Erin Gannon in the podcast studio at Point Park University Center for Media Innovation. Erin works for ACHIEVA and calls Look Who’s Here! her “side hustle.”
The founding host of our program Look Who’s Here! All-Abilities Media, Erin Gannon, as well as arts and entertainment host Mark Steidl, are both finalists for Western Pennsylvania Press Club Golden Quill awards.
“Erin and Mark are driving forces behind this program, and I’m thrilled to see their hard work recognized,” says Jennifer Szweda Jordan, founder of Unabridged Press and executive producer of Look Who’s Here! “This is just the beginning.”
As the only finalist in the student podcast features category, Mark, who studies psychology at Community College of Allegheny County, is already the de facto winner.
The press club is recognizing Mark for his interview with Ann Talman, an actress who created a one-woman play about her relationship with her late brother, Woody, who had cerebral palsy. Mark, too, has cerebral palsy, and uses his DynaVox machine to communicate.
Mark Steidl, a CCAC student, is also a host for Look Who’s Here!
The judges recognized Erin for her interview, She Set Them Free: Retiring Exec’s Role in Improving Life for Disabled. In this piece, Erin speaks with Marsha Blanco, recently retired CEO of ACHIEVA, and lifelong advocate for individuals with disabilities. Erin is an employee of ACHIEVA’s early intervention department.
Unabridged Press is grateful for the support of Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh in this project. Erin and Jennifer met through Emmaus. Erin lives in an Emmaus group home, and Jennifer works as a direct support professional for Emmaus. Look Who’s Here! got its start when Erin heard that Jennifer worked in radio, and said “That’s what I want to do.” We are also grateful for the partnership of Andrew Conte and Point Park University’s Center for Media Innovation, where many of our video episodes are filmed. Our family, friends, and professional associates have also been instrumental in our success! 
Click here for the full list of award finalists and information about how to celebrate the best of journalism in our area and support its perpetuity. Congratulations to all of our friends in the media!