Drafting Future Legends: HACP, Clean Slate E3, & ACH Clear Pathways to Focus on Youth VIPs During April 24 Tailgate Event

Pittsburgh is known for going big, and the City of Champions won't disappoint next month when it hosts the 2026 pro football draft.

Between 500,000 and 700,000 football fans will descend upon the Steel City the weekend of April 23-25 as the world watches 32 teams choose the future talent of the pro football league - with our beautiful and culturally rich region highlighted at center stage.

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP), its nonprofit, Clean Slate E3, and ACH Clear Pathwaysare huddling up to shine a spotlight on a different, yet just as powerful, group of future talent - our youth.

Join us from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 24,at 510 Heldman St. in the Hill District (property of ACH Clear Pathways) to partake in a free, star-studded Community Tailgate Experience, complete with giveaways, prizes, and free refreshments - open to HACP residents and the community.

During the event, you and your family can:

• Cheer on local youth as they battle it out for the title during Madden Football Championship Finals.
  
  
• Sign a giant appreciation card for former Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, created by ACH Clear Pathways art students.
  
  
• Discover your calling by listening to professionals with the NFL, RCA/Sony Records, and others as they discuss careers in sports, music, and media during a Youth Career Forum Panel.
• Explore hands-on technology with our Digital Literacy Initiatives team and the STEM Coding Lab, and workforce development career pathways with our Resident Employment Program staff aboard our two W.O.W. CyberBus mobile computer labs.
• Enter giveaways and raffles for prizes, such as a PlayStation 5 video gaming console.

Sponsors include: Weatherspoon & Williams LLCand the Jourdan Kelli Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation.

"Our youth are our future," HACP Executive Director Caster D. Binion said. "The HACP, Clean Slate, and ACH Clear Pathways have always strived to brighten the paths of our local youth, and we couldn't think of a better time to watch them dazzle as the city shines its spotlight on the many talented young athletes hoping to be drafted into the league."

Bring your families and your team spirit to celebrate community, opportunity, and the future of our youth.

We're drafting future legends and pushing them straight into the end zone!

Media Contact: Michelle Sandidge, Chief Community Affairs Officer, 412-456-5058, [email protected]