As a native of Pittsburgh, Chase K. Patterson began to appreciate the power of knowledge from his earliest days. Patterson began his professional career at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh where he established that Black Male Youth Summit, now known as the Black Male Leadership Development Institute (BMLDI) and taught post-secondary prep classes at Wilkinsburg High School.

Before working as the Chief Diversity Advisor to the largest Panera Bread Franchisee, Covelli Enterprises, Chase served as the federal liaison to the Departments of Homeland Security, Immigration, State and Education on behalf of eight-term Pennsylvania Congressman Mike Doyle.

He has served the Urban Academy in a number of capacities and was instrumental in rebranding and relocating the school. Now as CEO of Pittsburgh’s oldest Charter School, the Urban Academy, Chase has the privilege of working in his purpose each and every day, to demonstrate that ALL children can learn when immersed in a rigorous, respectful and relational learning environment.

Chase served four years as General Chairman of the Pittsburgh NAACP Human Rights Dinner. His local and national leadership has been recognized in Pittsburgh Magazine, Whirl Magazine, the New Pittsburgh Courier, Ebony Magazine and Black Enterprise.