John M. Wallace, Jr.

John M. Wallace, Jr. serves as Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Development and holds the David E. Epperson Endowed Chair as Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, with joint appointments in the School of Social Work, Katz Graduate School of Business, and Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences (Sociology). He concurrently serves as senior pastor of Bible Center Church in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood, integrating academic and community leadership for over 30 years.

Dr. Wallace earned his AB in sociology from the University of Chicago followed by MA and PhD degrees in sociology from the University of Michigan.

His research centers on community-based participatory approaches to address systemic inequities in African American communities. Primary interests include adolescent problem behaviors (substance use, violence, school dropout), comprehensive community initiatives, faith-based revitalization strategies, and ESTEAM education for youth. Current work focuses on social enterprises tackling food insecurity, youth unemployment, and economic development through entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and math education.

His 2013-2018 publications reveal consistent focus on health disparities (asthma, obesity, tobacco use), adolescent substance use, and community interventions using participatory methods. The research demonstrates rigorous examination of racial and economic inequities, particularly in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood, with strong emphasis on practical solutions through university-community partnerships.

Dr. Wallace's scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (2018)
• BMe Leadership Award (2017)
• Martin Luther King Distinguished Individual Leadership Award (2017)
• Racial Justice Award from YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh (2016)
• Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award (2015)
• Marilyn J. Gittell Activist Scholar Award (2012)

Funded by NIH, The Richard King Mellon Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and Pittsburgh Foundation, he leads major initiatives including the Comm-Univer-City of Pittsburgh Project, Healthy Living Healthy Learning Healthy Lives asthma study, and PACS two-generation intervention program. As co-founder and board president of Homewood Children’s Village and Operation Better Block, plus founder of The Oasis Project economic development arm, he embodies research-practice integration.

Through Homewood Children's Village and The Oasis Project, Dr. Wallace mobilizes university-community resources to create sustainable pathways for youth development, economic opportunity, and health equity in Homewood, demonstrating how academic research can directly fuel community-driven transformation.