Brigade Boys & Girls Club has been recognized as the 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion in Coastal North Carolina for its work in removing barriers and advancing economic opportunity for young people in New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties, a news release stated. 

As part of the program, Brigade Boys & Girls Club will receive $50,000 in grant support and an opportunity to participate in virtual nonprofit leadership training on topics like human capital management, increasing financial sustainability and storytelling. 

“Brigade Boys & Girls Club offers programs throughout our region to connect young people with experiences that develop valuable life skills to enrich their lives and future,” said Derek Cohen, president, Bank of America Coastal NC. “Bank of America has a longstanding commitment to this mission and is now providing resources and training to help position Brigade Boys & Girls Club and its leadership team for long-term success as they grow strategically and continue to inspire our future leaders.”

Brigade Boys & Girls Club aims to enable all youth to reach their potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. They will use their grant funding to support the unification efforts between Brigade and Community Boys & Girls Clubs, enabling the new organization to improve infrastructures, increase efficiency, expand programs, and support staff training and professional development. 

"The overall vision for our organization is to provide a world-class Club Experience that assures academic, health, and leadership success is within reach of every young person that enters our door. With the success of the unification, this realization is within reach for not only youth we currently serve but expanding our movement into other surrounding Counties that have significant needs. With strong staff and Board leadership, we can better serve youth and be a catalyst for acceptance, diversity, and healing in our communities." said Angie Hill, CEO. 

Since 2019 in Coastal North Carolina, four nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Champions with a total of $200,000 being invested in these organizations collectively. Previous recipients are Kids Making It, Voyage of Wilmington, and StepUp Wilmington. 

The invitation-only program is highly competitive, and organizations are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Champion honorees. 

The Neighborhood Champions program is an extension of the bank’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders®, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country. Through 2021, Bank of America has invested $6.3 million in 126 organizations within 42 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program.

Pictured above are Angie Hill, executive director, Brigade Boys and Girls Club; LaMarr Walker, director of development and communications, Brigade Boys and Girls Club; Derek Cohen, president of Bank of America Coastal Carolina; and Jennie Jackson, market executive, Bank of America.