PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH WALK OF FAME

Ten inductees — including such luminaries as playwright August Wilson, jazz artist George Benson, environmentalist Rachel Carson, investigative journalist Nellie Bly, medical pioneer Dr. Jonas Salk, children’s television host Fred Rogers and industrialist Andrew Carnegie — make up the inaugural class of the first Pittsburgh Walk of Fame.

The 10 names and descriptions of their accomplishments will be featured on large bronze markers that will be embedded in the lower sidewalk at the Strip District Terminal on Smallman Street, which stretches between 16th and 21st streets.

One of the inductees, Michael Keaton, will appear at the ribbon-cutting and induction ceremony at 10:30 a.m., Oct. 20, at The Terminal. George Benson will send pre-recorded remarks. The public is invited to attend.

The project is the brainchild of Nancy Polinsky Johnson of Squirrel Hill, former owner and publisher of Shady Ave magazine, who was inspired to spearhead this effort after seeing a similar walk of fame in St. Louis several years ago.

The aim is to honor people with ties to southwestern Pennsylvania who have made an impact on American culture. She sees the walk of fame becoming a tourist destination and a source of pride for Pittsburgh.

If you feel that names are missing, 10 new inductees will be added every year. “They’re 10 of many, many deserving people,” said Johnson, who is executive director of the walk of fame organization. “I cannot say that often enough, and others will come in time.

“But this group really represents the wide array of exceptional talent that has come out of southwestern Pennsylvania. I mean, in the arts and humanities, we’ve got an artist, musician and actor and a playwright. Then there’s an athlete and then we’ve got the sciences and environmentalist. We’ve got a medical researcher, an industrialist who gave most of his money away to do good in the world. We’ve got a female journalist who absolutely shattered gender stereotypes of that day and then there’s everybody’s favorite neighbor.”

The process for this inaugural class began in January, when the public submitted suggestions. Then a selection committee of 100 local leaders narrowed the list. Final selections were made by the walk of fame board.

Here are the inductees:

George Benson (1943– ) Born in the Hill District, Benson is a guitarist, singer, songwriter and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master. His 1976 album Breezin’ went triple-platinum, and over the next 30 years he won 10 Grammy Awards for vocal and instrumental works.

Nellie Bly (1864–1922) She was a pioneering investigative journalist who broke gender stereotypes and is widely known for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days and for an exposé covering a mental institution from within. Bly was born Elizabeth Jane Cochran in Armstrong County.

Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) Although he was born in Scotland, he made his mark in Pittsburgh as an industrialist who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century. He also donated much of his vast wealth to foundations, charities, universities and, most notably, public libraries.

Rachel Carson (1907–1964) She was a marine biologist, conservationist and writer whose books helped ignite the global environmental movement. Her 1962 book, “Silent Spring,” warned of the dangers of misusing chemical pesticides, particularly DDT. Carson was born and raised in Springdale.

Roberto Clemente (1934–1972) Known as The Great One, this Puerto Rican baseball player spent 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a two-time World Series champion and the first Latin American enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He died in a plane crash while doing humanitarian work.

Michael Keaton (1951– ) Under the stage name Michael Keaton, Michael John Douglas has appeared in nearly 100 movies and TV series, playing such roles as Batman, Birdman and Beetlejuice. He was born in the Robinson area and began his career at WQED.

Fred Rogers (1928–2003) He was a children’s TV host and producer, author and Presbyterian minister. As creator and host of the children’s television series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” which ran from 1968 to 2001, he became an American icon. He was born and raised in Latrobe.

Dr. Jonas Salk (1914–1995) Polio has been eradicated across most of the world, thanks to the research led by this University of Pittsburgh virologist. His team developed the first safe and effective vaccine against this paralyzing disease.

Andy Warhol (1928–1987) This visual artist, film director and producer was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement and is considered one the most important artists of the 20th century. Andrew Warhola was born and raised in Oakland and as a child took art classes at Carnegie Museum of Art. The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is one of the few single-artist museums in the United States.

August Wilson (1945–2005) He’s best known for a writing a series of 10 plays chronicling the experiences of the Black community in the 20th century. Collectively called The American Century Cycle, the plays include the Tony Award-winning “Fences” and “The Piano Lesson,” which both won Pulitzer Prizes. Wilson was born Frederick August Kittel in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.

The individuals selected needed to meet strict criteria. The person must have either been born in the 10 counties of southwestern Pennsylvania, spent their formative years here or done their creative work here. That region includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

The work also must have had an impact on American culture. Diversity also is important — with gender, race, geographic area, profession, contribution and whether the person is living or deceased.

The bronze markers, which will include a star for each inductee, are being created by Matthews Architectural Products, a 175-year-old company in Pittsburgh. The markers will begin in the middle of The Terminal lower walkway and be spaced out going in each direction. They will not be in alphabetical order since 10 new names will be added each year, Johnson said. She said she will be writing the description for each honoree, which will be approved by the various families, foundation boards or councils that now represent each individual.

Support for the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame is being provided in part by The Buhl Foundation, The Burke Family Foundation, The Grable Foundation, Philip Chosky Charitable & Educational Foundation and an anonymous source.