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Women’s History Spotlight: Jah-Chant Robinson
City native, now WM principal, says ‘take ownership of your story, don't let anyone else define your limits’
By Vickie Babyak
The Tube City Almanac
March 16, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Jah-Chant Robinson. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)
Jah-Chant Robinson is a 2013 graduate of McKeesport Area High School and resides in Port Vue. She began her career as an English teacher, and worked her way up to principal at Homeville Elementary School in the West Mifflin School District.
Robinson credits her drive to success from having a strong support system that included her parents and mentors. She said they instilled in her a sense of purpose and understanding that she could pave the way for others, and an unshakable faith in the importance of education as a tool for change.
“Growing up in McKeesport, I was acutely aware of the challenges that came with navigating systems that weren’t always designed with people like me in mind,” Robinson said.
Representation matters, and seeing so few women of color in leadership roles motivated her to push through the obstacles. Robinson said she has endured struggles like many other women of color experience, from being underestimated to having to work twice as hard in proving herself.
Robinson said that she believes failure is not the end but a step in the learning process. Instead, she said, every setback is an opportunity to grow stronger, and people are capable of more than they know.
“I’ve faced systemic bias, microaggressions, and moments of self-doubt,” said Robinson. “Even when I entered leadership roles, there were times when I felt the weight of being the ‘first’ or the ‘only’ woman of color in the room.”
She said these uncomfortable moments, though difficult, fueled her determination. She said they reminded her why she chose to pursue her dissertation topic: “Possessing and Maintaining a Place Among Leaders: A Mixed Methods Study of the Underrepresentation of Women of Color in Leadership Roles in K-12 Education.”
Robinson said some of her proudest achievements involve impacting students in a positive manner, supporting teachers, and breaking barriers; it all adds to her definition of success.
Within three years, she said, she led as a principal in multiple school levels, earned her doctorate, and contributed to meaningful conversations on equity and representation.
Robinson has a desire to encourage youth to be the best they can be. Her advice for children in McKeesport and surrounding communities is to find their passion and work relentlessly to develop it. Importantly, surround themselves with people who uplift and inspire them.
Robinson said: “It is simple but powerful, believe in your greatness and take ownership of your story, don’t let anyone else define your limits. Whatever you choose, pursue it with curiosity, resilience and joy.”
Vickie Babyak is a photographer and freelance writer from Dravosburg. She may be reached at vbabyak@yahoo.com.
Originally published March 16, 2025.
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