PITTSBURGH, Feb. 9, 2011 — Through local performances, speaking engagements, literature and film events in nine cities, the PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE: PNC) will celebrate the storied history of African Americans during the month of February.
PNC-sponsored programs and activities in recognition of Black History Month will be held in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Greater Maryland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.
“From programs at neighborhood libraries and museums to partnerships with local sports teams, we’re recognizing Black History Month in ways that best represent the communities in which we live and work,” said Marsha Jones, chief diversity officer, PNC. “Our hope is that these events will help bring together individuals, families, business leaders and PNC employees as they celebrate diversity and experience Black History Month locally.”
Highlights of PNC events include:
- A program featuring Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian, a renowned civil rights leader and author known for riding the first Freedom Bus into Jackson, Miss., and Diane Nash, a leader of the student wing of the civil rights movement and the Freedom Riders, at the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago
- A series of events in partnership with the Cleveland Cavaliers including a Martin Luther King Tribute Night with performances by gospel choirs and a half-time tribute to the “I Have a Dream” speech
- A discussion in Baltimore with Rev. Dr. Paul Smith, a civil rights veteran, educator, author and diversity consultant
- A keynote presentation by Eugene Robinson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated newspaper columnist, as part of St. Louis Public Library’s Black History Month events
- A moderated discussion in Washington, D.C. featuring Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, the incoming Director of The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City
- A series of events in Pittsburgh honoring the legacy of Chuck Cooper, the first African American drafted into the N.B.A.
In addition to events in local markets, for the ninth consecutive year, PNC will sponsor the “Returning to the Roots of the Civil Rights Bus Tour,” which travels to landmark cities of the American civil rights movement.
To learn more about diversity and inclusion at PNC or for additional information on attending PNC celebrations of Black History Month, visit www.pnc.com/diversity or email diversity@pnc.com.
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. Follow @PNCNews on Twitter for breaking news, updates and announcements from PNC.
CONTACT:
Lauren Ban
(412) 768-5770
lauren.ban@pnc.com
