Demeatria Boccella sees the beauty in everyone and everything.
The Shadyside resident has built ground-breaking platforms that celebrate the cultural contributions of the African Diaspora and continues to broaden global understanding of Black arts, fashion and beauty. She founded FashionAFRICANA, a program that attracts global talent, designers and leaders to Pittsburgh, and she strives to be a role model for young people.
“Words cannot explain how grateful I am for her to be my mother,” said Boccella’s daughter Adia, at a ceremony celebrating her mother on Wednesday inside Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s office. ”Growing up, I was never, ever taught to hide. I was taught to love myself and be confident in myself and I will always be so grateful for that opportunity to thrive. Thanks to you mama, I’ve been able to be in rooms where I’ve been able to excel. I’ve been able to surpass these boundaries that I might have set for myself before looking at you as an inspiration.”
Boccella finds beauty wherever she goes, said Gainey, who presented her with a proclamation.
“In a city that needs unity, you define that,” Gainey said. “You have made people that have not been seen be seen. What you’ve done with your performances has made this city richer. You walk with confidence and you have been courageous in everything that you do. You have changed how people see life and you have become an inspiration to many.”
Gainey referred to Boccella as a queen of visionary leadership, with an unwavering commitment to the arts that profoundly shaped the cultural landscape of the city. Gainey’s wife, Michelle, recognized Boccella’s work on the team that helped dress her and the mayor for his inauguration and gala.
“I would not have looked that beautiful and polished without Demeatria,” Michelle Gainey said.
At Boccella’s most recent charity event — the Africanism Gala in November at Heinz Hall with the theme of a love letter to Black women — Michelle Gainey said she could not have felt more loved in that room.
When Boccella is present, creativity is stirring, said Denise Turner, executive director of the August Wilson House in the Hill District, where Boccella is director of programming.
“When she walks into a room, she commands it and she’s humble about it,” Turner said.
Boccella has served on various boards and advisory committees across Pittsburgh’s arts community. She was director of grants programs for the Multicultural Arts Initiative at The Pittsburgh Foundation, a consultant to the White House for the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, curated “Costumes of The Wiz Live!,” a retrospective of the work of Broadway and film costume designer Paul Tazewell and produced an exhibition of Hollywood costume designer Ruth E. Carter. She has worked on the Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project and the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra.
Darnell McLaurin, a friend who has collaborated with Boccella on many events, caught an early flight from New York to attend.
“Everyone in this room knows your work and has seen your beauty. Continue to bust down walls,” McLaurin said. “Continue to blossom. Continue to shine because you’re worthy.”
When Boccella was young, she would wrap fashionable scarves around her neck and shoulders, her mother Shirley Gibson said, adding she had an aura about herself. Boccella said her mother’s beauty inspired her as a child and her faith has always been a shining example.
“I’ve watched my aunt knock down all these barriers for millions of Black young women everywhere, for everyone,” said Boccella’s niece, Dannell Shield.
J.G. Boccella teared up as he recalled the first words he heard when his friend introduced the couple.
“I called my friend and said she said, ‘hello beautiful,” J.G. Boccella said. “Of course, I didn’t know that’s how she greets everybody. I know our daughter will always have this incredible role model as a mom.”
Boccella teared up as she thanked those gathered in the Mayor’s office.
“Mayor Gainey, thank you for always showing up when we call you,” Boccella said. “To First Lady Michelle, beautiful, thank you for your continued support of our work. Pittsburgh is truly a hidden gem. This city has shaped me, challenged me and inspired me. Along the way I learned that I could bring people together. I am more inspired than ever to continue this work for our community, our culture and our future. Thank you again for this beautiful recognition.”