If anyone asked kindergartener Chloe Stanczak what she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer would have been a teacher. From the time she was five years old, Stanczak knew becoming a teacher was her career goal.
“My dad was a teacher, so it was always a strong passion for me. I just knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life,” said Stanczak.
Kyanna Williams Pate’s life goals include working as a physician to increase health care access for those who otherwise would not have that benefit. Williams Pate has worked tirelessly to reach this goal with help from The Pittsburgh Foundation’s scholarship program.
Greensburg, Pennsylvania, is a pretty small town, galactically speaking. That hasn’t stopped Greensburg native Megan O’Brien from dreaming of the cosmos. O’Brien, who graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Greensburg-Salem High School in 2020, says, “I love all things rockets, NASA, that kind of stuff.” After she receives her degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University, she hopes to work in the aerospace industry on “quality assurance, testing whether things work, destroying things, seeing what needs fixed.”
In 2019, Aeryn Lesesne, graduated from high school as the valedictorian of Pittsburgh Online Academy, a Pittsburgh Public School. Now she’s a secondary English education major at Point Park University. After she finishes college, Lesesne says she hopes to return to a district like Pittsburgh Public — but not as a student. “My aspiration is to make a difference as an educator.”
Colton Dietz began following his passion for jazz improvisation and music because of the freeform creativity it lent him—the chance to express himself in a genre with a rich history. He picked up the trombone in fifth grade in Norwin School District and attended Norwin High School. He brought his interest in sharing music with others with him to The Pennsylvania State University to study music education.
Challenging cultural mores and institutionalized injustices underpins Minion's dedication to equity and racial justice — and her connection to The Pittsburgh Foundation.
Smallwood is a photojournalist and documentary filmmaker based in Pittsburgh.
Alisha Wormsley sparked controversy in 2018 when she posted the words “THERE ARE BLACK PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE” on a billboard in East Liberty, a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood in Pittsburgh.
Murphy is founder and executive director of Healthy Village Learning Institute, an organization focused on bringing a holistic African-centered experience to Black residents of the McKeesport area.
A University of Pittsburgh student and award recipient talks frisbee and legacy.
A college student achieves distinguished scholarship award.
University of Pittsburgh law student receives prestigious scholarship.
A University of Pittsburgh student discusses her experience with the Foundation.
Pharmaceutical student discusses the Leonard and Annette Silverman PITT Pharmacy School Fund.
Ore Olaore’s journey to becoming a pediatric neurologist began during her freshman year at Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 high school. Though she was a visual arts major at CAPA, she’d always been interested in the medical field and thoroughly researched possible options. Ore was heavily involved in many STEM-related programs outside of school and was a teaching assistant for STEM and coding classes at Citizen Science Lab.
Aqaveon Jackson has dreamed of being in the FBI since he was eight years old. The field sparks his interest because of his strong interest in helping people. “I was in the foster care system, and my foster family took guardianship over me,” said Jackson. “We have binders in foster care describing who we are, what we like and possible future careers, and I remember one of the careers I wanted to go into was the FBI. I have really wanted to do this for a long time.”
Since its 2010 inception, True T has transformed its mission and service to LGBTQ+ Pittsburghers. True T began as an organization of celebration and entertainment and now serves as a community hub also providing health and safety resources for LGBTQ+ individuals queer arts and activism.
Chantal Braziel has been awarded more than $17,000 in scholarships from Pittsburgh Foundation funds. Learn about her passion for opera and how the scholarships she has received have helped her pursue a career in classical singing.
A local nonprofit celebrates and reflects on 10 years of fostering economic cooperation to benefit Hill District residents and artists.
Aganga-Williams first came to Pittsburgh in 2000 to settle one of her daughters at Duquesne University. Twenty-one years later, she’s still here.
Mohamed joined the Foundation’s staff as its senior policy officer in May 2020.
Njaimeh Njie is a photographer, filmmaker and multimedia producer whose work chronicles Black experiences, with a particular focus on how the past shapes contemporary life.
D.S. Kinsel is an artist, art educator and co-founder of BOOM Concepts, a gallery, art and activist hub.
A University of Pittsburgh student talks about her history with the Foundation.
A recent graduate discusses scholarship and passion for education.
A scholarship awardee discusses college sacrifices and post-college career.
A college student wins high school scholarship.
A 2020 Truxall Scholarship Fund recipient shares her thoughts.
