Three Rivers Youth

Three Rivers Youth’s 2026 Nellie Leadership Awards Gala (May 8, 2026)… Race of the Roses was a trifecta experience…. From the welcome signature drink “Midori at the Races”… to poses with the statuesque derby horse… the roar of the nearly 400 guests… The board member processional… the Guests Hat Fashion Parade, the moving testimonial of foster child Zane… the impressive honorees, the President & CEO’s message… the lively auction…dancing and exciting horse racing all the way to the final guest exit… a time was had.

Three Rivers Youth is proud to announce Saleem Ghubril as one of our 2026 Nellie Leadership Award Honorees.

Mr. Ghubril’s influence in the Pittsburgh community spans more than four decades. In 1985, he founded The Pittsburgh Project, leading the organization for 23 years and creating meaningful change for countless families and neighborhoods. In 2008, he became the founding Executive Director of The Pittsburgh Promise, where he continues to expand educational opportunities for youth. In addition to his nonprofit leadership, he serves as Pastor Emeritus at Mosaic Community Church and contributes his expertise as a board member for The Hear Foundation, Pittsburgh Scholar House, and UPMC.

Three Rivers Youth looks forward to honoring and celebrating Mr. Ghubril’s remarkable service at its 2026 Nellie Leadership Awards Gala on May 8, 2026, at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown. For tickets & sponsorship opportunities please visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-nellie-leadership-awards-gala

Three Rivers Youth is proud to announce that Doris Carson Williams will be honored with a Nellie Leadership Award at our upcoming Nellie Leadership Awards Gala.

A dedicated and influential leader, Doris Carson Williams, has made a lasting impact on the region. She recently retired after more than 26 years as President & Chief Executive Officer of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania. In addition, she has served on several boards over the years, including Highmark’s board for 30 years as well as the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Also, she was honored in 2025 as a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania and presented with a key to the city by the Honorable Mayor Ed Gainey.

Ms. Carson Williams’ dedication to corporate governance and community health has strengthened our community in countless ways.

Please join us on May 8, 2026, at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh from 5:30-9:00 pm to celebrate her extraordinary achievements.
For tickets & sponsorship opportunities please visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-nellie-leadership-awards-gala

Three Rivers Youth is proud to announce Janis Burley as one of our 2026 Nellie Leadership Award Honorees.

For more than two decades, Ms. Burley has been a visionary arts leader in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. In July 2017, she was appointed President & CEO and Artistic Director of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. Under her leadership, the center has grown to become the second-largest Black multidisciplinary performing arts center in the nation. Under her leadership, the center has experienced a renaissance.

Ms. Burley is also the founder of the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, launched in 2011, which has become a premier celebration of jazz and culture. She has lent her expertise to numerous organizations, including Deutscher Jazzpreis, Association of Performing Arts Professionals, Jazz Philadelphia, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and Jazz Congress. She is also an active member of The Links Incorporated, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Northeasterners, and the International Women’s Network.

Three Rivers Youth is honored to celebrate Janis Burley’s transformative leadership and lasting impact at the 2026 Nellie Leadership Awards Gala on May 8, 2026, at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh downtown. For tickets & sponsorship opportunities please visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-nellie-leadership-awards-gala

Three Rivers Youth is pleased to announce that Derrick Wilson and Howard Russell will serve as co-chairs for the 2026 Nellie Leadership Awards Gala to be held May 8, 2026 at the downtown Wyndham Grand Hotel. Themed “Race of the Roses: A Kentucky Derby Affair”, the event will feature fine dining, a live auction, live entertainment, live horse racing with payouts for winners, and fabulous Kentucky
Derby couture.

Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased by contacting Tara E. Beichner at (412) 441-5020 ext. 214 or by visiting our event site: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-nellie-leadership-awards-gala

Join us for an elegant evening of fine dining, celebration, live entertainment, and a live auction - culminating in vibrant horse racing and spirited frivolity. Dress in your fanciest derby couture!

Please RSVP by Friday, April 24, 2026 by using this link https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-nellie-leadership-awards-gala (link also in the bio) or by calling our office at 412-441-5020 to reach Tara Beichner, Director of Development (ext. 214) or Pauline Criswell, Director of Administrative Services (ext. 220).

New Three Rivers Youth Board Member, Howard Russell, will co-chair Three Rivers Youth’s 2026 Nellie Leadership Awards Gala to be held May 8, 2026 at the downtown Wyndham Grand Hotel.

Mr. Russell currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for Hui Huliau, a global federal government contracting firm based out of Oahu, Hawaii. Offering more than 30 years of C-Suite experience, his leadership has received the 2022 Leadership Award from the Pittsburgh Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the 2022 Sylvester Pace Humanitarian Award from the Iota Phi Foundation of Pittsburgh, and the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 50 Men of Excellence Award.

His philanthropic and nonprofit board work includes the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund of Western Pennsylvania, the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, and the August Wilson Center. In addition, he and his wife April, have founded the Russell Family Foundation.

Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased by contacting Tara E. Beichner at (412) 441-5020 ext. 214 or by visiting our event site: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-nellie-leadership-awards-gala

For a second year, Three Rivers Youth is delighted to have local entrepreneur and community leader, Derrick Wilson co-chair our 2026 Nellie Leadership Awards Gala to be held May 8, 2026 at the downtown Wyndham Grand Hotel.

Owner of The Wilson Group, Mr. Wilson, grew the business by 644% in three years earning himself well-deserved first place recognition as one of The Pittsburgh Business Times “Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies” in 2026. Hands on and client-centered, the Wilson Group under Mr. Wilson’s leadership has become one of the region’s premier workflow solution, IT, and cybersecurity providers.

Philanthropically minded, Mr. Wilson supports the nonprofits in his business portfolio and was recently named to the Board of the August Wilson Center. He is also active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Alumni Chapter.

Three Rivers Youth looks forward to working with Mr. Wilson to build on the tremendous fundraising success of last year’s Gala.

Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased by contacting Tara E. Beichner at (412) 441-5020 ext. 214 or by visiting our event site: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-nellie-leadership-awards-gala

Join us for an elegant evening of fine dining, celebration, live entertainment, and a live auction - culminating in vibrant horse racing and spirited frivolity. Dress in your fanciest derby couture!

Please RSVP by Friday, April 24, 2026 by using this link https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-nellie-leadership-awards-gala (link also in the bio) or by calling our office at 412-441-5020 to reach Tara Beichner, Director of Development (ext. 214) or Pauline Criswell, Director of Administrative Services (ext. 220).