**Honoring difference makers:**
As a part of Black History Month, the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates teamed up with Pittsburgh Public Schools to host a Black History Month Living Museum, honoring influential Black leaders in difference makers in Pittsburgh sports.
The museum was done at Pittsburgh Sterrett, with the students representing the leaders from each team who made a difference and played a role in Black history in Pittsburgh.
The day was kicked off by hearing from those representing each organization, including Dr. MiChele Holly, Principal of Pittsburgh Sterrett (PPS), Blayre Holmes-Davis, Sr. Director of Community Relations for the Steelers, Tracey McCants Lewis, Chief Legal and Community Affairs Officer for the Penguins and Sarah Heffler, Community Engagement Manager for the Pirates.
"I am excited to be here today not only to recognize and celebrate this month, but also to have a living history museum which will tell the stories of influential black leaders within our organizations and how their contributions have not only made our organizations better, but society as a whole," said Holmes-Davis. "We could not tell the story of the Pittsburgh Steelers without these three individuals and we are excited to see the students embody their passion and resilience."
Among those in the Steelers organization the students chose to honor were former Coach Mike Tomlin, Hall of Fame scout Bill Nunn, and former assistant coach John Mitchell.
The students dressed as the individuals they were honoring and highlighted their career achievements that are a part of Black History Month in Pittsburgh and beyond.
Tomlin was highlighted for becoming the first Black Head Coach in Steelers history when he was hired in 2007, the 16th head coach in team history and only the third since 1969 at that time. The students featured Tomlin's accomplishments, which included19 seasons with the Steelers, without a losing season, and leading them to eight AFC North championships, two AFC Championships and a win in Super Bowl XLIII.
Mitchell's story of breaking barriers at the University of Alabama prior to his time with the Steelers was inspiring for the students. Mitchell, who spent 29 seasons with the Steelers in roles that included assistant head coach and defensive line coach, was born in Alabama in 1951, a time when there was segregation in Alabama and throughout the South. Mitchell dreamt about playing at Alabama and became the school's the first African American to play, be a captain and an All-American at the school.
Nunn was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021, the first Black Contributor in the 100-year history of the Hall. Nunn, the long-time Steelers scout, was a sportswriter for the Pittsburgh Courier and selected the newspaper's annual Black College All-America Team, building a relationship with players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities along the way. Nunn was a member of the Inaugural Class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame and a 2018 Steelers Hall of Honor selection.
Others who were honored included:
Pittsburgh Penguins: Trevor Daley: Former Penguins defenseman and special assistant to the president of hockey operations Willie O'Ree Academy: Willie O'Ree broke the racial barrier in hockey with the Boston Bruins, and the Penguins started the Academy named after him to provide training, mentorship, and opportunities for Black youth hockey players in the Pittsburgh region.
Jaden Lindo: Manager of community hockey and 2014 sixth round draft pick of the team.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Curt Roberts: The first Black player for the Pittsburgh Pirates Gene Baker: First Black person to manage in Major League Baseball, taking over late in a Pirates game when other managers were ejected. Was also the first Black player for the Chicago Cubs.
Lloyd McClendon: Manager for the Pirates from 2001-05, becoming the team's first Black manager.