NBA legend and philanthropist, Dr. Shaquille O’Neal surprised guests at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s (BGCMA) 2025 Youth of the Year Gala when he donated $20,000 through The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, giving $10,000 each to the Youth of the Year winner and runner-up. Dr. O’Neal spoke at the event and announced the top 5 Youth of the Year candidates. He also spent time connecting with the candidates backstage.
Held at the Coca-Cola Roxy, the Bank of America-sponsored gala themed “The Power of Now” raised over $1.3 million to expand BGCMA programs that support academic success, leadership development, workforce readiness, and wellness for youth across Metro Atlanta.
“It’s great to be here with you,” Dr. O’Neal told attendees. “This organization changed my life, just like it’s changing the lives of every young person who walks through the blue doors in Atlanta today. When I was growing up, the Club was my safe place. It was a place that made room for my big dreams and connected me with people who believed in me, like Ms. Banks.”
Dr. O’Neal’s reference to Cynthia Banks, the former CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark, who mentored him as a teen, reflected the lifelong power of mentorship, a defining part of the Boys & Girls Club experience.
He continued, “Leadership doesn’t start when you’re older, when you’ve made it, or when you have a title. It starts right now, with the choices you make, the effort you make, and the way you lift others up.”
Zoe B. was named 2025 Youth of the Year, and
Adiya J. was honored as runner-up. Both received scholarships — $10,000 for the winner and $5,000 for the runner-up, in addition to the foundation’s donation of $10,000 each. All other finalists received a $500 scholarship. This year’s scholarships were funded by the David Jernigan Legacy Scholarship Fund, established with the board of director’s support in honor of the organization’s former President & CEO.
On her part, BGCMA’s new President and CEO,
Libby Saylor Wright, began her first Youth of the Year Gala remarks with gratitude for the community’s support and reflected on the significance of the moment considering recent data showing the disparities in opportunity across the City of Atlanta.
“Our Clubs across Metro Atlanta are closing opportunity gaps every single day,” said Saylor Wright. “We’re creating spaces where young people can dream big and have the support to make those dreams real,” she added.
Saylor Wright encouraged the audience to embrace the power of now, “This is our moment to lean in, scale what works, and to run toward the opportunities that allow us to reach more kids, more families, and more communities across Metro Atlanta,” she said.
The Youth of the Year program, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier leadership initiative, recognizes outstanding teens who demonstrate academic excellence, character, and community service. This year, sixteen Metro Atlanta teens participated in months of preparation, including public speaking, writing, and interview training led by BGCMA staff and mentors from the community.
Legendary news anchor,
Monica Pearson led the proceedings at this year’s gala, which featured a dinner performance by the Melvin Miller Trio, and a special artistic interpretation of this year’s theme, The Power of Now, by Club members.
Proceeds from this event will strengthen BGCMA’s year-round work, supporting more than 7,000 youth across 25 Clubs in nine Metro Atlanta counties.
