Our Mission
To provide access and opportunities for youth to reach their full potential as responsible members of the 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.
Our Vision
We believe success is within reach for every young person that walks through our doors.
Our kids benefit from trained staff and volunteers. Caring professionals who help them take control of their lives, envision productive futures, and reach their goals.
Who We Are
For over 40 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem has proudly served Harlem youth and the community.
Kids and teens take part in life-changing programs with support from their peers.
Caring adults provide an environment that is positive, welcoming, and fun.
Where to Find Us
The Boys & Girls Club of Harlem currently has 5 school sites located in New York City’s renowned Harlem. Open to youth between the ages of 5 and 18, our clubhouses provide a safe space full of opportunities for boys and girls from the local community.
M.L. Wilson Clubhouse
P.S. 186
152 West 145th St
Frederick Douglass Academy I
2581 Adam Clayton Powell Jr, Blvd
STEM Institute of Manhattan
P.S. 241
240 West 113th Street
Mary McLeod Bethune
P.S. 092
222 West 134th Street
The William Lynch School
P.S. 368
1750 Amsterdam Avenue
Adam Clayton Powell
P.S. 153
1750 Amsterdam Avenue
Shaba R. Keys
Board Chair
Shaba has over 25 years of expertise and leadership in the social sector, with a focus on program development and oversight, informing public policy, and building strategic partnerships to achieve inclusive and equitable outcomes in education and employment. Currently, Shaba is Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives in the Office of Public Affairs at Columbia University.
Shaba joined the BGCH Board in 2015 and was elected Chair in 2018. In addition, in 2023, she was elected Chairperson of the New York/Long Island Area Council for The Boys and Girls Club of America. She holds a Certificate in Business Excellence from The Tamer Center in Social Enterprise (Columbia Business School), a J.D. from The Columbus School of Law (The Catholic University of America), and a B.A. in History and Political Science from Tufts University.
Sharon Joseph
Chief Executive Officer
Since joining BGCH, Sharon has been responsible for the overall management and growth of BGCH and its services for more than 1,500 Harlem students and their families. Before BGCH, Sharon served as a corporate relationships manager at
Goldman Sachs, with experience in wealth management, business transformation strategy, fundraising, and diversity equity and inclusion. Sharon has over 20 years of experience in business and organizational leadership. She holds an
MBA with a concentration in Finance, from Columbia Business School, and a BA in International Relations, Tufts University.
Board of Directors
Elena Boyd*
Elois Dupree
Winston Gilchrist
Kathy Harrison*
Yolanda Holmes
Delores Jones*
Shaba R. Keys*
Shirley Lewis*
Reverend Dr. La-Tonia Middleton-Jackson
Charles Payne
Audrey Sanders
Dr. Aleesha Taylor*
* Executive Committee
Our Team
Sharon Joseph
CEO/Executive Director
Chaelee Dalton
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Justine Robinson
Director of Programs and Strategic Partnerships
Nigel Bell
Director of Operations and Community Schools
Eishelle Tillery
Compliance Director
Kim Middleton
Executive Administrator
OUR SUPPORTERS
Aetna
Alembic Community Development
Americorps VISTA
Bank of America
Bergdorf Goodman
Boys & Girls Club of America
Carver Bank
Chase
Classical Theatre of Harlem
Columbia Community Services
Combs Enterprises
Cornell University
Food Bank For New York City
Fresh Direct, Inc.
Goldman Sachs
Harlem Community Development Corporation
HSBC
Kids Foot Locker
Lowe’s
Manhattan Borough President, Mark Levine
Mertz Gilmore Foundation
Morgan Stanley
New York City Department of Education
NYC Council Manhattan Delegation
NYC Council Speaker
NYC Service
NYS Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
NYS Office of Children & Family Services
Open Society Institute Charitable Events Fund
QBE Foundation
The Pinkerton Foundation
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Rite Aid
Spectrum
Thompson Foundation
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
U.S. Federation of Teachers
West Harlem Development Corporation
Financial Documents
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