For a second year, PennLive marks Black History Month by recognizing “trailblazers and trendsetters”: leaders and advocates in central Pa. working to uplift their communities through their work, businesses, arts, ministries and mentorships.
In the coming weeks, we’ll publish more than 35 profiles of doctors, nurses, gardeners, ministers, educators, entrepreneurs, athletes, philanthropists, restauranteurs, authors, actors and others. They were nominated by readers and, for the most part, are people who have rarely been in the spotlight. More people were nominated than we were able to include; we’ll keep the names of those people for future profiles.
We hope you enjoy reading about these trailblazers. If you missed last year’s, you can find links to them here.
Stasia King
Community: Harrisburg
Age: 30
Her story: From a young age, King said basketball has provided the experiences and opportunities that helped shape her into the woman she is today. So she’s built a career offering those same opportunities to other young women who love the game.
King began her coaching journey in 2015 as an assistant coach for one year at Central Dauphin East High School. But it was when she spent three years coaching Harrisburg High School’s Lady Cougars team that she knew this was her calling.
She went on to spend time in Pittsburgh as a graduate assistant/video coordinator for Duquesne University women’s basketball before she got the opportunity in 2023 to become head coach of Central Penn College’s women’s basketball team.
As a coach, King is given the opportunity to help teach these student-athletes both skills and habits that can help shape their character for the future. This is a responsibility she does not take for granted.
She remembers, when she was an athlete at Harrisburg High School, that there were coaches who worked to instill these same skills and habits within her.
The best part of the job, she said, is simply watching her players graduate. For her, basketball is just an additional tool she uses to help develop her players. Building character and exposing them to diverse cultural experiences while forming essential habits and learning lessons are all things she hopes will benefit them long after they leave the basketball courts.
Her main goal has been to empower and help inspire the next generation of young women athletes.
In her words: “I’ve learned some of my hardest lessons on the basketball court. So when it came time to face those same adversities in life, I was well prepared because my coaches were invested in my development as a person.
“To be on the journey with your students, watching them grow into educated women of high character that will make a positive impact in the world — now that is a win in life!”
More Trailblazers & Trendsetters
- Here’s how these Trailblazers & Trendsetters are making their central Pa. communities better
- Giving voice to underrepresented communities: Trailblazers & Trendsetters
- Harrisburg woman’s art creates platform for entrepreneurship: Trailblazers and Trendsetters
- ‘Empowering the next generation’ is goal of nonprofit academy: Trailblazers and trendsetters
- Prosecutor sees her role as protecting community: Trailblazers & Trendsetters