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2022: Black Hockey History Month with the Pittsburgh Penguins

INSPIRE. CONNECT. ELEVATE.

In February 2022, the Pittsburgh Penguins will honor and celebrate Black History Month, by providing a series of in person and virtual programming for our partners, community, staff, and fans. Programming will feature NHL players and executives, community leaders, and Penguins front office staff, as they celebrate Black History Month, sharing Inspiring stories of historic resilience, Connecting our fans to one another through their love for hockey, and Elevating black leaders and change makers.

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February Virtual Programming

Through the month of February, the Pittsburgh Penguins will honor and celebrate Black History Month by providing a series of in-person and virtual programming for our partners, community, staff, and fans.

The We Speak Series is an uplifting series elevating the voices of Black players, staff, and leaders on and off the ice.

 
Feb. 9, 2022 6:00 PM - We Speak Series: Black Men of Impact On & Off The Ice, Inspiring Generations to Come

Featuring NHL, Penguins, and Pittsburgh executives making an impact on and off the ice and inspiring the next generation of players, leaders, and change makers.

Participants:

Moderator:

  • Jaden Lindo, Manager of Community Hockey Programs at the Pittsburgh Penguins

Watch the Session
Feb. 16, 2022 6:30 PM - We Speak Series: Kids Breaking Barriers Panel

The 'Kids Breaking Barriers' virtual panel returns, offering youth a chance to hear from and interact with NHL executives, youth community leaders, and fellow youth hockey players, offering support and guidance as they embark on their hockey journeys.

Special Welcome by Jim Britt, VP, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation

Watch the Session

 

Moderator:

Jaden Jefferson is a 14-year old multimedia journalist and anchor based in Toledo, Ohio. He's interviewed the likes of elected officials to influential celebrities, such as Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, Naomi Osaka, Isla Fischer, and Tim Minchin. He hopes to attend college for communications and eventually land a job at the anchor desk, while giving a platform to the voices of the unheard. Amid the pandemic, his calm, steady reporting has kept residents informed and safe. Since 2019, Jaden has raked up 368,000+ views on his YouTube page.

 

Panelists:

Toni Smith is a 17-year-old defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19U program. Currently a senior at River Hill High School in Clarksville, Maryland, Toni has been playing hockey since she was 8. She began playing hockey after watching her brother play and quickly developed a love for skating herself. Since then, Toni has played on several AA boys and AAA girls teams along the east coast.

Akoung Dickson is a forward for the Pittsburgh Vipers 12U team and began playing hockey after his mom put him into a Little Penguins 'Learn to Play Hockey' event. After attending a birthday party at the Pittsburgh Ice Arena and seeing hockey in action, Akoung and his mom were hooked on the game.

Anthony McIntosh, a defenseman who is a part of the Pittsburgh Penguins 16U team, is from North Dakota, a region where 90% of the land is farmland and has become synonymous for two things: UND hockey and the bitter cold. Anthony doesn't mind, though, he loves it. He started playing at six years old after all of his friends convinced his mom to let him play. Since then, he hasn't stopped. Playing for local programs, Anthony was delighted when the opportunity to play with the Penguins Elite found its way to him. Leaving his home state and moving across the U.S. to pursue hockey wasn't always ways easy, but Anthony is happy to have the opportunity to play the sport he loves and make his home state proud.

RISE Champions of Change Virtual Experience

The Pittsburgh Penguins are proud to partner with RISE to be Champions of Change. The hope is that this RISE Champions of Change Virtual Experience will help educate and inspire Penguins fans and the Pittsburgh community about social justice and racial equity.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

  
The Power of Pittsburgh

Daley Talks Importance of Representation in "Power of Pittsburgh"

The Penguins held "Power of Pittsburgh," a conversation with two-time Stanley Cup champion and former Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley. Trevor Daley, who was recently named Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Operations Advisor, to talk about the power of representation in the sport of hockey, on and off the ice.

Watch the Session

 
Kids Breaking Barriers

Joseph Speaks to Youth in "Kids Breaking Barriers" Panel

The Penguins held a unique "Kids Breaking Barriers" virtual panel featuring rookie defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph. The program featured a Q&A session with Joseph before Dorin Dickerson - Director of Lower Hill Development for the Penguins who is a former NFL player that also grew up playing hockey in Pittsburgh - moderated a panel featuring local youth players and their family members. The goal was to provide an open dialogue for children and their guardians to receive support and guidance on their own hockey journeys.

Watch the Session

 
Black Women Making an Impact On and Off the Ice

A panel of NHL, Penguins, and Pittsburgh executives making an impact on and off the ice hosted a conversation around their personal experiences and pathways to success. The thought providing and inspiring conversation, encouraged women to break their own glass ceilings, and encouraged men to serve as allies to women in their network.

Featuring:

  • Kim Davis, NHL EVP of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs
  • Tracey McCants Lewis, Penguins VP of Human Resources & Deputy General Counsel
  • Dena LaMar, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Advance Auto Parts
  • Toni Murphy, Senior Vice President of Comcast's Keystone Region

Moderated by: Sabrina Saunders Mosby, President and Chief Executive Officer, vibrant PITTSBURGH

Brought to you by vibrant PITTSBURGH

Watch the Session

 
The Hill District: Identity and History of Pittsburgh's Black Community

To end the month-long celebration, guests were invited to join the Pittsburgh Penguins for a virtual program, direct from the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. There, the conversation on Identity, continued with an on-site artistic performance by Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT) and a cooking demonstration featuring traditional African American cuisine. The program was narrated by Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis, Ph.D. Scholar of American and Africana Studies, an award-winning Performing Artist, Activist and Entrepreneur, alongside Pittsburgh Penguins Executive and Pittsburgh native Tracey McCants Lewis.

Brought to you by F.N.B. Corporation

Thank you to our event sponsor The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG)

Watch the Session

 
Willie O'Ree Academy Provides Opportunity for Black Youth Hockey Players

The Pittsburgh Penguins today announced the creation of the "Willie O'Ree Academy," designed to provide unique training, social and mentorship opportunities for Black youth hockey players in the Pittsburgh region. It is named in honor of Willie O'Ree, who became the NHL's first Black player in 1958 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2018.

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Penguins Set the Bar with Black History Month Programming

Here is a look at what the team did in February to celebrate Black achievement in hockey and make the sport more welcoming and inclusive.

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