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Shady Side Academy was honored to host Andrew Conte, award-winning journalist, author, and founding director of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University, as a guest speaker at the Senior School Assembly on Monday, December 9. Organized by Senior School Librarian Lindsey Myers, the event provided students with the opportunity to engage with Conte’s remarkable career and his book, "The Color of Sundays," which was part of this year’s summer reading program at SSA.

Conte’s career spans investigative journalism, academia, and authorship. As a journalist, he worked for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, earning numerous national, state, and local awards. His accolades include the William Brewster Styles Award from the Scripps Howard Foundation for outstanding national business and economics reporting, as well as top honors from the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Journalists and the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, each recognizing him four times.

During the assembly, Conte shared insights from "The Color of Sundays," a book students had explored over the summer. The book delves into how the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the groundbreaking efforts of Bill Nunn Jr., identified and recruited undervalued players from historically Black colleges and universities. It also examines the role of race in transforming the National Football League. The book received a Silver Benjamin Franklin Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association and has been optioned by Netflix for a potential movie adaptation.

Conte’s academic achievements include a Ph.D. in Community Engagement from Point Park University, a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College.

The assembly built on the foundation of students’ summer reading experience, bringing the story and its themes of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity to life. Following the assembly, teachers were offered discussion questions so that students could further engage with the themes. 

Shady Side Academy was proud to welcome Andrew Conte, whose work in journalism, storytelling, and community engagement continues to inspire and educate.