August 27, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Boys & Girls Clubs Celebrate with National Chapter

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) honored Club members and Club alum at their annual Great Futures Gala Nov. 3, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills. Boys & Girls Clubs of America Trustees Steve Mosko and Eric Shanks, President, COO and Executive Producer of FOX Sports co-chaired the annual event which has been held in Los Angeles for more than 26 years. Actor, comedian Jay Mohr emceed.

news-boysngirls111816dThe more than 400 guests were treated to a moving performance by classical pianist Chloe Flower who was joined on stage by Club members Mya from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove and Miguel from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley.

The evening’s host, actor and comedian Jay Mohr introduced the 2015 National Youth of the Year, Whitney S. Whitney took the audience on a personal journey of what happens inside a Boys & Girls Club. “Each day nearly half a million kids walk through the doors of a Boys & Girls Club,“ said Whitney. “Clubs support kids and teens at every level, especially where help is needed most. Youth also connect with caring mentors and youth development professionals who are life-changers for Club members. They help kids and teens find stability and enable them to achieve a great future.”

A highlight of the evening was a special performance by four talented teens from the new Lyricism 101 program which encourages Club members to raise their voice and express themselves about issues that matter to them. The program focuses on the art of freestyling and teens are coached by hip-hop artists and entertainment professionals.

Jim Clark, president and CEO of BGCA, thanked the Club member performers, co-chairs Steve Mosko and Eric Shanks, the gala committee and sponsors for their time and efforts in support of the nearly 4 million kids and teens who enter Club doors each year, changing their lives forever. “Boys & Girls Clubs are redefining youth development through three core values. We believe through academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles, we are setting our nation’s youth on the path to success. Our strategy has already shown incredible outcomes and we can’t wait to see what the future brings as we expand our commitment to America’s kids and teens for generations to come.”

The 2016 National Youth of the Year Jocelyn W. gave a moving firsthand account of how her Boys & Girls Club inspired and motivated her to become the successful college freshman she is today. The National Youth of the Year title is the highest honor a Club member can receive.

Keynote speaker and Club alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park was award-winning director and producer Justin Lin. Lin’s films have grossed more than $2 billion worldwide and is best known for his work on The Fast and the Furious 3-6, Star Trek Beyond and Better Luck Tomorrow. He is also known for his work on television shows Community and True Detective. Lin credits Boys & Girls Clubs for changing his life and creating an opportunity for him to dream big and succeed.

FOX NFL Insider and Commentator Jay Glazer and former soccer player and current soccer analyst for FS1, Eric Wynalda conducted a live auction creating a bidding frenzy for an Up Close and Personal with FOX NFL Sunday coveted football experience and a four-night all-inclusive ultimate getaway on a private island in Fiji at the Villa Vatu.

 

Related Posts

(Video) Come Tour The Willows Community School!

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Sign up for a tour at The Willows and come see what makes our school such a vibrant, inspiring place...

Jewish Clergy Rally in Los Angeles Urging Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Food Aid for Gaza

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Two Dozen Rabbis Gathered at Israeli Consulate, Hostage’s Family Appears at Second Rally Jewish clergy from across Los Angeles County...

Metro LA’s Aug. 30 Deadline for Public Comment on Sepulveda Transit Draft EIR Approaches

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Community Members Can Weigh In Before the 90-Day Comment Period Closes. Metro is reminding community members that the 90-day public...

Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Culver City, and Uni High Gear Up for Early-Season Games

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

The Centaurs, Eagles, Normans, and Wildcats Face Key Matchups This Week Football season is heating up across our area, with...

I-405 to See Lane Reductions, Ramp Closures as Pavement Rehab Project Continues

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Drivers Should Expect Delays With Overnight Work Aug. 26–28, Sept. 5 Motorists using Interstate 405 through the Sepulveda Pass should...

Kobe Day Tribute: Lakers Welcome UCLA Newborns With Purple-and-Gold Gifts

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Babies Received Adorable Care Packages in Celebration of “Kobe Day.” Families welcoming newborns at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and...

Suspect Arrested After Eight-Hour SWAT Standoff in Jefferson Park Shooting

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

 Police Say a Man Was Killed and a Suspect Barricaded Himself Inside a Home Hours after a fatal shooting near...

Attorney General Rob Bonta Secures Release of $900M in Frozen Education Funds for California

August 25, 2025

August 25, 2025

Trump Administration Agrees to Release Frozen Education Funds  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Friday that the Trump administration has...

“Rich Rollin” Burglary Crew Linked to 92 Break-Ins Taken Down in LAPD Operation

August 25, 2025

August 25, 2025

Ten Suspects, Including Confirmed Gang Members, Face Charges Nearly 100 residential burglaries across the city have been tied to a...

Oakley Founder Relists Beverly Hills Fortress for $65.995 Million

August 25, 2025

August 25, 2025

James Jannard’s Brutalist Mansion in Trousdale Estates For Sale The brutalist estate built by Oakley founder James Jannard is back...

18-Year-Old Woman Fatally Shot While Trying to Break Up a Fight on a Metro Bus

August 24, 2025

August 24, 2025

Police Say the Teen Was Killed in Westchester After Intervening in a Dispute  Efforts to break up a fight on...

Chuck Lorre Buys $27.5 Million Bel Air Mansion With Hollywood Regency Pedigree

August 24, 2025

August 24, 2025

TV Producer Closed on the John Elgin Woolf–Designed Estate at a Discount Chuck Lorre, the television producer behind The Big...

Is $1,500 Enough Anymore? The L.A. Tradeoffs Between Address and Actual Living Space

August 24, 2025

August 24, 2025

New Analysis Shows What 1500 Really Buys in the LA Metro In Greater Los Angeles, $1,500 rents less space than...

Two Days, Two Denials: Menendez Brothers Rejected for Parole

August 23, 2025

August 23, 2025

Erik Denied After 10-Hour Hearing; Lyle Rebuffed the Next Day Erik Menendez, convicted along with his brother in the 1989...

Rob Reiner to Attend for ‘This is Spinal Tap’ as Cinespia Wraps Summer at Hollywood Forever

August 23, 2025

August 23, 2025

Cinespia Closes Out Summer: Fan Favorites and DJs Return to Hollywood Forever Cinespia will close out summer with four outdoor...