BGCA Youth of the Year!

We were at the National Building Museum late last night for the Boys & Girls Club of America Youth of the Year Awards.

We snapped the night's chair, Golden Globe, Tony Award and Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, here with singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland, bookending this year’s National Youth of the Year Whitney S. Denzel said that when he was young, some of his friends went in a different direction and ended in jail, and the only difference between him and them was the Boys and Girls Club of America, which gave him the structure and confidence to be anything he wanted.

Guest of honor Timothy Zachery Mosley, aka Timbaland, here with Monique Mosley, stood during the entire performance of the children's choir to show his admiration for their musical talent, which thrilled the kids.

The Youth of the Year program shapes leaders by fostering character and leadership development. Kelly Rowland told us that her inspiration first comes from her mother and then from programs such as the Boys and Girls Club, which gave her the confidence to change the world. The gala was emceed by comedienne and TV personality Sherri Shepherd, here on the blue carpet to keep with the evening’s theme Frozen.

All the guests were inspired by stories of how each child overcame adversity with the support of their local club. Here, BGCA’s National Youth of the Year 2014-2015 Maryah S, with BGCA SVP Damion Williams and national marketing director Malaika Dowdell.

For over 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have provided safe places for young people to learn, grow and develop relationships. Generations have found a brighter future thanks to empowering, inspiring resources in their neighborhoods. Here, Navajo Nation’s Jackson Brossy, with BGCA’s native services director Carla Knapp and external affairs chief Wilbur Woodis.