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WHEREAS, Volunteers who have stepped out of their familiar environments to meet needs not otherwise met through their service are a fundamental part of the community. Nabhi Christian Ministries, whose mission is to enhance impoverished communities by creating healthy environments that mentor, train and develop citizens of all ages recognizes the work and sacrifices of ROD DOSS with their Legendary Lifetime Achievement Award; and,
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WHEREAS, as Editor and Publisher of The Pittsburgh Courier since 1967, Rod Doss has helped elevate the status of the publication into one of the most widely circulated and respected African American newspapers in the country. Born in Pittsburgh, Rod grew up in East Liberty as one of 8 children of Eli Doss, a steelworker who died when he was 13, and Earline, Doss, a stay-at-home mom who made sure her children saw life as a rich experience. Rod attended Friendship School, Peabody High School, Pittsburgh Technical Institute and the University of Pittsburgh, and at age 19, he went to work at Freedman’s Men’s Wear. It was the 1960’s during the era of civil rights and the Vietnam, and Rod Doss broke the color barrier to become the store’s first Black salesmen. Following a two year stint in the army in France, Doss returned to his job at Freedman’s until he was hired on the spot in advertising sales with the Pittsburgh Courier ; and,
WHEREAS, Rod Doss has had a stellar and impeccable 54 year career at the New Pittsburgh Courier, rising through the ranks to Vice President and General Manager in 1983 to Editor and Publisher in 1997, procuring for the publication more than 100 NNPA Merit Awards, promoting events to honor Men of Excellence, Women of Excellence and the Fab 40 and spearheading the controversial series “Under Attack…By Us”. In 2018, Rod Doss was honored with the National Newspaper Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award to honor and recognize his integrity as a journalist and his contributions to his community; and,
WHEREAS, Rod Doss has a daughter, Stephanie, who lives in California and step-children, John and Jaime. He sits on several Boards doing work he loves, swims in his spare time and enjoys his friends and colleagues as well as his close family members.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize, commend and congratulate Rod Doss for receiving the Legendary Lifetime Achievement Award from Nabhi Christian Ministries for his extraordinary body of work as an exemplary professional and a dedicated role model in the service of his community.