Hello, everyone! I’m Dr. Kimberly Ellis. I’m August Wilson’s maternal niece and I’m in the process of acquiring 1715 Bedford Avenue, an apartment building two doors from the August Wilson House, to create Pittsburgh’s first contemporary urban hostel and artist residency. I’m asking you to join me—not just money, but with belief. That’s why I’m asking for $10 and a share. At least.

I want to share what I’m building—and why I’m asking you to be part of it.

Why am I acquiring 1715 Bedford Avenue?

Because, as some of you already know, I am a co-founder of the Daisy Wilson Artist Community, and when the August Wilson House was first envisioned, there was a hope that it could also house residents. That part of the vision wasn’t possible at the time due to construction and preservation constraints.

The availability of 1715 Bedford Avenue now makes it possible to finally realize that original idea—and to expand it.

What I envision for 1715 Bedford Avenue doesn’t just honor the unrealized residential vision of the August Wilson House. It honors many dreams, many people, and many lessons that shaped me and my family.

What I’m Building

I am building Pittsburgh’s first contemporary urban hostel, with artist residency spaces on the top floor.

A hostel is an affordable place for travelers, often charging $25 –$50 a night, where people from around the world can stay without paying an arm and a leg for a hotel. Hostels are intentionally designed so that strangers meet, share space, cook together, talk, and often leave as friends.

They encourage:

• Affordable travel

• Cultural exchange

• Community across difference

My mother, Freda Ellis, taught me how to travel the world on my own, and I have stayed in hostels across countries and continents. I met people of all races, ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds. I loved it then, and I still love it now.

The Artist Residency

On the top floor, there will be artist residency spaces—places for artists to live, create, and be in dialogue with the neighborhood and the world—-the original vision of the August Wilson House.

Honoring Daisy Wilson

This project also honors my grandmother, Daisy Wilson—August Wilson’s mother and my grandmother.

She was a wonderful cook. She had her own grapevine in the backyard. She grew vegetables behind the house. She made her own jelly. We learned so much from her.

Because hostels typically have one large communal kitchen, I envision “Daisy’s Kitchen” at the heart of this space—a place where people cook together, store their food, share meals, and build community.

Hostels aren’t just about affordable beds. They’re about affordable living and shared humanity.

A Forward-Looking Space

This will also be a forward-centered, tech-enabled, AI-informed and designed space —beautiful, intentional, and grounded in care. My Uncle Freddy is the one who bought me my first Mac Computer.

Why I’m Asking for $10 and a share.

I’m asking you for $10 and to share this campaign, not because $10 changes everything on its own, but because participation matters.

This isn’t really about money.

It’s about you demonstrating that you believe this project should exist.

Your contribution says:

• I believe in this vision

• I believe in this community

• I believe in this city

• I believe people should be able to travel anywhere in the world, lay their head somewhere affordable, meet strangers, and leave as friends

Some of you may give $10.

Some may give more.

Some may simply share this with others around the country—or around the world.

All of it matters.

This is not about rescue or urgency, although it is a condemned and dilapidated structure. But so was the August Wilson House when my brother, Paul, and I gave Denzel Washington the tour that convinced him to help us make the August Wilson House the economic anchor of our Historic Hill District community!

It’s about belief, visibility, and shared momentum.

So I’m asking you to believe in me.

Believe in this project.

Believe that we can do this together.

I’m Dr. Kimberly Ellis aka Goddess, and I am the owner. This is my business. I’m asking you to let me know:

Are you a believer?

Thank you for taking the time to read my campaign!

sincerely,

Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis

Owner, Cutler Development LLC