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

Pictured is the Rowland School of Business logo on a window. File photo.

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.
Pictured from top left are Robert Derda, M.S., associate professor and chair of the Department of Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management; Stephen Tanzilli, J.D., dean of the Rowland School of Business; Chuck Cooper III, president of Chuck Cooper Enterprises, LLC and president of Chuck Cooper Foundation, and Sean Gibson, president of Josh Gibson Enterprise and the executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation.
Pictured from top left are Robert Derda, M.S., associate professor and chair of the Department of Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management; Stephen Tanzilli, J.D., dean of the Rowland School of Business; Chuck Cooper III, president of Chuck Cooper Enterprises, LLC and president of Chuck Cooper Foundation, and Sean Gibson, president of Josh Gibson Enterprise and the executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation.

 

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Pictured are students, faculty and staff at the Cooper Gibson Personal Finance Planning event, held on April 12, 2022 at Sarah Heinz House. Point Park staff member Brittney Arnett and JoAnn Kubit from FNB Bank presented.
A student and Chuck Cooper III listen to Professor Robert Derda at the Cooper Gibson's Personal Branding and Networking Workshop, held April 23, 2022 at the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center at Point Park.
Professor Robert Derda gave a presentation at the Cooper Gibson's Personal Branding and Networking Workshop, held April 23, 2022 at the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center at Point Park.
The Cooper Gibson Center team gave a presentation to high school students from the Pittsburgh Public Schools African American Centers for Advanced Studies (AACAS) on Dec. 16, 2021. AACAS is a committee of African American scholars from across the nine high schools in the Pittsburgh Public Schools district. Chuck Cooper III, Sean Gibson, Robert Derda and Stephen Tanzilli represented the Cooper Gibson Center.
Pictured are admissions counselor Kathryn Mulvey, Chuck Cooper III and high school students during a Cooper Gibson workshop, The College Admissions Process.
Pictured are Rowland School of Business Dean Stephen Tanzilli, Chuck Cooper III and high school students during a Cooper Gibson workshop at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Rowland School of Business Dean Stephen Tanzilli, J.D., Chuck Cooper III and Sean Gibson pose for a photo with students at the Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education orientation.
Students enjoyed success-focused workshops during the Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education orientation.
Former Pittsburgh Steeler and two-time Super Bowl champion Willie Parker was a special guest at the Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education orientation. He presented a "Keys to Success" speech and signed autographs.
Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education Events — 9 images
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Pictured are students, faculty and staff at the Cooper Gibson Personal Finance Planning event, held on April 12, 2022 at Sarah Heinz House. Point Park staff member Brittney Arnett and JoAnn Kubit from FNB Bank presented.
Pictured are students, faculty and staff at the Cooper Gibson Personal Finance Planning event, held on April 12, 2022 at Sarah Heinz House. Point Park staff member Brittney Arnett and JoAnn Kubit from FNB Bank presented.
A student and Chuck Cooper III listen to Professor Robert Derda at the Cooper Gibson's Personal Branding and Networking Workshop, held April 23, 2022 at the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center at Point Park.
A student and Chuck Cooper III listen to Professor Robert Derda at the Cooper Gibson's Personal Branding and Networking Workshop, held April 23, 2022 at the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center at Point Park.
Professor Robert Derda gave a presentation at the Cooper Gibson's Personal Branding and Networking Workshop, held April 23, 2022 at the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center at Point Park.
Professor Robert Derda gave a presentation at the Cooper Gibson's Personal Branding and Networking Workshop, held April 23, 2022 at the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center at Point Park.
The Cooper Gibson Center team gave a presentation to high school students from the Pittsburgh Public Schools African American Centers for Advanced Studies (AACAS) on Dec. 16, 2021. AACAS is a committee of African American scholars from across the nine high schools in the Pittsburgh Public Schools district. Chuck Cooper III, Sean Gibson, Robert Derda and Stephen Tanzilli represented the Cooper Gibson Center.
The Cooper Gibson Center team gave a presentation to high school students from the Pittsburgh Public Schools African American Centers for Advanced Studies (AACAS) on Dec. 16, 2021. AACAS is a committee of African American scholars from across the nine high schools in the Pittsburgh Public Schools district. Chuck Cooper III, Sean Gibson, Robert Derda and Stephen Tanzilli represented the Cooper Gibson Center.
Pictured are admissions counselor Kathryn Mulvey, Chuck Cooper III and high school students during a Cooper Gibson workshop, The College Admissions Process.
Pictured are admissions counselor Kathryn Mulvey, Chuck Cooper III and high school students during a Cooper Gibson workshop, The College Admissions Process.
Pictured are Rowland School of Business Dean Stephen Tanzilli, Chuck Cooper III and high school students during a Cooper Gibson workshop at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Pictured are Rowland School of Business Dean Stephen Tanzilli, Chuck Cooper III and high school students during a Cooper Gibson workshop at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Students and Cooper Gibson staff pose for a photo during orientation. Submitted photo.
Rowland School of Business Dean Stephen Tanzilli, J.D., Chuck Cooper III and Sean Gibson pose for a photo with students at the Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education orientation.
Students pose for a photo at the Cooper Gibson orientation event. Submitted photo.
Students enjoyed success-focused workshops during the Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education orientation.
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Willie Parker signs autographs for students at the Cooper Gibson orientation event. Submitted photo.
Former Pittsburgh Steeler and two-time Super Bowl champion Willie Parker was a special guest at the Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education orientation. He presented a "Keys to Success" speech and signed autographs.

 

Upcoming Programs

Dates, times and locations will be posted as events are scheduled. Programming may shift to a hybrid or fully remote model as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education SCORE (Skills for Career/College Opportunities Resources and Exploration) program offers workshops related to college and career readiness for high school students on Point Park's campus and at Sarah Heinz House on Pittsburgh's Northside. 

  • Awards for our 2021-22 top SCORE students will be announced in June. Check back for details!
  • Applications for the 2022-23 school year are now open. Submit your application online.
  • SCORE program participation includes a basic, one-year Sarah Heinz House membership.
  • Free meals will be offered at all in-person events, including snacks and boxed lunches at Point Park events. Sarah Heinz House after-school events will include free dinner.
  • Students who complete the SCORE program may receive one college credit from Point Park.

 

 

Please check back for information on 2022-2023 programming.

 

In the News

Connect With Us

The Cooper Gibson team is available to visit local school districts to discuss its programs. We recently visited Perry Traditional Academy to talk to students about the benefits of our SCORE program. To schedule a visit, contact Leslie Wessner at Lwessner@pointpark.edu for more information. 

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College and Career-Readiness Resources