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The Pittsburgh Branch of the NAACP stands in solidarity with the National NAACP leadership in calling attention to the serious concerns surrounding President Donald Trump’s conduct and fitness to lead during a time of heightened national and global tension.

“As stated by President Johnson, "This is no longer just a matter of political disagreement, it is a grave national security crisis, and this moment demands action to protect the nation and its people.”

Recent statements and actions have raised profound questions about the president’s judgment, stability, and ability to carry out the responsibilities of the office in a manner that protects the safety and security of the American people. The highest office in the land requires clarity, discipline, restraint, and accountability. When those qualities appear absent, it is the duty of civic institutions to speak plainly.

The Pittsburgh NAACP believes that the mental and emotional well-being of a sitting president is not merely a partisan concern, but a matter of public trust, national security, and moral responsibility. The 25th Amendment exists as a constitutional safeguard for moments when the nation must assess whether a president is capable of continuing to discharge the duties of office.

In light of the escalating rhetoric and the serious consequences of presidential decision-making in a volatile international environment, we support a full and urgent review of whether the current administration is fit to lead. Democratic institutions must always place the safety of the people, the stability of the nation, and the integrity of our constitutional system above politics.

As a civil rights organization committed to justice, accountability, and democratic values, the Pittsburgh NAACP calls on elected leaders, including the vice president, the Cabinet, and Congress, to take these concerns seriously and act in the best interests of the nation.

This moment demands courage, responsibility, and a clear commitment to the rule of law. The Pittsburgh NAACP will continue to stand for truth, justice, and the protection of our community. 

The Executive Committee of the Pittsburgh NAACP

The University of Pittsburgh and Mayor Corey O’Connor today announced a $5 million, five-year new investment in city priorities, deepening the University’s role as Pittsburgh’s anchor.

These investments build on a long record of collaboration and partnership between Pitt and the city, a relationship that dates back 239 years to the University’s founding in downtown Pittsburgh. Pitt chose to direct its investments toward three areas that align not only with the mayor’s vision for the city, but also priorities spelled out in the Plan for Pitt 2028, along with priorities of the University community.

The $5 million investment will be spread out over five years and will help support: 

• Neighborhood parks: Pittsburgh’s neighborhood parks are among the city’s most democratic assets: open to everyone; relied upon by families, seniors and children; and full of green spaces that enhance the well-being and health of our local communities.
• Main and Main neighborhood business corridor program: This program is a commitment to revitalizing Pittsburgh’s neighborhood commercial corridors through small business loans, facade improvements, permitting reform and gap funding. Pitt’s Small Business Development Center has worked alongside neighborhood business owners for years, providing financing guidance, technical assistance and capacity building to the same entrepreneurs Main and Main is designed to reach. This investment puts Pitt's resources directly behind a mayoral priority that also aligns with work the University is already doing.
• Public safety: From the beginning, Mayor O’Connor has committed to building a safer city through investment in public safety. Pitt shares that commitment. A strong public safety presence in the surrounding neighborhoods matters as much to Pitt as it does to the residents who live there. This contribution supports the mayor’s public safety agenda and will be directed toward areas the administration determines will make the most meaningful difference.

“Since our founding 239 years ago, the success of the City of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh has been intertwined,” said The University of Pittsburgh and Mayor Corey O’Connor today announced a $5 million, five-year new investment in city priorities, deepening the University’s role as Pittsburgh’s anchor.

These investments build on a long record of collaboration and partnership between Pitt and the city, a relationship that dates back 239 years to the University’s founding in downtown Pittsburgh. Pitt chose to direct its investments toward three areas that align not only with the mayor’s vision for the city, but also priorities spelled out in the Plan for Pitt 2028, along with priorities of the University community.

The $5 million investment will be spread out over five years and will help support: 

• Neighborhood parks: Pittsburgh’s neighborhood parks are among the city’s most democratic assets: open to everyone; relied upon by families, seniors and children; and full of green spaces that enhance the well-being and health of our local communities.
• Main and Main neighborhood business corridor program: This program is a commitment to revitalizing Pittsburgh’s neighborhood commercial corridors through small business loans, facade improvements, permitting reform and gap funding. Pitt’s Small Business Development Center has worked alongside neighborhood business owners for years, providing financing guidance, technical assistance and capacity building to the same entrepreneurs Main and Main is designed to reach. This investment puts Pitt's resources directly behind a mayoral priority that also aligns with work the University is already doing.
• Public safety: From the beginning, Mayor O’Connor has committed to building a safer city through investment in public safety. Pitt shares that commitment. A strong public safety presence in the surrounding neighborhoods matters as much to Pitt as it does to the residents who live there. This contribution supports the mayor’s public safety agenda and will be directed toward areas the administration determines will make the most meaningful difference.

“Since our founding 239 years ago, the success of the City of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh has been intertwined,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel. “As the city’s anchor institution, Pitt has been steadfast over many decades, and we are proud of our active partnerships with nonprofit organizations, community initiatives and governmental collaborations. We serve the city and its residents, including our students, faculty and staff, though multiple programs and projects as well as with our daily operations that produce $1.8 billion of annual economic impact for the city. Mayor O’Connor has already expressed appreciation for the vital role the University plays in Pittsburgh, and from the first day of his administration, has sought opportunities to partner with Pitt for the benefit of the city. These new investments are another example of Pitt doing our part to contribute to health and vibrant communities throughout the region.”

“I’d like to thank the University of Pittsburgh, Chancellor Joan Gabel and the Board of Trustees for this generous gift and recognize their longtime partnership with the City,” said O’Connor. “Not only does Pitt bring pride and vibrancy to the city and engage with our communities, but they also have a history of investment in our shared vision for the future of our city. This contribution will help fund our initiatives in neighborhood parks, Main and Main neighborhood business corridors and promote public safety.”

The investments announced today build on decades worth of collaboration and support between the University and the City of Pittsburgh. To that end, before a single community program is counted, Pitt’s daily operations generate $1.8 billion in annual economic impact for the city. The University is the second-largest employer in both Allegheny County and the city, supporting 16,413 jobs within Pittsburgh alone. In fiscal year 2022, Pitt-related spending generated $65.5 million in local and state taxes for the city of Pittsburgh — revenue that flows to city government, city services and city residents.  

In addition, the University has long-standing commitments in neighborhoods like Oakland, Homewood, the Hill District and Greater Hazelwood as well as Community Engagement Centers that are open to all city residents.

The University’s tangible impact can also be seen with programs like our Buy, Build, Hire Local initiative, in which the University has a dedicated executive leader whose sole job is to keep Pitt's procurement department; planning, design and construction department; human resources; and Small Business Development Center aligned with and accountable to local economic impact. This means buying from Pittsburgh-based businesses, building with local contractors and trades workers, hiring city residents into family-sustaining jobs and helping small Pittsburgh businesses grow their capacity to take on University contracts and beyond.  

Finally, it’s critical to note that a university the size of Pitt touches this city in myriad ways — through research that shapes policy, clinics that serve patients, students who become residents, employees who sit on nonprofit boards and programs that stretch across every neighborhood. Together, the value of these contributions is inestimable.  

“Pitt’s investment of $5 million announced today aligns squarely with our mission and values, and it builds on existing long-standing neighborhood commitments and vital community programming in which the University of Pittsburgh invests more than $7 million each year,” said Kevin Washo, Pitt’s senior vice chancellor for external relations. “This includes hundreds of programs offered annually in health and wellness, entrepreneurship support, K-12 tutoring and enrichment and civic strengthening offered through Pitt’s Community Engagement Centers, which are open to all. We are proud to support the city with real financial support in addition to our existing programmatic work because it will help fund initiatives that are critical for all Pittsburghers: They are important to the University community, align with Mayor O’Connor’s vision and, most importantly, meet the needs of the residents who call Pittsburgh home.”. “As the city’s anchor institution, Pitt has been steadfast over many decades, and we are proud of our active partnerships with nonprofit organizations, community initiatives and governmental collaborations. We serve the city and its residents, including our students, faculty and staff, though multiple programs and projects as well as with our daily operations that produce $1.8 billion of annual economic impact for the city. Mayor O’Connor has already expressed appreciation for the vital role the University plays in Pittsburgh, and from the first day of his administration, has sought opportunities to partner with Pitt for the benefit of the city. These new investments are another example of Pitt doing our part to contribute to health and vibrant communities throughout the region.”

“I’d like to thank the University of Pittsburgh, Chancellor Joan Gabel and the Board of Trustees for this generous gift and recognize their longtime partnership with the City,” said O’Connor. “Not only does Pitt bring pride and vibrancy to the city and engage with our communities, but they also have a history of investment in our shared vision for the future of our city. This contribution will help fund our initiatives in neighborhood parks, Main and Main neighborhood business corridors and promote public safety.”

The investments announced today build on decades worth of collaboration and support between the University and the City of Pittsburgh. To that end, before a single community program is counted, Pitt’s daily operations generate $1.8 billion in annual economic impact for the city. The University is the second-largest employer in both Allegheny County and the city, supporting 16,413 jobs within Pittsburgh alone. In fiscal year 2022, Pitt-related spending generated $65.5 million in local and state taxes for the city of Pittsburgh — revenue that flows to city government, city services and city residents.  

In addition, the University has long-standing commitments in neighborhoods like Oakland, Homewood, the Hill District and Greater Hazelwood as well as Community Engagement Centers that are open to all city residents.

The University’s tangible impact can also be seen with programs like our Buy, Build, Hire Local initiative, in which the University has a dedicated executive leader whose sole job is to keep Pitt's procurement department; planning, design and construction department; human resources; and Small Business Development Center aligned with and accountable to local economic impact. This means buying from Pittsburgh-based businesses, building with local contractors and trades workers, hiring city residents into family-sustaining jobs and helping small Pittsburgh businesses grow their capacity to take on University contracts and beyond.  

Finally, it’s critical to note that a university the size of Pitt touches this city in myriad ways — through research that shapes policy, clinics that serve patients, students who become residents, employees who sit on nonprofit boards and programs that stretch across every neighborhood. Together, the value of these contributions is inestimable.  

“Pitt’s investment of $5 million announced today aligns squarely with our mission and values, and it builds on existing long-standing neighborhood commitments and vital community programming in which the University of Pittsburgh invests more than $7 million each year,” said Kevin Washo, Pitt’s senior vice chancellor for external relations. “This includes hundreds of programs offered annually in health and wellness, entrepreneurship support, K-12 tutoring and enrichment and civic strengthening offered through Pitt’s Community Engagement Centers, which are open to all. We are proud to support the city with real financial support in addition to our existing programmatic work because it will help fund initiatives that are critical for all Pittsburghers: They are important to the University community, align with Mayor O’Connor’s vision and, most importantly, meet the needs of the residents who call Pittsburgh home.”

Source: Pitt

Statement from VisitPITTSBURGH CEO Jerad Bachar:

Since the Draft started moving from city to city in 2015, the NFL has prioritized working closely with each community to ensure the event reflects the people, businesses, and character of the host city. The Pittsburgh Draft is no different.  

Over the past two years, the NFL has partnered with our Pittsburgh Organizing Committee – a group comprised of public, private, and nonprofit community leaders such as the African American Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 3 Rivers Business Alliance and many more. This group is designed to ensure diverse voices help guide the event and deliver an experience that is inclusive, welcoming, and authentically Pittsburgh.

That commitment is showing up in tangible ways.  

It is putting dollars directly into the pockets of residents through a paid NFL Teammates program and hiring local artists to activate public spaces.  

A Draft Day 3 Makers Market is giving local creators one of the biggest stages in sports while also allowing them to keep 100% of their revenue. It is ensuring small businesses have the resources to shine with the soon-to-be released PicksBURGH Business Resource Kit. And it is putting local and diverse entrepreneurs front and center through NFLDraftPittsburgh.com and OnePass’s Guide to Pittsburgh.

Another cornerstone is the NFL-led Draft Source Program. The program connects local and diverse businesses to Draft contracting opportunities, while also providing networking and educational resources—an approach the NFL brings to host cities for marquee events.  

Through strategic and intentional outreach and communication, Pittsburgh’s program has been unprecedented. More than 1,700 businesses applied, many of them minority-, women-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+-owned, representing the largest applicant pool since the inception of this program. Ultimately, 165 small businesses were selected by the NFL through a highly competitive and transparent process. To date, more than 70 local contracts are underway, with more than $1 million in contracts already projected with underrepresented business owners, and more to come.  

Importantly, this work is designed to extend beyond the Draft. A centralized database of all 1,700 applicant businesses will be used to support future procurement opportunities across the region—helping to ensure long-term impact.  

In a few short weeks, the Draft will be the largest event Pittsburgh has hosted and will place our region on a global stage. When it does, it will showcase our communities, support local businesses, and create lasting economic impact. The Pittsburgh Organizing Committee remains committed to working under the leadership of the NFL and alongside a host of local partners to deliver an experience that reflects—and benefits—the full community. 

March 26, 2026

Corey O'Connor, Mayor of Pittsburgh
Sara Innamorato, Chief Executive of Allegheny County
NFL Executive Committee

We, at the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP), are issuing this statement in response to growing concerns surrounding vendor participation opportunities tied to the upcoming NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

Over the past several weeks, we have heard directly from community members, small business owners, and stakeholders across our region. These conversations, along with public reporting, reflect a consistent concern: that Black-owned and minority-owned vendors who wish to participate in the economic activity generated by the NFL Draft may be facing barriers to entry to participate in the upcoming Draft. 

We want to be clear that our intent is not to assign blame, but to ensure transparency in a process that carries significant economic implications for our region and communities.

We also believe it is important to acknowledge a broader context: the National Football League is a league in which a majority of its players are Black. That reality underscores the importance of ensuring Black communities and Black-owned businesses have fair and meaningful access to the economic opportunities associated with one of the league’s most prominent events.

We recognize that hosting an event of this scale requires coordination, and planning has its own unique challenges. However, we also believe that events of this magnitude, particularly those supported by public resources and hosted in a diverse city like Pittsburgh, must reflect equitable access to opportunity. It is the (B-PEP) and the Corporate Equity & Inclusion Roundtable  (CEIR) that all parties in power will take every step and action available to help guarantee that African American vendors will have as many opportunities as possible to benefit from this ‘once in a lifetime’ NFL Draft in Pittsburgh! We want “no stone unturned’ to accomplish this important goal.

As part of our fact-finding efforts, we respectfully request the following:

●  The public release of the official list of all approved vendors for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

●  A demographic breakdown, to the extent allowable, identifying how many of those vendors are minority-owned, including Black-owned businesses.

●  A clear outline of the vendor selection process, including outreach efforts, evaluation criteria, and any diversity or inclusion measures that were implemented.

We are making this request in the interest of transparency and equitable economic participation. Our goal is to ensure that the opportunities created by this event are accessible to all, especially those historically underrepresented in large-scale contracting and event participation.

Respectfully,

Tin Stevens  Lorraine Cross

Tim Stevens

Lorraine Cross

CEO & Founder 

Chair of The B-PEP Planning Council 

PittsburghUrbanmedia.com has formally reached out to the NFL, the Steelers organization, Governor Josh Shapiro—who serves on the executive committee for the Pittsburgh NFL Draft—as well as Visit Pittsburgh, requesting official statements and clarity regarding growing concerns about vendor participation and overall inclusion.

These concerns, raised by members of the community and local stakeholders, highlight questions around equitable access, representation, and opportunities for minority-owned businesses connected to one of the city’s most high-profile events.

We are currently awaiting responses from all parties and remain committed to keeping the community informed. PUM will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.

When Strategy Meets Dehumanization: Why That Video Was Not an Accident
By Robin Beckham, Editor & Founder, Pittsburgh Urban Media

This morning, I debated whether I was going to share a despicable image with my beautiful Black daughter. As she stood ready for the day—dressed, on time, backpack secured, with hope and promise shining in her eyes—I felt a familiar, sinking pain as a mother. The pain of knowing that once again, I would have to explain something no child should have to carry. The kind of conversation Black parents have far too often. The kind that happens in Black homes when innocence collides with reality.

The image in question—a video released by the President depicting Barack Obama and other Black figures as apes—was not just offensive. It was dangerous. It was dehumanizing. And it was deeply rooted in a long, ugly history that Black people know all too well.

As a PR professional, I understand exactly how and why that video was released, including the intent behind its timing and dissemination. This was not accidental. It was calculated and strategic, not incidental. The rollout followed a familiar and troubling playbook: provoke outrage, dominate the news cycle, and force reaction before reflection can occur. It was engineered for virality, amplified through channels that reward shock, and designed to spread quickly in a digital ecosystem where attention—any attention—is currency.

This is how narratives are manipulated. This is how harm is normalized.

Let’s be clear: portraying Black people as apes is not “humor,” nor is it political commentary. It is one of the oldest tools of racial dehumanization, historically used to justify violence, exclusion, and the denial of basic humanity. When that imagery is resurrected—especially by someone in the highest office in the country—it is not just a dog whistle. It is a declaration of disregard.

And while pundits debate intent, Black parents are left doing damage control at kitchen tables and front doors before school. We are left explaining why someone with power would choose to circulate an image that tells our children, implicitly or explicitly, that they are less than. We are left affirming dignity in a world that too often tries to strip it away.

This is why strategy matters. This is why accountability matters. When harmful content is released deliberately, it is not enough to dismiss it as provocation or political theater. We must name it for what it is: a calculated effort to push boundaries, desensitize the public, and see how much harm can be inflicted without consequence.

In Black homes, we don’t have the luxury of abstraction. These moments are personal. They live in the questions our children ask, in the pauses we take before answering, and in the resilience we are forced to summon yet again.

My daughter deserves a world where her humanity is not up for debate or clicks. And until that world exists, we will continue to tell the truth—about history, about strategy, and about the real-life impact of images that are never just images.

Not when they are intentional. Not when they are strategic. And certainly not when they come at the expense of our children.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation. The incident has sparked protests and controversy due to conflicting accounts from local officials and federal authorities. 

Pa Governor Josh Shapiro Issues a statement on the Shooting of Alex Pretti:

"ICE’s clear abuses of power are only creating danger in our communities. We saw it with the killing of Renee Good, and we see it with more horrific videos of another killing today.

Law enforcement’s goal should always be to keep people safe and build trust with the community. That’s what the Pennsylvania State Police and our local partners do every day.

ICE, directed by Donald Trump and his Administration, is violating people’s constitutional rights. It’s past time for them to stop wreaking havoc on our communities."

Rep. Summer Lee:

"Federal agents are executing Americans in the streets. None of us are safe in a police state.

Abolish ICE."

Congressman Chris Deluzio:

"ICE agents are eroding law and order and public safety and undermining local law enforcement. They have killed Americans on American streets, masking their faces and eroding American liberties—all as directed by the Trump Administration. End this chaos now."

• Federal Authorities' Account: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Pretti "approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun" and "violently resisted" efforts to disarm him, at which point an agent fired in self-defense. High-ranking DHS officials suggested Pretti intended to kill agents.
• Local Officials' Account & Video Evidence: Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara stated Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry and no serious criminal record. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the DHS narrative "nonsense" and "lies," citing video evidence. A CNN analysis of video footage appears to show an officer removing a gun from Pretti just before shots were fired.
• Context: The shooting was the third in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents in recent weeks and occurred amid ongoing protests against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge. State investigators from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported being blocked from the scene by federal agents. 

MAKE AMERICA GROTESQUE AND APPALLING AGAIN (MAGAA):  Why Venezuela and Minneapolis Might = Waterloo!    

 In a January 8, 2026 New York Times interview, the President of the United States responded as follows to what could constrain his power as commander in chief.  “Yeah, there is one thing.  My own morality.  My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.  I don’t need international law…”     

  Displaying some of the most grotesque and appalling disregard for human life, America [1] stole the land from indigenous people, slaughtered many of them, and placed the remainder on desolate reservations; [2] fought its bloodiest war ever rather than end centuries of chattel slavery; and [3] dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  

During 2025, led by its President, America seemed to be in pursuit of making America grotesque and appalling again (MAGGA).  Often, in doing so, the American leader turned his wrath on Americans.  Consider, for example, the deployment of National Guard troops.   

  Under false pretenses and actions later deemed illegal, throughout 2025 the President of the United States deployed military troops in 10 mostly Democrat-led American cities (See Where Trump Has Sent Troops So Far, and Which Cities Are Pushing Back - Capital B News).  In addition to disrupting the lives of impacted residents as well as the troops and their families, West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom was killed by an allegedly mentally ill assassin.  It is estimated that the  ill-advised, ill-conceived, ill-timed deployment of National Guard troops cost more than $340 million (See, Trump troop deployments to US cities have cost more than $340 million, senator says | Reuters).  As an example of his irrationality, consider the fact that the President discussed the possibility of sending troops to Baltimore, yet during 2025, Baltimore had its lowest homicide rate in nearly 50 years! (See, Baltimore records lowest homicide rate in nearly 50 years).  

  We were told that ICE agents would remove the “criminals, mentally ill, prisoners, gang members, drug dealers” etc. sent from other countries to America.  Instead, we observed American citizens not only intimidated, but also 1 killed as in the case of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7, 2025.   An October 17, 2025  PROREPUBLICA article indicated that more than 170 US citizens were held by immigrant agents.  “Among the citizens detained are nearly 20 children, including two with cancer. That includes four who were held for weeks with their undocumented mother and without access to the family’s attorney until a congresswoman intervened.”  (See, https://lailluminator.com/2025/10/17/ice-citizens-arrest/)   

  Not satisfied with making life miserable for Americans, during 2025, the President displayed America’s grotesque underbelly with his unilateral declaration of tariffs on allies such as Canada, Mexico, and many European nations.  Then, to make matters worse, came the lose-lipped Presidential rhetoric regarding the annexation of Greenland which would be tantamount to an attack on a NATO nation. The President’s war-related behavior is so bizarre that one is reminded of the “dehumanization of warfare” displayed in the movie “Dr Strangelove.”   As evidence, consider the attacks on nations unable to defend themselves.   

  The 7 countries included in United States’ 2025 bombings were as follows: Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen  --all nations populated by people of color.   It is estimated that at least 95 people have been killed in the boat strikes near Venezuela.  We don’t know the number of deaths, but the best public estimated cost of capturing Maduro is $60 million (See, How Much Did The U.S. Spend To Capture Maduro?) and various estimates are that billions have been spent on the deployment of American ships, etc.       

 As we begin 2026, it seems that we have gotten MAGAA instead of MAGA!  If there remains any doubt, consider the fact that we began 2026 with   

• Racism, homophobia, ethnocentrism, and xenophobia running rampant;
• Millions of Americans scampering to secure health insurance;
• Increasingly, higher education is an expensive dream deferred;
• Many of the current generation unable to purchase homes;
• The President recently threatened $10 billion cut to child care funds;
• 2025 was the weakest job growth since 2003
• In November 2025, Black unemployment reached 8.1%, the highest since 2021; 
• Health, wealth, and educational disparities continue to grow;
• Reproductive justice is under attack; 
• A lack of science-based policy has contributed to measles outbreaks;
• Almost 50 million people face food insecurity; and
• The cost of the proverbial egg continues to rise.

Perhaps POTUS should take a look in the mirror and ascertain if, because of what he has done, he should add America to his list of “shithole countries.”  As we daily drown in the narcissistic, unpredictable, and often irrational bull from his pulpit. e.g., “running Venezuela for years,” having “just called off a second strike against Venezuela,” “Canada becoming the 51st state,” “annexing Greenland,” “Cuba could be next,” “might makes right,” etc., there might be some hope gleaned from the fact that history is replete with battles such as those at Waterloo, Algiers, Little Bighorn, Haitian Revolution, Afghanistan, and Viet Nam.  And then there is the biblical statement regarding excessive arrogance, i.e., “pride goeth before the fall.”  Moreover, lest one thinks herein resides a bit of hyperbole, people in the streets across America bare witness to the foregoing MAGAA concerns.  Could it be possible that POTUS met his Waterloo at Venezuela and Minneapolis?   As Malcolm X often said, “time will tell.”       

Jack L. Daniel   Co-founder, Freed Panther Society   

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media 

 Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black  

January 11, 2026       

The gift creates the Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars Program at the University of Pittsburgh’s David C. Frederick Honors College.

The University of Pittsburgh celebrates a $30 million gift from Michael Rees (ENGR ’97, A&S ’97, FHC ’97) and family to create a program within its highly ranked honors college to attract outstanding first-year students and support them over the course of their undergraduate degree.

The gift creates an endowed fund that will expand the number of Frederick Honors College (FHC) students receiving full room, board, and tuition scholarships through the existing Chancellor’s Scholars program. The cohort of 64 students at a time, now known as Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars, will each receive an annual, funded enrichment opportunity to cover the cost of experiential learning opportunities, providing them financial support to pursue their passions and develop their leadership.

“Michael Rees exemplifies the possibilities of a Pitt education,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel. “His transformational gift not only ensures that the best and brightest continue to choose and be served by Pitt, but that our honors college continues its incredible momentum.” 

In addition to providing generous scholarship support and funding for research, internships, career development, networking and other enrichment experiences, the gift will add additional staff members to the Honors College, creating a team dedicated to supporting the cohort. This gift will create one of the most holistic scholarship programs and robust honors college education in the country through an individualized educational and co-curricular program supported by dedicated advisors. The new team members will establish a recruitment pipeline to attract the best candidates and will work with each student to personalize their Frederick Honors experience, receiving targeted guidance in applying and preparing for international scholarships such as Rhodes and Fulbright. 

“My time at Pitt laid the foundation for my career, and my honors program experiences are what really shaped me into the person I am today,” said Rees, an Upper St. Clair native who earned bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and political science from the University of Pittsburgh. “I’m excited to see the next generation of students enjoy even greater benefits and to help this program reach new heights.”

Throughout his undergraduate career, Rees was an active participant in the University Honors College, received a Chancellor’s Scholarship, and won the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. He received the Department of Defense Research Fellowship and earned graduate degrees in mechanical engineering and technology policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He later founded Dyal Capital, which is a predecessor firm to Blue Owl Capital Inc., where Rees is co-president and a member of the board of directors. 

Beyond full tuition and housing support, Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars will experience funded enrichment opportunities such as research, study abroad, and specialized retreats—including experiences involving FHC partner University College, Oxford—that will give students the freedom to explore their passions in preparation for post-graduate success. 

The first cohort of students supported by this gift will matriculate in the 2027-2028 academic year. Comprehensive nationwide recruitment efforts funded through the gift will identify the most qualified students competing for spots in top college programs for this and subsequent classes. The Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars program will continue in perpetuity, adding 16 new incoming students each year, developing our next generation of leaders and scholarly change makers. Under the leadership of Dean Nicola Foote, who arrived at Pitt in 2021, the University has increased the breadth of programming in the college, attracting new applicants from around the globe and leading to a number 11 ranking on College Transitions’ 50 Best Honors Colleges list. 

This innovative program aims to reinvent the way honors students are identified, recruited, and supported throughout their academic career, in a model similar to student athletes. Rees attributes this cohort model, and the connections he made during his time in the Honors College, with many of the personal and professional relationships he has maintained since his time at Pitt.

“Adding these experiential learning and development opportunities to the Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars’ experiences will cultivate student success and propel innovation,” Foote said. “This will ensure that students know early on that the University of Pittsburgh is excited about their potential and that we have made a commitment to their education.”

About the David C. Frederick Honors College

The University of Pittsburgh established the University Honors College in 1986, building upon the achievements of the University Honors Program, which was started in 1978. In 2022, Pitt’s first Rhodes Scholar, David C. Frederick, made a transformative gift to the Honors College and the University recognized this philanthropy through the naming of the David C. Frederick Honors College. The mission of the Frederick Honors College is to meet the academic and extracurricular needs of the University of Pittsburgh’s most able, ambitious, and inquisitive undergraduate students by providing intellectual challenges, inspiring individual effort, encouraging independent thinking and self-discovery, and fostering a nurturing community. 

The Frederick Honors College is ranked eleventh in the nation by College Transition, a higher education admissions consultancy company providing guidance to high school students. FHC received 10,016 applications for the fall 2025 semester, which was an 18 percent increase over the previous year. The eventual incoming class had an average GPA of 4.46, an SAT score of 1457, and an ACT score of 33.

                      HAIL TO THE POSSIBLE: The Enhancement of Pitt Students’ Agency  

                     “The best things about any school are not what is said about it,

                      but what is lived out by its alumni.”

                                          - Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, 2002- 

The University of Pittsburgh is the top public university in Pennsylvania.  Nationally, as well as internationally, its excellence has been externally verified.  As noted by the March 31, 2025 Pittwire, “Business leaders look to Pitt as a highly selective source of talented graduates, according to a new list by Forbes that named the University a “New Ivy.”  …The list, in its second year, notes highly selective universities whose students are ‘outpacing most Ivy Leaguers in the eyes of employers,’ chosen by executives who subscribe to Forbes newsletters.  Pitt is a new addition to this year’s list, making it the only Pennsylvania university to be named as a public ‘New Ivy.’  The distinction joins other recent accolades by the University, including as a best college for future leaders according to Time Magazine, among the top 50 universities powering global innovation per Clarivate, and the No. 8 U.S. public university according to the U.S. News and World Report.”

Given its externally verified successes, the University of Pittsburgh appropriately expresses itself  in the following terms:  [1] “Hail to the possible!” and [2] “With a demonstrated spirit of tackling the unachievable for over 230 years, Pitt is making the most innovative future imaginable today.”  The University of Pittsburgh has more than 350,000 alumni.  Given the importance of alumni as the embodiment of institutional reputations, Chancellor Joan Gabel was asked how the University of Pittsburgh contributes to its students’ sense of agency.  

Personal agency is used herein to refer to people having a sense of as well as the ability to make significant choices and take related actions regarding key aspects of their lives.  The lack of agency includes a sense of helplessness; a feeling of being a victim of circumstances; and a general inability to influence your life circumstances.  Agency is also used herein in reference to how University of Pittsburgh graduates view their abilities to not only advance their personal goals, but also influence regional, national and international circumstances in ways that advance our Constitutional ideals.

Regarding the University of Pittsburgh’s contributions to its student’s sense of agency, Chancellor Gabel indicated the following: “Cultivating student success represents the first pillar of our strategic plan, the Plan for Pitt 2028. We also recognize that student success goes far beyond the classroom and must include agency to define one’s path and trust that one can turn possibility into achievement. We have approached this area of student success from multiple perspectives: academic; professional; social; economic; wellness; civic engagement; and through free speech and civil discourse.

The As a founding member of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars (C&S) Campus Call for Free Expression, Pitt deepens our focus on civic preparedness through this partnership. Through C&S’ programs, students refine their skills — speaking with confidence, listening with care, reflecting deeply and building common ground. The video “Real Talk: Across Campus, Across Divides” captures how students practice these habits, preparing them to engage responsibly in a society that depends on dialogue, resilience and shared purpose.

The Year of Discourse and Dialogue, for example, placed students at the center of projects advancing civil conversation. Initiatives such as Public Art as a Dialogue Generator, the First Amendment Rights Teach-in, and Writing Gen Q: Creating Intergenerational Dialogue through Creative Writing invited students to lead dialogue across difference. In Writing Gen Q, students bridged generational divides through storytelling, showing that agency at Pitt means more than self-expression: It is the power to shape understanding and build lasting connections.

Long-standing traditions further reinforce student voice and leadership. The William Pitt Debating Union, one of the nation’s oldest, prepares students through the discipline of reasoned argument. Programs like Pitt Votes and the Student Government Board give students a direct role in shaping campus culture, while the Community Engagement Centers extend these lessons outward as students work with neighborhoods across the region.

This commitment to agency extends beyond civic dialogue into the realm of discovery. The University underscores intellectual agency by encouraging students to be creators of knowledge rather than passive recipients. Across schools and majors, undergraduates conduct research with faculty mentors, complete capstone projects and pursue discovery-driven courses. These opportunities invite students to frame questions, generate insights and contribute to innovation at a university recognized among the world’s top institutions powering global progress.

Through civil discourse, leadership, service, and discovery, Pitt is preparing our students to elevate the communities where they live, work and serve. In this spirit, we are proud that our students are being nationally recognized for this important work, including through the naming of Pitt’s 14th Truman scholar (first since 2020). We look forward to supporting our students toward even greater impact, while also continuing the University’s important momentum in the years ahead and through the Plan for Pitt 2028.”

Pitt administrators, staff, faculty and staff are to be commended for having the cultivation of student success as the first pillar of their strategic plan for 2028. Most importantly, Pitt is to be commended for producing graduates with demonstrable agency.  For example, please consider the following accounts of distinguished Pitt Alumni.

(1)  Blue, Gold and Black 2004 (See, https://www.chancellor-emeritus.pitt.edu/sites/default/pdfs/BlueGoldBlack2004.pdf)

(2)  “Notable Pitt Women you should know this women’s History Month,” a list that includes a Nobel Laurate (See,  Notable Pitt women you should know this Women’s History Month | University of Pittsburgh);

(3)  the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Fellows (See, University of Pittsburgh Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement - Alumni Recognition) and 

(4)   the 2025 Alumni Honorees (See, University of Pittsburgh Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement - Announcing Pitt’s 2025 Alumni Awards Honorees).  

Truly, as evidenced by the above examples, Pitt alumni have in many ways made the impossible possible!  As a final bit of advice regarding the realization of agency by Pitt alumni, consider the following advice from Pitt alum,  MacArthur Genius Award winner, William Strickland (Make the Impossible Possible: One Man’s Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary), “Trust your passion, identify your dreams, and find the courage to share them with others, no matter how many times they call you a fool.”

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urvan Meida

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

October 9, 2025

As noted by the University of Pittsburgh, Joan Gabel, the former President and chief executive of the University of Minnesota System and Twin Cities campus, became the University of Pittsburgh’s 19th Chancellor.  As such, Gabel became the first woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787.  On her 100th day of service as Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, she concluded her letter to Pitt students, faculty and staff with the following comments: “I’m proud to be part of a community that not only insists on a commitment to compassion, shared humanity, and mutual care and respect, but also humbly recognizes when we fall short and commits to doing more and doing better. It is an honor to walk with you, to support you, and to help ensure for everyone that anything is possible at Pitt.”  After reading the foregoing statements, I hadthrowback moment and said to myself, “Right on” and, in turn, provided Chancellor Gabel with that feedback.  Subsequently, she agreed to the following interview.

 Jack L. Daniel & Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel One on One:

As noted by the University of Pittsburgh, Joan Gabel, the former President and chief executive of the University of Minnesota System and Twin Cities campus, became the University of Pittsburgh’s 19th Chancellor.  As such, Gabel became the first woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787.  On her 100th day of service as Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, she concluded her letter to Pitt students, faculty and staff with the following comments: “I’m proud to be part of a community that not only insists on a commitment to compassion, shared humanity, and mutual care and respect, but also humbly recognizes when we fall short and commits to doing more and doing better. It is an honor to walk with you, to support you, and to help ensure for everyone that anything is possible at Pitt.”  After reading the foregoing statements, I had a 1960s throwback moment and said to myself, “Right on” and, in turn, provided Chancellor Gabel with that feedback.  Subsequently, she agreed to the following interview.

JLD: As you know very well, we live at a moment when domestically and internationally we are desperately in need of the “commitment to compassion, shared humanity, and mutual care and respect.”  Accordingly, I am especially pleased that you agreed to this interview and I begin by asking the following question. As we go forth with you leading our major research University with national and international standing, what examples would you give to exemplify Pitt’s demonstrated commitment to our shared humanity?

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: This demonstrated commitment to our shared humanity begins with our values as a university. We are leaning into these shared values as we refresh the Plan for Pitt, the University’s strategic plan. These values help to serve as guideposts as we work to graduate service-minded citizens poised to change the world for the good. They help to serve our focus on research, cures and therapeutics and in eliminating disparities in areas like health and the arts and sciences. They help to serve as an anchor for our commitment to equity and inclusion, elevating us into the community of belonging we aspire to be. They help to serve us in efforts to be good stewards of resources, ensuring that we do well by all those we serve. And they help to serve us in ensuring that anything is possible at Pitt, from work of the past to discover a polio vaccine, to a shared, future-focused vision to lead the life sciences century. 

JLD: As you know, I refer to the pursuit of equity and social justice as having been a North Star for me when I was employed at Pitt.  In terms of an institutional commitment to doing more and better when it comes to the realization of equity and social justice, how do you define your leadership roles as Chancellor?

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: The University of Pittsburgh has an unwavering commitment to cultivating a community and culture where a sense of belonging is strong, and equity and inclusion are actively promoted. This commitment enhances our individual and shared success and makes for a vibrant educational experience. In this spirit, and my role as chancellor, I’m focused on 1) identifing the most important ways that we need to deliver for our students, 2) setting appropriate and achievable goals in those areas and 3) being transparent and accountable when we measure our performance on those metrics. Many of those metrics are going to be in areas that help define our progress with an equity and social justice lens, from whether our student body is reflective of our broader community, to whether we are adequately supporting students from all socioeconomic levels to graduation and beyond.

JLD: I deeply appreciate the inspirational statement, “anything is possible at Pitt.”  Borrowing from a Pitt Trustee Emeritus’ book title, Making the Impossible Possible by Bill Strickland, would you please specify a key “impossibility” that you would like to see Pitt make possible.

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: The more I’ve learned about the world-class talent here and the work they are doing, the more I’ve found myself repeating the words: “Anything is possible at Pitt.” As we lean into this concept as a key value in our refreshed Plan for Pitt, there are so many possibilities — from delivering new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease to restoring lost vision for the blind. And we will continue to fine-tune these areas and resources so we can continue to deliver on what is possible at Pitt.

JLD:  I commend you for the ways in which you have conscientiously reached out to all of the University’s constituents.  Now then is the time for synergistic relationships to evolve between you and them.  With that in mind, how might a diverse group of alumni best assist you and other members of the Pitt community

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: In our search to strengthen our mutually beneficial long-term relationship with alumni, we connect with them through programming, social events and networking opportunities, both around the world and online. We invest in and augment the value of that Pitt degree long after graduation by keeping them engaged and involved. This requires everybody to be involved, and I am proud to have engaged widely across our alumni community since my arrival, from meetings with individual affinity groups to broader engagement at homecoming. At each turn, we’ve been seeking alumni feedback relating to the strategic direction of the Unviersity, which has been invaluable in shaping what the plan will become. 

 JLD:  Thanks very much for taking time from your demanding schedule during these very demanding times to provide the foregoing information.

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

November 17, 2023