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Program applications for the 2023-24 school year are open.
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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

Program Application

The Cooper Gibson program offers workshops related to college and career readiness for high school students on Point Park's campus. To take advantage of these opportunities, submit an application today for the 2023-24 school year. 

Pictured are students from Pittsburgh Hardball Academy and Pittsburgh Obama 6-12's wrestling team at a Cooper Gibson workshop. Submitted photo.

The Chuck Cooper and Josh Giben Center for Equity and Education recently hosted students from Pittsburgh Hardball Academy and Pittsburgh Obama 6-12's wrestling team on Point Park's campus. The students attended workshops on financial literacy, provided by Jacob McClelland of First National Bank, and Name, Imagine & Likeness (NIL), provided by Chuck Berry, a faculty member in Point Park's Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business program.

Events

Our events are open to high school students. For more information or to register, please email us at CooperGibsonCenter@pointpark.edu.

Upcoming Events

Check back here for updates. 

Previous Events

Sat., Oct. 21, Noon–1:30 p.m.

Location: Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center, West Penn Hall 1st Floor, Point Park University

Session I, Noon–12:30, Lunch
Legacy of Hall of Famers Chuck Cooper & Josh Gibson| Provided by Chuck Cooper III and Sean Gibson

Session II, 12:30–1 p.m.
Financial Aid (FAFSA) Discussion | Provided by George Santucci, director of financial aid services, Point Park

Session II, 1–1:30 p.m.
Special Presentation by Chuck Cooper Foundation Scholarship Recipients Edwin De La Rosa, Jason Bempah, Maria Lewis and Jace Peterkin: "Building Bridges to Success: Empowering Youth for a Better Tomorrow"


Sat., Nov. 4, Noon–1:30 p.m.

Location: Michael P. Pitterich Sales and Innovation Center, West Penn Hall 1st Floor, Point Park University

Session I, Noon–12:15 p.m.
Lunch and Icebreaker Activities

Session II, 12:15–1 p.m.
Navigating the College Admissions Process | Provided by Point Park's admissions team

Session III, 1–1:30 p.m.
Sports Leadership Panel Discussion | Provided by Point Park faculty in the Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management (SAEM) program: Karen Hall, Ed., and Robert Derda, M.S., associate professor and chair of the Department of Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management


Sat., Dec. 2, Noon–1:30 p.m.

Location: Michael P. Pitterich Sales and Innovation Center, West Penn Hall 1st Floor, Point Park University

Session I, Noon– 1 p.m.
Personal Finance and Financial Literacy Workshop, provided by Jacob McClelland of First National Bank

Session II, 1–1:30 p.m.
What Athletes Need to Know About Name, Imagine & Likeness (NIL)  | Provided by Chuck Berry, adjunct faculty in Point Park's SAEM program

Pictured from left are Rowland School of Business staff and faculty Robert Derda, Steve Tanzilli and Qiana Peoples. Submitted photo.

Steve Tanzilli, J.D., dean of the Rowland School of Business, received the Trailblazer Award from the Chuck Cooper Foundation for his work establishing the Chuck Cooper and Josh Gibson Center for Equity and Education at Point Park University. Pictured from left at the award ceremony are Robert Derda, associate professor and foundation board chair, Tanzilli and Qiana Peoples, assistant to the dean.

Pictured is First National Bank's logo. Submitted.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 $50,000 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.

Contact Us


Learn about our 2022 Top SCORE Students in the video below:

 

Past Events

Our events span a broad range of topics relevant to student success. Our guest speakers provide students with actionable advice that they can carry forward throughout their education and careers. Past events have included:

  • Personal Finance
  • Personal Branding
  • Financial Aid
  • Sports Leadership
  • Name, Image, Likeness

In the News


Connect With Us

The Cooper Gibson team is available to visit local school districts to discuss its programs. To schedule a visit, email CooperGibsonCenter@pointpark.edu.

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College and Career-Readiness Resources