Esther Bush, Facilitator

As president of the Urban League of Pittsburgh, Esther L. Bush has established herself as a voice of reason, a coalition builder, and a force for positive change in the Greater Pittsburgh community and throughout the United States.

Ms. Bush is nationally recognized as a strong and very vocal advocate for economic and social equality initiatives that benefit African Americans and thereby the whole community.  This advocacy impacts the traditional education, employment and housing programs of the League, as well as more contemporary programs such as the charter school, family support centers, home ownership, early childhood services and youth development.  An African American Leadership Development initiative is the League’s latest effort in progressive programming.  During Ms. Bush's tenure the League has achieved financial stability and enhanced its credibility. 

Ms. Bush was appointed by Governors to serve on the: PA Commission for Crime and Delinquency, Law Enforcement and Community Relations Task Force, the Governor’s Commission on Academic Standards, and the Voting Modernization Task Force.  She served on several committees to establish the new Home Rule Charter form of government for Allegheny County and many other boards and committees. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh and a member of several advisory committees at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.

Ms. Bush received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Hartford in 1997.  She also holds a bachelor degree from Morgan State University and a graduate degree from The Johns Hopkins University.