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Alumni Spotlight
Highlighting some of our former members and their memories
of the impact our Clubs had on their lives.
Keshia Smith
Keshia Smith
Club Member for 10 Years
Graduate:
William G. Enloe High School
North Carolina A&T University
Strayer University
Occupation:
Career & Technical Education Teacher
Heritage High School, Wake Forest, NC
I joined the Raleigh Girls Club when I was 8 years old. Both of my
parents were hard workers, but we had limited income and so our
resources were extremely limited. I loved sports and music, but
basketball was my first love. I started playing organized basketball
when I was 5 years old. The Club gave me an extended vision of what
life looked like outside of the environment in which I lived.
Joan Wyatt, Suzanne Tadlock, and Ron Williams were my parents away
from home. They forced and reinforced education along with teaching
us about life. The Club provided leadership programs, general life
programs, and sports teams to help create well rounded young people.
They taught us how to maximize the resources that we had available.
The Club provided opportunities I would not have had were I not a
part of the Raleigh Girls Club. I got to go to a Boys & Girls
Clubs Keystone Conference in Atlanta, GA that was sponsored by Nike
who closed Six Flags down for the conference. I got offered golf
scholarships and got to go to the Masters Golf Tournament and even
went skiing in the Appalachian Mountains. I came back to the Girls
Club and worked as a counselor. I learned so many things by being
"all in" with the Club. To me the "special" thing about being a part
of the Club is that it offers people care and opportunities that
youth would not otherwise have. It also allows kids to be who they
are contrary to what others think about them.
Being a part of the Raleigh Girls Club taught me how to be an
individual, and I believe that has been my greatest success as an
adult. I have gotten a Masters of Education, am raising a 12 year
old son, and I am in my desired career of teaching. The Club was a
big part of my life and for that I am most thankful.
Graduate:
William G. Enloe High School
North Carolina A&T University
Strayer University
Strayer University
Occupation:
Career & Technical Education Teacher
Heritage High School, Wake Forest, NC
I joined the Raleigh Girls Club when I was 8 years old. Both of my parents were hard workers, but we had limited income and so our resources were extremely limited. I loved sports and music, but basketball was my first love. I started playing organized basketball when I was 5 years old. The Club gave me an extended vision of what life looked like outside of the environment in which I lived.
Joan Wyatt, Suzanne Tadlock, and Ron Williams were my parents away from home. They forced and reinforced education along with teaching us about life. The Club provided leadership programs, general life programs, and sports teams to help create well rounded young people. They taught us how to maximize the resources that we had available. The Club provided opportunities I would not have had were I not a part of the Raleigh Girls Club. I got to go to a Boys & Girls Clubs Keystone Conference in Atlanta, GA that was sponsored by Nike who closed Six Flags down for the conference. I got offered golf scholarships and got to go to the Masters Golf Tournament and even went skiing in the Appalachian Mountains. I came back to the Girls Club and worked as a counselor. I learned so many things by being "all in" with the Club. To me the "special" thing about being a part of the Club is that it offers people care and opportunities that youth would not otherwise have. It also allows kids to be who they are contrary to what others think about them.
Being a part of the Raleigh Girls Club taught me how to be an individual, and I believe that has been my greatest success as an adult. I have gotten a Masters of Education, am raising a 12 year old son, and I am in my desired career of teaching. The Club was a big part of my life and for that I am most thankful.
Donzell Newkirk
Donzell Newkirk
Club Member for 9 Years & 2001 Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year
Graduate:
Leesville Road High School
NC A&T State University
Occupation:
4P Product Manager for Lenovo’s ThinkVision and
ThinkCentre Portfolios in North America Co
-Owner — Gentleman’s Choice Kollection
I became a member of the Raleigh Boys Club when I was 11 years old. The Club united young boys from different backgrounds that we should all have the same goals in mind, that we wanted to stay out of the streets and make a difference. There were kids from all backgrounds, single parent homes, foster care, social services, but we were treated all the same. We were taught how to stand on our own two feet and to “dream big and dare to fail.” Club Director Ron Williams was a big impact on my life, and he taught me how to fight and protect our investment, which was ourselves.
Staff members Ron Williams, Heather Brosz-White, and Rodney McClamb, along with others, taught me even when we failed at a sport or project, you could turn that failure into a lesson. I still carry that lesson with me today. The biggest impact the Club had on my life was teaching me how to respect our peers. Ron showed me how to respect everyone, and that respect is not an earned trait.
The Club shows that anyone who walks through the door has an opportunity to grow and have fun! It gives parents and guardians an environment where they can leave their children so they can learn healthy lifestyles, sports, and education along with lessons that they can carry over to adulthood. One thing that amazes me is that when I joined the Club in 1994, the membership fee was $7.50 a year and today in 2016, the membership fee is still $7.50 a year.The Boys & Girls Clubs is here to help and enrich young lives and for me, they did that. I am a better person today for having the opportunity to be a part of such a great organization.
Graduate:
Leesville Road High School
NC A&T State University
Occupation:
4P Product Manager for Lenovo’s ThinkVision and
ThinkCentre Portfolios in North America Co
-Owner — Gentleman’s Choice Kollection
-Owner — Gentleman’s Choice Kollection
I became a member of the Raleigh Boys Club when I was 11 years old. The Club united young boys from different backgrounds that we should all have the same goals in mind, that we wanted to stay out of the streets and make a difference. There were kids from all backgrounds, single parent homes, foster care, social services, but we were treated all the same. We were taught how to stand on our own two feet and to “dream big and dare to fail.” Club Director Ron Williams was a big impact on my life, and he taught me how to fight and protect our investment, which was ourselves.
Staff members Ron Williams, Heather Brosz-White, and Rodney McClamb, along with others, taught me even when we failed at a sport or project, you could turn that failure into a lesson. I still carry that lesson with me today. The biggest impact the Club had on my life was teaching me how to respect our peers. Ron showed me how to respect everyone, and that respect is not an earned trait.
The Club shows that anyone who walks through the door has an opportunity to grow and have fun! It gives parents and guardians an environment where they can leave their children so they can learn healthy lifestyles, sports, and education along with lessons that they can carry over to adulthood. One thing that amazes me is that when I joined the Club in 1994, the membership fee was $7.50 a year and today in 2016, the membership fee is still $7.50 a year.The Boys & Girls Clubs is here to help and enrich young lives and for me, they did that. I am a better person today for having the opportunity to be a part of such a great organization.
Brittaney Rea
Brittaney Rea
Club Member for 12 Years
Graduate:
Wake Forest High School
North Carolina State University
Occupation:
Grants and Scholarships Specialist,
North Carolina Community Foundation
I joined the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club at the age of 6 and was active in my Club until I graduated from high school. I was a very shy child, but became very comfortable at the Club because I knew it was a safe haven for me. At the Club, I could just be a kid enjoying activities and making friends without the stress of things going on in my life outside the Club. The Club is truly a place where kids can just be kids. I participated in all kinds of programs from sports to leadership groups. My peers elected me President of my Club’s Torch Club in middle school then Keystone Club as a high schooler. That is a long way from a very shy 6 year old that joined the Club.
The Club taught me many life lessons and provided me with wonderful role models and mentors. Hugh, Nikki, & Jessica were positive role models for me, and the lessons they taught me have prepared me for my life now as an adult. One particular lesson I learned from Hugh was always leave a place better than you found it. This lesson still resonates with me, and I apply it to my life now. The Club is amazing how even as a college student and now in my life as an adult they still stay connected to me. Checking in and supporting me in my journey. They absolutely want to see every kid that comes to the Club succeed and be the best they can be.
Today along with my work at the NC Community Foundation, I serve on the Board of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Triangle NC as the Events Chair. I still stay involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs through their Young Advocates Program, and I’m glad to speak on behalf of the Club anytime they ask me. The Club gave me a future and for that I will always be grateful.
Graduate:
Wake Forest High School
North Carolina State University
Occupation:
Grants and Scholarships Specialist,
North Carolina Community Foundation
I joined the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club at the age of 6 and was active in my Club until I graduated from high school. I was a very shy child, but became very comfortable at the Club because I knew it was a safe haven for me. At the Club, I could just be a kid enjoying activities and making friends without the stress of things going on in my life outside the Club. The Club is truly a place where kids can just be kids. I participated in all kinds of programs from sports to leadership groups. My peers elected me President of my Club’s Torch Club in middle school then Keystone Club as a high schooler. That is a long way from a very shy 6 year old that joined the Club.
The Club taught me many life lessons and provided me with wonderful role models and mentors. Hugh, Nikki, & Jessica were positive role models for me, and the lessons they taught me have prepared me for my life now as an adult. One particular lesson I learned from Hugh was always leave a place better than you found it. This lesson still resonates with me, and I apply it to my life now. The Club is amazing how even as a college student and now in my life as an adult they still stay connected to me. Checking in and supporting me in my journey. They absolutely want to see every kid that comes to the Club succeed and be the best they can be.
Today along with my work at the NC Community Foundation, I serve on the Board of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Triangle NC as the Events Chair. I still stay involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs through their Young Advocates Program, and I’m glad to speak on behalf of the Club anytime they ask me. The Club gave me a future and for that I will always be grateful.
Erick L. May III
Erick L. May, III
Club Member for 11 Years
1992 National Youth of the Year
2003 Inductee, Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame
Graduate:
William G. Enloe High School
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Florida A&M University
Occupation:
Career & Technical Education Teacher
Heritage High School, Wake Forest, NC
I joined the Raleigh Girls Club when I was 8 years old. Both of my
parents were hard workers, but we had limited income and so our
resources were extremely limited. I loved sports and music, but
basketball was my first love. I started playing organized basketball
when I was 5 years old. The Club gave me an extended vision of what
life looked like outside of the environment in which I lived.
Joan Wyatt, Suzanne Tadlock, and Ron Williams were my parents away
from home. They forced and reinforced education along with teaching
us about life. The Club provided leadership programs, general life
programs, and sports teams to help create well rounded young people.
They taught us how to maximize the resources that we had available.
The Club provided opportunities I would not have had were I not a
part of the Raleigh Girls Club. I got to go to a Boys & Girls
Clubs Keystone Conference in Atlanta, GA that was sponsored by Nike
who closed Six Flags down for the conference. I got offered golf
scholarships and got to go to the Masters Golf Tournament and even
went skiing in the Appalachian Mountains. I came back to the Girls
Club and worked as a counselor. I learned so many things by being
"all in" with the Club. To me the "special" thing about being a part
of the Club is that it offers people care and opportunities that
youth would not otherwise have. It also allows kids to be who they
are contrary to what others think about them.
Being a part of the Raleigh Girls Club taught me how to be an
individual, and I believe that has been my greatest success as an
adult. I have gotten a Masters of Education, am raising a 12 year
old son, and I am in my desired career of teaching. The Club was a
big part of my life and for that I am most thankful.
Graduate:
William G. Enloe High School
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Florida A&M University
Occupation:
Career & Technical Education Teacher
Heritage High School, Wake Forest, NC
I joined the Raleigh Girls Club when I was 8 years old. Both of my parents were hard workers, but we had limited income and so our resources were extremely limited. I loved sports and music, but basketball was my first love. I started playing organized basketball when I was 5 years old. The Club gave me an extended vision of what life looked like outside of the environment in which I lived.
Joan Wyatt, Suzanne Tadlock, and Ron Williams were my parents away from home. They forced and reinforced education along with teaching us about life. The Club provided leadership programs, general life programs, and sports teams to help create well rounded young people. They taught us how to maximize the resources that we had available. The Club provided opportunities I would not have had were I not a part of the Raleigh Girls Club. I got to go to a Boys & Girls Clubs Keystone Conference in Atlanta, GA that was sponsored by Nike who closed Six Flags down for the conference. I got offered golf scholarships and got to go to the Masters Golf Tournament and even went skiing in the Appalachian Mountains. I came back to the Girls Club and worked as a counselor. I learned so many things by being "all in" with the Club. To me the "special" thing about being a part of the Club is that it offers people care and opportunities that youth would not otherwise have. It also allows kids to be who they are contrary to what others think about them.
Being a part of the Raleigh Girls Club taught me how to be an individual, and I believe that has been my greatest success as an adult. I have gotten a Masters of Education, am raising a 12 year old son, and I am in my desired career of teaching. The Club was a big part of my life and for that I am most thankful.
Edith Rivera
Edith Rivera
Club Member
Graduate:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Occupation:
Lab Tech at Radeas Labs
My name is Edith Rivera. I am first-generation Dominican American born in Boston, MA and raised in Raleigh, NC. Some of my fondest hobbies include cycling, reading, and traveling! As a North Carolina native, I have lived here since the age of 4 and attended both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for my undergraduate degree and North Carolina State University for my graduate degree. I currently work in a molecular laboratory and aspire to become a doctor someday.
As a middle school student at Ligon Middle School, I would go to the Raleigh Girls Club after school. There, I would often get to spend time with students from many different schools in the greater downtown area and make new friends. It was a time I could get ahead in my school work while participating in very engaging activities. Some of my favorite activities there include a cooking class offered by the Club. On one occasion, we were able to bake blueberry scones and have a tea party with everyone in attendance.
There are so many memories that it is hard to pick just one. Some of my fondest memories at the Club were throughout the summer when the Club members were out of school and as a staff member at the Brentwood Boys and Girls Club, I was able to spend the majority of the day with them. One hot summer day, we organized a water balloon fight for the entire Club. The kids had so much fun letting loose and playing with the staff. Afterwards, we rewarded with a popsicle party. Moments like this are just one of many where I truly felt like I was making an impact on my community. The Boys and Girls Clubs truly provides a positive outlet for adolescents, especially in Raleigh.
In 3 words I would describe the Club as a safe-haven, refuge, and a home. My biggest mentor at the Club has been Pepe Caudillo, the director of the Brentwood Boys and Girls Club. At just 16 years old, he gave me the opportunity to work at the Club. Over the years, he transformed from my boss to a family friend. To this day, we still remain in contact and he has truly served as a role model to me and a pillar of the community.
My time, especially as a staff member, was the first time I was able to hone in on my leadership skills. Particularly competing as a candidate for Youth of the Year in my region helped me further my leadership skills and understand the importance of giving back to your community. These are values that I carried with me throughout school and now my professional career. The Boys and Girls Club is family to me. I first attended the Boys and Girls Club with my older cousins and then when they were hired at the Brentwood Boys and Girls Club, I applied as well. Every member of my family has been a member and experience the benefits of the Club. I truly consider it a “family-business.”
Graduate:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Occupation:
Lab Tech at Radeas Labs
My name is Edith Rivera. I am first-generation Dominican American born in Boston, MA and raised in Raleigh, NC. Some of my fondest hobbies include cycling, reading, and traveling! As a North Carolina native, I have lived here since the age of 4 and attended both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for my undergraduate degree and North Carolina State University for my graduate degree. I currently work in a molecular laboratory and aspire to become a doctor someday.
As a middle school student at Ligon Middle School, I would go to the Raleigh Girls Club after school. There, I would often get to spend time with students from many different schools in the greater downtown area and make new friends. It was a time I could get ahead in my school work while participating in very engaging activities. Some of my favorite activities there include a cooking class offered by the Club. On one occasion, we were able to bake blueberry scones and have a tea party with everyone in attendance.
There are so many memories that it is hard to pick just one. Some of my fondest memories at the Club were throughout the summer when the Club members were out of school and as a staff member at the Brentwood Boys and Girls Club, I was able to spend the majority of the day with them. One hot summer day, we organized a water balloon fight for the entire Club. The kids had so much fun letting loose and playing with the staff. Afterwards, we rewarded with a popsicle party. Moments like this are just one of many where I truly felt like I was making an impact on my community. The Boys and Girls Clubs truly provides a positive outlet for adolescents, especially in Raleigh.
In 3 words I would describe the Club as a safe-haven, refuge, and a home. My biggest mentor at the Club has been Pepe Caudillo, the director of the Brentwood Boys and Girls Club. At just 16 years old, he gave me the opportunity to work at the Club. Over the years, he transformed from my boss to a family friend. To this day, we still remain in contact and he has truly served as a role model to me and a pillar of the community.
My time, especially as a staff member, was the first time I was able to hone in on my leadership skills. Particularly competing as a candidate for Youth of the Year in my region helped me further my leadership skills and understand the importance of giving back to your community. These are values that I carried with me throughout school and now my professional career. The Boys and Girls Club is family to me. I first attended the Boys and Girls Club with my older cousins and then when they were hired at the Brentwood Boys and Girls Club, I applied as well. Every member of my family has been a member and experience the benefits of the Club. I truly consider it a “family-business.”
Brian Sessoms
Brian Sessoms
Club Member
Occupation:
Wedding DJ at Story & Rhythm
I grew up in Raleigh, NC! I’m a father to 3 kids and I’ve been a Wedding DJ for the past 8 years. I enjoy playing sports, traveling, and watching football! I was excited to hang out with fellow Club members each time I visited the Boys Club!
I enjoyed playing various games throughout the Club. My all-time favorite memory was the night I hit 10 3-point shots in one game! The crowd went crazy and it felt amazing to know I set a new record at the age of 13. The most valuable lesson I learned was to always have respect for others, no matter where you go. I also learned to work as part of a team.
If I were to describe what this Club meant to me only using 3 words, it would be: Home, Safe, and Determined
One of the most inspirational mentors at the Boys & Girls Club was Mr. Ron Williams, the Club Director. He was like a second father when at the Club. He joked with us, but he also taught me core values on how to become a man. He was a great role model, and overall, I experienced how The Club prepared me for life.
Occupation:
Wedding DJ at Story & Rhythm
I grew up in Raleigh, NC! I’m a father to 3 kids and I’ve been a Wedding DJ for the past 8 years. I enjoy playing sports, traveling, and watching football! I was excited to hang out with fellow Club members each time I visited the Boys Club!
I enjoyed playing various games throughout the Club. My all-time favorite memory was the night I hit 10 3-point shots in one game! The crowd went crazy and it felt amazing to know I set a new record at the age of 13. The most valuable lesson I learned was to always have respect for others, no matter where you go. I also learned to work as part of a team. If I were to describe what this Club meant to me only using 3 words, it would be: Home, Safe, and Determined
One of the most inspirational mentors at the Boys & Girls Club was Mr. Ron Williams, the Club Director. He was like a second father when at the Club. He joked with us, but he also taught me core values on how to become a man. He was a great role model, and overall, I experienced how The Club prepared me for life.
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones Smith
Club Member
Occupation:
Celebrity Image Curator/Stylist
at DrJspokeStyle, LLC
What made me excited to spend time at the Club was sports mainly, as well as friendships. A lot of my friends growing up I met there and they are still my friends to this day; created some of the closest friendships I have. We literally played basketball, soccer, and football all day long after getting out of school and finishing our school work. Almost every kid was athletic and the competition was intense on all levels in every sport. Just knowing I was playing against some of the most gifted and talented kids across the board was fun and of course, joking daily on one another. Some of the most fun times in our lives.
My all-time favorite memory at the Club is hard to narrow down to just one. Wow… So many, don't think I can narrow it down to just one because even after I graduated from high school and went off to college, I came back and worked during the summers and at camp BTI with Mr. Capps, Ron Williams, Rodent McClamb, and so on. But if I had to select one, it's a culmination of times. Myself, Stewart Rouse, Brian Sessoms, and Steve Ruffin used to play 2 on 2 basketball literally every night until the Club closed when we were teenagers and basketball season for school was over. We used to have some of the roughest, toughest games but it was always genuine and we talked trash all the time and kept a record of wins/losses for our last two years in high school. Once 7/8 pm came around and we knew we had the gym or the side of our court to ourselves, we used to go in. They used to let us close the Club down lol. Major times and memories.
The most valuable lesson I learned at the Club was to never give up. Ron and Box always had us working hard. Not just at sports but in school as well and made sure we did our work before we touched that court.
In three words, the Club meant friendship to me.
Two mentors who inspired me at the Club, outside of Ron and Box, were Rashad and Brian. Rashad was just so cool to me; I was only like 10 maybe 11 and I really looked up to him. His mom knew my mom and used to let Rashad take me out to lunch, take me around Raleigh, and just show me different stuff. Brian worked in the gym and he was just dope to listen to because he was older than most but he had graduated from ECU and played football there and would talk about his college experiences to us and have little life lessons here and there.
The Club impacted my future in more ways than I can count. The question is: how did it not? There is so much the Club did for me, whether it was helping me get into college. Actually, Ron helped with my college recruiting; meanwhile, my own high school coach didn't do a thing. I met lifelong friends that I still talk to today. I even met one friend, Amy, who works in the same field for dinner in Brooklyn last week. She and I discuss things like this all the time: how do we go from little old Raleigh to living in NYC or traveling the world for work? A lot of that came from being members of the Club and being around amazing people.
Occupation:
Celebrity Image Curator/Stylist
at DrJspokeStyle, LLC
What made me excited to spend time at the Club was sports mainly, as well as friendships. A lot of my friends growing up I met there and they are still my friends to this day; created some of the closest friendships I have. We literally played basketball, soccer, and football all day long after getting out of school and finishing our school work. Almost every kid was athletic and the competition was intense on all levels in every sport. Just knowing I was playing against some of the most gifted and talented kids across the board was fun and of course, joking daily on one another. Some of the most fun times in our lives.
My all-time favorite memory at the Club is hard to narrow down to just one. Wow… So many, don't think I can narrow it down to just one because even after I graduated from high school and went off to college, I came back and worked during the summers and at camp BTI with Mr. Capps, Ron Williams, Rodent McClamb, and so on. But if I had to select one, it's a culmination of times. Myself, Stewart Rouse, Brian Sessoms, and Steve Ruffin used to play 2 on 2 basketball literally every night until the Club closed when we were teenagers and basketball season for school was over. We used to have some of the roughest, toughest games but it was always genuine and we talked trash all the time and kept a record of wins/losses for our last two years in high school. Once 7/8 pm came around and we knew we had the gym or the side of our court to ourselves, we used to go in. They used to let us close the Club down lol. Major times and memories.
The most valuable lesson I learned at the Club was to never give up. Ron and Box always had us working hard. Not just at sports but in school as well and made sure we did our work before we touched that court.
In three words, the Club meant friendship to me. Two mentors who inspired me at the Club, outside of Ron and Box, were Rashad and Brian. Rashad was just so cool to me; I was only like 10 maybe 11 and I really looked up to him. His mom knew my mom and used to let Rashad take me out to lunch, take me around Raleigh, and just show me different stuff. Brian worked in the gym and he was just dope to listen to because he was older than most but he had graduated from ECU and played football there and would talk about his college experiences to us and have little life lessons here and there.
The Club impacted my future in more ways than I can count. The question is: how did it not? There is so much the Club did for me, whether it was helping me get into college. Actually, Ron helped with my college recruiting; meanwhile, my own high school coach didn't do a thing. I met lifelong friends that I still talk to today. I even met one friend, Amy, who works in the same field for dinner in Brooklyn last week. She and I discuss things like this all the time: how do we go from little old Raleigh to living in NYC or traveling the world for work? A lot of that came from being members of the Club and being around amazing people.
Great futures started here
You know what a Club can do in a kid’s life. Stay connected, and help the next generation thrive.