HBCU VISION honoring Community Trailblazers
The new organization will recognize the achievements of JoAnne Rodgers and Arlene Harvey.
Arlene Harvey
A recently formed local organization will honor the legacy of two Black women who have indelibly impacted the McKeesport community.
McKeesport HBCU VISION, founded in August, will host its first-ever Community Trailblazers award ceremony from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center.
The event will pay tribute to JoAnne Rodgers, who was the first Black nurse hired by McKeesport Area School District, and Arlene Harvey, a volunteer and retired librarian.
Denise Sinkler, CEO and founder of McKeesport HBCU VISION, created the Community Trailblazers award ceremony to highlight the achievements of elders in the area.
“I hear about Swin Cash; she’s excellent. I know that Austin Davis was the first (Black) lieutenant governor. Excellent, but we can never forget those who paved the way before us,” Sinkler said.
Sinkler, a 1988 graduate of McKeesport Area High School, looked up to Rodgers and Harvey while growing up.
“When I used to see Mrs. Arlene Harvey in that library, she inspired me,” Sinkler said.
Sinkler also touted the volunteer and community work done by Rodgers and Harvey.
“Not only did they retire in their professions, they also gave back to the McKeesport community in such a profound way,” Sinkler said.
Harvey graduated from McKeesport Area Vocational and Technical High School. She belongs to Zion Baptist Church of McKeesport, where she has taught Sunday school, served on the usher board, been a trustee and volunteered with the HIV/AIDS committee.
Rodgers graduated from Freedman’s Hospital School of Nursing at Howard University and Penn State. She’s served as a member of various organizations in the city, including the McKeesport NAACP unit, McKeesport College Club and Mon River Fleet Lions Club.
Harvey and Rodgers have both been board members of the heritage center.
Sinkler hopes Harvey and Rodgers’ stories will inspire young people in McKeesport and encourage others to share the accomplishments of their families “I’m sure there’s many more stories out there,” she said. “We have to, as a community, start having events so that we can have a dialogue and document these things.”
Through McKeesport HBCU VISION, Sinkler has already handed out seven $600 scholarships to college students in the area. HBCU stands for historically Black colleges and universities.
“I wanted to put something in these young ladies’ pockets to help with books and that sort of thing because HBCUs are not cheap,” Sinkler said.
