Vernard Alexander serves as the new Director of the Community Engagement Center (CEC) in Homewood, effective Nov. 13, 2023. As director, Vernard facilitates collaborations between community organizations, activities and Pitt researchers, staff and students; supports the CEC’s neighborhood activities; and oversees daily operations of the Homewood CEC and its staff.
A longtime Pittsburgh resident, Vernard previously served as the Executive Director of E3 Alliance Pittsburgh, which works to build the black and brown business pipeline in Western Pennsylvania. In this role, Vernard served as a facilitator, collaborator and trust builder, connecting entrepreneurs to programs, funding opportunities and community resources to help them succeed. In his time at E3 Alliance, Vernard recruited more than 1,000 entrepreneurs to enroll in local entrepreneur programs and improved relationships with financial institutions resulting in more than $2 million provided in small business loans.
Referred to throughout Pittsburgh as “The Connecting King,” Vernard is often the go-to resource for many looking for support and guidance. In 2006, he started the Minority Networking Exchange, which brings small businesses together to network, collaborate, and learn. In 2018, Vernard launched CKV Suites, a multi-purpose space that hosts a variety of business and social networking events. Vernard’s proficiency in social media engagement and connection have garnered him a reputation as a successful content creator and fundraiser for businesses, nonprofits, and politicians.
Vernard currently serves as the Secretary of the board for Invest PGH and is a board member of the Alliance for Police Accountability and A Dream House. Vernard received a Master in Curriculum & Instruction and a Bachelor in Secondary/Social Studies Education, both from Point Park University.
About the CEC in Homewood
The CEC in Homewood is part of Pitt’s Neighborhood Commitments, the University’s flagship place-based community partnerships, focused on the Oakland, Homewood, Hill District, and Greater Hazelwood neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, which provide long-term commitments of staffing, infrastructure and coordination to facilitate mutually beneficial collaborations between Pitt and the local community.