Community Corner: Honoring difference makers

Feb 12, 2026 at 11:53 AM

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

Thursday, February 12

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.

Black_History_Month_2026_PPS_Living_Museum_004

Black_History_Month_2026_PPS_Living_Museum_005

Black_History_Month_2026_PPS_Living_Museum_001

Black_History_Month_2026_PPS_Living_Museum_003

Black_History_Month_2026_PPS_Living_Museum_002

Wednesday, February 4

Celebrating girls and women in sports: For the second straight year, the Steelers are doing their part to give back on a day that is designed to honor and celebrate women in the sports world.

National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is a day that originated in 1987 when it was declared by then President Ronald Reagan.

It was originally designated to honor late Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman and has since evolved to recognize all girls and women in sports in any fashion.

It's an opportunity to celebrate women and girls who make an impact on the field, in the media, the community and the board room in all of sports.

And the Steelers are celebrating the day by those in the organization doing their part to help out young female athletes.

The Steelers partnered with Operation Warm to package and distribute over 1,000 sports bras for Pittsburgh Public Schools female athletes who participate in flag football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and beyond.

A total of 500 female student athletes will receive two bras each as part of the Fly:FWD program. Fly:FWD sports bras serve as a bridge, empowering girls to overcome obstacles and excel in sports with unwavering confidence and are committed to making a difference in the lives of young athletes, setting them on a path of empowerment and wellness.

"It means a lot to everyone in the organization to be able to do this," said Blayre Holmes-Davis, the Steelers senior director of community relations. "As an organization, especially the women who work here, are thrilled to be able to take a day to celebrate one another in the work that we do not only during the season, but throughout the entire year.

"But to be able to invest in the next generation of female athletes and let them see us as a representation of what they can do is special. We can show them you can be successful in this field. We can let them know there's a space for you in sports if you want there to be.

"It also is about helping the young female athletes to be able to have the equipment to play their sport and be successful. When they're talking about making sure that there's funding for athletes from the equipment, what doesn't get talked about is that sports bras. But it's a necessity for young female athletes to have.

"For us to be intentional about celebrating that day, but also making sure that we're doing an act of service to let the girls know we know this is a big issue because we're also here to help fulfill that need."

PHOTOS: 2026 National Girls and Women in Sports Day volunteer event

The Steelers celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day by holding a NGWSD volunteer event at Acrisure Stadium in collaboration with the Penguins, Pirates, Riveters, Riverhounds, Passion, Pittsburgh Women + Sports Collaborative and Operation Warm to provide female athletes from Pittsburgh Public Schools with the gear they need to participate in sports

1 / 18

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Riveters, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Pittsburgh Passion, and the Pittsburgh Women + Sports Collective partnered with Operation Warm at Acrisure Stadium on National Girls and Women in Sports Day to provide female athletes from Pittsburgh Public Schools with the gear they need to participate in sports on Wednesday February 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)