Four-time world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield first stepped into the ring at the Warren Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta when he was 8 years old. Three years later, he qualified to compete in his first Junior Olympics. Through an honorary membership, he continued to box at the Club until making the 1984 U.S. Olympic team at age 21. Through wins and losses, Holyfield never forgot the lessons he learned at the Club.

Bill Russell was the first African American NBA Head Coach NBA legend Bill Russell wasn’t always a basketball star. In fact, he was cut from his high school team. However, his coach saw something in him and sent him to the Oakland Boys & Girls Club to hone his basketball skills. Subsequently, Bill led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships, including two as player-coach, the first African American coach in NBA History. In 1975, Bill Russell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Misty Copeland was the American Ballet Theatre’s first African American principal dancer. Misty Copeland was 13-years-old when she took her first ballet class at San Pedro Boys & Girls Club. Her newfound passion led her to take to ballet quickly and in just four short years, she joined the American Ballet Theatre.

Mayor of Minneapolis from 1994 to 2001, Sharon Sayles Belton, the city’s first African American and first female to hold the post, brought citizens and government together to clean up neighborhoods, fight crime, and develop local business and industry. As a community leader and activist, she has advocated for children’s and women’s issues, leading efforts to improve services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. As a senior fellow at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Sayles Belton works on anti-racism initiatives and improving information sharing between community organizations and research institutions.

Stacey Walker is the first African American to serve as Chair of the Linn County Board of Supervisors. Stacey Walker was a standout Boys & Girls Clubs of the Corridor member. In 2006, Stacey was named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. Stacey attributes the National Youth of the Year program for opening doors, including the door to a college scholarship. Recently, Stacey was named an advisor on a Criminal Justice Reform Policy Task Force, created by President Biden.

Tony Clark is the first African American to become the Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Tony Clark grew up in the San Diego area where he attended Encanto Branch Boys & Girls Club, along with his brothers. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers. After a stellar MLB career, Tony retired and joined the MLB Players Association as director of player relations. In 2013, players unanimously elected him executive MLB Association executive director. He was the first former player, and first African American, to hold one of baseball’s most powerful positions.

Ruth Carter was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Costume Design for the film Black Panther. Drawing pictures was one of many activities Ruth E. Carter enjoyed while attending The Springfield Family Center Boys & Girls Club. Ruth’s love of art led her to discover her passion for costume design. She has worked on more than 40 films as well as worked with award-winning director Spike Lee.

Mike Carey is the first African American to lead an officiating crew in a Super Bowl.

NFL referee Mike Carey is respected throughout the league for his professionalism, preparation and sense of fair play – values made real at the William J. Oakes Boys Club, which he joined at the age of 8. In addition to his NFL career, Mike co-owns Seirus Innovation, a snow sports accessories company he founded with his wife, Wendy.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo

alum Mayor Michael P. Bell was the first African American to lead an Ohio City Fire Department.

He was elected mayor of Toledo in 2009. Bell believes “The Club made you feel you could do anything if you put your mind to it,” recalls Mayor Bell. “It helped make me who I am today.”

Katrina Adams was the first African American USTA Chairman, CEO and President. She became the first African American to become an NCAA doubles champion and eventually won 20 career double titles!

Club alum Denzel Washington was the first African American to win multiple Academy Awards. Before Denzel Washington became known for his acting, he was a Club kid attending the Boys & Girls Club of Mount Vernon. At the Club, Denzel was mentored by Billy Thomas and learned several life-long lessons. Denzel has received several accolades for his work, including his work on the movie "Glory" and "Training Day." On his experience at the Club he says, “Everything you’ve seen or heard about me began with lessons I learned to live by at the Club."

The Boys and Girls Club is a PROUD United Way of Will County funded community partner and serves youth ages six to eighteen. The Club is open from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday after school and 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. any week day that school is not in session. For more information about donating or volunteering, please visit bgcjoliet.com or call (815) 723-3434