Leon Ford, co-founder of The Hear Foundation, has teamed up with the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division to mentor students in the district’s Emergency Response Technology (ERT) program.
The ERT program — offered at Pittsburgh Westinghouse High School — prepares students for entry-level careers in emergency services, including firefighting, EMS, and law enforcement, while also building confidence and essential professional skills.
Ford’s involvement brings a powerful, personal perspective. After being severely injured in a police shooting in 2012 and later settling a civil rights lawsuit with the city, he now uses his experience to encourage young people — especially those from communities where public safety careers aren’t always seen as attainable — to explore and excel in these fields.
At a January event announcing the partnership, Ford highlighted the value of combining high-quality training with community investment so that students not only graduate but are ready to enter the careers they’ve trained for.
Angela Mike, director of PPS’s CTE Division, emphasized that Ford’s involvement adds meaningful support around social justice and helps students feel comfortable pursuing public safety roles — careers many might otherwise overlook. Ford regularly engages with students in the classroom and helps promote the program to the broader community.
