence and from those meetings, Take Action Mon Valley was born.

“I credit my cousin Mae for using the pain of her losing a child to inspire TAAG,” Walker-Montgomery said.

After dinner, a moderator and panel of five chapter and board members discussed TAAG’s journey. The group shared personal stories, and talked about their envision for the organization’s future.

Soleil Meade, TAAG senior branding and program manager, served as moderator. The panel included Nowbuild Adewole, Courtney Thompkins, Walker-Montgomery, McKeesport Council Member Amber Webb, and former Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby.

Meade began the panel discussion by introducing herself and said she is thrilled to do her work with TAAG. “This work brings me much richness and value to my life, it’s priceless,” Meade said.  

Members had different reasons for their involvement with TAAG, but all said they have a common goal of providing representation to those burdened by social injustice, and to empower people through grassroots community organizing, and political education.

“It’s important to reach out to those who need us the most,” Webb said.

Although the work can seem thankless at times, she said, TAAG addresses issues that people don’t always want to talk about, adding that she appreciates its outreach and advocacy.

From left to right, Fawn Walker-Montgomery of McKeesport, Amber Webb of McKeesport, and Nickole Nesby of Duquesne participate in a panel discussion. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Besides a number of workshops, training and consultancy, TAAG is presently in partnership with Women for a Healthy Environment, focusing on environmental justice; specifically working with the City of McKeesport to inform the community, and government officials on the danger of lead poisoning.

Nowbuild Adewole of McKeesport said he joined TAAG because he believes in McKeesport, and that more men in his community should be involved in advocacy.

Walker-Montgomery also spoke about TAAG’s virtual liberation wellness sessions being offered in person and virtual. The program is facilitated by Black practitioners. Classes are particularly tailored to the needs of those experiencing chronic illness or trauma from racism, she said, utilizing therapeutic approaches, and creating a supportive environment.

TAAG provides services to people of color who are often stereotyped, stigmatized and held back by manipulated systems, Walker-Montgomery said. Depending on programs available, the organization occasionally reaches out to other marginalized groups such as women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people experiencing poverty.

Nowbuild Adewole of McKeesport said he joined TAAG because he believes in McKeesport and encouraged more men to become involved in advocacy. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Vickie Babyak is a Dravosburg-based writer and photographer. She can be reached at vbabyak@yahoo.com.

Originally published October 01, 2024.

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