Pittsburgh, PA – Bishop Charles H. Foggie and Jake Milliones, Ph.D. will be honored Thursday, Jan. 14, at the 2010 Spirit of King Award Ceremony.
The Spirit of King Award, established in 1989 by the Kingsley Association, Port Authority of Allegheny County and the Pittsburgh Pirates, posthumously honors the lifetime achievements of local citizens who pursue human rights and equality in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thursday’s ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. at the Kingsley Center, located on Frankstown Avenue in East Liberty.
A leader in the A.M.E. church and a tireless advocate for equality, Rev. Foggie held a number of distinguished roles throughout his life. Among his many achievements, Foggie served as president of the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP, president/commissioner ofthe Board of the Pittsburgh Housing Authority, chairman of the Department of Cultural and Racial Relations (Pittsburgh Council of Churches) and as an executive board member of NEED (Negro Education Emergency Drive).
A psychologist and professor, Dr. Milliones made history when he became the Pittsburgh School Board’s first African-American president in 1983. In 1989, he was elected to the Pittsburgh City Council, where he worked to revitalize underserved communities, championing the Crawford Square development in the Hill District and creating the Freedom Corner monument.
“Nearly 50 years after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic call for equality, we honor those who have continued his legacy in the Pittsburgh region,” said Stephen G. Bland, CEO of Port Authority. “The works and achievements of Rev. Foggie and Dr. Milliones have improved the lives of many in the community, and are shining examples of the spirit of King.”