In the Oct. 5, issue of the New Pittsburgh Courier it was reported that there have been 60 homicides throughout Allegheny County this year. Forty-five have been African-American males. Concerned that any number is too many to lose to death, Grace Robinson, founder and board chair of Tomorrow’s Future, Inc., for the past 19 years has been doing her part to deter young people from a life of crime.
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| GOOD JOB—Long-time supporter and entrepreneur Connie Portis, representing Auditor General Jack Wagner’s office (center) present Tomorrow’s Future Alumni certificates of achievement from her office. Marketia Gurley, Jason Rust, Dominque Thornill and Anton Wesley.
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“Tomorrow’s Future has been a safe haven for me. The program has opened my eyes. Grace shows by example. Tomorrow’s Future has exposed me to things I would not have experienced if I had not been a part of the program,” were the type of comments and compliments past participants proclaimed during the Salute of Tomorrow’s Future Alumni Program.
More than 50 people were in attendance. Honorary chairs for the event were Paul Hennigan, president of Point Park University and Ruth Byrd-Smith, director of the Allegheny County M/W/DBE Department.
Since the program’s existence, Robinson, a State Farm Insurance Agent calculates that more than 370 ninth to twelfth grade students have participated in her mentoring, entrepreneurial and job training program. With two teenage daughters, she said she witnessed the obstacles and peer pressure youth experienced. “I saw a need and responded to it,” she explained recalling that 1992 was when gang violence began to rise within Allegheny County. “I felt it was important to demonstrate and be a model to my daughters, their peers and at-risk youth of how they too could succeed in business.”
Tomorrow’s Future’s vision is to give hope and provide opportunity where previously there was none.
Now directed by Robinson’s daughter, Danielle Robinson-Howard, the mission of Tomorrow’s Future is to equip young people with the basic communication, employment and social skills needed to compete in today’s market place and how to create their own businesses.
“Grace does great work with the kids,” said Hennigan, during his welcoming remarks. “We are excited that she utilizes the facilities of the University. It gives the participants the opportunity to see the functions of an urban university setting.” The event was held in Lawrence Hall one of Point Park’s signature buildings on its growing Downtown campus.
Tomorrow’s Future consists of six weekly sessions held at Point Park University which brings a wide variety of diverse speakers that interact with the students inspiring and encouraging them. Students participate in a “job shadowing day,” visit the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank where they meet and interact with the top management of the bank.
At the end of the program, participants compete in an essay contest sharing their vision for changing the world. Winners receive scholarships and others receive certificates and incentives. Some participants receive job training internships. As a result of the Tomorrow’s Future many of the participants have entered college, graduated, are gainfully employed or have become entrepreneurs.
A perfect success story is Robinson’s daughter who graduated from Hampton University and has secured training and licenses in the insurance industry. Currently the marketing coordinator for Grace Robinson State Farm Insurance Agency, she is also a real estate agent for Northwood Reality.
Dedicated and passionate about life, her work and Tomorrow’s Future, Robinson lives by example. She has set trends by being the first African-American female State Farm agent in Pennsylvania and one of three African-American women in the United States chosen by State Farm to become an agent in the early 1980s. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and her MBA from Point Park University. Throughout her career she has sat on numerous boards and received many accolades including Best 50 Women in Business and the Renaissance Publication KDKA Television Lift Up Award. She also has been honored with a Jefferson Community Champion and the Greater Pittsburgh YWCA Racial Justice Award.
Working toward 30 years of business and 20 years for Tomorrow’s Future, Robinson is humbled by it all. Her pleasure is in the success of the students she has assisted along the way. “Mrs. Grace and the Tomorrow’s Future program opened my eyes. I got into the program at a bad time in my life,” described Anton Wesley, one of the group’s first alumni. “Mrs. Grace gave me an opportunity. Even now she still supports me. I appreciate the second chance.” To Robinson, it is people like Wesley that matter.
Openings are available for the next session of Tomorrow’s Future. For information call 412-682-7383. Volunteers, business opportunities and financial support are always needed.
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