Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education Creating equitable pathways to success

The Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education at Point Park University seeks to create equity and opportunities in education and employment for youth and families from communities of color. Focusing on skills necessary for college and career readiness, the center will serve as a convener of resources, providing workshops, college mentors and opportunities to meet with community and business leaders, as well as college faculty.

Our Goals

The center is committed to investment in youth and improving social capital in Pittsburgh communities by adhering to three program goals:

• Prepare students to be college- and/or career-ready
• Expose students to college and career resources
• Create learning, leadership and life-skill opportunities

About the Center

• Located within the Rowland School of Business on Point Park's Downtown Pittsburgh campus
• Established with a gift of $150,000 from Chuck Hammel, CEO of Pitt Ohio, and $25,000 from First National Bank, the largest subsidiary of F.N.B Corporation. 
• Named after two professional sports Hall of Famers: 
  • Chuck Cooper made sports history by being the first African American drafted by the NBA. His achievements on the basketball court at Duquesne University and at the Boston Celtics, as well as his professional career - being the first African American appointed to direct a department in the city of Pittsburgh - make him an inspiring role model for students both on and off the field.
  • Josh Gibson played baseball in the Negro League for Pittsburgh’s Homestead Grays as a marquee player. His batting average and home run hits earned him nine spots on the All Star team. In 1972, he was the second Negro League player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Gibson earned his spot in sports history during segregation for black players; his story speaks to discipline and hard work in the face of adversity.