A Pittsburgh Hero Takes Center Stage in 'Pursuing Light - The Bill Strickland Story'
- hy-deia
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 23 minutes ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Strickland Global Leadership Institute
A Pittsburgh Hero Takes Center Stage in 'Pursuing Light - The Bill Strickland Story'
A Feature Documentary Celebrating the Power of Hope, Beauty, and Opportunity
PITTSBURGH, PA – January 26, 2026 – Pittsburgh has always been a city shaped by visionaries, and few have left a deeper imprint than Bill Strickland. This Black History Month, his extraordinary life and philosophy take center stage in Pursuing Light - The Bill Strickland Story, a feature documentary that tells the tale of one of Pittsburgh’s leading lights and the global movement inspired by his belief in hope, opportunity, and human potential.
Directed by Karen Somers and executive produced by Steve Sarowitz of Wayfarer Studios, Pursuing Light - The Bill Strickland Story will be broadcast by WQED/PBS, the home of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Fred Rogers and Bill Strickland were longtime collaborators and great friends. Bill, an accomplished potter, appeared on the show twice teaching Mister Rogers the joy of pottery.
Pursuing Light - The Bill Strickland Story explores how a Pittsburgh-born artist and social entrepreneur transformed his lived experience into a revolutionary philosophy that has reshaped education, workforce development, and poverty alleviation around the world. At its heart, the film is a love letter to a simple but radical idea: Hope, when met with opportunity and lifted by excellence, opens the door to new futures.
The film traces Strickland’s journey while highlighting the transformative impact of the centers inspired by his philosophy, spaces where excellence is expected, beauty is non-negotiable, and dignity is foundational. These centers have become beacons of possibility for young people and adults alike, proving that when people are seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive, lives change.
As the centerpiece of Black History Month programming, Pursuing Light - The Bill Strickland Story will air on WQED/PBS on the following dates:
February 2 — 9:00–10:30 PM
February 3 — 3:00–4:30 PM
February 19 — 9:00–10:30 PM
February 20 — 10:30 PM–12:00 AM
February 22 — 1:30–3:00 PM
February 25 — 3:00–4:30 PM
Strickland Global, Bill’s latest nonprofit endeavor, is hosting a series of special theatrical screenings as fundraising events to support its mission of sustaining and expanding the creation of centers inspired by his philosophy of hope and transformation. The first screening took place in Pittsburgh on Thursday, the 22nd, at the Carnegie Museum of Art. The event was supported by George Fechter & Christine Fulton and Karen Feinstein with the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.
Bill Strickland reflected on the impact of the screenings, stating:
“This movie feels like a prayer. It’s hope for all of us. It’s medicine. Looking at the audience tonight and the bright faces, and the opportunities they will represent in their own lives, is a given. This is beyond what I was expecting to see.”
Anthony Cascione, President of Strickland Global, shared:
“This documentary is not just a beautiful film. It is a call to action for people around the world who want to be a part of transforming their communities but don’t yet know how. It challenges all of us to have the courage to seriously invest in people, beauty, and hope in creating community-led solutions together."
The documentary is set to travel from Pittsburgh to communities across the country, showing how Bill Strickland’s vision has taken root far beyond the city that shaped him. Each story reflects the same truth: environments shape behavior, and when we build beautiful spaces where people feel they belong, they rise to meet those expectations.
Pursuing Light - The Bill Strickland Story is a tribute to a Pittsburgh hero, a call to action, and a living reminder that the light Bill Strickland found continues to spread, transforming lives and communities one center at a time.
For more updates and to stay tuned on future film screenings and expansions, contact info@stricklandgli.org and visit www.stricklandgli.org.
(Photo Credits: Elizabeth Ashley Photography & Jorge Santiago Photos)
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For more info contact: info@stricklandgli.org
Written by: Hy-Deia Elwadi, PowerHAUS PR
PowerHAUS PR is a forward-thinking PR and Creativity firm designed to amplify the impact of brands, individuals, and organizations. We champion unconventional talent and foster environments where creativity thrives outside traditional corporate boundaries. For more information visit www.powerhauspr.com