Marilyn Hornsby Honored with NEED’s 2026 Breaking Barriers Champion Award
I Am WHOLE Mentoring celebrates its founder and CEO for a lifetime of leadership, advocacy, and service to Pittsburgh’s youth and families.
I Am WHOLE Mentoring is proud to celebrate Marilyn Hornsby, Founder and CEO, on her selection as a recipient of the 2026 Breaking Barriers Champion Award from NEED, an organization committed to supporting educational opportunities for African American students in the Pittsburgh region. Ms. Hornsby was selected for the honor by NEED’s Career Planning Scholarship Dinner Committee. In its letter announcing the award, NEED recognized her contributions to “developing and supporting African American children, youth, and their families,” as well as her leadership, advocacy, and service.
The honor is another meaningful milestone in a life dedicated to helping young people recognize their worth, overcome obstacles, and pursue brighter futures.
A Pittsburgh Story Rooted in Education and Service
Ms. Hornsby's commitment to young people is deeply connected to her own journey. A native of Pittsburgh and graduate of Pittsburgh Public Schools, she became the first person in her family to attend college, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in School Counseling.
Her service has extended far beyond the school career. Marilyn has spent decades serving youth, families, congregations, nursing homes, inmates, and communities throughout the region.
That commitment to service and her passion for young people eventually led her to create I Am WHOLE Mentoring.
WHOLE stands for Women Helping Others through Love and Excellence, a name that captures the heart of the organization and Marilyn’s belief in the power of mentorship, encouragement, education, and meaningful relationships.
Building WHOLE Young Women
Through I Am WHOLE Mentoring, Ms. Hornsby has worked with a team of volunteers and advisors to ensure that young women have access to experienced mentors and the support they need to navigate challenges, establish goals, strengthen their identities, and reach their full potential.
The organization’s work has included supporting young women pursuing higher education or preparing to enter the workforce while helping them develop critical life skills, self-esteem, and tools for long-term success.
Ms. Hornsby's impact has been recognized before. In 2019, Pittsburgh City Council formally commended Marilyn and I Am WHOLE Mentoring for their work helping young women achieve their goals. The City went a step further, officially declaring April 6, 2019, “I Am Whole Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.
Now, the 2026 Breaking Barriers Champion Award adds another chapter to that legacy.
A Champion Who Continues to Break Barriers
For Ms. Hornsby, breaking barriers has never simply been about her own accomplishments. Her work has centered on creating opportunities for the young people coming behind her—helping them see possibilities beyond their present circumstances and connecting them with people and resources that can help them move forward.
Her selection also reflects the shared mission between her work and NEED’s emphasis on educational opportunity. The recognition is ultimately about more than an award. It celebrates years of showing up—for young women, for families, and for the Pittsburgh community.
As I Am WHOLE Mentoring continues its mission, Ms. Hornsby's example remains at the center of the organization: lead with love, serve with purpose, and help the next generation become WHOLE.
Congratulations, Ms. Marilyn Hornsby, 2026 NEED Breaking Barriers Champion Award honoree. Your leadership continues to make room for the next generation to dream, grow, lead, and succeed.
Learn more about the 2026 NEED Awards Dinner through the official NEED 2026 Awards Dinner page.
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