Rahmara Terry (“Icebox” to his friends), left, and Tarell Allen try on some of the clothes at the new location of Craig’s Closet at Barack Obama Academy of International Studies in East Liberty on Sept. 27. Terry is a senior at the school; Allen is a junior. Craig’s Closet is a program started by Steeler Cam Heyward in honor of his late father, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward. The program provides high school young men in the Pittsburgh area with free dress clothes for job interviews, internships, banquets, and other occasions.
Steve Mellon/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS
PITTSBURGH — Craig Heyward came to the University of Pittsburgh in 1984 eager to play football for the Panthers.
But the players were required to wear formal clothes on game day, and “Ironhead,” who came from a single-parent home with several siblings, didn’t have much.
“He came to Pitt with exactly one suit to his name,” said his son, Cam Heyward, a defensive lineman for the Steelers. “He would switch shirts, ties and belts to change the look of that one suit.”
In an effort to help solve that problem for many teenagers and young men who face the same issue today, the younger Heyward and his mother, Charlotte, last week celebrated the opening of Craig’s Closet at Obama 6-12 in East Liberty.
Craig’s Closet gives high school boys the ability to access new and gently used dress clothes at no cost for interviews, internships, banquets and special occasions. Closet locations will open at all 10 city high schools by 2023.
“We want to raise the students’ level of confidence and sense of self, and like my dad always used to tell me, ‘You look good, you play good,’” Heyward said of his late father. “So hopefully they can do that as well.”
The closet at Obama, in a small room on the first floor of the school, has already been stocked with dozens of suit jackets, dress shirts, pants and shoes, ties and sweaters that were cleaned and ready for the taking.
“Through Craig’s Closet, our high school male students will have access to free dress clothes for interviews, internships, banquets and more so they feel confident walking into spaces where they most certainly belong,” Superintendent Wayne Walters said. “Never will ‘I don’t have anything to wear’ stop them from pursuing their passions and interests.”
Raymar Coleman, an Obama senior, said it was “very special” that he could get dress clothes through his school when he needs them.
“You will have more confidence if you know you at least look tight,” Raymar said.
Charlotte Heyward noted that women can access formal attire through organizations such as Dress for Success Pittsburgh, but there was nothing similar for men in the area.
“There has been no place for men to get clothing,” Charlotte Heyward said. “It’s something that’s so expensive, it can really set a family back, buying one suit for a major event.”
The opening of Craig’s Closet, an initiative of the Heyward House and Sport Clips, was part of “Cam’s Week of Kindness.”
Earlier Tuesday, Heyward read a book to children from the McKeesport Presbyterian Church’s Head Start program. Other events were scheduled later in the week.
Heyward said he was proud to continue his father’s legacy of giving back in a meaningful way.
“Many young people in our community face that same plight as my father,” Heyward said. “I want them to know that they are seen, heard, and, with this program, we are there to support them as they push forward with their future goals.”
