In my Communications course at Pitt Business, I had the opportunity to collaborate with The Hear Foundation, co-founded by activist Leon Ford and Police Chief Scott Schubert, on a campaign aimed at advancing workforce development and community-police relations in Pittsburgh’s Bedford Dwellings neighborhood.

Working in a group setting came with its challenges—balancing different working styles, aligning visions, and maintaining clear communication throughout the process. Despite these difficulties, I leaned into my leadership and initiative to make a meaningful contribution rooted in my real-world experience.

As a volunteer with Open Field, an organization that supports underserved youth through soccer, I had recently helped run a fundraiser and host games to provide equipment and mentorship to immigrant and refugee children. I saw a powerful parallel between Open Field’s mission and The Hear Foundation’s goals, and I used that insight to shape my proposal.

For my portion of the campaign, I recommended a one-day youth soccer event designed to foster physical activity, emotional wellness, and community bonding. I also proposed a strategic partnership with Bigs in Blue, a mentorship initiative connecting local police with youth. By tying in both real-world outcomes from my Open Field experience and the goals of The Hear Foundation, I helped shape a proposal that was both authentic and actionable.

We presented the campaign to Leon Ford and Chief Scott E. Schubert, and it was met with enthusiasm for its creativity, real-world application, and potential for measurable social impact. This project deepened my skills in strategic development, social impact marketing, presentation, and collaborative problem-solving, while reinforcing my belief that real change happens at the intersection of empathy and strategy.