The Pittsburgh Pirates held their annual African American Heritage Weekend with a variety of events on Aug. 20 and Aug.21 as they hosted the New York Mets at PNC Park. The event captures the essence of the Pirates community efforts and highlights the contributions of African-Americans in Pittsburgh.

On Friday the Pirates recognized six “Community Champions” during a special pregame ceremony.

PITCH FOR EDUCATION—Chaz R. Kellem, manager of Diversity Initiatives for the Pittsburgh Pirates, presents twins A’isha J. Jackson, left, and I’Asha J. Jackson, right, with the 2010 Josh Gibson Foundation and Pittsburgh Pirates Scholarship at the Heritage Weekend game.

Chuck Sanders from Urban Lending Solutions, Bridget N. Driver from FedEx Ground, Baron B.B. Flenory from Pressley Ridge, Jim Bendel from Adelphoi Village, Tony Joseph from Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, and Joseph Lagana from Homeless Children’s Education Fund were all nominated by their fellow citizens for having positively contri­buted to the betterment of the diverse community in our region.

As I watched the much ballyhooed 2010 preseason “debut” of one Ben Roethlisberger I was suddenly encouraged and discouraged. It was a lackluster performance by the $100 Million Dollar Man because his effort only led to three points. Now one would normally consider that a decent effort for a little over two minutes work.

However, Roethlisberger is no ordinary quarterback, remember? In spite of all the continued attention to his off the field antics, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin appears to be indifferent. When it comes to Big Ben. Mr. Tomlin seems to take it all in stride, whether Big Ben throws a nasty pick or is accused of hanging out with a “nasty” girl.

by Malik Vincent

With two weeks already in the books, members of the Allegheny County Midget Football League can enjoy another year of “Xs and Os” as they kicked off the 2010 season Aug. 14. It features a new team, the East End Raiders.

“This team is comprised mostly of players from Larimer and Highland Park,” said ACMFL President Jose Regus

SHOWTIME AT ‘THE SWAMP’—Wilkinsburg Twerps running back Kwame Brown proved to be too much for the Garfield Gators.

The ACMFL season is 10 games that will run into early November. The rest of the teams are Braddock, Clairton, Garfield, Hill District, Homewood, Lincoln, North Side, North Shore and Wilkinsburg.

Kamela Gissendanner always wanted to hold a summer basketball camp for young girls in Clairton and surrounding areas.

“I wanted to give back to my community,” said Gissendanner, 25, who hails from Clairton.

“The mission is to develop, teach and educate young women and help them become successful athletes.”

Her dream came true this summer when she held her first Kam’s Kamp at McKeesport Area High School Aug. 5-6.

KAM’S CAMPERS—Back row, from left: Taylor Ohm from Elizabeth and Tish Hines from Clairton; second row from top: Charel Allen from Monessen, Kamela “Kam” Gissendanner and Joncelyn Peterkin from West Mifflin; third row: Jeanette Meacham and Velissa Vaughn from Clairton; front row: Kameron Townes and Deron Jackson from Clairton. Not pictured is Carele Smith of Clairton.

About 60 girls between eight and 17 from Clairton, Norwin, Elizabeth and Monessen, learned such fundamentals as having a positive attitude, maintaining a strong work ethic and setting goals. The girls also worked on their shooting, passing, dribbling and free throws.