Free upcoming events in the South Fayette Speakers Series put you up close with fascinating people

Photo above courtesy of South Fayette School District.

Guest speakers will be talking about everything from the complex worlds of robotics and AI to the behind-the-scenes reality of The Neighborhood of Make-Believe during the South Fayette Speakers Series, which runs through May 4, 2024.

The South Fayette Speakers Series was designed to highlight a diverse collection of interesting voices with connections to the Pittsburgh community. In collaboration with UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, South Fayette SHOUT Club and Parents As Allies, the series kicked off on Oct. 19 with a visit from Sean Gibson, great-grandson of legendary Negro Leagues baseball player Josh Gibson.

Gibson spoke about his great-grandfather’s powerful legacy and his own quest to have Major League Baseball’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award renamed in honor of his great-grandfather and the thousands of Negro League players who were denied the chance to play in the major leagues. (Learn more about that quest here.)

Upcoming speakers, who will be appearing at the South Fayette High School Studio, include:

Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: Vanessa Herring. This experienced broadcaster began her career hosting a local Steelers show in high school. Today, she hosts her own television shows on QVC and she is coming to South Fayette to share the glamorous and hardworking journey she’s taken to build her career.

Dec. 7, 7 p.m.: Noelle Conover. The co-founder of Matt’s Maker Spaces will share her story of bravely using her personal tragedy as a catalyst to promote STEAM Education for children in hospitals, and eventually expanding these educational opportunities to various schools in the region.

Jan. 11, 7 p.m.: Bill Isler. The president and CEO emeritus of the Fred Rogers Company shares his story of working with the incomparable Mister Rogers while ensuring the business side of the Fred Rogers Company ran smoothly.

Feb. 8, 7 p.m.: Joe Yun. An accomplished educator and one of the world’s leading experts on AI will decode the intricate details of artificial intelligence during this visit to the South Fayette Speaker Series.

Mar. 7, 7 p.m.: Jess & Jorgen Pedersen. The founders of RE2 Robotics will share how they went from waiting tables to serving as leaders in the robotics industry.

Apr. 4, 7 p.m.: Zach Betz. This proud South Fayette alum and advocate for autism acceptance will be speaking on the benefits of being neurodiverse.

May 2, 7 p.m.: Champions of Hope. The South Fayette Speakers Series organizers tell us that more information about this event will be available closer to the date.

“With a roster of remarkable individuals from diverse fields, this is a unique opportunity for our community to gain insights, wisdom, and inspiration from some of the best,” said Speaker Series organizers Dr. Chuck Herring and Dr. Kevin Maurer, both from South Fayette School District.

Register here for free tickets.