SAMUEL S. GRAY JR.
Bloomfield,Connecticut
Summary
Highly accomplished and visionary leader with over three decades of dedicated service in advancing the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Adept at driving organizational growth, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring the delivery of impactful programs to youth and teens. Proven track record of successful leadership, demonstrated by the establishment of transformative initiatives and the effective management of multi-million-dollar budgets. Passionate advocate for youth development, committed to creating safe and nurturing environments that empower young people to reach their full potential.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
President and Chief Executive Officer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
10.2007 - Current
- Provides leadership, guidance, and vision for the first Boys & Girls Club organization in the country by managing a $8+ million budget serving 8 locations serving 5,000+ youth and teens annually
- Recruit and engage youth and teens into the Boys & Girls Club, implementing targeted outreach strategies and community engagement initiatives to foster enrollment and participation
- Provided direction for a successful $20M+ Capital Campaign to build a new Boys & Girls Club in the South End of Hartford, the first five years of annual operating expenses and grow organizations endowment in 2019 to present
- Provides leadership for a successful renovation project of the Joseph D
- Lapenta Northwest Boys & Girls Club totaling $5.7 million in 2023 to present
- Enhance presence and impact within the community, educational institutions, state/city agencies, and corporate entities to expand access to funding opportunities and gain deeper insights into grant requirements and preferences
- Stay attuned to evolving trends in school systems and service provisions, as well as broader developments that may affect the mission and service delivery of Boys & Girls Clubs
- Forge collaborative partnerships with BGCH Senior Leadership Team members, Board Chair, and Board members within the designated Board Committee Structure of the organization
- Provide guidance and support to the organization to enhance their capacity in Board Development, Executive Development, and Resource Development initiatives
- Ensure the formulation of a comprehensive strategic plan for the organization, encompassing people, programming, infrastructure, resource development, and marketing and communications
- Established partnerships resulting in securing gifts ranging from the upper six figures to low seven figures from major corporations in Greater Hartford
- Collaborated with the BGCH Board, Resource Development, and Marketing & Communications teams to diversify revenue streams through initiatives such as cause-related marketing and market-specific funding opportunities
- Assess and foster appropriate leadership within each organization to develop and implement a programmatic outcome-driven Club experience, utilizing a measurement strategy supported by daily data to drive the Formula for Impact, while also promoting the utilization of national programs
- Promote child safety priorities and resources for the organization, promptly reporting any observed or suspected child safety concerns to BGCA Director of Organizational Development.
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
10.2001 - 10.2007
- Provided leadership and direction for the implementation and day to day operations of 12 Boys & Girls Club programs (4 - Traditional Boys & Girls Clubs, 6 - School based Boys & Girls Clubs, 1 - Community based community center and 1 - Juvenile Detention center)
- Managed $2.1 million program budget oversight serving over 8,000 youths
- Institutionalize use of the specific, performance measures to capture, track, and monitor the impact of BGCH programs and services
- Catalyst for sustaining organizational development; effectively recruited, supported and managed a diverse and dedicated team of youth services professionals (12 - direct supervision and 45 - in-direct supervision)
- Established a mission-driven culture of integrity, core values and accountability that fosters quality programs and services for children and families
- Worked closely with Board of Directors, supporting their leadership function and responsibilities as it relates to meeting organizational goals, objectives and mission
- Effectively communicate and respond to all internal/external constituencies
- Established effective partnerships and collaborative relationships.
Unit Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia (Wissahickon Unit)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
08.1998 - 10.2001
- Selected as the 8th Club Director in Site history – founded in 1896
- Club site was the first Boys & Girls Club to serve African American children in the country founded in 1887
- Led growth of Unit to serve over 400 youth annually and increased budget from $200K to $500K
- Enhanced the Club's image and perception through effective marketing strategies
- Established quality working relationships with Board members and stakeholders.
Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Richmond (Petersburg Unit)
Richmond, Virginia
02.1997 - 08.1998
- Established the first Boys & Girls Club in the City of Petersburg, serving over 100 youth.
Unit Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Richmond (Central Unit)
Richmond, Virginia
12.1991 - 02.1997
- Led and supervised a team of 6 Boys & Girls Club staff while overseeing the planning, organization, and supervision of Club programs for more than 400 youths annually.
Education
Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership -
Albertus Magnus College
Bachelor of Science in Business Management -
Albertus Magnus College
Skills
- Strategic Vision
- Relationship and Teambuilding
- Problem-Solving and Decision Making
- Communication
- Event Planning
- Operational Excellence
Accomplishments
- Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame – Community Leadership Award 2024 for Hartford and New Haven, CT
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Master and Mentor Awardee, May 2023
- University of Georgia, Sherpa Executive Coaching Certificate, December 2020. BGCA Woodruff Fellow 2020
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Northeast Region, Spirit of the Movement Awardee, November 2019
- Albertus Magnus College, The Richard Hennessey Award, May 2019 – Best Representation of a Graduate Student in the New Dimensions Program
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Northeast Region, Horizon Award, November 2018 – Top Boys & Girls Club Executive
- Connecticut State Conference of NAACP 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut, September 2018
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America Woodruff Fellow, 2017
- Harvard Business School – Executive Education Leadership Summit, Executive Leadership Certificate, June 2016
- One Hundred Men of Color recipient in the Inaugural Class, October 2014
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford was named by the Hartford Business Journal as the Nonprofit Organization of the Year for 2010
- Selected by the Hartford Magazine as one of Greater Hartford’s 50 Most Influential People of 2009 and 2010
- Selected by the Hartford Business Journal as one of Greater Hartford 40 under Forty in 2009
- Selected by Leadership Greater Hartford as Polaris recipient in 2009
- Leadership Greater Hartford, Summit Program graduate, Hartford, CT, 2008
- Leadership Greater Hartford, Quest Program graduate, Hartford, CT, 2005
- The Strom Thurmond Boys & Girls Clubs Leadership Institute at Clemson University – Advanced Leadership Certificate Program, June 2003
- Academy of Boys & Girls Club Professionals Distinguished Level – Management Professional, 2003
- Academy of Boys & Girls Club Professionals Professional Level – Management Professional, 2002
Civic Activities
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated – Hartford Alumni Chapter, Polemarch, 09/01/2022, Present
- Society of African American Professionals, Treasurer, 2020, Present
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America President Advisory Committee, 2012, Present
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America Great Futures 2025 Planning Committee, 2015, Present
- Hartford Hospital, Board member, 2011, Present
Timeline
President and Chief Executive Officer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford
10.2007 - Current
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford
10.2001 - 10.2007
Unit Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia (Wissahickon Unit)
08.1998 - 10.2001
Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Richmond (Petersburg Unit)
02.1997 - 08.1998
Unit Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Richmond (Central Unit)
12.1991 - 02.1997
Master of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership -
Albertus Magnus College
Bachelor of Science in Business Management -
Albertus Magnus College
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