About Us

BROTHERS AND SISTERS EMERGING

Brothers and Sisters Emerging (BASE) is a unique organization in the city of Pittsburgh that has evolved from a youth football and cheerleading program into a year-round organization, offering after-school, summer camp, and mentoring programs to youth. Through this transition, the organization has evolved into building positive relationships through advocacy, social supports, sports, and empowerment. Accordingly, the mission of BASE is to strategically advocate and connect youth of promise and families to life-sustaining resources.

Garfield Youth Sports (GYS), a program of BASE, began in 1994 as a football, cheerleading, and basketball program serving youth. Initially, it was founded by five African-American men in the Garfield area of Pittsburgh. Approximately 250 boys and girls, ranging in age from 5 through 15, learn teamwork, good sportsmanship, respect for oneself, others, and those in authority. Additionally, GYS is staffed by volunteer coaches and parents who provide coaching expertise, cheerleading training, and operations of the concession stand.

Currently, there are approximately 40 African-American male coaches who work with the youth annually, and many of them have done so for at least 15 years. The coaches and leadership of BASE provide in-depth team mentoring and help youth navigate the difficult environment they are growing up. Consequently, the youth in our programs and their families seek out assistance from the coaches year-round. Afterwards, BASE was started in 2008 as the parent company of GYS in response to the needs of the youth, families, and community. Through hard work and persistence, the leadership of BASE has achieved year-round expansion for its program offerings.