The Family Behind the Foundation
Stewards of John Preston “Pete” Hill’s Legacy
The Pete Hill Foundation is led by family members who carry a personal connection to Baseball Hall of Famer John Preston “Pete” Hill. Meet the board members who are committed to preserving his legacy and empowering the next generation.
Ronald Hill, Co-Founder and Executive Director
Great Nephew of John “Preston” Pete Hill
Founder and President of The John Preston “Pete” Hill Foundation, Ronald Hill is the great nephew of Baseball Hall of Famer and Negro Leagues player, John Preston (Pete) Hill. Raised in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA, Ron often heard through his older relatives that there was a great baseball player in his family. Little did Ron know that he would live through some of his Uncle Pete’s struggles to find an equal place in society to excel and advocate for his civil rights. Although Ron’s sport of choice was football from an early age, it was this opportunity to be part of a team working towards the goal of victory that cemented much of his path in life.
Ron attended Westinghouse High School, where he became a standout on the football field striving for and achieving a championship. He then attended Tuskegee University, where he again, soon found his place on the football team and soared toward victory. Leaving Tuskegee in 1969, Ron joined The United States Marines. Ron knew that it had only been about 30 years for African Americans to be part of the Marines. Yet even in the late 60s and early 70s, Ron quickly realized that African Americans still were not treated equally as other members of the corps. After the military, Ron enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh.
In the early 1980s, Ron worked for DiCesare Engler Productions managing security and promotions for music venues, working with many black entertainers including the likes of Earth Wind and Fire and Smokey Robinson. Still, Ron noticed even then in the 1980s, the public’s preconceived notion was that, when the performers were African Americans, trouble was coming. Ron made it his mission to keep things running smoothly and to prove them wrong. He went on to work for Sylvia Robinson as the Road Manager for The Sugarhill Gang. Eventually, Ron left touring and management and returned to Pittsburgh. He then worked at the Allegheny County Jail for over 20 years rising from Correction Officer to the position of Major until his retirement.
Looking back, Ron could relate to the experiences of his Great Uncle Pete, as African American players were excluded from Major League Baseball and its affiliated Minor Leagues until 1947. Learning about the details of his Great Uncle Pete Hill’s accomplishments, Ron also recognized two characteristics he shared with his great uncle: determination and commitment, both of which led to much success in Ron’s own life.
Just as Pete Hill continued in the business and management of baseball after his retirement from the Negro Leagues, Ron stayed active working security for the University of Pittsburgh and supervising locker room and hotel security for several Super Bowl games after retirement. Ron briefly relocated to Los Angeles, and grabbed the opportunity to guide and mentor youth at Los Angeles High School and GALA: Girls Academic Leadership Academy. He then moved to Frederick, MD to be near his son and granddaughters. He continued his work with youth volunteering as a mentor in the I Believe in Me program whose mission is youth empowerment and development.
Ron’s desire is for African American inner city youth facing challenges to learn a lesson from his Great Uncle Pete Hill. It is his hope that The Pete Hill Foundation will ensure opportunities for youth to be part of a team and strive for victory, and to excel through participation, not only in the sport of baseball, but in life.
Vaughn Hill, III, President
Great-Great Nephew of John Preston “Pete” Hill
Vaughn Hill is the great-great nephew of John Preston “Pete” Hill, one of baseball’s earliest Black superstars and a foundational figure in the Negro Leagues. As President of the John Preston “Pete” Hill Foundation, Vaughn is deeply committed to preserving, protecting, and sharing his great-great uncle’s legacy through education, historical awareness, mentorship and community outreach.
Born in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh on Kelly Street, Vaughn was raised in Penn Hills along Frankstown Road. He attended Penn Hills High School before later earning his GED. Vaughn went on to graduate from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) with an associate degree in Arts and Science, then earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Phoenix. With more than 30 years of experience in sales, Vaughn has built a career rooted in relationship-building, leadership, and results. Along the way, he has also explored entrepreneurship, including real estate investment and home ownership.
Vaughn has been married for nearly 30 years to his junior high school sweetheart, Dr. Nicole Sherrod-Hill, whose encouragement and belief in growth has consistently inspired him to “level up.” Together, they have one daughter, Ashley, who resides in New Jersey and is thriving in the fashion industry, now more than a decade into a promising and growing career.
Rashene Hill, Vice President
Great-Great Nephew of John Preston “Pete” Hill
Rashene is the great-great nephew of Baseball Hall of Fame legend John Preston “Pete” Hill. Rashene has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Networking and has been working as a Network Engineer for 21 years. He is a music aficionado and has been married to his high school sweetheart Tamara for 25 years. They have two daughters: Amirah, who attends Howard University, and Mariah, who will attend the same college in the Fall.
Loretta Hill Embry, M.A., SLP – Co-Founder and Board Member
The John Preston “Pete” Hill Foundation
Loretta Hill Embry is a distinguished speech-language pathologist, community leader, and passionate advocate for Negro Leagues history. As the great-niece of Baseball Hall of Famer John Preston “Pete” Hill, one of the game’s earliest Black superstars, Loretta has dedicated herself to preserving and sharing his legacy through education and community outreach.
Raised in Penn Hills, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Loretta earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Cleveland State University. For over 30 years, she has served urban youth in the Cleveland Municipal School District, helping students overcome communication challenges and achieve academic success.
Loretta’s leadership extends beyond education. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she has held multiple leadership roles supporting service and empowerment initiatives. She was also appointed to the Ohio State Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, one of few African Americans to serve in that capacity.
In 2007, following a breast cancer diagnosis, Loretta turned her personal journey into advocacy. She wrote and staged a theatrical play about her experience, and later founded SHOWS (Survivors Helping Other Women Survive), a nonprofit dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness in the African American community through creative educational programming.
As co-founder of the Pete Hill Foundation, Loretta channels her commitment to heritage and youth empowerment into preserving Negro Leagues history, promoting baseball as a tool for education, and inspiring new generations through the enduring story of her great-uncle. Her multifaceted contributions continue to bridge the worlds of sports, education, health, and cultural preservation.
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Support Youth Empowerment and Negro Leagues Heritage
Ron’s desire is for African American inner city youth facing challenges to learn a lesson from his Great Uncle Pete Hill. It is his hope that The Pete Hill Foundation will ensure opportunities for youth to be part of a team and strive for victory, and to excel through participation, not only in the sport of baseball, but in life.