The Urban League hopes its latest book project will show that black Pittsburghers are a positive, significant part of the social fabric to businesses, regional leaders and those thinking of calling this area home.

Yesterday, it unveiled "The Bridge," a 40-page text that highlights Pittsburgh's black history, contemporary cultural attractions -- like the Crawford Grill on the Square -- and the city's emerging diversity.

On the glossy cover is a photo of former Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann, with his wife and two smiling children.

The decision to put Swann on the front was made nearly two years ago and politics -- Swann is considering a run for Pennsylvania governor -- had nothing to do with it, said Cosette Grant, who heads up the league's Office of African-American Leadership Development and coordinated the book's publishing.

"We wanted the theme to be black family and we went with Lynn because of his prominence. He is a local celebrity."

Grant said there was stagnant growth for African-Americans in the region two years ago and "we wanted a proactive tool that would be useful for corporations to attract talent. We see this as Pittsburgh's opportunity to show a side of the city that's frequently missing. We think the book shows a comprehensive view."

The book has three sections.

There is a timeline, which begins in 1780 with passage of the Gradual Emancipation Act, which meant Africans born in Pittsburgh were born free. The timeline moves through 2003, giving dates for the first black female judges in the county and sprinter Roger Kingdom's first Olympic gold medal win, among other milestones.

A second section showcases historically black neighborhoods -- including the Hill District, Homewood, East Liberty and Wilkinsburg -- detailing the social, cultural and religious life that thrived there. A separate flap in the back includes demographic information on home ownership and percentages of blacks living in various neighborhoods.

The third section is amenities, which lists where to go for food, how to connect with black organizations, churches and how to find black-themed publications.

Throughout the book there are voices of black Pittsburghers -- playwrights, physicians, educators -- revealing why they live here and what they love about it.

The price is listed as $24.95.