Shaquille O’Neal, the legendary basketball player and dedicated philanthropist, made a generous $20,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) at their 2025 Youth of the Year Gala.
The donation, facilitated through The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, was split equally, with $10,000 going to both the Youth of the Year winner and the runner-up.
In addition to the surprise gift, O’Neal participated actively in the event, speaking to the guests and announcing the top five Youth of the Year candidates. He also took time backstage to engage with the teenage participants.
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Sponsored by Bank of America and centered around the theme “The Power of Now,” the gala took place on November 7 at the Coca-Cola Roxy.
According to 11 Alive, the event successfully raised over $1.3 million, which will be used to enhance programs for young people across Metro Atlanta, focusing on key areas such as academic achievement, leadership skills, career preparedness, and overall well-being.
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Reflecting on his own childhood experience in the Boys & Girls Club, O’Neal addressed the attendees, saying, “It’s great to be here with you. 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.”
Referencing Cynthia Banks, former CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark, he emphasized the enduring power of mentorship, which is central to the Boys & Girls Club experience.
“Leadership doesn’t start when you’re older, when you’ve made it, or when you have a title,” he added. “It starts right now, with the choices you make, the effort you make, and the way you lift others up.”
The 2025 Youth of the Year title was awarded to Zoe B., who received a $10,000 scholarship, while Adiya J. was recognized as the runner-up, receiving a $5,000 scholarship. Both were also given an additional $10,000 gift from the foundation.
The remaining finalists each received a $500 scholarship. Funding for this year’s awards came from the David Jernigan Legacy Scholarship Fund, which was established with support from the board of directors to honor the organization’s former president and CEO.
In her inaugural remarks as BGCMA’s president and CEO at the Youth of the Year Gala, Libby Saylor Wright thanked the community for its support. She also mentioned the critical importance of their work, citing data that highlights disparities in opportunities throughout Atlanta.
“Our Clubs across Metro Atlanta are closing opportunity gaps every single day,” Saylor Wright said. “We’re creating spaces where young people can dream big and have the support to make those dreams real.”
She urged the audience to grasp the “power of now,” stating, “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.”
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The Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCMA) premier leadership initiative, the Youth of the Year program, celebrates teens for their achievements in academic excellence, character, and community service. This year, sixteen Metro Atlanta teenagers participated, undergoing several months of intensive preparation in public speaking, writing, and interviewing, guided by BGCMA staff and dedicated community mentors.
The funds raised from the gala will directly support BGCMA’s ongoing efforts throughout the year, serving over 7,000 young people across 25 Clubs in nine counties throughout Metro Atlanta.
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