Joe Cosentino

Joe Cosentino of Lower Burrell did contracting work to help pay for his college education in the mid 70’s. Although a successful businessman today (he owns three local businesses), he is about to put his contracting experience back to work. This time it will not be for earning money, but to help others.

Joe is participating in The Alabama Project, Project H (for Project Raise the House), as it is called, to help build a Community Center in Greensboro, Alabama. This rural Alabama area is part of the “Black Belt”, a crescent shaped region stretching from Texas to Virginia known as the home to “the richest soil and the poorest people” in the United States. It is an area if dire need confronted with economic stagnation, declining population, inadequate housing and insufficient health care and schools.

The project is part of the Ultimate Black Belt Test (UBBT) and The 100 who are rallying their students to help raise the money needed to start an on going youth education program in Greensboro. Joe and his students at the Kiski Martial Arts, Vandergrift and KMA, Lower Burrell schools are going all out to help in the campaign. At least one or more students will accompany Joe on the week long trip this March.

Joe believes in giving back to the community. He has held several fund raising events with his students that raised over $5,000 for 911 and a few years ago $2,000 for the Kiski Area High School annual telethon. He also offers free women’s self-defense classes (that includes an educational part of safety and resources) to the pubic and a program for children, Stranger Danger, teaching them how to avoid abduction and abuse.

Joe was born on the North side of Pittsburgh and grew up in Lower Burrell, graduating from Burrell High School and Penn State New Kensington. He owns CPR Medical in Lower Burrell, a national company that provides electro-medical equipment for pain management. He founded and owns Kiski Martial Arts in Vandergrift and KMA in Lower Burrell. He is married and has five adult children. You can reach Joe at his office at 724-337-7531.