‘Big cause of education’: Run in Plum benefits Fund for Advancement of Minorities

Considering that he runs one 5-kilometer event a year, Darryl Wiley conceded that his latest effort might not land him in the winner’s circle.

“I’ll see you at the finish line,” he told fellow runners prior to the start of a June 11 race in Boyce Park. “I’m not going to say how long, but I’ll see you all at the finish line.”

With smartphone in hand to chronicle his journey, the CEO of the Fund for Advancement of Minorities cruised through the course to a respectable finish in what looks to be his only 2023 venture in that regard, one that benefits the mission of his organization.

The second annual FAME Fun 5K Run/1-Mile Walk brought a healthy turnout of health-minded people to Plum on a sunny Sunday morning, many winding their way through the ups and downs of Boyce’s terrain to raise money for “the big cause of education,” according to Wiley.

“We all talk about how important education is, but giving our students — in particular, Black students — access to a quality education is really critical,” he said after his 3.10686-mile workout.

Based in Pittsburgh’s Perry South neighborhood, FAME awards more than $500,000 in merit scholarships annually to third- through 12th-graders by way of its Scholar program. The need-based financial assistance allows recipients to attend partner schools including Sewickley Academy, The Ellis School, St. Edmund’s Academy, Winchester Thurston School and Shady Side Academy.

“We provide 360-degree support to our families, so it’s not just the scholarships,” Heather Moreland, fund development and marketing manager, said. “We provide tutoring and SAT prep for the kids. We do college tours. And we help keep them on track and transition into these spaces where they’re predominantly white. These students are coming from spaces where they’re not used to that.”

In 1993, Ron Gebhardt, then chairman of the Sewickley Academy board, took the lead in establishing FAME out of concern for the low enrollment of Black students in Western Pennsylvania independent schools and the lack of a Black corporate presence regionally.

Offered in addition to the Scholar program is the FAME Academy, for students in sixth through eighth grades.

“We’re helping them for three years get prepared to earn the scholarship,” Wiley explained. “It’s a really important time, and I think the work we do is really critical.”

A new initiative is the FAME Teachers’ Academy, which provides experience and professional development for aspiring educators.

“We’re increasing the pipeline of Black teachers, which is a big challenge across the country,” Wiley said.

As far as FAME 5K results, Jason Smith achieved the best time at 19 minutes, 43 seconds. Cyd Kennard, a track standout at Winchester Thursday, was first among females with 20:58, according to event monitor GCXC Race Timing & Management.

For more information about the Fund for Advancement of Minorities, visit www.famefund.org.