Margo Hinton is an author, entrepreneur, teacher and coach on a mission to transform the lives of young people. She has been a teacher and a Coach for 31 years inspiring children to find and follow their passion. Margo has coached basketball, softball and volleyball. She’s helped her student’s dance, sing, draw, run, drum and shoot their way toward success.
Under Margo’s leadership and guidance her school has been able to donate over $150,000 to local and national charities. Her ability to motivate children and lead them in philanthropic endeavors has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Middle Level Educators Association with the Ann Monoit Award for community service.
Margo is a four-time Hall of Fame Inductee. She was inducted into the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. She was inducted into the South Hills High School All-Sports Hall of Fame as an individual and her Softball team was inducted in 2023. Margo was inducted into the Pittsburgh Public Schools City League Hall of Fame in 2018. Margo continues to play basketball and has no plans of slowing down.
Margo has a two books, a blog, and a podcast which all highlight her desire to inspire others. Her children’s books are titled Lailah’s Lesson: You Can Do Anything and JoJo’s Dream: You Can Do Anything! The books encourages our youth to believe in themselves. Her blog is called Best Thing I Heard Today, where her goal is to infuse positive messages around every day conversation. Her podcast is called Give It Up. Margo and her guests discuss sports, education and community engagement and leave the listener with actionable steps to be applied in their own lives. The Give It Up Podcast celebrated it’s 5th season in October of 2023.
Margo Hinton is a lifelong City of Pittsburgh resident. She attended the Pittsburgh Public Schools. She received a basketball scholarship to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Margo has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education. She has her masters degree from Prescott College in Social Justice and Community Organizing. She loves God, her family and friends, Allen Iverson and misses her dog Bella.
Margo’s Motto is Live To Give.
My Mission.
My personal mission is to live a God Centered life focused on relationships; driven by communication and fueled by passion, while utilizing my spiritual gifts of giving, writing and, motivating in order to make a difference in the lives of others.
I desire to INSPIRE young people to live on purpose. My role models were the women that helped raise me. My grandmother’s words, “You Can Do Anything!” were the influence for Lailah’s Lesson. My Mother showed me the importance of working hard and having confidence. My Aunt Linda encouraged me to compete in sports and shared my love of basketball. My Aunt Nicole showed me how to give without expecting anything in return. My Aunt Barbara was an example of authenticity and staying true to one’s self. My Aunt Ruth instilled in me the importance of honoring your ancestors and valuing education. My Aunt Toni showed me the meaning of sacrifice and commitment. These are the lessons that I carry with me today. I am grateful for my family and friends and their positive influence on my life. I am driven to make a difference and to be the change that I want to see in the world.
My passion is helping children overcome self-doubt to reach their full potential. I am encouraged every time I witness a child step into his or her greatness. Whether it is singing, dancing, reciting a poem or making a basket, my greatest joy comes from their success.
