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 

521 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

Tess Mateo

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

Google

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

Pinterest

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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