The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation will celebrate four Pittsburghers whose work reflects the spirit of community leadership that defined the life and legacy of Agnes “Aggie” Brose at the 22nd Annual Aggie Brose Awards.

The Aggie Awards are named for BGC co-founder Aggie Brose, a lifelong Garfield advocate who spent more than four decades working with BGC. Aggie was known for bringing residents together, pushing institutions to invest in neighborhoods, and insisting that residents have a voice in decisions affecting their lives. She remained a central figure in BGC from its founding through her retirement as deputy director in 2017.

As BGC celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the Aggie Awards offer an opportunity to recognize how that legacy continues through people working across generations and sectors.

This year’s honorees are Nasir Crownie, William “Bill” Cornell, Cathy Niederberger, and Scott Brown.

Nasir Crownie became involved with BGC through the College and Career Readiness Program and Learn & Earn. A BGC-supported internship with KEF Robotics helped him discover his passion for IT engineering. He chose Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned his degree in electrical and computer engineering in 2026. He has since accepted a position as a software engineer with Capital One.

William “Bill” Cornell has been part of BGC for more than 20 years, including serving as board president and helping shape the organization’s direction and public voice. A longtime Pittsburgh resident and community volunteer, Cornell has committed to a neighborhood he saw as distressed but determined to revitalize itself. His decades of service to BGC reflect the importance of residents, volunteers, and board members who choose to invest their time and leadership in the future of their communities.

Cathy Niederberger has spent decades at the intersection of banking, community development, affordable housing, and neighborhood investment. During her career with PNC and its predecessor institutions, she helped connect financial resources with projects designed to strengthen Pittsburgh communities and expand opportunity.

Scott Brown has spent much of his career in community development and community-development banking, with work spanning neighborhood investment, affordable housing, financial education, and access to capital. His career reflects the broader movement of Pittsburgh leaders and institutions working to bring greater investment and opportunity to neighborhoods.

This year’s keynote speaker will bring the celebration even closer to home. Lauren Byrne Connelly, Aggie’s granddaughter, has built a career in community and economic development that reflects many of the values her grandmother championed. Today, Connelly serves as Director of Allegheny County Economic Development, leading efforts focused on economic development, community revitalization, housing and neighborhood investment across the county. She previously served as Executive Director of Lawrenceville Corporation and Lawrenceville United, working alongside residents and community partners on neighborhood planning and development. Connelly’s own path was shaped in part by watching Aggie’s work, making her keynote a meaningful opportunity to reflect on her grandmother’s legacy and the community development work that continues to inspire new generations.

BGC invites neighbors, partners, community leaders, and supporters to save the date and join us as we celebrate four honorees, remember Aggie, and mark 50 years of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation.