In The News
Great Futures Gala 2021
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
Annual Great Futures Gala Outdoor Tailgate Style
Park & Party with a Purpose
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) will hold its annual Great Futures Gala on Wednesday, October 20 on the upper Muny Lot in Forest Park, tailgate and outdoor movie style.
Last year the event was outdoors for the first time due to covid precautions and it was such a success that we returned for year two! The outdoor gala will include all of the favorite elements of our past Galas, but under the stars. We’re transforming the upper Muny lot in Forest Park to a Jerseys & Jewels themed tailgate gala that will consist of a center stage with large outdoor movie screens, an emcee, music, entertainment and dinner. Guests will be able to enjoy the gala from the privacy and comfort of their cars allowing for more distancing in a safer social environment.
The “Great Futures Gala” is the largest fundraiser benefitting youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and showcases the youth who embody the ideals of the Club’s mission to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens! Club teens and Youth of the Year candidates will share their stories of how the Club has impacted their lives throughout the evening followed by the selection of the 2022 Youth of the Year! Click here for ticket and sponsorship information.
Thanks to our Premier Sponsors, Centene Charitable Foundation & Dowd Bennett.
Honorary Co-Chairs: Dr. Donald M. Suggs and Keith Williamson
Event Co-chairs:
Leah & Chris Harris
Nancy & Jim Wolfe
John Stupp III & Catherine Toben
Kathryn & Jim Sansone
If you’ll be missing the celebration, we invite you to volunteer, donate, mentor or register your youth for membership, or for ticket information, visit www.bgcstl.org.
Calendar Format:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
Great Futures Gala
Theme: Jerseys & Jewels
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
5 pm
Muny Lot, Forest Park
www.bgcstl.org
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports and summer programs to youth across the Bi-State Region while also providing a safe place for them to learn and grow. The Clubs serve youth across the region at twelve locations, including (Adams Park Club, Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto, Boys & Girls Club of Lovejoy, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathews-Dickey Club, Normandy High School, O’Fallon Park Club, Riverview Gardens Club, Roosevelt High School, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Club and the Teen Center of Excellence). We also operate Mentor St. Louis and the St. Louis Internship Program.
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Recognition Event Honorees & Alumni Hall of Honor 2021
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis Honors
Alumni, Board Members, Community Partners & Staff
at Annual Recognition Event
ST. LOUIS (August 13, 2021) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is proud to announce the 2021 Annual Recognition event honorees and Alumni Hall of Honor inductees! Each year the staff, board members, volunteers and supporters are acknowledged and celebrated for their commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs as well as the kids and teens that we serve.
The 2021 BGCSTL Alumni Hall of Honor inductees are Brandon Bosley, Paris Thompson, Sharita Davis, Steve Vasser, Gerald Fulton, Marsha Walls and Kayla Jackson-Williams. The Hall of Honor recognizes outstanding alumni for achievements in their respective fields, commitment to leadership, serving our community’s youth, contributions to the St. Louis community and for living out the mission of the Boys & Girls Club. Additional categories and honorees for the evening were as follows (award descriptions below):
L to R Dr. Flint Fowler (President, BGCSTL), Sharita Davis, Marsha Walls, Kayla Jackson-Williams, Rev. Steve Vasser, Paris Thompson, accepting on behalf of Gerald “Hitman Holla” Fulton, Jr. (his parents) and Dr. Graylon Johnson (presenter and former Boys & Girls Clubs alumni) – not shown Alderman Brandon Bosley
Richard H. Amberg Award Recipient – Nancy Wolfe (Presented to a Board member whose leadership and commitment has a profound impact on the Club’s ability to achieve its mission.)
National Award of Merit (Individuals and organizations outside Boys & Girls Clubs that have provided outstanding support to local Clubs or the Movement.)
Gail Ruhling, St. Louis Cardinals
Rene Knott, News Channel 5
PGA REACH, Ali Wells
Riverview Gardens School District, Dr. Scott Spurgeon
Kuhn Foundation, Thom Kuhn
Dowd Bennett, LLC, Ed Dowd
Annette Valiant
Deborah Wilkins Reese
Service to Youth Award – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis Staff
(Board, volunteers and staff who have rendered long and devoted service (five years or more) to the Boys & Girls Club Movement.)
Five years:
Anthony Buckner
Chrishawn Buford
Sharon Harkness
Leandra Haynes
Cornelious Ingram
Nicole Johnson
Patrick McKinney
Stephanie Prechard
John Redden Jr.
Pareece Sanders
Antonia Wilford
Byron Witherspoon
Christian Williams
Ten years:
Aubrey Betts
Candice Borders
Carlos Stanford
Rayna Sullivan
Charlotte Thomas-Reed
Delah Jones
Twenty years: Tylinisha Howard and Nasrin Shadman-Atkins.
Twenty-five years: Dr. Flint Fowler and Reginald Jones.
Service to Youth Award – Board and Life Trustees (Board, volunteers and staff who have rendered long and devoted service (five years or more) to the Boys & Girls Club Movement.)
John Farmer – 5 years
Dave Queller – 5 years
William “Bill” White – 5 years
Robert “Bob” Fulstone – 30 years
Joan Silber – 30 years
Cabinet of Life Trustees – (An honorific title, bestowed on an individual Director who has retired from the Board of Directors having completed their terms and who are deemed worthy of such designation by virtue of their extraordinary past performance and contributions to the Club.)
Barbara Bartley-Turkington
Keith Lueking
BGCSTL President, Dr. Flint Fowler (reflecting on the annual event which has always been close to his heart) said, “This event gives us the opportunity to celebrate the many ways that our staff, board volunteers, alumni and friends contribute to the welfare of the children we serve and highlight our impact. While we recognize the challenges of COVID-19, we believe it is important to recognize the contributions and achievements of so many Club constituents.”
To view more photos from the event, click here.
Table for Four Recap 2021
Table for Four Guests
“Stepped up to the Plate” to Support Boys & Girls Club Youth
Teen Honored with Award for Volunteerism & Leadership
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis held its annual Table for Four event on the field at Busch Stadium this week! The luncheon, themed, Step up to the Plate, attracted nearly 350 guests and raised over $120k to support programs for girls at the Clubs. It was the first in person event of the year the organization has held (social distancing and masks were still in place).
Featured guests and speakers included 2021 Youth of the Year JaNiyah Banks, BGCSTL President Dr. Flint Fowler, KSDK Anchor & Reporter Michelle Li as emcee, Judy Armstrong (guest of honor), Carolyn Kindle Betz (Enterprise Holdings Foundation), Mayor Tishaura Jones, Karen Jordan (Dentons US LLP), Lauren Herring (Impact Group), Angellean Peters-Lewis (BJC) and Chonda Jordan Nwamu (Ameren Corporation).
During the event, Teen Center of Excellence member, D’Aura Tatum, was presented with the Joan Silber Volunteerism & Leadership award, which included a $1,000 scholarship. D’Aura is a 7th grader at Cross Keys Middle School and has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since she was 7 years old. She spoke at the Teen Center of Excellence groundbreaking ceremony; was featured in the 2020 Census PSA encouraging families to complete the census; marched in the Peace Rally; and, performed with the nationally recognized step team at Lee Hamilton. She also enjoys performing in many of the theatrical plays as well as expanding her creative arts skills in videography and graphic design sessions at the Teen Center. Thanks to Club supporter Laura Herring, all four contestants plus the current Youth of the Year will each receive $500 scholarships!
Thanks to co-chairs LaVicki Hart, Jess Moore, Karen Morrison and Lynn Ann Vogel as well as the event committee and staff. Special mention to presenting sponsor Centene and Blue Door sponsors BJC, LaVicki Hart (The Hart Team, CBG), USBank, Lynn Ann & Paul Vogel and other companies and individuals who helped make the event a success! Proceeds support activities and experiences designed to help girls develop healthy lifestyles, positive self-esteem and make good decisions.
To view pictures from the event, click here.
News from BGCSTL 1st Q 2021
News 2nd Q
Great Futures Moments – News Updates from BGCSTL
2nd Q 2021, click here.
Jack Flaherty Donates Thousands of Books
St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Jack Flaherty Donates Several Thousand Books to Boys & Girls Clubs Kids
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) kids and teens received a surprise delivery from African American owned local bookstore, EyeSeeMe, courtesy of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty!! In the boxes, thousands of books for the youth to encourage and continue to foster a love and passion for reading!
Jack was an avid reader growing up and chose a bunch of books that were some of his personal favorites as a kid such as the Magic Tree House series and Mike Lupica sports stories. Jack is passionate about supporting Black owned businesses and created this moment to do just that by purchasing the books from EyeSeeMe, while directly giving back to the local community by donating them to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis.
BGCSTL has been a charity of choice for Jack for a few years now donating everything from masks to keep kids and staff safe during the pandemic, to the most recent gift of $5,000 through his partnership with BodyArmor. The contribution will be used to support health and fitness programs at the Clubs.
“The city of St. Louis has embraced me from the beginning of my time as a professional baseball player. We couldn’t think of a better way to give directly back to the community by supporting a local, Black owned business with the EyeSeeMe Bookstore and simultaneously donating them all to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis. I hope these stories and adventures will inspire the next generation as reading held such an important part of my development. I am excited to work with both organizations in the future and it’s an honor to support them all today,” Jack Flaherty said of the partnership.
Welcome New Board Members Feb 2021
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER ST. LOUIS WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
St. Louis, MO, February 2021 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) welcomes new board members Taliya King, Robert Kirkland, Amy Liefer, CFRE, MSOL, Robert Minkler, Jr., Jess Moore, Adam W. Randle, John Stupp III, Nicole Tate, Erika Williams, Alan Winslow and Susan Yates.
Their company and titles are:
Adam W. Randle, Polsinelli Shareholder/Practice, Vice Chair
Taliya King, Accenture, Managing Director
Robert Kirkland, Stanley Black & Decker
Amy Liefer, CFRE, MSOL Vitas Healthcare, General Manager
Robert Minkler, Jr., CPA/CGMA Anders CPA, Managing Partner
Jessica Moore, Centene Corporation, Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Integration Management
John Stupp III, Stupp Bros., Inc., Director of the Office of Strategy Management
Nicole Tate, World Wide Technology Area Vice President, Global Client Enablement
Erika Williams, Advantage Capital, Vice President of Talent
Alan Winslow, Bethalto, IL, Mayor
Susan Yates, RCS Construction Inc., Part Owner
For more information on how the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis is helping our community, visit www.bgcstl.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports and summer programs to youth across the Bi-State Region while also providing a safe place for them to learn and grow. The Clubs serve youth across the region at twelve locations, including (Adams Park Club, Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto, Boys & Girls Club of Lovejoy, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathews-Dickey Club, Normandy High School, O’Fallon Park Club, Riverview Gardens Club, Roosevelt High School, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Club and the Teen Center of Excellence). We also operate the Mentor St. Louis and St. Louis Internship programs.
BGCSTL & MD Clubs Unite to Serve More Youth
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER ST. LOUIS and MATHEWS-DICKEY BOYS’ & GIRLS’ CLUB UNITE TO SERVE MORE YOUTH
Today, we announce that Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club will soon be joining the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) family of Clubs. The Boards of Directors and staffs of both Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis care deeply about the future of the children in this community and have been exploring ways to collaborate to serve more youth for years. Collectively, both Clubs have served millions of children in the region for more than 113 years. The effective date for the combination agreement is January 1, 2021.
Over the past few years, Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club board and staff have taken steps to build upon the foundation established by Martin Luther Mathews and Hubert “Dickey” Ballentine. These steps have included exploring partnerships with other non-profit organizations. All parties agreed that a partnership would strengthen the organizations, influence the lives of more children and families, and provide more youth access to low-cost, life changing programs and services.
Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club Founder & President Emeritus, Martin Mathews said of the partnership, “Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club has been an important part of the St. Louis community for 60 years, and our biggest contribution to this community are the children we have served. They are our biggest asset and I know that Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis shares our commitment to children and their development. Both Clubs are committed to a future that focuses on our children that I strongly support.”
“There is a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr that seems especially fitting as we embark on this new journey together: “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” What will ultimately make us successful is the great history that is the foundation of our organizations and that combined will make us a force for change and good,” added Dr. Flint Fowler, President of BGCSTL.
The agreement preserves the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club name, location and nationally recognized youth sports programs. Joining forces and using the strengths of both Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club and BGCSTL honors and affirms their legacies.
An integration committee will continue to work to finalize all aspects of the new enterprise. In the short term, Club operations will continue as they always have. In the long term, key programs and activities will be enhanced, new programs will be explored, and new data measurement practices will be deployed to ensure positive outcomes in priority areas that include Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, Sports & Athletics and Healthy Lifestyles.
In late October, BGCSTL announced it had merged with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bethalto, which has two locations in Illinois.
The combined organization will now be one of the region’s largest youth development agencies serving more than 10,800 kids and teens annually. In addition, the expanded organization will produce better outcomes for all members, extend opportunities for staff professional growth and development and boost fundraising.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports and summer programs to youth across the Bi-State Region while also providing a safe place for them to learn and grow. The Clubs serve youth across the region at twelve locations, including (Adams Park Club, Boys & Girls Club of Bethalto, Boys & Girls Club of Lovejoy, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathew-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Normandy High School, O’Fallon Park Club, Riverview Gardens Club, Roosevelt High School, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Club and the Teen Center of Excellence). We also operate the Mentor St. Louis and St. Louis Internship programs.
About Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club
Since 1960, Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club has been an anchor in the community, a place where boys and girls, young men and women have developed their talents, learned respect, restraint and responsibility, and benefited from a wide range of programs and support services. The membership organization serves thousands of young people each year. The Club’s focus is to meet the needs of the community as a sports and recreation facility, while also providing education supports, workforce development and cultural enrichment to those who need it most.
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Recognition Event Honorees 2020
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis Honors
Alumni, Board Members, Community Partners & Staff
At Annual Recognition Event
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is proud to announce the 2020 Annual Recognition event honorees and Alumni Hall of Honor inductees! Each year the staff, board members, volunteers and supporters are acknowledged and celebrated for their commitment to our organization and the Club kids and teens that we serve.
The BGCSTL Alumni Hall of Honor inductees are Sam Adams, Malcolm Crawford, Ahmad Hicks, Rashidah Ivory, Dr. Kia Moore and Dr. James Paine. The Hall of Honor recognizes outstanding alumni for achievements in their respective fields, commitment to leadership, serving our community’s youth, contributions to the St. Louis community and for living out the mission of the Boys & Girls Club.
Alumni Hall of Honor Inductees: Sam Adams, Malcolm Crawford, Rashidah Ivory, Dr. Kia Moore and Ahmad Hicks along with Dr. Flint Fowler, President Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (not shown Dr. James Paine)
Additional categories and honorees for the evening were as follows:
*Award descriptions below
National Award of Merit
LeAnn Chilton
Cheryl McNeil
Gregory Glore
Peter Strassner
Anita and John McConnell
St. Louis Fire Department
Metropolitan St. Louis Police Department
Richard H. Amberg Award
BGCSTL Board Member Peggy Guest
Service to Youth Award – Staff
Dennis Morgan – 45 years of service
Nicholas Chandler – 15 years
Indigo Sams – 15 years
Patricia Baucom – 10 years
Sharmane Buford – 10 years
Byron West – 10 years
Chrishawn Buford – 5 years
Karmin Crymes – 5 years
Cornelious Ingram – 5 years
Eva Kain – 5 years
Ruth Lederman – 5 years
Mallene Tatum – 5 years
Audrey Wilson – 5 years
Service to Youth Award – Board & Life Trustees
Mark Bulanda – 5 years of service
Sean Joe – 5 years of service
Megan Ridgeway – 5 years of service
Larry Parres – 5 years of service
Barry Upchurch – 5 years of service
Dave Touchette – 20 years of service
Robert Fulstone – 30 years of service
Joan Silber – 30 years of service
BGCSTL President, Dr. Flint Fowler (reflecting on the annual event which has always been close to his heart) said, “This event gives us the opportunity to celebrate the many ways that our staff, board volunteers, alumni and friends contribute to the welfare of the children we serve and highlight our impact. While we recognize the challenges of COVID-19, we believe it is important to recognize the contributions and achievements of so many Club constituents.”
National Service to Youth Award – Board, volunteers and staff who have rendered long and devoted service (five years or more) to the Boys & Girls Club Movement.
National Award of Merit – Individuals and organizations outside Boys & Girls Clubs that have provided outstanding support to local Clubs or the Movement.
Richard H. Amberg Award – Presented to a Board member whose leadership and commitment has a profound impact on the Club’s ability to achieve its mission.
To view more pictures of the evening’s honorees, click here.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. For over 50 years, BGCSTL has been providing after-school, teen, sports and summer programs to youth in the St. Louis area while also providing a safe place for them to learn and grow. The Clubs serve youth across St. Louis City & County including Adams Park Club, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, O’Fallon Park Club, Riverview Gardens Club, Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Club and the Teen Center of Excellence. We also operate dropout prevention programs within two High Schools (Normandy and Roosevelt High School); as well as the Mentor St. Louis and St. Louis Internship programs.
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YOUTH OF THE YEAR WINNER ANNOUNCED AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER ST. LOUIS GREAT FUTURES GALA
YOUTH OF THE YEAR WINNER ANNOUNCED AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER ST. LOUIS GREAT FUTURES GALA
Ja’Niyah Banks-Ewing Wins Youth of the Year, $9,000 in Scholarships & A NEW CAR Nearly 250 guests and $450,000 raised for Club kids!
St. Louis, MO, November 9, 2020 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is proud to announce the 2021 Youth of the Year winner is Ja’Niyah Banks-Ewing! Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive and a signature national youth recognition program that celebrates the recipient’s contributions to their family, school, community, and their Boys & Girls Club. The winner was announced at the outdoor 70s themed, drive in tailgate style Great Futures Gala (reimagined), the largest fundraising event for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, which raised $450,000 for Club youth!
Photo caption: Check presentation of the Michael and Wanda DeHaven $5000 Scholarship to 2021 BGCSTL Youth of the Year Ja’Niyah Banks-Ewing by Abby & Travis Sarich and Joe Brown of Frank Leta Honda who presented Ja’Niyah with a new car
Ja’Niyah, age 17, is a senior at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy and has been a member of BGCSTL Herbert Hoover Club for ten years. In addition to winning the Youth of the Year title and honor to represent the Club as a Teen Ambassador, she received the Michael & Wanda DeHaven $5,000 Scholarship, the Missouri State University Youth of the Year renewable $4,000 scholarship, a celebratory dinner courtesy of the Saint Louis Club and a car provided by Frank Leta Honda! Ja’Niyah plans to attend college, become a Dietician and part time Volleyball Coach. She credits the supportive Club staff and multiple programs for shaping her into the young lady she has become, guiding her in the right direction and exposing her to opportunities she would not have had access to if she wasn’t a Club member.
“The Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. All of the honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at the Boys & Girls Clubs. We are so proud of all of this year’s participants who took the time to complete a challenging yet worthwhile process. All possess the ability and ambition to be successful, and should be recognized for their leadership, service, academic achievements and commitment to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Flint Fowler, President, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.
Emcee KSDK News Anchor, Rene Knott inspired the crowd, online and attending the event, to help fund the need for Club kids and helped us meet our goal of $100,000!
Another special moment in the evening was St. Louis based Kaldi’s Coffee announcing the launch of a new Great Futures Blend coffee where a portion of the proceeds will support Club programs and services!! The artwork on each bag was created by Club member Gabby and, Club members also created the coffee jingle to promote the new coffee partnership! Click here to listen, and here to order your Great Futures Blend!
2nd Place winner receiving the $2,500 Emerson Scholarship is Teen Center of Excellence member, Diondre Fulton! Award presented by co-chairs Matt & Linda Renner
3rd Place winner receiving a $1,000 Scholarship is Adams Park Club member, Triniti Groves! Award presented by co-chairs Lorenzo & Sheila Boyd
4th Place winner receiving a $500 Scholarship is Teen Center of Excellence member, Troy Staten! Award presented by Ricky & Elizabeth Nix
Special thanks to the Great Futures Gala committee including Co-chairs – Lorenzo & Sheila Boyd, Matt & Linda Renner and Brad & Michele Sowers. And, to the following sponsors for their support: Lead Sponsor, Emerson Foundation; Presenting Sponsors, Centene Charitable Foundation, Express Scripts, Stifel, Matt & Linda Renner and, Brad & Michele Sowers. For more information on how the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis is helping our community, visit www.bgcstl.org.
To view more photos from the event, click here. To hear the emotional Youth of the Year candidate speeches from the evening, follow the links below.
