Neighborhood Academy benefit
The Neighborhood Academy held its most successful benefit to date Wednesday evening. The sold-out event raised $200,000.
With 400 guests filling the school’s indoor soccer field house in Stanton Heights, the Nancy and Paul O’Neill Speaker Series featured Anthony Ray Hinton, New York Times bestselling co-author of “The Sun Does Shine.”
Hinton mingled with guests while others filled their plates at a buffet catered by Tallulah’s and found their seats before his talk.
“We have this event every two years with an author who speaks to the students and the community,” explained Carolyn Sandford, assistant head of school for development.
Hinton was introduced by Paul O’Neill Jr., who continues to honor his parent’s legacy.
“To me this night is about taking to the kids and sending them the strong message that it’s OK to forgive, it’s OK to be born poor, it’s OK to come from not a great neighborhood,” said Hinton.
“I believe education is the key to lifting people up and the justice system may not be what we think it is but it is going to take all of us working together to make it what it should be.”
He went on to discuss the importance of working with police officers and leaders and involving them to make changes so that everyone feels safe, including them.
“I would love to see police officers in neighborhoods that are crime-ridden and take a part in the neighborhood. The neighborhoods we are told to stay away from are the ones we should be in and investing in,” Hinton said.
The event was chaired by Annie Westbrook (with Shevey) and Steve Harms (with Colleen).
“This is the most people we have ever had in this space. We maxed out,” said Westbrook.
“This will help us fund
scholarships for our students and we are so grateful for the participants tonight,” said head of school Anthony Williams.
Currently The Neighborhood Academy has 170 students. Within the next two years, they hope to grow that number to 200 or more students.
Inspired were Lorrie and Phil Roberts, board chair Ed Haller, Leslie Fleischer, Arthur Pang, Sue Hunter, Mark Kurtzrock, Ginny Thornburgh, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Carol King and Chip Burke, Melissa and Bill Hallett, Cynthia and Steve Lackey, Alina and Joe Massaro, Carey and Richard Reed, Sally Ann Bensur, Mia and Joel Bernard, Courtney Borntraeger, Jamee and Tom Todd, Trevor Day and Barbara Lovejoy.