More than a decade ago the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School was an idea, a vision, a dream of Esther Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

On Oct. 4 at The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts there was a 10th anniversary celebration of the vision that is now a brick and mortar school.

LEADERS OF THE PACK—Gail Edwards, Ph.D. (Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School CEO), Esther Bush, (Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh president and CEO), and Janet Bell (first Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh chief administrative officer).

The mission of the Urban League’s Charter School is to provide a superior education to develop academic excellence, leadership skills and high social values that will enable them to ultimately become positive contributors to the community in which they live, and to society as a whole.

The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School is a K-5, Middle States Accredited School emphasizing math and science integrated with computer technology. Their academic curriculum provides learning support for special needs students, dramatic theater, a dynamic 215-day year with summer enrichment activities, YMCA after-school program and partnerships with public and private schools.

Ten years ago when the school opened its doors, there were many other charter schools in the mix. The Urban League Charter School is now the oldest charter school in the city. Its initial enrollment of 80 students has now grown to 215.

The beautiful October evening was a celebration of those who supported the vision and contributed to the success of the Urban League Charter School.

The list of honorees included Janet Bell, Ph.D., the first CEO of the charter school; Jean Bryant, founder of the Miss Black Teenage Pageant; the Hon. Kim Berkeley Clark; Rev. Richard L. Freeman Sr.; mural artist Kyle Holbrook, youth organizer and leader; Charles A. Saunders; Ramon Dourado, former director of education Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh; Vincent Lepera, vice president of Finance for the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh; Malik Bankston, executive director of the Kingsley Association; and Charlie Batch, Pittsburgh Steeler and founder of the Best of the Batch Foundation. Also on the honors list were Helen Faison, Stanley Denton, Marilyn Barnett and Will Tompkins

Bush spoke with pride of the school’s accomplishments and longevity. She was extremely proud of the students annual theater performance that they produce each year and invited all to come and witness their professional acting skills and discipline.

This year the students performed “The Wiz.”

The main event was preceded by an art auction. All the auction items were works of the charter school students. The art included silkscreen prints, collage and watercolors, batik fiber art, ceramics and stained glass windows.