Based on the group’s commitment to the community, youth and education, the Pittsburgh Club of the NANBPWC donated $1,000 to the school to purchase books for their new library. Working with the Propel School enables NANBPWC to continue with its mission to promote and protect the interests of African-American business and professional women; to serve as a bridge for young people seeking to enter business and professional careers; to improve the quality of life in our communities by preparing the next generation of community leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals by passing the torch to youths with scholarships and other activities.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE FUTURE—Students and Propel School administrators happily receive a contribution from the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club. Front: Dr. Carolyn G. Davis, assistant to superintendant and Propel High School principal; Aerial Dukes, student; Dr. Carol Wooten, superintendent; Rebecca Elias, student; and Audrey Anderson, Pittsburgh Club of the NANBPWC, president. Back: William Mitchell, student; Arianne Watson, assistant principa; Megan Newsome, literacy coach; and Justin Matthews, student.

Other businesses and organizations involved in the project include Target, Pittsburgh Cares and First Books.

Excited and elated about the donation, Carol Wooten, Ph.D, superintendent of the Propel Schools, said the donation will assist in completing the library.

Wooten describes Propel as a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to transform public education in southwestern Pennsylvania so that all children have access to high performing public schools. Homestead, serving more than 400 students in grades kindergarten through eighth, is one of five Propel schools.

Other facilities are located in Turtle Creek, McKeesport and Montour (Kennedy Township). Its only high school, Andrew Street High School, recently opened in Munhall. Considered a high school with a mission, it is a new model of secondary education in Pittsburgh, tailored for serious, self-motivated students who are committed to taking a positive, active role in their education.

In a basement at the former Homestead Hospital, Propel’s first school opened in 2003 with 180 children. Now more than 1,500 students in grades K-10 attend the newly renovated facilities. Officials say Propel operates its schools as a regional federation, a new kind of non-geographic district, which blends the most effective elements of current school district operation and governance with the innovative potential and entrepreneurial spirit of small, independent schools. The non-profit Federation of Charter Schools model provides distinct advantages over existing local school districts, stand-alone charter schools and private schools.

The mission of the Pittsburgh Club of the NANBPWC, consisting of more than 30 members is to promote and protect the interests of African-American business and professional women; to serve as a bridge for young people seeking to enter business and the professions; to improve the quality of life in the local and global community; and to foster good fellowship.

Anderson says the gesture falls into the group’s goal to prepare the next generation to be the up-and-coming leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals.

“We are looking to pass the torch,” she said.

(For more information, call 412-464-2604 or visit the website at www.propelschools.org)