50 Men of Excellence [New Pittsburgh Courier (PA)]

Anonymous

2011 Legacy Honoree

ERIC W. SPRINGER, ESQ.

Founding Partner

Horry, Springer & Mattern, PC

A legal scholar whose career highlights include working with Thurgood Marshall during the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case, Eric W. Springer has also had a hand in litigation designed to broaden health care access nationwide. Mr. Springer was drawn to the legal field after working on the publication "States' Laws on Race and Color" as a research assistant at Rutgers University. In 1956, Springer moved to Pittsburgh after graduating from the NYU School of Law, serving in the U.S. Army and working as a clerk for New York Supreme Court Justice Mathew Levy. His positions as associate professor of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and research professor for the university's Graduate School of Public Health helped to kick off a career as one of the most prominent health care lawyers in the country. He was appointed director of compliance for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1968 and was vice president and director of publications for Aspen Systems Corp. from 1968 to 1971. In 1971 he co-founded Horty, Springer and Mattern, one of the first health care law firms in the nation. He is also co-founder of the W. Edward Sell American Inn of Court, an organization of legal professionals designed to promote ethics and professionalism within the field. As a retiree, Springer has edited and authored several books, including "Nursing and the Law," "Group Practice," and others. He is an honorary fellow of the American College of Hospital Executives, the American Academy of Hospital Attorneys and is a fellow of the American Public Health Association. He sits on the board of Duquesne Light Company, is a Trustee Emeritus of the Presbyterian University Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In addition to being the first African-American to lead the Allegheny County Bar Association, Springer has worked with the New York Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Homer S. Brown Law Association, to name a few. He is married to Cecile Springer.

Arts

KENNY BLAKE

Jazz Musician

Contemporary jazz in the 90s has been elevated both artistically and commercially with the emergence of "Steeltown" sax sensation Kenny Blake. An early musical enthusiast, Blake has played the clarinet since age 10 and the saxophone since age 12. He entered Columbia University with plans to study medicine, but decided to dedicate his life to music as he continued to play. Upon his return to Pittsburgh, Blake immersed himself in the city's great jazz scene, exposing himself to its best players and performing for many years in numerous R&B and jazz ensembles before forming his own group. With his own group, Kenny played the club circuit and worked various long-term house-band gigs, finding that as a leader he was finally able to tell his own story in his own way. In the mid-80s local promoter Mike Hurzon helped connect Kenny with the MCA pop-jazz band Cabo Frio, and Kenny joined the group, touring the U.S. and appearing on their self-titled 1987 album. Shortly thereafter, Hurzon hooked Blake up with Dave Love, president of Heads Up, and the resulting three critically acclaimed recordings he has produced for the label since are, as they say, history.

Community Service

MEL BLOUNT

Founder, Mel Blount Youth Home

Retired Defensive Back for the

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers legend and social service provider MeI Blount has used his influence in sports and as a mentor to uplift the lives of young men across the country. The Vidalia, Ga., native and youngest of 11 children was inspired to play sports after his seven older brothers taught him to play "country football." He was an all-star high school athlete who received a scholarship to Southern University, where he was twice named to the SWAC first team and was MVP of the conference during his junior year. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1970, Blount was drafted by the Steelers in the third round. He would miss only one game during a 14-year career where he was named an all-pro three times, played in five Pro Bowls and played in all four of the team's Super Bowl victories in the 70s. He founded the first Mel Blount Youth Home in his hometown in 1983 and established the second in Claysville, Pa. in 1989. Since that time, he has served as a spokesperson for the Safe and Sound child abuse prevention organization and was awarded the NAACP Human Rights Award and the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, among several other accolades. Blount and his wife, TiAnda, are parents to three sons: Akil, Jibril and Khalid.

Corporate

SCOTT L. BROWN

Vice President and Community

Investment Manager

Citizens Bank

Scott L. Brown serves as vice president and community investment manager, responsible for coordinating Community Reinvestment Act efforts in Citizens Bank'sWestern Region. In his role, Brown works closely with various community groups to obtain first-hand knowledge of community needs. A career banker, Brown began his career with Mellon Bank as a management trainee in 1979. He worked in various branch offices until 1988 when he graduated from Mellon's credit training program for commercial lenders and joined the small loan business center as a commercial lending officer covering offices in the City of Pittsburgh. In 1991, Brown was promoted to assistant vice president and supervisor in the small loan business center. In 1993. Brown was named CRA Officer for Mellon's Western Region and in 1998 was voted the region's Most Distinguished CRA Officer by the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, the organization's highest honor. Brown's community commitments include board affiliations with Action Housing Inc., Community College of Allegheny Foundation and Pittsburgh History Landmark Foundation, to name a few. Brown received a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1979 and currently resides in Penn Hills with his wife, Pamela, and their two daughters.

Health Care

MARIO C. BROWNE

Director, Office of Health Sciences Diversity

University of Pittsburgh

Mario Browne has used his time at the University of Pittsburgh to introduce creative community health initiatives throughout the region. Browne previously served as a project director and community health coordinator for the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Minority Health, where he helped to establish "Take a Health Professional to the People Day," a local initiative that provides health information and health screenings in barbershops and beauty salons. Following his position at the Center for Minority Health, Browne became the manager of Chronic Disease Prevention at the Allegheny County Health Department. Today, he serves as director of Pitt's Office of Health Sciences Diversity. He also sits on the PA Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Justice Advisory Board and The Pennsylvania Walks and Bikes Coalition. He is a Behavior and Social Science Volunteer for the Socioeconomic Status Related Cancer Disparities of the American Psychological Association. He continues his mission to encourage community health through the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club, an organization geared toward encouraging African-Americans to cycle. He also serves as a mentor, chairs the 100 Black Men of Western Pennsylvania Inc.'s Health and Wellness committee and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He is married to Dr. Carmen Browne and is the father of three: Mario, Nicholas and Zeinah.

Sports

KIRK M. BRUCE

Associate Athletic Director for Sports Administration

University of Pittsburgh

Kirk Bruce's history of athletic excellence in Pittsburgh starts long before his career with the University of Pittsburgh. The South Hills High School basketball star was First-Team All City. He led his team to the 1971 City Championship game. As a Pitt student, Bruce was a standout guard who was named the Tri-State Player of the Year, District 1 Player of the Year and First Team All ECAC South during his senior year. After a career with the American Basketball Association, Bruce began coaching at Pitt and has also coached at Robert Morris University and Clairton High School, where he won a WPIAL Championship and coached three Division I players. He served as Pitt's head women's basketball coach from 1985 until 1998. During his tenure, the team produced its first 20 win season and finished third in the WNIT tournament in 1993. As Pitt's associate athletic director for Sports Administration, Bruce oversees day-to-day operations of men's and women's soccer, swimming, track, softball, volleyball and tennis. Bruce's many administrative accomplishments include helping to guide the softball team to consecutive Big East Championships and helping lead the women's track and field program to three Big East titles and four consecutive ECAC outdoor championships. Bruce is a member of the Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Marleen, are parents to three daughters: Chelsea, Carmen and Courtney. They have two grandsons: Mykel and Elijah.

Corporate

CARLOS T. CARTER

Senior Vice President/Senior Client Manager

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Carlos Carter is a native Pittsburgher and senior vice president/senior client manager for Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He provides sound lending and cash management solutions to companies between $5 million and $50 million in annual revenues. Carter has more than 15 years of banking experience in sales, relationship management, risk management and operations. His community commitments include serving on the boards of Holy Family Institute, the CCAC Diversity Advisory Committee, Leadership Pittsburgh Alumni Engagement Committee, Ambridge Basketball Boosters and the WQED Community Advisory Board. He formally served as a mentor for the CLAY program and is actively involved in the TBC Rights of Passage Program. He is a graduate of the Leadership Pittsburgh's LDI XV. Professional accolades include being the recipient of the Black Achievers Award, receiving special congressional recognition from former Sen. Melissa Hart, being recognized by Allegheny County Council proclamation and being recognized by Pittsburgh Magazine's "40 Under 40" list. Carter holds an Associate in Science from Community College of Allegheny County, a Bachelors of Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters of Business Administration from Robert Morris University. He and his wife, Marcia, live in Beaver County and are parents to three sons: Elijah, Daylon and Isaiah.

Corporate

FRANK G. CHESTER

Senior Vice President & Chief Talent Officer

Chester Engineers

As executive leader of one of the most prominent engineering firms in the area, Frank Chester has only seen the company's profile grow under his leadership. The West Virginia native received his undergraduate degree from West Virginia State University and has spent the majority of his career as a human resources executive for Fortune 100 companies. He is also a retired Army officer who rose as high as to the rank of Captain. He was recruited to the area to serve as Chief Human Resources Officer for the Pittsburgh Public School district and took on the position out of a desire to give back to the community. Chester is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, a graduate of Leadership Minneapolis and volunteers his time as a career coach and counselor.

Community Service

GREGORY JAMES COLLIER SR.

Program Coordinator for Young Adult

Empowerment Program-CCAC

As a life coach and founder of several community outreach organizations, Gregory James Collier Sr. has helped young people throughout the nation find their paths in life. The grassroots organizer has founded and directed youth outreach organizations in South Central Los Angeles and Homewood-Brushton and is founder and director of a citywide Men's Forum that has been operating for the past 12 years. His duties as head of the Community College of Allegheny County's Young Adult Empowerment Program include reaching out to young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods to encourage them to plan for their futures. He has served as a missionary in the Eastern Caribbean, St. Vincent and Kenya. He travels annually to the mountains of Madera, Mexico, to aid the indigenous population and is planning his first trip to Haiti next year. Collier is a foster father to 14 young men and one daughter.

Labor

JAMAAL CRAIG

Labor/Community Liaison

United Steelworkers International Union

Jamaal Craig's work with the United Steelworker's International Union'sCivil and Human Rights Department fall in line with the life of activism and social justice he lived prior to taking the job. The Lancaster, S.C., native is former labor advisor to the Hillary Clinton for President Campaign. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a law enforcement specialist and worked as a civilian police officer. Craig's community commitments include serving donuts and coffee to veterans at the Pittsburgh VA Hospital and volunteering for Charlie Batch's annual Batch Pack Project. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Jericho Prince Hall Masonic Lodge #20 and sits on boards for the REMP Advisory Council, Interfaith Worker Justice Advisory Board and the NAACP. He holds degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science from the University of South Carolina and the University of Tennessee.

Finance

CHARLES T. CURRY, Ph.D.

Vice President for Finance & Administration

Slippery Rock University

During more than two decades of work with Slippery Rock University, Charles Curry has helped guide day-to-day financial operations of one of the region's premiere institutions. Born in Syracuse, N.Y., Curry graduated from LeMoyne College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. After two years with accounting firm Peat, Marwick and Mitchell, Curry earned a position as senior internal auditor with Syracuse University. His time at Syracuse allowed him to earn a masters in business administration. He eventually went on to earn an Ed. D. in higher education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1998. He held positions with Onodanga Community College in New York and at Cornell University. His duties with Slippery Rock include overseeing a $156 million budget and leading the university's accounting, facilities and planning, purchasing, contracts, human resources and budget departments. His volunteer commitments include serving as a member of the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers. He lives in Slippery Rock with his wife, Jean. They have to two adult children.

Business

FREDERICK DOUGLAS SR.

President, Cosmos Technologies Inc.

Self-made entrepreneur Frederick Douglas Sr. is dedicated to instilling the next generation of business owners with the educational tools necessary to see their dreams to fruition. A native of St. Kitts, an island about 100 miles southwest of St. Thomas, Douglas received his Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of the Virgin Islands and a Master of Science in chemical engineering from Lehigh University. After working as an engineer and researcher for U.S. Steel, Calgon and AMSCO, Douglas established Cosmos Technologies Inc. in 1998. Since its inception, Cosmos Technologies has grown to employ 15 full-time employees and was honored as Small Business of the Year by the Minority Business Opportunity Committee in 2008. He has worked with Northside Urban Pathways Charter School, lmani Christian Academy and sits on the boards of Homewood YMCA and Ajapo, an organization that assists refugees entering the United States. He recently started the non-profit Futura Stars organization to encourage young adults to engage in discussion of current events.

Social Service

LEE DAVIS

Outreach Coordinator

Community Empowerment Association

Entrepreneur, organizer and youth advocate, Lee Davis has dedicated his life to uplifting and empowering youth and families. As an outreach coordinator for the Community Empowerment Association, he is responsible for introducing afterschool and mentoring programs and conducting gang interventions in the city's most distressed communities. As a member of the International Council for Urban Peace & Justice, he has helped organize national youth summits in various cities. Davis is a member of Maddads and co-founder of the community activist group OneHood. He is on the board of the KidNation Foundation, is passionate about helping ex-offenders reentering society, and worte to raise awareness for the Louis Danvers Leukemia fund and donor campaign. He volunteers for the Kaboom Foundation, which builds playgrounds in low-income neighborhoods. He owns Promotional Push, an urban marketing and promotions company. Davis uses his 1 5 years of experience in the music and entertainment industry to coordinate major events and consult for local and national record labels and artists. He is a native of Braddock and attended West Virginia University.

Community Service

BARON 'B.B' FLENORY

Transition Specialist, Pressley Ridge

Baron "B.B." Flenory's love of basketball has allowed him to play with one of the NBAs most successful organizations and to pass his love of the game on to the next generation through his alma mater. After receiving several awards through WPIAL and the state of Pennsylvania and being recognized by Sports Illustrated Magazine after an 81-point game, Flenory was chosen as a Parade Magazine All American in 1976. During his career at Duquesne University, he rose to become one of the Top 5 scoring and assists leaders and was named to the first team of the All Atlantic Ten Conference. Following a stint with the Boston Celtics during their 1980 Championship season, Flenory played professionally in Caracas, Venezuela, where he lead his league in scoring for three consecutive years. Today, Flenory is a teacher and counselor at Pressley Ridge, where he assists children with behavioral and developmental abilities. He is an active contributor to the Duquesne University Athletics Fund, a member of the Duquesne Men's Basketball Alumni Committee and a dedicated mentor to New Kensington's youth. Flenory has been recognized with induction to the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Hall of Fame, the Duquesne University Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Basketball Hall of Fame, the WPIAL Hall of Fame and was featured as one of the Top 75 Players in the history of high school basketball in the book "Heads of State." He was recognized as a Pittsburgh Pirates Community Champion in 2010 for his efforts with area youth. Flenory is a New Kensington resident and has four children: Monique Simmons, Karma Hill, Baron Flenory Jr. and Jarel Flenory.

Historian

JOHN L. FORD SR.

Historian

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall

A passion for Black history and tangible remnants of the culture inspired retired Heinz History Center Director John L. Ford to procure one of the largest collections of Black history artifacts in the nation. After working in corporate management positions for more than 30 years, Ford immersed himself in the study of African history, examining areas of genetics and anthropology. Over the course of his studies, he was able to gather a collection of coins and other artifacts that date back as far as 2,500 BC and reference materials documenting Black history for more than 2.5 million years. Following a brief period of retirement, Ford joined the education team at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall as a consultant and historian, has taught African-American History at local universities and has partnered with law firms to examine artifacts for litigation. John has been recognized by several organizations, including the Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Public Schools Gifted Center, United States Housing and Urban Development, the United States Postal Service, the National Education Association and the African American History and Genealogical Society to name a few. He was a consultant and commentator for a documentary about slavery and the Underground Railroad and was asked to train a Civil War youth drum reenactment group. He sits on the boards of several organizations, including Tickets for Kids, Pennsylvania History Day, Henry Highland Garnett Society, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and Soldiers and Sailors Teacher Advisory Committee. Ford is the father of two children and grandfather of five.

Health Care

KEVIN GIBSON, M.D.

Medical Director, Dorothy P. And Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease; Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Assistant Professor, Department of Neurobiology, Anatomy, and Cell Sciences

Dr. Kevin Gibson's numerous duties with the University of Pittsburgh do not overshadow his duties to the community. The New Jersey native serves as medical director of the Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, Associate Professor of Medicine for the Department of Medicine Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and as Assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Anatomy and Cell Sciences. His community commitments include serving as a member of the Kingsley Association'sBoard of Managers and a member of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society's board. He holds degrees from Drew University and from Rutgers Medical School.

Community Service

AARON GIBSON

Executive Director

Centre Avenue YMCA/Thelma Lovette YMCA

A Larimer native and Westinghouse High School graduate, Aaron Gibson has dedicated his professional life toward providing a safe haven for young people coming up in some of Pittsburgh's most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Over the past 13 years, he has worked a number of senior positions with the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, including serving as executive director of Hazelwood YMCA in the past and as executive director of the Hill District'sCentre Avenue YMCA and the new Thelma Lovette YMCA. During his tenure, he has raised more than $700,000 in grants and fundraising dollars, created the Hill of Hope fundraiser and led the Centre Avenue branch in community service projects outside of the Hill District. He has also introduced an initiative to have staff members assist afterschool students in reading and math, has created computer training programs and has formed partnerships with several local public schools. He also encourages physical activity among children and seniors in the organization. Prior to working with the Y, Mr. Gibson owned and operated the Emanon Commercial Cleaning Company and the Emanon Computer Company. He serves on the board of directors of the Neighborhood Learning Alliance and conducts speeches throughout the region about the consequences of gang affiliation. Gibson is attending Carlow University part-time in pursuit of a degree in Business Administration. He and his wife, Kelretta, live in Monroeville with their four children: Aaron Jr., ReSheen, Jasmyn and Kaden.

Religion

REV. GLENN G. GRAYSON SR.

Pastor

Wesley Centre AMEZ Church

Wesley Centre AMEZ spiritual leader Rev. Glenn Grayson Sr. has spent the majority of his adult life in service of the church. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management from Livingstone College and a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, both in Salisbury, N. C. Over the past 10 years, Rev. Grayson has held numerous counseling positions in addition to his ministerial duties. During his tenure as head of Wesley AMEZ and Presiding Elder of the AMEZ Church'sPittsburgh district, Grayson founded "The Center That C.A.R.E.S. (Children/Adults Recreational and Education Services)." Today, the organization assists more than 100 families throughout the Hill District. Reverend Grayson serves on the board of the Hill Community Development Corporation, is former president of the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network and is co-chair of the Gun Violence Task Force. His efforts have been recognized with the Community Jefferson Award, the NAACP Pastor of the Year Award, the Henry Highland Garnet Society Award, the YWCA's Racial Justice Award, the 2008 Duquesne Light African-American Leadership Award and Bon Ami Temple #49's First Outreach Advocacy Service Award. Reverend Grayson and his wife, Marsha, are parents to three children, Garrett, Shinora and Jeron; and grandparents to one girl, Aniyah.

Business Opportunity

EDWARD J. GREENE

DBE Contract Compliance Coordinator

Port Authority of Allegheny County

As Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Coordinator for the Port Authority's Office of Equal Opportunity, Edward Greene ensures that minority- and woman-owned businesses have fair opportunities to work with the county's largest transportation provider. Since 1991, he has implemented several programs to ensure maximum participation from disadvantaged business owners, including the implementation of a 19 percent annual participation goal that the organization has exceeded with an average of 23 percent over the past eight years. Beyond the workplace, Greene was integral in the development of the Governmental Committee, an initiative to link the County's MWDBE program with the City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Parking Authority, Pittsburgh Public Works, Pittsburgh International Airport and Alcosan to encourage communication and networking opportunities. He is also an active board member of Pittsburgh Youth Partnership, the African American Chamber of Commerce, has served on the Minority Business Opportunity Committee, the Oversight Committee for PA Unified Certification Program and is past president of the local chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials. Greene is an active member of Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, where he is a group leader of in-home Bible study and an usher.

Education

UHURU HOTEP, Ed.D.

Associate Director of Michael P. Weber

Learning Skills Center and the Robert and Patricia Gussin

Spiritan Division of Academic Programs,

Duquesne University

For more than two decades, Uhuru Hotep has been a driving force in the development of achievement programs for Black students locally and nationally. Currently associate director of the Michael P Weber Learning Skills Center and the Patricia Gussin Spiritan division of academic programs at Duquesne University, Hotep is also producer and host of the radio show, "Kilombo Reconstruction: Building Sovereign African Villages in 21st Century America." A Fulbright Fellowship recipient, Hotep was strongly influenced by studies of the Trans Atlantic slave trade during his studies in Ghana, West Africa. As a chief consultant to the Kwame Ture Leadership Institute, he developed three programs for Black youth and also created "The Johari Sita: The Six Jewels of African Centered Leadership" training program in 2000. Hotep holds a bachelor's from the University of Washington, two master's from the University of the District of Columbia and Clark Atlanta and a Ed.D. in educational leadership from Duquesne. He and his wife, LaVerne Baker Hotep, reside in Turtle Creek with their grandchildren.

Business/Sports

L.C. GREENWOOD

President & Owner, Greenwood Enterprises

Retired Defensive End for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Legendary Steelers All-Pro L.C. Greenwood joined the team as a 10th-round draft choice in the 1969 NFL Draft after a three-year career as a defensive line star and 1968 Ebony All-American at Arkansas AM&N University. The 6'-6", 245-pound Greenwood served as a fifth defensive lineman his first two seasons before becoming firmly entrenched as the Steelers' regular defensive left end in 1971. That year he led the team in sacks (8.5) and shared the NFL lead in fumble recoveries (5). For the next 11 seasons, Greenwood teamed with Joe Greene at left tackle to provide the Steelers' famed "Steel Curtain" defensive unit with awesome strength on the left side of the front line. Greenwood was the Steelers' starting defensive left end in six AFC championship games and Super Bowls IX, X, XIII and XIV. In Super Bowl IX, he played a major role in Pittsburgh's 16-6 victory over Minnesota by batting down three of Fran Tarkenton's passes. In Pittsburgh's Super Bowl X win over the Dallas Cowboys the next year, Greenwood sacked Roger Staubach three times. In 1991, he was named to the Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team. Greenwood was named All-Pro in 1974 and 1975 and AII-AFC five times and appeared in six Pro Bowls in a seven-year stretch from 1973-1979. Greenwood is a native of Canton, Miss.

Arts

ROGER HUMPHRIES

Jazz Drummer

Roger Humphries, percussionist extraordinaire, educator and philanthropist, was performing with his band at Carnegie Music Hall by the time he reached age 16. He has worked with some of the most respected Jazz musicians in the world, including Horace Silver Group and the Ray Charles Big Band. He recorded three albums. "Song for My Father," "Cape Verdean Blues" and "Jody Grind" with the Horace Silver Group. His work is credited in the World Encyclopedia of Jazz, Downbeat Publishing Library and several other publications. For more than 28 years, Humphries taught at Pittsburgh CAPA and has taught classes and clinics at the University of Pittsburgh, Slippery Rock University and Mellon Jazz Masters Class. He founded the Roger L. Humphries Music Scholarship Program to nurture the next generation of musicians. He is traveling with RH Factor Jazz Quintet and the Roger Humphries Big Band. He recorded the album "Don't Give Up" with the Big Band and "This N That" with the Quintet. He released the album "Keep the Faith" in June. Humphries and his immediate family are based out of Pittsburgh.

Business/Community

KENNETH L. HUSTON

President

Huston Trust

Community Liaison-B-PEP/CAV

Kenneth Huston is a seasoned entrepreneur and founder and president of Huston Trust Inc.

Huston Trust has several divisions including commercial cleaning, workforce development and entrepreneurial development. Currently, Huston serves as a consultant with the Black Political Empowerment Project under The Coalition Against Violence as a Community Liaison. His efforts lead to creation of the "Five for Five" program for violence prevention and intervention in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh Public Schools. Huston is also co-chair of The Inter-Agency Council for Pittsburgh Public Schools, a member of the African American Leadership Council, and sits on the Advisory board for the Department of Minority Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise for Allegheny County. Huston also hosts the radio show, "BPep Community Moments" on WGBN 1150 A.M.

Film Maker

CHRIS IVEY

Independent Film Maker

Hyperboy Media

Award winning filmmaker Chris Ivey uses his medium as a form of social activism on behalf of some of the region's most disadvantaged residents. Known for the documentary series "East of Liberty," Ivey has been at the forefront of East Liberty's economic transformation to question the role of the area's Black business owners in the new landscape. He followed the East of Liberty series with the documentary Zombietown USA, which follows the zombie cult created by filmmaker George Romero and the film "The Big Gamble," which questions whether casinos can serve as sources of economic revitalization for downtrodden communities. He is also working on the feature film "Saving Lives." Ivey's work has been recognized by the Tokyo Video Festival, the Carolina Film Festival and the Cin(E) Poetry Festival. He also won an Addy Award for the best broadcast campaign for commercials he created for Jones Soda and the Washington Wild Things Baseball Club. Ivey's community and professional commitments include work with Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, Kingsley Association, August Wilson Center, Diversity Films, Heinz Endowments and Senator John Heinz History Center, to name a few.

Corporate/Community

STEFFAN R. JOHNSON

Senior Consumerism Lead-Highmark

Vice President, Operations for the National Black

MBA Association-Pittsburgh Chapter

Steffan R. Johnson is vice president of operations for the National Black MBA Association'sPittsburgh Chapter and immediate past president of the Twin Cities Chapter. He also serves as mentor for several young men through Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Johnson obtained an undergraduate degree in business administration with a minor in Japanese from the University of St. Thomas. After graduation, Johnson joined 3M as a supply chain and logistics analyst. In 1999, Johnson left Minnesota to become an IT consultant with Ultimus, Inc., in Cary, N.C. In 2005, he returned to graduate school to pursue his MBA. Johnson currently works for Highmark Inc., where he helps create, develop and manage multiple mobile and digital asset engagements that impact Highmark membership across brands both Central and Western Pa. He and his wife, Cheree' have a daughter, Paige, and a son, Peyton.

Business

JOSEPH J. KENNEDY IV

Founder & CEO, Riverbends, Inc.

As founder of Riverbends Inc., an online genealogy and history site geared toward African-Americans, Joseph J. Kennedy IV has helped thousands of Americans explore the stories of their family history. The Pittsburgh native and Shady Side Academy graduate received a Bachelors of Arts in political science from the College of Wooser and a Juris Doctorate from Cornell Law School, where he was the first Black editor in chief of the Cornell Law Review. He started his career with Reed Smith LLC, moved on to work as senior attorney and assistant vice president for Global Cash Management at Mellon Bank and then transitioned to director of operations at the Fred Rogers Co. from 2001-2008. Kennedy has been president of the City of Pittsburgh Civil Service Commission since 2006. His work with the site has connected him with schools and organizations throughout the region for lectures and workshops on how to use technology to research family history and what can be learned from African-American history in particular. He has researched his own family back to 1726 and identified 78 ancestors in Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina. Kennedy is past chairman of the Allegheny County Drug & Alcohol Planning Council, past president of the Renaissance City Choirs, and past president of East Liberty Development, Inc. He has also served on the board of directors for Dreams of Hope, Shepherd Wellness Community and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

Law

THEODORE W.JOHNSON

Chief Probation Officer

U.S. District Court in Western Pa.

Years of experience in corrections have guided Ted Johnson's philosophy that the only way to discourage recidivism is to encourage healthy reintegration of ex-offenders into their communities. In addition to working as CPO for U.S. District Court in Western Pennsylvania, Johnson has worked in Federal Pretrial and Probation services for 21 years. Before that he worked seven years for Allegheny County's Probation services and two years for Erie County's Probation services. During his time with the Court, Johnson trimmed his department's annual budget by $1 million by merging probation and pretrial services and received the Director's Award for Leadership. He also initiated a workforce development program designed to help people on probation find and keep jobs. Johnson holds a Bachelors in social work from Edinboro University and a Masters in leadership from Carlow University. He and his wife, Barbara Hardie-Johnson, have five children and seven grandchildren.

Arts

HERBERT V.R.P. JONES, Ph.D.

Director, Pittsburgh Gospel Choir/River City Brass Band

The storied career of Herbert V.R.P Jones has taken him across the country and throughout Europe to spread the gospel through music. Beyond serving as founder and choral director of The Pittsburgh Gospel Choir, Jones is an ordained minster of music and faculty member of the Community College of Allegheny County'sMusic Department. Jones has applied his experience in music and ministry toward education, liturgical dance, singing operatic and oratorio bass baritone. As an educator, he has guided students in Mississippi public and private schools, The Neighborhood Academy in Pittsburgh and in universities in North Dakota, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Mississippi. Jones is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Music Educators National Conference, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the national guild of sacred dancers. He is executive assistant to the academic dean in the academic division of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and sits on the board of the Afro American Music Institute. Jones holds a Bachelors of Science in music, a Masters of Science in counseling psychology, a Masters of Music in choral conducting and music education, a Masters of Divinity in sacred music, dance and drama, and a Doctorate of Music Arts in music, choral, conducting and choral music education.

Business

ANDREW M. LEE

Owner, Executive Cigars LLC

Andrew M. Lee is one of 12 children raised by a single mother, and views his business and life as a blessing from God. Growing up in Beltzhoover, he was a juvenile delinquent that by age 16 was sent to the George Junior Republic Juvenile Detention Center, an experience that saved his life. He graduated from South Hills High School, attended the University of Pittsburgh and received his degree in business administration from Robert Morris University. Andrew worked in corporate America in sales and management for many years, but felt the need to work with youth. He quit his job and began volunteering for Mercy Hospital's program, Youth with a Future, and later was employed by Mercy Behavioral Health as a prevention specialist for seven years. In 2002 Andrew became an entrepreneur when he opened Executive Style Menswear, a men's clothing store in Century III Mall. He established Andrew Lee Real Estate, LLC Co. in 2006 and flourished until the housing market dried up. These opportunities lead him to the position as regional sales representative for Oliva Cigar Co. He took over the northeast region when sales were at a half million dollars a year and sales doubled two years in a row during the worst economy in decades. Realizing that he could operate a cigar business of his own, Andrew stopped working for Oliva, purchased a building, and is now CEO, of Executive Cigars on Pittsburgh'sNorth Side. He is also the business development manager for CM-SoIutions, LLC, a minority-owned construction company that has a 90 percent minority workforce. CM-Solutions supervised the construction of the August Wilson Center and is currently building homes for the Allegheny Housing Authority.

Community Service

ALBERT MERRITT

Director of Facility Operations

And New Business Development

Hosanna House

In his personal and professional life, Albert Merritt is dedicated toward improving conditions for Wilkinsburg's residents and children. As director of facility operations and new business development for Hosanna House, he aids the mission of the community's largest health and human services organization. During his personal time, he is dedicated toward duties as chairman of the board for Wilkinsburg MADDADS, an organization that deploys Black men to the streets to mentor youth in high crime areas. He is also a member of Wilkinsburg Weed N Seed and Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, where he has served as an usher for more than 15 years. In addition to owning and operating a McDonalds franchise for 15 years, Mr. Merritt is co-founder of the energy management company lmbutec and has achieved several milestones within the insurance industry. Mr. Merritt has served on the boards of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania. He is husband to Francenia Merritt and father to two adult children, Marisa and Justin.

Media

TY MILLER

Sports Director and Manager of News & Sports

American Urban Radio Networks

Ty Miller has been a part of the American Urban Radio Networks family for over two decades and was recently promoted to Manager, News and Sports Programming for the Pittsburgh based national radio network. He studied journalism at Emerson College in Boston, Mass., on the way to earning a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications. Upon graduation, he was hired as a disc jockey at WILD-AM in Boston and moved on to WEBB-AM in Baltimore, Md. Miller eventually settled into the morning drive slot at WAMO-FM in Pittsburgh, Pa. A few years later, he made a smooth transition from music radio to sports radio as an anchor for SBN Sports. During his tenure, Miller has grown from part-time contributor to leader of the American Urban Radio Networks sports division. His daily schedule includes writing, producing and broadcasting national sports reports. Miller is host of Black College Football Weekly, the longest running Black College Football show in the nation. He also coordinates the weekly SBN Top Ten Black College Football Poll, is the lead man in the selection of the nation's premiere Black College All-American Team, publisher/editor of the BCAA Journal and executive producer of the BCAA's football films. The Bessemer, Alabama native is also creator, co-host, writer and producer of Championship Chase on WPGH FOX 53, Pittsburgh. The 30-minute pro football show focuses on the Pittsburgh Steelers and their quest for a seventh Super Bowl Championship.

Social Service

KENNETH J. NESBIT

Section 3 Specialist

Coalition of Organized Residents of East Liberty

When Ken J. Nesbit was chosen as New Century Career's Community Outreach Coordinator 11 years ago, he was tasked with guiding people from distressed neighborhoods toward the organization's free Manufacturing 2000 workforce training classes. Years before, he was a certified workforce development professional at the First Source Center job placement organization in the Hill District. Today, Nesbit works with the Coalition of Organized Residents of East Liberty as a Section 3 Specialist. All three positions allowed him to reach out to Pittsburgh residents in an effort to help them help themselves. Nesbit holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a University of Pittsburgh Field Instructor to two Masters of Social Work students and also works with varous organizations to raise awareness of employment opportunites for ex offenders. He is a community television producer with PCTV-21 and is a member of the usher board at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church.

Health Care

ANTHONY G. ROBINS, Ph.D

Director/Federal Programs/Compliance

Woodland Hills School District

Over the course of an 18-year career in the field of public health, Anthony G. Robins, Ph.D., has spearheaded several community and county-wide initiatives designed to reduce health disparities throughout the region. Formerly director of Federal, State and Foundation Programs/Compliance for the Woodland Hills School District, Robins was responsible for seeking funding sources, ensuring district compliance for the terms of awards and as the official point of contact for the district on public health initiatives. As a trained epidemiologist, Robins has 18 years of research experience, 12 years of administrative supervisory experience and nine years of experience teaching at a collegiate level. Robins is a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Federal Program Coordinators, Pennsylvania Public Health Association, American Public Health Association, the Pennsylvania Public Health Association and the Academy of Health Equity. His volunteer commitments also include services with Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., serving as a board member for Every Child Inc. and serving as an ex officio member of the Woodland Hills Foundation. The Louisiana native holds a Bachelors degree in Biology and Psychology from Athens State University and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

Arts

SAIHOU OMAR NJIE

Artist, Dancer, Clothes Designer and Photographer

Makitaara Studios

Artist, photographer, teaching artist, designer and musician Saihou Omar Njie used lessons learned during his childhood in Gambia, West Africa to craft the life of his choosing in America. He arrived in New York in 1971 and attended Hamilton College. Upon graduation, he joined the African Arts Ensemble of Boston as a dancer and percussionist. He returned to Gambia to start the Youth Front against Drugs and Alcohol, The Senegambia Sun Newspaper and Xew Fashion and Art Company. He relocated to Pittsburgh in 1985, began a career in photography and started Makitaara Studios. He has held teaching residencies through the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and the Arts Erie organization. Njie and his wife, Valerie are parents to two daughters, Lingaire and Njaimeh and grandparents to Njimeh.

Social Service

PAULO NZAMBI

Senior Vice President/COO

Manchester Bidwell Corporation

Paulo Nzambi's unique skills as a lawyer, activist, artist and entrepreneur have made him the perfect fit at one of the region's most prominent community and arts organizations. Nzambi joined Manchester Bidwell Corporation in 2009 and now holds the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the corporation and its affiliates: Bidwell Training Center, Manchester Craftsmen's Guild and the National Center for Arts and Technology. In this role, he works with the corporation's leadership team to oversee everyday operations. Prior to his current position, Nzambi worked as assistant city solicitor with the City of Pittsburgh Law Department, was a civil litigator and also worked as a trial lawyer focusing on insurance defense and bad faith litigation. He has mentored youth through A Second Chance Inc. and independently. Nzambi is also an established playwright and actor whose most recent plays, "Unintended Consequences" and "To Suffer in Silence" were performed during the Three Rivers Arts Festival. In addition to his other duties, Nzambi is also active in the acquisition, renovation and rental of residential real estate.

Education

GRADY H. ROBERTS JR., Ph.D

Associate Dean Emeritus

School of Social Work

University of Pittsburgh

In 35 years of work as a faculty member of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work, Grady H. Roberts Jr. Ph.D., has been an integral factor in the program's growth and diversification. The lifelong Garfield resident and Peabody High School graduate earned a Bachelors of Science from Central State University in Xenia, Oh., and a Masters of Social Work, Masters of Public Health and Ph.D. certificates from the University of Pittsburgh. He has also completed the Harvard University Management Development Program and the Leadership Pittsburgh Program. A retired colonel of the United States Army Medical Service Corps, Roberts is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. He retired as one of the highest ranking Social Work Officers in the Army's history. He has been recognized with the United Cerebral Palsy Gertrude Labowitz Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Deans and Directors of the Graduate School of Social Work Admissions Award, the Renaissance Publications Trailblazer Award and the American College Personnel Association Outstanding State and International Division Leader, to name a few. Following his service as president emeritus of the Pennsylvania College Personnel Association, he established the Mary E. and Grady H. Roberts Sr. Writing Award, which recognizes scholarly writing, in honor of his parents. Roberts retired from the University in 2003, and was promptly honored by the School with an endowed Student Resource fund in his honor.

Sports

ROBERT 'ROCK' JOHNSON

Publisher

Youth Motivator and Founder of WPMJGA

Pittsburgh native and West Penn Minority Junior Golf Association founder Robert "Rock" Johnson has lived a life guided by the notion that success lies just beyond one's comfort zone. After earning degrees from Allegheny Community College, the University of Pittsburgh and Point Park University, Johnson embarked on a 35-year career with Westinghouse/Bechtel Plant Machinery. His work has been recognized by several organizations, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., the National Black Golf Hall of and the United States Golf Teachers Federation Hall of Fame, to name a few. Fifteen years after establishing the WPMJGA, it has grown to a mentoring program that has been recognized by the United States Golf Association and the Tiger Woods Foundation. Johnson is currently promoting his self-published book "From the Ghetto to the Green," a tale outlining his rise from a difficult childhood to a successful future. He is grandfather to three girls.

Government

HON. WILLIAM RUSSELL ROBINSON

Member

Allegheny County Council

Allegheny County Councilman William Russell Robinson has represented the interests of the County's disadvantaged communities and the region's 10th District since 2003. The Schenley High School graduate was elected to his first political position with Pittsburgh City Council in 1978. During his eight years with City Council, he chaired committees on planning, housing and development, supplies, and business practices and investment policies. He was elected as state representative of the 19th District in 1988, a position he held for 14 years. Today, his duties with County Council include serving as chair of the Budget and Finance committee and working on the Health and Human Services committee, the Public Safety committee, a special committee on Parks and Public Works and the Allegheny County Professional Services Review committee. Robinson has worked with Carlow University and the University of Pittsburgh previously, and serves as chair of the Community College of Allegheny County's board of trustees and on the college's Educational Foundation Board. Robinson is owner of the public services consulting firm Bill Robinson and Associates and sits on the boards of the POISE Foundation and the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. Robinson holds degrees from Ohio State University and Duquesne University, where he earned a Masters in Political Science. He holds life memberships with Pittsburgh NAACP and Ohio State University'sAlumni Association and is a member of St. Luke's Baptist Church.

Business

HOWARD W. RUSSELL JR.

Managing Partner, Opus Acquisitions Group

Pittsburgh native Howard Russell has brought millions of dollars in investment funds to the region and into the hands of minority- and woman-owned businesses. He is cofounder and managing director of ACM International LLC, a specialty asset management firm targeted toward bringing international business to Western Pennsylvania. He is also co-founder and managing partner of Opus Acquisitions Group, a financial services firm that provides merchant banking services and business advisory services with a focus on minority- and women-owned enterprises. Since its founding, Opus has served as advisors for investment funds worth more than $350 million and took part in an acquisition that formed the largest minority modular manufacturing company in the nation. Russell is active with the Pittsburgh Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., is a Chairman's Circle member of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Southwestern Pennsylvania, is a supporter of the August Wilson Center For African American Culture and is a member of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church. Russell holds a Masters of business administration from Kent State University and a Bachelors of Science in finance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He has one son, Elijah.

Arts

MARK CLAYTON SOUTHERS

Artistic Director, Theatre Initiatives

August Wilson Center for African American Culture

Award-winning playwright, photographer, scenic designer, theatrical producer and stage director, Mark Clayton Southers, has also taken a position as artistic director for the region's largest AfricanAmerican arts organization. The Schenley High School graduate attended Tuskegee Institute and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh before joining the staff of the New Pittsburgh Courier as chief photographer. As founder and producing director of Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater, Southers produced more than 125 full-length and one act plays, including the acclaimed plays "Angry Black Man Poetry," "Ashes to Africa" and "Nine Days in the Sun." He is currently working on the play "The Jonny Gammage Project." He was appointed to the position of artistic director of theatre initiatives at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in December 2010 affording him the opportunity to return to an artistic lifestyle. In 2008 he was guest curator for the Carnegie Museum'sTeenie Harris Il exhibit. Southers will head the inaugural International August Wilson Theatre Festival in 2012.

Business

RICHARD W. TAYLOR, ESQ.

Chief Executive Officer, ImbuTec

Richard W. Taylor is CEO of Pittsburgh-based Imbue Technology Solutions, Inc., one of the few African-American-owned clean technology companies in the US. A native of Baton Rouge, La., Taylor received his undergraduate business degree, cum laude, from Georgetown, and his Juris Doctorate degree, cum laude, from Tulane Law School, with a certificate in environmental law. He served as campaign advisor to several congressional candidates and President Bill Clinton. Taylor has worked in governmental affairs, was a representative of Consolidated Natural Gas Co. and served as legal council and director of Knowledge Management. He also helped to establish the Macedonia Development Corp. for Macedonia Baptist Church and served as its CEO. Taylor has led ImbuTec to become a multimillion dollar enterprise serving Pittsburgh International Airport, the Community College of Allegheny County and Allegheny General Hospital. Taylor serves on the boards of the Port Authority of Allegheny County, the University of Pittsburgh'sInstitute of Politics for which he co-chairs the Economic Development Committee, Macedonia Development Corp. and the Power of 32 for which he co-chairs the Environment Committee. He has two sons, Gentry H. Taylor and Richard W. Taylor II.

Religion

PASTOR TIM SMITH

Executive Director Center for Life

Pastor Keystone Church of Hazelwood

Pastor Tim Smith says the best thing about him is the fact that God loves him. He is pastor of Keystone Church of Hazelwood and executive director of Center of Life, a community empowerment organization he established in Hazelwood in 2002 which was designed to address the needs of the region's underserved. Through Center of Life, two critically acclaimed music programs were established, the COL Jazz Band and the KRUNK Movement. Smith was licensed and ordained in the Church of God in Christ, but now as pastor of Keystone serves within the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination. He has received the Duquesne University's Outstanding Commitment to Partnership and Collaboration Award, the Hazelwood Main Street Service Award and the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Bridging the Gap Program's Outstanding Community Mentor Award, just to name a few. He is former chair of the Pittsburgh Project and the Hazelwood Initiative, commissioner of the Pittsburgh Commission on Health Relations and former diversity member of Three Rivers Rowing. He has been married to Donna Smith for 22 years and is the father of four, Tim Jr., Isaiah, Saige and Malynne.

Education

JOE WILLIAM TROTTER JR.

Giant Eagle Professor of History and Social Justice and Director of the Center for Africanamerican Urban Studies and the Economy, Carnegie Mellon University

Educator and scholar Joe William Trotter Jr. has spent decades of his life examining the conditions and obstacles of working class Black Americans. He currently serves as Giant Eagle professor of history and social justice and is past department chair at Carnegie Mellon. His long-term research projects include a synthesis of Black urban workers from the colonial era to the present and a case study of Black workers in the 20th century urban Deep South. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in African-American and U.S. urban, labor and working-class history and has authored several books and articles. Trotter has served on the Immigration History Society Executive Board, Jameson Fellowship Committee, and the Oral History Association. He is VP of the Board of Trustees of the H. John Heinz III Regional History Center, and past president of the Labor and Working Class History Association. He also received the Urban League of Pittsburgh's Ronald H. Brown Civic Leadership Award for 2010 and the University of Minnesota's Alumnus of Notable Achievement Award inMarch 2011. Trotter received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wise, and his Masters of Arts and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota. He is married to H. LaRue Trotter and resides in Penn Hills, Pa.

Business/Government

DWAN B. WALKER

Account Executive

FedEX and Mayor of Aliquippa

Aliquippa native turned community activist Dwan Walker has been fighting to improve conditions in his hometown since he was able to give voice to his grievances. A 1994 graduate of Aliquippa High School, Walker received a Bachelor of Arts from Robert Morris University in 1999. Although he works as an account executive for FedEx by day, his personal time is reserved for a number of community commitments geared toward keeping youth off of the streets. He is an associate of the Beaver County Youth Football League, a coach of the Aliquippa Little Quips Termite Football and a founding member of the Aliquippa Council of Men and Fathers, a fatherhood initiative designed to reduce crime and raise academic performance among the community's youth. An advocate of the working poor, Walker recently participated in a meeting between U.S. Steel workers and the Beaver County Minority Coalition to discuss the possibility of bringing jobs back to the area. His efforts were recently recognized with the Jefferson Award. The son of Donald and Sharon Walker, he is also father to two daughters: Aryonna and Aliah.

Business

KEVIN WATSON

Executive Chef

Savoy Restaurant

Over the past 25 years, Chef Kevin Watson rose the ranks to become executive chef at one of the city's most exclusive establishments. An Erie native, Watson made his way to the city in 1989 and has worked in some of the country's finest restaurants, including the Ritz Carlton Ameila Island, The Top of The Triangle and the Sunny Lodge Hotel. He was also an instructor for Le Cordon Bleu Institute for 11 years. He founded Pittsburgh Premiere Catering, a personal chef and catering service in 2008. Watson is a member of the American Culinary Federation and the Dietary Manager's Association. His community efforts include making meals for the homeless and teaching healthy lifestyle seminars to students at Allegheny Youth Development and at area schools. Watson is a faithful member of Destiny International Ministries.

Education/Sports

GEORGE A. WEBB SR.

Retired Coach/Arts & Humanities Educator

Pittsburgh Public Schools

George Webb, former Westinghouse High School standout athlete and coach has spent the majority of his life in service to the school, community and sports he loves. Born in Portsmouth, Va., Webb grew up in the Braddock Public School system but ended up attending Westinghouse in 1957. After joining the football team in 1959, he helped the team bring home championships for four consecutive years, one of which was a tie. His legacy as a star athlete and student continued at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa., where he was a member of the football team, track team, the Thiel Athletic Association and a charter member of Phi Theta Phi Fraternity, which he helped to establish on the campus. He returned to Westinghouse as an assistant football coach in 1969 and quickly became involved with the school's basketball and track programs. Over the course of his 33-year career, Webb led the school to numerous championships in several sports. Once he became head football coach in 1978, the team won five City Championships, was the runner up to the champion four times and advanced to the playoffs five times. Webb retired from Westinghouse in 2002, but ended up accepting coaching positions with New Kensington'sValley High School one year later. He has been inducted into the Westinghouse High School Wall of Fame, was elected to the Pennsylvania High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame and was voted Coach of the Year seven times. Today, he sits on the advisory board of the Pittsburgh Coach of the Year Football Clinic, is a member of the Lions Club of Lower Burrell and is active in golf and a bowling league. Webb is married to his high school sweetheart, Patricia Ann.

Business

JOHN WILSON III

CEO/Independent Record Label Statement

Records/Proud to be Local Series

Whether it's through music, athletics or a simple love of community, John "Mista Scrap" Wilson finds ways to unite those around him for a positive common cause. As CEO of independent label, Statement Records, which is in talks with Universal Records for a distribution deal, Wilson manages a stable of artists and also runs the South Side's Club De'Vine. Wilson founded the "Proud to be Local" series in 2009 to showcase Pittsburgh artists throughout the country and has since created the "Proud to be Local" web site to provide a networking resource for local artists. He has been recognized with several local awards, including a Pittsburgh Hip Hop Award for Facebook Promoter of the Year and several victories in the Rhyme Calisthenics Hip-Hop game show. As a graphic designer and photographer, he has participated in photo shoots with artists such as Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa and Nicki Minaj, to name a few. His volunteer endeavors include service with Community Empowerment Association's hip hop panel for youth and coaching for a number of youth sports organizations. In 12 years of coaching for the Swissvale Football Association, he led his team to the playoffs 10 times. He is currently running back coach for the Woodland Hills Youth Football team, the Termites. Wilson is engaged to Raquel Milanes and is father to three children: Dalian, Alasia and Eli.

Finance

RICHARD WITHERSPOON

Chief Executive Officer

Hill District Federal Credit Union

Under Richard Witherspoon's 23 years of direction as CEO and Treasurer of the Hill District Federal Credit Union, the organization has grown to more than 3,000 members. Witherspoon has been integral in increasing the union's offerings for members, including credit counseling, business and consumer loans, debit and checking cards, bill payments, a title entanglement program and low cost insurance plans. His emphasis on community development has lead to the creation of the Aliquippa Credit Union, the Homewood Credit Union and his involvement with the Hill House Association Economic Development Corporation. His efforts were rewarded with the Pittsburgh Regional Minority Purchasing Council's Economic Impact Award. He is a founding member of the Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church Dollar and Sense Ministry and has served as an instructor for Financial Peace University, a thirteen-week course to teach biblical principles of financial management. He was instrumental in the formation of a teen investment program that was a collaboration between the Rodman and Carroñe Baptist Churches. Witherspoon's community endeavors include work with the Hill House Association, the Hill House Economic Development Corp., Y.E.S. Inc., Womanspace East and Bridgeway Capital. He is chairman of the board of NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania. Witherspoon is married to Estella and they are the proud parents of Richard Jr. and Erica; and the grandparents of Olivia.

Community Service

CHARLES WHITE

Volunteer

AARP & Pittsburgh Area Salvation Army Food Bank

Veteran and civil rights activist Charles White has fought on behalf of American citizens on the frontlines and on the home front for most of his life. Born in Emporia, Va., in 1944, White entered the Army in 1963 as a paratrooper and rose to become one of the first Blacks to be put in charge of an Army Reserve Center in Virginia through the ARG program. Following his Army career, he took part in a suit against Brunswick County, Va., that eventually stopped gerrymandering in the area and made a place for Blacks in county government. He also took part in a suit that desegregated the Virginia State Police and a suit filed by Black farmers against the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Today, White serves as deputy coordinator of volunteers to serve disabled veterans at the VA Hospital in the Homewood/Brushton Salvation Army, where he teaches and trains volunteers about the Department of Veterans' Affairs policies. He is in the process of developing a program to help veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq avoid the physical and psychological problems faced by Vietnam veterans returning from battle. White is an avid volunteer in other areas of the Homewood/-Brushton Salvation Army, he serves as a mentor to young men in the community and is an instructor for Summer Vacation Bible School. He is a member of the East Tri Borough Neighborhood Association, vice president of the Retired Enlisted Association, is on the board of the Bread of Life Center for Service and Workshop and is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. White and his wife, Edith, are parents to a daughter and four sons.

Arts/Activist

JASIRI X

CEO-Lyrics Inc.

Founder of One Hood Media

Emcee and Community Activist

Spiritual leader, political activist, blogger and one of the hottest emerging emcees in hip-hop, Jasiri X voices the struggles of disadvantaged Americans from Homewood to Jena, La. The local representative of the Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan and founding member of the anti-violence group One Hood has received national acclaim for the Internet news series, "This Week with Jasiri X." He burst on to the national scene musically with the song "Free the Jena 6," a song detailing the imprisonment of six Black youth following a schoolyard fight. His debut album, "American History X," earned the Pittsburgh Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year and his music has been featured on websites ranging from Allhiphop.com to The Huffington Post. Jasiri X is a fellow for the August Wilson Center for African American Culture and founder of the New Media Academy, an initiative to teach young Black men how to analyze and create media for themselves. He has toured the nation presenting the workshop "How to Succeed in Hip-Hop Without Selling Your Soul" and is working on a book of the same title. He recently signed a record deal with Wandering Worx Entertainment and is working on the album "Ascension."

Copyright:	(c) 2011 New Pittsburgh Courier
Source:	Proquest LLC
Wordcount:	10435