Around the Burgh

McAuley Ministries, the grant-making foundation of Pittsburgh Mercy, is pleased to announce Sauntee Turner and Jordan Morris, of the Hill District, as the recipients of the 2024 Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award. Established in 2019, this award recognizes outstanding residents of Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland neighborhoods, the three communities historically served by the Sisters of Mercy.

The Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award celebrates individuals who embody the qualities of a “good neighbor” and demonstrate a strong commitment to improving their neighborhoods through volunteerism, community organizing, and acts of kindness. Awardees are recognized for going above and beyond to foster a sense of community, support their neighbors, and create positive change. The award is presented annually to two recipients: one young adult (ages 18-39) and one adult (ages 39 and older).

This year, Sauntee Turner and Jordan Morris are being honored for their tireless efforts in the community, where they exemplify the spirit of service and community that Sister Susan Welsh has long inspired.

Turner was nominated by Ryann Coleman and Kelly L. Protho for her exceptional contributions to the Hill District. She has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to community improvement through organizing clean-ups and block parties, advocating for youth safety at committee meetings, and providing essential school supplies for back-to-school events. Turner has also served as a featured reader in the Citiparks Reading Corner, supported students and teachers at Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Middle and High Schools, and expanded youth-focused initiatives like the STEAM Saturday programs in Bedford Dwellings. In her professional role at the Pittsburgh Housing Authority, she continues to prioritize community service by considering the challenges faced by others in her decision-making, ensuring the needs of the community remain at the forefront of her work.

“Sauntee Turner is a hidden cornerstone of our city, and the work she does has supported and encouraged so many people to advocate better for themselves,” says her daughter and award co-nominator, Ryann Coleman.

Kelly L. Protho, director of the University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement Center in the Hill District, praises Sauntee’s contributions. “Her leadership, commitment to service, and ability to inspire others have made her an invaluable partner to our organization and many others.”

“I am extremely honored and grateful to be recognized as a Good Neighbor by such an esteemed organization as McAuley Ministries,” stated Turner upon receiving the award. “As someone who has lived in the Hill District my entire life, I’ve seen firsthand the value of service and understand the impact giving back has on our community and its residents. I am pleased to be of service to my fellow neighbors and committed to doing my part in the revitalization of our community. Thank you!” exclaimed Turner.

In the same spirit of service, Morris has devoted himself to making a positive impact in the Hill District. Tiffini Gorman, Cansa Jay, and Shandia Booker nominated Morris for his tireless efforts to create a supportive and enriching environment for students while also fostering strong connections between the school and the wider Hill District community. A lifelong resident and first-generation college graduate, Morris serves as an inspiring role model for the students he works with. As the community schools manager at Pittsburgh Public Schools University Preparatory Academy at Milliones (UPrep), Morris has demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving the lives of students both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to his administrative role, he serves as a football coach at UPrep, using the position to encourage students’ athletic and academic success.

Tiffini Gorman, director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships at A+ Schools, praises Morris’s unwavering commitment. “Jordan consistently shows his dedication to the students and youth of the Hill District. Time and again, he goes above and beyond in his professional role. On several occasions, Jordan has personally supported student events, covering costs for catering and fees for students facing financial hardships,” she added.

Cansa Jay, family and community engagement supervisor of Macedonia FACE, emphasizes Morris’s ability to connect with students. “He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that each student feels valued and supported, which has led to noticeable improvements in student engagement and achievement,” stated Jay.

Highlighting Morris’s commitment to the broader community, Shandia Booker, a middle school counselor at UPrep, says, “He works to connect organizations with the school to collectively impact the lives of students, their families, and our school community. He is willing to go beyond the call.”

“To be a recipient of such a prestigious award is overwhelming. The Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award is truly an honor,” said Morris. “To be recognized as a servant in the reflection of the work Sister Susan accomplished is fulfilling. Without good neighbors, we have no community. McAuley Ministries has been a beacon of hope, providing support to the Hill District year after year. I could not have accomplished any of this alone. Students, parents, community organizations, and many others have motivated me with the selfless work that often goes unseen. I will continue to work to be a role model and a resource for my community, so future generations will have someone to look to. Thank you all for your support and for this humbling recognition,” added Morris.

“Our Mercy corridor comprised of the Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland neighborhoods are rich in assets, and the most precious of our assets are our neighbors,” said Marisol Valentin, executive director of McAuley Ministries. “Being able to recognize and celebrate Sauntee and Jordan for all the love they share with their neighbors every day, for all the light they bring into spaces, is truly an honor for our board. We have worked with each of them on various activities, and they truly exemplify what it means to be a good neighbor.”

Turner and Morris were recognized at a special ceremony at the Sisters of Mercy Convent in West Oakland and will each receive an award of $5,000.

Past recipients of the Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award were Sheila S. Petite and Nyabingi Michie (2023), Brenda Tate (2022), Ann Adams Simms (2021), Christopher J. Roach (2020), and Edna Council (2019).

 Today, the City of Pittsburgh, the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI), the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI), and the Department of City Planning (DCP) celebrated the official opening of the OneStopPGH in-person counterlocated on the first floor of 412 Blvd of the Allies.  

The OneStopPGH counter will allow Pittsburgh residents to apply, pay for, and receive business licenses and permits all in one place.  This also marks the first time since before the COVID-19 Pandemic that the City will accept applications in person.

Staff from PLI, DOMI, and DCP will be available at the counter to provide in person customer service and support during the application process. The in-person counter will also make it easier for applicants that do not have access to the internet or struggle to use digital applications for any reason and require in-person assistance. 

“Applicants large and small, with projects from simple deck additions to complicated multi-phase construction projects have been clear – they wanted an in-person option to submit their permit applications where they can speak face to face with review staff, ask questions, and build relationships,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “I want to thank the dedicated and hardworking public servants in PLI, DOMI, and DCP for their commitment to serving our customers.”

The counter opening today is the next milestone in a series of improvement that the City has made to the development review process over the last two years to improve service forcustomers by updating outdated service models and antiquated technology.  In 2023 and 2024, the City added inspectors and realigned work to reduce processing times.  Earlier this year, PLI, DOMI, and DCP launched the new Building and Development Application to dramatically shift the way the City handles planning and building applications and provide customers with a more streamlined and predictable process.  

City officials including Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Councilman Khari Mosley and community members joined together to celebrate the opening of Homewood’s first Black-owned Pizza Shop. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Saturday and it was a great day to try some of the pizza and special items on the menu. 

"It was an honor to participate at the ceremonial ribbon cutting for North Homewood Pizza this morning. I am inspired by ingenuity, creativity and passion that’s fueling the positive transformation of Homewood” said Councilman Mosley.

Mayor Gainey is also excited about the opportunity for this business to open in the community, "CommUnity North Homewood Pizza is delicious. The Homewood-Brushton Neighborhood has a terrific business that is continuing the transformation of the community. Thank you to all who came out for the North Homewood Pizza Reopening."

On the shops Facebook page it highlights, "At North Homewood Pizza our pizza dough is focaccia made fresh from scratch every morning. We do not make pre made freezer anything,  we don’t even have a freezer in the building.  We also bring in imported meats that will bring excitement to your palate.  Ask about our LAMB PEPPERONI and SAN FRANSICO TURKEY PEPPERONI!   NHP is the only pizza shop in the country that sells LAMB PEPPERONI!"

Keith Calhoun is the owner of “North Homewood Pizza,” this is the first Black-owned pizza restaurant in the city which is located at 532 N. Homewood Avenue. 

For More Information here is the Facebook Page for North Homewood Pizza

Community Leaders joined together to  celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Wilford A. Payne Medical Center in Homewood. This state-of-the-art facility will be a vital resource for our community, providing much-needed medical services and expanding access to broadband technology in Pittsburgh. 

Mr. Wilford A. Payne, Executive Director (1977 to 2016) and one of the early founders of Primary Care Health Services Inc. Mr. Payne took the small, struggling Homewood-Brushton Neighborhood Health Center for Homewood’s underserved and built it into the largest network of private clinics in Allegheny County.  He fought for decades to integrate mental health services into primary care. He also played a pivotal role in pushing both the state and national health center movement. To the community he is known as a mentor, the “Father of FQHCs” in Allegheny County, and the “Johnny Appleseed of local health centers”. 

Pittsburgh’s newest addition to the sports scene, its USL W League team, has been officially named the Pittsburgh Riveters. Donning the city’s iconic black and yellow colors, the team revealed its name and logo today during a virtual unveiling, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for women’s soccer in the Steel City.

Chosen through a community-wide “Name the Team” poll, the Riveters emerged with a clear majority out of multiple fan-submitted options, capturing 53 percent of nearly 10,000 votes cast. The name pays homage to Pittsburgh’s proud industrial heritage, while the team’s bold logo incorporates the iconic image of Rosie the Riveter, a symbol of strength, resilience, and female empowerment dating back to World War II.

The popular image of Rosie the Riveter first gained recognition in a 1943 poster with the slogan “We Can Do It,” created by J. Howard Miller, a Pittsburgh-area native, for Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company. Originally designed to boost worker morale during wartime, Rosie has since evolved into a lasting emblem of women’s contributions to the workforce and society at large, appearing on magazine covers, postage stamps and across popular culture. She remains a timeless symbol of empowerment, and the Pittsburgh Riveters Soccer Club proudly embodies her spirit on the soccer field.

“Rosie the Riveter is more than just an image from our past, she’s a symbol of what we believe in as an organization,” said Jeff Garner, President of Pittsburgh Riveters SC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. “The resilience, unity, and courage she represents are the same traits we want our players and fans to embrace as we embark on this new chapter for Pittsburgh sports. This team is not only honoring history but also creating its own path for future generations.”

Set to begin play in the 2025 USL W League season beginning in May, the Riveters will play their home matches at Highmark Stadium. The senior-level First Team will serve as a vital stepping stone for young women aspiring to reach the highest levels of soccer, domestically and internationally.

“We’re already hard at work building the inaugural Riveters’ team and are very excited about the level of talent we’ll be able to showcase on the field next summer,” said Dan Visser, Sporting Director of the Riveters and Riverhounds. “We’re confident this special group of women will not only give fans something to cheer about, but also inspire the next generation of young girls in Western Pennsylvania and beyond.”

With preparations well under way for the 2025 season, more details regarding the coaching staff, tryouts, schedule, and ticketing will be announced in the coming months. Season ticket deposits for the inaugural Riveters season can be placed online, and fans can stay connected by visiting www.riveterssc.com and following @RivetersSC on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Great Lakes Region Will Host 3-Thousand Women

 – As we celebrate Black Women's History Month, the City of Pittsburgh and VisitPITTSBURGH are proud to announce that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Great Lakes Region will hold its 94th Regional Conference in Pittsburgh, April 24-27, 2025, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA), an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. We will welcome over 3,000 Black Women who will celebrate sisterhood, community service, and professional development among other activities.

“As we recognize the contributions of Black Women to American Society, it’s an opportunity to mention that some of them are members of AKA,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “Their contributions range from politics, artistry, and science with such greats of the Civil Rights movement Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott-King; visionary writers Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, barrier breaker Althea Gibson who broke the color line in international tennis and became the first American to win a Grand Slam, musical artist Ella Fitzgerald to Dr. Mae Jamison who became the first African-American woman to travel into space. Let’s not forget United States Vice President Kamala Harris, who’s the first woman to head that prestigious office. So, having this organization with such a rich history of uplifting women and producing leaders back in this city to hold one of their conferences is fantastic.”

The last AKA Great Lakes Regional Conference, held in Pittsburgh, was in 2015. Last year, the AKA Great Lakes Regional Conference generated an estimated $2.3 million economic impact in the City of Cleveland.

“We’re honored to welcome the return of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to Pittsburgh for their Great Lakes Regional Meeting in 2025,” said Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “This conference showcases our collective effort to recruit and support events that promote diversity, inclusion, and a message that all are welcome here in Pittsburgh. It's events, like this, that make a major economic impact and position Pittsburgh as a destination to return to time and time again. I applaud the work of our Business Events team and partners for securing the event and look forward to working alongside Mayor Gainey to ensure its legacy for Pittsburgh now and for years to come.”

The AKA presence in Pittsburgh via conferences has a storied history. The organization has been in the city about every decade since 1965. The AKA 94th Great Lakes Regional Conference will continue the legacy of showing Black women initiatives in building economic wealth.

“The Great Lakes Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated will paint the City of Pittsburgh pink and green. More than 3,000 educated women will gather, promising to be a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and shared growth within the sorority,” said Gwendolyn L. Kirtley, Great Lakes Regional Director. "Soaring together, empowering unity, fostering wisdom – the Great Lakes Regional Conference in Pittsburgh is where inspiration meets sisterhood, continuously shaping strength, service, and purpose to all mankind.”

Phipps Edible Garden Program Reflects on the Past Decade and Looks Toward Another Year of Helping Local Communities 

This year, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens celebrates the tenth anniversary of Homegrown, a community outreach program dedicated to increasing community access to fresh produce, promoting better food choices and improving the overall health of families and children. The Homegrown program began in Homewood and has since expanded to include Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, East Hills and the Greater Hazelwood area (Hazelwood and Glen Hazel).  

Since its inception in 2013, Homegrown has installed almost 400 raised-bed vegetable gardens, totaling over 700 raised beds, at households in neighborhoods with low food access. The program has provided valuable mentorship and resources to hundreds of community members. Homegrown gardeners have each harvested an average of 35-40 pounds of produce each summer. Through their partnership with Homewood-Brushton YMCA, 1600 pounds of free produce have been harvested since 2021. Over the past ten years, 875 people have gained access to Homegrown gardening resources and over 3,000 community members have received produce shared by a Homegrown gardener.    

In the coming years, Homegrown looks forward to continuously educating and equipping local gardeners across the region.  

Homegrown participants share their thoughts:

Jamie P. says, “My grandma would have been so happy if she knew that gardening changed my life in the way that it did.”  

Bernadette R. describes how relaxing it is to be in the dirt and how she felt particularly appreciative of her plants during the pandemic. 

Missy T. shared that when she needed to do physical therapy, her aunt brought her a spade and soil to use as her recovery, and her love of gardening took off. “What started as physical therapy ended as mental therapy.” 

Eva C. shares this advice: “Grow, grow, grow and share with your neighbors and friends.”   

n addition to raised-bed vegetable gardens, Homegrown also offers a wide variety of classes that aim to build gardening skills and knowledge so that participants can keep their gardens growing. Homegrown has hosted over 100 classes that community members have found both enjoyable and greatly beneficial. Covering topics from weed and pest management to plant-forward cooking skills, monthly classes and periodical workshops allow new gardeners to realize the full potential of their raised beds while offering opportunities for neighbors to connect.    

"I love how gardening looks different for every person. Some people have fun getting their kids or grandkids involved. Sometimes adults help out when their parent has health issues. Other people say their garden is their space for relaxation! Everyone in Homegrown makes it their own," says Homegrown Garden Installation Coordinator Allison Glick.  

To learn more, visit phipps.conservatory.org/Homegrown. 

The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) — an organization focused on preparing Black professionals for career advancement — has expanded its team by hiring Calvin Stovall as Director of Executive Programs. In his new role at TALI, Calvin will be responsible for overseeing the national and regional Executive Leadership Academy, as well as recruiting, developing, and positioning program participants for executive leadership. He will also assist TALI as it expands into new markets. 

Calvin brings a wealth of knowledge to the Institute, armed with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality and non-profit services industries, plus two decades of practical branding and leadership experience. He officially joined the TALI team on January 2, 2024. However, prior to this position, in 2023 he created a leadership course— entitled Customer Focused Leadership — and served as program director for TALI’s inaugural National Executive Leadership Academy cohort. 

“Calvin has a broad background that includes marketing, customer service, hospitality management, fundraising, and executive leadership. His passion for motivational speaking, developing executive talent, and his natural ability to connect with people make him a perfect choice to serve as TALI’s Director of Executive Programs” says Evan Frazier, President & CEO of The Advanced Leadership Institute.  “Last year as program director for TALI’s National Executive Leadership Academy at CMU, Calvin demonstrated strong abilities to lead, facilitate and support cohort member learning in engaging and meaningful ways.”

Calvin most recently served as CEO of the Soulsville Foundation, a Memphis-based non-profit built on the rich legacy and tradition of the iconic 60’s and 70’s soul recording label, Stax Records. Calvin also served as marketing and brand strategist for the fundraising arm, ALSAC, for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The pinnacle of his hospitality career was his promotion to vice president of brand marketing with Hilton Worldwide where he was responsible for the marketing and public relations efforts for more than 150 Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels. While under his leadership, Homewood Suites by Hilton was voted best in class by numerous consumer advocacy publications, including Consumer Reports and recognized four times by J.D. Power and Associates for its unwavering commitment to customer service quality.

Calvin’s remarkable career includes serving as the CEO, Chief Experience Officer for ICONIC Presentations, LLC., where he specializes in delivering customized customer experience and leadership keynote presentations and workshops for organizations nationwide.  

As a former executive, Calvin has walked in the shoes of TALI’s cohort members and can therefore add a lot of value to the TALI team. He is passionate about his new role. “TALI’s mission is important to changing the trajectory of diverse leadership in corporate America,” says Calvin. “The leadership programs have positively impacted Pittsburgh’s companies and organizations, helping to advance top Black talent. As we expand, I am looking forward to playing a role in how we can leverage the regional model nationally.”

Calvin holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University and a Master’s of Professional Studies from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

Among his many accomplishments, Calvin was voted as one of the Top 25 Social Media Influencers in Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute. That same institute also named him as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Hospitality.

Calvin has also written a soon-to-be published book entitled “Hospitality Historiography” – a coffee table style book highlighting hotel, motel and resort contributions of African Americans starting from the late 1700s until today.    

About The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)

The mission of The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI) is to cultivate Black executive leadership to strengthen companies, institutions, and communities.

TALI is supported by major corporations and foundations including Founding Underwriters: BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Highmark Foundation, and Richard King Mellon Foundation; Excellence Partners: Henry L. Hillman Foundation and Highmark; Lead Contributors: BNY Mellon, Eden Hall Foundation, and The Heinz Endowments. Presenting Sponsors: Giant Eagle, Highmark Health, PNC, and UPMC. Gold Sponsors: American Eagle Outfitters, Bank of America, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, CNX, Covestro, Dollar Bank, Duquesne Light Company, FedEx Ground, FHLBank Pittsburgh, Golub Capital, Koppers, PPG, and Wabtec Corporation; Silver Sponsors: Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition; and Bronze Sponsors, which can be found on TALI’s website.

To learn more about The Advanced Leadership Institute, visit www.taliinstitute.org

 The Josh Gibson Foundation celebrates Major League Baseball's formal inclusion of Negro Leagues statistics in Major League Baseball's records. Sean Gibson, who is the Executive Director of the Josh Gibson Foundation and Josh's great-grandson, was a member of MLB's Negro Leagues Statistical Review Committee. "This was a long process, entailing Herculean efforts by a lot of people. We appreciate the many boots on the ground who painstakingly compiled these Negro Leagues statistics to
ensure they could be part of MLB's historical record." On December 16, 2020, Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced "that Major League Baseball is correcting a longtime oversight in the game's history by officially elevating the Negro Leagues to 'Major League' status." Yesterday, May 29, 2024, MLB began fulfilling its promise, noting in its press
release that statistics of the Negro Leagues from the period 1920 to 1948 will now
"officially enter the Major League record." At the time of its December 2020 announcement nearly three and a half years ago, the Josh Gibson family, in response to Commissioner Manfred's citing "the long overdue recognition* this meant for Black ballplayers in the segregated era, suggested that something more was at stake. We said *there are stronger words that resonate with us and remain our beacon for honoring the legacy of the Negro Leagues. Words like validation, redemption, justice. In a word, Negro League ballplayers already knew they were major leaguers. It is just that the rest of the
world did not. Today, we, alongside the families of the more than 2,300 players, coaches, managers, and executives from the 1920 to 1948 period whose statistics are now integral to the MLB record, celebrate the stories that now can be told, not in the shadows of the game, but in the full light of day! 

Josh Gibson is now MLB's career leader in Batting Average (.372), Slugging (.718), and OnBase plus Slugging (OPS, 1.177) and holds the highest single season records for Batting Average (.466 in 1943), Slugging (974 in 1937), and OPS (with the top two 1.474 in 1937 and 1.435 in 1943).  "The Gibson family is humbled by Josh's representation among all-time league leaders on the Game's storyboard," says Sean Gibson, who continued *We always knew how special he was, and now the whole world can see his professional accomplishments in the context they deserve. We are excited that the names of Satchel Paige, Buck Leonard, Turkey Stearnes, Oscar Charleton, and others are also elevated where they should be.”

The Josh Gibson Foundation is equally grateful that the few living players from that era know that their Negro League careers are now part of the MLB storyline Willie Mays, who needs no introduction but who played for the 1948 Birmingham Black Barons in the last Negro League World Series; Bill Greason, Mays' Black Barons teammate who also appeared briefly for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1954; and Ron
Teasley who played with the 1948 New York Cubans. We understand and welcome that in the days, weeks, and indeed years ahead, that the newly reconstituted official historical record will stimulate conversation and reflection about the Game. Although some of the Negro League greats were generally known, often their recognition was based on legend and anecdote. Now, the data, tirelessly garnered by Seamheads and recognized by MLB tell the stories we all both
want and need to hear. And as we celebrate this important milestone, we remember, too, that Negro League baseball preceded 1920's formal first League, included independent play when formal Leagues were not in place, and extended beyond 1948 after Jackie Robinson until the American and National Leagues were fully integrated over a decade later. 

The stories of these men and women also are a part of the legacy of the Negro
Leagues. As we wrote several years ago, "It is important to recognize the tireless of efforts of the families of Negro Leaguers who have kept the players front and center for many years. Some, like the Gibson family, established non-profits to honor their family's Negro League player, but also to do good for the community, often with a focus on disadvantaged youth through the prism of sports and education. We are grateful to all who have supported our efforts and have made a difference in the lives of others. We know Josh and his counterparts are smiling down on us from heaven when they see
our work, much of which has taken place out of the spotlight and media glare. Baseball over the years has been called America's pastime. The contemporary sports world is crowded, and baseball may not get the attention it had in years past. But MLB's initiative, while it cannot change the past, does help prompt us that remembering "all" of baseball's storied history can help us build a promising future
for America's Game and the Society of which it is a part. 

Sean L.. Gibson
Executive Director
About the Josh Gibson Foundation The Josh Gibson Foundation believes in the endless possibilities for potential in today's youth. By providing academic and athletic programs that foster leadership and scholarship, the skills necessary for tomorrow's successes are created today. Our goal is to carry on the legacy of greatness and accomplishment embodied by Josh Gibson, by developing programs that help children of every level of ability reach their potential, and to create opportunities that set The Josh Gibson Foundation apart from other organizations and provides value for
our communities. To learn more, please visit www.joshgibson.org

Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting released the following statement after the incorporation:

“This is a historical moment for the game of baseball as these great players will forever be recognized within Major League Baseball’s official record books. Congratulations to all these great players, especially Pittsburgh’s own Josh Gibson. The Pittsburgh Crawfords and Homestead Grays are an important part of the rich history of baseball in Pittsburgh. The Pirates have long celebrated these great teams and players such as Josh Gibson, Ray Brown, Oscar Charleston, Buck Leonard and so many others for their tremendous accomplishments. Whether it is in our Pirates Hall of Fame, the large baseballs on the riverwalk, the Crawfords and Grays Championship banners, the many other displays throughout PNC Park, or the support of educational displays and programs within our community, we are proud to continue to share the stories of these great players for generations to come.”