PPG Returns to Pittsburgh School to Celebrate 10 Years of COLORFUL COMMUNITIES Program

 PPG has completed a transformative makeover at Propel Hazelwood charter school as part of the company’s 10-year celebration of the COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® program. It marks PPG’s return to the school where, a decade ago, it became the first of nearly 600 global Colorful Communities projects.

PPG has completed a transformative makeover at Propel Hazelwood charter school in Pittsburgh as part of the company’s 10-year celebration of the COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® program.

The Colorful Communities program unites the power of PPG products with employee volunteers to brighten neighborhoods and make a positive impact on the people who call those neighborhoods home.

When students return to school this fall, they will enter through freshly painted doors and entryways and enjoy a refreshed cafeteria. Volunteers also helped to install a logo design outside the building and an obstacle course on the school’s basketball court using ENNIS-FLINT® by PPG DECOMARK® preformed thermoplastic marking materials. In addition, volunteers assembled 4,600 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) kits to enhance lessons throughout the school year.

PPG teamed up with TrafficScapes certified applicator Laurel Asphalt to install the obstacle course designed by Traverse landscape Architects, and with The Pittsburgh Paints Company to provide architectural paint products.

“Ten years ago, we set out to fill Propel Hazelwood with brightness and joy. This school is where it all started and still today we hear that our volunteers’ efforts continue to resonate with past and current students and educators,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility. “We’re thrilled to return as we build on our partnership with Propel and protect and beautify spaces where students in our hometown can feel supported and engaged.”

At the time of the initial project in 2015, Propel Hazelwood was a newly established location, in need of revitalization and color. Ten years later, leaders at the school credit the Colorful Communities project as a launching point for success. PPG employee volunteers have also revitalized the Propel locations in Braddock Hills and Homestead.

“We are deeply grateful for PPG’s commitment to our school community through the Colorful Communities program. A decade ago, volunteers not only revitalized Propel Hazelwood with fresh paint but also enriched our scholars’ understanding by teaching them about the science and technology of color,” said Dr. Tina Chekan, CEO/Superintendent, Propel Schools. “We are thankful that this partnership continues to evolve, fostering our students’ curiosity in STEM career paths.”

Propel Hazelwood is one of 10 flagship projects around the world that serve as pillars in the 10-year celebration. In addition to the flagship projects, PPG announced that it will extend the Colorful Communities program for another 10 years and commit $15 million to celebrate the next decade of beautifying and revitalizing communities. To build on the positive impacts of the program, PPG and the PPG Foundation will also distribute a total of $1 million in celebration grants to 100 previous and current Colorful Communities partners globally this year.

The Colorful Communities program, PPG’s signature initiative for supporting communities, aims to protect and beautify the neighborhoods where PPG operates around the world. Through the Colorful Communities program, PPG’s committed volunteers contribute their time and PPG paint products to help transform community assets – from painting classrooms to bringing color to a maternity ward and redesigning a playground. Since 2015, PPG has completed nearly 600 Colorful Communities projects, impacting more than 10.2 million people in over 50 countries.

Watch a video as Propel and PPG leaders look back at the first Colorful Communities project.

PPG’s global community engagement efforts and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested $18.4 million in 2024, supporting hundreds of organizations across more than 30 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow tomorrow’s STEM innovators and skilled workforce in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more here.