Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati

The signage is up, and we are just days away from the grand opening of our brand-new Richard T. Farmer Club! This incredible 20,000-square-foot facility will allow us to triple the number of youth we serve in the Roll Hill community and expand programming from K-6th grade to K-12. With a dedicated space to serve teens through our Youth Workforce Development Curriculum, plus six new staff members, we are ready to create even more opportunities for our young people to learn, grow, and thrive. This building isn’t just a Club—it’s a life-changing space for the next generation. We can’t wait to welcome our members and start making an even bigger impact! #GreatFuturesStartHere

Last week, we had the honor of celebrating four inspiring young leaders at our 2025 Youth of the Year event at Great American Ballpark. ? Congratulations to Adriana Jackson, our 2025 Youth of the Year winner, and Braylon Griffin, our runner-up! These incredible teens, along with finalists Anela Cooley and Ivan Smith, have overcome challenges, demonstrated resilience, and given back to their Clubs and communities in remarkable ways. The Youth of the Year program is a testament to their hard work, leadership, and commitment to bright futures. A huge THANK YOU to our esteemed panel of judges for their time and dedication: ?? Kathleen (Kat) Taylor-Zitt – altafiber ?? Shannel Heath – JPMorganChase ?? Eric J. Knapp – Western & Southern Financial Group ?? Toni Burns – altafiber ?? Ty Wesselkamper – Keep Cincinnati Beautiful This competition is the culmination of months of preparation—writing essays, crafting speeches, enhancing interview skills, and sharing their personal journeys. Adriana will now move on to the state competition, with hopes of advancing to the national event in Atlanta!

How it started… how it’s going ?? A HUGE congratulations to our 2025 Youth of the Year, Adriana Jackson! One year ago, she set her sights on this goal—today, she’s achieved it, earning not only this prestigious title but also a $20,000 scholarship! Adriana’s resilience, dedication, and passion for making a difference continue to inspire those around her. As Youth of the Year, she will serve as a role model for the thousands of young people who walk through our doors every day. We are incredibly proud of Adriana and all four of our Youth of the Year finalists, who exemplify the core values of our mission and the promise of great futures. ?? #GreatFuturesStartHere #YouthOfTheYear

Meet Adriana, our incredible Youth of the Year representative from our Sheakley Boys & Girls Club! Adriana is a dedicated junior at SCPA with a passion for science, writing, and making lifelong friendships. Over 9 years at BGC she’s built an inspiring journey of growth, leadership, and community. She says being named Youth of the Year is a chance for her to highlight the life-changing opportunities at BGC and represent her club with pride. Let’s celebrate Adriana as she continues striving for greatness! #GreatFuturesStartHere #YouthOfTheYear

Proud to introduce Braylon, our Clem & Ann Buenger Club Youth of the Year! A dedicated student at Newport High School, Braylon is not only passionate about science and culinary arts but also deeply involved in extracurriculars like cheerleading, band, and wrestling. With over 10 years at the Boys & Girls Club, Braylon has grown into a leader, mentor, and advocate for his peers. Excited to see what the future holds for this inspiring young leader! #YouthOfTheYear #GreatFuturesStartHere

At the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati, we’re celebrating Black History Month by inspiring the next generation of innovators! Last week, our members learned about Lewis Latimer, an American inventor and electrical pioneer whose contributions to the lightbulb changed history. After learning about his legacy, they put their creativity to the test—designing their own inventions and even building working lightbulb circuits. Hands-on learning in action! #BlackHistoryMonth #STEMEducation #Innovation #FutureLeaders

Proud to introduce Anela, our incredible Youth of the Year at our Jeff Wyler Club! At just 16, Anela is a dedicated student at West Clermont High School and Scarlet Oaks Career Campus, where she excels in Material Science Chemistry. She has a passion for gaming, drawing, bracelet making, and sewing. Anela has been an active member of the Boys & Girls Club for three years, finding friendship, opportunity, and leadership along the way. Outside of school and the club, she gives back by volunteering at The Village Food Pantry and aspires to work in construction. Anela is a true role model, and we can’t wait to see where her journey takes her!

We’re thrilled to introduce Ivan, our Youth of the Year from the Chase & Cole Fischer Boys & Girls Club! A 10th grader at Holmes High School, Ivan maintains an impressive 4.8 GPA, with a strong passion for math and baseball. Having been part of the Boys & Girls Club for 8 years, he values leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. Ivan aspires to play professional baseball while continuing to be a role model for others. His dedication and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring. Congratulations, Ivan and good luck on competition night! ??j

A group of our Taft Club girls had an incredible experience yesterday, joining the Black Fives Foundation at the Xavier University women’s basketball game to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day! ?? Before tip-off, they had the chance to connect with Xavier’s female student-athletes from a variety of sports—including golf, soccer, lacrosse, and swimming—gaining inspiration from their journeys. Then, during the game, they received a special honor at center court! The Black Fives foundation is dedicated to preserving and sharing the pre-NBA history of African Americans in basketball, inspiring the next generation through its powerful mission. Learn more at https://www.blackfives.org.

Youth of the Year season is in full swing and we’re only a few weeks away from competition night! Last night our staff and mentors took our incredible YOYs on a shopping spree at Kohl's to help them look and feel their best as they get ready to take the stage ??. Empowering young leaders isn’t just about skills—it’s about helping them step into every opportunity with self-assurance and pride. Grateful for our team and partners who make moments like this possible!