Cassandra Whiteside of Warren, left, and Ruth Smith Harris of Youngstown, right, both staff members at Rivergate High School, unveil the James "Doc" Pugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation at Rivergate High School Tuesday afternoon during the ceremony. Photo by R. Michael Semple

WARREN — Former Councilman James “Doc” Pugh was posthumously honored Tuesday afternoon with the unveiling of the James “Doc” Pugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation.

The ribbon-cutting took place at Rivergate High School, site of the center, at 458 Franklin St. SE. His widow, Patricia, and son, James Jr., participated in the ceremony, hosted by Rivergate and the Greater Warren Youngstown Urban League.

“He was such a humble man, He didn’t like a lot of spotlight,” said Patricia Pugh. “He always fought for other people and helping other people. He tried to teach the younger generation how to fight for their rights and how to make a change in their life. That was him, that was his life.”

“Dad’s legacy was going to live and what we try to do everyday is pour out what he taught us,” added his son “Jimmy.”

Pugh, 69, died Christmas Eve 2015, following a battle with cancer and a heart ailment. During his life, Pugh paved the way for African-Americans in Warren as well serving as a mentor to many, including Warren Mayor Doug Franklin.

“People often misunderstood Doc. He was seen as a militant, but he was a militant for justice and liberation in terms of self liberation. He fought tooth and nail for the rights of all people,” said Franklin. “Till his last days, he was a warrior, a warrior for right and a warrior for justice.”

Pugh owned several businesses in Warren, including RGB Records, RGB Car Wash and RGB Foods, and was one of the first African-Americans to own a franchise in Warren, Pugh’s Sohio. He also was one of the first African-American apprentices in a skilled trade at Packard Electric Systems, where he was a tool and die maker.

“This entrepreneurship center was a vision five years ago,” said Thomas Conley, president and CEO at Greater Warren Youngstown Urban League and board president of Rivergate High School. “One thing I found was that we (in this area) didn’t have an entrepreneurial spirit. So, that’s what we’re going to teach in this class.”