A.G. Gaston Club Celebrates 60 Years, Impacting Thousands

0:00It's April 30, I'm Cory with the story, and this is Birmingham News today, your AI-powered local news. The AG Gaston Boys and Girls Club is marking its 60th anniversary this year, a legacy kicked off by Birmingham's first black millionaire, Dr. Khan, Arthur Gaston. Back during the civil rights era, he spotted some young black guys just hanging out downtown and thought, idle hands need purpose. That simple idea has now reached 20,000 kids with academic help, sports, and safe spaces. Fast forward, Gaston rallied black and white business folks in 1966, donated the building and raised $350,000 for a top-notch spot with gyms, libraries, and fields. It opened in 1967, and today they've got a slick 25,000 square foot headquarters in Crossplex Village, plus five other, campuses across the area. Folks rave about the real impact alums, like Maxwell Hawkins' Credit Coaches, as second parents who steered them from street life to college and solid.

1:02Jobs. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. calls it a nurturing hub that builds accountability and lifelong bonds. Leaders say it's thriving, not just surviving, after six decades, they're pushing forward with cutting-edge stuff like an AT&T back tech center for STEM, a hydroponic farm from Major League Baseball, growing kale, and greens for families, and even programs at a juvenile facility treating kids the same as anywhere else. Plans include workforce training to keep the momentum post-high school. All this builds on Gaston's vibe of spotting needs and filling them. With a big anniversary dinner, May 14th at 6.30pm at the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge, Alphazort, and Spa, Jalen Hurtz joins for a fireside chat tickets are $250. It's a call to keep investing in these young lives for tomorrow's wins.