
ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
To provide access and opportunities for youth to reach their full potential as responsible members of the community.
OUR VISION
We believe that success is within reach of every young person that walks through our doors. Our kids benefit from trained, caring, professional staff and volunteers who help them take control of their lives, envision productive futures, and reach their goals.
OUR VALUES
Boys & Girls Club of Harlem centers its programming around three core values:
• We believe that all kids can excel academically and should have both support and enrichment opportunities to do so.
• We are committed to providing opportunities for youth to develop and exhibit strong character and leadership skills essential to the positive transformation of their lives and the community where they reside.
• We believe that healthy children and families benefit the entire community, and that wellness is a cornerstone of a fruitful life.
WHO WE ARE
For nearly 40 years, Boys & Girls Club of Harlem has proudly served the youth and community of Harlem. We are attuned to the specific needs of the Harlem community. BGCHarlem fills the gap between school and home by providing a positive, welcoming environment where kids and teens can have fun, participate in life-changing programs, and build supportive relationships with their peers and caring adults.
1980: Rev. ML Wilson, Lewis M. Cofield and the parishioners of the Convent Avenue Baptist Church set out to create a home where Harlem youth could learn and grow.
1986: BGCHarlem purchased the vacant
P.S. 186 building from New York City
1988: M.L. Wilson Clubhouse founded
2006: Frederick Douglass Academy Clubhouse founded
2007: Manhattanville Clubhouse founded
2014: Construction begins on BGCHarlem
Clubhouse and headquarters at P.S. 186
2016: BGCHarlem opens new 10,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse, with an expansive Teen Center and our administrative offices.
MILESTONES
DOMINIQUE R. JONES
Executive Director
Dominique joined The Club as its Executive Director in March 2015. Prior to her arrival, Dominique served as Chief Programs Officer for Food Bank For New York City. In this role, she oversaw the development and implementation of programs that assist New Yorkers access critical income supports and information to prevent hunger. Dominique has also held senior leadership positions at the United Way of Central Ohio and the New York City Administration for Children’s Services. In these roles, she led organizational and community change efforts as Vice President for Community Engagement and Assistant Commissioner respectively. Dominique holds degrees from Spelman College, The New School, and has recently completed Columbia Business School’s Executive Education Senior Leaders in Not-for-Profit Management program. Although Dominique was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio she has been a resident and active in the Harlem Community for twenty years. Dominique is even more excited to not only live but serve the Harlem Community doing what she loves, creating opportunities and access for young people.
SHABA R. KEYS
Board Chair
Shaba R. Keys is Associate Vice President, Government and Community Affairs, at Columbia University. She has a broad project portfolio that includes fostering strategic partnerships, developing inter-University programs, and directing educational and youth strategies such as the Connecting Youth Initiative. Prior to assuming her role at Columbia University in 2013, she served in executive roles with Enterprise Community Partners, The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and Surdna Foundation facilitating public-private partnerships and initiatives to serve disinvested communities. She led national evaluative assessments while building collaborative networks among CBOs, local and elected leadership, and corporate stakeholders. Shaba received a B.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from The Columbus School of Law, Catholic University. Shaba was elected Board Chair of BGCHarlem in January 2018. A member of the Board since 2014, she previously served as First Vice-Chair along with serving on multiple committees. Although she remains a Washingtonian at heart, Shaba is uniquely vested as a professional, resident, and parent in Harlem. For over 20 years, with the support of her husband and two daughters, she has worked to serve community and youth, particularly in Northern Manhattan. Her service is inspired by her parents, longtime educators to youth in Washington, D.C.
Shaba R. Keys, Chair
AVP of Government and Community Affairs
Columbia University
Elois Dupree, Second Vice Chair
Consultant, Children’s Services
Kathy Harrison, Treasurer
Financial Consultant
Nicole Yearwood, Secretary
Government Relations Consultant
Elena K. Boyd
Manager, Accenture
Alethia Brown
Principal, 401 W 149th Street Properties
Monique Codjoe
Vice President, HSBC
Winston Gilchrist
Principal, Winchrist Experience- Photography & Photo
Delores Jones
Founding Board Member
Retired, NYC
Human Resources Administration
Shirley A. Lewis
Bank Service Management
Consultant
La-Tonia Middleton-Jackson
Program Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Verizon Foundation
Aleesha Taylor
Principal, Herald Advisors
Christopher Watler
Executive Director,
Center for Employment Opportunity
Rev. Jesse T. Williams
Senior Pastor, Convent Avenue Baptist Church
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Justine Robinson
Academic Programs Manager
Aaron Stern
Development Coordinator
Freda Campbell-Brobbey
Site Director – PS 92
Matthew Laurino
Site Director – PS 133
Maiaika Small
Director of Operations
Eishelle Tillery
Advantage After School Programs Director
LaShell Wooten
Director of Social Emotional Learning Programs (Consulting)
Quinton Lampkin
Program Officer for College & Career
OUR STAFF
OUR SUPPORTERS
Alembic Community Development
Americorps VISTA
Boys & Girls Club of America
Carver Bank
Columbia Community Services
Combs Enterprises
Food Bank For New York City
Fresh Direct, Inc.
Harlem Community Development Corporation
HSBC
Lowe’s
Mertz Gilmore Foundation
New York City Department of Education
NYC Council Manhattan Delegation
NYC Council Member Bill Perkins
NYC Council Member Mark Levine
NYC Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito
NYC Service
NYS Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
NYS Assembly Member, Denny Farrell
NYS Office of Children & Family Services
Open Society Institute Charitable Events Fund
QBE Foundation
The Pinkerton Foundation
Time Warner, Inc.
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
United Federation of Teachers
West Harlem Development Corporation