Supporters Corner: FAME

In 2016, Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education (FAME) and The Neighborhood Academy (TNA) began working together, united by a shared mission to transform educational opportunities for Pittsburgh’s Black community. This collaboration was officially formalized in June 2022, when TNA became a FAME partner high school — allowing FAME Scholars to apply their scholarships toward attending TNA.

“TNA represented the best in what we wanted for our scholars,” said Darryl Wiley, FAME CEO. “It is a very intentional institution around changing lives through academics to ultimately change their financial trajectory.”

FAME began 32 years ago as a collaborative effort among Sewickley Academy, The Ellis School, St. Edmund's Academy, Winchester Thurston School, and Shady Side Academy to find funding so that talented Black students with significant financial need attending low-achieving public schools would have the opportunity to attend academically challenging independent schools.

At the start, each school welcomed one student from the program, beginning a legacy that would grow steadily ever since.

"Our students are all highly motivated, and a primary barrier for them to thrive in these independent school spaces is a financial one,” said Heather Moreland, Marketing & Development Manager at FAME. “FAME removes that barrier for these gifted and talented students to allow them to flourish.”

"I like to say the FAME-TNA partnership began when Dr. Anthony Williams was in high school. He was a student in the 'Investing Now' program, and I was his advisor.” laughed Darryl. “Fast forward years later, and TNA allows FAME to use space in their building for our Enrichment Programs. Today, our organizations are partners.”

With continuous input from families and experts, FAME’s Enrichment Program evolves to meet changing needs.

“We understand that it takes more than grades to prepare students for success,” said Darryl. “It’s one thing for a student to be admitted to college, and another thing to be college ready.” 

In 2018, FAME deepened its partnership with TNA as well as Crossroads Foundation, and Negro Education Emergency Drive (NEED) to launch the Pittsburgh College Access Alliance (PCAA). This coalition of community organizations works to foster educational achievement for Black students by building networks, empowering families, and advancing best practices that lead to college and career success.